#waffles queen

[atac-agent]

Helnik || GHOSTS OF OUR PAST || Chapter 2

Timeline: Just after Crooked Kingdom, right before King of Scars

Genre: Angst

Word Count: 2.8K+

Note: totally not venging revenge for my wasted tears over the untold story of helnik-

• masterlist // prologue // prev. chp // next chapter (coming soon)

---

Nina's heart pounded in her chest as she stared at the figure before her. The flickering candlelight cast eerie shadows on the walls, making the face of the intruder even more sinister. She took a step back, her mind racing with a thousand possibilities.

The figure smirked, taking a deliberate step forward. "Surprised to see me, Nina?"

Nina's breath caught in her throat. She recognized the voice, though it had been years since she had last heard it. "Jurgen," she whispered, the name escaping her lips like a curse.

Jurgen, a former drüskelle, had been one of Matthias' closest comrades. He was ruthless and unyielding, known for his brutal efficiency in hunting down Grisha. How had he found her here in Ketterdam? And why now, when she was already at her weakest?

"What do you want?" Nina demanded, forcing herself to stand tall, despite the fear gnawing at her insides.

Jurgen's smirk widened. "Revenge, of course. You took Matthias from us, and now you'll pay the price."

Nina's mind raced as she tried to formulate a plan. She couldn't afford to show weakness, not now. "Matthias chose his own path. He wasn't yours to control."

Jurgen's eyes narrowed. "He was ours until you corrupted him. But no matter. Your death will send a message to all who think they can defy us."

Nina swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Matthias' jacket still clutched in her hands. She needed to buy time, to find a way to turn the situation in her favour. "Do you really think killing me will bring him back? Matthias wouldn't want this."

Jurgen's expression darkened. "Don't pretend to know what Matthias would have wanted. You twisted his mind, made him weak."

Anger flared within Nina, a fierce protective instinct she couldn't suppress. "Matthias was stronger than any of you. He saw the truth, saw that the world wasn't just black and white. He chose love over hate."

Jurgen's lip curled in disdain. "Spare me your sentimental drivel. Your time is up, Nina Zenik."

With a swift motion, Jurgen drew a dagger, the blade gleaming menacingly in the candlelight. Nina's heart skipped a beat, but she refused to back down. "You're making a mistake," she said, her voice steady. "Ketterdam is under Kaz Brekker's control. You won't get out of here alive."

Jurgen laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "Kaz Brekker? The so-called Bastard of the Barrel? He means nothing to me."

Nina's mind raced. She needed to think quickly, to find a way to outmanoeuvre Jurgen. She focused on her training, on the lessons Matthias had taught her about survival and resilience. "Then let's see if you can handle me," she said, summoning all her courage.

Before Jurgen could react, Nina lunged forward, using the element of surprise to her advantage. She grabbed a nearby candlestick and swung it at him with all her strength. The heavy metal connected with his arm, causing him to drop the dagger.

Jurgen snarled in pain and rage, but Nina didn't give him a chance to recover. She kicked the dagger away, sending it skidding across the floor. "You're not going to win this fight," she said, her voice filled with determination.

Jurgen's eyes blazed with fury, but there was a hint of uncertainty in his gaze. "We'll see about that," he growled.

Before he could make another move, he suddenly stiffened, his eyes widening in shock. A thin line of blood appeared on his neck, and he collapsed to the floor, dead.

Nina's knees buckled, and she sank to the floor, the adrenaline leaving her body in a rush. She looked up to see Inej Ghafa appear from the shadows, her expression calm and steady. "You're safe now," Inej said softly.

Nina nodded weakly, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "I... I think so."

Inej helped her to her feet, her grip steady and reassuring. "We need to be more careful. It seems our enemies are closer than we thought.

Nina's mind was still reeling from the encounter, but she knew Inej was right.

Nina took a deep breath, trying to steady her racing heart. She knew she couldn't delay her journey to Fjerda any longer. She needed to bury Matthias and find some semblance of peace.

The next morning, the Van Eck Mansion was bustling with activity. Jesper and Wylan were already in the study, sorting through documents and maps. Kaz was at the desk, his fingers steepled in concentration as he reviewed the necessary transactions.

"Nina, you need to be ready," Inej said looking up from the map. "The journey won't be easy. I have spoken with the crew. We all give you all the help we can. In the meanwhile, why don't you come with me? There's a place we can go for waffles. You need a moment to breathe."

"Are you sure?"

"Com'on Nina. How can it hurt?"

Nina hesitated, glancing around the room filled with maps and plans, the weight of her next steps looming over her. But the thought of waffles, warm and sweet, tugged at something deep within her—something that reminded her of simpler times, of moments shared with people she loved.

Nina chuckled, the sound foreign and out of place amidst the wreckage of her mind. But she nodded. “Alright, let’s go. I can’t say no to waffles.”

The two women left the mansion, slipping into the bustling streets of Ketterdam. The cold air nipped at their cheeks, but Nina welcomed it, letting the sharpness of the wind clear her mind.

As they walked, Nina let her thoughts drift. For a brief moment, it felt like she was a normal person again, just two friends going out for breakfast, without the weight of death and duty pressing down on her. She clutched Matthias’ jacket tighter around her, feeling the familiar roughness of the leather against her skin.

"How do you find these places?" Nina finally asked, breaking the silence.

Inej glanced at her, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "It’s Ketterdam. You just have to know where to look."

Soon enough, they reached a small, tucked-away café, the kind of place you could easily miss if you weren’t paying attention. The warm scent of baking bread and syrup hit Nina the moment they stepped inside, and for the first time in what felt like days, a genuine smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

The place was cozy, with just a few tables scattered around and a handful of customers already enjoying their breakfasts. Inej led them to a table by the window, where they sat down, letting the warmth of the café sink into their bones.

A kind-looking woman with flour dusted on her apron approached, her smile bright and welcoming. "What can I get for you ladies?"

"Waffles," Inej said before Nina could even open her mouth. "Two plates, with all the toppings."

Nina raised an eyebrow at her friend. "All the toppings?"

Inej’s smile widened. "You’ll need it."

The woman bustled away, leaving the two of them alone again. Nina stared out the window, watching as the people of Ketterdam went about their business, oblivious to the battles and heartaches she carried with her.

"It’s hard," Nina said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "To keep going. To act like everything’s normal when it’s not."

Inej didn’t answer right away. She simply let the silence hang between them for a moment, before speaking softly. "I know it’s hard, Nina. But you’re not alone. And you don’t have to be strong all the time."

Nina swallowed, her throat tight. "I keep thinking about him. How I failed him."

"You didn’t fail him," Inej said firmly, "You loved him. And that’s what matters."

As they waited, Nina's thoughts kept drifting back to Matthias, to the life they could have had together. When the waffles arrived, she found she couldn't muster the enthusiasm she usually had for the treat.

"Nina, it's okay to grieve. You don't have to be strong all the time."

Nina looked up, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Inej, I don't know how to do this without him. He was my anchor, my rock."

Inej reached across the table, taking Nina's hand in hers. "You helped me when I was at my lowest, remember? When Oomen cut me, you brought me back. You showed me how to fight, how to survive. Now it's my turn to help you."

Nina let out a shaky breath, the tears finally spilling over. "I miss him so much, Inej. It feels like a part of me is missing."

Inej squeezed her hand. "It's okay to miss him. But remember, Matthias wouldn't want you to give up. He'd want you to keep fighting, to keep living."

Nina nodded, trying to absorb Inej's words. "You're right. He would."

Nina stared down at the waffles in front of her. Normally, she’d dive right in, smothering them with extra cream and berries. But today, they seemed almost... foreign. She poked at them with her fork, letting the smell and warmth curl around her, though it did little to comfort her heart.

Inej remained silent, sipping her tea, her presence steady like the tide. She knew when words would help and when they’d simply add to the noise in Nina's head.

After a moment, Nina took a bite, savoring the sweetness despite the bitterness in her chest. The food tasted good, but it couldn’t fill the void Matthias had left behind. "I wish he could’ve tasted these," Nina said softly, her voice cracking just a little.

Inej looked at her with quiet understanding, but she didn’t push. She never did. Instead, she let Nina's words hang in the air, knowing that it was enough for now.

As they finished up, Inej gently placed a few coins on the table and rose to her feet. "Ready?"

They ate in silence for a while, the sound of other patrons laughing and chatting quietly filling the cozy café. Nina tried to focus on those noises, tried to pretend like everything was normal. For a fleeting second, she almost believed it.

Nina wiped her mouth with a napkin and nodded. "Yeah. Let’s get back. I need to focus."

The cold hit them again as they stepped outside, though this time it didn’t feel as biting. It was almost as if the small café had offered a temporary reprieve from the grief that threatened to suffocate Nina. She still carried the weight of her loss, but it felt... lighter, like a burden she didn’t have to shoulder alone.

They walked in silence, navigating the familiar streets back to the Van Eck mansion. The further they got, the closer reality crept in—plans, journeys, final goodbyes.

Back at the mansion, Jesper and Wylan were busy finalizing the preparations. They had gathered all the necessary supplies and were now packing them into sturdy crates.

Nina joined them, her heart heavy but resolute. "I'm ready," she said, her voice steady.

Jesper handed her a small, intricately carved box. "We found this among Matthias's things. We thought you might want to take it with you."

Nina opened the box, her breath catching when she saw the contents. Inside was a small, silver locket engraved with the words, "Jer molle pe oonet. Enel mörd je nej afva trohem verret." She felt a lump in her throat as she read the inscription. "I have been made to protect you. Only in death will I be kept from this oath."

Jesper placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "He wanted you to have it, Nina. To remember him by."

Nina closed the box, holding it close to her heart. "Thank you, Jesper. This means more to me than you know."

Kaz approached her, handing her a set of documents. "These are the arrangements for your journey. The ship will take you to Fjerda, and from there, you'll need to make your way to the burial site."

Nina took the documents, her heart heavy but determined. "I'll see it through. For Matthias."

The room around her hummed with quiet activity, but the world felt distant. She traced the inscription on the locket, the words grounding her as if they were Matthias' final vow to protect her even now.

Kaz’s voice broke through her thoughts. “The ship won’t wait, Nina.”

She lifted her gaze to meet his, nodding once. The Bastard of the Barrel was a man of few comforts, but Nina knew that his abruptness was his way of caring. She slid the locket into her pocket, feeling its cool weight settle against her. She would carry Matthias with her, always.

The others had gathered in the grand entrance hall—Jesper, Wylan, and Inej stood watching her, their faces shadowed with worry. But this wasn’t their fight, their farewell. This was hers alone.

Jesper, trying to keep the mood light as he always did, flashed her a crooked grin. “Don’t go causing too much trouble up there in the ice. We can’t all come and rescue you, you know.”

Nina forced a small smile, though it barely reached her eyes. “I think I’ve caused enough trouble to last a lifetime.”

Wylan stepped forward, handing her a small bag with rations and supplies. “It’s not much, but it should help until you reach Fjerda.”

Nina took the bag gratefully, glancing down at it. “Thank you, Wylan. I don’t deserve all this.”

Wylan opened his mouth as if to argue, but then thought better of it. He knew better than anyone that there was no talking Nina out of this.

The air in the mansion seemed to grow heavier, like the walls themselves knew this was a moment of finality. Nina had never been one to shy away from the truth, no matter how painful, but standing here, preparing to leave behind her only family in Ketterdam, the weight of it was almost unbearable.

Finally, she turned to Kaz. “I’ll be back,” she said softly.

Kaz met her gaze, unflinching. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Zenik.”

Nina bit her lip but nodded in acknowledgment. Kaz didn’t deal in hope, and Nina couldn’t blame him for that. She shouldered her pack and headed for the door.

As she walked down the grand staircase and out into the cold Ketterdam morning, Inej caught up with her.

“Nina, wait.”

Nina stopped, turning to find Inej with that familiar look in her eyes — the one that said she saw more than what was in front of her. The one that had always made Nina feel like Inej knew her in a way no one else could.

Inej took a step closer, her voice soft but firm. “Take care of yourself. And remember, you’re stronger than you think.”

Nina swallowed hard, nodding. “I will, Inej. Thank you.”

The two women exchanged a silent understanding. No more words were needed. Inej was a reminder of all the strength Nina had left in her, even when it felt like she had none. She would carry that with her, too, on this journey.

As Nina walked toward the docks, the city slowly began to stir to life around her. The familiar clamour of Ketterdam’s streets was distant now, a background hum as her thoughts focused inward. She was leaving behind a part of herself here, a life she had known and the people she had grown to love. But another part of her, the part that still belonged to Matthias, was pulling her north—back to the frozen wasteland that had taken him from her.

Each step felt heavier than the last, but with each breath, she steeled herself. The weight of her mission settled over her like a cloak, protecting her from the cold, from the fear, from the sorrow that threatened to overwhelm her.

Matthias had fought so hard for this—fought to change, fought to live. Now, it was her turn to honour him. She wasn’t just carrying his memory with her; she was carrying his fight, his hope. And somehow, through the numbness and the pain, that thought gave her strength.

As she reached the docks, the scent of saltwater and wood filled the air. The ship that would take her to Fjerda bobbed gently against the pier, its dark sails standing stark against the early morning sky. It wasn’t a grand ship, but it was enough. Enough to take her where she needed to go. Enough to take her home.

Nina paused for a moment, standing at the edge of the dock, her heart pounding in her chest. She took one last deep breath of Ketterdam air, letting the wind carry away some of the weight she had been holding onto.

And then, with steady steps, she boarded the ship. The journey ahead would be long, but she was ready to face the unknown.

Ready to honour Matthias by living the life he had fought so hard to protect.

[findmeinthefallair]

🌠🚀"Beam us up! Beam us up!"🚀🌠

Happy "Thanks to Them" Anniversary!

[snowleopardcrk]

doodles

did a doodle page. Doodled Liege Waffle Cookie ( @ryctone ) and Vanilla Concha Cookie by ( @cathastrophic-cookie-run !!), hi mooties :>

Also did a redesign of Moonflower in my Creme Kingdom AU (she's Queen fyi), and a bit of snow leopard cookie

[luzuranoceda]

Hunter carving palismen | Watching and Dreaming

[itsfunny-bcitstrue]

yes

[flippityflaps]

me with literally every woman in the Grishaverse: "SHE ATE! FEASTED! CONSUMED! DEVOURED! LEFT NO CRUMBS"

[willfulscarlet]

On the one hand, stop trying to make Hawke happen. The GA name is not the issue here. On the other, I’m so glad Mia was shown to be actively looking out for Connor and that we got an actual character interaction, not just action quips.

Of course Connor’s a bit fucked up at the moment, and is not taking Ollie’s actions well. He’s not had much more than that one evening on the beach to regroup since leaving Lazarus Island, and Mia would notice and not want to let him struggle alone. The Brothers Arrow are so important to each other, but Roy’s got rather a lot on his own plate - and Mia and Connor are family too.

[curtvilescomic]

X-Men ladies

Spiral cosplay by only alicat/Ali Williams, Jubilee cosplay by rentru/ Renee Truden, Jean Grey cosplay by Rebecca Seals, Mystique cosplay by Gracie Cosplaylass, Psylocke cosplay by Kyso_Io , Storm cosplay by Alicia Marie, Goblin Queen cosplay by Ashlynne Dae, Emma Frost White Queen cosplay by Maid of Might, Dazzler cosplay by Michelle Waffle and Rogue cosplay by Caitlin Christine

[notsoblackandwhite101]

OK! Heres a question I have. You remember the royal Corgi family? These guys?

We know from the one Corgi brother (The one with the mostly white face.) that his brother handles crowds better than he dose. However something I learned a while ago is that the prince was referring to... Waffles. The tiny puppy. Its implied in additional materials that the Orange and black Corgi are his parents apparently? I actually always took this Prince Corgi to be the King's brother. Not Prince Waffles brother. I mean, if those are his parents, then he's the same size as adult Corgis. Plus he's also flirting with Dolly? Who's not fully grown yet? I dunno if thats a short dog thing but... thats not how I saw this family dynamic.

So for clarification, In my AU NSBAW, The Prince we see Dolly flirting with is the King's younger brother. (I'd say the king is 25 and the prince is 18. Also, all the main, royal corgi family members are named after food. (Except the Queen consort, who married into the family!) So we have King Pancake and his wife, Queen Consort Miracle, only child, son and heir to the throne, Prince Waffles AND The King's Brother, second in line of succession for the throne, Prince Flapjack XD

You all understand what I'm saying?

(Heres a handy drawing if my words didn't explain properly...)

[atac-agent]

Helnik || GHOSTS OF OUR PAST

Timeline: Just after Crooked Kingdom, right before King of Scars

Prologue

masterlist // chapter 1

---

The girl stood at the edge of the world, where the land met the sea and the past whispered secrets to the present. The wind carried the salty tang of the ocean, mingling with the chill of the approaching winter. She pulled her cloak tighter around her, seeking warmth against the cold that seemed to seep into her very bones. But no amount of warmth could thaw the icy grip of sorrow that held her heart.

The boy had been her enemy once, a hunter whose sole purpose was to capture and kill her kind. Yet fate had woven their paths together in the most unexpected of ways, turning hatred into love.

Now, he was gone, and the girl was left to pick up the shattered pieces of her life.

She had promised to take him home, back to the land of ice and snow that had shaped him into the man he had become.

"Wanden olstrum end kendesorum," she whispered to herself, her words carried away by the wind. "Isen ne bejstrum."

The water hears and understands. But the ice does not forgive.

[dragonologist-phd]

Introducing: Sirena Cousland

In Summary:

Queen of Ferelden; Sister to Teyrn of Highever

Human Noble

Warrior (Champion)

Main Weapon: Sword & Shield

Confident; Outgoing; Bold; Ruthless

Relevant Fic: To The Bride

more rambling:

Backstory:

Asecond child and first daughter of the Cousland family, she had a charmed childhood in Highever

She had access to the best of education, but was a very physical child and preferred to spend her time training with sword and shield. Her father indulged this behavior, much to the frustration of her mother who wanted Sirena to focus on her studies

Sirena was very aware that she was the spare while her older brother Fergus was the heir; she didn't begrudge him this, and was in fact happy to let him shoulder the greater responsibility

As a young teenager she was sent to spend a year studying in the capital alongside Anora Mac Tir, whom she developed a hopeless crush on

When Howe attacked her family home, she barely escaped with her life. She made her way to Denerim and began forming a rebellion against Howe and Loghain's rule

During the Blight:

Sirena escaped the bloodshed at Highever and made her way to Denerim, intent on getting justice for her family

When she realized how much Howe had risen to power, she joined forces with the Wardens, the red jennies, and other dissenters

She came into her own as a leader and rallied many nobles to her side, becoming a powerful voice at the Landsmeet

Connections:

Bryce Cousland: Sirena was very close to her father, who loved to dote on her and encouraged her interest in fighting. At the same time, he could be overprotective of her, a habit which caused more conflict as Sirena got older

Eleanor Cousland: Sirena's relationship with her mother was more strained, as Eleanor liked to push her daughter to take things seriously and be more responsible. Sirena felt burdened by her mother's expectations, and as she got older she often wondered what Eleanor would think of the person she became

Fergus Cousland: Sirena's brother was her best friend through most of her childhood. She still loves her brother dearly, though the two drifted apart somewhat after their parents' deaths

Anora Mac Tir: Anora was Sirena's childhood friend and first love, though she knew that a relationship between them was impossible. Even so, she never could bring herself to fully move on

Ellimere Tabris: Once in Denerim, Sirena joined forces with a red jenny by the name of Tabris who was also opposing Howe's rise to power. As different as the two were, they came unlikely friends, both driven by their desire for revenge

Romance:

Anora and Sirena spent quite a bit of time together growing up. Anora seemed to be everything Sirena wasn't: poised, responsible, fully prepared for the task of ruling. Sirena was drawn to her, and the two became close confidantes

It became clear that Anora returned her feelings, but would never be willing to jeopardize her place on the throne

The two joined forces during the Blight, when Sirena helped the Wardens rescue Anora from Howe's estate

After much negotiating, it was agreed that Sirena and Anora would marry, thus unifying a proven leader with a powerful Fereldan lineage

Epilogue:

Sirena and Anora ruled side by side, with Anora taking the lead on diplomatic matters while Sirena handled the armies

Their reign is not without troubles; while the Cousland name was strong enough to convince the Landsmeet, they still faced opposition from some of the nobles, particularly concerning the line of succession

Fergus survived Ostagar and returned to Highever as Teyrn. Sirena could rarely bring herself to visit, as her family home was now too tangled with traumatic memories

Misc:

Sirena was a devout Andrastian until the death of her family, after which she went through a crisis of faith

Eleanor was in the process of arranging a marriage between Sirena and Nevarran royalty when the Blight hit Ferelden

Her mabari, Beast, survived the attack with her and remained at her side throughout the Blight

Her sight was damaged during the attack; she and Beast developed a system of fighting where he would help guide her and protect her blind side

She stayed at The Pearl while in Denerim during the Blight and got to know Isabela. Isabela offered her a spot on her crew which Sirena did consider, but she couldn't bring herself to leave Ferelden

[aces-and-angels]

i need angela to woman up and stand on business- miss ma'am you cannot backtrack after all that

[rosesofchaosmeow]

Belgium 🇧🇪 from Hetalia!!

(This is mental illness)

I drew her with a waffle for obvious reasons, I loved shading her hair as well.. it was actually my favorite part :3

Next drawing Netherlands 🇳🇱 !!!

[meltypancake]

[brenna]

the vibe for may 25th is savory waffles and blind boxes. for our second day in GR, we went to a board game shop, where we didn't get any board games, but I did get some fun blind boxes. we have: not keroppi, this mushroom, and ham egg "dreaming." why are there six different hamster 🐹 + egg 🥚 combos? Idk. why are they all so cute? also, of course, we hit a record shop. can't help myself.

[therabbitthatpostthings]

Happy Anniversary to me having to explain September 9th to all my friends so I made a flow chart.