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rose-sophia-isabella-rogers · 3 months

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A Steel That Went Through Hottest Fire: Chapter XIX - Brick by Brick

Chapter Summary: Kirigan has a plan that can help you end the war with Fjerda and Shu-Han. He just has to convince Nikolai it's a good idea. You struggle with the feeling of power you get from your amplifier. You try to push Aleksander away but he's not having it. Also, you mend a relationship with one of your friends.

Pairing: Aleksander Kirigan/Reader, Alina Starkov/Mal Oretsev, Zoya Nazyalensky/Nikolai Lantsov, Fedyor Kaminsky/Ivan

Characters: Aleksander Kirigan, Reader, Nikolai Lantsov, Genya Safin, Alina Starkov, Mal Oretsev, Ivan, Fedyor Kaminsky, Zoya Nazyalensky, Tamar Kir-Bataar, Ehri Kir-Taban, Tolya Yul-Bataar

Word Count: 4491

A/N: Inspired by prompts: https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/207306389090100557/ https://pl.pinterest.com/pin/207306389090100616/ moy – my (masculine object) tsar – ruler, king

Tag list (let me know if you want to be added or removed):

@budugu

@intothesoul

@mizelophsun11

@pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy

@zeeader

@marrymonrich

@wonderland2425

@chelseyyouraverageluigi

@thehufflepuffavenger1

@drinix

Nikolai has truly missed Alina. And Mal. But trying to decide anything with them, Kirigan, Ehri and Zoya in the room is almost impossible. He's not sure what's worse. Starkov and Nazyalensky bickering with the princess or the Sun Summoner and her husband arguing with the Darkling. Well, not exactly that. The peace advisor is mostly amused by the scoffing he gets from the couple.

After another one of such delightful conferences, the King decides he needs a drink. So, he's not protesting when Kirigan invites him for one. They go to his chambers and there sit with Fedyor and Ivan in silence for some time.

'Anyone else is having a headache?' Kaminsky suddenly asks. Lantsov grunts in answer.

'I honestly adore Alina,' he sighs and runs a hand through his face. 'But we won't decide on anything with her attitude.'

'It's understandable she doesn't trust me,' Aleksander says, not at all bothered. 'She won't agree on my ideas, expecting betrayal.'

'But you have good ideas,' Nikolai admits reluctantly. 'Zoya is even agreeing on them. Albeit, she's not happy about it.'

'I can't remember the last time I saw her happy,' Ivan huffs. Silence falls between the men once again.

'We're not ready,' Lantsov says a few minutes later, his voice quiet. 'When the battle with Fjerda comes… they will slaughter us all. Because we can't trust each other and come to an agreement about anything.'

'Then perhaps instead of focusing on something you can't fix at the moment, try focusing on something else?' Kirigan suggests.

'My window?' the King asks. 'I still want to know how it was broken.'

'Let's just say it involved some children,' Fedyor says with an innocent smile. Nikolai decides to let it go. For now.

'I was talking about our problem with Shu-Han,' the Darkling explains. Lantsov's eyes darken.

'I told you I can't demand anything from them,' he says. 'Yes, they attacked us. But we're still at war. Ehri and I are not married yet.'

'Which is precisely why they attacked so quickly and twice,' Ivan says. 'The moment you two get married, to attack us would be attacking the Shu-Han's people's favourite princess.'

'So what? Should we get married earlier?' the King scoffs. 'Not gonna happen. We have to wait for her family, who strategically delays their arrival. No doubt they're planning another attack.'

He looks at the Shadow Summoner, expecting an idea. It startles him how quickly it has become a habit for him. And the look on his peace advisor's face unnerves him.

'We could still use Ehri's popularity among her people,' Aleksander finally says slowly. 'If Fjerda were to kill her-'

'We're not going to get Fjerda to kill her,' Nikolai protests harshly. 'Nor anyone else.'

'She doesn't have to really die,' Kirigan says. 'After all, what was their original plan? That guard put in her place was to kill you, then kill herself with a Fjerdan weapon. People would get angry, take over Ravka and the princess would live happily on some farm or something. We can still do that. Just without the part where you die.'

'Thanks, I appreciate it,' Lantsov replies with sarcasm. 'So what, you want someone to kill Ehri's double with a Fjerdan weapon?'

'No, we just need people to believe Ehri was killed in an attack made by Fjerdans,' the Darkling reveals his plan. The King stares at him. And blinks. Then again.

'You want Fjerdans to attack us?' he blurts out.

'I would never want that,' Aleksander says with venom in his voice, standing up to pour himself another glass of kvas. 'But it's only a matter of time before they do. And I'm not talking about a battle. I'm talking about a sneak attack, infiltrating the Grand Palace.'

'Firstly, why would they do that if they're planning to fight with us, which we already know they want to do?' Nikolai says, standing up as well. 'Secondly, how would they even plan to get in? The Grant Palace is secure. Same as the Little Palace.'

'Nothing is ever impenetrable,' Kirigan chuckles. 'And of course, they will try something. They don't want Shu-Han to get the antidote first, do they? Nor [Y/N].'

Lantsov thinks. He sighs and sits down again.

'Let's say it happens,' he says. 'We win, Ehri "dies", Shu-Han gets angry. What then?'

'They join forces with us against Fjerda in retaliation,' Ivan answers. That part the King likes. He knows people would get angry enough to demand from Ehri's sister to get revenge.

'That still leaves me without a wife,' he says. 'And I need one. According to everyone but me, at least. Should I make an alliance with another country?'

'You've met the candidates, I presume?' Fedyor asks. 'Is anyone… acceptable?'

Nikolai winces. It's all the answer they need.

'Think about every woman you know,' the Darkling says. 'And I mean every woman. From each country. From your own country. Otkazat'sya. Grisha. Which one would be the best queen?'

Lantsov's eyes snap to his peace advisor. They stare at each other.

'That's what this is about,' the King guesses. 'You want a Grisha on a throne of Ravka. I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not going to marry you. You're not my type. And you can't give me an heir.'

'You're not my type either,' Aleksander chuckles, amused. 'I want to marry [Y/N] one day. Besides, I told you. I don't want the throne anymore.'

'Then who?' Nikolai asks, exasperated. His three companions raise their eyebrows at him.

'Who would be the best queen from all the women you know?' Kirigan repeats.

'Zoya,' Lantsov answers after a beat. 'But she won't agree. She doesn't want to rule Ravka.'

'But she wants to be by your side,' Ivan counters. The King looks at him, baffled.

'What?' he asks and laughs. 'No, no, no. She doesn't think of me like that. We're… friends. Partners. But nothing else.'

'But you wish there was,' Fedyor says quietly. Nikolai thinks about it for a moment. He quickly shakes his head.

'No, it won't work,' he says and stands up. 'Well, thank you for a lovely time, gentlemen. Unfortunately, it's time to be the King of Ravka again.'

He quickly leaves before anyone can say something. Silence fills the room for a minute. Then, the Darkling looks at his Heartrenders.

'Was it like that with me and [Y/N]?' he asks. Kaminsky winces and opens his mouth to answer delicately, but Ivan beats him to it by saying:

'Yes.'

'Hm,' Aleksander hums and sighs. 'Well, that must have been annoying. Sorry for that.'

'What now?' Fedyor asks. Kirigan walks to the window. He looks out of it, crossing his arms.

'The only thing we can,' he answers. 'We wait.'

For some dumb reason you can't understand, Nikolai has decided to throw a party. Yeah, there are many reasons to celebrate. His engagement (though not a happy reason for you), Aleksander's return and making peace with him, Alina's return (also not a happy reason for you)… but you still don't understand why you had to throw a party. And now, you're suffering because of all the small talks. You're pretty sure you won't be able to stop smiling. Ever.

You have enough when you catch two young Grisha staring at your lover and giggling. They're basically ogling him. Appraising him like a piece of meat.

Over my dead body.

You walk to them. You're smiling but your eyes are cold.

'Are you two seriously checking out Kirigan?' you ask. They look at you and snort.

'Oh, come on, he's cute,' one of them says. They giggle again. Your eye twitches.

'I know he's cute,' you say and lower your voice threateningly as you glare at them. 'But he's also mine.'

'Oh, please,' the other one scoffs. 'You brought him back. You created the antidote. You've served your purpose. If you think he'll still wants you after he's done using you, you're delusional.'

There was a time where you'd agree. They'd probably be saying your own thoughts out loud. But not anymore. Now you're sure about the Darkling's feelings for you.

'Let's see about that,' you say, smiling coldly at them. You turn around and march to Aleksander. You tap his shoulder and he turns. Instantly, his eyes light up and he grins.

'[Y/N]-' he starts but you don't let him finish. You grab him at the back of his neck and pull to you. You kiss him passionately in front of everyone. And you don't care at all.

'My, my,' Kirigan chuckles when you pull away. 'What was that about?'

'Staking my claim over you,' you explain, glancing over your shoulder. You see the two Grisha red with fury and embarrassment.

'Ah, I see,' the Darkling says and puts an arm around your waist. 'Can I do the same with you?'

He pulls you closer to himself and presses a kiss to your neck, closing his eyes. You smile. You're about to answer, but then you hear a loud bang and screams. You sigh.

'I hate it when you're right,' you say. Aleksander lets you go (but very slowly).

'It was obvious they're going to attack,' he says. 'And that this party is a perfect moment for it.'

'I still don't like it,' you huff. Kirigan chuckles and looks around. People are already panicking. The guards and Grisha try to calm them down. Nikolai tries to take back the control. Zoya, Alina and some others rush out. Princess Ehri is being escorted out by her guards.

'Can you go with the princess?' the Darkling murmurs to your ear.

'You don't want me anywhere near the fight again,' you sigh.

'I don't trust Ehri's guards, so I would feel better if you were with them,' Aleksander says. You raise your eyebrows at him.

'And since when do you care about her safety?' you ask, suspicious. 'What are you really after?'

'In short?' Kirigan asks and you nod. 'I want Zoya and the King to be happy, have a Grisha on a throne and I need you to be the bait to achieve it.'

'Cool,' you say after a moment, shrugging. 'But if you want me to be the bait that means you want them to attack me.'

'I perfectly trust your abilities to take down some Fjerdans,' the Darkling says, kissing the top of your head. 'And if they hurt you, they'll end up like attackers from Shu-Han in Lazlayon.'

You beam at him and hurry after the princess. You hear him chuckle as you do.

The guards and the princess are obviously not happy when you join them. They quickly change their mind when you are indeed attacked by a bunch of Fjerdans.

You're scared of the exhilarating feeling you feel when you use your powers on them. You feel powerful. Unstoppable. You totally understand now why Aleksander wanted more.

You concentrate on calcium in the bones of one of Fjerdans. You disperse it, causing all of the bones to break. The scream of agony he lets out works on you as a splash of cold water. You go pale and take a step back, your hands shaking. When did you become so cruel?

Ehri's scream wakes you up. You snap your head and extend your hands. A brick from the wall flies from it and hits the Fjerdan attacking the princess in the chest. He bends over, gasping for breath. He's then killed by one of Ehri's guards. But then they fall over as well. They must have been hurt as well.

You look around. It's over. The two others Fjerdan were killed as well. The Princess' guards sacrificed themselves for her.

You lean on the wall and slump down it. Your heart is beating fast. Your breath is uneven. Your eyes are wide. You keep hearing his scream.

Maybe a minute passes, when Nikolai, Tolya, Aleksander and Mal show up. Kirigan rushes to your side at once. Lantsov does the same with Ehri.

'Are you alright?' they ask at the same time. You shake your head. The Darkling frowns, because he doesn't see any injuries.

'I'm… fine,' the princess answers, her voice shaking. The King stares at her. Or more specifically, at the red spot on her chest. But she seems fine.

'It's not mine,' she says, seeing his gaze.

'But we can pretend it is,' Nikolai murmurs. All but Kirigan stare at him, confused. He hides a smirk.

'Excuse me?' Ehri asks.

'Princess, I know you want to marry me as much as I want you, which means not at all,' Lantsov says slowly. 'You just want to live happily on some farm or Saints know where. If we pretend you died here… you could have it.'

'Why would I want it?' she asks, confused. 'Why would you want it? Won't our marriage bring peace between our nations you so desperately seek?'

'If your people believe you had died killed Fjerdans… they will want to go to war with them,' the Darkling explains. 'They will join our forces and together we will crush them. Nothing unites more than a common enemy.'

'And then they will turn on you,' Ehri points out.

'They won't, because I still haven't held them accountable for all the attacks inside Ravka,' Nikolai says. 'After the war is won… I'll have a chat with your sister. I know how to stop Shu-Han from coming on us. So… what do you say? Do you want to live the life you've always wanted?'

The princess hesitates only a minute. When the rest of her guards arrive, she's lying on the ground, her eyes open and empty. Tolya is discreetly slowing down her pulse so the guards believe she's dead. They rage and mourn. And you watch it all with haunted eyes.

You do the same things you did with Aleksander three years ago. Genya makes one of the dead guards to look like Ehri and her body is taken back to Shu-Han. Ivan and Tolya go as well, to express their sympathy, apologise for not protecting the princess, represent Ravka at her funeral and discreetly convince people that the right move would be to join them and attack Fjerdans for murdering their princess.

You know everyone is anxious to see if this plan works. But you don't care. After Ehri is taken away from the corridor, you rush to your room and lock it. You don't let in even Kirigan which deeply worries him. He has no idea what's happened nor how to reach you.

When you finally come out of your room, you come across Zoya and Nikolai. You're surprised to find them taking a stroll outside at midnight. Curious and hopeful, you follow them discreetly.

'… On another note, when will you stop being angry with me?' you hear Lantsov when you're close enough to hear their conversation.

'When you will find yourself another wife,' Zoya spats. The King sighs. Nazyalensky huffs and turns to face him, causing them both to stop.

'I didn't like her either, but you needed her,' she says. 'You may have Shu-Han's support or not. But you definitely won't have an heir without her.'

'Unless I do with someone else,' Nikolai points out.

'With who?' the Grisha asks, raising her voice a little. 'You dismissed all other candidates!'

'Because the one I want as my queen and would be perfect for that role is not one of them,' Lantsov answers softly. Nazyalensky frowns. You can almost hear her trying to figure out who he means by that.

'Zoya…' the King says, taking her hands in his. 'We're an amazing duet. I know I wouldn't have been able to do most of the things I managed to do without your help.'

'Obviously,' the Grisha snorts. You roll your eyes but smile.

'I can't imagine doing it with anyone else,' Nikolai goes on. 'It took me some time… and Kirigan to point it out… but I dismissed all the candidates for one single reason. They weren't you.'

Zoya stiffens, understanding where he's going with it. He gulps, more nervous now.

'I used to think you're like a storm,' he says and chuckles. 'But I got it wrong. You are a storm. The most beautiful I've ever seen. As Sturmhond I both feared and admired storms. Dangerous and beautiful. Strong, getting what they want no matter what. Destructible and astonishingly beautiful. All of that applies to you as well.'

Nazyalensky looks away. You can swear you see her eyes shining when she blinks.

'You care about Ravka with all your heart,' Lantsov continues. 'You treat fairly both otkazat'sya and Grisha. You… you could be the most just queen this country has seen in all history. And… you'd make one man incredibly happy. If you even let me ask the question you know I want to ask.'

'I don't want the crown,' Zoya says quietly after a moment. The King smiles.

'Which is why you're the one who should have it,' he says and exhales shakily. 'I won't ask it now. Please, just think about it. And when I'll be able to ask you this without being decapitated, let me know.'

Nazyalensky lets out a huff. Nikolai kisses her hands, looking her in the eyes. Then, he lets go of her and walks away, leaving her alone, pondering.

You stare at her for a moment, debating whether you should go and talk to her. In the end you shake your head, deciding to give her time and space, and turn around. Which almost makes you bump into Aleksander.

'Shh,' he silences you and puts a finger on your lips, as you're about to yelp, startled. He takes your hand and quietly leads you away. He takes you to his chambers. You don't protest. You know it's time for you two to talk. Once inside, he lets you go and you face each other awkwardly.

'I was worried about you,' he says quietly after a minute and looks at you pleadingly. 'Tell me what's wrong, [Y/N]. I want to help you but I don't know what you need.'

'I know,' you whisper. 'I'm sorry. I just… needed to figure out what I feel and… it took me longer than I thought. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have pushed you away.'

You feel tears in your eyes. Kirigan gently wipes them away. He takes your hand and leads you to his bedroom. You both sit down on his bed.

'Tell me everything,' he says softly. You inhale shakily.

'When Fjerdans attacked us… I controlled calcium on the bones of one of them… and broke them,' you start. 'All of them. Every single one at the same time. And I enjoyed having that kind of power. But then he screamed. And I realised what I've done. What I can do with my amplified powers. And it scared me.'

'As long as you're the one in control, you won't do anything more than you want to,' the Darkling says. You look at him with despair.

'But what if I want more one day?' you ask. 'What if… I'll start enjoying hurting people? I'll want more and more power?'

'Like me?' Aleksander asks quietly, not looking at you. You gulp. You didn't want this conversation to go that way. Silence falls between you two.

'I know better than anyone what you're going through,' he finally says. 'Well, maybe Alina does. But she rejected me, my experience. My fault, I know. But you have me. I promise to help you. Guide you. And stop you if necessary.'

'But if I desire more one day, maybe you could convince me to take over Ravka, like you've wanted,' you point out. He gently caresses your cheek.

'Past tense,' he says. 'I just want you to be happy now. And if you go after power… you won't be. It will never be able to fill the holes in your heart created by cruelty.'

He cups your face and makes you look at him. The softness in his eyes almost makes you cry.

'I know I may not seem as the best person to help you with your fear,' he says. 'But I'm a different man than I was when you met me. It has made me better, loving you. Which is why I know I can help you.'

You smile sadly and throw your hands around his neck after a beat. He puts his around your waist and holds you tightly.

'I love you,' you murmur in his shoulder. 'So much.'

'And I love you, milaya,' he says. 'You're my heart… my soul… my everything.'

'Can I… stay here tonight?' you ask shyly.

'You can stay here every night,' he answers and pulls away. But you quickly kiss him, not wanting to be apart. He chuckles softly and indulges you, not minding this at all.

It's probably not a surprise that you take your bath together. Nor that he helps you change into your pyjamas and you help him to get into his. And that when you get under the covers you instantly cuddle to him.

If it were up to you, you'd spend the next day by Aleksander's side. But he has lots of things to do. Including meeting with Nikolai.

'Tell me,' Lantsov says after they discuss the matter for which they met. 'When we first talked, you said you don't want your old position, that Zoya is doing a great job. But if everything goes according to your plan and she agrees to become my queen… she won't be able to be one. Leaving the position open for you. Was that your plan from the beginning?'

'No,' Kirigan answers. 'I truly believed she would to a spending job if she kept this position. But then… I got to observe you two together. I was amused. It reminded me of me and [Y/N]. That's when it hit me. That you're in love with each other. And then my mind went spiralling. How Zoya would be a perfect queen, how great it would be to have a Grisha on a throne of Ravka… and yes, the thought of me being the general of the Second Army crossed my mind.'

'Well, if it works, we win the war and Zoya will agree to become my wife… the position is yours,' the King says after a beat.

'I appreciate the trust,' the Darkling says.

'Well,' Nikolai sighs, 'I still don't trust you completely. But for now, you're holding to your end of the bargain. And whenever I see you and [Y/N] together my heart melts. Somehow… I'm starting to see you as a true ally. Who knows, maybe one day we could be even friends.'

'I'm looking forward to that… moy tsar,' Aleksander says with a smile. Only when Kirigan leaves some time later does Lantsov realises that it's the first time he addressed him like that. And for some reason he thinks that he meant it honestly.

In the meantime, while the boys have their meeting, you have your own. While you're reading a book, Zoya suddenly barges into your room. You stare at her, surprised.

'Do you sometimes hear Elizaveta's voice?' she asks, stunning you even more.

'Sometimes,' you answer, wincing. 'It gives me a great pleasure to shut her up. I take it you're hearing Juris' voice?'

'Yes,' Zoya sighs and joins you on your sofa. 'Usually, he has some good advice. Some teasing and annoying, but it's alright. But he won't shut up since last night.'

'Why is that?' you ask, deciding not to reveal you witnessed the King's proclamation.

'Nikolai proposed to make me his queen,' she answers after a moment of silence. 'Juris thinks it's an excellent idea. He also suggests I could overthrow him later. While I'm not sure about the former, I'm definitely not going to do the latter.'

'Good to know,' you say and exhale slowly. 'If you want my opinion, you'd be a great queen. Terrifying, but just. Exactly what the people need right now. Plus… it has the perks of being married to the man you love.'

She gives you a harsh look. You answer with a knowing one. She groans and runs a hand through her hair.

'I want to deny it, but I know better than that,' she says and suddenly becomes sad. 'I accepted that I can't have him. And now I suddenly could and… I'm scared.'

'Usually, to reach great things one has to overcome fear,' you say and take her hands in yours. 'I used to believe I can't have Kirigan. Now look at me. I'm with him and I'm happy. You can be, too.'

She sighs and presses her forehead to yours. She thinks for a moment, gnawing at her lip.

'After we deal with Fjerda,' she decides. 'Now it's too soon anyway, his previous fiancée has just "died". It would be too suspicious. Then… I'll decide.'

You smile and squeeze her hands. Suddenly, she looks at you.

'I still feel betrayed by what you did,' she says. 'But I also miss you. Can we be friends again?'

'Nothing would make me happier,' you answer, grinning. Zoya sighs.

'Good, because while I like Alina more than I did when she first arrived, she gets on my nerves,' she says. 'And I can't talk about it with anyone else, because everyone adores her. Besides you.'

'Ah, I knew you had ulterior motives,' you say teasingly.

'Obviously,' she says, rolling her eyes. You look at each other and burst out laughing. Just at that moment Tamar walks in. She raises her eyebrows.

'Am I interrupting something?' she asks.

'Nothing important,' Nazyalensky answers. 'What is it?'

'Nikolai wants to see you,' the Heartrender answers.

'I'll be right there,' Zoya promises. Kir-Bataar nods, sends you a glare and leaves.

'What was that about?' your friend asks. 'I mean, she never really liked you, but it's even worse after you had brought Kirigan back.'

'Oh, that,' you say and chuckle. 'She's angry with me and with herself, because while we were traveling to the Fold she asked me why I really was there. I said I wanted to bring Aleksander back right under your noses. And she didn't believe me, thinking I'm being sarcastic. And I wasn't. I was telling the truth, knowing very well she won't believe me.'

Nazyalensky stares at you, stunned. Then she bursts out laughing again.

'Oh, Tamar must be so furious about it,' she cackles and sighs. 'Brilliant on your side, I must say.'

'Thank you,' you say, beaming. She stands up and squeezes your hand.

'I'll come by later,' she promises. 'Something tells me I'm going to need you after this meeting.'

'I'm always happy to be of service,' you say. Zoya smiles weakly and leaves. You stare at her retreating figure and smile.

Yes. She's going to be an amazing queen.

A/N: Thank you for reading! Let me know your thoughts! Reblog, like and comment if you could. Every comment makes my day!

This can also be found on Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/works/52696933/chapters/135558463

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awanderingtortoise · 4 months

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yeah 'the day/hours before he married ehri' but what about the day after the wedding night. Like do you ever think about how fucked up that would be.

#zoyalai #zoya nazyalensky #nikolai lantsov #I'm already in my Google doc for this

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kanejbr3kker · 7 days

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i just need to know if anyone else read kos and totally shipped isaak and ehri cause i never see anyone talking about them and because of that i usually just forget they exist but i totally shipped them while i was reading it and i'm honestly really curious if i'm the only one

#lol we need to talk about them more #i swear i forgot they even existed for an entire year #and then i was just flipping through my copy of kos and i was like oh hey i remember you #zoyalai is still superior tho #king of scars #rule of wolves #grishaverse #save shadow and bone

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warmdusks · 1 year

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These are my theories for Shadow and Bone S3. If you haven’t read the books don’t read this bc spoilers

sorry my thoughts are all over the place this is just me trying to console myself (i know a lot of us are ??? at the changes) but I think there’s a way to bring it close to the original plot if they’re going to adapt KOS for S3:

• The appaRAT was written off until the end, but I think he’ll be a pertinent character in S3. In the last ep, he was trying to ‘caution’ Nikolai about staging the coronation on the same day as Hringkälla and hinting about his bloodline but Nikolai was like go away 🐀 u’re irrelevant and in retaliation, the Fjerdan Grisha attack at the end could be his doing. We know he switches sides a lot because he’s a 🐀 just trying to gain control over the throne. Yes, he gets attacked in the scene as well but I’m pretty sure he wanted to get a reaction out of Alina and start rumors about her attacking a Grisha or smth but instead, he gets a Sun Saint exhibiting shadow power / merzost. Or maybe it was the easiest way to massacre all the important people in Ravka but failed 🤷‍♀️

• Alina’s Sainthood / Ravka’s First Grisha Queen - I think this is going to be a difficult road. The apparat and the rest of the people in the chapel saw what Alina did. She used Merzost, and the people are going to TALK. The Apparat is going to use this against her being a potential Queen for Ravka. They are going to question where Alina’s loyalty lies and her eligibility to the throne. And with the Sankta Elizaveta foreshadowing in S2, that means the cult of the Starless Saint gonna rise up too. They might possibly claim Alina as their own as she exhibited shadow power? Stir up rumors that General Kirigan is going to be resurrected soon and he and Alina is going to be this power couple taking over the throne? Their Sun Saint isn’t a Sun Saint after all? for sure this is gonna cause distrust among the people, with the blights showing up in random places she might get blamed for it. Will this make her step down as a member of the triumvirate / general of the second army / call off the engagement? Will Mal come running back to Ravka after his soul searching thingy and persuade her to live the anonymous life with him? fake her death and live on a farm? IDK but we have to keep in mind that Alina, Mal, and General Kirigan will have to be major characters still for this series. But I think they can wrap up the Sankta Alina storyline this way. Alina and Mal still had some cameos in KOS and ROW, and the Darkling…we all know what happened

• Alina returning the Neshenyer to Shu Han - The Khergud? Is she going to meet Makhi / Ehri? Will the Crows be a part of this? Or are they going to stick with the Ice Court heist? Not sure if they’ll be completely pulling the Crows out for this season (bc of the spin-off) but the cliffhanger at the end of S2 did hint on the Ice Court Heist. I think their paths will have to cross again for this series’ sake lol

• Nikolai’s 🦇nification. The Apparat would have a lot of blackmail material against the throne if ever he finds out about Nikolai’s little secret. The King’s reputation can withstand a bit of scandal; it would not survive the truth. I guess this is where we’ll get a lot of ZOYALAI action (chaining him to the bed every night, going all over Ravka to investigate, the obisbaya, insert all the close proximity scenes here)

• Zoya of the Lost City - enuf said. And I badly want to see her and Juris. But do they have the budget for a Dragon 😭

• Zoyalai - I think Nikolai’s going to continue pining over Alina but unknowingly falls for Zoya as they work closely together? Then his feelings will be confirmed the moment Sankta Elizaveta drowns Zoya in amber *screams* anyway, we know how rational Zoya is. Might she suggest to Nikolai to call off the engagement with Alina bc the PR team can’t handle all the bad press? Then comes in matchmaker Zoya who secretly yearns for her king </3 i am delusional i just want to see matchmaker zoya 🫶 but really tho, i wish they can build up their work bff relationship first

• Also, do you think David could possibly be alive? No body = no crime but what if the nichevoya was a little hungry…but then we get another David d word scene and we’re going to see Genya’s heart get broken again 😭 i feel so bad for thinking this pls slap me

anyway that’s all for now i am trying to process the mess that is S2

#shadow and bone #zoyalai #shadow and bone S3 #grishaverse #sab spoilers #zoya nazyalensky #nikolai lantsov #alina starkov #king of scars #rule of wolves #i need to touch some grass and feel my feelings #i am still mad at the oncat erasure

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dregstrash · 1 year

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my heart knows (you’re the missing piece)

Summary: It’s the anniversary of Nikolai’s family’s deaths. The weight of his crown has weighed heavier since then. He wonders if he’ll ever find peace. He wonders if he’ll ever feel whole.

a/n: To my fellow Filipina ( @sanktnikolais )I lightly stalked your blog and saw that one of your fave bands is Ben&Ben. So, thank you for introducing me to a new artist, and this little ficlet is supposed to really emulate their song “The Way You Look At Me.” Pls don’t ask me where this fits in canon or think too hard about the fact Zoya would 100% not give into her feelings. Tis but vibes.

AO3

It had started to rain. The heavy drops of it hit Nikolai’s uncovered head. His hair creating pathways for rivers to run down the sides of his face.

Still, Nikolai stood statue-still in front of the dark tombstones.

“Whatever it’s worth,” Nikolai whispered, his words drowning in the sound of the storm. “I hope you are all at rest.”

The names of his mother, his father, his brother stared up at him silently.

It was the anniversary of their deaths. An anniversary of the day that the crown that was never meant to be his was placed on his head. And he should have felt some sort of nostalgia–maybe some sort of grief–but he stood in front of his family and struggled to feel anything but a crushing kind of loneliness.

He would never say that he never wanted to be king. He’s been ambitious. He’s always been ambitious and he knew that his brother wasn’t the kind of ruler that Ravka needed. But it was different now. He had the crown. A kingdom that did not want to get better. Countries breathing down his neck—wolves ready to catch a fox with their teeth.

Nikolai stared at the name of the king. The man who had raised him to be a son, even if that wasn’t the whole truth of it. The selfish bastard who was far from perfect, but had been Ravka’s king.

For the first time in his life, Nikolai wished he had someone to guide him through the next steps. Someone who might have been able to forge a path ahead and teach him how to cross mountains while parting rivers.

He tilted his head up to the rain that dropped heavily on him, hoping that he could be washed clean from the worries that were staining him.

Thunder rumbled angrily at him and a thought like lightning rushed through him.

He rushed to his horse and took no time to ride to the Little Palace. He rushed past guards, dignitaries, governors, all of those who wanted to wring him for solutions and resources he didn’t have.

Maybe, I’m just as selfish as my father was after all. The bone chilling thought crept through him like a shiver, but still he pressed on.

The usual calm, level-headed, and in-control manner he prided himself on had been stripped away. All that was left was a deep desperate want. A want that would shed this heavy, gilded crown–even for just a moment–so that there was nothing but…him.

His steps quickened until he was outside the all too familiar oak door. He could hear her humming and moving about her nightly routine. His fist was raised, poised to knock, and still he hesitated. He could still turn around. Vague thoughts of Princess Ehri and the arranged marriage that was supposedly the key to saving his kingdom flitted through his mind. His fist tightened. Then his body made a decision before his mind could continue its circling debate.

He knocked. The humming stopped. The door opened. And Nikolai felt the breath exit his body.

Zoya’s hair was down. Her black hair fell down her shoulders in a riot of waves. Her nightgown peeked out from under a silken robe. Her eyes glittered with annoyance and surprise.

She was everything that Nikolai wanted. She was everything he wasn’t ready to handle.

“Your Majesty, what–”

Zoya’s inquiry was cut off as he brought his hands up to her face and backed her into the room, the door slamming shut with a loud bang. He expected her to push him away, to shove at his hands and call him a lunatic, but she didn’t, which didn’t surprise him either. As much as he had tried to ignore her through the wars, the disasters, the impossible trap of arranged marriages, she wasn’t the kind of woman who he could ignore–especially when he caught her sometimes staring at him in the same ways he was always staring at her.

Her breath was faintly brushing against his lips. Her pulse had an erratic rhythm against his fingers.

“It’s the anniversary, isn’t it?” Zoya whispered. Her hands wrapped around his. They were like fire against his icy skin–something to scorch the inside of him.

Instead of replying, he just tugged her closer.

“Nikolai, this is foolish. If people saw you come into my room–The rumors already surrounding us are already–”

“Please…” Nikolai’s voice was hoarse. His throat felt raw from all the words he wished he could have said. His insides scraping against each other, as he tried to fight for any semblance of an explanation for his behavior. But all that came out was, “Please don’t say anything. For tonight. Can we let the rumors be true? Just once.”

She smelled like a garden in full bloom. The scent of wildflowers curling against his nose as his fingers threaded through her hair. He could feel Zoya hesitating. He watched as a thousand questions flicker through her eyes.

But he also watched her as she took him all in. She could feel how desperate he was. She could taste how much he needed her. Or maybe she just liked to hear him beg.

It didn’t matter.

Everything stopped mattering as soon as she had wrapped her arms around his torso, and brought her mouth up against his.

And Nikolai felt his world stand still. He was in the eye of the storm. The rioting of his thoughts. The backhanded world of the court. The disasters that felt like they were pressing against his sides suddenly stopped. They all felt distant as Zoya’s lips pressed against him, making him forget, making him breathe, making him believe that he was whole.

#zoya nazyalensky #nikolai lantsov #zoya x nikolai #zoyalai #king of scars #kos #rule of wolves #RoW #no plot just vibes

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nightclimes · 18 days

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stealing this from larissa because why would i not tl;dr about my catgirl

b a s i c s

Name: Prihsciya Lockati

Nicknames: Prih

Age: 26 in ARR; 32-33 post Endwalker

Nameday: 24th sun of the second astral moon (24th March)

Race: Keeper of the Moon Miqo'te + Rava Viera

Gender: Female

Orientation: Asexual (Demi) + Panromantic. She is sex favourable, but only enters such relationships herself with those she has developed a strong romantic bond with.

Profession: Warrior of Light and adventurer

p h y s i c a l a s p e c t s

Hair: Purple with lilac highlights

Eyes: Amber. One of her eyes is slightly more hazel than the other.

Skin: Brown.

Tattoos/scars: Has a scar on her face from when she fell out of a tree whilst rescuing a baby bird as a child. Freckles that faintly glow at night across her face and shoulders. Has aspected Light scarring on her wrists/hands following the events of Shadowbringers, so she always wears half-gloves. She has a rose vine tattoo over her ribs in honour of Minfilia.

f a m i l y

Parents: Miqo'te mother, Aureahya, and Viera father, Ehris. Keeper structure is kind of vague and we don't have a lot of lore, but i like to think of matriarchs inviting those they take a liking too to their beds for baby miqo's, which is the case for Aureahya: she has many children, most by different fathers. Ehris was a passing gleaner she grew fond of and she has two children by him, and as a child Prih saw him very infrequently. She was raised by two mothers, the second being Aureahya's life partner, a half hrothgar half miqo'te woman, Rehnarta.

Siblings: She is the twelfth of fifteen children. She has one fully biological sibling (her elder brother by 4 years, Rehn) and was meant to be the youngest... until Aureahya and Rehnarta managed upon the means of having fully biological children and had three more!! Love wins!! Understandable, really. This includes her youngest sister Kihze.

Grandparents: None that she knows of.

In-laws and Other: None to speak of, but she considers the Scions her extensive family.

Pets: None. As an extroverted introvert, she enjoys her me time.

s k i l l s

Abilities: Many. Growing up with countless sisters and disciplines meant there was always much and more for her to learn. She is undeniably most proficient at archery as a Bard, but suits the close combat style of a rogue well and is terrifyingly good with a knife. She took to Warrior and Dark Knight along her journey from the growing desire to protect others, and unlocked her potential for magicks whilst doing so - she and her family never had aptitude for it, and it was only when her Echo manifested that she did. Whatever Prihsciya chooses to do she does exceedingly well, almost as though she has learned all these disciplines before in another place, another time.

Hobbies: She likes to extensively read and learn about new things, loves history, and has the heart of traveler, enjoying discovering new locales.

t r a i t s

Most Positive Trait: Remains kind and hopeful in the face of hardships and loss. Genuinely cares and is always willing to help - because it is the right thing to do. Compassionate and kind. Sees everything through to the end.

Most Negative Trait: Will not stop, once she sets her mind to something. Annoyingly persistent. She will protect others at her own expense; a perfect tool against threats. Sees anything less than perfection in her capabilities as a shortcoming: not being able to meet even an average standard as a culinarian really, really bothers her.

l i k e s

Colors: Purples, deep reds, pastels.

Smells: She has no sense of smell!

Textures: Soft, fluffy things; the feeling of worn, well-read pages beneath her fingers, the passage of someone else having being there.

Drinks: Water. She enjoys flower based herbal teas.

o t h e r d e t a i l s

Smokes: No.

Drinks: Never.

Drugs: No.

Mount Issuance: Her chocobo, Acacia.

Been Arrested: No.

#prihsciya lockati #prih #bonus: the baby bird was a meteion #bonus 2: gives prih my own congenital anosmia so I don't have to think about it

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thatfangirlofsb · 1 year

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A/N: Hello, my love for the zoyalai keep going. Here I bring the fifth part.

T/W: Grishaverse spoilers.

"Queen Makhi has a plan, but she doesn't know that Zoya would sacrifice herself to don't let her do it."

Moya tsaritsa (V)

Ravka was lost, completely lost. And nothing more and nothing less than in front of several students and teachers.

Stupid Nikolai, Zoya thought as they made their way to the meeting room with the queen, Ehri, and the triumvirate. Was she excited? Sure, but after going through the surprise and terror. What were they going to do now? If she didn't confess her feelings they could be saved, if... I'm sorry Nikolai, I'm doing this for you and Ravka. She had already drawn up a plan, a suicide plan that could lead to her death. Zoya sighed as she remembered the king's confession, that stupid confession, before she stepped through the threshold of the door and took her place.

"Then the fjerdans are right." Makhi sat across from her, next to the visibly nervous king at the corner of the table. "You, grisha, use witchcraft to confuse people's feelings." She put a smirk on her face, and Zoya wanted to take it away. But she knew he couldn't do it. "Who in their right mind would like someone like you?"

Him and more. But I'm sure you don't understand that feeling, your heart is cold as the lands of Fjerda. Why don't you take a trip and die of hypothermia over there? But that was just a thought, the squaller couldn't spoil all the hard work they had done to carry out that political wedding.

"Yes. It has always been a hobby for me." For the previous Zoya yes, but for the current one... the last thing she wanted was to play with Nikolai's heart.

"I heard the rumors about you, squaller." The queen had done her investigations, and Zoya had been the main axis on which they revolved. A very beautiful woman, and the queen of Shu Han could now see with her own eyes that it was true, as the closest figure to the king. News of their 'night outings' didn't need to reach her ears before Makhi herself joined in on those conjectures as well. "The love interest of the sun summoner, the general who created the Shadow Fold… And now a king? You always like to outdo yourself, don't you?"

"If you don't aim high, why the jump?"

"Zoya..."

Genya's voice didn't cause her to stop the speech. The tailor knew that everything she said wasn't true, she only needed to see how she and Nikolai looked at each other to see that the love was mutual. Zoya, the cold squaller, had fallen in love. She just had the bad luck that it was destined to be a heartbreak, and he, the danger-less Nikolai, too.

"Don't hold her back girl." The queen looked at Genya, would the shu have such an analytical look during all hours? Didn't they get tired? "Squaller..."

"She has a name." Nikolai said raising his head and trying to keep it as high as possible, although a little pain didn't allow him to do it completely.

"Yeah, I heard." The queen's smile widened, clearly showing that the next thing she was going to say would be no better than the last. "Zoya the Heartbreaker. Zoya the Dark One's Lapdog. Zoya the King's Mistress. But my favourite is 'Zoya Mistress of All Ravka'."

"This is over!" While Zoya kept her head up and showed no emotions with her face, Genya was the complete opposite. When the stupid shu queen had started to speak, her brows had furrowed and her fingernails began to tap the table nervously. But as soon as she began listing the different names her patience ran out, she got up and if Adrik hadn't stopped her at that very moment she would have thrown herself at the shu. "I'm going to leave your face so bad that you'll need to wear a veil all your life so that you don't see how everyone walks away from you in disgust."

"Genya, please, go away." Zoya's voice was calm, but it only took one look by the redhead to know she wasn't feeling as good as she seemed.

"Be careful." She said as a warning to Makhi, before leaving that room stomping her feet so hard that it could be heard from inside until she disappeared from the corridor.

"Why so much concern?" The voice of the blue-eyed recomposed, she hoped that no one in the war room had noticed that small weakness shown for several seconds. It had hurt, especially the nickname referring to the Darkling. And just saying it once, the queen of the shu had reminded her all the years she had been used. The wound hadn't healed yet. "The king has already confessed his feelings for Ehri, the wedding can proceed smoothly."

"I..." Fear appeared on the shu princess's face, something Zoya had never seen before. But with a quick menacing glare from her sister, she opened her mouth and spoke. "It wasn't me. He was practicing to tell you." She was going to stop there, but watching Makhi's eyes look at her, she knew she had to continue. "He named you once when we were having breakfast, and I knew immediately how he felt about you. He confessed it to me, and I decided to help. We made two plans, the first was to get on your nerves until you said something." Ehri held her hands tightly, trying not to show the slight trembling that was beginning to appear. "But when I saw you together and the way you look at each other…I knew immediately that you both felt the same way. But he didn't think you'd like him, so I told Nikolai my second plan: he would have to do things that, normally, would have a romantic context to see your reaction. The ring thing and kneeling down to tie his shoe... was the first idea that came to mind. It was quick and easy, if you said 'yes' he would know clearly that you liked him but..."

"You were very cold, but surprised. Isn't that right squaller?"

I'll buy your ticket to Fjerda myself if necessary, Zoya thought before answering with her arms folded and a haughty smile on her face.

"Do you think you've got the facts right? Do you think I like that fucking idiot who can't go a second without messing something up?" Nikolai grumbled, but one look from Zoya was enough to silence him. "Don't they teach you in Shu Han to differentiate sex from love?" She looked surprised as the queen's face showed no emotion. Something was smelling bad, but she still decided to continue. "I am a girl who is always busy and hardly has time, I have my needs and this was the closest. It is acceptable in bed, but what can I do."

"I'm excellent in..."

"From that to love there is a big difference." The blue-eyed continued. As Princess Ehri tried not to laugh at the situation, Adrik looked at the two in puzzlement. He thought it were just rumors, Zoya had always been very professional and would never break that barrier, but it seemed that today wasn't going to stop surprising him.

"Oh yeah?" The storm was already unstoppable, and Zoya was sorry for some strange reason. "Then why, according to my informants, did you say to the sun summoner when your king gave her the Lantsov emerald 'Toss him over, break his heart cruelly. I will gladly give our poor prince comfort, and I would make a magnificent queen.' ?

How could she know that? Her time at The Spinning Wheel was in the past, but just hearing those words brought everything back to her mind. Even she herself accepted that she was hateful at that time, and she decided to be hateful again this time.

"With that kind of incentive I can stop being horrible for a minute, even two." She finished saying and then her mouth let a slight smile appear before continuing. "That's a simple answer, I like power." She got up from her seat, ready to leave, but Makhi's voice made her stop.

"I have several spies posted that if they see me, you, or your dear Nikolai leave the room, they will give orders to attack the palace."

"He is not my dear."

"Is it a joke right?" Nikolai asked, still slightly surprised by the words Zoya had spoken at the Spinning Wheel. Was he flattered, sad, nostalgic? He didn't know, his current feeling for sure had no name.

"Nothing is a joke if she says so." Ehri's voice grounded Nikolai's feet. They were no longer talking about a forbidden love for a king, but about a possible war with Shu Han knocking on the door. Why?

"Why all the fuss about this?" Nikolai rose from his seat as well, slamming his hands down on the table. Hopeful, as if that was going to summon Sturmhond and the passionate privateer was going to fix that real quick. "The wedding day is already chosen, we signed the treaties. Why are you doing this? No matter how I feel about anyone else, I'm going to have to marry Ehri."

"You're not a good fit either, Nikolai."

Ehri's words made everyone but Makhi laugh slightly, that queen couldn't laugh even if you locked her in a room with laughing gas.

"You didn't want the first wedding, neither the second." Adrik's voice, who took David's place after his death, seemed to make them all wake up and realize the Queen of Shu Han's plans.

"You're just looking for time and an excuse." Zoya's voice couldn't help but show the surprise she felt. She had been so stunned by Nikolai's confession that she hadn't thought of any reason for the queen's presence in the weeks before the wedding, but now it all made sense.

"Ehri..."

"I'm sorry." It seemed that Nikolai's voice calling her name had squeezed her heart tightly, because small tears began to escape from her eyes. "Everything has an explanation, I swear."

Had she hit them from behind? Had she played both sides against them? Why? Everyone was surprised by it, but the most was Nikolai. He had even confessed his feelings for Zoya to her, what had made her play with his trust?

"Why does love have to be the center of everything? It makes people weak." The queen's voice brought everyone back to reality, to a reality where a war was approaching them and they didn't know how to stop it. "Thank you little sister, your lover will be safe; for now."

"You promised me this would be the end of our deal and you would get him out of there."

"Shu Han needs more khergud in their ranks." Makhi moved her wrist, ordering her sister to be quite, who obeyed faster than expected. "Or do you want me to tell grandma about your slip?"

"I think we've all slipped up at least once."

"And yours is to be an idiot who doesn't think of Ravka." The squaller answered Nikolai, slamming his palm against the table in visibly furious; in the same way that she had done that day in which, in the same room, she blamed the blond, who was now at his side, for his stratagem to avoid the first wedding with the shu princess.

"I think of Ravka. Of a happy and prosperous Ravka with you. As my general, as my friend and as my wife. I think of a Ravka without fighting between the First and Second Army thanks to our government. I think of a new Ravka, leaving behind those old traditions that only lead people towards sadness." Nikolai collapsed back into the chair, resting his head on one hand while the other made small imaginary circles on the table. Where had he gotten the courage to confess everything? Or was it the nearness of his possible death that made him so brave to speak? "I want a future Zoya, but with you."

"That's true." Ehri said, without raising her head and keeping her gaze fixed on the floor out of embarrassment. She hoped that one day they would understand the obligation she felt to do that when the princess saw what, or who, was at stake. "He even chose the names for your children."

"Children?" That was a scenario Zoya never dared to imagine. The shadow of her parents was always hanging over her, scaring her with the simple idea of starting a family in case being a bad parenting figure was in her blood. "Nikolai Lantsov, take that back."

"Why? Are you afraid that, as Sankta Lizabeta, I'll discover your weaknesses?"

How did she know that? They hadn't told anyone about all the sankta had told them during and while getting ready for the obisbaya. She tried to think of something, some answer to that unknown, but her brain decided to stop working at that time.

"How...?"

Makhi cut her off as she placed several papers, that had been on the floor, on the table. No, it couldn't be what she thought.

"It would do you good to talk to someone Zoya, someone alive and with whom you couldn't leave so much evidence." Her hands searched through the mountain of papers and pulled out a few sheets. "I made some notes to make your torture more painful, I hope you don't mind. And I don't want any false moves, or else you already know what to expect" One of her fingers ran through the rows of letters until she found what she was looking for and a strange smile came over her face. "Let's see a little of what you tell to your dead aunt."

At that moment Zoya knew that all was lost and that the shu queen was right. She was always so focused on hiding her feelings that writing letters that were never going to reach their receiver was the only way she found to be free during the time it took to put everything on paper.

Everything was in those pages, and when she said everything she meant everything. The general who was always so vigilant protecting Ravka, was going to send the kingdom to the bottom just by her actions.

"Makhi, please..." The queen ignored her sister's plea, and began to read.

"'Auntie, I know this letter will never reach you. But I don't want to forget you, and now I swear I will tell you everything. Alina has returned to the Little Palace, surely I never told you about her out of envy. She is the Ravka's savior, even if she doesn't look like it with that scrawny body, because she's the sun summoner. She's going to destroy the Shadow Fold, I know, but she's also going to need more than just a lot of peasants worshiping her. Today I announced my support for her on behalf of of all the Etherealki, although some of them didn't take it well. If even I can leave grudges of the past to unite with what I considered my rival... all of them can. Do you know why we get along so badly?, because of that stupid general who has turned his back on Ravka. I don't think I need to write any more words for you to understand exactly why, but now I only think of plunging a sword into his heart myself and watching how little by little his life escapes from him.' The queen's hands began to move the papers until she reached one that caught her interest. " 'Remember Alina? She's an idiot, I think that calling on the sun so much has burned her brain. Now she hates me, and possibly will ruin everything we had achieved for an otkazat'sya. I may have had some fault, but Mal doesn't get away either. If she likes him so much, why doesn't she ask him to be with her? I'm not getting into any relationship. And it was only a kiss, this time. But the other time was also only once, and I swear I tried to repeat it but he always seemed to have Alina in mind. If you're so in love with each other, why don't you confess it and go to the country side together to live your love and start a family? Is it so difficult? ' " The leaves moved again, turning the order that characterized them before into a complete disorder. " 'I am surrounded by madmen. Nikolai Lantsov, second in line to the throne of Ravka, has calmly said that he shot the Darkling. Is that boy in his right mind? What have I gotten myself into, aunt?' " Zoya tried to contain her emotions, as if she didn't care that she read everything in front of them even if it was the opposite. It terrified her. " 'Sorry for taking so long to write you again, but I've had lived a nightmare. My hair is a mess, and that's too much for me. We are at The Spinning Wheel, now a military base for those of us who managed to escape the battle in the palace. It's a long story and I don't have time. Nikolai, that crazy boy I told you about earlier, is now first in line; a little accident with his older brother that almost no one took pity on. And I don't think fate has ever could have gone so wrong with that choice."

"Hey." Nikolai said, visibly annoyed, fixing his gaze on the blue-eyed girl who kept looking at the queen with a arrogant face. "Fate made a very good choice."

" 'And it seems that the stupid one is crazy about Alina, poor thing. But she's not, so I already let the summoner know that she could break his heart without any problem and I would take care of him and be a magnificent queen. I even promised that I could stop being annoying for two minutes to get the Lantsov emerald. What am I going to do with him, the boy looks good in his military outfit and seems like one of those who still believes in fairy tales. I could help him get rid of those dreams.' " Nikolai met the squaller's gaze for a few seconds, and she managed to see hope in his eyes. Yes Nikolai, soon what you're most waiting for will come. " 'The new king asked me to be his general, and I agreed. Am I wrong, aunt? I hope not.' "

"Please, someone stop this madness." Zoya said in a whisper before rolling her eyes. "You're not going to get anything interesting out of there." The queen didn't care, and it seems none of the other three pairs of eyes were on her either. If they got out of there alive, she would cut their tongues herself if necessary so they wouldn't tell anything about what had happened there. Death never seemed such a good gift to her as at that moment.

" 'I've made a mistake, completely. And I'm not talking about stopping writing to you, I've had to do a lot of work and several trips that haven't left me time, but agreed to be a general. I was even forced (you know I'm not really) to visit Alina Starkov, supposedly a martyr and saint in the eyes of all Ravka, and Mal Oretsev. Now the two of them live quietly running the Keramzin orphanage, can you see how it wasn't so difficult to be together and go live in the country side?; it just took several battles and a lot of deaths (I hope she liked the kefta, from the bottom of my heart I know that she will always be one of us even if she can't summon anymore.) I thought it would be easy to lead the Second Army, and somewhat in a way it is, but collateral duties are abhorrent. It's like I have to babysit that stupid king! Yes, as you read, he's king now. He's going to lead Ravka to his downfall, and I'm going to have to be there to try and stop him. or to watch it all fall in. Today he blew up three prototypes, three! He doesn't realize what his first duty as king is; stay alive. What would Ravka do if he died? Pass the throne to some cousin of his who looked like his father or Vasily? Saints, give me patience.' " It seemed that Ehri was the one who was looking at her the most at those moments, probably because she was already discovering how things were going to evolve in those cards. " 'Nikolai has escaped again in his shadow monster form. It makes me a little sorry, we didn't find any solution and although those melancholic eyes ask me for answers, no matter if they are lies, I am not capable of giving him false hope.' "

"This has to stop." Nikolai's almond eyes settled on her. Why did he want to stop her when it was obvious she was going to get to what he wanted? He might even be able to accuse her of treason; thanks to her and those stupid letters, all of Ravka's secrets were being revealed to the enemy.

"Shut up Nikolai, don't make things worse." She didn't know where she had gotten the strength to shut him up, but they would surely be the last words she would dare say to his face before she got to the part she most feared.

" 'Today he spoke to me with the voice of the Darkling while he was in that monstrous form. I know it's not real because he's dead, but I can't help but avoid him ever since. I'm sorry Nikolai, it's not your fault.' "And it was true, no matter how guilty it made him feel, it was all her fault. Zoya's fault, for appearing to be completely healthy even though her soul still had all the wounds open. And she knew it. " 'I never told you about the first time I met him, right? Well, at that moment I felt that golden spirit, full of joy and hope that the heroes of the stories you told me as a child always had. Ravka is in good hands , if he doesn't blow it up first as part of one of his experiments' "

"I don't blow up that many things." The looks from Adrik and Zoya caused him to swallow hard and duck his head. "Okay, I do blow up so many things." What was that stupid king trying to do now? Give Zoya time to get used to the shame that was beginning to grow inside her? She was never going to understand it.

" 'Today we had the most diplomatic conversation in weeks. We were coming back from one of his little adventures as a monster, although I don't like to call him that, and we talked about the lack of funds and a queen for Ravka. Then we were stopped by soldiers and it was time to act. I know the rumors that are heard in the palace, but all those people who share them don't know that they are being used for it. What is more credible and safe for Ravka: knowing that the king becomes a monster thanks to an attack of a nichevo'ya or to think that he and the general are having a little affair?' "It was clearly the second choice, and each time the rumor was shared it became more interesting. The imagination that people have for gossip in Os Alta was incredible. "'What is that fool trying to do? He's reluctant to find a wife for Ravka's sake, but as soon as I told him he needed one to chain him up at night (however that doesn't work often to keep him from running away in his monster form) and kissed him sweetly in the morning, he did nothing but ask me why I didn't do the latter. How many years of imprisonment are paid for regicide? I don't do anything sweetly, I'm a warrior and it seems that he doesn't get it.' Right now she regretted writing all that, even though it seemed that Nikolai felt the same way as she did. His gaze was fixed on the floor, trying to avoid the questioning and doubtful that Adrik was showing to the two of them. If Genya had been with them, she would have really enjoyed hearing it all, despite the circumstances. " 'I kissed him sweetly as he told me that time. Not aunt, not a kiss from a story. It was just something small on the forehead, after chaining him and hearing him say in his sleep that I should stay. What's wrong, aunt?' " It took her a long time to discover it, but now she knew for sure what was happening to her; she was falling in love with that stupid king. " 'He has already chosen a bride-to-be, and it has taken me a long time to him do so. Ravka will be safe at last, and he will walk hand in hand with a princess of his own level; who knows if he won't be surrounded by little annoyances equal to him either? Though I hope I'm not there to see it, babysitting a big boy is enough for me.' "The queen turned to another sheet, it seemed that she was the one who was enjoying all of this the most. " 'Today he caused a prototype of his own to sink into the lake with him in it. I almost lost... Ravka almost lost him.' " Everyone's eyes fell on Zoya. What happened to them? Have they never read about an impossible love like that in a story? She hated how those eyes rested on her, couldn't a general have feelings? " 'It seems that the ego of kings does not run in the blood, it must be infected in the crown. Nikolai is a bastard, the son of an affair the queen had with a certain Magnus Opjer. I think there is already an explanation for the difference between the bad appearance of Vasily and the beauty of the current king. If he knew that I said this he would not stop reminding it to me until the day of my death, regardless of the fact that we, grisha, live longer than the otkazat'sya like him. Will I one day see how he dies in my arms and I will have to live many more years without his slightly crooked nose and thin lips?' "

"Stop Makhi, please."

"Don't you think it's too late now, little princess Ehri?" Zoya said with obvious sarcasm in her voice and her furious glare towards the shu girl who had dared to speak after the truly necessary moment. "If we make it out of here alive and either of you open your mouths..." Zoya's gaze fell on Adrik and Nikolai, though with the last one it was harder for her to hold for the few seconds before she ran her finger over her neck horizontal. She hoped they got the message.

" 'I think we found a way to get the demon out of his body. I wish this was the one that made him so charismatic with all the girls looking at him like he's the only coat in all of Fjerda, I'm sick of them.' Zoya rolled her eyes at her own words. Clearly the answer was no, Nikolai was like that. But that shouldn't have mattered to her at that moment... Damn heart. " 'Auntie, I'm scared. Scared for him. Sankta Lizabeta has told us that tomorrow we'll have to do the obisbaya. I've offered to help him, so maybe I'll join you soon. When the sankta told me she needed me because seeing someone who cared about suffer was going to help him get that monster out. Something... something stirred inside me. Am I going crazy? And it doesn't end there. Recently...' "

"That's it!" Zoya yelled, impossible to hold back anymore knowing what she was going to read next. "I'd rather cut off my ears than continue listening to your damn voice."

"That's right, I'm tired." She placed the sheets in front of Nikolai, who was looking at them completely stunned, not even having read a bit. "Come on king, surely in your training there are public speaking classes."

"No!" The voice of the squaller reappeared with force. Was she losing her sanity? Because she was putting her personal life before Ravka, and she would never do that in her right mind.

"Ok." The queen got up from her seat and started to walk towards the door, but before grabbing the knob she turned and looked at them. "Go pray or do what you think, this place will be bombed as soon as I'm safe." Her gaze went from Nikolai, who was changing his view from the papers, to Zoya, and then to Makhi. "Is the righteous King Nikolai going to let the shame of his beloved lover kill everyone here?

The blue-eyed girl, with a simple glance at the older shu, realized that she was not joking. The lives of many people were at stake.

"Nikolai, I swear if you don't read it immediately I will make you suffer in the other world."

"Zoya..." His voice no longer had that characteristic tone, but fear and doubt danced on his vocal chords.

"Do you want us to have the same conversation but you raised to the ceiling?"

As Nikolai watched her, weighing the few options he had, he noticed how Makhi was looking at her hands. The shu queen knew that she could have tried to do anything by calling on her power, and she seemed mildly surprised by her refusal to do so. Don't worry, your plan and mine will be able to come together. I'll take care of that.

" 'Nikolai started a strange conversation saying that he was possibly jealous of a dragon.' The blond had already begun to read, his voice shaking as with each word Makhi took another step back to the chair. " 'The flames of the fire were lighting up his face in a mesmerizing way, so at that moment I didn't care too much about his words and turned my gaze to the source of heat. He started off joking, as always, and even though I put again my armor when he told me I looked relaxed... I enjoyed his comments about the possibility that something was already burning in Os Alta. It was like going back to normal life for a few moments.' The king couldn't stop a small smile from appearing on his face, which was repeated on Zoya when he met her gaze. " 'He gave me a very important envelope, though he first joked that it wasn't a love letter (maybe something in my heart wished it was after learning the truth?). He explained that if he died, with that I would become the closest thing to Queen of Ravka, and my past self would have jumped with joy as I got closer to the crown, even if it was just like the one who chose the best candidate from the entire Lantsov family, but not my current self. At that moment, I felt like something was breaking inside me; imagining a Ravka without him, a Zoya without him was very difficult for me. How were we able to joke in those moments of tension and uncertainty? But we quickly passed to talk about less humorous topics. The stupid one asked me about my amplifier, and I didn't control myself and told him about the mission in Tsibeya. And I was such an idiot that I named Kirigan, and how I was already half in love with him (I'm not in my right mind, aunt) and how glad I was when he chose me to go on that mission. I also talked about the cubs and how I got them out of their cage, to then defend them from another tiger without caring that my back would be scarred for life. I even took off part of my kefta and dared to show him the eight marks...' "

A dry and nervous cough came from Adrik's throat, and with that background noise Nikolai closed his eyes for a few seconds as he remembered the scene. He even felt that pang of desire again; just like that night in front of the fire.

"Please, someone give that boy some candy or something."

Adrik's voice could only formulate 'sorry' before he swallowed and looked slightly nervous at the queen. That look was really scaring, and even more knowing that her threats weren't a joke.

" 'I even told him about the conversation we had after he put the amplifier around my wrist. And about... about how I told all the lovers that I've had a different story; only he knows the truth. I was tempted to confess to him the conversation I had with Elizabeta. I was tempted to tell him how the talk started about the sankta and her relationship with the Darkling, then moving on to him.' " Nikolai couldn't help but stop his reading and gaze at her, waiting for an affirmative look that would allow him to continue. But that one never came, Zoya had her gaze fixed on the wood of the table and didn't take it away. He continue despite everything. " 'I was reluctant, listening to the qualities Nikolai was looking for and telling her that I was a general, and that smiling and squeezing orphans would be taken care of by his future wife. The sankta asked me if I would just give him up just like that, and I couldn't avoid getting confused. If she hadn't reminded me of the way his almond eyes haunt me I would have forgotten everything, and that little satisfaction I felt would never have come. And I couldn't help realizing a big mistake, auntie; Nikolai is a hopeless romantic and, if given the long shot, I could neither receive nor give that kind of love. I am Zoya Nazyalensky, General of the Second Army, not some little girl dreaming about her happily ever after.' "

Makhi's hands placed another sheet in front of Nikolai, which he quickly grabbed and began to read eagerly. Damn stupid king.

" 'Nikolai is alive, alive aunt! But it was all a trap, and now we have returned to Os Alta. And we have only seen problems for the moment, and a death that from his look I could see it deeply damaged him. Now yes, there is no going back, he himself has said that he is going to marry the princess of Shu Han. As soon as the wedding is over I will give him my resignation letter, I cannot be by his side while I feel this.' Another sheet appeared in front of him, and his eyes swept over it like a child with a birthday present. " 'I'll kill him, I'll kill him! How could he do this? Avoid the wedding like that? Even I'm surprised. But… a part of me couldn't help but cheer when I found out.' "The last sheet reached the blond's hands, and although he looked at it with a smile, he also did so with fear; fear of what all this could cause in the future. But he started reading. " 'That's it aunt, I've completely lost myself. We are, we were because I already resigned, organizing a second wedding attempt with the same princess and in a slip (at first) I heard how Nikolai confessed his feelings to the shu. And I couldn't help going in when he finished as if I hadn't heard anything, even though my insides reacted differently. At dinner time I took the grisha out and started training them, but in the end I ended up far away in the forest with Genya and with her hand on my shoulder, comforting me while I did nothing but cry from impotence and various other feelings that I dare not write. She has lost her husband, the love of her life, and I do nothing but worry her without giving an explanation (I don't dare say out loud what I think I feel) I'm horrible. I wish you were here and could give me your advice, although I already know what you would say: stop fooling around and kiss him, so you know if you like him. But I can't do th...'"

"For all the saints." Adrik said.

"For the six soldiers." Ehri followed, just as surprised.

Even Makhi watched in amazement as Zoya, standing next to Nikolai, walked the few steps that separated her from him without a doubt and bent her back slightly to reach his lips as her hands gripped the collar of his shirt.

In front of the three of them, Zoya's lips began to move against Nikolai's thin ones. They also saw how the squaller's eyes closed, but the blond's remained open due to the suddenness of the blue-eyed woman's actions. But quickly, as if he had been in a desert and finally found an oasis, the king lowered his hands to her waist and pulled her close to him, straddling his legs, as he followed the kiss with the same desire the opposite had showed. Genya would have loved to see that.

Nikolai began to notice how the air did not enter his lungs, and a few seconds later he felt a force on his neck that did not seem caused by the much desired kiss. His lips parted abruptly and his eyes widened, letting him see how Zoya had her hands around his neck, squeezing as if she wanted to suffocate him. But the force was too weak compared to the lack of air, so she should be making use of the 'Little Science' of squallers.

Zoya Nazyalensky, his general and the woman who had finally kissed him, was trying to kill him.

The plan had begun.

—————

You can read the first parte HERE.

You can read the second part HERE.

You can read the third part HERE.

You can read the fourth part HERE.

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couronnez · 1 year

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THE LANTSOV TRIALS

A closed starter for @twocleverfoxes

❝ I hate this. I hate that we have to do this, Kolya. ❞

Vasily allows himself to be real for the first time in weeks, now sitting in the back of their Mercedes S500 as they are driven to the court. He's been dreading this day for months. The infamous Lantsov trials. Father against son. A company and a living all hanging by a thread. He can only hope justice will be served and he won't have to see his dad ever again afterwards. His hand runs through Katya's silky hair, she's fast asleep in the seat next to him but her small head is resting on his chest as always. He knows the sound of his heartbeat soothes her, even if it is anything but regular. It's a long way back to health but Vasily has been making some progress despite still being in heart failure. He can walk. He can stand for longer than fifteen minutes. He's doing his best for his daughter and wife. He has to be their family now. Their shield.

❝ Especially since Katya has to be here... she's too young for this. I don't even want her to see dad. ❞

A sigh escapes his lips, low and exhausted. He's tired of the family drama. Tired of hearing about it all over the news. The few times he's been at Lantsov Corp since his release from the hospital had always been the same. The tension was palatable. They all knew it was him against Alexander. The ancient art of unwanted succession. Alas he is the heir. The sole legitimate heir.

❝ Ah fuck. Fuck. I could use a fucking cigarette. Do you think Ehri packed my pills? I should take some painkillers. ❞

#♔ —— ❝ champagne problems 》 braveandunbreakable's modern au #♔ —— ❝ braveandunbreakable 》 nikolai lantsov #♔ —— ❝ he would set this world on fire for her 》 katya lantsova

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springtimehasreturned · 1 year

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EHRI KIR-TABAN

WHAT CREATURE LIES IN YOUR SOUL?

A MERMAID

you are a free spirit. like a bounding wave, you go where the wind and the tides carry you, never looking for more than what is over the far horizon.

#ABOUT EHRI / HEADCANONS

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udovaintomyheart · 1 year

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for all those saying that it doesn't make sense that sturmhond didn't change his features in life- Mayu wasn't tailored to look like Ehri and no one knew about that so.... and she was the IT girl of shu han! the people love her! sure they love Nikolai too but that doesn't mean everyone knows what he looks like

#just some food for thought!#shadow and bone #grishaverse #shadow and bone netflix #shadow and bone season 2 #sab s2 #nikolai lantsov #sturmhond

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lilisouless · 1 year

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Nikolai: I am nautrally charming, i don't know a single person able to resist my flitrting

Zoya: what about princess Ehri?

Nikolai: sure, other than princess Ehri

Zoya: and Genya

Nikolai: alright, and Genya

Zoya: and David

Nikolai: he is playing hard to get and you know it!

Zoya: and what about Baghra?

Nikolai: what are you saying? she was so charmed by me that she flirted back

Zoya: she hit you with her cane

Nikolai: thats what i said

#grishaverse incorrect quotes #nikolai duology #nikolai lanstov #zoya nazyalensky #ehri kir taban #genya safin #david kostyk #baghra morozova #sab

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ariapmdeol · 1 year

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please be free and post your coe analysis i want to see it

OK SO. THIS IS THE METAFICTION THEORY/ANALYSIS, AND INVOLVES SPOILERS FOR THE MOST RECENTLY TRANSLATED PART OF THE DLC (part 5), ALONG WITH SPOILERS FOR. THE ENTIRE BASE GAME. it has nothing from beyond that, to the best of my knowledge (though it implies things for future content). This ended up as longer than expected oops. I will make another analysis post on specific moments that stood out to me at some point but this one is specifically for metafiction stuff!

I want to do character analysis posts at some point as well, so if you have any suggestions for who i should do first please lmk! :D

relevant image:

OK SO. METAFICTION is a type of fiction that consistently reminds the audience that it is, in fact, fiction. I've been also using this term to stories in which the medium through which it is told is relevant to the story and narrative. One example of this would be DELTARUNE. The soul (player) is separate from the protagonist (Kris), and the in game mechanics are relevant as well (re: snowgrave). it's Meta in the sense that it challenges the reader/player to reconsider what we see as normal from a gameplay standpoint vs what is a part of the STORY.

I BELIEVE that Cell of Empireo uses metafiction as a part of it's narrative, and that the structure of the game itself is relevant to the remainder of the game. Cell of Empireo, ESPECIALLY in the DLC, makes use of the fact that IT IS A GAME as a major plot thread (i predict this to be more relevant in future DLC parts/hermits room/interlude). I've talked about this a little in the other COE theory post but. this is a DEDICATED analysis so i can go into DETAIL.

one of the earlier and most explicit hints we get of this meta narrative in COE is in chapter 6 part 2 of the eng translation. THIS DOCUMENT HERE is in the Empyrean Heaven Research Institute, and is listed without an author.

I BELIEVE the author of this document is NONE OTHER than SEODORE RIDDLE. It's either him or Mutei, but Mutei was uninvolved with the EHRI so it HAS to be Seodore. I am pretty sure he's aware of the true nature of 'this world' (the ingame world).

specifically, by referring to the 'source code of the world', I don't think they meant this metaphorically. i think they meant this LITERALLY. LITERALLY THE SOURCE CODE OF THE GAME THAT WE ARE PLAYING.

I want to specifically point out the Purple text at the end of S, before S+. it reads:

"Oh, what a surprise. Well, congratulations! I hadn't thought it possible to come to this domain without going through anything else. ......Nn? Aah, who are you? Well, no need to act so defensive. That aside. It'd be nice if hope could be found in that 'this was a process'?" "Well, but this is a matter of will. No matter how God interferes. Without one to receive it, God's love can't be written out. So, please tell me. Your 'will'." "'Do you accept God's love?'"

By selecting yes, we see the three rings of light (i wonder if its relevant that there are THREE of them...) and get sent back to our first meeting with Hatsutori. This. this is META. the game itself plays with our expectations of a 'credits' scene and uses it to PUSH FORWARD THE NARRATIVE. it breaks what is expected as a PART OF THE GAME.

It's more than just a bonus scene too; the fact that S route happened is a PART of the story as well! Haruki specifically says THIS

Hatsutori: Once again, good day. Haruki Atou-kun. This is our first time meeting, shall I say. Atou: No....... This isn't our first time.

He IS AWARE of the S route. Hatsutori calls it "arrival."

Why is the term "Arrival" important? because that is what we call the endings! the translation calls them "Arrival Points"! This links us back to the SAVE FILES OF THE GAME. Haruki is AWARE of the S route on a subconscious level. This can also link to why the game has hidden timers and route info as well-- by playing multiple times, us the player AND Haruki the character know more of whats going on! That's why it's so hard to get the S ending first try, because it relies on the PLAYER'S knowledge of what to do! We are a PART of Atou's story beyond just controlling his actions!

The three rings of light.... Three books of the Divine Comedy (Inferno Purgatorio Paradiso).... Which connects us back to "the Divine Comedy is a reality left in this world." I need to think more on what this could mean. I think this has to do with accessing the 'source code' but either way it is meta.

Mutei's document (the only one we've seen so far) expands on this when we get to see it in DLC part 5. I will put the document below (note that this is the only mutei doc we've seen in the eng TL so far. i am so desperate to understand this man so fucking bad. the second i understand whats going on with him its over for all of you).

he says this AS A WRITER. SEODORE is using this info to REWRITE the definitions of the world, and edit the source code. This is why he has that glitchy effect whenever he uses Brugmansia: he is LITERALLY rewriting the code. I think Seodore is the only one TRULY aware of this whole world as a 'story', along with Mutei.

HOWEVER. I believe that these rewrites are limited to what is REALISTIC. I believe that each COE route is a different pseudo-universe as described in Mutei's document. The minor changes build up to a butterfly effect! It's like using save files to change your actions! to reset to try to save everyone! We still follow the world's definitions, but are changing the outcome using information we've gained!

The above screenshots... The line about playthings makes me think that seo is aware of the Source code. We the player are a level above the characters, looking into their little fictional world. I think seodore wants to 'end the game'. Make it so the player CAN'T keep looping things and playing over and over. Seo is right, from his perspective people AREN'T playthings. but to us? the player? These are FICTIONAL characters in a FICTIONAL world and seodore is RESISTING that. he wants the story to END.

I believe Sanemitsu and Atou both have the power to do this as well (Harada factor). I touched on this in the other COE post but I swear to god it makes sense. Atou SPECIFICALLY acknowledges that the scenario Hatsutori expected has been REWRITTEN (again calling back to the WRITER themes). Sanemitsu... i will write him his own analysis post bc i love him

ATOU SPECIFICALLY CALLS OUT THE META ASPECT BY ACKNOWLEDGING THIS WHOLE THING AS A 'FINALE OF A PLAY'. HE HAS HIMSELF HAS DONE THE BEST HE CAN. ITS META FICTION. ITS LITERALLY META. ATOU IS REMINDING US THAT THIS IS INDEED A GAME AND IS FICTION which is DOUBLE interesting bc HE KNOWS!!! ATOU KNOWS AND HE DOESNT AT THE SAME TIME!!

anyways i cannot wait to see where the story goes! i am sane and normal over this game (lying).

#aria rambles #cell of empireo #aria answers #anon #coe spoilers #coe theory #aria's analysis #gavi no clicky #I. NEED TO HTINK ABOUT FUCKING SEODORE AGAIN #BC #IF HE WANTS TO DESTROY THE NARRATIVE #THAT. HAS IMPLICATIONS #its time to rotate them in my mind again :pensive:#>live aria theory crafting means i realize things AS I WRITE THEM

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