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#literally kaz’s theme
classicjdog · 2 months
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CURSE MY FUCKING SHITARSE INTERNET I JUST WANT TO PLAY SOME FUCKING TEKKEN GAAAAHHHHHHHH
REINA IS SO FUCKING SICK AND I CAN'T PLAY HER AGAINST REAL PPL I'M STUCK FIGHTING THE STUPID AI FUCK
#i have some christmas money lying around so i guess i'm just gonna have to buy an ethernet cable#my setup (if you wanna call it that) is really not conducive to getting wired up at all#but fuck man there's no way i'm gonna just not play this fucking game it's way too fucking sick#well at least i had plenty of time to play the story lol which for the first like 80% of it's runtime it's like hey this is fun#like it's not super boring & there are actually some really cool moments sprinkled in here & there#then there's the second-to-last jin/kaz fight which was kinda what i expected the finale to be#like ok they've got their big crazy final forms & they're gonna have their big over-the-top anime fight & that's all fine i guess#but then they have one last normal hand-to-hand fight#and speaking as a long-time hardcore tekken fan that last fight is one of the best most joyful experiences i've ever had with a video game#like i've always felt that jin's transition from tekken 3 to tekken 4 was such a cool melding of story with gameplay#like in story at the end of t3 he's betrayed by heihachi so in t4 he forcibly unlearns the martial art heihachi taught him#and this is reflected in gameplay by his moveset being completely different so them coming back around to that in t8#and reinforcing the whole theme of jin accepting his past by LITERALLY GIVING YOU HIS TEKKEN 3 MOVESET IN THE FIGHT AGAINST KAZUYA#WHILE A REMIX OF HIS TEKKEN 3 THEME PLAYS???? GOD WHAT A FUCKING SEQUENCE!!! CHEF'S KISS MWAH MWAH MWAH#and then just the lovely little moments of fanservice. obvious stuff like kaz wavedashing or he & jin doing the namco logo thing 1 last tim#but then obscure stuff like jins t3 df1 glitch & kazuyas weirdo t4 re-stun combos?? like how many ppl are even gonna know about that shit??#they hella did not have to do that but they did & it makes me so so so happy#so yea the t8 story is like 80% a fun entertaining little romp & 20% the hypest shit i've ever ever ever seen#and also reina is the best new character namco have made for tekken since steve in t4#it's funny cause in the whole leadup to t8 i was having a little trouble figuring out who i was gonna main#cause in t7 i spent most of my time bouncing around basically the whole cast before finally settling on julia near the end#obv no julia in t8 so i had to pick someone else & no one in t8 was really jumping out at me#lots of super cool characters that i'd already played quite a lot of but not really anyone that's like ok yea that's my fucking guy#lots of sick af potential secondaries but no main basically#then they released the reina trailer & i was like ok yea that's my fucking guy#sick design sick stage sick AS FUCK music & a bunch of mishima staples to go along with it???#she's got an electric? hellsweep? wavedash? flash punch combo? stonehead?#plus some heihachi specific staples? demon breath? heaven's gate? iron hand? fucking HUNTING HAWK??? then yea that's MY FUCKING GUY#so yea reina fucking rules & i just wanna play her against real ppl please for the love of fuck#OH ONE MORE THING THEY DID ANOTHER GREAT JOB WITH THE MUSIC. AT LEAST 3 NEW TRACKS ADDED TO THE TEKKEN PANTHEON OF ALL-TIME CLASSICS
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girlscience · 5 months
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I totally love being just a little too weird for normal people, but not weird enough for them to avoid me. It's great. Makes for wonderful conversations where I think I have something interesting to add and a chance to share something I like and then get made fun of.
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lesbiansanemi · 2 years
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It’s such a fucking nightmare trying to explain to people that yes I love complicated “deep” stories, but absolutely despise stories that were created specifically to be deep and complex and nothing else
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yuribalisms · 2 years
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Okay once again genuinely wondering if dumbasses on this website know what actual queerbaiting is......
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ghoul-haunted · 2 years
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keeping my bullshit thoughts posting on a totally separate blog from where I post art has ultimately been a very good move for my own mental health, but it also means that an entire chunk of the thought process for why I draw what I end up drawing is missing. for example, whenever I draw or write about Messalla, I’m thinking about Snotacon. I Snotaconed the core of their Theme. Can love bloom on a battlfield? Yes it can, you miserable motherfuckers. but unfortunately Cassius is part of the prequel act, so play the fucking 80s music.
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dcvina-claires · 3 months
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i think the six of crows fandom has a real problem with acknowledging complexity in the characters which is ironic because it’s literally a book about morally grey characters. like yes kaz is a cold blooded murderer who cares more about money than being a good person but he’s also a dumb teen boy with a crush and a bad haircut. inej is a knife-wielding spy as well as a deeply religious girl who never stopped believing in kindness. jesper is a confident, reckless sharpshooter but he’s also incredibly scared and angry. wylan is an empathetic and kind artist along with being a dangerously intelligent explosives expert. nina is a fun, food-loving girl but she also stands up for the oppressed and struggles to recover from an addiction. matthias is an angry druskelle but he’s also the boy who learned to love grisha unconditionally. even kuwei has more depth than we give him credit for. he’s the flirty troublemaker as well as a grieving kid who’s had too much pressure put on him. they all have nuance, please don’t take that away because it’s such an important theme in the books
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violets-and-books · 8 months
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The Crows watching Horror Films
Kaz:
Loves horror movies
Is basically the perfect horror film watcher
Watches intently
Never jumps at the jump-scares, the most you'll get out of him is a startled 'oh'
Always guesses who the mystery killer is
Always guesses it correctly
Loves slasher films
Inej:
Not a big fan of most horror films
Likes the final girl trope
Prefers sci-fi horror to anything else
Will rant about the pseudo-sadist, purity-obsessed horror films and why they can be better to anyone who'll listen
Won't go out of her way to watch a horror but will make an effort if A) Kaz wants to or B) It's made by a diverse minority of some kind
Jesper:
Hates horror films
Watches them because Kaz and Wylan like them
Loves watching them with Wylan because it gives him an excuse to cuddle up to his boyfriend
"are you scared?" "no" (literally shaking in his seat)
Is that one guy who screams at the screen like a goat
"I wish Milo was here, I wish Milo was here, I WISH MILO WAS HERE, I WISH MILOOOOOOOO-"
"ThAt'S nOt WhErE bLoOd Is MeAnT tO bEeEeEEEEEEE-"
"Wy, hold me, I'm scared" "The film hasn't even started yet-"
Jumps at every jump scare. Every. Single. One.
Wylan:
Likes horror films, especially ghost ones
Finds them cathartic
Has long conversations about themes and analysing horror with Inej and Matthias
Has seen all the classics
Likes gothic horror films
Is the only one who'll put up with Jesper's antics
Can't watch slashers - too violent
If he gets scared, he'll cover his ears and scream in short bursts until he isn't scared anymore
Matthias:
Is that one guy who'll analyse the film while watching it
Points out how scientifically incorrect all the kills are
Has very specific catagories for what counts as a horror film
Loves cult films, especially the Wicker Man
Can't watch haunting films, hates them so, so much
Nina:
Doesn't like horror films
Makes fun of Jesper for being so scared but then screams just as loud as him
Yells and swears at the characters for being so stupid
Ended up practically glued to Matthias' lap, if she didn't start out that way
"NO ONE would be that stupid to actually do [X]"
Quotes Scream at every given opportunity
(whenever someone on screen has sex) "Ooooooooh, you gonna diiiiie"
Kuwei:
Laughs at the jumpscares
Not even like a nervous laugh, plain out, hilarious laughter
Knows everything about how the films were made
Loves horror, possibly even more than Kaz
"Jes, are you scared? You can hold my hand if you want"
Has to sit a safe distance away from Wylan at all times to avoid being murdered
Explains how they did that stunt on screen as the stunt is happening (but will shut up if asked nicely)
Really likes body horror
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The Old Therebefore 🐍🕊️ | A Six of Crows Imagine
Takes place after the events of S&B S2
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My masterlists
Characters & Pairings: gang leader!reader x Crows (platonic). Kaz Brekker x reader (slight tension)
content warnings: profanity, mentions of violence and death, typical SOC themes. | female!reader (she/her) | wc: 4k
Premise: it’s not often Kaz Brekker needs assistance to a job involving anyone other than his Crows. Yet, there is always a first. When a job comes involving not only a high cash prize but also chances of coming out alive slim, Kaz accepts it is out of his skill level. So, what does he do? Take a risk by recruiting his top rival since Pekka Rollins was run out of town….she’s got the charm of a snake with a voice of a songbird. 
Note: so as you can tell by the title of the imagine and song linked, I saw the new hunger games movie (back in November) and literally could not stop thinking about this song/scene. Then of course my hyperfixations like to collide and wallah: here is the end result.
Disclaimer as always: the song and lyrics belong to Suzanne collins and all the SOC characters belong to Leigh Bardugo
---------
“You know, Kaz, I know better than to question you on most things,” Jesper scanned his surroundings, voice low with slight concern. “But I can’t help but wonder why you’ve decided to drag us to the ‘Snake Pit’ tonight.” The sharpshooter sipped his glass of rum after a close inspection, “mind telling us.” 
Seated around him, Inej, Nina, and Wylan expressions bore the same unease. All on high alert the moment Kaz led them through the doors and down the spiral staircase into the Barrel’s infamous Snake Pit. 
Located deep on the opposite side of the Crow Club, the Snake Pit was an underground bar/club. Home of the legendary crime gang, the Blood Serpents. They’d been around since Kaz was 15, their leader to have been the same age as him. Yet the public knew very little of the notorious boss. Only by their code name. 
The Snake Charmer
Of course, this information made Kaz lose his mind at times. Unable to identify his anonymous rival who’s bested him on multiple occasions. If the opportunity arose, Kaz would pay any amount of kruge to find out who the Snake Charmer was. It’d been well over a decade. His patience was running thin.
Finally, the wait would pay off in the form of a messenger boy. 
Knowing Inej was too recognizable, Kaz sent a young member of the Dregs--who was under the radar to the other gangs--to infiltrate the Snake Pit the week prior. The boy returned hours later to relay a crucial piece of information. Now, Kaz was to test that theory. 
Clutching his cane, the crime boss did not spare a glance to his fellow Crows the second they entered the Pit. Even when they took claim to a rounded booth in a far corner by the bar. His attention was occupied. Analyzing the club and its features. Mentally noting the Blood Serpent members, who were identifiable by their red snake tattoos on their hands. 
One of which was the bartender that served them drinks. A young woman about their age, she wore a maroon pin-stripped 5 piece suit although the blazer was forgone. The tattoo was on full display. Kaz assessed her lingering on him when she pushed the tray of drinks toward Jesper. Likely recognizing him and by default the rest of the Crows. The bartender didn’t say anything after, only giving a nod before moving to the next customer. 
To the other Crows, they thought Kaz’s intense stare on the bartender was either because he thought she was attractive or making note she was just another member of the Serpents. But, what they did not know was Kaz figuring out if she was the Snake Charmer.
“A woman?” he questioned the boy, narrowing his eyes. “You are telling me the Snake Charmer--leader of the Blood Serpents--is a woman and works under the guise of an employee at the Snake Pit. Are you positive?”
The boy nodded profusely, “Yes, Mr. Brekker. I can assure you it was no man singing that song. She sounded like a siren if I must say. She calmed the snakes like it was nothing-- I see why they call her Snake Charmer.”
So a woman was responsible for a lot of Kaz’s failures. Not to mention winning the territory he’d hoped to gain when Pekka was defeated. They’d come to a settled agreement through a middle man. An action that annoyed Kaz. But he knew better than to wage war with the Snake Charmer. 
So far the women in the gang he’s managed to identify besides the bartender were two serving girls, a door bouncer, and two poker dealers. A total of six. Of the men, most of them were standing on the walls and mingling along the floor. 
Bet she didn’t expect him to enter her den. 
The Snake Pit was exactly like what the boy described. Dark wood floors and walls up to the high ceilings. Dangling chandeliers, poker tables, two bars on either side. Booths aligned the walls. The most notable and unique trait, however, was the glass snake enclosure right smack in the middle of the floor. It was cylinder shaped at the bottom, lining the floor to the ceiling where it branched out on either side to resemble a tree. Plants and dirt filled it. 
As did ten serpents. Ranging from tiny garden snakes to a python.  
Jesper cringed when his eyes landed on it. Wylan looked deathly afraid. Nina found it amusing. Inej thought it was fitting. Kaz was pleased to see it. To him, that was ammunition.
Kaz answered Jesper with one word that told the whole story, “Business.” 
“What business could you possibly have with the Snake Charmer?” Inej questioned, hand on her side close to her knives. “Don’t you think we should be discussing the plan?”
“And we are,” Kaz rebutted, leaning into the booth with his gaze set on the enclosure. “We’re here to flush out the Snake Charmer.” 
Jesper choked on his drink, meanwhile Nina and Inej looked at Kaz like he was crazy. “You’re fooling us aren’t you?” “Boss, jokes aren’t really your thing--.” “You’re insane, Kaz, if you believe that’ll happen.”
“You see that enclosure?” He cut off their rambling. All responded with a look of, ‘Of course we see the ginormous Snake habitat in the middle of the club full of our enemies.’ Kaz nodded to it, “we need to destroy it.”
Once again, Jesper choked. This time on his saliva. “You’ve lost it,” he ignored the glare from his boss, “Did going through the fold change you, Kaz? Clearly you’re not actually thinking we let loose a dozen snakes,” he leans forward to whisper, “we don’t even know if they’re venomous. If their bites don’t kill us, surely their owner will.” 
Analyzing Kaz, Inej lowered her tone, “what are you not telling us, Kaz?”
Giving one last scan of his surroundings, Kaz addressed his Crows with the truth of why he brought them to the Snake Pit. “I have a lead on who the owner of this establishment is.” Their reactions were immediate, Kaz continued. “A week ago I sent a young messenger boy here to scout out the place--find anything that could help identify the Serpents boss. During closing he snuck into one of their storage closets,” Kaz attempted to locate said closet, somewhere behind one of the bars. 
Kaz paid close attention to the bartender and the poker dealers. “At some point in the night, one of the snakes got loose. Or,” he turned to Jesper and Inej, “my theory is they use those snakes as a means to get information on people.”
“Great,” Nina sighs, “you want us to free the Serpent's torture method. Well done, Brekker. Excellent plan if I must say.” The heartrender received a glare, but Kaz did not entertain it further.
“As I was saying,” his tone was stern, making the others hold onto any additional comments. “The boy overheard the panic of one of the Serpents. Turns out, the Snake Charmer doesn’t take kindly to her pets being mishandled.”
“I can see why,” Jesper mutters, glancing at the enclosure. 
Kaz gripped his cane, watching the female bouncer approach the bartender and exchange words. “He then heard a woman’s voice. Singing.”
Wylan raised a brow, “Singing?”
“Whatever it was, it calmed the snake. Allowed her to return the animal back to its case. The boy said he heard arguing between a couple members who hoped to clean up their mistake before the boss discovered it.” Kaz shifted in his seat, “didn’t end well for them.”
“Did you get a look at her face?” Kaz peered out his office window, facing the direction of the Snake Pit’s location. Moonlight shining down, almost as though the Saints wanted him to see the building. Behind him, he heard the boy clear his throat.
“No, Sir.” He stuttered, tensing at the sight of Kaz lowering his head. “The door didn’t have any cracks or holes I could see through. I tried looking underneath, but only got a glimpse of their shoes.”
Kaz pinched the bridge of his nose, deep in thought. “What happened after she finished singing? How’d you get out?”
“Once the snake was handled, she ordered them to her office. She sounded….calm, but you know how you just know when someone is masking their anger. That’s how it was when she addressed them.” Kaz hummed, indicating he understood the boy’s implication. Considering he was guilty of such.
“And then?”
“I waited a few minutes until I was sure they were gone. The direction they went sounded like it was the far left of the club--opposite side of the spiral staircase that’s both the entrance and exit. I think there's a secret back entrance where they were because when I came out it was completely empty.”
Kaz found the secret back entrance. Camouflaged as a bookcase. He was able to spot the hinges carefully placed to where the light made it difficult to see them. But Kaz Brekker knew the art of illusion in the back of his hand. 
“This is what’s going to happen,” he became serious. The Crows lean in to hear him while maintaining their alert. “We need to expose those snakes from their enclosure. They’ll be our bait. From there we wait. If my theory is correct, those snakes only answer to their master. Or charmer in this case.” Kaz paused to locate the female workers in the club. “Her act as an employee is a ruse.”
Jesper followed his gaze, once again becoming riddled with unease. “You’re implying the Snake Charmer is either the bouncer who let us in, the gal who served our drinks, the serving girls working the floor or one of the poker dealers?”
“That’s exactly what I’m implying, Jesper.”
“Why would she do that?”
Nina snorted, sipping at her whiskey, “Isn’t it obvious?” she didn’t wait for an answer, “no one would pay a second glance to a worker. They are either too drunk or too naive to assume the pretty bartender or serving girl is the boss of one of Ketterdam’s deadly gangs.” She gestured to the serving girl closest to her. “My money’s on her being the Charmer.”
Jesper scoffed, “no way. To be a ghost and retain anonymity all these years you have to have a great poker face.” He states the obvious, “it’s one of the dealers.” 
Inej rolled her eyes, “are you seriously making this a competition?”
“You don’t think it could be the bouncer?” Wylan asked, scratching the back of his neck to relax the tension he felt. 
“No,” Jesper replied with a wave of a hand, “that would be obvious, don’t you think? Although….,” he rubs his chin, “considering they let us in -- and we know how much you and the Snake Charmer have been rivals so to speak all these years, boss -- you don’t think by letting us through that we walked into some sort of trap?”
Inej immediately straightened, “Jes has a point.” Nina stopped munching on her calamari, waiting for Kaz. She too realized the potential threat.
Kaz, however, remained relaxed. “It’s not the bouncer, but I know the Charmer has already been notified of our presence.” Wylan’s worry intensified.
“What makes you think that?”
“As we’ve been talking I noticed all the women working the club have interacted at some point. Some making it obvious to point us out,” He was referring to the bouncer nodding her head to the one serving girl. “Others are more discreet.” That was to the poker dealer and bartender. 
“And yet,” Jesper groans. “You still want us to make a scene. We are literally in a place crawling with snakes--pun not really intended.” the table rolled his eyes at him, save for Wylan who found the joke amusing. “Point is….you want to unleash the Snake Charmer’s serpents into a club full of innocent people--.”
“Innocent,” Nina scoffed under her breath. 
“What if one of us gets bitten?” Jesper kept his gaze on Kaz with mild concern. “I don’t believe for a second the Snake Charmer will kindly hand over the antidote to save our lives. She’ll take pleasure in watching us suffer a horrible death.” Picturing the scene, the sharpshooter downs the rest of his drink, cringing in the process. “Saints, this is not how I pictured I’d die.”
Kaz rolled his eyes, “No one’s dying today. No mourners.” Everyone glanced at each other.
“No funerals.”
“Right then,” It was time to work. “Here’s what we’ll do….”
A prayer slipped past his lips before Jesper inhaled deeply and let the bullet fly. The sound caused gasps from around him, though he was quick to hide the weapon in its holster before one noticed.
“Who did that?!” came a shout from the bouncer. Patrons were already making their way toward the exit. Not wanting to get caught in a crossfire. 
Jesper occupied himself with his rum, glancing over his shoulder to Inej, who signaled to him the bullet did not penetrate the glass completely. Sighing, he downed the contents, waited until it was clear, and shot again. 
The second bullet hit the glass with a loud clunk. Once again alerting the occupants of the Snake Pit. Many searched themselves for any sign of blood for fear they were shot by an unknown assailant. 
“C’mon,” Jesper whispered, peering at the enclosure. He saw the evidence of his bullet, a chip in the glass near the bottom. If he could time it right, without someone getting in the way, he’d hit the mark. 
Meanwhile employees of the club were trying to calm the crowd, “everyone please remain--.” Another shot rang out, more shouts echoing. Kaz’s patience was running thin. Their door to escape started to close as he noticed the security begin to close in on the Crows. No doubt suspecting they were to blame for the chaos. 
Kaz Brekker coming to the Snake Pit with his most trusted advisors for only a drink? Yeah right.
Then, almost in slow motion, the sound best described as ice cracking filled his ears. All eyes turned to the enclosure. Fear surfacing as they witnessed spiderwebs painting the glass. Then all hell broke loose when the glass gave way, allowing the beasts freedom from their isolation. 
Screams ensued. People climbing from the floors onto tables and chairs. Hissing from the snakes intensified the hysteria. Kaz even found himself moving when the python pivoted in his direction. Jesper of course found himself on top of a chair the moment the glass shattered. Inej was high up on a balcony on the opposite side of the club. How did she get up there? No one knew. Wyalan was close to Jesper. He too found safety on a stool. Nina meanwhile was listening to the heartbeats around here. The number decreased each time a patron made it up the staircase and out the door. 
Seconds passed and no sight of the Snake Charmer. Kaz was getting worried. Fearing the plan was a failure. His worry increased when he found himself scurrying on top of a poker table. Distracted with trying to find the workers he suspected of being the Snake Charmer to realize the cobra had got close to him. Had he not acted fast, the man’s leg would’ve fallen victim to its fangs. Catching Jesper’s eye, they shared the concern evident in their expressions. Wondering just how the fuck they were going to escape the situation. 
Suddenly his prayers were answered in the form of an angelic voice. Causing the screams to disappear…..
“You’re heading for heaven, 
The sweet old hereafter, 
And I’ve got one foot in the door. 
But before I can fly up, 
I’ve loose ends to tie up, 
Right here in The Old Therebefore.”
Heads turned, facing the direction of the sound. Their expressions turned into pure shock. Kaz may have had his suspicions, but it still came as a shock to discover he was right all along. 
Ketterdam’s notorious crime boss, leader of the Blood Serpents….was the Snake Pit’s bartender. 
Walking around the bar, crunching against the glass of broken bottles on the floor from the hysteria of customers fleeing to get away from the snakes, the woman kept her gaze on slithering animals. The hissing continued as she inched closer, however she did not seem fazed at all. Her singing continued.
“I’ll be along, 
When I’ve finished my song, 
When I’ve shut down the band, 
When I’ve played out my hand, 
When I’ve paid all my debts, 
When I have no regrets, 
Right here in The Old Therebefore. 
When nothing is left anymore.”
The hissing got quieter. The animals turning so they were in line with the woman. Slithering slowly but surely toward her. Confirming to everyone she was their master. Their charmer.
Off to the side, a few of the Blood Serpents rushed in with crates. Pushing people aside. Meanwhile the woman got to her knees, leveling down to the snakes who were now moving toward her. Eyes locked, face serious. The Snake Charmer was obviously trying to keep herself together. But Kaz felt the rage seep off of her. 
“I’ll catch you up, 
When I’ve emptied my cup, 
When I’ve worn out my friends, 
When I’ve burned out both ends, 
When I’ve cried all my tears, 
When I’ve conquered my fears, 
Right here in The Old Therebefore. 
When nothing is left anymore.”
The snakes smaller in size slithered up her outstretched arms. Covering both limbs in a tangle of scales. One slithering up to encase her neck, almost like a necklace. The Cobra took claim to her waist. The python circled her, almost like it contemplated joining its fellow serpents. 
Around Kaz, he made out the faint gasps of customers who had yet to depart. Glancing around, he witnessed them all in states of shock and awe. Even his Crows were at a loss of words. 
As was he.
The Snake Charmer’s voice turned strong. Echoing through the entire club as she belted out the next verse. Bringing chills to everyone’s arms.
“I’ll bring the news, 
When I’ve danced off my shoes, 
When my body’s closed down, 
When my boat’s run around, 
When I’ve tallied the score,
 And I’m flat on the floor, 
Right here in The Old Therebefore. 
When nothing is left anymore.”
Rising from the ground, she was covered by the creatures. Her python has wrapped itself around her leg. Its tail was on the floor while its head perched by where the cobra had secured itself on her belt. From the neck down the Snake Charmer was a sight to behold. Revealing why the nickname was not only because she was the leader of a gang filled with snakes. 
It was because she was gifted with the talent of charming their namesake.
Moving toward her subordinates holding crates, no doubt to keep the animals contained, the woman passionately sang the final verse. Giving it all she had. 
“When I’m pure like a dove, 
When I’ve learned how to love.”
Tone dropping, she leaned to lower the snakes into the crates. Gently as though they were newborn babies. Kaz caught her stoke the pythons head, her singing so low it was good the place was dead quiet. 
Right here in The Old Therebefore. 
When nothing is left anymore.”
Finally, after what felt like forever, the snakes were safely stored in the crates. Lids dropping shut with the gang members hurrying from the floor to transport them to another room. No one moved. Any and all eyes focused on the woman in the pinstripe suit. Back turned to the Crows and other patrons, but from the fearful look of her door bouncers, everyone silently prayed they’d make it to the morning. 
Moving her neck in a circle, a low crack from the joints that had been stiff, she slowly turned to face the audience. A clenched jaw and fury in her eyes made it clear what was going through her mind. Especially to Kaz, who was fighting to not look away when she instantly met his gaze.
Oh, she knew alright.
“Well…” the Charmer’s tone sent chills along the Crows' bodies. “You’ve certainly got my attention, Mr. Brekker.” Her spite was evident. Complete rage. Likely planning every means of torture she wished to bestow on her rival and his comrades. 
It was so quiet. So thrilling. Nobody dared to move a muscle. Patrons watching the stare down between the King, and now the unmasked Queen, of the Barrel. It was captivating yet terrifying. Wondering who would make the first move, and if it will end in a blood bath.
Then she snapped, “Everyone out!!” The floor cleared in seconds. Leaving only Serpents and Crows. They knew better than to attempt an escape. Plus the moment their boss addressed Kaz, the Serpents had circled them to prevent any sudden attack. 
Kaz remained composed. Watching closely as the Snake Charmer moved to the bar to pour herself a drink. “Before I kill you, Kaz Brekker, and your little birds too,” she did not look at him, paying attention to the liquid filling the glass. He tightened his jaw. “I want to hear you explain to me why you brought yourselves to my club,” bringing the glass to her lips, she downed half the alcohol in one gulp. Drawing her eyes up to make contact with him, “And destroyed my babies' home.”
Her footsteps echoed, walking toward the center of the floor where Kaz stood. “You’re a smart man.” She took another sip, this time slower. “Not only did you manage to draw me into the light, but you knew exactly how to do so.” A smirk plastered on Kaz’s face. A bold move considering the threat lingering at displaying his smugness to the Serpent Queen. Her lips were in a thin line, “What brings you to my den?”
Straightening his posture, Kaz stepped closer. Their distance is only a mere foot from one another. Making everyone--Crows and Serpents alike--suffocating from the tension between the two. 
“You won’t be killing us tonight, Charmer.” If only he knew her real name. Only having her title felt like she had some reign on him. Superior in a sense. The whole Barrel knew him as Dirtyhands, but Kaz Brekker had his own reputation. For her, people can now put a face to the name Snake Charmer. A beautiful woman with the voice of an angel. So powerful it made snakes bend to her will. 
Also, people would be shaken by the fact the deadly gang leader served them drinks during their visits to the Snake Pit. Hidden in plain sight. Listening to them spill their drunken secrets. 
Kaz leaned closer, the scent of her perfume hitting his nostrils. Jasmine. A flower known to attract snakes. He understood why she wore it. The smell was alluring. As was her presence, but Kaz dismissed the thought as quick as it came. “Doing so will result in you losing an important job I’m willing to negotiate your assistance on. Believe me, the reward is more than generous--enough for the both of us to share.” Now he got her attention, confirmed by the way her head slightly tilted, brow raised. 
“Humor me, Brekker.”
“Have you ever heard of jurda parem?”
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19burstraat · 10 days
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queering futurity in crooked kingdom
if I had any real time for this (I do not) I'd be tempted to write a real essay about it, but I have a dissertation and two other real essays for my actual degree, so let's do a bad tunglr bullet point analysis. I'm... largely generalising and paraphrasing here, and I suspect this has a billion things to iron out or that I forgot about, but I hope this might be a bit interesting regardless of how much you may or may not know abt queer literary theory lmao.
in extreme short, there is a subset of queer theory around what is, in essence, queer time. there is a heteronormative future/'futurity', and it is marriage, children, a good job, a nice house, and dying at a good age after a fulfilling life. queer* and trans people both reject and often cannot access this: plenty couldn't/cannot get married or have children, or had to surpass lots of obstacles to do so, many queer and trans people were or are killed young, or died prematurely in the aids crisis. and so we get queer temporality; a resistance to the heteronormative future that is refused or inaccessible, and to reproductive futurism; the concept that people value the future over the present... and this manifests in kicking back against things like the symbolic 'child' as a representative of futurity. not real children, but empty platitudes like think of the children! think of the future for your children! there can also be a development of a death drive, which is sometimes literal and sometimes metaphorical, which is, again, basically a rejection of 'the future'.
while the grishaverse doesn't have homophobia as such, you can still do queer readings, bc it is ofc influenced by our world, by virtue of being Written By A Person From Our World. and especially in kerch, there's still stuff like patrilineal inheritance... buuuut reproductive futurity & friends are very deliberately destroyed by the end of crooked kingdom. mostly by the usual culprit (taps sign that says IT'S KAZ AGAIN LOL) but by the narrative and the other characters as well. walk w me! I don't think this is a real analysis more just a lot of Thoughts but... nvm
*used here as an umbrella term since the theory I'm pulling from is the field of queer theory
the two men (van eck and rollins) who are most concerned with reproductive futurism (having heirs and a legacy, 'building something that will outlast them'), are promptly buried under the rubble of their building efforts by our usual culprit. kaz uses the mentality of legacy and lineage against them both; he kidnaps van eck's pregnant wife to use as a bargaining chip, and he uses rollins's son and heir against him, because he knows what's most important to these men is their line, their work being handed down. he deduces that rollins has a son through rollins' vanity around building something to 'last', and his naming of the kaelish prince. rollins is literally themed around monarchy and descent; the king of the barrel, the kaelish prince, the emerald palace. kaz, for his part, is the bastard of the barrel. the illegitimate son, not produced by any conventional family structure, ketterdam his mother and profit his father... and therefore he is the perfect person to blow up this imagined monarchy
wylan is rejected by van eck for his disability, for being supposedly incapable of continuing his father's legacy; and so we gather that the actual child doesn't matter to van eck, it's what The Child represented to him, which was the future of the van eck company. the illegitimate kaz restores van eck's disowned son to the succession through sheer trickery, and jan van eck's trading empire is succeeded by his son he attempted to reject, and his farm-boy barrel-tough boyfriend. they bring home the first wife that van eck had committed, for failing to produce the 'perfect' heir. no perfect heteronormative future here!
(also by virtue of wylan and jesper being a mlm couple, there is now way less emphasis that can be put on the idea of biological children 'continuing' the line, and it somewhat stops the expectation that ruined wylan's life from being passed down)
the two m/f couples are also very distant from this idealised reproductive futurity. matthias dies, ruining any idea of a 'conventional' future he could have had with nina, and while his death is generally more about the extremist brainwashing stuff explored w the drüskelle, it does blow to shreds that futurity even more, and nina's power is also a very literal HEY GUYS. LET'S THINK ABOUT DEATH... plus she leaves ketterdam to take matthias to be buried at the end of the book.
kaz and inej both do very dangerous jobs and separate for long periods of time. they may marry or they may not, they may have children or they may not, they may be physical with one another or they may not. it doesn't really matter; they'll try, but we don't get to find out how far they may or may not get, which honestly I kinda like. their future is open, the river running carrying inej to the sea. also, inej makes an explicit rejection of this kind of 'normal' future:
So he wasn’t fit for a normal life. Was she meant to find a kindhearted husband, have his children, then sharpen her knives after they’d gone to sleep? How would she explain the nightmares she still had from the Menagerie? Or the blood on her hands?
we don't really know whether or not kaz as a character is queer (I do not think kaz knows either lol) but it doesn't really matter, you can still read him as a queer figure both a) just if you want to! and b) in this sense of queer temporality, bc he's the crux of a lot of it. we already covered the bastard thing and his happy habit of kicking reproductive futurism when it's down, and as Edelman says: 'If the fate of the queer is to figure the fate that cuts the thread of futurity...' well, kaz 'build something new. watch it burn' 'he knew exactly what he was going to leave behind: damage' brekker is our man!
he does not give a single flying fuck about the future. he destroyed van eck and rollins' legacies, and he'll do that shit again. he doesn't have enough of an ego to consider a 'legacy' for himself besides destruction, which is a rejection of a legacy in itself. his plans for the future amount to fucking shit up and making a bunch of money to use to do more damage, until he gets shot/stabbed/hanged/drowned/whatever, which he constantly anticipates.
kaz also has a massive distrust and disdain for traditional family structures, because he's seen them crumble twice; his actual family are all dead, and the hertzoon con was built on creating a convincing family mode to lure them in. "my mother is ketterdam, she birthed me in the harbour; my father is profit, I honour him daily" is a sneer at paterfamilias type families where the mother is there to just give birth and the father is the head of the family, to be honoured and served, rather than loved. he also has zero sympathy for the 'think of the children!' thing, bc he knows it's disingenuous; who thought of him? no one. rollins was happy to con kids with the false promise of family and safety, and all the people he paid off were happy to turn the other way. was there no one to look after you? no, there wasn't. his mother is ketterdam: filthy, feral ketterdam. no nurturing mother has he!
So he threatens Alby and Hanna with no qualms, because while he doesn't actually ever intend to hurt children (...not physically anyway, apparently upsetting them is fair game FJJFJD), he knows the power of the threat— the idea of the child— is often more impactful than the actual act itself. ("Inej, I could only kill Pekka’s son once. He can imagine his death a thousand times.") it certainly works on rollins and van eck! he'll make you think of the damn children alright!
inej takes direct action to defend actual children, not just the idea of them, and then we hear in rule of wolves she's hated by the kerch government for it because she's fucking with their profits. (look also to how they flapped about searching for wylan, one rich man's kid, and are completely useless about hundreds of forced indentures. what a surprise...)
she reunites with her parents, but she worries persistently about whether or not they will accept her for who she has become, and we are never quite told whether or not they do. we like to think so, but we don't actually know. and although she gets to see her parents again, her future is on the wraith, not with them.
most people have dead or splintered families, actually. only inej has both parents, and for three - four years, they didn't have a daughter.
The general proximity to death in general is very potent; nina's power, kaz's whole backstory, the camping out in a graveyard. jesper's recklessness and love for fights, inej being ready to die rather than be a captiver again and kaz's response to that being 'not just yet', rather than not at all...
all following into the whole no mourners, no funerals thing!!! the fact that they know they won't be remembered or cared about if they die!!!
Edelman: 'Choosing to stand, as many of us do, outside the cycles of reproduction, choosing to stand, as we also do, by the side of those living and dying each day with the complications of AIDS, we know the deception of the societal lie that endlessly looks toward a future whose promise is always a day away.'
SOC:
Inej's mother and father might still shed tears for the daughter they'd lost, but if Inej died tonight, there would be no one to grieve for the girl she was now. 
“No mourners, no funerals. Another way of saying good luck. But it was something more. A dark wink to the fact that there would be no expensive burials for people like them, no marble markers to remember their names, no wreaths of myrtle and rose.”
pick up what I'm putting down guys please please I don't have time to tease this out properly but like. I think kaz and wylan are the linchpins here. (again)
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daerklina · 8 months
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I genuinely don’t understand why people want that soc spin off or shadow and bone season three because the writers were just…racist as fuck?
they made Alina asian, promised they’d explore her shu heritage but instead they erased her personality from the books to insert 378392910 scenes from kaz’s childhood, it’s literally not Alina anymore and the way they reduced her to a just ‘girlboss’ because male writer thought it was feminist and progressive 🤡 they erased her strong feelings for the darkling, they erased her ability to make a cut, they erased her humor, they erased her powerful speeches from the books.
erasure of the inej’s trauma…she literally couldn’t normally touch people for almost two books and saying ‘ I want you without armor, Kaz’ after what (a month? because s2 is so fucking rushed) after s2 started. that’s a serious theme and getting rid of her feelings about what happened to her, the depth of her trauma and erasing it just for what…? to show kaz’s flashbacks again? or to make her girlboss because male author thinks it’s feminist?
erasure of jesper’s trauma, his struggle with being grisha, accepting it etc. it took him a very lot of time in the books just to confess that he’s grisha to the other members of crows. he was ashamed because of it and he thought that this is a curse (also this is a key that canonically novy zem wasn’t that friendly to grisha. if this statement is wrong, correct me cuz I don’t remember shit what happened in those books sawry). and then in the show jesper magically accepted who he is, threw his struggles away in two minutes and then brutally kvllvd grisha woman who also had huge struggles, trauma with being a grisha.
THIS SHOW HAD DONE THEM DIRTY, AINT NEVER FORGIVING THAT.
(the only good thing was Alina not losing power as a member of oppressed minority)
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crimeronan · 1 year
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the other thing about the crows "discourse" is that on a more doylist note, eric heisserer brought the characters into shadow and bone SPECIFICALLY because he LOVED THEM FIRST and Insisted to netflix that he was not going to helm a shadow and bone adaptation that didn't feature these characters.
i get the apprehension and disappointment of not seeing a 1-to-1 blow-by-blow of the book events on the screen but the crows' involvement is not being done out of malice and CERTAINLY isn't being done by showrunners who don't like / care about / understand them. they're in this timeline Because The Creators Adore Them.
again, i won't know if i like this season until i see this season, but like. c'mon. of COURSE show pacing and events will be different from the books. that does not automatically mean that it's all going to suck or that every change is being done in bad faith or as a 'cash grab' or Whatever other negativity i've seen thrown around thus far.
as an example: kaz backstory might seem rushed based on the book timeline, given that we're nowhere near the ice court plot yet. but on a narrative structural level, you learn about it midway through six of crows -- learning about it midway through the second season of a television show where he's introduced in ep1 is Right On Pace. it's not only fine but also GOOD.
you do not need to doommonger about this for a full month before we see where the showrunners are going with it. everything up to this point has indicated that they're perfectly competent and capable writers/directors who give a lot of shits about themes and tales well told. i'm not even like a celebrity stan or anything, like, if i don't end up liking it i'll say To Hell With 'Em, but just. jst
we don't need to approach everything in bad faith looking for stuff to be upset about. it is Literally Fine. your faves are Literally Fine. adapting canon events to better suit a television format n pacing is Literally Fine. okay???
it okay. breathe.
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savethegrishaverse · 3 months
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We’re back with our next round of prompts Third Army! This week (January 14th to January 20th) we want to talk all about “resilience”. The theme of always coming back, the theme of making things our own.
We will never give up, we will never die out. And to aid that we are going to give out prompts and boost content about our Grishaverse, and we need your help! Come join us, send us your fanfics, post your art, and make sure to use hashtag #Third Army so we can see each post!
Writing prompt: "Genya felt like a statue as she sat at the head of the council room's table. She felt marble and cold and distant, but David's hand was across the table and out of her reach. She was alone here as she prepared to give her speech, but she had to do her best. She had to make the Triumvirate proud and win over the councilmen of Ravka, lest they continue to claim Nikolai a monster."
Writing prompt: Why not make an “incorrect quotes” post for Shadow And Bone! It can be a modern social media AU or a text post from the canon era, whatever you prefer!
Writing prompt: It’s a staple in the fanfiction community, but for good reason. Take your favorite ship and throw them in a “flower shop right next to tattoo parlor business rivals” AU! 
Art prompt: We've seen Dan Zollinger's art of the Saints, now draw your favorite Saint in your own style.
Art Prompt: Kaz says he will tear Pekka down “Brick by Brick” - let’s see that again, but with literal building bricks! Reenact a scene from Shadow and Bone/Six of Crows in lego form!
Photoshop challenge: Jesper says that maybe he likes Wylan’s stupid face - let’s photoshop that “stupid” face on all sorts of different things! The more bizarre the better!
Photoshop challenge: Let’s practice tailoring with Genya! Give the Shadow and Bone characters makeovers - maybe the Darkling is going through an emo/punk phase (it’s not a phase Baghra) or how about giving Alina a nice cottage-core makeover. Maybe even give Inej a kpop idol dream aesthetic!
Mixed Media challenge: Some of the iconic Crooked Kingdom book parts made it on screen, but not all of them! Why not draft up a gifsets/art/edit to show a Crooked Kingdom scene we haven't had on screen yet?
Video edit prompt: Compile together your favorite highlights and quotes for a "the Shadow and Bone cast once said…" video edit!
Question/Answer prompts: In the Lives of Saints, we learn to apologize and forgive - among other things. We also learn to stand our ground. Never apologize for campaigning for what you love, but maybe we should at the very least send an apology message to the poor Netflix social media managers who got caught in the crossfire of campaigning?
Every week I want to ask people to share happy/hopeful stories about Grishaverse and the campaign. Let’s talk about the friends we’ve made, the kindness in the fandom, and any moments of hope we can share to keep our spirits strong!
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general messy thoughts about sab s2 (spoilers ahead)
Things I liked:
- Genya. Daisy Head SLAYED completely she was SO GOOD. I didn’t like them downplaying her scars and I wished we had gotten the line “I am not ruined I’m ruination” especially knowing how much that line means to so many people but other than that Genya was everything Daisy did an INCREDIBLE job of playing her. I actually got teary-eyed at several points this season (and me and my emotions are not at all close so that’s a feat) and they were all either Genya or GenyaDavid scenes, which brings me to…
- Genya and David. They were so good. So wholesome. The best part of this season IMO. Like their brief scenes, them hugging in the woods, the tiniest moments STOLE the show. I cried for these two and these two alone. Also, David was so well-portrayed like I loved these two so much. 
- Several soft Malina moments that gave me butterflies and I felt accurately showed their dynamic, more toward the beginning of the season but they were there.
- Jack Wolfe as Wylan. I have some not-so-positive thoughts about the aged-up crows in general, but I still think Jack was a convincing Wylan and you can tell from both the show and from his interviews that he really cares about Wylan and his portrayal. Every time he LOOKED at Jesper I was like…wow just WOW.
- Getting to see Nina interacting with the Crows was nice. Especially when they turn around and she has waffles and Kaz has that annoyed moment but then we find out Nina got them the info they needed because she’s a spy and she’s incredible? 10/10 and one of the few moments that felt accurate to the real crows. Also, that part where she was talking to the guard and pretending she needed to pee (idk that was a weird way to describe it I know) but that was so Nina
- Also, just them together in a restaurant vibing was what I needed
- “The barrel doesn’t belong to kings. It belongs to bastards.”
- Tolya and Tamar were so cool in their introduction like they’re so hot and cool and powerful ahh
- When Genya, Alina, and Zoya are all at the Darling’s funeral pyre that was chilling
- The slivers of foreshadowing with Zoya.
Things I didn’t like:
- The weird slow motion in some of the fight scenes was so unnecessary lol
- Okay I’m not a fan of the Darkling and I’ve made that quite clear in the past, but I do think he’s a good and interesting villain and I like the Flavour he adds to the story but this season the Flavour was just…not there. It’s funny how many Darkling stans I’ve seen angry about this season because for once we’re in agreement. Like he was so boring and weird and just creepy instead of interesting and creepy? I wanted to skip all his scenes. Also, they took out so many of the awful things he did in the books like what about him killing Ana Kuya? When he says “you’ll have no shelter but me” that line hits so much harder and is so much more chilling and awful because he’s literally killing off the people in her life. Turning Nikolai into a monster himself?? The moment Alina loses her powers in the books and the Darkling tells her she’s nothing is SO IMPORTANT because it shows he’s just interested in her for her powers, which is a big theme in the books. As wonderful as Nikolai is, he needs Alina for what she can provide for Ravka. The Apparat just sees her for her power. Everyone wants to use Alina for something except for Mal who just wants them to be happy and able to make their own choices. Anyways, the Darkling didn’t feel like the Darkling from the books at all. Also, he was just cringy. Like I was laughing when he was like “I have returned. And I’ve made some new friends” and stared at the camera it was so bad.
- Ruin & Rising is my favourite from the trilogy and I was so disappointed with how much was cut out for the most random crap, like hallucinating and eating butterflies?? Instead of the bonding time with the whole TGT crew? And no Oncat I’m crying. There’s so much character growth that happens and so many relationships that are deepened in Ruin & Rising and WHERE WAS THAT?
- Personally, I didn’t think Paddy was giving Nikolai. Like he seems like a good person and actor and all that jazz but he just didn’t feel like Nikolai and since Nikolai is my favourite, this kind of hurt.
- Erasing Mal from the story and his struggles. Look, Mal is not by any means a perfect character. And he doesn’t need to be. Let him be messy. Let him struggle and sometimes be rude and make mistakes because that’s real that’s compelling. They could have shown all the book!Mal haters that maybe they were being too harsh on him because he was struggling SO MUCH but instead they just turned him into Perfect Supportive Man. His character growth in Ruin & Rising is so good especially after you’ve spent Siege & Storm thinking “what is going on with this man.” Seeing him owning up to his actions and seeing him working on his flaws and seeing his support for Alina is so good and we deserved it especially considering how talented Archie is.
- Cutting Zoya almost completely out, especially since this is the book where she goes through a lot of growth. Also, the fact that Alina choices they’re making are cutting into Zoya’s future story >:(
 Things I HATED:
- Killing off David. WTF. Obviously we didn’t see a body so he might come back but like…what’s the point. We didn’t even get to see Genya and David get married.
- Almost all of the Crows content. The rushed Crooked Kingdom plotlines with none of the significance from the books. Rushed Wesper. Matthias working with Pekka. Nina’s character completely revolving around Matthias. Kanej focusing on Kaz’s trauma but not Inej’s and making her contract with the Menagerie all about Kaz and his vendetta against Pekka and killing off Tante. Actually, pretty much everything Kanej this season was so awfully handled. Also, just not a fan of the Crows being aged up and I tried to be okay with it but this season made me more upset with the casting choices. The Crows stuff was so so so badly done I want to cry. Comfort rereading the duology right now
- The ending. Just…frick the ending. I hate it. Too many thoughts I just hate it I can’t even talk about it
- I’ve already reblogged a lot of posts that go into things I hated but just in general it was such a mess they combined too many stories without doing them justice and there’s more I’m upset about but this is it for now
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daisybrekker · 1 year
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Shadow and Bone S2 - Commentary
Episode 1: No Shelter But Me
"As long as these papers from Kaz work" - Please, of course they'll work. It's the work of Mr Dirtyhands😏
Love the iconic music when the crows come on.
The flashbacks of young Kaz with Jordie? PAIN.
Nikolai in Disguise. I repeat, NIKOLAI IN DISGUISE.
I love how they make sure to highlight just how intelligent Kaz is.
The side eye that Kaz and Jesper exchange when Nikolai tries showing off his profile💀
One bed trope 15min into the first episode? Damn, Netflix ain't playing...
"We are not vultures, we are crows." - Yeah Jesper, you tell him!
I love Alina, but I'm glad that Kaz ratted her out to Nikolai. He was a bit too soft in S1.
The other Grisha protecting Alina was such a beautiful scene.
Loved Inej's sneaky entrance.
They killed off Tante Heleen? Did not expect that...😳
"It isn't your fight now, it's mine." - My standards📈
Wylan playing the SoC theme song on his flute, omg🤩
My heart's breaking for Matthias :(
"Ravka wants a fight!" - Okay, I love Tamar.
The Darkling is back🖤
The part where The Darkling just tells other Grisha "follow" parallels when he says it to the creatures in the Fold at the end of S1. It shows how he sees them as one and the same, his soldiers.
5/6 Crows in the same place, we just need Matthias back now.
"He's the love of my life." - I SCREAMED.
"Brick by Brick." - YES YES YES.
"The barrel doesn't belong to kings, it belongs to bastards." - Yes it does!
Episode 2: Rusalye
The intro with Inej's knife, Wylan's bomb and Jesper's gunshot. DAMN.
Nikolai saying he has no clue who Mal is and then calling him "Guest of the Sun Summoner" is the highlight of the episode.
I just realised than Mal & Alina are practically in an established relationship now so it's very unlikely that we'll have a bit of Nikolai/Alina like in the books and I'm sad now.
"You live in a single moment, I live in a thousand." - Chills.
"I feel lucky now." - Oh Kaz...
The way Nina is on Matthias' mind and it tortures him🥲
Even though Paddy doesn't necessarily look like what many of us imagined Nikolai to be, he's doing a very good portrayal in my opinion so far.
I like how The Darkling is much more harsh and ruthless this season.
Oooo, I like the look of the Sea Whip.
Wylan saying that he's aware Jesper isn't thrilled to be paired with him is hilarious considering we know how they end up.
Pekka saying "My Wraith" as a comeback to Kaz... He really doesn't value his life, does he?
Mogens is creep as hell...
Can we just agree that every Jesper shooting scene is so freaking good?
If I see another Malina kiss, I'll puke. I'm sorry😭
Episode 3: Like Calls to Like
I'm loving how, just like last season, every intro is different.
Young Kaz crying as he lays on the pile of corpses makes me sick.
David is so protective over Genya, I love it.
Alina punching Nikolai is what I needed.
Ugh I really don't like book Zoya or series Zoya, but I do feel bad for her here.
Okay... Am I correct in saying that Jesper & Wylan slept together before or...?
KAZ JUST TOLD INEJ THE TRUTH, OMFG. I love how she doesn't show pity or sadness and she's like "We destroy him." What a queen.
Kaz helping Inej with her wound... My Kanej heart is screaming.
KAZ FIGHT SCENE!!!! YESSSSS
Inej finally finding Mogens' weakness after her talk with Kaz >>
I feel so bad for Baghra. Her literal son mutilated her...
Wesper's so cute.
David having to hear Genya's screams but knowing he can't do anything💔
Matthias + the wolves was such a beautiful little addition.
Matthias is such a brutal fighter... I love it
Alina choosing to go to Nikolai at the end of the episode instead of Mal... Very interesting
Episode 4: Every Monstrous Thing
Poor Genya.
I feel like the show is trying so hard to deviate from canon book Malina to make it look like they're this perfect couple when they're not. It feels a bit forced.
I love how Kaz is so cold but so soft for Inej.
Alina's developing her powers even more, can't wait to see what she'll do later in the season.
David's finally in with Alina, it's getting interesting.
I actually had hopes Nina wouldn't betray Kaz but then again, she did do it for Matthias. Still disappointed in her, but a part of me is still hoping it'll be revealed that she double crossed Pekka.
I despise Pekka even more and more. I hope that Kaz's revenge will be worth it when we finally get it.
YES! I knew we could count on Nina.
Kaz finally gaining the upper hand on Pekka is what I needed.
"But one was reborn." - Ugh, I love Kaz so much.
Vengeful Kaz >>>
PEKKA IS ON HIS KNEES FOR KAZ. As he should!
I love how Nina & Jesper are completely speechless.
Tolya trying to recite poetry and Zoya bluntly saying "No" was so funny.
I hate Pekka but I like that his son is his priority.
I don't really like that Jesper & Wylan already have history, I liked their development in the books more.
Kaz & Inej angst😫
Nikolai & Alina > Mal & Alina
The nichevo'ya killing Vasily was so graphic, did not expect that.
I feel like they could've done better work with The Darkling's scars.
Don't really like how they constantly call him 'Kirigan'.
Finally a true Darklina reunion👀
Episode 5: Yuyeh Sesh (Despise your Heart)
A more detailed flashback of Kaz finding Jordie dead was NOT needed. Pain.
Not Kaz cockblocking Jesper and Wylan😭
Damn, Kaz's bruises are nasty.
Some of the Shadow and Bone characters reunited with the Crows👀
Genya trying to cover her face from David :(
I like the Crows storyline a lot but didn't they talk about a SoC show too? What would it be about if a lot of their story has already happened now?
Adrik didn't deserve that.
Kaz being spiteful and making Jesper's age older in the false papers😭
I feel so bad for Wylan being insecure about his illiteracy, you can tell Jesper was immediately guilty.
Oh how I hate Nikolai's mother, but I'm glad he stood up to her.
They included the metal armour and steel David/Genya scene😭❤
I'm glad that David & Genya are getting the attention they deserve but it's more painful when you remember what happens to them...
"How do you think it tastes?" "Like tea." - Please💀
Freddy did such a good job in portraying Kaz's PTSD.
Inej ignoring her mission to help Kaz🥺
Alina finally initiating the visions between her and The Darkling.
"The problem of wanting is that it makes us weak." - At least he's self aware
As usual, Mal ruining everything 😐
Pekka really hasn't learned anything, has he? He kills Kaz's brother which leads to Kaz wanting to avenge him. Now he kills Matthias' only companion in Hellsgate. Hmm, wonder what will happen?🤔
"The whole world will hear it when I make her scream." - 😳
The ending scene is the best by far. The way Kaz looks at Inej just before he passes out. The transition from him fainting to him falling into water. Just perfection.
Episode 6: Ni Weh Sesh (I Have no Heart)
Kaz dreaming of Jordie and Inej dreaming of Kaz🥲
Jesper dreaming about his mother breaks my heart. They've all went through so much.
The horrified glance Mal and Alina exchange when they hear what Baghra did to her little sister lmao
The Darkling using The Cut to destroy a whole village as if it's a normal Tuesday. He slayed (Literally).
Inej's hallucination of Kaz was such a good scene. The way he looks at her. The way all she wants is for him to touch her although not even in a sexual way, but she's aware that he's not ready for that which makes her realise it's not real. I love it.
I like how Inej just ate the butterfly before Wylan even explained why. It shows she really trusts him.
"Little rabbit" 😫💔
The tension between Kaz and Inej, I can't deal.
Series Baghra > Book Baghra
Whether you hate or love the Darkling, he truly did love his mother and believed that he was doing what was best. It's really heartbreaking how far he's gone.
I should've guessed that Ohval was another Sankta. She was just too good to be an ordinary Grisha.
"Blindsided by love" - The way the screen cut to Nina...
Ohval and The Disciple are adorable.
Kaz being disgusted at Wesper PDA is gold.
"There are those who drown us, and those who pull us out." - I screamed.
I'm happy that Mal & Alina took Baghra's horse with them. Animals >
I cannot believe they made me watch a Malina sex scene... (At least it was fade-to-black)
The way The Darkling looks into the camera at the end. Chills.
Episode 7: Meet you in the Meadow
It's been years and I still find it weird that The Darkling and Mal are related.
It's the second-last episode and I just realised how little we have had of Matthias. I'm very sad now.
Aw, I love Nikolai. Reminds me of the time when Paddy was announced as his actor and he got so much hate. Truly undeserved.
The way David's like "We can fuse Mal's bone to you just like we did with the stag. Remember?" No, David. How could she remember such a tragic memory?🤣
I'm praying for Matthias to not be manipulated by Pekka...
Nikolai about to fight with an injured leg😭
Inej x Alina reunion!!!
It's episode 7 and I just realised that Fedyor and Ivan didn't appear in S2...
I love how they really gave Tamar & Tolya a lot of screen time.
I knew Dominik was going to die.
I absolutely loved it when that Grisha was so smug and Jesper used his powers. Never mind when it was revealed he removed her fingers. It's what she deserved😏
I am so glad Nikolai got to finish her off.
Tamar and Tolya's relationship >>
Nina, Zoya & Inej holding hands was so cute.
That ending😫
Episode 8: No Funerals
Kaz giving Nikolai his cane cause he "has more experience with pain"🥲
Jesper just called Wylan his man!!!
The Inej & Zoya duo works so well together.
"Leave her alone!" - My heart💔Right Person, Wrong Time for them. (My opinion)
Alina was Darkling's "peace"🥲
"My Little Saint" - 😭
Nina looking at Alina cause she knows that she revived Mal using powers she shouldn't have...
I LOVE JESPER BUT HE JUST RUINED WHAT COULD'VE BEEN A BEAUTIFUL KANEJ REUNION
"We should hire a writer to jot down our story" - I presume this is Leigh's 'cameo'?
"I don't feel it anymore" - Damn Mal...She just saved your life, wtf?
Kaz and Nina are talking about their 'happily ever afters' and Kaz just looked at Inej. I can't deal.
Not Matthias accepting Pekka's help...
I have no clue where they're taking the Crows storyline anymore tbh.
Don't tell me they just killed David off...
He was planning to make a ruby engagement ring, I'm crying.
After everything, Malina are just going to part ways? I don't even like them but this doesn't make sense.
What do you mean "goodbye" Kaz??????
The Kanej angst is too much.
"What do you want then?" - I JUST KNOW THAT INSIDE HIS HEAD HE THOUGHT "YOU, INEJ. YOU." UGHHHHH.
I cannot believe they just did the "How do you want me?" scene. I'm in pain. They care and adore each other so much💔
No way did Nikolai just give away the Sturmhond persona to Mal...
Am I crazy for questioning the way Tolya looked at Inej when he said "Welcome aboard"? That's Kaz's woman, stay back🤺
Mal, Inej, Tamar and Tolya is certainly an interesting crew.
When I think that I couldn't possibly hate Pekka more, I get proven wrong🙃
So Nikolai did get 'poisoned' by the nichevo'ya👀
"I could fix him" - Zoyalai stans, that one's for you!
I love how Genya wore an eyepatch that matched her dress.
I'm kinda salty that Alina replaced David as 1/3 of the Triumvirate and that they killed him off so soon.
Jurda parem has been introduced. I repeat, jurda parem has been introduced.
Alina has The Darkling's powers? Unexpected but I prefer it to her losing all powers so...👀
The cliffhanger leads me to believe that either there'll be an S3 or they'll continue the story in a SoC show but it won't be the same without Ben (At this point, I don't know if they plan to resurrect him. AGAIN.)
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kazscrows · 10 months
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Crooked Kingdom Reread
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Chapter 6: Nina
Nina couldn’t stop staring at Colm Fahey…
Nina describes Colm as having “salt-white skin”
Just how pale is this man??
Also I forgot he’s covered in freckles, but duh?? He’s a pale red head of course he has freckles
Side note: You know who else probably gets freckles? A certain pasty bastard of the Barrel—
…though his eyes were the same clear gray as Jesper’s, they had a seriousness to them, a kind of sure warmth that differed from Jesper’s crackling energy.
It wasn’t only the pleasure of trying to find Jesper in his father’s features that kept Nina’s attention focused on the farmer. There was just something so strange about seeing a person that wholesome standing in the stone hull of an empty mausoleum surrounded by Ketterdam’s worst—herself among them.
Colm Fahey too pure for this world Ketterdam
Also Nina is using a horse blanket to stay warm?? Kinda odd
Come on Kaz steal better blankets- I know you can
Reading about Nina’s battle with jurda parem withdrawals is just really heart wrenching
It messes with her mind. She has thoughts she’d never have. Does things she wouldn’t normally do
She knows Matthias either has the parem or got rid of it and the thought literally makes her violently ill and then she “wept in jags of unsteady tears”
“You’re all a bunch of useless skivs,” she’d said to the silent graves. They didn’t seem to care. And yet somehow the stillness of Black Veil comforted her, quieted her. She couldn’t explain why. The places of the dead had never held solace for her before.
Ohh?? Foreshadowing to her powers changing!!
This is what’s fun about rereads
You notice those details you didn’t the first time
It was the first time she’d tried to use her power since her recovery. She’d broken into a sweat from the effort, and as soon as the bruised color faded, the hunger for parem hit, a swift, hard kick to her chest. She’d bent double, clutching the sink, her mind filled with breakneck thoughts of how she could get away, who might have a supply, what she could trade. She’d forced herself to think of the shame on the boat, the future she might be able to make with Matthias, but the thought that had brought her back to sanity was Inej. She owed Inej her life, and there was no way she was leaving her stranded with Van Eck.
There’s something so beautiful about how every single crow cares for Inej so deeply
They’d all do anything for her
Inej is definitely the glue of their crew and I know she cares for them all equally in return
After the Smeet job Nina searches Matthias for the parem…
I remember my heart squeezing when I read this my first time
Fatigue came on suddenly, a yoke at her neck, the exhaustion at least tempering her frantic need. She rested her forehead against Matthias chest. “I hate this,” she said. “I hate you a little, drüskelle.”
“I’m used to it. Come here.” He’d wrapped his arms around her and gotten her talking about Ravka, about Inej. He’d distracted her with stories, named the winds that blew across Fjerda, told her of his first meal in the drüskelle hall…
I love how Matthias is there for her though
He’s not abandoning her in this struggle even when she gets ugly with him
He knows it’s not really her and he’s going to fight this with her
Back to the present though and that means Colm Fahey
Kaz simply leaned on his cane and said, “Were you followed?”
“No,” Jesper replied with a decisive shake of his head.
“Wylan?”
Colm bristled. “You doubt my son’s word?”
Colm is still standing up for Jesper even after everything that’s happened 🥹
Like he’s still mad at Jesper and rightly so
But the theme of this chapter seems to be not abandoning those you love and I love that
He turned to his son. “I wrote to you, Jes.” His voice was confused, not accusing.
“I … I haven’t been able to collect mail.” After Jesper had stopped attending university, had he still managed to receive letters there?
Nina wondered how he’d maintained this ruse for so long. It would have been made easier by the fact that Colm was an ocean away—and by his desire to believe in his son. An easy mark, Nina thought sadly. No matter his reasons, Jesper had been conning his own father.
I’m right there with Nina on this one
It is sad…
Colm threw down the lump of felt that had been his hat. “I don’t understand any of this. Why would you bring me to this horrible place? Why were we shot at? What has become of your studies? What has become of you?”
Jesper opened his mouth, closed it. “Da, I … I—”
“It was my fault,” Wylan blurted. Every eye turned to him. “He uh … he was concerned about the bank loan, so he put his studies on hold to work with a…”
“Local gunsmith,” Nina offered.
“Nina,” Matthias rumbled warningly.
“He needs our help,” she whispered.
“To lie to his father?”
“It’s a fib. Totally different.”
Wylan and Nina are so quick to jump in and try to help Jesper
Boy are they struggling though
But this is what gets me every time:
“They were swindled,” Kaz said. His voice was as cold and steady as ever, but he held himself stiffly, as if walking over uncertain ground. “They were offered a business opportunity that seemed too good to be true.”
Colm slumped into a chair. “If it seems that way, then—”
“It probably is,” said Kaz. Nina had the strangest sense that for once he was being sincere.
He’s talking about Jordie right here
Him and Jordie
He is being completely sincere
This is his genuine story and he’s laying it out for all to see for Jesper
He doesn’t actually say a lot and no one knows that he’s speaking from real experience but…
From Kaz this feels so... raw-
This shows me his love for Jesper, his closest friend… his brother—
“You barely look old enough to graduate.”
“Ketterdam was my education. And I can tell you this: Jesper never would have turned to me for help if he’d had anywhere else to go.”
“You can’t be so bad, boy,” said Colm gruffly. “You haven’t been alive long enough to rack up your share of sin.”
“I’m a quick study.”
Oh poor Mr. Fahey he has no idea
“Can I trust you?”
“No.”
Colm took up his crumpled hat again. “Can I trust you to help Jesper through this?”
“Yes.”
Kaz cares Kaz cares Kaz cares Kaz ca—
Colm sighed. He looked around at all of them. Nina found herself standing up straighter. “You lot make me feel very old.”
“Spend a little more time in Ketterdam,” said Kaz. “You’ll feel ancient.” Then he tilted his head to one side and Nina saw that distant, considering look cross his features. “You have an honest face, Mister Fahey.”
Colm shot Jesper a puzzled glance. “Well. I should hope so, and thank you for marking it.”
“It’s not a compliment,” said Jesper. “And I know that look, Kaz. Don’t you dare start those wheels spinning.”
Kaz’s only response was a slow blink. Whatever scheme had been set in motion in his diabolical brain, it was too late to stop it now.
Scheming Face™️
A dangerous thing to be on the wrong end of 🤣
The urge to comment on every single line—
But then these posts would be a mile long!
“Mister Fahey,” Kaz said quietly. “You know what they say about walking in a cow pasture?”
Jesper’s brows shot up, and Nina had to stifle a nervous laugh. What did the bastard of the Barrel know about cow pastures?
Oh a whole lot more than you would think
Nina felt a sudden lump in her throat. Matthias had lost his family to war. Nina had been taken from her family to train when she was just a little girl. Wylan had been as good as evicted from his father’s house. Kuwei had lost his father and his country. And Kaz? She didn’t want to know what dark alley Kaz had crawled out of. But Jesper had somewhere to go, someone to take care of him, somebody to say, It’s going to be all right…
…She wished Jesper’s father could take them all with him. She’d never been to Novyi Zem, but the longing for those golden fields felt just like homesickness. Silly, she told herself, childish. Kaz was right—if they wanted justice, they would have to take it for themselves.
These poor kids…
He reached inside one of the niches in the wall.
“My revolvers!” Jesper exclaimed, clutching them to his chest. “Oh, hello, you gorgeous things.” His grin was dazzling. “You got them back!”
“The safe at the Cumulus is an easy crack.”
“Thank you, Kaz. Thank you.”
Any hint of the warmth Kaz had shown Jesper’s father was gone, as fleeting as the dream of those golden fields. “What good is a shooter without his guns?” Kaz asked, seemingly oblivious to the way Jesper’s smile collapsed. “You’ve been in the red too long. We all have. This is the night we start paying our debts.”
Ouch ouch ouch
She couldn’t make a mistake, not when Inej’s life depended on it. Nina knew that if she’d been on Vellgeluk, the battle would have gone differently. Inej never would have been taken if Nina had been strong enough to face Van Eck’s henchmen.
And if she’d had parem? No one could have stood against her.
Nina that was not your fault-
You saved everyone in the first book!
Okay okay she does acknowledge that if she’d taken more parem she’d be practically dead
That other sense inside her, the gift that had been there for as long as she could remember, the heart of the power that had been her constant companion since she was a child, had simply ceased to beat.
I imagine this would feel like suddenly losing a limb
Nina felt a strange crawling sensation all over her body, but the need for parem wasn’t screaming through her any longer. I didn’t mean to kill him. It didn’t matter. It couldn’t right now. The guards were down and the plan was in motion.
“Come on,” she said. “Let’s go get our girl.”
Our first glimpse at Nina using her new abilities!
I’m trying to remember my original thoughts on this… but I can’t
Maybe my theory was just that parem made you a different order of grisha?
But now I know that’s not what’s going on here
Also- Nina calles Inej “our girl” 🥹
She loves her so much!
All the crows love her so much 💕
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raayllum · 8 months
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Would you say Rayllum is your all time favorite ship or do you have one you like even more? Where do would Rayllum rank in your top five ships?
Oh Rayllum is my all time fave, 100%. Nobody else even comes close in terms of like 1) got me right away (even before the season came out), 2) delivered beyond my wildest dreams, and 3) just has so much of the like, personalities and themes and like, dynamic stuff that I adore and am weak for every time, and so well executed. Then there's also the way they remind me of me and my partner (the Rayla to my Callum I think) and other aspects of how the ship has been interwoven into my personal life, and just... They literally have every aspect of every other ship I've ever loved in my life, it is incredible and I could not adore them more. #1 for life
That said, overall, I'm not that ship centric? Like there's a lot of media (Trollhunters my beloved) I adore that is primarily for the story or villains or found family, which is all true of TDP as well - I love everything about it as much as I love Rayllum - but in terms of fandom engagement, I suppose?
That said here are some of my other favourite ships which definitely show off a pattern, I think, of being a lot like Rayllum as well
Kaz/Inej from Six of Crows (just a far more heavily traumatized version of Rayllum + touch aversion + sweet thematic religious undertones)
Percy/Annabeth from Percy Jackson (childhood friends turned slowburn lovers, dorky and devoted, she has major abandonment issues + he's "to save a friend you would sacrifice the world" & "as long as we're together)
Jesse and Lake from Infinity Train (is probably the most Rayllum-esque dynamic on here and all 4 seasons of Infinity Train are Amazing)
James and Sarah from Liberty's Kids (because I know who I am as a person, and probably my most 'argumentative/bickering' ship)
Other honourable mentions: Kai/Jinora from The Legend of Korra; Patroclus/Achilles and Orpheus/Eurydice from just about anything, but especially The Song of Achilles and Hadestown, respectively; Jane/Peter Pan from Peter Pan 2: Return to Neverland because I unironically think that's where my standards of love came from; Zelda/Link from The Legend of Zelda (BOTW/TOTK in particular) and Corona/Hunter from Spider Riders (2006) (yes seriously) for those sweet goddess incarnate + loyal goddess' champion type vibes.
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