Come now, you know me better than that. Is that how you want to spend your time, insulting me and learn nothing?
[Playing nice with nothing to lose, how could there be when Alina--
He would set it all right in time, with the deal made with the orbs and paying the price such matters always demanded.]
You will rule Ravka, you must have a plan for that. For all the ways her enemies will find a way across the borders. For the kidnappings and the slavers, for the witch burnings and the trade deals with those who would burn your bride without flinching.
[ he is well aware of how easily one slip could have alina strung up as a spectacle for the bloodthirsty, fearful ravkan people. the darkling had destroyed what little good he'd done to protect the grisha, but nikolai doesn't intend to fail. ]
My plans don't include you, so forgive me if I don't share. [ """his""" grisha. ] The Second Army is doing just fine. Alina will make a fine general with the help of a court finally cleansed of Lantsov corruption. Unless you count a demon king sitting the throne as a problem. I do get hungry for flesh sometimes. If your plan is to find a place to serve, you'll find no positions open to you. None of us can trust you. Your interest in helping me should stem from your desire to see Alina live. I'm the only one with the influence to install a Grisha queen without this ending in a bloodbath.
[ so much for not using alina as a bargaining chip. ]
Not really, but if your pride demands it, I could fake it for you.
[He snorts a laugh] I'm dead to you, I know. There's really no need to keep mentioning it, however cleverly you try to work it in to the conversation.
[There is a whole different conversation to be had about that, about alternate timelines and how they will not end up in the same world. Aleksander's regret will undo all of them- Nikolai and Alina included.]
And how do you propose to keep her alive. Did the fjerdans lay down their weapons in awe of the two of you? Did the witch hunters stop crossing the border to murder my people while the throne looks away? And how is the trade with Shu Han these days, have they stopped filling up mass graves with Grisha yet?
These have been problems since before I was born, even if you refuse to share it, you must have a plan for them. There is no Fold to stop them anymore. They will come for her, moi tsar, and they will set her on fire to burn her alive, or they will carve her up to see where her Small Science comes from.
Or do you not care, because Ravka will have their demon king and its martyred Sankta Alina.
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no subject
[Playing nice with nothing to lose, how could there be when Alina--
He would set it all right in time, with the deal made with the orbs and paying the price such matters always demanded.]
You will rule Ravka, you must have a plan for that. For all the ways her enemies will find a way across the borders. For the kidnappings and the slavers, for the witch burnings and the trade deals with those who would burn your bride without flinching.
How is my army? [His Grisha]
no subject
[ he is well aware of how easily one slip could have alina strung up as a spectacle for the bloodthirsty, fearful ravkan people. the darkling had destroyed what little good he'd done to protect the grisha, but nikolai doesn't intend to fail. ]
My plans don't include you, so forgive me if I don't share. [ """his""" grisha. ] The Second Army is doing just fine. Alina will make a fine general with the help of a court finally cleansed of Lantsov corruption. Unless you count a demon king sitting the throne as a problem. I do get hungry for flesh sometimes. If your plan is to find a place to serve, you'll find no positions open to you. None of us can trust you. Your interest in helping me should stem from your desire to see Alina live. I'm the only one with the influence to install a Grisha queen without this ending in a bloodbath.
[ so much for not using alina as a bargaining chip. ]
no subject
[He snorts a laugh] I'm dead to you, I know. There's really no need to keep mentioning it, however cleverly you try to work it in to the conversation.
[There is a whole different conversation to be had about that, about alternate timelines and how they will not end up in the same world. Aleksander's regret will undo all of them- Nikolai and Alina included.]
And how do you propose to keep her alive. Did the fjerdans lay down their weapons in awe of the two of you? Did the witch hunters stop crossing the border to murder my people while the throne looks away? And how is the trade with Shu Han these days, have they stopped filling up mass graves with Grisha yet?
These have been problems since before I was born, even if you refuse to share it, you must have a plan for them. There is no Fold to stop them anymore. They will come for her, moi tsar, and they will set her on fire to burn her alive, or they will carve her up to see where her Small Science comes from.
Or do you not care, because Ravka will have their demon king and its martyred Sankta Alina.