𝒛𝒐𝒚𝒂 𝒏𝒂𝒛𝒚𝒂𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒌𝒚 (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
novokribirsk) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
faderift2021-04-22 10:10 pm
novokribirsk) wrote in faderift2021-04-22 10:10 pmEntry tags:
novokribirsk) wrote in faderift2021-04-22 10:10 pm
no subject
Nevermind that the contents of the trunk are gone. Two trunks should have been a boon, but instead:
Seawater. Eels.
Nothing of use.
"Nevermind the eels," he instructs. "We need to consider what we are going to do about this. Unless you know of how to reverse what just happened?"
no subject
Aloud, in Ravkan, she answers, "Yes, I habitually rip holes in the fabric of the universe. How foolish of me to forget."
no subject
Ha. Ha.
He flicks a finger in the water, an affronted eel squirming away from the disturbance. It's outrageously interesting, but their two nervous guides have no answers and Nikolai isn't certain where they'd going will provide any either.
Lapsing out of Ravkan, he calls to the pair of them, "How much longer, if you please?"
As if he's so eager to arrive at the Gallows. The only positive he can think of is that such a place must be equipped to hold him overnight, though that's going to be complicated as well.
"Not long," is a mumbled, nonspecific reply, but it's perhaps all he's going to get. Nikolai turns back to her, eyebrows raising, and relays in Ravkan, "You see? Not long. Then we will have some answers."
no subject
She manages to sound more fond than cutting, makes up for it by frowning and making no similar concessions to speak anything but Ravkan; she only needs Nikolai to understand her right now. A toss of her hair before she goes on serves to accidentally bring the eye to how close she is to bursting out of this bodice.
"And what are you planning to do when we reach the den of vipers? Charm them to death?"
no subject
Is there another way to approach this?
(He has thought of three things to say about the dress, but none of them can be delivered in the correct manner.)
"I am considering starting with whoever manages the dungeons," he tells her, trusting Zoya to take his meaning immediately. Surely that's their greatest concern. Nikolai might be able to stay away for one night, or two, but he'll have to sleep eventually. They'll need to charm themselves a discreet solution sooner rather than later.
no subject
Of course she takes his meaning. His concern is as eminently practical as it is infuriating. Of course he's worried about the demon; she is too. But speaking of it feels too much, already, like giving up.
"Perhaps you should ask after suitable wall hangings, next, since you're planning on making yourself comfortable."
no subject
Which means he needs to think ahead, consider what will and won't endear them to the people they're going to need.
"But if you're so concerned about the decor, I can prevail on our escorts."
Rather than prevail on whichever individual he'll need to convince to keep his secret. He returns to anxiously flicking his fingers in the water, eels squirming away from the disturbance. They have no leverage here. There's a chance he ends up in a cell for the rest of his time in this place, but that's the gamble they'll have to take.
no subject
She leans forward as she answers, somewhere between insistent and imploring. Glossy curls fall over her shoulders, into her face; she brushes them away with an annoyed flick of her hand.
"Think about it. Maybe they can't send us back. Or maybe we're more valuable to them in their grasp than returned to Ravka."
no subject
Maybe largely because he can't see anyone holding Zoya hostage for very long without regretting it very deeply.
"What do you propose?" is a genuine question, posed as Nikolai leans an elbow onto the edge of the trunk. He's seemingly unconcerned about the eels, squirming determinedly in the small space.
no subject
(She thinks of a little girl in a gilded dress in a church.)
What she'd like to propose is to destroy this vehicle in a storm, take Nikolai and make their own way to safety. But she knows he wouldn't agree to that.
"We go and meet whoever's waiting for us," she says grudgingly. "But if we have to make an escape, I will say I told you so."
no subject
"My friends," he calls to the drivers, tone shifting from serious to jovial in an instant. "Advise me as to how much longer? My trunk is leaking sea water at such a rate that any delay will bode poorly for these eels."
Yes, this is the priority.
no subject
Zoya's tone drips witheringly over her Ravkan words,
"At least you've already made friends, Your Highness." But after a pause, she continues more seriously. "Tolya and Tamar will note our absence. If they can't find us, they'll carry the news back to the Triumvirate. As will your other new friend."
Yuri, of course.
"What a relief to know Ravka's stability relies on the discretion of a delusional monk."
no subject
His worries should be Zoya's burden.
"Let us consider the benefits of making friends here. Ravka certainly isn't in a position to be turning them away."
As if this is a diplomatic visit dragging on longer than it should, not a very real chance they've been stranded and Ravka left more or less to plunge into civil war when it's realized Nikolai is missing.
no subject
turns her head away, the sun illuminating her perfect profile. The flare of brightness makes it difficult to make out her expression, though she can't be pleased. Still, for a long moment, she says nothing.
If she caught any unhappiness from her king, she draws no attention to it. This isn't what their relationship is; he doesn't come to her for comfort, and she doesn't take his hand and offer reassurance. She isn't the kind of person anyone would go to for that, and with good reason.
She says, "Let's hope they like eels."