Jessie Mei Li On A MTV UK Segment Discussing ADHD:

I'm on a Tamar and Nadia kick guys and I don't know when it's going to end so you're just going to have to deal with me

Y’know I was thinking about starting a femslash fic rec Friday…but I got too excited so yall get my thoughts on this fine Monday.

GUYS I FOUND A MEDIUM-LONG FIC FOR TAMADIA ON AO3. With the Grishaverse femslash works they barely get oneshots—I can’t wait to read this one.

*does require an AO3 account

“One Step Forwards” by WithFireAndIce

≈ 50,000 words long

If yall have any other femslash longer GV fics put ‘em in the comments please!

Honestly this design feels like when Zoya was still a student in the Little Palace (early shadow and bone)

Large Text

Episode One: The Lives of Saints

(Please reach out if you’d be interested in beta reading)

Story Below:

Opening:

[An old woman draws various middle-aged women dancing. The woman is sitting in an art classroom where the tables are splattered with paint and children’s laughter can be heard. The woman smiles as she looks down at her sketch.]

*Imagine middle-aged versions of Amita Suman, Jessie Mei Li, Sujaya Desgupta, Daisy Head, Anna Leong Brophy, Joanna McGibbon, and Danielle Galligan*

[The old woman’s attention is drawn away from her drawing as a pitter patter of steps is heard.]

CHILD: Miss? Is this a good drawing? (They show her some crayon scribbles)

OLD WOMAN: (beams) It’s beautiful! I love the color! Are you going to hang it up at home?

CHILD: It’s for you!

OLD WOMAN: For me?! (she places it to her chest as if it’s the most precious thing she has ever held) Thank you!

CHILD: (beams and bounces a bit where they stand) What are you drawing Miss?

OLD WOMAN: (a bit of a sad smile appears on her face) Oh, just some old friends and family.

CHILD: Are you going to get to see them soon?

OLD WOMAN: I’m afraid not. I’m the only one left.

CHILD: Oh. (pause) Well, how did you all meet? They seem fun.

OLD WOMAN: (laughs) That’s a long story, do you think you’re up for it?

CHILD: Yes!

OLD WOMAN: Okay, let’s gather everyone then. (speaks louder to a room full of children) Who here wants to hear some old woman’s stories?

CHILDREN: Yeah!

OLD WOMAN: Gather ‘round the rocking chair then. Now, where to begin...

ALINA

KRIBIRSK, EAST RAVKA

{ALINA internal dialogue as she sketches a map of Ravka; as she speaks, the camera dives into the map, and drawings start portraying her thoughts:}

Photo of Alina drawing, white text in the corner reads played by Jessie Mei Li:

ALINA’S VOICE: It’s believed that Ravka’s borders were drawn by the Firebird. But with the various wars from either the north or south throughout the centuries, the Firebird seems more like a children’s fairytale than a patriotic symbol of strength.

[As ALINA speaks about the various fighting throughout the centuries, enemies in furs or armor fight with swords, then bows and arrows, and finally firearms against people wielding fire, air, water, or powers to kill from a distance. (a soldier spurting blood and collapsing is shown). Then, a figure in purple is shown welding a weapon together with their hands before handing it to a soldier.]

ALINA’S VOICE: (drawing animation continues) I prefer the version where the Firebird was Sankta Vasilika. Just a human who sprouted fiery wings to fly away from this Saintsforsaken land. A land divided far more than by the Black Heretic’s eternal Shadow Fold. If the dozens of worshiped Saints are so powerful and just, then how come I…(sound of baby wailing and flash of white light)

FEMALE CARTOGRAPHER: Alina! How can you do that in here?

ALINA: [shrug] bumps help with texture.

MALE CARTOGRAPHER 1: Our maps aren’t due for another day. You don’t get special privileges just because you start early. (he glares at her with unwarranted hatred)

[ALINA rolls her eyes. As she does so the carriage jolts to a stop and their LEAD CARTOGRAPHER pushes back a divider to instruct]

LEAD CARTOGRAPHER: Listen up! Pack up your stuff and if you lose anything you will not be getting a replacement.

[The camera sees ALINA step down from the carriage wide-eyed before switching to her view of the large Shadow Fold. Thunder and monster screeches can be heard from this distance.]

Photo of the Fold:

[ALINA steps beside FEMALE CARTOGRAPHER who is praying, ALINA looks a bit confused]

FEMALE CARTOGRAPHER: (the girl places a clenched right fist to her forehead, then heart, and then unclenches the fist to lay on her chest as she prays) Sun Summoner hear our prayers.

ALINA: Sorry, what?

FC: I’m guessing you don’t go to service.

ALINA: It’s been awhile, I got banned because I either fell asleep or drummed on the pews too much.

FC: (staring into the Fold alongside ALINA) A Sun Summoner is the only one powerful enough to take it down. I hope to get to see it one day.

ALINA: (nods) I’d like to see anyone who’s not scared to enter.

FC: (mischievous smile) I bet I know someone. (she raises her eyebrows and bumps shoulders with ALINA). Come on.

[Long shot of the Ravkan camp with lots of tents and watchtowers, ALINA and FC trail a bit behind their group of cartographers]

[A large crowd is gathered in a training tent to bet on fights. MAL with wrapped hands, fistfights another soldier for money.]

Photo of of shirtless Mal played by Archie Renaux:

{Mal fights a soldier in betting matches. A magic user (Second Army) in a blue coat and silver trim walks in to intimidate the non-magic soldiers (First Army). The soldier has wind powers, he is called a Squallor, and blows gusts of wind onto the sandy ground to annoy Mal and the crowd. Mal isn’t allowed to fight the magic user (called Grisha in this world) and is dragged off by his friends so he doesn’t get thrown in the brig or injured}

[As MAL leaves the ring, he hears someone shout, “Cartos arrived!” MAL then steps outside, shoulders on his jacket, and starts scanning the various tents he passes. A long shot shows ALINA turn and smile and wave at him. He jogs over and gives her a side hug as they walk forward]

Photo of Alina and Mal:

ALINA: Ugh, you smell.

MAL: It’s the smell of victory. (grin)

ALINA: Please say you won more than bragging rights this time. I was embarrassed for you, and I heard the news through a letter.

MAL: (flourishes purple paper from his pocket and hands it to ALINA)

ALINA: (a little frown) five whole…kruge? What are you going to do with Kerch money? I hate to break it to you, but we’re on the wrong side of the Fold.

MAL: We’ll go gambling in Ketterdam and win so much money we’ll never work again!

ALINA: Then we’ll travel across the True Sea?

MAL: And never stop! (wide smile and he stumbles a bit standing in front of her)

[A yell makes both MAL and ALINA turn quickly. The camera focuses on a group of Grisha practicing maneuvers (all wear blue coats, though some control wind while others attack with fire or water). A young woman named ZOYA yells orders. Then, the Squallor who cut MAL’s fight short, jogs toward the practicing Grisha.]

Photo of Zoya, a high-ranking Squallor:

ZOYA: Krofsky! You’re late!

[The camera and sound then focus on MAL and ALINA. You can’t hear what ZOYA says, but MAL and ALINA continue staring at the Grisha as they talk]

ALINA: Grisha haven’t given you too much trouble the past few days right?

MAL: Nah, Major ZOYA keeps them in check most of the time.

ALINA: She’s a bit young for such a high rank, isn’t she?

MAL: Mmm, I heard she volunteers to accompany the skiffs. Anyone that’s gone through the Fold that many times deserves something. What? Are you into Grisha girls now?

ALINA: (face reddens a bit) No! (pause) She is not my type.

[From farther away, addressing ALINA and MAL]

ZOYA: Soldiers! Don’t you have anything else to do besides gawk?

[ALINA and MAL look at each other quickly. Silently questioning: what?]

MAL: Good, Grisha women scare me.

ALINA: (rolls her eyes a bit and smiles) Just for that stupidity I’m keeping the kruge and going to Ketterdam without you!

[ALINA walks toward an expanse of tents and the landscape fades from RAVKAN DAY to the RAINY, NIGHT rooftops of KETTERDAM]

INEJ

KETTERDAM, KERCH

2 WEEKS LATER

[A mysterious figure travels across mansion rooftops, overhearing conversations through windows. Then we see two gloved hands rustling through papers in different languages. Upon hearing footsteps and two men talking through the door, the figure inhales sharply. As the two men enter the room, they find nothing amiss. Now, the figure travels to a vastly less wealthy part of the city where RAVKAN is being spoken. We see street vendors selling food and calling out Saints’ bones and icons. The figure then arrives at a small, poorly kept chapel where a service is taking place. The figure enters through a window and stays in the shadowy rafters, never seen by the audience. The camera follows the figure's movement of touching the various blades strapped to her body as she whispers along with the congregation. Her name is INEJ.]

INEJ and predominantly white RAVKAN CONGREGATION: Sankta Vasilika, Sankta Marya, Sankt Feliks, Sankt Petyr...

[Montage of lighting candles, sermoner praying, LATER in the service]

SERMONER: Dearest faithful! (pause as he scans the room, INEJ never seen) Our prayers have finally been answered! The Sun Summoner has arrived!

CONGREGATION: (whispers) Could it be?

[Camera doesn’t show her face, but we see INEJ rubbing a stitched scapular around her neck]

[A flashing of rooftops is shown before slowing down to focus on the BARREL. It is dirtier and the buildings are closer together. Music, cheers, and the sounds of gambling and drinking can be heard as the camera finally settles on the sign of a crow. INEJ’s POV looks through the glass of an upstairs window before whooshing through it to focus on KAZ. His back is turned as he washes his hands. He turns around, pulling at black gloves, to see an open window.]

KAZ: (turning back to the sink) Hello Inej. What do you have for me tonight?

[Finally we see INEJ. A close-up shot of her face as she pulls down part of her hood’s face covering, she smirks a bit.]

[Camera then returns to Kaz, who grabs his cane and starts walking toward a small office.]

INEJ: Councilman Hoede had his mistress over again.

KAZ: Any physical evidence?

[INEJ reaches within her jacket to produce an engraved necklace. She hands it to KAZ who smirks.]

INEJ: Councilman Van Eck has been communicating regularly with someone from SHU HAN. No government seal.

[INEJ hands a card to KAZ. KAZ is now sitting at his desk, bad leg stretched out.]

[KAZ studies the card as INEJ continues speaking.]

INEJ: I also saw some purchase orders in ZEMENI and a book on different strands of jurda.

[The camera focuses on KAZ. He is staring off, a serious look of concentration on his face.]

KAZ: (quietly) What are you up to, Merch? (To INEJ) I’ll speak to JESPER about it. Maybe we can take a look.

[KAZ notices INEJ rubbing the scapular at her neck now.]

KAZ: What else?

(pause)

INEJ: I’ve got a lead on a job. Enough to change lives.

KAZ: (raises his eyebrows) Doesn’t take much to change someone’s life in the Barrel.

INEJ: It’s worth well over a million kruge I bet.

KAZ: (leaning back in his chair) You bet or you know?

INEJ: I know. We rob the Royal Palace of Ravka.

KAZ: (frowns) Don’t waste my time Inej.

INEJ: I’m not. This is the list of all dignitaries invited to this year’s Winter Fete, as well as vendors and entertainment. (she places a few pamphlets on his desk)

KAZ: Fine, but even if we didn’t have the Fold to cross then—

INEJ: Security will be tight, but overworked due to the real attraction.

[KAZ visibly confused]

INEJ: The Sun Summoner has been found. They’re the perfect cover we would need.

KAZ: (laughs) Those old conmen spout that nonsense every ten years to keep their donations steady.

INEJ: As if you ever attended service.

KAZ: (voice tight) ‘Course not. But you don’t need to be faithful to attend the blini breakfasts. (pause as he looks off to the side with a frown) It’s not worth the risk.

INEJ: Kaz, I need this. I need to be free so I can find him. He isn’t in Ketterdam and the longer I stay here...

[She looks down at her tattooed wrist, a green peacock feather]

KAZ: (sigh) Without a concrete way across the Fold, let alone the details on the Palace, I can’t plan a heist of this size yet. Besides, (he reaches under a ledger for a note) this is more pressing.

[KAZ hands INEJ the note. She opens it to reveal a stamp of a caged peacock feather]

KAZ: I tried to speak with her on your behalf, she specifically requires you.

INEJ: (slightly stressed) Of course.

KAZ: Don’t agree or sign anything without discussing it with us first.

INEJ: I know—

KAZ: And I’ll talk to Jesper about the Councilman’s international correspondence and see if he has any ideas for this job.

INEJ: (a hopeful look on her face) You’ve agreed?

KAZ: Prospective job. I find it amusing you want to rob your home country’s royals. What would the Saints think about that? (he smirks)

INEJ: (a bit of anger in her voice) He’s no king of mine.

[KAZ nods and looks down at the ledgers on his desk before looking up to find INEJ gone.]

[Camera pans over the Crow Club floor where people gamble at different games, it then settles on JESPER at the bar]

BARTENDER: Jesper, aren’t you on the door?

JESPER: It’s called a break, Joe. A shot please.

(A shot is placed before him. JESPER smiles in response, but before he can pick it up, INEJ appears beside him and downs it.]

JESPER: Hey! (INEJ walks off)

JESPER: (perks up at the prospect of ditching work) Oh, you want company?

INEJ: (annoyed) No.

JESPER: No—I mean, to watch your back.

(JESPER silently chastises himself and places the shot glass loudly on the bar to signal another one.)

[The tapping of a cane makes JESPER turn and smile at a deep-in-thought KAZ. The shot is placed in front of JESPER.]

JESPER: What are we stealing next, boss? (Jesper and Kaz lean against the bar, looking out at the Club floor)

KAZ: Nothing yet. You know anyone that’s crossed the Fold?

JESPER: The Fold, that’s suicide.

[The scene starts fading into the inside of the Fold showing a damaged skiff]

Photo of the Fold:

JESPER: Yeah, I might know someone.

KAZ: Let’s go.

ALINA

KRIBIRSK, EAST RAVKA

[We see a round table filled with cartographers sketching. Alina nods along as the LEAD CARTOGRAPHER discusses points on the maps ALINA drew. Then, the dinner bell is rung, various cartographers jump up and leave quickly. OUTSIDE we see soldiers in drab uniforms sprinting to a large mess hall tent. As someone passes a large Grisha tent, we see a table set full with food and Grisha with coats (called Keftas) of blue or purple or red sitting around in no rush. ALINA is still at the cartographer tent listening to her supervisor.]

[ALINA finally enters the mess hall, but there is a line of soldiers waiting on food with dozens of long tables packed with soldiers. She moves up two places in line, before she hears]

COOK: That’s it! We’re all out! Better go find a friend!

ALINA: (sighs and scans the crowd for Mal)

[ALINA joins MAL and his two friends (Mikhael and Dubrov), they dump a little portion of their food and bread into a spare bowl and pass it to ALINA.]

MAL: Lieutenant keep you back?

ALINA: Unfortunately. But, I’ve got good news.

MIKHAEL: Do tell!

ALINA: Our unit is joining with yours again!

MAL: That mean we’re heading south?

DUBROV: I hope so, my balls almost froze off in Tsibeya.

ALINA: I think we’ll be in the Sikurzoi mountains.

BOYS: Yes! (banging their fists on the table and they start joking around with each other)

[A sharp whistle from the other side of the tent and yell of “Captain in the Mess! Attention!” The ruckus is quieted as every soldier stands to attention.]

CAPTAIN: At ease. (rustling of chairs as they sit back down) Now, I hate to interrupt your meal, but it’s time to announce the units going West.

MAL: (whispers) The Death Lottery

(some nervous laughter)

CAPTAIN: This trip means food for your comrades’ bellies, bullets for your guns, sugar for your tea—

DUBROV: How ‘bout some whiskey!

CAPTAIN: No promises I’m afraid.

(low sounds of fake shock and sadness)

CAPTAIN: Now, for the units: 22nd, 12th (yells of “Ya got to be kidding me! We just went through!)...

MIKHAEL: I heard 12th lost half their unit passing through the Fold.

ALINA: (look of shock while MAL just nods solemnly)

CAPTAIN: And finally...the 32nd.

[The group is silent, ALINA looks over to see a sad MAL]

ALINA: They can’t do this! (she starts to stand up) I’ll go sort this out. You’re with my unit—

MAL: {grabs her arm) It’s fine Alina. Leave it be.

DUBROV: Yeah, we’ll make it through. (Mikhael and Dubrov give her reassuring smiles)

[ALINA jabs a spoon into her bowl as the camera lifts up through the roof of the tent to show the NIGHT sky.]

[Then, we see ALINA walk through camp. The LEAD CARTOGRAPHER stationed at a desk is slumped in sleep. ALINA looks through some maps before lighting the end of one on fire and throwing it in a basket.]

ALINA: (whispers) You’re not going alone.

[Scene changes as it focuses on the burning maps in RAVKA to a lantern hanging outside the MENAGERIE in KETTERDAM.]

INEJ

KETTERDAM, KERCH

[INEJ walks past a woman dressed scantily in odd furs. INEJ then steps into a well lit office with a bird cage and decadent decorations of peacock feathers. TANTE HELEEN and a bruiser named COBBET are in the room.]

TANTE HELEEN: (gesturing to INEJ) Well, go on.

[INEJ unsheathes all her fourteen knives, all engraved in RAVKAN. We see INEJ’s hands shake and she fumbles one of her last knives she unstraps from her leg.]

COBBET: (standing behind INEJ as she pulls a dart from her hair) That one’s new.

INEJ: Would you like to see how it works?

(TANTE HELEEN smiles)

[INEJ follows TANTE HELEEN into her office. TANTE HELEEN sits behind a desk and gestures for INEJ to sit. INEJ sits while COBBET is seen in the background blocking the door.]

TANTE HELEEN: (studies INEJ) You must be very good with the blades and the shadows. Lucky for me, you have just the talent I need.

INEJ: I work for Kaz Brekker now.

TANTE HELEEN: Well, that isn’t entirely true. Brekker still owes five more installments on you, and I have the right to negotiate changes to your contract as I wish.

INEJ: (stiffens, camera focuses on her fists pulling down the hem of her coat to cover more of her lap.) What are you proposing?

TANTE HELEEN: (scribbles on a note) Go to this address, a man by the name Arken Visser...and stab him through the heart. (smile)

INEJ: Kill him?

TANTE HELEEN: Either that, pay in full—

INEJ: KAZ doesn’t have that—

[INEJ flinches as we see COBBET shift behind her and TANTE HELEEN scowls.]

TANTE HELEEN: Or, we arrange something for you here, the Lynx has already been taken...but “The Wraith” is very marketable.

(INEJ shakes her head, eyes glistening)

INEJ: I’ll do it. (quietly says looking at the note in her hand)

TANTE HELEEN: You have until midnight.

[We then see a montage of INEJ appearing in the CROW CLUB, KAZ’s office, and some other dark, unoccupied rooms; she calls out for KAZ, but can’t find him. Then, in an apartment we see a bespectacled man sorting through papers humming to himself.]

INEJ: (shaking and it sounds as if she were starting to cry) I can’t do it.

(She whooshes from a rooftop and disappears.)

[Scene whips to JESPER and KAZ. JESPER is crouched in front of a man in an alley as KAZ stands beside him.]

JESPER: I heard you talking about a way to get across the Fold.

ALLEY GUY: Ah look, I was gettin’ kruge from a tourist. It’s just a little lie. C’mon the Fold keeps those damn Ravkan Grisha in check. What’s the point going that far east?

[JESPER ducks his head and scene changes to a FIGHTING RING. KAZ sits on a stool with JESPER standing behind him. A FIGHTER warms up, throwing punches as he speaks.]

KAZ: What’s the best route through the Fold?

FIGHTER: There isn’t. You go around.

KAZ: How long does that take?

FIGHTER: March through the Fjerdan Permafrost...four to five month.

KAZ: We don’t have the time...

FIGHTER: Either take your time, or take your chances. (a bell rings to start the fight. KAZ looks back at at a shrugging JESPER.)

[Scene changes to JESPER and KAZ walking through the CROW CLUB to stare out at the gaming floor. Some people play cards, drink, or spin a wheel. Now, a close-up shot of KAZ’s intense gaze and JESPER’s easy-going expression.]

Photo:

JESPER: Are we really taking our crew international? What has INEJ said? Does she know?

KAZ: (we see his view of a woman counting kruge a peculiar way) Go guard the door.

(JESPER rolls his eyes and leaves. KAZ nods at a bruiser dressed in black and KAZ strides toward his office.)

[Scene shows a bored JESPER, outside practicing flipping his gun in front of a mirror. Suddenly, from behind him:

INEJ: Jesper

JESPER: (startled) Saints Wraith! How do you do that?!

INEJ: Don’t call me that.

JESPER: (noticing Inej’s distress and holstering his revolver) Sorry, love. What do you need?

INEJ: I need you to kill a man for me

JESPER: (laughs, then realizes) Uh, why meee?

INEJ: You know why.

JESPER: Yeah. (pause) But how’s getting me to do it any better?

INEJ: Will you do it or not.

JESPER: Of course, but did you—

KAZ: (sound of tapping cane and out of the camera frame) JESPER! New job!

(As JESPER looks toward KAZ and back to INEJ, he finds she has vanished. As KAZ rounds the corner, JESPER follows him, spinning around to try and catch a glimpse of INEJ.]

JESPER: (light chuckle) she did it again.

[Scene changes from the dark KETTERDAM street to the morning, RAVKAN camp]

ALINA

KRIBIRSK, EAST RAVKA

[LEAD CARTOGRAPHER shuffles through burnt maps in concern. The Captain storms into the CARTOGRAPHER TENT]

CAPTAIN: How did this happen?

LEAD CARTOGRAPHER: I don’t know. We were extra careful to secure all the lanterns.

CAPTAIN: What was damaged?

LEAD CARTOGRAPHER: Nothing major. Just some records of the western coastline, Os Kervo, and the river system that runs through it. It’s really not—

CAPTAIN: Critical geographical data of the territory on the other side of the damned Fold—those records?

LEAD CARTOGRAPHER: Yes, but I’m sure that the First Army on the other side has an identical—

CAPTAIN: You think I trust anyone else’s intel? Now someone will have to cross the Fold to redraw these maps.

ALINA: (now entering the tent) I’ll go. Send me on the skiff.

CAPTAIN: (exiting) Yes, you will. (exasperated) Your whole unit will.

[ALINA and three other cartographers walk toward the giant sand boats known as “skiffs”]

FEMALE CARTOGRAPHER: What happened? I thought we were heading south not west!

MALE CARTOGRAPHER 1: What did you do?

ALINA: (looking guilty and away from him) Nothing.

MALE CARTOGRAPHER 2: Shut up. You always blame her for anything bad that happens.

MALE CARTOGRAPHER 1: (mutters) I’m usually right.

[Camera shows ALINA start walking faster, away from her unit. Then the camera shows two large skiffs with sails blowing in the wind, First Army soldiers in gray uniforms jog with guns while Second Army Grisha in blue coats load onto the skiffs. ALINA walks onto a skiff, taking note of Squallors on platforms in front of the sails and Inferni in blue coats with flame embroidery checking their flint. ALINA runs into MAL, who now holds a rifle.]

MAL: (shocked) What are you doing here?

ALINA: (determined) My unit got placed with yours.

MAL: Get off this boat now. Tell them you’re sick or injured…

ALINA: I’m never that sick.

MAJOR ZOYA (flanked by two Inferni): Alright! Raise the gates!

ALINA: We’ll make it, together.

[Camera shows ALINA and MAL look toward the Major, the dark Fold and the white sail as the backdrop]

ZOYA: For those that have never crossed. We stay silent, we stay hidden. You will wait for your superior’s call to attack. Cartographers, (ZOYA’s gaze bores into ALINA’s) you will stay at the back of the skiff and out of the way. Now, Squallors ready!

[Squallors fill the sails with wind while MAL and other soldiers with rifles move to the railings of the skiff. Grisha Inferni stand in the middle of the deck. As the skiff slowly moves forward into darkness, ALINA closes her eyes, as if plunging into water. In the Fold, there is darkness, the only noises that can be heard are faint screeches and the flapping of wings. A wrecked ship is passed. The Inferni rotate around the deck, one speaks beside ALINA:]

INFERNI: (whispers) One marker in.

ALINA: How many are there?

INFERNI: Thirty-seven. One each mile.

FEMALE CARTOGRAPHER: (muttering with eyes closed and hand over her heart) Sankta Vladim guide us through the dark. We ask you to keep these monstrous waves from taking our lives as they did you. Let us make it to your homeland…

[The camera shows ALINA’s pitying look before showing her right hand intertwine with FEMALE CARTOGRAPHER’s left. ALINA gives their hands a squeeze of reassurance in the dark before the scene fades to the streets of KETTERDAM.]

INEJ

KETTERDAM

[The Fold transitions into the sign of another gambling hall with green lights outside. The EMERALD PALACE, KAZ and JESPER stand hidden in an alley staring at the sign.]

KAZ: (staring angrily and hatefully at the club) Our informant is on the top floor.

JESPER: (confused/concerned expression as he stares at KAZ) Mind telling me why we’re having to get past the bruisers instead of INEJ? Who and why does she have to kill tonight?

[KAZ is snapped from his trance to quickly glance at JESPER before he walks off.]

KAZ: Make sure they don’t see me.

JESPER: (rolls his eyes and pops his collar)

[Scene changes to show Arken Visser looking through some books, muttering to himself. Flashes of black pop in and out on screen. Arken then looks up to be punched in the face and knocked out by INEJ. She secures him to a chair and rifles through his desk.]

INEJ: (whispers) Indenture contracts

[Arken wakes up to find himself stuck]

INEJ: Awake?

[INEJ strides over to press a blade to his throat]

INEJ: How many Suli indentures do you work with? Do you separate the boys from the girls?

ARKEN: (pleading and scared) I don’t deal in indentures. I just help families fleeing the war. That’s all.

(ARKEN notices INEJ’s right sleeve go up to reveal the tattoo on her wrist)

ARKEN: You work for Heleen. No, please…

[INEJ takes a deep breath and closes her eyes before pinning ARKEN more with her knee]

INEJ: It’s either you. Or my freedom. (she raises a blade, it catches the light perfectly displaying the RAVKAN engraving]

ARKEN: Sankt Vladimir. (his eyes catch the loose scapular around INEJ’s neck) Sankta Lizabeta. You follow the faith too. What amount of prayer can forgive murder?

INEJ: (visibly swallows and shakes a bit) Ask the Saints for me.

[Just as she lowers the blade to strike—]

KAZ and JESPER: Wait!

(the knife sails into the doorframe in front of KAZ’s nose)

INEJ: You choose him over my freedom?

KAZ: You assume it's one or the other.

JESPER: (he and KAZ walk more into the room beside INEJ) Poppy from the Emerald Palace is quite the talker. Apparently, the Conductor here is our ticket across the Fold.

[The camera shows KAZ and INEJ standing over ARKEN from ARKEN’s POV]

KAZ: Well Conductor, I’ve got a job for you.

(Closeup of INEJ’s worried face.)

NINA

NOVOKRIBIRSK, WEST RAVKA

[A Grisha woman in a red kefta with black embroidery named NINA, stands beside military General ZLATAN on top of a dry docks for skiffs]

Photo of Nina:

Photo of Zlatan:

ZLATAN: They’re late.

NINA: They’ll make it. (she raises her hands toward the Fold) I don’t feel anything yet.

[Shot within the Shadow Fold, FEMALE CARTOGRAPHER is seen sprinting for her life, though what direction she’s heading in is unclear]

INEJ

KETTERDAM

[The FOLD then transitions to KETTERDAM, where KAZ’s gloved hand slams down a black pistol on the stand outside Heleen’s office in the MENAGERIE. He walks toward TANTE HELEEN.]

TANTE HELEEN: (sitting at a desk) Mr. Brekker, a pleasure. What can I do for you this eveni—

(TANTE HELEEN screams and jumps up in fright.)

(Her ledgers become splattered with blood from a severed finger and broken spectacles that KAZ throws from seemingly nowhere)

KAZ: I’m taking her. We’ll have enough to clear the books after this next job. Arken Visser is just the down payment.

TANTE HELEEN: (studying the finger without touching it) This could be anyone’s.

KAZ: (turning and starting to walk out of the room) Compartment 376 at the morgue.

[KAZ’s emotionless face topped with a black hat fades into ALINA’s openly scared expression shrouded in darkness in THE FOLD]

ALINA

THE FOLD, RAVKA

[ALINA stares around at the deck. She sees MAL shifting his position on the railing. From far off to the right, a screech is heard. Winged creatures start flying closer and closer to the sails. The Inferni and cartographers squat low as a winged monster called a “Volcra” fly right between both sails. As another Volcra comes closer, a soldier beside MAL fires his gun.]

MAL: DUBROV! You trigger happy son—!

ZOYA: Squallors! Position compromised! Inferni! Be read—

[With that, Volcra swarm the skiff, bursts of flame from the Inferni on the deck highlight the monsters winged, skeletal, gray bodies. Gun fire is released in rapid succession and a stray flame of an Inferni’s fire catches the railing of the skiff as Squallors yell at each other to turn around. From beside her, FEMALE CARTOGRAPHER sprints to the side of the ship as MALE CARTOGRAPHER 1 is carried off screaming.]

ALINA: No! (she yells at the disappearing form of the pious cartographer)

[ALINA then sees MAL shoot down two Volcra before one grabs him by the chest.]

ALINA: MAL!!!

[ALINA sprints forward as MAL screams, but unsheathes a large knife to fend of the beast holding him. ALINA grabs a stray rifle and takes a shot, MAL and the volcra drop to the deck. ALINA runs forward and clutches his hands.]

MAL: AL...

ALINA: You’ll make it. (her eyes are filled with tears as flames and screams spread around her)

MAL: (a small smile though the pain is evident, he whispers) I’ll meet you in the meadow...

[ALINA tries to smile, tears streaming down her face, when a Volcra’s claws dig into her back and start lifting her up. ALINA’s face breaks out in fear and pain as she clutches MAL’s hands. Then, ALINA’s close-up face bursts into light, spreading white to fully engulf the screen.]

*Silent Video TW: flash and light violence*

END OF EPISODE

@indigoscribe

Non-Ace Aro Fanwork Week 2025

ever notice the devastating lack of fanworks that involve aromanticism without asexuality? so have i, so after a brief contemplation period i’ve decided to host a fanwork event specifically centred around non-asexual aromanticism. this is kind of spur of the moment and i’m still sorting a few things out, but, i’m confident enough in my planning to start the blog today and post up a spread of how it’s gonna go down!

but first, a little bit about your host. i am Ace (as in, thats my name), but i alternatively go by Ivory. my pronouns are it/its and neopronouns. where i fall on the aromantic spectrum is still to be determined, where i fall between strict asexuality and strict allosexuality is even less determined.

schedule

prompt submission: May 4th to May 10th prompt voting: May 11th to May 17th prompts posted: May 18th (probably wont have fancy formatting) downtime to pre-write/pre-draw: May 19th to May 31st posting week: June 1st to June 7th

guidelines

1: anyone can participate! whether you’re non-ace aro or otherwise, so long as you create works that focus on aromanticism without asexuality then you’re welcome!

2: please tag your works properly! smut is allowed and welcomed, but it’d be nice to have a little bit of warning when i’m scrolling through works

3: don’t worry about posting “late”! i’ll be scrolling around for things posted late through all of June, aim for posting during the week but it’s okay if ya don’t

4: any fandoms and any “ships” are allowed! this is a multifandom event, and, truthfully, the more the merrier

5: most importantly, have fun with it!

annnnnd that brings this post to a close!

i hope that this fandom week brings the non-ace aro community a little bit closer together, that it spreads awareness within fandom, and most importantly, that the people have fun with it.

arrow assets made by @/aroworlds, and if anyone has any questions about it, the askbox is open!

-Ivory

Daily reminder that Inej's mother used to say that if you looked closed enough, you can sometimes still see the wings that were gifted upon favoured children of the air, so much so that little Inej used to twist and turn in the mirror hoping to get a glimpse of hers despite her cousin's laughter.

ninej and zenya have something going on stay tuned for a ted talk

Small sketch I did a while back of our dear Sun summoner: Alina starkov!!

Name a better feeling than getting the first comment on a fic you were uncertain about and knowing that at least one person liked the tiny piece of your brain that you put on the internet