#aleksander ;; interaction

[lilu787788]

Recently, screenrant posted an article about characters in literature who fit the term Daddy, and of course Shadow Daddy won, because there can only be one, and although the author of the article wrote that Darkling is a villain, which I completely disagree with, the whole thing is written positively, so overall I am pleased. However, of course there had to be someone who traditionally sat in the outraged bench and let their imagination run wild. This comment at the top is a perfect example of how much false puritanism and a parochial approach to fiction can obscure the understanding of complex characters and literary themes. What immediately caught my eye was the attempt to impose one, "correct" interpretation of the character of Aleksander - with full conviction in his own right and without a shadow of a reflection on the depth of his psychology, which is not only simplified, but also dangerously authoritarian. I was also horrified by the way the commentator tries to shame others for seeing Aleksander as something more than just a "villain". Reducing this character to the role of a mere “manipulator” and " pimp teenager” (which in itself is an absurd simplification and shows the high level of this person) ignores not only his tragic dimension, but also the fact that people have the right to interpret fiction in a variety of ways – especially when the character has been written as morally ambiguous. This tone of commentary - evaluative, exclusive, almost accusatory is not a form of constructive criticism. It is a form of intimidation, and there is no point in kidding yourself here. Using such language is a way to make others feel guilty or ashamed for seeing something different, feeling something different, interpreting history in their own way. It is an attempt to force people to abandon their emotions and sensitivity under pressure, to adapt to the only “correct” interpretation that this commentator is trying to impose. And yet it is precisely this diversity of perspectives that makes literature so rich. The paradox of this situation cannot be ignored: others are accused of “romanticizing” violence, while at the same time using linguistic violence – aggression, contempt, condemnation towards people who simply want to talk about difficult emotions and relationships contained in the story. Such an attitude is not an expression of a lack of morality. It is an expression of humanity. Therefore, suggesting that understanding or sympathy for this character is a moral transgression is no longer a conversation about books. It is an attempt to control and silence people who feel differently. Everyone has the right to their own reception of art. And taking away this right is not caring about literature – it is intellectual violence.

I will add at the end a comment from my friend that for some reason was deleted, but fortunately she conveyed her opinion very beautifully.

[aleksanderscult]

I hope you're doing well.

What do you think would have happened if Alina had been discovered as a child and sent to the Little Palace? How do you think her relationship with Aleksander would have turned out in that case?

I'm really well, thank you for asking! Hope you're okay too, anon :)

First of all, she would NOT be groomed in a sexual way ('cause his antis love to bring that up). Sure her training could be a little different, possibly even practice alone the same way she did in canon but I think her relationship with the others of her kind would be closer. Growing up with them, socializing with them. It would create a bond and she would be away from Mal's company for years which would certainly help (as opposed to canon which only lasted for a few months). In canon, she avoided everyone but Genya and it seemed to me like she did it because she was so upset for being separated from Mal (like a kid that that you took away its toxic videogame) and deep down she expected someone to get her back to the First Army.

I'm not sure if there would be romantic feelings between her and Aleksander. Possibly not. But it's very likely that she wouldn't be completely against his plans to overthrow the monarchy if Aleksander instilled in her his own ideas and if Alina was sensible enough to see what was going on around her.

[liveactionproblematicotd]

Today’s problematic ship is Alina Starkov and Aleksander Morozova from Shadow and Bone

Age gap

Hero/villain

Power imbalance

Toxic

Requested by anonymous

[conallblackbar]

closed starter for @darkenedsvn

"hey," conall waved his hand, hoping to catch the attention of the northern lord. they had met for the first time in the crownlands, and now in the west, it seemed the perfect opportunity to get to know one another a little better. conall had made very few friends in the last few years, sticking to his inner circle and those he know he could trust, but they seemed to have enough in common that, just this once, it might be worth branching out. he slid a tankard of ale to the other man, before taking a deep swig of his own. "thank the gods you're here. it's been a quite old night in the west."

[eliaofdxrne]

closed starter for @darkenedsvn location: the 2000's party

quite frankly, elia thought she had the best outfit here tonight. her skirt was tiny, a pleated pink thing that showed off her legs, her tube top doing the rest of the work in ensuring her figure was on display and she was turning heads. she had always been a vain, fashion-conscious creature, and she had spent far too long putting together the perfect look that would have her at the centre of attention.

she was glad of her efforts, though, when she spotted her ex-boyfriend in the crowd. the mature thing to do would be to ignore him. he was with somebody else now, someone elia actually quite liked, and so was she. unfortunately, mature was something nobody could accuse elia of ever being.

"what are you supposed to be?" she tilted her head, appraising aleksander's own outfit with a critical eye. "when they said 2000's theme, they meant justin timberlake or jersey shore. not the guy who worked at blockbusters."

[khaleesiie]

@gcdwilling continued from here. ♡

panic claws at her chest, but his voice pulls her back just enough to keep her from spiraling. swallows hard, shaking her head, hands trembling at her sides. " no, that's not— " her breath hitches, gaze darting between him and the motionless body on the ground. " we— we have to do something. we can't just leave him like this. " her heart pounds against her ribs, adrenaline surging through her veins.

[fiadhvance]

closed starter for @darkenedsvn

"oh... no, thank you. not just now." fiadh shook her head, refusing the drink offered to her by the karstark lord. the sun was still high, and it was barely afternoon. hardly the time to be getting drunk.

"in fact, why don't you put the bottle away entirely? there'll be plenty of time later, when litha starts properly. they're just setting everything up right now. if you drink too much, you'll miss it." she didn't wait for a response before taking the bottle from aleksander's hands, passing it off to a nearby servant with a quiet request that they return it to the karstark lord later.

"i'm going for a walk, though. if you'd like to join me. not far, just down the river."

[corruptedarkness]

@disastri​ for Mal 

Aleksander had scanned the area in his vision with Alina, while he was sure soon after they had their moment she would've moved everyone out he had a general location. Taking the chance to lead the search party to disband this band of rebels and bring his Alina back home. Clearly, too many people had been poising her mind against him, they would rule over them all one day but first, he had to deal with that blasted Tracker. He sent his troops to where he believed they were as he moved through the forest, after all, they had to leave the underground sooner or later as he quietly moved through the trees until he came upon the other crouched looking at tracks is anything. "Well imagine my luck, it may not be the person I wanted but then again, it's about time we had some bonding time" He smirked, he didn't see Alina around which was perfect, while the other was good at fighting he wouldn't be blocked by the sun this time around. "Malyen Oretsev"

[taleswrittena]

@threecardtrick sent “  you keep acting like you’re looking for an excuse to leave.  ” ( the darkling )

confrontation starters||accepting

"If I wanted to leave, I would leave." Nothing has stopped him thus far and nothing will stop him if he decides to turn around and walk away from this entire thing.

However, whatever this man has to say to him, must be important if he is daring to waste his time and Aleksander is a little curious to see what it is that he wants.

"What is it that you want? You didn't just come here to make pointless observations."

[withinkandquill-aa]

 " i'm proud of you. " (For Anya)

Though Anya had determined to keep her emotions well in check in the presence of her general, his words have her gaze snapping up of their own accord. Thin lips part in surprise.

She had never heard those words before. I’m proud of you. Once, Anya had craved the sentiment, back when she was a little girl hidden away by her father, an otkazat’sya man with a mind to craft his own weapon out of his young Inferni daughter. She never heard it from him and though she tried to impress General Kirigan in much the same way, she never expected to hear it from him either.

Her gaze dips again, hiding the sudden rise in emotion from his eyes.

“Thank you, moi soverenyi.”

[thyme-in-a-bubble]

hysteria

kinktober, day twenty-eight

a/n: look, we already know that I'm a nerd when it comes to medical history, so this really shouldn't come as a surprise. only thing surprising about it is how fucking long it took for me to finally write this kinda fic, damn, because this fantasy is ancient.

summary: “miss, I’m afraid to inform you that you have hysteria.”

warnings: doctor!aleksander morozova x innocent!reader, smut, dubcon, historical au, medical kink, time accurate sexism, fingering, sex toys (vibrator, fuck machine), penetrative sex, unprotected sex, size kink, squirting, dirty talk, multiple orgasms, creampie, overstimulation

word count: 1607

∼ gentle reminder that feedback, but especially reblogs are the way you support writers on here ∽

masterlist | join my taglist | kinktober 2023

Eyes glued to the clipboard in his hand, doctor Morozova quietly read up from the list of symptoms he had just scribbled down, “…unmarried, insomnia, increased nervousness during social interactions… miss,” he then lifted his obsidian gaze and told you gravely, “I’m afraid to inform you that you have hysteria.”

“I-I do?” 

“Yes, I’m terribly sorry,” he laid the papers down on the desk before him, “seems like your womb is not where it’s supposed to be and that can cause all sorts of problems as you can see by your symptoms.”

Fingers weaved so tightly in the fabric in your lap it nearly broke through, ruining your dress, your panic began to bubble out, “what should I do, doctor? Is there a cure?”

“There is,” he nodded, subtly raising a hand up to soothe your nerves, “the way to relieve this disorder is by causing something called a hysterical paroxysm,” he informed, abruptly redirecting his stare down upon the woodgrain of the tabletop, “now, usually, if a woman is married, the husband is to perform the treatment, but since you’re not,” his eyes flickered back up to find yours, “I’ll help rid your body of this ailment.”

“Really? Thank you,” you gasped, “what, uh, what does it entail?”

“Oh, it’s simple enough,” he waved a casual hand, “you just rid yourself of your undergarments and lay down on the exam table for me.”

“I-…” you blinked, eyes wide before you swallowed, “…alright…”

Getting up from the chair opposing his desk, you walked around the flimsy partition set up in the corner. Reaching under your dress, you timidly pulled your underwear down your legs, past your stockings and off. Folding the garment in a neat little bundle, you settled it on the small stool that stood back here before stepping back out from behind the cover. 

Now settled at the bottom of the exam table on a seat, he gestured for you to get up onto the slab before you apprehensively did so. 

“If you would please just put your feet up in these stirrups,” he adjusted the metal legs below you, “then we can get started.” 

As you then shifted, settling your feet into place, your skirts tented and began to ride up, a gust of crisp air kissing your exposed centre and causing your cheeks to heat up.  

Hearing his chair scoot closer, you then felt his touch softly ghost from your knees all the way up your thighs till his fingers were gently prying your petals apart. After taking a good look, he then briefly retracted his touch, unscrewing a nearby dark glass jar, swiping up some of the glossy contents before grazing through your folds once more, the cool temperature of the lubrication causing you to suck in a sharp breath. 

“Sorry, if it’s a bit cold,” he murmured as he continued to smear it in. 

Head faintly shaking, “it’s fine,” you tried just to focus on your breathing. 

Pushing your dress a bit more out of the way, he told you, “just try and relax for me, it will go by a lot smoother if you relax,” his touch then suddenly changed, “now, tell me,” zeroing in and pressing down on your clit in a way that made the office around you go fuzzy, “how does that feel?” 

Blinking down at him, you found that his vision was already firm on you, “I-… I don’t know… how is it supposed to feel?”

“It’s supposed to feel good,” he rubbed a bit harder, “so, does it feel good?”

“I-I guess so,” your vision fluttered back up towards the ceiling, the doctor’s dark eyes being too much to stand, “yeah.”

“Good, good,” his attentive touch then shifted, “now let me just have a feel inside. Deep breath for me,” your lungs expanded at his command, “there you go,” and his long finger pressed inside, gently curving it around against your walls as he examined, “yep, there it is… your womb, it’s in the completely wrong spot,” he swiftly worked another digit in, watching as you stretched around his fingers, “it’s good that you came in now before it got even worse,” pulling back out, he ended the contact with an unnecessary rub against your buzzing clit.

As he then scooted a bulky and mysterious machine over, you asked nervously, “w-what is that?”

“Just a little apparatus that’s gonna help cure you,” he twisted a vaguely phallic shape into place at the end of the device’s long arm. After noticing your startled expression, you felt his warm hand sprawl across your thigh, “don’t worry, love. It’s all gonna be just fine,” lining it up, “just try and lay still,” he turned a switch and the attachment slowly drove into you. 

“Oh my god!” your palm slammed down against the exam table. 

“Shh, it’s alright,” he caught your eye till your body slowly began to give in, calming under his gaze. Reaching his right hand up, he tickled your puff as the gadget slowly eased in and out of you, “you’re doing great so far, just relax for me,” you saw his free fingers sneak down to enclose around the apparatus’s knob once more, turning the speed further up.  

Feeling like you might fall off the table entirely, you panted, “doctor, I think something might be wrong.”

“Nothing’s wrong, love,” he nearly chuckled, “this is how it’s supposed to feel,” smiling as you let go an uncontainable moan, knees nearly closing as you tumbled over the edge, “there it is, good, good…”

Expecting for the machine to be shut off, the doctor instead pushed your trembling knees aside and conjured a bulky ward-like device that buzzed in his tight grip, the other hand firm on your leg as he pressed the vibrator against your sensitive pearl, “ah! Doctor! What are you-”

“We’re not done yet,” he stated firmly, vision fixated on the mess he was turning you into. 

The squelching of your pussy cut through the loud buzzing of the gizmos, “but it’s too much, I can’t-”

“You wanna get better, don’t you?”

Fists tight in your dress, crumbled at your waist, you let out a shaky, “yes.”

“Then quit your whining and let me treat you,” his stare snapped up as he warned you, “if you keep that up then I’ll have no other choice but to restrain you, is that what you want?”

“N-no,” the overwhelming sensation caused you to tremble like a leaf. 

“Be a good girl and take it.”

When the second wave hit, it crashed into you so fiercely that you let out a lewd scream. 

“There you go, that’s it!” the doctor bellowed as your pussy gushed, crying out around the intense toys, “oh, fuck…” unable to peel his eyes away as he finally turned off the machines, additional juices squirting out as they withdrew. 

Limbs twitching, you hazily asked, “was that it? Are we done?”

Palming himself through his pants, his gaze stayed glued to your weeping core, “not quite yet, miss… that release of excess fluids was a very good sign, very good sign indeed, but we’re not quite done… there’s still more that needs to get out in order for your uterus to align itself again,” your eyes then flicked down to his fingers as they worked at the buttons on his slacks, swiftly freeing something much bigger than the apparatus he had just fucked you with. 

“Doctor?” your eyes grew as he stepped closer, rubbing his tip against you in a way that made your eyes flutter. 

Finally meeting your gaze, he uttered, “please, call me Aleksander,” before thrusting his hips forward, stretching you apart with his cock. Fingers digging into your thighs, he glanced back down and smirked, “I think your womb just needs a little reminder of where its home is,” before he slammed in, all the way, pushing the air out of your lungs as his balls nuzzled against you.

“Ah!”

“Just need to knock at its door a bit to call it home,” the tip of his generous length kissed your cervix with every rough thrust, borderline going too deep as you clambered around him, “that’s it, taking the treatment so well.”

Just as you had thought he had settled on a rhythm, he pulled the rug out from under you by suddenly withdrawing his girth entirely, spreading you apart so that he could watch how he made you gape, only to bury himself completely once again, repeating the cycle over and over, relishing in the way it drove you up the wall. 

“Fucking hell… I can feel it, you’re getting close, clamping around me like a desperate little whore,” he groaned, watching as after a few more breath-taking rounds, your pussy began to weep once again, “oh, there it is,” squirting out every time he retraced himself, “atta girl,” the fullness he then granted you only persuaded more to appear. 

When you were nothing more than a literal puddle in his grasp, Aleksander truly lost control, pounding into your trembling mess before he made it even more so, stuffing you full of his hot cum. 

Low groans still flowed from his lips as he retracted from you for good, the sensation of his seed trickling out of you and onto the exam table nearly going unnoticed from how exhausted the treatment had made you. 

“Was that it?” you asked weakly, “am I cured now?”

Tugging himself away as he caught his breath, he answered, “not completely,” glancing back up at you with a glint in his dark eyes, “I think you’re gonna have to come back a few more times …”

© 2023 thyme-in-a-bubble 

[gildedbirdcage-if]

DEMO TBA

Berenzia- a kingdom ruled by a powerful, stern King. For most of his rule, most anyone would report that he was a fair man to those who relied on him and merciless to those who opposed him or wished harm to his kingdom. It’s said there was once a time where he had calmed, finally found himself beyond his role, and all was well. The people loved, practically worshipped, their soft, perfect, patient, and kind Queen but the King would tell anyone that it paled in comparison to his love for her. The King and Queen were truly one half to the same whole and envied by all. As with all things, it did not last. In a classic tale of tragedy, the King lost his beloved Queen and it is said that it was an event he could never recover from. Whisperings in the street and kingdom’s borders would report that he lost his humanity the day the Queen died.

An event that coincides with your birth.

Play as the only child of Berenzia’s king- from your isolated youth to your isolated adulthood. You’re relatively safe from your father’s ire until your mid-twenties as you must fulfill your duty and get advantageously married. Build your relationships with your childhood friends, your new suitors, and a new friend. Will you do your father’s bidding or will you take destiny into your hands?

Gilded Birdcage is an 18+ interactive fiction not suited for minors. This interactive fiction will contain optional sexual content, suggestive themes, optional references to suicide, child neglect, abuse, deadnaming (gender selectable content), use of incorrect pronouns (gender selectable content), sexism, and death. This list will be updated as needed during content creation.

MC will be set to AFAB with options to explore gender identity. ROs down below will also not be gender selectable.

Aleksander “Alek” [M]:

Age: 25

Physical Description: 6’4”, ivory skin painted with freckles, red, loosely curled hair that reaches his nape, broad shoulders, thin waist, deceivingly strong despite appearance, crooked nose from a break, with warm, brown eyes.

Personality: Warm, affable, easy-going, energetic, extroverted, and impossible to not get along with. Makes anyone feel like they’re the only person in the room… until you walk in. [ENFP-T]

Info: Your childhood friend since diapers, you were born only two days apart. Alek is your first, and closest, friend. There isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for you. He has loved you his whole life but will never act upon it, believing you could never feel the same. He enters the battle for your hand not because he hopes you’ll see him as more than a friend, but to give you a friendly, familiar face to choose from. He’ll only ever have eyes for you. (Note: Can choose Alek for a platonic,romantic, or poly route)

Relationship to MC: Childhood friend, Suitor

Orion [M]:

Age: 24

Physical Description: 6’2”, tawny skin with small burn scars scattered on his forearms from cooking, stocky build, straight brown hair (loosely tied in a knot), with piercing green eyes.

Personality: Hardworking, sardonic, introverted, pessimistic, and pessimistic. [ISTJ-A]

Info: Orion began working in the castle at a very young age, thus being one of the only other children you had around growing up. Orion could not stand your demands or position and was, and always will be, quick to point out how the real world works. Despite his cold behavior, he does come around to like you as a person (friend or romantic) and will do anything to make things… livable for you. You often spend time taking up space in his kitchen as a sanctuary of sorts. (Note: available for romantic and poly route)

Relationship to MC: (reluctant) Childhood friends, personal chef

Cyrus [M]:

Age: 29

Physical Description: 5’10”, chestnut skin, thin, black hair that falls in messy waves (reaches his shoulders), with dark brown (nearly black) eyes.

Personality: Flighty, playful, cunning, charming, deceptive, extroverted, and (occasionally) manipulative. [ESTP-A]

Info: An inconsequential prince (fourth born) from a bordering, allied kingdom. Takes life as it comes and never tries to be serious about anything. He has entered for your hand to continue his easy life with hopefully less people trying to control his actions. He is a flirt above all else, capturing every heart he desires, but never offers his own.

Relationship to MC: Stranger, suitor

Irvine [M]:

Age: 28

Physical Description: 6’0”, sun-kissed skin, straight, dark blonde hair that falls to his waist, muscular build, scar across his eyebrow and lip, with one gray eye and one brown eye.

Personality: Calm, sweet, patient, ambitious, peaceful, extroverted, and warm. [ENFJ-T]

Info: The second born prince from a country threatening to wage war against your own. He is hoping for a mutually beneficial marriage between the two of your to keep peace. Despises war and will do anything with minimal bloodshed to get it. Will promise you near anything if you give him your hand. Will wear whatever mask he needs to, as well. (Note: Available for platonic route or a strictly physical route)

Relationship to MC: Stranger, suitor

Blaire [F]:

Age: 23

Physical Description: 5’2”, deep umber skin tone, tightly curled (4B) black hair that reaches her jaw, thin build, with amber eyes.

Personality: Fun, mischievous, joyful, secretive, confident, conspiratorial, extroverted, playful, and a tease. [ENFJ-T]

Info: One of the latest nobles to hit the scene, her father is staying at the castle to work with the king to further himself as an advisor. Noticing you lack companionship, especially female, Blaire’s father offers her up to spend her days with you. She is your first female friend and confidant. Happy to give you opinions on your suitors- you’ve become her latest project and game.

Relationship to MC: Stranger

~Under Construction~

12/27/2024

- Updated that there will not be an option to not have the MC be AFAB- the story is so built around the treatment of being born female. There will be gender identity options as the MC grows up but there will be no option to be AMAB.

-Still working on if I will end the project with choicescipt or twine, but for now all demo is going to choicescript.

- I have about 6,000 words all typed out over four scenes and am hoping to have the demo up and going once I have the MC through toddler phase. So far I finished the MC being born.

-Questions are welcome! Including RO questions! :)

[taragreenfield]

The old gargoyle and the missing opportunities

Baghra's "reveal" of Aleksander as a "villain" doesn't make any sense and ctually makes the plot worse. I suppose the intention was: a young protagonist is charmed by an attractive and powerful man, believes that he is a brave revolutionary and a justice fighter with noble goals, and gets entangled in a relationship with him only to find out that his motives are much more sinister and he actually uses her as a pawn, tricking her with talks about "greater good". She feels betrayed, devastated, heartbroken, and disillusioned with the man she thought she knew and runs away to take revenge on him and ultimately stop him. Except it falls apart right from the start. The narrative tries to retroactively gaslight you by including Alina's lamenting about "how long she lived with his lies", but, considering that we still remember what actually happened, it makes her sound delusional or outright dishonest.

The Darkling is not charming. He's not that typical abuser who plays the role of a sociable, likeable, caring, and upstanding guy who secretly beats up unsuspecting women in his dungeon. He has a dark reputation, a dark image, and a whole swarm of semi-mythical gossip surrounding him. And he doesn't seem to mind. That's not how a charming manipulator acts - he doesn't cultivate a socially popular image. Nobody is charmed. Alina isn't charmed either: she initially recoils from his powers and believes he is going to torture her when he simply asks how her day was.

They actually barely interact. They have 5-6 brief conversations, mostly about her powers and amplifiers. Alina herself mentions he's barely present in the palace, and even when he is, he's not in a hurry to meet her. That's not enough to manipulate someone. It's not enough to build trust. It's not even enough to say that you know something about each other.

He interacts with her for political purposes. He doesn't manipulate her to enjoy the power he has over her and her feelings, like an abuser and manipulator does. He doesn't love-bomb Alina or try to convince her that he picked her for her delightful personality. He needs her power; that much is absolutely clear from the start. He doesn't try to humanize himself to her or get her to feel sorry for him; there is no moment of shared vulnerability between them. When they kiss, he seems almost annoyed with the fact he couldn't separate his business from unnecessary feelings. Playing on Alina's insecurities? No, he only encourages her and even defends her against Baghra's attack. Isolation? Also no, she has a full palace of Grisha and non-Grisha to talk to.

Moreover, Alina doesn't act like a victim of manipulation either. The danger of a skillful manipulation is that it's notoriously difficult to get through to the victim, even for their closest friends. The manipulated person is inclined to dismiss any warnings, get defensive, believe that it's just a misunderstanding, find excuses for their manipulator, and get angry at the person who tries to warn them for meddling with their relationship. Alina does none of that. She immediately believes the old abusive hag with no evidence and runs away.

If Aleksander is manipulative, why not continue manipulating her when he captures her after her escape? Baghra didn't provide any evidence; it would be easy to say she is just a demented old liar whose brain was damaged by the wasting sickness. He could also tell her that Baghra abused him as a child to make Alina feel guilty for trusting her over him. All the opportunities were there.

So Baghra's reveal works to the detriment of the plot because:

Alina is basically told that a guy she and everyone else assumed was evil is actually evil. There is no reason to gasp or feel betrayed; the act of a wronged wife who found out her husband is a serial cheater after 20 years of marriage is completely out of place.

The fact that Baghra delivers all the gossip in one go makes Alina's outrage against the Darkling's methods forced and performative. A day ago, Alina was happily swanning around the palace, not questioning Aleksander's goals and strategy once, not even asking questions about him, and as soon as Bahra told her, she suddenly became a staunch opponent of his "tyranny"? Sounds fake. If her discomfort with his actions was a result of her own moral reflection, that would be at least more honest and gave her a more believable conflict.

It robs Alina of any agency, as she doesn't discover information about the Darkling herself, doesn't start noticing disturbing signs and discrepancies in his behavior, and is getting infodumped by a Baghra-shaped deus ex machina instead. Once again, the conflict would be much more meaningful and impactful if Alina actually put some effort into discovering the Darkling's "true nature".

If Baghra truly believed Aleksander was going to manipulate Alina, why wait for months to warn her? It makes more sense to do it straight away, before the alleged manipulative tactics take effect.

Baghra shouldn't have even been there. If Aleksander was truly such a brilliant strategist and manipulator, he should have known that his mother, the only person knowing his Black heretic identity, could betray him. It's not like she ever made it a secret she didn't support him. So he should have made sure his mother didn't meet the Sun Summoner. Instead, he sends Alina to Baghra for training himself. Not very mastermindful of him.

If you think about it, Baghra works as a big bad manipulator much better. She has a more suitable role—that of a wise, grumpy, but well-meaning senior mentor. Who's going to suspect an old lady of plotting devious plans? Besides, Alina has already been brainwashed by a similar old abusive hag - Ana Kuya—so for her, Baghra's attitude seems familiar. Baghra does play on Alina's insecurities: rubbing in her face her humble orphanage upbringing, shaming her for her attraction to the Darkling (the idea that it's unbecoming for a young virtuous lady to lust over a man is probably already hammered into her by Ana Kuya), belittling her for her poor command over her power, and instilling the belief that Alina is stupid, foolish, naive, and can't make any decisions for herself. She also redirects any possible accusations of manipulation onto Aleksander: he is a centuries-old manipulator who knows how to fool naive young girls, apparently, not her. And if shifting the suspicion onto the person you try to discredit is not the most popular manipulative technique, I don't know what is.

[bloodofthefates]

The power and energy through the solidification of their bond in both ceremony and physicality ran through her. Alina could feel it coursing through her like a surge and nearly as loud in her ears as her own beating heart with Aleksander keeping her anchored to him. She deepened the kiss them, lavishing in the taste of him and the connection of their power entwining but too soon they were forced to part and acknowledge the sound of cheers and applause that left her head spinning for a moment with a faint buzzing still ringing in her ears. Her eyes searched his, the sheer joy and excitment of the moment turning her stomach into knots she'd only assumed had been nervous jitters prior to the ceremony itself. Yet, Alina felt it every time she caught him looking at her and every time she earned a smile from him like their own little secret. Her own power still thrummed through her, leaving her skin glowing faintly as he grasped her hand and squeezed it a bit tighter for reassurance. With the sweep of his arm, Alina was happy to take the first step into their future together and his promise of forever still sent an unmistakable shiver down her spine as it had the first time she'd encountered him and witnessed the magnitude of his abilities. Apart they were impossible but together they were innumerable. "Does this mean we finally get a moment to ourselves and a chance to breath?" She asked through smiling teeth, eyeing the assembled priests awaiting them near the end of the aisle and their only exit from the chapel. "Can't we just make everyone else... go away?"

As Alina's lips closed the distance, as he handed over that power for her to make the final choice, Aleksander let himself drown. Just for a moment, the bond between them strengthening, growing. It was irreversible, and he relished every part of it. That connection to her, that promise that her touch and love gave him.

He hadn't thought it possible, for someone like him. Someone whose hands dripped so much blood, whose life had been so dark and messy. To have this light, to have the very sun itself in his arms, and it wasn't burning him, but warming him. welcoming him.

The sounds of the crowd still felt muted as he pulled back, that soft smile still on his lips as Aleksander gazed at her. His Alina. He was as much hers, of course, and he wouldn't argue that at all.

His heart, the very soul that existed in his body, belonged to Alina as much as he claimed her.

❝ I do believe it is. ❞ Aleksander shot her a look, that knowing expression in his eyes, his hand still laced with hers as he soon enough extended his arm so they could depart the ceremony.

❝ To forever together, Alina. ❞

[eliaofdxrne]

closed starter for @darkenedsvn

"it is too cold here," elia remarked, forgoing greeting, forgoing formalities, jumping straight into conversation as though they had last spoken only yesterday. how long had it been now? months, years? she'd quite lost track of the last thing she had said to him. probably some pretty, honeyed words to keep his interest before parting ways again. they were about due a renewal, in any case.

"see?" she held up her arm, showing the gooseflesh that had appeared there, the way the hair of her arms stood on end. "far too cold. we're indoors." her voice took on a faux-outraged tone, but she was smiling.

[fookinhellcurlyyy]

Don't Panic, It's Just Another Monthly McDon't Sighting™ (Stunt Season Isn't Over Yet)

AKA: The Soccer Aid Promo Tour Disguised as Romance (Also, possibly the fake LT3 muse for the GP to pin on lol)

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I was debating on sharing this but I can already feel people would start asking about #McDon't in a bit (due to Zara's IGS indicating that she's at the Stereophonics show that L just posted).

I'm expecting at least one interaction per month leading up to Soccer Aid (and honestly, people should too—it might help ease the frustration when something does happen, because at this point, it's inevitable). I think I’ve mentioned this before, but I really believe they’re using this stunt to promote Soccer Aid this year, especially with L and Sam both participating.

Also, I think this is the best time to add this: just yesterday, @delicateperspective found a very curious article from Entertainment Daily which I also further looked into. Here's the one from The Sun:

(NOTE: Might either be related or unrelated—but still, CURIOUS.)

Long-serving celebrity booker Stefania Aleksander has left her full-time role after seven years, having also been mentioned in the BBC investigation into pro Giovanni Pernice’s alleged bullying��of dance partner Amanda Abbington.

Stefania has been replaced by long-standing staffer Jasmine Fox and will now be working on ITV’s Soccer Aid.

But BBC sources insisted her departure as celebrity talent executive was not connected to any of these issues.

One told The Sun on Sunday: “Stefania worked on the series for a long time and she came under increasing pressure over the last couple of years.

“There was the fallout over Seann Walsh and Katya Jones being seen kissing, then the bust-up between Giovanni and Amanda, then the Graziano Di Prima and Zara McDermott kicking incident and finally the fallout over Wynne Evans making sexual comments.

A BBC Studios spokesman said: “Stefania remains a pivotal member of the Strictly production team, has already been involved with the upcoming series, and will return to work part-time on the show later in the summer.

“She stepped away from what is a full-time role to spend more time being a new mum and to suggest she has temporarily left Strictly for any other reason is false and unfair.”

TL;DR: Celeb booker Stefania left STRICTLY temporarily to "focus on being a mum" and work with SoccerAid for a bit. She will return to the show (to work part-time) late in the summer—possibly after wrapping up Soccer Aid.

You can see in Stefania's public linked in that she started working as a Celebrity Talent Executive for Soccer Aid 2025, and left BBC's Strictly Come Dancing this month (again, temporarily).

TERM DEFINITION:

(I'm too lazy to put it all together so thanks Google lol But this is basically what they do as per research)

Celebrity talent executives and talent bookers both work in the entertainment industry, but they have slightly different roles:

Celebrity Talent Executives focus on managing relationships with high-profile talent. They often handle negotiations, casting decisions, partnerships, and big-picture planning for events, shows, or campaigns. Their goal is to bring the right celebrity into the right project, aligning both creative and business goals.

Talent Bookers are responsible for securing celebrities or performers for appearances—like talk shows, award shows, festivals, or brand events. They reach out to representatives, coordinate schedules, and finalize logistics to ensure the talent actually shows up and fits the purpose of the event or production.

In short: Talent execs handle strategy and relationships, while bookers handle outreach and scheduling.

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I don’t think I need to elaborate on what the possible connection is—you probably already see what I'm getting at.

Bottom line: it's a very solid possible connection.

Take a breath, ignore the headlines (though yes, it’s being closely monitored—and wow, it’s messy lol, they can’t even get their stories or timelines straight), and just keep larrying on. It'll all be over soon.