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it is pure chaos. people are shouting, swords are clashing. the guards are outnumbered and her personal tavgharad is wounded. ehri drags the weight of her bodyguard away from danger as they protest and tell her to run. but she doesn't listen. they might be serving the crown of shu han and swore to kill and die to protect it, but ehri isn't gonna let anyone (else) die for her. not if there's even a smallest chance they could be saved.

she jumps at the sound of a rifle but the bullet does not touch her. no. it ricochets against something else and injures the original shooter. she slowly turns around to see a massive—— dragon! @shadowsignet landing on the ground. she stumbles back, shaking and clinging to her bodyguard who's slowly losing consciousness from the blood loss.

this is not how she had imagined her trip to ravka would go. in fact, all she'd expected was to get to the palace safely, meet the prince, pretend to be interested in whatever he had to say, maybe attend a few boring social gatherings and then discuss of a wedding date for a mariage she'd never wanted for herself. but this. this was not part of the plan.

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天醒之路 (legend of awakening): qin sang vs. lu ping

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It was nice. To talk to someone who could relate to her situation. Ehri didn’t have real friends she could be open with about her life and her passions. There was one person in her new photography class she was hoping she could be friends with, though. Mayu Kir-Kaat. They didn’t talk much —at least not unless they had something important to say— and Ehri found it quite refreshing since she wasn’t much of a fan of small talk either.  It seemed Vasily shared the same sentiment. He’d skipped the small talk and dove directly into the deep topics. And it was very much appreciated.  

Nikolai was bad match, huh? She wasn’t really looking for dating advice. She wasn’t looking to date Nikolai Lantsov at all. Or anyone, to be honest. Her plan was to focus on her internship, finishing college and doing things she loved. 

She’s bothered by the arrival of the waiter who showed up right where Vasily was opening up to her and being vulnerable. But she almost bounces on her seat at the sight of her salad. She’s very much happy with the extra parmesan. ❛ It’s so nice of you, thank you! ❜ She smiles at the waiter who gives her a charming grin. He’s now about to pop a very obvious and inappropriate question (especially since he assumed the two were on a first date). Though her gaze quickly reverts back onto Vasily (and so, the waiter vanishes once again). ❛ I enjoy cheese as much as kids enjoy chocolate, honestly! But i also enjoy chocolate as much as kids do. And chocolate cheesecake is PARADISE for my taste buds! I learned to make one in bak— ❜ She interrupts herself, suddenly aware of pain the man sitting across from her is in. She rises to her feet and walks around the table to be by his side, bending slightly to be at eye level. Then, she gently places a hand over his left hand.  ❛ Can you feel this? ❜ she asks, softly. 

TWO YEARS AGO. VASILY TRIED TO RECALL what he did two years ago. Probably attempt to keep Lantsov corp from crashing due to his father’s sudden illness - really, he still thought it was just his alcoholism catching up to him but he definitely was no doctor. He leaned forward, shifting the weight to the tip of his elbows as he continued to listen to the story of her sickness, unable to contain himself from feeling mesmerized by her entire existence. Never had he expected to meet someone so captivating in his life - he had before but NOT AGAIN - someone he could hold dear and close and who probably wouldn’t dump him for his bother.. .

❝ That sounds horrible. To be reduced to your sickness like that. ❞

ANGER ROSE IN HIM at the imagination alone of what she had to go through and suffer. So much pain. So much uncertainty and trauma. Reading her body language, the way she reached for the water more often than she would have needed to in the past five minutes, the way her posture shifted just so, it all screamed uncertainty. He knew he would never be able to handle disease as well as she has. As soon as his body would make the slightest intention to quit, he would probably give up too. Just like when his father had bullied him into not eating as a teenager…

WITHOUT NIKOLAI HE’D BE DEAD BY NOW.

❝ I never got to see anything else but Lantsov honestly. I grew up with it and my dad always wanted me to take over the company. No one ever asked me if that’s what I truly wish for…❞

Vulnerability. He allowed himself to be vulnerable around her because she’d just been so open about it all, his mind screamed at him to do the same. To put the cards on the table and finally be honest about his feelings.

❝ My brother is a bad match, honestly. Too impulsive. Cannot stop talking -…❞

He was joking but there was some truth behind his words. Nikolai and her wouldn’t get along well romantically. Not in a lifetime. Not after finding out about his brother’s taste… Anyway. Vasily had been the one to secure the internship for her behind her back. He had made sure that she was given a chance, that she could take over responsibility and impress them. So far, she’d met their expectations tenfold.

Vasily wanted nothing more than to soothe and reassure her, that they would work something out, that his mother would leave her alone but he couldn’t promise her that. No one could.

❝ I ask myself…the same. I never get to be Vasily. Just…Vasily and not the CEO or the Lantsov heir. It’s…odd to be real for once- ❞

His words were interrupted by the appearance of the waiter and the arrival of the wine and Ehri’s salad - I made sure that they sprinkle some extra parmesan for you on top, miss - and Vasily feeling a distinctive ache in his chest appear out of the blue again. First, he thought it was because of the jealousy but… It wasn’t. He paled but pushed through either way, reaching to pick up the glass of wine only to pause, gulping down a deep, desperate breath. Not now. Not now. It was spreading into his neck and jaw, trailing down all the way to his back and left arm. A heavy, vice-like pressure. He wanted to cry and curl up and drown in his misery.

❝ S-sorry… it’s just…chest pain….❞

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Runaway Royal (Ketterdam AU)

Queen Keyen Kir-Taban is dead and her dying wish was for Princess Ehri, her second child, to become Queen of Shu Han. But Ehri never wished the throne for herself and so she gives it to Makhi, her older sister. The problem is, Makhi doesn’t have the love of the people. It becomes obvious that, as long as Ehri lives, she will always be a threat to her reign, whether the latter wishes to rule or not. 

Ehri is prepared to die but Mayu Kir-Kaat won’t let it happen and betrays her Queen to save Shu Han’s last hope for peace. Ehri just has the time to witness Mayu get stabbed through the heart before she flees the palace (unbeknownst to Ehri, Mayu actually survived and is being held captive until Makhi decides it is the right time to lure her sister back into the country).   

She finds refuge in the Barrel of Ketterdam, a place known to nurse fugitives and birth criminals. She subsist on the few crumbs of money she gets from entertaining people on the street with her music and her singing. Eventually, she’s offered a job at the Crow Club and refuses without explanation (because she cannot afford to draw to much attention to herself). One of the Crows is sent to investigate the reasons of that absurd refusal of a perfect opportunity to have a regular income and a much more comfortable life… Who is this Shu girl with impeccable diction and posture and what is she hiding? But, most of all, HOW MANY KRUGE HIDE BEHIND THOSE SECRETS OF HERS?

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Queen Keyen would’ve never put her beloved daughters in harm's way. That is the reason why the royals had been hidden among their own royal guard while two Tavgharads had been trained at the palace of Ahmrat Jen for months so they could impersonate their respective counterparts during their diplomatic mission in Ravka. While Princess Makhi had trained with the Tavgharads from a very young age, her little sister Princess Ehri wasn’t a great fighter. She wasn’t a fighter at all. She preferred to play music and sing her songs to the people and so she was quite nervous at the idea of posing as a guard. If things went as planned, she wouldn’t have to fight anyone, though. But things didn’t go as planned. 

She didn’t move when the assassin slit her decoy’s throat. She didn’t scream either. She bit down the inside of her cheeks to prevent any scream from escaping her. Makhi, who was also dressed like a Tavgharad, stood by her side, holding her arm tightly so she wouldn’t collapse. She could feel her sister’s fingers digging into her skin. The pain alone anchored her to reason. Makhi unsheathed her sword and pushed Ehri forward. 

The Black General gestured for them to follow, grasping the arm of Makhi’s decoy who protested in shu and skillfully freed herself from the man’s grasp. She drew her own weapon, gesturing for the two female guards behind the General to go first. Now, it was one of the guards' turn to protest while side-eying the man. She said something along the lines of We’re not going with the Grisha. I’d rather die than let my life rest in their hands! The other guard remained quiet, clinging to the grip of her sword with both hands and glancing over her shoulder just in time to witness the two other assassins fell and clawed at their chests. That got her to jolt. She turned to the other guard who was insulting the very man who was saving them. ❛ Please, sister! I’m begging you. ❜ She pleaded, grabbing the sister’s hand. ❛ Think... Think of mother, if not of yourself. She needs you! Shu Han needs you! ❜ The sister’s eyes narrowed before she took back her hand, saying Fine, but i won’t let them touch me. 

The only true guard among the group gave a quick bow to her princesses and exchanged a look with the grisha general, letting him know he was to guard them from this moment on. The lives of the shu princesses rested in his hands now and IF HE FAILED TO FULFILL HIS DUTY, SHU HAN WOULD COME FOR HIM AND FOR RAVKA. Then, she turned around and ran towards the fight, the silks of her princess disguise flowing behind her. Ehri called out her name. But the Tavgharad didn’t look back. It was obvious the younger princess didn’t like the idea of anyone dying in her place. Makhi was up at the front row now, cursing in shu while walking at a quick pace as she was also getting rid of pieces of her Tavgharad armor, which had been slowing her down immensely. Ehri was further back, mumbling prayers for the Tavgharads they’d lost at the banquet and the ones that hadn't yet died but were about to meet the same fate as she held onto her weapon and progressed in the darkness, her hands trembling from the terror she was trying to keep at bay.

shadow in shadow slithered into the crooks of the columns, within the ornamentation, under the portraits lining the long halls of the grand palace; the hallway was as quiet as a mausoleum. the hush that had settled in the wake of the commotion was grave, reeking of death and imminent peril. in the near distance, the faint screams and yells of the dignitaries still fleeing the banquet hall turned muffled, and the tinge of gunpowder seeping into the air became sparse. the darkling glanced to the side, biting back an irritated growl when he counted his two grisha soldiers, the two shu guards, and one princess instead of two. turning, kefta billowing with the manoeuvre, he espied too late the familiar face of the man that had fired the first shot that had reverberated around the hall, when the initial assassination attempt had occurred. he held a knife against the throat of the younger princess, tucked under her chin, gleaming in the ill-light. there was a gasp, and then came the blood.

across the walls, shadows contorted into something monstrous, crawling down unto the carpeted flooring, sliding up to wrap around the neck of the assassin. whispered last words slipped from the man's mouth — for ravka, he had said — the sound of bones snapping. it all transpired in the span of seconds.

curiously, the darkling spared a passing thought on the relative tranquillity with which she approached her own death, her face impassive, acceptance dawning upon her. it was eerie. trained. faux. this calmness was more than could be said for the repercussions which would fall upon ravka, and him, but ruminations of politics could not be afforded until he had the sister escorted to safety.

❝ come now, your highness. we must go. ❞ the darkling commanded, grasping the elder princess' upper arm with a gentle urgency and pulling her along into the adjoining hallway. (there would be time to panic later, once the shock had subsided.) behind them, the man crumpled to the ground like stones in a sack, with a heavy thud. the sound of boots descended, signifying the presence of the other two assassins. he motioned to his soldiers, a heartrender and an inferni; the two men fell, then, feverishly clutching and clawing at their chests, their hearts bursting through their ribcages.

the darkling almost scoffed; what a spectacle of a diplomatic visit. he was certain this could not possibly become worse.

STARTER CALL, @springtimehasreturned ft. princess ehri.

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// psa: i used to enjoy personal blogs liking my edits and posts and stuff but now i’m getting slightly creeped out by it. especially when they like more than five posts a day and come back the next day to like more. i’m a roleplayer and while it is flattering to be seen as a reference for these characters, these kind of interactions with my content also mess up my notifications. and so, i would kindly ask you to stop doing this or you will be blocked for my own peace of mind. thank you <3

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SHE IS THE SUN (SUN SUMMONER AU)

Upon an encounter with a grisha living amplifier, Princess Ehri Kir-Taban finds out she’s grisha, something that comes as a shock, sure, but not as much as her being the legendary Sun Summoner. (this AU is set in book one of the Shadow and Bone series/s1 of the show)

more info to be added

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@iskron​ i’m missing them so have this <3

❛ Can you, please, stop setting me up with your cousin? ❜ Mayu says, walking in Rasmus’ room. They turn away as soon as they notice that he’s, once again, half-naked. She clears her throat, checking the ceiling in the hallway and adds. ❛ You know... If you want slushies so bad, we are allowed to get some without him. ❜ 

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ALL ALONE TOGETHER (FT. @COURONNEZ)

@couronnez

Queen Keyen Kir-Taban is dead and her dying wish was for Princess Ehri, her second child, to become Queen of Shu Han. But Ehri never wished the throne for herself and so she gives it to Makhi, her older sister. The problem is, Makhi doesn’t have the love of the people. It becomes obvious that, as long as Ehri lives, she will always be a threat to her reign, whether the latter wishes to rule or not. 

Ehri is prepared to die but Mayu Kir-Kaat won’t let it happen and betrays her Queen to save Shu’s last hope for peace. Ehri just has the time to witness Mayu get stabbed through the heart before she flees the palace (unbeknownst to Ehri, Mayu actually survived and is being held captive until Makhi decides it is the right time to lure her sister back into the country).   

She finds refuge in the city of Ketterdam, a place known to nurse fugitives and birth criminals. A few days in, someone breaks into her hiding place and her jaw drops when she recognizes Ravka’s tsesarevich. Vasily Lantsov, her one time childhood friend (and her sister’s short-lived crush, is standing before her, dressed in peasants clothes like her. She drops the dagger she’d planned to use against the intruder and rushes into his arms. She’s relieved he isn’t dead like she’d heard. The tale of his horrible death has been spreading like wildfire. He’d suffered till his last breath, they said, devoured by the Darkling’s shadow creatures, they said. Lies.  

Ehri doesn’t speak Kerch, although her ravkan is impeccable, and doesn’t know anything about gambling. As for Vasily, the poor thing has never cooked in his life whereas Ehri has spent a lot of time hanging out in the kitchens with the servants growing up and learned many tricks to be self-sufficient since her dream had always been to live the commoner life. As time goes by, they learn to rely on and trust each other. They have to. One needs good allies in The Barrel. The plan is simple : survive.  

The Darkling sits on the Ravkan throne and Makhi rules Shu Han with an iron fist. Despite their differences, the two nations are finally united like they were supposed to several years ago before a rift was created between the Lantsov and the Taban bloodlines. But it becomes clear through their violent methods that neither the Darkling nor Makhi are bothered by collateral damages as long as they get results.  

Surviving will not be enough, it seems. Whether Vasily and Ehri want it or not, they’re gonna have to fight and claim their respective birthright. As they begin their journey to claim back what is rightfully theirs and save their nations, they are betrayed by their allies who hand them over to The Darkling and when everything seems lost, they are rescued by an unlikely ally and privateer that bears the name Sturmhond whom the Darkling had originally hired to capture them.

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ABOUT MAKHI / HEADCANONS

Makhi has one soft spot: her niece Akeni (the daughter of her sister Jhem), which she named her heir because Makhi had no interest in becoming a mother nor having her body being altered by pregnancy. **Depending on the verse Akeni was either killed by the Blight that appeared after the destruction of the Fold or she’s very much alive and can be used as leverage against Makhi to force an alliance with Shu Han.**

Makhi can’t bear the idea of her own blood besting her in any way, shape or form. For that reason, she aspires to stay on the throne until she draws her last breath.

She believes, as eldest daughter, it is her birthright to rule. She trained and studied her whole life for this very purpose. And when her mother Queen Keyen announces on her deathbed that she wishes for Ehri to succeed her… Makhi sees red. Once again, her own mother only had room in her heart for sweet, innocent Ehri. The weakling who dreams of the commoner life and wishes nothing more out of life than art and music and believes beauty was the way to change the world. Makhi can’t let that happen. Not to her country. And there’s no one else around to witness her mother’s wishes anyway. Well, except her advisor. But he’s easily swayed. Death threats tend to make people lose their tongue very quickly. And so, Makhi takes what is rightfully hers, saving Shu Han from a pathetic ruler such as her little sister Ehri.

Makhi is the mastermind behind the khergud** program, which she began creating way before her mother fell ill. All behind her mother’s back. She couldn’t risk her labor going to waste because of Ehri’s moral principles. Shu Han needed the khergud to become a stronger nation, especially with Fjerda’s new weaponry and rumors of ravkan’s flying ship going around. **The khergud are biologically augmented Shu Han soldiers designed to capture Grisha. They are created by Fabrikators dosed with jurda parem. (see wiki)

more to be added

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6x17  | 6x14 

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LOVE IS DEADLY SWEET (ARRANGED MARRIAGE AU) FT. @couronnez

Mayu Kir-Kaat disguised as Princess Ehri Kir-Taban who’s masquerading as a maid travel to Os Alta with the royal guard of Shu Han to meet Prince Vasily Lantsov whom the real princess is to marry. The main goal of this insane plan is to get to know what kind of man hides behind the tsesarevich’s mask he wears all the time. But neither of them know yet that soon-to-be Queen Makhi Kir-Taban has other plan for the ravkan heir and knows damn well how much he enjoys sugar in his tea and how blind love can be. (this AU is set in the first book of Shadow and Bone/first season of the show)

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“This is the Snow Cleaving Blade Form’s resurgence in Jianghu and the first departed souls under its blade. You can also say they didn’t die wrongly.”

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Runaway Royal (Ketterdam AU)

Queen Keyen Kir-Taban is dead and her dying wish was for Princess Ehri, her second child, to become Queen of Shu Han. But Ehri never wished the throne for herself and so she gives it to Makhi, her older sister. The problem is, Makhi doesn’t have the love of the people. It becomes obvious that, as long as Ehri lives, she will always be a threat to her reign, whether the latter wishes to rule or not. 

Ehri is prepared to die but Mayu Kir-Kaat won’t let it happen and betrays her Queen to save Shu Han’s last hope for peace. Ehri just has the time to witness Mayu get stabbed through the heart before she flees the palace (unbeknownst to Ehri, Mayu actually survived and is being held captive until Makhi decides it is the right time to lure her sister back into the country).   

She finds refuge in the Barrel of Ketterdam, a place known to nurse fugitives and birth criminals. She subsist on the few crumbs of money she gets from entertaining people on the street with her music and her singing. Eventually, she’s offered a job at the Crow Club and refuses without explanation (because she cannot afford to draw to much attention to herself). One of the Crows is sent to investigate the reasons of that absurd refusal of a perfect opportunity to have a regular income and a much more comfortable life… Who is this Shu girl with impeccable diction and posture and what is she hiding? But, most of all, HOW MANY KRUGE HIDE BEHIND THOSE SECRETS OF HERS?

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reblog this post to be added to the SHADOW AND BONE MASTERLIST with your muse’s name, whether they’re canon or original character, or if they’ve got a Shadow and Bone verse.

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OPEN STARTER

Ehri turned her head to look at them. ❛ I’m sorry ❜ The words seemed to have come out of nowhere in perfect ravkan. ❛ For the loss you and your people have suffered. ❜ She continued after a pause, toffee brown eyes turning to gaze at the horizon. ❛ I do hope we’ll see an end to this war. ❜