#I really liked the antlers and the wing blindfold so I wanted to do it too

[two-cats-in-a-trench-coat]

Afterlife Lizzy wooo

[cozy-possum]

Evil! Alina cause why not...

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Alina’s fingers can’t help but tap on the bones. She swears the antlers have grown, that they’re slowly going to burst from under her skin and dig into her own skull as punishment for harming the stag. Refusal to stop it; it was as if she held the knife herself. She scowls, and David fusses over something next to her, pretending not to salivate at the amplifier embedded into her throat.

“Kostyk..” Her voice is still the same; she knows it's a testament to his powers, that the stag sits so intertwined near every part of her but she remains as much of herself as she knew before.

“Yes?”

“Is Genya busy? I thought she was to do my hair?” Alina could almost smile at him. David smiles enough for her and he bows his head, it does not return upright to signal a nod.

“Genya is here.” Feydor smirks a little and Alina’s hand reaches for David’s shoulder, his eyes never stray from the stag.

“You may go; save her a seat next to you, you know she dreads these sort of royal things.”David’s smile is much warmer.

“We found-” Ivan interrupts; bustling past Genya but not disrupting her actual movement.

“Found?”

“The birds you requested, you wanted to show the queen something with them?” Ivan nods and Alina nods to Genya.

“I was thinking how you did my hair for the first meeting; fitting don’t you think; since I’ve now; grown.” Genya doesn’t look at the stag as David does, but her fingers twist over each other and Alina knows Genya hungers just as much, a desperate need to bite, to claw and use her powers to their full extent; to show just what she can do to one when given permission.

“The birds; will you bring them in; I want to inspect them; since this is to be my first gift.” There’s a nervous lit to her comment and Ivan and Feydor see the same young mapmaker  they saw at the little Palace what feels like years ago.

“They are in a cage outside; Mal has-”

“Mal.” The voice sinks to the ground and Genya is already pulling a cloak over Alina as Mal walks in.

“I know what they did; you don’t need to…” He waves his hand at the cloak and Alina nods a fraction; Feydor, Ivan and Genya leave the room. Mal stands before he moves to the side and five pairs of eyes focus on her.

“Such pretty things. Don’t you agree Mal?”

“Mhm, fit for a gift to any royal.” Alina nods at his words and taps the bar of the cage, she can hear the anger in their shuffling.

“They’re blindfolded?”

“It keeps them calm.”

“I’ll assume you can understand me; you’re to be a gift; I’m to show my powers once more. I thought it fitting to show what I can truly do. Mal; you can bring them back out; would you send Genya in; I want to ask something of her.” Mal nods pushing the cage back out Genya comes in before he can fully leave the room.

Alina drops the cloak, Mal knows enough from the nights that he doesn’t turn. Genya sighs, barely an actual breath.

“What do you-”

“Make it as if it never happened.”

“Really?”

“Yes and after, call David in; I want to ask him about the branching.” Genya only breathesasa response, Alina can feel her powers brushing over her; for the first time since the stag met its end does Alina start to feel it bears her no ill will. Genya works quickly, easing the way the branches that jut from between her ribs and sternum have thick scar tissues warping them. The basal segment that rests behind her chest, that anchors almost into her spine, allowing the beam and tines from the top part of the stag to push from her back like the wings everyone believes their saints to have.

“It’s done.”

“You’re too good to be hers.”

“I was a gift from-”

“I am aware; when I bring the birds; look down; instruct David to do the same; he will understand.” Alina presses their foreheads together.

“What’s to happen?”

“We will be free Genya; all of us; all Grisha.”

“Alina..” Genya stutters but is interrupted by David, Genya feels a little sick, watching how Alina stands up, straight, bones caressing her shoulders and almost puncturing her neck as she lifts her head.

“Shall we David?”

“May I?” He reaches his hands out and as he pushes against the antlers; the two that have been merged into her collarbones; Alina doesn’t make a sound, Genya screams for her, watching the antlers warping to create a crown around her temples.

-”Aleksander.” He doesn’t look up; turning to the side, trying to pretend he’s not sure if the voice is talking to him.

“Alina how good to-” The queen doesn’t finish, a light bursting from the group that’s huddled around a large cage.

“I’ve brought you a gift; some lovely birds.” Alina’s smile is strained and she keeps the kefta and cloak wrapped around her; Aleksander cannot see the antler’s he wonders if David went through with his pity and removed them.

“Look down.” Feydor is by his side and he wants to ask when but as the birds step from the cage; a cane tapping along with their feet.

“Pleasure your majesty.” 

“Now.” Feydor hisses but he knows it’s too late; he’s too caught by Alina; almost wrapped in the antlers; a white light dripping from her. The antlers seem to be shattering the consistent glow, fragmenting it but not weakening the intensity. It crescendos until it’s gone; until everything is black, just like his shadows.

“I am Skanta Alina and if you wish to gain your sight back you must become mine.”

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