#Stoic Sankta

[lateranoexe]

" Doctor. It's been over a year since I went MIA. I wasn't notified of anything since I was away and saw a lot of paperwork needing to be sorted and filed out. Allow me to assist you but to do that I need you to renew our contract. Sign here. " Executor stated while giving off his usual Pokerface expression. Handing the black pen out to whoever he was facing. The Stoic Sankta has returned.

[starlsssankt]

@sankta-alina-s / *

𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐊𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐃 𝐇𝐄𝐑. Waiting, perhaps, for some clue as to where her feelings lay. He didn't say anything else, not at first--until her declaration.

Perhaps a part of him... it's surprised, that's what it is. And his eyes widen a fraction before the Darkling schooled his features into a blank stare once more. A stoic expression, one he's worn many, many times before. Especially in this court.

He didn't dwell on past loves, either. Her words tried to dredge up memories of faces long turned to dust, but he just shook his head. A brief, quick movement, as if dislodging an annoying gnat from his mind, and Aleksander knew, especially, that she hadn't meant to admit that emotion aloud.

❝ Alina... ❞ Whether he was going to confirm her feelings or not, whatever it was Aleksander was about to say, ended before it was given breath. A sigh was all he expelled, and the Darkling turned his back on her.

He had to focus on other things. He couldn't let emotion cloud his judgment, even if it was with her. The people would adore her, and the tragedies that had befallen the imperial family weren't broadcasted the truth...

But if the prince survived... Well, it would be a matter of urgency. He'd already dispatched a few of his more trusted Grisha to hunt down Nikolai.

❝ Can you not see that this is for the best? With this influence, with this power, we can change the world. ❞

[allegra-writes]

"Upside Down Soy Iced Caramel Macchiato"

Aleksander Morozova x Reader

Coffee shop AU

Warnings: none, this is pure fluff.

I usually steer clear from physical descriptions, but this is a special little something for the Decaf Coven, @amayatheowl @cocoamoonmalfoy @seolaseoul and @chaoticpete @bleh-bleh-blehs just this once, this is a brown eyed, brunette!Reader. If you prefer, you can read the Darklina version on AO3

MY MASTERLIST | BUY ME A COFFEE

"Here, Ivan? Really??" Aleks raised an eyebrow, judgement clear in his voice as he glanced at the sign above their heads announcing the "Brewed Awakening" cafe, a new age, yoga friendly, law of attraction or some other hippie bullshit better suited for sunny, spiritual, hip Shu Han than for gloomy, cold, cynical, spartan Os Alta. And definitely not suited for the coldest and most cynical of Os Alta Business men, Aleksander Morozova.

Ivan shrugged, his stoic face carefully blank, as always.

"Fedya likes it. And they make a mean cold americano" 

Aleksander let out an sceptical scoff, but followed his friend inside, there was no time for arguing and no time to look for another coffee shop, their next deposition beginning in less than twenty minutes, so he would have to, as Fedyor would say, suck it up. He was under no delusions about the quality of the coffee offered at this place, in his experience, these kind of venues were far more concerned with decorations and ambience than with the grounds they used. 

Sure enough, the interior of the cafe looked like something out of a magazine, mismatched wooden chairs and tables artfully combined, royal blue couches on top of white plush rugs creating little cozy conversation spaces, empty cages hanging from the ceiling, candles in every available surface… 

There was a small queue in front of the mahogany counter. 

"Maybe we should leave, we'll be late"

"Non sense" Ivan replied, "if we have to sip our coffee on the way back, it will still be worth it, trust me"

Aleksander was about to protest, but the words died in his throat when a costumer stepped aside, and he saw her: Dark hair piled on a messy bun atop her head, warm coffee eyes and a smile that seemed lit up the entire shop, if not the entire city. 

His mother had told him legends when he was a little kid, fairy tales about the Grisha, seductive creatures of supernatural beauty that could control the elements at will, often leading men to their downfall with their bewitching wiles. As he watched her, shinning brighter than the golden Firebirds painted on the wall behind her, there was no doubt in Aleksander's mind that this girl was one of them, a sun witch, like Sankta Alina, who had bravely walked into the shadow fold and faced the Black Heretic, breaking the spell and turning him back into a man with a true love's kiss. 

The girl turned away from them to start making the drink for the guy in front of them. 

"Sorry!" She called back, "The other barista bailed on us, so it's just me today. If you can give me five minutes, I'll be right with you" 

Ivan made a face, opening his mouth to politely decline, but Aleksander beated him to it.

"No problem, take your time. We're not in a hurry"

Ivan frowned, but Aleksander was technically his superior, so he didn't say anything. 

"Really? Thank you-" The girls eyes' met Aleksander's over the pastry display case, and froze, doe eyes making her look pretty much like a deer in the headlights. Aleks' heart skipped a beat. 

The girl shook herself,

"Right. What- um… what would you like to order?"

"Just an espresso for me, and an iced americano for my friend" Aleksander announced.

"Zoya wants a soy latte" Ivan reminded him. 

"And a soy latte" Aleks repeated, obediently.

"Perfect. I mean, sure, right away. Just let me finish this Macchiato here and I'll… make them. For you." 

Aleksander felt bad for the obviously overwhelmed girl, but he would be lying if he said her flushed cheeks and nervous fumbling wasn't the cutest thing he had ever seen. 

The time seemed to fly as he watched her, dainty little hands dexterously turning nobs and levers and pressing buttons, until she finally stepped forward, presenting them with two drinks on the counter, but Aleksander only had eyes for her, and the way a single, rebel curl escaped her bun right under his attentive watch. His hand twitched with the urge to reach out and tuck it behind her ear. And maybe, just maybe, cup her face on the way back, stroke those adorable pink cheeks, bring her closer to him, lean in and-

"What is this?" Ivan's stern voice tore him out of his daydream.

"Um, an americano and an upside down iced soy caramel macchiato…" The girl replied, "That- that was your order, right?" 

Aleksander's heart twisted inside his chest at the uncertainty in her voice.

"Yes, that's exactly what we ordered" He reassured her quickly, closing his mouth around the straw of his designated cup for good measure. The girl gasped, eyes zeroing on his lips, making the butterflies inside his stomach take flight. 

"Delicious" he declared, blindly handing her a bill that the girl distractedly took and stuffed into the register, eyes never leaving his. 

Ivan wondered if either of them had realized his boss had just handed her a fifty. Gruffly, he grabbed his drink,

"Well, we should get going now. There's an important meeting and we're already late" 

Taking his boss' elbow, he practically dragged him away as the barista girl waved them goodbye.

"See you soon" It sounded like a question. Aleksander threw her a smile over his shoulder,

"Very" he promised. Ivan was starting to think he had made a terrible mistake showing him this place…

…

There was a tall, handsome dark skinned boy next to his barista when he walked into the cafe the next day, poking her in the ribs and telling her something apparently very witty if the way she threw her head back laughing was anything to go by. Aleksander felt the strange impulse to bite his hand off.

However, his unexpected desire for violence left as suddenly as it had arrived, when the sunshine girl spotted him, her face breaking into an impossibly bigger and brighter smile.

"Upside down iced soy caramel macchiato guy!"

Aleksander beamed: she remembered him. 

Well, kind of. She still had his order wrong, but to be honest, Aleksander was too happy to care. 

"That's me" He laughed, "or, you know, Aleksander, for short" 

"Aleksander" She repeated, and he could have died right there and then. His name was probably the most common name in the entire Ravka, but it sounded different from her lips. It sounded special. "I'm Y/N" she offered him her hand to shake. He took it, and swore he could feel sunlight fill his veins where his skin met hers. 

"Y/N" he tried it, loving the sweet taste it left in his mouth. Sweeter than yesterday's macchiato. A throat cleared somewhere beside them. 

"Right" She seemed to wake from the spell first, "Same as yesterday?"

Aleksander nodded,

"Of course! That was the best iced macchiato I've ever had" 

Y/N smiled again, positively glowing as she made her way to the espresso machine. 

Yeah, Aleksander could drink overly sweet coffee drinks until he got diabetes, as long as he could see that smile every day for the rest of his life… 

[marahuyos]

@okaeri-doktah​ asked: Hiya! 💞 It's me again sbsjhs 👉👈!!

Tysm again for that Executor piece you wrote in reply to my request a lil while back aaa I really can't say ty enough 😭💕

Anywho, I was hoping to request more Executor again sgshhs?

(Since the Guiding Light event on CN kind of officially showed that Laterano and Sanktas are all about guns and sweets lolol) Could I request something with Executor and a reader s/o who has a huge sweet tooth and really wants him to bake Laterano sweets for them aaa 🥺??

And I hope you're doing good 🥰

- Exe 💕

executor x doctor!reader

mara’s words: im back babeyyy!! here’s your request and ty for being patient!

tw: really flirty reader lol i couldn’t help myself

• You would think that a stoic man such as Executor would equally like boring and stoic things, right? Well, it was a surprise towards non-Laterano Operators that Executor was holding a plate with a slice of angel’s food cake. Now they won’t ask why Exusiai says ‘Apple pie!’ each time she activates her skill because literally any other Sankta will relate to having a sweet-tooth.

• He is adept at the kitchen as well as his job. He’s a fierce contender with Matterhorn when it comes to baking sweet treats. The younger Operators couldn’t help but make contests on which one could make the ‘bestest, sweetest, tastiest treat!’ or so says Ceobe. Executor doesn’t mind, after all, this is sort of a mission for him.

• So why the hell are you here, judging alongside Ceobe, Bubble, and Popukar?!

• His fish eyes stared at your spot, eagerly waiting for the finished product. It’s like you don’t have any shame, sitting alongside the children as you bade Executor good luck as he whipped the cream. As much as he appreciates your support, having you here, instead of looking over the newest Operators to train, was something of concern for him.

• But he has to focus. This is how he was able to survive for so long. He will see this sugary mission through.

• When both Operators presented they’re final dish to the panel of judges, he made a passing glance at you, he bit back a sigh when you winked at him, complete with a tiny finger heart. He didn’t know why he expected too much of this ‘judging’. Especially when the children gouged upon the desserts as if there were no tomorrow as you took a bit of Executor’s piece.

• Since you’re the only one capable of judging, you raised your hand up towards Executor and grinned. “Executor is the winner! And as the winner, you get to be my honorary dessert-maker until I see fit!”

• This isn’t what he signed up for. The Sankta balked, not noticing the pat on the back Matterhorn gave him before inching away from the scene. As you saddled up to Executor, head on his shoulder as you grinned up at him, he can’t help the upwards tilt of his lips.

“So this was all planned, Doctor. How devious, to have you orchestrate this entire mission just for me to succeed.”

“Although... I do not find it within me to hate it.”

• As he is Executor, he makes sure to see your mission through. Even if he has to bear the gap moe of a ruthless angel with a shotgun as an angel with a whisk.

[ivory-in-rapture]

Shadow and Bone: season 1 review recap (8/10)

I did it! I watched it!

Okay, so unexpectedly this was a good adaptation. I'm gonna dive right into what I liked, and what I didn't!

spoilers ahead

So first of all, how true is it to the book?

It's pretty good. I think they stayed very true to the first shadow and bone book. There were changes and not all of them landed but for the most part, even what they changed to expand on the universe served the story well. I was worried that they would ruin the beats of the original and add tv show clichés but thankfully even what was changed eventually brought the plot back to where it was supposed to be.

They added extra Mal scenes and I think they tried very hard to build Malina up in a visual way in order to endear the fans to it. I was already endeared but I loved those scenes anyway and I just got most emotional during those parts.

Now, regarding the crows and the SOC plots: I didn't love what they did with them for the most part. I think it kind of might negatively affect whatever plot of the actual six of crows duology will be made later because the timeline is all wonky now and there's all this connection that wasn't there and it did feel a bit forced but overall, it all worked out so I'm not too upset.

I loved what they did with Nina and Matthias though. Like that entire plot was SO GOOD! I just loved their journey.

The Production:

The production was good. They did some interesting things with lighting that I really liked. The costumes, I wish were more innovative. Everything was too conventional and I wish they had taken more slavic inspiration. It was there, but I wanted more? The sets too. It could be a bit more but they stayed very safe with everything. The hairstyles, I hated. For the most part, the characters had their hair open and lose and it was so chaotic. It hurt my eyes.

Something I have beef with is the emotional deliverance of the most iconic moments of the book. What I mean is like: when Baghra tells Alina what was going on, or the "Fine, make me your villain" scene or when Alina finally unlocked her power for the first time outside Baghra's hovel(?), cave (?) or the childhood testing. Anyway, these were a bit underwhelming for me? Like I know these books are very close to my heart and I have Expectations but yeah, what I imagined in my mind was more epic, somehow. Oddly enough the emotional scenes that were added were better executed.

The actors and their acting

Jessie Mei Li was amazing as Alina. She was just great. She did an amazing job, she really embodied the character, really brought Alina to life for me. I have nothing to complain. I will punch anyone who complains about "oh why did she have this or that expression" or "why was Alina so naggy?!" She is PERFECT! Seriously, the way she cried on demand and she had that eye acting were you could see her sadness, her loneliness, her doubts... everything in her eyes and...I'm getting emotional just thinking about it. Archie Renaux also murdered it. IN THE HATERS' FACES! That boy had so much emotional groundedness in the story, like he took one shakey breath and I felt that! People better love and appreciate the hardwork these actors put in. Also these two's chemistry was great. They had less one on one time together than Darkling and Alina, I think but I think their chemistry was better than the other pairing. I'll explain more later...

Kaz was so on point. The actor just had Kaz all right. Inej was not how I imagined Inej but I think it was a good acting choice to visualize her like this because Inej was kind of stoic in the books and it wouldn't translate well on screen. Their chemistry was good too. Like every time Kaz looked at Inej, I felt it. So intense and full of yearning but also like angry silence. So good.

So I know the Jesper casting was a bit upsetting with all the "making him lighter skin" and I am upset about that too but the actor really did a great job. He was Jesper. He just embodied him so well.

Nina and Matthias were great too. They were the surprise stars for me because I had the least amount of faith in them and I stand corrected. Their chemistry (omg! there was only one bed!), their bickering, everything was great. They made Nina a bit more sexual and flirty which...I hope they'll focus more on her gremlin humor later because she was flirty,yes, but she also is a baby and I love her and I want all her aspects shown.

Choices were made for the background characters. David was hilarious, Baghra was ok, Apparat was not working for me, Zoya was good but I wish they had gone a bit sharper. she seemed a bit too serene for Zoya.

Genya. I did not like Genya. It was just all wrong for me. She was so off? Like Genya has that fake-nice-bubbly-happy-go-lucky-bimbo thing going on which is actually fascade for her traumatized and deeply hurt feelings beneath and...she was just snobby here? Idk, I just didn't feel her at all. Like her betrayal fell flat because she wasn't all that connected with Alina before anyway, so it didn't feel like she owed Alina any loyalty? It was off. I don't know whose choice it was to portray her like that but I did not like it. AT ALL.

Now...the Darkling....yeah...I um...didn't...like...it? Okay, see I know Ben Barnes is a fan favorite, like he's one of those actors who makes it in all fancast lists no matter what fandom but he was never my idea of the Darkling and it's not that he acted badly at all. He did a great job but it was just not my Darkling? Darkling is my favorite villain because he's so complex in his behavior and so ambigious and deliciously conflicting. The show didn't capture any of that for me. His charisma was all off. And like Ben Barnes can do charisma, we've seen it before but here he was just not...that. He wasn't imposing enough, or cold enough, or sublime enough. Because that's what the Darkling is. He's captivating and beautiful and grand but also scary and that mattered because his airs made the fact that he was nice to Alina, seem like it was a big deal. The show's version of The Darkling was not big enough for his attention to matter. I know part of my problem is the beard (why a beard? I hate beards!) but part of it must be the directing choices made. If they had demanded more, I bet Ben Barnes could bring more but they clearly didn't ask more. Also the chemistry between Alina and Darkling...was exactly how it should be which is not great, because:

power imbalance and also a weirdly huge age difference!

But if I was a shipper, I would be underwhelmed. Just sayin'. (Malina was SO GOOD THOUGH? Like the actors were so in sync. SO GOOD! asdfghjk)

Some random and general opinions:

The music was generic. I was hoping for something like the Winter song that Leigh Bardugo herself made for Ruin and Rising. This was not that good. It was just there in the background.

THEY SPOILED THE DARKLING'S NAME. LIKE WTF?!

There was this confused racial commentary in the show. Like everyone kept mentioning how she's part Shu and it was weird. It wasn't woke or groundbreaking. I don't even remember the book mentioning much about the Shu.

I think there were details that they got wrong. It didn't matter aesthetically but the implications...think about the implications.

I didn't like the Darkling flashback they made. I would have liked it more if they made it more ambigious. and darker.

There wasn't enough mention of the persecution of the Grisha. They tried to cheat that in the aforementioned flashback but like I said, it was a very tropey flashback so it didn't deliver emotionally.

I think they got the whole Sankta Alina stuff wrong. The book makes the religious zealot rabbit hole much more nuanced and wanky which is what it deserved. Everyone in the show just immediately went for Sankta Alina worship which felt unearned.

Having Alina and Inej meet so early on, is a crime I will never forgive. That was just so wrong. The whole point of her faith is that she never got to meet Alina.

Did I mention how well they captured Malina and how perfect they were together?

The childhood flashbacks were great. But I wanted them to separate Malina while they cried and screamed because the fact that she forced her powers to go silent just so she could stay with him, would have been that much more powerful.

I also wanted there to be specific mention of how Alina just cared for Mal so much that she repressed a part of her for years to be there but sadly it wasn't. Not that she injured herself. But that she also repressed it.

The Darkling could have been darker?

The integration of the dregs into the shadow and bone plot was as awkward as one could expect! Lol! Like the moment they met her, I figured out how that was going to go. It was okay but could be better.

But Kaz, Inej and Jesper's interactions were so cute that I forgive part of the sloppy plotting there.

I did not like where Zoya ended up at the end of the season. I think that and the fact that they scramled how Ravka realizes Darkling was evil all along, will add problems to the next season plotting.

Overall: 8/10

It was good. It could be better but it was already much better than I thought it would be and I am so grateful. Can't wait for season two.

[starlsssankt]

@sankta-alina-s sent an ask //

“ have you told anyone else about this? ”

The Darkling's expression is rather stoic, considering all that has transpired in the last day, the last night. His shoulders are tense, and he feels as if yet another weight has been irrevocably added to his shoulders. Like the entirety of this world, of this life (and the many ones before it) is determined to destroy him piece by piece, inch by inch.

❝ About your gift, Duchess? Or do you speak of your uncle's foolish idea? ❞ That the tsar thinks marrying her to him will do anything but create so many more problems is a ridiculous notion. A dark look crosses his face briefly before Aleksander scoffs and turns his back on her.

❝ Why would I speak on either of them? ❞

[lateranoexe]

“ Doctor. Allow me to offer my protection services to you. Your Safety is my top priority. Nothing will get past me while I am on Duty. “  Notes: I am rather new to Tumblr RP Community, so please bear with me, and I certainly hope to make amazing friendship connections with everyone! 

[lateranoexe]

// I would like to say. I am terribly sorry for my inactivity for the longest time. I know many were excited to interact with me as I am very new to the Arknights community and I have been excited to write with everyone on here. but due to a lot of Issues going on in my life and health. I had to go on an unexpected hiatus for several months. I want to apologize if I had worried anyone. I do plan on returning and plan to revise a few things since I got enough Info from the recent event on CN Arknights, Guiding Ahead. Once again I thank you all for your patience if you are still with me, and expect new interactions in the near future. Thank you.

[lateranoexe]

@okaeri-doktah "hey, Mr. executor....i love you 🥺👉👈 i hope you have a good day!" A subtle Silence was all that was heard. After a minute had passed, the Stoic Sankta placed his fingers to his chin and ponder on that thought. A random love confession. How would he proceed to respond? He could respond as he usually does however the outcome of the results would be unsavory. But he never really thought about it, perhaps that one advice Midnight had given him might do the trick. Hopefully. " I do not understand your Love Confession to me but I do feel a connection with you regarding to that. I will do my best to understand the term Love and answer you properly if you allow it. Good day to you also. "

[lateranoexe]

Sighing in Deep Content. The Stoic Sankta continued to look over the paperwork left behind for him while he was away on another assigned mission. So much to do and so little time. Analyzing everything, before turning to his side, eyeing the small plate containing a sugary frosted sponge cake, a slice exactly. Picking up his fork he stared at it for a minute more before stabbing it through, slowly he plucked a piece up, and towards his mouth, closing them while he munched a bit, then gulped it down. " .... This is perfect. " That was all he said, sighing in content, turning around he faced the paperwork, Laptop, and his briefcase. Taking his Pen, he begins to get right back to work.