"In the night I hear them talk, coldest story ever told."
"Ivan wasn't the Generals first heartrender, no one knows what happened to Mashka. It's like she disappeared into the shadows and took his heart with her."
shadow and bone season...
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It was another night of restlessness, Mashka laying in the garden. Part of her had hoped that Kirigan would come and find her again, maybe then she wouldn't shy away when he complimented her. Their mission together had gone well, she enjoyed working together as a team, equals. Staring up at the sky she's thankful for everything that has gotten her to this point. Leading a life of war, to now helping lead the war was something she didn't know how to process.
Taking a deep breath she feels slightly drowsy, and it was clear he wasn't showing up. Getting off of the ground she wraps her arms around herself, starting to feel a slight chill in the air. Mashka always suffered from nightmares, even as a child. There were nights she preferred to not sleep at all, just in case they came crawling back.
Guards nod her way as she makes the decent up the stairs to her room, she was thankful that the stairs were starting to make her tired. Finally reaching her room she pauses when she see's something outside of her door. Mashka can't help but grin when she see's the small bouquet of bleeding hearts outside of her door.
Picking up the beautiful black glass vase she looks left and right down the hallway. She can't see anyone else, she wonders if it's just hopeful crushing. Or did he really leave her favorite flowers outside of the door? Surely no one else knows, and it's not as if it were a common flower.
Opening her door Mashka leans against the back of it once it's closed. It wasn't just some sort of figment of her imagination, there truly is something there. Taking her cloak off she places it on the back of a chair, setting down her vase on her bedside table.
Laying down she pulls the covers up to her chin, she can't tear her gaze away from the flowers. That night Mashka had the best sleep she'd had in years.
~
Pausing at the entrance to the Little Palace Mashka notices the guard from before making her way in front of them. They've yet to step inside, Mashka hopes that she can get to that guard before she gets inside. Looking to the side she frowns at the sight of the bleeding heart climbing over the railing. Plucking it swiftly she places inside of her coat.
"The General has asked for them to be separated, she comes with me." Finally the woman speaks up once she goes in front of their escort.
Mashka looks to Mal who furrows his eyebrows towards the woman. "What sense does that make?"
"You dare question the General?" Mashka places her finger on her chin, tapping it twice the man sighs.
Mal watches Mashka in some kind of horror, or fascination. "Zasha-"
"Set your price." is all she leaves him with before the guard grabs her arm to pull her in the direction Mashka knows to be where she'll find Baghra.
