Zoya Nazyalensky Imagines

Flower and Thorn

Zoya Nazyalensky has a problem.

This problem has to do with Heartrenders, which already establishes this issue as one of divine and critical importance. Zoya is a Squaller, and damn proud of it too, which means that any Corporalnik who dares to get within Zoya's range of vision is already at fault.

However, this one Heartrender in particular is so problematic, runs so directly against the grain of Zoya's soul, that she almost doesn't know how she's supposed to handle it. The issue at hand is so grave that Zoya can barely form it into words, let alone permit her anger-fuelled mind to fully comprehend a possible solution.

The problem is as follows: one Corporalnik won't stop following Zoya around, and worst of all, she's nice.

It is an atrocity. Zoya is currently outside trying to teach her share of Etherealki how to master their share of the Small Science, but it's taking all of her energy to not flip out over the Heartrenders right next to them.

Zoya, for one, is doing a good drill. They have the practice dummies out again, and she's having the Inferni light the things ablaze while the Squallers and Tidemakers take turns putting out the fires with their respective elements. It's a perfectly useful training session, something that will come in handy when Zoya's Grisha become soldiers and have to either set enemy fighters on fire or douse the flames on their own men, whichever situation works best.

The Corporalki, who are being led by the one Heartrender who manages to set Zoya's teeth on edge more than any other, are practicing their powers on each other. Their fearless leader, Y/N L/N, has decided that the Heartrenders and Healers should be able to practice outside on the grounds of the Little Palace, not cloistered up inside their windowless study. Nikolai says it's great for inter-Grisha equality. Zoya is supposed to agree, but she just can't manage it.

Saints, she can even hear Y/N from across the courtyard. How can someone talk about choking arteries and intentional disembowelment with such joy? Zoya doesn't mind the topic, but she does wish Y/N would stop being so cheerful about it. It's practically unnerving.

Zoya shakes her head, forcing her thoughts away from the red cloaked figure prancing about behind her, and turns back to her Etherealki. Some are starting to cast their eyes between Zoya and Y/N, as if hoping for a fight. Zoya wishes she could give it to them, she'd win in a heartbeat. Wouldn't it be something to see that pretty, peppy face smudged with dirt? Zoya already knows that Y/N looks good in red, so the blood could only enhance her features.

However, Zoya is a good Grisha general, despite her attempts to do otherwise, so she keeps her fists to herself and channels her frustration into making sure her Etherealki are about a thousand times better than the best attempts of the Corporalki. When the time ends to end the training session, Zoya dismisses her troops and begins the walk back into the Little Palace, intent on heading to her sitting room and dousing her irritation with a good glass of kvas.

She has scarcely reached the edge of the courtyard when dancing footsteps start to follow her out. Zoya knows without looking who her stalker is, and suppresses a sigh. She's already had to deal with the excitable Corporalnik during practice, does she really have to feign politeness again?

Y/N either doesn't sense Zoya's vexation or revels in it, because she catches up quite quickly. "Fantastic day, wasn't it? Oh, I'm so glad for the good weather."

Zoya briefly considers summoning up a storm just to cause problems, but she manages to shove the urge away just in time.

"The sun is out," Zoya concedes. See, Nikolai? She's being nice.

Y/N just laughs. "That it is. It's almost as hot as you."

Zoya just manages to turn her snort of surprised laughter into a derisive sniff. "I'd hoped you were over the pickup lines, L/N. It's quite unbecoming for a Grisha of your status."