Regarding your post I also don't think their conflict would be so pronounced? Canonically Zoya actually seems to get on well with people younger than her. (Adrik, Nina, random kids she teaches at the little post trilogy). They like her because while she looks out for them, she doesn't baby them. (Insert scenes where she jokes about Adrik losing his arm 0.2 seconds after it happens) But in terms of jealousy, it's interesting that she doesn't show any towards Lada. She is also, what 15? At the time, could have easily seen the situation as Liliana replacing her but she doesn't. She sees it as an expansion of Liliana and therefore of her family. Immediately falling into the role of an older cousin/sister and playing with her, getting to know her etc.
I’ve actually brought up Kaz’s age in other posts as to why their conflict would be less pronounced! Kaz being fourteen would definitely contribute to their relationship overall being less tension filled then Alina and Zoya’s, for how like you brought up Zoya tends to just get along with younger people better in general but also because like, publicly having rivalry at seventeen almost eighteen with a fourteen year old would be like embarrassing lmao
Honestly the biggest thing preventing them from getting along immediately besides conflicting beliefs mentioned in the post you’re referencing would Zoya’s jealousy over Kaz getting The Darkling’s attention and his subsequent ‘ungratefulness’ for it but I think this would be even less pronounced then canon because she’d likely be embarrassed about because Kaz is not getting the attention she wants from The Darkling, so she’d try not to let it show.
They could definitely grow into a big sister-little brother type bond with time, esp considering like how you said how quickly/easily she slipped into that role with Lada
Thanks for sending in the ask!!!!
