We are happy to announce our rarepair exchange event for Shadow and Bone/the Grishaverse! It will run during the week of June 11th to the 17th!
First things first:
What is an exchange?
An exchange is a fandom event where participants sign up to create fanworks for other participants! All participants must send their requests to us event moderators through the sign-up form, and we will then assign you another participant's exchange request!
We'll be accepting fics, artwork, gifs, edits, videos...just make sure to post all of your exchange creations with the tag #grishapairexchange!
What counts as a rarepair?
Only non-canon ships with less than 150 fics posted on AO3 will count for the event. The rarer the better! Polyships encouraged!
We'll be evaluating this number based on the "otp: true" search listing of Grishaverse ships. Some examples: Inej/Tolya (4), Mal/Nikolai (7), Mal/the Darkling (10), Nikolai/Alina/Mal (18), Genya/Alina (46), Nikolai/Darkling (71). You can do this yourself by looking up a ship on ao3 and adding "otp: true" into the Search within results function box!
How do I sign up, and how does the assigning work?
All participants will fill in a form requesting basic information (contact options, tumblr name, age*). They must then state 3 rarepair options, each with their own prompt. Please take into consideration that your creator may fill your prompt by fic, art, gifs, or videos! If it helps to keep things simple, you may specify with trope tags. Example:
1 mal/the darkling: hurt/comfort scene, established relationship, the darkling is badly injured and mal stitches him up
2 nikolai/tolya/mal: intimate moments and shared looks between all three, or - all three of them having to watch the other(s) fighting and loving it
3 zoya/nina: zoya and nina shown deeply caring about each other, ex: their season 2 conversations about love and fighting to protect each other fiercely!
If you have any hard-nos, triggers, or squicks, you may write them into the specified text box.
*Participants under 13 are not permitted to participate. If a participant is under 18, they cannot request any mature or explicit content.
Sign-ups are open here!
Please share this post and tell any fandom friends who might be interested! We want as many participants as possible to share in the rarepair love! Rules and scheduling are under the cut!
Content Rules
Any type of fanwork is allowed and encouraged, so long as it is tagged appropriately and it correctly fulfills a prompt.
Writing fanworks must be between 500-5,000 words.
Art fanworks must be between 1 and 5 images, short comics allowed.
Edit fanworks like gifsets and image edits must be collected into a single post, with a maximum of 10 gifs/images.
Video fanworks must range between 1:00 and 3:00 minutes in length.
All posts must be tagged appropriately for ships, characters, and warnings.
Participant Requirements and Rules
As mentioned, participants under 13 are not allowed. Any participant under 18 years of age cannot request mature or explicit content.
All participants must state at least 3 different pair and/or poly ships to choose from. Exchange prompts are encouraged to be short and varied to allow for any fanwork type.
All signed participants must fulfill at least 1 of the 3 exchange prompts they receive.
Completing more than 1 prompt is allowed, but it must be part of its own separate fanwork/post.
Keep your assigned person and prompts a secret until posting week! Once the event is rolling out, mention your assigned person in your posts and tag #grishapairexchange.
No character or ship hate will be tolerated. This is an event centering on rare ships, all of which deserve some love!
If you find any kind of personal conflict or need help with the event, please privately contact the event mods (@seventfics/@jaskierian and @mal-zoya).
Schedule
April 22: Sign-up opens
May 5: Sign-up closes
May 11: Participants receive their exchange prompts
June 11-17: Grisha Rarepair Exchange posting and sharing
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Shook the brainworms out into a story, and I think I’ve gotten it out of my system.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Inej had spent so long working from the shadows, using them for concealment and protection, she had almost forgotten how it felt to stand out in the open, for no other reason than to enjoy the sun on her face.
After a few weeks on the Volkvolny, she found herself rising before the sun, even when her duties didn’t call for it, and silently slipping out of her hammock in the crew quarters. She would find a spot out of the way, and watch the dark sky grow brighter, painting the clouds with pinks and golds, until it finally gave way to blue.
Sometimes Tolya would join her, leaning his elbows on the railing beside her to quote poetry about the dawn, and Inej found herself looking forward to that nearly as much as she did the sunrise.
[Caption: gifs from Shadow and Bone. After a conversation with Nikolai, Inej walks towards the ship. Tolya comes to her with his hand extended to take her bags; taken aback, she accepts. Then, he extends his other hand to help her up, and visibly charmed, she accepts that as well. He tells her “Welcome aboard.” and she walks up to the ship and past him, slightly flustered, while he looks at her walk away with a shy smile.]
Tolya repeatedly putting himself in harm's way to protect Inej. Not to show off or because he thinks she can't handle herself, but because life debt is Serious Business. And Inej, flustered and exasperated (and terrified, too, because she's not about to lose this person now that she has him in her life) just as repeatedly insisting that it was Wylan and he owes her nothing.
Tolya watching over Inej as she sleeps/naps – especially at first because stuck on a ship with virtual strangers is not the easiest thing for her to adapt to – just staying near and humming calming tunes or softly reciting choice stanzas etc. until one day before long she's basically using him as a pillow.
Tolya picking up on her impending panic attacks and desire to disappear before even she does and soothing her – with her permission, though for some realistic drama, I can see how he would especially initially instinctively try to calm her and her lashing out because he did it without her consent.
Tolya always being able to find her on the ship but knowing when to give her space and let her come to him.
Tolya letting Inej handle the worst of the slaver scum and afterwards talking it through with her, or just praying with her or sitting quietly with her or holding her.
Inej and Tolya talking about their faith, similarities and differences and what it means to them.
Tolya teaching Inej to meditate.
Tolya gifting Inej with little trinkets and trophies and braiding them into her hair for her. And one day, she'll perhaps even accept something from his own hair. Not as some kind of mark of ownership – not with Tolya, never with Tolya – but as a little piece of him to carry with her always.
Tolya and Inej sparring until they flow together like wind and water, almost as in sync as the twins.
Tolya carrying Inej on piggyback. As, you know, light cardio. And just because.
Hugs. Lots of hugs. Twin hugs! My sister is your sister too, now.
Tamar (and Nadia) teasing Tolya about Inej and him taking it in good-natured stride while Inej blushes somewhere within earshot.
Because it's not like that. Is it? Maybe it is like that. Inej Ghafa no longer has any patience for not knowing where she stands with a man. So she asks.
It is whatever you want it to be, Tolya says, for however long you want it – but as long as they both live, she'll always have his sword.
A few days ago, I finished watshing Shadow and Bone Season 2 and
what.
The.
FUCK.
Some background before you quote me on this!
I first fell in love with the crows on Season 1 of S&B. They, along with the sheer insanity of the fandom that I resonated with, encouraged me to buy the duology and read the hecc out of it. Out of all the grishaverse books, I've only ever read the six of crows duology, so I only know show!Tolya from S&B Season 2.
I am an avid Kanej shipper. I love Kaz. I'm in love with Inej. Love them together and as individual characters. (recently started rereading, and since mentally separating the show and the books, i've been really seeing them in a new lights from both angles! and both endear me.) I hold this ship sacred and very close to my heart, and nothing will ever change that.
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Some spoilers from here on out!
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Like any other fellow fan who followed the series primarily because of kanej, who learned to peck for crumbs in the briefest (longest) of gazes and the subtlest of interactions, I was on the edge of my seat anticipating every smidge of development between my favourite pair.
It wasn't a steady rise in progression, but it was the Kaz and Inej way, and I loved it. Ot's nice that they kept that sense of angsty realism from the books. (Can't say the impact and heaviness of Kaz's trauma and backstory was fully communicated, but Freddy did SO GREAT.) The sort-of push and pull kept me positively on my toes throughout the whole series, so I became laser-focused on their relationship the whole time.
Then came rolling Episode 8.
GLORIOUS 'and how would you have me?' MOMENT. the tension, the looking at each other, the miniscule changes in expression, the way you could see the monologue in the pause between responses - yes, im talking about kaz 'you, inej. you.' brekker (bless u freddy carter) - and the sheer fragility of the moment. it's everything i could have asked for in an adaptation of that scene
AND I WAS ABSOLUTELY FLOORED.
(and devastated. angst symptom, really. but mostly floored.)
Then we got a little moment with Nikolai and Mal, and damn, even after a break-up-but-not-really-a-break-up, INEJ LOOKS SO BEAUTIFUL I SKDJFKDJ
She looked hopeful, which makes sense. For her, its a new beginning. Its a half equivalent of the ending she got in crooked kingdom. The best thing about it is that she just doesn't look like she has any regret. (Not that she doesn't care about Kaz, but that she doesn't regret not settling for less than she deserves.) AND INEJ - inej deserves that kind of weightless freedom.
AND THEN AND THEN
THAT SCENE
THAT SCENEEEEEE
TOLYA OFFERED A HAND FOR THE BAG. LIKE, NOT EVEN TO HELP HER UP YET, SPECIFICALLY FOR THE BAG, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY. Inej is a bit estranged by the gesture (She's so used to mannerless crows lol) but gives it, anyway. Tolya offers his other hand. Inej, endeared, but confused, accepts the help, AND YOOO
THE HEAT.
THE HEAT IN TOLYA'S GAZE AS INEJ WALKS FURTHER ONTO THE SHIP.
THE LITTLE SMALL SMIRK AS HE LOOKED AT HER.
THAT. BROKE ME.
WHAT. THE. FUCK.
The tension was there. It's so obvious. THEY (production) MADE SURE IT WAS FELT. I'm balling because I got totally played by the pacing.
Most of what I felt throughout the scene mirrored Inej's. Did not consider AT ALL that Tolya was holding any interest for her, so the quiet and the emphasis in the nonverbal cues in the scene really built up the realization, and that expression Tolya had after Inej turns away hit me in the face like it was Kaz's cane.
Looked for images online, showed it to my friends, and REALLY had to ask their opinion if said expression was a look of interest or I'm just overthinking it. IT COULD VERH WELL BE HIM PLAYFULLY TEASING HER BEING UNUSED TO GENTLE FRIENDLINESS, RIGHT? Friends said that look is their exact look when looking at their love interest, and mhm. Admittedly, I was in denial.
Saw a reddit thread about it! I WAS SO GLAD I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE WHO SAW IT. THEY EVEN LISTED SOME OTHER SCENES FROM OTHER EPISODES THAT POINTED TO TOLYA'S INTEREST, and oh, they were so right.
Having rewatched it, it was really obvious. The tension was there when I really looked at them. I EVEN MISSED HOW TOLYA WAS TELLING OVHAL TO TAKE HIM INSTEAD OF INEJ.
I felt like, from that, I really should have seen it coming.
But I understand that it was easy to get distracted by the other narratives! Such as wesper troubles in paradise, hyperfixated on the way tolya meditated(?) to withstand the poison longer, INEJ'S DELUSION????, Jesper's heartwarming and simultaneously heartbreaking dream, KAZ DENYING HOW MUCH INEJ MEANS TO HIM, Ohval's badassery (i did not think she could get any more badass, but she did), and that wonderful fight scene??? Oh, yeah. So much was happening.
After that scene in episodr 8, it was hard not to try following where his gaze led for the rest of the episode, and definitely found it briefly landing on the part of the boat that Inej was a few seconds later revealed to be hanging from.
Did I already love Tolya before the scene that dropped the bomb? Yes. Do I still love Tolya? Yes, I do. Do I love him so much more for it, regardless? Yes, yes, yes.
Tolya alone with his passion for poetry, family, adventhre, and his superstions was loveable enough. But anyone who treats Inej with the respect she so rightfully deserves also gets a great in my book.
BUT DID I IMMEDIATELY FEEL GUILTY FOR NOT REALLY BEING ADVERSE TO THE IDEA OF TOLYA BEING INTERESTED IN INEJ?
Honestly, a little bit.
But Kanej would always be endgame. And I do not see Tolya as a threat to that.
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It's a little unnerving how I didn't see these details and made the connrctions in the series as I watched, but Inej and Tolya are plenty alike.
Both are passionately religious, both know their superstitions, both have an occupation or a way of life that somehow go against some principles of their beliefs, and they SUCKED AT FIGHTING OHVAL LMAO but their movements and actions in episode 6 were really in sync. Could probably inflict more damage together with more practice, but it's a nice detail that they didn't accidentally hit each other even once despite fighting side by side for the first time. (Or I may be overthinking it, and it's just all the characters' innate experiences in fighting because there also wasn't any problems when Inej fought alongside Zoya, someone she also met only recently.) Other than the fighting, it should also be noted that when the door closed, they kinda moved at the same time. could be for cinematic effect. but it can also be interpreted as both of them being right hands mans of a sort, inej to kaz, and tolya to nikolai, leading them to develop similar habits.
These similarities give them something to bond over. Gives Inej someone to learn from. And I don't know Tolya's story yet, but these common traits and interest is part of the main reason I like their dynamic. Doesn't need to be romantic. I feel they can be great friends and close allies, and if they get flirty, that would also be amusing.
I would love to see their on screen interactions in general.
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Regarding Inej's trauma and Tolya's Aro-ace representation
If you think about it, these two facts kind of make them compatible. Self-explanatory. If you see this as a ship, Inej not wanting to be touched and Tolya's minimal need/no need for touch is the simplest way to go about things, I feel. Wouldn't fault you for taking that route.
But part of the reason why Kanej works so well is that they encourage and motivate each other to heal from their trauma.
And unless Inej comes out as Ace/Aro/Aro-Ace, it's healthy for book!inej to desire to touch another person in spite of her trauma. No matter how slow the progress.
In the show, Inej's trauma is never discussed at all. It even seems non existent. I could handle them not confronting it directly. It's possible they may be saving it for the spinoff. But the show of physical casual physical contact kind of negates that a bit, such as Jesper coming up to hug Inej and spin her around. But to fit in the narrative, I think Tolyacan help with that. More on that in a bit, but first
The headcanon that Tolya is Aro-Ace
This is really the only source I found regarding any book statements about the origins of Tolya being Aro-Ace. And I've read the fact that Tolya is the only one eith no clear partner through the books have been brought up!
And while I first interpreted this quote from the book as something like, he just doesn't particularly think about it or desire it, and is completely fine with taking his time,
I am also very much in love with the Aro-Ace representation. It's rare, and it feels right on Tolya, to be honest.
Like I said, I don't particularly want him and Inej to be a certain way. (TRYING SO HARD NOT TO PROJECT ON INEJ CAUSE IM ATTRACTED TO HIM) But i do want to see some semblance of closeness between them!
So Queer platonic relationships do exist. I think it's a valid path or ending fanfiction-wise for those who want them 'together' together! I think the exposure to it, and how such a relationship would work, still validates the representation. but I'm not Aro-Ace myself, so do correct me if I'm wrong, and my sincerest apologies if I've offended anyone.
Part of why I still find hope for the Aro-Ace HC is because Tolya doesn't seem to be operating on his interest for Inej based on physical attraction or emotional connection. His intetest truly started from the life debt, then gratitude, thst he'd developed concern for her. I also think Tolya could just be a bit reverent of Inej (hence the look in e08), or appreciate her as a person or someone he could resonate with, but that's my own headcanon.
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For how whatever is between tolya and inej could be a significant narrative, please refer to this BCOS THEY SAID IT PERFECTLY AND THATS RLLY THE ONLY WAY I CAN ENVISION IT HAPPENING ROMANTICALLY, AND REALLY ITS SO TRUEEE, AND DOES WONDERS FOR THE KANEJ DEVELOPMENT, would make endgame kanej all the more gratifying. its a bit inej-centered tho, and we also need to talk about how its important to tolya
this one explains how it would be narratively significant for tolya, too. tolya's realization of identity happening in the show also kind of matches the kind of subtle changes the adaptation makes to characters (like how in the show, we are shown inej's first kill, but inej has long resorted to murder in the start of soc), so personally, i agree, and think it would fit.
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Friendly reminder that I wrote this with consideration to the separation of the show and the book!
Just had to get this out so I can finally focus on my exams!
Remember to keep rewatching season 2 <3 WE NEED THAT SIX OF CROWS SPIN OFF. dont even think abt cancelling, netflix
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Tolya is aro-ace in the books, and it would honestly be a real shame if they remove that from the show for what would be a poorly executed love triangle.
Idk why you’re in my askbox, but you guys need to understand the meaning of a headcanon. Just because you want him to be aroace doesn’t mean he is, it’s not a confirmed thing it’s just something people choose to believe because they like it. However, even if he was aroace I hope you understand that doesn’t make falling in love/having relationships impossible. There just wouldn’t be a sexual aspect to it. It would literally be the same as kanej because Kaz can’t be intimate either. In conclusion, aroace or not Tolya is perfectly capable of being Inej’s li.
