Entry tags:

!completed gdoc, ~2024 october, ~~nikolai lantsov (forravka), ~~zoya nazyalensky (notkind)

Who: Nikolai and Zoya
What: date night
When: night of the Masquerade
Where: the art museum
Rating: medium more than likely



Nikolai didn’t really know what the hell one wore to a masquerade, so he opted for a classic black tux and a gold mask that looked on the more grotesque side. He picked one that only hid his eyes, not wishing to cover his mouth. His golden hair and mask complimented each other, in his opinion.

He’d hired a car to take him and Zoya to the museum. Neither drove and Nikolai didn’t know if either would bother to learn.

“You look stunning as always,” Nikolai told Zoya.

---

Much like Nikolai, Zoya had no idea what to wear to a masquerade. She had to run an online search. It turned out that it involved dressing up and wearing some kind of mask. Sometimes the masks represented certain animals, things, or even prominent figures. Other times they were simply a mask, sometimes elaborate in decoration, but nothing more.

Zoya opted for a blue dress with a matching colored dragon mask and heels. Maybe it was because of Juris, but somehow the mask spoke to her and felt oddly fitting.

The two met at the door as the car arrived to take them to the museum and Zoya smiled coyly at Nikolai’s compliment.

“Thank you. You clean up well too,” Zoya teased goodnaturedly. She slipped a hand around Nikolai’s arm as the two exited the house and slipped into the waiting car.

---

Once the car arrived at their destination, Nikolai wasted no time in helping Zoya out of the car and wrapping her hand around his arm again. “Thank you for the compliment,” he added to Zoya. “The mask suits you perfectly, of course.” One couldn’t know Zoya from home and not also think of the dragon/Juris.

When they walked inside, Nikolai let out a low whistle. “This place looks…I’m not sure of the description I want to use, but assume it’s positive.” The red, black, and white motif paired well with the rest of the decorations and the art currently displayed. “I like that they have a candy table too.” Nikolai did not have a sweet tooth compared to Nina, but he did appreciate candy from time to time.

“And,” he added as he kissed his girlfriend’s temple, “nobody here looks nearly as stunningly beautiful as you.” The Ravkan King helped himself to two drinks as a server passed them, a scotch for him and Zoya’s drink of choice.

---

Zoya accepted Nikolai’s hand as he helped her from the car. “You’re welcome and thank you…it felt fitting.” Did Juris have a say in it? Zoya couldn’t exactly say for certain if the saint did or not, but it felt somehow right to don the dragon mask tonight. Empowering. Completing.

With her hand on his arm once more, the two entered the museum. Zoya took in the scene around her, also finding herself at a temporary loss for words (which was rare for Zoya). Red, black, and white were everywhere and while far from Zoya’s preferred color scheme, they paired well with the art and decorations displayed.

“I believe whether or not something is positive is in respect to the individual viewing it,” Zoya replied. “But I guess it is appealing to someone and fits with the theme of the party.” Not that Zoya knew much about that either nor could she really disconcert anything from the motif itself. At least the candy table was an obvious addition.

“If Nina makes an appearance, I’m sure she will enjoy it.” Zoya wasn’t much for sweets either, but it was aesthetically appealing.

As Nikolai’s lips brushed her temple, Zoya’s eyes briefly fluttered closed, simply enjoying the gesture of intimacy. Even if it had been a rocky road to arrive at this point, Zoya wouldn’t trade it for the world. “Thank you, but you’re a flirt,” Zoya’s eyes opened and she looked up at him, a smirk playing on her lips before she turned her attention to the drink he held out to her. It looked like one of the theme drinks for the party. Zoya eyed it warily.

“I think it might be a themed drink,” she observed. “Part of me is half-tempted to trade it in and the other is actually curious to see what it tastes like.”

---

Nikolai would always associate dragons with the woman he loved. How could he not? Juris meant a lot to Zoya.

“True,” Nikolai agreed with Zoya. He didn’t mind the colour scheme and it certainly fit this particular theme. “I think this might be for the party?” Not that he spent time in the art museum, but he couldn’t imagine the museum always sporting these colours.
“We should get a candy bag for Nina.” Not that he wouldn’t grab a few things for himself. But the candy table fit the Hallowe’en theme in his opinion.

The pair could share moments of intimacy here, something he hadn’t expected but would not take for granted. Seeing Zoya’s eyes flutter close warmed Nikolai’s soul. “Yes, but you appreciate the fact I’m a flirt,” he teased, kissing her smirk this time.

“Do you want to trade? I can take one for the team, so to say,” Nikolai joked.

---

“Obviously,” Zoya replied. “It’s probably because I’m simply not a fan of such a scheme.” Individually? The colors were fine though Zoya would always prefer shades of blue.

Zoya certainly didn’t mind putting together a small bag for Nina. “How about we wait and see if she shows first? If she doesn’t, we can put a small bag together for her. If she does, well, I’m sure she could put together a much better bag than either of us.” Zoya didn’t consider herself an expert of food, especially the food found here, and knew Nina could run circles around both of them with her knowledge. But if she didn’t show up? Well, she would get stuck with whatever Zoya and Nikolai could stuff into a bag for her. Zoya knew she’d be happy regardless.

Chuckling, Zoya returned the kiss. “I appreciate that you have a way with words,” she teased. And Nikolai certainly did. It was one of the characteristics of his personality that made him a good leader and future king.

The Grisha waved him off. “As your general, I think it’s my duty to ‘take one for the team’ as you say,” Zoya countered, voice serious though there was a twinkle of amusement in her dark eyes. She lifted the glass to her lips and took a small sip. It tasted sweet and was laced with a fruity rum. Zoya swallowed and held out the glass to Nikolai.

“Here your majesty. I deem it safe for your consumption,” she said playfully.

---

“And that’s why I would never suggest this theme for our house,” Nikolai responded. He didn’t love the three either. Though they hadn’t had much time to really make the home their own given their busy schedules.

“I agree on waiting.” Honestly, if Nina showed, he’d probably ask her advice on what candy he should try, given neither he nor Zoya had a strong sweet tooth. Nina had been here longer than the pair of them and food made her happy. Therefore she probably had strong opinions ont he candy table.

“And I appreciate you don’t get too annoyed with my words,” the Ravkan king countered with a cheeky grin. He laughed and took the offered drink, passing his scotch to Zoya. After taking a sip, he looked as though the drink personally offended him. “The amount of sweet might even be too much for Nina.” A server walked by and he set the glass on the tray, helping himself to another glass of a dark liquor. Ahh, bourbon. Good enough. “Alright, themed drinks are not for us. At least not those themed drinks.”

---

“If you did, I would wonder if the Dome was up to its normal tricks.” Because the color scheme didn’t seem fitting for Nikolai either or their new home. The conversation reminded Zoya that the two of them needed to set aside some time to actually start decorating and crafting the place into their own.

Zoya nodded. “A sound plan.” The brunette didn’t think Nina would miss this kind of party, but it was entirely possible their friend had other plans too. Regardless, there would be candy in her future because that exquisite candy table was far too tempting for even those with a loathing for candy to pass up.

She chuckled. “As I appreciate that you don’t get too annoyed with mine.” Because they both knew Zoya could be blunt, bordering on rude, even when the occasion didn’t call for it.

Nikolia looked far more upset by the taste of the drink than Zoya did. “Maybe too much mixer,” Zoya offered, watching as he discarded the drink on a tray and chose a glass of dark liquor to replace it. Bourbon probably. It was best for Zoya not to drink anyway; even in a situation where they were supposed to be having fun, Zoya still considered herself Nikolai’s protector in a sense. A general and a warrior should the moment call for it.

“At least not these,” she agreed. “Perhaps the food will be suited for us.”

---

“I suppose my suggesting these colours would be a dead giveaway something was up with me,” he teased. “Maybe next weekend we can actually make some time to start figuring out what we want in the house. Otherwise, I foresee us …just not.” The pair kept busy and sometimes things like a house fell by the wayside.

A server stopped and offered an assortment of hors d'oeuvres and Nikolai helped himself to a couple offerings. “I think we need to visit the candy table sooner, rather than later, before they take all of the good offerings.”

“I knew who you were when I fell in love with you, Zoya.” Though occasionally she could be blunt, bordering on rude, Nikolai never wished for her to change.

He took a bite of food. “Much better than the drink with too much mixer,” Nikolai agreed. “After this, should we dance?” And he thought he may have spotted Nina, based on her gait and her veering for the candy table.

---

“I can agree to those terms,” she replied, tone teasing. It was an accurate description. If the two did not set aside time, the house would probably remain the same as when they’d purchased it.

Zoya helped herself to a few hors d'oeuvres as well. She glanced over at the candy table and then back to Nikolai. “I suppose it could go quickly though they would be rather poor hosts if they didn’t at least make an attempt to keep it well stocked.”

“As I knew you, Nikolai.” How could they not know each other? She’d seen the worst parts of him, the beast within, the monster and the man. The man she’d come to love so much and respect, possibly more than any other being in this world or their own.

The storm witch indulged in a few bites and nodded in agreement. Much better than that drink. She swallowed, a smile tugged at her lips. “I was wondering when you’d finally ask.”

---