[ And it's so hard for her to admit. Zoya likes to appear as though she has everything under control. She doesn't struggle. She embodies everything perfectly, except vulnerability.
She'd gotten so far at home to only be thrown here, and have all that work almost thrown in her face. ]
I have a country to return to, friends who need me. I don't belong here any more than you do.
[ Zoya doesn't want to stay. ]
But for me to get home, I have to ensure I don't lose focus. Accepting the sexual culture here is the least of my worries.
It wouldn't be taken from me. It would be I who made it possible. But I see no other way past it.
[ politely grateful for everything but let's not get carried away. if she betrays her husband and her kingdom – how is she any better than Rhaenyra who bore bastards like she had nothing better to do? ]
I hope this conversation hasn't soured your evening.
We won a war we've been fighting for so long, but it still doesn't feel like it's ended. It's a place where most are welcome, although it has its ridiculous prejudices and cruelty, as any country does. But it does not burn those who are different at the stake. It finally had a ruler who ruled with his heart rather than greed, although I feel Ravka doesn't deserve him. It's not ready for someone like that.
But it's a country that wants to change and grow, and it is, slowly. Change is as difficult as learning how to fly, especially when hundreds of people need to learn.
It's better than this. People have their own lives. While they bow to the crown, they exist beyond that.
[ Would Ravka defend her as violently and passionately as the Rubeans did the Duchess? Zoya both hopes for that and doesn't hope for that. A ruler should be more than their ego.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
[ And it's so hard for her to admit. Zoya likes to appear as though she has everything under control. She doesn't struggle. She embodies everything perfectly, except vulnerability.
She'd gotten so far at home to only be thrown here, and have all that work almost thrown in her face. ]
I have a country to return to, friends who need me. I don't belong here any more than you do.
[ Zoya doesn't want to stay. ]
But for me to get home, I have to ensure I don't lose focus. Accepting the sexual culture here is the least of my worries.
[ (She also likes sex. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯) ]
no subject
I appreciate you confiding in me.
It makes sense, looking at things from that point of view. Returning home is more important.
I must find a way to live with it, even if doing so may destroy my worth as a queen.
no subject
[ Take it from her! She was appointed Queen with those around her elevating her worth in their full acceptance of her. ]
You only lose worth if you let someone take it from you. You strike me as a woman who won't let anyone take anything from her. So don't.
[ Fuck them!! ]
no subject
[ politely grateful for everything but let's not get carried away. if she betrays her husband and her kingdom – how is she any better than Rhaenyra who bore bastards like she had nothing better to do? ]
I hope this conversation hasn't soured your evening.
no subject
I hope it's made you feel better. Sometimes, it's comforting to know you're not the only woman with a country to think about.
You're no use to them if you allow yourself to become a monster.
[ Zoya doesn't say "person". Men have privileges they aren't afforded. ]
no subject
Tell me about your country, please. I'd like to hear it.
no subject
Ravka is healing.
We won a war we've been fighting for so long, but it still doesn't feel like it's ended. It's a place where most are welcome, although it has its ridiculous prejudices and cruelty, as any country does. But it does not burn those who are different at the stake. It finally had a ruler who ruled with his heart rather than greed, although I feel Ravka doesn't deserve him. It's not ready for someone like that.
But it's a country that wants to change and grow, and it is, slowly. Change is as difficult as learning how to fly, especially when hundreds of people need to learn.
It's better than this. People have their own lives. While they bow to the crown, they exist beyond that.
[ Would Ravka defend her as violently and passionately as the Rubeans did the Duchess? Zoya both hopes for that and doesn't hope for that. A ruler should be more than their ego.
With amusement: ]
That was probably very boring.