Welcome to my second favourite/joint favourite chapter of the book :D So much good stuff here!
Avery being a total NERD about getting to go on a tiger hunt is so endearing. I obviously have the very modern attitude of “no, don't hunt tigers!” But boy is he cute here. Also love that he and Sameer seem to finally be bonding! Always sad that we don't get any more Sameer after this book, I want him and Avery to have bff adventures.
Shit goes wrong SO QUICKLY here, from the subtle build of it being all disorganised to the platform outright fucking collapsing. Poor resident, what a way to go.
AVERRRRRRRY! Just running straight after the tiger!! I love him. This entire scene is just golden, and I have a lot to say about it. Blake swearing, and being so obviously concerned for Avery’s life! Avery being all “It’s the only thing I’m good for!” And GOING ANYWAY. Blake chasing after him in concern, and Avery being as pleased as PUNCH over that (methinks i detect a crush ;)). The both of them being all “well the resident is awful but I guess we should help”. Blake agreeing to go along with Avery, despite all of his reservations, and Avery GRINNING at that. Avery being disappointed in himself that he didn’t one shot the tiger, and looking to Blake for approval in that regard (praise kink much?)
And then, as a finale, Avery saving the rao in THE MOST BADASS WAY POSSIBLE OMG. First from the tiger, and then from his sardar! I really do think this chapter shows Avery to his best advantage, at least in this book. He’s definitely a man of action, a touch foolish and reckless but capable of making extremely on point decisions in the most stressful of situations. In my headcanon this is possibly the point where Blake is all “oh no, I love him”. XD
And then Blake and Aziz deliberately protecting Avery! ADORABLE.
Avery wanting a ruby! Poor baby. I love this conversation between him and Blake. Avery laughing! Avery initially being a bit naive on what’s going on, and Blake gently setting him straight. Blake being openly grateful to Avery for winning him an audience with the rao! And then Blake gently poking Avery into admitting what he’s been threatened with, how much he wants to go home and how close he is with Louisa.
And then the audience with the rao! The Rao is, as you say, SUCH an interesting character. I love his reveal that he can speak English, and just his cutting through of all the bullshit. I love his speech on how the company has changed, and how he is well aware of all the insults done to him. I also love how the Mountstuart mystery is deepening - I find the hints at his relationship with Blake really interesting, and I have to wonder how much of their dynamic influences Blake’s dynamic with Avery.
Chapter 11
Avery being a total NERD about getting to go on a tiger hunt is so endearing. I obviously have the very modern attitude of “no, don't hunt tigers!” But boy is he cute here. Also love that he and Sameer seem to finally be bonding! Always sad that we don't get any more Sameer after this book, I want him and Avery to have bff adventures.
Shit goes wrong SO QUICKLY here, from the subtle build of it being all disorganised to the platform outright fucking collapsing. Poor resident, what a way to go.
AVERRRRRRRY! Just running straight after the tiger!! I love him. This entire scene is just golden, and I have a lot to say about it. Blake swearing, and being so obviously concerned for Avery’s life! Avery being all “It’s the only thing I’m good for!” And GOING ANYWAY. Blake chasing after him in concern, and Avery being as pleased as PUNCH over that (methinks i detect a crush ;)). The both of them being all “well the resident is awful but I guess we should help”. Blake agreeing to go along with Avery, despite all of his reservations, and Avery GRINNING at that. Avery being disappointed in himself that he didn’t one shot the tiger, and looking to Blake for approval in that regard (praise kink much?)
And then, as a finale, Avery saving the rao in THE MOST BADASS WAY POSSIBLE OMG. First from the tiger, and then from his sardar! I really do think this chapter shows Avery to his best advantage, at least in this book. He’s definitely a man of action, a touch foolish and reckless but capable of making extremely on point decisions in the most stressful of situations. In my headcanon this is possibly the point where Blake is all “oh no, I love him”. XD
And then Blake and Aziz deliberately protecting Avery! ADORABLE.
Avery wanting a ruby! Poor baby. I love this conversation between him and Blake. Avery laughing! Avery initially being a bit naive on what’s going on, and Blake gently setting him straight. Blake being openly grateful to Avery for winning him an audience with the rao! And then Blake gently poking Avery into admitting what he’s been threatened with, how much he wants to go home and how close he is with Louisa.
And then the audience with the rao! The Rao is, as you say, SUCH an interesting character. I love his reveal that he can speak English, and just his cutting through of all the bullshit. I love his speech on how the company has changed, and how he is well aware of all the insults done to him. I also love how the Mountstuart mystery is deepening - I find the hints at his relationship with Blake really interesting, and I have to wonder how much of their dynamic influences Blake’s dynamic with Avery.
Such a good chapter! <3