( whereas nikolai has definitely been in a castle before but even the castle in ravka felt more welcoming than this. he's not sure if it's because he's familiar with that castle or if there's something about thorne...

that's what he's defaulted to, lately. there's something about thorne. )

I don't think that's at all far off from what's happening. I have no way to prove it but I'm fairly certain we are being watched wherever we are.