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+------ Thread: Extending a Life Line :: Liliya (/showthread.php?tid=1123)
Extending a Life Line :: Liliya - Matilda Nordstrom - 06-23-2026
13 February 1923
11:30 am
11:30 am
The gala had been a… well, not a total success, but she wouldn’t call it a failure either. She had kept her cool, played the part, didn’t speak out of turn, refrained from all swear words and overall felt like she passed the test. Unfortunately, if you asked the elder Zdravkova’s she wasn’t sure they would give the same report.
Oleg, Nadežda and Lev were mysteries. If she were being honest, they never appeared happy or satisfied. Matilda could be crowned the queen of England, but they would probably still have the same impassive look on their faces.
It was disconcerting.
Eira… or Liliya was another story. She did a much better job of playing the part assigned to them, but she had years on Matilda. Thankfully, they knew each other, which helped sooth her nerves as they set up a date to meet in Hogsmeade. If she was going to survive this new life, she needed a life line. Someone that would be honest. Someone who would help her succeed in this new family.
It had been a passing comment at the gala, we should meet, reconnect. Matilda hadn’t waited a week before sending an owl with the next Hogsmeade weekend date. An owl back accepting her invitation filled her with relief.
When the day finally came, getting ready was harder than she thought it would be. Initially, Matilda reached for a simple skirt and blouse. Something she would have worn BEFORE. Lose fitting, well worn, slightly disheveled. On the off chance that Liliya would report back, Matilda thought it best to make an effort.
Picking a day dress was more difficult than it should have been, but ultimately she ended up with a tea length navy blue lace dress with a modest v-neck, lace flutter sleeves and a pretty scalloped hem. Her emerald necklace was in place, as it always was, with a simple pair of emerald stud earrings.
Her hair was in a typical Tilly up-do, pinned in place with braids and curls. It was a marvel of gravity, hiding dozens of hair pins.
Grabbing her heavy wool cloak and leather crossbody satchel, Matilda set out for the village with plenty of time to spare.
Matilda found a small two person table near the back where they would be able to talk. She was nervous, her leg bouncing under the table. Eira had never been a friend, but they shared a lot of friends in common. After all this time, she hoped that the older girl, Drago’s cousin, could help her navigate this new and rather daunting future.
RE: Extending a Life Line :: Liliya - Liliya Zdravkova - 06-28-2026
She had watched her during the gala, the few times they had interacted. The way she spoke and moved, the way she interacted with Oleg and Drago. Even though they hadn’t exactly been friends before Liliya had been made to leave Hogwarts and Britain, she knew enough of Tilly’s history to see the similarities and feel a seed of worry sprout.
Neither of them had been raised as children of this elite, pureblood world. Neither existed within its confines in natural ways.
When Nadežda first found her, Liliya hadn’t had the faintest idea of just what kind of family she was joining, and neither did Tilly, she could bet her ass on that. In a world where one tiny slip-up, one toe out of line, one wrong look or word could mean the difference between day and night, Tilly needed to be cautioned.
Carefully. The last thing Liliya needed was to be made responsible for Tilly drawing back from the arrangement. She’d endured enough pain over these past years — shit, even over these past months — a mistake like that would surely send her to the grave.
But despite all that, Liliya couldn’t help the urge to warn her. As much as she liked Drago, as much as she thought him to be one of the kinder ones, even trusted him as far as treating Tilly with a sort of patience and compassion she hadn’t been granted herself — he didn’t get it like she did. He couldn’t understand her like she did. Try as he might to honour his father's orders, he was still a Zdravkova at heart and a boy at that. From what she had seen, Tilly had her rose-coloured glasses on alright, and whatever he said probably went in through one ear and out through the other.
Judging by Tilly's nature, she needed more than that.
Liliya sure would have wished for someone to do the same for her back then.
When she arrived at The Tea Leaf, Tilly was already there, sitting farther back and looking nervous but put together. Good.
Smiling, Liliya walked up to the younger girl. “Hi, Tilly, how are you?” She hung her cloak on a nearby clothes tree before claiming the spot opposite. “About time we get to talk. How’s the betrothal life, future cousin-in-law? Who would have thought I'd ever say that sentence to you?” A small grin lit up her eyes, aiming to keep it light. There was no need to rush. After all, it was exciting even, to perhaps find a friend within the steely framework of a family that knew no leniency. Like an ally.
RE: Extending a Life Line :: Liliya - Matilda Nordstrom - 06-28-2026
“Hi, Tilly, how are you? About time we get to talk. How’s the betrothal life, future cousin-in-law? Who would have thought I'd ever say that sentence to you?”
And immediately she was calmer. When she saw Liliya arrive, she wasn’t sure what would be walking through the door. Eira, Fun loving and free? Or Liliya, the picture of prim and proper pureblood. Someone she should emulate. Take notes on behavior and strive to be just like her. It seemed that a combination of the two was sitting in front of her.
“If I’m being honest, I would have laughed in your face if you had suggested such a thing.” Tilly laughed. The waitress came by to take their order. Matilda choosing a simple English Earl Grey and a selection of tea sandwiches and finger desserts.
Once Liliya made her selection and the waitress walked away, Tilly sighed and looked at the girl who held all the answers.
“I know you can sympathize, this has all been a lot. Understatement of the century.
First the shock of the arrangement. It was something my grandmother had mentioned, but I never thought my grandfather would let it happen. Then to have Drago thrust at me over the summer. All I wanted to do was run, rebel, fight tooth and nail to stop it. You know, me. I’m not typically one to stay silent.” There were many memories that ran through her head. One class, early in her time at Hogwarts, when the Herbology Professor killed a rare plant in front of Tilly. She had lost it. Detention for a week was worth it.
Thinking back on the early days of the relationship, she was so angry and confused. Not wanting the marriage, but also not knowing if she could get out of it. Agreeing with Bram to try, but secretly thinking of ways to run and hide.
And then she got to know Drago. “At this point, I understand that there is nothing I can do. The marriage will happen, no matter what I want.” In August, she wouldn’t have accepted this. Now, it wasn’t the worst news in the world.
“Thankfully, Drago and I have had this year to get to know each other. I won’t lie, I find it very entertaining when he gets exasperated with my behavior. Did you know he has dimples? I didn’t at first. It’s honestly not fair. Those damn things are very disarming.”
Tilly laughed softly, taking a drink of her tea. Choosing a scone, Tilly applied jam and clotted cream, taking a dainty bite. Her thoughts about Drago were no longer a mystery, it was the Zdravkova’s that she needed help with now.
RE: Extending a Life Line :: Liliya - Liliya Zdravkova - 07-02-2026
Liliya ordered her own assembly of sandwiches, a cup of jasmine tea and a piece of lemon cake for dessert before resting her elbows against the table, chin atop her folded hands, smiling pleasantly while she listened.
It sure was no secret that Tilly belonged to the headstrong and independent — some would say the unruly and indocile — a girl somewhat like herself and the reason why Liliya was sitting here today. If she were honest, Drago’s and Tilly’s betrothal had surprised her, knowing what she knew, but then again the family didn’t consider the person, only the attached name.
It seemed even after that meeting in Sweden — judging by the talk she had overheard during meals — ‘Nordstrom’ was still significant enough to tolerate what normally wasn’t. Up to a certain point.
She knew that too.
“At this point, I understand that there is nothing I can do. The marriage will happen, no matter what I want.”
Sympathy flickered over her smile, through her eyes. That feeling of finally accepting, of giving in to the things she couldn’t change was a familiar one. She had fought for a long time too, in the subtle ways she could, defying and evading until one by one her walls had been broken down and compliance had been the only thing left for her to cling to.
Back then, during those two years in Russia and at Durmstrang, her cousin Natasha had been the one to ease her into this new life, gently and in direct opposition to Nadežda, but she hadn’t understood either. No one had. Tilly becoming part of the family was entirely different to her own story but regardless — expectations would remain the same in their most fundamental essence and Tilly would have to adapt if she wanted to survive.
But that was what Liliya had arranged this for, in the hope Tilly wouldn’t have to jump into the deep end the way she had been made to. Forced to swim with the air shocked out of her lungs, frozen motionless by the cold.
But maybe it wouldn’t have to be so bad for her.
“Thankfully, Drago and I have had this year to get to know each other. I won’t lie, I find it very entertaining when he gets exasperated with my behavior. Did you know he has dimples? I didn’t at first. It’s honestly not fair. Those damn things are very disarming.”
Liliya’s smile grew into a grin. Tilly definitely had one advantage over her. Falling for Drago sure seemed easier than existing around Lev, and if she were to judge, the redhead was already a goner. It probably made things a million times easer.
“He does,” Liliya said, brows quirking up. “He likes to keep them hidden though, all serious and stoic. I think I can count on one hand the times I’ve seen him smile.” She shook her head a little, taking a bite of one of her sandwiches.
“But he’s a good one. You got lucky.” The words sounded a little more ominous than she liked, straying from the light-hearted ease she had aimed for. Taking a sip of her tea, Liliya waved a hand.
“Just don’t…exasperate him too much? You know?” Her eyes lingered on Tilly’s for a moment, tone still casual but with a hint of something more serious beneath. “At least not in front of the others. They don’t take that stuff lightly.”
RE: Extending a Life Line :: Liliya - Matilda Nordstrom - 07-03-2026
Matilda was having far more fun than she would have thought. It was obvious, after just a few minutes of being together, that Liliya would be a very valuable asset in her new life. Not only did she know Drago on a different level, but she knew the inner workings of the Zdravkova family.
Drago would tell her things, more warnings than information. Don’t talk out of turn, don’t fidget, don’t swear, don’t don’t don’t. The beautiful girl sitting in front of her could help connect the dots and fill in the blanks.
“He does. He likes to keep them hidden though, all serious and stoic. I think I can count on one hand the times I’ve seen him smile.” Warmth spread through Matilda, happy that she was seeing a side that most didn’t know existed. The dimpled smiles, the laughter, the subtle teasing. All for her.
“But he’s a good one. You got lucky.” Tilly took another sip of her tea, letting that sink in. Thinking about Liliya, she realized she knew nothing about her situation. ”I’ll admit, Drago and I don’t talk about the family much. I don’t know much about Lev and your situation. Are you happy? Is he…” Tilly paused, choosing her words carefully. ”Are they nice? Is he nice?”
It was a stupid question. Tilly knew they weren’t nice. In her few interactions with Oleg, she could tell he was beyond strict. Expectations were high, and she had no idea if she would ever measure up.
“Just don’t…exasperate him too much? You know? At least not in front of the others. They don’t take that stuff lightly. Suspicions confirmed.
Matilda knew how she was supposed to act. In a social situation, she typically could maintain the mask. But that was all that it was, a mask.
”See, that’s what worries me. You know me better than any of them, even not being friends in school. Do I strike you as the type of girl they want and expect? She let the question sit for a beat. She already knew the answer.
”My grandmother did her best to make me the picture perfect pureblood princess, but I grew up completely different. My mum barely used magic. My father hated everything about the magical world and never wanted a child. I was expected to stay out of the way, so I spent most of my time outside, rain or shine. Pretty dresses and posture were completely foreign to me.”
The words were flowing now. All her worries and fears were shared with Liliya, who she was quickly seeing as an ally. ”I’m not what they want. I’m loud and opinionated. I like to get dirty in the garden and cook. Does that just go away?”
RE: Extending a Life Line :: Liliya - Liliya Zdravkova - 07-07-2026
“I’ll admit, Drago and I don’t talk about the family much. I don’t know much about Lev and your situation. Are you happy? Is he…Are they nice? Is he nice?”
Liliya’s gaze dropped with a small chuckle, not exactly humorous, not entirely a scoff either. An in between like everything seemed to be, a particularly uncertain kind of grey. It felt inexplainable, impossible to answer. Her nails tapped against the table’s edge.
“Uhm…well, let’s say it’s complicated.” She looked back up, still smiling although there was a tinge of sombreness to her voice now. “We get along, most times, I’d say.” She paused again, searching for words.
How was she supposed to explain it all? Everything that had happened, the horror, the hurt, the way she’d somehow turned back to him anyway. How was she supposed to describe her life within the family without outright lying? Warn her of the things Oleg and Nadežda were capable of doing, caution her of all the things she’d done wrong so Tilly wouldn’t have to go through the same, learn what punishment at the hand of a Zdravkova leader truly meant. All without scaring her away entirely but still conveying the message, the severity.
Maybe this had been a stupid idea after all.
Liliya tapped her nails another time before taking a breath. “None of them are nice,” she relented at last, sighing slightly. “I’m sure you know that. Even Drago can be…what he’s expected to be. When he has to. But Lev and I — yeah, well it’s been bumpy.” The understatement of the century but nothing Tilly needed to know the details of. She wasn't sure whether the concept of happiness was possible within the framework that was the Zdravkova family, but she kept that to herself too.
Liliya smiled against the rim of her tea cup, washing down the bitterness on her tongue. “Nothing to worry about though. As long as you don’t give anyone a reason to act on their not-niceness, you’ll be fine.”
“See, that’s what worries me. You know me better than any of them, even not being friends in school. Do I strike you as the type of girl they want and expect?”
Liliya’s brows arched high, conveying her reply wordlessly. They both knew the answer.
The story Tilly told next was almost ironically similar to her own. Not in its details, but in its effects. Liliya too had grown up far away from pureblood society, far away from magic even, for the first eleven years of her life. No friends, no adult to turn to, grown up to survive one hell only to be thrust into another that didn’t like the way survival had shaped her. Then to be remoulded to fit a frame whose borders were defined by others and allowed no give. Keeping her locked inside until she snapped from her form, like a spring rebounding once one’s grip on it loosened too much.
Even after three years, Liliya hadn’t managed to truly change. She didn’t think she ever would.
“I’m not what they want. I’m loud and opinionated. I like to get dirty in the garden and cook. Does that just go away?”
A slight chuckle tugged on her lips. “No.” She made no effort to ease the impact, there was no use in sugar-coating the truth too much. “Trust me, I have tried. Some things can’t be unlearned. You know me, too. I don’t fit either.”
Her smile curved with amusement again, a spark rekindling her eyes and she leaned closer. “What you need to do, Tilly,” — her voice shifted into something distinctly mischievous — “is find a way of when and how. It’s a double life and a game of usefulness.” She grinned, as though it was a fun thing to do and in a way it was. Pretend to be a proper, demure princess in public and around the ones she needed to, then turn into who she truly was the moment she could. Find the gaps, trick the system, make the devil inside her convenient. It all boiled down to discernment.
Liliya continued. “Be who they need you to be when they’re around, learn to make it convincing, play that role when necessary. They care about presentation and perception, give them that and you’ll be fine.” It sounded easier said than done perhaps, but it was the best she had to offer. There was no escaping any of this, only through. Tilly would need to adapt.
But there were ways to weasel around some of it.
“And—”, Liliya leaned back again, smiling as though she was sharing her most prized secret weapon, “if you can find a way to make the things you like — and that they might otherwise condemn — beneficial to them in some way... Gardening, cooking, whatever it is —" Liliya waved another hand, shrugging, "— you won't have to give up much. I’m sure you’re witty enough to think of something.”
RE: Extending a Life Line :: Liliya - Matilda Nordstrom - 07-12-2026
The more they talked, the more Tilly felt like herself. Less like the betrothed, soon to be wife and more like the teenager sitting with her friend gossiping. The question was, could she be both at the same time.
Listening to Liliya talk about her fiance worried Tilly. Complicated, get along most of the time. There were things hidden in her well thought out answer. Taking a sip of her tea allowed her to think without having to answer just yet. Taking a bite of a small tea sandwich gave her even more time.
Liliya’s nails tapped on the table before the true bomb was dropped. “None of them are nice. I’m sure you know that. Even Drago can be…what he’s expected to be. When he has to. But Lev and I — yeah, well it’s been bumpy.”
Suspicions confirmed. Matilda knew the family was rigid, strict, controlling even. All those things went hand in hand with being mean on some level. Drago, though. He hadn’t been outright cruel to her in any way. Sure, there had been a few times that he had corrected her behaviour. Told her that certain words were not allowed or HIGHLY frowned upon, but mean? No.
“Nothing to worry about though. As long as you don’t give anyone a reason to act on their not-niceness, you’ll be fine. “Trust me, I have tried. Some things can’t be unlearned. You know me, too. I don’t fit either.” ” Lifting her tea cup to take another sip, Tilly snorted around the rim while giving Lil a knowing look. Yeah, they were one in the same with that.
“What you need to do, Tilly, is find a way of when and how. It’s a double life and a game of usefulness.” Lil’s voice was full of mischief. As her words met Tilly’s ears, her brain started working immediately. “Be who they need you to be when they’re around, learn to make it convincing, play that role when necessary. They care about presentation and perception, give them that and you’ll be fine.”
Presentation and perception was something she was used to, living with Allegra for a short time. It was her expectation as well, although she also expected the behaviour to translate into every second of Tilly’s life. There was no room for anything else. It was exhausting.
The ball’s and gala’s were not a nightly affair. She could easily play the part on those occasions, she had already done it a few times with varying levels of success. With more practice, it wouldn’t be so difficult. Then there were the family functions. Those were more difficult. There would be more eyes on her, more direct contact, more chances for failure. With Drago’s help, maybe in time those wouldn’t be as tortuous.
At least when the events were over, they would retreat to their home to relax.
“And, if you can find a way to make the things you like — and that they might otherwise condemn — beneficial to them in some way... Gardening, cooking, whatever it is — you won't have to give up much. I’m sure you’re witty enough to think of something.”
Tilly’s eyes shot up. Now THAT was an interesting concept. ”Ok, so I like the sound of that. Granted, the things I like are ’not becoming of a lady,’ as Allegra would say. I made Serik a delicious Medovik cake for his birthday which both boys salivated over. So maybe I do have something to offer,” Tilly laughed. ”I’ve been studying since my first year in the Hospital Wing. At this point I’ve achieved a Specialist Level in Herbalist. I tend to all the plants, easy and dangerous, and can make pretty much anything with plants. Teas, tinctures, salves, potions to a point. I’m still learning those, but if you want a tea for headaches, a tincture for inflammation or a salve for skin irritation, I’m your girl.”
She could also whip up any number of less than savory concoctions that would render a person unconscious, doubled over with digestive upset or her favorite, riddled with full body acne. With a wicked grin seen quickly before a sip of tea was taken, Tilly looked at Liliya with a knowing smile. ”Plants are fascinating. There are a lot of good and… other things you can do with them. So many things.”
RE: Extending a Life Line :: Liliya - Liliya Zdravkova - 07-19-2026
"Plants are fascinating. There are a lot of good and… other things you can do with them. So many things.”
Liliya smiled around her cup, brows lifting briefly.
She was glad Tilly understood the baseline without much explanation. Gardening surely was one of those things Oleg and the other men in her family deemed an inappropriate pastime for a young lady, and finding that slight edge that’d allow her to continue was essential if Tilly didn’t want to succumb to endless tea times and wizened tutors hired to teach her how to lead a household one day.
Not that she’d get around those — her main responsibility would always be that of a wife and mother, just what Liliya herself was expected to be one day. Have children, oversee household staff, organise family events, remember birthdays, deaths, anniversaries, know who’s who, who’s invited, who isn’t, who sits where, how to converse, how to be their husbands’ right hand and represent the family name through grace and elegance and blah blah blah.
It was boring, and it was less than what they both knew they could offer.
Still, it was the system they couldn’t escape, and all they had was that bit of manipulation that’d allow them to keep a fraction of their freedom. Liliya knew she wouldn’t have a choice. She would marry Lev, they would have children, she would have to become what Ruslana had once been: the woman at her husband’s side and the perfect image of Zdravkova femininity, right at the head of the family.
Lev was expected to lead one day, no doubt about that. That scenario didn't bode well for her own role within the ranks and the part she'd be expected to fulfil.
It wasn’t all she would be, though; she had already made sure of that. She was clever, she knew how to handle her wand, and she didn't shy away from the uglier sides of business. Nadežda would need someone to take over one day as well, and, as she saw it, Liliya was the best they had. She had claimed that spot for herself, and she would make herself so invaluable neither Lev nor Oleg would have a choice but to accept the role she had picked for herself.
Tilly could do that too in her own way and her own rights.
Still smiling slyly, Liliya set her teacup down. “I’m quite sure ‘other things’ have the potential to become very useful,” she winked, picking up another sandwich. "In this world, there's always someone who needs a slight poisoning once in a while. All you need to do is make sure you're the one who can provide that."
A grin spread over her lips as she took a bite, a tiny giggle tickling the back of her throat.
God, it felt good to talk to someone like this again.