Extending a Life Line :: Liliya

13 February 1923
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.

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.

“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.

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.”