* FIGHTER

[zinaida-slora]

fayre avci‌:

The more she kept looking at his outfit, the more she was getting used to it. Fayre wasn’t one to be knowledgeable on current fashion trends, and if whatever Truman was wearing was one, then she’d trust him. “Exactly. Shouldn’t it have it’s print if it was Burberry? Maybe he’s lying, and it’s actually something he bought off the NASA clothing website.” At Zi’s answer of what content the bag held, a proud smile fought its way to Fayre’s face. “That’s… really considerate of him. Hm, you think there’s still some space in there to hold a knife?” Fayre followed Zinaida’s glances around the room, a protective glare shot at those who was eyeing Truman. “It could’ve been a lot worse. He could’ve worn matching pants with it. I’m sure they’re not bothering Truman, though. He probably enjoys the attention.” Fayre settled her gaze back at Zi. “Hale didn’t come with you guys?”

Zinaida laughed at Fayre’s comment and shrugged, “We’ll never know, but he carries himself as if he’s wearing designer. It’s funny.” At least he was having fun with it and further, he had that effortless confidence which she admired. “It is...” Her voice trailed off as a soft smile graced her lips, before looking up at the werewolf in confusion to her comment. “Um...I think so? Hopefully the blade doesn’t pierce through.” When Fayre spoke on, Zi chuckled and nodded in agreement. “That’s true...We take what we can get at this point. As for Hale, no she didn’t. I was hoping she’d change her mind and show up soon.” 

[zinaida-slora]

truman kingston‌:

Imani told him not to wear it, but he did it anyway because he liked bothering her. Truman was her little brother and he was going to play that role the best way he could, even if that meant carrying a funny bag. “Hey, I got an extra pair of shoes for you, just in case your feet get tired. Heels do that, yeah?” He wasn’t sure. All he remembered was Imani coming home sometimes and ready to throw them off. Ever since he was young, he wondered if women got used to the pain of heels as they grew up. Good thing he didn’t have to wear them. “Yeah I think. I just thought it was cool and I remember being told it was Burberry.” Was it a gift from an ex? He couldn’t remember. He just liked the colours. “Uh, yeah, Manhattan?” 

The thoughtfulness behind his actions made Zinaida’s cheek flush slightly as she looked away and laughed. “You um, really didn’t have to Truman.” However, she eventually met his gaze and flashed him a gracious smile. “But I appreciate it, thank you.” She wasn’t used to wearing heels, so perhaps his decision to do such a thing was a good call. “Well you look cool. In fact, one of the best dressed here.” agreed Zi with a nod of approval. At his drink of choice, she turned her attention to the bartender and ordered it while taking a sip of her rosé. She stood there in silence, lost in her thoughts as she wasn’t sure what else to do with herself. Keep drinking. Maybe that would calm her nerves...Her thoughts were soon interrupted once Tru’s Manhattan was finished and ready to serve. Picking up the glass, she handed it to him, “Here you go.”

[zinaida-slora]

*|| STARTER FOR: @trukingston​

Ordering a glass of rosé, Zinaida patiently waited by the bar before noticing a very fashionable werewolf heading her way. Squinting her eyes at her best friend, she smiled and tilted her head as she tried to examine the choice of outfit Truman had worn. “Hi...” It was cute with how much confidence he had to pull this off. “I see we have...somewhat matching textures.” She couldn’t hold it any longer as she started to laugh and pointed at the bag, “And a matching bag too? Was that really necessary Truman?” She then motioned a hand at the bar and asked, “Did you want anything? I just ordered and when I get my glass I can let the bartender know, so you don’t have to wait.” 

[zinaida-slora]

fayre avci‌:

Did she completely miss the memo? Last time Fayre checked, she believed she was attending a gala, which is shocking to begin with. But when Truman walked in with his bag, she began questioning if she was actually at a grocery store instead. Bewildered eyes were glued on him, completely perplexed. Fayre’s decision to attend the gala was an effort to adjust to Lethe, to establish her credibility as someone who wasn’t there with bad intentions. She hasn’t done enough to help with her case, and her track record wasn’t the cleanest. But the crowd and forced conversations were draining. She was already about to leave until Truman walked in, and now she wanted to stay just to follow him all night and insult him. Her first attack of the night was moments away from occurring, until Zinaida was finally able to pull her attention away from Tru. “Thank you. And that color is beautiful on you. You look good. One hundred percent better than him.” She looked back at Truman to indicate who. A scoff effortless left her lips at what Zi had said. “Did he? I didn’t know Burberry made space suits. What is he even carrying in that recyclable grocery bag?”

Truthfully, the vampire didn’t know how to handle compliments overall. However, she ended up laughing due to the circumstance and proceeded to express her gratitude at Fayre for her kind words. “I appreciate it, thank you!” Looking over at Truman, she smiled softly and sighed, “He’s confident, so that makes up for the whole thing. I didn’t either...I was so accustomed to their usual trademarked print. As for the bag...” A light blush appeared on her pale cheeks as the vampire shrugged, “He said he has a pair of shoes I could change into if I ever get tired of the ones I’m wearing...That’s nice of him—thoughtful even.” Looking around the manor, she bit the insides of her cheek as she noticed the stares he was getting. “I think people should give him credit. In comparison to the Met Gala, his is outfit is practically harmless.” 

[zinaida-slora]

*|| STARTER FOR: @fayreavci​

Awkwardly standing in the middle of the manor Zinaida felt...out of place. She’d been to some of these, especially since her mother catered to most of them, but she always stayed on the sidelines. However, she thought she could try this time, especially since she could be comfortable under her own skin. With the help of Truman’s encouragement, she came out looking like this and did her best trying not to overthink the whole thing. ‘Move Zi...’ Right, socialize, get out there. Dark orbs searched the vicinity and she immediately made eye contact with Fayre. Walking over to her, she greeted the she-wolf with a smile and said, “Love the look.” Following her gaze, she noticed that she was staring at Truman and it was obvious as to why. “—He said it was Burberry...” 

[zinaida-slora]

ZINAIDA SLORA + The Spring Equinox Gala

[zinaida-slora]

truman kingston‌:

He kept quiet, letting her speak. She seemed like she needed someone to just talk to and he knew how that was. Right now, he needed to be around someone too. He took a seat near her. Truman wasn’t sure if he was doing this for their safety or if he just didn’t want to be alone. “You don’t have to explain if you don’t want to… ” He didn’t think that she was a bad person. Zinaida worked so hard to help other people so how could she be? And on top of all that, when he showed her his art on the rooftop, she didn’t shy away or criticize him harshly. She was one of the few people that he felt he could be honest around. “But if you want to, I’m here. I’m all ears, Zi…” He had her back.

Zinaida shook her head, “No, but I want to...” Her voice trailed off as she gathered her thoughts. “I want to be honest with you.” It’s the least she could do for him since he was always being there for her. Even when she didn’t ask for it, Truman supported and encouraged her. He made her feel comfortable with herself, something that she hasn’t felt in a long time and he was nothing, but a true friend. “I was young and naive...I fell in love and...” Her voice cracked as she focused her gaze on the dirt on the ground. Memories of that night ran to the surface and she immediately clenched her fists out of habit. “Or so I thought that was love...” She scoffed, she should have known better. “One night we went out, we drank...Alcohol makes you a different person right? And...” She stopped and furrowed her brows as she shook her head, “Or maybe he was different all this time...” There was malice in her tone as she refused to be sad, let alone cry over the man who ruined her life. “He took me to the park and took advantage of me...Beat me when I refused...I remember it vividly, I think the moment I realized what he was going to do, I hoped...no prayed I’d die right away. I didn’t want to live through it, but...” 

Zi laughs as a defence mechanism. “To put it short, I became a vampire through that. A nun saved my life and her church became my home briefly until my mother and I decided to leave. But prior to that I did the unthinkable out of spite...I killed everyone that man loved—his family, friends...co-workers even...clients...Hm, he was a well beloved carpenter...” Finally, she looked up at Tru and grimaced, “But I left him alive, because death would be so easy for him you know? A life of solitude and torture is not.” Her tone was heavy and cold, filled with no regrets. “I guess seeing him today made me realize what I did worked. It came in full circle now that him and his loved ones are tormenting me.” 

[zinaida-slora]

truman kingston‌:

They didn’t have time to go back and right now, he was more concerned about Zinaida. He saw how she reacted to the ghosts and he couldn’t help but wonder if one of the things had caused her to become a vampire. When they stopped running, he squeezed her hand and continued to hold on to her even as he caught his breath. They were somewhere in the woods now. He wanted to sit down, but he knew it wouldn’t be good for his heart. Truman placed his hand over his chest and focused on calming himself. Quietly he counted down from five slowly, taking deep breaths and exhaling at each count. “Hey, of co- oouff!” He hugged her tightly and rubbed her back, trying to comfort her the best way he knew how to. “I’m right here, Zi. I got you.” He wasn’t sure how long the peace would last for them, but they had the time to rest for now. 

The vampire looked up at the werewolf and expressed gratitude for his presence. She wouldn’t know how to handle it if she were alone. She felt small and helpless, but she should have known better. Her past and the choices she made were bound to creep up on her and now here she is. Pulling away, she quietly went over to a rock and sat there. “...I shouldn’t be this upset.” she confessed out loud. “...There’s no way I could avoid him, even till this day.” A frown crept onto her lips as she furrowed her brows, “He deserved it though.” She was mostly talking out loud to reason with herself, therefore it may be confusing for Tru to understand where she was coming from. Looking up at him, she looked exhausted and admitted, “I’m not a good person as I make out to be Truman.” 

[zinaida-slora]

truman kingston‌:

“They’re fine.” He wasn’t sure of that, but he believed that they could deal with this mess. They never were really alone; that was the idea of being in a pack, after all. “I’m not going to leave you behind. I already told you that I’m not leaving you alone.” Truman hadn’t promised her, but it felt like a promise and when it came to things like this, he didn’t want to break them. She was just as important to him as his family was. “Just away from here! Please, Zinaida, come with me.” He wanted to help her, but the truth was, he wasn’t sure if he could go on his own. His parents were standing with the other ghosts. Tru didn’t want to speak to his father, but he wanted to hold his mother and apologize, but he knew that it was trouble. He turned back to Zinaida and nodded. The werewolf tightened his grip on her and ran through the crowd, weaving in and out, avoiding their touch.

Zinaida wasn’t sure if Truman was telling the truth, but there was no point in questioning him. He was here with her and it was too late to turn back on that fact now. Slowly nodding at his reassurance, she gripped onto his hand and ran with him, trying to ignore the presence of her past. She didn’t know how much time has passed or how far they’ve gone, but she kept running until they eventually stopped. She didn’t loosen her grip on Tru’s hands as she looked around. It was eerily quiet, but she couldn’t see nor hear those that once surrounded them. Calming down slightly, Zi looked up at Truman and simply stared in silence. There was a good chunk of her life that he didn’t know about her and she thought that it wasn’t fair. Right now it reflected more than ever since he saw her lose her composure. “Thank you for staying with me.” she finally whispered out with heavy gratitude. Without any hesitation, she went towards him for a tight embrace and buried her face into his chest. 

[zinaida-slora]

truman kingston‌:

He almost forgot that she was a vampire. Her strength almost caught him off guard and if he wasn’t already on high alert because of the shades, she probably would have tripped over himself. “It’s not a mistake… Zi, I was looking for you.” He wasn’t sure what made him choose her over the rest of his pack, but he was glad that she had found her. They weren’t out of the woods yet, but he could still do something for both of them. “We do… and we will get far away from here.” He could hear his father’s voice taunting him, telling him how he was a coward who only knew how to run away. But in a moment like this, wasn’t that the safest thing to do. He got down to the ground and grabbed her hands. “Listen to me, not him. I’m not him and I’m not lying about getting us to safety.” The dead were so loud now and he was scared. Maybe she couldn’t hear his voice above theirs. Tru turned to face the pallid crowd gathering around them and with all his might, the werewolf let out his loudest roar. 

“Y-your sister and pack...” Zinaida didn’t think she was of importance in comparison to the Kingston’s family. If she were alone, she’d figure it out somehow or perhaps ride out the torment that’s right in front of her. What difference would it make having to go through it again? Sure it’ll be triggering, but at least no one she cared about would have to go through her poor life choices. “Where?” She didn’t know where to go at this point and she wasn’t thinking straight. Feeling her hand in his, Zinaida tried to listen to Truman’s voice. However, it was difficult when you have the dead taunting you with each second that goes by. It wasn’t until the werewolf unleashed a roar that Zi finally snapped out of it. “Truman...” she whispered as she squeezed her hand in his and looked into his eyes. “Let’s go. We need to go...” 

[zinaida-slora]

truman kingston‌:

As scared and as sick as he felt, Truman knew that he needed to push through and be strong. He also knew that he wasn’t alone. He rubbed her back, trying to reassure her that things would be ok. They’d get out of this together. “You don’t have to deal with this alone. I won’t leave you alone.” He needed to repeat it, more for himself than for her. In a way, he was trying to build his courage up and act. These ghosts were bad news and he couldn’t let them get to her. “You can. We will get out of this. I… I can carry you.” He tried to lift her so he could get them off of the streets. Even though her voice had fallen to a whisper, he focused on her above all else. He could hear the fear loud and clear. “You won’t. I won’t let any harm come to you.” Truman wasn’t sure what it was, but at the moment, what was more important was getting them to safety. 

Truman’s reassurance was comforting, but a part of her wondered if it’d be true. After all, who would want to stay with her baggage? It was messy and complicated and she was sure he had a lot of his own. Shaking her head, she pushed the werewolf away, “No...No...” Dragging him into this would just make matters worse. What was she even thinking? She should face it alone. “This is a mistake...” Feeling the whispers from the shades caused her to look over at them with wide eyes and fear. “I-I need to go...Far...” Where? They seem promising in terms of following her wherever she was at. The desperation in both her eyes and tone were clear, she was helpless and she didn’t know what to do. “You can’t say that...” she whispered lowly, staring blankly into the empty space as she sunk down onto the ground. “He said that to me and he lied...” 

[wildwcrlds]

NATASHA LIU BORDIZZO on instagram !

[midsommars-deactivated20201109]

Natasha Liu Bordizzo in The Society (2019—)

[zinaida-slora]

elyas megat‌:

Elyas was in the middle of a bite into his sandwich when he suddenly lost his appetite. The sudden question that abruptly appeared out of nowhere turned the satisfaction he gained from his lunch to a sickening feeling that he wanted to throw up. He knew the answers to her questions, as he had explained them numerous times before, but now, staring at his daughter, he couldn’t answer it for her. Again, a wave of guilt blanketed him as he stared up at her with blank eyes. His voice was stolen by the fear of how she’ll react, as if his words will hold no value for her regardless of what he says. Finally swallowing down the piece of bread he had bitten off, Elyas cleared his throat. He was usually the one asking questions and probing people, but now he knew what it was like being on the other side of the table. “Because I didn’t want to hurt her, which I ended up doing anyways,” he reflected, looking back down as he said the latter portion. “How did you feel when you first turned?” he asked her as the vampire made eye contact with her again. “I hated myself. I hated everything I became. I had hurt people, a lot of people, and I couldn’t even control it. I didn’t want your mother to become a casualty of what I was. So I thought that by leaving her, I couldn’t hurt her and that she would be protected from that world. And look at how that turned out.” He fell silent again as his monologue ended. “I wasn’t the smartest person back then.” He had more to say, but the unawareness of whether certain things were better left unsaid provoked him to keep them unspoken as of now.

Zinaida did her best not to display as much anger and annoyance, but just hearing her father state his reasoning caused her to roll her eyes. What did her mother see in him? And how were they related was beyond her. “I was raped and murdered.” she bluntly stated as she locked eyes on him. “And I was turned out of pity by a nun. Shame was what I felt and truthfully, it would have been easier to accept if I was left for dead.” Zi never admitted this outloud, not to her mother even as she didn’t want her to feel anymore heartache and pain, but it was the vampire’s honest take on how her life turned out. Elyas was a stranger in her eyes, but a part of her wanted her father to know the amount of pain and suffering she went through without him there. “No clearly you weren’t.” Her frustrations were rising as his explanation wasn’t good enough. “I understand that the transition wasn’t easy, but come on! You had years to not only recover, but try to find us! Did you even try? Why did you just give up?!” She raised her voice with each statement and inquiry she had. It seemed like every emotion she’d suppressed was creeping up into the surface. “At least mom came back for me. I never bothered asking about you for the sake of her broken heart, but I just wish you were flat out dead so this would have been all easier.” It was harsh of her to say that and her heart ached as she frowned and tried to keep it together. But she was clearly upset as she looked away from Elyas. “So now that you know that we exist...What happens now?”  

[zinaida-slora]

location: a park date: february 2021 time: night

Zinaida had been avoiding it for too long. She knew living in Lethe and it being a small town meant that it was inevitable to avoid its civilians, but the vampire made it happen when it came to her father. With everything that had happened, she’d face the worst of her fears coming true. Therefore, how bad could it be with meeting a deadbeat father? Stumbling across Elyas in the park, Zinaida stood in front of him with her usual unfazed expression in silence. It wasn’t until she made the first move that she finally asked, “Why didn’t you come back for mom?” She wanted to be mad at him, but a part of her knew that it wasn’t his fault. He probably didn’t know and that reasoning was one of the many that she’d seen through the course of her career. “Why did you leave her behind?” 

@elyasmegat​

[zinaida-slora]

truman kingston‌:

Truman pulled her close because they both seemed to need it. His pack mates weren’t around and right now the most real thing next to him was Zinaida. “Yeah, I’m right here…” He hugged her tightly and tried not to look at the ghost of his mother. With the way that Zi was acting and all the other faces, he knew that he wasn’t the only one who had to face a terrible past. “Who?” He followed her eyes to the shade that was staring at her. 

“We need to get off the streets. It doesn’t feel safe.” Tru turned to glare at the spectre and he let out a threatening growl. He didn’t think that he could do much. After all, what was a werewolf to a ghost? But he would do everything in his power to protect Zinaida. “Look at me. Zi, we’re going to get out of here. I’m not going to leave you, ok? We’re gonna get through this together.”

Feeling Truman pull her close, Zinaida froze from where she stood before slowly lifting her arms and returning the embrace. He felt real and she held him close and didn’t let go as she needed that much validation. The faces of the departed shouldn’t feel real, it shouldn’t matter. However, just seeing then just as alive from where she left them made everything unsettling as she couldn’t come to terms with it. “I...” Her voice trailed off as tears welled in her eyes, the trauma she buried deep for over a hundred years was beginning to resurface. Being taken advantage of against your will was something she couldn’t bring upon her enemies. The ache in her insides made her sick as she gripped the werewolf tightly. “I can’t...”

The words that came out of Truman’s mouth wasn’t registering to her at first. However, eventually she snapped out of her daze as he advised her to look at him. “Truman, I can’t!” she shrieked as she panicked in his arms. “...I don’t...I want this to stop...I can’t...” She tries to take deep breaths, but she could feel herself suffocating from what she was seeing. Zinaida was beginning to regret her actions at that moment. However, her senses picked up on the werewolf’s heartbeat which sounded so much like comfort as she refocused on his gaze. “Please don’t leave me...” she whispered out. “I don’t want to go through it again...” 

[zinaida-slora]

truman kingston‌:

Date: 01.01.2021 Time: 2:08AM Setting: The Streets

Truman realized what was going on when he saw her face in the chaos. She was just as blue as the last time she saw her and he didn’t need an explanation. He felt like a coward for turning to run, but at the time, his first thought was to find Imani. If their mother was back then what was keeping their father from showing up. He wanted to make sure she was okay, but the chaos kept them away from each other and eventually he got word from another wolf that she was fine. Imani was strong, stronger than him even. 

With Imani safe, he turned his attention toward his friends. Zinaida and Hale were out there somewhere and he wanted to make sure they were ok. He just caught Zinaida’s scent first. He bolted toward her direction and slid to a stop when he saw her. “Hey! Hey, Zi.” He slowly moved up to her. “Are you alright? I was looking all over for you… You aren’t…hurt are you?”

@zinaida-slora​

Zinaida didn’t think this day would come. However, knowing that she’s already part of the supernatural realm it was inevitable to escape her past. There were many of them, surrounding her with wide eyes and emphasizing how she should have heavy guilt. It wasn’t their fault he took advantage of her. It wasn’t their fault that they were in a relationship with her. It wasn’t their fault that she almost died. 

At the end of the day it wasn’t their fault and yet, they faced their demise on his behalf. Zinaida was the executioner and the fact that he left him alive they wanted her to feel at fault. Now that many years has passed, he too ended up showing himself as a ghost of her past. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

“Truman?” she questioned as she brought her attention to him. “I...No...What’s...” Now she was panicking as she gripped onto his arm as an anchor, but as much as she kept telling herself it wasn’t real—this all felt real. Her perpetrator was staring straight at her with the intent to hurt her like that night. “I don’t know what’s happening...I don’t feel good...He’s everywhere...”