Tell the Truth

“It’s okay everyone has those days.” she said, and it wasn’t until the other asked if they knew each other that Alexandra really payed attention to the other, it may took her a second but she did remembered now “Zoya? Ah it’s been so long, It’s me Alexandra.”

“How’ve you been?” She mused, a grin tugging at her features. “I actually saw your brother the other day. Is it just me or has NYC gotten smaller?”

Marie smiled at that, “you know the value of a good shoe then. I can respect that.” Her brows furrowing gently as she listened to the younger woman. A nod of realization happening before she spoke. “College can definitely be the biggest bully. I’m sure you’ll do fine and if not, this city has a lot of options. Don’t get too worried about some ideal life style because of college.” 

“I also know the value of a good handbag. There’s currently a lock on my closet because my roommates are bitches.” She mused with a grin. “That it can and some days I want to quit but I’ve always been an overachiever so it’s just part of the journey.”

“I was practicing for the first time, so it’s my worst.” It wasn’t that he had to, but he wanted to. Impatient and eager when he was just beginning earned him a crappy tattoo, but it was also a learning experience. “Excuse you,” Antoni laughed then. “I don’t even know your name and you want me to give you a look?” He shook his head, not moving to lift his pant leg to show it off. “Name tattoos don’t always go well. Don’t get me wrong, they come out nice, but…” He had his share of cover-ups when clients returned after breaking up with their significant other.

Marie just barely missed the girl and shook her head, “No, you’re lucky though. If you would have scuffed these new shoes I wouldn’t have been able to control what I did next.” Her brows gently furrowing, “where are you headed?” She said looking the brunette over. “in this city I suggest paying better attention. No telling whose paying better attention than you.”

"i don’t blame you. i’m still on the wait list for my pair.” she offered up with a harried sigh. “class. it’s a summer course and it’s kicking my ass. we have an exam today or else i would have my wits about me.”

‘pointing a bottle? and somehow you look past the gun involved. alright, sure. you russians are.. mad.’ olyvar laughed and scrunched his nose, his fingers going to play with the necklace he’d gotten from soleil. ‘for starters you’re like 16, you’ve got two overbearing brothers and i’ve been seeing this wonderful boy for six months before we made it official.’

Alexandra didn’t want to get out of her home, but she knew she couldn’t stay there forever, her parents had insisted that she’d would have more security around her than before and even if it was a bit annoying at times it does made her feel safer and for now that’s all she wanted. She was just getting something at her favorite bakery one she went to often but she was still nervous, she knew that she didn’t have a reason but still. After she ordered she noticed that the person in front of her had left their card on the counter, once she saw them she got closer “Excuse me, I think this is yours?” She said showing them the credit card.

 @zazavasyutin

Zoya had been in such a hurry, she hadn’t even realized she’d left her credit card at the cash register. It wasn’t until she was leaving that someone stopped her. “Oh shit...” She trailed off, letting out a sigh. “This is not my day. Thank you though.” She paused. “Wait, don’t I know you?”

Just another night full of impulsive possibilities. He didn’t have enough fingers to count the amount of times people have stumbled in, some drunk and some not, to get tattoos that they’d end up regretting by the time the sun came up. He glanced over every now and then, but only paid closer attention when he was called. While her friend was speaking with his co-worker, based on her expression she didn’t look as ready to get permanently inked. “The worst tattoo I’ve done…” His lips pursed, though he didn’t have a problem with being honest about having practiced on himself or admitting that there was a time when his art looked like shit. “Is right by my ankle.”

@zazavasyutin

Given how quickly things seemed to be escalating between the mafias, it was more important than ever that the Bratva extended its reach as far as possible. Zoya Vasyutin was an important mechanism in ensuring that they had plenty of soldiers to secure their territory. It was for that reason that Viktor felt that a meeting was in order, to ensure that her recruitment efforts had been operating smoothly.

”Miss Vasyutin, a pleasure as always.” He greeted, approaching her in front of one of many shops in Little Odessa. Though she was a distant member of his family, she was still a sister among the Bratva, and therefore someone worth treating kindly. “I hope I am not taking up too much of your time, yes? I believe that given how quickly the others are moving, it is time we had a chat about your upcoming semester.“

When she got the notification her presence was requested for a meeting with the pakhan, she felt her heart stop. Zoya knew she’d been doing a good job at least sending people their way but she felt she could always be doing more. Perhaps he had some suggestions? Whatever they were, she got ready and made her way to Little Odessa.

“I realize now, I don’t know how to address you in person.” She responded with an awkward laugh. “Oh no, today is one of my off days. I have all the time in the world today.” Zoya offered up with a grin. “New semester means, new classes. New classes mean new people.”

@zazavasyutin

It felt surreal; going through the motions of everyday life after having witnessed such carnage the night before. Yet Arabella had managed to find her way home, and was awoken at the usual hour by her manager. She went through the usual motions, feeling something akin to numbness as she got into a car and went through her usual schedule for the day. Today’s location was Columbia University, where she would pose for a few hours before making her way to the administrator’s office, pulling them ever closer to Liling’s web of corruption.

But as the morning passed, and the camera crews disappeared, it dawned on Arabella that she wasn’t quite sure how to get to her contact’s location. “U-um, excuse me Miss!” She called out, reaching out to a passing student. “I-ah, I was wondering if you might know where I can find the Dean’s Office? I’m afraid I don’t know the campus very well…”

She was caught off guard by someone calling out for her. “I... oh,” She recognized the girl from somewhere but couldn’t quite place her. Perhaps they had class together? When she asked about the dean’s office, she realized she didn’t know her at all. “It’s a bit tricky to get to... do you need an escort?”

Charles raised his eyebrows as he bumped into a girl. “Yes. Charles, Charles Rothschild.” He answered, smiling as he did so. He always mentions his first name, making sure it isn’t out shined by his last name.  He looked at the girl from head to toe, trying to figure out whether he had met her before.  “Well, there’s only a few good looking blonde men in the city who actually makes a name for themselves.” Charles shrugged, his ego definitely conflated as always. “I’m sorry to ask, but have we met before?” 

“I see you really fancy yourself.” She said with a laugh, pausing at his question. She could pretend to be someone else but what was the point. “Actually, yes. I’m Zoya Vasyutin, you know my brothers. Or at least you did.”

‘mean, firstly. secondly, no way you got shot at. didn’t you say your brother your brother would die protecting you? and the other one too.’ oly rolled his eyes fondly, going back to the register to buy zoya a muffin before returning back to sit with her. ‘fine, okay. i have a boyfriend. we’re madly in love and his name means sunshine because he is the sun of my life. he brightens my days and i could die happy right now.’

“Um hi.... I think you grabbed my coffee? Or maybe not. I just know mine comes with a mountain of whipped cream.”

“Oh wow, you’re a Rothschild? Aren’t you?” She swore she’d seen his face on page six. “It’s just... it isn’t every day I run into one of New York’s finest.”

“Alright, I only have twenty minutes for you to complain about your love life. I have now been shot at so it feels like half an hour is far too much for trivial matters.” She ran a hand through her hair. “We can make it half an hour if you buy me a muffin.”

The fact she had a meeting with the pakhan scared the shit out of her. Sure, she knew who he was. She always kept tabs on the Russian leadership, she figured it stemmed from their family’s ties to the bolsheviks and the czars. As she waited to be called in, she took a deep breath. After all, she hadn’t done anything wrong.

She’d been in such a rush to get to her Summer course, she hadn’t even noticed the light had turned red. After almost getting hit by a passing car, she had to pause and take a breath. When the sign said walk, she hurried across the street only to nearly run into someone else. “I... I wow, don’t know what’s come over me today. I can’t even fucking walk. I’m sorry, are you alright?”

“You’ve got to be fucking joking.” She quipped, folding her arms against her chest. “Oh shit, you’re serious? I mean, yeah... I guess. Run it by me one more time. I know you’re my brother and all but I’m a busy girl...” She said with a laugh, knowing full well she’d probably do whatever the fuck he asked.