seeing victoria on the tv screen and on campaign material was always jarring. the charismatic congresswoman turned possible vice president was much different than the girl you grew up with. she had distanced herself from red river including you years ago to enjoy a new life under the man that had been kind enough to give her a chance. meanwhile, you were left without a your closest friend and a shit chance at a future.

that was reason enough to hate her guts: turn off the tv as soon as she appeared and never talk about her again. yet, every time you looked at her behind the anger of betrayal lay the fondness you still held for the old nadia. she had to feel it too, right? otherwise you wouldn't have been alive. both stan edgar and victoria would stop at nothing to cover her past and dripping red ledger.

nothing would've prepared you for getting a distressed call from the woman you now barely knew. how the hell did she get your number? there was no awkward pauses like you thought the call would start with. "i've made a beyond shitty mistake thinking working with homelander would work." her voice was beyond shaky. you could imagine her on the other line trying to keep her cool. "you can hate me later. i wouldn't blame you..but i-i need you right now," she swallowed. "as always," victoria let out a nervous laugh, trying to hold herself together.

this didn't sound like the victoria on tv.