VYRUBOVA, Valentina Feodorovna

[VALENTINA VYRUBOVA]

...Valentina Feodorovna Vyrubova*
*How it happened he did not know. But all at once something seemed to seize him and fling him at her feet. He wept and threw his arms round her knees. For the first instant she was terribly frightened and she turned pale. She jumped up and looked at him trembling. But at the same moment she understood, and a light of infinite happiness came into her eyes. She knew and had no doubt that he loved her beyond everything and that at last the moment had come... *

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...basics*

name
Valentina Feodorovna Vyrubova
nickname
Tina is how most people refer to her. Her Papa use to call her Valya and Valenka, and she misses it terribly.
age
21
gender
Female
grade
Adult. She has up to her Sophomore year of high school education wise.
hometown
Coney Island, New York City, New York
sexuality
Straight
personification
Sofia Semyonovna Marmeladova
status
Dormant
face claim
Sky Ferreira

...appearance*

hair color
Tina has very long, curly, blond hair. What color blond varies depending on whether she's been in the sun or not. The darker it is, the longer she's been inside. Just as the lighter it is, the more she has gotten out. Her roots are rather dark, and bleed out in a fine gold usually.
eye color
Tina has very queer yellowish brown eyes. They are quite expressive and often casted down demurely.
build
Tina is of average height for a girl, though she is slightly underweight. Between stress and poor diet, she has a constant look of being far too breakable. Often when she wears cloths, they are ill fitted, as she cannot afford for them to be tailored to her odd proportions.
height
5' 6" (1.68 m)
clothing style
A little rag tag. Her clothing is worn and used, often second hand. However, she does keep them clean, just as she does her younger brother and sister's cloths.
distinctive traits
Tina has dark shadows beneath her eyes, and often hides behind her hair when she speaks to people. It may appear, also, that she is speaking to the floor, as that is usually where she is looking when she talks. She chronically wrings her fingers, and is prone to nail biting, often until they bleed, so her fingertips are often scabbed or bandaged.

...personal*

personality
Valentina Vyrubova is generous, first and foremost. She cannot look at a child in her neighborhood who even might just SEEM to be peckish and not feed him or her. Luckily, the parents of the neighborhood know her well enough to be okay with this. She is just and kind, and easily touched by other people's misfortunes. Many in her neighborhood have grown sorry for the poor girl who works herself to the bone, and are pleasant. It's those who live a few blocks away, or who come from other parts of New York City that cause her the most trouble in the bar, and they take advantage of meek, and somewhat timid, nature.

When everything goes extremely smoothly in her life, Tina can appear graceful. However, she is easily flustered, and one thing wrong in her life can make her become very sentimental and weepy, even world weary.

Though an extremely good person, she is use to guiding her own conduct by- shall we say- liberal rules, and will always treat others with leniency. The saying 'Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me' does not apply to her because a: she is always willing to take the blame in anothers stead, and b: because she will still love and trust you, even if a great wrong has been done. Besides being a good housekeeper, she is also very fond of children and animals. No stray goes without water, no child without a butterscotch.

Though mild in disposition, it is surprising to learn that she is strong and steadfast. It is impossible to force her to do something she feels is wrong, though she will do wrong things if SHE believes it's for the greater good. When coerced, she will behave in an uncompromising way; and when challenged in an argument, she will remain silently in anger rather than repeat her opinions or show her displeasure. She loathes to fight, and though she will not say the other is right when they are wrong, she will quietly maintain that they must simply disagree.

Because she is so 'mousy' she speaks in a low manner that seems very indirect, which often annoys other people. She is not the sort to make a fuss over her own trials, and will in fact do her best to make light of them. Therefore, a person must get to know her little by little, and the best way to do it is to ask a direct question. Though she may blush and fidget, her need to please nature forces her to indulge the person. Though serene looking on the outside, she is often fretting over saying something foolish- as she's very aware of her under-education. However, people will find- with prodding- that she is full of a strange, almost innocent, wisdom.

Quick to tears, she is ironically ashamed of them, and can often be seen fleeing anything upsetting. Valentina will never try and insult you directly, and will become even more distraught if she does than had she been insulted herself.
past
In the beginning, Fyodor and Natalia were young. They were beautiful. And they successful. They were in love. They owned The Moskva Inn, which Fyodor inherited from his passed on Father. There, Fyodor worked as a floorman and- after his dear Mama followed his Papa- a cook, and his beautiful wife took on the role of waitress and hostess. The Moskva Inn was only a small bar and lodge, with five rooms to rent above, and a bar below. Many people merely came there to drink, though much of the Eastern European immigrants came to eat the food that made them think of home. Okroshka, shchi, solyanka, pelmeni, and of course the best borscht in New York City! Though it was not lavish or rich, Moskva in had a warmth, especially brought by the always singing and smiling Natya.

When they became pregnant, Fyodor was over joyed. He kept after the glowing Natya to sit down and put her feet up constantly, though she would have non of that. When they found out the baby was going to be a girl, they couple agonized and disputed (in good fun) over names, until finally on July 6th, their little darling was born, right in their living room on the third floor of The Moskva Inn. They named her Valentina after Saint Valentine, who was celebrated on July 6th in their church, and Natya foretold her cherub faced daughter to have a great romance in her future.

The happiness was short lived, as a fever soon took Natalia. Fyodor was torn between caring for his ailing wife and helpless child, and tried to juggle both, closing down The Moskva Inn temporarily. When Natya fell asleep and wouldn't wake up, he called the hospital frantically. Soon after she died, cause of death being puerperal fever due to a bacterial infection contracted during the birth or a tear in her perineum which became infected. The process would have been caught by doctors, but Natya had so wanted her child born at home, as she and Fyodor both had been. Fyodor buried his wife, and soon his aching heart in Vodka and Medovukha.

When his funds started growing short from his savings, Fyodor opened the bar once more, hiring a young woman to be a waitress. Lyuba was no Natya, though they looked so similar people in the neighborhood talked. But she did not have Natya's light or glow, nor did she seem fond of the growing Valentina, who she crudely deemed 'Tina'. A couple years after being hired- and beginning a barely concealed affair- Lyuba demanded marriage. Fyodor conceded, deciding Valentina needed a Mother, and he needed a Na- a wife. The ceremony was short, private, and unpopular with customers. Many, in fact, would not be seen for a great many years.

Though Lyuba was not a warm Mother by any means, Fyodor was a good Father. His drinking- and therefore poor business choices- aside, he loved his daughter greatly, as she reminded him so much of her Mother. Natya had died for this girl, and therefore she must be cherished so as to not let that death be in vain. A bright child, Valentina would read him bed time stories as he nursed his night cap, especially of Vasilisa the Beautiful. Lyuba was jealous of the pair, understanding full well that she was a replacement, and nursing the drink herself. She tried desperately to become pregnant, and to usurp Valentina's role as most loved. It took her seven years, before she finally had Yelizaveta and Yemelyan. The ten year old Valentina, who had long since grown use to her parents being drunk, adored the twins, and acted much as their Mother.

Lyuba, on the other hand, grew more spiteful, as Fyodor's love for her did not grow. Oh, he adored the twins, just as he did Valentina. But Lyuba was a warm filler in his bed and a pair of hands at work. The hope for companionship died years before.

When Valentina was fourteen, and the twins were four, Fyodor's long abused liver gave out. He died of liver failure, leaving Valentina in the care of her cold step mother. As the children mourned their father, Lyuba's concern was the steadily decaying business. She began advertising to a less savory group of people- thugs, mafiosos, and ruffians- and hired a 'waitress' to tend to them. However, many of these men had an eye for pretty Valentina, and Lyuba was not one to deny her customers. With cries of bankruptcy and pauperism, Lyuba told her step child that it was time for her to take on a more direct role in helping the family. She dolled up Valentina, and threw her to the wolves.

Life did not much improve for Valentina. She became withdrawn and did not like eating much. Her confidence fell to the floor, as her Step Mother insisted she were ugly and clumsy, and that she would 'have to get use to laying on her back, as it was all she was good for'. Damaged, Valentina decided that her Step Mother- who was for all intensive purposes the only Mother she had ever had- must be telling the truth. After all, why would she lie? The cruel woman even went so far as suggesting that Fyodor was not Valentina's real Father, though mousy Tina interjected that she had to be as their eyes had been identical, and the coloring was not common.

Dropping out of high school when she was sixteen 'to better help the family', her life by no means improved. She worked at the bar, cleaning and cooking and trying to look after the otherwise neglected twins. Though she dreamed of a great romance and a large family, Valentina did not enjoy sex in the least. It was dirty and shameful and humiliating to her. Still, she never spoke a word out against her Step Mother. Twice she prayed to die, and to not wake up, so she could be with her real mother and father. But she did not, and she was disappointed for a moment, until she heard the twins. Than she cried at her selfishness, and helped them get ready for school.

As she worked, Valentina noticed a rise in customers. Older ones, who had knew her Mother, mixed with the ruffian's Lyuba brought in. They gave her hope, and she gave them care packages and kind words, sometimes even singing the songs her Father use to sing. It was a glimmer of light in her otherwise bleak life, and there it stayed.
present
Very little has changed in Valentina Feodorovna's life. She works as the main cook and waitress (she mostly makes stews and soups before hand, and sandwiches to order) at Moskva Inn, which has gone down hill in years. They are in terrible need of another waitress and a handyman, though few stay due to Lyuba's temperament and the sorts that frequent the place. She cares for her brother and sister, who attend PS 90, and tries to keep them well cared for. On occasion she is able to slip away from work and wander the amusement parks, though she never rides the rides because she is far too frightened.

Moskva Inn was suppose to belong to Valentina, however her step mother decreed that she was 'not ready', and as Lyuba is in charge of the paperwork, the undereducated Valentina believes there is little she can do. It would break her heart to leave Moskva, so she stays. It's really that simple. Besides, if she did, who would care for poor Yelizaveta and Yemelyan? So she makes do, suffers quietly, and hopes for better days.
family

• Fyodor Pavlovich Vyrubova - Her Father, dead seven years now. He was Russian born, but immigrated to New York City when he was a boy. His parents opened Moskva Inn, which he took over upon his Father's death. His Mother died soon after, and he later married Valentina's Mother. Though he was a drunk, he was a loving Father who inspired devotion in his children.
  
• Natalia Alexeievna Vyrubova (nee Razumovsky) - Valentina's Mother, and the love of Fyodor's life, who died of puerperal fever after a Valentina's home birth (Russian Orthodox custom). She died five days after Tina was born.
  
• Lyuba Vyrubova (nee Benko) - Fyodor's second wife, and Tina's step Mother. After Fyodor died, the inn was given to her, with instruction for Tina to own it some day. She is unkind to Valentina, often calling her ugly or clumsy, and using her to make more money for the slowly decaying Inn to bring in unsavory customers. It is hard work for Valentina to continue to love her, but she forces herself to. She is harsh, quick to anger, and ruthless to get what she wants.
  
• Yemelyan Feodorovich Vyrubova - Tina's eleven year old half brother.
  
• Yelizaveta Feodorovna Vyrubova - Tina's eleven year old half sister.
  

likes

• Sunshine, especially on the beach.
  
• Her Papa, even though he made mistakes.
  
• Singing.
  
• Children. She's always wanted a large family to take care of.
  
• Cooking. Especially hearty Russian food. It's one of the few things she genuinely thinks she's good at.
  
• Old films, where there was nothing trashy, and the romance was so sweet.
  
• Flowers, especially those with a strong aroma.
  
• Loyalty. It's a value she holds highly in people.
  
• Books on tape. She'll listen to them sometimes, while she works.
  
• Cozy places.
  
• Knitting, crocheting, sewing, embroidering. She likes giving people presents (as oppose to a method of destressing like Hannah).
  
• The smell of baking bread.
  
• Raspberry Kvass
  
• Moskva Inn
  
• Being called Valya and Valenka, though no one really does since her dad died, and she doesn't correct them. Tina is fine, as she does not dislike it.
  

dislikes

• Large crowds.
  
• Drunken boors.
  
• Sex. It's been tainted for her, and she's never received pleasure from it.
  
• Yellow. She wears yellow to tell customers she's 'available' for the night when times are hard, and the color has become tainted for her.
  
• Her step mother, though she would never say so aloud.
  
• Men who can't keep her hands to herself. Much the same as the prior situation.
  
• Crying in front of people, though she does so far more than she should. She's a sensitive soul.
  
• Eating too much, and others not getting their fill. She eats like a rabbit, and when she eats more, she feels ill.
  
• People who curse far too much. She doesn't mind a bit, but she dislikes gratuitous use.
  
• Illegal activity. She disapproves. Unless justifiable.
  
• She's easily flustered.
  
• Being so poorly educated.
  
• Feeling ugly.
  
• Feeling useless.
  
• Herself, often.

other notes
Moskva Inn is a narrow but three story tall building. First floor is a bar and small dining area, the second floor is for those staying. There are five rooms. And the top floor has been converted into a tiny two bedroom apartment.

...literature*

book title Crime and Punishment
backstory Sonia is the daughter of a drunk, Semyon, who Rodya meets in a tavern at the beginning of the novel. Rodya discerns that she shares the same feelings of shame and alienation as he does. Sonia sees him as her hero to begin with, as he defends her to other people, though in private he scolds her lifestyle. He also kisses her feet, which she's initially weird about, but later dreams on. She becomes the first person to whom Rodya confesses his crime, and she supports him even though she was friends with one of the victims. He's sort of a dick to her throughout the novel, though he seems to mean well. Sonia urges him to confess to his crime, already having had forgiven him herself, but big on the whole taking responsibility for actions and redemption thing. When he get the boot to Serbia for his crime, Sonia follows and flourishes. Everyone seems to adore her, and Sonia is better able to assert herself. Rodya, after a bit of whining as to why everyone likes her so well, figures out it's because she's NOT A DICK to people (who'd a thunk). They marry and live happily, though Rodya's mom dies. THE END.

...roleplayer*

name
Molly!
notes
So.. I'm preeeetty sure if anyone accepts this but Zelda, she will eat you. Alive. With barbeque sauce. So... don't.

[ZELDA]

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