#eli x zoe exes template

[jerzwriter]

Eli & Zoe - Their Exes

For those of you who were here back in 2021, you may recall these templates that were created by the amazing @jamespotterthefirst. They were fun, and they were also extremely helpful in developing characters and creating backgrounds. So, I decided to do this template for Eli & Zoe in my Wake the Dead world. I may do others if I feel they will be helpful.

Since they live in a post-apocalyptic world with very different realities/challenges that we face, their history is different, yet, there are some similarities to things we experience today. They are not all pretty, and I will place trigger warnings before each photo/slide so you can skip over specific ones if you wish.

If you're reading my WTD fics, I hope this helps you understand the characters better, as it has helped me in creating them.

One last note, I will use these FCs for Eli (Kendrick Sampson - yes, he resembled Jesse Williams - no - it's not him lol) and Zoe (Adria Arjona). But I will be using them RARELY. I am really hoping to rely more on artwork for fics in the WTD world. Also, thank you to @cariantha for the suggestion for Eli.

Eli's Exes

TW: Missing person

FC: Hera Hilmar

Eli & Nessa loved each other but were not in love. Each got 50% because they were just so confused and unsure of their real feelings.

They were the best of friends and trusted each other implicitly. But commitment is at 50% again because of the uncertainty. If things had turned out differently, there is a good chance they would have ended up together. If they decided to commit to each other, they would have remained fully committed - in love or not.

TW: Not exactly healthy sexual relationship / No abuse

FC: Charlize Theron

There was zero love, or even like, between Eli & Cora.

This was a purely sexual relationship born of pure physical need and loneliness.

While the "relationship" lasted around 9-months, their encounters were limited and only took place when Eli traveled to her town for trading purposes.

TW: None really for this one, though it does discuss arranged relationships in a controlled society.

FC: Jannik Schumann

Jon gets a 20% for "in love" because Jon was in love with the idea of pleasing the leaders. He was not in love with Zoe at all.

Friendship and trust levels are low but not non-existent. At that time, Zoe was still cordial with Jon because they were training together. Had they been sent on missions, she would have trusted him... to a degree... and vice-versa. But the more he became loyal to The Tower, the less trust/friendship they had.

TW: Grooming, inappropriate relationships with an authority figure

FC: Chris Pratt

Zoe entered into this "willingly", believing she was seeking a physical, no-strings-attached relationship. She was actually a little proud of herself for doing so. It was only later she realized how Carlton was a groomer who took advantage of those who were his students and others he had power over.

Because of this, Zoe has a 15% for "in love" because, in the start, she thought maybe they meant something a little more, but Carlton knew exactly what it was the entire time. This is also why there is a 10% for commitment - mostly on the part of Zoe.

Trust is at 50% because initially, Zoe trusted him, maybe not fully, but a good deal. Of course, that was crushed. She did not trust him after, but to a degree, she did. They both had to trust that the other would keep their "secret" for different reasons.

TW: None, really - but it does discuss anti-LGBT views in The Tower

FC: Henry Golding

Zoe & Tylo were not in love with each other, not at all. But they did care about each other very much. Their relationship was up front, supportive, and healthy - so they get a 25% on "in love" for that reason.

Friendship, trust, and sex were all high. Not unlike Eli & Nessa, if these two were "in love," it could have been a good thing, but they weren't.

That said, commitment got 50% because they were very committed to what they had. They were committed to protecting each other. But neither had any illusions that this was "true" or would last forever.

A little bit more...

I will tag Perma & WTD lists separately.