PULLED APART AT THE SEAMS

Ananke Verne Twenty-seven years old Proud Romani woman and Psychic

[anankeverne-blog]

jasonxkane:

A long, drawn out inhale ended with an even longer exhale through flared nostrils. He was calming down slowly. His heart was still beating wildly inside of his ribcage but he wasn’t going to wreck the place or send anyone to the emergency room. “Can you see it?” he asked, curious. He’d heard of auras. “Feel it?” He wondered as to the extent of her abilities. After retaking his seat next to her he yanked a hand down his face, and sat back to look into her eyes.

Her head cants to the side as she contemplates his question. How could she describe this so he would understand? Jason’s anger glowed like a flame, red and flickering but with a red hot center that she dare not to touch. It wasn’t always like this. When she had arrived it was still red but warm and inviting, wrapping around him like they were old friends. Instead, she shrugs. “Sometimes it’s both. Emotions give off different colours so that changes but there’s always something that underlines it all. A feeling or something else, I’m not sure. I never question how it works.” In truth, she didn’t really know. It had taken many years for her to be able to hone her abilities and be comfortable with them. “It’s anything from a touch or a thought. The closer I am with a person, the more I can see understand but some people exude energy that forces me to pay attention.”

[anankeverne-blog]

jasonxkane:

“I’ll deal with it,” came in a clipped tone. As the adrenaline wore off for her she’d begin to feel everything more profoundly, and she didn’t need to be moving or using that wrist of hers. “It’s probably your throat,” if the fucker broke a rib…he’d have seen it as she walked, surely. An x-ray was probably wise but they could hardly go to the hospital or call in one of the guys who looked at fighters at the pit. A man had died. “If it gets any worse jus’ let me know, yeah?” He rose to begin dealing with his wound when he grabbed a blanket from the top of the sofa, and placed it over her. Bruno quickly took Jason’s place, and rest his head on her thigh. “I’ll be back in a minute. Don’t move. Jus’ relax.”

“Sorry,” she mumbled, hands coming to rest against the ice pack. It was hard to press through the guilt and the horror of the night but she could understand if he’d prefer her not to touch him. Instinctively her fingers curled around her bruised throat as she nodded. It made sense, her larynx had been almost crushed and it felt swollen and sore. Jason seemed to know more about this and from what she had seen, he had dealt with more injuries than she had in a life time. “I will, thank you.” A part of her longed to reach out and cling to Jason, not willing to be alone. It was lucky to have the friendly puppy take up his space. She pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders as she ran her fingers through the puppies short hair. It was dangerous to close her eyes now, or even blink. There was more than just the violence she had witnessed tonight, she also saw his violence, the past crimes he had committed. Unlike what she had seen in Jason’s past, the Russian held no remorse and that chilled her to the bone.

[nalianova]

I don’t know what’s happening to us either, but I do know that from the moment I first saw you, I wanted you. And somehow, I feel that you want me, too.

[anankeverne-blog]

adameliasbeck:

Fuck, she was scared. Of him? How? He didn’t know her? He hardly knew anyone here, it wasn’t like he’d spent the last five months making friends. Or was it about the laptop? Scared of finding something? Or something being found? people got weird about their computers.

He put his hands up, universal sign of giving in. Surrender. I come in peace.

“Look, whatever’s on this, or… whatever, I can probably fix it really fast, okay? And then you can leave. I don’t have anyone else waiting so it’s just, you know, you.”

He slowly reached for her laptop, opening it, still eyeing her warily.

“So, uh, you know my name. What’s yours?”

It felt like she was a wild animal trapped in a corner. To run and flee would raise more suspicion than necessary, to stay would cause her trouble in the end. The problem was he kept hold of her laptop, one of her biggest money makers. So instead, she gave in. Allowing him to take the laptop without arguing. 

“There’s nothing bad on it. Some of the video functions aren’t working and I require them for my job,” She said, trying to ignore the harsh way her words sounded being forced out of her injured throat.

Her instinct was to lie, tell him the wrong name and then he could never repeat her name to anyone, especially the Russian. A few problems quickly arose. The login for her laptop being one of them and her name on the ticket would be the other. 

“Sorry, I’m Ananke. Most call me Ana, it’s easier to remember that way.” So why was she the idiot telling him that? She cursed herself, nervous fingers raking through her dark curls. 

[anankeverne-blog]

jasonxkane:

“Fuck!” he screamed. his breathing deepening as he stormed from one end of the room to the other, as if a bull was preparing to charge. how many times would he smash up the office? make a hole in the dry wall? he tried to contain himself, to calm himself. “I’m sorry…” hands placed upon his hips as he closed his eyes. he was so mad he could spit…and he could never seem to take the edge off of his rage without doing one of a few things… all of which were physical.

There was no reason for her to speak up. The damage had been done by Jerry himself and she knew better than to get in the way of rage. Instead she waited, watching him pace back and forth in his anger. She wished there was a way to soothe him that wouldn’t get in his way. Taking a sip of her wine, she tried to smile. “You don’t have to be sorry. This is your office and your anger, letting it out is healthy.” 

[anankeverne-blog]

jasonxkane:

“Yeah well it’s a damn fuckin’ shame.“ He finished wrapping up her hand and gave her an ice pack to apply. “Get this on it. And this one on your ribs. Does it hurt to breathe?“ he asked, trying to gauge whether her ribs were bruised or broken. She hadn’t walked or held herself as if they were, but he’d caught a glimpse of the Russian’s boot meeting her stomach. Meanwhile, his bullet graze caused blood to seep down his arm, causing the material of his shirt to stick to his skin beneath his torn jacket.

Ananke knew when to shut her mouth and now felt like the time. It snapped shut as she concentrated her pain elsewhere. The ache of her wrist was soothed by the ice pack on her wrist. It would still be sore in the morning though Jason’s care would make sure it wasn’t so bad. “Yes,” she answered, her voice rasping. It was already a cold night and now with two ice packs, she was starting to feel a chill. “I can’t tell if it’s because of my throat or my ribs.” Her entire body ached but her heart hurt worse. “You should let me fix your arm up. You’re still losing blood.” Gentle fingertips grazed against his arm, just before the wound that still trickled down his arm.

[anankeverne-blog]

jasonxkane:

The Englishman’s brow pulled at the mention of stripper’s underwear. Kinky, weird little freak… but thoughts were soon all but shrouded by a dark cloud of rage. No matter how Jason tried to control himself it always got the better of him. Palms lay flat against the wall, and he used all the self control he had not to start taking his fury out on the office around them. He couldn’t speak. He couldn’t breathe. “Fuckin’ spineless two faced cunt!”

The psychic already knew a wave of anger would follow her news. Her fingers twisted nervously in her lap as she waited for the worst of it. Sometimes people took the bad news out on the messenger even if it was uncontrollable. “I’m sorry, Jason.” She couldn’t offer council or console him but it was always terrible to know you had been betrayed. Ananke was in charge of Jerry’s fate for just this moment and she felt terrible for having to deliver the news. “At least you now know. Another few weeks and... well, it would have been bad.” Disastrous even.

[anankeverne-blog]

georgiedonati:

“Yeah, that’s a good idea. As long as it’s not Italian, she’ll eat someone else’s food. She claims to be the only one around here that can cook Italian, not that she’s really wrong. Though it’s the only Italian I’ve ever had so I’m not the best judge.”

“That’s understandable, why eat something else when you know it’s the best? In my experience, a home cooked meal that you don’t have to prepare yourself is the most satisfying. But this, I promise is just some Indian sweets so it should meet her standards, I hope.”

[anankeverne-blog]

adameliasbeck:

In all his life no one had ever reacted to him like she was. Like she was seeing a ghost, or like he was threatening her. Like she was scared of him. No one had ever been scared of him.

He might be wearing a name tag but she’s lying. There’s no reason for the way she’s saying his name. He puts a hand on her laptop as she looks like she might grab it and run. It’s hers, but he’s a little worried about whatever it is she’s going through. Like maybe he shouldn’t let her go, or should at least… call someone for her.

“Seriously, do I… know you? Or? Are you… okay? Should I call someone for you?”

She can’t shake the fear that makes her heart thrum wildly in her chest. “No, no, it’s fine. I’m fine,” her voice trembled with the effort it took to speak and try to make it sound convincing. It was difficult to resist reaching across the table and snatching away her laptop. 

One touch of their hands would flood her mind with memories and moments shared between Adam and Mikhail. It would be too much that she couldn’t unsee. They were all things she shouldn’t know, she shouldn’t even be in this room with Adam. Fear cut deep after th “Perhaps I should just head home, I’m sorry for wasting your time.” 

[anankeverne-blog]

georgiedonati:

“No, I’m good, I probably shouldn’t. We still have a lot of stuff from Thanksgiving still that probably should get eaten… well tonight. Not that I’m complaining mia madre’s cooking’s always been heaven on a plate.”

“Then you should take some with you. If you’re madre has put so much work in, perhaps she’d like to eat something made my someone else.”

[anankeverne-blog]

adameliasbeck:

Adam looked up as the door burst open, a dark haired woman spilling in. She was the picture of rushed and worried. She doesn’t even make eye contact as she puts the bag on. So he wastes no time in pulling it towards him.

He looks up as she suddenly cuts off, confused, then worried. A frown deepening his brow.

“Are you- are you okay?” he asks. For a moment he genuinely wonders if she isn’t choking on something. But then she whispers his name and he frowns harder. “That’s me,” he says. “I’m sorry, have we met? I feel like I would remember you but…”

Somehow his name still slips from her lips, from surprise or fear, she can’t tell. This was the man she had been warned against. ‘Say his name again and I’ll carve it into your chest.’

Her voice still rasps, a memory of the hand that closed around her throat when she had last said his name. She flinches back, itching to grab her laptop and run. The wounds were still too fresh and if Mikhail found out, he wouldn’t just kill her. Jason would be hurt too. “I - uh... no, sorry. I’m sorry, it’s on your name tag.” She mutters, trying to cover up her blunder.

“Sore throat.” A poor lie, even for her. She can’t be caught here. “Maybe this was a bad idea.”

[anankeverne-blog]

jasonxkane:

She recalled the events, and Jason had expected as much. “It ‘aint your fault. Like I said. Actions have consquences, yeah? You’ll remember that next time. But people have a fuckin’ choice. He made the choice to kill tonight, yeah? It was no accident. That’s on him. That’s all him. Jus’ like Jesse made the choice to come, and jus’ like I made the fuckin’ choice to protect you. I knew what I was gettin’ into, and so did Jesse. What that cunt did was…” he shook his head, nostrils flaring. “He don’t fuckin’ deserve to the satisfaction of you blamin’ yourself.” He began to wrap her wrist accordingly, making note to see her fingers got iced as well.

Actions she had taken had dire consequences, some that could have lead to something worse. Mikhail was a terrible man and Ananke had seen it clear as day, still she pushed. Her action had caused pain. Lips turned down into a grimace, she tried to hold back any sign of discomfort or pain. Tomorrow she would feel better but the thoughts would remain. “I could have gotten you killed!” That was what was plaguing her mind. If she were to die due to stupidity, that was on her. One man had died, another had been seriously injured and Jason nearly got killed, and for what? “I’m afraid he’s already got that satisfaction,” she whispered.

[anankeverne-blog]

jasonxkane:

The message translated just fine. Jason smiled to himself - smiled to hide the sinister click of his jaw. He was sure, with the look in her eyes, there was something there. Something that he would deal with in the next few days. He wanted nothing about his findings to relay back to Ana. The rest of their time together went smoothly enough, though Jason could hardly stand Jerry all over her. Once their drinks were empty, he all but escorted Jerry to the door. “Thanks again, boss…and it was a pleasure meeting you,” he told the woman before the door closed. 

He neglected to travel back to sit beside Ana. No, when he heard the news he ought to be as far away as possible given his propency for violence, and tendancy to punch holes through dry wall. “So, what’s the damage then girl?”

Even if Jerry was blind to the subtle changes in Jason’s demeanour, Ananke read them loud and clear. Her message had been heard and now Jerry would have to pay. That part wasn’t any of her business, still she felt bad for the clueless boy who struggled with two sides of himself. This life wasn’t for him. “And it was a pleasure meeting you,” she smiled, still all charm and fabricated sweetness. As soon as the door shut, she wiped the back of her hand on her skirt, ridding herself of that slimy feeling.

“Well, boy,” she started, shooting him another look. “Young Jerry has a penchant for wearing women’s underwear that he takes from strippers which is disgusting in itself.” She pulled a face, shaking her head to rid herself of that image. It was a good way to stall. She had seen Jason’s anger in person and now, she would be responsible for it again. “He’s making deals on both sides. There’s a bookie who he’s paying off and a police officer that he’s giving information with. I saw a lot of struggle, he doesn’t know which side is right.” 

[anankeverne-blog]

@adameliasbeck

She comes tumbling through the door in a flurry, curls stray and wild from the wind, her jacket and scarf skewed like she dressed in a rush. “Thank you for seeing me so quickly!” The heavy laptop bag is placed on the desk without even a glance. This was business after all, she needed the machine back and as soon as possible if she was to work from home. “It’s just the - ” The sentence dies in her throat which she clutches at. The faint bruises still mar her skin under the scarf, her voice remains husky and all because she dared to utter the name of the man before her. 

[anankeverne-blog]

jasonxkane:

Something about the way Jerry, ever the sleeze, clasped his hand around Ana’s made Jason’s jaw tighten slightly. In fact, the way she leaned in had his eyes on the pair of them… but he quickly got a hold of himself. He chalked it down to his protective side, and began looking for a specific bottle of wine - a very expensive bottle. “You don’t drink much?” Jerry asked, whose default was a beer, or a tolerated glass of whisky around people like his boss… “Maybe some wi-” he was cut off by Jason’s arrival beside them, handing them a glass of red wine each.

“Get that down ya then make yourself scarce, yeah?” he told Jerry, again throwing him off the scent of exactly what was happening, as if he was in a hurry to spend some time alone with his female company and had truly forgotten all about Jerry’s meeting. “It ain’t nothin’ urgent I jus’ need a new ref for next week’s Johnson vs Diaz. Take the night to think it over, and we’ll talk about it properly tomorrow.” Jerry had forced his eyes away from Ananke to look at Jason, fear only spiking for a moment again before his boss alleviated it altogether. Relief flooded through his veins…as he’d wondered if his meeting meant he knew. He’d only informed the cops about him once… only to save his own ass… how could he have found out? Surely he hadn’t a clue. “Yeah, yeah… no that’s cool with me…” he replied eagerly, as if he’d have done anything to please the man. “You can count on me, boss. I’ll do it.”

Never had she wanted to get her hand off a man so quickly. It wasn’t that he was dirty to touch but the things in his mind made her feel like taking a long hot shower. The women’s underwear was particularly disturbing, mostly when he clashed red and pink together. To each their own, she decided. Jerry’s question snapped her out of her ciphering and she gave a playful laugh. “Not at all really, I’m such a light weight.” She giggled again, squeezing his hand and resting her finger tips against his pulse. “Thank you, love.” 

Giving Jerry the wrong impression was the last thing she wanted so she was willing to play up their ‘relationship’ It was Jason who did the hard work for her. Making Jerry feel relaxed and at ease allowed a solid stream of memories, both future and past. A cop and a bookie, he was dipping into both sides. Trying to create a market for himself. The cop was the interesting part. Somehow he became full of information, some false, some true. It made him look like a good man and a big man to have so much information on the great ‘Jason Kane’. She hummed softly, leaning back with her glass of wine. It was strange to see a sense of jealousy in Jerry’s eyes. He wanted to be Jason but had none of the savvy or fighting skill. “I’m sure Jason has complete and utter faith in you.” She extenuated her words, eyeing Jason meaningfully. This had to be what he was searching for.

[anankeverne-blog]

jasonxkane:

“I doubt it was your fault but too fuckin’ right I’m gonna scold you. What the fuck was that?” he asked, incredulous glance shot at her as he sat down. “Go on, just tell me. All of it, yeah?” He sighed through his nostrils, trying not to get worked up again. Nobody needed that. Thankfully, around a woman, it was a lot easier to curb his tumultous rage, surprisingly. He dealt with her wrist first, taking her smaller hand into his larger one and checking it was not broken. “And move your fingers for me. Thumb too.” There was no obvious deformity, and otherwise only what Jason could tell would be minimal bruising and swelling. If she could move her digits, all she needed was ice and a secure wrap.

She recognised that anger immediately, something she had become strangely familiar with in her time of knowing Jason. This time she didn’t recoil from it, she only gazed down at her sore wrist, feeling sorry for herself. She hissed at his gentle touch but allowed him to take her wrist as she decided where to start. “I was just going to see a client. She’s a nervous wreck so I do house calls. I don’t know why... the elevator jolted to a stop and I fell and when he held me upright I saw it all. He’s a terrible man, Jason and he was going to kill someone.” It wasn’t an excuse for what she did but it was some justification. “I just tried to warn him away.” Out of all her fingers, it was only the pinkie and the one beside it that really hurt but nothing unbearable. After everything that happened, she deserved a little bit of pain. “I’m so sorry. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.”

[anankeverne-blog]

jasonxkane:

Poppy calmed, brushing against Ananke and sniffing curiously. “She likes you, yeah. She’s a good judge of character that one; hard to win over. But this one?” he picked up Bruno, who flopped about in his arms looking at Ananke. “He’s a fickle bastard this one. Let’s anyone rub his belly, don’t you ay?” he let him down on the sofa as Poppy began to cry. “It’s alright, Pops, just a bit of blood. You’ve seen worse.” He was bleeding all over his floor, and with a bit of reassurance from Jason she settled. “Go on you sit down,” he told Ananke, gesturing to the sofa. She was hurt, and they both needed tending to. “I’ll be right back with the first aid kit. Then you can tell me what the fuck ‘appened…” 

With a gentle hand, she scratched the elder dog behind the ears to see if she could get away with such affection. “They’re both very sweet and they love you quite a lot.” She observed, watching the way both dogs reacted to their owners presence and injuries. Injuries that she had caused. A wave of guilt rushed over her again but she listened to his command, moving to take a seat. Poppy came with her, resting her head on her knee. Once he returned she smiled sadly, thinking of way that could explain how her actions had almost got him killed. “You’re going to scold me, I know it. It was my fault.” She deserved a scolding.