[annaxdolo]

I saw [ANASTASIA NIKOLAEVNA DOLOKHOVA] at a coffee shop in [MANHATTAN] today. I forgot how much [SHE] looks like [LAUREN COHAN]. They are a [THIRTY EIGHT] year old [ICE SKATING COACH] who’s been in NYC for [ONE MONTH] now. Every time we run into each other, they are always [HONEST AND KIND] but I’ve heard people say they can also be [WITHDRAWN AND HESITANT]. [HAPPY BY MARINA] reminds me of them every time it comes on the radio.

hi guys!!! so here’s anna’s intro, it’s a little wild and im putting it in bullet points dfngfjngifdj here we go!!! tw for drug/steroid use

anna grew up in moscow back during the days of the soviet union, raised by her mother and father. she was very quiet and when she was seven her father and uncle ‘disappeared’, in quotes because they were majorly outspoken against the government and huge opponents of the ussr so they were ‘poofed’ essentially. because of this anna has a deep fear of not only the russian government but all governments and is very afraid of speaking out

she and her mother moved in with her aunt and cousins and that was when anna started ice skating. long story short she is an absolute prodigy, doing regional and national competitions, smashing all of them.

when she was in her first year of university she went to the winter olympics and got gold on the first try, became a huge star in russia but never did interviews. it was only in her mid twenties that she agreed to an interview with a journalist, on the condition that she not talk about herself, her family, her life, or ice skating. she expected him to not reply, but he did and the interview was set up.

they are now married lmao

anna continued to compete, and heavily disapproved of the amount of doping that went on amongst the russian athletes. she always tried to persuade younger athletes to not do it but it didnt always work. she was also trying to keep her husband from speaking out against the government, terrified of something happening to him.

in the end he did speak out, as did anna, and they fled the country.

they now live in soho and anna is trying to cope with not being home with her family, whom she is very scared for. she coaches figure skating now and is willing to teach anyone who wants to learn

wanted connections!!!

her hubby obvs, he’s a wc on the main so go check it out if ur interested!!

students, she would love that!!!

fellow russians, whether they immigrated recently or ages ago, she would feel good around other russians

professional athletes, esp. ones who wouldve gone to the winter olympics!

[annaxdolo]

dinahperlman​:

.

“of course, no problem.” the woman quickly responded as she turned towards the direction of the museum. it was almost a little funny to her, how such a big city felt so small after living in it for so long — hell, she felt like she could probably navigate it better than she would her actual hometown, or the city she grew up in. “it is strange alright,” dinah agreed with a smile. “you moved here? here’s an official welcome to the city, then. it’s not as scary when you get to know it,” she assured the woman, as if the city was a new friend.

“Thank you.” Anna replied with a smile. She had heard that Americans were friendly, had even met some during her time as a professional athlete, but New Yorkers seemed to be different. They either ignored you completely and remained as quiet as a mouse, or yelled like a bunch of crows fighting over scraps. “I have free day, so I want to look.”

[annaxdolo]

ohhitsholly​:

“It’s lovely to meet you, Anna. I take it you’re not from New York, just like me?” Holly asked as they walked. The station was busy, as usual, and she led them through the crowds fairly easily - she was used to this journey by now. “I’d like to tell you it’s not always this busy, but it is.” She laughed softly, rolling her eyes.

“From Moscow.” Anna replied. “I have seen more busy.” She assured Holly, smiling a little as she remembered how congested the subway in Moscow could get. Not to mention the crowds that flock to the winter Olympics. “You from city?”

[annaxdolo]

ardenconway​:

arden remembers the way it felt when fans would see arden on the sidewalk and ask her for a picture. since her accident most people didn’t know how to react around her anymore. she wasn’t exactly the most approachable person now considering what she did after her accident. “well, i’ve been skating in competitions since i was six.” she says, looking down at her papers. “the skating world isn’t as big as we think it is.” she says, hoping that it doesn’t take away anything but arden was nothing but truthful. “i mean, i’m twenty-seven.” she says, trying hard not to think of everything she had thought when her accident happened, thinking that maybe she had bbeen too old to skate in the first place, that it was past her time. but in truth she felt like she was the best she ever was. fate just had other plans for her. 

She had a point, when you spend your time around a certain group of people, it’s easy to forget that others exist. “The ice is not for us.” She said sadly. She still skates when she teaches, but it isn’t the same. Not at all. “How are you recovering? All is good?”

[annaxdolo]

helenxs​:

Helena follows Anastasia, smiling at her attempt to hide her accent. “I’ll have some coffee, thanks.” She responds as they reach the main room. The blonde’s eyes scan the ambient and immediately quite a few ideas pop into her mind, though she doesn’t share them with her client just yet. She wants to get to know her better, her likes and dislikes, if she has any specific plans for each space, among other things. “Your husband is a wise man.” Helena jokes, returning her gaze to Anna. “Why don’t you start by telling me your ideas? Did you have something specific in mind, a style or maybe a color scheme?”

Anna nodded and immediately got started making coffee. “Something Russian.” She said, as she put the kettle on. “I think word is rustic? Not like city.” It was hard enough to articulate what she meant when she had no experience in decorating, but it was made doubly hard considering her poor grasp of English. She paused as she thought about it, delicately pouring the hot water into the cup. “Milk? Sugar? Cream?” She asked. “We have uh, half and half?” She still couldn’t quite wrap her head around that product, or why it existed.

[annaxdolo]

helenxs​:

Usually, when new clients first hire Helena to design their spaces, she likes to visit the space instead of asking the client to come down to her studio. Seeing everything first hand instead of through pictures helps the blonde feel instantly inspired and countless ideas sprout in her mind. From Helena’s research, she finds out a little bit about who Anastasia, her client, is and the possible yes’s and no’s for the design. She knocks on the door of Anastasia’s apartment after double-checking she’s in the right place and waits for it to be open. Smoothing out the front of her skirt, Helena puts on her standart business smile when the door swings open and a gorgeous brunette appears on the other side. Upon hearing the question, the designer nods and extends a hand. “Mrs. Dolokhova?” she asks, “It’s nice to meet you.”

Anna smiled brightly as the other woman confirmed her identity, quickly stepping aside. “Please, come in.” She said, putting in extra effort to make her accent less noticeable and herself easier to understand. “Drink? We have tea, coffee.” She lead Helena into the main living area, which was a giant lounge that shared space with an equally spacious kitchen. Large spaces calmed Anna, and it had been the one and only thing she had requested her husband keep in mind during his search for their apartment.

“My husband busy so he won’t join us.” She said apologetically. “But he says he will like whatever I choose.” She smiled gently, knowing that he had meant every word. A part of her wondered if it was his way of apologizing for their very sudden relocation. She decided not to dwell on it.

[annaxdolo]

cwlsh​:

Throughout her life, Cecelia had met tons of people and often times couldn’t remember everyone. As a royal, that was the life she had been used to and now she was happy she finally had her own life separate from her family. Coming to New York City was the best decision she ever made. “Thank you, I appreciate it so much,” she said, taking a seat and making sure her kids were situated. Then, as the woman asked if they had met she did seem to remember that they had. “Wait, I think we have met before. I can’t quite remember where, though. What’s your name?”

“Anastasia Dolokhova.” Anna replied. Her name was pretty distinctive, especially among those who weren’t from Russia, or Eastern Europe in general, which appeared to be the case with this woman. Anna wracked her brain, trying to remember exactly when and where she had seen this woman. “An event I think?” She suggested, feeling like she had met the woman in far more formal circumstances.

[annaxdolo]

ohhitsholly​:

“Oh I know, they’re a complete nightmare! Too many lines and too many colours - enough to confuse even a native New Yorker sometimes I’ll bet.” Holly was conscious of speaking as clearly as she could to the woman - she knew that her Scouse accent could sometimes be hard for others to understand. “Follow me, I’ll show you where to go. I’m Holly, by the way.” She offered her hand out by way of greeting.

Anna nodded along with the woman politely, partly trying to understand what she was saying, and partly trying to figure out her accent. “Anna.” She said, shaking the other woman’s-Holly’s, hand. “Thank you, very appreciated.” She said, genuinely relieved.

[annaxdolo]

reubcn​:

•

“oh, when did you get here?” he asked, before giving a small smile, “don’t worry. tell you what, i’ve got some time to kill, i can take you there if you like?” reuben offered, “i promise it’ll soon become second nature for you. it just takes a little time to get used to it. i’ve been here three years now and i’m still getting lost sometimes.” reuben started to walk in the direction of the train they needed to catch. “i’m reuben, by the way,” he introduced.

Anna was surprised at the kind offer, and it made her smile even wider. “Anna.” She said. “I came a month ago, from Russia.” She could tell from Reuben’s accent that he most likely wasn’t a native New Yorker, so it felt good to know that she was getting at least some help from another immigrant. “You?”

[annaxdolo]

ardenconway​:

it didn’t seem like almost a year ago when everything happened. arden was still going to physical therapy. she still had appointments that had to do with her old life. there was a bunch of stuff that her mother left behind for her to do. despite having nothing she was busy in ways that she didn’t want to be. seeing the other woman look at her the way that everyone else looked at her hardened her. she just moved on from it, as if it didn’t bother her. she was so used to the stares, it didn’t hurt her as much anymore. “it’s fine.” her voice is sharp, calm and collected. “i know who you are.” she says, everyone in the skating world did. if you went to the olympics like they did, you were gods. that’s what they made you feel like, at least. 

Anna doesn’t resent her tone. She’s seen other athletes react similarly and she imagines she would too. She’s surprised that the young woman knows who she is however. “Really?” She asked. “I am...what is word...flattered?” She thinks that’s the word. “I thought I was too old for young skaters to know.” Admittedly 28 is hardly old, but it certainly felt like it at times, seeing so much young talent go onto the ice every year.

[annaxdolo]

ardenconway​:

arden was a true new yorker, talking way too fast, acting like she was in a hurry when in truth she wasn’t. in fact, if she could just leave and pretend it didn’t exist would be better. it was only then, when arden really got to look at the woman did she understand who she was. she had looked down at the map, hoping that she wouldn’t recognize her. it hadn’t been that very long until someone did, but it was always so painful. “no,” she says quickly, when asking if she knew her. but when she brings up skating her face visibly falls and the hot anger runs through her again. “i did.” she says. did. past tense.  

Seeing the way the other woman’s face fell, Anna immediately felt bad. More memories came back, like a name, Arden Conway. And a devastating, career ending injury. She cringed. “I’m sorry.” She said softly. “I-I forgot.” She gulped, guiltily, hoping she didn’t seem insensitive. “Anna.” She said, in an attempt at handing out an olive branch. “I used to skate for Russia.” She felt a pang in her heart as she thought about how she may never get that opportunity again.

[annaxdolo]

ardenconway​:

arden was not having a good day, she had a couple of meetings in manhattan with her old college and ex sponsors, they had said that just because she no longer was skating that they didn’t need to pull her off the marketing. it didn’t make much sense to arden, she was tired of people babying her. she had tried to get through the crowd considering that it was rush hour now and arden didn’t have any kindness left in her to let people go in front of her. she had quickly made her way down to the subway station until someone had stopped her. she was about to tell them to fuck off but they looked about just as lost as she felt on the inside. she sighs, pulling her hood down and looking at their map. “well, you’ll want to take R to 59th street then jump on the N or Q until 14th street.”

Anna tried to pay attention to what the woman was saying, really, but she quickly lost track as the letters and numbers flew entirely over her head. She was about to pretend she had understood and thank the woman, when she took a closer look at her. “Do I know you?” She asked, trying to place where she had seen the woman before. Anna looked at her up and down, flashes of ice and skates and dazzling costumes ran through her mind. “You skate?”

[annaxdolo]

reubcn​:

•

reuben wasn’t quite sure what he’d do if it wasn’t for the subway; it was the easiest form of transport for him, a way to go from client to client with his tools on his back so he’d grown familiar with the different routes over the past few years of living here. he’d been minding his own business, a coffee in hand, when a voice startled him from his daydream. cocking a brow, reuben gave a small smile, “aye, i might be able to help,” the man chuckled, “as in, the museum?” reuben asked, “if it were me, i’d take the uptown train to 77th street, then it’s just a few blocks northwest but it’s all signposted so you should be alright.” he explained, finger trailing along the lines on the map to support his words. “you just visiting or newly moved in?”

At first Anna was relieved to receive help, but as the man started talking she quickly found herself lost again. She tried to keep up with what he was saying, and follow his finger along the map, but it quickly got muddled up as his English almost entirely flew over her head. “Uh, moved in.” She said, once she realized what he had said. “So, say again?” She looked down, embarrassed. “English is...not good.”

[annaxdolo]

ohhitsholly​:

It was a rare day off for little miss workaholic, and so far she’d treated herself to brunch across town with a friend. Now she was heading back to Manhattan, making her way through the subway station with her mind elsewhere. 

A voice caught her attention as she passed one of the station’s maps, and at first she wasn’t sure if they were talking to her or not. Still, Holly stopped, approaching the woman with a curious look on her face to begin with. “I can certainly try to give you a hand.” She nodded.

“Mmm, okay, you wanna take this line,” she pointed to the map, “I’m actually heading there myself if you wanna come along with me? That might be easier.”

Anna heaved a sight of relief. “Yes, thank you.” She smiled gratefully at the woman. “Don’t understand these maps.” She said, by way of explanation. “And English not good.” She knew that she needed to work on her English, but she always found ways to put it off. As if it would make it more likely she would be able to return home.

[aslibekroglu]

[annaxdolo]

dinahperlman​:

.

the blooming cherry blossoms and all of the trees coming back to life in central park really helped dinah calm herself down, as she had found herself to be more on edge than usual. days like those, she wished she had a dog she could walk, or someone to talk to, just so she didn’t seem so out of place in the city she called home.

the woman’s voice caught her attention, it wasn’t rare to hear a strong foreign accent in the city — yet it was always surprising, in a nice way. “the met? oh. yeah, of course — it is a bit odd to navigate, as it is in the park… are you visiting? i wouldn’t mind walking you there, if you want.”

Anna let out a sigh of relief and smiled gratefully. “Thank you.” She said. “I am new to city. It’s...strange.” Her lack of English made it difficult for her to really phrase how she felt, but ‘strange’ was definitely still a good word. She had been to a lot of cities in her time, but none of them held the same claustrophobic, tense, uncomfortable atmosphere. Maybe it was because of the circumstances that lead to her being here.

[annaxdolo]

@helenxs​

Anna paced all around the apartment, not sure what to do as she waited.

Hiring an interior designer had been her idea, wanting to make her new apartment feel more like home. Her husband hadn’t made any kind of protest, and in fact encouraged the idea. Anna was always grateful for how supportive he was.

She knew what she wanted-something that would remind her of Russia, something old world European, something that would help her feel less alienated in the place that she now slept and shared with her husband. She just didn’t know how, she had never been the artistic type. Well, outside of the ice at least.

Helena Sinclair had been highly recommended, and that had been enough for Anna. Besides, if it didn’t work out, she could always get someone else. She had a lot more time on her hands these days.

She practically jumped at the sound of the doorbell, rushing to it to open the door. “Miss Sinclair?” She asked.