Ayda Demir

Ayda Demir AGE: 30 AFFILIATION: The Turkish gangs based in Haringey (formerly) OCCUPATION: Owner of Gizli Bahçe.

[ayda-demir]

kerem-dogulu·:

@mobscene-starters· 

It might have been stereotypical, but there was nothing that helped Kerem think more than punching something. And the punching bag at his gym was one of the best places he could think of. Between the sting in his knuckles and the sweat dripping down his face it was like his brain came alive. The French were in shambles. The Rutherford Princess was dead. For once it seemed as if the Turks were actually in a place where they could make some moves. But the question was which ones. He had taken a moment to adjust when a hand touched his shoulder, and the large man whipped around, ready to teach whoever was disturbing him a lesson. “Are you trying to get a broken nose?”

-

In an effort to keep herself busy and her mind occupied, Ayda ended up at the gym. Why she felt as though that might be a good place for her to go, she wasn’t sure, but she ended up there just the same. Of course, it shouldn’t have come as a surprise when her eyes caught a familiar, tall figure near a punching bag. For a moment, Ayda hesitated. She’d known Kerem forever, and no matter what decision she’d made for her life, she knew they’d remain friends. Whether he’d still consider them good friends, she wasn’t sure, and she’d felt so distant from them all since cutting herself off from gang activity that the change in their friendship still felt acutely different. It didn’t make her care about any of them any less, Kerem especially.

With a deep breath, Ayda made her way towards him, reaching up to touch his shoulder gently, hoping that it would be enough for him not to be startled. Ayda didn’t shrink away as he whipped around, her petite frame standing completely still as he spun to face her looking intent on throwing a punch. The slightest hint of a smile played at the corner of her lips as she shrugged a shoulder. “It wouldn’t be the worst thing. I just...” Clasping her hands before her she sighed, “I just wanted to say hi. It’s been a little while since we talked.”

[ayda-demir]

erdogan-nevra·:

She needed no persuading to join Ayda at a table and slid one of the coffees across to her. Her hand gave her friend’s a quick squeeze as well before pulling it back. It was good to see her and in a place where Nevra didn’t feel like quite a pariah. The bar was perhaps the only place in Haringey she wouldn’t be thrown out of on sight. 

“It is! And can I just say, damn. It’s great Ayda.” It was only half a lie. The brunette had never been inside the bar but she’d made a point of knowing what the place looked like and how safe it was. The woman across from her had never been one to lean towards violence. It’s what made her so special in the shitty place they called home. Unfortunately, it also meant she was more vulnerable than the rest of them. Old habits died hard and Nevra couldn’t stop herself from making sure Ayda was alright when she’d first opened the place, even if it’d been in secret. 

That she kept to herself.

“How are the customers? None of them give you any trouble, do they?” What Nevra wanted to ask was if any of the Indian gangs had come to throw their weight around. Asking outright would dampen the mood though. “Please tell me you have good security.”

-

Ayda would never be able to express her gratitude for the small gesture that Nevra was displaying now. It only reminded her that she craved that closeness of friendship. It was nice to have someone here who would at least understand how she felt.

The compliment to her bar made Ayda smile. She took pride in what she’d created in this. After all, if she was going to upend her entire life for something, it was only going to be worth it if it turned out to be something great. She’d sacrificed a lot of the things that mattered to her, and really, the main person who had mattered, to have this life now. The constant ache she felt in his absence was only dulled the tiniest bit when she poured herself into keeping the bar going and doing the very best that she could.

“Thank you. I really hope that it’s great. Maybe someday people might actually consider this a favorite spot.” Ayda’s eyes roamed the room before returning to her friend at her questions. “The customers have been fine, nobody has truly given me any trouble. Then again, I’m hoping by having the no drugs rule in place that it’s the reason I haven’t had any serious difficulty.” Ayda always remained hopeful about that. “Don’t you worry about security. I’m fine. Who would truly want to come in here and start anything with me? Or really, who would even want to start anything in this bar? You’d think there are more important fish at other bars.”

At that moment, Ayda took a sip of her coffee before looking across at her friend, “I’m sure even you can see that this isn’t the type of place that trouble would come to.”

[ayda-demir]

[ayda-demir]

erdogan-nevra​:

@ayda-demir​

Trips to Haringey were few and far between for Nevra but since her run-in with both Berat and Ayda at the awards, homesickness had pulled at her heartstrings. She very well couldn’t go see the former so out in the open. That would have been social suicide. The woman, however, was more accessible. 

The door to Gizli Bahçe opened easily and much to her relief, the place was almost empty. Perfect for saving face and enjoying a coffee she, and probably Ayda, dearly needed. 

“Merhaba.” Another rarity for the assassin was speaking in her parents’ mother tongue. Call it nostolgia or cowardice as it was easier to hide who she’d become. She knew who would deem it which. “Ayda, I brought a very large iced coffee. Take sixty and join me, yeah?”

-

The sound of the bar door opening wasn’t what grabbed Ayda’s attention. Long since, having given up on looking towards the door whenever it opened, in favor of completing whatever task it was that she was doing in that moment. However, the familiar voice was what caught her off-guard and immediately had her turning in that direction.

Nevra. Although Ayda had kept in touch with her, albeit irregularly, she had never expected her old friend to show up in her bar. The conversation at the after-party must have been enough to convince her to show up, and Ayda felt a small bit of relief at having a familiar face show up specifically for her.

A smile lit up her features as she took in the sight of her friend. With a quick greeting, she gave Nevra a nod, “You’re an angel, I swear it. Let me just make sure they know I’m taking a break.”

Giving a quick update to one of her employees working at the bar, she waved Nevra over to a quiet corner of the bar, waiting for her to settle before Ayda spoke again, “It’s so good to see you.”

Although, Nevra likely wasn’t aware of how comforting it was for Ayda to have a friend around. “Is this the first time you’re seeing the bar?” She asked, although she knew the answer, in an effort to break the ice.

[ayda-demir]

aviv-kasyanenko​:

The woman’s response was both the least and most Haringey thing imaginable. 

Least? It seemed she was willing to help out somebody in need, instead of pulling a knife on him and kicking his ass out for the inconvenience of bleeding all over her floor. Most? Rather blatantly, she wasn’t fazed by a bloodied-up stranger who’d just had his ass kicked stumbling through the door at all. 

Perhaps the duality was why, despite his best efforts, the place was growing on him.

Whilst a part of him wanted to question why she was so quick to help him—and with an entire fucking first aid kit, like she was used to this happening, to boot—her suggestion soon took priority. Finding a seat was definitely a good idea after taking a fist to the face as hard as he had. If Aviv hadn’t already been seeing stars, the apparently endless nosebleed would’ve done the job pretty damn quick.

“No bribery necessary. I’m probably too young to die.”

Because even if she didn’t seem unsettled by what was happening, he still felt the need to try and put her at ease. Of course, there was always the possibility that the reason she was so used to this shit was because she was a member of one of Haringey’s many gangs who wanted any Russian they could get their hands on dead. At least it would’ve put an end to his headache, he supposed… 

The man was reluctant to pull back his hand from his face, because he could still taste the same blood that painted him like a Jackson Pollock. They were covered. His clothes, too. As he looked up at her, the woman seemingly genuine in her offer to help him, Aviv realised that he was grateful that this was the door he’d burst through.

“Thank you,” he said simply. Sincerely. It was only then that he finally reached out his hand to gently relieve her of the bottle he hoped to find some relief at the bottom of. “For the alcohol, and for the help. I appreciate it.” Then he paused. Took a drink. “Sorry for the interruption. The floor, too. I’ll clean it up before I leave.”

-

It would have been impressive to her, that this stranger had the ability to make a comment that came across as witty in his state, if she hadn’t known Berat for so many years and taken care of him in varying stages of bloodiness. Still, despite it all, the smallest hint of a smile played at the edges of her lips before she shot back with her own light comment, “Yeah, well, let’s try to not die in my bar. I’m sure that there are people who would come looking for you, and I’m wholly unprepared to explain myself out of trouble.”

That, along with the fact that she had no protection other than herself, meant if something happened to this man and people did come looking for him only to find out he’d ended up here? She wasn’t sure people would notice her missing at least until it became odd that she hadn’t opened the bar, however long that would be.

The sincerity in his tone as he thanked her finally pulled a genuine smile from her. “You don’t need to thank me. At least, not yet. Thank me once I’ve actually stopped your bleeding.” Although, Ayda was confident she would be able to take care of his injuries. “My name’s Ayda, by the way. Might be nice for you to know the name of the person who helped you, so that you know who to thank... provided I actually help.” Her tone was almost teasing, in hopes to keep the mood light, “And you don’t have to worry about cleaning up after I’m done.”

She was quiet for a while as she focused on cleaning up his face so that she could get an accurate account of his injuries, and then taking care of him as quickly and efficiently as she could with gentle and careful hands. When she finally did speak again, her voice was soft as she asked, “If it’s not too intrusive, what happened that led you to being this beaten?”

The question wasn’t meant to be rude, and her soft tone hopefully helped that come across. It was important, however, for her to know if this had been done by some Turkish gang. The last thing she needed was to inadvertently get mixed into their business, even if she wasn’t sorry to help someone who seemed nice enough. He didn’t know her history, nor the fact that she’d removed herself from the gang, and she could only imagine the treatment she would get if she interfered in any way.

Ayda simply had to hope that this had nothing to do with anyone Turkish. Although, part of her was optimistic as none had stormed through her door while she took care of him.

[ayda-demir]

berat-yalaz​:

“See? Knew there was a reason I kept you around.”

Well, he supposed he could let her comment slide when he’d been the one teasing her a moment prior…but not without rewarding the words with a playful scoff. In her defence: Him? Right about anything? Sounded fake. 

Berat pitied the couples who lost this to time. The spark. The utterly consuming feeling of falling more in love every damn day, despite being so sure on the last that he couldn’t possibly. When her eyes lit up in excitement, and her smile grew even wider than before, he was reminded how lucky he was to be the one to give her reason. People always talked about how they’d been together for what seemed like an age. But life was bittersweet and unfair and the happiest years always passed by the quickest. To him, it felt like no time at all despite his best efforts to treasure every moment. Something he would continue to for all the years they had ahead of them.

That, precisely the reason for said trip.

“For once, no. I’m actually growing as a person and being serious.” Perish the bloody thought. “But I have to keep some secrets, trying to remain cool and mysterious and all that, so don’t ask me anything else. I’m not saying another word.”

Well, maybe just a few:

“I love you.”

-

“At least you know you can always count on me. I’ll always have your back.”

After so many years with Berat, Ayda liked to think that she knew him so well that he could hardly surprise her with something such as this. Yet, the fact that he had managed to pull off planning a surprise without raising suspicion was only another reason, on what felt like a never-ending list of reasons, that Ayda loved him.

It seemed almost like some storybook relationship, with the way that they’d spent nearly half of their lives together and could still manage to be this happy with one another. They had managed to beat all the odds. They’d grown together, from a relationship as kids, to where they were now. They’d sustained a strong relationship despite the life that they led and all the things they faced and saw on a daily basis. Everything around them wasn’t perfect, but to Ayda, they were.

All this time, and he could still bring out her biggest and most genuine smile. This time her smile was interrupted as she broke out in a small fit of laughter at his comment. “You’re being serious? Goodness, you really are growing as a person,” she teased affectionately. Somehow, she both wanted to know, and didn’t want to know, more information on what he had planned, but any questions were lost on her lips at the three most important words he could say and her expression softened.

“I love you too.”

She leaned in to kiss him, and when she pulled back there was the slightest hint of mischief in her eyes, “Since you said another three words, does that mean that maybe I can ask something else and get clues?”

[pinardenizs]

→ Melisa Aslı Pamuk as Setenay, in Hayaller ve HayatlarS01EP21-22

[pcmuks]

via MMK stories

[ayda-demir]

aviv-kasyanenko​:

@ayda-demir​

Well, if the awards hadn’t heralded their arrival, he’d sure know about it now… 

The Italians caused problems wherever they showed their greasy fucking faces, but in London, after only his second run-in with their kind, Aviv noted they were bringing a particularly violent touch to their new home. It wasn’t lost on him that he’d been lucky to escape the Cosa Nostra cunt post-after party. The Sovrani, though? They were a different fucking breed. Even he was smart enough to make a break for it instead of standing his ground when five of them rounded on him outside of a bar in Camden a half hour earlier. Not before they’d made a mess of his face, though.

Borough borders meant nothing so far as their conflict was concerned, but stumbling into Haringey at least meant he was more likely to find a friendly face. 

The random bar was a shot in the dark, though. Especially as it looked like it’d just shut up shop for the night. Fuck, he hoped whoever was inside didn’t pull a machete on him for intruding; the Italians had made a good enough attempt already to maim. But it would be easy to expect the worst of him with little context in a place like this…

“I’m not trying to rob you. Just need some help.”

Solid way to make an entrance. Not suspicious at all. And surrendering his hands as if to show his peaceful intentions had seemed like a great idea until he realised they were the only thing stemming the absolutely excessive bleeding from his nose. If he didn’t sit the fuck down, he was going to pass out. 

“Don’t suppose you’ve got a phone I can borrow?” Because the Italians had robbed him of every fucking thing in his possession… “Or some vodka?”

-

With the majority of the closing tasks completed, Ayda had already sent home the others in favor of finishing up on her own. Once again, trying to stay busy, so that her mind didn’t wander to the things she often tried to avoid. Ayda didn’t like working in silence, and so she kept music playing, although not too loudly. It was just enough to be background noise while she did what needed to be done, occasionally humming along with a song.

When the door to the bar opened, knowing that it was obvious that it wasn’t open to customers, Ayda spun around to find a man, obviously beaten up, stumbling in. It took a moment for her to register his words given how shocked she was by his presence and appearance. 

I’m not trying to rob you. Just need some help.

If the blood wasn’t evidence enough, she didn’t know what was. “Maybe you should sit down. Any seat is fine.” 

Ayda immediately went into action grabbing the first aid kit, a bottle of vodka, and a few clean towels along with a container with clean water before making her way over to him. Years of practice in cleaning up her friends made helping this random stranger seem almost a natural thing. He wouldn’t understand it, but this was something she had actually missed doing, taking care of people. Even if she didn’t care for the reasons behind it, patching them up had made her feel as though she had a purpose amongst them.

As she approached him, Ayda took inventory of what injuries she could see. “I don’t suppose you’d let me try to help you with the bleeding? I’ll let you have some of this vodka, if bribing is what you need. I promise you’re not the first person I’ve had to clean up.”

Although, you may, perhaps, be the last. She thought to herself, not seeing how this might ever be a scenario that popped back up in her life.

[ayda-demir]

jessi-reyes​:

@ayda-demir​ Where: Coffee & Bagel shop When: Mid April in Early Morning

“What happened to ‘I’m never doing overnight’s again’, Reyes?”

Her coworker was only teasing, but the reminder was a cruel one. Jessica had once thought there would be a time she would not have to go over night shifts in the A&E anymore; however, times and plans changed that.

“What happened to being married by 25?” Jessica replied with a smirk.

The attending hits her arm while laughing and muttering cures at her in a middle eastern tongue. Both women chuckle at their banter as they stand in line for their coffee in scrubs. Once they both have what they came for, Jessica waves good bye to her coworker and shifts her backpack as she looks for a place to sit.

A square table looks to be all that is available near an outlet, so Jessica approaches with cation, “Hey, would you mind if I sat here with you? I just really need to get some work done before I got home,”

-

It had become a regular thing, a routine for her to go out to get coffee and a small bite to eat since she'd been single. In truth, it was a way to keep her occupied while not having to feel terribly alone. Being surrounded by other people and noise helped, although they never really eliminated the same thoughts that crossed her mind constantly.

She was seated at a table, and it was pure luck that she had even found one available, eyes staring out of the window. Somehow, she had managed to luck out and find a table just when the party seated there was leaving. Even better, she managed to get a table by a window so that she could people watch as she sipped on her coffee.

The sound of a voice next to her drew her attention, looking up at her. “Oh...” Ayda looked around, seeing it was still busy, and then returned her gaze to the other woman with a friendly smile, “Of course. Go right ahead. I don’t mind at all.”

Ayda gestured to the open seats and then lifted her cup to her mouth while she waited for the stranger to settle at the table. She wasn’t sure what the protocol was for strangers sitting at your table when they needed to work. Unable to decide whether she should introduce herself, or leave her to her work, she sat quietly to let her new table-guest take the lead.

[ayda-demir]

[ayda-demir]

Who am I to you? - leyla

When it comes to Leyla, Ayda admires her for the way that she is as kind as she is and how people seem to love her. It’s a quality she wished she had, but feels she falls short, figuring it has to do in part with who her father is and part with everything that happened with Berat. That being said, she looks at Leyla and only sees someone who deserves all the kindness she receives. She also wishes that she knew her better than she does, but isn’t terribly sure where she would fully land in terms of whether they might manage a decent friendship considering Ayda’s choice to leave the gang and start a different life. So, for now, she hopes for a chance at a closer friendship, and will continue to admire her. @leylayilmazx

[ayda-demir]

Who am I to you?

Alexis was one of the people who stood out most during the night of the party, simply for her energy, but also for her kind words. To say that they're more than just acquaintances would be a lie, although Ayda would be interested in getting to know her better.

[ayda-demir]

Who am I to you (for nazli/mehmet/whoever you like)

Here, I will give you both that were mentioned.

Nazli:

As one of her oldest friends, and part of the group she was closest with, Nazli is someone Ayda values very highly. She's someone who took care of Ayda when they were younger, as Ayda was never fit for the gang life. Nazli is someone that she looked up to simply for her loyalty to those she cares most about, but also the way she cares for those same people. In terms of toughness, and strength, Nazli embodies a lot that Ayda admires. Although, Ayda expects distance between the two of them now, since her leaving Berat, Nazli is someone she will always care for deeply. She is someone Ayda would easily come back for, should Nazli ever need her. No questions asked.

Mehmet:

Aside from being her father, Mehmet is many things to Ayda. He's a leader and an intimidating figure. He's terrifying to most, and although Ayda can see why and understand it, he isn't that to her. Ayda loves her father very much. At the same time, he is probably the biggest reason why Ayda ever felt she didn't fit in when she was still very much in the gang, although it was unintentional on his part. All the same, he is very important to her.

[ayda-demir]

Who am I to you?

Whether, or not, they are ever able to repair their relationship (be it friendship/etc) Berat remains the most important person in Ayda's life. At twelve years together, Ayda had dedicated nearly half of her life to him, without regret. In her mind, they weathered quite a bit at each other's side, enough that she thought they would be able to beat the odds. Berat was part of her dream and part of her future. He is was the man she expected to marry and have a family with, and more importantly, the man she wants wanted to marry and have a family with.

Aside from being her love, he was her protector, and someone she trusted above all others before things started to get complicated. He was the man she never doubted would be there whenever she might have needed him. He was the person who could make her laugh with ease, and he was the one who made her feel included - like she wasn't terribly different from all the rest.

In essence he is/was everything to her.

[contrafictory]

Send " Who am I to you? " to hear my muse describe their relationship with your muse/how they perceive them as a person.

[ayda-demir]

FKM: the Jonas brothers

F: Joe.

M: Nick.

K: Kevin.