Your support makes Blue Moon possible (Patreon)
мσяє 𝕿𝖍𝖆𝖓 𝒯𝒽𝑒𝓎 uɐɔ ℂ𝕙𝕖𝕨 □Ⴆυɳɳყ ˣ ʅƅʝ□
- Thread starter Bunny
- Start date
OP
OP
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2020
Swearing softly, Frances took the stairs by two. She was late. Frances call me Frankie was always late, so that wasn’t unusual. It was how late she was. It hadn’t been easy to cover the bruise around her left eye. Luckily she’d not had to worry about hand prints around her wrists or the marks along her back. They would be covered by her clothing. She’d settled on a white almost victorian-esq top, with a collar and slight V that showed very little skin in truth. It had been the billowy speck to the top that had appealed. The long sleeves were loose and secured at the wrist by a white bow. It wasn’t exactly comfortable on the raw handprints, but it shouldn’t move and wouldn’t alert any of her co-workers to the injury. It puffed out a little before being tucked into a smart pair of black trousers. She looked smart.
The shoulder length inky locks were pulled into a messy bun, tendrils of the messy locks framed her face and she hoped would distract from any flaw in her makeup. Her skin was already so pale and she normally gave herself a slight smoky eye. It made her dark eyes seem like glistening pools. Panting slightly Frankie winced slightly as she swiped her card against the reader. Slipping into the chill air of the Museum she let the door slide closed with a hush behind her. A hand swiped at her brow as she attached the car back to a loop of her pants.
Frankie was almost always late and always for the same reason. Joshua. Her boyfriend. When they had started dating, it had been a whirlwind of passion and yet, the longer it went on the worse it had gotten. Emotional abuse had come first. Turning her arguments against her, gaslighting her.. You name it, he’d done it. Frankie had made excuses for it. Explained it away as something other than it was. The physical abuse had started about a year into the relationship. Frankie had always said she’d not be the kind of girl that let her partner hit her. Yet at this point, she’d already allowed so much to happen, it was hard to pull away.
The abuse seemed to have no rhyme or reason. It wasn’t just because he drank or did drugs. He did both, but not to any real excess. It seemed more and more like he got off on hurting her. Combined with the threats if she tried to tell friends or family.. It made it hard to reach out to anyone. Her day to day coworkers were no one she was close to.. The only person in the whole museum who even seemed to care was Asim. Like Cher, she didn’t know Asim’s last name. He was cool but friendly to her.. Though they rarely saw one another. Asim seemed to mostly work nights, his obsession or field some would call it being Ancient Egypt.
His long hair was often tightly braided, giving him the illusion of short hair from the front. It wasn’t until he turned that one saw his hair was nearly to his butt. Frankie wouldn’t ever admit it, but he had a nice ass. His skin was a rich, dusky bronze. It made her think of his field and more than once she’d wondered if Asim was Egyptian himself. Hit eyes though, were probably the most breathtaking. A brown that was borderline red. Umber, one might have called it.
Normally they conversed via email or notes. Tonight though, she’d needed to come in to talk to him. Frankie was in charge of setting up the exhibits and making them relatable to the masses. Asim was ready to unveil a new exhibit which meant talking to him, seeing what was the most important.. The way he lit up while talking and transcribing it for others. It wasn’t that he spoke down to others or anything so pretentious. Yet, the best way to engage the masses was to boil it down to the most basics and then, if they desired, offer them more.
“Sorry I am late, Asim.” Her voice was husky and warm. That make-up isn’t going to fool anyone.. The voice of her best friend was soft in her ear and she frowned. Turning to face him she crossed her arms and hissed. “I am doing the best I can. You don’t need to make it worse.” She wasn’t the best at make-up and this was the first time Joshua had hit her in such an obvious place. To the naked eye, it looked as if she spoke to thin air and no one else had heard him speak to begin with.
Frankie’s best friend was a ghost. She’d known him for as long as she could remember. A constant companion. A voice in her ear and her dearest friend. The only one she could tell, though not necessary, of her abuse. What could Joshua do to someone already dead? Hugging herself she looked into Casper’s eyes. “Is it really bad?” Oh, Frankie knew the answer, but now she was worried. Casper, sometimes Stinky.. Wanted her to get away from Joshua. The fact that he hurt her made Casper incredibly angry. Not at her, but that anyone would dare touch her. The worry on her face made her seem far more fragile than normal.
At four eleven it was hard to not seem fragile. With skin so pale and such large, dark eyes.. Frankie was almost doll like.
#696969
#c71585
The shoulder length inky locks were pulled into a messy bun, tendrils of the messy locks framed her face and she hoped would distract from any flaw in her makeup. Her skin was already so pale and she normally gave herself a slight smoky eye. It made her dark eyes seem like glistening pools. Panting slightly Frankie winced slightly as she swiped her card against the reader. Slipping into the chill air of the Museum she let the door slide closed with a hush behind her. A hand swiped at her brow as she attached the car back to a loop of her pants.
Frankie was almost always late and always for the same reason. Joshua. Her boyfriend. When they had started dating, it had been a whirlwind of passion and yet, the longer it went on the worse it had gotten. Emotional abuse had come first. Turning her arguments against her, gaslighting her.. You name it, he’d done it. Frankie had made excuses for it. Explained it away as something other than it was. The physical abuse had started about a year into the relationship. Frankie had always said she’d not be the kind of girl that let her partner hit her. Yet at this point, she’d already allowed so much to happen, it was hard to pull away.
The abuse seemed to have no rhyme or reason. It wasn’t just because he drank or did drugs. He did both, but not to any real excess. It seemed more and more like he got off on hurting her. Combined with the threats if she tried to tell friends or family.. It made it hard to reach out to anyone. Her day to day coworkers were no one she was close to.. The only person in the whole museum who even seemed to care was Asim. Like Cher, she didn’t know Asim’s last name. He was cool but friendly to her.. Though they rarely saw one another. Asim seemed to mostly work nights, his obsession or field some would call it being Ancient Egypt.
His long hair was often tightly braided, giving him the illusion of short hair from the front. It wasn’t until he turned that one saw his hair was nearly to his butt. Frankie wouldn’t ever admit it, but he had a nice ass. His skin was a rich, dusky bronze. It made her think of his field and more than once she’d wondered if Asim was Egyptian himself. Hit eyes though, were probably the most breathtaking. A brown that was borderline red. Umber, one might have called it.
Normally they conversed via email or notes. Tonight though, she’d needed to come in to talk to him. Frankie was in charge of setting up the exhibits and making them relatable to the masses. Asim was ready to unveil a new exhibit which meant talking to him, seeing what was the most important.. The way he lit up while talking and transcribing it for others. It wasn’t that he spoke down to others or anything so pretentious. Yet, the best way to engage the masses was to boil it down to the most basics and then, if they desired, offer them more.
“Sorry I am late, Asim.” Her voice was husky and warm. That make-up isn’t going to fool anyone.. The voice of her best friend was soft in her ear and she frowned. Turning to face him she crossed her arms and hissed. “I am doing the best I can. You don’t need to make it worse.” She wasn’t the best at make-up and this was the first time Joshua had hit her in such an obvious place. To the naked eye, it looked as if she spoke to thin air and no one else had heard him speak to begin with.
Frankie’s best friend was a ghost. She’d known him for as long as she could remember. A constant companion. A voice in her ear and her dearest friend. The only one she could tell, though not necessary, of her abuse. What could Joshua do to someone already dead? Hugging herself she looked into Casper’s eyes. “Is it really bad?” Oh, Frankie knew the answer, but now she was worried. Casper, sometimes Stinky.. Wanted her to get away from Joshua. The fact that he hurt her made Casper incredibly angry. Not at her, but that anyone would dare touch her. The worry on her face made her seem far more fragile than normal.
At four eleven it was hard to not seem fragile. With skin so pale and such large, dark eyes.. Frankie was almost doll like.
#696969
#c71585
Lady Jace Beleren
Ugh, Susan...
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2014
- Location
- United States, East Coast
Casper, or at least that was what he had gone by for the longest time, was floating beside Frankie. Floating was the best way to describe it. It was like whenever he approached something solid, his body would go somewhere else. Currently, his legs faded into nothing as they approached the floor. Where his shoulder neared Frankie, it was the same. Despite having existed in this form for well over two decades, or perhaps because of it, Casper remembered very little of his real life. His appearance made him happy that this was the case. The only thing that was clear in his mind was his true name, but he clutched it tightly to himself and kept it like armor, keeping the rest of the world away, even Frankie.
Today, Casper was on his usual shit. Watching the one person in his life, the one person who could see and hear him as far as he knew, be pointlessly abused brought him beyond angry every time. He bad watched the first time Joshua hit her and had been there every time since. But, that armor he wrapped himself in kept him inside as much as it kept others out. All he did was watch. Watch and think of every awful thing he could do to that man if he ever had useful hands again. Now that they were out, though, Casper was busy protecting, pointing out things that might make trouble for Frankie. As much as he wanted Joshua gone, Casper was afraid of what the man could do on the way out. He preferred being the only ghost in the friendship.
"Aside from the fact that it looks nothing like your usual? I can see it around the rim of your eye. I can't believe you let that fucking cu..."
Asim seemed to be extremely accurate at cutting off Casper's anger. The scholar could not hear Casper, yet always seemed to wander over when things got heated. As always, Asim had the tiniest of smiles, cordial but obviously just trying to make things friendly. Asim never pushed his luck with others and Casper appreciated that.
Asim, on the other hand, thought very little about how he acted around others. The local specialist on Egyptology worked alone for long periods, spoke to very few people. He liked even fewer. The only one in the museum he truly enjoyed his conversations with was Frankie. She cared about knowledge and doing her job meant she had to fully grasp so many different topics and time periods. In Asim's eyes, she was an extraordinary young woman. He felt especially justified in this opinion given his nature as a five thousand year old vampire.
So, when Frankie staggered into the hall his next exhibit had been assigned to quite late, Asim saw no reason to make a fuss on the matter. Instead of talking about her lateness, he put on his soft smile and looked her over.
"Nothing to worry about, Frankie. I'm not exactly the most timely and I certainly don't bother keeping to the schedule of others. I believe you are here to listen to me drone on about Egypt, yes? As always, I have prepared the driest and most boring facts for you."
There was something about his little smile that was different, making it seem like he was having a hard time maintaining it. Those eyes of his flicked to and fro, spotting all the regular signs that Frankie seemed to wear. Tenderness at the wrists, making her hesitate when she reached, favoring one leg over the other for leaning. Most of all, though, he was locked on her eyes. They were usually a lovely ocean of green with a shadowy makeup that he found rather flattering for her face. Frankie was always pretty and whoever did this to her was always trying to ruin it. This time, they had even given up on hiding it.
Stacking his papers and lifting them from the table that seemed to sit in a random spot in the large hall, he moved closer to Frankie. She was a sweet girl and Asim took no pleasure in letting all these signs go unnoticed by the general public. Her ghost in particular seemed to have very keen opinions. If Asim did not interrupt, Frankie would likely listen to him all night. Today, though, Asim was feeling a little riled himself. This was going to escalate to something tragic soon.
"How are things, Frankie? Still living with that boyfriend?"
Today, Casper was on his usual shit. Watching the one person in his life, the one person who could see and hear him as far as he knew, be pointlessly abused brought him beyond angry every time. He bad watched the first time Joshua hit her and had been there every time since. But, that armor he wrapped himself in kept him inside as much as it kept others out. All he did was watch. Watch and think of every awful thing he could do to that man if he ever had useful hands again. Now that they were out, though, Casper was busy protecting, pointing out things that might make trouble for Frankie. As much as he wanted Joshua gone, Casper was afraid of what the man could do on the way out. He preferred being the only ghost in the friendship.
"Aside from the fact that it looks nothing like your usual? I can see it around the rim of your eye. I can't believe you let that fucking cu..."
Asim seemed to be extremely accurate at cutting off Casper's anger. The scholar could not hear Casper, yet always seemed to wander over when things got heated. As always, Asim had the tiniest of smiles, cordial but obviously just trying to make things friendly. Asim never pushed his luck with others and Casper appreciated that.
Asim, on the other hand, thought very little about how he acted around others. The local specialist on Egyptology worked alone for long periods, spoke to very few people. He liked even fewer. The only one in the museum he truly enjoyed his conversations with was Frankie. She cared about knowledge and doing her job meant she had to fully grasp so many different topics and time periods. In Asim's eyes, she was an extraordinary young woman. He felt especially justified in this opinion given his nature as a five thousand year old vampire.
So, when Frankie staggered into the hall his next exhibit had been assigned to quite late, Asim saw no reason to make a fuss on the matter. Instead of talking about her lateness, he put on his soft smile and looked her over.
"Nothing to worry about, Frankie. I'm not exactly the most timely and I certainly don't bother keeping to the schedule of others. I believe you are here to listen to me drone on about Egypt, yes? As always, I have prepared the driest and most boring facts for you."
There was something about his little smile that was different, making it seem like he was having a hard time maintaining it. Those eyes of his flicked to and fro, spotting all the regular signs that Frankie seemed to wear. Tenderness at the wrists, making her hesitate when she reached, favoring one leg over the other for leaning. Most of all, though, he was locked on her eyes. They were usually a lovely ocean of green with a shadowy makeup that he found rather flattering for her face. Frankie was always pretty and whoever did this to her was always trying to ruin it. This time, they had even given up on hiding it.
Stacking his papers and lifting them from the table that seemed to sit in a random spot in the large hall, he moved closer to Frankie. She was a sweet girl and Asim took no pleasure in letting all these signs go unnoticed by the general public. Her ghost in particular seemed to have very keen opinions. If Asim did not interrupt, Frankie would likely listen to him all night. Today, though, Asim was feeling a little riled himself. This was going to escalate to something tragic soon.
"How are things, Frankie? Still living with that boyfriend?"
OP
OP
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2020
He fell silent as Asim came toward them and Frankie said a silent prayer to whatever gods would have taken her prayers that he’d stopped. His anger at Joshua was not new. It was prone to make her cry right now though and that would more than certainly make her make-up fail her. Her eyes were glossy as she turned to meet Asim’s gaze. Not quite crying but a little push would send her over the edge.
His words though made her smile. “Drone?” Her words tried to be playful though some of the emotion leaked into her husky voice, tinging it. “I don’t find either to be true.” she pointed out as she dug in her back to get a pad and pencil. She always took notes. Preferring this method to the more convenient taping or impersonal laptop. Frankie knew he was teasing her though as she settled into her seat beside him more fully. The space around her eyes tightened as pain flared up her back.
She coughed to hide it and looked up as he questioned her. “Things are.. Okay.” They were so far from okay and for some reason she didn’t like lying to him. She didn’t like lying to anyone really. Yet, for someone who always seemed to have time for her? It didn’t sit well with her. “Yeah. Joshua” She said his name and looked away.
Had Frankie known exactly how easily he read her or that he knew of the injuries that she tried so hard to hide.. Frankie would have been mortified. Shifting slightly in her seat, unable to get comfortable she looked up to meet his eyes. “Do you have someone special, Asim?” She had never thought to ask. She didn’t want to go home after this.. And while it would take a number of hours.. It would come too quickly. The not knowing of Joshua’s mood and what it would bring frightened her. Yet.. if she didn’t come home..
#696969
#c71585
His words though made her smile. “Drone?” Her words tried to be playful though some of the emotion leaked into her husky voice, tinging it. “I don’t find either to be true.” she pointed out as she dug in her back to get a pad and pencil. She always took notes. Preferring this method to the more convenient taping or impersonal laptop. Frankie knew he was teasing her though as she settled into her seat beside him more fully. The space around her eyes tightened as pain flared up her back.
She coughed to hide it and looked up as he questioned her. “Things are.. Okay.” They were so far from okay and for some reason she didn’t like lying to him. She didn’t like lying to anyone really. Yet, for someone who always seemed to have time for her? It didn’t sit well with her. “Yeah. Joshua” She said his name and looked away.
Had Frankie known exactly how easily he read her or that he knew of the injuries that she tried so hard to hide.. Frankie would have been mortified. Shifting slightly in her seat, unable to get comfortable she looked up to meet his eyes. “Do you have someone special, Asim?” She had never thought to ask. She didn’t want to go home after this.. And while it would take a number of hours.. It would come too quickly. The not knowing of Joshua’s mood and what it would bring frightened her. Yet.. if she didn’t come home..
#696969
#c71585
Lady Jace Beleren
Ugh, Susan...
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2014
- Location
- United States, East Coast
A few things happened when the topic of Joshua came up so quickly. Casper went from his casual floating around the room, always busy learning something new or being a source mischief, even if that mischief lacked any physical signs, to hovering around the pair. Delicate topics required his attention, even if he could do nothing to stop it. Asim's tone was a bit of a worry as well. He was being soft, friendly. Not so different from normal, but a little more like he was approaching a scared animal.
Asim took a seat on one of the uncomfortable metal folding chairs that moved about the museum for work. He set his papers down on one of the little tables that filled the hall, making sure to dust it off a little first. It seemed work was not on his mind. This seemed doubly true when Frankie winced as she sat. Today was going to be a bit different. But, he needed to lead in slowly.
"Do I have someone special? I have certainly had a few in the past. Right now, romantically, no. I have a group of friends, more like family. They are special to me. No relationships to speak of at the moment. Not many pretty girls come to the museum at night. Only one, really."
It was baseless flattery. Asim was like this with most people. Always quick to compliment and never wanting to leave a sour impression. That said, it was a bit different with Frankie. She shared his interests, even if only on a professional level, was quite lovely, and perhaps the biggest appeal, he could help her. Asim had lived through a hundred different tragedies. It never got easier watching one occur right in front of him. So, he closed in on the real topic.
"I noticed, you know. The bruises, the raw skin. There is really no easy way to say it, but I have known for some time that this... Joshua, he is no good for you. I am not a therapist or a councilor, but I see your eye."
At this, Asim gently cupped her cheek. It was more of a soft and concerned gesture than a romantic one. Like an adult checking up on a child. In that brief moment, sadness in his eyes, Asim seemed much older than he looked, like he had seen the whole world. Casper, incorporeal hands tensed, remained silent. It hurt a little, hearing someone so eloquently say what he always wanted to.
"It escalates a little more every day. I can see it. You are not safe, Frankie. I cannot go break up with him for you, or even force you to make that choice. But, I want you to know that I am your friend. We have space, my friends and I. Lots of it. If you need a safe place, I can give you one. Tonight, if you like. And, if you want to make it permanent, we can help. Help you collect your things and leave."
From behind her came a soft and desperate whisper
"Frankie... please do it."
Asim took a seat on one of the uncomfortable metal folding chairs that moved about the museum for work. He set his papers down on one of the little tables that filled the hall, making sure to dust it off a little first. It seemed work was not on his mind. This seemed doubly true when Frankie winced as she sat. Today was going to be a bit different. But, he needed to lead in slowly.
"Do I have someone special? I have certainly had a few in the past. Right now, romantically, no. I have a group of friends, more like family. They are special to me. No relationships to speak of at the moment. Not many pretty girls come to the museum at night. Only one, really."
It was baseless flattery. Asim was like this with most people. Always quick to compliment and never wanting to leave a sour impression. That said, it was a bit different with Frankie. She shared his interests, even if only on a professional level, was quite lovely, and perhaps the biggest appeal, he could help her. Asim had lived through a hundred different tragedies. It never got easier watching one occur right in front of him. So, he closed in on the real topic.
"I noticed, you know. The bruises, the raw skin. There is really no easy way to say it, but I have known for some time that this... Joshua, he is no good for you. I am not a therapist or a councilor, but I see your eye."
At this, Asim gently cupped her cheek. It was more of a soft and concerned gesture than a romantic one. Like an adult checking up on a child. In that brief moment, sadness in his eyes, Asim seemed much older than he looked, like he had seen the whole world. Casper, incorporeal hands tensed, remained silent. It hurt a little, hearing someone so eloquently say what he always wanted to.
"It escalates a little more every day. I can see it. You are not safe, Frankie. I cannot go break up with him for you, or even force you to make that choice. But, I want you to know that I am your friend. We have space, my friends and I. Lots of it. If you need a safe place, I can give you one. Tonight, if you like. And, if you want to make it permanent, we can help. Help you collect your things and leave."
From behind her came a soft and desperate whisper
"Frankie... please do it."
OP
OP
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2020
Casper understood far quicker than she did. The way that Asim spoke to her. The gentleness of it, as if not to spook her. Even Casper’s sudden attention didn’t clue her in as he came to float near them. She could always feel him even if not in her line of view. Like a cold spot.. Some might have found it uncomfortable and yet Frankie didn’t. It was comforting, soothing. Most of the time at least. To say that she never found it to be an issue would have been a lie.
Her smile was soft when Asim said he didn’t have anyone currently and when he flirted with her she shook her head, her smile growing a fraction. “Mmm, as I have heard you say similar things to the female custodians, you will forgive me for not taking that too seriously.” She was playing with him, still unaware of what was to come. She really did think Asim was just a sweet flirt and that he meant nothing by it. Not really. Frankie didn’t know she was different at all to him.
Her smile faltered and her eyes moved away from his face. Then it faded entirely. Her face turned away from him, hiding the offending eye from view. “I am sorry.” She was sorry he knew, sorry he’d seen it. Frankie didn’t know what else to say. She didn’t want to defend Joshua. To argue that it was only this once.. Asim said he’d known for a while.
His hand moved out and touched her cheek and Frankie couldn’t help as she flinched away from his touch. He’d not hurt her, the touch had been kind. Like Asim always was. She missed how his face changed, how the sadness touched his eyes. Asim spoke again and her body seemed to fold in on itself. Making herself seem smaller than she was. Her friend..
Then came the offer and her head shot up and there was only one thing in her eyes. Pure panic. That kind where your eyes drowned in a sea of white and she shook her head quickly. He’d kill him. Kill her family. She had been opening her mouth to say no when she heard Casper’s voice and she flinched again. Safe, he only wanted her safe.
“I can’t and you know it..” This was said over her shoulder and her eyes moved back to Asim. “He’d kill you. My family..” Pieces of the puzzle slowly falling into place. Why she was still with someone who hit her. Her body shook and Frankie hugged herself to still it. She’d rather die than have anyone else die for her. If she went to a house with Asim, filled with his makeshift family.. Joshua would kill them too.
Frankie had no way of knowing what Asim and his friends were. That a human would pose little threat to them. Her eyes moved up his face, raw, vulnerable. “I don’t want anyone else to get hurt because of me..”
#696969
#c71585
Her smile was soft when Asim said he didn’t have anyone currently and when he flirted with her she shook her head, her smile growing a fraction. “Mmm, as I have heard you say similar things to the female custodians, you will forgive me for not taking that too seriously.” She was playing with him, still unaware of what was to come. She really did think Asim was just a sweet flirt and that he meant nothing by it. Not really. Frankie didn’t know she was different at all to him.
Her smile faltered and her eyes moved away from his face. Then it faded entirely. Her face turned away from him, hiding the offending eye from view. “I am sorry.” She was sorry he knew, sorry he’d seen it. Frankie didn’t know what else to say. She didn’t want to defend Joshua. To argue that it was only this once.. Asim said he’d known for a while.
His hand moved out and touched her cheek and Frankie couldn’t help as she flinched away from his touch. He’d not hurt her, the touch had been kind. Like Asim always was. She missed how his face changed, how the sadness touched his eyes. Asim spoke again and her body seemed to fold in on itself. Making herself seem smaller than she was. Her friend..
Then came the offer and her head shot up and there was only one thing in her eyes. Pure panic. That kind where your eyes drowned in a sea of white and she shook her head quickly. He’d kill him. Kill her family. She had been opening her mouth to say no when she heard Casper’s voice and she flinched again. Safe, he only wanted her safe.
“I can’t and you know it..” This was said over her shoulder and her eyes moved back to Asim. “He’d kill you. My family..” Pieces of the puzzle slowly falling into place. Why she was still with someone who hit her. Her body shook and Frankie hugged herself to still it. She’d rather die than have anyone else die for her. If she went to a house with Asim, filled with his makeshift family.. Joshua would kill them too.
Frankie had no way of knowing what Asim and his friends were. That a human would pose little threat to them. Her eyes moved up his face, raw, vulnerable. “I don’t want anyone else to get hurt because of me..”
#696969
#c71585
Lady Jace Beleren
Ugh, Susan...
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2014
- Location
- United States, East Coast
There were plenty of things that Asim had been witness to in his life. Some of the worst tragedies in history had him as a witness. Far too many had ended with him ignoring them. Some because he lacked the means to stop it. Some because he had simply walked away. These days, Asim did not walk away. He had already decided to see thus through before he spoke. But, the first thing that Frankie said made him decide.
I am sorry.
It was not so uncommon for a person to blame themselves when they were hurt. Some gave power to their abuser, made them something superhuman. Some would just come back even if they tried to escape. It was hard to know what kept a person with their abuser unless you simply asked. It seemed like it was a combination of things for Frankie. For now, he listened.
The way she flinched away from his hand made Asim angry. Dangerously angry. He had seem many people die for no reason, but he had also ended more than his share of lives. First, to live. Then, when he got better at keeping them alive, he took familiars, protected humans in exchange for their blood. It was not a requirement of his help, but if they were grateful, he would not say no to lifeblood freely given. One of his closest friends had once been such a familiar. Now, he helped because it was right. He would help Frankie because it was right, and if it came to bloodshed, so be it.
"Frankie, I don't know if I can convince you, but this man won't be a danger to me and mine. Two of them are trained in self-defense. One sometimes even works as a bouncer for fun. It seems very unlikely that he could do anything to us if it came to it. As for your family..."
Asim sighed heavily and for a moment his eyes drifted to the ghost over Frankie's shoulder, his eyes pleading. Then, they moved away like nothing happened.
"I find it hard to believe he could or would hurt them. I don't blame you for what he has done. He is a monster. But, he has you isolated. These threats keep you isolated. He has you cut off from help. I am offering you help despite what he says. How about this? Think about it. We do our jobs, when we leave, you can go home or with me."
This was said with a finality. He did not dismiss her. She could say whatever she wanted in the meantime. It was more of a deadline. A window for her to make a decision. Casper took the opportunity to continue to be a worm in her ear.
"He can help, Fran. If his friends can fight, Joshua won't do shit. He is a pussy who gets off hitting women. A coward."
I am sorry.
It was not so uncommon for a person to blame themselves when they were hurt. Some gave power to their abuser, made them something superhuman. Some would just come back even if they tried to escape. It was hard to know what kept a person with their abuser unless you simply asked. It seemed like it was a combination of things for Frankie. For now, he listened.
The way she flinched away from his hand made Asim angry. Dangerously angry. He had seem many people die for no reason, but he had also ended more than his share of lives. First, to live. Then, when he got better at keeping them alive, he took familiars, protected humans in exchange for their blood. It was not a requirement of his help, but if they were grateful, he would not say no to lifeblood freely given. One of his closest friends had once been such a familiar. Now, he helped because it was right. He would help Frankie because it was right, and if it came to bloodshed, so be it.
"Frankie, I don't know if I can convince you, but this man won't be a danger to me and mine. Two of them are trained in self-defense. One sometimes even works as a bouncer for fun. It seems very unlikely that he could do anything to us if it came to it. As for your family..."
Asim sighed heavily and for a moment his eyes drifted to the ghost over Frankie's shoulder, his eyes pleading. Then, they moved away like nothing happened.
"I find it hard to believe he could or would hurt them. I don't blame you for what he has done. He is a monster. But, he has you isolated. These threats keep you isolated. He has you cut off from help. I am offering you help despite what he says. How about this? Think about it. We do our jobs, when we leave, you can go home or with me."
This was said with a finality. He did not dismiss her. She could say whatever she wanted in the meantime. It was more of a deadline. A window for her to make a decision. Casper took the opportunity to continue to be a worm in her ear.
"He can help, Fran. If his friends can fight, Joshua won't do shit. He is a pussy who gets off hitting women. A coward."