ashairis

[ashairis]

Molly’s Game (2017) dir. Aaron Sorkin

[ashairis]

Rolling her mat fully, she used the straps to keep it all together, buckling it up and slinging into her shoulder. Run, go home? Those were the current options. A deep sigh pulled from her depths, as running meant going back to her car and dropping off her stuff. It wasn't far of course but she felt like by the time she'd done that she wouldn't feel like running anymore. Just as she was about to make up her mind, she heard the familiar voice. Looking over at him Asha rolled her eyes. "Of course you didn't KD." She stalked closer to him. "You were too busy fucking around to learn the intimate details about me."

"What are you doing here?" she asked him, looking him up and down slowly. While seeing him still pissed her off, she couldn't deny the deep attraction she had for him. It was annoying.

Kennedy was on his weekly run on the beach. It was something he had started to pick up for his touring training. Jumping around stages required him to build up some stamina as his trainer had advised him. He choose to run down by the beach. It was better than being stuck on a tread mill . The beach was busy so he was weaving and dodging different groups also enjoying the beach. He came up to what seemed to be a yoga class coming to an end. He slowed his pace to see if he could find a cute face among the group. Instead he managed to spot a familiar face. One that might be too thrilled to see him. But he was going to entertain the thought she might not be pissed at him. "Asha. Didn't expect you to be into yoga?"

[ashairis]

❤ 47K 💬 98,361 COMMENTS ashairis sometimes you just got to show out to make your ex jealous. 😜

[ashairis]

Shooting him a look, Asha chuckled, they both knew she was lying but if he wasn't going to call her on the shit, she wasn't going to say anything more about it. Nodding along to his words, she dropped her weight into her hip, leaning into the counter even more. "Okay, I see how that can be a-nnoying." She wasn't a real model or anything but hell if you needed all those changes or touch ups, maybe you just weren't meant to be in front of a camera. It was that simple.

Taking another swig of the water, Asha watched Theo closely as he grabbed his laptop from in front of her. "Oh, thank you," she said easily. "That would be so much better than going into a store - where they're for sure going to over charge." Humming, Asha contemplated how she wanted to ask. For some reason Theo was a bit shy and she didn't want to embarrass him or offend him. "Well, I was thinking... since you're a photographer. You could just take my photos for me. I don't need any editing or anything but having a professional behind the camera would be nice. I of course would pay for your services."

Hazel eyes narrowed as he grabbed the now ice cold coffee he had been sipping while his photos downloaded. "...Yeah alright whatever you say," Theo snorted as he set his now empty mug into the sink. "It's boring -" He explains, grabbing a towel to shake some of the smaller internal pieces out of the camera. "Plus, depending on the client they have really specific requests for editing, and some people are picky." Case in point - the influencer he sent mockups to who asked him to essentially change all the natural lighting eight times.

"I mean this is a good point and shoot, but there are definitely better machines that will get you better quality." Setting the camera back down on the counter, Theo grabbed his laptop and brought up his own list of equipment. "Take a look at this list and tell me what you think - there's some stuff I got that I don't use I can sell it to you, whatever looks good I'll grab from my closet." Raising an eyebrow at the question, Theo nodded. "Yeah - I mean it depends, I do a lot of stuff. Why?"

[ashairis]

There was something about the brutality and savageness of the dance world that only those within it would understand. It was all about keeping up with appearances. The aesthetic. Pristine, delicate, precise, elegance, powerful but still soft - those were what the world saw. What the powers that be maintained was the narrative. However, within there was a animalistic fight. Wolves with teeth sharpened on stone. That's how the status quo was maintained and God if Roman didn't challenge that ever single chance he got. He was beautiful and talented beyond believe because he was a fighter. He was determined to stay on top - even at his own detriment. It was admirable but also stupid.

"Only a little," she repeated the words with a hum of amusement, his dismissal not lost on her - however, she obliged. "Absolutely, yes, let's get out of here. I only came to see you anyway, you know that." She pressed a kiss to his cheek, quickly moving to wipe away any lip stain that might have transferred. "Let's grab dinner and catch up." She smirked, "and we'll see how the rest of the night goes, huh?"

Roman faced some aversion because of how young he'd been when he joined his first company. There was a brief struggle to even determine if they could take him, but he'd done what he could to prove he was worth the trouble. Awe only came from the levels that only ever blinked an eye, while their pawns were baring teeth and pushing themselves in hopes of toppling over someone else from their glass cages.

His training had been of a divine violence, something that taught him more than the physical demands of his craft but the stakes it took on the soul. Words meant nothing unless they were of primal evaluation, which only belonged to those somehow deemed superior despite having never moved like those on bound the stage did in years. He paid no mind to anyone else.

"Only a little buzzed, can you tell?" He asked, lips pressed to her arm to dismiss any other thought. His injury wasn't a secret— he had certainly complained enough about the rest he was forced into to make it known that he'd spite anyone who said he'd never return to dance. The trouble was that Roman had no intention of every stopping, content in knowing that if he continued on it could very well be more than just his dance he'd lose. That was something he kept to himself. Other wise, he numbed every ache with the veil of celebration. "We could get out of here if you want. No one here is that important this time around— at least not more than you, I can promise that. You can have me the whole night if you have a better idea and I'll admit that I am easily swayed."

[ashairis]

Asha sat in the back of the club with a drink in her hand, buzzed and sitting on the highest of clouds after the three blunts she'd smoked in the back; so when Renata approached her, she beamed happily. "Heeey!" she squealed before she shook her head. "No, no you're okay. It was so spur the moment!" Eyeing the box, she smirked, taking it gratefully as she sat her drink aside. "Oh you didn't have to," she spoke even as she began to open the box. Revealing the tennis bracelet, Asha lifted her eyes and gazed at Renata thankfully. "Awe, Ren! Thank you, this is beautiful."

Patting the spot beside has as Ren kissed her cheek, Asha let out a chuckle. "Oh, man. I mean... I drank, I danced, I woke up in some guys bed," she smirked at Ren. "You know... the usual. I just remember that he was hot as fuck and she" Asha pointed between her legs, "was very, very happy afterwards." Tucking the box away into her bag, she grabbed her drink and took a sip. "How have you been boo? I feel like I haven't seen you since the top of the month."

where: bon voyage, april 20th

who: @ashairis

"Asha sweetie, I'm so so sorry. I just realized earlier today that I missed your birthday," she crossed the club to join her and offered up a small pout. "I'm the worst friend. I do hope you'll forgive me." Ren produced a small, neatly wrapped box from her bag with a sleek tennis bracelet inside adorned with Asha's birthstone. There was an art to gift giving and Ren certainly tried to master it the best she could. She was self aware enough to know she was inherently selfish over half of the time and a bit more self absorbed the other half. Then again, she had yet to meet any famous, semi-famous, or up and comer in society that wasn't a little self absorbed. How else were they going to sell themselves to get the public to love them if they didn't think they were worth it. "I got you this. Nothing big but I hope you like it," that was genuine. She did love giving her friends gifts when she could. Ren leaned forward to kiss on either side of her friend's face. "Open it then tell me everything you got up to. Anything super exciting happen?"

[ashairis]

open for all where: Santa Monica beach

Asha sat on her mat, eyes closed as she inhaled deeply. She counted to ten in her head along with their instructor the for morning before she slowly exhaled the full breath. Her eyes fluttered open and she smiled. Along with the rest of the class, she moved to stand, bowing as she said "namaste." With that she let out a deep sigh of content as she moved off her mat and began to roll it up, flipping her hair out of her face in the process. She contemplated thoughts of going for a run along the beach now. She had energy for what felt like days after the session.

[ashairis]

Humming out, Asha turned slightly eyeing the others that looked at Roman with faces of discontent, disapproval, and disgrace. She narrowed her eyes at every one of them - if looks could kill they'd all be dropping dead. It was one of the many things that she certainly did not miss about the ballet. The snobbish, posh attitudes and upturned noses. Like everyone else stood ten feet tall while they shrunk in their shadows. Not a single person was perfect - especially those that had the nerve to judge Roman for his short comings. She snapped her teeth at a few people before she returned her attention to the dancer.

She closed all space between them, hooking her arm with his as she gently lead him away. "It was amazing as always," she told him truthfully. "You know you were the star of the show." As they reached a more secluded corner of the room, she released him and took a moment to truly take him in. "Are you alright?" she whispered, looking at him with a deep sigh.

"Nothing important," Roman said, dismissing himself. Asha, after all, wasn't someone he aligned to that cutting of thread with. There was an understanding, and more importantly, a distance that kept both parties content and enticing. The time it had been broken was hardly a disaster in the making, and not something Roman was looking to forget.

The brief silence that fell over his complaint also came from the acknowledgement of where he was again, sobriety still clinging to him to push him into better behavior. There was a certain angle to take for those around him, who to please and who to taunt as a means of getting what the company wanted.

"What did you think of the show?" He asked, turning his attention to her and away from those he'd shook hands with too many times that night.

[ashairis]

While Asha wasn't an avid reader, she did enjoy a celebrity biography or two from time to time. Something about getting the inside track on people that felt in a way untouchable intrigued her. Made them more human. As she walked through the store, she thought about heading over to check the vinyl's when she saw a familiar face. From a distance she watched as Belle struggled to grab a book from a higher shelf. Asha wasn't much taller than Belle but she thought she'd at least make an attempt to help. She was making her way over when she saw the books come tumbling down. "Ohh..." she gasped, staring at the blonde. Quickly, Asha closed the space between them as she knelt, helping scoop up the mess. "Well, I was going to ask if you need help but I guess that's obvious now."

open to: everyone location: the last bookstore (downtown la)

Leather boots echoed against the floor as Bellamy made her way down the row of books stacked inside the bookcase. Her eyes barely caught the sight of her target resting on the top shelf before taking a step back to survey the area. The blonde waves that past her shoulders moved both left and right as her head turned, ensuring that no one was around to notice her vertically challenged predicament. “Shit.” She muttered, pushing herself onto the tips of her toes before outstretching her arm upwards. A sigh of relief left her lips as she inched the book into her hands — that was until she heard the sound of footsteps approaching from behind her, the commotion alone sending a small pile of others crashing to the floor. “Oh, damn it…” She thought aloud, scrambling to pick up what she dropped before attracting any unwanted attention.

[ashairis]

Smirking, Asha shot him a look. "Don't I always." Bringing the bottle to her lips, she gulped down about half of it's contents with a groan of appreciation. Sauntering over to the counter, she looked down at his laptop eyeing his work curiously. "What? Nothing.. nothing," she waved him off. It had nothing to do with him and everything to do with Josiah - she wouldn't tell him that though. Whatever she said to Theo about Jo would surely reach Jo the moment she left. Clicking around on his computer, she looked at the various photos he'd taken with a hint of a smile on her face. He really was talented with a camera.

"Worst part? Why do you say that? Because it's tedious?"

Sighing out, she nodded. Asha knew that 9 out of 10 she needed a new camera but it was worth a shot to have Theo look at it for her, just in case. "Honestly, I have no idea. It's been my trusty dusty," she laughed. "I've had it for five years... so I was still back in Atlanta when I got it," she told him thoughtfully. Scrunching her nose, she stuck her tongue out at him - the amused glare not getting by her. "I'm not sure. When I bought this one I just walked into Best Buy and picked up the first camera I saw that looked decent in my budget, so you tell me."

Leaning her elbows against the counter, she tapped her nails idly. "I just need it to be functional - the easier the menu screens and setting changes are the better. Getting crisp, clean shots is also a must. That's about it." Taking a moment to think about it, Asha looked up at Theo. "You do personal photography right? Not just events?"

"Yeah go ahead make yourself at home," Theo snorted, amused as he watched his friend walk around his kitchen like it was her own. He didn't mind, his house was open to all his friends whenever they wanted. Setting the camera down on the counter and taking it apart. He knew his way around the inside of most cameras, but staring at this one was puzzling. Which really meant one thing and he wasn't sure Asha would be happy about it.

Glancing up at the woman in his kitchen, Theo's eyebrows furrowed. "Who said I didn't go grocery shopping?" He asked, eyes going back down to the camera in his hand. "As for what I was doing before - editing festival photos. Worst part of the job." Theo grabbed his phone to shine his flashlight into the battery well of the camera. "Yeah this one's fucked, Ash. Not really sure how you managed to keep using it for this long." Setting the shell of a machine down again, Theo raised an eyebrow. "Alright - let's talk new ones. What do you need from a camera? Besides the obvious." He said, pointing at her with an amused glare, preemptively shutting down any sarcastic remarks.

[ashairis]

MODERN FAMILY ( 2009 - 2020 ) 1x05 | “Coal Digger”

[ashairis]

While Asha didn't participate in the ballet anymore as a performer she would always have a deep love for it. It was her foundation - a key factor of becoming the woman she was today. There were still certain things that she learned in class at 4-years-old that she carries with her; fundamentals if you will. That being said, she often found herself attending performances around the city. She was enamored. Ballet was such a difficult study. Professionals made it look effortless but there was a beauty in knowing the blood, sweat, and tears that went into getting such precision and grace.

It had become a bit of a ritual to attend a show once a month now. At this point she felt like a regular. Everyone know her name at the performances and now even the after parties. Getting invited to such an event was an honor and that she held dear. Though, she knew that if majority in the room became aware of how she now used her training she'd been shunned.

Pushing that thought aside, she mingled and spoke with various attendees discussing the performances before she found herself gravitating towards the bar and someone who she felt like was becoming a fast friend. "What are you talking about now Roman?" she asked as she stood close by, eyebrow arching with a deep curiosity.

open to: everyone location: los angeles ballet after party

“I usually just tell my exes… ya tebe ne znayu,” Roman said flatly, turning to face his company as he reached over the bar and opened the handle taunting the long wait for drinks. An open bar was welcomed, but tiresome in its abuse by every feigned patron that made it impossible to get a drink.

There was a slight mind to those around them, but the confidence in his demolishment of expectation and regulation didn't allow for anyone to second guess. Roman needed all the help he could get to pretend he cared for whatever seasonal pass donors carried, at least not until he could make up for the reason he had barely moved across the room. The pain was sharp, and even without movement, it danced along some edge to splice its ache over and over again. It challenged Roman's balance, something he could no longer hold between the liquor that burned in his chest and the recovery he refused. He would have been find had he rested, fine if he called off tonight, fine if he simply gave up.

Head tilted back to take a swig behind an arrangement far too big for anyone's liking, he continued, “It roughly translates to I don’t know you. Denial gets you a long way because people fear rejection. You should try it.”

[ashairis]

Sighing deeply, Asha fought like hell not to roll her eyes at Dilan's smile growing wider by the second. Now if she'd of just quit the job like she kept telling herself that she would, she wouldn't be in this current predicament. "Yes, Dilan," she grumbled as politely as she could. "I work here," she pointed her pen at her name tag. She actually didn't need this job. It wasn't a necessity, it was a security plan. She got insurance through this job, which was the only promising thing about it. God forbid she have an accident while at the club. She'd be assed. And while she could pay out of pocket, why would she when a place like this was offering it up for pennies on the dollar out of her check.

Though, there was the obvious. If she'd just coughed up the money herself, she would be free of this situation that was sure to turn into a debacle. There was only so much of Dilan that Asha could take before she flipped her lid.

"Of course, of course," she plastered on the fakest smile as her manager slid past her. "Well I've been here for a while now..." she grimaced as she began to jot down the order on her notepad. This time, she actually had to roll her eyes because it was just obnoxious. "Coming right up!" she perked up a little as she turned to the rest of the table to take down their orders. "And did you want anything to start? Appetizer perhaps?"

"No, I'm done with him, I swear," it was another argument waiting to happen between Dilan and her friends, "it is done and has been done for a while now with Roman and it'll stay that way." It was the never ending cycle she was forced to endure, but she grew tired of the talk as they all chatted in the diner in Santa Monica.

"Uh, yes," she answered the waitress who interjected herself at her table, "Asha!" Dilan's smile on her face grew as she realized who was asking for her order, "I didn't know you worked her," that much was the truth. Dilan would never keep tabs on her as much as she despised the other woman. It all started when they were younger and stayed present in their adulthood. She couldn't even remember exactly how it had begun, but they were too deep into the feud to change their behavior now.

"It's so good to see you," lies, all lies, "I wasn't expecting to run into you here, of all places." Dilan knew that Asha would be just as petty if she had been given the same chance, so she'd take advantage of her position. "But yes, drinks! I would love a water, but also can I have a chocolate malt, with like an inch thick bit of whipped cream and three cherries," she'd make her work as hard as she could.

[ashairis]

A surprised smile pulled at her lips. "Oh..." she whispered. Was Barrett secretly seeing someone. That was a thought that hadn't crossed her mind at all. It made her realize she truly didn't know very much about Barrett. It was clearly time to turn that around. As Barrett tossed another drink back, Asha chuckled sweetly. Oh, the poor fire fighter was going to be sloshed. She said nothing though as Barrett seemed to know what she was doing.

"I might could be," Asha's whisper was silenced by the soft kiss that Barrett planted. Her eyes fluttered slightly and she inhaled slow from the shock but also from the sparks of electricity she felt coursing through her in that moment. A small groan escaped her and she opened her eyes, staring across at Barrett stunned. Her heart surely could be seen from the outside with how hard it was pounding inside her chest.

She genuinely did not know what to do next. If Barrett was a man, they'd already be headed back to her apartment. However, this was brand new territory for Asha, causing her to stammer out. "W-wow." She reached up and gently brushed her fingers across her plump lips. Picking up her glass, she took it to the head, gulping the brown liquor down, before she was sliding out of her side of the booth and into Barrett's. She gently placed a hand on Barrett's check before pulling the woman in, this time it was her, she took the initiative, gently pressing her lips against Barrett's in a lip-lock as her hand slipped from Barrett's cheek to tangle in her hair.

Barrett’s face dropped as the woman mentioned Brie, there was so much untouched territory between the blonde and Barrett, it felt wrong to discuss their issues when Barrett had hardly spoken to her since being home. Quickly shaking off the sombre feeling, Barrett downed her next drink in one, throwing her head back as she did. “Maybe Brie. But maybe some others. Not sure I can give the game away though.” Barrett smirked, running her fingers along the rim of her now empty glass, somehow it felt like she was trying to give Asha a run for her money with how many drinks she could neck back, or it was her way of hiding how nervous she suddenly felt around the woman.

Barrett’s brow raised once again, a smirk still playing on her lips as Asha mentioned somewhere more private. She’d never done this before, not with a woman anyway and she was swiftly feeling her heart beating outside of her chest. Biting down on her lip as Asha placed her finger underneath her chin, Barrett knew things were now moving at a much quicker pace, not that she was complaining. “Is that right huh? Sounds like you’re up for some sort of game.” Barrett leaned even closer to Asha, deciding she was going to make the first move and lay all her cards on the table, she pressed her lips softly against the woman’s before taking Asha’s bottom lip between her teeth and pulling back gently. “You’re not the only one with a few tricks up your sleeve.”

[ashairis]

As the door swung open revealing her friend, she smiled back at him. "Hey," she tossed back with a nod as she entered the house. In second she was slipping out of her shoes with a deep sigh, using her foot to push them aside. "It just won't turn on anymore," she explained, "and if it does, within seconds, it's shutting back off." Turning to him, she held out the camera bag for him to take. It was in his hands now. She was over it.

Moving further into the house, she made way for his kitchen. "You seem eager to try and fix it, what were you up to?" Popping open the fridge, she pulled out a bottle of water, eyeing the other contents with a hum as well. "Glad to see you actually go grocery shopping," she mumbled more or less to herself before shutting the door. Cracking the bottle open, she turned to him. "So what do you think? Is it time for a new one?"

Theodore Lewis loved his job. It was a mantra he was repeating to himself as he struggled through festival edits. Easily his least favorite task was the one that inevitably took the longest. Editing photos was fine until he sent proofs to the client and suddenly they had opinions. Some of them were easy to change - can we make this one black and white? Can we find a way to keep the guitar in focus? - but then there were the requests he got the most from some of his newer, influencer clients. Can you find a way to change the lighting? Can you photoshop me in front of something else? It was tedious and exhausting, and Theo would accept any sort of distraction. And it came in the form of Asha calling him about cameras. His mood did a full 180 at the idea of helping someone pick the perfect camera. He had an entire closet that was just equipment - he could go on for hours about the different merits of different machines, and now someone was actually asking for that information? Fuck editing photos. 

His repair kit was laid out on his kitchen island when there was a knock at the door. Fixing his hat over unruly dark hair, Theo crossed the room into his entry way as he pulled the entrance to his home open to greet his friend. “Hey,” He said, smile crooked on his face. “Come in and show me the damage.” 

[ashairis]

Letting her tongue roll over her full lips, Asha bit back a laugh. "Who Brie?" she questioned. "I can handle Brie. Unless... there's someone else your worried about being jealous." Arching an eyebrow at the firefighter, Asha watched her finish off her drink and she followed suit, throwing back what was left in her glass easily. "Is that right?" she questioned, amused. "I think I can manage that," she smiled wickedly as Barrett flagged down a waitress. Before the woman could walk away, Asha pulled her back, whispering something into her ear for their free drinks. It wasn't exactly free. It was her tab but Barrett didn't need to know that. "I think now, we need a healthy competition." Her eyes glittered. "And I might know just the place for privacy."

Asha might or might not own her own personal stripper pole that she had set up in her apartment. It was mainly for practicing new tricks before she brought them to the stage, but on occasion she'd been known to use it for other reasons.

Exhaling slowly, she expelled the nerves building up in her chest the further in Barrett leaned. How far was this going to go before one of them cried uncle? Asha placed her finger under Barrett's chin gently, staring deep into her eyes. "I can't play all my cards at once now can I..." she purred gently. "What's the fun in that?"

Barrett shuffled slightly in her seat as she made herself more comfortable, realising it felt pretty safe to start letting her guard down around Asha, especially as it was highly unlikely anyone would catch them getting along here. Barrett smiled as the woman scrunched her nose, she had to admit to herself Asha looked gorgeous and an unusual attraction was one hundred percent present. “Well… you know, I’m sure there’s a few people who wouldn’t want us hanging out, they may get jealous.” She smirked, gazing over at Asha before finishing off her drink. “If you’re going to hold me to that, and I always come through with these things, I’m going to need another drink.” Barrett spoke smugly, waving her hand over at the waitress as she ordered them more drinks.

Barrett leaned further towards the woman over the table as she tried to figure out her intentions, was this flirting between the two or was Barrett well in over her head? She wasn’t used to this attention from a woman but she had to admit it was a nice feeling. Barrett felt her cheeks projecting a small blush as Asha leaned in closer, she could feel every movement the woman made and it only made her heart race faster. Raising an eyebrow as she listened closely, Barrett tapped her fingers gently on the table, a smirk filling her lips. “Oh really huh? I don’t suppose you feel like sharing these tricks you claim to have.” Barrett bit down on her bottom lip as she received the wink from Asha, her eyes remaining purely focused on the woman, starting to forget just where she was.