heyits-asher

[heyits-asher]

Asher shrugs and decides to brush it off. He might just be on a slight edge after all that transpired between them. He’s all too worried about saying the wrong thing, especially after setting Uly off at Aiden’s, and then more recently, upsetting Gillian in more than one way. It’s better to bite his tongue.

“Is it loitering if I go back in to buy another tall boy?” It’s a gray area, and it’s been one Asher always used in his arguments if he was ever asked to leave a property for such a thing. “Which, I probably will before I skate home.”

Though he frowns at what’s said next and quietly mutters, “I didn’t, actually.” All the while, Ash feels nerves twitch beneath his skin in a way that has him fidgeting and reaching for his pen. “Hey, man. I don’t know what words got all twisted, I’m just saying it’s normal to hang out without your partner, too. Living our own lives and all.” Except for when Gillian decided to live her life that weekend at Cricket’s, then that royally sucked.

Almost exasperated, Asher finally asks, “What’d I do or say wrong this time?”

@wesxevans

"I didn't think that's what you meant. You asked a question and I answered." Wes did what he could to keep himself from getting in his head about being a bad dad, and while he honestly didn't think that was what Asher meant, the thought was there and he had to shove it aside. It helped that he had to refrain from reminding Asher he wasn't the same person as he was when they were... sort of together. It distracted him.

"I was simply curious as to why you're hanging out in a liquor store parking lot. I'm pretty sure they have a no loitering sign in the window." Wes nodded towards the building.

"I never called Gilly a ball and chain, that was you. I love hanging out with Liza, so I hope you guys work out whatever all that is." Wes knew that wasn't what Asher meant but he found it amusing, at least.

@heyits-asher

[heyits-asher]

🔥 + uly!

"Oh man, that's my boy right there! Societal standards have it that his height makes him a ten, or whatever, people love tall guys, but he'd be a ten to me even if he was half a foot shorter.

He has my back, he's loyal, and when he's dead set on something he doesn't budge. He's also all these hard edges, but if you really know him, he's his own kind of softie. Reserved for those who are special and all, like me.

And Edie, of course. Honorable mention, yo!

Anyway, I think the biggest most attractive thing about him is that he makes me feel like I belong. I lived in Arizona all my life, but I never felt like I belonged and had a home until I was here. He's my best friend, and he has a good heart even if it's hard to get to sometimes."

@ulyflynn

[heyits-asher]

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: Has your muse ever experienced something unexplainably bizarre? What was it? Did they ever tell anybody about it?

"Yes, and it definitely was because of the shrooms. I misread the milligram content of that chocolate bar and ate most of it, and that was a very interesting experience. I was crying because the T.V. was too loud, and apparently, it was off the whole time. I can't even get into detail about what I saw but hey, it's bizarre even if it's explainable."

[heyits-asher]

"Oh."

Asher tries to not sound dejected in any way, but it's hard. This is the first time something like this has boiled over. He wants to argue that he didn't know and that maybe staying somewhere else is a huge lep considering he wasn't given a chance. He almost does, but there isn't any fight in him.

"To like, cool down and stuff?" he asks, his tone uncertain. Asher hopes for it because if this is the start to an end - he won't think about it.

He'll try not to think about it.

Asher only fidgets from foot to foot and asks, "Okay, so. You'll call me then? I'll get my phone from the shop first thing." And he will make sure it's charged and the volume is on, he mentally promises.

@thegillyxliang

"I know." She told him quietly--because she did know that. She knew Asher wasn't a malicious person, especially when it came to her. "I know you're sorry. A...And I know you love me." because she definitely knew that too. Gillian had never felt this way for anyone, and she liked to believe it was the same for him. So while she absolutely didn't want to end things, and she knew he was sorry, it still didn't change how hurt she was in the moment.

"You can but....But not tonight." Gillian bit the inside of her lower lip then to keep it from wobbling and she took in a long, deep breath, trying to steady herself. "I...I'm gonna stay someplace else tonight. Maybe Cricket's." Or maybe the weekend, who knows. "I just..I need a little space right now. W-We can talk tomorrow?"

[heyits-asher]

Ash: great ill be there Ash: there as in where? Ash: just send me all the info ill be there Ash: any recs on boots to buy? @silascody

Silas: Rite tude for this sorta work den Silas: Got it tx Silas: Would need you mon tues and some of thurs

[heyits-asher]

Ash: smoke a fat joint n skate thru the in n out drive thru Ash: get a burger animal style babyyyy Ash: y whats up @jaredx

text >> jared & asher

Jared: Booooyyy

Jared: What are your plans today

@heyits-asher

[heyits-asher]

Asher: ya Asher: r we cutting down one? we need a saw Asher: wait u gotta car to tie the tree to the top of right? Asher: idr @thevaleriaxortiz

TXT: Valeria 📲 Asher

Valeria: Hey hermanito Valeria: Question/request Valeria: Would youuuu maybe want to come with me this weekend to get a Christmas tree? Valeria: And help me decorate it and all that? @heyits-asher

[heyits-asher]

All thanks to Leo and the joint he generously donated to Asher's cause, he's long since chilled out that night. The lingering tension Ash felt for the situation between him and Gillian left he feeling like he stood on unsteady ground, and the added crowd and noise made it worse.

But now, his mind felt quiet, and he could focus without feel suffocated.

"Hey, thanks," he smiles soft and sweet, though it doesn't entirely reach his eyes when he ends up focused on the straw presented. "What's-" he doesn't finish the question either before he decides to just take a sip. It's sweet, and it tastes red.

Most drinks taste red, now that he thinks about it...

"Yeah... uh, yeah! No, see Leo had a joint to share with me, so I'm chilling. Are you having fun?"

@thegillyxliang

closed - @heyits-asher

where - sharky's

While things weren't 100% just yet, Gillian did absolutely want to move past it and give Asher the benefit of the doubt since things had gotten better. There were still some slip ups (and she herself was more prone to just wanting to stay home or do spur of the moment decisions rather than making reservations or going anywhere that took lots of planning) but still. She loved Ash and she in no way wanted to end things. So she was excited that they'd done a costume together and she planned on having fun.

As usual they went their separate ways for a bit to catch up with friends, but Gillian ultimately always found her way back to him, like something inside herself just always guiding her to his side. And this time as she did it was a drink in hand, figuring they could just share it so when she got to his side Gilly wasted no time in sliding her arm around his waist, smiling gently up at him as she held the straw up to his lips. "Having fun?"

[heyits-asher]

For what it is worth, the new light that surrounds Uly is one that is welcomed. In fact, the way he toys with the balloon while draws out a grin. Albeit small when compared to the usual one Asher dons on his face, it is there through all of the festering anxiety.

"My head doesn't know how to be quiet," is the vague answer he starts with, and Ash redirects his gaze out to the crowd of cartoon characters that have shaped his childhood and the monsters that gave him nightmares. None that are quite as scary as an angry Edie Tello behind a shopping cart.

Uly draws another laugh out of Asher, and he nods in agreement. He could see it. At least Ash knows that if anyone could handle Uly, it would be her, and vice versa. It makes him happy.

"It's funny when you think back, last Halloween you told me I needed to keep you away from her. But-" Ash shrugs, and this time his grin is starbright. "I like how you wear happiness. It suits you."

He pats his pockets under the raincoat, tugging the balloon down to flop aimlessly in Uly's face, and doesn't feel the familiar box shape anywhere. "Either Gilly has mine or I forgot them. I was gonna let you bum a couple off me to give to her but, can't help you there, bud."

@ulyflynn

Uly's never known a lot of people to deter Ash in the way it seemed to be then, him always the one who had to shoulder the weight of the Social One in their friendship while Uly fit better into the Disinterested Observer role.

( Except, when it came to Asher, he's never disinterested. )

Uly's fingers can't help but pinch the string of his balloon, circumventing where it connected to his wrist and taking command of it. Unable to resist temptation, he bops it against Ash's hood covered head.

"I," Bop, "Sense," Bop, "Tension," Bop, bop, bop.

He stops then only because if he didn't he was sure he would continue until the balloon went pop, which would leave his friend looking like someone in a raincoat indoors.

"The fuck's going on there?"

Uly snickers then at the interaction Ash brings up, having already heard the other half from his other half.

"You know that if she really wanted to run you over with that cart, you would have ended up under it."

His girl was nothing if not determined when she set her mind to something.

"She's scoping out cigarettes, she thought she brought a half pack with her but it turned out she only had three left. Which might have been my fault but I'm not telling her that."

@heyits-asher

[heyits-asher]

"No. Why is salt burning? Is it something about smoking bath salts? Some guy in Florida did that and ate someone's face."

Ash figures he is off the mark, because smoking bath salts probably doesn't give someone gold angle wings. He leans in with a half-whisper, "And I don't know what cinematography means, either." He just figures it has to be some fancy way to say it was a cool movie to watch.

The real focus is on the tin, and shit. Yes!

Jackpot.

"Please, because my mind's buzzing, and not the good kinda buzzing, it's just a lot of people in here, and I feel like, I don't know. My head won't shut up, and it's a lot." He'll sort the cash in his wallet after to offer, even though Leo didn't ask.

For now, the important part is grabbing him to tote along to the smoker's area. "I forgot my pen, too. Not that it matters because I fried the charging port, so when it's dead, I'll need to find a new one. But you're my savior. A real guardian angel there, Leo."

@leomlarson

"Dude, have you never seen Saltburn?" Leo asked incredulously, his head whipping over to look at Ash. "It's good. I mean, it's okay. But it looks really good, like, cinematography-wise. Thanks, though." He smiled, reaching over to pinch Asher's cheek affectionately.

He noted the grip on his shoulder and patted his friend's hand as his eyebrows furrowed with mild worry. "Oh! Yeah, man, I got you" He reached into his back pocket — when considering costume options for this, he'd thought about coming in drag, but he had to admit that it was really nice to have pockets — and pulled out an edible tin that he'd recycled to hold his joints.

Leo opened it with a little ta da. "You wanna take a breather outside and share one of these?"

@heyits-asher

[heyits-asher]

"Oh, yeah. I'll be there. Not sure what I'll be dressed as, though..."

That's something Ash will need to figure out with Gillian. It's the least of his concerns when it comes to her at this moment, and that hurdle is something he isn't confident he's cleared yet.

"Like a cyclops monster or Cyclops from X-men? Those are two totally different things, and I need to know what I'm looking for if I'm hunting you down to say 'hi'." He tilts his beer in Warner's direction. "Gross, no. It's pumpkin ale. If you're, like, not a germaphobe, you can try mine before ordering one."

The only thing missing is a cinnamon sugar rim, but in a way, Asher is glad it's not there. It would remind him of Salem and The Bit Bar and Wes. It's not that he's hanging to his old mistakes from the past. It's just that if this year has really shown him anything, it's his lack of forethought being a catalyst to rather avoidable confrontations.

He visibly perks up. "Last as in, you don't want to do it, or literally you're doing it end of tonight? Because I'm inviting myself. I get spooked easy, even if I haven't taken an edible."

@warnerstjames

Warner made his way through the town square, admiring the assortment of Halloween themed stalls that lined the sidewalk and spilled out across the roads that had been closed off for the annual event.

A whoop and a holler catch his attention, blue eyes searching for the source of the noise before finding Asher sitting at one of the bar tables set up for alfresco dining and drinking.

"Cowboy, Warner, Cyclops if you see me at Sharky's party on Halloween." Warner said with a smile, crossing the street to join Asher at the table he was sat at to refrain from shouting at each other across the town square.

"I missed last years festivities so I wanted to immerse myself this year with the full experience." Warner had almost done it all—corn maze, hayrides, the haunted walking tour—the only thing he hadn't checked off his list yet was a haunted house. "As long as it's not mulled wine." He scrunched his nose in disgust, perching himself on the bench table and taking a sniff of Asher's drink.

"You a mind reader? That's the last thing on my list to do."

[heyits-asher]

👻 + Gilly

@thegillyxliang

[heyits-asher]

😢 + ash

jackson: dude where are you :( jackson: i brought us lunch jackson: and you're not even here jackson: </3 @heyits-asher

[heyits-asher]

👻 + jackson

@jacksonxellis

[heyits-asher]

📸 + uly!

@ulyflynn @edietello

[heyits-asher]

💕 + uly!

Ash 📲 Uly

Ash: u kno im rly happy for u Ash: like rly so happy Ash: [ voice memo 'like SOOOOOOO happy' ] Ash: u deserve to feel loved nd im so glad things worked out with u nd edie @ulyflynn

[heyits-asher]

✨ + silas!

Ash 📲 Silas

Ash: i kno im an apprentice n all but when do i get handsaw privledges Ash: priveleges* Ash: privileges? @silascody