#ashbalfour

[firebrnd]

Mains appreciation post part 2 featuring @ashbalfour

A few weeks ago, Bonnie met Asher during her search for a magical ring, and they've been working together ever since. Though she doesn’t know much about him, she’s found herself trusting him more than she ever expected. There’s a sense of safety she feels when he’s around, a quiet reassurance that everything will be okay. It was rare for Bonnie to connect with someone so quickly, but Asher had become that person for her, and she’s grateful to have him by her side on this journey. His calm demeanor and steady presence have brought her a sense of peace she didn’t know she needed. With a shy smile tucking at her lips, she glanced at Asher. "You know, I've never expected to trust you so fast but . . . your endearing charm got the best of me."

[sonnenreich]

continuation of (☀️) ⸻ @ashbalfour

The smell of musty books, old wood and cedar has always harboured the cornerstones of familiarity for Zeev. A potpourri of history and cosy feelings. The expensive perfume of his host reinforced the impression of professional experience in dealing with antiques, as well as the shared ambivalence of old and new. Asher's words resonated with a part of him that sought its equal and he recognised, perhaps not a confidant, but a kindred spirit. Zeev's family lived much more in the past than in the present. Isolated from the echoes of incomprehension that still resonated in a world that prided itself on progress, yet turned a blind eye to what had brought them this far in the first place. History, in particular, offered countless conclusions that could expand awareness and increase knowledge. Only those who understood and respected the past could recognise the patterns of the future and act accordingly. However, the witcher had always stayed away from political matters and judgements, so he would not start drawing up equations now. 

Instead, he smiled at the broad-shouldered and tall man, whose demeanour could have been intimidating had the circumstances been different. He exuded an English elegance that Zeev could only declare commendable. “That's the problem,” the blond began, scrutinising a glass case containing an elongated walking cane, the silver head almost unbeatable in its richness of detail. “Some things are not made to be controlled. Have you ever tried to influence the wind? Prevented nature from growing? This may work in some parts, and yet a flower also blossoms in the grey wasteland of a concrete-locked city. The step of understanding is skipped because it is less lucrative for one's own interests. Yet knowledge is just as valuable as possessions. If not more.” He strolled calmly around the exhibits, which Zeev knew were only a fraction of what was really in the Balfour collection. 

Zeev didn't know much about the Briton's family business, though he was aware of the influence they harboured. Preserving supposedly cursed relics, however, sounded noble enough to his ears not to be suspicious of what purpose they served for someone like Asher, if not the desire to protect history. Someone would always come into possession, someone who knew the dangers and acted accordingly was preferable to him than haughtily dealing with things the person didn't understand - and causing harm as a result. This way, the world's view of the inexplicable would never change. A wish that Zeev knew would never come true. But a man was allowed to dream. 

As Zeev continued to survey the room, interested and invested in the other's work, he heard the cosy tingling of magical presences. They were not fundamentally malevolent, as it always was with magic. A fire was not evil, it was not even aware of this concept, yet it could destroy livelihoods and raze countries to the ground. It was a natural occurrence and another facet of the world in which they moved. The actions of an individual did not infer the intentions of the whole, even if it fit better into the narrative of humanity. 

Zeev smirked contentedly at Asher, asking his favourite question when confronted with antiques and obscurities: “Show me your favourite relic and tell me why so.” It was a request, but the witcher did not press him.

[vikasgarden]

⸻ continued from here with @ashbalfour

It was fun to see how Asher relaxed over time, especially as he had no choice in this dance. He had found his rhythm and Vika liked it. She herself tried to move a little more, to shake her hips a little to the rhythm of the bagpipes, and she enjoyed the way she moved her body to the music. 

This wasn't her first folk festival and it wouldn't be her last. Her first memories of the world were at folk festivals and she went to them at least once a year. The only thing that was a real shame was that she had decided to wear jeans and not the pretty skirt she first had in mind. With a skirt that flowed around her legs as she danced, it would have been perfect. But that didn't stop her from having fun once Asher spun her around.

His words made her grin. "So you're already thinking about dancing with me again?" Vika giggled softly. "I knew I could be enchanting, but that was quick. Especially that you wanted to say no straight away. But we can practise together if you like. Hopefully I won't mess it up by stepping on your toes first." Vika made a joke. She hadn't thought she would step on his toes, but you never know. There were so many people around them, dancing with full energy. She wouldn't be surprised if they grazed others or were grazed by them. However, they haven't managed to touch another dancing couple yet. That must be a sign, in her opinion. And if Asher asked Vika, they made a good catch with each other. 

If she tuned out the other people around her who were talking, dancing and watching the dancers go by, just by looking into Asher's eyes, Vika could imagine that they were alone on the dance floor. That was her favourite idea: dancing as if no one was watching. She danced just for herself and also for Asher. 

"What music do you prefer?" She hardly knew Asher at all. Not only did she not know what he listened to when he was driving or sitting alone in his home, she didn't know if he could dance at all. But it seemed like this wasn't his first dance. "Where did you learn to dance? In a club? I can't imagine you doing something like the Train or the Reebok in a crowd." Another soft giggle left her mouth as she tried to visualise it. She shook her head to clear the image from her mind and focused on his eyes again. "And, if I may say so, you dance really well. We probably don't need to practice much."

[sulezgirl]

for @ashbalfour.

The girl moved silently, her footsteps echoing faintly on the aged wooden floor. Dodging in the dark environment, she preferred to rely on the small flashlight that she held tightly in one hand, the yellowish light casting irregular shadows across the walls of the old warehouse. In his other hand rested his gun, loaded with wooden bullets dipped in vervain, a precaution that had saved his life before.

She took a deep breath, feeling the cold touch of humidity in the air. The place was full of antiques, furniture covered in yellowed sheets, paintings of faces forgotten by time, and wooden boxes that looked like they had never been opened. Everything seemed dormant, but Meredith knew that, somewhere in that maze of history and dust, the Gilbert Device was hidden.

Finding him, however, had not been an easy task. Bonnie, so talented, had done her best to perform a location spell that would help her find the artifact. The spell, which would normally be simple for Bonnie, turned out to be exhausting and complex, as if something was blocking her magic, distorting the path she was trying to illuminate. Meredith still remembered the sweat running down Bonnie's forehead, the words of incantation repeated with increasing intensity, and the moment when she finally got a vague glimpse of where the device was hidden.

This only confirmed what Meredith already feared: whoever had stolen the artifact from the Sulez family knew exactly what they were doing. There were layers of protection, invisible barriers that almost stopped Bonnie from tracking the device. This meant that the danger was real and imminent—the kind of threat that demanded the utmost caution. His black eyes swept the room, every detail analyzing for anything out of place. A compass that captured vampires—an artifact that, in the wrong hands, could become a lethal weapon.

“Focus” she muttered to herself, following her intuition. Time was crucial. If someone found out she was there, would there be a second chance? It wasn't like she was going to give up.

[shevampyre]

reply to @ashbalfour , continued from here .

To be very honest, even though she was quite a professional when it came to carving pumpkins and doing.. other stuff with knives, most of the time she still was afraid of cutting her fingers which lead to her following her every step with her eyes. Almost like an artist focusing on the movements of his brush. She smiled benignly as he leaned against the table and watched her do her work. “Oh I almost have my masters in knowledge of the human nature. I wouldn’t call it 'presuming to know'.”, she said jokingly, still sounding serious due to the strict tone her voice naturally had. It most probably was the heavy British accent.

“Murder mystery you say?”, she rolled her eyes at him being so reserved towards the fun that came with Halloween. “One more kill joy comment and I’ll make you come to my Halloween birthday bash.”, she turned to him, almost glaring at him with her dark brown eyes and the knife she was holding dangerously near to his throat, “with a proper costume.”, she continued, intentionally keeping the serious tone that just came in handy before bursting out into laughter just a few seconds after.

She would’ve loved scaring him a little longer though she was afraid he’d take it serious. Most people can’t handle her humour. She had to learn that the tough way.

“I usually am pretty judgmental. I can’t help it. I’m Indian.”, she excused herself, shrugging her shoulders and smiling innocently. Her voice turned somewhat into that of a pretty little diva as she started singing the chorus of “just a girl” by the band 'no doubt', wiggling her head to the rhythm of the song and cleaning the kitchen table at the same time. At this point her behaviour must’ve came off as notorious just like Monica from her favourite show "friends”. She couldn’t handle a dirty counter for more than two minutes. Maybe even one.

Once she was done with the pumpkin, she held it up, turning its face to Ash with a bouncing movement of her hands. “Oh look, it resembles you so much!”, she grinned. She had carved two big crosses where the eyes should’ve been and a wide open mouth screaming for help. Nikita was very amused by her own words and chuckled as she turned the scaredy pumpkins face towards herself and eyed it up once more. “I’m funny, ain’t I?”

[crimelrd]

𝐡𝐨𝐭 / 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐲 𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭

𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝟏𝟎𝟎% 𝐡𝐨𝐭, 𝟔𝟓% 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐳𝐲, 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐞

people  in  the  date  zone  are  attractive,  but  they  also  tend  to  be  quirky  or  strange.  introducing  them  to  one’s  friends  and  family  is  often  a  question  of  hit  or  miss  and  tends  to  come  down  to  the  level  of  craziness  that  exists  in  one’s  own  social  circle  to  begin  with.  there  is  nothing  wrong  with  forming  a  relationship  with  someone  in  the  date  zone.  in  fact,  many  date  zoners  tend  to  mature  with  age,  often  to  the  point  of  becoming  marriage  material.  that  being  said,  it  is  also  possible  for  date  zoners  to  never  mature,  or  to  grow  even  crazier,  and  thus  slip  into  the  danger  zone.  therefore,  one  should  pay  close  attention  to  whether  the  hot  or  the  crazy  seems  to  have  the  upper  hand  when  dating  someone  from  the  date  zone.

tagged by @pistolmadeofroses & @fireburial (thanksies, sending flowers ur way)

tagging @ashbalfour, @vasted, @zeitrcisender, @lethalfight & @menschengvmacht

[a-neverending-story]

cutify me   | makowka character maker

tagged: @hochmvt & @shadowpunk & @theallegedsourwolf (feel free to do the other if you only tagged me in one)

tagging: @gold-nblush & @nuit-sanglant & @ashbalfour obviously all those who havn't done one or both. Do it. Now!

[phasmophobie]

🎀

— all-around kind person ( shoutouts of awesomeness )

sadly, i don't know that many muses ( outside the truppe ) to say they're a kind person through and through. most muses pavel has encountered are either twisted, egoistical, a villain from head to toe or very very very "misunderstood" ( and so on, him included ). but from an outside perspective and regarding smalltalk with mun, i'd say I met a few very lovely people who I consider kind ( at least to me so far ). — @dragonul-de-aur — @ashbalfour — @xtoariadnesdarklightx — @gestalt-wandler — and, i cannot contain myself anymore to not mention my peeps, the most kind and cute and friendly and most wholesome muse is Daria, @caughtbetweenworlds. She'll hurt a fly by accident and feel sorry days after.

[firebrnd]

☂️

How do they feel about rain? also asked by @ashbalfour

Bonnie loves the rain. It makes her feel alive, the way the air smells fresher, and the earth softens beneath her feet. She finds peace in the steady rhythm of droplets falling, like a gentle lullaby from nature. The rain soothes her, its cool touch reminding her of the power in even the smallest forces of the world.

[sonnenreich]

SEVEN  DEADLY  SINS.  -   bold what applies, italicize what  sometimes applies, strike through  for never applies.

LUST.      desire  for  connection.  pursuit  of  pleasure.  emotional  intelligence.  obsessive.  lovesick.  one-night  stands.  seductive  encounter.  flirtatious  conversation.  erotic  party.  seductive  attire.  revealing  clothing.  passionate  gaze.  provocative  makeup.  sensual  expressions.  suggestive  gestures.  flirtatious  smiles.  lingerie.  love  letters.  perfumes.  provocative  behaviour.  love  poems.  erotic  art.

GLUTTONY. indulgence  in  experiences.  savouring  moments.  hospitality.  generosity.  hedonism.  culinary  expertise.  wine-tasting.  excessive  snacking.  overloaded  plates.  excessive  portions.  bloated  stomachs.  messy  eating.  greasy  fingers.  full  tables.  indulgent  spreads.  overflowing  cups.  satisfied  expressions.  wine  bottles.  just  can't  get  enough.  fast  food  wrappers.

ENVY.      motivation.  competitive  spirit.  strategic  planning.  observational  skills.  bitter  rivalry.  contest. envious  gossip.  resentment-filled  argument.  social  media  jealousy.  furrowed  brows.  clenched  jaws.  side-eye  looks.  pursed  lips.  tense  posture.  whispering  behind  backs.  crossed  arms.  gossip  magazines.  keeping  up  with  the  joneses.  the  grass  is  always  greener.  feeling  inadequate.

GREED.      resourcefulness. entrepreneurial  spirit. negotiation.  materialistic.  aggressive  investment.  lavish  spending  spree.  resource-hoarding.  get-rich-quick  schemes.  auction-bidding  war.  property  acquisition. piles  of  money.  overflowing  wallets.  luxury  items.  locked  safes.  penny-pinching.  rare  collectibles.  selfishness.  unwillingness  to  share.

SLOTH.      calmness.  stress  management.  nonchalance.  relaxation  techniques.  lethargic.  apathetic.  inactive.  lazy  weekend.  binge-watching  marathon.  neglected  chores.  skipped  workout.  long  nap.  lounging  on  the  couch.  missed  deadlines.  unkempt  appearance.  messy  hair.  pajamas.  blankets.  slippers.  procrastination  station.  self-care  routines.

PRIDE.      confidence.  self-assurance.  self-respect.  dignity.  public  speaking. self-promotion.  arrogant.  conceited.  egotistical.  self-important.  vain.  boastful  speech.  puffed  chest.  raised  chin.  smug  smiles.  spotlight.  tooting  your  own  horn.  showing  off.  refusing  to  admit  mistakes.  feeling  entitled.  personal  branding.  leadership  development.

WRATH.      assertiveness.  decisiveness.  strength.  intensity.  boundary  setting.  courage.  indignant.  heated  arguments.  road  rage  incident.  physical  altercation.  angry  outburst.  clenched  fists.  glaring  eyes.  tense  muscles.  raised  voices.  reddened  faces.  aggressive  gestures.  stormy  demeanour.  intense  frowns.  destructive  actions.  broken  objects.  punching  bag.  out  for  blood.  fists.  simmering  anger.

tagging: @gruenwald, @girlsurvive, @dopplgaenger, @hochmvt, @geisterwelt, @wickedslip , @firebrnd , @ashbalfour , @vasted @vikasgarden & @nepnthc - also anyone who'd like to do it too!

[vikasgarden]

💃

The leaves have already started to turn yellow, red and brown. There was still some green on some of the trees, but it already looked more like autumn than summer, and Vika loved it. Sunny days, cold nights and a scent in a light breeze that promised a coming storm. But not now. Now the sky was blue with a few white fleecy clouds. Music was all around them. A local band was playing at the harvest festival and there were stalls everywhere. Some of them were selling the harvest from the fields, others were selling autumn decorations or handmade things. Vika loved it as she walked past with Asher by her side. Many people found their way here. Strangers from the harbour, but also the inhabitants of Wick. Only a few times a year were the streets in Wick so full, but it was so nice to see all the happy faces, smell the delicious autumnal food and hear the laughter and conversations. 

"I told you it would be fun." Her backpack was already filled with one or two things from the stall of homemade items. A birthday present for someone and a decoration that Vika already knew where it belonged. She was happy and the smile didn't leave her lips for a second. Her hair, braided into two pigtails, bounced as she made her way through the crowd with a light-footed, easy dance rhythm that matched the music. "Do you dance, Asher?" Her gaze travelled to him, her eyes already sparkling with anticipation. Through the crowd, Vika had already spotted the dance floor, where people were already moving to the music. Some of them were trying their hand at some folk dances and dance moves, others were just having fun and dancing as they pleased. It looked like fun and Vika was full of enthusiasm. She expected him to say no, but she stood right in front of him anyway and held out her hand. "Would you dance with me?" Asher barely had time to say yes or no. She gave him a second to think before grabbing his hand and pulling him through the crowd onto the dance floor. Luckily, the song ended and a new one began. Some people disappeared from the dance floor, others moved to it and Vika found a spot for them, already moving to the rhythm of the music, grabbing his other hand and trying to animate him with a soft giggle and a big smile. But as Vika thought, the music was doing its own thing. The band tried their hand at a cover of the already covered Shut Up and Dance by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, of course with the bagpipes in it. It wasn't just an invitation to dance. It also invited people to sing along.

[caughtbetweenworlds]

What type of horror antagonist are you?

Blackmailed Killer

You don't want to kill, you're a nice person, you have a tragic backstory, but someone/thing is making you kill people. It sucks, but it's true. You like to be very hands-off with your killing. Look man, go grab a cookie or something it feels like you need it.

tagged by: @phasmophobie

tagging: @roman-demigod, @gorodezki, @ashbalfour

[thisis-elijah]

WHAT KIND OF HAUNTING ARE YOU?

YOUR HAUNTING IS ARCHITECTURAL ⸺ » it started just after you moved in. IT WAS THE LITTLE THINGS AT FIRST. small enough to be hand waved away⸺barely enough to even notice. but then it grew, like mold in the walls. like something living. sometimes you get the strangest sense that the whole house is breathing. but if the house is alive, that means you're in its stomach. you've tried to leave. at least, you think you have. but you can't seem to find the door. «

⸺ tagged by @exsecrabar (thank you, i'm terrified now) tagging @caughtbetweenworlds, @trauma-report, @ertraeumte, @ashbalfour & @a-neverending-story (just skip out on this if you've already participated, unfortunately i can't keep up with all of you fantastic people)

[withwandering-eyes]

what's your literary archetype?

the lover

you’re a bit of an idealist. you value emotional and physical intimacy (not always romantically), and you revel in what it means to be a human. you need relationships with other people to thrive, you have a lot of love and compassion to give. you’re an amazing friend, lover, family member, and those around you genuinely appreciate everything you have done and continue to do. sometimes it feels like you give more than what you receive, and that can really hurt a heart like yours. i promise that there are people out there that will love you just as much as you love them. loving and being loved is a burden, so don’t take on that burden for just anyone.

tagged by: @clever-artistic @ashbalfour

tagging: everyone - feel free

[a-neverending-story]

Create your teenage self

On the left you can see Cora Sophie Marren at the tender age of 15. She is well-dressed, goes to school regularly and, in addition to a full week of activities, also sees a psychiatrist.

In the middle you see Cora Sophie Marren, who now introduces herself only as Lily, when she left New York and joined a group of homeless teenagers. With little to eat, worn-out clothes and no working heating in the houses ready for demolition in which they live.

On the right you can see Lilianne Moira. The photo was taken not so long after the first ones. A girl who has no fixed abode, was exposed to the wrong influences and wears clothes that she stole herself. She is happy. For the first time in her life, far away from her family, she is truly happy.

tagged: @heartofglass-mindofstone & @shadowpunk

tagging: @phasmophobie , @gold-nblush , @nuit-sanglant , @ashbalfour & You. Yeah, you!

[voidmarkd]

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄

( an aesthetics dash game based upon figures from arthurian legend ) — repost , do not reblog .

𝖒𝖔𝖗𝖌𝖆𝖓𝖆 𝖑𝖊 𝖋𝖆𝖞

midnight rituals. looming shadows. the feeling of being watched. veils of mist. unrequited love. the musk of exotic herbs. silk & velvet. moonlight through twisted branches. the beauty of a storm. the weight of destiny & prophecy. a chalice that might be poisoned. healing hands.

𝖑𝖆𝖓𝖈𝖊𝖑𝖔𝖙

a noble heart. oaths of protection. a quest for redemption. heroic deeds. pine. fulfilling a role. shining silver. quiet fortitude. selfless dedication. a bountiful feast. war horses. seeking a greater calling. fatal mistakes.

𝖒𝖊𝖗𝖑𝖎𝖓

whispered incantations. ethereal light. ages-old secrets. the spark of creation. ancient disputes. a hidden sanctuary. the allure of the unknown. finding balance between light & dark. opportunism. fear of unfulfilled potential.

𝖌𝖚𝖎𝖓𝖊𝖛𝖊𝖗𝖊

the grace of a queen. jasmine. unyielding faith. the blush of a tender moment. a golden crown. poetic letters of affection. the aroma of blooming roses. the glow of candlelight. a radiant smile. lavender. wise eyes. eternal love.

𝖐𝖎𝖓𝖌 𝖆𝖗𝖙𝖍𝖚𝖗

unity, at whatever cost. an overwhelming presence. battle cries. noble sacrifice. enduring legacy. a grand vision for the future. the balance between justice & mercy.

𝖌𝖆𝖜𝖆𝖎𝖓

unwavering loyalty. strength in humility. the glow of a warm hearth. old traditions. chivalric valor. a canopy of trees. wisdom gained from trials. being one's own worst enemy. bearing a heavy conscience. a sense of duty to protect the innocent. hooves on a woodland path. the scent of leather & steel.

tagged by: @verflcht & @vikasgarden ( thank you ! ) tagging: @rosewith-steelthorns @himmelschacht @shevampyre @ashbalfour @erinnya @geisterwelt