Asher Tallow

January 27, 2006 3:05 AM

Summer was. . .different by Asher Tallow

Summer has been, without exception, bad. None of her siblings had thought so, and certainly not her father, although Asher was growing ever more convinced that when it came to her mother, her father could never find fault. And she supposed that had extended to her mother's family as well, a family that Asher hadn't been aware even existenced before June. But June came and with it the arrival of a non-existant aunt who sounded, looked, and acted nothing like her mother did.

Yet, they were sisters. Twins even.

She rubbed a scuffed sneaker against the corner of her unopened trunk and tugged down on the bridge of her baseball cap that displayed in patched letters: Tallow Trolls. The cap hid the ungroomed state of her far too long hair and the dirt that clung behind her ears from nearly three weeks of having not washed thoroughly. She had called it rebellion: after all, Aunt Ciele had said that she didn't mind how dirty Asher was when she came to dinner. Asher had merely wanted to test that statement.

Being at school though was another thing and she was now quite aware of her filthy state, what with her torn t-shirt (a quidditch relic from her oldest brother's heyday on the Aquarion Adders as their short lived star seeker (a sudden growth spurt and near thirty pound gain had quelled any further achievement in that position)) and dust coated jeans. Her fingers nails had black lines that circled the cuticles and rounded beneath the meager cartilage. Her face, while far cleaner than the rest of her body, had nevertheless the sooty film of someone who had washed with the barest thread of interest and with a rag that was probably in as sorry a state as its holder. Her skin had always had a slightly anemic hue to it, a sickly palor that played facade to her true nature. The pallid organ was now tinged with grime.

She kicked at her trunk a little harder, knocking the precarious buckles loose and sending half the barely held contents springing onto the floor. She knelt beside the sudden mess: her carelessly packed clothes, school supplies, shoes, and other paraphanelia littered around the trunk in a misshapen circle. With a brief sigh of annoyance, she began scooping it up and throwing it onto her bed; its final destination was in her dresser. She lifted one t-shirt to her nose and inhaled deeply: lavender. . .and something else. She traded the shirt for a lone sock: lavender as well and. . .a deeper sniff. Dough! Her belongings smelled like freshly made bread.

Which meant. . .

Asher tore into the remnants of her trunk, tossing the remaining pieces of clothing aside liberally. At the tale bottom of the trunk rested a package, bound with grease stained brown paper and smelling like her childhood. She unwrapped the package hastily, not noticing the carefully placed shielding and warming charms. After she pulled away the second layer, the contents revealed themselves: meat patties, glorious, delicious, meat patties. She had fairly eaten herself ill on the things growing up: breakfast, lunch, and dinner, her mother would serve the easily made patties with a sly smile and pat on the head. When her mother had left, so had the patties, and Asher had decided not to think about them.

She blinked furiously, hating the fact that something so silly would make her feel so strangely. She blindly grabbed the closest pattie and took a greedy bite. It tasted. . .just the same.

"It's a Sarto family secret, ma petite. . .one only we women know. I'll tell you the secret someday."

Aunt Ciele. . .it had to be her. And quite suddenly, Asher felt the need to take a very long shower. Too bad her half dash to the showers was interrupted by someone's arrival.\n\n
0 Asher Tallow Summer was. . .different 1466 Asher Tallow 1 5


Nicoletta Dupree

January 29, 2006 10:52 AM

And not long enough by Nicoletta Dupree

Nicoletta's summer had been wonderful. She had gone with her parents to some of the extravagent parties held by the Pureblooded society. They had said that she was now old enough to be introduced properly. She had mingled and danced, worn fancy robes and had jewels in her hair. She had never felt more beautiful, but alas the fun had to end. She had to come back to school, a school where the less attended. A school that lacked real connections. Hopefully, she would get to see one of the few that mattered first.

Unfortunately, this was not to be. Nicoletta entered the room in time to come face to face with a very dirty looking Asher Tallow.

She raised one eyebrow in surprise, careful not to let the rest of it show on her face, but my oh my, how gross she looked, such a perfect opportunity, yet one to be saved. She had more important things to think about.

"Hello, Asher," she said, as though they were friends.\n\n
0 Nicoletta Dupree And not long enough 64 Nicoletta Dupree 0 5


Asher Tallow

February 04, 2006 11:44 PM

Definitely since it means seeing you again. by Asher Tallow

Nicoletta's entrance was like a slap in the face. Asher hadn't forgotten, of course, her feud with the Hens. Nor had she forgotten the practical betrayal of her once partner-in-crime, Gwen Carey. While Asher certainly disliked the original four with a passion, she had come to treat her disliking of Nicoletta Dupree with particular fine tuning. Seeing the girl again, dressed as she always was, and looking like she always did; Asher had to repress the sudden urge to strike out.

"Don't act like you like me, Dupree," she spat out, feel no self consciousness about her unkempt state. "We're not friends, so you might as well not act like you care. I certainly don't."

Asher stepped forward a bit, warming to the encounter which she was rapidly evolving into a confrontation. "For another matter, I think we should lay a few ground rules this year. I don't want you or any of your little floozies butting into my business- including my brother. I hear one word about him being bothered, and I swear you'll regret it."

Despite being dressed like a ragamuffin, smelling faintly of earth, and very much appearing like a regular hooligan, Asher's words rang with irrepressible sincerity. All thoughts of taking a shower were put momentarily on hold.\n\n
0 Asher Tallow Definitely since it means seeing you again. 1466 Asher Tallow 0 5


Nicoletta

February 07, 2006 10:05 AM

You know, with a little makeup... by Nicoletta

She held back a smirk. Asher really was rather on the defense and Nicoletta hadn't even done anything...yet.

"My, my, a year older and still lacking in manners," Nicoletta taunted. "I was simply doing, as someone of breeding would do, which is to be polite even to one that is disliked."

She paused for one moment, getting slightly closer to Asher before whispering in the other girl's ear, "I had no interest in your brother. Though, I'm sure my cousin might."

She leaned back and placed a grin on her face. A grin that suggested the other girl was insane and Nicoletta was simply placating her. A grin that suggested they had been best friends their entire lives.

"My dearest Asher, how was your summer? You know, we really should do your nails in a strawberry pink, they would look so nice," she said casually, as though the whole conversation before never existed.\n\n
0 Nicoletta You know, with a little makeup... 0 Nicoletta 0 5