wings were made to fly

[family--bound]

Practical Possession || Aston & Ashildr

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

family--bound:

It wasn’t hard overhearing the information that had been spreading around the compound. Despite the witches that wandered around the surrounding area, Aston had been clever enough (or ignored enough) to find his way here. At first, it was only a recon mission of sorts, trying to get information about the coven that one of his nieces had found herself a member of. He had no ill will toward the St.Clairs nor their coven, but a family was bound to get curious. Some more than others. Hence why Aston had been poking around, eavesdropping.

It wasn’t until someone had mentioned the arrival of ‘some hot blonde chick that was completely fucked up’ that had Aston perking his ears up. There wasn’t much information that was known, but enough to have the ghost curious about it. Rumors of murder. And possession. And the connection of the decrease of the murder-suicides that have been plaguing the town timing well with the arrival of the blonde woman.

Getting through the grounds was easy enough. When earthly laws didn’t apply to oneself, flying through the air came as easy as walking through solid matter. He could feel the magic that surrounded the area. Dark. Ancient. Even in the astral plane, he knew that whatever it was, it was not something to be trifled with. Aston lowers himself among the source of the magic, tilting his head once he’s ground level to peer at the entrance to what looked like a vault. “Hm.” He hums to himself, hovering forward and stopping just shy of the entrance, inspecting it for any kind of rune work or physical enchantment. Aston was never one for magical study and theory, but he could spot something magical from a mile away, thanks to his family upbringing.

Scrunching up his nose, Aston presses forward, phasing through solid matter and flickering back into the material plane once on the other side. He had no real sense of smell anymore. But if he would guess, stuffy would be a word for it. A mixture of stale sweat and a tinge of dirt. Aston peered around the room of the vault, eyes catching sight of valuables. Antiques. Artifacts. The St. Clairs were magical archivists, it only made sense that they dealt with more than books. As he moved, slowly, silently, his advance was only halted by something out of place. No, not something. Somethings. A living space. A couch, a small table, “Huh, magic lamp.” He mutters to himself, peering at the shaded ball of light that floated above that table that sat next to the couch. Moving forward, he leans in close, inspecting the light source, unaware that he is not alone…

@ashildrfalkenstrom

To be honest, Ash had not expected to enjoy her stay here at the St Clair compound as much as she was. Harrison had welcomed her with open arms, and he had all but set up a damn five star hotel suite for her down here in the vault. Yeah it was a little weird, but when you harboured what could be considered the darkest spirit within the town's borders it was well worth the extra layers of security; both physical and magical.

Not once had the spirit triggered whilst she'd been in here, which only further confirmed that it was indeed something that only occurred whilst she was under duress. Good, she supposed…? But it then didn't help that it still needed to get the fuck out of her system, she couldn’t risk going out there and the spirit taking over again and she could wind up killing someone else. First the vampire at the party, then poor Alexei.

She was relaxing in the vault for now, waiting for dinner to be served up. Harrison was scouring his archives in the hopes of finding something that could help her, and both Nico and Brenna had been able to pay her a visit so she wasn't completely isolated. Thank fuck for phones and wifi, else she really would go mad in here with a lack of communication with the outside world.

For now, Ash was tapping away on her phone for some menial puzzle game she had become addicted to as of late. As such, she had been unaware of the new presence that had appeared within the vault, not until she heard the muttering of a man that she finally looked up.

Ash was not a woman to startle easily, but in this allegedly impenetrable vault even she jumped a little from her spot, sitting cross legged on the bed. She paused her game, eyes narrowing as she watched the man surveying her admittedly awesome table lamp, "Uh… Can I help you?"

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

Most annoying people in SPIRITVALE

“I don’t really find anyone annoying to be honest. You have to do something pretty serious to make me dislike you.”

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

Best and worst things about Nico?

“Best thing about him is his patience. Anyone can tell you that I can be a handful, but for the last, what, sixty years we’ve been hanging out? He’s never once snapped at me for being over zealous. Even now with this spirit shit going on he’s just so damn calm about it, moreso than I am right now. The worst thing is that he’s as stubborn, if not more so, than I am when it comes to admitting certain feelings... But we finally managed to get over that hurdle.”

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

If Nico wasn't around, anyone you'd have your eyes on?

“Cute question, but no. If this is some regret over not sliding in sooner than more the fool you, buddy. It’s not like I haven’t been single for... literally decades before this.”

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

Let me hug the demons out of you.

“You’re adorable. That’s a laugh I desperately needed... Alas, I wish it were so simple.”

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

Cry for Help || Ash & Harrison

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

thestclair-era:

As Harrison listened to her words, his first instinct being to say that such an effort was not necessary.  But he could see the utter certainty in her eyes, the conviction in her voice that gave him some measure of pause. He then turned to the men around him, pointing to three men.  “You lot.  Help me with the binding.  Everyone else, fire line around us.  We’re gonna put Ms. Falkenstrom in the rear vault.  There was a group wide intake of breath, contractors looking between each other, then back to Harrison, ‘isn’t that a little extreme?’ plastered over their faces.

“Well hop fucking to it!” Harry barked and the men and women moved as one, rifles tucked into shoulders and sights trained on the blonde as three other witches moved forward.  Flood lights from the two nearest guard towers were splashed over the little gathering, washing the area in stark light.  Together, Harrison with the other two witches began to murmur a lengthy incantation.  She wound have begun to feel her ability to move begin to steadily slow as the spell descended on her, more and more making it seem as though her body and limbs had been set into a bed of concrete that was beginning to harden.  She would still be able to walk, to gesture, but the faster her limbs attempted to move, the more the spell would set in, so that if she jerked suddenly, it would be at it’s strongest.

Once the spell was finished, the area was quiet and Harrison nodded to those that had helped with the spell, the group stepping back.  He then turned back to Ash and set a gentle hand on her shoulder.  “Right this way, ma’am,” he said in easy tones.  He gestured for her to walk with him to the idling SUV.  Once in the car, she would be set up in the back seat with a contractor on each side of her, Harrison driving, and other contractor in the passenger side front seat.  They turned as the floodlights were shut off, and drove off into the night.  The car lights illuminated the grounds as they drove, cutting a swath through the darkness.  “Why did you come here?” He asked eventually, “why not go to the Beacon Hills pack?”  

Even as he spoke, it appeared in the SUV’s headlights.  A small slope in the middle of the grounds, standing alone besides a fence that had been constructed around it.  The front gate was opened and the car drove in, parked in front of the slope. If Ash were to look closely, she would see that it was a vault built into the earth itself.  Something that looked as though it had been constructed over a century ago.  But magic wafted off the structure, both dark and normal, curses and charms.  The layers that of enchantment that bound it had begun with it’s construction and lasted until this day.

Ashildr didn’t know what it meant, but she knew that it was most likely to be exactly what she was after judging by the reactions that the people around them gave. If he knew a way to contain her, then she’d feel so much better immediately. She just didn’t want to hurt anyone else, she didn’t want to let this thing win. Ash tried to remain calm, which was easier now that the adrenaline rush had worn off, but fatigue was not something that she usually felt in the way that mortals did. She took a few long, deep breaths as she kept herself steady waiting for Harrison and the other witches as they began to weave their spell. She felt the heaviness weigh upon her, shoulders slouching as her limbs grew heavy and her body relaxed as she let herself succumb to the spell, trying her best to ensure it took its grasp properly. Ash looked toward Harrison once the spell was done, “Thank you.” She told him in a hushed whisper, she already felt more confident now, if the spirit was unleashed, it meant that they had bought them all a considerable amount of time. She slowly began to move to the SUV, testing gently at the bonds the witches had put on her and by the look on her face she seemed more than satisfied before she’d get into the car with them. Ash kept to herself, hands in her lap, breathing carefully, she was pretty sure the spirit wouldn’t resurface but it paid to be cautious. At Harrison’s question, she made eye contact with him through the rear view mirror, “Because I needed magic, not wolves,” She answered easily, “Magic is the only thing that contain… whatever this thing is.” She was sure of that, “I don’t want to say anything more ‘til I’m secure. I don’t know how it behaves exactly.” Ash could feel the static rising in the air, but that was usually the only sense of power she could receive these days, her attunement wasn’t the same as it was when she held her divinity, “This is it?” She asked him, curiosity edging her tone as she peered out of the window at the bunker like structure.

[gentlesmiles-n-savagehands]

Silent Night || Nico/Ash

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

gentlesmiles-n-savagehands:

Nico wrapped his arms around her and pulled her down with him as he leaned back on what had quickly gone from his bed to their bed just as it had all those decades ago. “I can’t say I know Mina very well, either,” he said softly, his voice vibrating through his chest as he spoke. “But she is strong and far more than she appears. She doesn’t smell like a normal witch. She smells like ash and heat. Not like a normal fire witch.” He was sure others smelled it, but none had ever said anything so he ignored it. She just wasn’t in his inner circle. She wasn’t in any of their inner circle. 

“If you think the coven can help, I would support you in going to talk to their leader.” He did not know Harrison, had never met the man and whats more never really heard any rumors about him. He didn’t so much care for the lack of knowledge, but the fact that there wasn’t anything bad was reassuring… he hoped. 

“It’s gonna be alright. We’ll figure this out, I promise.” She wasn’t in this alone. He would be there with her for all of it as much as he was able to. his love and support would come at no cost, it would be freely given whenever she needed it. His strength would be lent to her in whatever capacity she needed. Nico wasn’t worried in the slightest despite the warnings Brianna had given and the fears that others would likely have upon learning that this creature resided in the woman he loved. 

Ash snuggled in against his chest when he pulled her in closer, she felt calmer now, more in control of herself as she settled into him. Her brow furrowed at the peculiar nature of Nico’s words, “Y’know… You’re not the first person to say that.” She told him, “That she doesn’t smell right.” Ash herself had no such tell, she didn’t have the enhanced senses like a vampire or a wolf. Her eyesight was better, but that was it. But she shook her head, it didn’t matter what Mina was really, it’d be hypocritical for Ash to point fingers when she was hardly being honest about her own species. She nodded when he voiced his support, “I’ll go tomorrow. I  just feel like somewhere in that big old manor there might be an answer, they have all those books and artefacts, they might know something.” And they had the man power to blitz through it, Finnley down in the archives was just one man, but she had a feeling his local histories wouldn’t be enough to help her. Ash buried her face into his chest at his words of comfort, she believed him, that they’d figure this out. That she could get rid of this thing and then they could go back to normal, “I’m gonna try and sleep… Don’t go anywhere, please?” She asked of him quietly as she closed her eyes, exhaling slowly as she curled against him. Tomorrow. Tomorrow she’d go to the St Clair’s and ask for their help.

Finished. 

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

Cry for Help || Ash & Harrison

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

thestclair-era:

Headlights cut through the Colorado night, a large, black, SUV trundled over the uneven Ranch grounds on the way toward where the intruder had been encountered.  Harrison stared down at the bleeping tablet in his lap, the top corner displaying a PERIMETER BREACH message.  He reached up to pinch the bridge of his nose, sighing hard.  Not for the first time he found himself wondering if this was all worth it.  Turning this once homely grounds into something that resembled a private military instillation.  

His doubts were interrupted when the vehicle came to a stop and there was a slap against his window.  He grumbled and took a moment to compose himself before stepping out.  The scene, he realized, was one he should have expected but was still a shock to see personally.  The blonde woman was surrounded, two floodlights trained in her direction.  Multiple contractors with rune engraved rifles had them trained on her.  The enchantments on the firearms were to make them a degree more effective against supernatural opponents if need be.  They had an extra degree of stopping power that had each bullet carrying a higher degree of kinetic force to send the victim flying back, though not especially more effective at being lethal towards any species.  Other witches were standing back, incantations at the ready, still others were trying to determine her species from afar to little success.

“Stand down!” Harrison barked as he stepped out, voice harsh and cutting through the hubbub.  Those with rifles lowered them, others glanced up.  But the coven leader had no eyes for any of them.  Instead he strode through their midst, recognition on his features.  “Miss Falkenstrom,” he said as he neared Ash, “I’m sorry you have been treated like this.  With a recall of supernatural items, security is tight.  But that is no excuse.  Have you been accosted?  Let’s get you inside, your wounds treated.”  He held out his hands, showing that he held nothing, despite the fact that nearly a dozen armed witches stood behind him.

Guns were trained on her, she could see the runes on them, they'd pack a punch even against someone like her. Her gaze darted between all of them, seeing the assessment in their eyes as they tried to figure her out. Any of them who were local knew she was an enigma, but that's not what she saw as she looked between them all. It was the combination of fear and the innate lust for battle that she was born into this world with, she looked at each and every one of them as a challenge. But she knew her motive her, it wasn't to start a fight – at least she didn't want to, she couldn't speak for the thing that resided within her. For now it seemed as though its blood lust had been sated, and remained silent as she made her demands. The deep voice boomed over the others, and Ash turned to see the man she had come here for. He'd see the relief in her eyes as she turned to him, "Mr St Clair." She echoed back to him in greeting, tone calmer but no less hurried as she exhaled a deep breath. She had no idea the manor was under such heavy security, but now she understood why with his explanation. Not that she could truly say she cared. Her jaw tightened as she glanced down at herself, realising that he must have assumed the blood on her was her own. No. That sword wound had been the only thing that had managed to pierce this skin recently, Alex's battle had been tragically futile. Eyes moved around the crowd of witches around her, this many definitely posed a potential problem if they decided she wasn't friendly. She chewed on her lip, "I'm not going anywhere til you… hell, all of you, put a binding spell on me." Her voice shook, and she held out her hands as if wishing to be cuffed, "Something is very, very wrong with me… And you are the only one I can think of who might be able to help me. Please. For the safety of your men and you, the stronger the spell the more likely it'll keep me held off."

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

“apply pressure to the wound, don’t let go.” (nico)

Flashback: Detroit, 1962

“Oh don’t be such a baby, it’s only a gunshot.” Ash scoffed as she crouched down beside him on the floor. The fire fight had ended now, but Nico had sustained a hit in the process. 

His brow creased deeply at her nonchalance, “It was silver, Ash.” 

She blew a raspberry, “Silver schmilver. You’ll heal, it hardly hit you anywhere fatal.” Her hands pressed into the bloodied wound on his upper chest, tilting him forward in the process which was met with a pained groan from Nico, “And it went straight through! Don’t even have to get the tweezers out, you lucky dog.” 

Nico groaned again when she set him against the overturned table, her hand pressing against the wound, but both fell silent when they heard a fresh exchange of gunfire ahead - and the distinctive cry of, “ASH, KINDA NEED YOU BACK HERE.” From Marina over the thunder of gunshots. 

Ash rolled her eyes and looked back to him, taking his own hand to press against his chest and situated him so the exit wound was pressed against the table. It was awkward, but it would have to do, “Apply pressure to the wound, don’t let go. Please don’t bleed and die, mmkay?” She chimed merrily as she planted a kiss on his lips and dashed off to go and aid the others. 

@gentlesmiles-n-savagehands

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

Cry for Help || Ash & Harrison

Sometimes you can go through things without noticing something that was always there; but then the moment it’s pointed out to you, there was no escaping it. That was the best way to describe how Ash felt. When she had been stabbed, those following weeks were just normal. She spent the time recuperating at Nico’s home, and had made herself very comfortable there, not to mention rekindling an old romance that, as it turned out, had never truly died between the pair even when they set it aside. Ash had been happy.

But then came the party, and how she had murdered Jay in cold blood. His body had never been recovered, just as she had hoped, but was suddenly frightened over why she had done it. She couldn’t remember doing it, couldn’t remember killing him. The penny eventually dropped, the spirit, the one Brenna was hunting. It was the thing she had never noticed but now couldn’t ignore no matter how hard she tried. Ash was going intending to go and see Brenna,, to try and seek out her help, but instead she came face to face with Alexei.

She wasn’t sure what it was about the man that had triggered it, but she had felt the darkness slip into her vision, and the panicked feeling of losing control as whatever the thing was took over. One moment she had been in town. When she woke up she was standing in the middle of the forest with another corpse at her feet, the corpse of a centaur of all things too. Her wings; forbidden to be seen by mundane eyes, stretched out and in clear state where she had used them. More fear. More panic. This was only getting worse.

Ash had fled, folding white and brown feathered wings back into glamoured nothing, non-existent as far as anyone was concerned. Nico’s suggestion ricocheted around her mind, and in a blind scurry over rocks, dirt and through trees, she found herself trudging through the ranch, up to the estate. Despite not being injured herself, she had clearly been in a fight. Clothes had torn where Alex had struck her with his arrows or snagged on branches, her skin was streaked with mud and blood and her hair in disarray from whipping through the trees.

The witches who patrolled the grounds of the manor were met with that strange sight as the woman stepped into the courtyard; her eyes alight with fury and fear all at once. They stared at her as she stood there, panting for breath as she tried to keep herself under control. 

“Get me Harrison St Clair. Now.”

@thestclair-era

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

“are they dead? did you kill them?” (Quinn)

She stared at the body that lay bloodied at her feet before turning towards the familiar voice. Her eyes were blue thankfully, not that sickening black, but none the less they were still stricken with panic, “I don’t remember,” She stammered, hands shaking as she lifted them, blood streaking her fingers, “I don’t remember... Oh gods...” Hands balled into fists, and she let out a shaky breath, “I’m losing it. I’m losing control Quinn. I can’t keep this up any longer.”

[gentlesmiles-n-savagehands]

Silent Night || Nico/Ash

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

gentlesmiles-n-savagehands:

Nico closed his eyes and sighed softly. “I know,” he told her quietly. “She came to speak with me.” He hadn’t told Ash, though he was regretting that choice now. Brenna had sought him out, making sure Ash wasn’t with him, so he felt that keeping the conversation between the two of them was important. Now that he was looking back on it, he should have said something sooner. “She wanted to know if it was inside you, but I hadn’t seen any changes, so I told her you seemed fine.” It was the truth and until this very moment, Nico had been sure of what he’d told Brenna. 

“Perhaps you need to talk to her,” he said sitting up. “She seems to be looking for it, and if it’s in you…. She’s who you want to go to.” He was helpless, he knew that, but Brenna could help. At least, that was the impression he had gotten. He reached for her hand, fingers threading through hers. He pressed a kiss to the back of her hand and sighed. 

He had no idea what to do with the knowledge of her being possessed. He didn’t agree that she was tainted, but he knew what she meant. She had been used for something that was not her choice. It was not an easy fate to accept. His brute strength would not be of use here, not against a spirit. “Or perhaps the witches in town? There are a few very strong ones around.” Though Nico’s own dealings with witches were rather limited to a pain in the ass blood witch he’d once known and considered family, he knew there were many very strong ones in town. “The St. Clair coven or Mina?” Mina was her own brand of strong. 

It came as no real shock that Brenna had gone to speak with him about her after what happened, and her lips pressed into a hard like, “I was fine.” She agreed with him - because she was! Those weeks spent recuperating she had been absolutely fine, no problems at all. It was only when she stepped out of the comforts of his home had it all gone wrong. Maybe she ought to just place herself under house arrest and be done with it, but both of them knew that was no real solution. Ash nodded in agreement, “I should… She doesn’t know what it is either, but maybe she has some ideas.” Her expression softened at the feel of his lips against the back of her hand, sniffling softly as she watched him. It wasn’t easy, how to deal with this. It was frightening to think that she had been here this whole time with this spirit or whatever it was residing within her, as she slept next to Nico at night, spent her days with him… She could only imagine that her tired but contented state had been what stopped her from doing anything terrible to him, but now she feared, she feared he may become one of her victims. She chewed on the inside of her cheek thoughtfully, gaze drifting down to middle distance as he spoke so that she could weigh up her options. Although her nose wrinkled at the mention of the fire witch, “For someone so heated, she’s always been pretty frosty towards me,” She commented, it had always been strange to her, “I’ll try the coven. They might have an idea, or at least maybe a way to contain me whilst we figure it out. It’s not safe for me to be out there anymore. Not until we know how to fix this.”

[gentlesmiles-n-savagehands]

Silent Night || Nico/Ash

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

gentlesmiles-n-savagehands:

Nico’s fingers slid through wet hair, comforting her as he held her tightly. He knew she would tell him when she was ready and so he remained silent. His hands traveled over her back, his desire to comfort her clear in the way his hand moved. He could not hold her tight enough, yet her gave her all he could. Wrapping her in the warmth of his species and offering her his strength. Nico had never wavered in his desire to be her rock, it did not wane now when she was finally needing it. 

He had started to worry as the minutes ticked by, but the little sigh and the press of her nose to his chin were enough to tell him she was coming around. He closed his eyes and let out a slow breath through his nose. His tense body relaxed as best he could, taking comfort in the fact that she was also starting to relax. 

The relaxation didn’t last long when she started actually talking. He’d figured it was bad, she had stuck of vampire blood, but to hear that Jay was dead and moreover that she had done it? This was shocking even to Nico and he had seen Ash do some things that most in this town would not believe. It had always been in the name of the mission, though. “Jay’s dead,” he said letting that knowledge sink in. There was no point asking what he’s said, she’d already said she didn’t remember. “Okay.” Death was a part of life, even if it wasn’t expected. He chose to focus on more important bits of this conversation at the moment. 

“Go back to the thing that’s been killing everyone in town,” he said pulling away from her. “What is it you think about that?” He needed her to focus and start talking in straight paths. Nico was good at connecting dots that others couldn’t which meant he knew what she was saying, but just as he had known what she was, he needed to hear it to be sure. 

The distressing part wasn't so much that she'd killed the man, it was how she had done it and the fact that she didn't remember it, she had been entirely out of control and that scared her. When he pulled back, she found herself restless and moved to sit up when he asked the question. She crossed her legs and rubbed at her arms, "It's the thing Brenna's been hunting. It's why she's here," Ash explained, "I think.. I think when I killed Mike that.." She swallowed hard, a shaky breath escaping her as she felt tears well in her eyes that she hastily tried to blink away.

She tried to compose herself, to keep calm as she sat there for a moment, trying simply just to keep her breathing level, "I think I'm carrying it," She finally said, "I'm carrying the spirit that's been taking people over and killing everyone." Ash had no damn idea until she'd put it together herself, she'd been so relaxed and calm with Nico that she hadn't been put under any strain that might compromise her. Ash turned towards him, exhaling slowly, "It used me to kill Jay and…" A hand naturally fell to her stomach, where the entry wound of the sword had left a scar, "And why I can't heal this. It's stopping me from healing completely… I'm-I'm tainted." It was the best word she could come up with at this stage. Who even knew what this thing could be doing to her on the inside now. It was one of those surreal experiences, where she had never even noticed it before but now she had it pointed out to her loud and clear it was all she could sense, "I can feel it. It's so full of hate, so full of loathing and pain that it's held onto for so many years."

She looked away, chewing on her lip, “I don’t know what to do.”

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

Something Sweet || Matt & Ash

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

matt--davidson:

The tip of Matt’s tongue pressed between his teeth and he nodded slowly at the wall in front of him. There were hand baskets near the door and he thought he should get one except that would basically mean he’ll fill it to the brim and be left with a month’s supply of candy sitting in his apartment at the ready for him to dive into throughout the day. The kid at him said it was a great idea, that this was what adulting was all about. As the idea planted itself in his brain he realized he was speaking to the shop owner and Matt turned and flashed a bright smile her way. “It’s awesome to meet you. I would say I’m a fan of your work but this is my first time here. However I can see this becoming a regular stop; which might be hell on my waist line but damn. It’s hard to turn candy down.” 

Ash couldn't help but laugh, she definitely felt better about coming her, she'd been in nothing but good spirits since she had arrived – and that was the kind of attitude she needed to keep up right now. She could do this, she could beat this. She shrugged lightly, "Pssht just throw in an extra half an hour at the gym and that's problem solved," She reasoned with a smile, "Especially as we do the best damn taffy you can get your hands on, it'd be rude not to." Ash gestured back over to the glass counters, he'd no doubt seen them already, but there were a whole host of different coloured pieces of taffy – but what made them special was how they were shaped. Tiny, delicious little ghosts, "Spiritvale's word famous ghost water taffy." Lord, how many times had she said that in her lifetime?

[seeing-this-through]

To Task || Raja and Ashildr

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

seeing-this-through:

The town bus rumbled to a stop near where the city largely stopped and more suburban areas began.  She nodded to the driver as she hefted her pack over her shoulders, then picking up another, heavier bag, this one clanking and shifting as the tools settled as they were moved.  She heaved this strap over one shoulder as well, then stepped out onto the street.  She stopped for a moment, pulling out her phone from her back pocket, checking the address.  Luckily it wasn’t too far of a walk from here.  And so she gripped the straps a little tighter on her shoulders and trudged into the entrance of one of the nearby neighborhoods.  

It was less than an hour later, and still just before their appointment was intended to happen, that Raja arrived at her intended door.  She slid her phone back into her pocket and reached up, letting her fingers wrap on the wood.  As she waited, she reached up, raising the sunglasses that had been perched on her nose and letting them rest on her scalp, tucking hair behind her ear and adopting a winning smile.

@ashildrfalkenstrom

Positive thoughts. Sunshine and rainbows. Unicorns and marshmallows... Fucking hell this was killing her. There was no telling how Ash was managing to cope with this ridiculous happy attitude she was putting herself under - but it was something she’d learned kept dark thoughts and darker entities at bay. It fed off of negativity, but Ash was doing her damndest to not give it even a shred of hate to feed on. Could leech like dark spirits starve? Could she do that? Ugh. At least today there’d be no faking it. After prying Mathis away from her car, they had swapped stories of their Firebirds. His was a wreck, and hers wasn’t too far off either if she didn’t get something done about it - but she just hadn’t had the time to go take it to the autoshop... But Mathis had told her it was nothing to worry about, he could get the autoshop to her. Interesting. So today had been the booked out day to see this mechanic. The black and brown ‘68 Firebird sat on the driveway and from the outside it was in perfect condition. 

Ash hopped to her feet when she heard the knock at the door, going to answer it to see the girl on the other side. Her brows raised initially, not because she was a woman - gods no Ash would be the biggest hypocrite around if she thought that, but just by how young she was. She supposed she was used to the older, more grizzled mechanics of the town like Quinn and Axel. A grin spread across her lips, “You must be Mathis’ friend. Raja, right?”

[gentlesmiles-n-savagehands]

Conversations & Coffee || Nico/Ash

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

gentlesmiles-n-savagehands:

Nico’s head tipped back slightly, resting on the wall behind him and let out a whistle. “That’s some heavy shit for this early in the morning.” Nico didn’t after talk about his own belief structure or how he managed to accept all the death and loss in his life. He didn’t feel like it needed to be said or that it was anyone else’s business, but he certainly believed in the afterlife. He believed in all of that. He had lived too many lifetimes, seen too much death and even more life, to not believe. He had seen people defy odds and escape certain death. Hell, he had been one of them. “I’m sure she’ll bounce back. A little brain  melt is good for growth.” 

He smiled slowly and nodded had her explanation of deductive reasoning. “She messaged me last night, before I came to bed, asking about the Muffin Man. I figured I’d get her what she wanted. It’s the only time she’ll take something from someone.” He respected the hell out of Lydi’s stubbornness, but it also frustrated him. She could do better than she was if she was just willing to let the people that cared about her help out. 

When she shifted, the air of their conversation changed and he opened his eyes. It’d gone from lighthearted and gentle to palpable and heavy. An eyebrow raised and he let her go so that he could change position on the couch and give her his full attention. “What you are,” he said with a nod. His voice was slow and deep as though he was thinking over the words. He already knew what she was, but she had never told him. Never even offered to tell him. “Your secret is safe with me, you know that.” 

Her brows furrowed, "I got that text too, but it was from an unknown number." It made... So much sense it was Lydiya now, all the dots connected. Ash shook her head in amusement, Lydiya would figure it out eventually, she couldn't stay in that decrepit building forever. She'd hit the point when she'd have to leave, whether she liked it or not. At the tonal shift, Ash rested her hands on her knees. She pulled a little face, "I do know that but, y'know, just needs to be said out loud." She huffed an uncertain breath, if anyone would keep her secret, of course it would be him out of everyone. He turned to face her, and now the pressure was on. She chewed on her tongue for a moment, before she decided to just take a deep breath and let it all out in one go, "I'm a Valkyrie." She paused a moment, hands balling into fists, "Or at least. I was. I was exiled a long time ago. I don't have the powers that I used to have. I'm running on say… four out of six cylinders. But yeah that's what I am. It's what Brenna is too, but she's full on real deal, technically we shouldn't even be talking to each other because she might get punished for it but fuck it she's my sister we can't not just talk after so long you know?" It was all coming out like word vomit now, the cap unscrewed and everything pouring out.

[gentlesmiles-n-savagehands]

Silent Night || Nico/Ash

[ashildrfalkenstrom-blog]

gentlesmiles-n-savagehands:

Nico let her head up stairs while he futzed around on the lower level. As soon as he heard the water to the large shower turn on, he’d stepped back outside with the sole purpose of opening up the car to air it out. He could stand the vampire stench only so much, but as it clung to the leather of his expensive Rangerover, Nico knew this was a bit much for even him to accept. He new he didn’t have time to actually clean it out, but he popped the back hatch as well as rolled down all the windows. He would let the Colorado night take the scent away. Tomorrow, if it needed it, a detailing would be first on the agenda.

Once he’d gone back into the house, he made his way through to the kitchen to pull out a bottle of vodka from the freezer. It would barely dull the edge of his night and he knew it would do fuck all for Ash, but it didn’t matter. She had asked for stronger and so stronger she would get.

In the time it took her to get done with the shower, Nico had puttered around both upstairs and down. He’d shed his day clothing and switched into a pair of sleep pants. He was… bored and antsy to talk to Ash and find out what had happened so when she called his name it was almost a relief. He’d heard it, as he sat down on the couch eyes staring unfocused at the tv that wasn’t even turned on. He took his time getting up to her, giving her a moment and not wanting to seem overbearing which he feared was becoming a permanent addition to his personality with her.

“I’m here,” he said softly from the door way when he’d grabbed the bottle of vodka and the pointless glasses. He moved silently for as large as he was and set the drink and glasses on the side table before he was moving to scoop Ash up in his arms as he settled into their bed.

To feel his arms wrap around her, sweeping her up and settling into bed with her, it was exactly what she needed as she turned towards him, arms slinking around him to cling onto him tightly as she buried her face into his chest. She let herself just have this moment of calm, to try and relax in his touch. It was consistent over the decades that they had known each other, that he was always able to settle her. Granted, he calmed her when she got too excited, he tugged on the strings to pull her back down to the ground, but it still applied here, calming her anxious nerves. She was quiet for a while, feeling her heartbeat slow back from its hastened and frightened pace. Finally, she felt entirely in control again, and a soft sigh escaped her lips and she pulled back, the tip of her nose grazing his chin as she laid with him, "It's not good, Nico." She told him honestly, "It's… It's really bad." She added, there was no good way of saying this, no good way to voice her realisation without just saying it, "I think- I think that awful thing that's been killing those people, that made Mike attack me. I think—" The breath caught in her throat, this was harder than admitting what she was to him, though she supposed that was very different. "I killed Jay," Taking a step back helped her regain her words as she pieced it together and tried to build him a picture, "We were walking together on the beach, and he said something that made me angry, I don't remember what but then I felt this blinding rage and.. I blacked out. Next thing I know I'm holding his heart in my hand." She swallowed hard, looking up at him sheepishly. Hoping he'd be able to put it together, “I don’t remember any of it.”