constellations.

ash mccrory. twenty. new in town. seattle native. astrophysics major. nerd. student at southport state. hostess at barnacle brew. demigirl. the universe is on my side ♥

[charliemasud]

“Wait- what sort of experiments would we participate in?” Charlie was always inquisitive. He doubted that Ash would believe in carrying out an experiment of such proportions. Though he felt himself a fool if he weren’t to at least inquire as to what Ash meant. He had a faint idea of some parameters that would have to be met in order to consider the experiment a success as far as a relationship was concerned. 

[ashmccrory-blog]

"I- I'm not sure.” Ash could just feel the embarrassment, the heat in her cheeks building up. It was such an awkward topic to discuss and yet, the further along they got, the more interested she was in determining its outcome. Her gaze shifted back and forth between her roommate and the table, but mostly stuck to the table. “I would assume something akin to- dating or even experiments of a more-- physical nature..."

[snowhcven-deactivated20190328]

Dylan had been wandering around the boardwalk applying to shops in case the chance at the bar didn’t come through. By now she was fed up with applying everywhere, unaware of how any teens or young adults made it in Southport without having to go into a family business. Most probably did, she told herself. It was on her way back that she crossed by a girl playing the guitar to one of her favorite songs. Dylan had done a lot in her day to acquire money but street performing - of the musical kind - had never worked out. Particularly because she sucked at playing an instrument. She didn’t have much, being without a job in all, but she had enough so she dropped a few dollars in the case, “You should try out for one of those talent shows on TV. You’d kill it.”

[ashmccrory-blog]

Ash heard the voice break through her music before she realized that the other girl was there. It wasn’t an uncommon surprise, given how see often let her eyes drift shut for a moment to concentrate on the notes, but welcomed, nonetheless. She smiled softly as she ceased singing and lifted her gaze, still lightly strumming the tune as she regarded the stranger. “Thank you. I wager I might have, if I hadn’t been fortunate academically. Although, my father may not have approved...” The cyan-haired woman ceased her playing and held her guitar slightly aside, offering the other a seat beside her. “Are you familiar with the work of Stevie Nicks?”

[charliemasud]

“Our relationship?” Charlie had to think about what that statement could mean, but thought of his conversation with Sara he had had the other day. “Strange- she had a discussion with me as well concerning…the towel incident.” he felt the reddish tinge return to his cheeks as he looked down at his rice, not feeling hungry any longer. “Can you believe she actually suggested that the reason I was embarrassed from the encounter was because there was an underlying attraction?”

[ashmccrory-blog]

Ash felt her own cheeks heat up at the mention of the towel incident. It was one moment she’d rather not have experienced due to the resulting embarrassment, but the impossibility of time travel meant she’d have to live with it and move on. Like Charlie, her gaze shifted to her food once more. She tested a bite or two to battle the awkwardness, which she should have known was futile. “Well, that’s--” she set down her chopsticks, struggling to initially form a proper response. “It's no more than her unsupported hypothesis based solely on observation, right? If it were to be proved true, it would require a series of... controlled experiments in order to come to a logical, final conclusion.”

[charliemasud]

“Ahh- right, well I’m sure you have. Seeing as how you two work together, it seems only fitting that you would have talked.” Charlie’s mind began to race though as he thought about what Ash might have been implicating. He himself had talked with Sara, he wondered if her insistence could have been due to her having a conversation like theirs had been. Having taken a bite of his sesame chicken, he let his wandering mind focus back in on an answer to her question. “I have known her for a duration of time in which we have established a rapport to allow us to speak candidly with the other. Simply put- we are friends.” 

[ashmccrory-blog]

Charlie paused in-between his response to what she’d said, which made Ash wonder if perhaps her words had come out with the wrong connotation. The last thing she wanted was for him to assume she’d been implying that there was some sort of romantic interaction going on between her roommate and her co-worker, because from talking with Sara, that was clearly not the case. Luckily, he soon confirmed that beyond a doubt. “No-- I mean... I apologize if I seemed to be insinuating that there was any other relationship between you two. Her tone made it clear that you were simply friends.” Yet, Ash was still anxious. Rather than eating her meal, she picked at the plate of pad thai with her chopsticks, one confusing observation continuing to plague her mind with unanswered questions. “Actually... she was much more keen to inquire about-- our relationship...”    

[charliemasud]

“Hm? Oh- yes, I suppose it was a bit tiresome at work today.” Charlie hadn’t been paying attention. He’d honestly been thinking about how much he honestly wanted to be in bed at the present moment. He had been tired most of that entire day, it just being a bad day in general for himself. The twenty-two year old also had a bit playing on his mind, his conversation with Sara having caused him to question what exactly it was he felt towards his roommate. “I assume work for you was the same? Serving coffee to the masses addicted to caffeine?” 

[ashmccrory-blog]

“Naturally,” Ash replied with a light chuckle. “It’s a more demanding job than most people realize. Serving and preparing food and beverages is one thing, but catering to a crowd that can be demanding and moody requires an higher level of tolerance.” Setting down her menu, she paused to sip from the water she’d ordered soon after their arrival. When she was done, she cleared her throat, a curious, lingering thought finally forming into an inquiry. “Speaking of my work -- Sara and I spoke recently... She mentioned that you two were familiar, though I noted that she did seem oddly persistent when asking after you.”

[ashmccrory-blog]

“Thunder only happens when it's rainin’ / Players only love you when they're playin’ / Say women they will come and they will go / When the rain washes you clean, you'll know, you will know...”

       It was the late afternoon when Ash had gotten out early from her classes at the college. The weather was fair and there was little to do at the house, so she’d elected to spend her spare time at the boardwalk. Seated on a vacant bench, she was playing a round of acoustic songs on her guitar, her case left open on the ground for any passersby who were willing to tip. It was something she’ done often in Seattle to help out her father -- something she was still willing to do to help him out, even though he was stuck on the opposite coast of the country. Fleetwood Mac was one of his favorite bands, so much so that some of their songs had become Aislin’s childhood lullabies. Playing the all too familiar chords and singing the same words that had once lulled her to a worriless sleep just felt... right.

[ashmccrory-blog]

        One of the fundamental parts of being roommates was developing a bond -- a friendship, if you will, between the two parties. Ash was fortunate that she and Charlie shared a number of interests; however, spending almost every night in the house binging on Netflix wasn’t going to progressively increase their familiarity with one another. In an effort to remedy this issue, they’d decided to go out for dinner rather than continue their pattern of ordering takeout. The little Chinese restaurant was close and not too busy -- the perfect spot for a casual weeknight meal. Nevertheless, Ash spent the first few minutes pointlessly studying her menu before she finally broke the ice. “So... busy day at work? You-- seemed more tired than usual when you returned to the house.”

[saraxfoster-blog-blog]

“Yeah, I’ll be very happy to never ever see him again,” she remarked and washed her hands, drying them off on a towel hanging on the opposite wall. “Oh?” She said, hints of intrigue lacing her voice. “Well, it sounds like you’ve found a really good roommate there. Did I mention to you that I actually know him?” She looked over her shoulder at Ash, a light grin forming on her face. “Charlie, right? He’s a good guy— I’m glad to hear you’re getting along well.”

[ashmccrory-blog]

Ash blinked as she glanced at Sara, but nodded. The intrigue in the other woman’s voice caused her brows to raise, like it was a hint towards some unspoken aspect of their conversation that she had yet to grasp. “No, you didn’t-- although, that’s good to know...” She paused, examining a coffee cup in her hands for no apparent reason. “Have you- talked to him recently? From my perspective, it may seem that we’re getting along, but I certainly can’t read his mind. If he mentioned anything to you that suggested I wasn’t being a good roommate... you’d tell me, right?”

[quinnxwalker]

“Well, there are happy drunks and then there are the bitter, sarcastic , angry drunks. Those are fun, but only for a certain amount of time— then they’re just annoying. Although to be honest, I would probably rather deal with them, than with myself before I get my morning coffee.”

[ashmccrory-blog]

“Come to think of it -- I wouldn’t like to run into myself before I’ve had my morning coffee either. It’s incredible the difference a few ounces of caffeine can make... So, in that, I may have to agree with you.”

[f-hendrixxx-blog1]

“Internal processing? more like over analyzing everything to death! Well since you’ve pulled the dead mom card, let me enlighten you, my mom tells me everything that she thinks is wrong with me and you seem to engage in this kind of activity as well. The perplexing thing that neither of you seem to understand is, well, I’m perfect.”

[ashmccrory-blog]

“Okay... I can get a little over-critical, I’ll admit, but anyone could tell you that perfection in any person is impossible. Hell, it’s practically what keeps us human. If you were really perfect, then what purpose would you have for living, for working? For example, I may be intelligent according to tests and statistics, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel stupid compared to my professors or colleagues, at times. It keeps me motivated to learn more and earn my degree. If I thought I was perfect, I’d just call myself a genius, leave school, and probably do nothing with my life. --And my mother isn’t dead, I’ve just... never met her.”

[michaelxturner]

“Thank you, that’s nice of you.” Not that he really had too much to blackmail with. It was high time that people knew about him anyway. Though he’d be a great person to target because of the money and all of that. He looked up as they approached the music shop. “Here we are, Mermaid Melodies.”

[ashmccrory-blog]

“You’re welcome,” Ash nodded with a smile that only brightened when she looked up to find the sign that announced their destination. Stopping, she lowered her gaze to Michael. “Now it’s my turn to say thanks,” she chuckled. “But, before I head in, mind if I ask you one last piece of advice?”

[charliemasud]

“What you are saying would then put you into the popularized category of being, at the least, bisexual. Of course, your explanation leads me to believe you are like the character of Captain Jack Harkness; the well-liked character from both Doctor Who and Torchwood.” Charlie noted the small yet almost apprehensive way she looked at him. He figured that a pop culture reference to a television character would sooth her better than if he were to remain silent and pensive. “I believe he was, by definition, an omnisexual.” he nodded his head and gave her a smile that he felt was genuine in nature. Looking back at the television, Charlie wondered who he was most like on the show. “I feel that I am a mixture of both Dr. Zach Addy and Bones. Both are pragmatic and intellectual, though I feel I have a better social advantage than Dr. Addy- only slightly better.” he shrugged it off, not wanting to divulge into his past with people and fights he’d been a part of. 

[ashmccrory-blog]

“I believe the official term you’re looking for is pansexual -- but, yes. Captain Jack Harkness is a fair comparison, even though I’m hardly so straightforward or dramatic.” She chuckled at the thought of the popular British character. He was quite entertaining, though her favorite characters would be Donna, Rory, and the Doctor himself. It was an added relief to hear that Charlie was even familiar with the show. Perhaps Doctor Who could be their next Netflix marathon. “I can see the similarity,” Ash remarked as she glanced between her roommate and the television. “Dr. Addy is more on the extreme end of the anti-social scale. I would think that they exaggerated that aspect of his personality for plot purposes.”

[quinnxwalker]

“Oh you’re definitely not— I’m surprised I haven’t killed anyone yet, to be honest. But I guess I have loads of time for that in the future. Well, yeah, they’re an inevitability, but even more so when you work in a bar. Man, it’s like there’s a moron-magnet attached to the counter.

[ashmccrory-blog]

“Well, yes. I imagine that’s incredibly stressful at times -- especially dealing with intoxicated customers. I’m sure they’d make the grumpy early morning coffee customers we get look like angels.”

[michaelxturner]

“And along the way, you might find there’s something else you like too.” He didn’t exactly have a tough time by any means, but he’d definitely figured things out about himself as time went on. “Perfect. Just remember that I’ve given you the idea so don’t use it against me.”

[ashmccrory-blog]

“That’s a nice sentiment,” she smiled, tucking her hands into the pockets of her jeans. While learning about Southport objectively would satisfy her travels, she figured a little something extra couldn’t hurt. “Oh, I won’t. Like you said, you gave me the idea. It simply wouldn’t be fair if I chose to use it against you.”

[jeromemorris-blog]

“But don’t you guys usually get graded on your group work?”

[ashmccrory-blog]

“If we’re submitting a single paper, yes -- but this time we have individual assessments to hand in, so I may be able to get away with working individually.”

[f-hendrixxx-blog1]

“You think too much”

“and you sound like my mother”

[ashmccrory-blog]

“Perhaps more than you, but every mind is different. Mine simply tends to favor internal processing more than others. And if that was meant to be insulting, I’m afraid you’ve failed. I’ve never had a mother or met yours, so I have no basis on which to judge your comment.”

[saraxfoster-blog-blog]

“Oh, he was! It took everything in me not to strange him with my bare hands. He was luckily not a local, just passing through— which hopefully means we won’t ever have to see him again, unless he makes a habit out of passing through. I’m just going to assume dropping cesium into a water beaker is a bad thing— I get why you’re not interested in getting to know her more though, which is fine since I would rather hear about you roommate anyway. Respectable, intelligent and nice, huh? Sounds like the perfect combo when it comes to people you… live with. I’m assuming everything is good then?”

[ashmccrory-blog]

“Well then, I’m glad to hear he is most likely out of our hair. If he were to repeatedly come here and cause conflict, it would harm business,” Ash observed as she sorted through one of the shelves, taking inventory. Her shuffling paused momentarily as Sara jumped on the subject of her roommate. She seemed oddly eager to inquire about him. Nevertheless, she continued her task and answered, “Yes. It’s a relief to finally have a stable roof over my head, that’s for sure. It only helps that we have quite a number of interests in common. We’ve even placed a bet over the relationship progression of one of the character pairings in Bones. It’s much more entertaining than living alone.”