#FOURTEEN

offensive dealer but mostly just offensive

[hartsasha-blog]

graysonsharpe:

He hadn’t meant to arrive so early, but…without anything else to do, Grayson found himself gravitating towards Abby’s house anyway. He’d missed being around the other Foxes over the summers, even if he fully planned on spending most of tonight’s event just existing in their presence rather than engaging. As always though, there was something oddly soothing in knowing everyone else here was varying levels of fucked up too. In Dubois, he was something strange and unusual: he was tragedy and guilt on display for people to gawk at as they pleased apparently (and despite everything, he let them stare because he’d rather they direct it at him than his father). With the Foxes, he was just…another one of Wymack’s many, many projects. Apparently it took joining one of the most infamous college Exy teams to feel anonymous.

He’d expected to slip inside quietly, but instead Grayson was greeted by Sasha, forceful as ever, demanding that he make a plate of vegetables to enjoy. He’d contest the description of himself as interesting, but it was easier to just go along with it. “Uhm,” Grayson said, eloquently. "Sure.” He hesitated for a moment before going into the kitchen, frowning. “Were we all supposed to…help? Bring something? I didn’t do anything.”

Grayson was a bit of a mystery to Sasha. Quiet and not too outspoken, he was typically someone Sasha had a tendency to forget was there. She did, however, know him well enough to know when he looked a little lost. She smirked at him and shook her head. “I’m going to take that as the Grayson Sharpe version of a ‘hell yes’.” Sasha turned on her heel, going into the kitchen with him, pointedly getting a plate for him and piling it with her carrots, celery, and even a few pieces of broccoli. Sasha didn’t intend to eat too much of her own, hoping to pile it on everyone else’s plates instead. Sasha wasn’t known for her healthy eating (or any of her healthy habits), but suffice to say she was a little proud of herself for having done her one good deed for both Wymack and Abby. Hopefully this would make up for the season of red cards and injuries she fully intended to give them. 

“I don’t think it was a requirement.” She laughed, handing off the vegetables to him. “I got roped in because I’d made the mistake of running into Coach at the grocery store.” She rolled her eyes at the incident, as if the thought still bothered her to this very second. Underneath, she’d actually enjoyed helping as much as she’d had. It made her feel a little useful, even, though that was something she had no intentions of sharing, least of all with someone like Grayson. They were near strangers on a team, nothing more. “They’ve kept me here working for hours, Gray. I’m serious.” Ash sighed like she was out of breath, like saying that the work had exhausted her more than any Exy game could.

[iconicgirls]

[hartsasha-blog]

fincholivia:

palmetto state, from the outside, was pretty similar to penn state. the university had its fair share of grassy quads and huge stone buildings, the few students that were already on campus strolling around looking relaxed because classes hadn’t started yet. it was warmer, and more humid than anywhere she’d ever lived, but olivia kind of liked the heat of the sun beating down on her back. she was here alone, stacking a blue cart high with all her boxes and following a brightly colored map the housing office had given her to Fox Tower, a place she vaguely remembered from visiting Zia. her father hadn’t bothered to make the trip, had barely acknowledged her existence since she’d transferred, except when he was drunk and started yelling. she was glad the summer was over, but a small pit of apprehension was starting to grow in her stomach, had she made the wrong choice?

getting her boxes up to the third floor was a journey involving much swearing and sweating, but eventually she got up there, and was pleased to see she was the first of the roommates to move in. the unpacking process was fairly fast, she didn’t have many decorations aside from the various exy memorabilia she’d picked up throughout the years. the sight of a leftover penn state scarf, nestled at the bottom of one of the boxes took her by surprise for a second, bringing a bit of bile to her mouth and making her grimace. it was interesting how she could do that now, with no prying eyes waiting to see her reaction. the door swinging open in the other room caught her attention, and olivia wandered out to find one of her roommates surveying the space. “olivia.” just as the girl seemed to be analyzing her, olivia was doing the same. “yeah i just transferred.” she probably knew that.”i— oh, you don’t have to do that. i only really need to know where we play.” and, she supposed, where her classes were, but those were less important.

Ash let out a snort, shaking her head at the girl. “Oh I see. You’re one of those teammates, huh?” Sasha understood, exy was everything to a lot of people - herself semi included. It didn’t mean they couldn’t have lives outside of it. Sometimes people needed to leave the game behind for a moment and get some breathing room. And since practice hadn’t even started yet, Sasha didn’t see any reason why they couldn’t get a little extra r&r. She set her bags on the ground and placed her hands on her hips, cocking a brow. “How exactly do you expect to schedule your classes accordingly if you won’t even know where the buildings are?” She shook her head and her hand, as if swatting away the idea. “I won’t have it, Olivia. I insist on helping you through this trying time.” She was laying it on thick, but Sasha has always been a lot and at least she wasn’t being an asshole yet. 

“You must have some questions about campus.” Sasha began, aimlessly wasndering around their dorm, pulling open the fridge and finding it unshockingly empty. Sasha only ever kept leftovers in her fridges of years past, but she supposed they should start a grocery list in order to have everything in order for the new year. “And if you really want, I can call a taxi to go to the court, or we could walk to it now - it’s up to you.” Ash wasn’t looking to hop into the court so soon, but if it was what Olivia wanted, who was she to deny the newbie her very simple request? Besides, Sasha could always trick her into staying out with her after they’d seen the eyesore of court. Damn, did she love that place though. She’d put a lot of blood (hers and others), sweat, and tears (never hers) into that place. She forced herself to stop being nostalgic and turned back to Olivia. “Before we do anything though, I’m going to need to change first.”

[hartsasha-blog]

octavia-dawson:

Returning to Palmetto meant the usual arrangement of welcome hugs and Summer vacation reviews. These were the proper times in where Octavia needed at least two more sets of arms to get all her hugs in. Although not everyone was willing and some actively held her back through sheer strength, she was getting through the list. She raced up the steps, pushing through the front door with surprising strength that should’ve been used for Exy. 

Being called interesting was such a blessing, a true genuine compliment especially when it came from Sasha. Octavia did a double take, spinning around to see if anyone else came through the doors. Nope, just little ole her that received Sasha’s great words. “Oh my gosh, you love me! You really really love me.” Scrambling down the hallway, she reached out for a hug ensuring it was a tight one before pulling back and giving her own welcome smile. “I will make sure that not a single vegetable is wasted. Today, I’m a vegetarian…wait no I’ll eat a couple burgers and hot dogs and then become a vegetarian. Deal?” 

Not many people could claim that they have heard Sasha’s ugly laugh - loud snort that sounded more like a clear of her throat and ended with a cough trying to cover it up, all followed by an embarrassed flush of her cheeks.. Octavia had just become one of those people, though Sasha hoped it wouldn’t be mentioned. She had snorted well before the other had made it across the entry and into her not so begrudging embrace, if only because she had amused her. “Love is such a strong word, Octavia. But whatever makes you feel good.” She teased, her lips curling into a lopsided smile. 

“Deal...” Sasha trailed off, crossing her arms in uncertainty. She eyed Octavia. “You better not be decieiving me. Or I will find you and I will make you a plate of only vegetables to take back to the dorms.” Ash hoped it was threatening, even pointing her finger at Octavia for emphasis, but even Sasha found the whole threat rather comical. “Got me?” 

[hartsasha-blog]

mrplantman:

“Nope. Not someone interesting. Just me, back from my woefully boring mission to acquire more ice. Spoiler alert,” Arlo pauses dramatically, before hefting a five pound bag of ice up to eye level, “it was a success.” A few drops of condensation roll off the bag and onto his arm, which he playfully wipes all over Sasha’s shirt. 

“Sash, you’ve been chopping since I left. Are we feeding every exy team in the district now?” He calls over his shoulder as he speed walks to the kitchen - both to keep the ice from dripping all over the floor, and to escape Sasha’s inevitable retaliation. 

He drops the ice into the sink with enough force to break it up into smaller, useable chunks and nods at Abby through the glass sliding door as she continues setting up outside. Surveying Sasha’s work, he grabs a couple of carrot sticks and some celery and nods in exaggerated pride. “Beautiful work. Revolutionary. We will have to get you a gig on the food network.” From anyone else, the words might have been sarcastic, or condescending, but from Arlo they’re just warm. Playful and bright. “We have any hot sauce to dip this in?”

She managed to roll her eyes, just for the sake of letting him know she didn’t associate with him by choice. It wasn’t that she hated him too much, he’d grown on her and managed to glue himself to her that she almost missed him during break - almost. And then he ruined her shirt. “You’ve really got a death wish, don’t you, Booth?” Sasha almost swiped at him, but he was too quick, and so that led to her following him back into the kitchen she’d been trapped in, eventually swatting him once on the head.

If anyone else were calling her Sash, she might have just slugged him right then and there. Of course, she had grown fond of only him calling her an otherwise horrible nickname, but if anyone asked she would deny it. “Hey, ask Coach and Abby why we need so many veggies. Half the team ignores them anyway.” She scoffed, crossing her arms in annoyance. 

Hard as it was to admit - she was nervous about her handiwork. She was, afterall, a novice at all things that were perceived as normal - like cutting vegetables. Still, Sasha let herself have the ghost of a smile stretch briefly across her lips, a genuine one, and a rarity at that. “Really? Not too lopsided or jagged?” She picked up her own carrot stick and loudly chomped on it, almost grinning to herself. Praise was something Ash thrived on, and she’d take it whenever she could. “I think there is some in the fridge. Next to the ranch and the barbeque sauce.” Sasha continued to chomp on her carrot as if it was the greatest snack known to mankind. Dare she say it, but she might just be proud of herself.

[hartsasha-blog]

stormieburbank:

Stormie wasn’t really expecting to be social right out of the gate, and she also wasn’t expecting to arrive as early as she did, but there was no going back now that she was being greeted by another person. She didn’t immediately recognize the girl in front of her, which meant she was certainly a Fox and not a Vixen. Which was, to say the least, mildly intimidating. The Vixens intimidated her to a certain extent, but it was different when you shared a space with someone, and spent all your time practicing with them. The girls on the Exy team were kind of on a level that felt a little unreachable, passionate about something in a way that she couldn’t say she’d ever experienced, no matter how much she loved cheer. 

“I don’t know if I’m interesting, but I’ll take it,” Stormie said with a little laugh. She wasn’t much of a picky eater, but even if she were, she probably would’ve eaten the vegetables anyway just because a pretty girl was rushing at her and telling her to do so, and it was all a little overwhelming. “I’ll eat two plates just to make your efforts worthwhile, if that helps.”

When the other girl spoke, Sasha chuckled in appreaciation. “Trust me -” She said, dramatically waving her hand in the direction of the kitchen. “You could recite the dictionary and you would be more exciting than Wymack and Abby.” Ash was pretty convinced she was a Vixen, mostly because she didn’t look doe eyed enough to be a new Fox. They all had this deer in the headlights charm about them that the other woman didn’t seem to have. 

“You mean it? I’ll hold you to it.” Sasha threatened, walking closer to her. When she was close enough, Sasha extended her hand out for the other to take. “Come on then, you have a lot of vegetables to eat.” She smiled in a way that she had mastered over her years - equal parts threatening and charming. “You can call me Sasha - or Ash, I don’t mind either.” She hummed lightly and rose a brow at her new company, “And what can I call you? Besides cutie.”

[hartsasha-blog]

location: Fox Tower (Room 320) date: August 4 time: 9:43 am closed for @fincholivia

South Carolina was not California, and that came with as many pros as it did cons. The state was boring enough that her mother would never dare to make a pit stop here, but it was boring enough that Sasha almost felt insulted at the lack of activities when she was back at the university. The only interesting thing to do was Exy, or her flings of the week, but given that neither of those had started back up in the hour she’d spent angrily pushing by people in the airport, she was already bored by the time her taxi pulled her up to Fox Tower. The rest of her luggage were being shipped to the dorm, courtesy of Nikolai. “My sister can’t be expected to drive across country with all her belongings. I won’t have it.” Sasha called bullshit, because last year and the year before he’d let her, but he was trying to show how generous he was to his new fiance. It annoyed her to have to wait on her things, she’d almost said she’d just buy new ones, but calling up Nikolai seemed like too much work. 

As she climbed the stairs of the tower with carry-on and one large suitcase full of clothes and other necessities, she searched for the familiar floor of the foxes. At the entrance, she read the email on her phone detailing what room she’d be staying in. She dragged her suitcase down the hall until she found 320, pushing the door open with all the force she could. She sauntered in, already acting more like herself. She smiled at the first girl she saw, pulling her suitcase to a stop and eyeing her up and down. “I’m Sasha.” She greeted, tilting her head to examine the girl in front of her. She recognized her, Olivia Finch, she’d heard all about the scandal at Penn State, and for a moment she felt a twinge of sympathy for the other girl. It was never confirmed that she had gone through those things, but if being at Palmetto didn’t confirm it - Ash didn’t know what did. “You're new here, right?” She asked, keeping her voice light and breezy, trying to lull the girl in with politeness before her blunt personality reared it’s ugly head. “Well - consider me your unofficial tour guide of Palmetto State.”

[adelaidekanedaily]

Adelaide Kane photographed by Jordan Harvey (2018)

[hartsasha-blog]

del, sterling

DEL RAMSEY: Are you more of a leader or a follower? 

“A leader, obviously. Can’t live in anyone’s shadow.” She shrugged as if it was matter of fact, though anyone that looked deeper might see that she seemed to be telling herself this more than anyone else. 

STERLING WALSH: If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what three things would you want to do in the time you had left?  

“That’s awful to think about.” She sighed, though she seemed to take it seriously. Perhaps it was because she’d rather know she were about to die, unlike her sister who had been killed by her. Neither had had no idea it would happen. “I would tell my mother to go fuck herself for one. Then, I would probably fly out somewhere tropical - to die in style.” She paused tilting her head in thought. “And if i’m dying tomorrow anyway, I’d probably get high and drink something from the top shelf until I don’t have to think anymore.” To her, that sounded like paradise. To anyone else, it sounded like someone with some serious issues.

[hartsasha-blog]

jenbrookhart:

Jen didn’t want to show up to Abby’s empty handed, especially since they were trying to suck up a little, so they went to the closest bakery and bought a platter of chocolate chip cookies. They weren’t really in a place to be buying anything, but it was the least they could do. Jen had mixed feeling towards the barbecue. They were eager to see their friends, but also nervous to reunite with those who were not as friendly. Their worries didn’t prevent them from showing up on time though, with a large platter of cookies in their arms. The last thing they expected was for Sasha, of all people, to welcome them at the door. They couldn’t help but be a little flattered that she considered them interesting. “Is it still dead in there?” Jen asked as they stepped inside. 

Before they could even get through the room, they were being forced into eating vegetables…while carrying cookies. It almost seemed ironic. “I’ll definitely eat the vegetables, if you take at least one cookie that I didn’t bake. They weren’t cheap, so please eat one” Jen teased with a quiet laugh. They used to be able to freely joke around with the Foxes, but they weren’t sure what was accepted and what wasn’t anymore. They weren’t on the team anymore. 

“Oh yeah - it’s just Wymack and Abby and so many vegetables.” Sasha scoffed, crossing her arms and walking closer to Jen. Sasha smiled at them with appreciation, thankful it was someone that could at least hold a decent conversation. She felt like the two in the kitchen had been talking about the same thing for hours. They were people Sasha could admit she had grown fond of - but that didn’t mean their conversations didn’t run in a loop every once in a while. But then again, they probably couldn’t talk about everything they wanted to in front of a student. 

“Store bought cookies? The way to my heart!” Sasha exclaimed, holding out her hand for one of the cookies. “And now I feel bad for only offering you oddly shaped vegetables.” She sighed, crossing her arms. “What do you want in return? Want me to make you a plate? Shower you in compliments? I think I have some unopened foundation in my bag if you want it...” She walked towards the door where she had discarded her bag when she’d first came in, searching. While she searched around in her bag, she lifted her gaze only briefly to ask, “How’s the squad?” 

[hartsasha-blog]

claudiajewellx:

Claudia hadn’t expected to be there so early. She’d been hoping otherwise so she didn’t run the risk of her car getting blocked in if she dared park in the driveway. With a frown, she parked on the street, having brought nothing but herself and a twelve pack of soda. She locked the doors as she went inside, not bothering to call out and announce her arrival. The door would get their attention, plus she looked good for getting there early. Which, as the vice captain, was a plus. 

As Sasha made herself known, Claudia couldn’t help but laugh. “That bad, huh?” It was a rhetorical question. Abby and Wymack were good people but after awhile, you needed to company of someone your own age. Still, she couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows. “You? Chopped vegetables? I’m finding that a little hard to believe.” It was all good natured, unable to stop herself from ribbing her just a little. She went to drop off the pack of soda in the kitchen, dodging in and out before either Abby or Wymack appeared.

"Abby and Wymack are talking about what old Foxes are up to - ” She leaned in, whispering as if it was a secret, “And not even any interesting ones.” She gave Claudia an exasperated sigh as if the whole encounter with Wymack and Abby had been nothing but exhausting. She fanned herself for the extra dramatics, glad to finally have someone who could appreciate her antics. Wymack just didn’t care for any of it, which had made the hours particularly long in the house.

“They are little uneven looking, and my blood is probably on a few of them but I swear they’re mostly edible.” Ash said, pointing towards the couch before walking towards it anyway. “I mean, as good as vegetables can get, really.” She plopped down loudly on the couch and sighed. A moment passed before she spoke next, and she was only a little annoyed that she chose to pass the time with small talk, but it was still better than chopping anymore vegetables. “How was your break?”

[hartsasha-blog]

location: Vixen Den date: August 5 time: 12:15 am closed for @raleigheverhart

The food at Abby’s had been good, and honestly she had probably spent a little too long there. She’d been there since she’d bumped into Wymack, and then stayed well after to help with the clean up. If she was honest, she was avoiding the after party. She’d learned from small slip ups over the years that the Vixens had some of the best booze - or maybe she just missed alcohol that desperately that any drop of liquor tasted like heaven to her. But at ten at night, it had become clear Sasha had overstayed her welcome, no matter how nice Abby had been. 

A little embarrassed but mostly dreading the inevitable siren call of booze, Sasha had made a slow trek over to the campus. More than anything, she was tempted to just call it a night, but she was trying to be a fun sober girl, and a quick lap around the party might make her feel a little better. 

Being wrong was hard for any Hart-Ashby to admit, but Sasha found her eyes landing on a certain brunette who was unfamiliar in the Vixens Den, but a well known annoyance to Sasha all the same. Distantly, she could recall the girl once insulting the foxes so much that Sasha felt obligated to pick a fight, but tonight it seemed she’d swallowed her pride and decided to party with them. Almost out of spite - Sasha needed to make her presence known to the girl, Rae something or other. “I don’t remember the Vixens saying they were looking for a bitch to join the squad - or is that just something extra you bring to the team?”

[hartsasha-blog]

location: Abby’s house date: August 4 time: 1:50 pm open

Sasha was usually the kind of person who showed up to these things an hour late at least, her face hidden behind her cellphone, rapidly texting people and tempted to leave as soon as she’s finished her plate of food. Today, however, she’d found herself bumping into Wymack at the grocery store, where she had been picking up her mandated bag of chips to have said she brought something. What started as Sasha being scoffed at for wearing her sunglasses inside a grocery store, ended in her buying the food in Wymack’s basket with the swipe of her black credit card. Unfortunately for her, that meant Wymack graciously had to thank her by having her haul ass to Abby’s, helping him carry in his groceries and being forced to cut vegetables every moment since. 

When she heard the front door, she leapt at the opportunity to greet the newcomer, hoping her vegetable chopping hours were long behind her. “Finally - someone interesting.” She greeted, rounding the corner and landing her eyes on her new company. Placing her hand on her hips she nodded in the direction of the kitchen. “If you don’t make a big plate of vegetables I chopped, I am going to be very offended that my hours of free labor were for naught.” 

[hartsasha-blog]

marley, carter, jasper

MARLEY REID: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? 

“Is there something wrong with me?” She hummed, drumming her fingers on her thigh. “I guess I’m too confident. It hardly gives anyone a chance.”

CARTER MADDOX: What has been the greatest turning point in your life? 

“Sometimes you realize the weight of your actions. And maybe sometimes… you strive to do slightly better after that.” An odd moment of truth for Ash, but she knows that this is what distinguishes her from Irina. Regret can change a person, and Anya’s death wasn’t in vain.

JASPER LEWIS: Is pain a good teacher? 

ANSWERED

[hartsasha-blog]

Grayson and McKenna

GRAYSON SHARPE: What’s more important to you, truth or peace? 

“If I say peace, I’m a liar - I live for a good fight. But if I say truth, don’t I look like one of those weepy do gooders who values honesty over all else?” She tilted her head, mulling it over. “Guess it’s better than trying to be a pacifist hippy. So yeah - truth.”

MCKENNA MONROE: How often do you do what other people expect of you? 

“No one expects anything from me. Except maybe Wymack.” And her mother, but she only spoke of Irina when backed into a corner or making remarks on how theatric the barbaric woman could be. “But even then, I would say its about 20%.”

[hartsasha-blog]

RALEIGH EVERHART, VIVIAN BROOKS, JUSTIN BYRD

RALEIGH EVERHART: Do you control your temper or does it control you? 

ANSWERED

VIVIAN BROOKS: What’s more important, friendship or success?  

“Success, obviously. Where would I be without Exy? And I’m successful at just about everything I do. Did you think it’s an accident that people can’t ever stop talking about me?”

JUSTIN BYRD: Who is the most important person in your life? 

ANSWERED

[hartsasha-blog]

Jasper and Arlo

JASPER LEWIS: Is pain a good teacher? 

“Better than any professor I’ve ever had here at Palmetto.” She smirked, fighting any emotion behind her eyes. “Can’t learn if you don’t get hurt.”  

ARLO BOOTH: Do you get jealous easily? What do other people have that you wish you had? 

“What is there to be jealous of? I have everything.” Sasha popped her knuckles, eyes searching the room before she sighed. “Other people don’t have my mother. I wish I had their luck.”