Dahlia: How DARE you not show up to your sister's birthday party! You complete piece of SHIT! She was fucking in tears because you're too damn lousy to even pick up the phone, or even a quill, and wish her a happy birthday! I wouldn't be surprised if she's gone back to-- you know what? Fuck it. Get your arse back in London before I release Nifflers in your apartment and burn everything you love. You're a fucking terrible excuse for a brother, and I hope you're happy!
Notes: Alastair Armstrong's 'business trips' come between family. Set the day Samuel was born.
"But, Father--"
"No, Asher. Mrs Peabody will take you. No more arguments."
Dahlia waited in the corner of Father's study, tugging on the hem of her new tunic, as Asher protested far too loudly. It didn't matter how loud either of them spoke, it wasn't like he ever heard them. Alastair Armstrong had an inept ability to ignore select sounds; the tone of Asher and Dahlia's questions were practically mute. Once more his bags were packed for what was said to be a business trip, but Dahlia knew otherwise. Though wildly intelligent for a nine-year-old, she didn't need to be smart to know that something wasn't quite right with these 'business trips'.
Standing quiet in her corner, she watched as Father left before Asher could ask for the fortieth time, and wished she could stop that crestfallen look. "I'll come with you, Ash," She spoke up then, going to his side. Today was September First, Asher's first day of his second year at Hogwarts, and apparently father just couldn't come with them. Arden Hall was located close enough to the castle and Hogsmeade to excuse the use of the Hogwarts Express, but the trip there was still Asher's favourite part of the day. Dahlia's too, if they got to go to Honeydukes.
Asher looked up then and gave a glum smile for his sister's sake, hands stuffed into his pockets. Dahl wondered if he knew just how much he looked like Father when he did that. "Okay. 'You ready to go?" "Uh huh!" "Race you downstairs?" "Proper witches don't race." "Who said you're a proper witch?!" "Asher!"
--
Hogsmeade was always stunning this time of year, but Dahlia didn't notice, for her eyes were glazed over in adoration of the chocolate fountain in the Honeydukes window. Four Galleons each, and she spent three of them on Sugar Quils, Chocolate Frogs and Fizzing Whizbees before promptly hiding them all in Asher's trunk. Maybe he wouldn't look so sad when he got to school if he had a month's worth of Sugar Quills to nibble on.
From the top of the street, all the way to the Shrieking Shack, Dahlia did not let go of Asher's hand. Mrs Peabody was her tutor, who smelled like cabbage and snapped when she asked too many questions; she did not like holding her hand. She knew, though, to let go when they came across some other children in their school robes, because Merlin forbid they see Asher holding some little girl's hand. She thought he appreciated it too.
"Do you think Father will let me have an owl when I begin school?" She asked, chewing on a particularly tough slab of toffee outside Eeylop's Owl Emporium. Asher shrugged, before they swapped his butterbeer for her toffee. "Maybe. You can always use the school owls, or Mozart. Though I don't know who you're going to be writing to when we'll both be there." "I have other friends." "Oh yeah? Who?" She went quiet then, the cool glare unmistakeable behind too-long bangs. Asher just laughed, the first time all day, and she knew she'd finally done her job. Soon Asher would be off to Hogwarts for another year, leaving Dahlia to her devices, Father's prickly presence, and Mrs. Peabody's cabbageyness. She was glad to see him happy to be going.
Around five they walked to the gates of the school, purposely dragging her feet so maybe he wouldn't have to leave so soon. What was she going to do? Practice her flying? Finish the Wizarding Wonders Encyclopaedia again? It all sounded so tedious without Asher. As they finally came to the gates and their goodbyes, Dahlia flung herself at her big brother, laughing schoolmates be damned. Her face was pressed to his clean robes lest he caught the hint of any tears, the scent of Honeydukes and washing powder between them. "Promise you'll write to me?" Asher's hand came to the back of her head then, stroking back messy locks until she finally looked up, chin pressed to his stomach. "Please?"
"Of course I'll write you. D, you're not going to cry, are you?" She knew how uncomfortable crying made him, and shook her head in absolute protest. "I didn't think so." Dropping to his knees, even in the muddy earth, Asher pulled her into a proper bear hug, just like they had practised. "I'll see you at Christmas, okay?" "Okay." "I have to go now." "Okay." "Dahlia..."
Sniffling, she turned before he could see her wet cheeks, and stood by Mrs Peabody. "Bye, Asher."
Big news from Asher Armstrong! Their current bass guitar player, Kent Cook, is going to be stepping out of the band. "It is a loss for us" states front man, Jordan Armstrong. Armstrong went on to say, "Kent is an incredible musician on many different levels and we have truly benefited from having him ride this long with us. Kent has made a move to Atlanta and we are sure to see him soon playing with another group."
Cook's last scheduled show with the band is February 24th at the Monkey Barrel in Gainesville, GA when they will back up Michael C Smith.
This loss has been expected for some time and Kent graciously gave the band plenty of heads up to try and find another full time player. The guys in Asher Armstrong are VERY excited to welcome back their FIRST pick into the band - Rob Beardsworth! Beardsworth is a long time friend of Armstrongs AND the bass player for 3 of the tracks on their EP! Although never officially with Asher Armstrong, Rob has been a musical friend from "back in the day". He and Armstrong played together in the group which was a precursor to Asher Armstrong, Haksers Kash! Things certainly have a way of working themselves out!
Asher Armstrong has a lot of shows coming up. Armstrong himself is doing some open Mics to try and get the music out there. He is also working to put together some shows in the near future with some other New Driven Radio BANDS! But more on that when confirmed.
