✧ NAME: Asher Grey King
✧ AGE: 27
✧ BIRTHDAY: August 21st, 1990.
✧ GENDER: Male
✧ LOCATION: French Quarter
✧ TIME IN NOLA: One year and six months
✧ OCCUPATION: Bartender at Bourbon Heat / Ex-Musician + Lead Singer
TW: accident, death, drugs.
Money. Fame. Glory. The age old story of a boy who grows up privileged and wealthy, and yet underneath it all, he bears a rebellious nature and lust for adventure. Asher was never the golden child, despite his father’s hopes for taking over the family investment company that had taken the world of Wall Street by storm. No, that role was reserved for his older sister, and always had been. Perhaps the pressure and rules placed upon him growing up were a factor in his rebellious nature, but Asher felt compelled to break the rules and rebel against any expectations his parents held for him. The world of galas and benefits and hosting parties for the wealthy Upper East Siders never ignited any fascination within the young blonde. He was the odd one out, the outcast, the boy who flunked school and disappeared at elite gatherings. Asher had always been exactly that — the black sheep of the King family.
There was one thing in his life that warranted stability in terms of his interests, and that was music. It soothed his soul.. always having an ear for melodies and great tunes, never without his earphones in his ear. Constantly finding himself writing music, and songs, and putting together tracks tracks together on his laptop. That, along with English Literature, was the only class he actually listened in, and studied for religiously. Unfortunately, to the dismay and disappointment of his parents, Asher was now looked down upon as the runt of the family, the one who wouldn’t succeed. It was a constant battle for Edward and Joscelyn, consistently trying to pull him away from what he loves, coaxing him to take a more serious role. But he refused, and this lead to the kicking out of their eighteen year old son.
And what was he to choose but music?
Luckily for Asher, he had rounded up a group of like minded New Yorkers and Brooklynites that had been writing music with him for the last two years of high school. The four of them had dreams of making it big, constantly playing in the loft apartment of one of the band members. They had dreams of being on tour and following their dreams — and the instant Asher had no home, was the instant the group decided to move across the country to LA. Surely enough, after two years of going from living out of their car to living in a decent apartment in Santa Monica, playing on the streets to playing in small pubs and bars, the four of them were discovered, and subsequently, ONYX was formed.
Travelling around America on tour, playing in random bars and small clubs until they grew in popularity, signing with their record label was a dream come true. They acquired a good following, made music that was relatively popular, and has a whole new lifestyle that the four had only dreamed of. Asher was the lad singer and frontman, excelling in guitar and composition. And god, did Asher feel on top of the world, addicted to the voracious benefits of their newfound limelight. Drugs, rock and roll.. you name it. Asher was spiralling into a world of darkness, moving from town to town, city to city. At one point, ONYX found themselves on an international tour, moving from country to country. They were on a complete high — literally, and maybe too much, really. Considering Asher was going out of control, succumbing to a lifestyle that was taking his world by storm.
That was, until he met her — Nora Jean Davis. An artist from a small town in North Carolina with dreams of making it big. He was twenty four now, and she was what could only be described as the girl of his dreams. Sure, Asher had met plenty of girls, and had had numerous one night stands. After all, his lifestyle warranted it — in his eyes. But she was one of a kind. They were in North Carolina, touring there for a few weeks when he met her. It wasn’t until after they got together that Asher found out one of his band members, the drummer — Emmett Anderson, had been into her before him. This led to the demise of their best friendship considering Asher stole the girl from him, watching as their friendship fell apart. The band had been having problems, too, which only meant that Onyx would endure a demise, too.
Nora was, and always would be, his entire world. From the second he met her, the world around him as he knew it changed. All those years of going in and out of short relationships, quick flings, one night stands.. were over. Everything halted when he met her. Six months after dating, with Onyx practically falling apart, Nora fell pregnant. Gone were the days of partying, of drugs, of rock and roll. His entire world shifted once more, as he found himself in the heart of a relationship that would soon lead to a family. One where he could choose how his child was fathered, and he promised himself, no heavy expectations. He finally saw the benefits of a stable future, one he’d never anticipated he’d want. And yet, he finally felt he had purpose with her. Gone were the days of social media and instagramming, keeping his profile on the down low as they found themselves an apartment, finally settling down. Finally happy.
Until, fate rocked the boat once more. Six months into her pregnancy, the two were driving, fighting, arguing. They were headed towards a dinner with two friends, the weather evidently unpredictable with it’s raging, stormy weather. They were utterly consumed in their arguing that Asher faltered to see the stop sign, which only had a disastrous ending. The words during the argument were the last he’d ever spoken to her, and to this day, that notion haunts him. But that fateful night, the blond lost the love of his life and unborn child. He’d lost all hopes of a happy future.. that perfect, happy family diminishing within seconds. Seconds and decisions he would regret for the rest of his life.
After his immeasurable loss, Asher spiralled entirely, falling off the bandwagon and immersing himself even further into the drug scene. He’d lost control of himself, considering his future had been ripped out of his hands. Six months later, he was admitted to rehab for addiction to cocaine — a drug he craved considering it left him feeling numb. Rehab worked out for him, considering he’d bettered himself and held onto the notion of his sober chip, sitting readily in his wallet. But, life would never, ever be the same again.. and he certainly wasn’t sure he’d smile, ever again.
It’s been two years since his loss. He’s sober, and, though he’s had a few relapses, he’s trying to work on himself. Settling into the city of New Orleans has been an easy feat, one that makes him feel like he finally has a real home again. Moving in with his roommate Talan, too, has made the entire experience worthwhile. And though he’d never expect to be working behind the bar whilst the people around him were readily chasing their dreams, he’s been trying to figure out what that is exactly. What are his dreams now, after everything? Once upon a time, he knew exactly who he was, where he was headed.. more than comfortable with the idea of spontaneity. But now, he wonders where his interests lie, or what his future will entail. He hopes to rekindle his love for composing music, for trying his hand at doing what he loves most.. that maybe, through that, he’ll feel normal again. He doesn’t believe he’ll ever get over the loss he suffered, and it shows in the way he avoids relationships at all costs. But there is still hope in the name of music, and only time will tell whether it’s his saviour.
Asher has always had a humorous nature, a love for laughing and anything comedic. He undertook the somewhat bad boy musician persona during high school, and that carried on ‘til this very day. He’d always been a party animal, with a love for going out, and playing in front of a crowd. His life had been music and the energy a good, atmospheric crowd could offer.. and he certainly thrived off of it. He roams around with confidence, seemingly sure of himself even in his stature. The blond takes care of himself, especially his hair. Don’t touch the hair. However, considering all the events and trauma he had endured, ridden with guilt and suffering.. his personality has changed. Asher has become a little more reserved in nature, angry, untrusting of others.. cynical of the world and all it has to offer. Looking down upon himself as below others has essentially become second nature, with the heavy burden he carries and the more negative outlook on life. Despite this, there’s still a spark of hope left in the guy who broods around town, and it certainly doesn’t mean he can be charismatic, when he wants to be.
ASHER’S FACECLAIM IS DOMINIC SHERWOOD AND IS PORTRAYED BY TEE.
