Asher Harrington

Asher had managed to let herself feel but she was still capable of putting it all back in its place. She had always been afraid that if she allowed herself to feel the emotions that other people dwelt ok so freely that she would never be able to put them back where they belonged and she would constantly have to play this game of reason versus emotions. But alas, she knew she was capable of putting it all back and locking the box shut without remorse. And how did she know that? Because it wasn’t long before she saw one of the Aphrodite’s girls wrap her arms around Theo. It wasn’t like she could hear what they were saying, but she could see her expression and while she couldn’t decipher whether or not the look on Evelyn’s face was that of flirtation or not, it didn’t help settle herself at all. She stared at them, her expression turning into that of cool indifference, trying to decide what she was to do. She had seen them and she wanted them to know that she had seen them, but she wasn’t sure if that contact and then walking away would provide her with the best outcome. Asher was not a jealous person but she knew she didn’t like when something of hers was taken without notice or permission. And yet she couldn’t claim Theo as her own because what they were to each other was still unclear and perhaps that was what angered her most. So she walked towards them, one calculating foot in front of the other and when she came in close proximity with them, her expression changed. No longer was it indifferent but rather it made it clear that she had thoughts on the matter and none of which showed either of them in the best light. “Hi Theo. Evelyn.” Was all she said. Each word final. Without question at the end or chase for rebuttal. She wanted him to know what she was thinking but she wanted him to say it himself. And her, well, she wanted to know why she had to be so obviously cheap.

Asher had never wondered what it would be like to touch someone else. She had always imagined that she would be the one being touched and that would be it. But this was a moment shared between two people and therefore she assumed at some point she would need to touch him too. Not that she thought it was a bad thing but just not something she had ever prepared for. Could someone truly prepare themselves for such a thing? Asher took a deep breath and nodded Theo, knowing her time was coming to do the same. "How do you like to be touched?" She asked, bringing her hands towards his waist. She assumed it would involved placing her hands around his member but she wanted to make sure she wasn't going to hurt him. She placed on of her hands over him and could feel what she assumed was the blood pumping through his skin. She slowly rubbed his member up and down, feeling slightly self conscious that perhaps she was hurting him. "How does this feel?"

Asher had spent enough time in the quote and quote real world and now she was back at camp. She had to. She had grown up dividing these two words in completely different sectors that when she ventured from one to the other it felt as thought she was stepping into a completely different world. And in a sense, she was. For instance, her life in New York was unlike anything she had ever experienced at camp. In fact, her life in New York was different that even that of your average New Yorker. Camp was a sanctuary in some ways and it seemed that despite everything, stepping foot into Cabin 20 was like being able to breathe again in some way. So she had packed her bags and come back and now that had settled in, she was looking forward to seeing one individual in particular. That individual, with whom she had created more than just a little spark. That man that somehow managed to bring a smile to her face every time he walked into a room. She hadn't asked Theo if he would be back but she wanted to assume that he was. Though she couldn't understand why she had never asked him. It would be very simple and he would answer but Asher was learning to open up and let him in. Reaching out first was certainly not something she would do. And yet, she still wondered around the camp grounds hoping to bump into him ever so subtlety and perhaps continue where they had left off. Though if it was up to her, they would engage in other things, like understand what they meant to each other. At least in part Asher wanted to have that conversation. @ Theodore Thatcher @ Evelyn Scott

Asher didn't trust many people and what was even more true now was that she didn't trust any new people. She was always cautious and made sure to be careful around new people because she had learned, especially in her business, that it was often wise to keep crucial information about one's self to yourself. She never wanted to open up too much or admit to something that she didn't want shared. It was a very intense way of being, especially since that didn't leave much place for her to simply relax, but for now it was the way that things worked out for her. But then Theo was asking her to trust him and it went against everything she knew and believed in. It went against everything she had trained herself not to be but she couldn't help it. He wanted to pleasure her and she wondered if she even kew the meaning of the word. It was all starting to become very complicated and she was scared. He promised her pleasure and she had no choice but simply let go. After all, she wanted to let go. When he touched her, she gasped, new to the feeling and the tickling she felt in her lower body. Her stomach tensed up and she looked at him, laying back down to relax. When he kissed her neck, she moaned and could feel goosebumps down her arms. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, kissing his cheek and running her fingers through his blonde hair. She felt the pressure of his kiss and her hand went back to touch to her skin softly, still warm from his touch. She wasn't thinking about whether or not it would leave its mark. There was plenty of time to look at that in the morning. "It feels great," she said, biting her lower lip. "It makes me want you all to myself. Like I can't hold on to this tension any longer. You should keep going. Show me what else you can do and then I can do the same for you."

There was a moment, when Asher could feel Theo's touch that she wondered what her life would have been like if her father was still around. Or if her mother had been just a regular person and their life had played out in the way that it was supposed to. If she was a regular person and her family had been a normal family, would she still have found herself at that moment? She already knew the answer and the answer was a simple no. The reason she was there was because of what had happened to her and there was no denying that she was relieved at the fact that it had played out the way that it did. She wasn't angry about it or hurt or even resentful. She was just aware and accepting. We are all a combination of the things that had happened to us. So now it was evident what was going to happen and Asher was slightly scared. She knew the basis of the interaction and questions she needed to ask should the situation arose. When he touched her, she felt a like she had lost control of her body and immediately jerked away. It wasn't in pain or anything of the sort but rather like she didn't know what to expect and the bolt of electricity that flashed across her body was new. She felt a gasp leave her lips and she looked at Theo like she was waiting for him to explain. She bit her lip gently, trying to keep her body from twitching or moving around too much. When he whispered in her ear, it brought goosebumps to her arms. He had found one of those spots that always managed to bring her a chill down her spine and she smiled at him. "Keep going and kiss my neck. I love the touch of your lips against my skin."

Asher could truly say she had never experienced what being nervous felt like. She had never had that increased heart beat and pain at the bottom of her stomach. She had always known exactly what she was doing and she always felt prepared and ready to take on whatever she needed. She had approached life as a matter of fact. She needed to do this or do that and there wasn't much time for feeling or emotions. Even when she had kissed a boy for the first time and they had gotten grabby with each other, she had never been nervous. Now, however, she felt the adrenaline pumping through her veins and she knew she what other people meant when they talked about a rush. Even with things that she enjoyed doing, Asher had never felt true rush over anything. It was as though she had stood still for a long time, not feeling anything or being anyone other than what was on the script. When Theo spoke and the way he looked at her, she felt a sensation pierce her skin that was unfamiliar but as addicting as she could imagine. He said he had never met anyone like her and she wanted to know what he meant but that was something to discuss later, maybe when watching the city's skyline under the moonlight. When he pulled her bra away, she felt a small deep breath escape herself. She knew what she looked like naked and her physique was never something she worried about but at that moment, she wondered what he was thinking about, looking at her naked for the first time. A work of art, he had said and Asher smiled. He kissed her and she could hear herself moan ever so slightly and everything around her disappeared. There were very few things that could make Asher relieve herself of all thoughts. There was always something at the back of her mind, something to worry about or recall but she was in the moment. "You are the first person that has ever made me feel anything," Asher said with a smile. She placed her hand over his cheek and pressed her lips against his. Her kiss was intense but it was soft. Like she was yearning to know him through the touch of their lips. "I don't know what it is about you but I have felt more myself in these last few hours than I have in a long time. If you want me, I am yours."

Asher, like any other teenager, had played seven minutes in heaven. She had also made out with the right boys from the right families and dated one or two. She knew all about making the right impression on the parents and how to act in a way that was cordial and expected. She had never gotten herself in a position that would ruin her reputation and even more so, she had never found herself naked in front of a boy. But with Theo, she didn't care. She didn't care that she was naked or that they were about to embark in a situation that was more mature than she felt at the moment, but she still wanted to do it. Even more so, she was yearning to do it. He made her feel safe and they were talking about it. It made her wonder if he had ever done this before and if so, under what conditions? "I've never done this before," she said. "I've never taken off my clothes in front of anyone. Have you? Ever slept with anyone before? Because, I do want it, so you don't have to worry about that." Asher, looked at him in his splendor and she had to admit that it took her a moment to keep her composure. She felt her entire body radiate with heat and anticipation. She took a deep breath, soothing herself before she spoke. "You look amazing," she said. She then nodded. "Keep going. I want you to undress me. No one has ever done it before." She wanted to see the reaction on his face, notice the lines of his expression and the sparkle in his eyes. As she waited, she raised one of her hands and whispered an incantation in latin for candlelight. She wanted it to be romantic after all.

Asher was nervous and frankly there was no reason for her to keep that to herself. Ever since talking with James, she was learning to be more open about her feelings, more open about what she wanted and vocal about it as well. She knew that no one could read her mind and assume what she wanted and while it was hard for her to speak up, she needed to. Theo made her nervous and the situation they found themselves in even more so but that was just the way things happened and she wanted to see where this would lead to. "I do feel safe and I do feel comfortable. I am just nervous and I want you to guide me, caress my body. Feel its softness as you kiss my neck." This was new for her and she had to admit she couldn't let go of the feeling that she felt radiating from her body. She wanted to grab Theo and pull her towards her. Feel his body on top of his. When she felt her on her underwear, she took a deep breath and looked at him. "Take it off. Get naked with me and kiss me softly. I want to see what you look like when you are only yourself."

Asher had never been in a bed with a boy. She wouldn't have dared to. Her father was protective but he wasn't around much to fully take care of her whenever she needed. She had grown up fast and had become an adult much quicker than anyone would have anticipated. While she did go to parties and hang out with kids her age, she would have never climbed into bed with a guy and brushed her fingers through his chest. It was very new to her and she kept thinking that in her quest to grow up, she had missed out on growing up. She didn't know what to say or what to do and it was nerve wrecking. "I've never done this before. Have a guy half naked on a bed, me laying next to him. I know what you would like to do, at least in a way, but I don't know what to say or do. You are going to have to guide me, but if you want, I am opened to finding out." She smiled and leaned forward to kiss him back. She loved the softness of his lips on hers and slowly, she grabbed his hand and placed it under her dress so it would lay on her thighs.

Asher chuckled once more. It didn't cease to amaze her how easy it was to talk to Theo and how easy it was to simply be herself. There weren't many people that knew who she really was and even less that had ever seen her in her own relaxed form. Usually, people couldn't tell what she was thinking and that had been a skill she had developed in order to do business the way she was accustomed to. She felt a shiver go down her spine as he brushed a strand of hair away from her face and whispered in her ear. That was one of her weak points and one that always gave her goosebumps, not that many had ever tried. She was surprised though to watch him undress, first by taking off his shirt. She got closer to him and reach out to touch his chest. She traced the contour of his torso with her fingers while looking up at him with delight. "You look nice," she said softly. She could feel adrenaline creeping out on her and she could feel her heart beating hard and fast against her chest. Any moment now, it would jump off her chest and make a run for it. She swallowed before looking up to meet his gaze. "This is not how I pictured my night going. I have to admit I am slightly nervous."

Asher smiled and chuckled to herself, thinking that she needed to learn how to control her feelings around him, otherwise she would eventually merge in a shadow, without ever being able to bring herself back. She thought it interesting that a man she had met only a few hours prior could have that effect on her and she had to admit that she enjoyed it. She nodded, knowing he was right, though Asher had never been one to stay in the moment. She was always three steps ahead, thinking about what would happen next and where she had to turn her attention to. She was always moving, always doing something and just sitting back and enjoying was new to her. But she did so anyway, because she had to trust that Theo knew what he was doing. She nodded her head again as he asked her if she was ready and she followed him towards the bedroom. He was squeezing her hand she felt reassured. When she came upon the bedroom, even she had to admit that the entire room was splendid. It had every luxury imaginable and it almost took her breath away. "I can't picture you staying here on your own," she said softly. "But yes, I am ready." She nudged him and did what she wanted to do for the first time. She kicked off her high heels and ran towards the bed. She jumped into the mattress and spread her arms around her. "Come join me. This feels amazing."

Asher had never allowed herself to get close to anyone. It wasn't that she didn't want to but rather the thought itself was frightening and she couldn't even imagine how even doing so would even feel like. She was scared. She could feel that feeling at the pit of her stomach and it was causing her fingertips to turn black like mist and shadows. She took a deep breath. She needed to keep her emotions in check but this was not the sort of situation where she had to keep her emotions in check. In fact, the more she felt, the better as this was purely an emotional endeavor. Still, she took a deep breath and calmed herself down. She grabbed Theo's fingers. Her own were ice cold and she raised his hand to their eye level. "You see the influence you have over me? No one else triggers this ability as much as you," she chuckled. "Knowing you has been an adventure and a pleasure." She stopped for a moment, because she knew that Theo would go back to camp and she would go back as well but not as frequent and for some reason the mere thought of parting ways at that moment seemed too much. "I know you have to go back to camp but you know I don't spend as much time there. Eventually, I have to go back to the real world." She sighed and when he asked her if she wanted to spend the night she eagerly agreed. "Are you going to tell me now how you managed to score this room?"

Asher smiled. She didn't often smile, at least not in a way that was genuine. She always kept herself at arm's length from most people. Her brother was the only one that had ever seen her vulnerable and even during those times, she never truly showed everything she should. But somehow with Theo, it felt natural, like she was letting go of this burden that had suddenly become too heavy to bear. He kissed her again and she felt his hands at the back of her head. It was an amazing feeling and for a moment, it made her lose her breath. "You know, my life has never been an adventure. I have never wanted it to be so, but with you-" She shrugged, looking at him and caressing his cheek softly. "I feel safe with you. I've never felt safe with anyone before. Like I can be myself around you. Do you have to go back to camp soon? Do you want to spend more time with me?"

Asher didn't often feel embarrassed but somehow the fact that her entire body had disappeared the moment this boy had kissed her, did make her feel a bit exposed and vulnerable. It was quite ironic, giving her ability had made invisible and not the other way around. But alas, Theo seemed to have taken it in amusement and self felt her cheeks blushed when he made his remark. "I am working on that. It doesn't usually happen on its own." She chuckled, knowing it was triggered by unchecked emotion than anything else. Before she could say anything though, Theo replied to her and he kissed her because he wanted to. Because he wanted to and because he felt something for her. She looked at him and her eyes widened. She wasn't sure what to say because hearing those words made her stomach fill with butterflies and all of a sudden she was nervous. Funny how no one had ever made her feel like that before and suddenly she was very aware of her age. "I kissed you back because I like you," Asher said. "Like you, as in present tense. You are not a deadbeat and nothing about you is ever going to hold me back. I wouldn't be here with you if I didn't want you. I want you to kiss me again, to hold my hand, to enjoy this beautiful view with me."

Asher had been kissed before. Naturally as she had been not only a beautiful girl at school but popular as well. She remembered her first kiss. Jeremy Langston. A boy a year older than her but who, with his dirty blond hair and green eyes, had managed to steal the moment away from her and leave her wanting more. She remembered how it had played out. At a party, in the balcony of his penthouse under the moonlight. It had been wonderful and she remembered the way, once he had turned away, she brought her fingers to touch her lips. She never forgot the softness of that first kiss but it was nothing compared to what was happening now. Theo leaned in and their eyes locked. There is a moment before someone kisses you when you know they are going to kiss you. It happens for only a second. Their eyes widen, their gaze softens and they lean in slowly. They put their hands behind your head or they stroke your cheek. It is the anticipation that takes your breath away. And then Theo did something she hadn't expected. He had asked her if he could and while Asher would have preferred for him to simply kiss her, she understood why he was asking. She barely nodded, leaning close to him herself. He closed the distance between them and he pressed his lips against hers. Asher felt herself lose her breath and she kissed him back. She could feel the softness of his lips. She felt her blood rushing and it felt surreal. And it would have been fine except for the moment, where she felt her entire body get cold. It had started with her hands and then her entire body turned into a shadow. Her umbrakinesis was still in the works but she did know it came about in the weirdest ways whenever she felt an intense emotion. She was essentially invisible. She took a deep breath and step back, waiting for her emotions to calm only so slightly. When she was able to focus, her entire body came back its natural form. "I didn't realize that was going to happen. I thought I was better at keeping it at bay." She bit her lip slightly and got closer to him once more. "Why did you kiss me?"

Asher was amazed by the turn of events. The evening had started like any other. One work event after the other. Smooching off investors and talking to with her shareholders. All in a day's work. And then there had been this one kid, a guy that she had seen before and was so obviously out of place that he was intriguing. They had little in common. They came from different worlds. And yet, he had managed to do something that no one else had done before and that had been to grab her attention. It was such a change from the boy she had met earlier today. He was gentle and perhaps even sensitive. He filled her glass and she took it. She noticed the way their hands touched ever so slightly and only for a second. He nudged her and gave her a teasing grin. When he spoke, she was surprised by his words and took a deep breath. Naturally she had had boys compliment her and ask her out. She was not only a beautiful girl but she was an asset to any rich kid that wanted to benefit from her wealth. Yet, none of the guys she ever met were more than just pretty faces in Brooks Brother's shirts. "Thank you. I have to admit, you are nothing like what I thought you were at the beginning." He reached out and grabbed her hand and she looked down at the way she intertwined her fingers around his. It was a reaction that she hadn't anticipated and it was a movement her body seemed to do on her own. She smiled, turning her expression towards him and took a step closer to him.

Asher couldn't help but feel a certain thrill fall down her spine. It was adrenaline, something she hadn't really felt before. Her whole life was a series of "fine" moment, where nothing ever truly caught her attention, or at least nothing that ever fully made her display a greater emotion. She now felt mischievous and rebellious. Like she was doing she wasn't supposed to and the possibility of getting caught was exhilarating. She smiled and rolled her eyes playfully at Theo's candid manner. She had figured as much but then again, one could never be certain, though she did wonder just how he had managed to get access to this. "I have to say, you are full of surprises." They made their way to the top and she watched every meticulous movement Theo made. She couldn't help but think that this boy might just be able to use that precision for something else but she wasn't about to offer career advise to someone that hadn't asked for it. Either way, those thoughts were forgotten when she walked into the suite and came across the view. Asher was used to views like this. She had grown up in New York after all, but there was something about it that still took her breath away. She took the glass from Theo's hand and sighed, happily and content. "You know, I've never been this close to anyone before. I always keep people at arm's length," she said taking a sip of her drink. "It is nice to be able to just relax and rely on someone. I haven't had that since my dad died."

Asher knew she was capable of handling both her father's legacy and her family. She had been made head of the household after all but that didn't mean it was an easy task. Arsen had made it extremely difficult at times to keep it all running smoothly. He was difficult to deal with and the way he blew off steam whenever he felt overwhelmed was not in the least bit healthy. In fact, Arsen had managed to create chaos out of pure boredom and Asher had been there to bail him out every single time. Like that one instance when he was stuck in Spain and she had to go bring him back after a night of debauchery and sin. Or how she was no in a first name basis with the NYPD and had sent Christmas presents to the chief's family. Arsen could be stubborn and ungrateful and more than that, it had proven a challenge to manage to keep his name out of the press. She never had the opportunity to lose control and honestly, she sometimes wondered how that would even go. "That sounds fun, but how did you manage to get access to the penthouse suite?" Asher had a nagging suspicion she knew the answer to her own question but she still wanted to know. She wanted to see just what he could come up with and just follow along, not caring about the rules or the law. Just living. "I do like the idea of a toast. After that boring affair, I just want to relax. Shall we?"

Asher oftentimes felt like she carried the weight of the world in her shoulders and in a sense she did. For instance, she had had to keep her father's business going and it was up to her to continue that legacy that allowed many people to continue having the life they lead. She was responsible for their well being and then the well being of her own household. While her aunt was self-sufficient and she worked in her father's company, she still had Arsen to think about and keeping her twin brother on the right path had proven at times difficult, if not impossible. She was the youngest one after all but it seemed that had not mattered. She realized then that she missed having someone to take care of her and be there for her for whatever she needed. She wanted someone to put her needs and wants first and make sure that no matter what happened, she was okay. It was exhausting to be brave and strong for everyone but alas that was just the way things were and Asher had learned to live with it. "I've always done things out of duty," she said, meeting his gaze. "If I don't, no one else would but I understand what you are saying. There is just a lot to take into consideration and my brother isn't exactly the more reliable person." To put it mildly, she thought and chuckled for a moment. "Yeah, I think we do make a good team. I had fun today, despite the way things started. Who would have thought?" Asher chuckled and she turned to look at him with a smile that was genuine. "I am not quite ready to go home yet so are there other things you can come up with? I want to see all your tricks."

The more Asher hung out with other demigods, the more she realized that most of then had had a really tough childhood. Some of then, including some of her half siblings, had had a very difficult family life and childhood. She was beginning to notice a pattern between demigods and foster homes and it wasn't precisely a pattern that she was happy about. In fact, it was quite angering. "I see," Asher said, never really knowing what to say to these kinds of things. She could be empathetic but at times she truly had no idea what to say. Besides, deep conversations that regarded personal details about oneself always made her nervous. "My dad died when I was a teenager," Asher said. "They said he had problems with his heart but I think he died of a broken one. He loved my mother deeply and when she left, he never recovered. He was a good dad though, managed to set my brother and me for life but I miss him. Anyway, when he died we inherited his money and his business. My brother was never good at business and he is very irresponsible, so my dad made me head of his empire. I guess I just do it because that was what he wanted for me. What he expected. I suppose it is the same as when someone inherits the crown. You just do it out of duty." Asher shrugged. She had always taken her role in her family very seriously and she had worked tirelessly to keep it together. She had dealt with the exploits of her older brother and managed to expand their business to ensure it would survive past a few generations. No one had told her if she had wanted to do it but she also never thought of doing anything else. It was just her role in life and looking at life from a logical point of view, that was just the way things were.

Asher was not oblivious to the ancient trope of dating below someone's means. She had seen it amongst her friends at school and during the summers. Girls that would go off on vacation and date townies and guys from the wrong side of the track, and fall head over heels over their rough edges and the fact they behaved and acted opposite of what was expected of them. It was something they enjoyed but they seldom stuck with it, opting with time to date whoever their parents deemed appropriate and embark in the even more ancient trope of arranged marriages and dating. Asher, however, did not have this pressure bestowed upon her because she had enough money on her own to do whatever she wanted and not have to worry about continuing a family legacy. Though she had never asked her father, she liked to think that he would be okay with her marrying whoever she wanted, regardless of convenience. So now, hanging out in a place that she would deemed sketchy, she understood the allure of the bad boy with the mysterious smile and piercing blue eyes. She hadn't even bothered to think about the noise when he reassured her if was fine if she made a lot of it. All she was focused on was to destroy this appliance and feel the adrenaline rush course through her veins. "A natural at destroying things? That hardly seems like a compliment." She chuckled, this time allowing her emotion to display naturally. "Tell me, how did you end up settling in here? I want to know more about you. In turn, you can ask me anything."

Asher looked at Theo with intrigue. No one had ever called her rough around the edges. In fact, no one besides her family had ever pointed out her hard demeanor. It was like they preferred to be on her good side. There were very few people that wanted to tell her what she wanted to hear and while it was hard to hear the truth some times, she didn't want advisers or people around her that were deceitful. If she didn't know how she was acting, how did anyone expect her to change? She watched him grab a dress jacket and raised an eyebrow. It was clear it wasn't his but she didn't say anything else. She didn't stop to think who that probably belonged to and simply allowed herself to be amused by the situation unfolding. She grabbed his arm, albeit reluctant at first and followed him out into the nice New Orleans air. She wondered if people would notice or miss her presence but she was young and certainly no one could expect a young woman like her to stick around in such a boring setting. As she walked by his side, she noticed he was taking her to places she wasn't familiar with and when they reached an alleyway, all alarms went off in her head. A man leading a woman into a deserted alley never ended well. She let go of his arm, keeping a small distance between them as she narrowed her eyes. But Theo didn't stop. He simply went inside the building and so Asher, filled with curiosity, followed him. She wasn't sure what she was expecting but surely not what she found. She grabbed the pair of safety goggles he gave her and put them on despite her instincts letting her know to be cautious. "You know, for a moment I thought you might live here. You are certainly not what I expected in. In fact, it is almost charming that I don't know what to expect with you." She grabbed the bat he handed her and smiled. She walked over to an old television and smashed the screen with one swift swoop. The adrenaline that came across her was amazing and she giggled, doing it again, putting more strength behind each swing. "You are right. This is almost as fun as going to a shooting range."

Asher chuckled. Being a person that didn't say much had become part of her reputation. She was observant, she listened and when she said something, it mattered. Besides, people couldn't often read her so they didn't know what she was thinking until she shared her thoughts. That had given her an advantage in many ways and that was how she preferred it. "When you speak your words can be used against you. I prefer to listen and talk whenever it is important." She took the same advice from politicians in that matter. She never wrote or said something she didn't want displayed on the front page of the news and besides, being who she was meant she could be in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. She was not irresponsible. At least, not in a way that had ever drawn attention to herself. Asher knew how to party and she knew how to get herself lost in the moment, but those instances were very well contained and they were few and far in between. She knew how she could get so keeping herself centered had always made her feel in control. She never wanted to see how far off the edge she could go because she knew there were few things that would stop her. But what Theo suggested did intrigue her and she looked at him for a moment, weighing her options until finally she sighed. "I know exactly what you mean but I am not one to take off my clothes for anyone, so if you want me to hold a baseball bat and not break your face with it, I suggest you keep your hands to yourself and stick with your first option."

Asher didn't think of herself as a newcomer to mental illness. She had witnessed it with her father and how he slowly deteriorated over time. It wasn't that he had let himself go or he was reckless in his behavior but she could see that he wasn't happy and over time, the weight of his grief over losing her mother was too much for him. She always wanted him to find someone that would provide him with that same love and assurance that she assumed her mother had provided but he never did. He was always in her shadow, which was ironic and Asher never quite had the heart to ask him what it was about her mother that hade made her so special. Why he couldn't just let her go? "I see," she said, not knowing how else to add to the conversation because regardless of having witnessed such behavior, Asher was never good at dealing with it. It wasn't that she walked away when things got tough. On the contrary, she was the type of person that would hang on even when it proved detrimental to herself. She just never knew how to be loving and compassionate though she displayed it in her actions with little details that seemed almost irrelevant. Before she could even figure out what to add though, Theo continued and she almost sighed in relief. "I never thought about it as a wall. It is just the way I am." She shrugged and frowned for a moment. It wasn't the first time someone had told her she looked at the world in black and white and it certainly wasn't the first time someone had made the observation that she was in fact, unapproachable but she never thought of it as a bad thing. She had always been this way but maybe now she was beginning to question whether this was truly who she was or did she learn it? "I am going to regret asking, but what skills? What do you even suggest? Do you really think that I need your assistance?" Perhaps she did but that was a little too much to admit, even to a stranger and perhaps more so to him.

Asher had spent many days thinking about her charts with Tristan and Akemi. They were both skilled at Umbrakinesis. Both had inherited the ability. Both knew how to manipulate it and how to conjure it. But the way the two of them approached it, it was so different. Perhaps it had a lot to do with their personalities. While Tristan was more open and lively, Akemi was reserved and liked to watch everyone from a distance. The fact that she was closer to the former was astounding to her. She had always related more to people that were quiet and reserved and looked at the world in rather the same way. It was rare for her to have friends that were like Tristan, emotional and at times maybe even needy. Asher didn't display many emotions. She always had them buried. A trait she wasn't sure where it had come from, for no other member of her family ever approached things the same way. Maybe it came from her mother but Asher being who she was and her mother being who she was, left the question unanswered. But an exercise in existentialism was not part of the task of the day. In fact, the only thing Asher could care about at that moment was finally cracking the code to the thing she knew deep down was a part of her. She just never knew how to bring it forth. She had gotten as far as she had ever with Tristan and that little flame made of shadows in her hand. It hadn't been an enchantment. She had felt them at the tip of her fingers, like a tingling at first at the tip of her fingers. Akemi had said that the shadows spoke and the darkness was like this bittersweet melody that whispered in her ear and possessed notes of temptation and power. It was easy to lose yourself in it, she had said and Asher believed her without second guessing her words. It wasn't a hard notion to digest. Asher knew how easy it was to fall into temptation. She had seen it in her brother and how easy it was for him to fall for addictive habits. She knew herself she could do the same and standing at the edge always brought her this sense of adrenaline. One day, she was sure, she would let herself get a little too close. But she pushed all that aside because she wasn't as advanced in her knowledge to deal with that yet. She just wanted to understand why it was taking so long for her to fully develop it. She felt like she was trailing behind. She had always felt a bit weird. Her fingers were always uncharacteristically cold. She always felt at ease in the darkness, not opting to light up her room with candles or artificial light and though she had never thought of it as unusual, her twin brother had remarked it was no normal. Asher never thought to question what he meant by normal, for the twins themselves were certainly not normal and the fact that she was more comfortable, even at ease in the darkness was something familiar to her. It had never occurred to her that Arsen didn't feel the coldness at the tips of her fingers or that he had a hard time adjusting his vision in the darkness. He didn't have the vivid dreams dancing around with the shadows in the middle of the night that made her wonder if it had been a dream at all. Not one to leave questions unanswered, Asher kept thinking about it. Ever since learning who her mother was, she wasn't surprised by the new things she was learning about herself but she had always used her brother as a point of reference. If they both shared the same abilities and the same skills, then she knew it was normal for someone of her background but this was different and he wasn't exactly complaining about cold fingers and shadows dancing around in his dreams. She hadn't even thought to asked him and why she hadn't bothered to do was a question she couldn't quite answer. Maybe it was because she was afraid of what she might find, that perhaps this was not normal and she shouldn't be feeling this way. Realizing there was no one to ask, especially not her mother since she had long ago decided her kids weren't important enough for her to be around, she went the only place she could think of. The New York Public Library was an iconic landmark in the city and a place she had gone many times, both for leisure and social events. If there was a place in the city that would have the information, it would certainly be here, in the classical section where all the old and rare books are located. Her family had been patrons of the library for what seemed like generations and Asher had only to give her last name to be granted access to the archives, but not without the reluctant and watchful eye of one of the librarians. She started the only way she knew how and it was through old books that talked about mythology. Hecate wasn't a topic that she found easily, especially considering that most books reference the major gods but what she did find was detailed. "Regarded as the goddess of magic, Hecate is a Titaness of the third generation and daughter of Asteria and Perses. A lover of solitude, she expects people to engage in their own decision making and resents the Olympians for treating her a minor goddess. She is described as having he powers of a Titaness and a goddess, which include mist control, mystiokinesis, necromancy and umbrakinesis· Asher frowned at the last part, reading it repeatedly. Having a private school education had meant that she was familiar with Greek and Latin roots. It was easier to understand what some words meant when you know the root of the word and umbrakinesis was Greek for shadow and kinesis for motion. Motion of shadows. Asher knew that her abilities were stronger at night and she knew from seeing portraits of her mother that she was often depicted as having three heads, morning, noon, and night. But the rest of the text didn't really go into specifics of what her abilities entailed but she knew that the children of Hades could do both of those as well. Leaning back against her chair, Asher sighed, more frustrated than ever as to why there wasn’t a straight answer to the things that were happening to her. There wasn't much point in sitting around waiting for the answer to magically fall from the sky. That night, she sat on her window nook watching the rain fall over the deserted road on 74th street. She wasn't bored exactly, but there was no other way she could describe it. She had been looking down at the empty street wondering why it was so lonesome when she began picturing the dozens of people that walked by every single day. Mothers with strollers and kids walking to school. Business men getting into their townhouses and joggers. She didn’t make the connection with what she was reading earlier. She was zoned out, watching, imagining and creating without realizing what she was doing. She had always felt at ease when it rained and she had always managed to lose herself in the soft noises of falling water. But the silence that followed was as piercing as the hissing that came afterwards. The children of gods were not unfamiliar with danger and there were many creatures after them but Asher had never had to deal with an overwhelming amount of them and even when she had been in danger, she had always been with her brother and the two of them had been able to find their way out. But this time, she was alone and the hissing lasted only a moment before her window shattered. Asher closed her eyes and turned her head around, feeling the glass cut her skin. When she could open them, she saw a feather laying on her floor and it only took her a moment to know what she was going up against. Naturally, Asher ran, down the stairs and out her townhouse. She didn’t want the stymphalion inside and if she had learned anything it was that it was much easier to fight off a monster when she wasn't confined by her surroundings. She knew stymphalions were birds that travelled in large flocks and their large feathers, like the one that had broken her window, were toxic. It was only a matter of time before this one would be joined by the rest of its flock. It was hard for her to move out of the way as the bird launched feathers at her, and she knew it was a lot easier than fighting off the beak, but as she tried to move past two that were sent her way, her knit sweater go caught on the feather, and she ended up hitting the ground. Asher grunted feeling the pain of her skull against the concrete and looked at how close her wrist had been from getting pierced by the feather. But if it had been sharp enough to get stuck in the concrete of a New York City street, it would be easy for it to tear through her flesh. Asher panicked, unable to move and watching as the stymphalion quickly made her way towards her. She felt like screaming, but no sound came out and when she was sure the bird would rip through her face, she shielded herself with her spare arm. She waited, and when it seemed like the creature was taking longer than it should, Asher dared to open her eyes. There was a shadow of a man with a sword fighting off the bird. Another shadow wrapping itself around the neck of the bird. One by one it seemed the shadows from before were slithering around her, manifesting themselves on the ground and fending of the bird and the flocks that were approaching behind it. Asher thought she was hallucinating. She was sleep deprived surely and what was happening in front of her was certainly not real. But the more she focused her vision the more vivid the shadow figures in front of her became. It was like she could imagine them one by one and they would materialize. And then when she started thinking too much about it, wondering why they were there, if she was going crazy. But thinking she was going crazy was not the most prominent feeling inside her. Asher felt her heart beating fast against her chest and the panic and fear she felt didn’t subsided. But she continued to see the shadows defend her, some shooting arrows at the flock and others choking them as they wrapped themselves around their bodies like anacondas. She had lost track of time and when the rest of the flock left, the shadows left with them, coming back into her own body. Asher felt like she had been hit with a shock of cold air and her blood pressure dropped. It was a few seconds before she lost consciousness. When she awoke, she had been laying her room, her window back to normal and her brother sitting at the edge of the bed. When she asked her brother what he was doing there, he explained he had found her on the street, the bird feather holding her down, and only a small amount of blood from a superficial wound in her head. She instinctively touched the back of her skull, not feeling anything except a piercing headache and the need to get some water. She looked at her brother and then at the feather laying a few inches from her window. If what had happened to her the night before had been real then why had it never happened before and why was Arsen different? They were twins. Surely, he would be able to do the same. After her brother left, leaving her alone with her thoughts and allowing her to rest, Asher got up and picked up the stymphalion’s feather. If that was real then everything else surely was. She wouldn’t have survived a stymphalion’s attack by herself. So, she kept it. Surely camp would have the answers she needed and if there ever was a need for evidence she could look back at this feather for reassurance. She wasn’t a faithful person but she knew that until she was proven otherwise, she had to trust her memory. It's not a spell, she kept thinking. Not a spell. She took a deep breath, needed to clear her mind. She closed her eyes, focused on what she could sense around her. She could smell the crisp winter air and feel the wind from the lake against her skin. She could hear the soft rustling of leaves and the crickets, nature moving around her. She could feel her feet planted firmly in the ground and feel the slight need for water at the back of her throat. She extended her arms, a few ways away from her and took another deep breath. It took a few moments but she felt the tingling in at the tip of her fingers, like an intense cold in the middle of a blizzard. She never thought to ask if Tristan of Akemi ever felt it. When she had first made that little flame, she felt it heavy and cold to the touch. The coldness made sense, as there was no light and therefore no warmth but the heaviness from I was interesting. She supposed it made sense as black holes had the most density out of any other form of matter in the universe and they were pure darkness. Focus. She thought again. What do you feel? Heavy. She kept thinking but that was when Asher opened her eyes and felt it. It started in her hand. Her pale skin covered in a black, almost sheer glove that slowly made its way through her body. She felt watched, almost haunted and though there was a moment of panic at the back of her mind, Asher stood still. If she moved she might stop and she didn't want to. As the shadow wrapped itself around her body, Asher felt like she was laying down a weighted blanket, yet the feeling was comforting rather than suffocating. When it stopped, the darkness having covered everything to the tip of her fingers on her left hand, Asher took a step back. It was odd to see a shadow in the middle of the night. One that was the same height and built as her, looking back as a reflection of herself. It stood still, like a mannequin and it was only when Asher reached to touch it it that it moved to meet her touch. When her hand touched it, the shadow of her own body morphed and Asher kept thinking, imagine it turn into a million different shapes. The moonlight made it easy for her to see it, first a circle and then the shape of a star. Asher felt the darkness in her hands and all she could think about was what she wanted to turn the shapes to next. Finally, though, she brought it back to the palms of her hands, slowly the shadows smaller, feeling the resistance, the density of the matter in her hands until she finally snapped it close in her hands. She had her palms wrapped over each other, feeling the coldness and the heaviness fade away slowly and when it was gone, Asher opened her hands to reveal nothing but the palm of her hands staring back at her.