asherdonahue

[asherdonahue]

@isadoradavenport​:

At the sound of her name, Isa turned to find Asher standing at her elbow, a hazy-eyed savior come to rescue her from the perpetual boredom of watching over a crowd of people she didn’t wish to mingle with while knowing she couldn’t possibly leave. She’d stopped indulging those who asked her for a picture for their Instagram stories and enough people had approached her on unsure legs to compliment her dress, a stunning strapless red gown with a high slit running up her leg, that she’d begun replying with a mere Thanks, it’s Cavanaugh Couture.

She gave Asher a dry smile, lifting the glass of champagne that she had been holding. At this point, it seemed more like decoration—she’d barely taken a sip since she swiped it off a passing tray, and while everyone else in the party seemed to be downing cocktails and fisting ice-cold glass bottles of beer, Isa, though she loathed to say it, was on her way to having a sober night.

“How about after I finish this one, you grab me another?” she said, looking them up and down and settling her eyes back on his face. “It’s a week of hell, I’ll give you that, but I think my sister’s done an excellent job of throwing a party stellar enough to forget about it, at least until February when we do it all again.”

It was at their inquest, though, that Isa cocked her head to the side and felt her lips twitch in a bare hint of a smile. “Asher Donahue, looking for gossip? You really must be bored at this party, huh? Although I have to agree, I’ve never been a fan of small talk.” She shrugged idly, moving her hair back over her bare shoulder as she looked around the room in a show of false contemplation. “I’m usually not one to gossip about my fellow models or the designers that I respect, but there is this one brand that I simply think is entirely overhyped, as is the model who walked for them earlier this week. I’m sure you’re familiar with Winona &. Co?” she asked pointedly.

Asher gave a slight nod to acknowledge her counteroffer before stilling automatically as her eyes took in their outfit. It was simple enough - black pants, black shirt, white and gold corset, with a gold-piece fashioned to look like a tie. They hadn’t wanted to outstage their date but they also didn’t want to be entirely forgettable either - so middle ground. It seemed to be enough to avoid most negative commentary from party-goers thus far which Asher would happily take though the glow from that was significantly dimmed by their inability to get away from Willow’s presence tonight - regardless of where they went. 

That said, there wasn’t enough champagne in the entire state for Asher to become part of any Willow fanclub but it was easy enough to hum his agreement before flicking his gaze back to her at the nearly teasing question. Was he searching for gossip? He hadn’t meant for it to come off that way - after all if that’s what he was after he could apparently just wait for the next GG blast - but had genuinely wanted to know what Isadora had thought about this seeing how this was all much more her world than his which made hers the only perspective worth hearing between the two of them. 

But then they were sharply reminded at just how related Isadora could be to Willow at the jab that followed and alright then. Asher knew Alexandria had some history in New York - they just hadn’t realized it was with Isadora. It was possible they’d stepped into a slightly larger mess than they’d entirely considered but ah, well. It’d keep things interesting for a bit. “Overhyped.” They repeated thoughtfully. “Yes, I may have caught that show. I can’t say I had the same experience of it - but I’m not the expert here.” Asher wanted so badly to ask for details, to figure out what happened, but they knew better to even think about asking Isadora. “Speaking of dates…where has yours run off to? I haven’t seen him in awhile.” 

Should he mention the blast that was on everyone’s lips. It felt normal to ignore something mainstream that the majority were experiencing but not him. “How long do you think this will go tonight?” A better question would probably be how long does one have to stay to avoid insulting Willow but that ship had already sailed for Asher over a decade ago. What was another slight if it meant his quiet apartment, Coal, and none of these social warfare games? He’d survive it. Probably. 

[asherdonahue]

serpentswrath​:

Asher & Willow | @asherdonahue

The usual suspects were invited this time around. Celebrating Cavanaugh Couture and everything Willow stood for. Power, ambition, fire. With the queen in its midst, pawns were scattered within Hysteria’s walls, talking about the queen with nothing but admiration. She didn’t dare to categorize Asher as one of her pawns. On the contrary. They were powerful, alright. Powerful enough to have their own empire, as she found out. Willow had decided to keep him close, use every bit of information Asher might give Willow to her advantage. Which is why inviting Asher was necessary for today. A bishop ready, unwillingly, to take her confession whenever she desired. Approaching them with a grin on her face, Willow let her hand wander over Asher’s back to announce her presence. “You’ve made the right choice to join me today, Asher. Champagne? I know you’re into a different kind of narcotic,” Willow murmured just so no one else but them would hear, “but you know I won’t judge you,” … too much, that is. “Let’s skip the formalities. Jules is here, somewhere. Do you think you can handle her?” she scoffed, “I’m not asking for much.” neither asking nor much were actually right. Willow never asked, she demanded. “Just be your sweet, charming self and get her to talk.”

Sometimes, Asher caught themselves playing at an optimist which never failed to surprise them. Like tonight, for instance, when they realized that they’d really convinced themselves that despite it being Willow’s hosted after-party that they would be able to avoid her for the whole night. Luck seemingly was only on their side when it involved things they didn’t actually want. Typical. It was tempting to slide away from the touch but the desire to project an air of being unaffected was far more desirable so they stayed put and just started plotting their escape. Where was his so-called date anyway? The one perk to having a “girlfriend” should be avoiding these kind of situations altogether or at least having a quick clean rescue-me button. Preferably now. 

But Alexandria wasn’t anywhere in sight and Willow’s mouth just kept going. There wasn’t enough champagne in the world for tonight as far as Asher was concerned. But their eyes did cut over to Willow briefly at the unusual word choice. Everyone present was typically into a different kind of narcotic but he could guess at what Willow was trying to hint at. “Hello to you too, Davenport.” They drawled finally before having to almost literally bite their tongue to resist snapping at the hand that dared to poke at them. Instead, they lazily took a sip of their drink before shrugging. “It’d help in your little mission if you could narrow down exactly what it is that you want to know about Jules. Otherwise, I could make a lot of small talk about what she hates about New York, how she feels about the weather, cotton blends, and coffee but I’m sure you’ve got better places to be tonight.”

Asher was only playing along with this due to a mix of boredom and uncertainty about just what she thought she knew. It was safer to play the game for now until he could learn more but damn, was it also exhausting and irritating. “When I have something that’s worth knowing, you’ll be the first to know. Cross my heart and all that.” 

[asherdonahue]

@isadoradavenport

Asher never liked to mingle but even they got restless feet after standing and observing for too long. They moved through the crowd, playing the part of socialite heir effortlessly, all while scanning the room for literally anyone who could save them from this living nightmare. To their great comfort, they finally spotted a face that they didn’t actively despite and set their course to end at her side silently marveling at and becoming quite pleased at the little alumni club they were cultivating tonight.  

“Isadora.” He greeted with a nod before turning to sweep his gaze over the crowd and ensure there wasn’t anyone looking like they were beelining for them before turning his attention back to her. “You look stunning as always. And I do believe a celebratory drink or two is called for…having survived yet another fashion week, yes? Have one with me?” 

At least, survived so far. 

Maybe they shouldn’t jinx it - though in her defense, Asher didn’t recall hearing about her doing anything particularly scandalous at school and didn’t honestly think she’d be in the aim of a gossip blast tonight. “Gotta give it to them though. S’hella of a way to cap off the week.” But gossip now aside, they turned to flag down the closest person with drinks before meeting her gaze again with a little half-smile and a weird feeling in their chest they were attributing to alcohol and not at all to something like reverse homesickness. Harvard had been a weird time. ”So, two options - you and I can continue with more small talk…or you can give me the real low-down of this week. Which designs did you hate? Who do you think got overlooked? Who was overhyped? I’d love to hear what you thought of it all so much more than yet another grand tale about just how great my Father is. So helpful.” Their eyes rolled as they lifted their glass but the burning on their tongue did little to burn out the shadow they were destined to live under. 

[asherdonahue]

@frxncescas

In an entirely unsurprising turn of events Asher found themselves both absolutely despising and adoring Fashion Week - often at the same time - as they seemingly did with most things they encountered these days. This, though, this was a downright revolting display of privilege, unattainable beauty standards, and social warfare…but it was also living, breathing, innovating art and that was hard for them to hate. It was also, by far, the most profitable week they’ve had yet with their little side business which was a major plus…but it was also an introvert’s worst nightmare.

He didn’t want to see - much less interact with - any more human beings for at least a week but it wasn’t over yet. Of course it wasn’t. Why would it be? The elite couldn’t dare let themselves stop partying at the same time the laypeople closed up shop and went home. Noooo, there had to be after parties to the after parties - each one more exclusive than the last which made the final one of the night an annoyingly perfect place to launch their little game with Alexandria at. 

That at least, had gone off easily enough, though with less of a splash than they’d hoped for with Gossip Girl’s return being the story on everyone’s tongues. Asher hadn’t had the same experience so many of his peers did with the blog and it baffled him even more now to almost literally feel the anxiety rippling through the room of grown adults. These people survived various forms of social media, gossip TV shows, and each other daily - yet somehow an anonymous blog that could write whatever whenever they wanted had them shaking in their thousands-of-dollars-shoes? 

Part of Asher was fascinated by the phenomenon but the rest of them was just annoyed - they’d all been there done that several years ago - couldn’t they have come up with something even a little bit fresher than this? They could already hear the panicked calls, the emails, and the emergency visits that were going to happen on Monday morning from desperate sinners trying to find a way to litigate Gossip Girl out of existence but freedom of speech and freedom of press extended even to those who aimed to do harm with it - at least for now.

Nothing they could do about it now. 

He’d lost Alexandria a bit ago and had moved to a corner of the room to watch the chaos unfold around them when he caught a familiar shock of red hair out of the corner of his eye. It took a moment to recall the memory but could it be? He’d heard rumors that Nathan had returned to New York - and not alone - but he hadn’t put the name to a familiar face until just now. And well, well, well. Now that was an interesting turn of events. 

So they waited, sipping at their drink, simultaneously enjoying the rare moments of solitude as they observed until they saw their chance. Dropping their now-empty glass onto a waiting platter, they exchanged it for two full glasses with a subconscious dismissive nod before making their way over to a vacant space near the new IT couple. They took a few minutes, just letting the whispers wash over them to give them an idea of what people were saying, before actively attempting to catch Francesca’s eye to offer the second drink and an escape route from the crowd - at least for a bit. 

[asherdonahue]

“Do I need any introduction?”

Basics:

Asher Donahue (they/he) - nonbinary- but will respond to any and all pronouns with an added thrill whenever someone uses ‘they’ or any other binary-buster

Born on October 31st, 1996 which he delights in and makes him 25 years old currently

They’d prefer to not pick any boxes ever but they had to mark their sexuality - they’d check pansexual and/or queer 

Graduated with a BA in Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality from Harvard before obtaining their J.D. from Harvard Law 

Is the youngest ever COO of DD&W (and heads a small secret narcotics empire for kicks) 

Has a 3-month old black kitten that invited itself in to his apartment one night named Cole but spelled Coal - (“get it?!”) 

Questions:

1. Who is your family, and what is their legacy? Is this legacy something you aspire to be part of, or do you want to make your own way? 

“You know my family. Everyone who is someone does. The great Donahues - always there to get the elite out of whatever jam they get themselves into - for a price, naturally.”

“I was born into legacy - it’s not an aspiration, just a fact. As far as what my future holds - just wait and see.”

2. What is the fondest memory you have growing up? 

“Pass.” 

(Either: two boys mattress surfing down a service staircase or a shy but sweet first kiss). 

3. What is your biggest regret? 

“What’s the point of regret? It doesn’t change anything.” 

(Their biggest regret is not being able to either convince his brother to stay or to take Asher with him)

4. How would you describe the most important person you have in your life? You don’t have to name them if you prefer. 

“Cute that you think that there’s anyone important in my life - or if there were, that I would share anything about them publicly. Pass again.” 

(There is one person that Asher allows themselves to take comfort in but they’re afraid to even trust too much into that.) 

5. Do you believe you matter? 

“No. None of us do. We’re all just cogs in the machine that’ll keep churning long after we’re gone.” 

Asher’s Question: 

What do you see your future looking like in five years? How about ten?

“Do I look like the type that shakes a magic 8 ball or drafts a vision board? How the hell would I know? I imagine it looks a lot like it does now - only with a slower metabolism, more aches and pains, and probably less of the senior officers still alive. ‘Youngest ever CEO’ of DD&W is likely in the next ten years if you want me to be specific. Definitely no wedding plans or babies but maybe some jail time.” 

Headcanons:

Personality Traits: 

INTJ - the Architect - “These personalities can be both the boldest of dreamers and the bitterest of pessimists. Architects believe that, through willpower and intelligence, they can achieve even the most challenging of goals. But they may be cynical about human nature more generally, assuming that most people are lazy, unimaginative, or simply doomed to mediocrity.

Chaotic Neutral: abandons rules and pursues their own dreams/desires first

Scorpio: What makes this water sign unique is its distinctive venomous sting. Like their celestial spirit animal, the scorpion, Scorpios lie in wait and strike when least expected. Life is a game of chess for these calculating water signs, who are constantly plotting several steps ahead in order to orchestrate an eventual checkmate. This doesn't mean their intentions are necessarily nefarious. Scorpios simply know what they want and aren't afraid to work hard and play the long game to get it. They never show their cards and their enigmatic nature is what makes them so seductive and beguiling. 

Scorpio is the sign most closely associated with sex: The part of the body that Scorpio governs is the genital area. Sex isn't solely about pleasure for these sensual scorpions. They also crave the physical closeness, spiritual illumination, and emotional intimacy sex can provide (not that they’d ever admit as much out loud). 

Dedicated to living a life outside the binaries and believes everything is a spectrum: good/bad; male/female; gay/straight, cruel/kind, clean/addict 

Quirks: 

They’re usually not as drunk/high as they pretend to be - being a wannabe Kingpin + COO means dramatically less time for even thinking about letting go of their control/bearings than they’d prefer 

Is a secret nerd who adores puns, dad jokes, reading, and art 

Can speak English, German, Spanish, and reads Latin better than they speak it

He pretends like their brother, Byron never existed - despite being the only person Asher had ever looked up to- and that they’re an only child but his absence haunts Asher - where is he, how is he, what happens when you’ve been expelled from this world, did he care that he left Asher in it alone, why didn’t he come back or ever reach out?

Byron left in the summer before freshman year and it was as if he’d been erased from their life overnight. Asher is half-convinced they made up ever having a brother - except for the box shoved in the back of their closet that had a few of his things and some photos their housekeeper was able to save and smuggle to Asher - they’d hadn’t looked in it since they’d left for Harvard but it has followed them through every move they made over the years 

Asher learned from a very young age that everything about them was a commodity - their body, their name, their opinion or lack there of, their thoughts/feelings/fears - everything could be orchestrated, bought, sold, and negotiated - which led to a lifetime of putting their trust in nothing and no one   

They try to avoid social media unless required to interact as part of a sponsorship deal, their day job, or side hustle business

They front like they are a jaded hedonist just in this life for it’s indulgences and simple pleasures, but they’re always searching for a way out - for the magical place where things are real, people are honest, and they feel alive - but their hope of such a place existing dwindles by the year 

Pinterest: 

https://pin.it/35ZMMV

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