Asher Sellinite

The Rescue pt 1

There were times when I wished that Asher was around more. He's been so busy lately, he keeps saying that he has all these meetings to go to, but I suspect that it's more than that. He smells like perfume. I'm home alone again today, either because Asher is only gonna be gone for a few hours, or because Courtney is running late. I really want to explore Asher's office again, for tradition's sake, but it's locked.

I wander from the living room to the kitchen, looking for something to eat... Asher hasn't restocked the fridge in a while, and I can't figure out why- he'd only have to wave his hand and the fridge would fill up with everything I'd asked him for... maybe this is Asher's way of telling me that I'm getting fat? I've gained a few pounds in the last few months- eating out of boredom- but I don't think it's that noticeable. Estella hasn't said anything, and that girl lets you know every little thing that crosses her mind.

I sigh deeply and shut the fridge, deciding to try and sneak out of the house to go for a run outside, even if I might get in trouble for 'escaping without supervision' as Asher puts it. I start fiddling with the side door, seeing if maybe Asher left it unlocked, and yes, he locks it from the outside, I'd need a code to get out. I go over to one of the windows to do the same, maybe it's unlocked. Bingo. I crawl out of the window and I can feel those little tearing motions against my skin. Shit. I jumped into a rosebush, I'm so stupid- Asher's definitely going to know something's up when he gets home.

I pick myself up and inspect the damage- I had a few decent cuts along my forearm and a couple scratches through my jeans on my calves... why the actual fuck are these thorns so big? I pick out a few thorns that got lodged in my clothes and walk down the little path towards the creek- I just needed some entertainment, and maybe I could just watch the swallows and catfish, maybe a few squirrels.

I finally look around at the flora and fauna in detail for the first time since I was taken here, and it's not... normal. I've never quite seen so many shades of neon purples and magentas then pastel blues... it almost looks like a Lisa Frank coloring book. I see something scurrying along a tree branch- my first thought was that it was a squirrel or chipmunk... maybe even a lizard of some sort, but I've never seen anything quite like this- it was a squirrel-sized, fluffy dark brown creature with a squarish, cat-like body shape and legs, with a koala-like face and ears. The thing was adorable, it's nose twitching at me as it paused to stare at me... it's green eyes staring into my soul. I should ask Asher what it's called, maybe I could just say that I saw it out the window.

I stride over towards the apple orchard, following the little footpath down the center of the grove... the flowers are just as fragrant as I remember from months ago, the archways just as beautiful, although the vines seem more... alive? I don't know why as wasn't paying as much attention last time I was out here, I missed so many vivid colors and appetizing scents.

I stop by an archway about twenty feet from the rushing, noisy creek, my eyes widening at another fantastical animal roosting on the emerald vines- it looks vaguely aviary, it's neon yellow feathers very eye-catching and I can't help but admire it. It looks like a mix between some sort of sparrow and parrot, long legs and wings, but the hooked beak of a cockatoo. I swear these creatures are getting more and more creative and I can't help but wonder where exactly in the fae world I am... tropical? No, it's a little too cold for that, but I can't remember what season it would be.

All I know is that it's been months and months, yet the flowers are still in full bloom- which kinda reminds me of how it is in the southeast US... my only real frame of reference for weather is the midwest and southeast US, which is a pretty sheltered existence. My dad had always promised that he'd take the family to Italy, rome specifically- so that we could see where he'd studied in collage for a few years before he'd met my mom. I've always wanted to visit Europe, it honestly seems like a bigger 'melting pot' than America since you can travel an hour in Europe and they'll be speaking an entirely different language. Different culture as well. Every immigrant in the US is essentially required to assimilate and erase their cultures and language in order to live the 'american dream'. I fucking hate the american dream, what even is it for? Convincing folks that they're not miserable and lonely in late stage capitalism?