LadyAnnaLee

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

That works. I finally figured out a good next post. Sorry I took so long.

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Darin couldn’t remember much of the walk back to the Main Farmhouse. She sort of remembered Ridahne humming as the Elf helped her walk. She vaguely recalled Talbot nudging her shoulder as they passed the horse. She had a cloudy recollection of falling into the bed she had been given. That was about it. The next thing she could remember clearly was waking up to the roosters crowing feeling sore all over. Darin woke up suddenly as she looked around the room. For a brief moment she didn’t know where she was. Then she remembered and slowly left the bed to change out of the Worker’s outfit she had fallen asleep in and into one of the outfits Ridahne had stripped from the horse thieves. One of the Workers had gotten of hold of it, so it was clean and fit with a belt around her waist. The belt was new and included a spot for her scythe and waterskin. As such she put them where they belonged.

After that Darin quickly got ready to go. It was a bright morning, so it was easy to repack her bag with her fiddle at the bottom. Once that was done, she headed done to the kitchen. She planned to fill the rest of her bag with supplies only to have an already packed bag practically shoved into her arms by a motherly looking Siren. Darin was smart enough to protest. As such she just took her bag and headed towards the stables. Talbot was waiting for her. Darin instantly felt guilty. She hadn’t been taking care of the stallion the way she should have been.

She reached up to scratch his nose, “I’m sorry Talbot. I’ve left you in the hands of strangers.” She smiled, “Good hearted strangers but still strangers.” She sighed, “I’m sorry.” Talbot pushed his nose against her shoulder causing her to laugh, “I guess that means I’m forgiven then.”

Talbot nodded as Darin moved to tack Talbot up as much as he would allow. That meant no saddle and no bit, but he did let Darin tie her bags to his withers. Then she took ahold of the reins and led him outside and towards the little hut were Taja was still, hopefully resting. It wasn’t long before they got there to her the hawk screeching loud enough to prompt Darin to break into a run. When she got there it was to see a Worker trying to get Taja into a traveling basket.

Darin’s eyes were wide, “What is going on?”

The Worker quickly turned to look at Darin, “Seed-Bearer! I was just trying to get the hawk ready for travel. It did eat breakfast, so I was hoping.”

Darin didn’t give them a chance to answer before shooing them off as she flapped her hands, “Go! Go! Go! I’ll take care of Taja.” The Worker didn’t hesitate as Darin turned to her bird, “That was rude Taja!” Darin carefully extended her hand, “Let’s have a look at that wing.”

Taja eyed the human warily, but still let Darin see that the wing was still set. Darin was then left with the fact that she really did need to get Taja in the traveling basket. She didn’t seem to be doing well and gave up when the hawk flapped his one good wing to land on her shoulder. Luckily it was the shoulder without stitches. Unluckily his talons pierced both her shirt and her skin. Ridahne was going to love that. Seriously, how long could she go without being injured. Not very long it seemed. Still, it meant they could take Taja with them without too much fuss. Darin did grab the travel basket. She could try again later.

She stepped out to see Talbot had joined them, “Come on boys.” She started a slow walk towards The Tree, “One last stop and then We can be on our way.” She sighed as she ran a hand though her short hair, “Let’s go say goodbye.”

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

I'll be honest. I'm not entirely sure what direction to go from here. Let me think about it a little more. If you have any ideas please don't hesitate to share.

- Fragmented - (dead; stay tuned for the next one!)

Don't Cross Me!

Ashe Cross

Don’t Cross Me!

Age: They were born October Nineteenth, 23 years ago.

Gender: Ashe is female, but prefers they/them pronouns.

Sexuality: Ashe had had enough experience to know that they are very firmly asexual. They think they are demiromantic but aren’t entirely sure on that one.

Appearance: Ashe has fair skin that is covered with freckles and loose brown curls. Their eyes are golden brown. Ashe is 5 feet 9 inches and weighs 150 pounds. They have legs that seem to go on forever. Ashe's fashion sense was most accurately be called 'crossdressing.' They enjoy dressing in clothes that are traditionally considered male. They tend to dress up in light colored slacks and colored button ups with suspenders. They accessorize with bow ties and matching hair ribbons. Their friends have called this fashion sense "Hipster Carny." Day to day they tend to wear jeans and polos. Occasionally, when the mood strikes them, they will wear something completely different; such as a sundress or a skirt. This is very rare. They keep their hair long. Sometimes they bind their size B bust flat. Sometimes they wear a push up bra. They like to be clean and neat appearing. They also prefer boots that come to just above their ankles to other type of shoes and are only willing to wear other type of shoes, if necessary, for the type of dancing there are planning on doing. They wear black leggings underneath black shorts with black boots and a black tank top when they “work.” It’s all skintight.

As for piercings and tattoos, Ashe only has two tattoos. Around their left wrist were their Fragmented Band would be on their other wrist is a matching band that is actually part of a chain that reaches around their arm and up to their elbow. The last link in the chain on their mid forearm is broken. The second tattoo is on the back of the shell of their right ear. It is in a slightly cursive font and reads, “Don’t Cross Me!” in black ink. They have matching piercings on both ears. There is small loop in their earlobes. As the piercings go up their ears the loops get smaller to end in a stud at the top of the curve of the ear. Ashe has a row of barbells along their left eyebrow. All of these piercings are copper colored stainless steel.

Personality: While being kind mostly for the sake of being kind Ashe is highly introverted. For the most part they like to stay at home and play video games or practice dancing. If they are compelled to socialize, they will do so without too much complaint though they will be mentally counting down the minutes until they can leave without causing too much social upheaval. Different types of social events drain their so-called social battery at different rates. If they enjoy the activity, they will be able to stay out for much longer. Other events make they want to go home immediately. They do their best to not let anyone clue into the fact that they are getting ready to so home. Just because they are not enjoying themselves does not give them a right to be a “party pooper.” Everyone else is allowed to enjoy themselves as well. They still can’t wait to get home. If they are enjoying themselves, such as a dance party, they are usually right in the middle of things. If they are not enjoying themselves, such as a house party, they tend to stay at the sidelines.

Ashe is also highly competitive though they do not like to admit this. They have been taught that showing off for showing off’s sake is not polite and they try to avoid it and as a result avoiding competition is something they try to do. It doesn’t often work. It never really works. Ashe likes to compete. It doesn’t really matter what type of competition. They have been competing in dance since they were small, and their competitive nature has led to their current line of work. They are drawn to competitions of any type; video games, board games, even sports. The level of their competitiveness depends on the activity and the company. It varies from “That was good clean fun” to “I’m going to destroy you utterly.” Ashe does her best to reign that last type in.

Biography: The story of Ashe Cross does not start with them. Instead it starts with the story of Navy Davidson and Gregory Cross. That story starts on the eve before Navy’s twenty-first birthday. That was the day that Fragmented woman decided that she was done with waiting for a person who was never going to show up. She decided that she was going to live her Best Life. She wasn’t going to let the depression most Lost suffered from set in because she wasn’t Lost. She just wasn’t going to sit around and wait for someone. Navy was going to have a fantastic life; just like any old regular Intact.

Originally romance had not been part of the plan for her Best Life. Then Navy met Gregory Cross when she was twenty-four. He was fifteen years older than her, a successful businessperson, and Intact. They decide that they were going to make it work. Gregory freely admit that he would never know what it meant to have that black band on his wrist. He freely admitted that he didn’t know what would happen to Navy as she became Lost. She still dated him. They still moved in together. They rapidly began to spend much of their free time together. It was almost inevitable even as she fought to live her Best Live. It was also inevitable that the two of them would fall hopeless and deviously in love. Gregory Cross asked Navy Davidson to marry him.

The night they celebrated the new ring on Navy’s left hand their protection failed. They had not planned on children, but when they discovered the error two months later, they were deliriously happy. The first bedroom was theirs. The second bedroom was Gregory’s office. They had planned on turning the last bedroom into a studio for Navy. Instead it was turned into a nursey that could turn into a bedroom and then into a haven as their baby grew into a child and then a young adult. They purchased outfits and diapers in bulk. They agonized over which crib to get. Before they even knew the gender, they were in love. This was the next step of their lives that defied all the odds. This was marvelous.

Then, when Navy was seven months pregnant the two took one last trip before, they became parents. One last trip as just the two of them. One last chance to be at least semi irresponsible. That was where they met Margret Wilson. To be more accurate that was when the other Fragmented crashed straight into Navy as both hurried to miss their connecting flights in a very busy airport. Neither one of them made those flights as they were overcome by euphoria. They were kissing before they even got up from their fall. The three of them retreated to a café to talk. Gregory was sent to watch their luggage. He understood. Two Fragmented had entered the airport. One Reunited was here now.

In the end the engagement was called off. Navy moved out of Gregory’s flat. Both she and Margret moved into a little house that he was paying the rent on. A second nursery was set up. Gregory was left both smiling and heartbroken. How could be anything less than happy for Navy. She had found her other half. It was just like out of a fairy tale or rom-com movie. She was in love and Margret was in love with her. That didn’t change the fact that Gregory still loved the woman he had purchased a ring for. That didn’t change the fact that even though he knew why he had lost her that he truly understood it. The man shoved those feelings aside. He still had a child on the way and he still loved that child.

Thankfully that was one thing Navy agreed upon. She and Margret were not going to try and push him out of his baby’s life. Navy said she understood that for Gregory the situation was bittersweet. She was willing to do whatever it took to co-parent. Margret agreed as well. The child would have at least three parents that loved them; maybe four if Gregory was ever ready for that again. Margret didn’t have parents, but the other four grandparents were ecstatic that they were welcoming a new member of the family. For the Cross grandparents this was their first. For the Davidsons this was their second. The child may not have been raised in a traditional home, but they would be absolutely loved.

That only lasted for the first three months after Ashe Cross was born. Then one Friday Navy and Margret dropped Ashe at Gregory's so the two soul mates could get away for a weekend getaway. When Sunday night came and the two women did not come home he started to get worried. None of his text messages received answers. He contacted Navy's parents to discover that Navy hadn't contacted them either. In a panic Gregory rushed over to the home he was renting for the two women. Their he discovered that the locks had been changed. Breaking a window got him in the house where discovered that the women had taken nothing with them. Their clothes, their cell phones, their cash. It was clear they had taken nothing. The police investigation lasted months, but it was soon clear that Navy and Margret could not be found. It was clear that they had just left with no intention of returning.

As a result, Ashe Cross was raised by a brokenhearted man. A brokenhearted man that loved them with his whole being and wanted nothing more than for them to be healthy and happy, but still brokenhearted. They were raised wanting for nothing, including discipline. They grew up knowing they were loved. They grew up being punished when they broke rules, but never abused. They grew up understanding the importance of taking care of people who just needed a little bit more help. They grew up kind, considerate, loving. They grew to be a strong as Gregory could make them. He loved his child with everything he could give. Yet he couldn’t hide the sadness that always hid between his eyes.

It wasn’t long before Ashe realized that the band on their wrist was the same band their mother had sported. It wasn’t long before Ashe learned the story from both sets of grandparents. It wasn’t long before Ashe realized that they hated their mother. They understood some of it. They had the yearning as well. They craved to fill the emptiness that had always been there in their soul. Ashe could understand why Navy had clung so tightly to Margret that even her engagement meant nothing. Ashe didn’t hate their mother because she had been Fragmented and then Reunited. They hated their mother because Navy had chosen to leave for no reason to who the flip knew where. Not even Grandma Davidson had heard from her daughter since. What Ashe hated her mother for was leaving her Intact family behind without having to suffer any of the consequences. From that hate came a decision.

Ashe was never ever going to do something like that. They were never going to make a decision that they wouldn’t make as just a Fragmented. Reuniting was not going to change their life to the point of cruelty. If they did find their soul mate and it was either a Platonic or Romantic bond Ashe was not leaving their father behind to have his heart broken yet again. If it was an Antagonistic bond Ashe wasn’t letting that person into their life to hurt their family. They rather be Lost than make a choice they wouldn’t as just a regular person. Besides; who was the universe to take the choice of person they wanted to spend their life with away anyways. If they ever did meet their soul mate, they were going to make sure that spending their life with that person was their choice and theirs alone. Until that day came Ashe wasn’t waiting for happiness to find them. They would find it.

As such Ashe has taken dance lessons all their life. They haven’t picked just one style they like and that frustrates their teachers. Even though they have grown up in privilege they have not wanted to ride that privilege all their life. They have worked one job or another since they were sixteen. First, they were a checker at a big box store colored red. Then they were a shop associate at a small boutique. They worked as a volunteer librarian and a lifeguard. They have taken a few classes as community college but aren’t sure what they actually want to do with their life. Perhaps they will pick a specialty dance soon. They are not sure.

Right now, Ashe Cross makes money as Noble_Dancer in the video game Gamer’s Nightmare. Gamer’s Nightmare is the first video game of its kind. Using a virtual reality headset along with sensors in specially designed boots, gloves, knee pads, elbow pads, shoulder pads, a belt the game tracks the real-world movements of the player translating them into the avatar’s movements. It requires physical action and motion on the part of the player to play the game. Since Gamer’s Nightmare is an action adventure game set in a traditional rpg world full of monsters, players who are not physically fit have a hard time keeping up. Many sports stars, soldiers, and athletes have been drawn to the game. It originally wasn’t something Ashe was interested in. Then one day a friend of theirs challenged them to a PvP fight. Ashe gloated the moment they won the first fight. The dare and the bet to place in the next PvP tournament was not something the competitive Ashe could ignore. To their surprise they placed in the amateurs’ tournament and had more fun than they had expected. Ashe was hooked. After a few rough starts Ashe started studying a few traditional fighting styles including various martial arts, fencing, and archery in order to keep up with players that have been fighting in some manner all their lives. Now Noble_Dancer is the fifth highest ranked avatar in the world and the third most popular due to the fact that their movements are closer to dancing than actual fighting. The androgynous elf’s catch phrase, “Don't Cross Me!” trends on social media every time they live stream. The real-world identity of Noble_Dancer is a complete mystery and Ashe plans to keep it that way.

They have recently told their viewers that they are going on vacation. Ashe is not excited about this. When the invitation to a weeklong getaway exclusively for Fragmented looking to be Reunited came in the mail Ashe planned on ignoring it, until their father asked them to please go. Gregory is worried about what would happen should their child become lost. Ashe thinks the thought of them becoming Reunited should not be enough to hope for. For one thing they wouldn’t want to be their soul mate and don’t want to subject another person to themselves. Besides they don’t understand why Fragmented can’t live complete lives just like Intact can. Still there is not much they wouldn’t do for their father. With Gregory’s help they were soon packed up and on their way to Canada. They plan to treat the whole thing as adventure. They have never left the southern coast of the United States before. It could be exciting! They even plan to do their best to socialize. They want to tell their father that they tried to find their soul mate. To be honest Ashe is a little worried about what happens if they do. Alright, worried is the wrong word, but they would die before admitting they were both insanely hopeful and positively terrified of finding their soul mate to anyone; including themselves.

Other: ★ Ashe has a terrible love for puns that they are ridiculously unashamed of. No one has managed to guilt them into being ashamed of this love. They like green tea, but dislike coffee. They also have a terrible sweet tooth. Their color code is #FFCA5C

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

I hope you feel better soon. There's no rush I promise.

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

Darin was frankly surprised at Ridahne’s actions. Well, she wasn’t surprised that the Elf helped her up. However, the hug caught her completely of guard. For a moment she just stood there like a log before suddenly returning the hig with just as much strength as Ridahne; the muscles in her arms and back betraying the years of field work she had done. She pressed her face into the crook of Ridahne’s neck and did her best not to cry. When Ridahne pulled away Darin went with great reluctance. In her opinion the hug was over way to soon.

Darin was about to make a suggestion to go back to the Main Farmhouse to get some rest when Ridahne asked that favor of her. Darin was caught completely off guard. How in all of Astra was she supposed to answer that one? What had even possessed the Elf to ask that in the first place? Okay, that one was easy to answer. She was The Seed-Bearer. There was a reason to ask her to marry them. Still, what did Darin know about marrying anyone. She never personally knew anyone that was married. She knew that people in Lively got married. It had something to do with taxes or something like that. People in Darin’s village just promised to love and support each other. She guessed that was kind of like marriage, but Darin had a feeling that Ridahne had something a little grander in mind. Then there was another problem. Why would it have to be done in secret? Okay, Ridahne was an exile. Darin got that, justice and what not. That had left her free to become The Seed-Bearer’s Gaudian. Would Ajoran be proud to be married to The Guardian? If he wasn’t, he wasn’t good enough. That was that.

Darin shrugged as she gave the best answer she could, “I’ll be honest Ridahne, I’ll have to think about it. There are a lot of factors that are still up in the air. Besides, we would have to aske Ajoran about it. He might not want to be married in secret. He may want someone who actually understands the importance of marriage to do the ceremony.” She went on to explain, “Because I don’t understand it one bit. People don’t get married in my little village. They just agree to spend their lives together. There’s no formal ceremony. They just move in together and start a family.” Darin shrugged, “But if he’s okay with it I don’t see why not.” She waved in the vague direction of the Main Farmhouse, “For now we should get some rest.”

With that being said Darin started walking back in the direction of where her bed currently was. She made it about ten feet before collapsing in a heap. Her muscles felt like limp noodles or like she didn’t know how to get them to do what she wanted. She felt like she should be firmly planted. Moving was not something she was supposed to do except when there was a wind. She had been a part of The Tree for too long. She hoped she remembered how to be a person and soon.

The Tree of Astra (LadyAnnaLee and Blackfridayrule)

The Tree smiled lightly as It softly shook Its head, “I cannot change her mind. I cannot change your mind. I cannot change any one’s mind. The best I can do is inspire the Children of Astra to change their own minds for the better. Sometimes I am successful.” The Tree sighed again as they looked off into the distance, “Sometimes I am not. My power grows weaker Daughter of the Night Sky. It grows weaker by the day. Ravi is doing all he can to keep me alive just a little bit longer, but it won’t be long before there is nothing even my darling Overseer can do.” The Tree’s tired expression suddenly quirked into a mischievous smile, “Though, as my power grows smaller, hers goes larger. Darin, Daughter of the Fields, is growing so much faster than my expectations that it is astounding. The Seed she carries is learning so quickly because it has such a good teacher, or rather the right teacher. That’s the trick you know; to be the right teacher. Your teacher was not a bad one. They were right for you. They would not be right for Darin. You do not need to be a better teacher; just the right one for your student. It is surprising how well a person will do with the correct instructor when compared to having the wrong instructor.” The Tree stepped impossibly close to Ridahne, “Remember that Ridahne Torzinei Seed-Chained.” It placed a hand on top of the Elf’s, “For now though I must let you go. Darin will be exhausted when she gets back to you. Make sure she gets some rest. You get rest as well. You both have an early and long day tomorrow.” The Tree pressed Its forehead against Ridahne’s, “You are doing wonderfully. I am so proud of you. No matter what happens always remember that.” The Tree lift Ridhane’s hand from Its Trunk, “I am always proud of you.”

Darin! It’s time for you to go.

I’m sleepy. I’ll just stay here to sleep.

Haha. If you sleep here, you’ll regret it in the morning. You need a bed.

Sleepy!

Come now. Back to your body.

Okay. If I must.

You must. Remember that I love you.

Darin returned to her body and promptly stumbled and groaned. It took her all of two seconds to realize that she was impossible close to Ridahne. With half a shout she leapt backwards only to land ungracefully on her rear. There was more groaning. Her limbs felt impossibly heavy; like she had been swimming all day and had just now gotten out of the water except way worse. She wasn’t sure how to describe the feeling. Darin just knew that she ached all over and felt like there was a terrible weight on her body. The Seed burned against her thigh. That wasn’t pleasant but it wasn’t unpleasant either. Darin fell to her back as she stared up at The Leaves. She wasn’t sure that she ever wanted to do that again. It had been nice to travel all of Astra but coming back to her body left much to be desired. Darin wasn’t even sure it was her body. She slowly lifted a shaky hand above her head to look at it. It looked like her hand. She was tired beyond anything she had ever felt before. She just wanted to collapse even though she was already flat on her back.

As she dropped her hand she spoke, “Isn’t The Tree amazing? Unsettling; but a amazing.” She rolled to her side to look at Ridahne, “Are you alright? I know it can be a bit much to handle.”

- Fragmented - (dead; stay tuned for the next one!)

@Obscene Symphony

Margret was in a rush. She knew Navy would try to call Gregory. It took Gregory two days to find where she had hiden the phones in an air vent. Margret is ... not a nice person, devoted to Navy, but that's just about it.

Corpus Christi Texas

Because they like to show off and dancing the one thing they're good at. If I said Ashe was an exrroverted introvert would that help?

- Fragmented - (dead; stay tuned for the next one!)

@Obscene Symphony

1. I've fix their weight. I've also dropped their height.

2a. If given the choice between staying home or going out Ashe will choose to stay home. If they have to go out they will be all smiles and laughter. They'll still be on the side lines, but they aren't going to be in a corner moping or complaining about going out. When their social battery runs out they just go home without bothering anyone. They'll stay out all night dancing if they get the chance. They only stay an hour at dinner parties or things like frat parties.

2b. I never said anything about Ashe hating themselves. I said they wouldn't wish themselves on another person. There is a difference and I will stand by that. Just because they like themselves doesn't mean they think they would make a good partner. They like everything to be just right to the point of perfectionism, don't want kids, and should a depressive episode strike it's not pretty at all. Ashe is self-confident enough to try and become a better person, but doesn't see why they should subject themselves to other person while on their journey.

Hider

Besides there may be a subconscious fear that they will turn out like their mother and abandon their loved ones just because they can.

3. That is a very good question. I hadn't thought about it. A friend introduced them to it. Ashe likes it because they can use their dancing skill It's a subscriber based game. The more people that watch your channel the more you get paid. It's not much. The real money is in playing and winning PvP matches.. Watchers will place bets on who is going to win, and if you win you get a percentage of the bets. Plus there is prize money. Ashe also makes more money when Noble_Dancer appears in ads both for Gamer's Nightmare and other product ads. Noble_Dancer is extremely popular, because they way they move is so unique. It's not just one style of dance, and watchers like trying to figure out what style they are going to use next.

4. It wasn't Navy. It was Margret. Navy was so desperate not to lose her soulmate once she had them that it was easy for Margret to convince Navy to leave. Margret thought they were leaving Ashe to die. Navy had complete faith that Gregory would break the window. Margret is an ex-drug lord, and needed to run from people tracking her down. Ashe doesn't know this. That's why it's not in the bio. I can put it in the bio if you would like.

5. Some city on the south coast of the United States. They have been there their whole lives in the same penthouse apartment with their dad. I'm not too sure what city. Will that be okay? I just know Ashe grew up going to the beach often.

6. They are excited for the chance to visit someplace new. They aren't really going to Reunite. Ashe just wants a chance to explore the mountains, which they have never even seen before, and the rest of where they are going to be. They are also excited about their first plane ride.

I hope this answers your questions. If it doesn't just let me know and I will be happy to try and clarify.

- Fragmented - (dead; stay tuned for the next one!)

Character Sheet!

Don't Cross Me!

Ashe Cross

Don’t Cross Me!

Age: They were born October Nineteenth, 23 years ago.

Gender: Ashe is female, but prefers they/them pronouns.

Sexuality: Ashe had had enough experience to know that they are very firmly asexual. They think they are demiromantic but aren’t entirely sure on that one.

Appearance: Ashe has fair skin that is covered with freckles and loose brown curls. Their eyes are golden brown. Ashe is 5 feet 9 inches and weighs 150 pounds. They have legs that seem to go on forever. Ashe's fashion sense was most accurately be called 'crossdressing.' They enjoy dressing in clothes that are traditionally considered male. They tend to dress up in light colored slacks and colored button ups with suspenders. They accessorize with bow ties and matching hair ribbons. Their friends have called this fashion sense "Hipster Carny." Day to day they tend to wear jeans and polos. Occasionally, when the mood strikes them, they will wear something completely different; such as a sundress or a skirt. This is very rare. They keep their hair long. Sometimes they bind their size B bust flat. Sometimes they wear a push up bra. They like to be clean and neat appearing. They also prefer boots that come to just above their ankles to other type of shoes and are only willing to wear other type of shoes, if necessary, for the type of dancing there are planning on doing. They wear black leggings underneath black shorts with black boots and a black tank top when they “work.” It’s all skintight.

As for piercings and tattoos, Ashe only has two tattoos. Around their left wrist were their Fragmented Band would be on their other wrist is a matching band that is actually part of a chain that reaches around their arm and up to their elbow. The last link in the chain on their mid forearm is broken. The second tattoo is on the back of the shell of their right ear. It is in a slightly cursive font and reads, “Don’t Cross Me!” in black ink. They have matching piercings on both ears. There is small loop in their earlobes. As the piercings go up their ears the loops get smaller to end in a stud at the top of the curve of the ear. Ashe has a row of barbells along their left eyebrow. All of these piercings are copper colored stainless steel.

Personality: While being kind mostly for the sake of being kind Ashe is highly introverted. For the most part they like to stay at home and play video games or practice dancing. If they are compelled to socialize, they will do so without too much complaint though they will be mentally counting down the minutes until they can leave without causing too much social upheaval. Different types of social events drain their so-called social battery at different rates. If they enjoy the activity, they will be able to stay out for much longer. Other events make they want to go home immediately. They do their best to not let anyone clue into the fact that they are getting ready to so home. Just because they are not enjoying themselves does not give them a right to be a “party pooper.” Everyone else is allowed to enjoy themselves as well. They still can’t wait to get home. If they are enjoying themselves, such as a dance party, they are usually right in the middle of things. If they are not enjoying themselves, such as a house party, they tend to stay at the sidelines.

Ashe is also highly competitive though they do not like to admit this. They have been taught that showing off for showing off’s sake is not polite and they try to avoid it and as a result avoiding competition is something they try to do. It doesn’t often work. It never really works. Ashe likes to compete. It doesn’t really matter what type of competition. They have been competing in dance since they were small, and their competitive nature has led to their current line of work. They are drawn to competitions of any type; video games, board games, even sports. The level of their competitiveness depends on the activity and the company. It varies from “That was good clean fun” to “I’m going to destroy you utterly.” Ashe does her best to reign that last type in.

Biography: The story of Ashe Cross does not start with them. Instead it starts with the story of Navy Davidson and Gregory Cross. That story starts on the eve before Navy’s twenty-first birthday. That was the day that Fragmented woman decided that she was done with waiting for a person who was never going to show up. She decided that she was going to live her Best Life. She wasn’t going to let the depression most Lost suffered from set in because she wasn’t Lost. She just wasn’t going to sit around and wait for someone. Navy was going to have a fantastic life; just like any old regular Intact.

Originally romance had not been part of the plan for her Best Life. Then Navy met Gregory Cross when she was twenty-four. He was fifteen years older than her, a successful businessperson, and Intact. They decide that they were going to make it work. Gregory freely admit that he would never know what it meant to have that black band on his wrist. He freely admitted that he didn’t know what would happen to Navy as she became Lost. She still dated him. They still moved in together. They rapidly began to spend much of their free time together. It was almost inevitable even as she fought to live her Best Live. It was also inevitable that the two of them would fall hopeless and deviously in love. Gregory Cross asked Navy Davidson to marry him.

The night they celebrated the new ring on Navy’s left hand their protection failed. They had not planned on children, but when they discovered the error two months later, they were deliriously happy. The first bedroom was theirs. The second bedroom was Gregory’s office. They had planned on turning the last bedroom into a studio for Navy. Instead it was turned into a nursey that could turn into a bedroom and then into a haven as their baby grew into a child and then a young adult. They purchased outfits and diapers in bulk. They agonized over which crib to get. Before they even knew the gender, they were in love. This was the next step of their lives that defied all the odds. This was marvelous.

Then, when Navy was seven months pregnant the two took one last trip before, they became parents. One last trip as just the two of them. One last chance to be at least semi irresponsible. That was where they met Margret Wilson. To be more accurate that was when the other Fragmented crashed straight into Navy as both hurried to miss their connecting flights in a very busy airport. Neither one of them made those flights as they were overcome by euphoria. They were kissing before they even got up from their fall. The three of them retreated to a café to talk. Gregory was sent to watch their luggage. He understood. Two Fragmented had entered the airport. One Reunited was here now.

In the end the engagement was called off. Navy moved out of Gregory’s flat. Both she and Margret moved into a little house that he was paying the rent on. A second nursery was set up. Gregory was left both smiling and heartbroken. How could be anything less than happy for Navy. She had found her other half. It was just like out of a fairy tale or rom-com movie. She was in love and Margret was in love with her. That didn’t change the fact that Gregory still loved the woman he had purchased a ring for. That didn’t change the fact that even though he knew why he had lost her that he truly understood it. The man shoved those feelings aside. He still had a child on the way and he still loved that child.

Thankfully that was one thing Navy agreed upon. She and Margret were not going to try and push him out of his baby’s life. Navy said she understood that for Gregory the situation was bittersweet. She was willing to do whatever it took to co-parent. Margret agreed as well. The child would have at least three parents that loved them; maybe four if Gregory was ever ready for that again. Margret didn’t have parents, but the other four grandparents were ecstatic that they were welcoming a new member of the family. For the Cross grandparents this was their first. For the Davidsons this was their second. The child may not have been raised in a traditional home, but they would be absolutely loved.

That only lasted for the first three months after Ashe Cross was born. Then one Friday Navy and Margret dropped Ashe at Gregory's so the two soul mates could get away for a weekend getaway. When Sunday night came and the two women did not come home he started to get worried. None of his text messages received answers. He contacted Navy's parents to discover that Navy hadn't contacted them either. In a panic Gregory rushed over to the home he was renting for the two women. Their he discovered that the locks had been changed. Breaking a window got him in the house where discovered that the women had taken nothing with them. Their clothes, their cell phones, their cash. It was clear they had taken nothing. The police investigation lasted months, but it was soon clear that Navy and Margret could not be found. It was clear that they had just left with no intention of returning.

As a result, Ashe Cross was raised by a brokenhearted man. A brokenhearted man that loved them with his whole being and wanted nothing more than for them to be healthy and happy, but still brokenhearted. They were raised wanting for nothing, including discipline. They grew up knowing they were loved. They grew up being punished when they broke rules, but never abused. They grew up understanding the importance of taking care of people who just needed a little bit more help. They grew up kind, considerate, loving. They grew to be a strong as Gregory could make them. He loved his child with everything he could give. Yet he couldn’t hide the sadness that always hid between his eyes.

It wasn’t long before Ashe realized that the band on their wrist was the same band their mother had sported. It wasn’t long before Ashe learned the story from both sets of grandparents. It wasn’t long before Ashe realized that they hated their mother. They understood some of it. They had the yearning as well. They craved to fill the emptiness that had always been there in their soul. Ashe could understand why Navy had clung so tightly to Margret that even her engagement meant nothing. Ashe didn’t hate their mother because she had been Fragmented and then Reunited. They hated their mother because Navy had chosen to leave for no reason to who the flip knew where. Not even Grandma Davidson had heard from her daughter since. What Ashe hated her mother for was leaving her Intact family behind without having to suffer any of the consequences. From that hate came a decision.

Ashe was never ever going to do something like that. They were never going to make a decision that they wouldn’t make as just a Fragmented. Reuniting was not going to change their life to the point of cruelty. If they did find their soul mate and it was either a Platonic or Romantic bond Ashe was not leaving their father behind to have his heart broken yet again. If it was an Antagonistic bond Ashe wasn’t letting that person into their life to hurt their family. They rather be Lost than make a choice they wouldn’t as just a regular person. Besides; who was the universe to take the choice of person they wanted to spend their life with away anyways. If they ever did meet their soul mate, they were going to make sure that spending their life with that person was their choice and theirs alone. Until that day came Ashe wasn’t waiting for happiness to find them. They would find it.

As such Ashe has taken dance lessons all their life. They haven’t picked just one style they like and that frustrates their teachers. Even though they have grown up in privilege they have not wanted to ride that privilege all their life. They have worked one job or another since they were sixteen. First, they were a checker at a big box store colored red. Then they were a shop associate at a small boutique. They worked as a volunteer librarian and a lifeguard. They have taken a few classes as community college but aren’t sure what they actually want to do with their life. Perhaps they will pick a specialty dance soon. They are not sure.

Right now, Ashe Cross makes money as Noble_Dancer in the video game Gamer’s Nightmare. Gamer’s Nightmare is the first video game of its kind. Using a virtual reality headset along with sensors in specially designed boots, gloves, knee pads, elbow pads, shoulder pads, a belt the game tracks the real-world movements of the player translating them into the avatar’s movements. It requires physical action and motion on the part of the player to play the game. Since Gamer’s Nightmare is an action adventure game set in a traditional rpg world full of monsters, players who are not physically fit have a hard time keeping up. Many sports stars, soldiers, and athletes have been drawn to the game. It originally wasn’t something Ashe was interested in. Then one day a friend of theirs challenged them to a PvP fight. Ashe gloated the moment they won the first fight. The dare and the bet to place in the next PvP tournament was not something the competitive Ashe could ignore. To their surprise they placed in the amateurs’ tournament and had more fun than they had expected. Ashe was hooked. After a few rough starts Ashe started studying a few traditional fighting styles including various martial arts, fencing, and archery in order to keep up with players that have been fighting in some manner all their lives. Now Noble_Dancer is the fifth highest ranked avatar in the world and the third most popular due to the fact that their movements are closer to dancing than actual fighting. The androgynous elf’s catch phrase, “Don't Cross Me!” trends on social media every time they live stream. The real-world identity of Noble_Dancer is a complete mystery and Ashe plans to keep it that way.

They have recently told their viewers that they are going on vacation. Ashe is not excited about this. When the invitation to a weeklong getaway exclusively for Fragmented looking to be Reunited came in the mail Ashe planned on ignoring it, until their father asked them to please go. Gregory is worried about what would happen should their child become lost. Ashe thinks the thought of them becoming Reunited should not be enough to hope for. For one thing they wouldn’t want to be their soul mate and don’t want to subject another person to themselves. Besides they don’t understand why Fragmented can’t live complete lives just like Intact can. Still there is not much they wouldn’t do for their father. With Gregory’s help they were soon packed up and on their way to Canada. They plan to treat the whole thing as adventure. They have never left the southern coast of the United States before. It could be exciting! They even plan to do their best to socialize. They want to tell their father that they tried to find their soul mate. To be honest Ashe is a little worried about what happens if they do. Alright, worried is the wrong word, but they would die before admitting they were both insanely hopeful and positively terrified of finding their soul mate to anyone; including themselves.

Other: ★ Ashe has a terrible love for puns that they are ridiculously unashamed of. No one has managed to guilt them into being ashamed of this love. They like green tea, but dislike coffee. They also have a terrible sweet tooth. Their color code is #FFCA5C