[ORP] The Blackhart Estate

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Azzanath
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[ORP] The Blackhart Estate

Post by Azzanath »

[Placeholder for description of the home]
Last edited by Azzanath on Sat Mar 26, 2022 10:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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| Husband to Zara Bertrum Blackhart | Father of Asra Leona Blackhart | Art by Aishe |
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Azzanath
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Re: [ORP] Blackhart Estate

Post by Azzanath »

Hands gathered behind his back, he stood with a quiet, prideful demeanor. The demon was inspecting a large painting of a young noble couple, clearly the previous owner must have paid a fortune. “You always had a strange obsession with showing the wealth you never had...” Azzanath reminisced with an impish smile, thinking back to the many deals he made with the nobleman. Once mortals try the easy road, they quickly grow addicted to using powers they don’t understand, at least till the time comes for them to repay their debts, Azzanath thought as his smile turned into something more reminiscent of a wide grin, his red eyes lighting up in amusement under the shadow of his hat.
It hadn’t been long since his new found bride and their daughter had returned with him to Bravia. The family extension had required a larger home, so Azzanath had paid a sudden visit to a client that over the years had made use of his powers multiple times for a wide number of contracts. Now time had come for him to return on his part of the bargain, with interest… Such the Blackharts had acquired their new home.
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| Husband to Zara Bertrum Blackhart | Father of Asra Leona Blackhart | Art by Aishe |
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Zara
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Re: [ORP] The Blackhart Estate

Post by Zara »

Grey eyes darkened somewhat as they swept over the bedroom. With a mildly annoyed purse of her lips, she approached the furthest wall and went to grab down the painting. It was out of her reach however, seeing as she was only four feet and ten inches. She slid over the stool at the vanity table, stood on it, and successfully pulled the painting down.

It was a strange portrait of dogs laying around a fire. Zara did not particularly enjoy dogs, but she certainly did not enjoy the painting enough to look at it every time she woke up. She tossed it to the growing pile of “flea market” items before putting the stool back beneath the vanity table. The wall did look a bit empty, but she would acquire a more fitting painting for their bedroom. Perhaps a family portrait? Or the scenic land of their distant homeland… Something to remind her where she came from while she grew into her individuality and independence.

The vampire decided to take a break from the dreadful decor. She wandered down the hall, in search of her daughter. It was far too quiet, which she had not realized until she left the bedroom. Concerned, her first stop was the bedroom of her child. Alas, the three year old was not there. Zara sighed. There was no telling what their spitfire was up to, so her search continued through their new home.

Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, she spotted a looming figure in the entry foyer. Azzanath towered over a foot above her, which was nearly as comedic as her next to her twin brother. She shoved her hands into the pockets of her trousers, stopping beside him. Her gaze followed his to the faces of the previous homeowners before looking up at him.

“I don’t suppose you’ve seen our little demon?”
🖤 Zara (Bertrum) Blackhart 🖤
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Azzanath
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Re: [ORP] The Blackhart Estate

Post by Azzanath »

Reflecting over the nature of the mortal world, he recognized the presence approaching. His attention remained on the painting till she turned to him. “Ah, the little one…” He held a dramatic pause. “Given you have come to me, I can take it you already investigated her bedroom.” He turned with a devilish smirk. Another short pause, before he continued in a breath. “Considering her origine, would it be wrong to assume she is up to no good, perhaps even some good old kind of trouble.” His eyes lit up with proud anticipation for what kind of chaos their daughter might be running around causing, having escaped her mother’s watchful eyes. “Why don’t I accompany you in your search, wife.” He smiled innocently, his head tilted slightly backwards, revealing his otherwise shadow obscured face, but hiding his eagerness to observe what their little spawn had gotten herself into this time. Guestering with his hand for them to walk, offering her his other arm.
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Zara
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Re: [ORP] The Blackhart Estate

Post by Zara »

The Lady Blackhart stared up into the shadows that concealed her husband's face. The glow of his eyes could be mesmerizing, like embers waiting to be stirred. There were times when she could understand the draw he had. He held himself full of confidence and promise. His voice lured, his smile beckoned. He touched those that seemed untouchable, even her father… But not her.

Zara shifted as he offered his assistance. Both hands were pulled out of her pockets before she accepted the offered arm. They were a strange pair to be sure: a powerful demon, a half-bred vampire. Together, they left the foyer to search the downstairs of their new home. Her ears stayed perked for noise, but there was no sound of small feet amongst the rustling of staff.

“Napoleon may come by today.” She said simply, gaze scanning the fainting room. She tried to conceal her excitement of entertaining her brother. Three years apart, it felt like no amount of late night drinking and afternoon walks would catch up the time missed. For him, however, time had moved differently and it had not yet been a single year in the realm they called home. Being back was like seeing the sunrise for the first time. Peace, serenity, excitement. A new day was dawning as she begun the next step in her journey.

Presently, that journey led the couple to the kitchen. There was a stillness in the air, the room notably quieter than the rest of the home. When they entered the kitchen, sure enough there sat the missing three year old. In classic toddler fashion, what appeared to be flour was covering much of the floor surrounding her. The mess was not restricted to the floor, but also covered the girl completely. Her red dress, her white locks, even her bare feet. Directly in front of her was a pile of flour, which she was sculpting. Her black eyes did not rise when her parents entered, determination on her little face.

“I don’ wike this pwace, so I’m making us a new home.”

“I’m sorry darling, but this is home now.” Zara responded swiftly, yet softly. She parted from her husband, approaching their child, eager to quell Asra’s desire to leave. Zara did not plan on ever returning to the Nether realm. She was reunited with her siblings and wished for her daughter to grow up knowing her relatives. Family was the backbone to life, or so Zara believed. “Asra, where is the cook?”

The question was not asked out of concern for the cook, but for her daughter. A three year old should not be left alone in a room full of knives, least of all her three year old.

“She got cranky, so I towd her to take a nap - just wike you tell me! She’w fewl better.”

Zara focused her listening past the quick beats of a little heart. She stood, following the quiet, much slower, heart beat. In the center of the large cooking space was a large island. A ball of dough sat atop the flour-dusted counter. As she got close, she saw the cook laying on the ground. The woman was breathing, but was clearly unconscious. Zara picked up a shallow bowl that contained water and spilled its contents onto the woman’s face. The cook startled awake, groggy and disoriented.

“Your dough is going to go flat.” She sat the bowl down, shaking her head in disappointment.

“Apologies m’lady!” The cook exclaimed, scrambling to her feet. “Miss Asra… Surprised me.”

“You best not leave my daughter unattended in the kitchen again.”

The tiny vampire turned around. She knew it was not the cook’s fault, but she would be held accountable either way. Zara returned to Azzanath and their mischievous imp. “Asra, if you wish to build, why don’t we take a walk down to the beach? You’ll be more successful there.”
🖤 Zara (Bertrum) Blackhart 🖤
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Azzanath
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Re: [ORP] The Blackhart Estate

Post by Azzanath »

It was unusual that he found his wife willing to cooperate with his approaches or antics, hence with how quick she was to accept, he accompanied her with a near annoying victorious smirk, as he figured she was too worried for their daughter to resort to her usual attitude towards him. Though her usual distant personality towards him never bothered him, he did claim her future through her father’s desire to play with fate, only to spirit her away from her family to the Nether realm shortly after he arrived to lay claim to his prize. As much as he figured her attitude towards him stems from her years of feeling imprisoned in his domain, in his world, though they both knew there was no other alternative for the survival of their little hell spawn. Instead he most often found their banthering and her attachment to the mortal world amusing to witness. In their relationship, as they are bound to each other, she was making use of him for her outlets, as much as he was making use of her for his schemes.

“Your brother you say. Would I have to put a lock on the door to our liquor storage? With his aptitude for drinking, I wouldn’t be surprised if he emptied the tavern and is seeking his next scene of crime.” Azzanath laughed as they chatted while their search went on, knowing the looks she would give him for a moment every time he teased her about her family.

“HmmmMmmm…?” Azzanath muttered with amused expectations, as Zara stopped him before he could start on another subject.
Seeing the chaotic mess in the kitchen, he stood back to observe their daugther’s handiwork with his hands raised in front of him, like that of an artist inspecting his artwork. “Quiet the scenery she has accomplished.” He expressed with pride.

Lowering himself down to Asra, as Zara went searching for the cook. “You have done well, as I always said, you ought to start out small.” Placing a hand on top of her head, he caressed her white hair. “My little demonic menace, do you miss the demons and their games?” His voice is that of a caring father.

As Zara returned from schooling the cook, he met her gaze with an entertained look about him, as he does whenever his wife loses herself and takes her anger out on others. “It is a long trip from Bravia to the ocean…” He reminds her with amusement. “Though, the large river is not far from here.”
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Zara
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Re: [ORP] The Blackhart Estate

Post by Zara »

If there was one thing she could truly appreciate of her husband, it was his love for their little one. Having a child had been a growing desire for her immortal spouse and for her, Asra Leona became a safe haven. She was used to living her life for other people, but it felt different with her daughter. She was not a motherly figure and yet, instincts arose when she first held the screaming newborn to her chest. Something she never thought she wanted became her reason and purpose.

Even when the screaming newborn began to grow into something so much more than she feared she’d ever understand.

When Azzanath corrected her, her dismay was evident. Having grown up so close to the beach across the continent, a part of her longed to feel the waves at her feet. It was yet another reminder that, while she was back in her own realm, she was far from the home she knew. She sighed, nodding to him.

“Fresh air will do us all some good, I think.” Zara then scooped up the three year old, unphased by the transfer of flour onto her black attire. “It’s a warm day; we can take a dip in the river and clean you right off.”

The idea of swimming excited Asra, who had just the moment before been displeased to be pulled away from her art project. Zara walked to the kitchen entry, walking separately from Azzanath now that she had her little girl in her arms. Before leaving, she tossed a glance over her shoulder at the cook.

On their way out of the home, Zara let the housekeeper know where they were heading so that if Napoleon showed up, he could be redirected to them. After giving the intrusions, she returned a very delayed quip to Azzanath: “Now our cellar shall be safe.”

Her twin had a drinking problem. There was no denying it. She had spent most of her adult life keeping him out of trouble. She was her brother’s keeper. Sometimes it was amusing, but at times it was rather frustrating. However, she understood that was his coping mechanism. They both responded to their father’s strictness and high expectations differently. Napoleon partied, which left Zara carrying the burden of such expectations. From a young age, she knew what to expect someday and yet, she had not been ready to be swept away from everything she knew as some trophy wife.

As they walked, Zara introduced Asra to a variety of things along the way. Different trees, bugs, animals. She tried to make it as interesting as possible, to pique the natural curiosity of the toddler and subdue any negative feelings. Azzanath was quiet for the most part, observing with an amused expression beneath his hat.

The sound of water was pleasing to her ears. Asra got equally excited and once the river was in view, she demanded to be put down. Zara put the girl down, walking alongside her as they approached the water. The sun was shining brightly and out of the shade of the forest, warmed her skin. It was moments like this she relished that she was a meager half-vampire. It gave her luxuries in life that would have been hazardous if she was like her father.

“Sand!” Asra exclaimed. She immediately sat down to pull her shoes off. Zara grinned and kicked hers off as well. While Asra dug her fingers into the sand, Zara glanced up at Azzanath. She doubted he would join in, but there were times when he could surprise her. Under his watchful gaze, she pulled off her trousers to keep them dry. The pants were left behind as she moved towards the water, blouse still on. She beckoned their daughter, who skipped over.

Zara sat down in the water, right at the edge. Asra let out a loud squeal when the water touched her toes. Giggling, she crawled onto Zara’s lap and wiggled her toes beneath the water’s surface.

“What’s dat?” A little finger pointed at a group of small fish just out of reach.

“Those look like minnows. They swim with their family.”

“We swim with family too.” Asra’s response was more directed to the fish than anyone else. “But I don’ swim so good.”

“Would you like to practice?” Zara’s eyebrow rose, but Asra shrugged.

“I’m okay.”

Zara laughed and responded with an ‘okay’. For a moment, they sat together before Asra got restless and abandoned her mother’s lap. She got out of reach from the water and sat back down to play in the sand. Zara remained seated in the water, stretching her legs out.
🖤 Zara (Bertrum) Blackhart 🖤
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Wife to Azzanath | Mother of Asra Leona | Sister to Napoleon, Eztli, and Riley | House Bertrum
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Azzanath
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Re: [ORP] The Blackhart Estate

Post by Azzanath »

Finding a cleared spot on the side of the river, Azzanath raised the sand and hardened it in the shape of a chair. His powers might have reduced in this present era of the mortal world, ever since the end of the chaos of the dark age, but at least he is able to accomplish this much he thought. Though his powers of contracts had seemed as powerful as ever, the double edged sword that it was.

Leaning back, he tilts his head to the side in amusement, as he observes his family refreshing themselves in the river.
As he expected of their daughter, it didn’t take long before Asra lost concentration and her mind wandered back to recreating her previous project, this time in sand.

He waited for some time, letting Zara enjoy the water before offering her a blanket. “How do you find our new home, my dear?” He asked with a confident smile, laying a slight more pressure on ‘my dear’, knowing she still hadn’t fully forgiven neither himself nor her father for sealing her future before she was even born. Though he was confident with his hold over her, not only with their pact which left her with his mark on her, but also with the birth of and her love for Asra, which he observed slightly caused a change of character in her, as well as the communication between them had moved further away from fights and curses, and more towards concerns for their little imp. Though the fights didn’t bother him, as to him it was all part of the experience he sought since he took up this new chapter. An attitude he knew had infuriated his bride in the past.
Last edited by Azzanath on Sat Jul 02, 2022 7:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Riley
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Re: [ORP] The Blackhart Estate

Post by Riley »

After moving to Bravia Riley moved in with her brother Napoleon. Be it temporary or not, that was still to be decided but for now it was a good solution. Napoleon was often travelling or otherwise busy, which left her with the house to herself during those times. This was one of those moment she found herself alone at the house and was feeling bored. It was too early in the day to visit the tavern and she’d finished her job for the day. Being away from their father’s wealth unfortunately did mean having to do regular jobs.

Riley remembered a message being delivered about her sister being back in the realm. The demon hadn’t just taken her as his wife, he had also made her leave their realm to live in this demon world. They hadn’t been gone for that long, it was the principle of it that bothered her. The knowledge of this deal had made her rebellious side come out more, and what better way to rebel then finding her freedom by joining her siblings as they moved out.

Having made the decision to visit she made her way to her sister’s house only to discover nobody was home, or at least not the people that she was looking for. Perhaps it would have been more smart to announce her visiting, although that would require it not being a heat of the moment decision.

The maid was kind enough to inform her about her sisters whereabouts after she’d explained who she was. Bringing out her most charming self, Riley even managed to convince the maid to let her have a bottle from their cellar. As what better way was there to enjoy their time at the river bank. While helping her father Riley had learned some tricks to charm people and convince them. Her attempts weren’t always successful, and some people seem to not be influenced at all, she did managed to get some successes with it in the past. Today was a new success to add to the list.

Riley was pleased to notice the maid had been right, she found her sister not that far from the home. Taking in the scene Riley went on to plop down next to her sister and giving her a big hug. “It’s good to see you sister! How have you been? ” She let go of Zara and presented the bottle of wine. “I brought some drinks, I hope you don’t mind "

After greeting her sister she looked over to Asra and waved excitedly at her little niece. She’d let the child come to her if she wanted to, as thanks to the demon kidnapping her sister she had missed a lot of time with Asra and the girl hardly knew her yet. The demon got a nod, he wasn’t forgiven yet for kidnapping her sister.
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Zara
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Re: [ORP] The Blackhart Estate

Post by Zara »

Zara relished the water lapping over her bare legs. It grounded her, bringing her a sense of peace that she had not felt in some time. She put her hands behind her, resting back to tilt her head up to the sun. She stayed like this for a while, listening to nature and the playing of her child. After a while, she broke her stance and stood up, water dripping back into the river. She stepped back onto shore, grey eyes brighter than they were before with a hint of blue rising around her irises. It was a sign that she felt happy and relaxed, which was not dimmed when she accepted the blanket from her husband.

"It does not feel like home yet, but I am sure we will remedy that soon."

She left out the obvious, "well, it's not the home I know". They were far from her birthplace and that would always sit a bit heavier on her. On the other side, she was away from the Bertrum patriarch. She had only seen him once since they left for her husband's world, and that was a courtesy visit so he could meet his only grandchild. She would be lying if she said it did not feel good to be back in her realm without her father hovering over her. Of course, Eztli was there to do the hovering in his steed, but it was a different relationship between them of understanding and love. Etzli had always been the big sister and she did a good job at it.

The vampire did not have to continue the conversation because Asra beckoned her. Giving her husband a smile, she moved to sit beside their little one. She was immediately instructed on which portion of the castle she would be helping with. Laughing quietly, she obeyed and began to scoop sand between her petite hands. She had not been sitting long before she heard someone approaching. She looked up to find the youngest Bertrum trotting over with a big grin and a bottle of wine. Zara's demeanor shifted, face brightening.

"Riley!" She embraced her little sister tightly once Riley was seated next to them. Zara was not an overly affectionate person, but it was obvious to anyone how much she missed her family. She responded jokingly, "I do not mind. It's hardly the dent Napoleon will make. I am alright. What do you think of our new home? It was generously given."

The last sentence got a flick of her eyes up to Azzanath before refocusing on her sister. They had spent some time, though not much, together since her return, but Riley had yet to see the home before now. "I can give you a proper tour later. Maybe you can help with some redecorating... Because the previous owners had no taste. Napoleon is meant to be coming by today. Maybe we can get Etzli over here too and we can enjoy the evening together."

While Zara was speaking, Asra carried on with her building. She occasionally looked up from her handiwork to check out Riley, but if Riley caught her eye, she'd look back down. It was not in a bashful manner, but in a secretive way. After Zara went quiet, Asra butted in, looking directly at Riley.

"If ywo want to hewp, we need a tower to pwotect the princess. It has to go hwre." The three year old pointed at a very specific spot away from the castle that she was working diligently on.
🖤 Zara (Bertrum) Blackhart 🖤
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Wife to Azzanath | Mother of Asra Leona | Sister to Napoleon, Eztli, and Riley | House Bertrum
(Aishe Art)
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