frost and starlight [rose]

[EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK]

November 2021 - Copenhagen, Denmark

After spending months in the south of France, migrating the country as he saw fit, Rob retreated further and further away from the French until he found himself in the north, a year later. Rob had settled himself into the heart of Nyhaven in Copenhagen, and saw out the summer months roaming the countryside, noting various different herbs and flowers to include in his experiments. Time passed surprisingly quickly, and Rob managed to forget about most things. Instead, he wandered.

Winter was coming quickly in Copenhagen, and the first snow had fallen days ago. Rob had hardly noticed the passage of time, so caught up in his experimentations. He thought he may have come up with a solution to settle intense stomach pain and digestive issues. He just needed one more ingredient, he thought. Or perhaps he ought to alter the balance of ginger root and fluxweed. His forehead was creased in concentration, premature lines growing as he thought. There was a tap on the window, causing Rob to jump. He opened the window and a majestic barn owl soared through the door, promptly landing and holding out its leg. Rob made quick work of the letter and the owl was off again into the night.

Rob's eyes quickly roved the letter, inviting him to a networking session for young potioneers in Copenhagen the following evening. He supposed there were probably loads of other potioneers whose brains he could pick about various different potions. Rob could hardly sleep that night, too excited for the following day and what it would bring. When he apparated to the appointed spot the following evening, Rob found that his wishes had been granted. The room was packed full with witches and warlocks, young and old, chattering about various different brewing methods and best practices. Rob found the bar (predictably) and helped himself to a bottle of beer. When he turned, there was a young blonde woman before him "Hej," greeted Rob tentatively in Danish.

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

November 2021
EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK

This was Rose's first real taste of freedom. Freedom from her family, from the constant threat over her head. Of course, she was still guarded, but still.. free. Levin, her eldest full brother, had always told her about how much he loved Copenhagen and she was determined to see it for herself. She'd recently found one of his journals, from... before. It'd been 2 years since his death but sometimes it still felt like just yesterday. In that journal he'd written about his travels across Europe and particularly Denmark. It'd awoken a sense of adventure in Rose, to get out from Russia and out of her family's watchful eyes and truly see the world as just... a regular person. It was the ideal moment too, as she'd finished her healer training. Most of her family scoffed at her interest in medical healing but she always spun it as if it was a way to hurt htem in the long run. It wasn't though, not really. It was all just a cover. So they didn't see the desire to help others deep in her heart.

So, she packed a few bags and headed out. Unfortunately she learned very quickly that the Nightshade name didn't get her far in the "outside world". No, the name invoked fear and distrust. Rozalina Nightshade was not someone trusted. And so, she became someone else. Rose North. Not the most creative alias, but it was enough to set her apart from her family.

When she finally made it to Copenhagen she realized why her brother had loved it so much. It was during those days of exploration that an interesting... situation happened that would set Rose's path for many years to come. She'd come across a woman, beaten and bruised. In need of medical aid but afraid to go to a hospital or doctor. Rose treated her, and promised to never tell a soul. Soon word spread about a talented healer and potioneer that would provide any aid you needed, no questions asked. She enjoyed the work, though she knew it was quite illegal. In her mind though, the people needed the aid. And thus, that was how Rose spent summer and fall in Copenhagen.

Soon, an invitation arrived. Someone she'd treated a month ago had come from a rather prestigious background but hadn't wanted her parents to know about the trouble she'd gotten in, so she'd come to Rose. It seemed like this was the girl's way to thank Rose. The invitation was for potioneers in Copenhagen. She sat in her chair, skimming the letter and thinking for a long time. Should she go? Dare she go? What if someone there would recognize her for who she was? A Nightshade? And not just some sketchy back alley healer and potioneer? After sleeping on it.... she finally decide to go. To mingle with... normal people was too tempting. To talk about potions and brewing without the mention of poison on death (that would be the only reason her own family brought up the subjects, after all.).

Rose was very glad she came. A bit wide eyed at first, she weaved through the hall and listened to the conversations around her. A pair discussing the uses of Phoenix tears. Another group debating the use of liquid luck. It was fascinating! She wanted to stay and listen, and maybe join some of these conversation but her own fear of being recognized convinced her not to. Instead she headed towards the bar, hoping a drink might help her relax just a little. She'd just reached the bar when a man turned away from it and happened to turn right to her. Immediately Rose stopped, intending to just step aside so he could pass. But then.. to her surprise, he spoke. She'd picked up a few conversational words in Danish, so she recognized the word. Her listening was much better then speaking though. "Oh, hello." she answered instinctively, then realized she'd spoken in English. "Oh... I'm sorry. My Danish isn't very good." she slowly added, the slightly hesitating as she spoke in Danish. "Do.. you speak English?" Russian also would have worked, but she didn't think she'd run into many Russian speakers in Denmark.

(I don't feel like google translating haha, I'm just going to use italics for her attempt to speak in Danish hahha)

[EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK]

Rob had graduated from Beauxbatons a few years ago now, and had worked on making a name for himself in the potioneering spheres. However, he was too restless to stay in one place for long and while his potions were exceptional, he was often gone before he could garner any renown. Years and years, Rob spent drifting, searching for something, but he didn't know what. He had travelled all over Europe, never putting down roots. Perhaps he ought to try the America's? He was certain they could use talented potioneers there. But something at the back of his mind kept him in Europe, something he couldn't quite explain.

Unsurprisingly, Rob was deligted at an invitation to meet and greet other potioneers in Copenhagen. He'd not been invited before - but perhaps that was because he hadn't had a permanent address long enough to collect an invitation. Rob politely greeted a few older warlocks who nodded to him as he entered, before making a beeline to the bar. He always felt more comfortable with a drink in his hand - perhaps the first sign of a problem, but Rob was still young. He had time to grow out of that sort of thing. When he turned, a striking young blonde stood before him. Rob would have thought she appeared out of nowhere, if the place wasn't so crowded. He greeted her automatically in Danish, and she replied in English, before correcting herself and explaining further in Danish her predicament.

The girl's accent was hard to place - most certainly not Danish, but not from any of the places he'd visited. "Oh, yeah, no problem. I'm Rob, by the way," said Rob with a crooked grin. "You come to these often?" he asked, casting his gaze around the room at the various different people. So many people who loved potions and experimenting as much as him, all under the same roof. Rob could hardly believe his luck.

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

November 2021
EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK

Rose felt a wave of relief when the man so easily switched to English, grinning. She'd never seen anyone smile like that back home in Russia. She still wasn't used to it, even after all these months in Denmark. She'd never felt the urge to smile like that before, even now. Instead, her own smile was much more subdued, and controlled. Something well trained to be pretty. Though thankfully it was more genuine then it had so many months before. "It's nice to meet you," she started to answer, pausing just momentarily. "I'm Rose," Just... Rose. Her accent was probably pinpoint in Danish, but it rang clear when speaking English. That thick, Russian accent. In years to come she'd learn to hide her accent, but that was a story for another day.

Her gaze followed his own, glancing over the crowd. All the witches and wizards, deep in conversation and networking. Rose wasn't really sure what she actually planned on getting out of this, or even if she wanted to get anything out of it. She'd just.. wanted to have a normal conversation with like minded individuals. No sinister motives behind the conversations. "No, this is my first time. I've only been in Copenhagen a few months. Do you? Do this sort of thing often," She added, pausing just a moment before returning the question.