We All Have a Little Darkness in Us [Damian]

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

February 2, 2027
DAMIAN ANDREAS KARKAROFF

Rose had just gotten back from Russia a few hours ago and... was not in a good mindset. She was angry, bitter, resentful but when wasn't she? No, it was worse then normal. That's what tended to happen though when she spent time around her chaotic family. She would never call herself a good person. She knew she wasn't, nor would she ever be. But she wasn't as monstrous as the rest of the Nightshades.. Or so she tried to convince herself. There were times, like now, when she questioned that truth she held so desperately to. When she doubted if she really was different. As the saying went, the apple didn't fall far from the tree. 

She reclined in one of the arms chairs in the sitting room, an elbows resting on the arm and her hand covering her face. The only sound was the crackling of the fire in the fireplace. It was also the only light source in the dark room. It wasn't too late, maybe eight in the evening but the sun had already set. Her house elf, realizing Rose was in a truly foul mood, kept herself scarce, only appearing to set a very (very) strong vodka mixed drink on the coffee table before leaving her mistress alone. Rose lowered her hand from her face to stare at the drink, contemplating just downing it in one go to drown these overwhelming emotions.... before deciding that she needed some air. She got up from the chair and headed out the sitting room, down the dark hall that led to the front door, grabbing a pack of cigarettes as she went. 

While most witches and wizards weren't fans of Knockturn alley, Rose was. She liked the dark, dreary atmosphere. Not only that, she liked how people didn't pay any attention to each other. You could go about your business without interference. Your business was your own. While the bitter cold of the February evening bit at her skin it felt nice. Rose, having grown up in Eastern Russia, was no stranger to the cold. Plus, the numbing effect was exactly hat she needed right now. As she walked she pulled out one of the cigarettes and lit it. As she breathed in the nicotine, she closed her eyes, just savoring the emotional numbness the cigarettes and cold were bringing. She didn't wander far from her place though, just down to the end of the road, then turned to start back. A long, slow pacing back and forth in front of her home.

Rose was halfway through her third pace, heading in the direction of her home, and smoking her second cigarette, when she spotted someone approaching that was familiar to her. Damian Karkaroff. His brother owned a shop in the alley. Plus, they'd known each other in passing growing up, since their parents had frequented similar circles. She took one last long inhale of her cigarette before tossing it to the ground and stepping on it, snuffing it out. "Late night at your brother's shop?"

[DAMIAN ANDREAS KARKAROFF]

Since returning from their Middle Eastern expedition, Damian had found himself seeking out Cas' company more and more. They were more similar than Damian had thought. Cas, when he wasn't being the patriarch of the family, was actually alright. He craved adventure almost as much as Damian, though had more self control than the younger Karkaroff. The trip had been both pleasant and enlightening, and Damian found himself looking forward to the next one. He never had been one to keep still for long.

Damian peered at a pile of powder darker than night. He narrowed his eyes slightly before straightening. "Are you saying Argentinian darkness powder is more potent than Peruvian? That's quite an assessment," said Damian, leaning casually against the wall. "Anyways, I ought to get going. Think I may find a date for tonight and get all too drunk and spill all my secrets," said Damian airily. He winked at his brother, before drifting out the door. Of course, he would do no such thing. Damian was proud of the knowledge he had collected over the years, stored in his mind for use further down the line of time.

Damian tightened his cloak around him and looked up the street. Instantly, he spotted a familiar figure, a haze of smoke haloed around her moon bright hair. Rose stomped out her cigarette, and Damian grinned. "No need to stop on my account," said Damian. "Not too late. Dinner?" asked Damian, before he dug out his own pack of cigarettes and offered Rose one. Like Hazel Burke, Rose Nightshade was the most tolerable of an intolerable family. Cas and Ana had often warned Damian off, but Damian was never really one to listen to direction. He lit the cigarette and inhaled deeply, letting the smoke warm his bones. "How are things going with you? Any... dark deeds?" asked Damian off-handedly, glancing over at Rose. He didn't care much for anyone else in her family, and was fairly certain that they were mostly insane. There were stories of mysterious deaths lingering around them, and Damian wondered if Rose had had a hand in any of that.

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

February 2, 2027
DAMIAN ANDREAS KARKAROFF

Rose wasn't sure it she'd been looking for a distraction from her... darker thoughts. But somehow she'd found one. Damian was an easily tolerable person, and while being a journalist he didn't pry into her business when he shouldn't. It probably stemmed from the Pureblood heritage. Many pureblood families had secrets that should never see the light of day, no matter how far you strayed from your family's ideals.

If this had been years before, she might have felt like smiling at how quickly he offered up dinner and another cigarette. But now? Well, Roes didn't know the last time she smiled, though cold and icy gaze softened. She reached out to take an offered cigarette and lit it up. "Not worried about getting lung cancer?" she finally answered, only the barest note of teasing in her voice though that was normal for her. She didn't express much. "Sure," she finished, accepting the invitation before taking a long drag on the new cigarette.

Damian's next questions made Rose cock her head to the side, the faintest smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Wouldn't telling you make you an accomplish?" She taunted, though... how was she doing? Was she ever not angry? She was.. just angrier then usual, she supposed. But she'd rather not remind those that did know her that she rarely felt anything else. It concerned most normal people.

[DAMIAN ANDREAS KARKAROFF]

Rose made an offhand comment about contracting lung cancer, which had Damian snickering. He took a deep inhale, and blew a ring of smoke around her fair face. "We've got potions for that, love," said Damian smugly, a smirk on his lips. He analysed her cold gaze, which had softened when she recognised him. Good. It was only fair that she had a soft spot where he was concerned, especially considering the one he nursed for her. She agreed to his invitation and Damian nodded, sliding a hand to her lower back and gently guiding her forward.

Damian wondered aloud if Rose had done anything unsavoury lately - not that he expecged a straight answer. But any tidbit of information was interesting to him. He quirked a brow, sliding a glance over at her at her response. A slow grin split his face as they passed through the Leaky Cauldron into the muggle world. "A bit of dark glamour, Rose. We all need it in our lives," he replied evenly. "Don't worry, a drink will loosen up that tongue of yours," added Damian with a touch of playfulness. The pair had a rapport that was almost unmatched, both distinct from their families but for different reasons.

Muggle London bustled around the pair as Damian looked around. He supposed his regular dark haunts weren't exactly the proper place to take anyone but a lady of the night, but Damian knew that the heart of the city held hidden treasures. "This way," he directed, leading Rose down the busy Tottenham Court Road. "I'm glad to hear you're keeping yourself out of trouble. Or rather, not hear as much," he corrected himself with a private smirk. Secrets were never kept for long with him around. Though Rose was more experienced at dodging his tactful questions than most. "I hope you like pasta," he said after a moment, opening the door to an elegant restaurant. They were seated almost at once, in one of the oversized windows looking out on the street. "Red or white?" asked Damian, his stare intense as if the answer would end the world.

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

February 2, 2027
DAMIAN ANDREAS KARKAROFF

To be honest, Rose could heal cancers. Muggle ailments were practically child's play. Though to be honest, most healing was child's play to Rose. But considering her upbringing, being talented in healing was quite beneficial and no doubt a skill she'd developed for more then just personal interest. It'd been to survive. Though now a days she used the skill to make quite a bit of money. People would pay quite a bit for a healer that wasn't connected to the hospital and wouldn't tell anyone, after all.

Rose didn't fight it as his hand found the small of her back. She wasn't one to shy away from contact, especially when it offered a distraction. She slowed her pace to match his own. Going out to dinner hadn't even been a consideration for tonight, but who was she to refuse? She didn't even worry where he might have in mind as he lead the way, his hand at the small of her back never moving as he guided her. "Are you sure you can handle my dark secrets, Damian?" She asked, a hint of mischief in her eyes, though that was the only place the emotion seemed to show. "I'd hate to scare you off."

Rose really had no idea where they were heading, but she didn't care. Damian was a distraction enough. THOugh she was aware that they were now in muggle London. "Damian, my very existence is trouble. How could I ever stay out of it?" She asked teasingly. "I've just gotten very good at staying off your radar." She was very secretive, and very good at keeping her secrets after all. She was very selective about the people she assorted with. Her paranoid mistrust of others at least protected her from working with those that might betray her.

It seemed that he'd decided on the food, mentioning pasta and holding the door open for her. Rose entered, taking a moment to let her harsh gaze flicker around the restaurant. Before long though they were seated at a table in what had to be a premium location, the large windows overlooking the street. "Red," she answered immediately. Red wines, from her experience, tended to pair with more pastas then white.

[DAMIAN ANDREAS KARKAROFF]

Damian knew Rose was an extraordinary witch, even if he didn't know the full breadth of her skills. She had agreed easily to his invitation, and all thoughts of Argentinian darkness powder and how new and improved powders for escape could lead to uncertain consequences left his mind. He filled their walk with idle conversation, teasing out Rose's secrets that he knew she would never share. The other Karkaroffs shied away from the Nightshade clan, but Rose was different. At least, Damian promised himself as such.

"I don't scare easily," Damian promised, but with a smirk, said nothing more. He found that people got lulled into a false sense of security, that his silence and apparent change of subject meant he would forget. Yet the secret would lie on their minds all night, before they couldn't take the pressure and spouted it out. Damian of course knew that Rose Nightshade would not let this happen. But the best way to hone a skill was to fail at it. Damian inclined his head at Rose's observation that her very existence was trouble. It was entirely true. Any pureblood knew that involvement with the Nightshades was problematic. Which was probably why Cas had advised them all to stay away.

Damian had never been very good at following orders.

"My radar needs fixing," grumbled Damian, though he wasn't affected. Damian held the door open to a cosy little Italian spot, and they were seated at once. A question of wine bubbled to Damian's lips, which Rose answered immediately - and correctly. He let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding, and gave her an easy smile. "Lovely." He made quick work of ordering wine before letting Rose peruse the menu. "How go things with the shop-not-shop? Any large shipments come in? Big potion orders?" asked Damian, leaning forward slightly, his dark gaze intense. He knew that Rose made potions, though perhaps not ones that were quite legal.

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

February 2, 2027
DAMIAN ANDREAS KARKAROFF

While Damian’s words were amusing they didn’t convince her to suddenly divulge all her secrets to him. Nor did she fully believe them. After all, she was a Nightshade. To be honest though, a part of her hoped it was true. That he’d be unfazed if she did ever decide to open up to him. Unfortunately. She’d learned the hard way not to open up to people in that way… ”I’m glad to hear that,” she answered out of courtesy. She left it at that. No promises to take him up on the offer.

Rose smirked just a little. ”No, I like keeping you in the dark. It’s entertaining to see you curious,” she teased. That and she didn’t want him finding out something he shouldn’t.

Rose, personally, wasn’t an alcohol snob. If it got a buzz going, she didn’t care. Wines rhough were different. You had to consider how it would pair with the food. High society had ingrained that into her. It seemed Damian approved if the answer. Rose leaned back into the chair, crossing one left over the other and brushing her hair off her shoulder. ”you asked that as if it was a question of life or death,” she teased. Though as he asked about her business she shrugged slightly. ”I’ve been out of the country off and on the past few months. I haven’t had time to take any clients.” of course she wasn’t saying where she’d been.

[DAMIAN ANDREAS KARKAROFF]

As the pair sat at the table, Damian eyed Rose. He didn't like being kept in the dark. Then again, he so rarely was. Ignorance was not a feeling he was well acquainted with. Instead of responding, he arched a brow and ordered them wine. It was delivered promptly, with no need for pointless questioning between the pair. "It was," said Damian, his brow furrowing in genuine confusion. The Karkaroffs may be different from most pureblood families, but they were not without taste.

At last, Damian asked about Rose's business. He was only vaguely aware of her line of work, and knew that she had to deal with less than savoury folk especially with her potions. Potions that were not necessarily very legal, but useful all the same. Damian had gotten himself into a spot or two of trouble in the past, though he'd always been too hesitant to reach out to Rose. He mulled over her words, tasting the wine as he did so. Damian hummed his appreciation before speaking. "I don't know whether that's a good thing or a bad thing. Some of the people I'm sure you have to deal with... well, I don't suppose they're much after your family," said Damian, tilting his head slightly.

"I hear Crimea is lovely this time of year," said Damian, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards. "But I've always preferred a warm getaway. Vietnam, for example. Some of the cities along the water are simply divine, wouldn't you agree, Rose?" asked Damian, her name drawling off his lips like molten chocolate, his eyes flashing.

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

February 2, 2027
DAMIAN ANDREAS KARKAROFF

It really was amusing to see how riled up it made Damian, knowing that she was keeping a plethora of secrets from him. It only made her want to keep them to herself more. It let her tease him even more. He chose not to respond though, ordering the wine and then addressing her next comment. Rose reached for her glass, though she didn’t take a drink yet. Instead she held it in her hand. Taking a moment to eye the drink. A force of habit, trying to check for any obvious poisons rhat might distort the color. Though she knew it couldn’t. Alas, her paranoia wouldn’t be satisfied unless she at least looked. ”Well then, I’m glad I chose correctly.”

Damian’s next words made Dose pause, silently pondering. She swirled rhe eine glass, her gaze focused on the dark liquid, watching how it moved. She wouldn’t say why she’d been out of the country so much. Didn’t want to hear the judgment of what she’d played a part of in October or the months that followed. Didn’t want to share the anger and frustration she felt towards her family’s situation. Rose finally took a long and slow sip from the wine, to delay responding even longer. At Last though she set the glass back down on the table and her gaze flickered back to Damian. ”Unsavory individuals, unfortunately, will only find business in unsavory dealings,” was the start of her response. She paused only momentarily so her words could sink in. ”There’s little choice or escape with my bloodline.” Her voice was steady and slow, though there was a hint of resignation. As if she’d resigned herself to a fate of dangerous and illegal work.

The change of subject was surprising, and she wondered if he might be trying to figure out where she’d been. But after a moment she relaxed. ”It is. Have you never been to Crimea?” Crimea had strong Russian roots, so she’d been there a number of times. ”I’ve always much preferred the cold. But I must agree. Nothing is quite as splendid as a city on the water.”

[DAMIAN ANDREAS KARKAROFF]

With an eye as keen as his own, Damian noticed Rose's hesitation. He would have laughed, if it wasn't so disconcerting. "If I wanted to poison you, I wouldn't be so daft as to slip it into a shared bottle," said Damian with a smirk. His next question settled on Rose like a weight - and she watched the wine swirl in her glass. Like a hawk, Damian watched her, noting the slight downturn to her lips, the infinitesimal crease between her brows, the concentration that pulled on her fair features. But she held herself stiffly, and replied that she had little choice but to manage with the hand that she was dealt.

Damian scoffed, rolling his eyes. "That's bullshit and you and I both know it," said Damian in a low growl. He leaned forward over the table, his dark eyes flashing. "Look at my family. My brother and my sister - both well respected individuals, and Ana was even the one to take down the Purifiers. And we're Karkaroffs. People don't just forget that our family has a history of cowardice. You can change from your family as much as we can change from ours," said Damian, before leaning back in his chair and resuming his feigned disinterest. On a whim, he mentioned Crimea. He didn't know much about the area, only that it was a particularly tenuous stronghold.

"No. I tend to shy away from states such as that unless it's for business," said Damian dryly. Though he had taken a role at the Prophet focusing closely on corruption within politicians, he was more inclined to write about British politics than anything. That was what he was paid for. When Krum took a holiday, he took a holiday. And who would take a holiday to Crimea? "Well, Nightshade. I suppose that's where we differ," said Damian loftily. "Now tell me, does the Thames do it for you? Because I'm running out of benefits for this sodden shithole, and I'm about this close to escaping," said Damian, only half joking.

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

February 2, 2027
DAMIAN ANDREAS KARKAROFF

Rose had, unfortunately, been poisoned before. Poisoned others, as well. It was just ingrained into her to always be suspicious of anything that was given to her. It seemed the habit was noticeable to Damian. He immediately commented. Rose paused, eyeing him curiously. ”I dont think you have any motivation to poison me,” she finally answered. Some habits just didn’t break though, nor would she want to break it. Because when she did it would make her a target to her family.

Rose was not expecting his rather heated reaction to her words. Rose had, at one point, hoped to live a law abiding life. Events, numerous events, had taught her otherwise. Though his outrage was… refreshing. Rose smiled. It was small, subtle. But it has been a long time since she last smiled in any regard. ”Im glad you think so,” she said softly. Glad at least he didn’t associate Rose purely with her surname.

”My family enjoys states such as that,” she answers. Governments they could buy, that is. ”So formal. What happened to calling me Rose? I though we were more familiar then that,” she couldn’t help but tease him. That and she really didn’t like being called Nightshade. Especially in the UK.

[DAMIAN ANDREAS KARKAROFF]

There was a twinkle of mischief in Damian's eyes as he appraised Rose. "No, I don't think I do," he replied at last, tilting his head. He ran his fingers through his hair smoothly, adjusting himself in his seat so he was in a more comfortable position. He took a measured sip of wine before speaking again, mentioning Crimea. Rose hadn't said where she was going - Damian had thought it probably was somewhere in Eastern Europe, something to do with her family. But she gave nothing away, her face a smooth and delicate mask as she replied how much she preferred a city on the water.

Damian had not expected Rose to smile. But then again, he should have learned long ago never to expect anything with a Nightshade. But at his comment, something gentle peeked out of the woman across from him, an echo of the past, or perhaps even the future. He blinked in confusion, completely thrown by her reaction. "Are you sure there wasn't poison in that wine?" asked Damian, his brows furrowing. "Don't think I've ever seen such a pleasant look on your face," he added after a moment in explanation.

"Well, like I said. You're not your family." He shrugged, as if it was simple. "You can be whoever you want." Another deep drink to buy himself time to think. "Rose... is a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Damian glanced up at Rose. "Two vastly different flowers, you are. One given, one chosen," said Damian, his voice lazy as his finger that rimmed the wine glass. He pursed his lips thoughtfully. "What are you doing here if not to bloom?"

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

February 2, 2027
DAMIAN ANDREAS KARKAROFF

While a great many would have cause to with the Nightshade family harm, and Rose by default, she knew Damian wasn't one of them. Unless she was sorely misjudging him. Her judgement wasn't perfect, but she did pride herself on at least being observant enough to not let someone with such intentions close to her without her knowing. Feeling as if her words weren't enough though, she reached for her wine glass again, taking a long sip, her gaze focused quite intently on his own.

Rose didn't realize she was smiling. Or really why she was smiling. His words had been very straightforward and blunt. It was a reminder as well that, in many ways, Damian was very similar to herself. While their trials and challenges were quite different there was an uncanny familiarity. Family names that were difficult to escape, family histories that no one could forget. Rose, long before, had often hoped and believed that she could change people's perspective of the name Nightshade. She knew how to be cruel and cold when she needed, but it had never been her default. But ever since Aleksandr's death... Well, it'd just become her default. His comments were enough to make Rose aware of her subtle smile. It didn't disappear though. "Perhaps there's poison in your words, Damian." She paused, taking a sip from the wine. "Of course I'd show a pleasant expression when I have such pleasant company. Don't make me regret it."

Well, if his words weren't honey to the ears. Quoting Shakespeare, only to poetically make it his own. Rose leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table, her head tilted just a little to the side. "Or perhaps I simply hope not to wither. For all that's left of a rose then is it's thorns."

[DAMIAN ANDREAS KARKAROFF]

Was that... an inkling of trust in Rose's eyes. Damian felt proud of himself for earning it. Though they had known each other for ages, Damian felt certain that trust was a gift never given by a Nightshade. As Rose watched him over the rim of her wine glass, Damian realised that her trust was something he wouldn't take for granted. She was not just another secret to keep. This uncomfortable realisation had Damian reaching for his own glass, downing the wine before filling it up again. He topped off Rose's drink without comment.

When Rose smiled, Damian commented how he'd never seen such a pleasant expression on her face. "It suits you," he added after a moment, the corners of his lips turning down into a frown. He had to steer this conversation elsewhere, lest he make himself vulnerable. However, even though he pointed out the rarity, Rose's smile didn't falter. "Don't stroke my ego like that, Rose. You know a writer is most deadly with a quill and ink," said Damian.

As Rose leaned forward, Damian followed suit, folding his hands plainly in front of him. Their breaths mingled over the bottle of wine, their faces masks of intrigue. "I didn't realise you were a poet, Rose," said Damian with a smirk. "But every rose has its thorns. The blooming ones and the dead ones. I should hope you wouldn't let that define you," he added, trailing off. He leaned back in his seat when the waiter finally returned to take their dinner orders, and Damian looked expectantly at Rose.

Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

February 2, 2027
DAMIAN ANDREAS KARKAROFF

Rose was used to compliments. They were always empty though. Simply words thrown around carelessly to flatter the other to get what you were after. Tools to manipulate the other person that didn’t actually mean anything or require any actual belief. While Rose had received much better compliments in the past though, she felt Damian’s simple “it suits you” held more honesty then most others. ”Thank you,” she answered, accepting the compliment respectfully and without much fuss. She took a sip from her wine glass, freshly refilled from Damian only a few moments before. ”And what’s wrong with that? Humility doesn’t suit you.”

Damian, though his posture a little different had mirrored her movement, and suddenly he was much closer then before. Closer then would be deemed appropriate for a casual dinner between friends. Rose didn’t lean away though, her gaze unflinchingly intent on his own. His words were… surprising. Rose did let her thorns define her, as what else could? ”And what else will be left of me besides my thorns in the end?” she asked rhetorically. He leaned back, and after a moment she followed suit. Only a moment later the waiter returned. The look Damian gave seemed to tell her to order first so she ordered a simple pasta dish from the menu that paired best with the brand of wine they were enjoying.