Driven to the Edge [Asher]

[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

Early August
asher rowan burke

Rose was angry. A rather normal state of being for the young woman, but usually kept under control through... methods. Now though? Rose was stone cold sober, her wrath like a firestorm set on destroying everything in it's path with little regard. While Rose may "play well" with others, a skill most Nightshades lacked she was still a Nightshade. Rose simply possessed enough self control (through methods) to act rationally. Or rather.. to not act upon her emotions. Right now though? Rose chose to let her anger grow. Chose to let it overwhelm her. Chose to let it drive her. 

But what had driven Rose to this point? That would be the mistress of her father, and mother of some of her half siblings. The woman had dared to have someone enter Rose's home and attempt to poison her. In fact, the woman had succeeded. Rose had simply managed to take an antidote in time. Now it was time to get revenge. Only Rose wouldn't simply stop at an attempt. To succeed though Rose would need some information that had been proving to be very elusive. 

While the information block was only making Rose angrier, she wasn't surprised. Of course the mistress would know that, should Rose survive, Rose would be hunting her down. So she'd moved into hiding and gone above and beyond to ensure Rose wouldn't find her. But the woman had overlooked one thing. Rose had other connections. If you cut off her own information network she would just use someone else's. That person? Asher Burke. While he'd lost some connections during his incarceration he'd been rebuilding it since his release. 

Rose had not seen the Burke man in quite some time, though there was no animosity between them. Their paths simply hadn't crossed since his release. But now, an unstoppable storm had arrived at Asher's club. One of the attendants had stepped in her path, asking how they might help her, but Rose said nothing, storming through the club towards Asher's office. The attendant quickly followed, repeating his question, and upon realizing where she was heading, trying to get in her path. "He's in a meeting, Miss North. If you'd follow me to a waiting room until he's free-" They'd gotten to the office then and he'd placed himself between her and the door.

He'd finally made a mistake that forced action from Rose, who had been content completely ignoring him up until this point. Those normally icy eyes of her held a cruel rage that seemed to be beyond reasoning. With blinding speed she whipped out her wand and pointed it at the man. He didn't even see what spell hit him in the chest but he felt it. He also felt his back hit the door, smashing through it and thrown into the room like a rag doll. Rose stepped into the room, lowering her wand but giving the man now sprawled on the ground a dominating stare that threatened worse. "Never step in my way," she hissed. Whatever meeting had been going on before this moment had been abruptly interrupted. Rose didn't care, that rage filled gaze had fixated on the one she was looking for, Asher Burke. "Get rid of them before I do." She didn't even look at the others in teh room, the ones she wanted removed. 

[asher rowan burke]

In a nocturnal state of mind

Children of the night

Early August 2027
Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

Asher mentally took notes as the man in front of him informed Asher of a new connection. Over the past eight months, he’d relentlessly worked hard to rebuild his network, but it still was not at a satisfactory level. The dueling rings slowly built up, generating galleons for the club alongside the regular business upstairs. But in the past, most of his profits had come from smuggling, hiring curse specialists, and information. It took time to make his corner of the world as important as it once was. The man kept speaking. He’d worked for the Burkes for a long time, so he knew that getting to the point, regardless of good or bad news, would keep him alive. Asher didn’t have patience for fools that trembled before him when they had bad news to report.

But the door burst open, a man flying through and a woman stepping through. Those in the room with him all stood up, wands pointed at the intruder. Asher hardly flinched something that had taken time to regain. Solitary confinement had the unfortunate side effect and making one fidgety and skittish, though he’d worked hard to push past it. Many symptoms lingered, but ruthless training in his occlumency, legilimency, and dueling had shown people that Asher Burke was indeed back. The woman, who Asher immediately recognized, demanded that the room be cleared, but nobody moved. Honestly, even if Asher had recognized the intruder—the usual punishment for any with less than pureblood would not have been pretty.

Asher stood, buttoning his jacket as he did so. ”Out.” He spoke simply, and they lowered their wands, filing out or apparating. But he’d recognized the look in her eyes. Rage. The same rage that had hidden behind his own for a long time. Someone fixed the door with a wave of his wand. ”It's customary to knock, is it not?” He spoke flatly, looking at one of his men and nodding. Like any good host, drinks would be offered. ”I should have you in chains for your little show, but for old time’s sake…you get a warning. Consider it a professional courtesy.” Asher didn’t much care for why she was angry or why she chose to force her way into his presence. There was still a matter of respect. ”I assume there is a reason for the urgency?” Frankly, he was unamused. But Rose had once been an ally despite the tumultuous nature of her family. They dealt in businesses where Asher had no interest, but she had once been part of his network. Besides, if she was here to kill him—she would have already tried. So there had to be a reason she was here.

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[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

Early August
asher rowan burke

Rose didn't care what Asher had been handling before her arrival. Didn't care who else had been in the room. Hell, she didn't care how her actions might affect him in that moment. It took Asher only a few moments to order the others out. Rose turned away from him then, ignoring Asher's guests as she paced around the room. There was a restlessness and agitation in her body language, something very foreign for Rose. Rose was always in full control of herself and her actions, always carefully considering every action. But right now? It was like a caged tiger, ready to lash out at any moment.

Rose's restless pacing only stopped when he spoke again, mentioning knocking and she shot him a glare. Her eyes only narrowed as he continued, but her expression, more readable then usual, completely lacked fear of his potential threat. No, all that was there was a wild anger. Instead of speaking she let out a haughty breath, as if finally restraining herself from retaliation. If only that restraint had appeared with the attendant. "Someone broke into my house," she started her voice seething with venom, at last explaining at least a part of her wrath. "I want to know who." She knew her father's mistress would have hired an expert. Breaking into her home wasn't an easy task, especially completely without her or her house elf's notice. "And I need to know where that cowardly bitch that hired him is hiding." She reached into the pocket of her dress pants, pulled out a sheet of parchment and tossed it onto a table. Written on the parchment was the name of her target. Violetta Antonovna.

Rose wasn't asking Asher for this information to simply have a chat with the two. No, the way she spoke and the look in her eyes made it clear that she was out for blood.

[asher rowan burke]

In a nocturnal state of mind

Children of the night

Early August 2027
Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

Rose didn’t seem impressed at his calm demeanor, but Asher could hardly afford to lose any potential allies by throwing them out. Aside from the fact that he resonated with the rage in her eyes, any other response would have likely just shown weakness on his part. She looked ready to pounce, the mask they were all accustomed to seeing non-existent. Asher knew what it was like to feel bare and unmasked like that. He’d spent the better part of a year in chains and being brought down to his knees. By the end, the normally cool and calm façade he’d grown used to wearing was simply gone.

Asher thought how she began to resemble the rest of her family in this state, though he’d never share that thought aloud unless he was ready for a duel. That bloodlust that lived inside all of them, he supposed. Asher looked curiously as she explained her situation. It wasn’t what he’d expected and was certainly quite the request. A move against Purebloods…risky in his current situation and riskier considering who might retaliate. ”I see.” She threw a piece of parchment on the table, and Asher’s eyes looked at it for a few seconds. Picking it up was akin to accepting this, and he needed information of his own first.

”Most would say making any move against your family would just be asking for a painful death.” Asher heard the stories. Rose’s siblings and cousins and whoever else might be related and their willingness to even harm with their bare hands. Still. It was the type of opportunity he’d been waiting to ingrain himself back into the Magical Society’s underworld. This would put him on the map again—if he played it right. Asher paced to his usual spot, where he observed duels. Tonight’s rings were particularly savage. Blood pooled in various places from the losers. It took him a moment to think, but he turned when he heard someone coming in. The usual help that came and went with the drinks.

Looking at his guest, he asked. ”Drink?” For himself, he merely nodded. The usual would suffice for now. ”Let's say I have the means for your…request. What do I get out of it?” Nobody worked for free. Anyone that claimed they did would be cursed on the spot. There was always something to be gained, material and otherwise. Asher’s eyes went to the parchment again. The odds that this had nothing to do with her family were about the same odds of Hazel ever listening to him without a word. Which meant this would not be cheap.

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[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

Early August
asher rowan burke

Perhaps if there was anyone that could understand Rose's blind rage, it was Asher. His familiar betrayal of the last year, his imprisonment. That was a level of hatred and resentment that didn't go away or dwindle. And in many cases it festered and grew stronger. Until that hatred became a driving force. Rose was an example of the latter, someone who, once anger struck, became overwhelmed by it and would stop and nothing until that anger was sated. Was Rose mad? Most likely, a fact she'd never deny. She was a Nightshade after all, madness ran in all of them. But Rose possessed a skill that many of her relatives did not, the self awareness of her own insanity and the ability to direct it. In this case? Directed at all those who had played a role in the poisoning.

Asher seemed to understand at least a partial gravity of her wrath after her explanation of her home being broken into. People like them kept many secrets and their personal spaces were sacred. While Rose never lowered her guard, even at home, it had been a more controlled space where she could feel more at ease. A break in destroyed what little ease the space had brought. Not only that though, she didn't know how many of her... private affairs had been discovered during the break in. How much information the trespasser had scurried off with. Rose had done multiple sweeps of the house but found nothing missing. IT didn't settle her paranoia though, it only told her her father's mistress had hired someone very good.

At last, though still quite restless, Rose sat in one of the chairs across from Asher. She didn't relax though, her posture very alert. "You're right. Most would call it insanity. Unless you had another Nightshade to back you," she answered, a silent acknowledgement of two things. That the one behind the break in was, ultimately, another Nightshade. But also his assistance came her with protection. While her wrath seemed reckless and careless Rose was quite calculating, even now. She hadn't come to Asher because he was disposable. Quite the opposite. He was the only one with enough power to get the information she needed. In addition, Asher's recent incarceration put him in a rather interesting situation. He was rebuilding his empire. Connections were vital. But not just for himself. Rose knew Asher's potential once he got everything under his thumb once again. Their business before had been casual, favors here and there. Asking his involvement in this situation was much more.

Rose eyed his own drink as he offered. There was the part of her that wanted to accept. But the paranoia crept in. The part that demanded her vigilance, but also a completely sober mind as she went about her revenge. "I don't mistrust you, Asher. But the last drink I had almost killed me. You can understand my refusal." Her gaze had raised to his as she spoke, the gravity of her words setting in. She wasn't telling him to get just information on someone who had broken into her home. She wanted him to help her find the one that had tried to kill her.

Of course, Rose hadn't expected him to agree easily. It was a heavy request, one he had to take great consideration on before agreeing. The price would be steep, but Rose didn't care. "I'm asking you to find the men that were hired to kill me, and the mother of my half siblings. I plan on returning the favor to them," she started, laying out quite plainly her intentions and what she was requesting. "Name your price." The price meant little to her if Rose got what she wanted in the end.

[asher rowan burke]

In a nocturnal state of mind

Children of the night

Early August 2027
Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

Betrayal existed in everyone’s vocabulary. The difference was in when it was spoken. These days Asher kept an open mind—he didn’t have much of a choice. Ivy’s actions had left him with limited options as he slowly crawled out of this burning hole his family had sunk into. But he’d made it plainly clear what he thought of Ivy, and even Hazel knew better than to bring it up again. It had been stupid to put them in the same room. There were no fairy tales in their world. Asher had learned that the hard way when he was young. Still, he pitied any man who dared speak ill of anyone in his family—current or former. They were asking for his wrath.

Rose sat down. Finally, Asher remained standing. Hands behind his back neatly, despite the madness emanating from his guest, he didn’t feel the need to worry about where his wand was. She needed his help, after all. Their business dealings in the past had been cordial and without too many questions and without suspicion. Even on the dark side of the magical world, your word still meant something. Rose was offering him a blank check. There was so much he could do with that. ”They fear you—your half-siblings.” Well, most of them. Asher had the misfortunate of business dealings with several, and most were rabid animals needing a leash. Violence for the sake of violence—such a crude way to play the game.

Asher nodded in acknowledgment of her polite refusal of the beverage. Poison was a subversive way to deal with someone, but it was cowardly. One needed to face their enemy in the eye like he challenged the duelists in that ring. Considering his options, Asher paced to the viewing area again. Blood had been spilled that night, and for what? A few galleons? Simple men allowed themselves to be bought so cheaply. ”I need allies.” A simple request. Asher didn’t need gold. He didn’t need things. He didn’t lack for those. But what he did lack was power. He turned back around and took a few steps toward the chairs. ”And the time may come when I will need a favor.” Faces popped into his mind—the people who would pay for his imprisonment and almost ruin. There were a few ideas for the favor, but the timing had to be right. Taking a few more steps forward, he picked up the slip of parchment Rose had produced earlier.

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[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

Early August
asher rowan burke

Rose may not be insane like Fenrir, randomly lashing out at anything that moved. Nor was she her Grandfather's favorite, like Pyotr. But Rose had a resilience most her relatives lacked, and far more patience. She'd outlived all her siblings, despite her cousins' and halfsiblings best efforts. She'd also shown them that, while mostly silent in the family, she was just as ruthless (if not moreso), when provoked or otherwise motivated. So in many ways his assessment of her half siblings fear was correct. "Something they'd deny if ever asked," she answered slowly. "But I can assure you they are wary enough not to move against me." Fenrir or Pyotr were exceptions, but considering Rose and Fenrir's somewhat truce she had little fear of either. Fenrir she could easily keep at arm's length and Pyotr wouldn't challenge her. It would simply be to much risk with Fenrir on her side. Now the mothers of those half siblings? They were the true problems. They thought Rose's father would protect them from his children. This woman was about to discover how wrong that thought was.

Thus, Rose waited for him to name his price. It wouldn't be cheap, whatever it was he asked for. But Rose didn't care. Rage was blinding and consuming. All she truly cared about was her end goal now, revenge. The means didn't matter. Her eyes stalked him as he moved like a cat followed it's prey, waiting for his answer. He hadn't yet agreed. But he hadn't said no. No doubt he had much to consider before answering her. When he did though, she raised an eyebrow. Allies were easy. Her own, but also her many contacts. It was something she was in no short supply of. No doubt his time in prison had weakened his connections. It was the favor that was more vague. It left much to the imagination. A undefined favor was something Rose would almost never consider. It was too open ended. It could run too many risks for herself. But at the end of the day... the means justified the end in this moment. Perhaps there was also a small sense of trust between them as well that made Rose feel he wouldn't abuse such a promise. "Both are yours," she answered smoothly. Should he even ask for an unbreakable vow to the terms, she'd agree. As long as she got what she needed in the end.

[asher rowan burke]

In a nocturnal state of mind

Children of the night

Early August 2027
Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

Rebuilding took time, but Asher was a patient man. He was too patient if you asked his sister. But it had served him well, for the most part. That patience had let him survive in that god-forsaken cell, but Rivera’s patience had won out in the end. That part infuriated him, considering she was the most impatient person he’d met. However, the retinue of individuals that used to associate with the Burkes had dwindled. That meant that Asher had fewer connections to work with than he’d like. This slowed his revenue streams and also his rebuilding effort. Unfortunately, fear was not enough, but it would do for now as he happily challenged anyone who dared speak a little too loudly or confidently in the rings.

Asher would never admit out loud or even to himself that Elaine’s leadership had driven the organization to the ground. As far as he knew, the high-profile arrests were far few. He assumed many had escaped back into the mundanity of their previous lives. Nobody but Elaine alone in the Chamber of Secrets would ever know why this all went this way. But patience would win out in the end. Rose sat before him, asking for his help in a crucial matter. And Asher could feel the rage reverberating from where she sat. Ripples in the air that challenged her sense of control. But the Nightshades were wild and unruly.

Poisoned by one’s own family. The irony sat briefly with him. But now that he had his blank check in his pocket, he had work to do. ”Very well.” Asher responded with a nod of acknowledgment. He thought for a moment. Asher was no stranger to betrayal. Had Ivy not done him similar harm? His jaw clenched at the thought. He waved his wand, and a sliver of silver floated out and away from him.

The door opened a few moments later, and one of his most trusted entered. The fact that he’d responded to his summons so quickly was one of the reasons why. ”You may give whatever information you have to Volkov.” He directed at Rose. The man looked at Rose and then back to Asher. ”Begin in the usual places.” With whatever information Rose already had, Asher could use the remnants of his network as eyes in faraway places. ”Find your brother. I’ll need him here in my stead.” The man blinked a few times. ’Sir?’ Normally Asher would have sent the two on whatever task he needed to be done. ”I’ll be handing this one personally.” Asher clarified, and Volkov nodded and left.

Asher wanted to make assurances, but it felt foolish to do so. Even with his confidence, he would complete her request. Still, he didn’t need Rose getting in his way either. ”Now that their plan obviously failed, what do they expect you to do?.” Asher twisted his cufflink, so the crest faced the correct direction. It stood out against the dark fabric of his tailored suit. Hazel had finally gotten her way in that area. The appearance of normalcy would help him and perhaps hide his involvement.

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[Rozalina Antonina Nightshade]

Early August
asher rowan burke

Rose did not ask for help often. If ever. She was someone that, at times, worked with others. But she had always been someone that resolved her own problems with her own power. Perhaps this was the true source of her current rage. There was the anger and frustration of being targeted in the first place. And the fact that the attack almost succeeded. But deep down, at the very heart of this wrath was the fact that she couldn't handle it herself. She needed help to solve this situation. The helplessness of needing help. Much of her anger, while she was lashing out at everything, was directed towards herself. Her own weakness.

Rose watched Asher has he moved, silent and still but tense like a cat ready to pounce. Relaxing wasn't really something she could do right now. Her gaze soon moved to the door as it opened and one of Asher's men entered. She listened to his explanation before nodding. "I'll give him anything that may be of use," she answered. Information was one of her strengths, so she did have quite a bit she could share. She hadn't brought it, as she needed his assurance to help before sharing anything. Now that she had it though she'd send it immediately.

Asher soon returned his attention to Rose and asked a valid and interesting question. What did they expect her to do. This was a crucial moment. How she responded could make or break his own search. If her father's mistress knew what she was up to with Asher, they'd be ruined. "No doubt they doubt they succeeded but they don't have proof yet," she started to respond. Rose had been keeping her public appearances extremely scarce. This was her first time leaving her home since the events. At the very least her silence was enough proof that their attempt had done something. But what would she do now? "I'll be going to the Nightshade manor. If I didn't retaliate they'll try again. But they don't know me to be working with others. As soon as you have the information I'll take matters into my own hands. Before they expect me to." Rose explained her plan vaguely. By going to the Nightshade she needed to make that appearance with her family to announce her wellbeing and also declare some sort of vengeance. They knew were as someone who moved slowly though. This time she wasn't moving slow.

Finally Rose rose to her feet, moving towards Asher. A man that she'd never thought she'd need to depend on to this degree. This deal between them was much more than a simple deal. It would make a ripples in their business relationship, changing it entirely. This would no longer be a very simple, barely scratching the surface business relationship. When you fell into events of this caliber together... It was different. Though she was still angry, inconsolably so. There was one last thing to say... "Asher... Thank you." She meant it.