RP:A Berserkers Family, Matters

From HollowWiki

Location: Ranch Home


Synopsis: While Ava and Artia go about their day, an unexpected visitor arrives. It’s Eirik! However, he’s got an odd demeanor. Something is off and what is considered the norm for their interaction, is totally dismantled. The curse he received, is changing the way he sees certain issues. One of them being his non-blood related sister; Artia. Uncle Eirik steals Ava for more training as well.

Ranch Home

Entering this ranch styled home you are greeted by a large foyer. Floors are layered with cherry wood planks, three different hallways leading to three different parts of the ranch. To the right is a hidden door with stairs behind it leading up into a loft bedroom. To the left is a large living room with book shelves along the walls. The books are full of different spells, potions and other magic topic books, some on different races of creatures within the land. This room would be a bookworms haven. Varies soft leather couches fill this room, wide windows are full in the walls. With cream curtains, and silver rope holding the curtains open. A grand pearl fireplace is pressed into a wall, offering heat and light. A cream color door is in the far back of the room. Within is Odhranos' joint study and bedroom. Half of the room is taken up by a simple wooden frame bed, set low to the floor and strewn messily with just a plain duvet. The other half of the room, the study, is strewn with all of the paraphernalia that a terramancer, architect or inexperienced dad might need, from piles of stacked scrolls and set squares, small crystals and piles of sand, to pacifiers and stuffed teddies, all thrown together haphazardly into a chaotic mess. Straight in front of you a hallway leads to a wood burning stove kitchen. The countertop is on its own island with granite tops, and a basket full of fresh variety fruits. Beside the fruit basket resides wine glasses accompanying wine bottles. Brass candle chandelier hangs directly above the island. Opposite side of the kitchen stands a large Bay window looking out into a backyard, with a four person glass top dining table. A white door is in the far off corner, leading to a bathroom. The bathroom walls are soft grey, with soft blue curtains for privacy from the window here. A natural looking spring, large in ground bath is seen under the large window. Floors here are a reflecting granite to allow the candles along the walls to illuminate a better glow.


Ava was currently outside alone, out back painting, trying to ignore the flora animated corpses that worked among the yard. Trimming bushes, pulling weeds and the like. One having no legs which were replaced by rotating vines the other, as well the same for one of its arms. The other now having eyes gone, few crows eyed them. A missing jaw that was melted off from Artia magic, fingers gone which in place was moving vines. Inside Artia was cleaning off the pearl fireplace, smirking as she thought about the new friends she had made. Ash had covered her hands, and some along her cheeks. Standing up with a bucket full of the ash that collected from burning wood, moving out back to spread it around where she planned to put a fire pit.


Eirik had traveled this path a plethora of times before. How many of them had been in accusation to Artia? How many of them were nearly at the tip of his sword? But today is not like any other. He is not here to fling any filth at her. Instead of the usual hate-strung tautness of his square jawed features, he is down on himself. Sifting through the memories of what seems like a lifetime ago. Especially those pertaining to Artia. The truth of the matter at hand, is that he had been a rotten brother. Worse and worse over time. The curse of Valrae, though still unthought of as such, is actually a blessing in disguise. One which in time, will be noted as such. Silver eyes peruse the forest pathway leading to Artia’s ranch, before sights fall upon her home. This time, he approaches without weapons, without armor. Nay for instead he marches in only the basics. A black leather jerkin, woolen pants which are tied via a plethora of leather straps, and boots. His infamous weapons, have been shelved; not just because Brann had been destroyed. Ava, of course is the first that he spots. “Hey rascal,” he puts a finger up against his lips as a sign of being silent. He then points to the house and whispers “Artia?” The animated flora corpses are a new thing, and he doesn’t even eye them suspiciously. What’s wrong with that picture? Obviously, uncle Eirik had come for her mother. He didn’t notice Artia spreading out the ash.


Ava spotted her hero, her male role model, her favorite uncle in the world. Almost shouting out his name to jump up to hug him tightly, until he hushed her. Asking about her mother put dread in her eyes, what was he coming to see her mother for? She knew they cared about the other, but they had the special love-hate sibling thing going on. Artia had already went back inside when Eirik had arrived, her thoughts elsewhere as she was humming a happy little tune. Wiping her hands clean before she would begin applying a cleaning polish to get the dust out of the creases in the fireplace. None knowing Eirik was here, yet. She thought of Aake, how he could change into animals after wearing their skin. About a new female friend who was so curious about libraries. Carl who she helped remember some things, how his eyes had different colors about them before fading to normal. But also, the child she protects, he wasn't here but was he safe?


Ava whispered to him, "Living room."


Eirik has another unusual moment. He winks at Ava, and produces another genuine smile. He lifts up a single hand, ushering her to follow. Eirik, does his best to keep his steps light and soft - though to be technical, Artia is a Vampire, and he’s not a rogue. In anyway shape or form. For a normie, his attempt is commendable, but she is likely to hear him coming through the door, presumably followed by Ava. “Artia,” his voice is not booming, but still grainy as it had always been. A visit from an unexpected guest. He wondered how she might react. “Can we talk?” He means just the two of them, Ava was more than allowed to watch.


Ava stared blankly at Eirik, was he high? His attire was different, and he winked...Uncle Eirik winked. Looking down to her arm, giving herself a pinch to see if she was dreaming. Only to make her nose wrinkle causing a bruise to form, moving to her feet following Eirik inside. Artia picked up on the heartbeat of two, thinking it was one of Ava friends, paying no mind to it as the two guard dogs hadn't gone ghoul crazy on a unwelcome guest. But the sound of a man's voice, faintly familiar but missing it's rough edge had her clueless who had strolled so freely into her house. Turning around about to toss the ash bucket, only to see Eirik standing there. Dropping the bucket, placing a hand above her dead heart. “Eirik you startled me, and...sure we can talk. I can explain about the battle...and the two undead outside. Just don't kill me okay?” Ava chuckled, shaking her head. Except fact he wanted to talk to her mother knew her mom was in trouble with Uncle Eirik...again. “You two...don't kill each other.” With that Ava speed walked outside, only to stand outside the doorway to listen in.


Eirik found this situation difficult. On the one hand, he most certainly would have reacted badly to such news. To Artia and the undead outside. Silver eyes seem lost for words, those feelings Valrae had cursed him with had set an example. A precedence if you will. It had made him think of his past with Artia, and how unfairly he had treated her. Eirik switches his attention to his own waistline and shrugs his shoulders. The act showing Artia that he’s not even armed or armored. As for what she had done at the battle, “That’s part of why I’m here.” But his tone of voice didn’t carry any inflection of anger. “I did come to speak with you, but.” This is really hard for him. His entire brutish demeanor has gone. This is -not- the same Eirik as before. “Not about that.” He totally deflected what she had done as if it didn’t matter. Inwardly the old brother of hers, would have flipped a lid.


Artia had noted he had no weapons on his person, or any form of armor. What was going on? Someone close to her die and she didn't know it so this is his way of breaking the news? Or was this a trick..had to be a trick, she kept her stance in a defensive way; keeping her side directed to him slightly in an arrow position so if needed she could dodge and run. In her heart she knew he would never harm Ava, but She knew of she pushed his buttons or did something to piss him off...she was glad to be a vampire to escape fast enough. Seeing the lost look in his eyes, she wondered if maybe he was trying to break a different news to her, he was here to take her back to be put into a true death. He spoke again, and it was not rough, “Have to arrest me? Thank you for not doing it in front of Ava.” Artia was truly at a loss now, “is that why you need to speak to me?” She moved to the couch, plopping down staring at him.


Eirik could sense her tensed behavior. Not only in her words, which are inwardly disappointing, but her behavior. Gods he had been unfair to her. “I’m not here to arrest you. Or hurt you, or drag you off anywhere.” Eirik did have a purpose to the visit. He didn’t just show up to merely grace her presence with some type of scolding. He realized how awkward this must be for Artia, but he continues this dance. What happens next is a hurried, blunder riddled attempt at what he had sought. The lycan catches up with Artia at the couch. Before she can sit down he grabs her wrist to stop her. His other hand, pulls her in close for a hug. And I mean, a simple hug. Something that he had never willingly done. Not once. In fact the intrusion to his personal space is a topic that Artia knew all too well. There is no harmful moment, but the embrace is firm. The berserkers eyes swelling from his recent development on feelings towards the past. “I’m sorry Artia.” He whispers softly to her ear. Even if she does not return the gesture, he still holds her there. “I’m so sorry. Please don’t lose faith in me.” After a good moment of stupefying awkwardness and whether she assaults him for such a thing or not, he finally lets go of the embrace.


Artia forced a smile, she was still wary of this visit. But his words came out genuine, "Oh? That's a relief I been waiting for sure. I really thought I was in trouble with you, I did what I had to do.." She looks away, only to see him moving towards her. Grabbing her wrist, which caused the other hand to form a fist ready to hit him with all her strength. "Li-" She stopped mid word from calling him a liar, thinking he ad sunk so low to trick her like so. yet, he didn't. A had given her a hug on his free will, she had gave him his personal space and now he was invading her own space. With a hug! Blinking slowly as she wasn't sure what was happening, her mind went blank. Slowly she wrapped her arms around him, returning the hug. Her own eye swell up at the whisper into her ear, nuzzling her face against him. "I've always forgave you, always. I never held anything against you, your my brother. I tried t change my roots to appease you, and as a way to get back at other witches for the way they always snub their noses at him." As he pulled away she had tears running down her cheeks, pulling him back in for a second quick hug as her body shudders from the tears she works to fight back. Releasing him, she rubs her hand along his left cheek. "You're my family, my big brother, I always love you. You are the only nice person in my family other than Ava."


Eirik had thought for sure he would have sustained a punch or two. A scratching. Something. Even a bite. But nothing. She didn’t react that way. He hadn’t hit the end of his rope. Like Artia, he too had his own version of emotion stretched over his features. However, the onslaught of such a sudden hug and showing of his inner world goes entirely unexplained. “I haven’t always been pleasant to you Artia. But you, Ava, Aarika and her two kids. You’re my family. All that I have. I’ve clung so hard to the old ways that it drove me into unspeakable actions.” That’s the truth of it. So often he had accused her of such filthy things. Perhaps this would go some ways to alleviate the stress of change that was being forced upon her by Eirik. It wasn’t needed anymore. “Some things have changed since that battle.” He finally touches the topic she had brought up. “When I captured Valrae,” he doesn’t even know how to explain it. “I suffered through everything I had done to those witches. To their families.” Again such dark thoughts riddle his visage. “I.” He stammers for a moment. “I even went back and buried them.” Eirik went back and gave a proper burial to the witches? “Met another witch named Umeko and she hates me.” For obvious reasons that do not need to be explained. “She has convinced me to help defend them as a way to make up for the things I’ve done.” He totally intends to do so, whether the tide of Larket swallows him up or not. “I’ve done terrible things.” He drifts his attention away, thinking upon it all again. This might explain why he doesn’t care about Artia’s past actions. Eirik had switched sides!


Artia had a lot of times wanted to smack Eirik around for the thinfs he has said and done. But she would never bring her hand to harm him, defend herself yes, never once would she strike him. She knew him since since she was young, a young child. They became close back then, to point they felt like siblings. She remembers those memories fondly, as those memories kept her from striking Eirik. Her brought up someone name, she has no clue who she was but the fact he labeled her as family would bring up a series of questions. "Yes...these have changed..ibe fought so hard to fight being a witch. I am born that way, I can't run from it. I was the reason the south gate was melted to ash...i helped them get free. And I summon my own miniature army to help protect innocent lives. Before I would snub my nose at them and walked on. I just couldn't." He ha captured Valrae, again? A witch placed a curse on her brother? But it was almost a blessing, still Valrae placed a curse on her brother. Wanting to tell him where she was to return the favor, only to hear he buried witches. Slowly she placed a hand to his shoulder, withdrawing then placing it back. "I've been helping heal do surgeries and giving witches supplies so they can escape. Seems we both found a heart in all this disaster." Tilting her head to the side, "Who is aarika?"


Eirik listened to everything she had discussed and then nearly slaps his forehead. After all these months, he had never explained who Aarika was? Gods he didn’t spend much time discussing things with her. Again, these thoughts become evident upon his features. “Aarika is the Matron of my clan. I’m her second in command.” He smiles fondly while announcing who she is. “I’ve actually been seeing her for quite some time.” Half a year now, to be frank. “She is my anchor in all things.” He suddenly wonders if Ava is listening in? Because Ava, would have definitely seen her in passing while training at the barracks. Though Eirik had not told her about the two of them. They were very good at not mixing work and relations. He scratches the back of his head for a moment. “I’m actually thinking about giving her a ring. You know, seeing if she will marry me.” The problem with such a thing is obviously the funds. “But Aarika doesn’t know that yet.” This went from terrible news to good news real quick. “She also has two children of her own, which play at the barracks all the time.” In fact Eirik was helping teach them as well.


Artia listened closely, last girl she knew he was saying was Sabrina...and They could not stand each other. Never have, probably never will. Most thinfs discussed between them was Ava and or being in trouble. It usually leaned to being in trouble more than anything. Artia punished herself more than anything. Deep inside as before she was fighting her own demons. Inside she was wanting to kill over and over, perfect example to the two outside. She needs to bury them, empathy and guilt were catching up to her. "You didn't think to tell me..about her? And a clan?" She smacks his shoulder, "You never told me about any of these things." Ava jumped for joy and ran inside wrapping her arms around eirik waist. "I'm have an aunt and cousins! She is pretty, her kids and I played when you weren't looking.." She smiles innocently, Artia smiled. "I am happy for you, and if need funds I have some."


Eirik could have sworn he told her about the clan, a single digit points to a golden band he wears signifying the mark of the Steel Collective. “It’s a Warband. I’ve been helping her run it for… Well, a while now.” He shamefully admits. “Technically I am responsible for the clans training, and missions while Aarika handles most of the contracts, funding and recruitment.” Which would explain why he happily taught Ava. The smack upon his arm is taken in stride, he knew he deserved it. Hell he deserved a lot more than that. At least it was all in the open. He had left Sabrina some time ago and that was old news. “But neither of you can tell her what I just told you.” Aarika probably knew that he thought about asking such questions. I mean obviously they were two birds of a feather. They even saw the same signs. Had the same beliefs. It’s odd to see two people so inexplicably linked together. She fit right in with all those Rosfjorian customs he brought to the world. Without even trying. They were in her nature. The Lycan was hooked. Eyes shift to Ava who finally comes to join them. “She is very pretty.” He smiles while thinking about her. “I’m trying to earn what I can, but I might eventually ask for a little help.” He admits much to his shame.


Artia rolls her eyes at Eirik playfully, "If need help in getting me a sister in law just ask, I can kid sit while you two are on a honey moon. " Both the ladies nod their heads, Ava placing a kiss to Eirik cheek. "Does that mean I can have a slumber party over their with my soon to be cousins?!" She asked with a few jumps, excites to see the family expanding. Artia on the other hand knew she had two things in the back yard she had to get too, and bury. Smiling to Eirik, still giving him his space as she would always still. "Being them out for dinner one night. It be a nice wah to meet each other."


Eirik smiles one final time, “I will.” His response to Artia’s comment about bringing them by one night. “And no Ava.” Eirik playfully interjects. “I haven’t asked to her to marry me yet, and if you’re running around all excited like that, you’ll mess up the surprise.” He gives her a playful yet dramatic look. “We can arrange that soon.” Eirik turns away from the duo and begins to head away. “Come on Ava, its time to go train for a couple of hours. Go get your stuff.” Eirik would wait outside for her to get her gear and then head out with her.


Artia watched as ava twirl, running upstairs to run back down to move to his side, skipping. "Bye mom, love you!"