The Journey Continues

[Asparuh Zhefarovich III]

After realizing that Asparuh had turned his eightieth year of being alive, he had figured out that not everyone can live forever. Lord Voldemort had managed to even die, however Asparuh was considering on somehow cheating death but he needed a way. Many weeks, perhaps even months had gone by since his decision to leave in November of 2029 while he was under the strict care of one house elf, bringing him meals and drinks as well as fresh clothing whenever he needed it. He had spent all of his time down into the library, where he had not found anything yet. Volos has not found anything yet either, and Asparuh was growing impatient. The Death Eater had mountains of Dark magic books and scrolls to his disposal; however he had not found a single thing. Perhaps he was not looking hard enough, and he was not reaching out like he should be. Asparuh started to think, and think very well on the situation at hand. He must find something. He sat down in his armchair, and reached for his Death glass, and if his reflection was fading, it meant that his time was near. However his reflection proved to be strong and clear. Setting the object to the side, he snapped his fingers and the creature brought him some tea to drink. He took the glass of unsweetened tea and he sipped it lightly, his head swarming with thoughts. This often assisted him on making his plans clear, and helped when it came down to his schemes. This was something larger too. So far, he had not found a spell that would assist in immortality, however a thought did in fact occur to him. There might not be a spell to ensure that but there was other means of magic. He set the glass of tea to the table beside him as he opened another dusty scroll, allowing his eyes to take in the information. While he might not be able to get it done, perhaps another could. It was simply by means of potions. He had to search for that.

It was different however, because the more he searched, the only thing that came close to the elixir that brought life was unicorn blood but one would have to be close to death for that, and at a terrible price. Asparuh was unsure if he was willing to negotiate that just yet. And then there was the Sorcerer's stone, but that had been destroyed a long time ago. Asparuh started to get to work on some potion ingredients that may be able to extract the gift of life from the unicorn blood, with the work of potions. He did not need any of his family to assist, but he was sure that this was putting some strain onto the family, mainly because it was simply his lack of being around that was causing some havoc amongst others. He did not care right now. Kalif would intervene or come down here if things got out of hand. Perhaps the Zhefarovich family would never get too much out of hand because if it were to distract him from what he was trying to accomplish, he would end up raging and slaughtering some of his own blood. Asparuh would not have that however. He wrote down the ingredients that he would need for the potion, and he thought that perhaps it would work, if done right, and he may have been able to conquer it. He handed the sheet of parchment with the required ingredients to his house elf, and he ordered in a dark tone, "Get them, and be quick about it." Asparuh did not have any time in wasting. He needed to see if the potion would overall work. He did not want to have to try it on himself, and he was not about to let his servant try it either, if the potion managed to work that is. Instead, he took a sip of his tea and he summoned the necessary items in order to make the potion to him, and he got the water ready inside the cauldron. This would take absolute calculation, and with a test subject next to him, a simple plant, perhaps it would work.

 

[Volos]

Shamefully, Volos was disappointing his Master. Centuries upon centuries had he and his ancestors served the great and noble Zhefarovich family, the only family his loyalties rested. No one dare to say a word against them lest they be punished with powerful magic he possessed. Volos nearly had a heart attack when his Master married the Lefevre queen. She had fallen pregnant soon after, and great pure-bloods would soon be born. He had watched over the children, guiding them to be what their parents always wished. Volos served those with the grand blood, however he never served those married in. Volos only made one exception, and that was to Mistress Danielle, for being the wife of his Master. Volos had not seen his beautiful Mistress in some time, now that he was down here, assisting his Master. Volos ceased in his searching to walk over, his legs stiff with age, as he did so. He was given a list, and his dark eyes looked down upon the writing. He bowed low to his Master before he croaked, "Yes, Master." Within moments, he returned with all of the potion ingredients, and some had been harder to retrieve than others. Volos handed the sack to his Master before he voiced, "Master, if I could intervene, this is dangerous, Master. Please take care when mixing." Volos bowed once more, before he decided to carry out the rest of the task, shuffling toward the bookcases, using his magic to levitate some books down, while he continued to stand and flipped through the pages with great care. Volos had not been told to not tell Mistress about Master's search for immortality, however he was forbidden to leave here unless told. And Volos must do as he was told

 

[Asparuh Zhefarovich III]

Asparuh finished preparing his potion, and waited for the ingredients that his house elf was supposed to be bringing him. Asparuh did not have any patience, but he was going to test the potion on a plant, as the way he was going to take it, it was going to grant life, and bring the plant back to life seeing as it was slowly dying like much of the humanity around here. Once his house elf had returned, Asparuh took the sack from him, and Asparuh got right to work because he thought that there would be a while when it came down to preparing the ingredients. Mixing and finally putting what he had thought would be the perfect potion to establish life, he watched as everything changed colors as he had predicted. He heard Volos speak, but Asparuh ignored him for the most part. He knew that this was dangerous, he was not stupid. Asparuh was quite wise when it came down to potion brewing. Asparuh continued to mix and he made sure that everything was good to go. Now to let this potion simmer for exactly ten minutes. Asparuh looked over toward his house elf before he figured that there would not be another potion like this one if it worked or not. There was no such thing as an immortality potion. If it worked, he would have made an invention that could make him famous and even wealthier, however he believed that only he should be able to live, no one else could. Asparuh may end up giving it to his wife so that he would not have to spend eternity alone, but Asparuh was not thinking about spending it alone right now. He just wanted to have this work. After the ten minutes had passed, Asparuh turned off the heat to the potion and it was a liquid silver color, the color of the unicorn blood.

This was precisely the color that he was going for. Asparuh took an eye dropper and got out a few drops of the potion that he managed to brew. His onyx eyes remained focused on the plant, as he dropped the drops into the soil. The Death Eater watched as the plant looked as though it was coming back to life, before it started to drop down, dying even faster than before and bursting into flames. The potion did not work, and he took calculated risks, it should have if there could have been an immortality potion. Asparuh whipped out his wand and he made the potion vanish before he put it back, and he was starting to get angry. There had to be something that he was missing. Something that he was overlooking. Asparuh turned to Volos before he ordered, "Tell me once you find something, because there is something here, I can feel it. There is a way to gain what I am seeking." Asparuh went back to his chair, and he went through the scrolls once more. He would find what he was looking for. Asparuh was determined. Through the scrolls and books that he had at his convenience, he knew that there was a way to get what he wanted. He was not about to give up in the slightest. Volos may have but Aspaurh was going to continue to hunt, even if it took him years. He had been at this for a few months now, and he was going to continue on. No one would know what he was looking for, and the family would have to carry on without him, and with Axel and Benjamen in charge. He was sure that Kalif could have done a better job, but he could not just get his son out of school, the Death Eaters needed him there.

 

[Volos]

Like the ancient elf predicted, the potion failed miserably. There was no such thing as a potion of immortality, just one of luck. His eyes looking down, Volos' mind started to roll. He had to tell someone why Master was down here, searching for something that seemed hopeless without a great cost. Volos would keep searching. Perhaps there would be something here in the library that would satisfy his master. Crossing his skinny legs, Volos continued to lower the books and scrolls down, as he looked around with his eyes, his vision not as good as it used to, watching the curses and hexes that seemed nearly ancient themselves, and how to curse items. Volos soon finished one book, and figured that this was not going fast enough. It had been three months now, if one counted the days. Instead of looking in just one book at a time, he was going to do more. He lowered down three books and with his elf magic, he opened them so that he could read the words. His Master will soon accomplish the unaccomplished, he had a feeling. Perhaps there was a way, but there may be a great cost of doing so. Volos knew that immortality was not handed to someone, and magic could not prevent death. Volos gave one more longing look to his Master before he thought, 'Mistress must know. Mistress must be devastated.' The only woman that was not of the Zhefarovich blood he respected and called her Mistress. The others would not receive such honor until proven and have worthy blood. 'I must tell Mistress as soon as possible.'

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To be continued...​

 

[Danielle Zhefarovich]

Danielle Zhefarovich gazed at herself in the antique vanity mirror longingly. Her angelic blue eyes filled with a sense of sadness within them. Gently she reached down and retrieved a make-up brush and dabbed it into the dish of powder that sat on the vanity. She then took it and began to apply the power to her pale cheeks to give them a little color. Doing anything she possibly could to give herself some life. Or at least stop letting herself feel like she was a lifeless zombie. Things had not been the same since she was attacked by Iulian Pisces. Danielle still had the same home, the same room, the same family, but things were far from ever being the same. For one, the stab wound had let a noticeable scar on her lower abdomen. One that she feared would never fade. Forever would it mark the perfect flesh of her stomach. Asparuh had yet to see it. He didn't know that she had been stabbed either. Both were a secret she had sworn to herself to keep. The family was already worried for her sake. If they knew of her injury they would become twice as upset and worried for her. All of those people fretting over and trying to care for her. She hated it. Danielle was a fierce leader. Someone to look up to and admire. Not pity. Aside from her body not being the same, she sensed that there was something far greater wrong with Asparuh. Since the day she had come home in cuts and bruises from Iulian, Asparuh had been acting more strangely by the minute. She had seen less and less of him, and soon, she didn't seem him at all. It was like he didn't exist. He didn't even come in to check on her and her injuries. Axel and Benji were put in charge. As much as she trusted them it wasn't the same as the one she had spent year after year with. They had spent most of their life with one another. It was strange to have him be away. Where was he? Was he ever going to come back to her? Death Eater's had hearts too. Even those as cold as she was, could feel lonely and scared. Even worse, people like her could still feel heartbreak as well. Danielle set the brush down into the dish and stared at herself in the mirror once more.

Flawless. But even with all the beauty in the world, Danielle felt like she had no meaning right now. Danielle missed Asparuh. She missed him a lot. If anything she wanted him to come back. She wouldn't voice it and verbally whine over his absence. But it was evidently by the look in her eyes and upon her face, that she was unhappy. Asparuh was her other half. Danielle pushed her petite frame away from the vanity and stood up. Danielle was left wondering where her husband was and if he intended to ever come back to her. Was he not going to even let her know where he was or if he was okay? Danielle pushed her blonde hair from her face and sighed. What was the matter with him? Did he not care that he was upsetting everyone? If he needed help from her why did he not ask? He knew she would help him with anything she could in a heartbeat. So why not tell her?​

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[Volos]

It had been even longer since Volos had watched his Master fail in his potion. Right now, he had been told to get some tea for Master, and he had run out of supplies. Before he would get the tea for his Master, he must visit with his Mistress. Volos had stabbed his hands for punishment because he was not told that he should be doing this. Volos slowly made his way to Mistress' room, with bloody bandages around his bony fingers and hands. He hobbled into the room where his eyes laid upon the beautiful Mistress. He croaked, "Mistress Danielle, Master knows not that I have arrived." He slowly entered the room, where he bowed his head. His hands were obvious punishment, but he had been the only being that had seen Asparuh in some time. Not even the ghosts had bothered to look down into the library. "Master looks in the library for Patriarchs. I think, Mistress deserves to know, she deserves to know what Master is doing." It pained him to see her in such shape, and she had been different since Master had been different. He noticed this. Volos wondered if Mistress missed Master, and vice versa. He was unsure if Master pined for Mistress, however it was hard to tell. "I tend to Master's every will. Master is perfectly fine. Mistress need not worry about Master at all." Volos looked down at his hands, but he was reluctant to spill out what he had been doing, however he would if Mistress asked. He would do anything she asked, but she could not go into the library. It was against the will of the higher Zhefarovich's will. Only Patriarchs allowed. No one else except one single servant. Volos did not know what Master would find, but just immortality.

 

[Danielle Zhefarovich]

Danielle was about to head out for the night when she was countered by Volos hobbling through the doorway. Her body came to a halt and she stared down at the family's house elf and most loyal servant. Most loyal to her anyways. Even though she was not born of Zhefarovich blood, he treated her like she was a queen. "Volos your hand-" Danielle paused and dared not to finish her sentence. House elves had a weird custom of punishing themselves it seemed, or was that someone else's doing? She had not seen Volos around much. Perhaps he had been with Asparuh. Maybe if she questioned him he would tell her where her husband was and if he was ever going to come back to her. Apparently Asparuh didn't know that he was here right now. Which might explain the condition of his hand. Danielle had an urge to heal the cut or wound on his hand, otherwise he might have to explain to Asparuh why he had it. Danielle didn't want to get him upset anymore than Volos did. 'Asparuh is in the Patriarch's library? He's looking for something?' Danielle wondered if that was where he had been the entire time. But most importantly she wondered what it was that he was looking for. It worried her that he wouldn't tell her all of this before he went and did it. It made her feel like he had something to hide from her. Was something bothering him to the point where he would leave the family behind and go frantically searching for something in the library. Danielle's angelic blue eyes moved from Volos to the door. She knew better of course. She wasn't allowed down there. It was for Patriarch's only and she was qualified. No one but Asparuh and eventually Kalif would be allowed in there. It was a little upsetting to hear this because Danielle really wanted to go and see him. Which she wasn't permitted to do until he left. Danielle wondered if Volos could see the hurt she was feeling on her face. It wasn't hard to see that she was deeply affected by her husband going away. If she questioned him would he tell her what Asparuh was searching for her. Volos treated her well so she hoped he would indeed tell her because maybe there was a way she could help him.

"Thank you for taking care of him Volos....I still worry about him though." Danielle told the elf. She woud've added in that she missed him but she didn't think it would be appropriate for her to let her feelings all over the place. Danielle sincerely doubted that Volos would want to listen to her weep and whine. Cocking her head to the side she approached Volos. "What is Asparuh doing? Can you tell me what's looking for Volos?" Danielle asked curtly. Her voice cold but curious. Volos knew something and she felt it was important that he actually told her. He must've known how important it was to her that she knew Asparuh was okay and to know what he was doing. Would Asparuh have told her when he came back from doing whatever it was he was doing? Or was it meant to be kept a secret from her and the family?​

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[Volos]

Volos looked down at his bloody bandages and he did not even bother explaining himself. It was self-explanatory. It was heal eventually. Volos was a house elf, he was sure that things would do fine. He might be the best servant in the household, but that was because he reigned over the other human servants, he believed anyhow. Often he did bad things to them with his elf magic, because he was the most loyal, he was the most helpful and he was wanting to be the best servant for the Great family. Volos was surprised to see the look of longing that made him wonder if there was more to this than the elf realized. In his books, this was the feeling of ultimate power, though Master did not have access to it. Volos could not help but wonder, when Mistress went away for long periods of time, did she miss Master like she did now? Volos knew his Master would not care, he was too involved in his work to care about anything else. This concerned the ancient elf. Volos murmured, "Mistress shows such kindness to worry over Master when she needs not to." Volos was not one to bring up the past. He looked down at the floor, and knew that she would question him. He could hear her approach him with his large, drooping ears. Volos shook his head and he uttered, "Master has told me not to leave but never to tell me not to tell. Mistress needs to know though. Master searches..." he paused, before he closed his eyes grimacing, "searches for something that may not be found without great consequence." He opened his eyes before he looked to the Mistress. How could Mistress miss Master so much, and worry? Was this the type of companion Master had been with? How could he want to be away for so long? He murmured in the raspy voice, "Immortality."

 

[Danielle Zhefarovich]

Danielle may not have regarded most house elves very high in her standards, but she did hope that Volos wasn't putting himself at risk by telling her this. He didn't have to come tell her where Asparuh was or what he was up to. But he did and now she could relax a little bit. Knowing that he was safe and within the Manor at least. But worry still lingered near. Something was still amiss for her. Danielle felt that she was expressing too much. It was in front of Volos no less but she sort of felt like it wasn't okay to let herself go in front of another person like that. Even the coldest and most powerful people had their moments of weakness. Even they too needed to vent and confide in another. Danielle felt overwhelmed. She had to decide what she wanted to do about the Iulian situation. A part of her feared that she couldn't take him head on because he had too many tricks, but she was too prideful to ask for help. Then there was Asparuh going off and doing what he was doing, it made her worry. Danielle hadn't felt like this in years and she had to admit that it was an uncomfortable feeling, being vulnerable. Danielle glanced at Volos, ”I know I shouldn't worry. But it's hard for me not to. I...well it's complicated but it's unavoidable I'm afraid.” Danielle explained to him. It was hard explaining to an elf the core of her worry and how she was always going to feel like that for her family. Half the time she felt it for Kalif at the school. What if he were to be discovered? Danielle was cruel Death Eater, but she worried a lot about the others close to her. It didn't mean she was soft. It just meant that somewhere in that cold heart of hers, was a place for others. Danielle stared down at Volos with apprehension. She needed to know what it was that Asparuh was looking for. If it was enough to make him that obsessed she thought it had to be important. But she couldn't ignored the pang within her stomach when Volos announced that he was searching for something that did not come without great consequence. So it was something that serious? Danielle looked to the side so her eyes would not have to lock with Volos' when he told her what her husband was up to.

Danielle nearly flinched when she heard the word immortality. That was what Asparuh was looking for? ”Immortality? Has he lost his mind” Danielle asked frowning. Now she wasn't an expert, but Danielle knew a fair bit of information on immortality. She was, after all, a Potions expert. There was points in her life when she had to learn about any type of potion or ingredient that could grant this. Of course there was close to nothing that could help with this. There was one an elixir that could be made with the sorcerer's stone, but that was destroyed some time ago. There was no way that could be used. Unicorn's blood which would keep a person alive, but for a terrible price. There were others as well but none of them would ever exactly grant what Asparuh wanted. Danielle's eyes reflected a lot of worry by this point. He was going to do something foolish. Or worse, something that brought harm onto him. ”Is there no way that this can be stopped?” Danielle would never force him to quit something he wanted, but maybe there were other options? If he was stuck on this maybe there was nothing more she could do other than try to help him, make sure he didn't do anything risky without someone being there to help him in case it got serious. But he probably would deny any help. He was after all, the Patriarch. Danielle sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed, feeling overwhelmed with all of this.
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[Volos]

Volos studied Mistress slowly, taking in everything she was doing, seeing her reaction and what not. Volos knew that one day, Master would no longer be within the safety of the Manor, and he would no longer be at his Master's side. It worried him greatly, as he never wanted to part with Master over this ordeal. It was very dangerous. Volos also knew that Mistress had a family of her own to take care of. Volos figured she would be better off here with Master, under his wing and under his protection. Volos chuckled softly at her response, before he uttered, "With all due respect, Mistress, it is a weakness we all have. We all worry over Master though we need not to." Without Master around, people were in shock and confusion, yet the two young Masters were trying so hard to keep everyone in line. It was not going to work for too long. The word was muttered of what Master was looking for, and she was frowning. A response that Volos was expecting, and if Master had lost his mind. Volos would not answer this because if he had, he would have to punish himself. Volos would never utter a word that would make Master seem anymore great than what he was. Volos nodded, "Immortality he searches for. Charms, potions, nothing is found yet, but Master is determined." If Volos knew better, he knew the extent of how far Master was willing to go. Most Zhefarovich's had it, a fatal flaw that often ended up killing them in the end. On how the great Mistress Raisa had died. Volos shook his head before he murmured, "Master cannot be stopped. I believe, Master will continue with his research, until he finds an answer, or..." Volos faded off before he decided that it might be time for him to go back to Master. Master would be waiting. Waiting to either be fed or whatever his heart desired. "Master needs my assistance, I must return. I pray you good luck with your family matters, Mistress." Volos bowed low, before he started to hobble out of the room.

 

[Danielle Zhefarovich]

Danielle did not like to agree that it was a weakness, but there was no other way to describe the feeling of worrying over someone else. It was a burden. Soon it became the only thing on one's mind and no rest could be had until the source of worry was eliminated. Danielle almost felt that Asparuh was lucky for not being in her presence right now or surely he would get scolded for making her worry so. Bowing her head, Danielle was afraid to look at Volos for a moment. "Yes but, I cannot afford to be weak right now." Danielle explained to Volos. Surely he knew why she was so frantic about keeping herself composed. He was present in the room when her wounds from Iulian were looked over. He saw what that man had done to her. Danielle was worried that without Asparuh things would fall apart. but she also could not be scared in front of him. But she was sure either way Asparuh could sense what she was feeling. He could keep her calm usually. Danielle sighed and brushed aside some of her thin hair. Danielle was ready to give up her position as head of family. Honestly she was but with all that was going on, the last thing she needed was any sort of problem with that. Axel and Benjamin were keeping things in line for now. But Danielle wondered how long they would be able to handle things here. Surely if things were to fall to pieces Asparuh would step back up to his position and take care of everyone? 'That or we bring Kalif into this.' Danielle figured he wouldn't be happy about that but if things really got that bad she knew better of him. "I just....well it's not important. At least he has you to take care of him." It was better than Asparuh had someone there and of course there Volos was. She trusted the elf to take care of her husband for her while she could not. If only the elf could convince him to return to the family though. But that would be asking too much of even Volos. If Asparuh didn't want to he definitely wouldn't.

Danielle listened carefully. So he has tried potions and charms alike? Danielle could have told him that there was no potion that could help him. At least not anymore. It was also doubtful that there would be a charm or spell to do it either. "What I don't understand, is....surely he knows the risks that would come with immortality. Sure he would eliminate death, but I've heard that sometimes comes at a terrible price." Danielle revealed to Volos. It was likely that he even knew this as well. It was doubtful that Asparuh would listen to reason though. It was likely that not even Kalif could get through to him on this one. Before Volos left her alone once again, Danielle stood and approached him, her body feeling tired and overwhelmed with what she had just been told. "Volos-tell Asparuh...that he might find better answers if he talks to someone who's already been through death. They might....they might help." Danielle suggested. The one way she could think of was to have Asparuh talk to someone who knew death better than anyone else. The dead. They might know something or another. But whether or not that would help, was something she did not know. Especially since Danielle had no idea how one would talk to the dead either.​

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[Volos]

Volos stopped in his tracks as he was leaving, and put his bony fingers to the doorway. The elf bowed his head, and he said, "Volos understands, Mistress. Mistress can never be weak. Not in desperate times." Volos knew that now called it, the desperate times with Master not being around. He wanted his master around. Curious upon curious, the Mistress was worrying over Master. However if Master asked about Mistress, anything that he knew would be told to his Master. If his mind was read, then he would be subject to another man's death. Pure-blood be spilled, Volos would feel most ashamed. Things in the family were hanging on a thin thread. "If Mistress worries over the one that poses as a threat, she should tell Master. Master will end it. Volos cares for Master, but afraid that is in over his head. Master may become willing to pay a terrible price for immortality." Volos knew that he would find something eventually, and he was sure that he would anyhow. Volos slowly turned, and his eyes looked up at Mistress, when she told him to look to talk to someone that has already been through death. Perhaps ghosts? Volos hoped that Master was not willing to die before reaching his goal. He nodded once, before he limped out of the room, heading back down to his Master. Volos was worried. He worried over the family. But for now, things were better left unsaid, and he would continue to serve his Master, even if it killed him.