The peace that formerly reigned in Terra Nova has eroded, now little more than a memory. War ravages the continent. Disputes divide kingdoms; ideals divide families. The quest for power consumes absolutely and indiscriminately. None are immune to its allure.
Who will rise and who will fall? Only time—and ambition—will tell.
UPDATES
05.12.2023
Established the "Tag Staff" discord channel for helping update the site.
05.26.2023
2 month character creation hold for all existing members begins 6/5/2023.
This fall and winter was a period of low activity for the site, but even so, the Dresmond board has continued to simmer with excitement. This kingdom has moved from distant side dish to a dramatic main course in the world of Terra Nova. A big shout out to members Heather, Nix, and Darkest whose high activity has helped lead it through a renaissance into a new era!
Katerina knew that her siblings needed to work and be a part of the family business. It was how it worked with the Van Zant family, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to try and protect them. Without their parents to bring in a majority of the money that meant taking on less savory jobs, and Mina was no exception apparently. Still she needed to make sure she was going to be safe. Kasper might have trust in the owner, but she wasn't so sure. A job or two didn't mean trust, and cold hearted or not, her family was hers to protect.
Slipping into the midnight house, the usual bustle of business keeping her easily in the shadows, Kat surveyed the room. Her being here wasn't too surprising, the Van Zant's were practically a staple in the place. Still after a quick look around the room she couldn't see him. Winding her way to his office, she hoped he wasn't out for the night. That would have been a spectacular waste of a night off. Wrapping her knuckles on the door she wasn't ever in the patient mood, especially when making sure Ravin was keeping her little sister safe.
Post by Ravin Tracey on Dec 18, 2021 20:20:56 GMT -5
Ravin was in his study, balancing the books to clear his mind. He wasn’t an organized person by nature, but Madame Clementine, the former owner of the Midnight House, had drilled it into him. Careful records, she said, are the foundation for any business. Without it, you may continue to build, but eventually, the floor will cave in and everything will come crashing down. While going through the numbers was normally a chore, more and more Ravin found himself finding solace in it. Between concern for Norah, his pursuit of the missing painting, and an Ellis princess under his roof, it was nice to have a straightforward task to quiet his mind.
He was consumed in his current task when he heard a knock at the door. Ravin assumed it was Banks or one of his other hired security, no doubt coming to inform him of some matter that required his attention. “Enter,” he called loudly to whoever was on the other side. Sighing, he’d finish off some numbers before looking up from his desk to see who it was in his doorway.
Post by Katerina Winters on Dec 18, 2021 22:43:34 GMT -5
Kat wondered if it would be too dramatic to walk in twirling a dagger. Probably, and also stupid, something she wasn't. Pushing the door open with confidence she wondered if this had even been a good idea. Still she was here, so might as well use the opportunity. Ravin was an enigma and she didn't want to keep it that way.
"Do you happen to have a moment?" He was clearly in the middle of some paperwork, but Katerina was curious how he'd handle it. The Van Zants were important to him apparently if Mina and Kasper were to be believed. Everyone had an angle though, everyone. Trust was earned, and sure that was a two-way street, but Kat figured her family had proven their side plenty.
Post by Ravin Tracey on Dec 19, 2021 1:36:57 GMT -5
Ravin looked up a little more quickly than he would have otherwise, as he didn’t recognize the voice of the speaker. Ravin checked for the dagger at his side beneath the desk (just in case) before standing, donning a roguish smile. “For a lovely woman such as yourself, I have all the time in the world.” Ravin had the rare gift of being charming and not creepy with his naturally flirtatious demeanor.
After a moment, his brow furrowed. She looked familiar like her face was a shadow of one he knew or had once known. “Forgive me, my dear,” He started hesitantly, "I seem to remember your face but I admit I can't remember our meeting."
Post by Katerina Winters on Dec 19, 2021 13:50:37 GMT -5
If Kat had any interest in the man she was sure Ravin would seem incredibly charming. Unfortunately she didn't care about charm that much when it came to someone who could be endangering her sister. Apparently this was the best and most respected place around though, and she could at least see why that was now. "Good." Making her way closer to the desk and away from the doorway she made sure to clasp her hands in front of her, showing she wasn't holding anything threatening, at least in her hands.
A small smile twitched at her lips, glad that staying in the shadows had done her well. Giving an exaggerated bow her expression changed, giving a smile that was eerily similar to her twin brothers. "Katerina Van Zant, you recently started employing my sister here. Mina? She honestly wasn't sure if Ravin was the type to know his employees, although if Kasper was to be believed he somehow kept track of them all.
Post by Ravin Tracey on Dec 19, 2021 21:17:46 GMT -5
The smile gave it away before her name did. A Van Zant most certainly. The grin he’d come to know and love looked ludicrous on Kasper’s face, but it suited this Van Zant very well. Ravin dipped his head to her, smiling. “A pleasure.” He would introduce himself, but it seems in this particular situation that would be redundant. Katerina seemed to know exactly who he was and what she wanted.
“Ah, the darling Miss Eden,” Ravin’s eyes lit up at the mention of Mina, a dove who was quickly becoming one of his favorites, “Your sister is a rare treasure, and I’m beyond thrilled to have her as part of our little family.” Ravin started towards the drinks cabinet. He moved slowly, still aware he didn’t quite know this woman’s intentions. “Wine?” He offered, topping off his own glass that had been sitting on the desk.
Post by Katerina Winters on Dec 22, 2021 18:32:57 GMT -5
Katerina didn't like how smoothly this guy moved and talked. It made her worried about Mina. She liked when people just talked the truth, no fluff and lies. Maybe Ravin was that kind of guy, but he seemed more political than that. Which probably came from having to run a business. "Part of your family? But she needs to change her name?" Mina had a family. Plenty of family, the Van Zant had about triple the size of a normal family.
Shaking her head at the offer of wine she frowned. "No." She didn't need wine, if she planned to get drunk it certainly wouldn't be in the company of someone she wasn't even sure if she trusted.
Post by Ravin Tracey on Dec 24, 2021 14:52:38 GMT -5
Ravin raised an eyebrow at Katerina's quip about his 'family'. He took up his glass of wine, dropping a little bit of his charm to reveal the fierce protector that lay beneath. "I take the safety of my doves very seriously, Miss Van Zant," he began, still at ease but with a little more grit in his voice then had been there before, "for reasons I'm sure you can imagine, I rather Mina's true identity not be advertised to any Jack or Jill that comes through our doors."
Ravin sat down on the settee, motioning to the chair opposite him in an offer for Katerina to sit. "I'm starting to get the idea this is not a social visit."
Last Edit: Dec 24, 2021 16:23:28 GMT -5 by Ravin Tracey
Post by Katerina Winters on Dec 24, 2021 16:27:06 GMT -5
Katerina smiled when Ravin dropped a bit of his charm. It was good, she hated the fake niceties, and getting to see his true feelings on the matter was important. Clearly he was quite protective of Mina, which was only a good sign. However feelings didn't mean much in the end game. "That's good I suppose, what else is there in place for their protection." She didn't like the thought of her sister being anyone's pet bird, but it wasn't her life to control.
Grinning ear to ear, Kat was glad that Ravin wasn't daft. Making her way slowly, and still quite unsurely, she rested lightly on the edge of the seat. "Such insight. Kasper and Mina have a great deal of faith in you for some reason." Looking at the man like she was trying to search his soul, she wondered how honest he would be.
Post by Ravin Tracey on Dec 24, 2021 18:38:45 GMT -5
Ravin sipped his wine, leaning back a little as he examined Kat with curiosity. Though she was Kasper's twin, it seemed she was a very different kind of creature than her brother. She was right in her assessment that Kasper and Mina had a great deal of faith in him. Nowadays, Kasper was the eager little puppy at his heels. Which suited Ravin just fine: he was a mentor by nature, and was happy to fill the role for Kasper if he wanted him to.
"All my doves recieve combat training, primarily for their protection when they aren't inside these walls. In the Midnight House, I have plain-clothed security men that I've known for years. They know what they're looking for and are more than capable of handling any sort of...issue that needs to be addressed," Ravin held her gaze, taking another sip of wine, "But, that being said, our greatest protection is our reputation. I have a zero tolerance policy for any sort of funny business, and breaches of that policy are dealt with swiftly and severely. Word-of-mouth keeps most of the undesirables from even stepping inside."
Ravin returned her grin with a bemused smile, shrugging either one shoulder. "It's mutual. Your brother and sister do excellent work and are well compensated for it." Ravin tilted his head to the side a little, smile widening. "I don't know if Kasper ever told you, but we met because he came to burn the Midnight House to the ground. I was rumored to have killed Hector DuBois, the drug lord and trafficker that had put more than a few pennies in your family's pocket. But it turns out I pay better, and don't ask you to sell out the poor of Nevermere in the process." Ravin smiled, eyes sparkling. "Something to consider."
Last Edit: Dec 24, 2021 18:39:02 GMT -5 by Ravin Tracey
Post by Katerina Winters on Dec 24, 2021 20:52:34 GMT -5
Katerina nodded along, and couldn't help but grin at the thought of Mina flying through the combat training. She might not have been the best Van Zant fighter, but she could hold her own easily. "I'm sure she excelled in that class." It was a bit annoying but all he was saying made since, and thoughts of threatening him were starting to fade from her thoughts. Not totally, and the dagger in her boot was still a tempting option. "Well good to know I'm not considered an undesirable yet then."
Still perched on the edge of her seat, Kat's fingers curled around the edge at the mention of the drug lord. "Mhmm he did mention that." In fact they had made that plan together that he had so completely failed at. Katerina had never liked DuBois but he had been a large part of their income for a while. Seeing him gone had been both good and bad. Mostly Kat didn't like it since really what happened to the rest of the Nevermere poor didn't matter compare to her family. Still he had been too handsy, and she would have loved to see the surprised look on his face when he was done in. "Something to consider? You trying to offer me a job now? Collect the whole Van Zant set?" Maybe that was his game, a big collector of all things, people and expensive rarities.
Post by Ravin Tracey on Dec 26, 2021 19:44:02 GMT -5
Ravin was struggling to keep his bemused smirk from spreading into an all-out grin. He liked her. She was direct, perhaps a little heavy-handed in style but she seemed to have guts - which he respected. “I’m not a collector,” Ravin said, unruffled, “I’m an investor. And when I see a worthy investment, I make an offer.”
He leaned back, tilting his head to the side a little. “I’m about to offer your brother a job, which I’m sure he’ll take. It’s a relatively straightforward heist, but my personal attachment to the item will make the payout…considerable.” Ravin smiled, watching her, sipping his wine, “As charming as our young Kasper is, he’s quite the ‘yes man.’ It’d be nice to have someone who will challenge me, so long as they can fall into line when it counts.” He paused, giving her a moment to take it in, “Sound like something that you’d be interested in?”
Post by Katerina Winters on Dec 27, 2021 20:54:17 GMT -5
Kat enjoyed her job for the most part. It payed really well, and that was the most important thing right now. On top of the money she got to use some of the skills she learned in the military, and the rush of stalking her unsuspecting prey or ending a life was always welcome. Still a more stable job was probably a good idea. Raising her eyebrow Katerina smiled, curiosity peaked "I suppose high offers are your specialty then?"
Looking at him Katerina was unsure what working for him would entail. Certainly she was no dove like her sister, and as Ravin mentioned she wasn't some errand boy like her brother apparently was. Looking at the brothel owner with a questioning look it was a bit odd to have a job offer after practically storming in and pestering him with questions. Still it wasn't really her place to turn an offer down. "A heist I can do. Although my boss probably wouldn't like to hear about me working elsewhere. Small enough not to cause too many ripples?" As long as she was allowed to have some say it would go out without a hitch, although with her twin the urge to chop some heads off was always there.
Post by Ravin Tracey on Dec 28, 2021 15:33:39 GMT -5
“If all goes well, they won’t even know we were there,” Ravin’s eyes sparkled with delight at the prospect. He was an adventurer at heart, and the danger of a job only added to its excitement. Not that this job was particularly dangerous - that is, if all went according to plan.
“Your brother’s coming to collect his remaining payment tomorrow,” Ravin explained, finishing his wine, “I owe it to him to give the initial thumbs up or thumbs down. Afterwards,” Ravin grinned wickedly, “The work begins. So long as you’re in.”
Post by Katerina Winters on Dec 28, 2021 21:39:09 GMT -5
"Well then you'll want my lead over Kasper's for that." Kat liked the sound of making some extra money. Slinking around and thieving was second nature to a Van Zant family. Just because she had loved the military and it's rules, there were plenty meant to be broken.
While she had never liked falling behind someone, it was nice to have someone else make the choices. Kasper could take all of that pressure as far as she was concerned. Bringing in money and occasionally helping at the house was enough for her. "I think it sounds quite fun. Do I have to wait to get the rest of the information? Lets be honest if Kasper says yes to everything it will just give us more time to prepare."