Application - City of Sin

[royal_venant]

Player Information

▶ Player Name: Ryah ▶ Age: 36 ▶ Characters Played: None ▶ Contact: PLURK: whoiamwithoutyou; DISCORD: whoiamwithoutyou#4048; EMAIL: whoiamwithoutyou83@gmail.com; DROPBOX: HERE ▶ Time Zone: USA - Pacific Time

Character Information

▶ Name: Regulus Arcturus Black, Reg, Reggie ▶ Canon: Harry Potter ▶ Journal: royal_venant | royal_venant ▶ Canon Point: post death ▶ Reserve: LINK ▶ Age: 18 (Birth date: July 23, 1961; Death: November 15, 1979) ▶ Reference/History: Walburga Black was a most unkind woman. Orion Black, her husband, distant and cold himself, did not care so long as she directed her attentions on anything but him. Their arrangement worked fine for them; however, it wreaked havoc on their two sons, Sirius and Regulus. Regulus Black was born July 23nd, 1961 and, like his brother before him, was immediately placed in the care of the house elves for looking after. And because of that, they did not die in infancy. Such was the (minimal) affection Walburga had for her children. For as long as young Regulus could remember, he was attached to his brother, but squarely in his shadow. Sirius was loud, where Regulus was quiet, and where Sirius was brave and bold, Regulus was reserved and acquiesing. Naturally, Regulus thought Sirius, by virtue of being older and so much more outgoing, was wise and worthy of his admiration. And so, Regulus followed his brother’s lead during their youth before Hogwarts. When Sirius thought up wild and crazy things to do, Regulus would comply with his brother’s ideas and wishes with surprising alacrity and innovation. Their relationship, however, wasn't without problems. It was easy for anyone to see Walburga favored her youngest son. Perhaps it was because Sirius was much like a firebrand, burning hot always and ready to ignite; Regulus was passive and still, and when in motion, accomodating, like water. Regulus found it unnecessary to fight against their parents, because the adults always won. If he was quiet when facing his mother's warth, things were over sooner than if he put up a fight. Or perhaps Regulus won Walburga's favor because he was just so much more malleable than Sirius. That isn’t to say Walburga didn’t abuse Regulus, too, but her treatment towards her younger son was undeniably less severe than her treatment towards Sirius. Either way, Walburga was so apparent in this behavior the boys noticed, or rather, Sirius noticed. And this tended to pop up from time to time in the form of jealousy followed by arguments and fights - though the boys usually made up quickly, as they needed an ally in that house. It was foolish to give that up for long. And so things went until they were old enough to go to Hogwarts. When Sirius went away to Hogwarts, he was sorted into the ‘wrong’ House - Gryffindor. At that time, Regulus had no qualms about where his brother went, the idea that Houses drew dividing lines that could break apart brothers was lost on the mind of a ten year old boy. Ostensibly he understood that Slytherin was better - or required, but at this age he simply accepted that his older brother was forging ahead and paving the way for him to follow. And he found the idiotic way his mother carried on about how this tarnished the family name to be entertaining, something he only relayed to his brother through the few letters exchanged that year. But the novelty of Walburga’s indignation wore off relatively quickly when it became apparent to Regulus he would bear the brunt of her rage and abuse at every encounter. It wasn’t until Sirius was gone that Regulus saw how much having Sirius around mitigated the threat of Walburga. Her cruelty was too much for one little boy to handle, and Regulus found himself giving in more and more to his mother’s ways. Walburga had tried her hardest to instill in her boys the rightness of blood purity, but while Sirius had been around it was as if her teachings fell on deaf ears. The boys were so wrapped up in each other that together they could block out the world their mother tried to shove them into. Alone, Regulus could not maintain that front. After all, the quieter you were the quicker it was over, and Walburga found her second son to be more malleable to her ways. When Sirius came back for the summer holiday, Walburga made a point of showing even more favoritism to Regulus. And Regulus had started parroting things that Sirius was learning, whilst tramping around with James, Remus, and Peter, weren’t just drivel from their parents, but utterly wrong and despicable to say. And for the first time, Regulus was jealous of Sirius – Sirius had had all these adventures with new friends, and he talked about them constantly. It seemed as if there was no room in Sirius’ life for Regulus anymore. That summer was awkward for the two brothers who knew things had changed between them but just didn’t know why, or how to fix it. That fall, the two brothers left for Hogwarts, stepping forward onto different paths. The whole trip from the Hogsmede station to the school was one stressful ordeal after the other for the younger Black. School, while it was said to be amazing, was still far away from "home," and Regulus had never been away from his family before. Hagrid was huge and looming, and not nearly as endearing to Regulus as he was to Sirius. Once inside the Great Hall he tried to catch his brother’s eye and wave, but Sirius was too engrossed in what James was saying to look. This only disheartened Regulus more. When the hat was placed on his head, he had a choice, please his terrifying mother, or his brother. Regulus chose to mollify the scarier of the two and took his seat on the opposite side of the Hall from his brother, at the Slytherin House table. Regulus mouthed a silent apology, but Sirius, who was now finally paying attention, understood the act to be one of treason and silently declared war. Walburga was delighted and took full advantage of the situation. Redoubling her efforts to raise at least one "good" son, she sent Howlers to the "disappointment" and treats to the one she was proud of. There was no patching things between the brothers now. Walburga successfully severed the one person from Regulus’ life who had ever truly cared for him. While the start of school was a bit rocky, navigating a new relationship with his brother and all, Regulus soon found his place amongst his Housemates. He caught the eye of Professor Slughorn right away, due far more to his lineage than his dismal potions abilities. But it was enough to be inducted into the Slugclub. In his second year, Narcissa (who had a reputation to maintain and couldn’t take him on sooner due to his First Year newness) took her young, promising cousin under her wing and proudly showed him off to all the right people. This chilly closeness would last the remainder of Regulus’ life and would endear Cissa to Regulus as his favorite cousin. He also, as the years progressed, formed friendships with his age-mates - Barty Crouch Jr. and Evan Rosier. And also with Severus Snape. even though the other boy was a year older, a relationship that perhaps started due to their mutual dislike of Regulus’ brother. It wasn’t long before Regulus was rather popular in his own right. Most subjects were a breeze for him, save for the ones he didn’t care about (potions among the latter). He tried out for and made the Quidditch team his third year, landing the position of seeker. No need to lie, Sirius did get the better looks, but Regulus wasn't far behind and he had a smile the was disarming. He was a member of one of the most pureblood magical families, and that bolstered a charisma all its own. He learned to move with the ease of privilige. The further he fell into his social circle, the easier it was to start espousing the rhetoric and propaganda that Slytherins. and later Death Eaters, were infamous for. There were pureblood wizards, and then there was everyone else. And Regulus was the poster child, a rising star, for all things pure. A certain notoriety was bestowed upon him, and he readily accepted the mantle. He lapped up the attention and bought into the ideology without reservation. It was all but official that he would join that special organization of those trying to return witches and wizards to their rightful place in the world. His mother was so proud. Despite all this, however, his brother’s leaving Grimmauld Place hit him hard. Regulus was 14, almost 15 that summer. He and Sirius had not gotten along for four years at that point; their views on the world had drastically diverged from the innocent playtime of boys in the back garden. But Sirius was still his brother, still endured in that house with him. Now Regulus was completely alone. And Regulus resented Sirius for leaving him there. The last conversation they ever had, rife with insults and pointed jabs, was the day before Sirius left. After that they might have hexed or jinxed each other at school, they might have shouted insults at each other, but they weren’t, thanks to a burn on a tapestry, brothers anymore. During Regulus’ sixth year at Hogwarts he became increasingly more involved with the Death Eater organization. He would scour the newspapers for any mention of them. Part of him recognized what was going on - the murders, the tortures - but mostly he brushed that off as the ineffectual way the stories were reported, the facts had been skewed all wrong. Someone was in the wrong, but it wasn’t the witches or wizards who deserved to rise from the restrictions of magical secrecy and assume power. The people tortured and murdered were just part of the perpetuation of oppression against witches and wizards. This justification was all bollocks, shit, drivial, graspings of a mind desperate to be 'right,' not wrong. Blacks were very good at ignoring what was right in front of them if they had proper motivation. And with a blind eye, Regulus barreled forward to what would be his ultimate end. As the time drew near for Regulus to prove he was worthy to take the Mark (the summer after his sixth year), the more apprehensive and ill he became, and with good reason. He had to finally acknowledge what it took to be a Death Eater, and what the organization truly represented: the oppression and destruction of innocent people. This was not what Regulus wanted to do. He certainly believed in the superiority of pureblood wizards - muggles had, after all, caused the death of many wizards in the past due to their adherences to stultifying religions and beliefs - but he didn’t want to kill or torture anyone. By this time, however, it was too late to back out, or he'd risk his own death. And he wasn't ready to die yet. It was him, or a muggle named Robert Graves that night, July 4, 1978, in front of fellow Death Eaters and Death Eater hopefuls. In the end Regulus placed the value of his own life before doing the right thing and imperioused the man to stand in front of a train. Regulus was rightfully sickened with himself, his soul was shattered, but he had earned his Mark. Regulus now started withdrawing from those he knew. He avoided participating in Death Eater things as much as possible, though he could not do so completely. When he had to join in he tried to avoid killing anyone else. He had one more year at Hogwarts and it was a blessed relief to be heading back to the confines of the castle where he could try to block out the war and his involvement. But the memories never left him and every part of him suffered for it: the quality of his school work plummeted, and he stopped participating socially altogether. None of his teachers seemed to be aware of this dramatic change, those that might have cared were focused on exams, a thousand other students, and a brewing war. His classmates noticed, but one dark look from him and they left him be. He wondered were his brother might be (Sirius had completed his schooling by then), but quickly pushed aside any ideas about contacting his brother. It was well known among the Death Eaters that Aurors were granted permision to kill Death Eaters on sight. And Regulus didn't know if the tenuous threads of childhood memories would be enough to make Sirius look past the Mark and see his brother once again. Regulus was sure attempting a meeting would only result in his death, and he’d not accepted that alternative yet. The majority of his time was spent trying to forget his horrendous mistakes or trying to figure out how to extricate himself from the mire he’d willingly ran into. But school didn’t last forever, and there were breaks from classes. During those periods, he was expected to be free, like any of the other Death Eaters. Regulus feared Voldemort’s wrath more than his objections to killing or torturing people. He ostensibly kept his regret and self-loathing for his actions to himself. And to stave off any suspicion about his diminishing loyalty, he tucked his chin in and played the part he'd pledge himself to. Over time, his biggest fear morphed into the fear of being discovered as a Death Eater fraud. One didn't just leave the group - it was a lifetime commitment, whether that death came sooner or later, naturally, or in retribution for disloyalty. At this point, with the looming end of his schooling career, Hogwarts ceased to be the sanctuary it once was. To say the summer after Hogwarts was difficult for Regulus would be an understatement. He had no classes to hide behind to excuse himself from Death Eater activities. His composure was slipping, each time he was required to do more Death Eater things was just another chance for another Death Eater to learn his desire to get out. He learned Death Eaters didn't just prey on muggles and muggle-borns - anything 'weak' would do. And every day was a chance for Regulus' facade to crumble and his weakness to show - and it did sometimes, and he suffered for that slip. And he then he would rededicate himself to end the unwelcome attention. The things he did to save himself from the pain of torture and death kept mounting and yet bore down on him. He grasped at anything to help keep him above water at this point. And he did discover an outlet that not only let him forget his circumstances and what he’d done for a moment but punished him as well. He experimented with potions, and when he didn’t have access to those he turned to opiods - surprisingly not that hard to find, Laudanum had been a staple in his mother's stores since before he could remember. But he kept that latter part a secret. Soon he found his favorite potion and favorite muggle substitute. He couldn’t free himself physically, because death was something too unfathomable for him still, but he could escape mentally. His survival during this period can only be attributed to Kreacher. The last dutiful Black Family house elf. Kreacher truly actually cared for Regulus by this point, as Regulus was the only person in the family who showed him kindness. Kreacher looked after Regulus when he was in his worst moments. But eventually, when his involvement with the Death Eaters became too much, Regulus reached the point where death was no longer something to fear. And then he started thinking perhaps it was the only way out of his situation. The idea took root, growing slowly but steadily. That autumn, after his 18th birthday, he finally accepted death as the better option than continuing to exist as he had been. Previously that year, Voldemort casually dropped a hint about making Horcruxes. Regulus' knowledge of horcruxes was more innocent than it seems on the surface. He knew the etymology of his name - Latin for "little king," and in learning that, he also learned about basilisks And then naturally, the benefits of basilisk venom. That horcruxes happen to be horrific dark magic was coincidental to Regulus knowing about them. But even he knew not to talk about them because of how evil they were. It almost surprised him the Dark Lord would just let that information slip around anyone - but on deep review of the evidence, Regulus had to acknowledge not many other witches or wizards knew about them. After all, the rank and file of Death Eaters weren't geniuses. Regulus quietly tucked away knowledge of Voldemort's secret. When Voldemort summoned him that fall, Regulus first assumed his lack of commitment had been finally noticed by the Dark Lord, and this would be the end. But, instead of being met with torture, Voldemort simply requested the use of a house elf, and thinking Voldemort only wanted someone serving him food or, at worst, disposing of a few bodies, Regulus offered the use of Kreacher. When Kreacher returned to the hall of Grimmauld Place, barely hanging onto life, it was clear Regulus had been gravely wrong. For the first time in months, Regulus felt something other than self-loathing, he was outraged at the torture Kreacher had suffered. After Kreacher recovered, Regulus made him explain what happened and from that information Regulus formulated an end-game plan. He knew going into that cave to retrieve the horcrux he would not be coming out again. He’d figured that if Kreacher’s magic could get the elf out of the cave, then the elf could be entrusted to destroy the locket. He ordered Kreacher to give him the potion guarding the horcrux, as he wouldn’t put Kreacher through that ordeal again. It was the most painful and horrifying experience of Regulus’ life, as not only did it seem to boil his very essence but the memories of his past misdeeds were called forward and paraded around his mind over and over. When it was finished and the inferi were summoned from their underwater grave, Regulus ordered Kreacher to go home and destroy the locket, and to tell no one. This was the end. After a year and a half of being something he didn’t want to be, of doing things that fractured his own soul, of abuse, and all the guilt, Regulus looked forward to this end with so much anticipation and happiness, and he slipped down into that murky water willingly. He was not expecting to wake up again. ▶ Personality/Characterization: It’s no secret that all members of the most Ancient and Noble House of Black are unbalanced in some respect or another. This mental and emotional instability in Regulus is a result of the combination of an abusive childhood and generations of the Family Tree not branching out (with the reinforced idea that this practice made the house of Black superior to any family that paddled about in other gene pools). It’s not surprising that both sets of the Black brothers’ grandparents share the same last name, Black. As the youngest, and last, male heir to this refined and magnificent heritage, Regulus has an ample mixing of good and bad qualities that manifest in a manic disarray that even he has difficulty making heads or tail about. Regulus can be energetic and personable. Black blood runs beautiful and hot; it boils with emotions and passions that easily overflow. This is mainly a result of unrestrained privilege born from being rich and easy to look upon, and a need to fill an emotional void created by his mother’s cruelty, his father’s emotional absence, and Sirius’ physical absence. When he forgets the things that trouble him, Regulus’ energy can be infectious and it is easy to be sucked into the world of a Black. Though it should be noted that Regulus is definitely not as loud as his brother. Regulus is, strangely enough, an introvert. This strikes at odds with his seemingly once vivacious social life. But when he needs to regroup and refocus he seeks solitude and preferably someplace still and calm. His first choice is some place high above the maddening crowd, which gives him the physical opportunity to analyze his situation from a distance. He relies heavily on his environment to temper his moods. When he’s particularly distressed and all other recourse has failed he turns destructively inward and seeks release through self-harming methods - like substance abuse. Just prior to his death, he started relying on this coping mechanism more than he'd ever done before and he's somewhat reliant on mind-altering substances to achieve a release from his emotional stress. He desperately wants approval and acceptance, and though he was the Golden Boy in his family, he still never adequately received what he needed. He often does anything for this end. An abusive childhood, and his actions as a young adult, have left him with deep seated yearning for any kind of what seems to him to be positive affection. Tell him you love him and he’s yours, lapping up every word. He is, after all, a people pleaser. For approval from the right people, he’ll do just about anything. Like, for example, fulfill his parents’ wishes to join an organization that uses horrific and terrifying techniques to take over the world. He finds it difficult to say ‘No’ to those he reveres or cares about, making him easy to manipulate - if you know this about him. Regulus, despite all the arrogance and selfishness, actually harbors deep feelings for a select few in his life, such as, Kreacher, his parents (on some level despite their ill treatment of him), Narcissa - his favorite cousin; Barty, Evan, and Severus (possibly his closest friends), and even his brother - though to show it for his brother would be the death of him. In general, when it comes to his deeper feelings, he puts up an acidic, disdainful front to protect himself. He never discusses it with anyone, but Sirius’ rejection and eventual leaving felt like betrayal, and that isn’t something he is prepared to endure again. He both simultaneously hates and loves his older brother. He’s extremely bitter over everything involving Sirius. But even though he really wants to, he cannot fully let go of eleven years spent idolizing his older brother (to the point that Regulus’ patronus is a big shaggy dog). When faced with severe opposition, or disappointment, Regulus retreats inward. He becomes still and eerily quiet. This is something of a coping mechanism, a result of his innate personality and many years dealing with his abusive mother. He learned rather fast his mother’s rages were over quicker if he kept quiet and endured whatever punishment she saw fit to level against him. Regulus is the second, and only recognized son of Orion and Walburga Black, and therefore has inherited many of the most ancient and noble Black family traits. He was born with a silver spoon in one hand and a bowl of elitist arrogance in the other. Generations of ego inbred to stunning perfection, classism comes without effort, and this his parents honed in him for eighteen years. Their ideology and principles really took deep root in the last few years. Previous to his joining the Death Eaters, he considered few his equal, and he defined the label narrowly, he was quite the spoiled, rich snob. Now, after his death, he's expanded the definition of that label; however, it's difficult to fully shake 18 years of indoctrination, being judgmental and aloof just comes easy for him. He is arrogant and selfish, and all too aware of the power he wields just by existing – his talent with magic, his good looks, and his wealthy, pureblood family connections. In his world he had it all, and could get away with murder. Though he much regrets having committed that particular crime, he’s still well aware of the superficial qualities that foist him high above others. He may have turned his back on the cruelest forms of bigotry, but he still thinks he’s better than most people. And one cannot forget that he is extremely moody. He has the mental maturity of a five year old and he’s shit at coping with just about any emotion but ‘happy’. And even then he runs on luck. If he reaches the point that the ‘good times’ end, and he can’t force pretending to be happy anymore, he usually responds in the way a five year old might - petulance, anger, and some kind of tantrum. But then, even when all his needs are satisfied, he can be irritable and cranky. Coming back to a quintessential Slytherin trait, he can certainly hold onto hurt feelings like no other. He is easily offended and will sulk and wallow in self-pity for a long time when his feelings get hurt. In his last year at Hogwarts, Regulus started seeking solitude more than approval. While he is by no means now a paragon of social consciousness, the things he's done as a Death Eater have made him rethink a great many number of his beliefs. These things weigh heavy on his mind, constantly, and because of that he's dialed back the youthful exuberance he used to exhibit. He wants to be a better person, he just doesn't know how. ▶ Powers / Abilities: He is a wizard, in school his best subjects were Charms, Astrology, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes and ('defense against') the Dark Arts; he's not as skilled in transfiguration but he's compitent. He's well skilled in broomstick flying. And he's very good at magical wards. He has a naturally curious mind so is willing to seek out new information and is a self-learner. He is intuitive and perceptive. Well spoken and well dressed. He knows about fifty different ways to tie a neck tie. And he knows what distinguishes bespoke clothing from off the rack. Outside of magic, his mother made sure he had an education in etiquette, French Language, and music - emphasis on piano. Lying and deflection come easy to him. ▶ Languages: English, Frech, sheet music ▶ Inventory: Wand, clothes on his back (bespoke, of course), a wizard robe. ▶ What is Your Character's Sin?: Pride, he was the favored son of a ultra rich, pureblood magical family. All his life he's been told, and he's thought, that he was special, better, more deserving than everyone else. He is one proud mother fucking wizard for sure. ▶ Primary Playing Sample: https://royal-venant.dreamwidth.org/2616.html#cutid1 ▶ Notes: (Any final notes you may have for us on your character.)