Character Name:

Darice Asztalos Tenebroso

Character Clan:

The Tenebroso Dynasty

Hierarchy Position:

Blackguard

Character History:

Descended from Hungarian ancestry, Darice was embraced by a Russian vampire named Piotr Tenebroso whose position within the Dynasty was that of enforcer. Her introduction to the Tenebroso hierarchy was succinct and swift; she settled with the Family for a few years before returning to Budapest and her human roots, more comfortable there than in the U.S. She found out later that Piotr was killed several years after her Embrace, but the two held no personal connection beyond that of blood. She did not mourn his passing, but was grateful for the gift of eternity he had given her.

In Budapest Darice lived in solitude. She hunted during the deepest hours of the night and secluded herself by day, chance encounters with Vampires from her bloodline providing her with the social contact she craved. Driven by loneliness, she eventually ventured deeper into the cities where she met and fell for a young politician, Heinrich Danko. He was completely unaware of what she was for an entire year, though she could see the curiosity he held back when in her presence. Eventually he began to speak of children and that's when she told him. For many weeks Heinrich was furious, but his love for her brought him back to her arms. Human though he was, he began adapting himself to her nocturnal habits. They shared forty years before he died, leaving Darice everything.

Darice used her husbands name and financial security to forge a name for herself as his long-lost daughter, continuing his political efforts through careful use of bribery and subtle manipulation of his colleagues. She pushed for reform, rights for women and children, and the modernization of the country. She was able to continue this charade for another ten years before men became suspicious of her never-changing beauty. Darice once more retreated from society, deciding to travel instead.

She used her financial security to move from Budapest to the United States where, by sheer chance, she ran into Donovan Tenebroso on the streets. They both barely managed not to attack each other while realizing they were of the same bloodline, the Tenebroso. Away from the bulk of the Family, it was surprisingly easy for Darice to fall in love with him. They still encountered obstacles from the human population however.

Social and racial prejudices were strong.  Their relationship met with such scorn that Darice shied away from the public. She owned a house in West Virginia where they lived together, but peace was not to be had for either of them. Word circulated like wildfire that an old fashioned lynch mob was forming, drunken men with big mouths and small minds, to drag Donovan from his own house and into the streets like a criminal.

Of that night, all that Darice remembers is watching as the blood rage overtook her husband, feeling the air sizzle between them as she herself filled with dangerous hatred. She and Donovan were out of each other's presence for a total of twelve hours, and returned to their house just as the sun was rising. Both were covered in blood. Silently, in tandem, they washed the gore from their bodies and Darice wrapped herself around her Bonded as the sun rose higher. Sleep came to neither of them, despite the pull of slumber.

When they woke, their servants were frantic with the news that half the towns men had been murdered in the local bar the previous night. As they told the gruesome tale, Donovan and Darice stared at each other across the dining room table in heavy silence, no regret, no remorse in either vampire. Darice began making plans that night to have the house packed up and their things moved to England.

They breathed easier in England. The constant threat of a lynch mob had diminished as well as the worry that such attention would draw the eyes of the Hunters towards the couple. It seemed impossible that Darice could fall more in love with him, but she did. Watching as the world changed from their castle in the countryside, Darice was entertaining the idea of childer when Donovan decided to step into the political and industrial boom taking place in the country. Less interested in the business side, Darice began looking into designing clothing and from her efforts, eventually created La Coterie, an exclusive line of tasteful yet outrageous lingerie that the upper crust were buying in droves, secretly of course.

In 1990, La Coterie went international and within a month, Darice was a multi-millionaire. The rush of spotlight necessitated the need to create Darice Asztalos, a public persona, a face to La Coterie. She stepped flawlessly into the human world with a strict set of rules to keep her true nature hidden and that of her Clan under wraps.  No Hunter has ever come after her because they've never been able to prove she is a vampire!

Darice has always been a loyal friend to many within the Family.  She is a secret-keeper and a true friend, believing in loyalty above all.  It is why she is able to move between Royals and Blackguards' without fear of violence towards her.  She is a well-loved confidante to all and she's never betrayed a secret she's been gifted with, even on pain of death.

Character Face:

Paz Vega