Narcissa has a BABY (born in June) (thefairest) wrote in blurred_lines, @ 2008-07-31 12:14:00 |
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After inviting Narcissa to join him for lunch, Rabastan had made reservations for two at Vinifera. He certainly would not risk her reputation by having her over to the manor unaccompanied by her husband, nor would he go anywhere that could make it look like anything other than just two friends out for a meal. It was important that it was done properly, not only for her reputation, but for his own. There had been enough tragedy and scandal floating around their families lately, he saw to it that this get together was by the books. Arriving fifteen minutes early, as to be seated and have bread and a light wine ordered to be ready upon her arrival, Rabastan sat patiently at the table waiting for his friend. It wasn't frowned upon, exactly, having friends of the opposite gender, but at the same time, there were more protocols to keep. Particularly the older they got, some more traditional members of the society believed that men and women should only socialise for potential courtships, that they weren't meant to be friends. Thankfully, with the connection between the Lestrange and Black families through Rodolphus and Bellatrix, Rabastan's friendship with Narcissa would not be viewed up on as taboo, but rather, familial. Something that almost made putting up with a sister-in-law like Bellatrix worth it. (A choice in wife that Rabastan would never understand, however, it was one that his brother was content enough with.) Narcissa was unfortunately prone to lateness, a habit even Druella had been unable to break in all her years of teaching, but today she was in the fortunate position of being on time. Well, it was bound to happen once in a while. Rabastan's choice of Vinifera was an excellent one, she thought, surveying the general area as the plumes on her hat bobbed. Public enough, yet not too public, and elegant. People were far too prone to gossip, and neither Narcissa nor Rabastan intended to give them any reason to. With a slight smile, she peeled off her gloves and hat (keeping the box which held his birthday present close to her the whole time), and handed them to the very attentive maitre'd. "Do be very careful with my hat. I should really hate for something to happen to it." But the smile on Narcissa's face changed to a genuine one as she made her way over to the table Rabastan had selected and took a seat. "It's absolutely lovely to see you, Rabastan. And happy belated birthday!" She handed him the innocent-looking box, which in reality contained an antique cursed dagger under several wards and safekeeping spells. "Don't bother opening it now," she added airily. "The wrappings will make far too much of a mess." Narcissa had no doubt he would completely understand what she was saying. Slytherins were well versed in doublespeak of all types. Vinifera was such a nice place, she thought to herself yet again. Lunch here was certain to be lovely. The wine, however, would prove a problem. She had been avoiding alcohol for nearly a month now on the Healer's orders (which had been easier than expected, since there had been no reason at all for celebration). But explanations were far too difficult considering that she wasn't actually pregnant yet. She settled for "I am afraid I shall just have water today. Wine does tend to make me a bit sleepy this early in the day." It almost sounded completely true. "But do tell me how you've been! It really has been too long." "It's lovely to see you as well, Narcissa. Thank you for the gift, I look forward to opening it later, knowing the taste that you and your husband have," he said, offering a genuine smile as he took the box from her setting it carefully next to him. While his curiousity was piqued, and he slightly rose his eyebrow when she declined the wine, it would have been rude to ask for a reason; the real reason. He wondered, though, if perhaps she was expecting - but knew well enough that if she were he would know when she was ready for others to know, and it would be offensive to put her on the spot. "Forgive my haste, I was merely trying to prevent you from waiting when you arrived." No harm done, nothing to stress about. "I'm well, all things considering." He was, after all, still supposed to be in the 'mourning' phase. Rabastan wasn't really sad per sae, but he wasn't ever extremely close to his father, either. It would be an entirely different story if it were his mother who had died, but he refused to dwell on such matters. "Mother is enjoying having me home, at least, and I don't mind keeping her company." Rabastan paused, took a sip of the wine - so as not to waste it entirely - and smiled. "And you, I trust you're doing well?" "I appreciate the thought," Narcissa merely said about the wine, taking another sip of water. She wished intensely that she did have news, or a valid reason for it other than it was one of a long list of precautions the Healer had told her to take, along with avoiding multiple herbs and taking a wide variety of potions to increase fertility. The whole process felt like a wound that would not heal- Narcissa was sick and tired of it, but it was either continue or give up. And giving up was not an option at all. "I suppose I am doing fine as well- as much as can be expected," she replied with a small smile. Both of them had lost family recently- Narcissa was still recovering from her father's death last month, and then Evan's death, and now her Uncle Orion's. "Keeping busy is the best way to deal with things, I suppose." Why did that make her think of funerals suddenly? Those had certainly been busy and time consuming, but she had tried to mean other things, such as... shopping. "Mother has apparently began a project of taking the young ladies of society under her wing, and it makes me quite happy she is slowly recovering from, from father." "But," Narcissa continued, smile widening because the topic was going to come up anyway, and she might as well discuss it now so they could get away from the constant conversation of death, and more death, and funerals, and greif. "On the topic of society ladies... have you been making a list of merits? Or has Mrs. Lestrange been interviewing? You really do need someone to take care of you and ensure those sad excuses for house elves you have learn to cook." Getting her opinion on a future Mrs. Lestrange would be easier than he thought, as she just removed the necessity of him having to bring it up in a subtle manner. Rabastan rose his eyebrow at her, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Narcissa, darling, I'm beginning to think that you've been consorting with my dear mother. Has she set you up to this?" He asked in a light, teasing manner. He had to seem aloof, yet interested in the idea of a bride - too eager would seem uncharacteristic of him, and not eager enough might land another scolding from Druella. "Actually, I've yet to find someone suitable enough, but perhaps my standards are too high. No one can live up to the standard you set, after all, though, perhaps you know some you might come close?" Rabastan hoped she'd take the bait in making suggestions, as he really didn't want his brother to arrange him a marriage with some foreign savage. "Rodolphus and Corbina have recently taken to teasing me about marrying someone from another country, unable to speak our language. Surely they jest, but it's given me enough reason to begin actively looking, on the chance they might be serious." "It is one big conspiracy against you, I am afraid," she replied nonchalantly. "I have not spoken with your mother, in fact, but naturally we all feel it is the best thing for you from the depths of our hearts." Not to mention that it was the main pastime of the ladies of pureblood society. Honestly, there was not that much to talk about at luncheons (apart from the usual veiled jabs at each other) so converation usually came back to the usual topic of whom was marrying whom, who ought to be marrying whom, and what wedding styles were lovely. Narcissa smiled at the compliment, and waved it away with her hand. It was lovely to have friends, though. "Out of the country is not always terrible, you know. Atticus Avery married from France, and Uncle Graley married a Venezuelan... but I suppose the success of that marriage is up for debate." It was easier to be catty about an aunt Narcissa had never met, and besides, a good portion of Druella's time was spent attempting to find a woman of the good English pureblood variety for her brother. "Let me think." It was unfortunate that most of the ladies she would consider eligible were already married. Or engaged, for that matter. "How much is age a consideration? Because there are of course the Wilkes twins, but they are barely eighteen. You remember Eva Macnair from our year at school.... And, well, I would have initially recommended Astra Avery." Narcissa coughed, slightly uncomfortable. "But, as of yesterday, well, she is engaged. To your nephew, in fact." Family relationships that were less than perfect were never a surprise to Narcissa, and Marius and Rabastan had made their dislike of each other evident from the start, but it was better generally to ignore such things and be equally friendly with both parties. Rabastan bit his tongue slightly, refraining himself from speaking while he let that bit of news sink in. Sure, his nephew was a year older than him so it should stand to reason that he would marry first, yet, at the same time, Marius was his nephew. He knew well enough not to let his displeasure of the news be too obvious, as that would be rude to do so in front of the mutual friend. "Hm, well I suppose I ought to send them my congratulations," he finally spoke, his voice even. The more he thought about it, Rabastan couldn't help but cringe. His mother certainly wouldn't be pleased that her grandson would marry before her second son, particularly not after she'd been on about marriage lately. Rabastan hated displeasing his mother, and he knew there was no way around choosing a spouse with quickness. "Thank you, however, for your suggestions. I trust them more than my siblings who, at times, live to torment me." Rabastan smiled, and forced himself to relax once more, attempting to push the thoughts of Marius's engagement - and what was bound to be his mother's reaction to the news - out of his mind. She sighed. "Actually, I am not sure Marius is aware of it at the moment. From what Astra and Corbina told me yesterday, Rodolphus just informed Astra. Because to my knowledge, the general method is for the interested gentleman to take the proposal to the lady and her family." Of course things would be different with Atticus Avery on the run from the Ministry of Magic in France, but it was interesting that Marius was to be the last party informed of the change to his future. Not that it was any of Narcissa's business, but then, most of the things that interested her were not her business. One's own matters got terribly boring in a short while "I'm sorry," Narcissa finally said, her voice losing it's usual polished tone and sounding sincere. It had to be painful for Rabastan, having the random nephew who got exiled from France due to improper behaviour claim one of the more eligible English girls within six months of his arrival. Even though it was Rabastan's fault, and to some extent Thubana Lestrage's. Not that Narcissa was going to bring that up. "But things usually work out the way they are supposed to. I'm sure Corbina means well in whatever situations she attempts to get you in." Chloris was carefully not mentioned. Loathing was not an apropriate lunchtime topic. "What about Anzhelina Dolohov?" "There is nothing to apologise for, Narcissa, as I'm certainly not troubled by the news." Which was true, to an extent. He really hadn't had his sights set on Astra Avery, particularly not while her father and brother were on the run from the Ministry of Magic. The only thing bothersome was the fact that his nephew, who should come after him in seniority, was now engaged to be married first. The knowledge that apparently Marius had no choice in his bride, however, was comforting. "Well, I'm certain my brother would have set up the most beneficial arrangement he could have for his son, so I shouldn't be surprised." Rabastan smirked, attempting to picture Marius's dismay at being a part of a prearranged marriage where he had little or no say in the matter. He briefly paused the conversation as the waiter placed the food upon their table, after all, he trusted very few people. "Thank you, I was beginning to wonder when this would arrive," he said in a quiet, uncaring manner. Rabastan found you got the best service if people always thought they were being judged for it, without the blatant rudeness that they were utter failures. Without a second glance, his attention was turned back to Narcissa. "I hope you don't mind that I took the liberty of ordering one of your favourite dishes?" Rabastan asked, mostly for formality's sake. They had been friends long enough for him to know that she would like what he ordered, and unlike her more independent older sister, she wouldn't chastise him for ordering for her. "Mulciber and Dolohov might have potential," he conceded. "Anzhelina would satisfy my brother's desire for me to marry someone who wasn't strictly English." "Astra seems pleased by the arrangement, if somewhat overwhelmed. I wonder what it would be like to wake up one morning and suddenly have a marriage thrown at you." Narcissa's own engagement could not have been further from that. She had known Lucius for years and had essentially been expecting the marriage proposal when it came. Not that it had decreased the excitement or prestige of it in the slightest. But she wondered whether there was any uncertainty at all under Astra's placid demeanour. Not that anyone would turn down a proposal from the Lestrange family, but still, the whole thing had been decided without her input. She nodded with approval as the waiter brought their food- it was quite considerate of Rabastan to plan ahead like that. "Thank you; I do appreciate it." Bella would have likely thrown both plates and created a scene at not being able to order herself, but then, she had always been a bit ridiculously impractical like that. Besides, having other people take care of things made life so much easier. "Hmm, Anzhelina." She nibbled her food thoughtfully. "The Dolohovs are old Russian money, naturally, so yes, I suppose she does fulfill any international quotas. But she can loud. Not uncouth, exactly, but I suppose she has never known what to say. And what of Eva? If you're willing to leave the Gryffindor sorting behind..." And the fact that Eva lived alone. And worked at Gringotts' Bank. "I would be a bit worried that any children of ours might be sorted into that dreadful house," Rabastan admitted freely. After all, there would be unacceptable for a man of his worth get married and not intend to have children. "No children of mine will spend their school days living amongst buffoons." It was, after all, the downfall of Sirius Black, ask anyone of importance. Rabastan paused long enough to take a bite of his lunch, all the while pondering over his thoughts on Dolohov. "Though, I cannot say that I am too keen on women who are loud." No, he liked his women delicate and fair - like a woman ought to be. "Clearly, I've got to think over it a bit more. Perhaps a certain friend of mine could be more apt to hosting social gatherings, if for no other reason than to help me decide which one best fits my expectations?" Anything social would be better than the times they'd been having lately, and he knew Narcissa truly enjoyed planning things like that. It wasn't too much to suggest. Mostly, Rabastan didn't want his mother setting up the social visits, as then it would become blatantly clear they were arranged to pick a future Mrs. Lestrange. Despite the fact that very rarely were men and women close solely as friends, Narcissa was family to his brother, she was family to him. He obviously wouldn't get in this discussion with his male camaraderies, nor his siblings.. in fact, Narcissa was quite possibly the only person he'd be so candid about the topic with. "Now if only Lucius hadn't swept you off your feet so soon," Rabastan smirked, clearly only joking, alleviating the serious nature of their conversation. "Enough talk of marriage, I do believe we've been dwelling on the topic for long enough." "Eva generally says it helped her to better understand them and their idiocy; but in all honesty I felt I had quite enough exposure through classes without having to share a house as well." In any case, it was not as though Slytherin house had been entirely without its undesirable sorts. Octavius Pepper was one example. "Ahh, quiet and with proper decorum?" Narcissa couldn't help laughing. "Alecto is the woman for you, then. Naturally." As though Alecto knew what decorum was to begin with; Narcissa could likely count the number of parties she had been to on one hand. "That certain friend of yours will be quite happy to host parties for you and relieve you from a wretched existence," Narcissa continued. "But after everything... settles down a bit, I suppose." She had not intended to bring things back to the gloomy topic of deaths and funerals, but at the same time, it did seem omnipresent. "But yes, we'll have a big ball, and hang tasteful signs that say 'Please Dance With Rabastan.' We ladies are very good at catching subtle messages." She only smiled when he brought up Lucius; it was an old joke, and likely one that would never die out. "You're quite right, though. How is your Kent estate doing? Do the elves have the run of the place while you stay in Norfolk?" "Alecto?" Rabastan looked horrified, and genuinely was. "I'd rather take the foreigner who cannot speak a word of our language than marry someone who acts with such absurdity. Surely you wouldn't let such a fate befall on me," he said shrugging off the unwanted image of him attempting to make a proper wife out of Carrow. "All the more reason for your tasteful signs," he smirked, shaking his head. Rabastan purposefully let the mention of the unpleasant times go without response. After all, while it was proper of her to mention them, considering the conversation of planning events, as it is proper to mourn - it need not be a conversation that they continue upon over a friendly lunch. "My estate is still standing, to say the least," he said with a tad reluctance. "I have been apparating over there from time to time to make certain of that fact, though the elves are apparently lazy in their master's absence." That being said, Rabastan had no intention of returning back to his own estate, not so long as his mother needed him around. "They will be handled accordingly after I'm ready to leave my mother's." "Elves can be rather inconvenient in that matter," Narcissa agreed. But despite whatever Bellatrix might say, she preferred them to human servants. Their hours were far more flexible and abuse tolerence quite a bit higher. "But I am sure Mrs. Lestrange needs you the most at this point in time." Narcissa had gone over to Curzon Street to see Druella each and every day after the murder of Cygnus. "A house is just a house, after all." She smirked back. "I solemnly promise there shall be no Alecto. We'll find you a perfectly enchanting lady with an excellent grasp of English, and fix your house up, and everything shall turn out perfectly. And of course there will be a terribly large ball to celebrate." Narcissa paused as the waiter strolled towards them with a pitcher of water. "After all, it is one of the greater benefits of being friends." |