Laertes Orion Sinclair (kinglaertes) wrote in carpediem_rp, @ 2015-12-29 18:44:00 |
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Entry tags: | character: laertes sinclair, character: ophelia sinclair, thread: complete |
Who: Laertes and Ophelia
Where: The informal dining room
When: Monday 28 December, luncheon
Warning: None really
Status: Closed, Complete
It had been clear too by the meetings their father, aunt and uncle took that something was afoot before the attack on the ministry. There were losses, but on the whole important families were put into the important positions in the ministry - the ones who had been subtle enough to avoid being caught after the Fall. The meetings had only increased after the attack as the prominent families advised on the proper roles for those members of the first families in the ministry in 'these times of war'.
It meant too that Ophelia and Laertes were largely left alone at the house. Laertes had at least been able to avoid using his cane since he got home. He was aware of the need to maintain appearances even among family. He was honestly feeling better, though was being careful as always. Now though, with their father busy with ministry functions and Aunt Gertrude and Uncle Claudius busy with other work supporting the network of associates, Laertes could let his guard down a little and admit he had had a long and difficult previous month.
Ophelia had been more than willing to be invisible, to many degrees, since she and Laertes had gotten home. She mostly focused on keeping him from having to do too much- with the cold and the various new events at home, she was much more focused on keeping him safe and much more worried about internal bleeds, the ones she could not prevent. The cold exacerbated that, and so even with the celebrations around them now, what mattered was Laertes.
Right now, though, was lunch. She had put together a number of sandwiches for the two of them, and was absently nibbling at one. “People know what's happening. I can't imagine anyone sees father being put where he is as an innocent step. It makes it far easier to find you a potential bride though, I think?”
Laertes arched a brow at his sister. "No one wants to marry a teaching assistant. Nor do I want someone who believes I will grant them an in to the Senior Undersecretary to the Minister." And his illness was another cause for concern. "Unlike brides, there is no rush on young men. My future wife is probably still a student." Laertes let the discussion stay on him rather than her options. She felt more than enough pressure on this topic - and he felt that way about his role in finding her someone.
“We are chess pieces more than ever.” Ophelia took another dainty bite of her sandwich. She was hungry, yes, but eating properly was important more than filling that hunger right now. “We are both now more useful unmarried I think. And your future bride will need to be crafted, I believe. There still exists no one on this earth I see as worthy of you.” One eyebrow raised at him slightly, motioning to his food. “Eat. You must be hungry.”
They had always been chess pieces, but unlike some - Laertes at least - had both awareness of that role, and agency within it. He had managed to secure the trust from his parents - and other important people - that while he could not fight, he was loyal and could be counted on to act according to the values of the family. There was no question he would select a pure bride from a good family when the time came. "I ate breakfast a few hours ago, sister," Laertes teased her back.
While Ophelia lacked the agency Laertes had, they both shared the awareness of their roles. They were mere pawns, but at least they knew what was to come of it. Ophelia was not as loyal to their parents as her brother, but then she trusted him above all else and so that was where her loyalty lay. “And it has been hours, and so you should eat your lunch.” A grin was offered and she rolled her eyes at him. “It wouldn't do to hear that the heir to the Sinclair family was not adequately fed.”
Laertes rolled his eyes as well. His condition made him a risk as heir, but their attempt to have a 'spare' had - to their parents' minds - failed and produced his lovely sister. He'd always been surprised they didn't continue to try, despite everything, but was grateful for Ophelia. "I do intend to eat… we are in the dining room." Laertes teased back. "And you need not take over for Mother just because she and Father are busy with ministry events now."
A shrug again. “I look after you and you look after me. It's how things are done.” It was what she had always held on to. She and her brother against anything that came toward them. Though it seemed right now things were going well, looking up. Lady Nyx didn't exist again, but the family was taking positions they would have had under her control. It meant death, yes, but that was a natural pattern in life. It always had been and it would always be.
Ophelia's statement was true and it had been for as long as Laertes could remember - since they were very young. "I expect we will not see much of our family except at formal events this break." There would of course be multiple formal events. "But Vetrov at least will help protect our aunt and uncle."
“It's to be expected. Our family will be kept safe. Possibly exonerated eventually of whatever crimes are attributed to them.” She had no doubt that some of the statements were true, but at the same time, their aunt was interesting to her. Not an artist in the sense she was, but with a gift for potions that obviously intrigued the younger woman. “There will be a lot of change I think, with father’s new status.”
Laertes nodded. It depended on how overt the new Minister and his brother were planning on being whether they would be, but no matter they had more than served their time. "Yes. My current employment is unlikely to continue after this year." Laertes enjoyed it for the most part, but it was not prestigious enough for the son of Diomedes Sinclair.
“After I've graduated the reason for your desire to stay is removed.” Ophelia had no doubt that he was largely still there because she was. He could have taken a year to just study, but he didn't want her to be alone- and largely alone was what she would have been. She spoke to some people, sometimes, but trust was reserved for him and him alone. Anyone else could easily betray her, and so she did not allow true closeness. Well, maybe Alexei, but that was nothing. She would have to set it aside when he married Sera.
"Yes," Laertes agreed. His reason for taking the position had been largely motivated by the desire to keep track of his sister, but it also afforded him continued access to the library - without the restrictions of being a student. In many respects too, Hogwarts had been his home for more than seven years. "I would not leave you alone in your final year."
“I know.” A smile curved Ophelia’s lips. “You're the only one I trust to stay close.” Because people got lost, people left, and obviously they died. Laertes though? She would guard him so that wouldn't happen, and they would stay close. More so now that their family had been settled into even more prominence. He would have more need to manage his condition even more strongly so that there was no weakness shown, and she would have to manage herself as well. “Many things are going to be different.”
"Better, I should think." So long as this rising did not fall the way Lady Nyx had, it would be a better world soon. He was not as flashy as some in their generation, so increased attention was not something he craved, but increased access was something that would be convenient. "And for you." It benefited each of them that way.
“Things will be as they should. People will be in their proper places.” While many believed that muggleborns should be eliminated, Ophelia did disagree on that point. Who would exist to be ruled over? Who would exist for menial jobs- keeping shops and the like- once purebloods ran the ministry and the upper levels of society. “It will be positive changes. A series of them. Have you come to any decisions on a partner for me? I imagine your attentions to that have a wider audience now that we are the children of the Senior Undersecretary to the minister himself…”
"As the appointment is still only hours old… it has affected nothing yet. And I am taking my time. I would not rush such an important thing." He had ideas, yes, but none he felt was perfect at this time. The only name she mentioned was the Vetrov heir, but that family seemed to be trying to secure the line to itself.
Ophelia looked down, her voice softer. “It doesn't matter. Where my taste lies, I'm not free to choose.” Because Alexei was betrothed and so there was no chance for her to have him. “I imagine this will help with what I sell, honestly. Paintings and all. I mean… Obviously now, if things hold, we are much more valuable.”
Laertes arched a brow at his sister. If she had a choice, he would make it happen. Perhaps the Vetrov heir needed more consideration - and not just as a measure of his sister's taste as he had been treating him in this matter. If Ophelia wished to actually choose the boy, perhaps he should feel out Serafina and her preferences. She was strong willed and rebellious. Perhaps she should be encouraged in this so Ophelia could get what she wanted. "No, but I am free to ensure your happiness."
“I will be happy as long as I can paint and brew. I never expected real love, none of us really do. I hope to be fond of my husband, but that's all I need.” Ophelia smiled at her brother. He always tried to give her what she wanted, and she had always been grateful. In the end though, all that mattered was that she had him and he had her.
Laertes believed love was not something that happened, but something that grew over time, so his perspective was different in that regard. The sharp feeling one felt around some was sexual attraction. It was lust not love. "I should hope we can do a little better than 'fond' over time."
“Perhaps one day, in time.” A slight shrug. “It doesn't matter much. I just want to be free to do the things I really do love, and to have time with you. You're the important part of all of it.” Because he was her brother and she would not consider life without him in any way.
Laertes smiled at his sister. She was the most important, at least to him. It was in part perhaps why he put off his own settling - that and the confidence that he could find a suitable girl whenever he was ready to start a family, so it wasn't such a big deal. But if he had a wife, it would be more difficult to devote the time and effort to ensuring his sister's happiness. "And now we are all more important to the entire wizard community."
“Yes.” A small smile curved her lips again and she reached across the table, lightly resting her hand on his sleeve, just above his hand. “And it's both of us that are most marketable. Sera and Alexei are as good as bonded. Others will look to us for status now.” Which was a unique thing in her mind. It made Lae as important to others as he was to her- though he was still her brother first and she knew that.
Interesting she brought up Alexei and Serafina in this, Laertes thought. "I will seek a bride after you are well settled. There is no rush so long as I my health continues to be stable." If his health was unstable, then the need to produce a Sinclair heir would become of greater immediate importance.
“I will be working to make it more than stable. With time and resources I know I can do more.” And she had both now. They had ministry resources she could find ways to tap into. And she had ideas, which was even more important. Solutions in her head that could lead to better control. “That is more of a focus to me than a potential partnership. My brewing, my work… It is important to keep you strong, and so is vital.”
"It was a bad month… but this is not typical. Come winter we only need be worried about the dry air causing my nosebleeds, and those can be treated with the salves and other external coagulants." The internal bleeds were far less treatable, but fortunately tended to be far less common. "There is no need for you to put the brewing ahead of of your classes."
“My classes do not matter nearly as much. I only truly need a NEWT in potions to achieve what I want in life, so it doesn't matter to me how the rest go.” She would do well and work hard, but her passion and drive came first. “And I am hoping… I can put an end to bad months. This should not happen. I haven't done enough but I have time now, I am working on improvements so we can stop the times like this in the future.”
"Your classes matter while you are a Hogwarts student - all of them." Laertes corrected. He knew she was intelligent, and a good student. She should be able to focus on those things, not just his issue. "You will grow bored doing nothing but working on various coagulant potions."
“I will be worse than bored if you are stuck in the infirmary.” Ophelia shrugged, her eyes moving to meet his. “You are more important. You always have been and you always will be.” Classes she could handle with a minimum of focus, but if something happened to him? That she could not handle.
"I am more likely to sequester myself in my suite than the infirmary." Laertes was not fond of extended stays in hospitals. It was one thing to stop in on a daily basis for maintenance, or for emergency issues. Not for an extended stay.
“And I would prefer to prevent the need.” A flicker of concern flashed in her eyes and she sighed. “You're more important than anything else, Lae. I want to be sure I'm doing everything I can to help you manage your condition. Especially now… We will be called on to be present a lot more, I think.”
"We will be at school." Laertes pointed out. That was still important, and would grant them a few months respite. Then, ideally, Laertes would ensure Ophelia was suitably matched, and she would have another family to prioritize. "It will be this summer that the responsibilities will increase.
“Yes, and by then I hope to improve the potions you take so that your condition is even more under control.” Because she knew that was her goal- more than carrying on anything with the family, keeping Laertes healthy and whole was the most vital thing to her continued health and existence as well.
"And achieve the NEWTs you have earned," Laertes had no intention of letting go the importance of her life. He was a hemophiliac and always would be. She would not always be a student.
“They will not be as difficult for me as many would think. I am skilled enough to do well.” They both had been, and they both had their gifts and talents. “In the end though what's most important is the pair of us. I… NEWTs would not matter if it didn't mean the freedom to get out of school and spend more time with you.”
Laertes was amused to hear her momentary flash of pride. He was a scholar and if he did not have obligations to his family, he would immerse himself in studies of languages and ancient tomes. "And for the next few months, the preparation for NEWTs will be enough to ensure freedom from other responsibilities."
“From some of them. Not all.” Ophelia grinned. “And once I'm done you'll be free to have time with your books without having to deal with students, right?” Because that meant he could leave the school with her and do what he wanted.
"More likely I will have less time. With you settled, and Father's new position, I will be given other duties." The result would be less time to do what he enjoyed. "But I will not miss the grading."
“I will not be wed immediately. We will have time to ourselves for a bit before we are both thrown into whatever they want for us.” A soft smile and she carefully patted his arm again, her eyes moving to the larger family room, a more formal place where she knew celebrations were being arranged even as they spoke. “Things will be good for us. I am sure of it.”
She would have planning her wedding too, but then, there were people who could be hired to arrange such things so that she could focus on her potions and paintings. But Laertes smiled at her. "Things will be." He would ensure it for her.