Cassiopeia had been raised to be courteous and civil even in the most trying of circumstances, and to view too much emotion not only as a weakness, but as a distinctly feminine one which she needed to guard against. But in this particular moment, it was proving very difficult indeed. How could Richard recognise that the abandonment of tradition led to terrible war, and yet not understand that honouring one's family and keeping one's word were interlinked with the material customs he disparaged? And – far more pressingly – how could he so casually mention that there was a second war, worse than the first that was tearing apart her community? Mr Jarvis had given her hope, telling her that it would end well, that they would triumph – but what was it all for if it was going to happen over again, if they could never be safe, if the peace of centuries was gone forever? She could never go home.
Cassiopeia said none of this, but when she spoke again her words were measured, almost unnaturally calm. 'Your vision for the new House of Black, then, is that I would work as a junior employee at your company, take orders from all manner of people, in the hope that I'd someday advance enough to compete with you?' She shook her head, slow and deliberate. 'Women in my position,' she told him, 'do not work. There is no need for it. I am very glad that you like my handiwork – the spatial expansions were taught to me by my mother, and the wards are, well, a necessity, in my time, especially the new structural reinforcements – but if I had the desire to buy and sell properties, there are ample funds in the family coffers, and I do not think I would be denied the chance, even if it is a trifle unconventional. I could begin immediately, and seek guidance from my relatives where I needed it.' Despite the fact that wizarding society as a whole had valued women's skills and potential in the public sphere long before its muggle counterpart, the oldest pureblood families, where lineage and inheritance were critically important, didn't always reflect this. Cassi stepped around her limitations at every opportunity, and did a great deal in the name of charitable volunteering, but nothing short of destitution would make her consider proper paid employment outside of the familial context.
'I imagine,' she continued, still carefully neutral, 'that we might have been in competition. Or perhaps co-operation, at least until my old-fashioned methods troubled you enough that you purchased my holdings, leaving me a tidy profit. That is how I would have achieved that goal the traditional way, had it been one I wished to pursue. Similarly, you hardly need that-' a quick gesture towards the telephone on the table, 'to communicate with your associate in Kiev, when you can Apparate there within an hour, with the improvements you told me about. It's rather like-' she gave him a small, almost wistful smile, 'when we have the muggle-borns come in as children, and they complain about how slow some of our ways are, before they have understood them. Why not take time to think about your new modification, and give your friend time to consider it? A thoughtful response is usually far more useful than an immediate one. It depends on what you value, and…'
Cassi trailed off, and suddenly swiped at a stray tear trickling down her cheek. She couldn't keep the thought from her mind, despite her efforts. Another war. Another.
She stood, a little awkwardly. 'Oh, I'm sorry,' she said, sounding slightly breathless. 'Richard, please do excuse me a moment, won't you?'