RP: Family Matters

[shh_rabastan]

Date: 5 June 2005
Characters: Rabastan and Rodolphus Lestrange
Location: Old Stone Church
Status: Private
Summary: Rabastan invites Rodolphus to lunch and a chat about family.
Completion: Incomplete

Comments

[shh_rodolphus]

Rodolphus had been in a bit of a frenzy over the last while. His conflicting feelings had made him throw himself into his art even more, although over the last couple days, it had calmed down a bit. He had spent some time arranging all of the haphazard piles in his studio and had started eating again.

Rodolphus had rid himself of the light beard he had grown over the last while and looked at all that he had drawn. Some of them were of his brother, others of strangers created by his imagination, but there were certainly plenty of Gin, her eyes shining with rage. He had put those beneath the rest and after a shower, had realized it was time to meet his brother at the church.

He made his way out of his home and walked to the Old Stone Church, his eyes half burned out by the sunlight. Wincing a bit, Rodolphus walked up to the door of the church and knocked. A small smile came to his lips at the sight of Rabastan.

"Hello, brother."

[shh_rabastan]

Seeing his brother scrunching his eyes against the bright sun, caused Rabastan to raise his eyebrows in curiosity. "Hello, Rodolphus. Why do you not cast a charm if sun bothers you? Come inside. The church looks much different from your first visit." The inside of the church had changed in recent months. Roger's crew had completed the installation of the bookcases and cabinetry and the arch between the nave and Rabastan's study and the interior doors were all new.

"I am pleased you were able to come. We're going to eat on the new patio. It is covered, so the light shouldn't bother you." Rabastan walked them through the nave to his study and through the new door that lead outside to the covered patio. Rabastan had gestured to the table laid out at the far end, near the unlit outdoor fireplace. "Have a seat and tell me how you have been. Are the headaches any better now?"

[shh_rodolphus]

Rodolphus laughed softly at his brother's words.

"I suppose I didn't think of it. My mind has been scattered lately."

He stepped inside and his eyes widened a bit in surprise at the sight of all of the changes in the church.

"Yes, it does look quite different. And in a pleasant manner."

Rodolphus smiled.

"I'm starved."

He followed his brother into the study and through the new door that led to the patio. Rodolphus sat down at the table, glad to be out of direct sunlight.

"I suppose they have been better. I haven't really been paying attention. They tend to fade into the background when I'm lost in my art."

[shh_rabastan]

"The stone is beautiful now that it has been cleaned. Our business representative, Elizabeth, tells me she met someone who has run libraries in the past. I believe I am going to inquire if the lady is available to assemble the library for me. I have everything organized by subject in the crates, but a professional to shelve it all and create the catalog would be magnificent

[shh_rodolphus]

"I'll have to see it once everything is arranged."

Rodolphus grinned like a hungry wolf at the sight of the food. Remembering his manners, he didn't grab the soup and drown himself in it, although it was tempting. He filled a bowl full of the soup and took two of the ham and cheese sandwiches before pouring himself a glass of lemonade. He wolfed down a sandwich before realizing it and bit his lip after swallowing it down.

"My apologies, brother."

He laughed softly.

"Yes. Sketching mostly. Some of you, some of strangers. Some...of her."

Rodolphus' faint smile turned into a frown.

[shh_rabastan]

"You are welcome here anytime, Rodolphus. I certainly would not mind seeing more of you, but I have been remiss in letting you know that you are welcome to visit whenever you like. The wards have always been set to recognize you. If someone else is here, you will feel it in the wards when you pass the fence. I thought it wise to give you notice if I was otherwise engaged if you came to see me

[shh_rodolphus]

"I will surely spend more time here now that I am aware."

He ate another sandwich, although a bit more slowly than the first. Rodolphus drank his glass of lemonade before pouring another, all the while listening to his brother's words.

"Yes, I did like the stew." Rodolphus managed a small smile. "I think it is a bit of both, brother."

Rodolphus nodded at his brother's next words.

"I do not know, Rabastan. Truly. I miss her as well, but I'm not sure if I could take her direct rejection once more."

[shh_rabastan]

Rabastan smiled. It would be nice to see more of his brother.

It was good to see his brother eating. He chuckled. "I hope I am a better cook now than I was 12 or 13 years old, but I still enjoy cooking just as much."

He nodded. "I understand. She may come around on her own if she is given time." Rabastan regarded his brother. "Rodolphus, I wanted to talk to you about something that has been on my mind. I do not wish to bring up difficult topics for you, but I do not think I should be considering the future of the Lestrange Family without your input, Brother."

[shh_rodolphus]

Rodolphus began to eat the onion soup, making sounds of appreciation at its taste.

"You are certainly more skilled than you were as a youth, brother. I remember some of the failed attempts you dared me to eat."

He nodded soberly.

"I do hope so."

Rodolphus looked at Rabastan curiously.

"Ask away, brother."

[shh_rabastan]

"I suppose that early experiment with Hungarian food was a mistake, wasn't it?" He chuckled.

Rabastan sighed. "There really isn't an easy way to begin. I have been thinking about what should be done about our family legacy." Having spent the weekend in India with his mentor who continued to insist that Rabastan inherit, despite his repeated suggestions to bequeath to the university instead, Rabastan knew arrangements needed to made for the Lestrange Family. "You are still young enough to have a family, Rodolphus. Have you thought at all about whether or not you would like to remarry? I know Bella has not been gone long, and I do not want to pressure you, but have you considered the idea at all?"

[shh_rodolphus]

Rodolphus cringed in memory before laughing.

"Yes, indeed."

He listened carefully to his brother's next words, temporarily abandoning his food. Rodolphus blinked for a moment at what Rabastan said.

"I..." He was dumbfounded for a moment. "I have never thought about it. Even if I did, I doubt there are any here that would wed a Death Eater, much less have a child with one."

[shh_rabastan]

"That is also a problem, although it is not as difficult on the continent as here. However, excluding the difficulty involved in finding someone to love, assuming love is a factor for you, do you have any desire to have children? You and..." This was difficult. "your wife did not have children, but I do not know if this was by design or by fate. If you have no desire to father children, that creates a different set of decisions than if you would like to have them, but lack a wife who wishes them as well, does it not?"

[shh_rodolphus]

"Love is always a factor." Rodolphus said, and his voice came out colder than he intended.

He had loved Bellatrix, truly, even though it nearly led to his death.

"Bella never wanted children. She was too besotted with her Lord's will, and I'm sure she would have been the cruelest of mothers."

Rodolphus bit his lip.

"I have always wanted a child, but I dare not speak of it. Daughter or son, it matters not. But I fear their lives would be tainted by my past actions."

[shh_rabastan]

"Love should always be a factor, my brother. I would not wish it any other way, but I would not fault you for not agreeing with me." He knew his brother had dearly loved his wife. It had never escaped Rabastan's notice that each of the Lestrange brothers had a weakness for one of the Black sisters.

"It shouldn't be so hard." He shook his head. "What do you think we should do, Rodolphus? You make a very valid point about life for anyone bearing the Lestrange name being difficult."

[shh_rodolphus]

Rodolphus nodded, apologizing softly for his chill tone.

"I truly have little idea, brother. We cannot change the past, and the only outsider that has accepted me knew not of my name until recently."

He looked at his brother curiously.

"Do you not have a lover of some sort, a woman you would wish to bear a child with? I seek not to heave the duty onto your shoulders. I am simply curious."

[shh_rabastan]

Rabastan waved the apology away. There was no need, in his opinion. The conversation was difficult for both of them