Roses for the Dead // 26th of June, 1976

[Rabastan Lestrange]

Rodolphus and Bellatrix played off of each other seamlessly in a way he recognized, only envious of it for the fact that they had it in a partner, as well as with their remaining family. For all of their shared compromises, he and Annette had never come close to such a believable performance, and if he had to applaud their parents for something, it was for bringing his sister-in-law into the fold. He drank to refrain from sharing commentary of his own that would dim the illusion - their father having the capacity to act as a proper grandfather was laughable, they weren't laying it on too thick for the reporter, were they? - and kept quiet at his brother's look. Rita took it upon herself to mother him, taking evident care in choosing each little sandwich to present to him, and he spared her a thin smile in taking up the plate. The last thing he needed was for her to write about his hollow cheeks or some such "evidence" of the toll of his grief. "Everything we need is here," Rabastan affirmed Rita's praise to his brother's capabilities, and almost choked on a bite of salmon on rye as Alecto flounced in.

The last thing you need? Bit early for that. Evidently.

He caught Rodolphus's eye, nearly drawn again to laughter at the look on their heir's face. Keeping your pets too close, hmm? The blonde had long been too audacious, in his opinion, concerning her relationship with his family members. But seeming to take their progress as a personal victory, having no part in it herself? Rab was no fan of it and was eager to find an opportunity to knock her down a few pegs, but found himself amused despite himself as the witches exchanged...pleasantries. Until, that is, eyes were on him.

B*tch.

Alecto stifled a laugh under his gaze, the cat that ate the canary. How did she even know of his errand? Did everyone who shared his brother's bed learn of his personal matters? Rabastan shifted in discomfort at Rita's "innocent" interest, jaw tensed and undercutting the nonplussed air he had hoped for. "No more busy than usual," he lied, looking between the blonde witches. "I take a morning run, fly my birds for their breakfast. But I understand the confusion - it's easy for some to lose track of a sense of time when they neglect such responsibilities."

[Alecto Carrow]

Alecto stepped into this game of half-lies and innuendo, befitting of Rodolphus’s grand study and its occupants, and made herself at home. She swapped a smirk with Bellatrix and settled into an austere armchair, shifting until she was as comfortable as possible; leaned back with one leg crossed over the other, the wisp of black silk sliding up her bare thigh, licking crumbs from her fingers as her eyes drilled into the back of Rodolphus’s head. The master of the house was tightly wound this morning, not even allowing himself to look, distracting himself by fixing drinks?

Well, that won’t do.

She lolled her head towards Rita, giving a generous smile. "Indeed, it does. I’ve much to learn from your methods, I see," she challenged, giving an exaggerated shiver. "Cold in here, is it not? Surely, your means of bolstering spirits is yet to come. I, for one, can’t wait." Pinning Rabastan to the hot seat, though, was something she would allow for, even if it meant buying Rita time - the youngest among them fixed her with a delightfully loathsome glare, and she had to bite her cheek to keep from bursting, even as he lobbed a half-hearted insult her way. The boy had yet to accept her into this life, this manor - but didn’t he understand what she had been through to earn her place among them, when all he’d had to do was be born at the right time?

Rita bit, piranha teeth all too eager to sink into fresh meat, and Alecto leaned forward, mussed blonde hair swinging. "So accusatory, there’s no need for that," she tsked, deflecting the points that tried to hit home. Yes, she too had responsibilities, and saw after them as she saw fit - just as they didn’t match the strict prescription that he held his schedule to… "I forgive you, darling - your grief is so fresh, your burdens so many. It’s a pity that you can’t yet share them with us - you’re surrounded by friends, remember?" She gestured idly to the gathered few - his brother and sister-in-law, and their not-to-be-resident pest. News about him and Annette would break one way or the other - or so she would argue later. Wasn’t this his best opportunity to get the word out? To report directly, in his own words, and craft the story? Whatever game of her own that Rita was playing, she was here for information, and her allegiance to Bellatrix would paint the family in the best light possible… "Perhaps we should call for Ms. Greengrass? She could provide comfort to you that we cannot."