The Bird and the Cat

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

It was a mess, on that point Carissa would not seek to argue with Laurent. Had she been Duchess when the incidents occurred, much would have gone differently, but her father was ill, dying, and not so heavily involved in House affairs. Regrettable, but she had little to no control over the situation. "I wish I could argue with you on that point, but I've never been one for lying." Her eyes rolled at the thought of her idiot cousin and the overwhelming amount of damage he'd managed to cause in his unending selfishness.

A curious look went to him with his remark, a brow lifting. "Might I ask what exactly that means?"

[Lord Laurent de Lac]

That was an interesting statement. A person in a position of power that didn't lie? He remembered his cynical siblings informing them that lying in the Courts was just a matter of Course. He also felt guilty when he admitted to himself that he half expected the de Veres to be the most adept liars out there. But, thus far, Carissa had no reason to lie him thus far... but he wasn't fully aware of her agenda, either.

Laurent debated telling her, and then shrugged it off. "The matter of inheritance in regards to Twinport. You are no doubt familiar with my Uncle, Lord Daven St. Claire. There is still speculation as to whether he will demand a male heir, in which case, I would be the most likely candidate, for now, or if he'll pass it on to his eldest daughter, instead.  It's strange to be a subject of a rumor."

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

Her agenda... not even Carissa herself was entirely certain of her agenda. True, she wanted the feud ended, but how to bring it about was still very much up in the air, especially now that emotions were heightened again between the families. Her advantage was that she preferred not to lie; if she did not want to speak truth, she merely said nothing. Easier by far to Carissa's way of thinking - she didn't have to keep her stories straight if they didn't vary.

"I see," she replied slowly, examining his face. "Is that what you want? To be Duke of Twinport? It might behoove you to consider wedding Lord St. Claire's eldest daughter to secure it if so."

[Lord Laurent de Lac]

Laurent stared at Carissa for a long moment before arching a brow. It ... was an interesting idea, he had to admit, but he had no idea as to its viability. The idea, however, was worth considering, he supposed. "I think I need to decide if I want to be the Duke of Twinport in the first place, but I will take your suggestion under consideration." Laurent paused, "... Because I need to decide if I want it more than my mother does." The smile was a tight one.

The conversation was proving to be not what he expected at all. It was strangely enjoyable!

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

Ah, his mother. Was there anyone in Demeria who wasn't aware of Veronica de Lac? Carissa vaguely remembered the woman, albeit with considerable distaste. She recalled the Dowager Countess being shrill, shrewish and overly ambitious, not a good combination. Shrugging to Laurent, she merely replied blandly, "You are a man, my lord. Your life is your own to determine and decide, but I will say this. So long as you allow her to factor into your choices, she will always maintain a measure of control. There is much to be said for becoming a Duke of the realm."

[Lord Laurent de Lac]

"Oh, I know you're right. I've known that for a short time now. I just prefer to keep my ears from ringing," he suddenly grinned and laughed. How could he laugh at a time like this? His mother had performed horrid actions recently, and here he was, laughing about it. Perhaps it was acknowledgement of the sheer absurdity of the situation? Finally, he shook his head and let out a breath.

"I've been working for months to wrest control from her and reduce the power of her influence in the Keep. I've been mostly successful, but I've been so busy keeping my siblings safe that I have not given much thought to myself. Have been raised to be a Duke, certainly... but I think I want to see the matters in my home resolved before I think too much of my future. That includes our feud." He looked to her then.

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

So there it was, the mention of the long-standing feud between their Houses. Carissa felt her smile dying, but made no effort to keep it in place. A feud was a serious matter in her mind, the moreso as her family proved the instigators. Merely remembering what occurred made her cringe inwardly; it couldn't have gone more badly if it had been scripted and directed. "It does," she agreed quietly, careful not to let her expression shift to a frown. "I had hoped to solicit an appointment with your lord brother to begin addressing the matter if he will receive me."

Carissa was heartily ashamed of her cousin's behavior, and the delay in handling it rested squarely on her shoulders. "I should have addressed this when I became Duchess, rather than waiting. It has not painted my House in any sort of favorable light that we delayed, I know. For that, I am profoundly embarrassed and humbly apologize."

[Lord Laurent de Lac]

"Honestly, I cannot predict how my brother is going to respond to your request. There is deep anger in our family, an anger I have been trying to heal, but no avail." The smile was a sad one. Then again, perhaps he was arrogant to even think so. He hadn't been affected by it as much as sister and brother had been. But that wasn't going to stop him from trying. His siblings deserved nothing but true happiness. If resolving the feud could be a stepping stone in that direction, he would gladly take it.

"Yes, it should have been addressed sooner, but that is in the past now. Unofficially, I accept your apology because I believe you to be genuine. However, as I'm sure you know, I cannot speak for the rest of my family." He had a feeling his siblings would be completely shocked if they heard him utter those words. But there was one adage above all in which Laurent believed in.

Forgiveness was good for the soul.

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

Acknowledging his words with a graceful bow of her head, Carissa accepted what Laurent said as the likeliest version of truth. Anger had time to build and foment into something deeper; resentment festered and a wound that should have been healed long ago remained dangerously open. "It is not for me to speak to the past being the past, I fear. All I can do is my best in the now and in the future, but if there are any ideas you might have, I'll gladly hear them." She'd already decided a formal written apology to the de Lacs as a family, and one addressed specifically to Lady Lisette was the first and least of her forthcoming efforts to resolve the strain between their families.

[Lord Laurent de Lac]

"Be patient. You will truly have to want this to be successful," it was blunt, but it was the truth. It would not be a quick and easy path, but if the de Veres wanted to rebuild their reputation, they would have to start from the ground up. "Start small and work your way toward more public offerings. Writing a letter will likely be the best start," though he had a feeling that his siblings would discard the letter. Even if they did, they would not simply ignore the gesture.

"I have a feeling I'm going to need a few bottles of my liege lady's delicious wine to cope," he chuckled again and looked out toward the waterfalls. He teased again, "Would you like to share a bottle with me?"

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

Carissa appreciated bald truth, especially when she couldn't have it soft-pedaled. Taking in a breath slowly, she nodded quietly, considering his welcomed advice. It was solid, and she had little reason to think he would mislead her. "I'm inclined to agree with your counsel. Thank you, Lord Laurent, for your candor," she shifted to look at him openly. "I do truly wish to restore peace between our Houses, and I've long since accepted it will be a long, uphill battle. I know it will need to be resolved twice over, once for your sister, and once for your family as a whole."

It wouldn't be cheaply or easily done, but it was an investment, she'd informed her family. In pace, in dignity, in the restoration of their family's honor, long since lacking in a number of manners. They did not have to like it, but it would be done regardless.

His offer took her aback for a moment, then she burst out laughing. "One gesture at a time, my lord. Let's not rush things, hm?"

[Lord Laurent de Lac]

When Laurent truly had the chance to think about it, he was going to realize that it was such a strange conversation. Yet, he would not deny that it was enjoyable. A small smile formed. He was even still debating if he should tell his siblings about the conversation, and concluded...that he should. If he started keeping secrets now, there was no telling when he would stop doing so. It was not a rabbit hole in which he wished to travel. "I believe you," was all he said to her accepting the challenge of mending the wide and fiery breach.

"You're right," he couldn't stop himself and he wasn't certain why, "We should start with something smaller. A cup of tea. Then we can step up to the bottle of wine, but mitigate it with cheese. Have to keep level heads and all that, no?"

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

She laughed softly, shaking her head. He was a charmer indeed, but it was nice to simply talk with a man without pressure to be political or aloof. "A cup of tea might be a good place to begin. Certainly, it is safer. I wouldn't want to be accused of softening you up by intoxicating you, albeit with truly excellent wine. Might I suggest the addition of pastries as well?" Her blue eyes sparkled with laughter at him, watching with interesting.

[Lord Laurent de Lac]

"Softening me up?" Laurent laughed, "I don't know if it will possible to make me any softer than I already am. I have been told that I am quite happy and flirtatious after I have imbibed spirits and wine." Assuming, of course, he was not in one of his rare morose moods before such drinking! "Though, the pastries might do that. I am guilty of enjoying such things a bit too much."

[Lady Carissa de Vere]

Amused by his open admissions, Carissa watched him from the corner of her eye as she laughed softly. "I doubt you are all that soft, Lord Laurent. For all I know, this could be a clever ruse to lull me into a false sense of security in your presence, the better to secure concessions." The tone was teasing, though the possibility was all too real. "Still, a good wine instills its own cheer, I'm told, and I imagine that Rose wine is especially adept in that manner."

At the suggestion of too much enjoyment, she shrugged elegantly. "Life is all too brief. Seizing pleasures when and where you can is only prudent."