Cassian was in Hogsmeade, a town he’d frequented less and less over the past year. The timing of his promotion, various recruiting or social events and the like made it a busy start to the season. But today’s conversation was a particularly important one, and Cassian made a point to have his secretary clear his calendar for it.

The man found himself waiting for mid-morning tea in his great-grandfather’s parlor, a room he was intimately familiar with. In fact, he kicked up the corner of the rug by the fireplace and noted how the wood underneath still had black skid burns from a surprise incident with a fire crab when he was twelve. He pushed the rug back into place with a smirk, reminding himself that he really should come visit their family patriarch more often. Odds were high that Meserimus would outlive the whole lot of them, but you never know what tomorrow holds.

The young man stuffed his hands in his pockets as he walked along some of the shelves to ruminate over which books and photos were unfamiliar or had sat here since that time. He lingered in front of one such photograph, one of the first taken of the full Valenduris family, where his father stood in the foreground with all the grandchildren, probably no older than Cassian now. They looked eerily similar.

“Mister Valenduris, tea is here,” The little house elf called out fondly as she brought a teacart to the table. She’d served the family since before he was in nappies, and she loved nothing more than to see ‘all the grandchildren and grandest of children,’ as she put it. “Master Valenduris will be with you shortly,” she informed him as he rounded the cart and took a seat. He nodded agreeably, not feeling in any particular rush to get to the topic that brought him here. Though he hadn’t broached the topic with Meserimus before, grandpa surely had a few good guesses.

---

---

'Cassian, my boy' Meserimus greeted cheerily entering the room. He crossed to the other and gave him an affectionate hug, possibly an unseemly gesture, but MEserimus was so old, and had seen so many changes to social norms that he really didn't give a flying pixie's fart for those sorts of social conventions.

Archemiedes followed him, flying from the old man's shoulder as he entered to the perch that stood ready for him. The owl, who was also a great grand uncle to the younger man, fluffed his feathers and complained under his breath that there were always too many damn people in this house. As Meserimus entered the teapot, levitated of it's own volition and poured his tea exactly as he liked it, adding cream and suger to his particular tastes.

'I'm afraid you've missed Katerina' he wouldn't insult his great grandson by calling her his great grandmother, she was younger than him, 'but to what do I owe this visit?' he setteled himself in his gentleman's great chair.

---

Cassian stood abruptly as he heard his great-grandfather bluster into the parlor, but not quickly enough to get out a word before being enveloped in a surprisingly strong hug. “Ah –goo’morninf,” he managed to greet right before the squeeze pushed the words out of his lungs. Of all their family patriarchs (he grew up with an uncomplicated way to refer to them - his great number of “grandfathers” and “granduncles”), he always felt closest with Meserimus. With age comes wisdom and all that, but more importantly, he quite literally had the most experience with love and family. Much success with the latter, in any case. Cass found himself smiling easily with his granddad’s company.

“Good morning, Uncle Archimedes,” he added a bit more formally, knowing that if he did not acknowledge the old curmudgeon there would be hell to pay. He waited for the old wizard to take his seat before he followed, perhaps overly sensitive to proper decorum for no good reason, (which was his “tell” that there was something weighing on his mind). Once Meserimus took his seat, Cassian followed, fixing himself a cup with much less flair. He took his tea black, and scalding.

“I’m sorry to have missed her. How is Katerina?” he asked politely enough, as they were not particularly close with each other despite (or perhaps in spite of) their age. It didn’t bother him anyway, provided the two were good for one another. Though if he received any such-related advice, he hoped to instead focus on his own great-grandmother, to help him stomach it.

“Don’t tell me I need to have a reason to pay my great-grandfather a visit,” he countered jovially. This was a stall, because Cass needed a minute. Picking the right words to express himself did not come easily to him; this was already somewhat true when he was a child, but grew much worse after his father died as a teen. Pivoting away from the reason he came, “Did you have a good close to the school term this year?”

---

Archimedes grumbeled his acknowledgement of the greeting and then appeared to drift up to sleep - but MEserimus knew it was just an appearance, when he did actually sleep his younger brother tucked his head under wing, not simply sitting with his eyes closed.

'She is well, thank you' he smiled indulgently, 'I shall tell her you were asking after her.', it was easy for him to see that something was playing on his grandsons' mind, and he chuckled as Cassian's question if he needed a reason to hang out with his grandfather. With the awkward, fidgety way that he was behaving Meserimus would not be surprised if it's grandson was anticipating telling him that he was hoping to be married and wanted the expenses signed off upon before the matter was settled with the young lady.

'Tolerable and too quick as always' he smiled, and took a long drawing drink from the tea cup which had shuffeled across the table to right near his hand. 'I appreciate the sentiment my boy, but I should be dearly worried about you if you had nothing better to do with the vigor of your youth than pass an afternoon taking tea with your old ancestor' he smiled.

---

Though never so smoothly articulate as his grandfather (not that he had ever been made to feel less about it), Cassian was quite observant. A part of him knew he’d been seen-through already. It did not help that he wasn’t one who lied easily, much less to those who knew him well. So he wasn’t altogether surprised when Meserimus aptly spotted his evasiveness.

“Ah, time does fly,” he put in blithe response to his grandfather’s end of term. Indeed, it feels like only yesterday they were in this very room celebrating his graduation, though that was over a decade ago now. Cass drained a bit of his tea, affording his mind just a tad longer to consider his approach.

“Well I do like to spend time with my grandfather,” he finally committed with a sheepish smile. “Though I admit much of what I appreciate about our relationship is your guiding hand, and advice, in areas where I have less experience.” Eyes focused on the arrangement of sandwiches on the tea cart, he went on, “I’ve adjusted to my new work post well. My brothers and sisters fair well in their own paths, also. Mother keeps reminding me that it will be my 30th birthday before I know it…” He looked a bit disgruntled at that. Since when was he almost 30? “So I suppose it’s due time that I now begin my search for a life partner in earnest.” The statement sounded a bit deflated, and there was no question or request attached to it. Plainly, the young man felt a bit over his head, and had no idea where to begin.

---

Meserimus chuckled, it was apparently the season for it. He had had a conversation with Richard about his place in the world at Christmas and now it was Cassians' turn. The difference being that Richard knew he had to find his place in the world himself, he needed only the space to find that for himself. Cass, on the other hand was a first born of a first born, of an 8th born...but who was the heir. He didn't need to make his way, but he did have to develop the patience to wait for it. He was however lucky, in that the Valenduris finances were such that there was no real financial impediment for him from persuing anything he fancied in this life.

Meserimus was actually fairly proud of the fact that the boy had a job, he didn't need one, and while Meserimus would have preferred something more academic (read: less practical), he could hardly fault the boys work ethic, and when he said that he intended to seek a partner in life Meserimus could not have been more delighted. His face broke into a broad smile 'Well isn't that fine news' Meserimus said, 'That calls for something a little more festive than tea' with a wave of his hand the tea disappeared and a whiskey decanter stood in it's place with two glasses.

'Have you someone in mind dear boy?' he said conspiratorially, unsure if his grandson simply didn't know how to go about the business of formal courtship and marital arrangements or if this was a more fundamental issue of who.

---

Cassian set his eyes on Uncle Archimedes, mainly because he was stumped and a bit embarrassed and it was easier than looking at his grandfather. But Meserimus’s chuckle afforded a bit of reassurance that eased the tension in the pit of his stomach. This topic wasn’t something Cass had spent much time thinking about before. His path more or less laid out for him, the prospect of marriage felt like a requisite milestone as natural as losing one’s baby teeth or a man growing a beard. As such, he never really invested himself into learning how one actually goes about securing a marriage.

Slowly he started to settle into his seat more, expression twitching into a broad smile as their cups and saucers vanished into glasses. Now that he confessed why he was here, it kicked up the pressure a notch. But he wouldn’t object one bit to sipping on something that might fortify his resolve. To hell with the fact that it was early afternoon– the old man knew how to live well.

“Hah, it’s nothing like that,” he chuckled as he took his glass, he wished he had someone in mind already. Though no one seemed quite the right kind of fit. It wasn’t as though he had tried very much, at any rate. A fact that might be surprising to those that knew him well, given that Cassian was generally a sensitive soul. “I’ve been altogether too involved with my work, so this is the first time I've really paused to consider what I should look for. How did you know your first wife was the lady for your heart?” Hopefully not too on the nose, but Cass was decidedly not interested in the love story of his grandfather's current wife, and hoped to hear more about his own family's origin.

---

Archimedes gave a blustering tutting harrumphed at the silliness of the prospect of seeking a spouse, hardly surprising from a man who was 140 years old himself and had never been inclined to marry, who lived with a brother who had been married multiple times before.

Meserimus mulled the whiskey in his glass, how had he known he was meant for Avella? The truth was that he hadn't been. He had Avella had barely known one another at the time of their marriage. His father had arranged with her father for the two to be introduced at a ball, both having been already informed that this was their intended. There had never been a question of saying no, of muddying the water with anything amounting to affection or even knowledge of one another.

He had been married multiple times, his first wife had been the sort if dispassionate arranged affair that had been inincredibly common at the time, less so now thankfully, less so indeed when he married for his second wife. Each marriage more affectionate and loving than the one before. Katerina, had truly been an arrangement of love - a marraige of true minds, She was truly his second self.

Although, Avella to her credit, had been a wonderful woman, and he had been lucky. 'We barely knew each other at the start' he admitted to his grandson, 'Arrangements have gone out of fashion now, but my father knew me well and chose a lady who could match me.' his face grew wane with remembered heart break, 'When she...' he faltered, it might have been 100 years ago, but with his perfect and indelible memory the pain would likely go on forever. 'when she passed, well...' he trailed off, unable really to put into words how that had felt or what it had done to him. 'I am no expert in the heart by boy, I don't think anyone possibly could be.' his voice tired. 'In my, most limited opinion, what matters most, is someone with whom you can be yourself, without pretension or artiface, and that that self should be the best version of yourself you could imagine.' It was probably gloriously unhelpful advice.

---

Cassian could only smile at Uncle Archimedes, assuming it was likely because their attitudes towards devotion to work and disinterest in marriage were quite aligned. Not that Cass would ever admit that out loud (for fear it solidifies how he feels), nor did he have as much of a choice as a firstborn son.

The two gentlemen Valenduris clinked their glasses, and Cass took a good sip while he considered his wise grandfather. How they’d never gotten around to talking about his many wives before, he didn’t know. It seemed surprising, considering the amount of time one spends with their other half. Perhaps because Katerina was around as often as she was, they simply never had the opportunity.

Though for his questions about Grandma Avella, Cass did not expect such an impact on the old man. It was as if his eyes lit up with memories from several lifetimes ago, at once animating him while making him appear worn and tired. Cass rotated the glass thoughtfully in his hands, a furrow between his brows.

“I’m sorry,” he put it gently, realizing this may have been hard for him. “It must have felt as though you lost a piece of yourself when that happened.” Though young, Cass supposed he knew a thing or two about this sense of loss from his line of work. Yet something about what the old man said about what matters most twisted his stomach to knots. A passing thought of his longtime friend flickered through his mind’s eye, though of course in this context it made no sense. Wrestling with these thoughts, he let Meserimus’ words marinate for some time before he ventured to speak.

“I suppose my challenge is that I could be myself,” he started. “Without artifice. I have been criticized for not speaking my thoughts transparently before, for keeping my distance under pretense. Perhaps it is my line of work, it is frightful what I’ve seen. I would never wish to place that sort of burden on anybody. And I tend to think the worst.” The blonde grimaced, and tiredly rubbed the back of his head before taking another sip of whiskey.

“In a way I would almost rather an arrangement,” he laughed. “Perhaps I may have the same luck as you. You know me better than any of my family, I would take your endorsements wholeheartedly. Then it's just a matter of if she passes muster with Lecia and Sabine,” he added with a grin. The ladies Valenduris were known for having… very strong wills.

---

Meserimus took another drink of his whiskey and sucked the drink through his teeth taking a moment to drag his mind back from the distant past, before looking again at his grandson. The old man nodded, he didn't disagree with the boy, indeed his concerns were valid. It was a difficult thing not only to be oneself, but to know it well enough to do recognize it when you saw it. There was little real advice he could give in that regard, each young man had to discover for themselves what manner of man they were. It was why he had facilitated Richards international summer travels, in the hopes that he might find himself in warmer climes than in England.

'It is my belief that it is possible to have a happy medium' he suggested, 'The family make a number of 'selections', ladies that those who know you believe might suit you' he gestured, 'and then you might make your selection from amoung them?' Meserimus knew that he had more than one young lady in mind, a list he had made in his mind of the students that he would not mind joining his family, either due to their feminine graces or because they impressed him in some manner or other.

'It might give you a place to start at least - an evening with a select group of young ladies, so you might form some opinion as to what traits or aspects you like or don't like especially.'

---

Truthfully, Cassian couldn’t even be honest with himself about what he wanted. He couldn’t name it, if asked directly. He hadn’t many prolonged relations with women, either - little beyond an evening rendezvous anyway, which did little to inform him of the qualities in a wife that truly mattered. So the idea of  ‘narrowing the pool’ so to speak, to people that had already passed the Valenduris family’s selective taste, certainly could make his life easier.  He’d simply have to figure this out as he went along, at any rate. May as well meet what the world has to offer.

“That sounds like a terrific way to go about this,” Cass agreed readily, leveling Meserimus a grateful expression. Archimedes seemed to have something to say about it too, but he kept his attention on his grandfather. “A place to start may be all that I need. I trust your judgment - and you know she cannot be any kind of vapid wallflower to survive in our family…” It would make things much easier as well, to have a more curated experience that relied less on taking time from work or… awkward encounters with past flames. No doubt Cass wouldn’t get out of these obligations or risks entirely, but then at least at those events he would have more of a singular focus. He did better with a goal in mind.

“Ha – perhaps one of your favorite recent graduates. I’m sure you would be pleased to have someone with similar passions to yours in the family,” he took a sip from his glass, eyes sparkling with amusement over its rim. Anyone who can get along well enough with Mes to carry his favor would surely be good enough for him, Cass decided privately.

“I’m very grateful for this help grandfather. I admit I was feeling a bit like a man lost at sea.”

---

'And there is no rush my boy, as long as you don't lead any up the garden path, or give them the wrong impression then there is no immediate need for you to find someone.' he explained, and the chuckled, 'No, no wallflowers.' - well no vapid ones at least. There were a few quiet girls, who he actually did think would suit his grandson rather well, but he would hold those in reserve, just in case nothing else worked out - the second string as it were.

'I'll invite a few of my favourites, perhaps under the pretext of a graduates dinner or something of that nature' he explained with a casual wave of his hand. In his experience young society ladies did not question society invites from family patriarchs, especially ones with as many marriageable sons, grandsons, and great grandsons as Meserimus had.

'Miss Fraser, Miss Lestrange, Miss Dashwood,' he listed off, counting them on his fingers. He was sure there were others, but finding the right mix of temperament, intelligence, and not to mention beauty would take some actual consideration. 'We will fix it for next month' he set, not least of which he had research to finish, and Miss Fraser was his helper and he would really rather she wasn't distracted with social engagements until after the more complex parts were completed.

---

“Ha,” Cass laughed a bit sheepishly at his grandfather’s quip, obviously he had no illusions about what people got up to in the throes of passion as even he was once young. The man rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, reflecting for a moment on fleeting past encounters like that with the young miss he met in Venice last summer. He was lucky it hadn’t caught up to him in some way, and made a note to himself that this sort of behavior ought to stop. The blond never considered himself a rake or put stock into gaining such an infamous title. It wouldn’t do for him to develop that sort of reputation now that he was earnestly in search of the right partner.

“I’ve never been very patient,” he confided, a half truth. “But I wish to go about this the proper way. Especially if she is one of your talented favorites,” he nodded appreciatively to the older man, “I would never wish to offend her.” The blonde took a prolonged sip of his drink as Meserimus rattled off names on his fingers, brow furrowing slightly. Only the Lestranges sounded familiar enough to generate the image of a few faces, but even then he could not place what sister or cousin it was that graduated most recently. At least grandfather had the good grace to set it for next month, affording Cassian enough time to mentally prepare.

“That settles it,” he agreed with a smile, raising his glass. The occasion felt like an important milestone. “Cheers, then? To the family,” and to any such young lady with the capacity to one day be a Valenduris. Their glasses clinked.

---

ooc. wrap?

---

'Katerina will make good the plans' he affirmed, sure that his wife would organise something befitting the occasion and its purpose would appear 'subtle' to the ladies in question. 'We will ensure the ladies are treated with all due respect to their stations' he affirmed, pleased that his grandson was so concerned with the treatment of the ladies.

Meserimus joined his grandson in the toast. It was about to a the most interesting Summer holidays he had had in a while.

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