alt_regulus | (no subject)

It is a strange and distracting thing, the giving and taking of life. Almost to an annoying degree, one could propose. I dare say it distracted me for eleven years, and even more acutely these last few weeks when the life in question was my own.

It probably shouldn't concern us living as much as it does, considering the universe is more than a little flip about the whole ordeal.

But He is never flip. His methods are never random. It took a rather sharp reminder for me to realise, finally, that life is the Lord's to give and to take away. The weak may question it, even run from it, but our doubt will never change it. Our doubt or our actions.

I see clearly now. His mercies fall where He wills them to fall. And tonight they have fallen on me.

Most of me, anyway.

Narcissa, would you be a dear and visit me at my mother's? She is still screaming, but I expect the tone to take an affectionate turn within the hour. Followed shortly by at least a week of injured silence. Any time will be fine.

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My Mother talks about you. You're the one she says good things about, I think, and not the other one.

Well, in the other one's defence, he wasn't nearly as interested in pleasing your mother as I was. In the short term that saved him a great many bumps and bruises, as she was always practicing her spells on the ~~foolish~~ willing.

Still, I hold that I got the better end of the deal in the long term.

You sir, look a great deal like her.

In the short term? But what about the long...oh, I see what you've done there.

You shouldn't have been away for so long. It made Mother unhappy.

I know that I look like her, but I also look like my father. Thought right now, he is taller.

Yes, well, I am here now.

A fantastic point about the height. Careful now, or you may need to skip a year.

Mother didn't tell me that you were the sort of adult who likes to tease children to make himself feel important. My, that's the best kind of adult there is.

I come from the house of Black, little cousin. I simply am important.

You needn't be so sensitive, if I'm teasing anything it's the bit of myself I see in you.

What do you mean? We obviously look nothing alike. And I'm not sensitive.

Oh thank Merlin ~~you're still alive~~

I'll be there as soon as I can. Do you need anything?

Thank Our Lord Narcissa. Somehow I doubt Merlin would have stood a chance.

Do I need anything.... the hysterical bit of laughter at your question was a great help actually. I will need some assistance. Perhaps some arnica root if you have any... ~~handy~~ ~~on hand~~ lying around.

Oh, my side....

I'm coming right now. Meet me in your old bedroom - I don't want Auntie to know I'm there yet.

My old bedroom is my current bedroom, I'm afraid. No need to add insult to injury.

Hello, cousin. I hope that you both enjoyed and appreciated our Lord's welcome-home gift to you.

It appears as if you are at least a little bit ambidextrous.

Perhaps your assumption that I wouldn't be able to write came from watching me repeatedly fail to cast a spell to stop the bleeding. The swish and flick are quite tricky from the left. Seems it's back to basics for me.

Thank you, by the way, for the dirty rag you finally kicked in my direction.

My assumption came from the fact that you were unable to write for so long. Years.

I am glad that you recognise the lengths of my generosity.

It is my greatest wish that I will be able to repay you in kind someday.

That is the problem with you, cousin. Your greatest wishes should have nothing to do with me.

Regulus, you could not have arrived at a more opportune time.

Believe me, your mother may be railing, but she is beyond relieved that you have come home. You know her way of expressing herself.

It has been a difficult seventy-two hours for her and as you recall, she has always been prone to overreaction.

Narcissa will calm her down, if anyone can.

Opportune. Yes. Thank you, Lucius.

I have faith that she will come around.