Ants Marching [4/28, late evening, Cassius/Lex/Lars/Lucius, castle grounds]

[Cassius Theodore DeLauncey]

He carried the bottle in one hand leisurely as they walked, the pace slow, without any real obvious destination. He took in a deep breath, savoring the crisp air. Cassius' gait was relaxed, not clearly mirroring his mind -- which was clouded with thoughts, none of them positive.

He had managed to drag his brothers -- all of them, surprisingly -- out of the family chambers for a stroll. Cassius hadn't prefaced it that way, of course, because DeLauncey men did not 'stroll' (nor did they 'saunter' or take a 'jaunt.' They walked, or they ran. Like men!) But he had goaded them to take in the night air with him with the promise of open bottles of fine alcohol, filched from the Fontenot store chambers. That had managed to get them moving, and Cassius was fine that.

Besides. If they were a little tipsy, maybe what he had to talk to them about... would go over more easily.

Maybe.

[Lucius Kaedon DeLauncey]

He could not believe he was doing this. But then, his face was still cut from his altercation the night before at the bar, and Cassius had thankfully not yet asked about that. Perhaps if Lucius followed along tonight, did what his brother wanted to do, had some drink, shot some shit and then got the hell out of there, Cassius would continue to not ask. And if his brother did? Well, Lucius supposed he could make up some half reasonable story to explain why he’d been out the night before... Or maybe if he was lucky, Cassius really no longer cared.

At least Tibs and Thelonius were with them. He could appreciate the twins and the mood they tended to set. They were far more relaxed than either Cassius or Lucius could ever hope to be, and their presence often managed to relieve some of the tension that always crept up Lucius’ shoulders and tightened his back when he was with Cassius.

“So you got us out here.. Pass that bottle around.” Lucius decided to speak up. Maybe if he cooperated (for once), this whole thing would go smoothly...

[Cassius Theodore DeLauncey]

Cassius glanced at Lucius, and wordlessly passed his brother the open bottle. Keep it together. He knew his youngest brother would possess an attitude about it -- he always did -- but it didn't matter. The subject had to be broached. It was really now or never, and in reality, Cassius was being rather fair by talking to them about it at all. But he wouldn't be 'Cassius' if he didn't, and considering the way his life was going these days, he had to do whatever he could to retain the familiar parts of himself. Cassius knew he was doing the right thing by rising to the occasion... but he sometimes wondered at what cost.

"So..." Cassius began leisurely, as the brothers about him drank and laughed about trivial matters. "I had an interesting conversation with Malcolm Montrose today. ... about this daughter. Actually, I've been having a lot of conversations about everyone and their mother's daughter, sister, cousin, what have you."

"Seems DeLauncey's are hot commodities, these days..." he trailed on, letting the possibility of where he was going with this, sink in. He wanted to have an idea, of what their reaction might be like.

[Tiberius Lexington DeLauncey]

This was bound to be an interesting night. First of all, Cassius had asked them all out on a walk. A walk! Seriously. That was the first thing that set Lex's mind to suspicion. Of course, he would go where his brother asked him, and enjoy himself along the way, but in the back of his mind he would be wondering until the "why" came out.

But it was a nice night, and Cass had stolen some of the good stuff from the royal stores, so Lex was feeling good. He carried a bottle of his own, taken from Cassius to 'relieve his burden', and he pulled the cork out with his teeth and stuck it in his pocket. It was always good to have something to flick at his brothers, if the situation would arise. But then Cassius brought up a topic of conversation that Lex did not like: marriage. Or at least, it seemed he was getting to that point.

"Which Montrose is Malcolm's? I've seen the blonde one who looks sort of..." his inner struggle to describe her in kind words was played magnificently on his face, "...into herself, I guess? And then there's the brunette who seems like she'd rather be...iunno, anywhere but in court." He took a swig from the bottle and offered it to his twin. "And damn straight DeLaunceys are hot commodities, but that just means we should be kept on the top shelf for longer, so we get the best." He wouldn't outrightly say that he didn't want to get married, since really his brothers knew, but he would try his damndest to get around it.

[Thelonius Larson DeLauncey]

"Everyone wants a piece of Delauncy meat." Lars said flatly as he snatched up the bottle. "Top shelf is right!" Yea, so he pregamed this walk with some booze of his own, so what? "Are they hot? I cant remember."

He hiccuped after taking a swig and passed the bottle along. He started poking at his twin, trying to mess with him and taunt him but he was too drunk already, he ended up almost falling over and then bursting with laughter.

[Lucius Kaedon DeLauncey]

He took the bottle and took one very long swig.

Where was Cassius going with this? Why the hell would any of them care about Malcolm Montrose and his family and whatever hell the two of them talked about? Lucius immediately felt suspicious, and while the other two easily joked about their commodity status, Lucius stayed quiet, brooding to himself. This was going somewhere the three of them weren’t going to like. Anytime Cassius brought booze, it meant going somewhere that Lucius at least didn’t like. Cassius wouldn’t offer him a drink otherwise.

“So you had a conversation, Cass. Tell us what this is about.” Don’t beat around the bush around it.. but Lucius didn’t say that much. He wanted to, but when the two were around the twins, they attempted to stay civil. The twins didn’t know, and it was better that way.

But that didn’t mean he could keep the contempt completely from his voice. His feeling towards Cass were well known anyway. Lucius turned away, took one more swig and then passed the bottle onto Lex. The liquor burned on the way down, but he didn’t care. Better than whatever news his brother was about to share.

[Tiberius Lexington DeLauncey]

Lex swatted at his twin as he started poking him, trying to shove him away, but he broke out into full and open laughter when Lars started to stumble. As though it was second nature (because, let's face it, it kind of was) he reached out and kept his twin from all out falling on his face, stopping for a moment to make sure he was on his feet and going to stay there before letting him go. It was obvious Lars was slightly more in his cups than the rest, but hey, if Cass had wanted them all sober, he wouldn't have brought booze, right?

He ignored the contempt in Lucius's voice and took the bottle when it was handed to him, taking a long drink and savoring the burn. As a man who usually carried a flask on his person at all times, he was fond of the stronger drinks, and Cass had picked a good one. "But yeah, Luc's right...what're you getting at, Cass?"

[Cassius Theodore DeLauncey]

Cassius pondered his next move as the boys were rambunctious around him. They were passing the bottles among themselves, listening but not entirely, that much was clear. Lexington was the most focused -- as was usually the case, while Lars had his head in the clouds and Lucius was... what was Lucius? Waiting for the opportunity to jump down Cassius' throat? He was being remarkably civil, but Cassius suspected it was because he wanted to understand was going on on. And while they joked and shoved with one another, Cassius was contemplating their individual fates in his head. It was weighing him down. He hadn't thought of this type of decision-making when it came to being the Guardian.

He took a few steps ahead of them as they walked, and then turned, so now Cassius was facing his brothers, walking awkwardly backwards in their slow pace. He rubbed his hands together, trying to pick out the right words. When he finally spoke, they were loud and clear, an attempt to capture all of their focus at the same time.

"... It's time for you guys, to make us some alliances. So who wants Catriona Montrose?"

He smiled, and shrugged.

... And immediately, Cassius wished he had found a better way to start this conversation.

[Lucius Kaedon DeLauncey]

Just like that, Lucius hated his brother again. “You’ve got to be kidding us, Cassius. I swear on the old gods, we’re not just some...” His hands balled into fists. What the hell was Cassius thinking? Just pair ‘em up and pawn ‘em off? Just like that. Lucius turned. He couldn’t stand to look at his brother. He didn’t know a damn thing about Catriona Montrose, and he wasn’t about to raise his hand to volunteer himself either.

Then an idea hit him.

“Harcourt then? Iridia Harcourt? I’ll sign up for her.” He would too. Damn, she was a woman. There hadn’t been many out there like Iridia Harcourt and if he had to be pawned, he damn well wanted to choose his bride.

Besides, he could enjoy a life of strip poker and going shot for shot with that woman.

[Cassius Theodore DeLauncey]

Cassius tried to remain stalwart, as he assumed he would be immediately inundated with accusations and angry remarks -- which was exactly what started to happen from Lucius. The twins hadn't as yet said anything, so Cassius put up his hands, appealing to their more honorable sensibilities, about to speak, when Lucius abruptly... offered up someone else?

For a moment, Cassius was speechless, confused. What was going on here?

" -- Harcourt? What --? What are you talking about, I don't even --?" he spoke, jumbled, giving Lucius an odd look. He paused, his eyes narrowed, frowning slightly, clearly hoping Lucius would elaborate. "I'm not -- what?"

[Tiberius Lexington DeLauncey]

And then, just like that, Lex had no idea what was going on. They had been doing so well, drinking, laughing, staying upright (mostly), and Cass and Luc weren't even arguing! But then Cass had to go mention a girl. And not just a girl, but a girl in the "You have to get married" sense. What was even stranger was that Lex was kind of with Lucius this time...the phrasing Cassius had used rubbed him the wrong way. He knew his brother didn't see them as pawns, but that was kind of what he'd been implying with the words he'd chosen. That was probably just the alcohol speaking, though.

So he'd kept quiet, not expressing his feelings for the moment, and then...it really seemed like Lucius volunteered to get married. Not to the woman Cassius had offered, of course, but...still, this was Lucius! Offering to marry a woman! Marry! For real! Lex just couldn't wrap his mind around it.

However baffling, this was just the opening Lex had needed.

"See, yes! You want us to make alliances, and Luc has graciously offered to marry a Harcourt! Think about it, Cass, it's perfect! And as for the Montrose man, and anyone else, really, why rush into things? We've only just gotten here, there's no hurry to get us all promised off in the first week. It's not like we're some lowborn hedge knights who need to get the good ones before they're gone. The good ones will come to us if we only just wait!"

Please, please let that work.

[Lucius Kaedon DeLauncey]

Lucius nodded, “Give us a week at least to get to know the women. Your alliances will mean more if we’re happy, right?” Gods, Cass had better not wed them off to some Montrose they’d never met, when he had hand picked his Fournier bride. He tried, but failed to keep the anger and sarcasm out of his voice...

“Unless you’re the only DeLauncey in The Hollows who gets to be happy.”

He glanced over at Lars, wondering what his other brother was thinking. Lars was a man of passions as well, and Lucius couldn’t see him being any happier with a forced marriage than himself or Lex.

“Why rush? But... Harcourt... If I must, I will wed only her. Or I’ll never stand and say the words to the Old Gods.” There, an ultimatum.

[Thelonius Larson DeLauncey]

"I'd rather not marry." Larson said with a bit of a wobble in his voice to match the one in his step. "I've gotten fond of nailing every ..." a bug had flown into his forehead and for the next two minutes he'd spent swatting at that bug, he'd hit himself four or five times.

When he finally stopped swatting, he stood up with a little help from his twin, and smiled. "I agree with them. Cass, we love ya, but stop trying to send us to an early grave. You know getting married will make me hang myself. Why would you do this to me?"

Melodramatic? Yeah, maybe, but it wasn't too far from the truth. Marriage was a trap and Cassius was trying to lure them to their demise!

[Cassius Theodore DeLauncey]

Cassius fell back in to step with them once more, between Lucius and Lexington, and he just shook his head. Yes, this was more what he expected. The 'why?' and the 'you can't do this to us,' and the 'don't you want us to be happy?' All of them were jabs, and he expected to have to take them, and knew they planned to give them in the first place -- but they just didn't understand. This, was the unfortunate part about stepping up as leader of the province and becoming Guardian of the Mark. Cassius was the one who was plagued with these fathers, brothers, uncles -- Cassius had to make the tough decisions. He wanted nothing else than to pal around with his brothers, get drunk, enjoy the feasts, flirt with the girls and hope nothing too serious came of it.

But he couldn't. That part of his life, however subdued it originally was in the first place, was over. And Lucius' remark about his own happiness felt like a stab in the back. Had none of them wondered what was happening with Sophitia, and her evident lack of wanting Cassius' company? They accused him of caring little for their own happiness -- but did they give a damn about his?

"I'm not -- demanding instant betrothals. I don't want you guys to have to make up your mind in a twenty-four hour deadline. I just... need you to keep it in mind. You had to have known this was coming -- don't play me for a fool. We all knew it was just a matter of time, and honestly, you've gotten more than most -- considering the circumstances. Just -- keep it in mind."

"There are bigger things at play here than just feasting and jousting and entertaining the King. A very real, very tangible re-working of the entire Kingdom itself has already begun. The men who last led these provinces, who were last on this island, are no more. Even the King is not the experienced man our father knew, he is a green boy, barely broken in. We are all being tested, and there is a limited amount of time to make clear who holds the power here. We are DeLauncey's -- our position in the realm has always gone unquestioned and, if tested, has obliterated the qualms of our foes. Always. But I mean to maintain that."

"And an unfortunate side to that is -- well. Marriage is as powerful as taking a place by force. You understand those bonds. Those are considered legitimate forces of influence. Think of Eveline -- were she to marry a man we hated, we would nonetheless humor him, would we not? Because she is our sister. Same goes for these women you will eventually marry."

"I guess -- all in all --" Cassius trailed off, reaching once more for the bottle, swiping it from Lexington's hands, "I just need you guys to -- keep this in mind. Have your fun -- I'm not stopping you. Enjoy it all while you can, because before you know it, we will be back to the Mark. But... the day has to come, sooner or later. And if you'd like to have a say, I would like you to have say. But it will come. Because it has to."

And with that, Cassius took a deep pull from the bottle, hoping he had sated the wolves. Glancing over briefly at Lucius, Cassius frowned slightly.

"But seriously. Who is this Harcourt, and since when do you offer yourself up to anything resembling marriage to anyone?"

[Lucius Kaedon DeLauncey]

Lucius wasn’t sure why he’d spit out the name so fast. He’d just met the women yesterday and he hardly knew her. He’d met (and slept with) hundreds of women over the years. Some had struck him as amazing, others were just a place to rest his cock for one night. Still others had been fun companions, and one had been... Lucius pushed that thought away. The rose ceremony approached; he would think of her then.

“Just someone I met. I don’t even know her. I just know that you need the alliances, Cass, and I’d rather make my own choice, that’s all. Nothing special, just someone I could tolerate over the years.” Iridia was more than that. Lucius didn’t believe in love at first site, but the only other time he’d loved it had been an instant connection. This had felt much the same, and he wasn’t a man to just ignore it.

“If we have time, forget I even said it. Let us have our fun. Why do you even bring it up now if it’s not... an issue?”

[Thelonius Larson DeLauncey]

"FUN!" Larson shouted, while leaning on Lex, grinning like a fool. He immediately started dancing to some tune in his head, something he'd heard in the halls, past one of the Ahestere rooms.

Okay yeah he was pretty drunk by now, but that was nothing new for him, then he got an idea!

"SO! Let's celebrate!" He stopped dancing and looked around them. "Where are the hot chicks?"

[Tiberius Lexington DeLauncey]

Lex cringed, a little visibly due to his inebriation, at Lucius's low blow to Cassius. Yeah, getting them all drunk was probably the best way to go about having this conversation, but maybe...maybe slightly less drunk. Or more. Or something. Being the heir put him in the awkward position of being able to see both sides clearly. He'd spent more time with Cass, going over the business side of this whole thing, and although they'd largely avoided the topic of marriage, everyone had to have known that it was inevitable.

Granted, telling the guys up front that they would be allowed a choice in the whole thing instead of just throwing out a name and expecting them to scrabble for it...might have been a better way to go about it. He kept fairly quiet, though, in no way willing to take sides or call out Cassius for being a little foolish in his delivery. Still, one thing he had mentioned needed refuting. "Fuck that, if Eveline was roped into a marriage with a dude we all hated, I would absolutely not humor him. Evie is not going to get taken away from us just to go marry some prick with a good last name. Hell, I'll take a shit marriage for status if it leaves her to make her own choice." A scary proposition, but Lex really would do that. Letting Evie leave the safety of the pack was bad enough, but if she was going to leave, she was going to do it to be happy, damnit.

His momentary vehemence dissolved as his twin all but collapsed onto him, and he was glad now that Cassius had stolen the bottle back, although he'd been a little pouty when it'd happened. He dodged Lars's flailing limbs while still keeping him from falling on his face, which was a skill honed by a lot of practice. There was a reason why Lex was usually the most sober of the bunch. "Wait, you want hot chicks first and not food? Gods, Lars, are you ill?!" He pressed his hand to his brother's forehead like he'd seen nurses do countless times, laughing all the while.