Caitriona did not frequent the Green Dragon, largely because she didn’t frequent any such establishment, but she couldn’t deny that it was well appointed. The furnishings were lush and the decor was grand, but everything was still on the tasteful side of gaudy. The interior was just the right amount of dimly lit, but when they reached Alecto’s office, it was bright and practical, clearly meant for work. It made Caitriona feel a certain amount of grudging respect. There weren’t many purebloods from Sacred 28 families who pursued careers, most of them had no need and less inclination. Alecto, at least, had initiative and business acumen.
Caitriona kept her face expressionless and leaned away just enough to ensure that the other woman didn’t actually touch her as Alecto invaded her personal space. She didn’t understand the English fascination with continental customs, particularly their fondness for casual affection. She much preferred handshakes, or even better the more formal bows exchanged in her mother’s home country. She knew such behavior made people assume she was cold, but Caitriona didn’t much care. After seven years of sharing a dorm with her, Alecto should have known the assumption was correct. Caitriona was cold, and the people she did like were far outnumbered by those she didn’t. Still, she wanted Alecto’s help, so she smiled politely at her. “Alecto, it’s been too long.”
In response to Alecto’s offer of refreshment, Caitriona shook her head and waved away the employee still lingering in the door. “Nothing, thank you, we really should be on our way. I’m looking at a few different properties that I would like your opinion on.” Caitriona said it casually and matter of factly, on the off chance that acting like it wasn’t anything to fuss over would prevent Alecto from doing so. Caitriona doubted it would work, but there was no harm in the attempt. If nothing else, it would give Caitriona a sense of superiority if the other woman overreacted, and she wasn’t one to pass such an opportunity by.
Spending seven years sharing a dorm with other pureblood girls of her station, including Caitriona, made Alecto realize how very different her life was from others. Of course, she’d been raised on the same expectations as most women in their society: be prim, be proper, and gear yourself up for a life of marriage and children. But the biggest difference was that Alecto’s mother was dead and therefore not there to push Alecto into becoming something she was not. Her father was more preoccupied with his precious heir, Amycus and did not want to be bothered with the complexities of raising a daughter. He saddled her aunt with Alecto instead, but none of these half assed efforts actually instilled in Alecto a sense of duty. While her roommates had stressed, even in private, about what their family thought of them, their expectations, their rules, Alecto was fully aware of what her family thought of her: do what you want, we don’t care, we’ve already got an heir to worry about.
Of the personalities she’d lived with, Caitriona had certainly been the one most difficult for Alecto to accustom to. She was almost impenetrable, learning over the years how to rebuff Alecto’s efforts to get a reaction out of her. Her coldness had chafed against Alecto’s spitfire character. Which made this entire arrangement all the more strange to Alecto. “Certainly,” she quipped. “I would love to host you sometime. Our dear Narcissa finally came around the other day-- she rather enjoyed herself.” Alecto smiled smugly at the memory.
“Properties?” Alecto’s interest perked. Choosing to completely ignore Caitriona’s nonchalant attitude, she plowed forward. “Are you moving out of your family’s home?” She’d assumed that was what had happened when the late heartthrob of Xavier Yaxley had passed. No way, from the way Mrs. Yaxley spoke ill of the widow to everyone she met, that she had allowed Caitriona to keep living in the marital home. It was also custom for an unmarried woman to live with parents until they married. A custom that Alecto had delightedly broken. “I am happy to offer my opinion-- I’ve got plenty of them to spare,” she smirked.
