Unfortunately, Yours
The empty dinner plates had been catered to, and the Kraus family had been left to enjoy their desserts. Rafael Fietje Kraus was mildly delighted to find that dessert today was Sachertote; Chocolate cake drizzled in chocolate glaze, stuffed with apricot jam. Rafael awarded himself a generous amount for his first bite, accompanied by a dollop of unsweetened whip cream. It was, contentedly, one of his favourite ways to conclude dinner.
"Rafael."
He froze, fingers grazing the napkin he had been reaching for. Rafael's eyes met that of his father's, flitting towards Gabriel and then back. Rafael swallowed, instantly despising the sensation of thick ganache stuck in his throat. "Yes, Vater father?" A stifling silence followed as Reinhard's knife sliced cleanly through his slice of Sachertote, the clink of silver against porcelain disrupting the quiet.
"You will begin correspondence with Basil Blackwood." Mid-guzzle, Rafael almost choked on his glass of water. His lips parted wordlessly as his father continued, "Their son is of an acceptable age and pedigree. His grandmother has extended the courtesy of this arrangement, and we shall accept it. You will write to him. Regularly." Rafael exhaled sharply, his hand tightening around the embroidery on his napkin. "But Vater--" he began to utter, only for his protest to die at the sight of Reinhard. His gaze had been drawn to the furthest end of the dining room, where a display cabinet stood. Under the sheen of glass were the medallions Rafael had been awarded throughout the years from target archery. Despite the distance, Rafael knew instantly where his father had been staring. The space put aside specifically for the Loire Valley Youth Trial laid bare.
Rafael tore his gaze back to his father, who had pinned his eldest son with a look that weighed more than the chandelier above them. The young Kraus didn't dare steal a glance at his twin brother.
Alone in his room, Rafael dipped his quill into the inkwell, watching the nib darken, before pausing over a piece of parchment, mulling over what he had to write. It had been a while. He could not risk disappointment. Not...again.
“You do not have to enjoy it, but you will be polite. We do not sever ties before they are forged.”
ReducioHerr @Basil Blackwood,
I am Rafael F. Kraus, eldest son of Reinhard Kraus of the Kraus family estate, Schlangennest, based in Salzburg, Austria. I have been instructed to initiate written correspondence. I trust this will be received in good faith.
Though I am unaware of the intended duration or purpose of this exercise beyond what our elders have seen fit, I am prepared to fulfill my end with consistency. I presume that it is expected we share our academic interests and pursuits. For efficiency's sake, I attend Durmstrang Institute with my twin brother, Gabriel Kraus, and focus primarily on Defense Against the Dark Arts. I have a notable experience in archery and have been developing skills in dueling.
In accordance with the nature of our arrangement, you may expect regular updates should the situation require it. Should you find value in these exchanges, you may reply.
Regards,
Rafael Kraus
Unfortunately, Yours
Basil was sitting comfortably on the plush couch by the fire, feet tucked up under a blanket and absurdly large book cradled in his lap. His father had found a first edition record of professional breeding of Abraxian lines for his primary Christmas gift, and it had been all Basil had been reading during his break from school. His comfort was quickly disrupted as he glanced up to see his grandmother striding into the room purposefully, letter held in her hand.
His father, Martin, looked up from his own book at the other end of the couch and frowned at Elaine. "Mother, we're reading right now. Can't this wait? We don't have too much more of the break to spend together," he implored quietly, glancing at Basil pointedly. Basil slowly closed his book, looking between the two nervously. It seemed they had something planned that he wasn't yet privy to, and he fidgeted with the gilded ribbon bookmark dangling from the book's spine as he waited for an explanation.
"Nonsense, right now is the perfect time for this," Elaine responded imperiously, holding out the letter to Basil, "We discussed how you needed to make more friends, especially those that are important enough to deserve your attention. This will be a good option to practice. The Kraus family are important business partners, and they have a son who is in need of appropriate connections as well. All you need to do is write him letters and maintain a good relationship."
Basil took the letter, peeling it open and reading through it, continuing his nervous fiddling. He didn't particularly want to write letters to someone he didn't know, but it seemed less scary than meeting someone face to face and trying to be friends. His father was trying to giving him an encouraging smile as he finished Rafael's letter, and that was what encouraged him to try and write a reply as best he could. He was always the one that was worried about how few friends Basil had at school, after all.
"Thank you for organizing this, grandmother. I'll write a reply right now," he finally answered, breaking up the patient silence. Setting aside his book, he went to use the living room's writing desk so he could have the comforting presence of his father still available. The letter from Kraus was short and simple, so he hoped he should be fine to reply in kind.
27 December, 2024
Rafael Kraus,
It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Basil Blackwood, grandson of Elaine Blackwood, matriarch of the Blackwood Estate, Ebony Wand Wood suppliers.
I am unsure of your family's intention in initiating these letters, but my grandmother's expectation for me is that I attempt to make friends with individuals of appropriate societal standing like yourself. I hope we can continue to write, and perhaps become closer to achieve this goal.
I attend Ilvermorny, and am currently in my Third Year there. I am an only child, so I attend by myself. I enjoy all academic courses, but I am particularly interested in topics of Fantastical Beasts and Creatures. Currently I am deepening my understanding of Abraxians, in hope of getting a pair of them for myself after meeting them during the international trip to Hogwarts in October. Were you there to meet them on that trip?
Your achievements sound very impressive, and I would be happy to hear more about your dueling and archery. I am afraid I don't have many achievements myself, as I focus mostly on reading and research of interesting topics.
Sincerely,
Basil Blackwood⭑☾𖣂☽⭑
Interacting with:@Rafael Kraus Wordcount:500+ Color=#3C692A
Basil Blackwood Ilvermorny ꧁Courage is not always seen꧂
Stats: Stamina: 7 | Evasion: 8 | Strength: 1 | Wisdom: 10 | ArcPower: 11 | Accuracy: 10
Abilities: N/A
iNPC
Tesla Stone⭑☾☀☽⭑ ⭑☾𖣂☽⭑Basil Blackwood