Casey stood at attention, besides the hospital bed, eyes floorward, temper simmering silently.  The set of his jaw was all that gave it away, his otherwise calm demeanor belying the fury for the situation.  He was a tall man, nearly six foot three, but all the same, his aged father somehow managed to loom over he and his brother from his hospital bed.  Beside him, his brother was staring even more sheepishly at his shoes.  The pair were young men, Casey the elder, and both blonde.<br/><br/>His brother Cade had a certain roguishly handsome quality to his expression that suggested the mischief he got himself in -and usually his brother alongside- but this time the fault was entirely on his shoulders.<br/><br/>"-The choosing has picked your paths."  Their father said.  Dorin Murphy was a wizened man that had looked hale just a year before, a wasting sickness gripping him.  His thick, golden hair had gone pale, and brittle, and nearly all fallen out.  His skin was papery and thin, and when he coughed it was a wracking cough that brought blood to his lips.  A curse, from when he was a younger man.  There wasn't a thing to be done for him.  "I do not have long in this world."  He held up a hand, forestalling the youngest Murphy's noise of protest.  "We knew the day would come.  I had for a very long time."  His wan expression contorted in fury.  "And you've risked all I worked for, over a pissing match with the Frosts!"  His fury contorted his face, and brought him sitting full upright.<br/><br/>It also brought on another bout of wracking coughs, that sent his children worriedly to his bedside.  He hacked, and wheezed, and kept coughing 'til his lungs were empty of air, and gasped another just to start the coughing all over again.  Cade had a glass of water to hand, and was trying to push it into Dorin's, but the patriarch waved him away as he brought the fit under control once again.  With labored breaths, the man raised a hand, flecked with blood from stifling the coughs toward the eldest of his children.<br/><br/>"Promise me, Casey.  Promise me you'll end this damnable feud.  Promise me the house your mother built will go down in history as an honored school.  I know you don't know her yet, but give her a chance.  For your own sake.  For House Murphy's sake."  On toward the younger the finger traveled.  "And I'll have your oath that you will not be letting your temper ruin this family.  Swear it boy, or I'll spend my last cursing you into bloody obedience!"<br/><br/>"On my honor, Father."  Casey said, a moment before Cade chimed in with, "Fine."<br/><br/>A moment later, the patriarch pointed to the door of the hospital room.  "Get going.  Casey, don't be late for the proposal.  Cade...  Just come visit me tomorrow.  Please.  Thank you.  Both of you, out, now."  The man looked more exhausted by every word.  The pair of young men  sketched quick bows again, before chiming in near-unison, "Yes father."<br/><br/>Casey was the first out the door.<br/><br/>---<br/><br/>Casey had dressed himself smartly for the proposal.  He wore a well-tailored suit, of soft, patterned grey, and a tie of bold green for his house's representative colors.  He carried with him his staff, a well-carved and iron-banded length of wood as tall as he was, clicking with his every step as he approached the restaurant he'd been scheduled to meet with the eldest Frost daughter at, the memory of the Choosing still fresh in his mind.  A nervous hand rose to run fingers through his hair, pushing the lot of it back from his face once again as he approached the hostess.  "I have a reservation.  Murphy.  Is my date here?"