☩ ００１． ｔｅｘｔ/ｖｉｄｅｏ

[mansuetus]

In quella parte del libro de la mia memoria,
dinanzi a la quale poco si potrebbe leggere, si
trova una rubrica la quale dice: Incipit vita
nova.

[ After this odd introduction in Italian, a video shall start. A young woman will be seen, hovering above the device. She is a sweet looking girl, no more than fifteen. There is a brilliant smile on her lips, golden locks that are caught back in a hairnet of pearls. She is all silks and jewelry; a golden cross on her neck. From her gasp of wonder, she is delighted by the thing. ]

Oh! It sheds light! Like a firefly you can carry in your pocket!

[ There is an air of youth to her, giddiness and joy that have somehow morphed themselves into a girl. she seems unsure of whether she has an audience or not but she will lift her head and then incline it gracefully all the same. The next words shall be spoken with passion, as if they are a personal confession. ]

In that book which is
My memory
Before which is little that can be read
There is a rubric, saying: Incipit Vita Nova -

[ A smile. ]

Here begins a new life.

[ She shall bow her head again. ]

Tranquility! What a wonderful name for a ship that sails through the stars. And as it brought sweet company upon me when I arrived, I can only humbly introduce myself to its people in return. I am named Lucrezia Borgia turned Lucrezia Sforza; I come from Rome, to those who are familiar with it.

It is an honor to be in your presence.

Comments

video

[hejhej]

[Lisbeth can feel the air of innocence so much that it kind of warms her. To have had it that good at her age.]

What's the year in Rome where you come from?

[Because that is one extravagant geddup.]

video

[mansuetus]

[ For a moment, Lucrezia is stunned into silence. She stares; not in an insulting manner, but rather as if she had seen the most curious and fascinating of creatures.

She is a woman, she can tell by the voice. And after a moment she decides she is a beautiful woman. Like none she had ever seen before. Unique in appearance, even unique in her voice. Lucrezia wants her to like her, wants to learn of her for she is certain that she is a world of knowledge. ]

That would depend, Passerotta [ she names her Sparrow for she is as elegant in form and curious to behold ] how does one count the years aboard this ship? In Rome, we count from the birth of our lord and savior, Christ.

( v i d e o ) STILL TAGGING THE JUMP LOG BUT CANNOT STAY AWAY

[wont]

[ She had promised to be near always and so it is not long before a familiar smile greets Lucrezia. Alayne bows, as is her habit, though her posture warms quickly. She is happy to see her. ]

You have made quick work of the device, Lucrezia. If only it were as dear as a firefly.

( v i d e o ) CHINHANDS

[mansuetus]

How can it not be dear when it allows me to speak to you in such a manner? I see your face and hear your voice even though you are away. Though I shall never wish you away, not for a moment, it is a quite a wonderful magic box. I feel as if I carry she whom I love in the pocket of my gown.

[ and then with a more secretive smile. ]

I shall tell you this in secret, I have followed others about and watched them work their own magic box. And then I spent my first night doing this -

[ behold, she shall do elegant little tapping movements with her fingers ]

For hours. It is the very secret of my success.

video

[hostage]

[Jesse loves these renaissance faire girls.]

Another princess?

video

[mansuetus]

[ Jesse you win the brightest of smiles and the sweetest of giggles. ]

My Holy Father is not a king but the Pope of Rome who crowns kings in his halls and so I am not a princess but a lady of the Vatican.

...I'm sorry, even if Ygritte's not D:

[kindlings]

[ A slightly exasperated eyeroll, directed at those first words spoken with such wonder ...it sheds light! Like a firefly you can carry in your pocket!

Despite the fact that it took Ygritte a while herself to learn these devices, she's all out of patience, apparently. ]


Aye, an' it'll wipe your ass for ya, if y' tap in the proper keys.

she will make it her mission for you to love her, Ygritte!!

[mansuetus]

[ Most ladies would huff and twist their noses at the language alone. Lucrezia tilts her head instead, looks more curious than offended. Each man and woman is a story. This girl has hair red, such a pretty shade of it as if a phoenix had kissed her crown, and speaks vulgarly, true. She is not a peasant, though. Perhaps a woman who has sailed the seas or a leader of an army as they say Caterina Sforza is.

They will call her The Fiery One and all shall tremble to behold her, she thinks. ]

It is a miraculous device, like none I had ever seen. Yet I doubt it does justice with the image of the Fiery One's hair. It is beautiful to behold but not even this magic box can capture its glory, I'd wager.

video;

[stimulations]

The name is a little deceptive, actually. It can be really rather exciting around here.

video;

[mansuetus]

I shall never refuse 'exciting'. A story can be serene for only so long. Lines may be written of prologue and exposition, of worlds and ladies and kings and their queens. But if it shall lack excitement then the reader shall feel disappointed. I can only imagine a ship that sails the sky shall prove to be more than simply relaxing.

Would that it be a good story; the kind that one wishes to read once more after it is done.

[upheld]

[ she has the look of a Westerosi, dressed all in fine silk and jewelry - but Rome, and the unfamiliar text? Never heard of that. Granted, Brienne is somewhat curious. ]

What language is it that you speak, my lady?

[mansuetus]

Italian, as it happens. It is the language spoken in Rome but as I have gathered, Rome is not a common knowledge upon our Tranquility as some are not from the same realm as I. That would mean Italian is also foreign, then.

[ a beat and then she begins reading the lines in Italian once more. ]

What do you think of it? Its sound?

text; (hover over text for translation)

[dilemma]

Sotto la quale rubrica io trovo scritte le parole le quali è mio intendimento d'asemplare in questo libello, e se non tutte, almeno la loro sentenzia.

Dante. It works, except for the whole love part.

text;

[mansuetus]

Perhaps there shall be a love part yet. This is only the beginning of the story, after all. One never knows what to expect when beginning a story. If one does, then the story missed its purpose.

video; she can't resist the fripperies

[talkstoengines]

[Wow, this lady talks even nicer than Inara and her dress! So many ribbons. Kaylee is starstruck.]

Where'd you get a dress like that? I just love fripperies, though I don't really have much cause to wear 'em. I got to go to a fancy party, once, in the prettiest dress. Mal bought it for me, it had lotsa ruffles. I love ruffles.

video; how are you so adorable Kaylee

[mansuetus]

[ She is happy to hear her talk. Happy to be speaking of gowns even abroad a ship that travels between stars. She seems excited and good humored and Lucrezia is fond of her at once. ]

It was made for me; for a dance banquet. I wanted to be painted in it but alas, it never came to be. It is the only one I have here. I shall have to put it aside lest it be ruined.

[ a beat. ]

You have a pretty smile. Warm; as a summer evening in Rome.

» video

[thenormalsquint]

You mean a firefly I can't wait to take apart.

[Hello, Lucrezia. This is Angela who likes to take technological objects apart and see how they tick. Oh, okay, she wants to hack into it and see who's behind it. Let's be real.]

But you certainly have a way of describing things. I like it.

» video

[mansuetus]

[ Hello Angela, have a starry eyed Renaissance lady. How are all the women abroad this ship so beautiful? She would hate her for it; but alas, she seem so kind so she feels she might be fond of her indeed. ]

What do you expect to find within? A secret of a sort?

[ a grin. ]

A present?

[wolfinthesnow]

You've taken well, Lucrezia.

[mansuetus]

[ Jon Snow. ]

I have settled in my dream. But I have thanks to give for such. To the kindness of those who have greeted me. Among them a certain boy with the most curious of wolves. I do wonder if you have heard of him.

[voice]

[jurisimpudent]

[What a...charming young woman. Rather more charming than one would expect the actual Lucrezia Borgia to be, if in fact this was the same woman...]

Have you yet encountered those who know of you, madam?

[voice]

[mansuetus]

[ It is a curious question and she will ponder it for a moment before answering. ]

Alas, my answer would be, no. I have not met any man or woman that I know nor any man or woman who have heard my name before.

At least, not yet, sir. I carry a small hope in my heart that it shall change.

JUST PLACEHOLDING TILL AFTER I GET ATCHU IN THE JUMP LOG.

[northerner]

Did you write that verse yourself, lady? It's a lovely one.

A MAN WHO LIKES POETRY HUH?

[mansuetus]

Lucrezia.

[ you people and your titles. ]

We have met before and I named you a friend and so my name is not inappropriate.

[ and then, a shake of her head. ]

Would that I could write such beautiful words. It is Dante, my Lord. My own verses seem silly and childish when compared.

[allucinator]

I dunno if I could say your last name back to you, Lucrezia, but, uh, I'll give it a go sometime. I'm Jack Kelly, from a place called New York. Welcome, darlin'. Where's Rome?

[mansuetus]

You shall simply call me Lucrezia, dear Jack Kelly, and it shall do wonderfully and please me all the same.

[ She would prefer it over 'Sforza', which is the current last name she carries. ]

I shall tell you of my Rome if you shall tell me of your New York. It is a a republic, ruled by the papacy; the Pope who sits in Vatican City, my Holy Father.

[certainproclivity]

[Well. This is definitely different and not entirely unwelcome. Her innocence is a bit... Well, let's just say it's a long time since Sark's ever been that innocent and it can be grating, but he can deal with that for someone actually exhibiting an iota of class.]

A rather enthusiastic greeting, Signorina. Most find the ship to not live up to its name.

[mansuetus]

I have been told so much, Signore; that it can become exciting. I give thanks for the temporary serenity. It is what I most need in such days. I can scarcely believe I am flying above the ground and clouds to begin with. For now, it is blessed.

[ a beat. ]

Are you among the most who find the name so deceiving?

( VIDEO ) /tacks on orz

[seem]

[ It is rare to see such mannerisms from those not from his own world, and it is both her manner of her speech and her beauty (like a jewel caught in the sun, whose shine he cannot resist despite his love for silver over gold) that catch Littlefinger's eye.

He sits straight when the video feed flickers to life on his end of the line, chin tipped up though he offers the beginning of a bow before speaking. (It has been some time since he last fully adopted the manners of court, but he feels, for this occasion, they would serve best.) ]

It is the ship, my lady, that I would think honored to be in yours.

( VIDEO ) /gathers

[mansuetus]

My lord offers me such kind words and I shall only hope to return the same kindness in return. This Tranquility is a thrill and a wonder already. The very idea of it is one I have not yet read of in any poem or song.

But it is its people who have left a great impression upon me. One so wonderful that it shall never be erased.

[ video ]

[tailcrook]

[Konoe tilts his head some, intrigued and charmed equally.]

Could I ask what language that was, Lucrezia?

[Particularly since he could just vaguely understand it. Italian isn't so far from Latin, is it not...?]

[ video ]

[mansuetus]

[ Entirely similar and she would speak to him Latin if he so wishes as she is quite educated in the language. ]

Italian, it was. If you have heard of it. I have half a mind to teach it. It is quite beautiful and not many abroad know it or of it.

[not here]

[cl_cl_claudius]

[How do you use this technology? What even is "technology"? Claudius needs a Mobile Devices for Seniors-type course. He's still confused about the extra letters on the keyboard.

...But if he were able to reply he'd be all kinds of charmed and quoting things at her. JSYK.]

[not here]

[mansuetus]

[ Stalk people as they work theirs, Emperor. It does wonders.

Or she shall teach you with great joy. ]

[video]

[doggedly]

[ADORABLE]

We much prefer infinitus est numerus stultorum for our rubric around here, miss. Yours is more optimistic. And I think it's safe to say that for once, the honour is all ours.

[video]

[mansuetus]

[ A chuckle! ]

And is the stay on the ship defined as fatum iustum stultorum, sir? Call me Lucrezia the Optimistic and I shall wear my title with pride.

video;

[51stcentury]

[The first part typed and sent in attachment to the video conversation. It is perhaps a poem that she may even be familiar with, from even before her time]

Avete ’n vo’ li fior’ e la verdura
e ciò che luce od è bello a vedere

Lucrezia Borgia. The rumors as to your appearance pale in comparison to the real thing, my lady. [A broad, handsome grin. Captain Jack Cheesecake, at your service]

video;

[mansuetus]

[ And she likes him already. A man of poetry and languages and compliments, can there be a better combination? ]

I did not know such rumors existed but it pleases me to know I have not failed your hopes. I shall have your name, Signore. One cannot be so impressed with someone without knowing their name.

[bruxisms]

...You have made fast work of this device.

[ young people and their ability to... adapt to technology. ]

[mansuetus]

Not by my own wisdom, my Lord. Simply by observing others and mimicking their actions mid air before trying with my little firefly. It still took me quite long. I have seen others fashion messages so quickly, it was quite a sight.

( v i d e o )

[adlered]

[ Lucrezia Borgia. Oh, it seems as if the ship decided to give her two presents this jump, not only does she get things from home, but she gets a Borgia. What a wonderful surprise. ]

Dante, an interesting choice for a woman with a deposition like yours. [ Irene smiles and pauses for a moment. ] If you don't mind me asking, how recently did you become Lucrezia Sforza?

( v i d e o )

[mansuetus]

One who chooses the expected is often a bore, signora‏; I will weep if I shall be described as such.

[ She is pretty. No, beautiful. 'Pretty' would fit a timid girl with pink cheeks and a sweet smile. This woman reminds her more of Giulia Farnese, elegant and dark and clever. ]

It has been weeks. Not too many [ 'thank God' is not said but is certainly there ] but certainly enough to leave an impression.