ataraxion | ☩ ００８．ＶＩＤＥＯ

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☩ ００８．ＶＩＤＥＯ | ＡＣＴＩＯＮ

[ Lucrezia is in one of the lounges! Sprawled on one of the sofas, fingers busy turning a pendent of gold in the shape of a sea-horse. There are no poems today, no joyful greetings, something is different. She looks more pensive than anything else but there is a shade of concern there as well as quiet annoyance.

When she speaks, her voice is devoid of any of it. Her eyes still focused on the sea-horse. ]

A riddle, Tranquility.

How to mourn for someone who does not deserve it?

If your duty demands it and you have no desire to - do all men need to be mourned for? Is it a a more grievous sin not to mourn than it is to speak false words of grievance?

[ a beat. ]

Perhaps I must fast again.

[ a moment later she puts down her necklace, smiles. ]

I would have a cup of wine with your answer, if any of you have some to spare. You will join me in the lounge.

[ and it is not a question. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Mourning is a personal matter. I don't think it should ever be held to some outside standard or judgement.

Is there no duty? If one is bound to another, is one not bound to pray for the other when the other passes?

My time is very different from yours. That kind of duty... it can be bent. Cut entirely, sometimes.

My own is cut entirely not, too. But not by my own hands. Now that it is cut, shall I mourn the man I was once bound to?

Did you love him?

Not ever.

A mockery of a marriage, it was.

Then no. If there was no feeling there before, there's no need to for you to try and summon some up now.

There was a feeling, but not love.

[ the contrary, it is implied. ]

I wonder if shall pass, now that the man did.

It will fade. But the memory will always draw something up. [A pause, a small smile.] That's just how we're built.

It will be a scar.

[ she accepts it, inclines her head. ]

Better a scar than an open cut.

[He nods.]

Scars, we can grow from.

[Even if it might hurt to try and do so.]

And become stronger.

[ she nods. ]

I would see you, when you have the time.

Of course. I can give you some now, but I'm afraid I have an appointment this evening.

With a lady?

[ THIS FACE. ]

[It's a better expression than she had before. He smiles.]

Yes. [A pause.] Though I probably shouldn't be telling you that.

Why not? I am not jealous.

Professional confidentiality. You'd have made a bad choice if you decided to get jealous over me, Lucrezia.

Why? You are handsome and clever. Most women would have done exactly that.

As lovely as the compliments are, the matter's more my chosen profession. [Might as well just say it outright.] I work as a prostitute.

[ it's not that Lucrezia hadn't heard of prostitutes. Only she didn't know there was a brothel on the ship and she mostly heard of prostitute women, not young, intelligent men. ]

Are you.

[ she leans on an elbow ]

Women would still be jealous.

[ she decides that at once. ]

It is your fate, it would seem, signore. And they should be grateful I am not envious.

[He smiles, tips his head slightly. He can't deny that he enjoys the compliments, but the matter of jealousy is a delicate one.]

Most are well aware of what I do. I'd hope that would allay any jealousy, women or men. It's not particularly good for business, clients feeling stilted or too attached.

Can one allay jealousy?

Wishful thinking, maybe.

At best. If there is such a person on the ship I would ask them for tutoring.

I can't say it's something I've ever suffered from, but I'd have no idea how to teach such a thing.

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