☩ ００８． ＶＩＤＥＯ | ＡＣＴＩＯＮ

[mansuetus]

[ 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. ]

Comments

[mansuetus]

You must be right. God knows better than Lucrezia Borgia.

[ she smiles. ]

How easily you solved this riddle for me.

[culver]

I am glad I could help.
I am Nill.

[mansuetus]

Nill, short and pretty.

Lucrezia, who is delighted to be in your presence.

[culver]

Thank you.

[and now nill turns on the video so that they really are in one another's presence. it seems more polite, at least. she gives a small wave, wings flitting.]

[mansuetus]

-- You are an angel!

[ there is no other explanation to it. The wings, her pretty face. ]

[culver]

I am a person.

[mansuetus]

Have you fallen from heaven? Kidnapped by this ship?

[ good lord, lucrezia. ]

[culver]

[abort abort]

I did not come from heaven.

[mansuetus]

But your wings -

Where did you come from?

[ prayer circle so that the angel lady could return to heaven. ]

[culver]

The Underground.

[lucrezia you need to take a seat]

[mansuetus]

[ now she just looks terrified. What even, Nill, underground sounds like hell. ]

You look so remarkably like an angel. The Underground - that is your home?

[culver]

[oh fuck. also it sort of was so]

It is where I was made and where I lived.

[mansuetus]

Made?

[culver]

Yes.

[mansuetus]

Then you re not from heaven.

[culver]

I am not.

[mansuetus]

You seem sweet enough to be.

[culver]

That is nice of you to say.

[mansuetus]

Simply honest, dolcezza. Now I have a wish to make! Even if you are not an angel, you would be able to grant it.

[culver]

What is it?

[mansuetus]

I would have you smile.

[culver]

[aw
and she actually does, though it's small and more than a little shy]

[mansuetus]

Good. Now I am pleased.

[ and she is smiling, too. ]

[culver]

That is good.