☩ 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

video;

[mansuetus]

There was a feeling, but not love.

[ the contrary, it is implied. ]

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

video;

[stimulations]

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

video;

[mansuetus]

It will be a scar.

[ she accepts it, inclines her head. ]

Better a scar than an open cut.

video;

[stimulations]

[He nods.]

Scars, we can grow from.

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

video;

[mansuetus]

And become stronger.

[ she nods. ]

I would see you, when you have the time.

video;

[stimulations]

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

video;

[mansuetus]

With a lady?

[ THIS FACE. ]

video;

[stimulations]

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

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

video;

[mansuetus]

Why not? I am not jealous.

video;

[stimulations]

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

video;

[mansuetus]

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

video;

[stimulations]

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.

video;

[mansuetus]

[ 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.

video;

[stimulations]

[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.

video;

[mansuetus]

Can one allay jealousy?

video;

[stimulations]

Wishful thinking, maybe.

video;

[mansuetus]

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

video;

[stimulations]

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

video;

[mansuetus]

Envy is a sin.

[ she reflects upon it in her head. Lucrezia was never jealous much but she is no stranger to it still. She did envy Sancia of Naples for her beauty, her olive skin and almond eyes; she envied the woman aboard the ship who could choose a husband instead of being sold to one, she envied Robb Stark's queen without knowing her. ]

Yet I find it a difficult one to avoid at times.

video;

[stimulations]

I always thought that was the point of most sins.

[That they were difficult to avoid.]

I suppose they usually seem more like interesting characteristics, to me. As long as they don't stray into extremes, that is.

video;

[mansuetus]

I suppose sins are so common one could also call them characteristics. Few men so rarely sin as to avoid that definition.

video;

[stimulations]

[Josias smiles, then leans into the camera slightly, like he's telling a secret.]

Would it be terrible of me to tell you that I've always found the overly pure rather boring?

[Daughter of a Pope, he doesn't want to insult her, but really.]

video;

[mansuetus]

Are you saying I am not overly pure or that I'm boring?

[ grinning. ]

video;

[stimulations]

Oh, boring, of course. Dreadfully dull.

video;

[mansuetus]

Shall I sing to make my company more pleasing?