☩ 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

action

[mansuetus]

I am the ship's favorite, they will believe whatever I say and I will tell them --

[ she thinks, SHE THINKS. ]

I will not tell you what I'll tell them, but I shall make a story and they will believe it!

action

[doggedly]

The ship's favorite! The ship's-- oh, are you challenging me, ship's favorite? Me versus you, who will they trust, who will they believe--

[He presents his to her, with a solemn air. There must be a handshake.]

We'll see if they believe your slander. I think they'll be more interested in knowing who Lucrezia's looooovvvver is.

action

[mansuetus]

Hush now!

[ fine, she'll shake it. ]

I'll win, Sirius Black, and you will be in my debt!

action

[doggedly]

[This is a handshake that goes on just a bit too long, just so he can hold Lucrezia's hand. If you're about to go and catch her secret boyfriend in his secret boyfriending and learn about him, you have to take handholding while you can get it.]

We'll see about that!

[And now he pulls his hand away all at once, and scrambles to his feet--and bows, sweepingly, because he's got manners!--and then he's off to ruin your life. Or improve it. Whichever!]