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[mansuetus]

Tranquility!

[ Guess who is back in her high spirits. Lucrezia is wearing red silks and is evidently strolling the gardens this morning ]

It is my birthday today, I have decided.

[ a pause in which she just looks pleased with herself and then she explains ]

As I do not know how to count the days here when compared with the count common in Rome, I have chosen today for my birthday. I shall accept my greetings at the garden.

[ prim and proper but those who know her by now can see the jest in her words. ]

And I have decided what I wish as my gift, if you would hear it!

[ wait for it. ]

For the birthday of the one called the illustrious Lucrezia Borgia, me and garden both require - a swing!

[ a beat. ]

And cake.

[ that would actually be all. Lucrezia Borgia, ladies and gentleman. She would be sitting in the garden, reading a book, for those who wish to find her. ]

Comments

video;

[unionjackass]

[He is familiar with choosing one's birthday, so he'll skip to the interesting part--] Allow me to wish you a very happy birthday!

[No, wait, the other interesting part:] Pardon me, but... You did say Lucrezia Borgia, correct? [Fascinating! This ship is full of time-traveling wanderers; unwilling though they might be.]

video;

[mansuetus]

I'll allow it.

[ a small grin ]

Lucrezia Borgia of Rome, and who will I be saying words of gratitude for the greeting?

[northerner]

Only a swing? Is there nothing else you desire, Lucrezia?

[mansuetus]

[ A beat as she considers; a funny thing, that Robb Stark asks her for her desires but she inclines her head. ]

Perhaps on this birthday I am feeling quite modest, my Lord.

[ and she isn't. at all. it's just that the ship doesn't have a great supply of pretty things :c ]

video.

[shoyu]

Ah, what a happy occasion! Happy birthday, m'lady, and may the coming year treat you with the best of luck!

[ a bright, beaming smile because gosh, that sounds like an excellent idea, choosing one's birthday here. and having an excuse to celebrate is always a good thing! ]

Eh -- I'm afraid a swing is a bit beyond my capabilities, as is a cake, but ... [ a slightly sheepish laugh ] -- I don't suppose you'd fancy any pastries? I think I'd be capable of those!

video.

[mansuetus]

You bestow lovely words upon me signore, and I thank you for them all.

[ but then her face lightens up. ]

Pastries! Would they be sweet?

[jilt]

Only a swing? I'd think you could ask for something quite a bit more grand, on your birthday.

[mansuetus]

I would ask for a dance ball and a dozen new gowns, for two fountains of wine and sweets and fruit and books of poetry and for my brother and my mother, for even a moment.

But I do not think the ship would give me any of those, Irene Adler.

permatext.

[culver]

I could make a cake.

permavideo;

[mansuetus]

Would you? We could share it tonight. It can be a celebration of a sort.

[chambermaid]

Your birthday? [ She smiles brightly at that.] I must make you some sort of treat.

[mansuetus]

Would you be so kind to tend to my hair tonight, Gwen? Nill will be baking a cake and I would have my celebration.

Video

[servant]

Your birthday! I haven't climbed a tree since I left Ealdor, but I'd be happy to help hang your swing.

Video

[mansuetus]

I am certain it shall be easy for you, Merlin.

[ innocent enough but her smile hides a secret. with your magic, is unsaid but implied. Something between them that will be lost to the others. ]

video / maybe action later if that's ok??

[assumedposition]

[ Albert gasps in awe and surprise at the screen before sending a return video of his own. ]

Lucrezia Borgia? Truly?!

video / of course!!

[mansuetus]

In the flesh.

[ she smiles. She has gotten used to being so well known even here. Perhaps it pleases her, that her name inspired both awe and sometimes even fear. ]

But now you have an advantage on me, it would seem. I must have your name.

video;

[longestnose]

My brother and I could easily make you a swing, Mistress Borgia.

[It would be something to do, after all. And very easy at that.

Perhaps they could make more, for more than just her.]

video;

[mansuetus]

Lucrezia.

[ but she smiles, brightens at the offer. ]

You and your brother - have you made swings before?

action

[elvenking]

[Drawn in by the merriment of her post, Thranduil (who lives in the gardens) arrives where Lucrezia waits. He likes merry folk, and she has ideas that more people on board should have about celebrating in the midst of trial. His voice and face, however, are ironically grave, and he wears his autumn crown of red leaves and berries as part of the "ceremony."]

I wish you joy on your birthday, Lucrezia Borgia the Illustrious. I have neither a swing nor cake, but will you nevertheless accept a small gift from an elf of the woods?

[He turns in his hands a crown of jasmine flowers gathered from the gardens.]

action

[mansuetus]

[ She is sixteen, Lucrezia Borgia. Or so she has decided when she had chosen this birthday for herself. Filled with the joy and pride and youth she brightens at the gift, bows her head so he may place it on her head. ]

Am I queen for the day, then?

video;

[tumbleweeds]

What about a horseback ride?

video;

[mansuetus]

Would that be your gift to me, Jaye?

[wolfinthesnow]

[He sits next to her, silent, no commentary needed]

[mansuetus]

[ Jon, it's a bit too quiet. She lets him be before she pokes his leg with a foot. ]

Am I not wonderfully humble?

video

[withlace]

[ One Lucrezia Borgia. Well. ]

Is there a particular reason you've chosen today?

video

[mansuetus]

It felt merry and light as a birthday should feel and so I chose it.

video;

[inspirited]

You just decided? Well happy birthday Lucrezia!

video;

[mansuetus]

I would think that more would think of such. There are so few celebrations on board and seeing we are all here for a fair amount of time, we are quite bound to birthdays.

[video]

[doggedly]

If you chose your birthday, you might have chosen it with more warning. How is anyone meant to get you anything good for a gift?

Or is tomorrow going to be your chosen birthday as well, and the day after that, and after that? --And happy birthday anyways, today and tomorrow and all of it.

[video]

[mansuetus]

Is timing truly an issue for Sirius Black and his wonderful magic?

[ but she does brighten at the offer. ]

It could be my birthday tomorrow as well, if it shall please you.

action!! just because I can

[slipperysoul]

[ .... and because Angel has nothing better to do sometimes but wander. It helps him think, and considering everything that's happened since the jump, he could use a little wandering. He makes a stop behind Lucrezia, however faintly amused he might be by her message, staring down over her for a second before clearing his throat quietly.

He's not actually trying to terrify her. ] Didn't bring any cake, but i've been told once or twice I make good company. [ No. Really. Once or twice. ]

action!! yes, good

[mansuetus]

Then I shall have your company, even with the lack of cake.

[ she is wearing a flower crown like a child, an enchanted thing she will hold onto, perched on top of golden curls. ]

Sit with me.

visual »

[became]

What, no feast? Now that is what I'd call a sin, if you'll excuse the slip into blasphemy.

visual »

[mansuetus]

Shall you cook for me, Neal Caffrey?

[voice; private; encrypted 100%; forever]

[ryuuzaki]

What kind of cake?

[This is an URGENT QUESTION, Lucrezia.]

[voice; private; encrypted 100%; forever]

[mansuetus]

[ WHY IS THIS QUESTION ENCRYPTED WHAT IS HAPPENING. ]

I would not insist on a specific kind. Any would please me.

video;

[coffeeking]

Now, if you had chosen a day a week from now, I might have a decent birthday present for you. As it is, you're going to have to give me a few minutes while I frantically try to scrounge something up. Don't know if I can manage a swing or a cake.

video;

[mansuetus]

Shall I wait seven days and accept your present then? A greeting might take its place now.

NOT HERE

[stimulations]

[He would wait for someone to make her the swing (because someone must, and he wishes he was capable of having some part in making sure that happened), but he doesn't want to be late, and he doesn't want to be caught venturing near her room or to the swing. Especially not by her, as he was no good for company now.

So he leaves it by her door, roughly an hour after her post to the network: a delicate gold necklace, a series of staggered pearl drops weighing it to dip in the middle, wrapped in a cut of grey silk from the lining of one of his jackets in the hopes no one will steal it before she comes across it. He would leave a note, a happy birthday, but writing is as gone from him as speaking and text. It will have to do.]

NOT HERE

[mansuetus]

[ when she'll find out it's you, you'll be getting all the late hugs and cheek kisses, Josie. Consider this your warning. ]