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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;

[tumbleweeds]

What about a horseback ride?

video;

[mansuetus]

Would that be your gift to me, Jaye?

video;

[tumbleweeds]

It could be. The gardens are huge, after all, and going by horse would mean you could maybe see some of the parts you haven't seen before.

video;

[mansuetus]

Will you be my chaperone then?

video;

[tumbleweeds]

Of course. It'll be fun.

video;

[mansuetus]

Then I accept, and I shall kiss your cheek when you come and take me.

[ she is a brat, Lucrezia Borgia, at times. A fancy brat, but spoiled all the same. ]

Will it be today?

video;

[tumbleweeds]

[ Well, at least she has advanced cheek-kissing notice. ]

Or tomorrow, if you have too many birthday plans today. I wouldn't want to take you away from them or tire you out.

Plus maybe we could do a picnic, if we go tomorrow.

video;

[mansuetus]

Then we must! I demand it. A picnic would please me. I shall hold my excitement until tomorrow.

I shall be stealing your afternoon, it would seem.

video;

[tumbleweeds]

I don't mind -- it's not stealing if I'm offering.

If there's any cake leftover, we can bring that with on the picnic.

video;

[mansuetus]

What else shall we eat?

video;

[tumbleweeds]

Maybe some sandwiches? Something that won't go bad while we're wandering.

video;

[mansuetus]

Mmm. And fruit, perhaps. It would do nicely. And you shall tell me a secret while we wander, and I shall tell you one in return. It would be a game.

video;

[tumbleweeds]

Definitely fruit. And some stuff to drink, too.

[ Jaye has to laugh. Lucrezia is so bold, so very certain she'll get what she wants. It sort of reminds her of her, before her rebellious stage. ]

I'll have to think of some good secrets to tell you.

video;

[mansuetus]

[ Bold, indeed. Perhaps because she has become much too spoiled on the ship, much too used to adoration from others, for having her wishes being made true. ]

You must. I already know the ones I'll tell you.

video;

[tumbleweeds]

[ It's better than the way things could be on this ship, horror and death lurking around every corner. Maybe spoiling Lucrezia Borgia helps them all, in a way. ]

I'll work on that tonight, then.

video;

[mansuetus]

Once you tell them, they will be safe with me.

[ if there is something a Borgia learns very early on, it's how to keep a secret. ]

video;

[tumbleweeds]

And yours will be safe with me, too.

[ As long as she remembers that they're secret for a reason. ]