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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

\o/

[assumedposition]

[ If Albert were anyone else, he might be inclined to doubt her. But Albert is Albert, and as such, takes her at her word. ]

That's amazing! I was aware that people from all places and times were here, but to meet The Lucrezia Borgia is-- well, I am awed beyond words, madame! It makes you wonder who else might be here...

[ Then he turns a faint shade of pink at her request. ] Ah-- my apologies. I am remiss. My name is Albert Herrera. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

[mansuetus]

Signore Albert.

[ she laughs a bit, perhaps at the fact he is so flustered and Lucrezia, being herself, is always a girl who loves to affect others. ]

Likewise. There are very few here who I heard of, except for a dear friend of mine who is also an Emperor of Rome in his own time.

[assumedposition]

Oh, just Albert is fine, please.

And well, you needn't worry-- at least in my case. I'm nobody famous, haha! But an Emperor of Rome? Truly?

[mansuetus]

Truly. Emperor Claudius, if you have heard of him.

[ she lifts an eyebrow, offers him a grin. ]

Perhaps one day you shall be, Albert. Who knows.

[assumedposition]

I might not be the ideal student, but my history is not so shoddy that I can't at least remember the Emperors of Rome! Wow...

Haha, perhaps. I certainly used to dream about it. These days though, I find I'm not unhappy with being unknown.

[Or rather: with the scandal surrounding his entire family back home, Albert has found he's had just about enough of hack reporters and idle malcontents bothering him in the street.]

[mansuetus]

Sometimes being unknown is a bliss.

[ that she can agree with, her days here taught her so much. ]

I found that I was very happy with among some of the people who did not hear of me before.

[ she offers him a small smile the next moment. ]

If you heard of me, then you must know not all the words books said of me were kind.

[assumedposition]

... I know what the history books say, yes.

But I also know that-- that it's impossible to truly know a person unless you see them with your own eyes and listen to them with your own ears. And even then, sometimes they can deceive you.

[mansuetus]

And you shall know me? And listen to me and see me with your eyes?

[assumedposition]

... I'd like to try, at any rate.

Though, it's been said that I'm a poor judge of character. [His smile is slightly wistful, at that.] I don't agree, of course.

[mansuetus]

Then perhaps we shall make our minds about each other's nature by ourselves, if it shall please you.

[assumedposition]

[He perks up a bit more at that]

Ah-- it would! Very much so.

[mansuetus]

Then you may join me in the gardens.

[assumedposition]

Th-Thank you!

I'll be right there!

[His comms device switches off perhaps almost too abruptly, as if his gladness got the better of him and he forgot his manners entirely. Whoops.]

[mansuetus]

[ wow albert, you're lucky she thinks you're cute :> ]

-> action!!

[assumedposition]

[It takes him a while longer than expected to find her in the gardens-- he's still not familiar with this place entirely. When he arrives though, it's obvious even from a great distance that he's been running and is slightly out of breath. He waves his arm in a large, bright arc, way over his head the moment he spots her. Even before he's reached her, he's calling out.]

Hello! I hope I didn't keep you waiting long!

action!!

[mansuetus]

[ There is a smile on her lips, amused and bright. He has ran all this way because she has invited him and like most pretty royal girls, it flatters her. His honest enthusiasm is both juvenile and sweet and Lucrezia waits until he is near before responding. ]

Not excruciatingly long.

[ she's jesting, just jesting. ]

[assumedposition]

Haha, my apologies. The layout of this ship is still unfamiliar to me...

If you don't think it too presumptuous-- may I sit with you?

[mansuetus]

You must, so you would be taller than me.

[ and then she shifts to allow him some room, tidies her silk around her. ]

No swing, I see. I shall request another gift then.

[ you'll get used to her, Albert. ]

A story.

1/2

[assumedposition]

[He sits obligingly]

A story?

[The request takes him by surprise.]

[assumedposition]

I-- I don't know that I'm very good at storytelling...

But... I can try? What kind of story would you like?

[mansuetus]

Whichever one you think will please me.

[ a smile. she's making it oh so simple isn't she? ]

[assumedposition]

That doesn't really narrow it down, any...

Um. Okay, how about... the story of a young pianist?

[mansuetus]

The story of a young pianist!

[ watch her lean on her elbows. ]

Who was this young pianist?

[assumedposition]

A beautiful girl named Eugénie.

There were two things she wanted: for the boy she liked to notice her, and for the world at large to notice her, and recognise her skill.

But the boy she liked was foolish. They had been friends since childhood, so it never occurred to him to see her in a romantic light.

[mansuetus]

Had she not given him any hints of her affection? Letters and smiles and the like?

[ already captivated, good job, Albert. ]