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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

[ryuuzaki]

It's from... [a pause, while he considers how to phrase it]... it's from the new world. Yes, it's very common in cakes, but that isn't why I'm asking.

It's from a large seed. It can be processed with milk, sugar... it can be made into a sweet.

[mansuetus]

Do you think there is any to be found on board?

[ryuuzaki]

[The volume of his voice, even through the communicator, is lower, more confidential.]

Can you keep a secret?

[mansuetus]

[ oh god the way that makes her smile. ]

I do. Better than anyone.

[ryuuzaki]

A few chocolate sweets appeared in my locker a while ago after a jump. I've been saving them. You can have one, if you want to try it.

[In reality, "a few" is more like 40, and he's eaten half of them. The rest have been seeded as small wrapped caches in the very back of several freezers, well behind foods he thinks most people will find undesirable until they're desperate. It will extend the amount of time the chocolates are "fresh" -- although they won't last forever, and he's careful about how he offers them.]

[mansuetus]

For my birthday? Is it a gift?

[ryuuzaki]

[A moment of consideration...]

Yes.

[... and then a decisive reply.]

I'll give it to you in the kitchen.

[mansuetus]

I shall go to the kitchen, then.