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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

[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. ]

[assumedposition]

When you're friends with someone for so long, the way you act when you're with them becomes second nature-- difficult to change.

Eventually she did start dropping hints, but the boy she liked was still completely oblivious.

[mansuetus]

Poor girl, silly boy. What happened next?

[assumedposition]

Well... the boy and the girl, their parents had all been friends for a very long time-- before the two had been born, even. They were both extremely wealthy families, and yet both still sought to increase their family fortunes. In their children, they saw a very simple and easy way of doing this.

Completely unaware of his daughter's feelings for the young son of his close friend, the wealthy Baron arranged Eugénie's marriage to him with his parents, without consulting her. But instead of being pleased at this turn of events... she was livid. You see, she didn't want to get engaged because their parents had simply arranged it, but rather, because the boy wanted to marry her.

[mansuetus]

I can understand her.

[ though Lucrezia certainly hadn't got a husband she wanted, she knows well the anger that comes with being given away. ]

Being sold like a sheep is enraging and she had wanted him to love her, not simply to marry her.

[assumedposition]

Being sold like a sheep, huh...

I admit, I never really saw it that way before now. Arranged marriages were just the way things were done, I guess I kind of just accepted it...

[mansuetus]

I did not think of it either, before I was sold myself.

[ to the highest bidder. ]

[assumedposition]

Oh... I'm sorry. Is he... nice? Your husband.