ataraxion | ☩ ０１２．ＴＥＸＴ

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☩ ０１２．ＴＥＸＴ

Audentes fortuna iuvat.

Does fortune favors us, Tranquility?

Caesar himself was quite devoted to boldness and fortune; alea jacta est he said and the goddess of fortune favored him for many years.

in the end, she did not. it is a tricky thing, fortune and quite a riddle to guess.

[ that aside ]

An assistance is needed! For baking a cake to a friend whom I favor greatly and who, I decided, celebrates his birthday today.

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Then if you will not be bored, I would be delighted to have you as my guest.

I cannot possibly be bored in such company. Having just myself for company, however, easily tires me.

[ she smiles ]

Do not tell me where to find you! You shall see, it will not take as much time as it took last time.

[A soft laugh.] I daresay it will not!

[ it takes her all but ten minutes, all pale silks and golden hair and moves to lie at his side. ]

I only have an apple for a token, I fear. A poor token for a king but I shall sing you a song as well!

[As long as she stays far away from his bad leg, which is propped up, and is careful about his collarbone, he simply chuckles at the sudden intimacy. It really is like having a daughter.]

That is more than enough, oriel. Sing me your song! [Despite the pain, his eyes sparkle.]

[ she thinks of a song for a moment and then sits up, a smile gracing her lips and in a voice bright as her hair she sings a children's rhyme. ]

Lucciola lucciola, gialla gialla
metti la briglia alla cavalla
che la vuole il figlio del re
lucciola lucciola vieni con me!

[He can guess it's a nursery rhyme of sorts, the kind of thing elflings would chant in play. It brings a smile of memory to his face of happier days as a child, or of watching his own children.]

That was beautiful as you are, Lucrezia. What must I do to earn another?

I cannot sing as prettily as other ladies that I have met.

[ but he is the king of elves and his compliment does swell her heart and she inclines her head, golden curls framing her face. ]

You need just ask.

Another song, daylight's daughter?

[ she tries to think of other songs she used to play with when she was younger. ]

La bella lavanderina
che lava i fazzoletti
per i poveretti
della città.
Fai un salto,
fanne un altro,
fai la giravolta,
falla un'altra volta,
guarda in su
guarda in giù
dai un bacio
a chi vuoi tu.

[ this one has a dance, so she'll rise, sing the Italian slower as to explain its meaning. guarda in su and she looks up, guarda in giù and she looks down. dai un bacio
a chi vuoi tu, give a kiss to whoever you want, and she leans to kiss his cheek. ]

[Not many people get to see his eyes light up like this. His family, really. That's about it. On impulse, or perhaps instinct, he returns the kiss on her cheek. Just like having a young daughter again. It's delightful.]

That was beautiful, my merry little soul.

My mother taught me this song; when I was very young.

[ a child then and a woman now but her moments of glee upon the Tranquility make her appear the sixteen year old girl she is. ]

She had always said I was much more of a dance than a singer, alas!

Nay, not alas! For dancing is as well as singing, I suspect. Both are important to my people.

How wonderful it must be to love among people who care for beauty and dance and songs. Those of the Vatican care for plots and power and ambition.

There are such as they among Elves as well, although most of them died long ago in the wars they made. But the wood-elves care little for politics or power, and prefer a simple life.

I do not think such a people exist in my realm.

[ she looks aside at him, frowning. ]

Is that because we are humans and not elves?

[A soft, concerned frown.]

No, no, most certainly not, dear one. For there were many such among Elves as well, once. And there are those among Men over whom power and wealth have no hold. Our hearts are not so different. But when an entire people, be they of whatever race, is taught such things are of importance, instead of those things which live and grow, darkness thrives. The wealth of my people is not jewels and precious metals. Such things are but baubles to them, bright things to catch the eye. Their wealth is in the wood and water and fragrant earth. Do you remember the crown I made for you?

[ she leans on his good shoulder, nods her head. ]

It was a beautiful gift. I do not care that it wasn't a jeweled one.

[He loosely wraps an arm around her shoulders and rests his cheek against her hair.]

Of flowers is my crown in the spring, and in autumn of leaves and berries. Of carved oak is my staff and my throne, for these are the things which my people love and treasure best.

[ she wishes it could be the same for Rome; she sees it now, ambition moves any one of the pieces across the board. The Holy See, the power and it holds a blade above all of them. ]

--- The man I was sold to said that he cannot quite forgive me for being a Borgia. He said my blood is tainted in sin and evil. We are ambitious creatures, Borgias. I thought I could be different.

[ now she's not so sure. ]

Ambition is not wrong. Passions are not wrong, day-daughter. It is how we use them, and whether we find the separation between ambition and lust for power.

[ she considers his words, looks up at him. ]

Will I see the difference? It seems as if all of Italy is driven by lust for power.

What drives you, Oriel?

My family.

[ for she is a Borgia and Borgias are driven by ambitious but Lucrezia is young still and she plays her part for her Holy Father. ]

I would seem them all safe.

That ambition is itself blameless. But what are you willing to do to ensure their safety? What laws will you break, what families would you sunder, to keep your own family safe?

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