paradisa | ⇒ 90

[ Lucrezia isn't in the best state of mind. Her argument (it really was an argument, was it not?) with Stephanie has left her troubled, but it would not do to come visit in such a mood. It would upset him too, and she has tested him enough. So she sets her mind to a different purpose on this occasion, aside from scoping out her new abode-to-be, something lighter for once.

She has a peacock feather in hand and a box of sweets on the other when she arrives by the gates, only to realize she doesn't know how to walk into a mansion without being announced. What to do... ]

Edited 2013-02-28 05:12 (UTC)

[ Anyone who lingers that close to the mansion for long enough is bound to catch his attention. By now it's nothing more than a whisper he can't decipher, which is tolerable enough. He has adjusted to complete silence out here, but even that has it's occasional drawback.

He can't always immediately tell where the source is, but the front gate would naturally be the first place to look. When he steps into the cortyard and sees her beyond the gate, he wastes little time in arriving to pull it open for her. ]

It isn't locked. Normal locks tend to be useless here, haven't you noticed?

[ Not the reception she is accustomed to, but she thinks she prefers this quieter one. This way she can reach for his hand without disapproving looks cast her way.

She offers him the box filled with canditi with her other hand, something closer to her time, fruits preserved in sugar and still not sweet enough to compare with the candies he might be more used to. ]

A doorbell may yet prove useful. Or a guard to call out your guests' names.

There's a doorbell by the actual door, no need to worry about that. And why do you think I've been wanting a maid?

[ Having someone to answer the door would be nice, although it isn't as if he gets a lot of visitors. Who knows, though, Lucrezia might try to throw a bunch of parties.

He accepts the box curiously, although he can't open it without letting go of her hand, so he'll be patient enough to wait until they get inside. It's impossible to not cast a curious glance between it and the feather as he guides her past the frozen fountain and statue to the mansion's front doors. ]

Should I ask about the feather or the box first?

[ Lucrezia might, though not at his expense. He mentioned once that crowds were disagreeable. Perhaps a quiet dinner or two later, but guests and maids were difficult to invite. His reputation does precede him.

The statue catches her attention for a moment, and there is a delay before she tries to tickle his neck with the feather at the question. ]

This one is for the cat, the box is for you.

[ Oh, a cat toy. At least it's something different from the crinkly newspaper and the string. He squeezes her hand in approval before letting go and opening the left door for her to enter the foyer, patiently waiting so she can look at the statue. It's not like the cold bothers him and the animals are always free to come and go at their pleasure. ]

Lucy is probably asleep in the kitchen... She likes to sleep near the stove.

Watch out for Aron, though. He's made of rock, and likes to jump at people to greet them. The only word he really responds to is 'No', but you have to be firm. Quill doesn't really respond to any order, but he always seems calmer around girls. That might be because his old owner was one, though.

You call her Lucy?

[ And a pet rock! How like him. She just chuckles at her own thought and follows him in, casting her gaze about with breathless wonder. He did say it would be a mansion, large and quiet, but the palazzos in Rome were never so vast, and neither was Sforza's dark fortress any comparison to this. ]

You have many friends here already. But this place must be-- [ She sighs and laughs. ] You are in need of more than just a maid.

It might confuse other people if I call her Lucrezia. And I don't know about friends... The pokémon aren't originally mine, I just ended up having to inherit them. They're more like nostalgic decorations...that like to try to steal my bed.

[ He really does let them get away with a lot, but he's never had to care about company before. At least Aron spent most of his time down in the cellar trying to unsuccessfully chew on and dent Deathwing's sword, and the Qyndaquil had taken to either following Lucy around or napping near one the hearths if Joshua bothered having a fire going.

Too curious to resist any longer, Joshua opens the box to peek inside. He doesn't recognize what it is, immediately, other than fruit. Which is all right, he doesn't hate fruit. ]

If it were a maid like Fiore, this place would be no problem. But she was a little more than human, too.

[ He leads the way to the kitchen, so she can see the kitten and so that Joshua can try this snack with her. ]

What prompted the visit and gifts? I'm used to it being the other way around.

Edited 2013-02-28 09:05 (UTC)

[ He likes doing that, she notes, drop names as if she would recognize them right away. As if she has met them too. Like Colette and Rosette and now Fiore. She keeps the names in her pocket for better times to ask, now she only wants to see him happy to have her here. ]

You should ask me instead why I took so long to return the favor. That is candite.

Lucrezia steps closer to peer at his reaction to her gift, biting back a grin. She picks out one and holds it out for him to bite. ]

You are aware that inviting me here will not earn you more space on your bed?

action!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Action;

Joshua

Colette

Joshua

Colette

Joshua

Colette

Joshua

Colette