xix. dictated, action

[heloise]

Lana
How about an early morning ride?

Micheletto
You will help me with my crates. [ Because packing is tough. ]

Stephanie
Tell me if you mean to visit, even if not to see me. He would not find unexpected guests so pleasant.

What does it mean when the castle gave some no glimpse of old age?

[ Lucrezia is on her knees in the church in town, hands counting through her white rosary and reciting her prayers under her breath. She keeps her hood over her head.

It might seem foolish to believe that saying something over and over again gives it greater weight, or that time and voice can buy penance, but she feels she must at least-- try. She isn't praying for her own soul, she wonders if she would ever. But she loses count of how many times she has said the Ave Maria, and stands to go. ]

Comments

Lucrezia

[assassino]

Is it not fruitless, then, for you both to be so upset, when you could simply count yourselves as equals in suffering and be happy instead?

Ezio

[heloise]

It is fruitless, too, to try and salvage a friendship built on mistrust.

Lucrezia

[assassino]

It was not built on mistrust, Lucrezia. It was only shaken.

Ezio

[heloise]

Shaken enough to see her parse through my room looking for secrets.

Would you do the same?

Lucrezia

[assassino]

It would depend on the dispute. If I feared for someone's life, perhaps I would.

Ezio

[heloise]

Then you see no wrong in her action.

Lucrezia

[assassino]

No one's life is in danger, so I believe it was inappropriate of her.

Ezio

[heloise]

Then you believe me when I say Joshua would never harm me.

Lucrezia

[assassino]

He may not harm you... but who knows what he would do to others? I do not know much about him.

Ezio

[heloise]

He would harm neither you nor Stephanie if it displeases me. [ Which is, indeed, a thinly-veiled threat. ]

Lucrezia

[assassino]

Whether it displeases you or not is what concerns me...

Ezio

[heloise]

It would displease me terribly.

Lucrezia

[assassino]

Good. And I trust you would not be prone to rash changes of heart, too.

Ezio

[heloise]

Not unless certain lies are unveiled.

Lucrezia

[assassino]

You say that as if lies have been told.

Ezio

[heloise]

That may be. But I said I would not see you or Stephanie harmed.

Lucrezia

[assassino]

I trust you on that matter.

But I would still seek peace between you and Stephanie.

Ezio

[heloise]

What would you have me do?

Lucrezia

[assassino]

Does a good Christian not forgive and forget past trespasses?

Ezio

[heloise]

Would she do the same for me?

Lucrezia

[assassino]

I know she would.

Ezio

[heloise]

I would grant her such if she asks.

Lucrezia

[assassino]

I will inform her of that.

Ezio

[heloise]

And if she accepts, our agreement is made. [ Though Joshua keeps his own secrets. ]

Lucrezia

[assassino]

I am glad to hear it, dolcezza.