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

[heloise]

[ She laughs and covers her nose when he fiddles with it. Is that to distract her from orphans now? ]

But you belong with your family. You have a sister.

[ofhope]

Mm. But it's been nearly eight years now.

[ Wow, he can barely afford the dress and the coat combined, he's pretty sure. But he still hands it all to the nearest sales associate for them to go and worry about counting. ]

[heloise]

Do you miss her more now?

[ Lucrezia hardly knows the price of anything really, but she wouldn't mind having to borrow his duster to walk home either. ]

[ofhope]

Every day I miss her more.

[ He would offer it if not for the coat, since the cold doesn't affect him as much as it would a normal human. Still, there will be plenty more occasions for that. This time the funds work out, just barely, as the change is handed back and he holds out his arm to escort her back to the door.

Don't forget to yank those price tags off. ]

A part of her will always be with me. But...there's another part of her that I haven't ever been able to recover. I probably won't until I see her again.

[heloise]

[ She places a hand on his arm, squeezing gently to be reassuring. ]

Did the castle take it from you?

[ But she doesn't know what a price tag is. Is that a special note attached to the coat? She takes tries to read the tag but fails to find its meaning. ]

[ofhope]

Mm mm, it was the same back home. I can't recall her face, and some memories seem to have holes in them.

[ He'll rip the tag off for her when she just reads it, then reaches with his free hand to slip his fingers beneath the back collar of her dress, gently tugging that price tag free, too. ]

The castle took more when I first arrived four years ago. I couldn't remember anything about her, except that I had a sister. Not even her name. It was only thanks to another Apostle showing up, Azmaria Hendric, that I got to learn it, and what she looked like.

But I'd forget so quickly, it could never stick. That's how Colette was able to trick me so easily.

[heloise]

[ She tries to take one of the tags from him though, maybe she will ask at a better time, but now, his sister. The funny paper note goes into her jacket's pocket. ]

Colette? How could she? [ She can't imagine the girl doing anything remotely cruel, and deception is cruelest. ]

[ofhope]

I mistook her for my sister, and she let me believe.

[ It's actually a shameful admission, not as much for Colette as for himself. Really, instead of anger igniting in his eyes now, it's mostly muddled with guilt. He feels like he betrayed Rosette. ]

For a few months.

[heloise]

[ Maybe she was only scared of him or maybe she thought, he seems so happy, how could she ruin the illusion? Lucrezia can't blame Colette for any of that. She shifts her hand to hug his arm, pressing her cheek against his shoulder. ]

Do you want only the truth?

[ofhope]

I expect humans to lie.

[ It's not quite an answer. At this point, Joshua has become accustomed to knowing when white lies and omitting topics are useful methods and when they aren't. But still. Joshua's narrowed eyes gleam for a moment as he walks her outside. ]

But it's insulting if they try to lie to me, when they should know better. And some things are unforgivable. Nobody can replace my sister.

[heloise]

[ She stays quiet, waiting for the fire to die down. I would never lie to you, would be the greatest lie of all, she thinks, and the thought hurts. ]

Did you forgive her?

[ofhope]

[ Joshua only shrugs at first, letting the silence linger long enough for anyone to assume that it will be his only answer. But what he vocalizes is no less helpful. ]

There is no one else here who knows me better than she does. So long as I know she lies, and expect her smile to be tainted, I can still enjoy her. Her scent, her laugh, her strength. She broke one of my ribs once while under a spell... I was weaker at that point, but I still have to give her the credit.

[ Gosh he's talking a lot what is this. Shopping high? ]

[heloise]

[ That sounds like family, but you can only forgive so much until there is nothing left to do. Maybe even Joshua is more merciful than she is. ]

Do you still think me a liar?

[ He called her that once, as far as she can remember. It was so long ago. ]

[ofhope]

[ Again, Joshua doesn't answer right away, head tipped to the side while he idly inspects shops or restaurants they pass, seeking out a new soda shop or even the one he already knows. It doesn't matter. They could always go to Indian like he'd suggested earlier, too. What are they talking about again?

Lies, oh, well. He could laugh, but only the smirk appears, twining their arms more so that he can hold her hand, squeezing it and darting a tickling kiss against her earlobe. He loves that she's shorter than him, it makes her seem more like a pretty doll. ]

I may talk often about how humans lie, but I never said that demons and angels didn't, either. Aion has made lying an art form, and I can respect it when it's used wisely.

[ He stops them both, then, sliding his hands up along her arms before pushing her firmly against the shop's wall, shopping bags dropped and momentarily forgotten at his feet. ]

I like you because you remind me of him, and Fiore, and my sister, all at the same time. You have unique, variable qualities for a human, Lucrezia Borgia. If there is a God, I think you're touched by him, even if the effects aren't as blatant as an Apostle's.

[heloise]

[ The answer is yes then, if only Joshua is ever so forthcoming with truths too exact. His actions say much more and she hopes they are more truthful than her own words, even his.

Lucrezia keeps her eyes on his when he pins her against the wall, patient enough to let him finish his explanation. ]

I am not your sister. [ At least, there, she won't be caught a liar. She reaches to brush the back of her fingers against his cheek, watching the curve of his chin. She smiles to herself. ]

My, was it a woman's wiles that caught you, Joshua Christopher?

[ofhope]

[ Her reaction only strengthens his claims, but there's no point in enforcing it. It's a comfort to him, and Lucrezia's tease only brings about a kiss to her brow. ]

A Borgia.

[heloise]

[ That gets her to laugh, tipping her face up so she can bump her nose against his chin when he pulls away. ]

Be warned. I heard they are unkind to those not in their favor.

[ofhope]

[ He releases her arms, but he doesn't immediately move away. ]

Then I suppose it's important that you get yourself a good arsenal of weapons, in case you become displeased with someone who's too strong.

[heloise]

[ Then it's her turn to step closer and rest her arms on his shoulders. ]

What use would they be if even you could not find me a lock you cannot break?

[ofhope]

[ Both hands settle around her waist, such a petite thing, and he kisses her brow again, then higher up to just beneath her hairline. ]

By that logic, I'm the only weapon you really need.

[heloise]

[ She smiles under his kiss. The sweetest. ]

And when you are not with me?

[ofhope]

[ Times like these he wishes Fiore were here. He could just order her to follow Lucrezia around at all times when Joshua isn't available. Her hands would be more than capable for any requirement.

But there's that other one. ]

Your manservant. Micheletto? He seems capable for a plain human. And you have your journal...

[ Joshua's hands fall from her waist, but he catches her hand in his at the last minute, pulling the young woman to his side before he kneels to pick up the fallen bags and continue along his way. ]

Maybe I should get you a phone, for when I'm not looking at my journal.

[heloise]

[ Seems capable. Lucrezia scoffs, the last person she wants to think about. Mostly because he reminds her of her brother but also because he didn't fall for her charms. ]

I dislike him near me. And there is no danger here besides.

[ But she quickens her steps at the mention of a phone (ooh modern inventions), so she can step in front of him. ]

For playing music?

[ofhope]

[ Her recognition of what he's talking about brings about a smile of appreciation, and he digs in a pocket (not the one with frilly underthings) to pull out a Japanese labeled cellphone, dangling charm included, and he flips it open. ]

It has a few songs, but it's better for taking pictures. I know it can make calls and write electronic letters called texts, but nobody really uses phones here, even though I know they work. Someone set up towers for it a few years ago.

[heloise]

[ That looks like... nothing she has seen before, well. She reaches to take it from him if he allows it. ]

Stephanie said one can hear each other's voices, even from miles away. [ She considers it seriously, wrinkling her brow. ] How loud must you shout when I am in the castle and you are at the mansion?