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 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?

[ofhope]

[ He lets her, though it might be complicated for a newbie to navigate. He sure was clueless at first. ]

Yeah, that's how telephones work. We have them in my time, but they're connected with cords and wires. These mobile phones are from the future. Maybe not so convenient here, but I sure wish they existed back home.

If you're using a phone, you don't have to shout at all.

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia holds it up to the sun as if that would solve everything, yes. ]

Then, like the journal, I can simply speak into it so you would hear me?

[ofhope]

Not exactly. First you have to dial my number, and I'll show you about speed dial if I get you a phone. Then you'll only have to hit one key, and it will call me automatically.

[heloise]

[ She shakes the phone to see the charm sparkle in the light. At least it's pretty! ]

And this is yours, which I can later call?

[ofhope]

[ It's fun to watch her play with it like a child, though his expression seems as placid as ever. ]

I suppose. Technically it used to belong to Mai; I've never used it as a phone. But it still works, since I've found it's charger.

[heloise]

Like the wire for the blanket?

[ She's thinking power plug. There are so many names for everything. She holds up the charm for him with a grin. ] So long as I get this too.

[ofhope]

[ Welp. Similar enough idea. ]

I think there are a lot of different types of charms to pick from. So strange, to attach them to a telephone...

[ He eventually take it back, flipping it closed and settling it back in his pocket. ]

Where do you want to go?

[heloise]

[ Aw, there goes her toy. ]

Indian, did you say? Is it true that they eat foods the color of rainbows?

[ofhope]

It can be pretty bright, and you eat a lot of it with your hands.

[heloise]

The common people eat with their hands. [ On second thought-- ] The Holy Father eats with his hands, the fork is meddlesome, he said.