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

Ezio

[heloise]

And some obligations are willingly accepted. Did you not grant the same to your lover?

Heloise

[assassino]

Yes... but if my lover insisted an obligation I would not accept, I would leave her. Do you think Joshua would allow your refusal? I would know that he would respect an answer that is not "yes", piccina.

I wanted to say Abelard but he's an ass

[heloise]

I refused him once already. Stephanie was the one who brought my message then, perhaps you should ask her.

LMAO alksjdTJSDFjsdfn I didn't even realize I did thakthksdhjkjashasdsfsdfsfg

[assassino]

Why did you send Stephanie?

ahahahahahahahah

[heloise]

Because Cesare would not let me meet him, and I could trust her.

BRAIN WHY

[assassino]

Why would Cesare deny you a message to Joshua?

NO YOUR BRAIN IS PERFECTION

[heloise]

For the similar reason he dislikes my associating with you.

IT'S LOSING CONTROLLLLL

[assassino]

Cesare stands alone in his dislike of our association. Meanwhile, more people stand united in their dislike of your association of Joshua. As such, I would know his reasoning.

YOU'RE READING TOO MUCH HISTORYYYYYY

[heloise]

[ She sighs. ]

What good does it serve me to tell you? Would you rather not hear why I choose to stay with him, despite it?

YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MUCH HISTORY.

[assassino]

I would hear that, too, if you would tell it.

Besides... the more I know, the easier it will be to convince Stephanie.

YES THIS IS TRUE

[heloise]

No. The more you know and believe what I wish you to, the easier. Is that not right?

B)

[assassino]

Fair enough... but go on, then. Convince me.

[heloise]

[ She draws a deep breath, she isn't sure what she can say. Whatever she tried failed with Stephanie. ]

It troubles him when I am unhappy. The noise grows unbearably louder in his mind the more miserable I feel. But after my brother left, he came to me to see me through the night even so and laid no hand on me.

Do you understand what I am saying?

[assassino]

I do, but I do not see what makes him special. Would it please you to have the people who care about you suffer whenever you do, and refuse their own happiness for as long as it takes for you to reclaim yours?

[heloise]

Gentleness is a rare trait in a man.

I believe he can love me more than you do, or most others in this castle.

[assassino]

[He sighs.]

I would love you if it were permitted, Lucrezia. I am just not so sure of Joshua's gentleness, knowing the company he has kept.

[heloise]

I would not ask that of you now. [ That part is done, she has learned her lesson. ]

He would never hurt me if he loves me, you told me that once.

[assassino]

I would like things to turn out for the best for you, piccina. You know that. But if he hurts you...

[heloise]

Yes? What would you do?

[assassino]

I just do not want you to be hurt.

[heloise]

You pose no threat to him.

[assassino]

I did not suspect that I would.

[heloise]

Is that what troubles you?

[assassino]

Not at all.

[heloise]

If he hurts me, would you still come for me?