xx. dictated

[heloise]

Ezio
Meet me by the stables.

Cassandra
[ She did promise her a story. ]

Daphne, the daughter of a river god was first beloved by Phoebus, the great god of glorious light.


Today the Holy Father would wash the feet of twelve. Then tonight comes the betrayal.

Comments

Lucrezia

[assassino]

There would be no benefit for either of us.

Ezio

[heloise]

Why are we here, I wonder.

Lucrezia

[assassino]

Because you invited me and I enjoy your company.

Ezio

[heloise]

Even when I tease you constantly?

Lucrezia

[assassino]

That's my favourite part.

Ezio

[heloise]

[ She chuckles, gesturing for him to help her with the saddle. ]

I recall starting a list of the reasons why you are a strange one, Ezio.

Lucrezia

[assassino]

[He does so. Cheekily:]

You must admit that it makes me more interesting than most men.

Ezio

[heloise]

[ Good boy. She just hovers about, patting the horse's neck. ]

More so, not most.

Lucrezia

[assassino]

No, I think it is most.

Ezio

[heloise]

You think highly of yourself.

Lucrezia

[assassino]

Of course I do. I'm a handsome young man surrounded by good company, I keep unusual hobbies, I do things most men wouldn't dare, and I am a revolutionary. Why shouldn't I think highly of myself?

Ezio

[heloise]

That may be. [ She goes to test the saddle. ]

But in this castle, it hardly makes you the most interesting.

Lucrezia

[assassino]

[Doubting his work?]

What would I need to be the most interesting, then?

Ezio

[heloise]

To me?

[ She reaches for the top of the saddle and climbs on without help, smiling smugly because that's quite the feat! ]

You would never be. Does that sadden you?

Lucrezia

[assassino]

A touch, perhaps, but given that we cannot be together, that is for the best, hmm?

Ezio

[heloise]

[ She arranges herself on the steed and waits for him. ]

Did you decide that for the both of us?

Lucrezia

[assassino]

[He mounts Maximus swiftly, no need for arrangements.]

I assumed it was the case. Do you have other plans?

Ezio

[heloise]

[ She nudges her horse forward to lead the way, turning over her shoulder to see him. ]

I was sad once to think you have caught me only to discard me.

Lucrezia

[assassino]

[He frowns, just slightly.]

Was it not you who said we wouldn't meet again, after that time at the masquerade?

Ezio

[heloise]

Would you have looked for me if I said nothing?

Lucrezia

[assassino]

Obviously. What do you take me for? I may love women freely, but I would not abandon a woman I have grown close to just because I had already coupled with her.

Ezio

[heloise]

But our meeting would not have happened without my orchestration.

[ That is, maybe she was the one who chased him after all. She urges her horse to go faster, keeping her eyes on the road. ]

Lucrezia

[assassino]

[He nudges Maximus to pick up pace, to ride by her side.]

What do you mean, orchestration?

Ezio

[heloise]

The one you asked me to apologize for. [ Among others. ]

Lucrezia

[assassino]

Ah. Yes. That one.

[He had thought for a moment that she had organized their hook-up or something... but perhaps she is not that devious.]

It was a long time ago, wasn't it? Almost a year, now. Things turned out well, compared to how it could have gone.