xxiii. dictated

[heloise]

Spike
He came home.

What terrible months we have seen, before even the dog days arrive!

I say we put an end to it, at once. The Castle drinks our joys as greedily as it feeds on our sorrows; we might show it that happiness is what we seek. Happiness beyond bound, which we would gladly offer as payment for our borrowed time, and no more tears.

Summer brings music and merriment to the streets of Rome, gypsies and pilgrims alike dancing together. We can do similarly here.

Comments

[birdorcage]

Certainly, if that's what you'd like, Lucrezia.

[heloise]

I should most like to.

Now?

[birdorcage]

I'm not doing anything important.

[heloise]

An hour then.

[birdorcage]

Alright!

[She's absolutely thrilled to have a visitor, so this is going to be the longest hour in her entire life.]

[heloise]

[ And Lucrezia won't be late, at least by her standards! She wears a gown of gold today under a light coat, even if it's summer, she is so used to wearing outerwear to ward away any dust from the road. Settling down her horse in the stable takes some time, but then it is only a short walk from there to Elizabeth's Paris.

She knocks with her free hand with a book in the other hand, worn but obviously expensive, bound in leather and illuminated. ]

[birdorcage]

[In the meanwhile, Elizabeth figures she should tidy up. Except there's not much to tidy up--there are things in her room, of course, but it's a controlled mess. An easel and an array of canvases take up a corner, and she's gotten a few dress forms with fabrics nearly stacked nearby. Her bed is made, and above it is her first painting of Paris in Paradisa. She's stared at photos so much that she doesn't need any references. Books she intends to read are lined up on a table, and it looks like she's been taking notes, too.

Belatedly, she realizes that the only places to sit are her bed and her desk. She's never had to worry about visitors before. Oops. Better get the door.]

Hello! I--come in, come in.

[She fumbles with the thimble on her finger, buzzing with excitement. DON'T THINK SHE DOESN'T NOTICE THAT BOOK.]

What's that?

[heloise]

[ And don't think she doesn't notice that thimble! It would be rude to point it out so early in their acquaintance however, missing limbs usually have gruesome stories behind them and today is a day for happy tales instead. Lucrezia greets her with a loose smile, markedly less troubled than the last time they met, and holds up the book for her to read the spine. Ovidius. ]

I thought I would read it to you, if it would please you.

[birdorcage]

[She almost opens her mouth to say that she could read, before she realizes that this is meant to be a friendly gesture, a relaxing one. Right.]

It certainly would. Sit wherever you'd like, please.

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia goes to sit on her bed because they are friends already, aren't they? She rests the book on her lap and looks about. ]

Your Paris?

[birdorcage]

[Elizabeth sits right next to her.]

Somewhat. Let's call it a work in progress.

[heloise]

[ She opens the pages gently to find her favorite part. The letters are painted and the pictures decorated with gold leafs. ]

What is still missing?

[birdorcage]

I don't know. I'm not really sure what else to add, actually. I've never had so much at my fingertips before.

[heloise]

I can say the same. [ Which, all things considered, should say much. ]

What do you love about Paris?

[birdorcage]

You're the daughter of the Pope. One would think you could have anything you want, even without magical castles.

[A tiny smile, and a shrug to go along with it.]

It's beautiful. The architecture, the fashion, the lights... ever since I was little, I've wanted to see it for myself.

[heloise]

One would think. [ It's true of most material things, but those don't matter, in the end. ]

Who told you of Paris?

[birdorcage]

It sounds like both of us are lucky to be here, then.

No one. I read about it.

[heloise]

You should read me these books. Then you might convince me to travel to Paris with you.

[birdorcage]

[Not too long ago she might have believed Lucrezia, but she figures she's probably just humoring her. There's a sort of reserved smile on her face.]

I'll have to try and find them in the library here. I'm sure no one will miss a few more books.

[heloise]

[ Maybe she is, for now, but who knows if it might work. ]

I am sure. How many have you taken for yourself?

[birdorcage]

[She motions to the pile on the desk... and maybe the additional stack on the floor.]

I had my own library, in my tower.

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia sets her book on the bed to walk closer to the pile with a laugh. That reminds her of someone dear. ]

Your very own? How many books did you keep?

[birdorcage]

Hundreds, maybe thousands. I never counted them. Songbird would bring them to me all the time.

[heloise]

[ She picks out a few to see the titles, but she reads no English. Most of it seem like gibberish to her. ]

Who is Songbird?

[birdorcage]

He's the one who kept me in my tower. He brought me whatever I wanted, but I could never get past him to leave.