xxiv. dictated

[immacolato]

[ The journal shows that it is indeed Lucrezia, but her voice is infinitely lighter, as if the weight of the world has been lifted from it and now her words can lilt more freely. ]

To the most gracious Cassandra Cain,

I was told you are kindly and most eager to help lost souls such as myself find my proper rooms at this certain Castle. Such that I would be grateful if you might ride fast to carry me away from this palazzo.

Perhaps my presence can bring you more joy than it has brought the master of this house, who does not seem entirely pleased by my interruption.

Most humbly,
Lucrezia Borgia

[ ooc; loss start! ]

Comments

[unvarnished]

I don't think you're up to the job, Lucrezia. I'm hard to catch.

[immacolato]

[ She laughs. ]

A challenge then? I have a weakness for those.

[unvarnished]

So do I. It's why we get along.

[immacolato]

Then run, and I will catch you.

[unvarnished]

Not interested in a story anymore?

[immacolato]

Would a story be more exciting than a chase?

[unvarnished]

I guess that depends on what you do once you catch me.

[immacolato]

What would you wish me to do?

[unvarnished]

I'll let you figure that one out. [and without any further warning, he turns and slips behind the tree she was reclining against]

[immacolato]

[ Oh, the game is on! The flower she was fiddling with is quickly forgotten as she rushes to her feet and runs around the tree to find him. Where could he be? ]

[unvarnished]

[he's usually better at being stealthy. But wearing dark clothing in this garden full of bright plants makes him stick out no matter where he is. And he's honestly not even trying to hide]

[immacolato]

[ And Lucrezia gives an intense chase, running as fast as her dress allows her (which isn't very fast honestly) trailing laughter as she goes. ]

[unvarnished]

[ugh Lucrezia stop being so cute. August hears her coming for him and stops, turning so she'll run right into him. Totally on purpose]

[immacolato]

[ His appearance takes her by surprise and she runs right into him, reaching to clutch at his arm to maintain her balance, and laughing still. Silly man. ]

Caught you!

[unvarnished]

Yes, you did. You're good at this. [he totally let her win]

[immacolato]

[ She knows it too, poking his chest with a finger in retaliation. ]

You are not very good at running away at all.

[unvarnished]

[he chuckles, taking her hand and squeezes it soothingly]

Next time I'll make it more challenging, I promise.

[immacolato]

[ Lucrezia wrests her hand away with a challenge in her eyes, and surely she means for him to catch her when she then turns on her heels to flee as fast as she can! ]

[unvarnished]

[he shakes his head, giving her a head start before running after her]

[immacolato]

[ She stops once she thinks she has covered enough distance, twirling about to see how far away he is. ]

[unvarnished]

[oh is she going to let him catch her? Because he'll keep running to catch up with her, if she is]

[immacolato]

[ Not as easily as he allowed her to catch him before! She laughs and flees again, though it would be easy enough for him to catch up when her skirts were never meant for running. ]

[unvarnished]

[quite easy, actually. He even cheats a little and takes a shortcut. Who said anything about playing fair?]

[immacolato]

[ Cheating is the best way to play any game. She slows to a stop when she doesn't see him right behind her. What where? ]

[unvarnished]

[side attack, Lulu. August is nice enough to not grab her, but he does tap her shoulder again]

Looking for me?