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

[hellofist]

[At least that's an easy question to answer.]

Stephanie. Almost always with her. You'll meet her soon.

[Very very soon, because they're just about on Cass' doorstep now. Inside this house is her best friend and Cass knows, she knows this will not be easy for her. She opens the door to let Lucrezia in first, peeking over her head to try to get a glance at where Steph might be.]

Stephanie, we have house guest.

[secondchances]

[Steph's been waiting for this, and she sorta feels like she wants to puke. Lucrezia. The one she remembers as HER Lucrezia, the sweet girl she'd do anything for and would never hurt her, though she was not above writing terrible letters.

Steph steps into the entrance way right away, like she's been waiting there all along. She manages a cheery smile even though cheery is the last thing she feels right now.]

Lucrezia. Hi. Hi, Cass.

[Now what?]

[immacolato]

[ Lucrezia lets go of Cass's arm so she can stand straighter and even tug at her dress to make sure it fits well. A princess and a crowned one. She must make the best impression! The sight of Steph brings a grin to her face as she does a little curtsy, awkward as it might be. Grace is learned. ]

A pleasure.

[hellofist]

[It's a little heartbreaking, watching this. When Lucrezia lets go, Cass lingers by her side to see what will happen now.]

You were friends. Very close, before. Can trust each other.

[secondchances]

[Looking into blue eyes that don't recognize her (and don't hate her) hurts. Steph remembers beach trips, Scrabble matches, baths and sleepovers. It feels like years ago.

Oh, screw it.

Steph steps forward to more or less crush Lucrezia in a hug, arms tightly around her.

She misses this girl so much.]

[immacolato]

[ Lucrezia returns the hug easily, resting her chin on Steph's shoulder as her hand squeezes the girl's arm in reassurance, as if to say, I'm back even if she doesn't remember ever being here. It would hurt to be forgotten by a friend. She wants to apologize, the way she should have said sorry to Joshua too. She giggles a little at a thought or another. ]

Hello, dear friend.

[hellofist]

[This must be what bittersweet is. It's nice to see them together, but reading how opposite their bodies is, knowing that this can't last, it just hurts. After a week, maybe two, the castle takes what it gives away again. They can't keep this version of Lucrezia no matter how much they might want to.

Cass closes the door again, locking it behind her. Tim will be home eventually and that will be another fun conversation, but for now she'll try to keep this light, keep it from feeling quite so desperate. Behind Lucrezia, Cass touches the back of one of Steph's hands lightly.]

Lots of time. Can do... all those fun things.

[secondchances]

[She can't help it. There's a shudder through Steph's body as she tries hard not to cry, but it happens anyway, and for right now she doesn't care. She presses her face into Lucrezia's hair, and she wishes that this girl could be here instead of the other.

It's not fair.]

[immacolato]

[ Lucrezia shifts her head to giggle at Cass, not letting go yet until Steph makes the first move. But it is when the other girl starts crying that she is at a loss of what to do. Tears can be happy ones too but this one hardly feels like it. Her arms hold on tighter as she gently rubs her back to comfort her, feeling the tears sting her eyes too. She doesn't understand but this feels terribly sad somehow. ]

Don't cry...

[hellofist]

[She's already right there, so Cass just turns this into one great big group hug. Arms around the both of them, she presses a kiss to the side of Steph's head and rubs her back.]

It's okay, Stephanie. Will be okay.

[secondchances]

[She just lets herself cry, not wanting to let go. Maybe if she doesn't let go, the loss won't end.]

[immacolato]

[ She loosens her embrace only so she can turn her head and kiss Steph on the cheek, no matter that she can only taste her tears then. If it can comfort her, then she would try. ]

Why are you sad?

[hellofist]

[Stroking Steph's hair, Cass keeps an eye on her, waiting to see if her body language will tell her she wants Lucrezia to know, if she needs help explaining or if she just wants to lock the reasons for her tears away and never admit them. Either seems likely at this point.]

[secondchances]

[Steph doesn't even know what she wants right now. She takes a shaky breath, keeping a hold on Lucrezia.]

I missed you.

[immacolato]

[ Lucrezia tries a smile, because now everyone is too sad and someone has to. She cups Steph's face and pokes her nose playfully. Silly. ]

Was I gone for so long?

[hellofist]

Probably... feels like forever, for some.

[secondchances]

Way too long.

[She nearly cries all over again at the nose poke. It's too familiar.]

[immacolato]

[ She takes that as permission to smile even wider, even teasing. ]

And I thought you were so sad about having to suffer my company.

[hellofist]

[Poor Stephanie.]

There's... lots of missed time, to make up. [She reaches out to brush Steph's tears away, giving her an encouraging smile. You can do this bff.] Best to start now.

[secondchances]

Yeah. Sounds like a good plan. What's on the agenda for tonight?

[She'll just... keep her hands on Lucrezia's arms.]

[immacolato]

[ Lucrezia is observant enough to know there is more to this. Something else they're not saying aside from that somehow she has been gone for a while. Never mind that, she can learn as she goes. ]

Just you and Cassandra, I think.

[hellofist]

[Lightly, Cass tugs on the ends of Lucrezia's hair.]

And Lucrezia. You're involved too.

[secondchances]

And lots of food and pillow forts, I hope.

[She's going to drown her pain in food.]

[immacolato]

Forts made of pillows? What enemies will that hold at bay?

[hellofist]

All of them. They're magic.

[She kisses Steph's cheek before she disappears down the hallway, returning shortly with all of the pillows and blankets from her bed and Tim's.]

Material gathering successful.