viii. dictated

[heloise]

Giulia said there are many kinds of kisses, weighed with promises or equipped to satisfy them. Any woman should know them all, she said.

I know now the kiss to promise and the one to fulfill it, like contracts and, perhaps, like marriages.

I have never kissed my husband, and I shall never. I have nothing to promise him.

[ Only she should never have said that. She holds her breath and tries to think, but what's done is done, so she shuts her journal instead. ]

Comments

Molotov

[assassino]

Oh, right. You know she won't be able to run three miles. I don't know that she could walk three miles.

Ezio

[molotov]

It is six, round-trip, and we are going to walk. She is going to have to learn to do it. And I am going to put her in sneakers, so that should help.

Molotov

[assassino]

What is a sneakers?

Ezio

[molotov]

Comfortable shoes for walking and other sports. I have to bring her clothes meant to train in, she cannot wear a huge dress.

Molotov

[assassino]

Bring something conservative. She would be embarrassed to be in something too fitted or revealing... or something you wear.

Ezio

[molotov]

Shut up. I was not going to bring her any of my clothes.

[Because Molotov's workout clothes are somehow even more revealing than what she wears everyday!]

Molotov

[assassino]

I just wanted to be sure!

Ezio

[molotov]

She will have to be in clothes that are a bit more revealing than she is probably used to. She will pass out from heat exhaustion otherwise.

Molotov

[assassino]

I say "Just don't push her too hard", too, but I know what you'll say to that.

Ezio

[molotov]

The only thing that is "too hard" is "broken". And I am not going to break her. She will get sweat on her precious little brow, and her muscles will ache and burn, and she will probably cry with frustration at least once.

But I promise not to break her.

Molotov

[assassino]

I hope it's worth it, then.

Ezio

[molotov]

I suppose that is something we will find out.