✟ ii

[abelard]

[Lucrezia]
Sister, we must speak. Immediately.

[It's late for a ride, but Cesare needs to let off steam from having to have such an unpleasant discussion with his sister. He's in the stable, grooming and saddling his horse. If ever you wanted to speak with an infamous historical figure, now would be prime speaking time.]

Comments

[abelard]

I am from a city as well, and it has not stopped me from riding.

[Of course, he's also from before cars, so take that as you will.]

[signedlefthanded]

Oh, what city? [She had met a few from New York. It was always interesting meeting people from her own home. Though everyone seemed to be after her. He would be the first she has met that hasn't been.]

No one has horses in the city unless you are the police.

[abelard]

I am from Rome, my lady.

[signedlefthanded]

Wow. [She is impressed.] And calling me Violet is fine. We don't have nobility in America.

[Though if there were, the Baudelaires would certainly be a noble family.]

[abelard]

Yet another in this world from America. It is curious, the affinity that Paradisa has for the new world.

[signedlefthanded]

Many are, but all that I have are from the future to me. Most a good seventy years.

[abelard]

[Cesare can't hold back a small laugh.]

Then fear not, lady, for I am not from any future for you.

[signedlefthanded]

[Still calling her a lady. Though she does not correct him this time.]

I do not mind it. I find it fascinating. Though I will be just as intrigued to hear when you are from, sir.

[abelard]

The year in my world is 1495, and I have found that this is quite far in the past for most of Paradisa.

[signedlefthanded]

Fourte- [She is in awe.] Good lord. It is 1935 for me.

[abelard]

Have the flying machines been invented in your time, or is that even later?

[There's an element of humor. Airplanes hold a certain fascination for him, being one of the very first modern inventions he was told about.]

[signedlefthanded]

Oh, they do! Airplanes are magnificent. Though they could still use a lot of work I'm afraid.

[abelard]

Do they fall out of the sky often, then, if they still need work?

[signedlefthanded]

Sometimes, but most just take shorter flights.

[abelard]

Where could one need to go, that they would risk falling from the sky?

[signedlefthanded]

It's faster than by horseback or car.

[abelard]

And the speed is worth such chance?

[signedlefthanded]

They are innovators of aviation. I would build a plane back home if... I was able to. [Not being tracked down and stuck on an island.]

[abelard]

You know how?

[signedlefthanded]

I build things. More of an inventor back home. Not much use of one here.

[abelard]

What have you invented?

[signedlefthanded]

Mostly silly things. Spoons that stir themselves, a hat with a light for reading. I won my first competition when I was six.

[abelard]

There are contests for inventions in your time?

[signedlefthanded]

They do. Plus the World Fair where they show off new things that have been made.

[abelard]

The future is beyond that which I can even imagine.