(no subject)

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia has hidden away in her room, moping, even before the nightmares. There were too many things she can't say, doesn't want to say, but now there are, and she is past all that if only by sheer force of will.

So here she comes knocking on her brother's door, before reaching to turn the knob without waiting for a response. ]

Comments

[abelard]

[Cesare pauses in his path to the door as it opens, pausing to see who it is. He knows only one would dare, though.]

Sister.

[heloise]

[ She slips in, as she does, and pushes the door closed behind her. She even tries a smile, hesitant and out of practice. ]

Cesare.

[abelard]

What brings you to me?

[heloise]

[ She steps forward, cradling her hands in front of her. ]

Good news, brother, if you would hear it.

[abelard]

I would.

[heloise]

We will suffer a Florentine's company no longer.

[abelard]

And you were so fond of him before. What brings you to this decision?

[heloise]

[ She drops her gaze, like the prodigal daughter. ]

Does it please you?

[abelard]

It would please me if I knew why you have chosen to refuse him now.

[heloise]

[ It has her thinking that he already knows her loss. She sighs. ]

I have angered him with a letter and now he wants my apology, which I will not give.

[abelard]

You owe no apology. You were setting his maiden free.

[heloise]

[ She nods. ] So I would not like to see him again.

[abelard]

[Cesare holds his arms out for her.] It is for the best.

[heloise]

[ She steps closer to rest her forehead on his chest. ]

I will only be sad for one more day.

[abelard]

Why only one?

[heloise]

Because this is worth only so much tears.

[abelard]

I couldn't agree more.

[And then he is content to hold her until she wants to be released.]

[heloise]

[ She stays for what feels like the entire night. When she shifts, it is only to bump her nose against his chin. ]

I should like to be elsewhere. With you, elsewhere.

[abelard]

Tell me where, and we will go, sis.

[heloise]

To the moon? [ She smirks. ] Or a palace, brother?

[abelard]

The moon is too far, and we are already in a palace. Do you have other ideas?

[heloise]

[ She puts a thumb over his chin. ]

I have received an invitation from someone less than a friend.

[abelard]

An invitation to where, and from who?

[heloise]

A vampire's mansion, from Joshua Christopher.

[abelard]

[Cesare falls silent, disapproving and stoic.]