paradisa | (no subject)

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[ It takes Lucrezia more than a week to work through her thoughts and sort away the parts that would help no one's cause, or hers at least. Theirs. She thinks she understands better now how it feels to stand against the world.

The trip to Cesare's door is much too short by comparison, though she delays it by hovering in front of it before knocking softly, twice. ]

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[Cesare answers soon enough, though he's in no particular hurry.]

Sis.

[ Lucrezia slips in past him, as if she's in a hurry to hide herself. She clings to his sleeve though, hiding behind his back. ]

Were you reading?

Yes.

[He doesn't seem to notice her behavior, and merely shuts the door before ushering her inside.]

Did you need something, or is this visit a social one?

[ Lucrezia stares at him first, more hurt than accusing. She tries to be cold when she speaks. ]

And if it is a social one?

[There is silence as Cesare tries to think of a reason she would behave in such a way.]

Has something upset you, Lucrezia?

[ She drops her gaze and huffs angrily. ]

Tell me what the poet Virgil says, brother, about those who betray.

Or perhaps you would prefer to abandon your pretenses, sister, and simply be forthcoming about what has angered you, and who has betrayed you.

No. [ She moves closer to trace the patterns on his vest. ]

Tell me first.

[He sighs.]

"So these mournful shadows were sealed in ice, livid to where they blush their cheek with shame, teeth chattering with the clatter of a stork. Each held his face bowed down before the ice, witnessing to the cold by their mouths, witnessing to the heartache with their eyes."

Is that what you wish to hear?

[ Lucrezia watches his face as he recites. Somehow she thought hearing it from him would feel more satisfying, like sharing a secret. ]

Yes. [ She moves away to pace through the room. ]

You wish to know the cause of my distress.

I do.

I met the Florentine as an old man. The castle has its whims. We spoke and he told me... I believe he was never a banker, nor a friend.

[ She wrings her hands as she speaks. ]

But he never was a friend to you, was he, brother?

I never believed him to be a banker, either. So then what is he?

[ Lucrezia bows her head and furrows her brow deeply, an attempt not to cry. ]

He called himself our father's political opponent. What does it mean, Cesare?

I cannot say I know. He is no one I know of, not in our time.

[ Lucrezia looks into his eyes, trying to decide what else he's hiding. Cesare wouldn't lie, he wouldn't.

She bows her head and reaches out a hand for his. ]

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