xvi. written, action

[heloise]

For those observing the fast and those who are not, [ which means everyone ] we have prepared a feste dei sette pesci, a feast of seven fishes, if you would be gracious enough to join our family in celebrating this Christmas Eve.

Ortus Tower, 1708.

[ But the feast itself doesn't have seven fishes, more like fourteen or is it twenty-eight?

Lucrezia has put out a long table with some fourteen seats in her sitting room, with her bedroom visible through an alcove. It is piled with seafood dishes, scallops, calamari, clams, cod, branzino, oysters, shrimps, and bread sneaked in between. Wine flasks are as plentiful as the food, as well as prized sweets, candied fruits and torrone!

There are also sardines and plain water for those actually observing the fast. ]

Comments

[heloise]

No, this will be a quiet affair among close friends.

[ She leads her to near the middle of the table, the best place. ]

Should we eat first or open your presents?

[secondchances]

Presents? You didn't tell me we're doing presents today!

[heloise]

We are. I have yours ready.

[secondchances]

That is soooo not fair.

[She takes a step away!]

I'll be right back.

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia catches her wrist! ]

It can't wait. Come along!

[secondchances]

No, it's not fair! We have to exchange gifts! [She's laughing :') ]

[heloise]

You can give me mine after I've given you what you deserve all along.

[secondchances]

I hope you know that sounds mildly foreboding.

[She gives Lucrezia a hesitant look, then gives up her struggle. She'll go peacefully!]

I'll get you back for this.

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia tries to give her a menacing look that's watered down with a cheeky grin. And now to drag Steph to her bedroom where she has one big wooden box by her bed.

Most of it is filled with a folded fur cloak in royal purple, but on top of it all is an amethyst crown. Her namesake! ]

It's yours. Open it.

[secondchances]

[Steph follows, clearly excited! She was sure she'd get presents from Lucrezia, but WHAT. She kinda does a little happy bounce at the sight of the wooden box, because there has to be something cool in there.]

I feel bad now for stuffing your stuff into paper bags...

[But she opens it! And there's soon a little gasp, a laugh, and she's reaching in to pick up the crown.]

No way. Seriously?

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia gets so giddy at her response, practically hopping in place though she tones it down for appearance's sake. She opens up her palms for that crown now so she can put it on Steph properly. ]

Yes, for my crowned one.

[secondchances]

I never thought I'd have my own freakin' crown.

[It's pretty cool! She'll hand it over, still anxious to see what that other thing in there is! But she'll let Lucrezia place it on her head.]

It's the best color, too.

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia steps behind her and does it most gingerly, making sure it is perfectly centered. It is heavy enough to need no clips as long as Steph keeps her chin up as people with tiaras should! ]

Your best color.

[secondchances]

[Chin up! It's a weird weight, but a crown isn't as weird as bat ears, she figures :') ]

How do I look? Could I pass as royalty?

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia clasps her hands in approval. ]

Yet you have always passed for royalty!

[secondchances]

[There's a permanent smile on her face :') She hops back over to the box to pull out the rest.]

This is like the fanciest stuff I've ever gotten.

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia has one too! Even if she keeps biting it back. ]

Every princess needs a majestic robe!

[secondchances]

[She starts putting it on. It kinda goes with her dress, which makes her laugh a little.]

I'm going to need a bigger wardrobe to shove my clothes into after this Christmas.

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia helps to fasten the bows and buckles on the front and smooths out the surface. ]

Then you would have a wardrobe for Christmas too!

[secondchances]

This is awesome. [Not that she'd wear it much outside of hanging out with Lucrezia, but it is very nice. She does a little turn to show it off :')]

I think this look suits me.

[heloise]

Every look suits you. [ Love makes things beautiful, too. ]

We would switch places, you and I, with my dresses from the twenty-first century.

[secondchances]

I think you'd have a better chance at blending into the twenty-first century than I would blending into the Renaissance. [She smiles and continues to check out her new duds :') ]

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia skips over to one corner of the room where she has a standing mirror of polished silver and uncovers it for Steph. ]

I meant to ask what I should do with my hair to blend in.

[secondchances]

[Steph joins her, but only to catch her in a hug from behind!]

You'd have to make it less pretty. I like your hair the way it is, though, so maybe we should stop this whole blending adventure.

[heloise]

[ She giggles, covering Steph's arms with her own. ]

I wish to know how it feels to be Stephanie Brown, even a little.