xxxiv λ borgia games

[assassino]

----- Lucrezia -----

[He's supposed to be a changed man. Supposed to be.

As much as he would like to say his commitment to Lana is wholehearted, it's hard to break old habits, especially when his "habits" have spanned half of his life. Even if he hasn't purposefully broken his promise to Lana, it's hard to deny that there's still a part of him that isn't done being a womanizing scoundrel. He likes the attention too much, and the affection, and the companionship.

While he adores Lana and wants to do right by her, he's also tired of spending so much time meeting his own "needs"... not that he blames her, but after a year of booty calls, weekend marathons, copious amounts of exploration, and a lot of personal boundaries pushed, it's a little strange to go from the wildest year of his life to celibacy in a dedicated relationship, even if most of his ladies were understanding.

All of that would be bearable if it weren't for Lucrezia nipping at his heels.

He spends plenty of hours hemming and hawing over his previous encounter with her, and then he gets up and heads down the stairs of their tower, from his room to hers. He knocks, tersely.]

Lucrezia.

Comments

[heloise]

[ The correct term would be dangling carrots over a starved rabbit. Lucrezia wonders if she is playing to catch him or if she's only enjoying the game for its own sake.

She looks up from her reading in bed at the knock on her door and weighs the benefit of answering the door for what seems to be an unpleasant purpose. She isn't dressed for the day anyway, with every intention of spending it only with Ovid's company. For a moment she considers letting him believe she's out of her room, then thinks this might be another amusing encounter.

Fine, then. She lets him wait as she puts on her robe before getting the door. Her smile is smug indeed. ]

What a surprise.

[assassino]

[He's almost ready to give up and leave when she finally opens the door, so he turns back to her. He hates that smug smile, and is tempted to get defensive and insist he isn't here for her, and that there's no point in trying to tempt him, but he's not going to let a Borgia girl reduce him to such defensiveness.

So instead he just folds his arms and resists.]

You expected me?

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia opens the door halfway, resting her hand on the door as if to bar him entry. Even if her smile may say otherwise. ]

Apparently not.

[assassino]

[She's such a coquette these days. He's not sure if he misses the naive little girl he could flirt with just for fun and never have to worry about as a threat, or if he's happier knowing his suspicions about the Borgia were more correct than anyone gave him credit for.]

I did not expect that you would tell Stephanie.

[heloise]

[ Then again she was always a coquette though she wasn't wielding her charms with so much awareness then. Now she has catalogued her weapons for best use and practices them often. ]

When I told you I will?

[assassino]

[It's a world of difference to Ezio.

He frowns.]

Yes, but I did not expect you to actually do it. Are you not concerned about what she thinks?

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia tips her head to the side and backs away a little. ]

She found it amusing, and I hazard you do not.

[assassino]

I would have found it amusing if it did not lead to her scrutinizing our behaviour, Lucrezia. I am supposed to be celibate.

[heloise]

[ She bows her head and considers her words a moment, before stepping back into her room to pick up her book from the bed. She thumbs through the pages with disinterest. ]

You are still, are you not?

[assassino]

[He hesitates at the door for a second, before following her in and quietly closing the door behind him.]

Yes, of course.

[heloise]

And she believes you. Of course. [ She takes a seat on the platform surrounding her bed, smiling his way. ]

Did you come here to speak about Stephanie?

[assassino]

Of course she does. She trusts me.

[He eyes the chair nearest her bed, but nah, he's not getting comfortable.]

Not precisely. I came to tell you that when I said "my door is always open", I did not mean "come cocktease me at your leisure." I want your friendship, Lucrezia, not your body.

[heloise]

[ Lucrezia narrows her eyes at him and takes her sweet time to reply. ]

You will not have either.

[assassino]

[Oh.

He's not sure if he feels disappointment. There's something, but he's not sure what.]

I see.

[heloise]

[ She watches his response most carefully. Perhaps that's the only reason she even said it. ]

Have you spoken your piece?

[assassino]

Would you hear no more from me?

[heloise]

If your words are true, perhaps.

[assassino]

So that is it? I have no say in the matter, I don't want you coming to me merely to try to tempt me, so you tire of me?

[heloise]

[ She drops her gaze. ]

What do you want from me?

[assassino]

[He sighs.]

I have said this a thousand times, Lucrezia, I would just have the both of us content, without this tension or these concerns. I would have Stephanie stop worrying.

[heloise]

Then we both want the same.

Only time does not move backwards.

[assassino]

I know, but we can make more of an effort, can we not?

[heloise]

Are we to pretend for Stephanie's sake?

[assassino]

We can at least be civil, and you can accept that I will not be tempted.

[heloise]

But would it be for her?