xvii. dictated, action

[heloise]

Paradisa
For my Giovanni. If you would be so kind.


[ Lucrezia can be found at highest roof with a wooden box inlaid with pearls at her feet. It is small and finely made, but the real (belated) gift is within: a white silk shirt fit for a little prince with golden narcissus embroidered on its sleeves. She turns away after enough time, retracing her steps back to her room. ]

Ovid once wrote, est etiam placuisse sibi quaecumque voluptas: virginibus cordi grataque forma suast.

But mirrors never turned out for good.

[ Translation goes: Besides, all women take a secret pride in being fine or else they are belied; for when the conscious maid explores her mirror and finds she's handsome, she herself adores. ]

Comments

Stephanie

[heloise]

In attempting to escape from this place.

Lucrezia

[secondchances]

He's eager to get back home. I'm sure that was obvious.

Stephanie

[heloise]

What about you?

Lucrezia

[secondchances]

I don't think there's really a way for us to control coming or going. There have been some crazy smart people here, and they didn't figure it out. If it happens, it happens.

[It's best not to drive yourself crazy over it.]

Stephanie

[heloise]

[ NO, NO SWERVING OFF TOPIC. ]

Do you want to leave?

Lucrezia

[secondchances]

I do. I miss home a lot. I miss my mom, and I miss my friends.

But I don't want to lose the friends I have here.

Stephanie

[heloise]

I see.

Lucrezia

[secondchances]

[Was that the wrong answer?]

You're one of the people I wouldn't want to leave. If I could take you to Gotham, or if there was some way to visit... then everyone would win.

Stephanie

[heloise]

[ But there is no right answer. ]

You could write a history book.

Lucrezia

[secondchances]

What about you?

Stephanie

[heloise]

I would never have a friend like you.

Lucrezia

[secondchances]

[Good thing they likely won't remember anything if they do go home, but Steph doesn't say that.]

It's not something to spend too much time worrying about. You have me right now. I'm not going anywhere.

Stephanie

[heloise]

But you are. You mean to go.

Lucrezia

[secondchances]

Eventually. I don't think Tim is going to find what he's looking for.

Stephanie

[heloise]

[ The intent is enough. ]

I do not want you to leave.

Lucrezia

[secondchances]

I don't want to leave you. Not at all.

[Paradisa itself? She can do without.]

Stephanie

[heloise]

[ She could be angrier but she doesn't want to give Steph more reasons to go. ]

Promise to say goodbye when you find the way.

Lucrezia

[secondchances]

[Crap. She didn't think her answers would get Lucrezia like this.]

Can I come over?

Stephanie

[heloise]

Why?

[ So she can leave again? ]

Lucrezia

[secondchances]

Because it sounds like my friend is upset, and I'd like to do what I can to make her feel at least a little better. Please?

Stephanie

[heloise]

Yet there is nothing more to be done, or said.

Lucrezia

[secondchances]

Is that a no?

Stephanie

[heloise]

Yes.

Lucrezia

[secondchances]

[Sigh.]

C'mon, Lucrezia.

Stephanie

[heloise]

No more.