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

[secondchances]

Apparently.

[Sigh.]

What to do for my birthday, though... [Even if it's in August, she thinks it's a good time to talk as if she'll still be here. 'cause she probably will.]

[heloise]

[ She smiles a little. ]

He asked me to be civil to him in your presence.

[secondchances]

And you'd do that for me?

[heloise]

If you ask.

[secondchances]

I'd appreciate it. A lot.

[heloise]

Then I will try.