xviii. dictated, action

[heloise]

Once-ler
One song would suffice.

Tim, who also goes by Alvin
Has that invitation reached my door?

Five more days till the Lenten season. I have known much better uses of the time than this idleness.

[ The Pope's daughter has the prerogative to decree when Easter should fall.

Lucrezia is surprisingly about town, all bundled up in Winterfell-grade cloaks with the hood up, for anonymity or to ward off the cold, or both. She seems to be in no hurry, strolling about and sometimes halting to take special interest in any worn or even derelict buildings. ]

Comments

[heloise]

I doubt it would serve me. [ The doctors and inventors can claim the sciences. Power comes from knowing other skills. ]

I would rather you teach me of politics.

[dorkwonder]

If you had more political influence, what would you do with it?

[heloise]

Subdue both Milan and Venice and see the Italian states at peace for once. [ Under her family, of course. ]

[dorkwonder]

Peace at what cost? People have committed a lot of atrocities in the name of peace.

[heloise]

That depends. Too many know only of war, but politics is more than that, is it not?

[dorkwonder]

Politics should be a way of avoiding war without conflict and coming together to better humanity. There are good men and women who try to do just that, but they have to deal with people who want to use their power and influence for self gain.

[heloise]

Which do you suppose you are?

[dorkwonder]

Take a guess.

[heloise]

We all think ourselves the heroes.

[dorkwonder]

[Hides a bitter smirk. He hasn't felt heroic in a long time.]

I want to do what's right, but I understand doing "what's right" isn't always so clear cut.

[heloise]

And doing what is right may yet result in unwanted consequences.

[dorkwonder]

[That's why you try and gather as much information as you can, even if it means doing some questionable things or spending time with someone who you're still uncertain of.]

Unfortunately, I don't think there's any avoiding them as you take on riskier chances.

[heloise]

What price would you tolerate for the betterment of humanity?

[dorkwonder]

I'd never take someone's life, that much I can tell you. Where do you draw the line?

[heloise]

[ Certainly not murder nor lies, nor fratricide for that matter. Isn't that already the worst of sins? Something even the Pope cannot, will not, forgive. She draws no lines. ]

I will never displease the Holy Father in any of my endeavors.

[dorkwonder]

[Finds it curious that she said the Holy Father and not God's will. However, it's too soon to get into a debate of that nature with her.]

Do you spend much time talking about religion and politics here?

[heloise]

[ Because the Pope is God on earth and father too. ]

Not as much as I expect. What of you, Tim? Are you also studying as Steph does?

[dorkwonder]

School? Sort of. I'm taking some business classes and interning. [Technically, it's not completely a lie. He's learning a lot through working at Wayne Enterprises.]

[heloise]

Business? What is the use of learning to be... busy?

[dorkwonder]

A business degree helps you run an organization. Usually one for profit, but not always. There are a lot of different types of businesses in my world.

[heloise]

Are you studying to become a merchant?

[dorkwonder]

Not exactly. I want to run a non-profit organization to help keep youth out of trouble in Gotham. [Which he has technically already started up.] There are a lot of people in need and not nearly enough resource to meet those needs.

[heloise]

Like an orphanage?