on a reserve..

[hollow_ring]

Lady Mun,

Truly you will find a way to bring me home once again–– I cannot be without my family, the Holy Father; he would detest my absence greatly.

Love?

While I'm well aware of the tainting antics of my brother, I am convinced that if I were to act like a .. slattern the consequences would be punishable.

But.. for love, I would not show restraint, especially if there are no tethers to bind me.

Lucrezia.

Comments

[unholydecree]

It burdens me to hear you speak in such terms, sweet sister.

And which brother are you accusing?

[hollow_ring]

Cesare!

Juan!

[unholydecree]

Which is it? You have spoken both our names and I know you have been a spying little bird at my window more than once.

[hollow_ring]

[Lucrezia bows her head in a light blush.]

... Oh.. [A helpless grin.] Well, I have not seen you take any other behind that window since –– are you sure you're not to marry?

[unholydecree]

I am married to God, my love. Just as Father would wed you to whom you do not wish, so he has wed me to the Allmighty.

Such a poor sinner am I to indulge in sin behind windows. Can one cuckold God? I do wonder.

[hollow_ring]

[She laughs..]

Oh Cesare! [Have a hug.] You've quite the dilemma do you not?

Well.. perhaps I shall runaway into a convent and marry God as well..

[unholydecree]

[Always a tight embrace for you, and a kiss on the forehead for good measure]

Father would not allow it. You could settle for cuckolding a mortal I suppose. [He grins]

[hollow_ring]

Hm.

[Of course this is not a pleasing topic.] Will you come with me, brother.

[unholydecree]

To that city? My love, I would follow you, if you would ask it of me. I would not wish to see you in danger whether your heart's love would free you of tethers or no.

[hollow_ring]

[She is silent a moment, her eyes fixated at her hands.]

I would ask it of you. Though I know father's plans for you are greater than my own.. I would be selfish to wish for your presence.

[unholydecree]

[Cesare picks up her hands and kisses each once, on the knuckles.]

Then I shall follow you there and together we shall escape what plans Father would make without our consent.

[deus_machina]

Love can be used like any other emotion. Just do what you want.

[hollow_ring]

Pardon me, lord––

Mm, yes, I can see manipulation in many forms of emotion.. is it not tragic that love should be one?

[deus_machina]

Others are going to manipulate it. It's better to know that than idealize it and get sucker punched.

[hollow_ring]

Sucker punched?

Than perhaps I should learn to manipulate love for my favor?

[deus_machina]

It's in our DNA to manipulate the opposite sex to get what we want. You'll be a pro in no time.

[hollow_ring]

And have you advice for me, ..lord––?

[deus_machina]

I'm not a lord. My name's Jensen.

My advice is this: men are stupid but they'll use you any way they can.

[hollow_ring]

I have heard that to be true..

If you are not a lord, than are you a servant?

[deus_machina]

You could say that. People hire me to get a job done.

[hollow_ring]

How much would it cost, to hire you to manipulate love for me?

[deus_machina]

What.

[hollow_ring]

Are you not a serving man? I wish to hire you, to do this ... this job for me.

[deus_machina]

What, you want me to help you hook up with some guy?

[so. confused.]

I'm a security specialist not a matchmaker.

[hollow_ring]

What? [She cannot understand his terminology–– and it shows on her expression.]

I wish for you to manipulate love, as we have discussed –– you will take payment for your services; how much would that be to do such a thing? ...

[deus_machina]

I don't know what you're hiring me for so I couldn't put a price on it. What the fuck do you mean, manipulate love for you? What is it you want?

[hollow_ring]

Oh! [Such language.]

I do not want to be the one.. sucker punch, I wish you to help me collect retribution for my misfortunes.. in love.

[deus_machina]

[The language barrier is going both ways here]

So let me get this straight. Some man wronged you and you want revenge on him? Revenge I can do.

[hollow_ring]

Yes!

However, I would seek penance for your doings and my conspiring ... But I simply cannot be the only victim.

[deus_machina]

Gotcha. What did this guy do to you? Sleep with someone else?

[hollow_ring]

I..

[She bows her head and remains silent on the matter.] How much? To humiliate him?

[deus_machina]

Tell you what, I'll do it for free if you tell me what he did to wrong you and I think he deserves it.

[hollow_ring]

[She makes a face and turns her profile to him, her hands clenching her dress skirts.]

I will pay you and you will not need to think whether he was deserving or not, thus you need not know.

[deus_machina]

Nope, no deal. I'm not going to tar and feather some poor schmuck if he doesn't deserve it.

[hollow_ring]

My brother promised me his heart on a silver plate.

[deus_machina]

Brothers can be over protective.

[so he's heard]

Fine, I'll do it. How badly you want him hurt? I can send him to the hospital for you but I'm not interested in killing someone if I don't know what for.

[hollow_ring]

I shall be satisfied enough if he is humiliated.

His death will come from far greater a power, surely, than any conspiring plot from earth.

[saputello]

[Fff Borgia...]

Everything is permitted, although by our own hands.

[hollow_ring]

If that is so, than the world would truly be in tragic chaos–– do you not think so?