first bull ( video )

[pontificus]

[When first brought here, she would swear it all a dream. All that they said and all that they have her on the feast could only be a parting gift from the gods, Bacchus' treats, Ceres' grief of losing a daughter, Diana's farewell for losing a maiden soon enough. But she wakes in her bed, rises and dresses. There is no man that lies with her, there is no parting.

So here she stays alone, save for those she's had the good fortune of meeting. One certain knight she least hopes to see again, though the dream has broken and with it holds the reality, her reality.]

It seems we are in no dream, for I have pinched myself enough to believe it real. I am Lucrezia Borgia of Rome, a place I have found little have heard of. Nor even of my name who I once held with Pope Alexander VI before he was called to be the Shepherd of all men's souls. [She still cannot call herself Sforza. That taste is too bitter in her mouth.]

I address this-- locket [Yes, it is even strange to her, and she must back up a little to see better now.] as a means of addressing this war. I know little on the matter of strategy and battle. My brothers have been taught the skill of the sword, and yet here I am in their place.

A friend-- [For she would consider all those kind to her the night of the feast a friend.] --relayed the thought that perhaps those like I are here for morale, but truly this many ladies?

I shan't sit around. [Lucrezia may not be the Harold of charities she will become, but idleness here does her little.] I wish to make myself of use, though for what I am unsure.

I do truly hope to meet you all, and already call myself fortunate in those I have met. Good day.

Comments

[pontificus]

My apologies, Ser Loras. [He is not the first knight she has met, but certainly he is the prettiest.]

I know not your lands as you know not my religion. Christianity it is, for I believe that Christ died for my sins and rose again three days later, but specifically I am Catholic. [Unlike those Orthodoxes to the East.]

[courtly]

None needed, Lady Lucrezia. I am honored that you would think me a lord.

[ He tilts his head in confusion. He's heard of many strange religions from distant lands, but never has he heard of a god so self-sacrificial he would die for humanity's sins. ]

I'm afraid I don't understand. Gods are immortal, are they not? How could this god of yours die?

[pontificus]

[She smiles again kindly. It seems so strange that there are people who have never heard of the Christian religion.]

Jesus Christ was not what one thinks of as a god in the term of one. He is the son of God, born to this world to die for all of mankind's sins. In my faith, Catholicism, we also believe that he is one part of the Holy Trinity. But he still came and walked among us, taught us of what his Father had wished for us, and took the ultimate sacrifice so we all may enter the gates of Heaven when we die where he is waiting with our Heavenly Father.

[courtly]

[ That's... actually more than a little confusing. But clearly her father was an important man, and she herself is a pious woman. ]

Do you require a place of worship then, my lady? I don't think there's anything like that here.

I'm also... sorry to hear that they took you away from your father. I hope he's doing well.

[pontificus]

I do, Ser. It is called a church where I am from. I have seen no such place on the map they gave us upon arriving here. But then I imagine there are no priests here either. [There goes confession as well.]

You need not apologize for it would have come eventually. Every daughter must part from their father at some time. [It would have come on the morrow anyway, as much as it grieves her to think it. Here at least Giovanni Sforza is missing.]

[courtly]

I hope you'll be allowed to continue practicing your religion peacefully, regardless. It should matter not what our beliefs are so long as we serve the court dutifully.

[ He himself doesn't care much for religion or serving these strange creatures, but he would play his part. As he always has. ]

That is very true. Is there a possibility he could have been brought here as well?

[pontificus]

I would first need to find a church. [Though it is on her to do list.]

I have heard nothing of him nor my other family members being present here. I am afraid it is just I here. [She doesn't know much about the Unseelie court, but in her biased opinion, she would think them Seelie.]

[courtly]

I hope that does not mean you will grow lonely, my lady. [ she seems well-adjusted enough already without their presence, offering friendship doesn't hurt. ]

[pontificus]

I must confess that I miss my brother Cesare so. We are often inseparable, and it is as if a piece of me is gone.

[courtly]

I understand that feeling well, my lady. I would be lost without my sister here.

[ If only he knew their story was more Cersei and Jaime than Loras and Margaery... ]

I hope you find each other.

[pontificus]

You have a sister? [That perks her right up.]

[courtly]

Perhaps you've met her. Margaery Tyrell?

[pontificus]

Indeed, I have! And now I think myself a fool for I see the resemblance. She is most lovely.