third bull ( video )

[pontificus]

[She hefts a rather large looking book onto the table in front of her, a bright smile laid upon her face.]

It seems my fortune that the High Queen of the Seelie Court has granted me a skill of this kingdom. I've been given an old tome of the previous potion master here, and while I have no knowledge of magic not witchcraft it seems my interest in alchemy, poisons, and antidotes may transcend realms.

[A hand smooths over pages as she begins to turn.]

I wish to do whatever I can to help those here, to both protect myself and do what I can for those who cannot. But as I said I've no great skill in magic. I have already met one kind witch here, and I must call upon the kindness of others to guide me. I will not squander this gift.

If there be any in either court with any knowledge in potion making, I would wish to speak with you. My thanks. [It's a noble bending of her head before she leans in to switch the feed off.]

Comments

[caditquaestio]

My hopes rest with yours, Madam.

Though... this is war they speak of, yes? True war and not a culling? If so, you will not need your poisons. Men don't visit war on women and children.

[pontificus]

And yet we all have enemies. [She wishes to protect herself, those she has come to care for here. She wishes to do something.]

Would you rather me unarmed, unskilled so that when the day comes when either Unseelie, beasts of this realm or those of my own come for me, that I shall do what then? I have no family here, no army, not even my name means anything here. But I have myself, and I will not squander the gift given to me by my court.

[caditquaestio]

...hold, hold: an army? You had an army? Who is your husband?

[pontificus]

[No one has asked her such a blatant question. It is a secret she buries so deep within herself that now faced with it, she feels shame. Shame and fear, and that vacant hole where Cesare promised her she would be safe. And yet she does not feel safe. So her eyes cast downward, and she pauses.]

I spoke of my father's armies. Of Rome's armies. They do me no good here.

[caditquaestio]

...Roma! You know of Roma. Well met. I am - ...a day's ride away. Firenze. From Firenze.

[pontificus]

Firenze! [What good fortune.] You are the first of any Romani family I have met here.

[caditquaestio]

Yes... yes, true. Of course. I am - ...the armies of Roma? But Roma has no army to call its own. Forgive me: a splendid city. Had it but our jewellers, truly superb. But it has no armies.

[pontificus]

The Papal army. [Of course she has no idea just how bad off it currently is, the entire reason she's being married off to Sforza. She knows it is not the wisest thing to spout off who her family is to a member of the Italian family, but it is so good to have something familiar to her.]

My father is the Pope.

[caditquaestio]

Madam, forgive me: it is not that I doubt you, only... you understand, surely, how easily it is for claims to be made. Claims that could, in Roma, prove...

[ A cautious cough. ]

And the Papal armies don't march for one woman, besides.

[pontificus]

My father has recognized us all as his. He loved my mother so, and I am the apple of his eye. [Even if she says so with not a bit of fondness.]

And yet, I know my brother would move heaven and earth for me in its stead. [I shall cut out his heart with a dinner knife and serve it to you. his words cause another pang in her heart, a flutter only for a second for how much Cesare is truly missed.] I do not need an army.

[caditquaestio]

Fair. What else are brothers good for?

Though I see now why a noble woman would fear at every step: she is of Roma. For all I... wonder... how you might wish to attempt witchcraft with Innocentius ruling the See. Your father, donna, condemns sorcery.

[pontificus]

And yet God has brought me here. Surely he would not wish for me to be defenseless. Though I should tell you Innocentius is dead. Pope Alexander now sits in the Vatican.

[caditquaestio]

Alexander... the... sixth, is it? Who is the man?

[pontificus]

You know your popes. [She smiles.] He was formerly Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia.

[caditquaestio]

Rodrigo... [ And something between gasp and sob. ] Rodrigo Borgia sits the See?

[ This changes everything. ]

[pontificus]

[His reaction is surprising, and she is not sure how she should take it. He has a look about him, but she can only recall his face as if it were once in a dream.]

Do you know the family?

[caditquaestio]

I... no. They are the Borgia. Only they know themselves. It is... renown.

And you say you are... daughter to Rodrigo Borgia?

[pontificus]

We are Borgia. [Her smile is strong, but it is laced with something else, the lie behind her words.]

I am Lucrezia Borgia--

And you? Have we... have we met?

[caditquaestio]

[ Colder, after the wait. ]

...careful, Madam. Donna Lucrezia is said to be barely a girl.

[pontificus]

I can assure you I am no longer a girl. But time does a funny thing here. I knew a woman from France here from 1530, when it has not yet been the turn of the century for me.

[caditquaestio]

And what is your... what is your - your evidence? Any woman could say... and donna Lucrezia's name is - and, truly, if it is as you say and Rodrigo Borgia has assumed the Papacy, then... her name would... I see no proof that you might have the claim.

[pontificus]

Tell me what claiming to be Lucrezia Borgia would gain me here when even my closest allies do not even worship the same God as me let alone even know what a Pope is. [She straightens, angered that he would dare question her.]

And you have still yet to give me your name. Who dares question a Borgia?

[caditquaestio]

I cannot speak for your purpose - only that I have seen the man you would call brother, and if he were to think his sister's name were tarnished by falsehood, you know, Madam. You know, surely, what don Cesare would do. You know the peace he would show you, in this life and the next. So, I tell you: if this is game or lie, best cease it.

[ And he remembers, distantly, there is such a thing as 'composure'. ]

I am... Valentino Masi. Courier to don Lorenzo de Medici.

[pontificus]

My brother would not question who I am. I am his dear sister, and he is the last person I saw before I came here. After my-- [She takes a deep breath to calm herself.] He sent me to bed.

And if you know my brother as well as you claim, you also know what he would do to the man who insulted his sister, so I would watch your tongue, no matter who you work for.

[caditquaestio]

...naturally. My... humble apologies. Donna Lucrezia.