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

[pontificus]

They we shall make it so. [Her smile is sweet despite her intentions to size him. He can no longer be trusted, but she would not have him stray all the same.]

[caditquaestio]

As you wish. Your... brothers are not with you, Madam? Not don Juan, or the young don Jofre?

[pontificus]

None of them, nor my father. [She has been alone here for months, a lone Borgia.]

[caditquaestio]

And your... husband?

[pontificus]

[She looks away then, eyes drawn southward. It seems Lucrezia cannot avoid it forever, though part of her has been truly hoping it was a dream, and this place her new reality. But he knows. The first here who knows of her marriage to Sforza.]

No one. [She should not admit that she is alone, but she has made ally enough here.]

[caditquaestio]

How have you managed? You are not... especially as the daughter of a new Pope, you are not accustomed to neglect the likes of which the region affords you.

[pontificus]

My Queen has provided me rooms fit for my station. I am a Borgia. I have done what I must to survive here. I may not have my father's power nor my brother's skill, but I have found allies here nonetheless, honorable men who would swear their sword to me. [In case he has ideas.]

[caditquaestio]

Ah! How plain it is to the eye that we are no longer in Roma. But perhaps I have been a Roman too long: you speak to me of men who act towards no immediate gain, and I ask myself what it is they might want in the future. That is costly service they've promised you freely.

[pontificus]

I had no need to question them. There is a knight here whose sister married a king, and I am finding myself close to her and her allies, another dear girl close to my age who has lived through atrocities enough. There are many fine ladies in my court, and their brothers, fathers and the like who would help if asked.

[caditquaestio]

I wouldn't put much stake on words, donna Lucrezia. They run thinner than blood.

[pontificus]

I have little else to rely on here, save my charm and grace. I have made allies where I can, and a skill given to me by the Seelie Queen. [She has done what she could with very little. Words are nothing without feeling behind them. Lucrezia would think Gendry would aid her should she need him. He is a knight, and she has helped him. He seems to care for her, and Lucrezia already knows she has an attachment toward him.]

[caditquaestio]

[ And then the obligatory sigh of sheer frustration. ]

Buon Dio, Lucrezia! Acquaintances are not fast allies. They want something, can you not see?

[pontificus]

And who else should I ask to fight for me? I have nothing here. No name, no family, and I am no condottieri. I have nothing but my own wits, and I have used them to my advantage as well as possible. I know one man who would fight for me for certain. I could ask anything of him.

[caditquaestio]

But don Rodrigo is not here. So, in his leave, trust no one. Is that so difficult? Trust no one. Trust nothing. Look in their eyes and lie. Pretend this is Rome.

[pontificus]

And if I am attacked here? As I already have been? I have had two aid me thus far.

[He is very cynical, and while she knows very little of the scheming in Rome, she is only beginning to find out. Though to her, Rodrigo has betrayed her far worse, marrying her off and not allowing her mother to be at her wedding.]

[caditquaestio]

And those will be two who will come to demand boon within the year's time. Always count and know your debts. And repay them early. Man has a way of remembering in his favour.

[pontificus]

Then I would owe them rightly. But both were caring women, strong and powerful in their own ways. Likewise I, too, helped a French peasant girl. I have made it my mission to help her and those like her. I would ask for nothing just as I have of those who were injured when the great worms attacked the castle. We all have nothing, and likewise we must do what we can. In that way you make an ally.

[caditquaestio]

You are very... kind.

[ Said possibly with the kind of resigned distaste generally reserved for unsavoury medicine. ]

[pontificus]

I am a Christian woman. Is there not any other way to be? Proverbs 11:24-25 "One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."

[She straightens, giving time before she looks back at him through the feed.] No one asked to be here. In this we are alike and in it together. I have gained allies by being kind. I have only gained from it.

[caditquaestio]

Remember one thing - one, and it alone will speak enough: Christ the God was fair and good. And they killed Him on His cross.

[pontificus]

And he was resurrected upon the third day. [It is not that she misses it completely.] But forget not that even those close to you can be a Judas, too.

[caditquaestio]

Precisely! So, as I have said: trust no one.

[pontificus]

I would rather be cautious than alone and unhappy. [She needs the adoration of others.]

[caditquaestio]

...oh, do as you wish, since you won't take counsel.

[ False sisters giving him real headaches. For the love of everything... ]

[pontificus]

I did not know a currier of the Medici family would think himself high enough to counsel the Pope's daughter. [Who can out sass who.]