Original Sin - Cast in Stone

[PrinceCaspian]

Ciro had bitten off more than he could chew, this time. It was his first commission for a wealthy merchant in Naples. After the prolific works of Michelangelo and DaVinci the demand for sculptors and painters had skyrocketed. Ciro was certainly talented enough. His apprenticeship was to a decent local artisan who had taught him the subtleties of sculpting and stone-cutting. He began his apprenticeship working with plaster and then moved onto limestone and granite. Rarely did he have the opportunity to work with the famous white marble that every affluent merchant or noble wanted to adorn their courtyards with. It was tricky, a finicky stone with veins and a soul of it's own.

He had been commissioned to make two life-sized statues. One of Adam and one of Eve. Ciro was intrigued since the church preached the virtues of both of them yet said they were the original sinners. This was the kind of work that could propel his career as both an artist and an artisan. There was only one problem, he had carved several men. Busts and statues of men were commonplace among the nobility, the church and the rich. They all wanted to have their appearance saved throughout time in timeless stone. Narcissism ran rampant during this "renaissance."

Women, however, were something foreign to Ciro. The apprenticeship began when he was 9 years old and he did not start on his own journey as a master sculptor until he was 22. 13 years he had been sheltered from women. He liked women and longed to hold one, but his life was given to the arts. Now he needed a woman that he could pose and manipulate into the position he needed, for a long period of time. He needed a model from which he could study the human form and etch it into the rock. Not only that, he needed someone who was going to be available at no cost for a long period of time; a nude model with the face and the curves necessary for a work worthy of his own name.

He began his search in the streets of Naples.

 

[sirena]

At the age of eighteen, Alessandra Maria was the youngest daughter of a very well known Roman senator. She resided with her mother and two sisters in the city of Naples, on the west coast of the Italian peninsula, finding that her father had always been away tending to matters of state. Though it was more than a day’s journey on horseback, her father and a few of the other men found the commute bearable. When he would return, she would bombard him with questions; wanting to know more about the city she had visited merely a handful of times in her life. He would tell her stories of the Roman warriors and bring her and her sisters the latest fashions and jewels from the city. And without fail, she would ask him to take her with him on his journey.

Rome was not the best city to bring his three beautiful daughters, her father would tell her and although she never understood why, she was beginning to comprehend his sentiments. Although Italy was prospering during these times rich in culture, many of the lower classes were not as fortunate as her family had been. Crime was on the rise among all and he didn’t want to put his children in that danger. Though his answer always disappointed her, she had nothing but respect for her father. Instead, she would resort to entertaining herself through the familiar streets of Naples, greeting the merchants and their wives like she had her entire life.

Alessandra had long waves of raven hair and a fair complexion. Her eyes were that of her father in the clearest shade of blue, which were brought out by the sapphire velvet dress she was wearing. The dress, though not as ornate as others she owned, was accented with gold trim and showed off her developed features. Slowly, she made her way through the busy street, coming before a familiar face.

"Bonjourno Giovanni, how is your wife?" she greeted the baker, giving him a warm smile.

 

[PrinceCaspian]

Ciro wandered the streets of Naples, starting first in art district knowing that the women there were often very available for a price. Most of them would provide any service imaginable for a price, in fact. But Ciro was looking for a model and many of these women weren't paid to stay still. Some were professional models, but the cost of those women was beyond Ciro's means. Shortly Ciro realized that he would have to find someone somewhere else. Nothing was available in this part of town without a large sum of money.

Ciro wandered around in his brown leather vest overtop a grey wool shirt and navy-blue trousers. He was broad-shouldered from working with nothing but stone and rock. His hands were large and thick, but capable of delicate, intricate work. His eyes were a deep chestnut brown and his dark hair was thick and curly. He was taller than average. He wore a closely trimmed beard, mostly to protect his face from pieces of rock and marble from cutting his face.

He wandered up into the general market looking for a bite to eat. After searching the town's hot-spots for models and artist schools he was famished. His nose caught a whiff of freshly baked bread and he followed it up the narrow passage into the large open market. In a recess in one of the walls sat the bakery.

Ciro felt in his coinpurse for a small, copper coin and pulled it into the light. There was enough for a decent loaf of bread and some fresh butter from the dairy, maybe even a little hard cheese. It was an extravagance, but when he got the money for his commissioned work he felt it was worth it. 500 gold florins was the pay for the final statue, although they only gave him 25 up front. He spent 10 at the bar two nights before entertaining every artisan within a stone's throw to a bottle of wine.

Ciro collected his bread and regarded the girl in the blue dress while she spoke genially with the baker. She was a pretty girl, not much younger than himself. She was certainly striking but she seemed to come from an affluent background. He could strike her off the list, no rich man is going to allow his daughter to pose for a sculptor. As she exited the bakery her eyes caught him as he stared at her. He smiled awkwardly, thinking there was some glint of recognition or deja vu.

 

[sirena]

The baker greeted the girl cordially and they briefly conversed over their families, mostly his wife who had been a dear friend of her mother since they had been children. He had inquired over her father and when he would return from his duties in Rome, as well as how the marriage of her eldest sister had been. Nearly all the families of Naples had attended to see her sister be wed to the son of a wealthy banker, especially the ones that were dearest to her family. It had been a great feast with platters of roasted pheasant; bread and soup, spiced rice and wine. There were musicians playing well-loved songs and servants that went around with plates piled with different cakes as they all danced into the night. A feast for a king, as her father had noted, but he had felt his daughters deserved no less.

“My father would have liked to extend his appreciation once more for the bread you supplied, but in his absence, he has asked me to do so,” she said softly as her fingers traced the wicker of one of the many baskets of bread. “For your family, Alessandra, anything,” he replied. Alessandra smiled warmly, and then bade the white haired man farewell, sending her regards to his family. As she turned around to exit the bakery, her bright eyes caught sight of a man she believed had been staring at her.

Had she seen this man before? Was she supposed to have known him? The way he was staring at her seemed so friendly, so warm and inviting as though he had known her in her childhood. Perhaps it had been at the wedding of her sister. She pondered the thought a bit more. Surely someone as tall and as handsome as he would have been cemented more permanently into her mind. How could she have forgotten such striking features?

She was then convinced she had not ever seen this individual, fully believing that she would have remembered and as he smiled in her direction, she returned a quick smile both small and innocent before she stepped outside into the open air. A warm breeze immediately hit her as she stepped out into the market again and as she continued walking, she couldn't help but think about the man that had been watching her.

 

[PrinceCaspian]

Ciro saw the girl and sighed. Such a lovely girl. She deserved to be chiseled into stone. Her sublime features and young face, all were perfect for stone. Too bad she was so far out of his league.

True to his happy-go-lucky nature Ciro shrugged and made his way down the street to the dairy store. Luckily they still had a small amount of butter and cheese available. So it turned out that lunch was going to be a happy affair. Ciro found a little nook on the main street where there was not much foot traffic, just to the side of one of the curving archways in the street. He hunkered into the corner and drew out a knife and began cutting cheese for his lunch.

He tucked into his bread and butter, with the occasional bite of sharp, hard cheese in between. He relished the flavours and thought how a beer would be the perfect way to finish his lunch. He also thought about how the girl in the blue dress would make the perfect company with his lunch, staring back at him from across a small table. Ciro shook his head.

"Get your head out of the clouds Ciro," he chided himself. "There are plenty of girls who would give their eye teeth to be etched into stone for 1000 years."

He finished his lunch and felt a little bogged down by all the heavy bread and cheese. If he didn't get moving he'd fall asleep right there in the street in the noon sun. That was a good way to get robbed. Then he'd have no money for his supplied or a model. He got up and walked back into the street.

The street was about 2 miles long with all sorts of items and food for sale. Ciro knew a few of the vendors who sold rosaries and statues of the Christ. They all did alright for themselves, but carving trinkets and shrines did not seem to be Ciro's calling. He wandered down and looked at their handiwork and the skill that went into some of the statues and busts.

Ciro was inspecting a riveting Madonna who had been draped in blue when he saw the hint of the blue dress go by him. He nearly dropped the Madonna into the cobblestone road. The blue on the Madonna's gown was identical to the dress that the girl wore, right down to the gold accent. The pattern was different, but it was eerily similar all the same. Ciro watched the girl saunter down the road and decided to get a better look. Perhaps he could use his memory of the girl. He put down the Madonna and carelessly wandered up the road following the blue dress.

 

[sirena]

Alessandra followed the busy path of merchants, gazing at the latest tapestries that had been imported from China, the thread and the smoothness of the silk. She looked at the countless jewels from the Middle East and the sparkle that always seemed to catch her innocent eyes. Though she had never been one to done such elaborate, ornate jewels—unless her father insisted she wore the ones he had brought her, she couldn’t help but feel dazzled by their beauty. The rubies and sapphires were enough to catch anyone’s attention. After the merchant continued to insist that she tried them on, his persistence slightly annoying her, she smiled up at him as politely as she could before continuing on her way.

A little ways down she purchased some pistachios from a man claiming he had brought them from Iran. Though it didn’t seem farfetched, she wondered if his tale had been true, how he had crossed three deserts and faced an army of warriors to get to his home country. Although Alessandra was only mildly educated, because her father believed it was a waste of time for women to partake in anything of the sort, she knew enough to know he was most likely lying to her. Perhaps, even to make the pistachios sound more appealing to her. And regardless of the fact, she was going to buy them.

“Thank you,” she said softly, placing the bag of nuts into her satchel. When she gazed up again, there he was. It was the same man that had been following her since she had been back in the bakery. Her heart thudded against her chest and she couldn’t help but wonder if he wanted to do harm to her. Though he seemed charming, she had learned that looks could always be deceiving.

Would he dare take her in broad daylight or would he simply want her satchel, assuming that a woman dressed as she would have more than enough coins to last him the entire week without starving? The lurch she felt in her heart was almost unbearable and she started walking briskly into the crowd, hoping to lose him in the sea of people.

"Excuse me, pardon me..." she managed to say, easing her way through the crowd before she turned down a side street. There, she hastened down another street before slowing down her pace.

Her heart thudded violently and she could feel it in her ears. Swallowing hard, Alessandra desperately tried to regain her composure, inhaling softly as her lungs begged for more air. She leaned against the cobblestone wall, one hand grasping the straps of her leather satchel, hoping that by now he was gone.

For the brief moments that she rested there, she wondered if she had overreacted. Was this man even interested in harming her or had she simply let her imagination get the best of her? She bit down on her bottom lip, a slight blush coming over her cheeks at the thought of looking foolish and thinking herself far more important than she was.

 

[PrinceCaspian]

Ciro watched the girl turn from him and walk briskly down the crowded market. They made eye contact and then she was gone. Ciro contemplated chasing her down, but if he scared her that would be the end of any chance he had of asking her something so intimate as being nude in front of him. He had to make sure to earn her trust before approaching such an idea.

Ciro walked calmly down the street again, hoping to see the girl come out from one of the side-streets. Perhaps she had ducked into a shop or went to find a bath house for the afternoon. Ciro contemplated the idea of heading into a bath house himself. There he could be bathed and shaved, something he had been needing for a week. He shook his head at the idea. Not until he gave up the search for his model. Even if it wasn't to be the girl in blue, it had to be someone. Hopefully a pretty someone.

He wandered down the street and out of the marketplace following his feet and the thought of the girl in the blue dress. He reasoned that if she was trying to get away from him quickly she would have gone straight, since it was down hill for the next half-mile. No-one runs uphill if they are trying to make a fast escape. Before long he had ventured into the seedy corner of the market district. Beggars, lepers, thieves, pickpockets and prostitutes were all to be found in this area of town. The houses were simple mud and clay brick with long grass roofs. He could probably hire someone down here, but that would mean revealing his money. That ensured he would be robbed. He looked around and decided that it would be better if he meandered back up the hill and looked for a bath house after all.

He started wandering up the hill as the afternoon sun cast an orange glow on the streets. A few pimps began knocking on doors, getting the ladies ready for the night. They all wore long, curved daggers which were said to be used to cut off the manhood of any non-paying customers. None of them looked like respectable citizens. The majority were missing fingers or teeth, the occasional pimp was missing an ear or an eye.

Ciro walked through the arching walkway onto the market and spotted the girl in the blue dress making her way up the hill again. Ciro, being an artist, believed in fate and destiny. He believed that everything happened for a reason and art was a means of capturing the divinity of fate and bringing the present to the future. He had to take the risk and talk to the girl. She was only a few hundred yards away. The crowds that had began in the morning were beginning to thin. Ciro trotted up the street, walking briskly in an attempt to not run and scare her. His speed increased and as he climbed up the hill a sweat broke out on his brow. It appeared that a bathhouse was now imminent, due to the hot humid weather of Naples.

He finally strolled up along side her. He didn't know how to say anything without scaring her, so he decided to be as unimposing as possible. "Excuse me signora, may I have a moment of your time?" Ciro wished he had something more clever or enticing to say but he did not know the girl and she was intimidatingly pretty.

 

[sirena]

Alessandra closed her eyes, feeling her chest rise and fall with every rush of air that filled her lungs. A few moments passed as she stood there in silence with her body lean against the stone wall before she was able to open her eyes again. The sound of her breathing echoed through the alleyway, almost magnifying its intensity. Her soft, full lips trembled in fear and anticipation as she exhaled a shaky breath. The streets had started to become darker as night was approaching, but she dared not move from her hiding spot in fear that the man would find her once more.

Her eyes shifted over to a cat that was strolling casually down a small flight of stone stairs, meandering through the street as though in search of food. She watched as it approached her slowly and she used this as an attempt to calm herself, to get her mind off of the childish games she had obviously taken to playing. To believe that his man was looking for her was outlandish. She hadn’t done wrong in going to the market, even if she was the daughter of a senator. One could argue that she shouldn’t have been alone, but Alessandra felt she was a person of age that could fully fend for herself.

And as she watched this curious cat as it rubbed its fur against the velvet of her dress, her eyebrows pushed together. The way its tail raised as soft velvet touched it, the soft purring that too echoed through the alley, made her almost forget about the man entirely. Part of her wanted to pet the cat, stroke it gently and to take into her arms and return back to her home, calling it her own. The orange stripes on him reminded her greatly of a tiger, an exotic cat she had seen in books alone of a boy and his quest through a jungle where he met talking primates, serpents, and other unworldly reptiles. He seemed as though he almost didn’t belong there… and just as she was about to pick it up, the man appeared.

Startled, Alessandra inhaled sharply through her nose, tightening the grip on her bag as the cat screeched and scurried down the alleyway. She didn’t know what had alarmed her more—the cat’s screeching or his presence. Either way, her clear eyes shot up at him, narrowing as she stared into the eyes of the man whom had pursued her. If she was to die right then and there, she was pleased to know she would die at the hands of a beautiful man.

Much to her surprise, his voice sounded sincere, yet prompt, as though he had been there on a mission to find something and she was the only one with the definite answer. She tilted her head slightly, her eyebrows pushed together as if confusion was being lightly painted across her delicate face.

So he hadn’t been there to harm her or to take her satchel? She swallowed hard, feeling her heart thumping away in her chest, underneath the fabric of her dress. She was almost afraid to speak, but she mustered the courage to.

"Yes, signore," she said in a timid voice but her gaze never leaving his. She might have been timid in her speech, but the last thing she wanted was for him to think her weak. She forced herself to stare into his eyes, to show him that she wasn't one to back down from a challenge--whether it was to steal from her or to cause her any harm.

 

[PrinceCaspian]

Ciro looked thankfully to the girl while he caught his breath. She was breathtakingly beautiful up close and the strong gaze of her eyes was captivating. She was cast in an orange light, contrasted sharply by the blue dress. The gold trim gave back the orange light in a bright flash from yellow to a deep orange.

"This is what I must capture" Ciro thought to himself. "How would I convince her though?"

Ciro studied her for a moment, every angle of her body, but mostly her face. She was perfect in every manner. Her proportions were perfect. Her soft hips and bust the perfect shape and roundness. Her hair was the perfect length and her facial features were sharp enough to match the stonework he was preparing for. He felt as though he was locking in a gaze with the girl for a decade. He could almost feel time slowing down to an almost non-existent pace. He shook his head briefly, trying not to get ahead of himself.

"Thank you for stopping Signora. My name is Ciro and I am an artist. I could not help but notice you today at the baker's shop. You are a lovely girl and I was wondering if...if..." Ciro stammered for a moment and sighed, realizing futility. How could he let her know his intentions were good. An idea came to him.

"I am doing art involving the bible. I am looking for someone who I can work with. I can pay, but I won't be able to do so until after the commissioned work is complete. I know it's a silly idea miss...? Sorry, might I be so bold as to ask your name signora?"

Ciro tried to smile and look optimistic, but her beauty was crushing and the intensity of her eyes said more than words ever could. He wanted to crawl away and hide from himself and the audacity of what he wanted to propose to this girl. What was he thinking? He might as well ask the sun to rise in the west. Still, Ciro stood his ground hoping to learn this girls name. She would say no to his idea, but at least he would have the pleasure of her company for another minute or two before he was slapped.

 

[sirena]

The way he stared at her was unlike the way any man had ever gazed at her before. It wasn’t a look of lust or mal-intent, looks she had known far too well by some of the men whom worked with her father. It wasn’t a look that seemed the slightest bit suggestive or as if she had been his prerogative. It seemed sincere; almost troubled. It was as though what he was about to ask her would cost him nearly his life or the equivalent.

She immediately sensed how nervous he had suddenly become and she felt more comfortable by this fact. She was impressed to learn he was an artist and her gaze instantly fell to his hands to observe if he told the truth. From what she could tell, they were strong and rough, the calloused hands of a man that carved into stone from the looks of it.

When she learned of his intentions, she bit down on her lip. Part of her wanted to respectfully decline his offer, seeing as she did not need the pay. If her father were to know of how she had given herself to an artist, to sculpt or paint as her as he pleased, she knew she might as well tell him she was no longer chaste. The other half, however, knew of the importance of art in the Roman Catholic Church. She would be helping this individual with his work and herself through her faith by providing him with inspiration.

"Alessandra Maria Caratini," she said with pride in her voice.

"Mi dispiace, signore, pero I do not understand your interest with me. There are plenty of other girls in the market... I must not have been the only choice for your project. And though my devotion is to the Catholic Church of Rome, I am afraid I can not accept your offer... I fear my father would be displeased with me."

 

[PrinceCaspian]

Ciro nodded and his head fell to his chest. Perhaps it was for the best. He did not want to ruin the name of this beauty and he certainly did not want to bring the rage of a father upon himself. He had heard of artists killed for portraying the daughter of some senator or noble and he certainly held his life at high value. He had yet to contribute any art to the world of note and wanted to make a mark on the art world.

"You are right, there are many girls in the market, but it was you who caught my eye. You must forgive my bold request, it's very unlike me."

Ciro was happy that he did not reveal the full extent to which he wanted to include her in his work. He was certain he would have been slapped. She was a respectable girl and the very idea that she might agree was a ridiculous notion. Ciro lowered his head and prepared to walk away.

"Ms. Caratini, thank you for entertaining this fool of an artist. It was a pleasure to spend just a moment in your beauty. Perhaps we can meet again some day."

Ciro took her hand and kissed the back of it, brazenly in the crowded market square. He turned and began in the direction of the artisan district of the city. He had no doubt he would see her again, but walking away made his heart heavy.

 

[sirena]

Though she knew her father would never approve of such a request, part of her truly felt bad for the man. He looked as though he had been searching through the crowded streets for hours, searching for some sort of inspiration of which he could use for his next masterpiece. For that moment she was before him, she wondered if he had approached anyone else before he had approached her. Perhaps the other women had said no as well. Her soft clear eyes gazed down at his feet, the brown leather of his shoes for a moment as he spoke. His words instantly made a deep blush spread from her pale cheeks, down to her neck.

She remained silent as he thanked her, and she felt an urge in the pit of her stomach to just tell the man she would out of the goodness of her Christian heart. His words had been kind, after all, and she saw no harm in having her portrait painted or her face sculpted. Her father couldn't be upset with her for that, now could he? Especially not if she told him it was for the holy church.

And as he thanked her, her eyes met his, watching him curiously as he kissed the back of her delicate hand, letting his lips graze against the softness of her skin. She felt her heart lurch again. This time, however, it full of excitement at the thought making a decision of this scale on her own. Her lips parted slightly, and she watched as he turned away from her. It was then that she realized that this would be her only chance, her one opportunity.

"Signore!" she called after him, looping the satched around her wrist to make the leather strap shorter. She then picked up a bit of her dress, clenching the fabric into her hands as she lifted it to facilitate her quick steps. When she finally caught up to him, receiving some interesting gazes from the onlookers that had been witnessing the scene, she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You say this is for the Holy church, the bible.... the Catholic Church?" she inquired, arching an eyebrow before she made her final decision. She wanted to be sure of what she was getting herself into, especially if she had to explain herself to her father. "If what you say is true, then I will work with you at no expense seeing that a greater cause is at hand. My only request is that you keep my name free of your lips. Never speak of me... If you are asked of me, by anyone, say that you do not know who I am... not by name nor by sight."

 

[PrinceCaspian]

Ciro did not want to lie to the girl, or to mislead her. He did not want to tell her the full extent of his intentions either. He found some middle ground and told her the half-truth.

"The piece is a biblical piece. It is not for the Holy Church, but it is dedicated to the Church. The man who commissioned the art is a devout catholic and we have discussed the piece being bequeathed to the church upon his death. I am to make a statue of Adam and of Eve, before their tragic fall."

He could start with her face, that was one of the most important parts. He could always replace the body with another, but he thought of her figure in stone and knew it was near impossible to match a face to a different body. Still, what could he do? He wanted her and beyond his wildest imagination she had offered her face to him. He would go to confession that night and speak with a priest. He did not know if what he was about to do was a sin, but he did not want to be sent to hell for wanting to share the beautiful body of this girl with the world. If Adam and Eve were comfortable in their nakedness, why couldn't mankind be comfortable now?

"I would be eternally grateful for your face to be that of Eve, truly the first mother of us all would be pleased to be represented by such a beauty. As to if I know you or not, though it would be a great tragedy for me to say that I did not know you, I would for your sake and the sake of your honour. I am certain that your suitors and your father would become distressed to find you... your face etched in stone for everyone to see. Since I cannot call you by your name what shall I call you?"

Ciro looked to Ms. Caratini. He hoped desperately that she would agree and hoped even more that she would stay to the end of the project. His heart felt as though it had stopped while he waited to see what she would say. His knees became weak and his palms began to sweat.

 

[sirena]

Alessandra was stunned to find that the man before her had chosen her to represent the face of Eve, the mother of mankind made from the rib of her husband Adam from the hand of the Creator. She was honored to have such an opportunity bestowed upon her, especially since she was under the impression he had searched through many women both young and old to find her.
 
When she learned the piece would be for a man and not directly for the church itself, she shifted uncomfortably. Maybe this wasn't such a great idea. Again, she was thinking herself far greater than she really was--a damn habit she picked up from her father. At least she could count on her father not seeing it right away. She could imagine his reaction to seeing the face of his daughter, carved into the marble stone of a statue.
 
The thought alone nearly made her want to die from the humiliation and she would be mortified if she had to explain the situation to him. He would ask her if she was paid for her services, like a wench or a common whore and she imagined he would then take her to Rome and make her confess before the Pope himself. What would he say when she told him she was doing it free of charge? Suddenly she felt small again, as though this wasn't a bright decision for her to make. Alessandra cringed at the thought, but she focused on his words to take her mind off of her reservations.
 
"Your words are...more than flattering, signore," she spoke softly, biting down on her bottom lip, trying to think of a response. There wasn't anything in particular that she wanted to be called, except her God-given name, but she knew the importance of keeping her name a secret. She couldn't risk her father's name to be stained by the choice she had made on her own, without his consent. As a result, she would have to keep all of this, the artist and his work, from him. She would sneak away in the dead of the night when her sisters and her mother were long asleep and the maids had gone back to their quarters before she could escape from the residence. Only then would she find him and help him engage in his work. It would be her act of sin, no matter if the cause was for the Church or not, and she would confess to her sins before her priest and God. She would then ask for forgiveness for what she was about to do and only hope that God had mercy on her. Maybe he would see that her intentions had been pure and outweighed the sin she would commit.
 
"I think it is best if you simply call me Alessandra. I fear speaking my father's name will attract negative attention..." she hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I can meet you wherever you ask, in the late of night." She took soft breaths, hoping that her requests weren't a huge burden on him. "If you would like to ask another woman, I understand seeing as the risk of using me is far too great... It would be a burden, no less."

 

[PrinceCaspian]

Ciro shook his head immediately at the suggestion it be another woman. Now that she was so close and he could look into her eyes there was no-one else. The light would have to be great in his workshop if it were to be in the middle of the night, but he did not care. He would engrave her into his best work, making her the face of the mother of all man.

"Thank you Alessandra, and though I know it is a risk to both of us, it is you and only you that would work for the piece. You are the rare beauty I wish to capture in timeless stone. The heavens themselves could not send a better model for Eve unless it were Eve herself. If you are to come in the middle of the night, do be safe. The city is dangerous and I would hate to discover you robbed or injured, or worse..." Ciro trailed off.

He debated at that moment whether or not it was fair to ask a girl, a beautiful girl, to risk the streets of Naples late at night. She was a smart girl, clearly, and she knew the risks. He hadn't duped her, at least not much. He would carve her face, that was for certain, it was the rest he would have figure out as he went. He had to have her face though, so it was decided and the debate was ended quickly.

"If you have someone to escort you, even just to the safety of the art district, I would feel better. If you feel you are capable on your own, however, I will try to put aside my fear."

The arts district was well lit and people moved about through all hours of the night. While this increased the risk of recognition, it also decreased the risk of being robbed or worse. He could not bear to see a hair on her perfect head harmed. Even as he looked at Alessandra he thought how she would look, carved into the living stone. White marble was a beautiful medium, but like all things beautiful it was delicate to work with and expensive. Ciro would have to go to the quarry master tomorrow and have the marble slab delivered to his shop. The cost of the slab would be high, and he would have to purchase it on credit, but he knew that he would have to have a top quality slab. It was likely to cost him 60 gold florins, the cost of his rent for 3 years in his workshop.

"Just so you know, this won't be done in a couple days and I cannot start until I have the materials. The piece is to be in white marble and it takes time to work with. It will also take some time to get the material in from the quarry. If you would be so kind as to meet me at the pub in the Arts district I can escort you to my workshop in 4 days. I should have the marble I require."

Until then Alessandra, I must thank you a million times from the bottom of my heart. I am honoured that you would be so kind as to share your face with my art. It truly deserves to be captured, timelessly. I shall let you go so as to not arouse any further suspicion. Perhaps we will cross paths in the market during the day, but you will have my solemn vow that I will not reveal our secret."

Ciro kissed the back of her hand again and departed.

 

[sirena]

His words, full of lavish and praise, only made her blush deeper. In all her years of life, she had never been spoken to in such a way. There had been men whom had sought her hand, all of whom had spoken flattering words to her, but she feared their words were only compliments to further their own interests. If it was to get ahead in the political ladder, or simply to speak airy words to impress her, none measured to the sincerity of this man, Ciro.

As he continued speaking, she realized that he did make a valid point. She would have to be cautious when she left the confines of her home, seeing as the streets of Naples weren’t as safe as they appeared. Sure, they weren’t as dangerous at Rome, but it was still a large city. Even if she knew nearly all the merchants, their wives and children, people couldn’t be trusted. Alessandra swallowed hard, in her mind thinking about how she would slip through the back door, over the hedges of the small garden and climb the stone wall that surrounded the perimeter of the home. Though it wouldn’t be her first time making the stealthy escape, it had certainly been quite some time. She decided that she would ask Tomas, the family landscaper and routine handyman to help her out. For his secrecy, his word and assistance, she would give him his month’s salary for every night he helped her.
“I will find someone to accompany me,” she assured him, pleased to know he cared for her despite having just met her. This and the vow he made to her, to keep their secret, made her trust him all the while.

With her back still against the wall, her innocent eyes gazing up at his towering figure, she watched as his lips grazed her hand once more. She could feel her pulse quicken and as he released her hand, she instantly placed it against the velvet fabric of her dress, holding herself as her breathing became tense. She stood there, not moving as he departing and noting the effect the man had on her. It seemed impossible that she had met him five minutes prior and already she had instilled such a deep trust in him. Bringing her gaze to the floor, she pondered the idea. It may have been his kind words, the way he spoke to her as though she was a saint, a true daughter of Eve in all her beauty, that made her feel the way she did. It was exhilarating, the thrill of their surreptitious affair—strictly business of course, and for the sake of his art. She had never felt so accepting of committing sin, believing that the good outweighed the bad.

“Until then…” she whispered to him, though he had been long gone by now.

Four long days and nights passed before the night finally came. The few days she had spent in waiting she had made arrangements with Tomas, making him swear to secrecy for his task. She had retreated back to her room early in the evening, claiming she had been overcome with a horrible headache. Her mother suggested going to bed early, a suggestion she did not hesitate to take. That night, she threw on a heavy black cloak over her the crimson silk dress she had been wearing earlier, using the hood to cover the darkness that was her hair. When the house had fallen silent and her sisters had gone off to bed, she stepped out into the starlit sky, waiting for Tomas on the corner of the property. She hadn’t waited long before he appeared, helping to hoist her over the wall, and joining her soon after. Little words were exchanged between the two, which she actually preferred as they walked briskly through the abandoned streets. Though it appeared deserted, she was wise enough to know this did not mean it was safe. Her eyes shifted over at Tomas for a moment, admiring his young appearance. Through the dark blanket of the night, she could still make out his large size; alone of which would intimidate anyone who dared approached the pair. She was in safe hands, she was sure of it.

Once he had escorted her to the art district, her eyes gazed upon the brightly lit streets with people whom didn’t seem to sleep. These people were enjoying themselves, indulging in acts of sin—like her. They were in and out of bars, drinking merrily, singing and dancing. Merchants were selling their artwork, inviting those who passed to gaze upon their hard work. She smiled at the sight of everything, taking a moment to take it all in before turning to Tomas to thank him. Moments later he departed, she went into the lively street, searching for the pub he had instructed her to meet him at.

It hadn't taken her long to find the source of noise, hearing the clanking of glasses and the sound of drunks singing merrily into the night. She entered, and to her surprise, no one paid much attention to her. Her greatest fear was that of being recognized by the people of the town, but everyone was too busy indulging to worry about her. Sighing softly, she walked over to a small table where her clear eyes scanned the dimly lit room for him.

 

[PrinceCaspian]

Ciro went immediately from Alessandra's presence to the Quarry-Master in hopes of catching him before he left. The quarry master looked at Ciro, cautiously, wondering if he could trust him. Ciro had always paid his debts to the man. He had been late once or twice, but he had never not paid. Still the man did not like to extend credit, especially when he learned that Ciro wanted an 8-cubit by 8-cubit by 4-cubit block of white marble. Whatever his project was, it was going to be ambitious. The cost was 60 florins, with 10 florins interest included in the price for credit terms. The man nodded and asked what his needs were. Of course it was white marble. They all wanted white marble. If only they wanted Limestone, it was so much easier to work with.

Ciro received the block two days later. It showed in his workshop and the transporters rolled it in on a series of round logs. It took 2 hours to get it off of the cart and into his workshop. It was an impressive slab of rock and it had cost him an average man's salary for 5 years. Ciro spent an hour simply inspecting the stone, feeling it's seams and it's hardness. Looking and tapping to find the telltale places to make the first couple taps. He chipped off one of the corners and placed it on an anvil, hitting it with a heavy hammer. The rock cracked and split, it didn't crumble into dust. This was a good piece of rock. It would do nicely.

He signed the agreement with the Quarry-Master and began the process of putting all of his tools together. He was happy as could be with the rock. He contemplated getting some new tools for the work, but wanted the familiarity with his chisels, mallets, scraping tools and polishing stones. New tools, one day, but for now he would work with the familiar tools he was given when he attained the rank of journeyman stonemason.

Ciro spent the next day in preparation. He gathered several barrels of water from the well to make sure he had everything for his tools to ensure they were well kept. He also purchased some oil to keep his tools from rusting. With his tools oiling and the water gathered he went and purchased a number of cushions and a large sofa for Alessandra to sit on as he worked on the face that was to become a masterpiece.

He slept the morning and early afternoon of the Friday, and woke up making sure he made his way over to the pub. He left 14 of the remaining 15 florins hidden safely in his house. He did not want to make the same mistake as the week before: getting every artisan in Naples drunk. He was popular for days to come after his binge, but he was not in the pub for festivities, he was there with a purpose.

He saw a girl with dark hair enter the pub and sit down, looking around. It was her, she did come! Ciro feared for a moment she wouldn't show and he would have to find another model, but for the time being he had Alessandra to carve. She wore a black, heavy cloak but hints of the blue dress she wore in the market peeked out from under the cloak. He walked over and sat down beside her. He was elated to be so close to her again.

"Ah, you make me so happy that you are here. I would offer you a drink here, but I am afraid that would lead to more merriment and I am looking to create tonight. Perhaps we can share some merriment another time. I have wine, grapes, olives and cheese at my workshop if you are hungry or would like something to remain fresh for the evening. Shall we go to my workshop?"

Ciro smiled and led her by the hand across the street and down a smaller side-street to his workshop. He showed her the way slowly so that she could come and go as she pleased, especially so that her presence wouldn't be noted at the tavern. No-one wanted her discovered.

Ciro opened the double-door entrance to the workshop revealing a simple room with a pleasant sand and straw floor in the main work area surrounded by simple sanded pine-plank floors everywhere else. There was a kitchen in the left back corner, and a table with chairs in the back-right corner. There was a sofa and several cushions on the sofa about 10 feet to the left of the working area, a 15-cubit wide circle in the middle of the floor. In the middle of this circle sat the 8 foot tall by 8 foot wide slab of marble. It dominated the room, with it's great white opulence reflecting back the light of all the lanterns. Tucked away in a corner was a simple bed of a small mattress over a pile of sweet-smelling straw. A personal toilet was located in the alley, private to only Ciro and there was a small bathing room with a small tub as well as a basin and mirror in another room cut into the wall behind the sofa.

"Welcome to my workshop. It's not the finest accommodations in all of Italy, but it has everything I need and hopefully you can be comfortable here while I complete my work. If I had my way I could spend a lifetime just working on perfecting the eyes that God has seen fit to give you. But I cannot start there, I must start with what the stone says I must start. It says I must start with the top down. The crown of your lovely head, I suspect." Ciro moved his hands up and down the marble, getting a feel for where to start. Years of training and practice had taught him to listen to what the stone had to say.

 

[sirena]

[[Sorry it's not top quality. I'm still not feeling well after surgery><]]

The doors opened to reveal a quaint workshop filled with a decently spaced working area and even a kitchen. To be honest, she wasn’t sure what she had expected to find. Her eyes immediately scanned the room, taking it all in. It had its own sofa with plush cushions, sanded pink floors, and how could she miss the marble slab in the middle of the room—marble that eventually would have her face and body carved into it. Her heart immediately skipped a beat. Her body. He hadn’t said anything about her body. Maybe he had contracted another model for that part of the job, though she wasn’t sure how to feel about it. If he had contracted another woman to provide inspiration for the body of Eve, had that meant her body was undesirable or had he done it out of respect. She knew instantly that posing for him in the nude was out of the question on all levels, but she still would have been flattered for him to ask.

Alessandra took a soft breath, stepping into the dimly lit room as he welcomed her inside. “I can assure you, these accommodations are more than fine signore,” she replied softly, a warm smile appearing on his face, which she hoped, would reassure him of her words. She didn’t want him to think she was some high noble, incapable of spending a second within the confines of the small room. It wasn’t in her nature to act in such a crude, snobbish manner.

Her eyes followed him as he went over to the slab and she watched him examine it, wondering his thought process. Not long after, he began speaking and she was answered. He stated that he would work from the top down. Her hands clasped in front of her, and she wondered if this had been a sign that he did want to use her body. Alessandra felt a bit nervous, and she searched for the courage to inquire on the matter. She took a few steps in his direction, taking in the full spectrum of the marble, every groove and coloration the stone had to offer. She still couldn’t imagine seeing herself, posing as Eve as the final result.

“If you do not mind me asking, signore…” she started, hesitating slightly. She didn’t want to seem forward in her questioning. “I see this marble, this slab is far larger than my head. Does this mean you will be carving out a body as well? I don't believe we spoke of a body and I was just... wondering," she finished, shifting uncomfortably. It was something that had to be brought up eventually, even if he had already found another model to serve as the body of the work. She would have much rather learned then than later.

"Believe me, I would not be offended if you have already found another model for your work. On the contrary," she added, feeling she was rambling now. She forced herself to remain silent, her soft eyes finding his as she searched his dark eyes for answers. "I would rather know now than later."

 

[PrinceCaspian]

Ciro looked at Alessandra, and doubt wracked him. How would he convince her? He did not want to force her to do anything and yet he would have given his eye teeth to carve every last inch of her beautiful frame. He wished, almost, that he were a painter. Then he could paint her loveliness on a canvas, full of colour and vibrancy. He knew his craft would far outlast the works of even the most famous of painters, but that did not matter. He was not a painter, he was a stonemason and a sculptor. She was going to be his subject, at least for now. He might as well enjoy it while he had the chance.

Ciro looked back, deciding to be as honest as he could and still keep her there in front of him as long as possible.

"The stone is for two models, one a man and one a woman. Adam and eve. You shall be eve. It is true that I would like to sculpt all of you into this stone, you agreed to the face only. I was hoping that, after having seen my work, you may be interested in being my model for... other parts of your body. Your shoulders, perhaps, and your hands. I am hoping to convince you to allow me to carve your entirety into this beautiful piece of marble, to immortalize you in stone. I have thought about how to replace you when you are no longer comfortable with what I am doing."

Ciro smiled. At least he wasn't going to lie to her. To be someone's muse meant to be comfortable in front of them. No facade or fake smiles. Just an honest giving of oneself to another. Her face was perfect, her shape was perfect. Whether she wanted to be Eve, or just the face of Eve would reveal itself in time. For the time being he had her, which was a lot more than any other sculptor in Italy had.

"I have no other models for this work. Right now I have you and one of the most beautiful pieces of marble I have ever seen. You are both worthy of each other and I am so lucky that it is my hands that get to immortalize both of you. The stone yearns for life, for a face to look back at the people with. Your face is the only one I have found that is worthy of such a beautiful stone and of such a beautiful subject. Now, if you please, simply sit on the sofa. Make sure you face me and that you are comfortable. The most important features are your eyes, your nose, your mouth and your cheekbones. As such I may need to adjust your position."

At this point Ciro was wanting to get to work. He knew that once she saw progress of herself in the stone she would want to see more and more completed. He did not want her to get bored or to lose interest so he made sure to provide fruit and wine for her. Wine would get her talking and he wanted to learn more of her. The fruit would keep her from getting tired and hungry. He poured her a goblet of wine and sat her down next to the fruit and turned to the stone.

 

[sirena]

Alessandra swallowed hard when he mentioned the possibility of her modeling the other parts of her body. She was fortunate to know that he would allow her to no longer serve as his model when she was no longer comfortable, but at what point would she discontinue serving him. Perhaps she would let him utilize her hands, her arms, but even then she feared she was exposing too much. And though this man was obviously accomplished in his trade, a professional of sorts, she didn’t want to seem prude. A man like him must have worked with many skilled models, many of which are more comfortable in their own skin. The last thing she wanted was to seem young and naive to this trained artist. It was at that moment that she decided she would make an effort to try and do everything he asked of her. If he wanted her to show her arms and legs, she would do her best to not think of her father. This indiscretion of hers would be kept a secret, as it already was.

When he instructed her to sit, she gave him a small nod before strolling over to the small plush sofa. She watched as he poured her a glass of wine before she gracefully sat down. She turned her body to face him, running her delicate hands over her dress nervously as though to straighten out creases that weren’t there. The wine and fruit were a nice touch, though she wouldn’t allow herself to indulge.

“Thank you so much. This is really, unnecessary. You shouldn't feel as though you have to accommodate me in such a manner,” Alessandra said softly, her bright eyes watching him as he observed the stone. She wondered what he thinking, this thought process during the early stages of his work, and if he knew where he was going to begin. He hadn't seen her since the day he had found her in the market, so he must now be calculating her facial features before carving into the precious marble.

It was an unusual feeling, the thought of being gazed upon, observed in the manner that he was observing her. She hoped he didn't find her flaws and she didn't want him to think less of her if he did. Alessandra imagined how humiliated she would be if he had corrected them in his final product. Of course, he would have to seeing as Eve was nothing short of perfect and she was only a model impersonating the beauty. He would have to make her as flawless as she was, without her imperfections.

Alessandra inhaled softly, feeling herself grow more nervous as she continued pondering these concerns. She could feel her cheeks grow slightly warm and she knew instantly there had been a faint blush upon them. She then reached over to the glass of wine he had poured her and let it soak her lips.

Moments after she sat it down, she folded her hands in her lap, gazing over at him. "If you would like for me to change positions, please do not hesitate to instruct me. I am no professional, so I do not know what you are looking for."

 

[PrinceCaspian]

Ciro looked at Alessandra and back to the stone several times.

"No, no, this first part is the hardest and you must remain comfortable. I will be moving you around later, so for now enjoy the comfortable seating and the wine." He smiled.

Ciro felt the stone under his touch. He looked at the veins and the subtle cues from the stone. Where the soft and hard spots were, where the stone would polish best and the colouring of the white stone. He tapped the stone with a small hammer, noting how some of the rock chipped away and how the sound resonated in the stone. He finally found where Alessandra's head would be and from there he could start working on the body when he got to that section.

He grabbed a point and began to work away the sharp edges of the front of the stone, revealing a pure white interior on the stone. The stone itself was well veined and the white showed up without a hint of translucency or darkening. It was nearly perfect.

Ciro knew that having Alessandra there was not necessary for the first day of removing large pieces of stone. He didn't care though, he would much rather of had her there than to have given her time to think it was a poor idea. The blush on her cheeks was enough to let him know she was comfortable and she wasn't worrying too much. She was stunning. He would often stop to study her even though he didn't need to. She was just so stunning he couldn't help himself. He knew he had stumbled onto something more important that a model, he had a muse. This piece was going to be every bit as much hers as it was his. He would have been able to carve a woman in his sleep, but she was the one who was going to decide every curve and angle on this fine piece of rock.

The night wore on and as the dawn began to fill the sky with light he helped her off of her cushions. She was warm to the touch and the blush from the wine was still on her skin.

"Do you have someone to walk you home?" Ciro asked.

He wanted her to make it home safe. One bad event in some alley and he would lose his reason for doing the piece.

 

[sirena]

Alessandra did as she was told, occasionally shifting her position if she had been in it for too long. From what it appeared, this modeling act of hers wasn't going to be so difficult. Then again, this was only just the beginning. She was seated now and not having to stand for long periods of time. Oh! what would her mother say if she knew about her standing for so long? There wasn't a doubt in her mind that said the older woman would scold her. "Alessandra, mi bambina... What kind of man will seek your hand if he knew of your veins that spread like a spider's web? You mustn't stand for so long!" Her mother was just as overprotective as her father. To her mother, her daughters were like precious china dolls that had to be preserved and given proper maintenance. Hair always had to be off their shoulders, though Alessandra often protested this, and their cheeks had to be perfectly powdered.

With a few more sips of the wine, she had started to feel more comfortable, which she hoped facilitated his work. Few words were exchanged between the two; she really had not wanted to bore him, or disturb him even with bland conversation. She couldn't imagine what an artist such as himself was thinking or what he was interested in besides his work. Though she was cultured and learned in several aspects of society, at least enough to get her by in conversation with a future suitor, at the end of the day the man was there for his work.

Quietly, she watched as he began chipping away at the marble. Several times she would tear her gaze away just as he took glances at her more so out of respect. Staring was rude and suggested that she was critiquing his unfinished work--and she certainly didn't want him to think she had been.

And as his strong arms chipped into the marble well on into the night, she found herself little tunes to hum under her breath, just to pass the time by. The wine had helped her feel at ease and a bit lightheaded too. She was used to drinking at social events, but here no one was present to monitor her intake and he certainly had not been concerned. Nonetheless, she felt relaxed. She had been surprised she had made it so far into the night without the feeling restless. So when he made his way towards her to help her off of the couch, she was amazed the time had flown by as swiftly as it had.

Her eyes gazed into his as she placed her hand in his, and she let them linger there as she noted the color--a deep chestnut brown that reminded her of autumn when the merchants would bring the nuts from the high mountains of Italy to the market. There the servants would purchase them for the household and they would make delicious pies and puddings for her father's annual autumn feast. Yes, his eyes reminded her of that time.

"No, signore, but I am sure I can make it back alone. I do not wish to impede you from any other work you may have," she spoke softly, letting her hand slip away from his as she feared she had let it rest there for longer than deemed appropriate. Alessandra also had not wanted Tomas to wait around for her. She figured when it was nearly dawn she was more safe than if it had been late into the night.

"I must say you have one of the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen in a man...Well, two," she suppressed some laughter before she realized what she had said. Her eyes widened and her cheeks flushed as a sense of humiliation came over her. She then bit down on her bottom lip before addressing him. It was clearly the wine speaking along with her lack of sleep.

"I am...Please, forgive me, signore... I am feeling a little restless."

 

[PrinceCaspian]

Ciro blushed at the compliment. Talking to women was something he hadn't much practice with and they were still mysterious to him. He felt his heart flutter when she bit her lip, there was something so innocently attractive about it. A part of him wanted to kiss her, then and there. He also didn't want to risk losing his muse over something as foolish as not being able to maintain control. He let the urge pass in favour of a better idea."

"Please Signora, allow me to accompany you home. You must be tired and I could not bear the thought of you getting into any trouble. You don't need to take me to your house, just close enough that if you shouted between where I left you and your house I could hear. At this hour that is quite a ways away. Then I can return here to sleep and to ponder."

He grabbed her cloak and wrapped her in it and led her to the door. The night air swept in, cooling the room and blowing Ciro's long hair about his face. He straightened by raking it back with his fingers and pulled it aside. He noted the soft glow of her soft skin in the early morning light and sighed.

He looked out into the street and found it blissfully empty. No-one was up right now except the fishermen at the wharf and the bakers in their shops. They had the road to themselves. He walked with her at a good pace, not fast enough to tire them out, but certainly not a slow pace. He wanted her back in the house before people started coming out of it. They made their way through the narrow streets and avenues and avoided the main thoroughfares, just to make sure she wasn't seen by too many people. Ciro looked for some indication as to when they should part ways, but regretted the thought of leaving Alessandra's side.

 

[sirena]

She was grateful for his offer and though she did not want to disturb him any further, she knew it was best to accept it—for her own safety. It was odd, knowing a complete stranger had taken to her in such a protective way. Then again, Alessandra knew he needed her to finish his piece and replacing her with another model that looked like her might have proved difficult.

“Very well, as long as it is not too bothersome. I understand it is a long walk, but if you insist,” she replied, smiling timidly as he wrapped her cloak around her. She fastened the front as she was lead to the door.

The cool air seemed to make her feel more sober, and she let the air fill her lungs as long raven her whipped behind her. Glancing over at him and observing that the wind had tossed his hair about his face, she smiled warmly at him, resisting the urge to fix some of the lose hairs. She immediately reminded herself to remain professional and any such thoughts were sinful.

She too noticed the empty street save for the fishermen and even the baker. Her heart palpitated beneath her dress at the site of the man, and she drew up her hood, hiding her dark hair beneath it. She made sure to turn her face away from him, Giovanni, a well known friend of the family. She imagined if he had seen her he would have immediately reported it to her family, and that was a chance she was not willing to take. Alessandra walked more briskly, though she had noticed he had maintained a good pace for them to follow.

Turning down a few alleys, they made it to the edge of her father's property. She came to a stop, slowly turning to face him. "Thank you for accompanying me," she whispered, wanting to keep their voices hushed. "I feel, terrible for making you come such a long way..." She took a deep breath, wanting to stifle any yawns. Though she was tired, she had wanted to be there with him, to address him and thank him for what he had done.

"I will rest, and perhaps I will see you again tonight..." she said in a hushed voice, though her tone sounded highly optimistic. Her bright eyes, though tired and heavy, scanned his and she offered him a small smile.

 

[PrinceCaspian]

Ciro smiled and nodded as their eyes danced in the morning light. "I would like that very much Alessandra." He said in a whisper barely audible. He wanted to make some sort of gesture, he wanted to kiss her but settled for placing his hand on her arm and squeezing it gently. "I will wait for you at my workshop. But now you must go, your family will be beginning their day soon."

Ciro watched as Alessandra walked up the street away from him. He could not help but to pause and watch her walking, dazzling him with her swaying hips as she walked. She swayed with a cool grace towards the house. He, in turn, turned and walked. He did not want to be seen watching her; people would think he was spying. As soon as he turned the corner he began running with joy towards his workshop.

She had spent an evening as his muse! He was elated and ran down the streets without any reservation or sense of caution. He danced down stairs and he lept up steps with the boundless energy that comes with infatuation. He splashed through one of the fountains to cool himself before running back to the artisan's district.

He finally reached his workshop and immediately went to the sofa that Alessandra had been perched on. It was still warm. He laid back onto it and fell asleep, basking in the smell of fresh fruit and the heavenly scent of Alessandra's hair. He slept soundly until midday.