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A Taste of Italy

T

Temara

Star
Joined
Feb 6, 2010
There was something to be said for the freedom afforded me, Angelique thought as she made her way up the front stairs of the library, her elegant gown a dazzling sea of blue and green that washed upon the dirty stones that led to the lounge of education and learning. I don't have to worry about my mother and I get to lead a life that suits me. Even parting her most sacred places for pilgrims of courts was but a tiny part of it all.

"Signorina Marino, welcome", one of the staff greeted her by name as she stepped beneath the pillars that held up the doorway to the Library. "Are you back for more on the aquaducts or simply to school the gentlemen on their history?"

The raven tressed woman smiled, and shook her head, flashes of her sea green eyes, that had given her family their surname, lighting up in merriment. "No, I think today I shall see if I can find more on the gods. After all, the Masque of the Gods starts off Carnival this year, and I wish to make a grand entrance." It was true, Carnival was mere days away and a Courtesan must be always ready.

"As you wish, Signorina." And he bowed, letting her pass into the sacred halls and following behind her to assist her on any of her endeavors into the grand tomb.
 
As he stands there with arms folded across his chest, staring blanks at the books resting on the shelf in front of him. He hates studying, and really has no intention of wasting his youth burying himself in musty old books. Truth be told he really had no desire to be an attorney either.

Suddenly he looks up, his daydreaming shattered by a certain voice unfamiliar to him. Stepping quietly out from between the shelves of books he casts his gaze toward the entrance to spy this vision from whence such a sultry and elegant voice came. Swiftly he takes a step back and takes a moment to gather himself, straightening his shirt and vest. That cocky look creeping across his visage as he thinks of how to woo this new-found strumpet.

With a deep breath he steps out, confident as ever and calmly makes his way toward her. "Bongiorno mia signora, Mi dispiace for disturbing you, but I couldn't help but overhear you talking about this years carnival?"
 
A faint moue of perturbation crossed the glossed lips of the Courtesan as she made her way along the library. But the marring feature was swept away discreetly before she turned to face the owner of the disturbance. "Buongiorno, Signor." A small, coy smile then lit the lips that had so recently frowned, one that did not quite reach her eyes.

"Si, Signori. I have been invited to the Doge's Palace for the Masque of the Gods. I wish to maintain his charitable favor." A simple enough explanation. "After all, where would any of us be without the Doge's favor. He is after all, the one who rules us all."

"Have you been so blessed?" If not, it was a subtle mention of her position, and if he had, then it was an opening to speak. Whether she wished to speak to him or not was another matter entirely.One cultivated friends where one could. Even if it meant her precious study time was disrupted.
 
The placement of her words, the portrayed disposition, even the subtle inflections he recognized immediately. It was always easy to tell an enlightened mind from an ignorant one, almost as plain as the difference between peasant and noble castes. She was a woman of finely tuned elegance, which made her that much more alluring. This should be fun...

"Si, mia signora this is true, we are indeed blessed and should we all be grateful for everything that he has done." Trying not to make it terribly obvious as he admires her features, being extra careful not to miss a beat as far as their conversation. "I have been looking quite forward to it to be quite honest. I'm sure your husband will be quite thrilled to have you at his side for the occasion." Having guessed she is single already but still, a sly measure to asses any potential for opportunity.

"But where are my manners! Allow me to introduce myself.." Pulling his left foot back to the arch of his right foot and bowing deeply, flourishing his hand elegantly. "Mi chiamo Renaldo Auditore de Venice at your service mia signora."
 
"I'm sure any gentleman would be glad to have me at their side, even a husband." No lie did she give, but she could play at words with the best of them. And it was the truth. Already her premiere had garnered a better price than any in the memory of the Doge. If he had hung around court, he would have heard her name.

"It is a pleasure, Signori. Mi Chamo Angelique De Marino." There was no title, although the name De Marino was old and valued one. But one that had fallen upon hard times. A faint curtsy and she simply waited to see if he would speak more.

"I beg your pardon, but I do have much research to do before this evenings entertainments." Of course, even before Carnival began, there would be entourages moving from place of entertainment to the next. Of course, a cortigiana onesta of her stature would be expected to be there.
 
Admittedly she was more sly than he had first assumed, a bit of a bruise to his ego. This would of course forced a change in his original game plan, perhaps persistence was the key here. It was more evident now that she was well aware of how to dance to this same beat, not that the De Marino name had fallen on deaf ears either.

"Well signora De Marino, I would hate to keep you. Forgive me for asking however, does this mean that my lady has no partner for the event?" Tucking his left arm behind his back, standing straight and tall, making a small gesture with the right hand. A single brow raising as a coy smile plays upon his lips. "I would hate to see such a vision be properly unattended for the evening."
 
She could, of course, lie. But she prided herself on her honesty. Even if she sometimes 'hedged' her bets. "I am a high maintenance woman, Signori. My attentions are a valued commodity." Again, no lie. She had not picked any single man for her favor but bids arrived daily. Which is why she did not have a date to the Grand Masque. It was understood that her escort for that would be the favored man, but that he would have to have deep pockets.

"But if you are still interested, you can escort me tonight." By which was meant...pay my way. It was a test to see exactly how deep his interest was. If he passed tonight, then he would receive an invitation to meet her 'broker' to offer to her companionship. Her eyes for all their coolness flashed a challenge at him.
 
The full scope of just what he had gotten himself into finally dawned on him. Very briefly his eyes widen then return to normal, trying desperately to hide the reflex of initial surprise. Thinking he pulled it off smoothly enough, he grins and straightens his vest with a tug from both hands. Father will kill me if I spend my weekly earnings, but if father saw her I don't think he would care. Not to be outdone, and having dashed any concern for cost, he quickly thinks to speak before he looks like a bumbling idiot.

"It would be an honor, mia signora to be your escort for this evening's festivities." Softly spoken with a polite bow of the head. "I should leave you as I am unfortunately not at all dressed for the occasion and need to sort out some affairs before then. What time should I call upon you mia signora De Marino?" That smug grin creeping up once more as for the first time he makes direct eye contact with her.
 
She was no fool. Angelique watched his face very closely as she spoke. She wondered if this meant that he would drop off after tonight. Perhaps bankrupting his allowance would do him a favor. Give a lesson not to play with things he didn't understand. As he rambled on, she let one raven brow arch gracefully above her eye. Yes, it would be a mercy to teach this one a lesson.

Reaching into the pocket of her dress, she pulled out her reticule and with practiced grace,she removed a receiving card. "You may come by this address at 9." After all, the parties didn't start till dark and it wasn't fashionable to be early. "I expect a private gondola, and a light boy to keep my companion." After all, even a courtesan did not go anywhere in Venice without a companion to safeguard her propriety. Rather silly considering her occupation, but it was the way the game was played. If she was in a gondola, then her companion came as well. But the companion remained on the gondola while they did their rounds." The light boy was to light their path from the dock to the door, and then also remained with the boat.
 
“Of course mi signora….” Again offering a polite bow but maintaining a smug expression. Rising slowly their conversation is abruptly interrupted by a courier. He stumbles in and bows hastily “A note for you Signori De Auditore!” holding out a piece of sealed parchment clutched tightly within within his sweaty hand. Rinaldo yanks the note from him and hands him a couple of flourens for his trouble, he bows and takes his leave as quickly as he came. “Scuzi mi singora.” Rinaldo says firmly as he turns slightly away and opens the note. Quickly he reads and folds the note shut before turning back to her. “I’m afraid I must take my leave but I will see you tonight, singora De Marino.” One final bow and he quickly steps away, wondering how long it will take her to notice the rose he slipped into the ribbon tied around the waist of her dress.
Later that evening, laying in wait on a rooftop high above the city, regarding the city in silence he waits for the right moment. Eyes cast their gaze upon the sun nearing its rest on the horizon, quickly he stands and dashes across the roof, leaping from one to the next. Building after building he nimbly makes his way across each gap with ease. Finally he stops and crouches at the edge of the roof. “What the hell is this?” He mutters quietly. Quickly he pulls out the paper he had received from Angelique earlier that day and examines it. “Son of a bitch…how the hell did this happen?” Spat in both confusion and anger. Well no matter, at least I won’t have to rush to get back.. A grin coming across his lips accompanied by a light chuckle.
Returning his attention to the matter at hand the sun was nearly setting, he had to make his move now. The only open window of course being on the second floor, a nod to himself and then standing. Taking a few small steps back he leaps easily onto the next building. Swiftly he rounds to the side with the open window. Laying down he crawls to the edge to peer underneath the overhang. Ah, how fortunate! He can see his mark through the open window, occupied by reading a book. This will be easy..I think.. Quietly he draws a dagger from his sleeve and pushes off, whipping around and into the window. Before the target has time to react Rinaldo leaps and buries the dagger in his side, cupping a hand over his gaping maw. He peers through the window to see the sun now setting and he starts to take off but no before grabbing a rather large bag full of flourens from the nearby desk. Quirking a brow at the odd number of fine dresses hung in the nearby closet he then shakes his head and takes off out the window.
The light boy already stands calmly waiting out front as requested and the private gondola nearby. After climbing his way down into the narrow alley he looks around, quickly. Seeing no onlookers, open windows or the like he sheds his cloak and wraps the dagger inside. Taking a moment to wipe away any blood he then walks around to the front of the building, casting the cloak into the nearby water and stopping to knock lightly upon the door.
 
When the door is opened, the Signori is greeted by a child with a tear stained face. "Welcome, Sir." Apparently, he had been expected. " The Signorina De Marino has expressed her regrets, but due to an unfortunate incident is unable to accompany you tonight." Inside the house, was a sound of women weeping and much bustling about.

~~~

As for Angelique, she was sitting at the desk in her own apartments trying to fix the ramifications of the night. Marco had been a good broker, but obviously one that had angered the wrong people. Which left her in a fix. In theory, she could simply hand her accounting over to her mother to handle, but the woman was already upset enough by her daughter joining such a professional. She would simply have to handle it herself, as crass as it would be.

"Stephano, tonight, while the house is still grieving, go and retrieve my accounts from Marco's study." Not exactly completely legal, she did at least have the right to those documents, or at least a copy thereof. "Oh, and place words in the right ears that future bids for my attention must come directly through my house." The page nodded, and excused himself, leaving the courtesan to ponder if this was God's idea of humor towards her ill will this afternoon, but quickly dismissed the idea. After all, it was simply giving the young lordling a lesson in life.
 
Curses beneath his breath as the door shuts in his face. Thinking he had been quick enough take care of business and get to the door before anyone noticed what had happened. After tipping the light boy with a pinch from his newly found bag of flourens he tucks it beneath his jacket and storms his way to the private gondola.

Determined not to let this rob him of taking part in the evening festivities, after all he did shell out all the cash for it already anyway. Boarding the gondola he gestures to the boatman without a word. The boatman nods and pushes away from the edge and begins rowing. After a short while they reach the dock near the Doge's palace. He stands, tipping the boatman and quietly disembarks, taking a moment to withdraw the mask under his coat and place it upon his face. He always found it a bit ironic that the Doge would host such an extravagant event every year and yet all of the guests that he invited wear masks.

Calmly he makes his way, nodding to the guards at the entrance nonchalantly. After quite some time of fruitlessly attempting to enjoy the entertainment of the evening he decides to try and slip away, having also had more than his fill of idle banter for one night. As he makes his way toward an exit a few men standing in a small cluster catch his attention with their rather excited chatter. Stopping just a few feet away, he takes a sip of his drink and listens carefully. They were discussing Angelique and the murder that took place just tonight! Remaining cool and collect he starts to walk away until one of the men mentions that she had decided to become her own broker. How fortuitous was this that he might have another chance and with that he takes his leave quietly into the night.

Several days later he decides to return to her residence. Dressed well to impress, he takes one more quick look to make sure that everything is where it should be before stepping up and rapping lightly upon the door.
 
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