ｖｉｄｅｏ.

[matre]

[ vanozza is no less beautiful in the darkest gown she owns, a grey so dark it is almost black, with her dark hair plaited over her shoulder. there is no pearly hairnet today, no jewelry present. though her smile is steady and her manner never falters, she seems to have aged years in the space of a few days—and it is immediately apparent why. ]

My son, His Eminence, Cardinal Cesare Borgia, and my daughter, the Lady Lucrezia Borgia have returned to Rome.

[ they had played it too safe too long. let any snakes in the grass reveal themselves now. vanozza could trample one underfoot. ]

I wish to extend my most heartfelt thanks to those who showed my children kindness while they were here. A mother could ask for little more.

As well, if you came to an agreement with my children that would go unfulfilled due to the abrupt nature of their departure, I give my word I will honor it to the best of my ability.

[ she takes her time to breathe and look down at the simple wooden horse in her lap. her fingers run over its finely carved head. she smiles, a mother's smile, loving and warm and tinged with loss. ]

Tomorrow is the Feast of the Epiphany. When a star, brighter than any other, shone in the sky to announce the birth of Jesus Christ, and three wise kings followed the star to Bethlehem, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

When my children were young, they would polish their shoes and leave them out in preparation for the Three Magi to arrive and leave them their presents. My youngest, Gioffre, would insist upon leaving out water for their camels, as well, and his brother Juan would laugh and tell him they needed grass too and so they would collect it together. [ she laughs quietly at the memory. her hand splays over the horse. ]

I would ask a gift of a kindly Magi here: I require an escort into our frozen world. A walk tomorrow would suit me well.

[ no one will say they saw vanozza cattaneo grieve. ]

Comments

[matre]

[ elves. vanozza dressed warmly ( she has cesare to thank for much of what she wears tonight ). when the knock comes, she leaves the horse upon the chair and draws the cloak from the armrest. she does not open the door immediately. first she makes sure her dagger sits at her waist and remains well-hidden. then she calls out. despite her concern, her voice is light. ]

Are you friend or winter spirit?

[inafadingcrown]

[And Galadriel answers equally lightly] Friend, certainly. [And that's all she says. She expects her voice to be recognized.]

[matre]

[ vanozza removes the deadbolt then and pulls the door ajar. she shivers slightly when the cold makes itself felt. the cloak is quickly drawn around her shoulders. ]

That is brisk.

[ she takes the time to close the door securely behind her before stepping up to galadriel and offering her arm in friendly gensture. ]

Shall we?

[inafadingcrown]

Of course.

[She takes Vanozza's arm with a smile.] It is not far.

[matre]

I am most grateful to you. And...

[ okay are you walking on top of the snow.

is that a thing.

that is happening. ]

[inafadingcrown]

[That is a thing that is happening, yes. Galadriel is confused by your confusion.]

Does something startle you? [Because everything here is perfectly normal. Yep.]

[matre]

You never mentioned being so light of foot.

[ she feels like such a troll right now :c ]

[inafadingcrown]

Ah. [She looks down at her feet, as though she is just now noticing.] A trait common to all Elves.

[matre]

[ she sees what you're doing there. ]

Are there any other...traits—I ought to know?

[inafadingcrown]

There are several that may be of interest to you- we tend also to be swift of foot and hardy, to have far better sight and hearing than Men. But by far the greatest difference between us is the matter of mortality; Elves do not age as Men do.

[matre]

That I guessed on my own. I have yet to know a grandmother that looks as youthful as you.

[ a little pause. ] But that is not all.

[inafadingcrown]

I understate my answer, perhaps. [She doesn't want you to fall down in the snow, okay?] Unless we are slain or fade from grief, we will live unto the unmaking of our world. To speak plainly, we are immortal.

[matre]

[ she falls silent, mulling that information over carefully. ]

A blessing and a curse.

[inafadingcrown]

[Galadriel smiles lightly, obviously pleased with that answer.] Precisely so.

[matre]

[ many would lust for such a thing. rodrigo certainly would. to live forever... it is a tempting prospect. but vanozza fears other things more than dying. ]

There is a lot more to you than meets the eye, my lady. I thought of you once as a deep and calm river. Beautiful to look upon, and no way to see the currents beneath. I may have to think of the sea now.

[inafadingcrown]

[She chuckles] If your aim was to flatter me, you have succeeded.

The sea is not so far from what I aim to be- beautiful and serene when it is calm, a source of life and a nurturing force. But woe to any foolish enough to sail out in the midst of a storm.