[ 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. ]

[Today, the message is brief - and Sonya's back to her usual excessive brightness, a deep contrast to the last time she sent out a message.]

So what are everyone's New Year's resolutions? I'm a big proponent of publicly announcing what you intend to do so that later, people can publicly shame you if you don't keep to it. And yeah, okay, no one bust in with "We've been chatting about them elsewhere on the network," I don't stalk you, you shameless egotists, so I haven't heard, and I totally want to know.

Anyway, my number one resolution this year is to quit smoking. Again. And to learn how to cook something - anyone have any suggestions as to where you should start when you're learning to cook?

So how does death really work here? [It's a strange question to even be asking, but--]

I heard others died before. Here. Like dead dead. [Not that she's thinking about it, but the girl has predilections for. Well at least the reasons she has in the past aren't exactly here.]

Oh-- also anyone got any cigarettes for trade. I'd say I'd kill for some, but you know... [She wiggles her fingers before shutting the feed off.]

[The voice is that of a young woman speaking in a crisp English accent. She sounds entirely unamused, though not necessarily resigned to her situation.]

If the circumstances here are truly as they've been presented to me, it would seem that my travel plans will need to be revised and that I shan't be leaving for Paris in the morning after all. More pressing, however, is the lack of access to my own finances. I find this irritating, to say the least.

[A girl's gotta have some cash. Real money, too, not this fake stuff they're touting. This is absolutely ridiculous. She sighs, voice taking on a slightly more sympathetic tone.]

As I said, if I can't go to Paris tomorrow, I shall have to alter my plans. I am in dire need of a tailor. Someone skilled. Not a dressmaker. I shall impart the details of my commission to said tailor, if and when we are introduced.

At present I have nothing to barter with aside from my good name and promise of repayment at a future date. And with all these witnesses, that ought to be enough. My name is a very good one, if that matters to anyone at all.

[There's a deliberate pause before she speaks again.]

Though if anyone should have pertinent information on how one might go about securing passage away from this this... settlement, I should be much obliged for your assistance.