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[pretty_sweeting]

Good even, friends. I am Olivia, a countess of Illyria. I am told I am in a play called Twelfth Night, or What You Will, by William Shakespeare. If you know this play you know also my foolish history, so foolish it makes me blush to think of it. Imagine, a woman to fall in love with another woman while she is dressed as a man! I did marry that

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[turnthepage_boy]

Hello, fair lady! *bows elegantly* I can assure you, my lady, that I am entirely in my wits!

[pretty_sweeting]

*eyes Geoffrey* I do well believe it.

[turnthepage_boy]

*smiles brightly* I am in a number of other things, as well!

[pretty_sweeting]

*raises an eyebrow* Indeed?

[turnthepage_boy]

*coughnamelyTybalt'spantscough* Oh, yes. Such as... er. I am always in a good mood?

[pretty_sweeting]

...not another one! How lovely! To be always in a good mood is quite an accomplishment. *sighs* If only I could be so!

[turnthepage_boy]

Sorry, my lady, but I am ever his faithful page! It does not take much, lady fair, merely the sense to ignore what would put one in a foul disposition.

[pretty_sweeting]

And how, pray tell, does one ignore the death of a father and brother and the loss of a love?

[turnthepage_boy]

*pauses* ...hm. That's a difficult question indeed, fair lady, and one I should ponder more thoroughly. I suppose one... one simply must choose, in that case, to see the brighter aspect of the situation.

[pretty_sweeting]

Such as that my father and brother will never be gone when I wish to visit them, or that I no longer have to worry if I look beautiful?

[turnthepage_boy]

Yes! That is it precisely, lovely lady, though might I venture to remark that you need never worry about being beautiful - for truly, thou art the loveliest countess I have ever encountessered.

[pretty_sweeting]

Thou hast a most happy and unusual disposition, youth. Thou flatterer!

[turnthepage_boy]

True, my lady, I am a flatterer, and a happy one - but I believe to be happy is a choice, and who would not choose but to be happy?

[pretty_sweeting]

If thou hadst known true tragedy, then wouldst thou know that happiness is no choice.

[turnthepage_boy]

My lady, my mother died bearing me and my father hanged himself. I was reared by an aunt who had rather cared for none but her own babe, my cousin, and we grew up in this vein. I should have had wealth, but my aunt and cousin have taken it.

I know tragedy, my lady, and I would rather happiness be my lot.

[pretty_sweeting]

O heavens! Art quite sure thou art in thy right wits, after all, to live such a life and be happy still?