Home.

[val_visconti]

Ahh, Italia. Bella Italia. Bella Lombardia.

I am home.

Locked to the Allies.India was very beautiful, but in my heart nothing can rival my country. (Sorry Padma

Comments

[badger_ernie]

Good to hear all is well, and I hope your birthday celebrations are a success, and that the vest fits properly.

Talking of birthdays, you say Toyah was born in September sometime? Might it not be an idea to invite the children of some of your neighbours those that you haven't "persuaded" to leave at any rate to a birthday party? You know, party games are a great way for children to become friends. I would give anything to see you playing pin the tail on the hippogriff

[val_visconti]

Thank you Ernie.
I do not understand about the vest. Is this something you have sent to me? If it is, it has not arrived yet.

A birthday party is a good idea. However, her birthday is gone now, so it is a little too late. Also, the other ruling families do not have children so young.
What games?

[badger_ernie]

The vest wouldn't come through the mail room, and anyway I don't work there any more, so no, I haven't sent anything. I hope it arrives before next week. I expect Suse could knit one for you in an emergency if the formal one doesn't show up.

I know Toyah's birthday has gone, but I had sort of thought that the other families might bring their children to your birthday party. In a different room obviously, since I expect the adults are far too grand to play "The wizard's in the dell" and "hunt the gobstone", or muggle games such as "Twister". But the children might like them.

The children don't of course have to come from the ruling families - don't you know any ordinary other people there?

[val_visconti]

The formal vest... ah! It is not a garment, Ernie. It is investiture - I think this is the right English word? This is an official proclamation of my inheritance. It is like a coronation, except that I am not a king. I will have to wear silly formal robes and to make a speech to the wizarding population of Lombardia.
Help.

You think I should have a birthday party? If I was still in Britain, I will like that very much. Here, not is possible.
I can tell you, also - I do know know any of these games. I have never played, and certainly not anything muggle. My family did not celebrate birthdays in this way.

I do not know anybody else, Ernie - I have lived in Britain since I am seven years. And I cannot ask - it would be very strange. Imagine if your minister for magic asked random people to his private family celebrations?
So you see my problem, yes?

[badger_ernie]

So... there won't be a party to go along with this investiture? Sensible I suppose, since you don't want to get cake all over your formal robes.I hope the speech goes well.

In which case I do think you should have a birthday party. Why would it not be possible? I should have thought one of the perks of ruling Milan would be that you can have a party whenever you jolly well like! AND refuse to have fish paste sandwiches.

It is perfectly normal, in Britain in any case, for someone moving into a new neigbourhood to invite the neighbours around. It's called a "housewarming". You could combine that with your birthday - and tell them that children are welcome. I assume none of your neighbours are called Borgia It would be a good way of getting to know people.

[val_visconti]

It is not quite the same. There will be a small celebration to which various dignitaries from the five main regiones are invited. Not a party. I do not think there are going to be any wild times happening here, unless the ambassador from Firenze happense to fall in the ornamental lake.

...and I could have a birthday party whenever I like. It is just... How to explain? Political. Even a private function - people would take notice who was invited. There must to be a careful balance, yes even for a child's birthday party. Nothing that I do is entirely private any more

[badger_ernie]

Ah yes political stuff. Who is sitting below the salt and all that kind of thing. I can understand that.

I suppose its just hard for me to imagine not being able to get to know the local people. Must seem kind of isolated.

We'd love to visit sometime, when everything has settled down a bit for you. Then again, if visiting is possible, and Toyah is a bit out of sorts. perhaps Padma's sister could visit? Not Parvati in case you just choked on your prosciutto but the little one?

[val_visconti]

You got it, Ernie. finally. Life here is very different to how I am used to. It takes time to adjust. I keep wanting to laugh at people, at inappropriate moments. I think it might be stress.

I would love it if you and Susan could visit. I think so would Padma. And perhaps Pari could come to stay for a while - Padma has just had a letter from her. I will suggest it.
Thank you Ernie. It is very good to speak with someone normal you.