♚ 01 → video

[notbyyourhands]

[So Cesare had been here for a while, mostly exploring the city and watching video streams on his phone- once he figured out how to work it, more or less, of course. The phone was tossed at walls and punched a few times, but that was the least of the damage. He still wasn't sure what all this technology business was about because 15th century

Comments

[Private - Video]

[setupatstart]

[He doesn't know if he's done this right, but playing around with the cellphone has helped in what to do a little. He sees a man he recognises and so he replies with a smirk tugging at his lips.]

Bonjour Monsieur Cesare! How delightful it is to see you!

I'm unsure as to whether this place is better than your beautiful Italia or not.

[Private - Video]

[notbyyourhands]

[at first Cesare doesn't recognize him- without the mask ann all, you know. But that accent is definitely unmistakable!]

A pleasure to see you as well. [albeit a bit odd because... he was sure you were- nevermind. He smiles nonetheless.]

Is that a sort of sarcasm? This place has no sun, nothing pretty as we did back home. How could it even try to compare?

[Private - Video]

[setupatstart]

[He gets that and really misses his mask just to let you know.]

It might be, it might not. Italia only holds the sun over this place. I never much liked the country.

[Private - Video]

[notbyyourhands]

[back home he'd have another one made with a flick of his wrist. Seems we'll have to scavenge here, though.]

Fair enough. I've heard the same sort of thing from some of my family members- nothing could hold a candle to Spain, in their opinion.

But I think if you take something you may not be fond of and shape it to your liking... well you would hold onto it dearly in the end, no? Because you've made it yours.

[ video | private ]

[bladed_rose]

[Oh well, this is quite the surprise. She's got one hell of a lineface on her side.]

'Acquaintance' is a mild word.

[ video | private ]

[notbyyourhands]

[a surprise indeed! There's a second of confusion on his face, but soon enough it gives way to an amused smirk.]

I feel it would be best to not announce where my battle lines are drawn so soon.

[.....]

It has been quite a long time, mio cara.

[ video | private ]

[bladed_rose]

I am in agreement. For all we know, we may be dealing with something far more dangerous.

[She wonders for a moment, if he would come for her and exact his malice, but she would never let him see that in her expression. Fiora is afraid of what her old maestro would do.

But she doesn't know what he actually knows, so she will keep her amicable facade until she figures it out.]

It has, Cesare, mio maestro.

[ video | private ] lolol vague past anyone?

[notbyyourhands]

[Cesare isn't mad at her any longer, he had won the battle in the end, hadn't he? He liked to think so. Seeing her again through him through a loop, definitely, but most of all, he was just enjoying the tricks this strange city pulled.]

You are very correct.

[he kept his sentences short and neutral. For all he knew she was playing him as he did her.]

Are you doing well now? It feels like it's been years since we last spoke.

( voice )

[bastarding]

[ She does not show her face, though Alayne is not versed enough with the keys to type the question she wishes to ask. The voice that speaks to Cesare now is young - barely a woman's voice, no, still a girl's. Its tone is docile and politely curious and, at its edges, tentative. ]

-are you a lord?

[ His clothes make him look quite lordly, indeed. Of noble birth or high station, perhaps. ]

video;

[notbyyourhands]

[If only he had his armor and cape, that would surely give his status away clearly. But the fact that she had sense enough to ask that gave him a bit of an ego stroke.]

I suppose you could say that. Formerly a cardinal, now Duke of Valentinois. My father is the current Pope.

[he pauses for a second. She's obviously not from Rome, or even the countries that lie around Italy (unless she is trying to pull a trick on him, which had crossed his mind once when he heard voice but saw no face), but she was the first one to ask anything of the sort.]

And you, signora? Surely you must be someone important or know of those who are important to recognize someone of status. No one else here has questioned me on that, yet.

( voice )

[bastarding]

[ The titles mean nothing to Alayne beyond the fact that they are titles.

But a proper lady knows the weight of a title, as do the bastard daughters to ambitious men, so Alayne understands that knowing the precise whos and wheres are less and important than the titles themselves. Men who bore titles often acknowledged the titles of others, if only because questioning them was much like pulling stones from the foundations of his own house. ]

Duke of Valentinois, I greet you humbly. My name is Alayne Stone- [ A bastard, that is what the name Stone means where she is from. ] -and my father was once Master of Coin to the King on the Iron Throne. Now he serves in my late-step-mother's stead, as Lord Protector of the Eyrie, seat of the Vale.

He taught me always to acknowledge those who are owed respect. Were he here with me now I am certain he would greet you honorably as well.

video;

[notbyyourhands]

[the girl was eloquent, that much showed. It made Cesare hold a hand to his chin in thought, his head tilting at the camera lens in front of him. It took him only a second of pause to process it, but that was still quite the introduction from such a youthful voice. Then again, when he was only eighteen he was already signing his letters as Cesare Borgia, Cardinal of Valencia, among other numerous titles.]

It is my pleasure to meet you, signora Alayne. But such pleasantries are of little effect in this city, it would seem. [he smiled at the lens, asserting that he was not, in fact, trying to shoot her politeness down, but rather to ease her.]

You can call me Cesare instead. Cesare Borgia, though Cesare by itself is just fine. [and he bows his head in acknowledgement towards her voice, closing his eyes and bringing his palms together in a fashion that would more suit his cardinal days.]

I would send my regards to your father then as well, should he ever find himself here. [another moment of pause. In there was already an opening to

video.

[wolfsprint]

[ The answer he receives is a silent one. A hooded figure glances down at the feed, only his face and below visible. His lips are set in a careful, guarded line - one of indifference. A careful mask to hide his own, conflicting thoughts about seeing the other man.. ]

video.

[notbyyourhands]

[If Cesare knew one hooded men, he knew a thousand. So he stared back for a minute, trying to figure just which one this could be. Familiar enough, but he didn't want to greet someone so quick when all he had to go on was a small screen and bad lighting form the moon.]

Something tells me you aren't quite the Auditore assassin, mm?

[an almost literal shot in the dark, but he figured his nemesis would have confronted him much more... audibly.]

[wolfsprint]

[ Those words - they hit a careful nerve and he raises his head a bit higher, feels the frown on his lips deepening. It takes a few seconds but he reaches up, pushes his hood down to offer the other a clear view of his face - lips set in a line of disapproval. ]

Not quite.

[notbyyourhands]

[Cesare smiles, not quite looking relieved but.. appreciative?]

No, much better. [he corrects, nodding.] I would much rather see you than an enemy, considering I know they are here.

Allies give a sense of security, wouldn't you say? Almost like we never left home.