☩ Text, 005 ☩ Charity Drive

[unholydecree]

Good afternoon, everyone. This is a general announcement and request to anyone willing to help out during these troubled times. The weather is cooler and the locals sorely unprepared for it. Snow drives us indoors and the lack of supplies do little to ward the cold from our bones

Comments

[Video]

[white_polaris]

Cesare, that's wonderful, I have quite a bit I can donate.

[white_polaris]

You're sweet [She teased as she sat down.]

And it's the things I want to donate, some of them, anyways.

Ah- [She watched as the servants brought in several trays of food.] I didn't know what you liked, I thought you might appreciate a classic taste of home so tonight I had them cook Italian. I apologize if it isn't to your actual standards.

[unholydecree]

That's very considerate of you, that sounds just fine.

[The food looks and smells adequate. Actually it looks better than the restaurant food he has been living on.]

Shall we indulgence in some pleasantries while we dine? Tell me how your day has been.

[white_polaris]

The work of a headmistress is never done. [A servant poured Cesare a glass of red wine.] Oh, I'm afraid the wine needs to breathe a little more, they didn't have time before hand.

But I've been well, I've taken in another into my home.

[unholydecree]

Have you? How many does that make now?

[He leans comfortably back in his chair and gives the wine a swirl in his glass but does not drink any.

There really is something motherly about this woman, Cesare isn't surprised she has so many that come to her. Personally he cannot imagine having so many people underfoot all the time. His privacy is important to him.]

[white_polaris]

Just three... Makoto and many others have left Somarium. [She smiles sadly.] I'm hoping I can convince Small Lady to one day join me here... Ah but, I didn't invite you to burden you.

[unholydecree]

It is no burden. Certainly if I had family here I would speak of them as well. I believe we are in agreement that family is to us the most cherished of things.

[white_polaris]

She is so much of my heart. [She smiles as she presses a hand to her chest.] But I have failed her.

[unholydecree]

Admittedly I know little of what has happened but from the little that I am aware of, it sounds as if you had little to do with the outcome of the situation or its circumstance.

[He doesn't really have a clue what he's talking about but he says it in a sincere manner and hopes it's what she wants to hear.]

[white_polaris]

The story to tell... it is a long one and not at all pleasant. I don't wish to make you feel like you must listen.

[She smiles.] Ah but... I seem to keep coming back to it. Please, eat Cesare. I had the meal made with you in mind.

[unholydecree]

[He takes on a jovial tone, smiling.]

Luckily for you, my Lady, you have the pleasure of dining with an Italian. We can happily take our suppers over the course of an entire evening, spent around the dining table.

So long as the wine is plentiful.

[He winks at her as he brings up his glass in a toast and then takes a long drink from it.]

If you like you can talk while I eat, hm?

[white_polaris]

Wine is something that never runs out in my house. [She laughs.]

And let you eat alone? [She teased. She may have matured leaps and bounds from her younger self, but she still had the same appetite.] No, I think not. But... are you sure you wish to hear?

[unholydecree]

Yes, I would. I have become something of a friend to your daughter, at least to my measuring, and I would like to think that we are friends. I am concerned for you both.

[Not so much that last bit, more like he's just being nosy.]

But, only if you wish to tell it. I understand how family business can be delicate and personal.

[white_polaris]

I am glad you are her friend, Cesare, truly. She needs kind people in her life...

[She sips her wine.]

In my world... there was a man known as Death Phantom who killed indiscriminately. Men, women, children, the sick, the elderly... everyone... He didn't care... so he was banished. [She had banished him, in fact.] He and many other criminals were... banished to another world.

And our world knew peace for some time... however he returned. He and the descendants of the other criminals. The descendants called themselves the Black Moon Clan. The moon you see on Small Lady's forehead was purposely made in contrast to my own. [She gestured to the golden moon on her own forehead.] When they returned, they sought to destroy the populace, to wipe it out so they could inhabit it and start... fresh.

When they attacked the earth, Small Lady, Wicked Lady as you know her... [Serenity winced at having to say that name.] She was outside... I went to find her and was attacked. My poor little girl... she saw what happened to me and our

[unholydecree]

[Cesare is listening attentively, though much of the details don't make much sense to him not being from her world. While he listens he's sipping his wine and eating and enjoying the meal. It's a good story, not unlike stories of other countries and tyrants and wars he has heard.

Until the part about Wicked Lady being a five year-old. Cesare actually chokes a little on the drink of wine he had just taken into his mouth and he mutters an apology as he clears his throat, while she continues to talk.

Just yesterday he had been--

He really doesn't want to think about that right now. Holy God.

When Serenity winds down her tale, Cesare gives her a reassuring smile he isn't really feeling.]

My sympathies for all that you and she have suffered, my Lady. It is a terrible burden, I cannot hardly imagine.

[white_polaris]

[She smiles and turns her head.]

I... I'm sorry, Cesare. I really shouldn't have troubled you with this. And I shouldn't be so sad... I know how this tale shall play itself out... this... part of Small Lady's life is something that has happened in my past. Small Lady does not know it, but I am from her future, not the past.