[ open ] freedom hangs like heaven

[cesar]

Date & Time: anytime in September
Location: all the places
Characters: Cesare Borgia and YOU
Summary: Cesare knocks on certain people's doors or otherwise trawls the city, all formats are fine by me!
Warnings: n/a

Fortune favors not the bold, but the early bird, the night owl, the one who sleeps not. She favors those who know precisely where to aim before the enemy even rouses himself from sleep, from pleasure. It takes only one shot to make or break one's fortune, yet there is so little time and so much to learn, too many red herrings to eliminate.

Only five more years until his twenty-sixth year.

Cesare spends so little time in his room when he isn't bathing or sleeping (sadly still a necessity), usually returning home as the night sky grows brighter and leaving just before noon to start his nocturnal wanderings again. But when he is home, he keeps to himself, silent as a ghost and as absent as if he isn't there at all.

He gives training only the requisite number of hours, because strength and force will never be his advantage. This he already knows. Better that he deals in stealth and information, in learning more about this world to figure out which strings to pull if he were to secure his and his mother's freedom. The Initiative's intent to overthrow the tyrant is a fool's errand so he would lend it little assistance unless the mission keeps him in their good books or aids his eventual escape.

Otherwise Cesare can be found in the city, cloaked in black velvet with the hood drawn up to hide his face. But even his attire would easily betray him, since his vanity would not allow him to dress in rags to hide himself better, and the sword on his hips gleam too brightly against the dismal surroundings. His hand grips the hilt warily as he moves from one shop to another, seemingly in search of something. He would be careful not to reveal his intent while there is another customer in the room, pretending to browse the goods on display, unless they catch him in the middle of a discussion with the owner. Then they might overhear words such as maps and pearls and bullets being discussed.

 

Comments

[smellslikefish]

[She goes to her rooms when she believes no one will be there-- at dawn, when most humans (and the like) sleep. Her hair is damp and plastered to her face, and her clothes cling to her-- but rather than move as if she's displeased, Adia relishes the wetness, and makes sure her clothes stay clinging to her skin.

Her expression is wary, frightened and angry all at once-- though no one is around, she grips her knife tightly and glances around the dark suite, trying to make sure she's alone.]

[cesar]

[ Unfortunately for her, that is precisely when Cesare deems is the right time to come home. But he prefers to be a tolerated roommate despite his strange sleeping habits, so he takes care to make little sound when he opens the door and closes it behind him. He waits there a moment to allow his eyes to adjust to the darkness, his dark clothes hiding him well enough. ]

[smellslikefish]

[Her breath catches; her fingers tighten on the knife.]

You are my roommate.

[She glares at him through the darkness. It's so easy for her to see, and she prefers to take any advantage she can-- so no lights, not yet.]

[cesar]

[ He notices the company only once she speaks up, squinting his eyes toward her general direction and catching only the glint of metal. A weapon, he presumes. Better to be exceedingly wary than otherwise. But his smile seems easy and he isn't compelled to stay in his place, now standing straighter to slowly walk closer. ]

Perhaps. We have not been introduced.

[smellslikefish]

Adia.

[She stands her ground, her head held high-- but she also draws out her weapon warily.]

[cesar]

[ He stops just halfway, crossing his arms in front of him and waiting. ]

Cesare. Shall we find the light switch now?

[smellslikefish]

[As haughtily as she can manage:]

If you truly need it.

[cesar]

Truly?

[ He laughs, scoffs. ]

Can one not simply want light?

[smellslikefish]

Some people can see well enough without it. It is fine if you cannot.

[She stares at him for a few seconds before making a decision-- she turns, all at once, stalking into the kitchen. Perhaps he's a threat and perhaps he isn't, but she's not going to treat him as one, anyway.]

[cesar]

[ Cesare notes how dismissive she sounds but knows that retribution must be patient. He walks toward the other direction, guessing at where the light switch should be if the apartment is anything like his previous one. ]

A simple "good evening" would do better.

[ But there, he flicks on the lights so they won't have to speak like enemies in the dark. ]

[smellslikefish]

Morning. It is dawn. Do you always come at dawn?

[cesar]

The sun has yet to show her face. [ His true measure of day. ]

Would that be disagreeable to you?

[smellslikefish]

[She shrugs.]

I simply wish to know when you'll be coming and going. I do not care for surprises.

[cesar]

Pity, I am fond of surprising.

[ By which he means she won't get to know. ]

[smellslikefish]

Not a wise course of action where I am concerned. I might mistake you for an enemy.

[cesar]

Then you must learn to listen for my footsteps.

[smellslikefish]

[She glares at him.]

I will. And if you try and surprise me, if you try and harm me in any way, I will not hesitate to defend myself.

[It's a clumsily worded threat, but the anger in her eyes is quite real-- as is the arrogant tilt of her chin. She will back this threat, no doubt.]

[cesar]

[ He just chuckles, taking it lightly. ]

Must I remind you that you were first to brandish a weapon in my presence?

[smellslikefish]

[Her mouth curls into an indignant frown.]

Yes. Because I do not take chances with people like you.

[cesar]

[ He takes that as an insult. ]

There are no people like me.

[smellslikefish]

[She rolls her eyes.]

You are not human, then? I do not care. Human, elf, I don't care. I do not trust you, or any other man.

[cesar]

I do not require your trust.

[ Though he does need to be sure she would not bring harm to his mother, who will also share this space. ]

But I have no reason to wish you harm.

[smellslikefish]

No? And yet every one of your kind has caused me harm; what makes you so different?

[cesar]

That depends. What would it gain me to do you harm?