paradisalogs | we'll be counting stars

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we'll be counting stars

Who: Lucrezia and Cassandra, Lucrezia and Spike!
What: Finding lost dogs and making house calls nbd
When: December 2
Where: everywhere
Rating: PG for now!

Cassandra;

More than half the lavish parties thrown in Rome were probably hosted by her family. The church certainly has deep pockets, most of the time, even if sometimes her father digs too deep. So it's rare that she would miss any of the important festivities or feel the need to leave her house to attend the ones worth going to. Regret is an uncommon sentiment for her when it comes to parties, but she does regret not attending this Bathaus one when it could be a chance to mend old friendships (or just to get away).

It's good that the weather has turned rather cool, since Lucrezia doesn't know what dry ice is and how to properly transport a tub of ice cream. At least she knows to wrap it up in a scarf when she comes knocking, herself all bundled up in a coat as well. Here is hoping everyone is at home (minus Tim).

Spike

The dog was surprisingly well-behaved even if it did bark at the kittens once or twice. It even befriended the tiger, though whether that's to his credit or the tiger's is up for question. She has enough pets as it is, with the mansion quickly turning into a zoo without quick intervention, and Spike is a friend who seems ever in need of a friend, whether one that can talk or not.

But Lucrezia knows to greatly reward those who please her with their company, which is easier done in a magical castle that grants all wishes. So it's with a pretty pink pearl collar about his neck and a matching little velvet coat that she carries Ein back to his door, knocking just twice and hoping the master of the house is in.

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He might not have been referring entirely to himself. That's to be expected though; Spike likes to keep his comments open to interpretation. It keeps him from committing to anything.

For a moment, it looks like he has something else on his mind, but holds it back before he breaks his streak. "Things have a way of balancing out."

If he had also meant to speak of her, well, then he has come closer to the truth than most other have. It's loneliest to be in a middle of a crowd of strangers, after all. But he isn't a stranger. Somewhere along the way, he made it through.

"Do you believe that? No bad deed, or good, goes unpunished even in this world?"

His eyebrows raise in thought, or surprise that she came up with that question, and almost spontaneously breaks into a smile. It's only tragic if you don't get the jokes.

"Especially in this world."

Lucrezia tips her head skeptically. She thinks she knows when someone isn't telling her the whole truth, not that Spike has been the most generous in that sense, but still she makes a small pout. For his benefit.

"The castle cares little for justice."

He's not offended that she doesn't see the same humor in his cynical musings. If anything, it's probably best that she isn't as bad as him. Not a good look in a woman.

"You think it works outside of the system?"

Lucrezia fancies herself as bad as anyone gets yet with a heart of the purest white. It's possible. She would prove it too.

"What fear could stone and steel have for divine judgment?"

Spike's opinion of her is a lot more complex, or maybe he hasn't decided on it yet. One of those things he thinks about when he isn't napping.

"I'm not sure I'm qualified enough to answer that."

Both and neither, as they say.

"Perhaps I am," she could be serious no matter how sing-song she sounds when she says it or how cheeky her grin might be. "You must know I am the holy daughter. Would you believe me?"

That's right. Or, it must be, since he isn't familiar with all of the terms associated with the Pope. Getting special treatment like this has to be a big deal for people who are into that.

"You'd be the one to ask, wouldn't you?"

"But you know I am far from holy," and by extension, even the Vicar of Rome himself is far from so, but that is blasphemy and she knows better than to say it out loud.

"None is worthy, least of all myself. Is that not so?"

From his expression, maybe he's one of the few who has a broad view of what is condemnable and what counts as adapting to survive. She's further above him than she gives herself credit for in that way, in either case. Guilt and religion seem to go hand in hand though, at least for someone as clueless as him.

With all these long pauses before responding, she's going to start to wonder if her questions are going over his head too.

"That would give me less to brag about."

Catholics are known for that unbearable guilt they tend to carry around, aren't they?

In that case, Lucrezia is different. She knows mercy is hers because of who she is but it doesn't stop her wondering how much forgiveness she will need before all this ends. Some days, she likes to think her hand was forced in too many matters.

"Not so, then. I shall allow you to proclaim to the world of how greater a sinner you are than I."

Did he admit to something there? That's the trouble with conversations that drift into unfamiliar territory. As curious as part of him is, he doesn't really know what he's talking about.

"You could have let me know it was a competition. I could have ended that sooner."

He's not alone. Sometimes she carries on the conversation as if she knows what it's about. Knowing for sure is dull, as much as she abhors secrets. We all have our contradictions.

"What if I would not? I never did enjoy losing."

He leans back, mildly wondering at this thing that they aren't really talking about.

"I'm not sure I'd know what it looks like."

Lucrezia isn't even sure they are speaking of the same thing by this point. That seems to always be the case until she eventually says something to try and jar him out of it. Bantering is comfortable.

"How what looks like?"

Who knows? Spike tends to muse to himself even when he's in the middle of a conversation with someone else. Like everyone is a part of a dream that matters only to him..

He shrugs.

"You losing. I can't picture it."

That gets a wan smile out of her as she moves to rise to her feet. It might have been something he said or just the time. Still she spares a minute to crouch on the floor to scratch Ein behind his ear.

"That is a compliment, is it not?"

"I'd be rude to insult you after you brought him back." Although he's looking at her instead of Ein when he says it. With the way he's treated the dog since he reappeared last year, it's hard to judge his sincerity.

"I owe you one."

But that says nothing. She should have learned after so many occasions spent in his company, but at least this trip was worth enough. She places a kiss on top of Ein's head before standing up.

"Perhaps one of my kittens will lose their way someday."

Ein is a spoiled brat of a dog, but he's smart enough to go where he wants. It just doesn't add up that he'd keep coming back. Maybe he thinks Ed will show up if he hangs around long enough.

"I'm sure Ein will remember what they smell like."

Lucrezia grants him a sweet smile. One might even say long suffering.

"He is welcome any time. Like his master."

Spike could be polite back, smile and thank her and make her feel appreciated. Instead, he has to interpret her expression. Make sense of it before she leaves him guessing.

"You think it will pay off someday?"

Her smile is only too amused, as if his question is entirely inane. Silly Spike, if he only knew.

"I thought it has already."

He doesn't reply for a long moment, beyond a near-silent hum. It's a hard thing to judge, in his opinion, but he is the more informed of the two of them. So he thinks.

"I have a hard time keeping track."

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