Raised in a pious family Serafina had never felt such a tender embrace from another woman, her own mother viewing touch as something of the devil if it was not needed for some reason. It was temptation. And perhaps she could understand that more now, feeling Nicoletta's hands caressing her hair, and then the soft touch to her cheek that brought  blush of delight through her as those fingertips mapped the sweet curve of her chin. At the delicate, though firm, urging for her face to raise she canted her head back, sapphire bright eyes meeting that enigmatic gaze that so enthralled her. In her youthful features lay her adoration, her honest respect and yearning for all the promise that yet lay between them.<br/><br/>Oh the words that came from her new mentor's lips then, swearing by oath to share all the depths of that glittering soul. To be thought of as bestowing an honor, that was not something the fair blond would have though she had to offer to someone was respected and powerful as the courtesan before her. Yet anything that she had to give would be Nicoletta's, that Serafina had no doubt of. Perhaps for a moment stars sparkled in her eyes at the notion of leaving behind such a legacy, something she had never dared to contemplate in the past and gave her a rush of giddiness to even think of now. Books she would consume, yes, and perhaps even write her own as well.<br/><br/><em>One of mine</em>.<br/><br/>What joy those words gave her, it was truly beyond her ability to describe, for to belong to Nicoletta's chosen few, indeed it surpassed even her most wild and daring of dreams. Part of her thought to chafe at the notion of still being within a cage, yet she trusted Nicoletta in that Alessandro would make the cage as large as possible, to give her the freedom she so yearned for. Desire flooded her in that teasing, oh so light brush of lips against the corner of her mouth, heart leaping into fast pace as she trembled and wondered what it would be to feel the fullness of Nicoletta's kiss.<strong>"I shall thank that lucky star each day until the end of my days, for it has blessed me most profoundly."</strong>Serafina's reply whispered out with awe laced through it, her own lips parting in a gentle gasp as the tease of the chestnut haired beauty's lips against her ear.<br/><br/>Every detail... part of her wondered for a moment if Nicoletta wished her to disrobe then, to be on display and if that the case she would gladly lay herself bare for the other woman. Yet it was the words that followed it that helped tether her back to reality rather than a joyful rush toward the abandon of the bliss found in a lover's arms. Blushing hotly at the direction her thoughts had taken Serafina obeyed the silent command to rise from where she had knelt and return to her seat upon the bench. She softened into Letta's arms only partially self conscious, attempting to push the desire within her away to focus and give that which was asked for so sweetly. Perhaps once night touched the sky that stretched wide above them such things could be explored, or if not she would abide in patience until her lady mentor thought her ready. Softly she found her voice, sharing with the courtesan her earliest memories, and reaching the point from whence she had chosen this path when a young lad raced through the garden to reach them.<br/><br/>At the intrusion Serafina rose slightly from where she had been nestled to the other woman, her summer sky eyes alive with the inquisitive light that told of such a strong faction of her personality. The footman who joined the over spent page, a handsome man with dark curls and amber eyes who Serafina would not have minded flirting with before this blessed day. The name Vittorio did not have any meaning to her at first, though some introspection yielded the possibility of the Asp perhaps being the one spoken of, he who served Alessandro's whims in many ways. The blond watched silently as the footman leaned in, sharing information with her mentor and she alone. Yet the expression that came to that beloved woman's features hinted at perhaps what had come to pass, something she was not in the lease pleased with. The two males departed, leaving her alone with Nicoletta who handed her a glass with cool fruit wine within it. Lightly the maiden sipped, waiting for information, yet not intending to push for it should it not wish to be shared.<br/><br/>Nicoletta turned to her, those lovely lips pressing a kiss to her temple and again expression changed, rather akin to the manner of the ocean's mood shifting rapidly upon whim. She much preferred this expression though, one that invited her into mischief perhaps.<strong>"Some games, my Lady, though my father frowned upon my learning any of them. If you mean the game of flirting, that I know well enough. What is it you need of me for this game?"</strong>For whatever it was she would give it and gladly.