There was that wonderful grace that came with motions so trained that they appeared to be fluid, to be more instinctual then planned. With Letta, there was little that was unplanned however, projection of an image the gifting of the perception she wished to be seen was apart of that stock and trade. Be it the lift of chin slightly and turn of head to the right so that her neck elongated or the light itself graced her features in a way that gave mystical appearance or the slightest shift of her spine to allow body to give gaze here or guide eye there was less part of whim and whimsy as it was application of such to direct observation here or there without it being noted.<br/><br/>Here, in these stolen moments with Serafina, however, she was nearly as unmasked as Alessandro had been within the confines of their coach. The natural inclination of her being was to lean into the younger woman who held such promise, to allow her fingers to glide against the girls silken tresses after her words had been given so freely without guise or veiled intentions. Serafina had responded in such a  manner to the notions of the devils work and had been given thoughts to ponder that would ultimately have to be the beautiful girls own choice, for to choose the path was but the first steps of the journey that no one, not even Nicoletta could take for her.<br/><br/>When the beautiful roses bloomed upon Fina's cheek and the girls precious form moved to lower herself the movement of her hand was already chosen. The words had been plucked from the air and dined upon, consumed, the very intonation of them locked away within Letta's mind. The delicate back of hand with trace of knuckles moved from locks only to be ran sweet and slowly down the silk of that darling Angels cheek, as if stroking rosepetal but to know the decadence of its texture. Careful, oh, the careful way of that hand to turn from back to front to trace fingernails themselves against that jawline, lifting the chin so that their eyes might lock into one another, so that expressions were but images meant to be engraved upon the mind.<br/><br/><strong>"And I will vow to you, my Serafina, to give you the truth of my soul. And as such, you do me great honor, darling angel, for to tutor you completes a great many joys for me. Not only does this suit my Alessandro, but it suits my vanity. You see, to have hand in guiding your  metamorphosis will secure my own immortality in a way. For legends will be crafted for you, my sweet one. And the art they create in homage to you? It will endure until nothing remains of all of this, ourselves included. I would even wager, and I do love to wager, my darling, that the books you consume will inspire works of intellect that are devoured and contemplated long after we sleep the eternal slumber. " </strong><br/><br/>Upon Nicoletta's face was but adoration and a more complex mix of emotions that caused those shockingly verdant pools of hers to glimmer like some lush oasis as they locked within the brilliance of those sapphire orbs.<strong>"My darling, you are now one of mine. You may thank Alessandro for that in time, of course, or perhaps curse him. I can promise you that the cage he provides you with will be large enough to not feel as such. From time to time the bars may feel close but oh, Alessandro knows well how to enlarge them so that they do not strike dischord within the heart of one he loves. And trust me, little one, he will love you well.  "</strong><br/><br/>The softer application of pressure with those fingertips as she raised the girls face but a bit more then that lift Serafina had naturally given, her body leaning forwards as the plusher tiers of her lips brushed but to the corner of that tender mouth in exchange of breath and words blessing the warm flesh, perfect as it was.<strong>" And I will serve you, as I serve all those who hold place in my heart. For our deal is struck and the vows are spoken. It is so rare that 'everyone' gets what they want out of an arrangement as such. Truly we were both born under a lucky star."</strong>Laughter came musical from those lips as they turned and her own cheek was brushed against the warmth of the girls, her hand dropping to softly trace the side of neck as lips found their way to rest against the ear. Whispered words so light, so tender given in such an intimate way.<strong>"Now then, Serafina, since our business is done, I wish to know every detail of you. From birth to now, reflections and introspections alike!" </strong><br/><br/>A joyous kiss given to the girls temple as her hand was removed, gesturing for her to take seat beside her as the woman moved over to coax the beauty to nestle beside her upon her bench, preparing her arms to embrace her and allow the angel to rest her head to Letta's shoulder as they conversed. The movement was interrupted however by the appearance of a gasping young lad, racing break neck pace across the garden, and in his wake one of the footmen. The boys  motions were clumsy enough to provoke an almost wince from Letta as she watched him near trip and stagger, stagger roll across rock lined path, saving himself by doing a half leap that seemed more suited to jackrabbit then lad. Oh, he was dressed in colors near breath taking and the symbol of Alessandro's house pinned in glimmering metal upon loosened jacket, now that he was coming closer and nearer with each pump of legs.<br/><br/><strong>"Matron! Mistress! Madame! A thousand pardons, a thousand and one pardons.." </strong>heavy was the panting as he stumbled forwards, near knocking the table with his hip as his eyes widened and reddened cheeks bloomed brighter at the sight before him of the two. His lips parted, like fish out of water, trying to form words that would not come because the air would not come! Not for lack of trying, as he sputtered. Behind him, far more steady came the footman, boots finding purchase on the ground in long strokes.<br/><br/><strong>"Antonio, come now, boy. You had but one task.."</strong>The almost humor in the footmans voice was stolen as he lowered his head to the Ladies, the darkness of his curls appearing as his hat was swept from head with flourish. Beside him, the panting Tony made sound like croak, gasping in finally enough air for what came next  to be delivered with a holy vengeance.<br/><br/><strong>"Vittorio sends words, My lady. "</strong>The panting made the cadence of the words strike in a manner that would have been amusing, if not for the interruption and the shock of it all. His brown eyes glanced between the two women, as if unsure to speak freely but realizing he had already stepped off of the dock and was now in the midst of the waters. It was the footman who sternly tapped the boy's shoulder, giving a dark look and shake of his head as he, himself stepped about the table to lean over enough that his words could be for Letta's ear and hers alone.<br/><em><strong><br/>It was something to see. <br/></strong></em><br/>How the expression upon Nicoletta's face shifted and changed as if reflecting the internalized storm that such tidings brewed within her. With but vipers quickness her head turned to speak to the Footman, her words spoken through tightened throat, the huskiness of them forcing the man to shift himself but slightly as he lowered his head to show his understanding. He righted quickly, pulling down his overtunic as he jerked those dark curls to show Tony to come with him. Nicoletta sat silent as statue, her lips curved into the faintest of smiles as she drew in a breath before reaching forwards to pluck two glasses, one handed to Serafina to savor as her own eyes watched as Tony and the Footman made haste to do her bidding. It was not an easy thing to remain 'here' and allow such and for but an instant that showed upon her features  and in the tension of her body.<br/><br/>As if she had not just ordered the footman to send word fast and fleet of foot to the houses she managed, via her information network to have 'that' word then split amongst a few of the girls who were fast on their own feet, Nicoletta returned to her settled position, a faint smile dancing across those features of hers. Now the game was to have any physician be paid bonus if he reported work upon a certain handsome man who held her heart, if that work occurred this day.  Double bonus if they refused to do the work at all, forcing one to return home if the wound was not bad and only then.<br/><br/>But that was not all she had ordered, was it? No. They would send special messengers if needed for while she held faith that her Alessandro was not wounded mortally, for that would be beneath him and her expectations of him, she was practical. If he was gravely injured then there were other instructions, one the beauty beside her need not know as of yet.<br/><br/>Gentle she was as she turned her head to kiss Fina's temple, her expression shifting but once more to something more conspiratory in nature.<strong>"My sweet darling, forgive the interruption, but it does seem a lesson needs taught. I will have to have your history at a later time, forgive me for that as well, as it is out of my hands. Do you enjoy games?" </strong>The flash of her smile was more akin to sunrise upon the water, as she clinked her own glass into the one she had given Fina, leaning in to whisper to her, words for only the two of them.