Oh, she was rotten indeed, there was no pretense that she was not, nor did she give the pretense that such rottenness was not directly to be attributed to the one who held her Heart. Nicoletta had risen upon the expectations society itself, the church itself, the world itself might have attempted to yoke her into. She did not attribute the wickedness of her wit to Aless, nor the gracefulness that always accompanied her will made reality, when it came to such reminders of their equality even its differences, as striking as they were. But her rottenness? That was because of his encouragement and allowance of the behavior, nae, even the indulgence of it.<br/><br/>She had placed their hands in one another and slipped her arm within Madame De Soto's even as commands and procession order were given back down to the main floor. Serafina's words, she need not answer them nor chide her for assuming to know what should be done, knowing well enough that Aless would with the eloquence that his rank and right afforded him, explain without chastising. That was one of his finer gifts, that he could talk a soul into almost anything and leave them convinced it was of their own free will they did such. The man was positively silver tongued and blessed with a forked appendage that would be more suited to an incubus in truth. It was also no surprise to her to see the vivid blue pools of their Angel, light as they did when she gazed upon him.<br/><br/>And so, as they all took their places about the dance floor and servants once more provided those trays of wine and food to be feasted upon and once more conversations started up in lively order underneath the beautiful melodies that ignited the air?  Those verdant pools of hers stole glances at what would be surely be remembered as legends and lore are, when it was repeated to those not in attendance. Madame De Soto leaned in, the way age husked voice found itself in Nicoletta's ear, made the woman curve one side of her mouth upwards into that enchanting smile.<br/><br/><strong> " Nicoletta, you know when you give that look, it is impossible to know if you are amused or perhaps deep within plot, or both. Are you not concerned at all...?”</strong>It was genuine worry that brought the older woman to speak as such to the courtesan, just as it was curiosity and interest in the intrigue that had made the older woman accept the invitation she had been extended this evening.<br/><br/>Nicoletta shook her head, her own mask lifted to rest upon the top of her head like some crown, the cascade of those curls of hers bathing one side of her face and shoulder in their fashionable arrangement. Emeralds sparkled in the moonlight, transfixed upon Alessandro and Serafina as indeed, she needed not to hear the words whispered, or his request for the music for their dance. No, she needed to hear such no more than Alessandro needed to hear the words he knew she would speak to him. She already knew what they were and what it would be.<br/><br/><strong> "Why should I be concerned, Madame? Do you love one child more than the other? Or is such equal but different? Should you be blessed with another, would you find the one in cradle more worthy of your love then the one who clings to your skirt? How is love between adults any different in the having of it? " </strong>Nicoletta's voice answered even as her arm within the older woman’s tightened affectionately, not one stray tone from her mouth sounding sharp or bitter. But there, as she drew in breath and the la volta began, well, there was a hint of worry that came across her features.<br/><strong><br/>                "You should be more mindful of what is transpiring before you-- fashion is what the fashionable does and if it becomes fashion because Alessandro has done such and I have welcomed such, it certainly will be mimicked. I would hate for you to gossip incorrectly at the Bishops table about what you saw here tonight."</strong>Her words held no malice as she turned to face the older woman, free hand reaching to pluck two goblets from a servant’s tray, one handed to her friend as the other was brought to her lips, the draught sweet to her mouth. Oh, how she savored that cool drink, as her eyes watched the two dancing upon the floor.  It was not lost upon her that it seemed the lesson she was teaching was being well learned and committed to his memory indeed. His every motion, his every expression, announced his understanding as that adoration and affection glew radiant from his features for all to see.<br/><br/>"<strong>Just as I would hate for you to recount the story incorrectly at court - for such would be a folly to have had a chance to witness what will be bit of our lore one day and not have seen it for what it was. As magical and impractical as anything worth doing, or indulgence of any passion worth the sin."</strong>Green eyes sparkled as she gave a wink to the older woman, who merely stood with her mouth parted as if a fish out of water, sucking a bit of air in as she to watch the dancers.<br/><br/>Only after a few moments had passed did Madame De Soto speak again.<strong> "Surely, you do not think it will become fashionable. For them to have their women is tolerable, Letta, but to parade them... that is a matter that... Guis would never ...he."</strong><br/><br/>There, there it was- the flash of those soot rimmed eyes as she turned them to the older woman, the raise of brow that signaled the older woman was upon shaky earth and to tread with care.<strong>"I do not care what becomes fashionable and what does not, Madame. I only care what brings happiness to me and mine. But I would dare venture to say that Guis would, if he thought for but a moment you would not devour whoever he brought to you in a fit of rage. "</strong>The image made Nicoletta laugh, her head shaking as she finished off her glass.<br/><br/>Madame snorted as she shook her head, quieting herself as her young lover drew closer to the two women. Nicoletta would not deny that the Madame had beautiful taste, the young man was indeed quite a figure- dashing and full of vitality, something Guis was not.<strong> "Besides, it isn't as if Guis does not understand your 'arrangements'." </strong>She offered that comfort as the older woman inclined her head to the man who was making his way to the shadows of the garden for a tryst with his lover.<br/><br/>A lover that Nicoletta would be taking a percentage of what he was 'gifted' this evening for from in the morning.   Then again, she would be taking a percentage of the gift given to the girl she had chosen for Guis to be entertained by too. Work was never really done for Nicoletta, but keeping those two more then content paved the way to plans and aspirations she had in the works, for with their pleasure came a direct line to those who moved in circles of influence she could not. At least, she could not -yet-.<br/><br/><strong> "Go, I will make sure your excuses should your absence be noted."</strong>It was an offering extended, as if a gracious action of forgiveness for words that may have slighted. And so, the smile Madame gave her was one of gratitude, as she slipped from Nicoletta's side to make her way without being noticed, something harder for the Madame to do, considering everyone gathered 'knew' she would be doing just that at some point during the evening.<br/><br/>Nicoletta allowed her gaze to follow those two out, before it returned to the those she considered her Own dancing upon the floor in those ways that spoke of seduction and adoration in a most decadent way. Her glass was taken by leather clad fingers only to be replaced by a fuller one as her Darling, her beautiful toy, leaned to whisper within her ear. Oh, her hand rose just to caress the far side of his cheek in such a adoring way, indeed this male one of the only any could recant or recall her allowing to touch her, since she had made choice those fateful years before to take Alessandro’s offer. But the reason why he was allowed and not others was one that was gossiped about until the ‘tale’ was so far from the truth it was amusing to add to it.<br/><br/>A  slip of honey spiced laughter exited those full lips of hers as she nodded head to what was being told to her. And after that sound was the rise of her to tip toes to whisper within the line of his ear, instructions for the room that should be prepared and for who should be waiting to lead Aless and Serafina to the place where physician would be. Her own presence would not be required, after all, someone had to tend to the guests.<strong> “Hurry back after you instruct her where he is to go, I wish to dance and not with the Count who is eyeing the situation as a vulture eyes carrion.” </strong>the ‘her’ she was speaking of, the maid who would guide the two dancers to awaiting attention as the dance floor opened back to guests once more until their return.<br/>