The Courtesan's Kiss

[Starsailor2804]

As he stood there and heard the end of their conversation before she sang the lullaby Franco was troubled to hold back the tears that he wished to shed for the thought of his wife. Listening to lullaby he felt his legs growing weaker by the moment and tears welling on his eyes but he resisted and sucked it up, as well as took a long sip of his wine. It had been the wish of Alex for her to sing such a tune and thus did not blame her for doing it, but it still stung his heart and made him realize just how much Alex missed and needed a person to fill the roll of mother.

With the end of the lullaby he watched her rise and turn to him, but he turned before she could grow too close. It was best they closed the door to his son's room before they spoke. Closing it as she left the room he turned and handed her a glass of wine while he took another sip of his own. There had been know tears shed, but she could tell that he had been close to crying, which he would not dare ever admit to. He did not like to show any sign of weakness. "Do not worry about it, it is alright, my son was the one who asked you to sing it. I'm glad you brought him to slumber due to the emotional attachment he has to that song. I hope his mother visits him in his dreams this night," Franco said with a forced smile, before walking down the hall to his room.

Looking back he turned and stopped, this time smiling for real. "Would you care to join me? I wish to show you my favorite room of his estate," he said, talking about his bedroom of course. There were only two things that could take away his thoughts from his late wife, and that was alcohol and fulfilling his lust. Entering his room he walked to the balcony and had she known well, as he was sure she did for she was so experienced, the door would close behind her.

Standing on the balcony alone he sipped his wine, waiting for her to join him or call him to her.

 

[slippedhalo]

Giavanna took a sip of her wine, it was very good. Likely they had a very good wine cellar with the best society had to offer. She took a second sip and savored it more before entering the room, Ah, his bedroom. The man wastes little time when he wants something. she noted to herself silently with a bemused smile as the door shut behind her and locked. She paid it no mind and crossed the room confidently as she joined him at the balcony entrance to see the spectacular view his room provided. "Oh, magnificent. You may possibly have the best view of the whole of Italy." she commented, brushing up against him slightly as she joined him at his side. "It must be lovely to see the sunrise from here." she hinted.

 

[Starsailor2804]

Feeling her approaching as her scent grew closer and closer Franco found himself smiling as he raised the glass to his lips and took another sip of his wine. As she brushed up against his body he slowly slid his free hand around her waist and drew her closer still. Her comment much more of flirtation and expectation than of real interest of the view. Though she was correct, he may indeed have the best view of all of Italy from here.

"And, we shall enjoy tomorrow's sunrise, together," he said, wrapping his other arm around her still holding onto his wine glass so she now faced him. With a smile he looked over her features up close and breathed in her scent, studying every last inch of her face before he inched closer slowly, before finally enjoying in a kiss upon her soft lips. The kiss was light for now until all their hands were free of these glasses of wine. But, he had no heart to simply drop them to crash on the floor and thus instead held onto his, lightly kissing her as they inched together slowly to his room.

 

[slippedhalo]

The kiss was soft, tender, romantic even. They brushed lips this way several times as they moved back into the comfort of Franco's room. She set her glass upon a nearby table, bending to smell the flowers in the vase sitting upon it, feigning shyness... but, his hand upon her shoulder urging her gently but firmly back toward him, caused her to turn and face him again, a soft smile upon her lips, "I've been hoping for a chance alone with you for some time." she admitted, kissing him again but this time the kiss blossomed into a more passionate affair than the initial ones.

 

[Starsailor2804]

As she had taken the opportunity to set down her glass of wine and smell the flowers on the table Franco took the time to set down his glass as well upon the table, next to her own glass. Pulling her back into him he smiled as she did not hesitate in soft kisses upon his lips. "Surely not as long as I," he said with a smile that ended as kisses evolved into a more passionate sensation that sent him stepping backwards as she placed more weight into him. Taking a seat on the edge of the bed he opened his legs drawing her in much closer.

His hands slid quickly around her back and grasped onto her ass, barely covered he found by the fabric she had chose to worn that night. Gripping he pulled her closer still against the edge of the bed as he continued the kiss, allowing her much initiative to lead him as much as he led her.

 

[slippedhalo]

Taking a breath between kisses she stopped to begin untying the bodice of her gown, her eyes locked hungrily upon Franco's and she asked huskily, "I take it, then, that we're agreed I am your courtesan and not just your date tonight?" and soon she was standing before him candle and moonlight bringing out the honey highlights in her long wavy hair as it cascaded down her bare back, she was in only her corset and a thin underskirt with nothing beneath. Her gown pooled on the floor at her feet. She waited, letting his eyes drink of her, seeing the rise of his prick through the silk of his clothes.

 

[Starsailor2804]

Feeling her hands move between the kisses he pulled back finally from the kisses as she did to speak to him as she untied her gown and allowed it to just hang upon her, ready to fall to the ground. However, what she had next sent his entire mood sour for it was something that did not need to be said for it was already known. As she asked her question his hands dropped from behind her and he sat back, obviously upset she had asked him such a thing.

"You surely do know how to ruin a mood don't you?" He said this, looking deep into her eyes, but even though he spoke his prick seemed to think differently for it grew. The mind and prick did not ever work together it seemed. "That was something that could have been left unsaid for I know why you are here and why I wanted you here. If you wish to sound like a common whore you know how to succeed," he said, calling her a name that could have sent her mood to anger. However, it was all about the money to her was it not?

As she stood there her dress had fallen completely, allowing him a clear view of all her assets that were indeed worth any cost. But, much had been said between the two that had certainly angered Franco. His prick continued to rise despite it all to hide behind his silk at an impressive size.

 

[slippedhalo]

"What did you just call me?" hissed Giavanna with an audible gasp as the anger rose too her cheeks and she bent as quickly as she could to gather her dress up around her and re-tie it, moving toward the door. Without a word she stormed out of his bedroom and was headed for the door.

She had pride. She was a courtesan of the highest calibre and to be called a whore by anyone, even someone as rich as he, was far too insulting for her to even consider going on past. She had to leave. She had to leave as soon as possible before she said things she may later regret. She was seething by the time she'd found the sitting room, having frustrated herself further by getting lost along the way.

 

[Starsailor2804]

He had angered her just as much as she had angered him, but unlike himself, he had hurt her pride. It was a cheap shot he knew, however it was hard for one to control their words when they were angry. Sitting upon the bed with no movement he watched her as she redressed and huffed before leaving his room, stomping all the way down the hall and down the stairs. Her exit had only angered him more, not just because she left him, but because she had made such noise when she had swung over the door and walked off. His son was sleeping, how dare she.

Running from the room after he had given so much time for her to get ahead of him he looked around before running down the stairs in a fury. It did not seem she had gotten to far as he quickly went past the sitting area, only to stop once he passed as he saw she was there. Entering he slammed the door shut hard, exactly what he had chased her for in the first place. "How dare you slam open my bedroom door and walk off in such a fury! My son is sleeping and I expect you to respect my home while you are present!" Walking over to her quickly he grabbed her left wrist with his right hand and squeezed it quite tightly. His anger clouding his mind from realizing what he was doing.

 

[slippedhalo]

Her anger flashed in her eyes once more as he slammed the door and began to yell at her but the anger turned to slight fear as he took hold of her wrist and squeezed. "Ouch! Let me go, you're hurting me!" she breathed, panicking now, pulling back away from him as hard as she could. Which, once his grasp lightened, sent her flying backward onto her buttocks onto the hard marble floor, her head hitting the edge of a small table nearby...

A vase atop it shook but did not topple, still, she touched her hand up to the place where she'd bumped her head and her eyes widened in a mixture of more fear and growing fury as she pulled it away to see blood upon her hand.

 

[Starsailor2804]

Her words cut into him sharply and as ordered and realizing what he was doing and that he was hurting her he released his drip. But, he had not wanted what happened next to occur. As he released his grip from her wrist she was sent tumbling backwards onto her butt and her head crashed into a small table causing a loud thump. Shocked, his hands shaking once realizing what he had just done, he did not know whether to step forwards or step back and actually done both. Seeing the fear and anger in her eyes he tried to speak, tried to apologize, but he could not find anything to say as he saw her bloodied hand.

"I....I didn't mean....to," he began to say but stopped, knowing that whatever he tried to say was not good enough. Lowering his head he took a step back before quickly moving to the door and opening it. "Paul!" Franco yelled, and already moving about quickly to see what was happening his manservant appeared confused. "Get towels and bring water, and send for Isabella," he yelled again, causing Paul to scurry about and get the things he requested. Looking back at Giavanna slowly Franco walked over and crotched down. "I...," he said but stopped, just as Paul came running in with arms full of very expensive towel, major overkill than what was needed. His apprentice, a young man at seventeen, bringing a bowl of water.

"Isabella is on her way."

"Good, now leave us," Franco said and the two did after giving the towels and bowl of water. "Here, place this on your head," he said, handing her the towel. He had nothing else to say about what had happened as he simply tried to stop the bleeding now. It wasn't that bad of a wound for blood was not flowing down her back or the ground, but it wasn't a minor thing either.

 

[slippedhalo]

She held the moistened towel to the throbbing bump upon her head, working hard to hold back tears of sheer frustration. This man was nothing short of infuriating. As he worked, he said things to comfort but she was barely listening as her mind raced with horrible things she wanted to say to him in her anger...all she ended up saying as a tear rolled down her cheek was, "I have to go home."

 

[Starsailor2804]

Thankfully Isabella entered just at the right time as Giavanna asked to go home. He wasn't going to argue with her and actually he did not want her here anymore either nor did he care how this might look if it got out. As Isabella entered Franco looked at her as he stood. "Lady Giavanna fell and hurt her head and has wished to head home. Please take her to her boat, slowly, for the bump on her head was very bad." Walking from the room he left to find Paul again.

Finding him in the kitchen getting a drink Franco entered with a sigh. "Well that certainly did not go as planned. We had a fight after she said something most incredibly rude and I did as well. I lost my anger and took her wrist harshly. But, I swear, when she told me to release I did, and as I did she tripped, fell, and hit her head. You know I would never purposely harm a woman," he said, Paul giving a reluctant nod. Paul knew Franco better than anyone else and knew his anger had often gotten him in trouble. He was the only one who knew what happened to Franco's father, and it was no accident.

"Take these ten bags of gold coins to the home of Giavanna and express to Ricardo the events of tonight and my apologies for what happened. You are much better with words than I and I am sure you will explain how sorry I am and how much of a mistake I have made." Nodding Paul hurried off to the treasury to get the bags of coins that were quite a fortune to anyone else. It was multiple times over what he would have paid for her company for the evening.

Mounting his horse once he gathered everything Paul rode off at alarming speeds to beat the boat. There was no chance he would not and upon arriving at the manor he stopped and caught his breath for some time before he carried the elaborate chest he had poured the coins in to the door of the manor. Knocking three times he waited for someone to come to the door.

 

[slippedhalo]

Giavanna barely remembered her walk to the boat, nor her trip back to her own house only that Ricardo was still awake, reading by the fireplace in the greatroom and looked less surprised to see her back home so early than she would have expected. "It didn't go well?" he asked, rising from his chair.

"No, it did not and if you don't mind I am not in a mood to talk about it right now. I'm retiring to bed." replied Giavanna, leaving before he could tell her about the chest of gold coins and that he had already been told and given an apology. Giavanna was in her bed in no time but sleep came in fits and starts and she slept horribly the whole night.

**Later that evening -Di Mezzio household****

Alexander heard all of the thumping and his father's booming voice downstairs. He awoke and carefully tiptoed to look for his father and find out what all the fuss was about. He could still smell the purfume of the beautiful lady father had been spending time with lately, hoping she was still around and perhaps he could get another song out of her before returning to bed. He followed the scent and it led to the sitting-room where there was no on but he heard his father's voice: "Well that certainly did not go as planned. We had a fight after she said something most incredibly rude and I did as well. I lost my anger and took her wrist harshly. But, I swear, when she told me to release I did, and as I did she tripped, fell, and hit her head. You know I would never purposely harm a woman,"

Alexander watched his father send Paul with a chest of coins someplace and he then made his presence known, "Papa, you hurt my friend? Why? I like her.I wanted her to stay here and keep you company so you wouldn't have to feel so sad without mama." said Alexander.

"She'll never come back if you were mean to her...I want her back, papa, it's not right!" Alex's young voice rose in mounting anger and he took it out on his father then ran bck up to his bedroom deciding he didn't want to be nice to a man who could not keep pretty lady friends around for singing lullabyes and smelling pretty.

 

[Starsailor2804]

Turning quickly upon hearing Alex he hoped that his son had heard none of what had happened for he did not want him to know of his fit of anger. Sadness fell over his face as he talked about Giavanna as a friend, but that wasn't what got to him, it was what he had said next. The mention of her made Franco feel as if his son had taken a knife to his heart for not only had he hurt Giavanna mentally and physically, but he had also defiled this estate that his wife had died in, the bedroom from which she took her last breath. Oh how it ate at him more deeply than anyone could imagine.

"Alex, wait!" He tried to reach out to his son but he already fled upstairs and to his room. The door crashed hard against the frame but Franco did not pursue nor did he get angry that his son had slammed the door. Instead he walked to the kitchen and with Paul off to deliver the coins he made himself a drink, one after another until he found himself in self pity. The next morning he awoke with his head on the table and a headache, thankfully he had passed out before he had drank himself into a horrible wake up. However, he had no desire to remove his head from the table and had no desire to go about his day.

"Paul, I know you are there, did you deliver the coins?"

Paul stepped from the doorway into the kitchen shaking his head. "Stop making a fool of yourself sir, it was a mistake. She was not permanent anyways and was only a cheap thrill. Maybe you should marry his daughter and live again."

Had he been anyone else Franco would have hit him for calling him a fool, but he did not even move, just took in all he had said. "My son came to me when you left last night, he heard everything, he hates me."

"The boy will get over it sir, young boys forget things quickly."

Franco knew that Paul was probably right for it seemed that Alex had practically forgotten about his mother already. However, he knew that wasn't all true, but still, he hoped that he could mend the wound he left with Alex...and to think they had grown so close over the last few days. Finally, he raised his head and looked out the window. "What should I do about Giavanna?

"Sir, if she really wants you as a client she'll come to you. Money trumps all, however she might just send someone to kill you as well. Whatever the case, you should bathe instead of just sitting there."

Taking his advice Franco rose and once his bath was made by servants he collapsed into it, the heat felt so good, his muscles tired and his mind growing clearer as the heat vapors calmed him.

 

[caela]

Alessa woke the next morning with a smile on her face. She'd stayed up late talking with her mother but so late that she had heard Giavanna return. She thought her Mistress still gone and so she took her time at her own mirror working the top half of her hair into instricate braids and twining them up into what appeared to be a complex knot atop her head, but which was truly fairly simple, while leaving the rest of her hair loose to flow down her back. Her cosmetics were light for she was young and untouched and her innocence was something that could be played to for now. Her lashes needed nothing to make them appear darker or longer and so she placed only a light smudging of powder on her eyelids to enhance the dark, molten chocolate, quality of her eyes and that barest touch of color to her full lips to make them stand out without it being patently obvious.

It was her first day after having been announce publically (even if only to a few guests, gossip spread fast in Venice) as Giavanna's apprentice. She wanted to look her best even if all she did was remain indoors at her studies for it was likely that aquaintences would be calling all day just to see if the rumors were true.

She chose her clothing with care as well finally choosing a gown in sapphire blue silk that played to the sultry innocence that Giavanna had been cultivating in her. It covered her entirely but was snug to her torso revealing her curves as well as hiding them, as most of her clothing did. It was one of her favorites but she thought she could have worn almost anything today and been pleased in it.

It was only when she made her way down to the kitchen's that she heard of her Mistress late night return to the house and her excitement and happiness were replaced by worry. She hadn't expected Giavanna to return home until sometime this morning. Something must have gone wrong. With the help of the cook she made up a breakfast tray for Giavanna and carried it upstairs to her bedroom where she knocked gently on the door so as not to wake her if she wasn't up yet.

 

[slippedhalo]

"Come in." Giavanna called, figuring it was either Alessa or her mother. She was relieved to see it was Alessa. Explaining this to mama just yet would be too humiliating. Ricardo sat with her, a chest full of gold sat at their feet yet the mood was sombre and not celebratory considering.

"Send it back." replied Giavanna to Ricardo. "I don't want his pity money." She rose to stare into the looking-glass, brushing her hair more to give her hands something to do than out of a need of it. The bump had gone down and was just a tender spot when she touched it, a slightly angry purple bruise thankfully easily hidden by her hair if worn the right way.

"But, M'Lady, it's a decent amount of gold, you did earn it with your troubles..." started Ricardo but he was interrupted by Giavanna.

"I only earn our money one way, Ricardo and I am no begger. It will be sent back with a note." She nodded her appreciation for the tray of food when Alessa sat it down on the beside table and motioned the girl over. Alessa, my stationery and ink..."

She watched the girl find exactly the right drawer and seat herself at the writing desk. "Take this down for me, please:
Senore Di Mezzio,
My sincere apologies for the misunderstanding but I do not take charity. I have not truly earned this gold and it is not deserved. I am sending it back because my honor will not allow me to take it from you. Once again, you misunderstand the nature and calibre of courtesan you deal with. A bump on the head is no way to make a living.

Yours Truly,
Giavanna Laspetziana

Post script - My fond regards to the little man who calls himself Alexander."

Giavanna read the note over Alessa's shoulder and nodded. "Yes, it works." She then signed it, folded it and put the stationery page subtly scented with her personal scent, as all her unofficial documents were, and placed it in an envelope, unmarked. This was put at the top of the pile of gold and handed over to the sqat little man who could barely carry it's weight. "Take the quick boat. Go before noon. I want my hands washed clean of this." she said grimly.

Ricardo shrugged and carried the trunk out of the room but before leaving he said, "I think it's a mistake, your business is to make money, not to lose potential clientelle over your temper."

"I am not a whore. I don't need to be treated like one no matter how much money is involved. My pride is not for sale." she retorted and Ricardo huffed his frustration, feeling perhaps her mood was changing with the tide and the changes in the moon as most women's do and when that happens she could become as obstinate as a goat. He took the chest down to the dock and began facilitating it's journey back to it's originator already sayingn farewell to the things he might have bought with his cut if they had kept it.

Giavanna watched from the window and sighed when the boat and the guilt money was out of sight. She turned to Alessa and regarded her, smiling as she said, "My, you are lovely, dear. Are you ready to come with me to church today? Afterward I think you need a proper scent of your own. We should visit my perfumer, Enzo, and have him take a look at you and put together something enticing for you to wear. You're own scent, like a proper high class courtesan, my dear. No one else will ever have the same."

Giavanna rose and undressed, looking around her closet for attire, "Help me get ready and we'll be away." she called merrily to Alessa.

 

[caela]

Alessa had no real idea of what had happened the night before, only that it seemed her Mistress had had a falling out with Senore Di Mezzio and that somehow a bump on the head had been involved. Glancing at the chest of gold she didn't think it was pity money but guilt money...his guilt. Either way however she could understand her Mistress refusal in taking it and, despite Ricardo's well made arguments, she agreed with her Mistress. She kept silent however as she set the tray of food on the bedside table and settled to write the note Giavanna wanted.

Watching as Ricardo left with the chest a small smile quirked her lips. Anyone who knew the dwarf would know he was lamenting the loss of his cut of such a fortune. She didn't have long to be amused by this however as her Mistress voice drew her attention away from the window.

"My, you are lovely, dear. Are you ready to come with me to church today? Afterward I think you need a proper scent of your own. We should visit my perfumer, Enzo, and have him take a look at you and put together something enticing for you to wear. You're own scent, like a proper high class courtesan, my dear. No one else will ever have the same."

Alessa wanted to squeal with joy at the thought of going out into public with Giavanna. It would be her first trip out of the house as what she truly was, the apprentice of the finest courtesan Venice had to offer. Oh she'd been to Mass since she'd started her training (her mother insisted) but she was always dressed plainly, her hair severly done and with no cosmetics at all on her face. Today would be much different and her heart hammered with excitement.

"I would be honored to attend with you Mistress Giavanna, and to go anywhere you feel appropriate afterward" she said warmly, and only the sparkling of her eyes betrayed the sheer excitement bubbling inside of her. Not just church but the perfumer as well! If she were younger she would have bounced up and down and clapped her hands with glee but she wasn't younger and she was better trained, and even more determined to do well by that training now that others than just their household would see it. Her reactions would reflect back on her Mistress and she would have them reflect well.

"Help me get ready and we'll be away."

"Of course Mistress Giavanna," she said and stepped forward to play the part of a ladies maid. Her fingers were deft and skillful as she helped Giavanna to dress and do her hair until she shone like a fine gem. Just looking at her beauty made Alessa smile and pray to any god that would listen that she looked half so beautiful when she had attained Giavanna's experience.

 

[slippedhalo]

Attending mass was simply a way to silently announce the arrival of the new girl onto the scene. All feigned piety in the church even while carefully arranging their clothes to appear demure and yet tempting, a way to catch the eye of all the toown's influential males without looking like you are trying to catch anyone's attention.

Giavanna had to fight not to smile as she watched all the eyes sizing up her apprentice, by now any who had not heard of it were aware when they saw the two women together could put two-and-two in order and come out with the proper assumption. Alessa was up for bidding. Alessa was a new courtesan and the student of Lady Giavanna. Alessa had garnered enough approving and hungering stares during the mass, skillfully pretending not to see all the sets of eyes upon her, and Giavanna was proud of how gracefully her student walked with her head held high and her eyes looking only forward, not favoring any one admirer over another...she did everything the proper way and never faltered. There were many murmurings as they left the church and many more people wishing Giavanna good morning in the hopes of catching the lovely girl's name during polite small talk, it went all so very well.

Giavanna didn't share her happiness over the morning's success until they had moved off of the main square and past the large crowds, a few streets from the purfumer's shop. Then, Giavanna took hold of Alessa's hand and kissed her cheek maternally whispering into her ear, "Perfection...you are now officially on the market." Her green eyes danced in the sunshine as she caought Alessa's and smiled, "I am so proud of you." she said softly, squeezing the hand once and then letting it fall to turn and continue to their next errand. It would not do to be jumping up and down and hugging her student in the middle of a public thoroughfare but the emotion of giddy excitement was there, and pride and happiness, and she knew Alessa could see how happy she truly was even when she didn't do much to outwardly show it.

 

[caela]

Alessa didn't hear a single word the Priest said during church that morning. She was far to giddy and aware of the eyes watching her. She could feel them on her like a million small touches but she ignored them all, feigning piety and interest in what the Priest was saying. She didn't look to her left or right during through the service catching no one's eye and giving no suitor hope.

After the service she offered shy smiles to those that came up say hello to Giavanna but kept studiously silent, listening instead of speaking and hearing the questions that weren't asked but only hinted at. She had to fight the urge to giggle at those who were obviously trying to fish for information about her and the deft way that Giavanna turned their questions leaving the congregation that morning with little more than rumor and speculation.

She was proud to be learning from someone as skilled in their art as Giavanna.

At last they were able to leave and Alessa was once more nearly giddy with excitement. A unique scent of her own! Uniquely made perfumes didn't come cheap and only the most sucessful of courtesans could afford them. That Giavanna was willing to see her equipped with one before she'd even gone to her first patron told Alessa more than any words just how proud she was of her.

But that didn't stop Alessa from smiling when Giavanna actually said it and squeezed her hands. She felt like she was on cloud nine as they made their way through the streets to the perfumers. Like Giavanna her face was carefully school and only someone with Giavanna's training would have been able to see through her subtle mask to see how elated she truly was.

Before they entered the shop Alessa stopped Giavanna with a gentle touch on her arm and a warm smile curving her lips, "Thank you...for everything."

 

[Starsailor2804]

It seemed like he had been in the bath for hours but it had really only been but one hour that passed, the bells of the church waking him from the near sleep he had found himself in. He had missed mass, but knew he would not be forsaken for it, for he had pretty much sinned enough for a lifetime already. Rising from the bath, water running off his naked body, he grabbed a towel but did not even take the time to wrap it around himself yet. Though he soon found himself drying as a cold chill crept up his spine, but he had no idea if it was from being cold or feeling so absolutely horrible with himself.

Upon drying he dropped the towel and walked about totally naked, passing the mirror he looked, wishing he had the figure of the dead gods his people had once worshipped until their pagan beliefs died. Sighing he dressed in a fine tunic and loose pants that were perfect for the warm spring that had arrived. He would take Paul's advice and not only clear his mind but get out of the estate and after slipping on his boots he walked for the door. Alex had already been escorted to his private lesson in the gardens of the estate. His tutor found it best to teach his students there who included princes. Opening the front door to his estate he exitted and walked the roads towards the city, a lengthy walk on foot, but he knew he needed it.

Whenever he left his estate his guards followed in the distance as to not bother him, but provide the necessary protection one needed outside the city. After an hour of walking he finally entered the city and walked the streets, nodding to passerbys who said 'hello' and so forth. He kept his head high at all time for he did not want to be the center of gossip for the city on this day, for all would wonder what was wrong had his head not remained up. There was only one place he could find himself heading for the day and that was the street that had the businesses' that only the wealthy could afford to purchase the goods they had.

 

[slippedhalo]

As they entered the perfumer Vincenzo Vialvolti's shop (Enzo to his best customers) Giavanna saw several fine ladies speaking with Enzo over a new creation of his he'd named 'Spring Flirtation'.

She smiled a secret smile at Alessa, one that said, 'We will never have to buy one of those scents manufactured en masse and available to anyone, we're superior.' Alessa caught this look and simply nodded as they waited for him to notice their entrance. Each smelling differing samples of bottles and murmuring whether they found it lovely or not.

It was only a minute before Enzo was upon them. Once introductions were out of the way and the other ladies (giving plenty of dirty looks to the courtesans on the way) left the shop, then Giavanna explained her reason for bringing Alessa to the shop. One careful look at the girl and he was at his work table, mixing up different notes on various pieces of white linnen and having Alessa smell them. The first smelled too strongly of musk, the next was too rosey, another was too close to Giavanna's recipe and a little more vanilla and cherry blossom was added. Giavanna thought the last one with the extra additions of cherry lossom and vanilla smelled sweet and innocent with just a hint of mischief, it was indeed right for Alessa. She said so but also wanted the young lady to choose for herself whether she wanted this scent for her own or if there was something else she preferred.

Giavanna walked away from the table to allow Alessa to talk with Enzo and let them figure out her scent together, she looked out the window of the shop, admiring the glimmer of the sunlight on the canal's water and the fashions of the streets shoppers. No one dared walk this street who couldn't afford the expensive shops and all were dressed in the latest fashions. She noticed one man dressed impeccably well, better than those whom he passed and her mood soured as he came closer and she saw who it was... Franco Di Mezzio. Giavanna turned from the shop window quickly, hoping he had not seen her, busying herself with feigned interest in a wall of new scents.

 

[caela]

Alessa was excited as Enzo mixed and matched scents for her too smell. At first everything seemed heavenly to her because of her excitement but as time was drawn out some of that excitement waned enough for her to think and analyze clearly. She agreed with Giavanna's assessment of the first scents offered to her and did like the cherry blossom and vanilla of the last one but it just didn't seem quite right to her.

It was sweet and innocent and Alessa realized that was the problem. It suited her for now but it wouldn't age well as she lost that sweet innocence and became more skilled in her trade. Speaking quietly with Enzo she explained that she wanted to keep the vanilla, it was a familiar and comforting scent for most people, but that she wanted something slightly exotic as well to play up to her own dark looks.

The perfumer smiled at her words and pulled down another bottle mixing the vanilla with the new scent and not telling her what it was until after she smelled it and a smile curved her lips, "It's perfect," she breathed happily making the perfumer smile.

"Jasmine dear girl. A lovely, night blooming blossom, exotic but not overly so and it mixes well with the vanilla. Take it to Giavanna and see what she thinks child."

Smiling softly Alessa crossed the shop to where her Mistress was smelling the new scents and offered her the small bottle Enzo had used to mix the scents together in for her approval.

 

[slippedhalo]

Giavanna welcomed the distraction of smelling the bottle Alessa brought to her. "Yes...even better than the last, it will age well with you." she commented and she could see the girl's excitement as she returned to Enzo and they chattered together once more.

Enzo mixed a larger amount of the recipe and wrote it down for his records with her name upon it. It was her scent. He would never mix those same notes the same way for anyone else again. He brought the large bottle to his sales counter and wrapped a ribbon around it with a tag that had her name on one side and the address of his shop on the other. He then boxed it carefully and gave Giaivanna the reciept for the price.

Giavanna showed it to Alessa so the girl had an idea how much such things cost. She then took out her purse and paid him, adding a generous tip for him as well. She was trying to take her time, not relishing the idea of running into Di Mezzio on the street.

 

[Starsailor2804]

Having no desire to even look at the women who shot glances at him, that undressed him to reveal the money that was attached to his member, in a figuratively way of course, Franco kept his eyes to the road and stores on the street. The best way to get over a bad mood was to spend vast amounts of money on extravagent items and Franco planned to do just that. However, he would much rather spend his money on a woman and as Alexandra appeared from a store he noticed her, the first woman that had caught his eye.

With a smile he approached as her woman servant appeared behind carrying various items she had just purchased. "The lovely Alexandra, it is a pleasure to see you," he said, her smile wide as always revealing her beautiful white teeth. Holding out her hands to him in greeting he took and placed a kiss upon each cheek as she did as well in greeting. Stepping back but with her hands still held in his he smiled and looked her over, her beautiful curly blond hair dancing upon her shoulders as her big blue eyes looked deep into his eyes. She was as beautiful as any man seeking a noblewoman could ask for, especially when her father had a merchant empire he wanted to get ahold of.

Surely against the request of her father she had her breasts pushed up by a corset, revealing them to any man's eyes. "I see you have gone against the orders of your father once again," he said, his eyes looking down at her breasts. Though they weren't very large they were worth gawking at and when they were pushed up they appeared much larger. "Oh, but of course my dear Franco for I knew I would run into you this fine day." She teased him with her words and hand that trailed to his side. They had a past that had involved a playful wrestling in the fields that looked over the city, in which they had kissed and enjoyed each others company, but that had been it and each knew they had wanted more.

"I have come to the city to spend a fortune on a most lucky woman, would you allow me the honor to accompany you as I spend it all on you?" Her eyes lit up as he said this and a smile crossed her lips, without hesitation coming to his side and taking his arm, pressed close against his side. Walking off he allowed her to lead him from store to store spending ridiculous amounts of money.