Renata wouldn’t keep Narciso if he didn’t want to stay, no matter how much she would miss his presence. But he deserved a better life and now he had been offered a way out… why not take it? If it could lead to a better life than this, in the brothel. She’d touched his hair gently, and he caught her hand and kissed it softly and held it to his own cheek. He promised to not forget her and visit when he could.

“That’s good, at least. Then I won’t lose you forever.” Renata said with a soft smile, perhaps there was a bit of sadness in there, a hint of melancholy, but she didn’t dwell on it. Soon she stood to find some kind of drink for them, to toast and well, to get a drink to soothe her emotions after these news. He drank too, and she wondered then who he was going to live with. Narciso told about the man named Alessandro, who was genuine and vulnerable and didn’t see Narciso as a whore, but as a person.

“I guess people like him are few and rare… but they occur…” She had one of her own; Antoine. But he hadn’t offered her a way out of this life. He let her live her life as a Ruffiana and she let him live his life as a Doctor, and they just happened to be partners who cared for each other, whenever they were together. But she couldn’t imagine that she’d leave this life to live with Antoine. He deserved someone better than her, someone more worthy of his affections. She still didn’t quite understand why he chose to dote on her, but she didn’t turn him down either. He had become too dear to her. Did Narciso feel the same way about his Alessandro?

“You must make sure to take good care of your Alessandro then, and make sure he knows that you are grateful. Not everyone gets the chance you’ve been given, Narciso. Life changes in strange ways sometimes and all we can do is try and adjust and… live.” She downed some more of her drink and looked at him, wanting to think about something else, and then it occurred to her, “I think I heard the name before, actually. He has some manservant who comes here sometimes. Long and dark hair, dark and steady eyes?”

@Kat

"I will. I don't think I could ever repay him for what he's giving me, but I'll do my damnedest to try."

He idly swirled the drink in his glass, looking at the liquid with a faint, crooked smile. Alessio was a sweet man, and Narciso looked forward to being his companion. Though he did wonder how he'd fill his time when he and Alessio weren't.. otherwise occupied. It was still hard to picture a life that wasn't taken up with endless hours spent either in bed with patrons, or at the least flirting with them. He had hobbies, true, but could he really occupy his time with them to such an extent? Perhaps he would learn something new.

He was pulled from these thoughts by Renata asking after Alessio's servant, and Narciso nodded.

"Yes, that's him. He's here quite often, I know, but Alessandro has never come. Which is probably a good thing. He's a bit naive.. I think some of the girls might have tried to take advantage of him."

He laughed softly at that thought. He could see Alessio just trying to be nice, and some of the brothel workers completely swindling him of his money. Or perhaps they'd recognize that he was something special and leave him be.

"But I'd like for you to meet him. I'll bring him by, someday?"

He wanted the two most important people in his life to see each other, at least. So Renata would know he was with someone good, and so Alessio would see what she meant to him.


@Atrice

She was glad to hear that Narciso would make sure to show his new… patron, if you could call him that, that he was grateful. Indeed not everyone got the chance Narciso had been given. Not even Renata. Narciso was so sweet though and she was certain Alessandro would appreciate him just as Renata had done – and perhaps even more. Perhaps she had not shown him enough attention? Because after all, he too was also an employee here, although she felt some sort of affection for Narciso too. Motherly, almost, despite him also being an employee.

Renata wondered if this was the Alessandro whose manservant came here sometimes, and Narciso confirmed it. Well then at least she could also ask him how Narciso was doing. He said Alessio had not come here though and it was good, because he was naïve and easily taken advantage of. Narciso was sweet for thinking that. Renata couldn’t help but think how profitable such a patron would be to the brothel, even if it was unkind to take advantage of someone. On the other hand, people did it to the whores all the time. So why not the other way around?

“I’m pretty sure they would have.” Renata merely agreed, at his sweet laugh at the thought of Alessandro being taken advantage of. Narciso then said he would like to have Alessandro and Renata meet and she nodded, although it felt odd. She would miss Narciso and she sincerely hoped Alessandro would take good care of him. It almost felt like Narciso was being taken from her, but of course, it was his own choice. She couldn’t keep him, that would be cruel. And Renata was many things, but not cruel.

“Of course I’d love to meet him. Then he can also promise me eye to eye that he’ll look after you.” She said with a smile and hoped Narciso wouldn’t take that the wrong way.

@Kat

The smile which had been resting easily on his lips faded when Renata said she wanted to verify for herself that Alessio would take care of him. It once again reminded him that he would be leaving.. that he needed to go gather his belongings and the money he'd been tucking away for years, and return to Alessandro's home. It was a sobering thought.

Silently setting aside the glass of champagne, he leaned toward Renata as his hands rose. They were thin, long-fingered, delicate -- an artist's hands. And they were infinitely gentle as he cupped her face, and leaned in to feather the softest kiss against her brow. His own then came to rest against that smooth expanse of pale skin as his eyes slid mostly shut, letting him look at her through a thick fringe of dark lashes.

"I owe you my life, Renata. And so much more. Know that I will never forget you, and I'll always hold you in my heart."

Narciso wasn't a man who expressed his emotions readily, whether it be by facial expressions or words. That he made such an open confession was a clear sign of just how much he meant the words. His lips pressed to hers for a brief moment, before he drew away and let his hands fall from her face. Then his tall, lanky body rose from its place, and he gave her a small smile.

"I should go collect my things and be on my way. I don't doubt you'll find a new occupant for my room soon enough."

He started toward the door, but once he reached it, he paused. With his hand on the knob, he looked over his shoulder at her, his heart in his eyes.

"Be well, Renata.. and more than that.. if you find yourself some happiness, grab it with both hands and never let go. You deserve it."

Then he was gone.


@Atrice