VW: Second Life
Location: Venezia
Country: IT
Return to Venezia part 1
Melioria, May 1781
Dearest Father,
I received your request for my return early in the morning, which gave me plenty of time to pack and prepare for the journey.
I was lucky to be able to find the apprentice Fiorino, now grown much taller than when you last saw him. He and the other boys sailed for the mainland, but he returned alone. He seems very subdued and reluctant to tell me where they were trying to go, and what has happened to the other boys. I have, however, sent Zuanne to the mainland to see if he can pick up their trail. He will make his own way back to Venezia.
I am, however not travelling alone as I shall be bringing Fiorino back with me. Also a Sior Mercury Gandt will be accompanying us back to Venice. I think you will be interested in meeting this young man, as I believe he has hidden talents which may be of use to you.
Originally from England, he presents himself as a penniless man of fortune. He fancies himself a gambler but is eager to escape his creditors, as his talents do not seem to lie in games of Fortunes. My instincts tell me there is more to him than meets the eye, and I look forwards to your opinion.
We managed to leave on the evening tide and began our journey south.
(To be continued)
I was wondering what had become of the other apprentices. Fiorino has not said much to me either. That is something I respect, but it does not stop me from wondering.
I have also been wondering about you, Contessa. You seem to come and go with a curious suddenness and a very unladylike efficiency. I am given to understand you received a communication in the morning, and you were all packed and ready to set sail by the evening tide. it is the rare well-born lady who can prepare for a trip in such a brief time, unless she has an unusually keen sense of purpose.
*sighs*
I am uncertain of so many things...but one thing I am certain of is that many of the people I have come to like very much are perhaps not always what they seem. There was that American gentleman renting the small villa--and placing a telescope on his balcony where he could observe the shipping entering and leaving the harbor--and then, poof! he is not to be seen again, his rent is left unpaid...and...well, I liked the fellow, but I know he was not sitting up there and watching the harbor just because he liked boats. And then, the German Baronessa begins disappearing for extended periods--and I have reports of her being seen at certain ministry offices in Berlin, or in certain other cities, talking to gentlemen who have obviously at some time been in the service of the Prussian King. You know, you can take one of Old Fritz's officers out of uniform and dress him in a merchant's broadcloth suit, but the habits and attitudes of a lifetime always shine through.
And now, here you go again, my dear Contessa, once more on your "travels." And I have reports that my friend Signor Gandt is going with you...now that puzzles and intrigues me as well. He too is a good fellow--in his own roguish way--but I would not have thought him to be your "type."
*thinks a moment*
...but then, can I actually say what is the type of man who would be suitable and agreeable to you? I honestly have so little authentic insight into who you really are...or for that matter, what the purposes of your ongoing travels actually may be.
*smiles and gazes up at the portrait of de Pompador hung above the desk*
It is a delightfully complex and intriguing world we live in, no?
Dear Sior Aldo,
It isa delightfully complex and intriguing world we live in, indeed.
As formyself, well you need only ask.
(Smiles)