Avatar: Fiorino Pera
VW: Second Life
Location: Roma
Country: IT
VW: Second Life
Location: Roma
Country: IT
News came that the Principe di Melioria, our beloved Signor Capo (as he liked us to call him) has been lost in some tragedy in the New World. No one told me the whole story, but the Principe d'Auvergnemet me at the docks early yesterday and told me that all of the orphans who have been wards of the Principe should not fear for their future at the port of Melioria.
Yet, the Principe was beside himself with grief. He wept and sighed, and I began to fear the worst.What happened? How could this be? There are no answers. The principe d'Auvergne told me that tomorrow the ships will come from Gaeta. Perhaps they would bring us better news.
The morning was misty and cold: very odd for this time of year. The mist became thicker and thicker, and as I mounted the hill I could make out the figure of a noble on horseback. He was as still as a monument, but he was the picture of sadness. He looked out at the port and remained still for many minutes, so that I hesitated to approach.
When the noble finally rode off, I continued to look for my friends. There was no need to worry. The cold weather made it easy to find them.As I approached the palazzo, I could see Prospero standing at the window of the boys' sleeping quarters. He wore his hat and cloak, which was strange to see on someone indoors. Even from a distance, I could see that Prospero had a dire look in his eyes. It was the same look that I had seen in the eyes of the Principe d'Auvergne and in the posture of the horseman. He must have heard the bad news too.
Slowly I made my way upstairs, to the boys' sleeping quarters. Prospero was in shock and stood by the window, searching through the now impossible fog. Rico, instead, sat on his bed. He sobbed and sighed.
"Our dear prince is missing," Rico cried as I came in the room: "he cannot be found."
Prospero looked at Rico and then at me. "It is time to make our plans," he said. "We have lost our patron. We must leave this island." The words were hard. I looked at Rico and he nodded. We both knew that our friend Prospero was right.
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William Wordsworth
On the Extinction of the Venetian Republic
Once did She hold the gorgeous east in fee;
And was the safeguard of the west; the worth
Of Venice did not fall below her birth,
Venice, the eldest Child of Liberty.
She was a maiden City, bright and free;
No guide seduced, no force could violate;
And, when she took unto herself a Mate,
She must espouse the everlasting Sea.
And what if she had seen those glories fade,
Those titles vanish, and that strength decay;
Yet shall some tribute of regret be paid
When her long life hath reached its final day:
Men are we, and must grieve when even the Shade
Of that which once was great, is passed away.
(1802)
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Happy New Year
from the management of the Serenissima Repubblica di Venezia
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To all those who have visited our most serene republic during this year, and to all the dear members of the Royal Courts of Second Life, receive the sincere wishes of your humble servant for a Happy and Blessed Christmas.
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By now I should be used to things in Melioria, but I am still finding everything strange, and this includes during the night. Almost every night I dream strange dreams and I hear strange sounds.
Night after night Fiorino hears strange sounds
A ship had docked during the night
Often the sounds of ships and men wake Fiorino during the night
Night after night I can hear the ships passing the port. I can hear men talking, laughing, arguing, planning things. Their voices are always just far enough away that I cannot hear what they are saying, but I hear the inflections of their voices. It all seems so real and so close. Yet, in the morning there is no evidence of anyone coming around, not sign of ships that passed.
Night after night Fiorino hears strange sounds one of the other boys that share the bedroom with me ever hear these things. No one else wakes up. Santi laughs at me. Rico says that I just dream too much.
Last night the sounds of the passing ships and men arguing woke me up with a start. I sat up in bed and realized that I was sweating and that my heart was pounding. Since this has happened a few times, I decided I would get up to investigate. Yet, as soon as I set my feet on the floor, I heard no voices and no sounds at all. I quickly dressed and crept out of the villa very, very carefully so as not to wake up the others.
Once outside I walked carefully down the hill, listening for any sound and looking through the night to detect any sight that might give me a clue to the origin of the sounds that I had been hearing every night. I made my way down the long road from the villa to the gate. Strange to say, it was unlocked. I carefully made my way to the wharf. All was quiet, but there was a ship docked there that had not been at the port at sunset.
A ship had docked during the night The air had a strange chill about it for a summer's night, but then suddenly the wind changed. A soft, warm breeze blew gently on my shoulders and neck. It was like a consoling breeze. I became aware of the sound of footsteps coming toward me, but they were not frightening. They were like the footsteps of a friend. I looked up, but there was no one there.
The wind changed again: I could hear the voices of men laughing and arguing and a sudden chill came over me when I realized that I saw no ship in the dock. And then I jumped with a start and found myself on top of my bed in the dormitory.
Had I really heard those voices? Was it only a dream? Everything seemed so real, but here I was in my bed, with my companions sleeping soundly around me. At this point I could only sit on my bed and wonder what this strange dream could mean. Then I noticed something that startled me: the soles of my feet were black as if I had been walking barefoot on the docks. Strange!
Often the sounds of ships and men wake Fiorino during the night
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This morning I went to the docks early, hoping to see evidence of the ships and the men that I heard arguing in my dreams. The docks were very quiet but I did see one person. It was not a pirate and not a sea captain. It was my friend Louis-Charles, who is about my age.
Louis seemed to jump in at my side out of nowhere. I was so surprised by his sudden appearance, but I was also very happy to see him. I did not know that he had come to Melioria.
Louis- Charles seemed to arrive out of thin air It had never been clear to me how Louis-Charles, a boy my age, could come to Venezia at sunrise and have dinner in Paris, afternoon tea at Versailles, and come back to Venezia to explore the canals with me as the sun was setting. Well, I say I did not understand. In the first days of our friendship when we would chat or explore together, he would surprise me suddenly and say: I must go to Versailles now, and trot off across the Rialto. Sometimes I would run after him because he had forgotten something, but I would never find him. It seemed strange. But the word Versailles meant nothing to me. I thought it was a section of the city that I had never visited. It was only when Louis-Charles spoke about sailing the Seven Seas with pirates that I finally asked the Contessa Foscari about Versailles. She told me that it was far away, across the mountains, across the plains in Paris -- the court of the French king.
It seemed like we were standing right in the presence of the Czarina
Louis-Charles told me how the Czarina is very warm to children and that she always asks him if there are more children in the court. I found it hard to believe, but Louis-Charles insisted it was what she had said. I could almost see the empress speaking with him and even joking. I even thought she said to him, Lou-Lou, call me Lulu but that was an impossible statement. I tried to focus my mind.
The fact was, the empress was inviting Louis-Charles and me to join a group of children at the court. She did not speak of Versailles or St Petersburg, but of Antiquity She said that we should grow to uphold the virtues of the ancients, and that we could help one another to do so.
We want you to meet a girl who is your age and who is organizing all this. Her name is Abigail. If she were here she would explain everything to you. As soon as she said this, the empress looked up to the ceiling, and waved her hand. A bright light seemed to pierce through the ceiling and fill the room. I became aware that a girl about our age appeared in front of us then - it seemed to me that she came out of nowhere.
Here is my dear Abigail now. Please, darling, explain your plans for the Antiquity Children to these two boys. You do a better job than we do, the Czarina said. Louis-Charles became very attentive, and I imitated him in my posture and attitude. What did Abigail have to say?
A young girl seemed to appear out of nowhere
The girl, I mean Abigail, was very quiet at first. She just stared at us as the Czarina continued to talk to us. Louis-Charles continued to respond to the Empress, but he also whispered to me very quietly: The girl is watching us, but she is not as cordial as is the empress. She is like many at the court.
Just at that point Abigail blurted out: Can you two tell me how old you are?
Twelve, we both responded at the same time.
Abigail seemed to sigh, and said. So am I. I am very surprised that you are twelve. You French boys are very puny compared to Russian lads. At 12 they are already big and muscular and ready for combat. The two of you do not look like you are ready for breakfast.
Louis-Charles responded: Russian boys eat very differently than we do. Perhaps that is why they grow sooner. We will catch up someday.
Abigail snorted and then looked straight at me and said. And you do not even dress elegantly. I thought the French loved fashion and style.
To this I bowed slightly and said: Very possibly that is true, Your Excellency, but I am no Frenchman. I am a Venetian and an apprentice gondolier: I dress by another style.
Abigail gave her bored sigh again and said, Well, I much prefer Russian boys. I remember wondering to myself what Russian boys looked like. Just then I heard someone calling my name, and the scene in front of me seemed to dissolve.
Louis-Charles and I met the Contessa Foscari at the gates of the walled city
Louis-Charles and I met the Contessa Foscari at the gates of the walled city For a moment I was dazed, then I realized that we were back at Port Melioria. Had Louis-Charles really transported me to the court of the Empress of Russia? Or was he such a good storyteller that I could see what he was describing to me? Everything was so vivid until I heard another voice that woke me from my reverie. That was the Contessa Elena Foscari, who always used to spend time with us in the Orphanage.
Have you plans to stay at the port all morning, dear boys? she said to us. It will soon be time for breakfast: please do not delay. Come up to the villa now. You do not want to be late.
Until the Contessina spoke to us, I did not realize what time it was, but now I suddenly felt hungry No! I felt very hungry! I was grateful for her call, and Louis-Charles and I walked with her up the road to the villa. As we climbed the hill, I wondered how we had managed to visit the Czarina of Russia in Versailles. But I did have one consolation. Abigail was wrong! Louis-Charles and I were ready for breakfast! Let the boys of Russia beware!!
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The prince has been dropping hints to me to explore the estate, but this morning he told Rico and I that his builders had uncovered some ancient ruins near the seaside.
Rico cheers as he discovers the ancient ruins
Fiorino examines the ancient sculpture
The Contessa Rezzonico had been watching the young friends and approached
Contessa Rezzonico warns of moral danger.
The boys make their plans to make the ruins their headquarters
Rico and I did not know what to make of the prince's conversation with us. When the adults are around, the Prince warns us to be careful because there are many dangers at the port, in the hills, in the forest. When there are no adults around, he tells us about fantastic places that we should explore. Rico figures that the prince says what the grownups want to hear when they are near, but that he really wants us to go and explore.
So this morning he was very enthusiastic in giving every detail about the ancient ruins. There is a new science called 'archaeology' that looks for ruins as evidence of life in the past. How exciting that we have ruins right on our own estate. These could point to the presence of something bigger.
Early this morning, when we met some other friends at the docks, Rico and I decided to explore. Stella was there and Santi and Rosaria. Yes! Santi and Rosaria finally arrived from Venezia!! I was so glad to see them - and wanted to take them all over the estate. We went through the gardens and then through the woods and that is when Rico saw them: the ancient ruins!
Rico cheers as he discovers the ancient ruins As exciting as the ruins seemed to be, we could only ask one another: what are they? what do they mean? Our friends were not shy about jumping up on the ancient stone floor to examine this find. Stella, who had made friends with a parrot since coming to Melioria, was the least shy of us. She touched every pillar, and traced her fingers over the inscriptions on the center column. The images seem to be of a god, she mused, but I cannot tell which one.
Santi snorted. That just looks like some man getting out of a bath. It does not seem to be a god to me. That's when I stepped closer. I did not know what to think. The sculpture seemed to be of a man that was standing among huge serpents. Who was that man? What could it mean?
Fiorino examines the ancient sculpture Unlike Stella, I was careful not to touch it. It was a good thing, for just then I heard a woman clear her throat. Do not touch that, Fiorino, she said. I turned around to discover that the Contessa Rezzonico was standing at the edge of the stone floor. I jumped to my feet.
The Contessa Faustina Savorgnan ved. Rezzonico often visits the orphanage where I was brought up. Her palace is almost connected to it. That is why she knows us all by name. But I did not realize she was in Melioria, much less that she had been watching us.
The Contessa Rezzonico had been watching the young friends and approached What have you discovered? Is it safe to touch this, do you suppose?, she asked us with a certain tone in her voice, as if to say beware, there is danger here and you must be prudent .
Santi spoke up first: Good day, Contessa! It seems to be very solid. There is no danger here.
It is not physical danger that concerns me, the Contessa said in that very even tone that we knew meant she did not approve. The ancients did not expect children to be climbing on their altars. There are things here that are not for you.
Altar?, Stella echoed. Is this a church? It is a strange kind of an altar if it is, she said, turning around to survey the stone circle again. But the Contessa repeated her warning. It is better not to touch these sorts of places.
Contessa Rezzonico warns of moral danger. Within a few moments, Stella followed the Contessa up the hill and into the village. Santi, Rico and I waited until they were out of sight before venturing back on to the stone platform. A soft sea breeze rustled through the trees, whispering to us to ignore the warnings we had received. This will make a perfect headquarters for us, Santi exclaimed. We can call all the boys to meet here and make our plans while we are away from Venice. This could be our headquarters!.
Rico looked at Santi but did not say anything. Really, they barely knew each other. No matter, Santi went on with plans to organize all the exiled kids and prepare to defend the group. I did not know what he was trying to say. I kept looking at Rico, who kept looking at the ancient, pagan altar. A cold wind blew over us and I saw Rico shiver. Santi did not notice. Maybe the contessa is right, my friends, Rico said. We should be careful about this place.
Rico's statement was accompanied by another cold blast of wind from the sea. We knew it was time to leave, and walked back through the woods and into the village.
The boys make their plans to make the ruins their headquarters
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When we were in Venezia it felt like everything was easier. I knew everyone in our area of Dorsoduro, rich and poor. Every day I would go to the fish market where I knew the fishermen; I knew all the gondoliers and I knew every short-cut in the area of the Rialto bridge. I could greet everyone and know whether I was to give them the highest respect or whether I could tease and joke with them. I knew most of the orphans, most of the street boys, and most of the officers in the Guardia. Most were my friends and I have to say that I liked them all and enjoyed to be with them.
Cece meets Fiorino as he comes up the stairs into the kitchen
Never displease the cook, the Prince has told Fiorino
The Conte di Loredan and his sister the Contessa approached the villa and greeted the Contessa Foscari
Cece the Prince's cook helps the orphans
Fiorino is homesick for Venezia
Now, I do not wish to complain about Melioria. It is incredibly beautiful. The gardens are open to all of us, and the air that flows in from the sea is fresh and pure. I love to watch the dock workers and the Prince himself has almost made me his special helper, for he gives me many jobs, big and little, to fulfill for him. If I did not have so much nostalgia for Venice, the villa and the village of Melioria would be perfect.
Nostalgia How i miss my Venice!
That is why when I see someone from the city that I knew before, I am always happy, overjoyed, festive! I go crazy with happiness. And today I saw two people that I did not expect to see: the Contessa Elena Foscari and Ambassador Count Loredan.
The Contessina Foscari was sitting quietly in Villa Vesuviana when I came inside with some supplies for the Signorina Cece, who cooks for the count. Signorina Cece is a wonderful cook, but she is not so gentle. She yelled at me for being late. I said it was not my fault that Nella the Asinella refused to climb the hill and I had to carry the supplies up on my back. My excuses did not impress the Signorina Cece who said she would have slapped me for my insolence if she had time, and told me to empty the beans from the sack into three bowls. This I did, and more, for I did not want to displease Cece.
Cece meets Fiorino as he comes up the stairs into the kitchen The Prince has often told me: Never displease the cook!. I was afraid that it was too late. As diligently as I tried to do everything that Cece told me, I only continued to make a mess. This, of course, only displeased the cook more. What is troubling you, child?, Cece demanded: Why are you in such a tizzy today? But I only fumbled the bowl that I was stirring and risked spilling the contents all over the floor.
Santo Cielo!, Cece exclaimed. I keep telling the Prince to send me girls to work in this kitchen and not these thoughtless, awkward boys! They only learn how to work when you hit them into place. Thats when they learn.
Just as Cece pulled out her rolling pin, the Contessa Foscari came into the kitchen. In the sweetest of voices, the Contessina told the cook that I was needed outside .
Never displease the cook, the Prince has told Fiorino Cece gave her permission, and the Contessina brought me on to the steps that lead out to the garden. I was very glad to see the Contessa Foscari and wanted to give her a hug, but I knew this was not proper. Still, I wasted no time and immediately asked her if she knew whether the other orphans were going to leave Venezia or stay behind. The Contessa told me that they were all on their way, for Monsignore the Patriarca has secured passage for every one of them .
This was very good news, and I was going to ask more questions about my friends, but just then Count Loredan came walking towards the villa with his own sister, the Contessa Selina. I have known the Conte di Loredan ever since I could remember. Sometimes he even asked me to groom his horse and he allowed me to go with him when he brought out his falcon for hunting at times. He is very intelligent and wise about the world, and has always been very interested in us orphans. In fact, his palace was just across the lane from the orphanage.
The Conte di Loredan and his sister the Contessa approached the villa and greeted the Contessa Foscari Instead, his sister the Contessa Selina is someone that I have heard about but never seen. They say that she speaks many languages like her Ambassador brother, and that she has visited many countries. I thought it would be good to talk with her like I do with her brother, but when I greeted her, she seemed very curt. I did not know what to do or say, but her brother the Count made a sign to me to be patient and not worry.
Garden Entrance to Villa Vesuviana
Then I realized that I did look like a mess. I was all sweaty from working since early morning, and my face was still flushed from the half-hour I had just spent in Ceces hot kitchen. Perhaps I smelled of garlic and onions, or even smelled like my partner Nella the donkey after hours of hauling supplies to and from the village. It was becoming very uncomfortable for me to stand there. As beautiful as the evening was, the atmosphere in that moment was not clear and calm. I found myself ready to go back to the kitchen. Cece is a tough lady, but after all is said and done, Cecce the Cook accepts each of us, especially us orphans, the way we are and then challenges us, encourages us, teaches us to become better .
Cece the Prince's cook helps the orphans
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