[SCENE] Diego and Viola in "The Devil's Offered Cup"
Diego: *It is one in the afternoon when an extremely expensive-looking black Italian luxury car pulls up outside of the Cadaverini estate, which can be described as "palatial". The driver gets out and runs around to the rear passenger-side door, opening it and standing to the side*
Diego: *a torrent of laughter pours out of the open door before Diego Armando steps into the sunlight, followed by several men in dark suits with long scarves - Cadaverini goons. He knows he should be nervous - should maybe fear for his life around so many men who would kill him at a word - but when he stands in the light he laughs, and they with him. They move towards the gate of the estate in a mass, and to an onlooker it would be hard to tell that one of them is being escorted*
Diego: *two goons stay behind at the gate, still laughing, and another two break off on the path to the front door. The last one walks with him, his laughter fading into a wheezing gasp, and Diego grins wide at him* You tell that to the boys later, Vito, and you're in good shape. *after another few minutes he is lead through much of the house - which is familiar to him, though he is unsure as to why - until he is finally brought to the sitting room*
Viola: *the sitting room, like the rest of the Cadaverini mansion, is furnished elaborately and ornately, in warm colors that match the pink stucco walls. There's a chandelier in the center of the area, with a glass coffee table decked with various plates of sweets directly underneath it. A stuffy looking loveseat, a couch, and two armchairs frame the space*
Viola: *seated on the loveseat is Viola; she smiles fondly as she flips through a large notebook, a leather bound one with edges clearly worn down with careful use. With the approaching steps, she lifts her head from the pages and closes the book, setting it a little precariously on the edge of the table. Then, she smoothes out the front of her dress and clasps her hands on her lap, greeting her visitor with a polite smile* ...Good afternoon...
Diego: *the goon leaves, though it's clear that he is still within sight - or at least within earshot. Diego, however, smiles wide for Viola* Good afternoon, Miss Cadaverini. I trust you are well.
Viola: Very... *her words are... warm, at least, as warm as one of her disposition can have. Standing, she gestures to the sofa* Please sit down... and make yourself at home...
Diego: *steps over to the sofa and takes his seat, leaning back and assuming a relaxed position* Thank you. Your home is lovely. *looks around a moment* ...It seems familiar to me, as absurd as that is.
Viola: It was... once owned by William Randolph Hearst. *she takes her seat again* I can... show you around it later... if you'd like...
Viola: *raises a closed hand to her mouth, giggling quietly* Oh... it was also featured in a few films... about fifty years ago.
Diego: *pauses - he doesn't recognize the name Hearst, but when she suggests it was in fifty-year-old films it only takes another second for it to click in his head, and then he laughs* Your grandfather has taste - and apparently a sense of humor.
Viola: ...He does... He also... really likes those movies...
Viola: *glances towards the door, thoughtfully* Grandfather is busy right now, with business... Or else I would introduce you to him again. He seemed... interested... in how you were doing since Uncle Marcus' trial...
Diego: I would not like to interrupt the Don, though I admit I am curious. I have never spoken with him at length.
Viola: He is not a man... of very many words... *that small, secretive smile of hers seems to turn affectionate*
Viola: Oh... *gestures to the treats on the coffee table-- there's also a large silver pot, the kind that doubles as a thermos, along with two cups* Would you... care for something to eat... or drink....?
Diego: *he eyes the pot for what feels like a long time but is only a second or so - then he grins* I think a small snack sounds very nice, thank you. What do you recommend?
Viola: *looks a little disappointed, but she leans forward, using a small tong to place various sweets onto a small saucer plate* The cannoli... is quite good... *there's a hint of an odd tone in her voice* ...I made it myself...
Viola: *offers the assorted plate to Diego*
Diego: *reaches forward and takes the plate from her, lifting up a piece of cannoli and taking a bite out of it - he swirls it in his mouth with his tongue before swallowing, never chewing* Ha! That is good. Thank you. *his focus returns to the odd notebook that Viola had been looking at when he entered* Miss Cadaverini, would you mind if I asked a question?
Viola: *still leaning by the table, she opens up the thermos lid to the coffee--the strong, rich scent of an expensive, a good brew fills the air* Please..... ask away...
Diego: *his nostrils flare noticeably and he inhales through his nose before posing the question; it smells like Paradise* What were you looking at before I came in?
Viola: Oh.... just my notebook... *is there a slight blush on those pale vampiric cheeks as she speaks?* You can go ahead and look... If you'd like... *pours two cups, despite Diego's refusal, and occupies herself with spooning in the sugar and cream for both, stirring*
Viola: You can... take a look.. if you'd like...
Diego: Are you sure? *in spite of the question he leans forward and lifts the notebook, turning it between his fingers*
Viola: *the first page is completely blank, save for a childish scrawl on the top right corner-- 'The Diary of Viola Cadaverini' -- and in a neat cursive directly following it in the same ink, as if the pen had changed hands -- 'given by Grandfather, December 2007'*
Diego: *he stares at the page for a long time, then looks back up at Viola* Are you sure?
Viola: *nods, sitting back in her seat with one of the cups of coffee* It's just... the childish musings... of a little girl...
Diego: All right. *he doesn't sound entirely sure - he kind of wishes he could just stop and smell the coffee for a while, damn it smells fine - but he turns the page*
Viola: *the first few pages are written in the same childish scrawl as before. The entries are not daily, but actually rather sparse-they're filled with the same childish observations and confessions that any little girl would have... though it seems her use of ellipses are as frequent as in her speech and on her online journal*
Diego: Hrm. *flips, skimming through the pages until he sees something that catches his eye*
Viola: *the journal entries grow shorter and shorter, until they cease altogether. Intermixed with them, however, and growing more prominent are neat little sketches of little corpses, and other rather macabre illustrations, drawn by an attentive if a youthful hand*
Viola: *a page jumps up immediately after that, though, that differs from all the rest-- in large lettering is the name DIEGO ARMANDO .........surrounded by dark hearts and flowers doodled across the page*
Diego: *......looks at Viola over the notebook*
Viola: *there's some visible embarrassment in her expression* I... had a bit of a crush on you when I was younger... Hee... Hee...
Diego: *grins - the strain isn't visible* Sweet girl. *flip*
Viola: *alongside quite a few doodles of him, newspaper articles have been carefully cut and pasted into the book--reports of trials, all cases taken by Diego Armando, all with the name carefully circled in pen. There's a little tic box keeping track of his win record. Where there are news photographs, the heads of everyone else in the picture have been carefully snipped out*
Viola: *...there's quite a few actual photos of him as well, walking around in public, on his bike, shopping for groceries...*
aDiego: ........
Diego: *flip flip flip flip flip flip flip flip*
Viola: *the pages continue, capturing the next few years of Diego's life in a little too much detail for comfort. Finally, on the left side there is one final article: "Murder in the Courthouse" followed by somehow-obtained photocopies of hospital records. Faint tearstains are visible on the page*
Viola: *on the right side of the page, there is a tombstone neatly sketched in-- a rather gothic one, with weeping angels. Etched on the front of the stone is his name, the dates of birth and death... there is even a bouquet of flowers doodled in at the foot of it*
Diego: *oh what in the Hell - determined not to react, he reaches out automatically for the cup of coffee as he flips the page again*
Viola: *written in the center of THIS page, enveloped in the same dark hearts and roses from before is the name DON TIGRE ... in an older, much more sure hand, quite likely made a few years after the past few pages. However, this is not easily apparent as the paper has been completely slashed and scratched at until the words and the hearts are all but obscured*
Diego: *yeah that about tears it, he's ready to run - and, without thinking, he sips from the coffee*
Viola: *is sitting back in her chair, giggling quietly and watching him*
Diego: *as the liquid touches his tongue he goes rigid, almost as if he's going into shock - and then he relaxes, and lifts his head, and his grin touches every inch of his face* Ha!
Viola: Do you... like it...? *the secretive smile is back on her lips-- there is the small but surprisingly likely possibility that this was her intent all along* I've prepared a package of these beans... for you...
Diego: *in places of an answer he tilts back the cup and drinks the entire contents in short gulps - it is delicious to him, in ways that would be impossible to communicate to people who have never been addicted to recreational drugs* Ahhhhhhh. *lowers the cup to the table - his visor is actually glowing more brightly* Bitter.
Diego: It is a unique thing, the window into a girl's heart - draped in black, still clear and pristine, a gateway into what it is that defines a person. *grins wide* But you are a woman, and I think you have seen through mine. I would love to have more of the Cadaverini brew.
Viola: Hee... Hee... Hee... *the reddening on her cheeks has spread so that she looks almost regular flesh-toned* I'm... glad...
Diego: *leans forward, resting his chin on his right wrist* You had planned this, hadn't you?
Viola: *appears somewhat surprised by the question, but not in any way troubled* ...I must confess... yes, a little...
Viola: I saw... how you were writing about it... ...and how often you talked about it... to others...
Diego: Ha! It is easy to see, I know; my dark mistress is a source of both pain and succor.
Viola: More the latter than the former... I hope...? *a closed hand creeps to her mouth as she grins* Though having both... isn't a bad thing....
Diego: Oh, I agree. I hope you don't mind if I have another cup. *pours one* I have been wrestling with the question of whether or not I rely on it - on her - too much. But... ah. *another sip* Black fire on the tongue.
Viola: There's nothing wrong... with a cup from time... to time... Hee... Hee... *clasps her hands politely on her lap again* I hope you agree....?
Diego: *he pauses - but it's only for a second, because his brain is flying at about mach four* I do. Ha! *takes a gulp* This fire is necessary - no life without pain, without danger, is worth living. *grins wide* Any man who walks into the home of the Cadaverinis must love danger, I think.
Viola: *her voice is teasing, but it's not too apparent* And what if someone in my family... did wish to put your life... in that danger... Mr. Lawyer....?
Diego: Please - you have invited me into your home, given me dessert, tricked me into drinking coffee - call me Diego. *another sip, and his visor flickers* And if that were to happen - why, it would not be a question of survival, but how many of your men would be in the same danger. *the audacity of this doesn't seem to affect him*
Viola: *giggles, seemingly all too amused by his response*
Diego: Ha! I am glad you are amused by that, Dark Lady. *leans back again, his posture petulant and his grin inviting* How have you been, though? You speak too little about yourself.
Viola: There is... not much to say about me. *glances off to the side, taking another sip of her own coffee* ...My time is divided between working at the Tender Lender... Caring for Grandfather when he needs me... and attending Mass with him weekly...
Diego: *nods, still grinning, but he sounds thoughtful* I take it that your grandfather will be the most important man in your life for some time to come.
Viola: *looking up at him* He... doesn't have to be...
Viola: *...and looking rather modestly down at her hands* That is to say... Grandfather would like to see me married, too... as much as we enjoy each other's company...
Diego: *he leans forward, sipping his coffee again; he is aware of the direction this could take, but his tone is that of a therapist, not someone out courting* Is that what you want, though?
Viola: *studies his face carefully for a long moment, before giggling a little*
Viola: Not yet... I'm happy with things the way they are... for now...
Diego: Ha! Refreshing, for a woman to know what she wants, and to have her seize it. *swirls the coffee in his cup, and then grins even wider* You mentioned showing me around the house?
Viola: *giggles all the more at the compliment, and nods* Yes... Would you... like to do that right now...? *she makes to stand*
Diego: *is on his feet* By all means.
Viola: *stands up, setting her cup on the table, but tilting her head at him* Shall we... take the pot...?
Diego: Ha! I am very glad you asked. *reaches down and picks up the pot in one hand and their two cups in the other* Want me to top you off?
Viola: Hee... Hee... No, It's alright... I'll just watch you drink...
Diego: Well then - *swallows the rest of the contents of his cup* - I'll give you a show.
Viola: *with a hand to her mouth, giggling again, she escorts him out of the room and to the rest of the estate*
Diego: *a torrent of laughter pours out of the open door before Diego Armando steps into the sunlight, followed by several men in dark suits with long scarves - Cadaverini goons. He knows he should be nervous - should maybe fear for his life around so many men who would kill him at a word - but when he stands in the light he laughs, and they with him. They move towards the gate of the estate in a mass, and to an onlooker it would be hard to tell that one of them is being escorted*
Diego: *two goons stay behind at the gate, still laughing, and another two break off on the path to the front door. The last one walks with him, his laughter fading into a wheezing gasp, and Diego grins wide at him* You tell that to the boys later, Vito, and you're in good shape. *after another few minutes he is lead through much of the house - which is familiar to him, though he is unsure as to why - until he is finally brought to the sitting room*
Viola: *the sitting room, like the rest of the Cadaverini mansion, is furnished elaborately and ornately, in warm colors that match the pink stucco walls. There's a chandelier in the center of the area, with a glass coffee table decked with various plates of sweets directly underneath it. A stuffy looking loveseat, a couch, and two armchairs frame the space*
Viola: *seated on the loveseat is Viola; she smiles fondly as she flips through a large notebook, a leather bound one with edges clearly worn down with careful use. With the approaching steps, she lifts her head from the pages and closes the book, setting it a little precariously on the edge of the table. Then, she smoothes out the front of her dress and clasps her hands on her lap, greeting her visitor with a polite smile* ...Good afternoon...
Diego: *the goon leaves, though it's clear that he is still within sight - or at least within earshot. Diego, however, smiles wide for Viola* Good afternoon, Miss Cadaverini. I trust you are well.
Viola: Very... *her words are... warm, at least, as warm as one of her disposition can have. Standing, she gestures to the sofa* Please sit down... and make yourself at home...
Diego: *steps over to the sofa and takes his seat, leaning back and assuming a relaxed position* Thank you. Your home is lovely. *looks around a moment* ...It seems familiar to me, as absurd as that is.
Viola: It was... once owned by William Randolph Hearst. *she takes her seat again* I can... show you around it later... if you'd like...
Viola: *raises a closed hand to her mouth, giggling quietly* Oh... it was also featured in a few films... about fifty years ago.
Diego: *pauses - he doesn't recognize the name Hearst, but when she suggests it was in fifty-year-old films it only takes another second for it to click in his head, and then he laughs* Your grandfather has taste - and apparently a sense of humor.
Viola: ...He does... He also... really likes those movies...
Viola: *glances towards the door, thoughtfully* Grandfather is busy right now, with business... Or else I would introduce you to him again. He seemed... interested... in how you were doing since Uncle Marcus' trial...
Diego: I would not like to interrupt the Don, though I admit I am curious. I have never spoken with him at length.
Viola: He is not a man... of very many words... *that small, secretive smile of hers seems to turn affectionate*
Viola: Oh... *gestures to the treats on the coffee table-- there's also a large silver pot, the kind that doubles as a thermos, along with two cups* Would you... care for something to eat... or drink....?
Diego: *he eyes the pot for what feels like a long time but is only a second or so - then he grins* I think a small snack sounds very nice, thank you. What do you recommend?
Viola: *looks a little disappointed, but she leans forward, using a small tong to place various sweets onto a small saucer plate* The cannoli... is quite good... *there's a hint of an odd tone in her voice* ...I made it myself...
Viola: *offers the assorted plate to Diego*
Diego: *reaches forward and takes the plate from her, lifting up a piece of cannoli and taking a bite out of it - he swirls it in his mouth with his tongue before swallowing, never chewing* Ha! That is good. Thank you. *his focus returns to the odd notebook that Viola had been looking at when he entered* Miss Cadaverini, would you mind if I asked a question?
Viola: *still leaning by the table, she opens up the thermos lid to the coffee--the strong, rich scent of an expensive, a good brew fills the air* Please..... ask away...
Diego: *his nostrils flare noticeably and he inhales through his nose before posing the question; it smells like Paradise* What were you looking at before I came in?
Viola: Oh.... just my notebook... *is there a slight blush on those pale vampiric cheeks as she speaks?* You can go ahead and look... If you'd like... *pours two cups, despite Diego's refusal, and occupies herself with spooning in the sugar and cream for both, stirring*
Viola: You can... take a look.. if you'd like...
Diego: Are you sure? *in spite of the question he leans forward and lifts the notebook, turning it between his fingers*
Viola: *the first page is completely blank, save for a childish scrawl on the top right corner-- 'The Diary of Viola Cadaverini' -- and in a neat cursive directly following it in the same ink, as if the pen had changed hands -- 'given by Grandfather, December 2007'*
Diego: *he stares at the page for a long time, then looks back up at Viola* Are you sure?
Viola: *nods, sitting back in her seat with one of the cups of coffee* It's just... the childish musings... of a little girl...
Diego: All right. *he doesn't sound entirely sure - he kind of wishes he could just stop and smell the coffee for a while, damn it smells fine - but he turns the page*
Viola: *the first few pages are written in the same childish scrawl as before. The entries are not daily, but actually rather sparse-they're filled with the same childish observations and confessions that any little girl would have... though it seems her use of ellipses are as frequent as in her speech and on her online journal*
Diego: Hrm. *flips, skimming through the pages until he sees something that catches his eye*
Viola: *the journal entries grow shorter and shorter, until they cease altogether. Intermixed with them, however, and growing more prominent are neat little sketches of little corpses, and other rather macabre illustrations, drawn by an attentive if a youthful hand*
Viola: *a page jumps up immediately after that, though, that differs from all the rest-- in large lettering is the name DIEGO ARMANDO .........surrounded by dark hearts and flowers doodled across the page*
Diego: *......looks at Viola over the notebook*
Viola: *there's some visible embarrassment in her expression* I... had a bit of a crush on you when I was younger... Hee... Hee...
Diego: *grins - the strain isn't visible* Sweet girl. *flip*
Viola: *alongside quite a few doodles of him, newspaper articles have been carefully cut and pasted into the book--reports of trials, all cases taken by Diego Armando, all with the name carefully circled in pen. There's a little tic box keeping track of his win record. Where there are news photographs, the heads of everyone else in the picture have been carefully snipped out*
Viola: *...there's quite a few actual photos of him as well, walking around in public, on his bike, shopping for groceries...*
aDiego: ........
Diego: *flip flip flip flip flip flip flip flip*
Viola: *the pages continue, capturing the next few years of Diego's life in a little too much detail for comfort. Finally, on the left side there is one final article: "Murder in the Courthouse" followed by somehow-obtained photocopies of hospital records. Faint tearstains are visible on the page*
Viola: *on the right side of the page, there is a tombstone neatly sketched in-- a rather gothic one, with weeping angels. Etched on the front of the stone is his name, the dates of birth and death... there is even a bouquet of flowers doodled in at the foot of it*
Diego: *oh what in the Hell - determined not to react, he reaches out automatically for the cup of coffee as he flips the page again*
Viola: *written in the center of THIS page, enveloped in the same dark hearts and roses from before is the name DON TIGRE ... in an older, much more sure hand, quite likely made a few years after the past few pages. However, this is not easily apparent as the paper has been completely slashed and scratched at until the words and the hearts are all but obscured*
Diego: *yeah that about tears it, he's ready to run - and, without thinking, he sips from the coffee*
Viola: *is sitting back in her chair, giggling quietly and watching him*
Diego: *as the liquid touches his tongue he goes rigid, almost as if he's going into shock - and then he relaxes, and lifts his head, and his grin touches every inch of his face* Ha!
Viola: Do you... like it...? *the secretive smile is back on her lips-- there is the small but surprisingly likely possibility that this was her intent all along* I've prepared a package of these beans... for you...
Diego: *in places of an answer he tilts back the cup and drinks the entire contents in short gulps - it is delicious to him, in ways that would be impossible to communicate to people who have never been addicted to recreational drugs* Ahhhhhhh. *lowers the cup to the table - his visor is actually glowing more brightly* Bitter.
Diego: It is a unique thing, the window into a girl's heart - draped in black, still clear and pristine, a gateway into what it is that defines a person. *grins wide* But you are a woman, and I think you have seen through mine. I would love to have more of the Cadaverini brew.
Viola: Hee... Hee... Hee... *the reddening on her cheeks has spread so that she looks almost regular flesh-toned* I'm... glad...
Diego: *leans forward, resting his chin on his right wrist* You had planned this, hadn't you?
Viola: *appears somewhat surprised by the question, but not in any way troubled* ...I must confess... yes, a little...
Viola: I saw... how you were writing about it... ...and how often you talked about it... to others...
Diego: Ha! It is easy to see, I know; my dark mistress is a source of both pain and succor.
Viola: More the latter than the former... I hope...? *a closed hand creeps to her mouth as she grins* Though having both... isn't a bad thing....
Diego: Oh, I agree. I hope you don't mind if I have another cup. *pours one* I have been wrestling with the question of whether or not I rely on it - on her - too much. But... ah. *another sip* Black fire on the tongue.
Viola: There's nothing wrong... with a cup from time... to time... Hee... Hee... *clasps her hands politely on her lap again* I hope you agree....?
Diego: *he pauses - but it's only for a second, because his brain is flying at about mach four* I do. Ha! *takes a gulp* This fire is necessary - no life without pain, without danger, is worth living. *grins wide* Any man who walks into the home of the Cadaverinis must love danger, I think.
Viola: *her voice is teasing, but it's not too apparent* And what if someone in my family... did wish to put your life... in that danger... Mr. Lawyer....?
Diego: Please - you have invited me into your home, given me dessert, tricked me into drinking coffee - call me Diego. *another sip, and his visor flickers* And if that were to happen - why, it would not be a question of survival, but how many of your men would be in the same danger. *the audacity of this doesn't seem to affect him*
Viola: *giggles, seemingly all too amused by his response*
Diego: Ha! I am glad you are amused by that, Dark Lady. *leans back again, his posture petulant and his grin inviting* How have you been, though? You speak too little about yourself.
Viola: There is... not much to say about me. *glances off to the side, taking another sip of her own coffee* ...My time is divided between working at the Tender Lender... Caring for Grandfather when he needs me... and attending Mass with him weekly...
Diego: *nods, still grinning, but he sounds thoughtful* I take it that your grandfather will be the most important man in your life for some time to come.
Viola: *looking up at him* He... doesn't have to be...
Viola: *...and looking rather modestly down at her hands* That is to say... Grandfather would like to see me married, too... as much as we enjoy each other's company...
Diego: *he leans forward, sipping his coffee again; he is aware of the direction this could take, but his tone is that of a therapist, not someone out courting* Is that what you want, though?
Viola: *studies his face carefully for a long moment, before giggling a little*
Viola: Not yet... I'm happy with things the way they are... for now...
Diego: Ha! Refreshing, for a woman to know what she wants, and to have her seize it. *swirls the coffee in his cup, and then grins even wider* You mentioned showing me around the house?
Viola: *giggles all the more at the compliment, and nods* Yes... Would you... like to do that right now...? *she makes to stand*
Diego: *is on his feet* By all means.
Viola: *stands up, setting her cup on the table, but tilting her head at him* Shall we... take the pot...?
Diego: Ha! I am very glad you asked. *reaches down and picks up the pot in one hand and their two cups in the other* Want me to top you off?
Viola: Hee... Hee... No, It's alright... I'll just watch you drink...
Diego: Well then - *swallows the rest of the contents of his cup* - I'll give you a show.
Viola: *with a hand to her mouth, giggling again, she escorts him out of the room and to the rest of the estate*