Poison Is a Woman's Weapon

[the_scandal_of_italy]

WHO: Lucrezia
WHERE: The Inn
WHEN: 7/15
OPEN TO: All
WARNINGS: None

---

Despite her misgivings, she had ventured into the woods, keeping close to the path. There were a number of plants she recognized, many that knew there were uses for but couldn't quite remember. There had been a book in the Vatican that mentioned herbs and plants, as well as their medicinal uses, but she hadn't had the chance to study it or begin her own experiments, as she wished. But now...now there was time, even without the book.

Spreading out the leaves, roots and berries over one of the tables, she sniffed and inspected the plants studiously. There had been a few pieces of paper in the schoolhouse. Using a bit of charred wood, she sketched the plants to the best of her abilities. It was messy work, but she would at least have a record of what she collected.

A few were easy to guess, aloe, lavender, rosemary, but so many others were a mystery to her. But they were beautiful and delicate, entrancing her in her work. Someone took the seat across from her, stirring her from her thoughts as her blue eyes shot up in surprise. "Oh! Forgive me, I didn't see you."

Comments

[the_scandal_of_italy]

She hesitated, uncertain about wandering far from the village. While she had spent time in the woods, hunting and riding before, this world was different. Strange things happened and there was little reason to doubt that there might be something lurking in the darkness.

"I'm not certain it's wise." She glanced out the window apprehensively. "How deep in the woods are the falls?"

She didn't want to be a coward. A Borgia never cowered, but she was wise enough to know her limitations. If there was something in the woods, she would not be able to fight it herself.

[chosenbytheocean]

Moana had been to the falls many times but they were right next to the woods which were often deemed unsafe. "The water fall is at the canyon wall. It's next to the forest, at the end of the river." She bit at her lower lip.

"It isn't completely unsafe." She had traveled a fair amount through the woods and around the falls and canyon wall.

She was stubborn and familiar with getting herself in and out of dangerous situations.

[the_scandal_of_italy]

She shook her head. It was deep enough to dissuade Lucrezia from wandering away from the safety of the inn. What little she had come to understand about this world was that it was dangerous and full of curious things. The woods themselves were not entirely normal.

It was unwise to leave, despite wishing to help Moana.

"I wouldn't know how to protect myself against wild animals."

[chosenbytheocean]

Moana knew a few people who were scared of the woods. She also knew a few people that thought that men should do work that both sexes could perform. It wasn't something that she understood since everything in her village was equally shared. It was true that women tended to gravitate towards certain tasks but they could fish or build if they wanted too.

At the same time, Moana knew that she was odd. Even compared to those on her island.

"I'll look then and let you know what I find." She had a spear that she took with her into the woods. Moana wasn't afraid but she was more careful after being attacked by a bear.

[the_scandal_of_italy]

Living in Rome and in her mother's palazzo had not prepared her for the wilderness. As much as she wished to learn to protect herself, as she had in the Sforza estate, it seemed impossible to with the odds against her. She couldn't hunt or fight, as some women seemed capable of. It was better to have a care of where she went, if only to lessen the risk of coming across something that could harm her.

She nodded, a bit disappointed that she couldn't see the falls herself, but knowing it was the right decision.

"Perhaps someday I will be able to go as well. Be safe."

[chosenbytheocean]

Moana nodded her head, pushing herself up to her feet. "I will." She promised in a soft voice before she turned to go. She felt a tinge of disappear settle in her chest as she slipped the heart back into the blue shell necklace but she had hope now, thanks to Lucrezia. She had to try one last time.