Menewsha Avatar Community - View Single Post

02:54 AM

Dearest sister,

Please ease your troubled mind, and erase that look from your face because you know as well as I that you have been disquieted since I left our family home; despite my reassurances that I will do well on my own. I have written to prove just that! An idea struck me, as I was settling myself at the Inn- wondering what use could Antonia be to the world... or rather, what value would the world see in Antonia? Then, as I pondered my eventual spinsterdom- don't laugh- I realized Antonio would be much better received - and I was right! A friend of mothers has, through her son, set me up with an apprenticeship with Gaetano Agostini. You have probably heard father speak of his works, he is becoming quite popular. Please wish me luck on this adventure. I'm eager to play as Antonio now that the grueling business of marrying off you two topolinas is done! Please send Agnella my love.

Much love,
Antonio

P.S. Please address any future letters to me under this alias, and instruct Agnella to do the same.

The final stretch of the journey was a long, twisty road that, to Antonia, did not seem as well travelled as the rest. Buildings, both farms and villa homes were becoming more sporadic in their spacing until in her eager anticipation she almost wanted to question the coachman if he had perhaps passed their destination. Slumped back in her seat, she thought wistfully of the few books she had packed away in her luggage – and why she had not thought to carry one with her.

“Signore, up ahead. We are almost there.” The driver sounded pleasantly relieved to tell her so.

In her excitement she had the carriage door thrown open, laughing as she spotted the house. One hand clung to the carriage, the other to her hat as the wind tried to steal it away. Normally more reserved since her father died, living for the sake of her family, for just a moment she felt a taste of freedom not usually afforded to her. A stirring from inside the carriage captured her attention from these thoughts. It seemed the sleeping cat had awoken at the noise and fresh air, and slinky and quick as was its nature, it jumped from the carriage before Antonia could voice a shout of protest. Although it seemed the coachman was intent on voicing his.

“Please signore! Back in the carriage! You can wait a few minutes more.” He huffed.

“Yes, forgive my excitement. It is not every day one becomes an apprentice.” She said, making sure to sound contrite as she pulled herself back into the carriage, staring after the path the cat had ran down.

The cat had been her companion at the Inn. Drawn to her window sill the first night, as she wrote her letters by candlelight. Danilo received more than one correspondence with the cats signature paw print inked on the page as she wrote Antonio's thanks for the favor, promising deals on wool from the family estate if he were ever to need it.

Quickly losing site of the creature, Antonia sighed, pulling the carriage door shut with dejection as she sat back down. "Ungrateful creature." She murmured, before her lips quirked up at the corners despite herself.

The carriage pulled to an eventual stop, and she stepped out of the carriage – without reprimand this time. Immediately her eyes were drawn to the symmetry of the villa, and she caught herself wondering if the design was her masters master…that will… take some getting used to. or another artist’s work. There would be time to ask later. For now, there was a middle aged woman rushing out to greet them.

“Ah! Welcome. I’m glad to see Mario got you here in one piece.” She said, nodding to the coachman, who was unloading the luggage from the carriage.

“Of course, bella!” He exclaimed! Setting the luggage down.

“Not many folks like to make the trip up this way, Mario is one of the few. And we’re grateful for it.” She explained.

“There’s water in the trough for the horses. You – you can follow me. I’ll show you to your room." The woman wasted no time, and Antonia quickly picked up her bags with a start and followed her to keep up. She named off rooms as they passed them, kitchen, dining room, ball room, office, library, bathroom…. As they passed the Master bedroom, she stopped so suddenly Antonia almost ran into her.

“Never go into the Maestro’s quarters unless invited in.” It was a stern warning. The smile was back on her face just as fast, and they were moving on to the guest bedrooms.

“Here we are then dear. What did you say your name was again?”

“My name is Antonio. Antonio Rosso. Thank you for showing me to my room.”

“Oh ho ho, what a polite little thing you are. I’ll see you at dinner, and so will Maestro Agostini if he is so inclined. Now please, make yourself comfortable.”