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07:43 PM

~~Antonia~~ Antonio Rosso

A 24 year old ~~Female~~ Male - Born the 23rd of March in Florence, Italy

Family: Agnolo (Father, deceased); Cicilia (Mother, deceased); Alexandra (Younger sister, Married); Agnella (Youngest Sister, Married)

Languages: Italian; Latin; Greek

Education: Privately tutored by her father; able to read, write, and perform basic math. Primarily tutored in the arts – as her Father’s position was that ‘Science is for men to discuss; you play at being a boy too much already – I will not fill your head with it.’ That did not stop her from reading her father’s textbooks, however.

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The business of marrying off one’s daughters was highly unforgiving work. Antonia did not begrudge her father for wishing for sons; as planning, not only one – but two weddings had been thankless work. It had only been her plan to pose as Antonio, son of Agnolo and Cicilia for a short while – to keep her father’s estate in order and secure a future for herself and her sisters. Yet, growing up closer to her father then her mother left her unprepared for the social obligations that came with engagements. It was all so political; each house looking to gain status or wealth. It had been numerous social gatherings; dowry negotiations; escorted dates… And since she was a romantic at heart, she had to respectfully turn down more prosperous marriage proposals so that her sisters may have a chance at love.

But now her youngest sister was sixteen and freshly married. The honeymoon period was over; and things were just starting to gain some function of normalcy again. Her middle sister had long since moved into her fiancés family house; with a one year old suckling her teat and a belly half full with another. Her families estate given as part of the dowry to her younger sister; who married one of the wool merchants who had worked for her father.

Although told she was welcome to stay; Antionia was quick to leave the domesticity to Agnella – she could not bear to stick around knowing her little sister wished to make cousins for her niece.

And that is what brought her to the heart of the city; staying at an Inn and deciding what to do...

She would happily stay as Antonio, if it meant living as a bachelor for the rest of her life. The idea was much more appealing than being a spinster, as Antonia would be – because; as she frankly told her sisters – she was never planning another wedding again.

She was a learned woman; due to her father’s influence. But that wouldn’t get her very far. She had skill in writing and painting – but no woman in the arts was taken serio- She paused in her thought. No woman. She hurriedly pulled paper and ink from her suitcase, writing a letter to an acquaintance her mother knew years ago. She remembered vaguely her mother speaking about a friend’s son – a painter, and a sculpture. Perhaps this woman would know other artist willing to take on Antionio? A 24 year old as an apprentice was foolish – most boys starting younger… But the death of her mother, and then her father would make a suitable excuse, right?

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[[OOC]] I spent an absurd amount of time googling renaissance culture and customs. Also - I chose the character picture from a renaissance painter because it just seemed fitting~~
I hope my introduction makes sense.... I kind of just jumped into things; and will develop Antonia more as we go along. For clarity sake - her mother died when she was younger; then her father passing away more recently leaving Antonia to care for her siblings.
Did you have a preference for the year?? I was thinking after the greats had passed - in order to reference them throughout the roleplay? But I'll leave that up to you! :) [[/OOC]]