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#1
Old 03-16-2017, 04:21 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.

-------



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]]

Last edited by 2Femme; 03-16-2017 at 07:43 PM..

Kat Dakuu
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#2
Old 03-22-2017, 05:08 PM

Gaetano Agostini


A 35 year old male born in the month of December; Milano, Italy

Languages: Italian and Latin

Bio: He comes from an unknown family with very little to his name except talent. Chance made him famous after being taken on as an apprentice to a very well known painter. His parents had the connections, and he the talent. Still, he was happy to follow along with his master’s plan until he started taken commissions himself. Since then, he’s risen in popularity almost exponentially. The more exposure his work gets, the more he is renown so that only the wealthiest patrons can commission him. However, in all the time that he’s been on his own, he has never taken an apprentice and he’s been a bachelor for 9 years now. The truth is, the world knows very little about their favorite master painter except that he is the ‘famous recluse’.

~~~

Parties, were the absolute worst. If not for the existence of wine, Gaetano wouldn't be able to stand it. Light streamed in through the windows of his small villa home. Groaning, he rolled over in the sheets, not caring that morning already neared its end. The world loved him too much, wanted too much from him, and he felt no need to give anything in return. Gaetano was just about to find a drink to ease his morning hangover when a knock sounded on his door. Grunting, his hand hit the table instead. "I'm awake! Speak your bit," he snapped, not even waiting for an introductory hello.

He got the introduction anyway. "Good morning, Maestro Agostini. Or what’s left of it anyway. If you are awake, you should get up already. There’s business to discuss,” the woman on the other side of the door nagged. Middle aged, hers was a voice that didn’t soothe well the aches in his head. Gaetano groaned again even though he expected this kind of treatment by now. How many years had it been? Twenty since the housekeeper became his constant companion and pain in the rear end? He didn’t know if that was a good thing or not. Dragging his robe about himself, he flung open the door to greet her, grumpy face and all.

“Did you have to knock?”

“Yes. Breakfast is ready and business, as I said.”

“Bah! Just get me a shot of something clear and tasteless or I’ll be biting back that party until tomorrow.”

The housekeeper hummed. “I don’t think a shot of water will be enough for you, but I’ll bring it up right away,” she added with a flash of grin before her face settled into its normal smudged, raw clay form. He imagined the sculpture just smushed the perfectly good face inward and created an old lady instead with only bright eyes to give her youth. The eyes would be a challenge, but he never felt inspired to take up that inspiration either.

“Forget it! Just tell them to bring out breakfast and get on with it!” Gaetano groaned. After one last look at his housekeeper, he spun away and down a flight of stairs to a large dining area below.

Breakfast was small, served without any pomp. He ate it over the pile of papers left by his ever so ‘kind’ housekeeper since he had no real hurry right now. If he could get away with it, he wouldn’t leave the house until work really began on his newest project. The sketches themselves would be easy considering they matched some of his recent works in a chapel now gaining notoriety. Scenes of creation and destruction—really, it was nothing special. Sighing, he revealed a letter buried in the middle of his stack. The unfamiliar handwriting drew his eye so he opened it up with a least a slight manner of haste. Inside, the letter revealed its purpose.

taaaaaabDear Maestro Gaetano Agostini,
I am responding in regards to the supplies and labor you have requested in association with the commission of St. Peters Cathedral. All that you have requested is in route already. However, I cannot afford to lend you any painters from my own studio so easily. As it turns out, I am in a predicament of my own. A fortnight ago, I received a request to take on an apprentice from a friend of mine. I have no time for another apprenticeship right now but I feel obligated to help the young painter so that I may fulfill my debt of friendship. If you were to take on this apprentice for me, I would be able to spare artists otherwise engaged. Since I doubt you have any other artists to ask favors from, I am expecting a warm welcome. I have sent the apprentice your address. He will arrive most likely a day after this letter. If the deal is set, I will make arrangements immediately.

Your friend and associate, Danilo


Gaetano groaned as he dragged a hand through his short dark hair. An apprentice? Danilo would pay for this deal, but if he wanted to complete his commission to the church, he didn’t have much choice. Smiling wryly, he went back to his breakfast with only one thought in mind. This apprentice had no idea what they just landed.

~~~

[[haha, I will probably have to do my own research at some point, but right now I'm just relying on art history class. I followed you though and used a painting as well. Seems accurate after all.
But yeah, I figure we can set it after the greats have died or at the very end of their career so there's room for OC master's to really take the stage.]]

Last edited by Kat Dakuu; 04-14-2017 at 08:58 PM..

2Femme
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#3
Old 04-08-2017, 02:50 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.”

Last edited by 2Femme; 04-08-2017 at 02:54 AM..

Kat Dakuu
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#4
Old 04-14-2017, 09:40 PM

The day arrived like any other. Gaetano pushed aside his sketches to reach the tray of bread behind them. He wore his shirt sleeves unbuttoned up to the elbow and paced around his room in nothing but his trousers and that shirt. And why shouldn't he? Just because others labeled him with the word 'maestro' didn't mean he need follow the path of one. Truthfully, Gaetano didn't care, so when he saw the carriage riding up the path, he cringed just a little more inside. Today, his apprentice came. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't push this one away and that was their loss really. Gaetano teach? It would be a nightmare.

Sighing, he turned away from the window before the carriage stopped and its occupants could dash out into his view. He didn't want to see right now. "I've been utterly beat haven't I?" He sighed again before biting off a portion of the bread and leaving crumbs mixed in with the charcoal. "Guess I should go meet him..."

Not bothering to straighten his appearance more than a shift to his trousers, he walked toward the stairs and the commotion going on below. He didn't bother to step into it. Instead, he watched with his arms crossed and his back leaned against the wall. Below, he watched one of the staff lead a youth past, chattering all the way. Gaetano's eyes narrowed. That was his apprentice? They looked like a grown adult! Huffing to himself, he turned away again in order to relax in his library. At the very least, the situation peeked his interest. At the most, his guile. Dinner would definitely be worth attending. Eyeing the antique wooden clock set on the table, he grinned. And the few hours until then, he awaited gladly.

 


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