Leonardo and Vanessa lie in a meadow as they stare at the sky above them. She had been doing her chores when she noticed his lingering gaze.
"How can you devote your life to God, and abstain from the pleasures of life he, himself created?" Leonardo's tone hinted at frustration with a touch of bewilderment.
He was so confident and smart; Vanessa admired his intellect. She stared at him as he informed her of his theological philosophies. He propped himself up on his elbows, still leaning back, taking in nature's beauty.
"No, I believe God wants us to take joy…in every aspect of life. To abstain from his world is to never truly know it." He was so sure of his himself; to know God was to understand the natural world he had created, according to Da Vinci. Vanessa couldn't help but smile.
She remained lying down as she stared up at the endless blue sky. Leonardo moved closer to her, eclipsing her view as he looked into her eyes.
"Is your God a man who would have you deny his glorious creations?" Vanessa snorted as she playfully pushed Da Vinci to the side. She attempted to stifle a laugh.
"Are you referring to yourself, signor Da Vinci?" She emphasized the 'Da' in his name. This beautiful and intelligent man was a simple bastard from Vinci…and yet it was so evident he never let that sordid fact hold him back. He was a man of his own making and she envied his convictions.
He smirked at her cheekiness and looked to the meadow in front of them. "Life is short and we assign it meaning…If man is created in God's image-" Leonardo was mid philosophical thought when Vanessa interrupted him.
"My God is no man…" Leonardo turned to Vanessa and stared at her. She did not hold her tongue and it made him truly smile. He leaned down and kissed her then; in that moment Vanessa knew she could never be a devout woman of God.
Da Vinci pulled away first, slowly, gauging her response to the intrusion. Vanessa smiled coyly as she avoided his intense gaze.
"May I…Would it be alright if I…" Leonardo stuttered as he stared at her.
"Out with it, Da Vinci…" She teased him as she sat up. She knew what men wanted.
"Your beauty is immeasurable, inside and out…will you sit for me? As a model…" Leonardo Da Vinci had introduced himself as a painter, writer, inventor, and engineer. He had shown her some of his sketches; of birds and trees and people he encountered. His creations were remarkable; no words could possibly explain their beauty or delicate intricacies.
"You want to draw me?" She asked in shock. She sat up as she leaned back and rested her weight on the palms of her hands.
Leonardo simply nodded as he averted his gaze, almost embarrassed. She gently rested her hand on top of his as she intertwined their fingers. His hold on her hand tightened gently as he raised it to his lips and placed a chaste kiss to them.
"You inspire me, Vanessa." The statement was a whisper meant only for her ears. He looked her in the eyes.
This time Vanessa averted her gaze as she blushed.
"I'd be honored, signor." Vanessa said, with every courtesy.
Leonardo smirked as he stared at Vanessa, his artistic gaze already sculpting and creating in his mind's eye.
"Call me Leo…"
That night she left the convent; Leo had inspired her.