Chapter 3 Lessons at Fondamenta Bollani 223
While Riccio and Prosper were selling the loot to Barbarossa's. Scipio and Abby were in a magnificent house. The Massimo Mansion, it's size only trumped by the Russio Mansion on the other side of the canal. The others at the Stella could not be permitted to see them like this. Abigail in black tights, brown flats, a green plaid skirt that went just above the knee, a white collar blouse. Her green headband stuck out on her head like a strip of green grass in a field of brown. Scipio had black trousers, black loafers, a blue sweater that only allowed the cuffs and the collar of a white shirt to stick out and a black tailored jacket. The pair of them looked like the wealthiest kids in Venice, which was true. They were in one of the rooms of the great big house. The windows in the room faced the canal and the emptied but still elegant Russio Mansion. Their lesson was to start at 11. It was now 10:50 in the morning.
"You mind if I practice, Scip" Abby asked, holding a violin and its bow in her hands.
"No go ahead" Scipio replied he didn't look up or at her, he walked toward the window
Violin music began to fill the room. It was sweet and pure, but Scipio just stared out the window.
"What are you thinking about Scip" Abby said as she played.
"I am thinking about everything I am going to do when I am older and away from my father."
"I have thought about that too sometimes. I don't know if I want to control the family business or let papa control it"
Papa was Abby's term for her godfather. Abigail Russio had been his ward since she was 10. After her father and her mother died. The day that the Russio Mansion closed its door. When she turned 18 she stood to inherit the Russio fortune, Russio Mansion, and the family business. Abby wanted the family money and the house but not the business, she didn't know anything about it. She just wanted to play music and sing. Music was her only connection to her mother and father.
A slender young man walked in. Followed by an older gentleman; who had blonde hair and blue eyes and looked nothing like his son, Scipio.
"Signor Williams will be your tutor today. I have just received word that my brother, the military man, will be moving in to tutor you both full time soon." Scipio's father, Dottor Massimo, announced and then quickly exited.
The younger man got out books, notebooks, pencils, and a laptop.
"Now let's begin" He said
After about two hours of math, reading, and writing Signor Williams left the room.
"I hate that we have to be cooped up in here during the day" Abby said folding her arms. She felt like a caged bird who was not permitted to fly.
"But the fun lessons are about to begin soon" Scip looked a little happier
"Fun for you maybe, but I have to sit a play the piano or violin and watch you fence or sword fight the teacher." Abby gave him a nudge.
Scipio nudged her back. The nudging continued until it turned into a giggles from both of them. They looked into each other's eyes, their faces were mere inches apart. Just then a older woman and man in his mid thirties barged in. As they did Abby and Scipio moved to opposite ends of the bench they were sitting on.
"Okay Abigail, to the piano" the older women shouted at Abby.
"Scipio grab your fencing gear." the man said to Scipio
Scipio got into his white fencing gear while Abby opened the piano bench and took out some sheet music titled Moonlight Sonata.
"Alright Abigail… One two three four and one two three four and one two three four…." the old woman dragged on as Abby began to play.
Breathe Abby, let the music flow through you. You are connected to the music. Abby heard her father's voice in her head as she played.
The old woman was still counting, but Abby ignored her. Abby knew this piece of music by heart. It was the only music her parents taught her to play before they died. Abby looked up and saw Scipio having the time of his life fencing. He loved this lesson the most. It made him feel like a pirate from a time long ago. Abby giggled quietly, but not quietly enough. Her music teacher heard her and slammed the piano keys creating a horrible noise.
"Abigail Russio, what do you think you are doing" the old woman shouted at her.
Abby eyes began to water.
"Proper ladies do not giggle while they are playing. You will never marry well if you continue to behave like a child"
Abby tried to hold back tears but a few slipped out
"Look now the child cries, tears do you no good in this world. Now snap out of it." the woman raised her hand to strike Abby, but Scipio grab the old woman's hand while it was still in the air.
"Don't even think about it" He said.
The old woman stormed out of the room. The man who came in with the woman also left.
Abby ran to Scipio. He hugged her. She lowered her head onto his shoulder and started to cry.
"What happened" Scipio asked.
"I thought you looked a little silly dancing around with your fencing gear." Abby giggled.
"Yeah. it did look silly"
Scipio was still comforting her with an arm around her shoulder when his dad walked in.
"What was the meaning of grabbing Signora Gallo's hand" Dottor Massimo shouted at Scipio.
Scipio tightened his grip on Abby's shoulder.
"She was going to hit Abby"
"She was disciplining Abigail. Abigail did something wrong and needed to be taught a lesson. Her name is Abigail not Abby. Officers do not use nicknames when addressing important people, like the Russio family; even if she is your friend." Dottor turned to leave the room
Over his shoulder Dottor said, "Abigail, officer's wives must be able to play the piano proudly without foolishness."
"Lessons are done with today. I won't be here for dinner. Have a goodnight" He shouted from the stairs that lead down to the entrance.
"Goodnight, but it is only 4." Abby said looking at the clock on the wall.
"Ha! Like I'm going to be a good officer's wife any more than you would be a good officer." She reached for his hand
"At least lessons are done for the day" Scipio replied.
They left the room and walked along the large vast hallway. They stopped at Scipio's bedroom which was the next door to the right of the lesson room. And across from his room was Abby's bedroom.
"See you a bit" Abby said before she closed the door.
Her room was filled with music band posters, her violin and its bow, and an electric piano. Across from her bed was a microphone plugged into the state of the art recording equipment.
She went to her walk in closet and changed into her Thief Lord outfit. She grabbed her mask off the wall. Abby opened her door a peered out, there was no one in the hallway to her right.
"Boo" Scipio said as she turned to left
Abby jumped a little. Once she realized it was Scipio she slapped him playfully with her hand that held her mask.
"Scip, not funny"
"Was too"
"Was not"
"Come on they are waiting for us. And was too"
They put their masks on and slipped out the window in Abby's room and made they way to the Stella.