Part 2

I ran through the dark allies of Neo Verona.

I swam through the canals and jumped from roofs.

No matter what I did, those stubborn men still kept up with me, attempting, and failing, to follow me in secret.

Finally, I came to a bridge over one of the canals and stopped, annoyed by their presence.

"So, the old man's become extremely paranoid, hasn't he's boy?"

I turned around and waited until they revealed themselves.

Curio got bold and said, "There's no trust, no faith, no honesty in men; all perjured, all forsworn, all naught, all dissemblers."

I rolled my eyes at them and said, "I don't see how that applies to me; I'm a woman, thank god."

Francisco chuckled. "Still as proud of your sex as ever."

I ignored him and leaned against the side of the bridge.

Silence fell over the air.

I closed my eyes and basked in the foggy moonlight that I was born in. A light breeze came and made my heavy hair dance.

Curio interrupted my time of peace and said, "You haven't changed much, have you?"

"On contraire, I change with the wind."

The silence fell again.

It had been a while since Curio and I had talked like this. I kinda missed it.

Francisco, quietly, laughed and asked, "Should I leave you two to catch up?"

We both shot him cold glares.

I returned to admiring the moonlight.

"How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank.
Here will we sit, and let the sounds of music
Creep in our ears; soft stillness, and the night
Become the touches of sweet harmony."

Francisco spoke up. "What is it about that light that moves you so, daughter of the moon?"

I glared at him again and said, "Something that a man of the sun would never understand."

He laughed.

I turned away and said, "Go mock the midnight bell."

I brought my hood back up and started marching away when Curio said, "Wait!"

"Whatever for?"

"We have not seen you in 14 years. The least you could, at least, give us some answers."

"Ask away but answers may elude you."

I sat on the bridge ledge.

"You said that a friend of yours and his guardian saved you from the slaughter. Are these friends of yours friends of ours?"

"We've lost touch with the guardian but, as far as I'm concerned, any friend of mine is a friend of yours."

"How can we find him?"

"That's not for me to say."

"What does he look like?"

"That's not for me to say."

"Well, what's his name?"

"That's not for me to say."

"Is there anything for you to say?"

"Of course; just not about this friend we share."

"And why is that?"

"I cannot speak for the man, for I know not what he plans. All I can say is that when you are meant to know the answers to these questions, then you will know. Any other questions?"

Curio, clearly wasn't happy with my answers, but what else could he do?

"Not for the moment."

"Then, gentlemen, I do bid you goodnight."

I didn't make a move to leave; I wanted to make sure that they didn't try following me.

Curio turned on his heel and started walking away, seething.

Francisco didn't make a move; he just stood there, watching me with facial mixture of curiosity and amusement.

"Francisco? Let's leave this riddling nymph."

"… You go on ahead, Curio… I want to talk with Adriana alone."

I popped my eyebrow at him while Curio said, "I hope you have better luck than I did."

As Curio walked away, Francisco, quietly, said, "I'm sure I will."

Once Curio was gone, I let myself chuckle.

"Care to share the joke?"

"The joke is that we're here… Alone… over a canal… under the moon… Why do I feel like we've done this before?" I asked, sarcastically.

Francisco let his own chuckle out. "You could always hold a grudge."

"Oh, contraire, Francisco; I don't hold grudges. I just don't forget things easily."

He smirked at the answer.

I leaned against the bridge, looking out over the water and refusing to make eye contact. "So, what did you wish to speak to me about?"

"Your friend."

I rolled my eyes and said, "Did I not just say that I cannot answer for him?"

"But you can answer to your opinions of him."

"Such as?"

"Is he kind?"

"In his own way."

"Is he cunning?"

"Very."

"Strong?"

"Unquestionably."

"… Handsome."

I was a little confused at what looks had to do with anything but I still answered; "I suppose."

"And how does he treat you?"

Even more confusion.

"He saved my life; how do you think he treats me?"

"I mean what does he do for you? Does he help you? Does he fight for you? Does he care for you?"

Suddenly, I felt Francisco press his chest against my back, perching his hands on the bridge and trapping me between his arms.

He whispered into my ear, "Does he warm your bed?"

The fire of fury flamed in my heart and mind.

I brought my elbow back, shoving it into his chest and pushing him away.

I turned to him and glared.

"Unlike you, dear Francisco, I have my pride and it alone will warm my bed until I say otherwise."

He scoffed and said, "A fancy way of saying you're lonely."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Unlike you, I do not thrive off of the love of a partner. I can stand on my own two feet and I'm proud of it. I bid you goodnight, sir."

I started marching away when he said, "Thou art unfit for any place but hell."

I froze.

I turned back to him, drawing my sword. "Go, prick thy, and over-red they fear, thou lily-liver'd boy."

He smirked and drew his own sword.