She shrugs "Honestly I have no idea what you are talking about. I mean I understand about the interdict, and Celestine really needs to be keeping the church out of politics if you ask me, but all that stuff about veez and whatever, I come here for the conversation, not to be shut out like the other taverns. I mean you have women talking with you, which is why I come here, but I need a conversation on a topic I'm familiar with. Politics, art, philosophy. You know, real subjects."
Marcus smiles. «I am sorry. I am new to the city. What's your take on these repeated interdicts? What does Pisa do which is so offending?»
What language does she speak? Marcus does not speak Tuscan, so would then have to rely on Genoese 5 at -3.
He starts to regret that he did not put up his seductive presence before entering. Hoping that there is no aura, he fiddles with his fingers while casting the spell without words and with only subtle gestures.¹
¹ He rolls a 6 before the aura is factored in. He needs 0. Fatiguing.
"Well, Pisa generally supports the Ghibelline party over the Guelph party, which supports the Pope in his grab for temporal authority. Which means supporting His Holiness busing the authority of the church to threaten the people of Pisa with hellfire and damnation for supporting our traditional liege in the Holy Roman Empire."
She seems to speak Genoese just fine, though she seems to find it distasteful. "Of course the later interdict is because we hosted Henry III while he was invading Sicily, which the Pope didn't care for one bit now, did he." She seems ferociously gleefull over the idea of having discomforted the pope.
«I see. I think. You don't worry about losing God's grace, when you turn your back to the Pope, then?» Marcus asks curiously, and adds in a hurry, «just curious; I am not taking sides.»
"To be honest." And at this she lowers her voice significantly "I'm not sure which God the pope serves. He seems to me to be following the God of worldly things more than a spiritual God."
«I am inclined to subscribe to that thought. Or have been,» whispers Marcus understandingly, as he studies her pretty face. «It is only that, it is a matter of fact that the Divine powers become more distant as the city is interdicted. Vast areas which would normally be blessed with a Divine presence are now completely void. I had never thought of that before. I have not visited a city under interdict before.»
Certainly if you believe the Guelph's, or the cardinals. Personally I have my doubts."
«Well, I do not listen to them. I have not had time to even hear what they want to say, lately. I have seen it for myself. Pisa is estranged from the Divine at the moment.» Marcus makes the assertation firmly and without doubt. «But there is nothing we can do about that. Another glass of wine, my dear?»
She looks at you suspiciously. "And what exactly have you seen, that you make such pronouncements?"
Marcus looks bewildered and hesitates for a moment. «I have seen the Divine absence, but I am sorry, we are digressing into the topics you complained about not being familiar with. Should we talk about something else? Maybe you know of this businesslawyer, what was his name again, Connor Passivata? Is he someone to be reckoned with in the city?»
She chokes. "Yes, I have heard of him. I wouldn't say someone to be reckoned with, more someone often underestimated. Why do you speak of him?"
«Oh. Business, you know. He was handling business for an associate of mine. It does not sound as if you have much respect for him. Is there something I should know before I talk to him?»
She blinks. "I have a lot of respect for him. Honestly it is you I am uncertain of, with your tongue from Genoa and sympathies to the Guelphs." She takes a drink to calm herself. "I take it you are new to Pisa."
«I am new to Pisa. I did spend a lot of time in Genoa in my youth. But when it comes to the Guelphs, you are mistaken. I have been travelling for years, and I do not take sides. Never mind. This is futile. Let's forget this and start over.»
He points Leo's wand discretely at her, to wipe the memory of this conversation from her mind.
«Hello, charming!» he smiles with his sweetest smile as he pockets the wand. «Are you enjoying yourself?»
"I think so." she looks at her glass, "I may had had a bit too much. Probably not something I should admit to a stranger in a bar." She smiles coyly.
«Oh, you know. I don't have to be a stranger. And if it helps, I'll be happy to escort you away from the bar.» Marcus smiles and looks at her.
"Oh I'm sure you would. I'll bet you're the one I should look out for..." she pauses as she thinks of something. "Excuse me a moment." she takes her drink and moves to a different table where she starts talking to a friend in an animated fashion. A female redcap sits down next to you and asks "So what was it you did to her and why?"
«Oh. I said one or two things which were best forgotten, and forgotten they were. Why?»
She winces "And did you stop to think what a woman in a bar who suddenly realizes she is missing time while talking to a stranger might think? Might be best for you to retire for the night while this blows over. I can find you some company if that was what you were after."
«That can wait for another night. Thank you very much.» Marcus turns to Guccio and the others again. Are they still engaged in conversation?