Play@YSDC

"I don't believe I've heard of it before but that means nothing, as I say I am no expert."

Jacques looks over to Bianca. "Mme Bianca, I am sure your knowledge of traveling plays is far superior to my own. Have you heard of the work these players shall be presenting?"

"No, I'm afraid I've never heard of it," said Bianca. "What sort of play is it?"

"It is unique!" said Enrico. "It practically defies classification. I don't want to spoil the surprise, but it is never the same play twice. Even if you had seen it performed before in Milan, it would be worth seeing it again."

Bianca's roll to see if she has heard of the play:
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Gui rather doubted that. A one-time paramour of his was fond of the theatre but in Gui’s opinion, joueurs itinérants were artistic criminals who were somehow managing to stay one step ahead of the law…

1d%H75%

OOC:   Fail.

The strange events of the day have done nothing for Jacques' concentration.

"What can you tell us about it?" asked the Comte d'Erlette.

"We would not want to reveal too much," said Enrico. "That would lessen the experience. It should be a surprise."

"We can tell you a few things," said Veronique. "It takes place in a mythical land called Carcosa. I play the part of Cassilda, and my daughter Giulia plays the part of Camilla. My son Charles plays the mysterious Stranger."

"And that is all we can tell you for now. You will have to see the performance tomorrow night to learn the rest."

Jacques looks over to Enrico. "And you translated the play yourself? Your Latin must be a deal more accomplished than mine own. I confess I was a very poor student of Latin, my tutor despaired of me and spent a great deal of time rapping my knuckles. Entirely my fault of course."

"But I am interested to know what manner of book did you find the Latin, original play in? Was it some ancient text on papyrus from the time of the Caesars, or a more recently copied version? I know the writings of Cicero have been published oft times, so that dimwitted schoolboys can be set the task of translating them." Jacques flexes the knuckles of both hands a few times.

"I like the idea of the play being on some ancient, dusty scroll."

"Indeed, it was on papyrus," said Enrico. "A thousand years old if it's a day. More than a thousand, for Rome fell more than that long ago. I do not have the original scroll with me, of course. It was painstaking work to translate, but I think it will be worth it when you see the performance. My Latin is excellent, if I do say so myself, and I'm fluent in both Italian and French. I don't think it loses much in the translation, though it would be something to see a performance in the original Latin."

Gui listened to the man talk, noting the gleam in his eye and the way that spittle seemed to gather at the corner of his mouth as he spoke. He glanced at Jacques but the slackwitted oaf seemed more keen to prattle on about his not unexpected shortcomings as a student. Write Latin? You may as well expect a man to walk on the moon!

He turned his gaze upon Enrico once more. There was something about the man that did not sit right with him, something that made him want to grind his teeth. He would watch him carefully lest he try any funny business.

"Most impressive," Jacques says to Enrico. "And do you have other members if you company? Or is your family here the entirety who will be performing?"

"It is just my family," said Enrico. "Le Roi en Jaune only has a cast of a few characters."

"Well, I'm sure it will be memorable."

"I can assure you, it will be unforgettable," said Enrico.

Jacques focuses on his meal and chatting with Bianca.

As the second course was being served, Leonardo da Vinci entered the dining hall.

"Ah, Master Leonardo," said the Duc. "So glad you could join us after all."

"Thank you," he said, finding an empty seat at the table and waggling his eyebrows and Jacques and Gui. "I was regrettably exhausted, which happens when you get to be my age. A short nap was all I needed to recover. That's all I ever need." As he sat down, he patted his belt pouch absently. "Oh, I've forgotten my puzzle box in my chambers. No matter. I'm sure it will be all right."