[Act 1] [Scene 6] [Confrontations]

[Marras]

"No, we weren't hiding in the bushes, sir. We walked here from the fencing school but I took a more leisurely pace with our new friend while Marco wanted to get home sooner. Nothing sinister here, sir. Why do you think so? Ah, yes being associated with Rocco makes one suspicious of everyone, I know. Sadly.", Cirillo answers and makes room (if necessary) for Giacomo to get to the door. "By all means, sir.".

When Cirillo hears Marco's answer he is quite surprised, and that is pretty easy to read on his face. "Really? That's promising news!".

[Alex]

Karl sees no need to escalate the situation and takes a step back.

[thirtythr33]

Marco: "Hiding in ambush? What the... Blasio, what is wrong with him? We were just talking about the matter we are working on."
Cirillo: "No, we weren't hiding in the bushes, sir. We walked here from the fencing school but I took a more leisurely pace with our new friend while Marco wanted to get home sooner. Nothing sinister here, sir. Why do you think so? Ah, yes being associated with Rocco makes one suspicious of everyone, I know. Sadly."

Blasio retorts. "Don't take us for fools. We came straight here as fast as was seemly and so must have you."
Giacomo stops opening the door when Cirillo mentions Rocco. "Hah. I hardly know the brute. Judging from the scene you made earlier, you have had more dealings with the man than I."

Marco: "Karl and Giorgio have found a witness. They had to break a door or two but eventually the shopkeeper agreed to testify."
Cirillo: "Really? That's promising news!"

Giacomo exclaims "Excellent!" He then throws open the door and strides through it. He yells out as he leaves "Then leave us be!"

Blasio lingers a few moments longer to let Giacomo get a into the hallway before him. He looks to each of your faces in turn, as if memorizing them, before sneering and performing a stage bow.
If nobody immediately intervenes, he exists the room after Giacomo.

[Benedict]

Before they can step through Ferran steps in front of the door with his arms folded across his belly, fingering his previously prepared folding knife (a usual sailor trick).

"Not so fast señores. Its really fascinating that I encounter señor Blasio here. It's interesting that I did heard you señor with my own ears trying to play one brother against the other and accuse the good doctor here of being a poisoner."

"I thought I've seen you before, but now I'm certain. Last time I saw you a couple of fortnights ago in the port of Ragusa, accompanying master Gatti* (ooc: surname deriving from Cat)."
Ferran flashes a grin, takes another measured pause to let the names sink in and continues.

"Before making insinuations or accusations señor better explain yourself, because one of the things I can't abide with is a villain, friend to smugglers and slavers, accusing innocents."

*OOC: will provide some info on Ragusa and Barbary corsairs soon in info dump, the basic info is that they are pirates and slavers dealing with Arabs and Turks.

[thirtythr33]

Before they can step through Ferran steps in front of the door with his arms folded across his belly, fingering his previously prepared folding knife (a usual sailor trick).

"Not so fast señores."

Before Ferran can continue Blasio shouts over him "Giacomo! Call your guards!" and he attempts to push past Ferran to get through the door. If Ferran wants to stop Blasio from leaving he must grab him.

[Korbel]

"Our guards are already here, fortunately. Stay where you are, Blasio, because I really think we should talk now. You say I wanted to ambush my brother? How dare you? I came here fast, because I was worried about Francesca. Eat your words, or I will challenge you for a duel. I'm very anxious about you playing my brother against me. How can you both think I could ambush you? You're crazy, or what? Why would I do this?"

[Alex]

Karl shakes his head in disbelief. A well-thought-out plan is turning to ash right now because of a perfect stranger is shouting accusation at Blasio.

He stays ready for action and wait for Marco to react.

If Ferran tries to grab Blasio, he will not intervene as he is not sure what is the best course of action right now.

[Benedict]

Karl shakes his head in disbelief. A well-thought-out plan is turning to ash right now because of a perfect stranger is shouting accusation at Blasio.

OOC: Well, that didn't happen, the shouting and accusing part, at least yet.

[thirtythr33]

Ferran is in the way, glaring at Blasio. The moment Blasio tries to shove him with his shoulder Ferran steps abruptly to the side and trips Blasio.

Blasio stumbles a few steps before tripping and sliding across the polished floor, his sword clattering loudly. Giacomo turns to watch what is happening and hasn't moved to call the guards. While Blasio is getting back to his feet Ferran continues talking.

Ferran: "Its really fascinating that I encounter señor Blasio here. It's interesting that I did heard you señor with my own ears trying to play one brother against the other and accuse the good doctor here of being a poisoner. I thought I've seen you before, but now I'm certain. Last time I saw you a couple of fortnights ago in the port of Ragusa, accompanying master Gatti. Before making insinuations or accusations señor better explain yourself, because one of the things I can't abide with is a villain, friend to smugglers and slavers, accusing innocents."

It takes Blasio a few moments before recognition washes over his face. "I hardly have to explain myself to a sailor, but if you had not noticed, Venice is at war. With the majority of our warships battling Charles to the West, the Ottoman Corsairs have become more brazen than ever. If you must know, I have been working through the process of attempting to broach an alliance with them. Venice has vast wealth to spend, but we are short on ships and time and cannot sustain a fight on two fronts. If we could come to agreement with the Ottomans to allow supply ships with Venician flags pass unmolested it would of huge benefit to allowing Venice to continue holding off the Spaniards and the Holy Roman Empire. As we are on the brink of ruin, Venice is in no position to refuse even an unsavory ally." Giacomo nods, as if to confirm.

Marco: "Blasio, I really think we should talk now. You say I wanted to ambush my brother? How dare you? I came here fast, because I was worried about Francesca. Eat your words, or I will challenge you for a duel. I'm very anxious about you playing my brother against me. How can you both think I could ambush you? You're crazy, or what? Why would I do this?"

Blasio shrugs. "With breathe you claim innocence and that we are free to leave as we please. And yet, here I stand surrounded by mercenaries under your pay who stand with hand on weapon and attempt to block my passage. As you were concerned for Francesca's health, as are Giacomo and I worried for your father's. Now I must bid you farewell, unless you wish to assault me and prove my accusations true, tell your men to leave us be."

[Korbel]

"The only person blocking you is this young man and I don't know him. He is not my mercenary. Karl didn't stop you, nor Giorgio, Cirillo or me. I challenge you, Blasio Soranzo. Eat your words about the ambush and go, or face me. I don't like your games. I will not let you offend me in my own house."

[thirtythr33]

Blasio clenches his teeth, weighing up his options but before he responds Giacomo steps forwards.

Giacomo says "It is I that must apologize, dear brother, as I was the one who first spoke the word ambush. I am ashamed that the thought could have even entered my mind. I was not expending to find so many people here and I jumped to a false conclusion when I found myself surrounded. The stress of the war effort and our father's sickness has me expecting treachery at every turn. No blood needs to be spilled for my misunderstanding."

[Korbel]

"No wonder you misjudged the situation when I hear Blasio wanted to play you against me, as this young man reported. What else did he tell you? How can you even think I could ambush you? Why would I do that?"

[thirtythr33]

Giacomo purses his lips. "That is a delicate matter. Suffice to say that I have had growing suspicions of late and I turned to my friend Blasio for advice. The details of which I will gladly discuss with you in private. But for now, I am going to attend to our father."

[Korbel]

Marco doesn't say anything, only nods in agreement - but keeps watching Giacomo and Blasio, wondering about the whole situation.

[thirtythr33]

Giacomo and Blasio leave to go to Claudio's bed chambers.