What compagnia are you a part of, Fio?
((OOC: This is a massive post I’ve been working on for over a year- it references Fiorenzo’s embroidered insignia from this post: X))
Fiorenzo: “I am so happy that you ask! Let me tell you all about the Compagnia Della Calze. The name means ‘company of the stockings/trousers’ because we wear special colourfull calze with the insignia of the compagnia we are a part of.”
“But I suppose the real question is “What exactly is the Compagina Della Calza?”. I’ll tell you. They are an organisation where all the rich young men of the city come together. The first compagnia was called the pavoni, the peacocks, but they were soon joined by Modesti, the Concordi, the Floridi and many many others. Because of my immortal condition, I’m sometimes part of one compagnia until it goes out of practice and then have to join another! There have been… between 30 and 40 over the years so!”
Fiorenzo: “Well- but what do these mysterious organized young boys do then? Well! We organize parties of course! The famous Carnaval, my annual marriage to the sea, marriage parties for our older members or for visiting royalty, we do it all! We talk to all the officials, get permissions, hire palaces- nothing is too wild”
Fiorenzo: “We’ll organize dances, banquets, horserides but my favorites are the theatre shows, we’ll hire actors but sometimes we also perform ourselves! High theatre like an eclogue, but also low theatre like a farse. My favorite is a good momoria. But it doesn’t end there!”
Fiorenzo: “We also organize all sorts of maritime activities! An example is the Ragata storica, A race for the gondoliers.”
Fiorenzo: “But, I suppose that in the end, the main purpose of the Compagnia is… ‘to keep the city cheery’… and the city appreciates it. Our immortal lives are often heavy burdens, our choices not free, and we can’t afford to risk love. Safe from the love of our citizens. I firmly believe, that every moment we can, we should drink, we should laugh, kiss fair ladies and be merry! We live long but we can die in the blink of an eye. Forget all the pain- DANCE WITH ME!”
Want to learn more about the compagnia della calza? Check out these sources:
titsay
2087
turnnoffyourmind
theartofmadeline
