audi alteram partem

[vivianapalazzo]

do you believe the rumors about VIVIANA of HOUSE PALAZZO? a recent portrait of them reminds me of JESSICA FINDLAY BROWN, because SHE is so WITTY AND PLACID. however, whispers have been saying they’re actually SECRETIVE AND RESTLESS. maybe that’s why i think of clutching onto girlhood with desperate fingers, laughing so you don't cry, offering one hand to each side and praying not to be torn asunder. {mia}

name: viviana palazzo

age: 33

gender: cis female

pronouns: she/her

sexuality: heterosexual

personality: even-tempered (mostly), clever, diplomatic, self-punishing, wistful

viviana has always been accustomed to being in the center, the thick of things, the eye of the storm. growing up as a middle child afforded her a certain sort of clarity, the ability to observe without being observed. if she was ever overlooked, she didn't mind - or at least, she didn't appear to. she smiled prettily and curtsied deeply and played the pianoforte with appropriate gusto, just in case someone was paying attention. she tried to make friends with sinistras and destras both, but often the acquintanceships would dissolve when viviana attempted to play peacemaker - or, on a few heartbreaking occasions, she was accused of being an informer for the other side. hers was a lonely childhood, but she was always grateful for the company of her family.

as an adult viviana has learned when to utilize diplomacy in the form of silence. she will always mediate when the situation calls for it, but by now she knows that sometimes the most effective tactic is to hold her tongue. she has good friends on both sides of the feud, and although it hurts to hear them speak about one another with so much vitriol, she knows that she can only do so much.

as a lady from a good family, she does what she must to maintain an untarnished reputation - however, that hardly means she is a saint. she has had her fair share of love affairs, but thankfully they usually end amicably and the two can part as friends. she foresees an arranged marriage, and wants to have her fun while she still can.

the vibe: a big sister to all, always ready to lend a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on

[unfinishedmxn]

"Sadly that honour went to a more senior doctor," there was a small shrug to his shoulders with. Aurelio knew that it was to keep the gossip to a minimum. He had many friends and loved to talk. "But one can assume if it was accidental surely we would have heard word of it by now." There was a nod at the other's change of topic. It was hard to freely talk about there was no way of knowing if the person you sat across from was involved in some way. Not that he would throw accusations out there was no reason to but there was the risk. "That does make sense give the air of the city." he sat his bag back down "It was just the bleed correct no headaches or fainting spells came with it?" Most likely stress but there was no reason to only do half of his job.

[vivianapalazzo]

viviana made a quiet noise of acknowledgement, disappointed that she could not learn more from aurelio. she was surprised at how disturbed she had been since the news of apollo's death, simultaneously wanting to learn all of the details in the hope that things were not so frightening as all that and never wanting to hear of it again. she did not think she had ever fretted before in her life, but she felt confident that both of her brothers would describe her recent behavior as such. "perhaps all this talk of murder is premature," she posited. "you know how gossip spreads in this city, much of it being falsehoods and exaggeration." she looked down to find that she was, quite literally, wringing her hands, and forcefully separated them. "just the bleed," she affirmed, waving one hand as if batting away the question. "i am hardly a wilting flower." she briefly considered asking the physician if he had anything to soothe frayed nerves, but pride prevailed. "you have my apologies for such a needless visit, my lord."

[unfinishedmxn]

"Hmm" Aurelio asked as he packed some of his supplies back into his bag, "Makes more work for us but that is not something i will sing the praises of" No matter how he felt about the other families and the situation someones's misfortunes, no matter how fortunate for him it may be for me, wasn't something to praise. "something i assume we are all quiet used to, only time will tell if this will turn into a bigger thing probably wont know till we find out who is responsible." he paused sparing a glance at the window "Do you need any salves or tinctures before i go?"

[vivianapalazzo]

viviana turned away from her vigil to level a searching look at the physician. "have you examined the body? was it murder, for certain?" she asked, trying to temper her voice with an artifice of nonchalance. she had always wanted to believe the best of people, both of individuals and humanity as a whole - but an otherwise healthy peer turning up dead under suspicious circumstances was certainly testing that notion. "yes, i suppose so," she murmured, already sinking back into thought as she turned back to the window, frowning down at the people below. aurelio's question only barely permeated viviana's rumination, and she shook her head in response. "no, thank you. i would not have called on you, but my brother insisted." a bleeding nose was not an uncommon ailment for her this time of year, but she had been too preoccupied with recent events to protest a house call.

[vivianapalazzo]

open to all { 2 / 3 }

location: a drawing room in the palazzo estate

"ghastly business, is it not?" viviana remarked with a frown, peering suspiciously through the windows at the citizens of verona below. she had only known the murdered man through mutual friends, but she had always thought his an especially pleasing countenance; perhaps their paths would have crossed one day - had his not been cut short. she sighed and shook her head. "they played with fire, and now someone has been burned. what do you think, will they learn their lesson now? or will this become an inferno that will destroy us all?"

[stcrbendersgcrden-deactivated20]

"you know, you say that and i admit i had not thought of it going a negative route. that is my sincerest mistake," his voice is quiet and gentle and humming with thought after her comment. strong hands kept them moving through the dance floor and the normal routine of the moment. alas, the one leading them was not one to deviate from the traditions of these steps. was he bad at it? not at all. but there was no room for instances of his own brush of individuality. it was a paint by numbers, structured sort of dance. "i did mean it as a compliment. many at these are ready to dazzle with glitz and glamour and leave the fundamentals in the places between their feet as they move. i compliment you for not being like that."

[vivianapalazzo]

"merely teasing, my lord," viviana purred. "it is quite difficult to genuinely offend me, i can assure you." though it was an attractive trait in a man, for one to actually admit fault, it was hardly necessary in this situation. growing up, she had spent countless hours practicing her steps so that she could dance with a grace that seemed - ironically - effortless. one eyebrow quirked as her unknown partner went on to compliment her style, silently grateful for all of that time spent spinning round and round her bedroom as a teenager. "why, thank you, signore - best to build the house before one decorates, hm? and the feeling is quite mutual." her gaze dragged down his disguised face and back up again, curiosity piqued. "i cannot decide whether i want to tease out who you are, or leave it as a mystery."

[stcrbendersgcrden-deactivated20]

open to: everyone location: masquerade ball

there are people upon people and pretty much all of them adorned in masks. it could make some nervous, others excited, some who were ambivalent at best. it was all varying degrees and each of them came with a reaction within a reaction. excitement could prosper, but maybe only if the right person was behind said mask. frustration could mount until a particularly good or distracting dancer came along. there were signs and some indications, of course. but it was never perfect. not unless they truly knew one another.

arm in arm, they danced. it was just the beginning of the night. the first dance for them together. had others come before this or was this the opportunity for them to grab an entire night together? that would be difficult, though not impossible. "quite the dancer, aren't you?" they asked, the mask obscuring some parts of their speech but not it entirely.

[vivianapalazzo]

while it was true that viviana had been slowing down a bit lately, attending fewer parties than she did as a younger woman, the siren song of a masquerade had simply been impossible to resist. the anonymity was simply thrilling, the freedom to be absolutely anyone - if only for a night. the first dance of the evening was always her favorite, as it held all of the promise and potential that could later unfold. she would have been content to spend the entire movement in silence, savoring the excitement of being so close to this unknown person, but when they spoke up she flashed them a bright smile. "years of practice," she said airily. "although, one can only hope that you meant the comment to be complimentary; upon reflection, it could have held either meaning," she pointed out with a laugh.

[vittcrio]

sometimes, vito liked to make sure he gave viviana her space when they ended up at the same event. other times, he liked to make his presence known straight away and milk his status as 'annoying youngest sibling' for all its worth. that evening, he'd gone with the latter only to find the plan ruined as the familiar endearment reached his ears. wondering what on earth was about to happen to him, vittorio hastily downed his glass of wine and set it down behind his back as she approached. an innocent smile tugged at his lips and he tilted his head. "good evening, mia sorella," eyes narrowed and he tried to bat her hands away as she started fussing. oh no. "dear god -- get off me," making no attempt to respond to her comment on his sobriety ( for once he probably was sober enough, unfortunately ), vito simply put his head in his hands. "oh, well that is just lovely to hear." he nodded, dropping his hands and scanning the room surreptitiously for an exit. "but i am afraid i could not possibly ask her for a dance, you see--," mid-word, he dashed off, attempting to skirt through the crowd and praying viviana would simply give up for perhaps the first time in her life.

[vivianapalazzo]

viviana rolled her eyes at vito's protests, reluctantly ceasing her primping as he began to dislodge her. "isn't it, just!" she remarked brightly, pointedly ignoring the sarcasm in her brother's voice. she narrowed her eyes as he began to make up an excuse, and when he turned tail and ran she sighed and steepled her fingers at the bridge of her nose, wishing she were surprised by his course of action. "piccola merda - " she muttered before letting them fall and hurrying after him. "angelo!" she called, spotting one of her former beaus and pointing out her wayward brother. the man, taller and larger than vittorio, took a step to block him in long enough for viviana to catch up. "really, vittorio," she said, putting emphasis on the christian name she seldom uttered. "a simple 'no' would have sufficed."

[peacekeepcrs]

"I would say I'm slightly rough around the edges too." She said with an airy laugh. "Both my other loves food and events. When both my families aren't begging for your struly attention." She said with mock sadness. There was a sigh. "There are some days that are better than others." She "Of course and I tell her shes coming when she can." mekkhals said with a wink. "Speaking of, we must arrange an engagement with you two."

[vivianapalazzo]

"and that is why i like you so much!" viviana proclaimed, giggling and jostling their joined arms together as if they were schoolchildren. "people with rough edges are far more interesting - they have stories to tell about those marks, after all!" she affected a look of faux sympathy to mirror her friend's false sadness. "oh, poor you, adoration flooding in from all sides. however do you manage?" she lit up at the confirmation of mek's daughter genuinely asking after her, thrilled at the prospect of seeing her little friend again. "absolutely! i am always available for the two of you, you know that!"

[vivianapalazzo]

closed starter with @vittcrio

the two youngest palazzo siblings could often be found at the same parties in verona, though whether or not viviana acknowledged her brother's presence often depended on the company she was currently keeping - or rather, the company she was seeking out for the evening. on this particular night, however, she found herself moving through the crowd, eager to find vittorio. "tesoro," she chirped once she finally laid eyes on him. "there you are! i do hope you're sober enough to meet with someone." as she spoke she was fussing over the youngest palazzo, smoothing the shoulders of his coat and picking away a bit of fuzz. "do you remember that friend of mine, the one who was away in naples for almost a year? they're here tonight - and still utterly besotted with you," she added in a stage whisper. "why don't you go and ask for a dance, hm?"

[crownofhollows]

He turned slightly toward Viviana, his eyebrows lifting in surprise. Fabrizio tried to keep up with what was happening in the city, even though he wasn't into gossip at all, but he felt like there were too many things he didn't know about, and it made him uneasy. Verona and all its dramatic stories unsettled him, and an analytical man like him couldn't accept the chaos that had overtaken them after the fire. Sometimes he felt like he was on a battlefield, and now it was no different with the question the brunette had asked him. Was there more to her question than met the eye, or was there nothing to it?

"The usual - the great feud that the town is so famous for," said the young lord with a faintly amused tone, shaking his head slightly. "I heard there was some kind of quarrel, though I might have been misled. Is everything all right with your family?"

He tried not to pay too much attention to the two sides in the conflict, even though they were trying to draw their family to one side or the other. But this was becoming increasingly difficult with time, and the Palazzos were in a similar position. They just had more experience in maneuvering between the two sides.

[vivianapalazzo]

"ah, yes, that," viviana replied with a frown. "one would think that new generations would be able to mend fences, no? after all, this is hardly their fight. i am just grateful that vito has a good heart and more than enough sense not to have ever involved himself in it." though she had carried many anxieties as an elder sister, she had never been worried about her brother taking up with one side or another - yet the feud had still managed to hurt him in the end, had it not? she swallowed hard, the thought coinciding quite unfortunately with fabrizio's follow-up question. she cleared her throat and flashed him a dazzling smile. "but of course! everything is well in the palazzo household, signore, how thoughtful you are for asking. what of your own lovely siblings?"

[vivianapalazzo]

❛ You deserve everything your heart desires. ❜ ( from aurelia )

"as do you, my dear girl," viviana replied, brushing a stray lock of blonde hair behind aurelia's ear. "never let anyone - not even yourself - tell you otherwise, do you hear me?" she said emphatically, vaguely wondering when on earth she would begin to follow her own advice. "you are my sister, and you always will be. promise me you will keep that in mind, all right?"

[vivianapalazzo]

“   So — what does one do for fun around here? ” ( sandro ! )

viviana grinned, an utterly devilish expression on such an angelic face. "why, simply choose your spoils, signore! you could not have chosen a more knowledgeable guide to this wonderful city we call home - and i can grant you access to all of the most fabulous parties! oh yes, we are going to have a grand time together."

[vivianapalazzo]

❛ Just because my dreams are different than yours does not mean that they’re unimportant. ❜ (mek and viv core)

"of course, mek," viviana replied emphatically, suppressing the faint pang of hurt that her friend apparently thought she felt otherwise. "marriage and children are worthy pursuits, of course they are - and, you know, perhaps our dreams are not so different after all," she continued, with a shrug that she hoped encapsulated a sort of laissez-faire attitude. "but i will neither confirm or deny - you know i must always keep the people of verona on their toes."

[vittcrio]

though he was -- and would likely remain -- horrifically embarrassed by the whole ordeal, it had cemented further in his mind that his sister was perhaps the one person in the world he could confide in. vito gave their joint hands another squeeze before finally letting go, taking the opportunity to wipe his own face completely dry and make another attempt at flattening unruly curls. clearing his throat, he tried not to let his glee show too explicitly on his face as she confirmed the party would be foregone. he laughed. "i think that is how it should be. i am much more interesting than lord fiore... though if he ever makes you cry like i did, it will not be a singlestick he is faced with." a resolute nod, his voice dropped low and quiet. "good. because i would like to spend the rest of this evening with you, if that is alright."

[vivianapalazzo]

viviana smiled, reaching up to hold vito's chin in her thumb and index finger for a moment - and perhaps lifting it just a millimeter. "you, tesoro, are the only man i would ever cry over," she said with a small laugh. "but i will feel free to sic you on any and all misbehaving beaus." she slipped off her jewelry and set it on the nightstand before laying back down, reclaiming her brother's hand once again to tug him down with her. "it is more than all right, vito. i have missed our childhood sleepovers. perhaps once we rest a bit, we can play some of our old games," she said around a yawn, knowing full well that once she nodded off she would be remaining asleep.

[vivianapalazzo]

❛ I don’t understand why you’re being so kind to me. ❜ ( from ayan )

"lost souls have a way of finding one another, do they not? or perhaps it is just that i like your sweet face."

[vittcrio]

it was unfortunate that it had been his first ( and thus far, only ) love that had ended so bitterly. perhaps if there had been another before aurelia he might have built up some resilience, been better able to convince himself of the fact that there would be another -- that someday, he'd find love again and it would be fine. without that, it seemed like only an empty abyss stretched out before him. and how he hated to be alone. "i know," response only really acknowledging he had viviana, a fact which he remained eternally grateful for. vittorio gave a slight, crooked as ever, smile as she laughed, buoyed by the sound. "sorry," muttered softly, though only half-genuinely. "we should probably get ahold of ourselves." picking at beads on the pillow, he turned to squint out of the window before tentatively asking, "... are you still going to that party?"

[vivianapalazzo]

viviana nodded, tension in her shoulders she hadn't even been aware of slowly easing. "all right," she said with a sniffle. "good." if vito chose never to confide in her again, she would understand - it would hurt, but she could make her peace with it. what was most important to her was that he knew he always had the option to do so, that if he needed her to listen to him, offer advice, exsanguinate anyone who hurt him - all he need do was ask. she wiped at the rest of the tears on her face and gave a watery laugh, the party (and everything else in the world) having fallen completely by the wayside while she focused on her brother. "no, i think not," she replied softly. "i can hardly believe i am saying this," she added with as much humor as she could muster at the moment, "but i would rather spend an evening with you rather than our beloved lord fiore."

[blccdhurts]

"would you like me to challenge him to a duel?" it was phrased in such a way that it could be misconstrued for serious - partly because, james was somewhat serious in his regard to do so. "only, i'm so sure that i would win and humiliate him in front of everyone promenading here today." he grinned, his lips turning up and his cheeks tinting a bit pink under her attention. a breath left him in a sigh, normally proud shoulders turned downward in thought. "viviana, i think that you are the only person to ever think me sweet and say as such." james knew that he was right in his regard of himself; he truthfully did not understand why viviana wished to hold his company most often.

[vivianapalazzo]

viviana made a show of mulling over james' question. "i think the lady will ensure that he is adequately punished," she surmised, "but i applaud your gallantry; consider my honor well and truly defended, mio caro." she bit her lip to stifle a giggle at his hypothetical, resisting the urge to tap a finger on his nose and in doing so risk dispelling his heroic fantasy; james had endeared himself to her from the moment they met, and he continued to do so with seemingly no end in sight. she raised an eyebrow as she turned her head to look at him, focusing the stern but loving gaze of an elder sister directly at him. "there will be no self-deprecating remarks made in my presence, particularly when they are patently untrue."