#tudor.start

    -    It had been quite some time since Giovanni had the time and focus to dedicate himself to his own art. Everything had been for his former master, to preserve his legacy, to share his works and ideas with the world beyond their time, but with a false sense of calm settling over the English court and the budding spring time surroundhing him gave much cause to pause. Leaning over the space beside him on a stone bench, the Milanese artist sketched away on a half complete drawing of a faceless woman. Anyone whom had the pleasure of observing Leonardo’s Mona Lisa would recognise the setting and general stance of the woman except for Giovanni’s version lacked facial features, he simply had yet to find a muse and it was that idea which raised his gaze. “ I beg of your pardon but I would ask of you to enlighten me; without bias, who would you consider to be the great beauty or beauties amongst this court? I fear I have been away from a courtly life for too lond and your opinion would be most valued, I am somewhat out of tune when it comes to common appreciation of the flesh. ”

    -    The arrival of his wife had been expected for some time but what had taken Francis by a great deal of surprise had been the shriek of a babe’s cry which had filled his ears in the past few hours as his wife tried to settle the child in his new surroundings. To take to the gardens for fresh air and quiet had seemed to be the ideal choice at the time, the ringing left in his ears feeling almost like he had lost all hearing from the screaming, but unfortunately for him the baby’s nurse chose to walk with him through those very same gardens for some fresh air. With the woman remaining near by, Francis offered to take him a moment and settled his son who seemed to find the action of sucking on his father’s knuckle to be quite soothing. The knight appeared to look quite natural with the boy in spite of his lack of contact over the ast few weeks - until he noticed a gaze upon him and automatically felt uneasy. “ Babes in the very midst of court; what next? Perhaps we should petition for a string of wet nurses and a communal nursery before the trend catches on ”