At the Still Point of the Turning World | Francesco Pazzi

Introduction

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Synopsis

Catalina de Medici stands out from her siblings with her rebellious spirit and disdain for societal expectations. Unlike her gentle sister Bianca or responsible brother Lorenzo, Catalina shares her twin brother Giuliano's impulsive nature and penchant for mischief, traits that are misplaced in a woman of her time. However, her defiance extends beyond mere antics and she adamantly refuses the institution of marriage, much to her family's chagrin. Her loathing for men is only rivalled by her hatred for the Pazzis, the scheming rival family notorious for making life difficult for her loved ones.

Despite her aversion to love and commitment, Catalina finds herself drawn to the one man she should avoid at all costs. As her heart betrays her, she unwittingly becomes entangled in a dangerous game of politics and betrayal. Little does she know, her folly will exact a heavy toll, plunging her into a web of deceit and tragedy that threatens to destroy everything she holds dear.

Francesco Pazzi, born into a family consumed by animosity towards the Medicis, is a man torn between duty and desire. Raised to harbour resentment, he struggles with his growing attraction to the audacious girl who surprises him at every turn. Despite his cautious nature, he finds himself drawn to her in ways he cannot comprehend, her boldness and spirit igniting a fire within him. Still, he has never seen himself worthy of affection, and in a cruel twist of fate, he finds himself complicit in the destruction of the one good thing he has ever been able to fully possess.

Set against the backdrop of political intrigue and familial rivalries, Catalina and Francesco must navigate the treacherous waters of love and loyalty, ultimately facing the devastating consequences of their misplaced sentiments. 

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To you, even a betrayal can sound like a vow.
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Cast

Catalina de Medici

"Something rotten resides inside of me; I have to find it and cut it out. Are you not the blade?"

Francesco Pazzi

"I did this to myself but my soul still howls, my mouth still aches."

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As the light died, we put our mouths on the least lovable, the too-full, the easy-bruised, we shouted, I choose you, and you, and you, and you, and canned that hunger, and spooned it into our mouths on the coldest days.

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Playlist

1. Monster - Imagine Dragons
2. What I've Done - Linkin Park
3. No Good - Ruelle
4. Who's Side Are You On - Tommee Profitt
5. Infinity - Jaymes Young
6. Can You Hold Me - NF
7. Wicked Game - Ursine Vulpine
8. Hands - Orkid
9. Strange Birds - Birdy
10. No Time to Die - Billie Eilish

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I love you, with a touch of tragedy and quite madly
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Tropes/Themes:
- enemies to lovers 
- Romeo and Juliet inspired
- The Taming of the Shrew inspired 
- arranged marriage/marriage of convenience 
- star-crossed lovers
- betrayal/tragedy
- feminism in Renaissance Italy (lol trust me to sneak in feminism into anything I write)

A/N: because I binge-watched this show in like 3 days and I barely see any content for him, I had to do a fic for Francesco :) Also, I was reading this really cool article on early feminist theory in Renaissance Italy and I thought it would be a cool concept to explore. Obviously, it won't be super historically accurate cuz the dates won't match up exactly but I wanna give it a try. 

As usual, don't be a ghost reader. I live for yalls comments/questions/predictions/reactions, even a keyboard smash is highly appreciated and encouraged!