Da Vinci's Demons fic: Music to Charm Snakes By

[meridian_rose]

Title: Music To Charm Snakes By
Fandom: Da Vinci's Demons
Pairing/Characters: Leo, Zo, Nico, Vanessa, Riario, Lorenzo briefly, Clarice mentioned
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 535
Prompt: For the trope_bingo prompt "Band AU"
Summary: Lorenzo got more than he bargained for when he hired Leonardo's band; his guest Riario, however, may get even more. (Band AU, not modern au, just crack)
Content Notes: No standard warnings apply.

AUTHOR NOTE: A revised and significantly expanded version of this fic is available: DW, LJ, AO3


"Good evening, Florence," Leo yelled.

There was a stunned silence, followed by smattered applause. Lorenzo forced a smile and clapped, giving the audience leave to begin cheering enthusiastically. Leo bowed, hair flying into his face. He met Riario's gaze, the black-clad count not cheering at all.

Zo waved to the crowd. Vanessa leaned over and kissed Leo's cheek. Nico gave them an encouraging nod from the wings.

"We're here all week," Leo said, though this had been a one night only deal. He strummed his lute and headed offstage followed by the rest of the band.

#

"Did you see Lorenzo's face?" Zo chortled. He took a gulp of ale and wiped his forehead with his sleeve. "We were way more than he was expecting."

"I think Clarice was enjoying herself," Vanessa said. "She liked that ballad about the maid who cut off her cheating husband's well-I-never."

"What about the count?" Leo asked. "Girolamo Riario. He looked shocked, right? Don't get much of that sort of thing in the Vatican."

"You might be surprised, artista."

Leo spun, startled to find Riario right behind him. Riario gave a small smile.

"Oh, look, it's the snake guy," Zo snarked, alluding to Lorenzo's politely spoken but downright insulting introduction of his guest.

"I want a snake," Leo said. "I think it would look sexy, draped around my shoulders."

Zo threw a towel at Leo's head. "No snakes."

"What do you want?" Nico asked, putting himself between Riario and Leo. Riario gave him a look of amusement.

"He's our manager," Leo said. "And accountant. And anything else we need."

Riario nodded. "I see. What I want is to acquire the music to the Vault of Heaven."

There was silence.

"You know that's a myth, right?" Zo said. "A piece of music that can bring about world peace? Bollocks."

Riario lifted one shoulder in a shrug. "All myths have some element of truth. In this case, I have half of a scroll I believe to contain that tune."

Leo studied him. "And you think I have the other half."

"I've heard it rumoured."

"I burnt it," Leo said, enjoying the flash of alarm on Riario's face. He tapped his head. "I keep it up here, where no-one can steal it from me."

Riario sighed. "I suppose there's no point in asking you to come back to Rome with me so we collaborate on playing the piece?"

Leo shook his head. "World peace could mean many things. It could mean no more wars. But what about the reason wars start? What if peace means no-one can defend themselves? What tyranny might we unleash upon the world? You might want everyone on their knees worshipping your idea of God in your way, but I don't."

Riario lowered his gaze. "I see. You fear what such power could do. I heard you were reckless but in this at least, you show judgement. I fear that power too. Until tonight I thought it best to secure the music for Rome, for the Pope."

"And now?" Vanessa asked.

He gave her a genuine smile. "And now I must reconsider."

Leo grinned. His music could do amazing things, Vault of Heaven or not. Even charm a snake.

---

Written for Trope Bingo, but I may well polish this further and expand on it when I have time, because the fic I had in mind would be twice as long, but time was running out to claim bingo. As such it is not yet posted elsewhere. see Author note, above.