paradisa | xl λ love letter

[written in his usual pretty but out-of-practice handwriting;]

Good evening, my love.

I know you must be lonely, and I must admit I am finding it increasingly difficult to go on without you. I miss the joy of hearing you move about the space around me, but I know what look is in your eyes right now and it gives me the strength to continue on without you! Only until the journey is finished, however; then I will sink into your arms and refuse to leave until I have made up for lost time.

But until I return, you will have to live without my terrible romancing. Entertain yourself by learning what this means: Non vedo l'ora di ritornare da te, così potrai stringermi di nuovo tra le tue brachia. Sei perfetto, anche se ti preoccupi molto!

We found a town today. They call it Paradisa Town, but I will remember it as the town of tiny fellows' houses and bountiful peaches. They were good peaches, too, bountiful and sweet, and as their juices rolled down my chin, I thought of you. I beg you do not think ill of me for thinking of you as my sweetest peach!

con affetto,
your Ezio

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Wow, that bordered on poetry at points. I miss you, too.

[ Especially at night, because she's just an emo bear now when not working on the city. ]

I tried my best! And I had many hours in the saddle to think of something clever.

How much do you miss me?

A lot.

[ . . . ]

Sorry, I guess I dropped the ball on poetry planning.

[He switches to dictating to laugh.]

No matter! I never had an ear for poetry, anyway. "A lot" warms my heart as it is.

I'll have you know I can be very poetic when in the right mood.

[ You know like emoing over her parent's graves... And bummer that you say that, Ezio, because she really does like poetry directed at her. Just keep trying. ]

But it's not my forté.

We could practice together, then. We could be great poet-lovers.

We already practice Italian.

[ SHUT DOWN. ]

[OUCH]

All the better, for Italian poetry is the best.

[Ezio doesn't even read much, he just wants to sound romantic.]

[ Too bad his attempts have mostly been falling so short. It's really not his fault, though, even she knows that. And his letter to her was incredibly sweet, enough to move her to blush, which hadn't happened in awhile. ]

What about Greek poetry? They talk a lot about the Greeks...

[He tries, and tries, and tries –– all he can do for the woman he adores.]

The Greeks! Never. Italians speak of the Romans of the old world.

[ A different challenge from her being married, huh? ]

Of course the Romans would have to conquer the Greeks. So predictable.

Predictable, she says. Is it me that is predictable, or all Italians?

I don't know, is the ego all yours or is that a cultural phenomena?

[ Remember ego? REMEMBER THAT WORD SHE TAUGHT YOU? ]

[SORT OF...]

Pride is for all Italians!

It does seem to be a running theme.

And an unshakeable one!

And you're proud of your pride. It hasn't gotten you into enough trouble?

Never.

Well, it may this week, when I refuse to rest despite my stitches, but otherwise, no.

[Not since the last time his pride got him in trouble, anyway.]

You should have stayed behind like Tim.

[dismissive laugh]

Tim is a pussy. I'm not about to let a minor flesh wound stop me.

Ezio!

[ She hates that word, ugh. Also he's being a jerk. ]

It didn't look minor to me, and there's nothing wrong with Tim for being smart and staying here. It's not like he's being useless.

Did you at least tell Stephanie or someone else on the trip?

["Being smart", as if he's being stupid for going, but he chooses not to comment.]

No. It has not been a problem, so there is no need to.

[ Pretty sure she already said he was stupid for going while injured YES. She'll say it a thousand times if he wants! At least she didn't try to stop him. ]

It needs to be regularly cleaned, you know. What if it gets infected? There's not a lot that can be done out there.

Lana, I am an Assassin. I am no stranger to these wounds, I know how to care for them.

[Of course, he usually lays himself up in bed after these things, but...]

I will seek help amongst the others if anything goes wrong, but for the time being, it is fine.

What if there's a fight?

I will manage.

Does Stephanie still have my camera?

Of course. Why?