xli λ bambini

[assassino]

[Ezio has been hiding himself away for a variety of reasons.

Perhaps it's because his schedule has been thrown. There are no more late mornings with Lana, pressed up against her despite the warmth and cajoling her to stay just a little bit longer, just five more minutes. There are no more late lunches, no more dinners snuck in between sittings at the restaurant. No more riding out to the fields to picnic and joke and carouse, no more wine in pretty baskets, no more flowers just-because, or any of the other hallmarks of a man starting to get really invested in a woman.

That is because there is no more Lana. She's gone, as if the castle had forgotten how much she was loved –– even with Wesley and Fred and all of those others passing on from this world, Ezio liked to think that he enjoyed Lana enough for her to always matter to the castle.

She'd always been so bothered by the fact that they'd someday leave and forget each other, but she'd always acted like she would be the one to remember while he drifted away. And now here he is, the one left waiting.

But there are only so many weeks he could hide out in Stephanie and Cassandra's apartment, thinly "tolerating" Tim's presence and straddling the line between being heartbroken and maintaining a stoic manliness. With the babies everywhere, it is somewhat easier –– distractions, and all –– but he still needs to get out. There are only so many ways you can stave off loneliness.

So here he is, tentatively dipping his feet back in the world of women. Has it really been six months since he seriously chased another skirt?]

---- Horny Ladies, 18+ ----

[And there's that thick Italian accent, suave as always, but maybe a bit stiffer than he'd usually be.]

Salute.

I'd be much obliged to take you out for dinner and drinks, for whatever pleases you –– whether it is to spirit you away from a nagging infant for an evening, or merely amuse you for a few hours. If you are bold enough to ask, then I am bold enough to satisfy!

- Ezio Auditore

---- Public ----


[And then there's Ezio, whiling away some time in the garden. He's got a thick leather glove on one hand and a colourful eagle-like bird perched at his wrist; that bird is currently wearing a hood, patiently waiting in darkness for Ezio to unhood him for some time in flight.

Come bother a dude and his bird.]

Comments

[hellofist]

[It feels weird, living somewhere without Stephanie after spending every day with her for so long. With her and Tim off doing... whatever they've been doing with their baby, Cass has been a little sulky. Having Ezio around has been good though, it's kept her from really getting lonely and she knows Stephanie would be glad there's still someone keeping an eye on him.

When she finds the apartment empty, there's no reason to stay in it by herself so why not go walking? She knows there's a garden somewhere, but finding Ezio in it is a surprise. Not a bad one though, which is why she's smiling when she heads over to him.]

Hi. Seems like... weeks, since last saw you.

[Which is a very funny joke to Cass, considering she's seen quite a lot of him recently, but she's still figuring out the whole humor thing.]

[assassino]

[He raises an eyebrow and then chuckles, catching her meaning; Cass is always a little funny about tone, but so genuine in her body language. Ezio reaches to her with his free arm.]

So it has been! I have ached with our time apart, dolcezza.

[hellofist]

Better get close, then. Since you... missed me so much, Bellissimo.

[Keeping a close eye on the bird on his arm, Cass closes the rest of the distance between them so she can put her own arm around him.]

Nice bird.

[assassino]

[He pulls her into a tight one-armed hug and presses a kiss to her forehead.]

Thank you. He is being trained to hunt! Hunt pretty girls, of course.

[hellofist]

[She smiles and hugs him back, leaving both arms around him even after she loosens her grip and looks back to the bird.]

Of course. [She'd expect nothing less from you Ezio.] Has he learned to, yet?

[secondchances]

Wanna see something vaguely disturbing but super cute?

[Someone's run off with the baby! No, not really, but someone is definitely disregarding Tim's grumpiness. Steph has a little blonde haired, blue eyed bundle in her arms. It was something she definitely wanted Cass to see, but Ezio would probably want to see, too. Maybe. She's not really sure how to feel about this castle baby, but babies are pretty cute and might cheer him up a bit.]

Don't let your pigeon eat him, though.

[assassino]

[Ah, it's Steph, his favourite :') He chuckles, putting the bird on its nearby stand and stripping off the hawking glove. He teases:]

Disturbing? Surely you haven't borne a child with crooked limbs?

[He reaches over to brush back the swaddling blankets and peer in at the little babe. The kid is cute, that's for sure, and as far as he can tell, the child is the very picture of Stephanie.]

He looks healthy.

[secondchances]

A perfectly chubby and happy baby. His name is Jack.

And I only say disturbing because suddenly having a child for a week is freakin' disturbing.

[assassino]

I'm sure there are many girls who find themselves growing fat in the middle only to give birth to a babe!

[Joking... Sort of. Then he opens his arms to take the child.]

Let me hold him.

Filter forever

[mal_addict]

[This is what she gets for dating a guy who gets sucked into Science Land for weeks at a time]

...Wow, this is so desperate it's actually a little bit sad.

:')

[assassino]

And yet here you are, answering me...

[mal_addict]

Call it boredom.

You know, there are taverns for this sort of thing.

[assassino]

I'm not looking for a prostitute or courtesan. I'm looking for a woman who shares the same interests that I do.

[well_assembled]

[Natasha approached and just nudged his shoulder, the one without a bird resting at the end of the arm.]

I heard about things, I'm sorry. I know you really cared about her.

[Being frank and emotional isn't easy for her, but even she can be compassionate.]

I know what's it's like to lose someone, so if you want to talk, or drink or something, [She shrugged, she was looking out over the grounds and trying to make it sound casual and less like she honestly felt bad for him. But no one should be alone when they've lost the one person they care about.]

[assassino]

[He's surprised she knows, and maybe a little confused; how did she learn? But ah, well. If she knows, there's no disputing it.

Ezio is quiet for a moment.]

A drink would be good.

[well_assembled]

[She didn't have to hear about it, there had been two run ins where he had turned her down because he was involved and in love with the woman. The fact that he was throwing himself out there, his general stance, demeanor, tone.. well it gave things away. She'd be a piss poor spy if she missed things like that.]

Ok then, a drink or twelve it is.

[assassino]

[Ezio: Not Very Clever.

He glances to her, and the edge of his mouth curls up a bit in a smile. It's tired, but god, does he ever want to move on and be done with this pain]

Can you handle twelve?

action

[psych0p0mps]

[Don't mind if I do! Aradia is out with her two little hellspawn today, and of course as soon as she looked the other way they went scurrying off to bother the nearest innocent bystander. :') Eri, the girl, takes the lead, with her brother Mushio close behind.]

Is that a real bird?!

action

[assassino]

[Ah, children. Ezio looks over, halting from his intent to release the bird. Children of that size would be an appetizer for this predator. He looks to Aradia, mildly surprised.]

And who are these...?

[psych0p0mps]

[Aradia scampers up behind them, mildly frazzled at their tendency to run off.] Ezio. You haven't met my ecto-wigglers yet, huh? Eri and Mushio. [She pats Mushio on the head.] This one had six legs last time.

[Meanwhile, Eri just assumes he didn't hear her, and starts repeating herself a whole bunch (while Aradia is still talking).] Mister! Mister, is that a real bird? Is that a real bird? Hey, hey, is that a real bird?

Eri! Shut up for a second, I'm trying to talk.

[assassino]

Ecto... [He isn't even going to try. Six legs? What?]

Yes, it is a real bird... are you not too young to have children of this age?

[princelyspirit]

[Utena wanders around the garden, letting her thoughts wander, when she catches Ezio out of the corner of her eye. She turns toward him, staring first at his bird, and then at the owner. He seems familiar, and then she realizes: it's the man from the expedition. She hesitates for a moment, before stepping forward.]

Hey there. Long time, no see, I guess.

[assassino]

[Ah, pink hair. How many people does he know with pink hair? He smiles at her, more out of politeness than any genuine joy, though he is pleased to see her well after the expedition.]

Not since the expedition, was it? How have you been, dolcezza?

[princelyspirit]

Alright, I guess... or, well, as alright as anyone can be in a place like this. But, as long as the castle stops throwing spaceships at us, I think I'll be fine.

[Trying to play it cool, but then, she realizes something. She tilts her head, looking straight at Ezio]

But, what about you? I don't think I saw you around anywhere during the last "adventure" we had.

[assassino]

[He chuckles, putting the bird of prey down on a stand so that he has both hands. It's hard to be Italian and gesticulate, you see, when you have a bird on one wrist.]

"Adventure" is certainly a way of putting it... but no, I was fortunate enough to sleep through the whole affair. I'm sorry to hear you had to play party to it, though, dolcezza. Hopefully the castle will be kinder next time.