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

[assassino]

[He follows her direction.]

Ah, yes, I am always a sight to be enjoyed. Even more so, with such a precious babe in my arms.

[secondchances]

My heart could explode right now.

[But she's glad to have her hands free, so she can go pet the bird. She glances at Ezio, but otherwise keeps her attention elsewhere.]

You doing okay?

[assassino]

I am fine. [He smiles down at the baby. Aww, Steph's baby :') Ignoring who the father is.] Or my heart is not exploding, at the least...

[secondchances]

You know what I mean. [She's been fairly lax with the coddling, focusing most of her ARE YOU OKAY??????? beams on Tim. Tim had space trauma, and Ezio had what Steph was sure was a broken heart, so she just tried to make him laugh and cuddle up with him as needed... when Tim was preoccupied elsewhere, of course.]

That baby is adorable though, so I'm a little insulted your heart isn't exploding because of his cuteness.

[assassino]

[He's rather glad that Steph hasn't been smothering him; the last thing he wants right now is for people to be looking on him with pity. He'd rather wallow alone.]

Babies all look the same, to me.

[secondchances]

... yeah, same here. This one is definitely a little cuter, though.

[dorkwonder]

[Tim had briefly left to check in on the progress of the steam vehicle. When he returned, his discovered Steph and Jack were gone without so much as a note, which could only mean one thing...

Ezio.

Tim takes his time looking for the two of them. He spends another hour or so at the library working on more blue prints for the vehicle, grabs some lunch, and decides to go for a walk. While he's walking, he comes across a certain trio.

There is no frowning or scowling or death threats being thrown at the two of them. Instead, there's something even more disturbing...he offers them both a smile.]

Hey, when do you think you'll be done with Jack? There's a couple of people I'd like to show him to. Has Cass seen him yet?

[assassino]

[Ezio glances over to Tim, smiling somewhat blandly; he's become as close to accustomed as he'll ever be at Tim's presence, even though it's more of a weird tolerance-slash-temptation-to-taunt for his best friend's stupid boyfriend.

Pay no heed to the untethered bird of prey nearby, Tim.]

I just got my hands on him. Needless to say, we will be a while.

[secondchances]

[Holy shit that makes her blood run cold.

Still, Steph goes over to Tim to kiss him as if everything is just fine.]

Hey. I was on my way over there when I saw Ezio. I can meet you there when we're done.

[dorkwonder]

[Tim returns the kiss, not even giving her a look. Instead he returns his attention to Jack, who squeals happily at the sight of Tim. Whenever Jack sees his parents together, his instinct has been to get closer to him. The baby begins squirming, reaching towards Tim.]

Hey, buddy. How have you liked your day so far?

[Holds his arms out.]

Mind if I see him for a moment?

[assassino]

[Ezio's flat smile doesn't even waver. He shifts Jack in his arms, but makes no effort to hand Jack over.]

I think he has liked it just fine... but he'll like it even more when I take him riding later. His first horseback ride –– until he is old enough for his own pony, at least.

[secondchances]

[This is too weird. Tim must be fuming.]

Very funny, Ezio. Luckily, this is a temporary baby and we don't need to worry about first ponies or first cars. Give him over to his dad, huh?

[Dad. Ugh. Steph slips her hand down Tim's arm to hold his hand. BE NICE, BOYS.]

[dorkwonder]

He's going to get upset if you don't.

[Tim doesn't press the issue, he knows how Jack will react if he's kept away from them for too long. After a couple of minutes, the squirming and cooing turn into loud crying and Jack starts to toss and turn in Ezio's arms, flailing his arms towards his parents.]

Please, Ezio. I don't want him to get any more worked up.

[assassino]

[Ezio just laughs and holds Jack out to Steph.

Women hold the babies, Tim. Women.]

[secondchances]

[Funny how Ezio is a big jerk when other guys are around. Steph gives him A LOOK as she puts Jack into Tim's arms.]

It's okay, Jack. Ezio does tend to induce tears. Must be the fashion sense.

[dorkwonder]

Thanks. [Holds Jack in his arms, rocking him a few times to try and calm him down. Jack cries loudly for a little while longer, before he begins to calm down. ]

Hey, Ezio. I've actually been meaning to catch you. I am going to head into town and take care of a few things. I'll get the deeds to Lana's property handed over to you. I've taken care of all of her legal and financial affairs. The restaurant now belongs to the head manager. You are welcome to go there any time for free drinks and food.

[Took a small portion of money for himself to purchase a plot of land and some equipment to train in. There's also a section he can read and sleep in. ]

[assassino]

[Ezio's not sure how they do deeds in Tim's time, but as far as Ezio's concerned, they're already his. After all, he's the closest male in Lana's life, so they might as well be his. His smile slips away, his eyes narrowing a touch.]

What made you believe Lana's affairs were yours to take care of?

[secondchances]

[Here we go. Steph moves away from Tim, over to Ezio.]

It's less for you to worry about. It's stuff that needed to be dealt with right away, too. Tim's good with stuff like this.

[Got your back, boyfriend.]

Guess you really are our landlord, now.

[dorkwonder]

[Appreciated!]

I didn't have much of a choice. Everything was legally left to me. Which means you wouldn't be able to access her accounts or rent out her property without going through me. Once I so this paperwork, everything will be legally yours.

[Sans the goodies he took with him. ]

The lease for the apartment will more of less stay the same.

[Made sure it couldn't be altered in an unreasonable way. ]

[assassino]

[Ezio feels riled, but he doesn't really want to beat the shit out of the guy holding his best friend's baby. While he's holding said baby, anyway. His hands flex, and he flat-out ignores Steph.]

And I am supposed to believe that she left everything to you? Some boy she only recently met?

[secondchances]

Ezio. [A little firmer, now.] Calm down.

[dorkwonder]

Your guess is as good as mine. I was surprised when the attorney got a hold of me. Like I was just saying, the only person who could do anything with the property is the person it was legally left to.

[Replies sincerely, because it did come as a surprise to him. He has an idea of why he ended up being the one with the property, but he's not going to elaborate while Ezio's riled up.]

[assassino]

[This feels like such a betrayal to Ezio, right now, especially that he'd find out from this shitbag kid. His girlfriend gave legal rights to this fucking kid? The temptation to waste Tim right there is high, and he strides closer to Tim.]

Faccia di stronzo... you're full of shit.

[secondchances]

[Aaaand there's Steph, stepping between them and putting her hands on Ezio's chest to stop him from getting closer.]

Ezio! [Ugggh.]

Tim, now would probably be a good time for you to take Jack to Cass.

[dorkwonder]

[Tim doesn't step back when Ezio approaches him, he keeps his calm.]

You can check it all out for yourself. Once the papers are signed over to you, you'll have full access to all of the files.

[Nods at Steph, backing off once she steps in.]

Sounds like a good idea to me. I'll head there now. [A beat.] And if I was lying about this? I wouldn't want to go see Cass, because she would know in a second and want to break my face.

[Leaves it at that. He'll give Steph the details of why he probably ended up with all of the property. She can be the one to tell Ezio that Lana and Dick's marriage was never nullified.

Gives Steph another kiss, before heading off.]