paradisa | xli λ bambini

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ezio auditore da firenze

xli λ bambini

[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.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'll take care of it. [Because if Tim needs to hand over paperwork to Ezio, Steph's probably going to be the one playing messenger girl. She doesn't think Tim was being malicious, but she knows arguing that won't get her anywhere. Sometimes Ezio just likes to be angry.

Still, she goes in for a hug.]

I'm sorry, Ezio.

[Shit sucks for a long while when people leave :'( ]

[He scowls, quite irritated, but he lets her hug him. Fine.]

[Her big bambino. She squeezes him tightly, even if she herself doesn't really appreciate the way he's been referring to Tim, then pulls back to look up at him.]

Finish up with your bird and we'll get lunch together. How's that sound?

[She said she wouldn't be long, but she's not leaving Ezio in a crap mood.]

Like a platitude.

[Which it is, he realizes, even if he need not be so blunt about it. Still, he reaches to take his bird and gestures for her to follow.]

I'm finished with him. We'll put him in the stable. I have a stand for him there with Maximus.

[She makes a face, but says nothing. She'll follow along behind him.

Once they reach the stables, she goes over to pet Maximus. She's pretty okay with the smell of horses, now, not even making a disgusted sound. Progress!]

[Ezio just busies himself with fastening the little chain on the perch to the metal ring on the bird's leg, and then unhooding the bird. The bird will get its food later, when Maximus is fed.

He sighs.]

I didn't imagine it would come to this, but with Lana gone from my life, the world seems dulled.

[If only Tim could hear stuff like this. Steph looks down at the floor, shaking her head.]

There's not really any way to make it easier.

[She thinks about Kara and all the other friends that have disappeared. It always hurts thinking about them, but the hurt isn't as sharp anymore. She likes to think that's time working its magic and not, like. Her soul being crushed by the weight of all that loss or something dramatic like that.]

No way that I've thought of yet, though I've considered visiting some old lady friends.

[That feels so wrong, but what else can he do? There are only so many ways to ease pain.]

Seriously, Ezio?

[It's not as exasperated as she thought it'd be. It seems a little early for him to be returning to his old habits, but how long was he supposed to wait?]

I mean--if you think that will make you feel better. [She's not his keeper.]

[Sigh.]

I'm not relishing it, but it would be better than loafing around.

... or eating. I eat a lot, when people leave.

[She briefly wonders what she'd do if Tim left right now.]

It's just... you were with her for a long time, you know?

Six months, not including the time we spent in each other's company before that. She had expressed a desire to be with me a year prior, as well, but... [Shrug.]

I couldn't even manage that devotion to Cristina, and she was...

[A vague hand gesture. Are there even words for it?]

I knew it would not last. Could I take her back to my time, I would have made her my wife, fathered her children. I even would have married her, if I thought she would agree to it, as would be the custom of my time. We do not bother with dedication otherwise.

[There goes Steph's heart. She leaves Maximus to stand in front of Ezio, hesitating only a moment before hugging him again. This month has sucked because Steph likes to help, and there's a lot of things she can't really do much for. There aren't any quick fixes. It's frustrating.]

I'm so sorry, Ezio.

[He let her hug him, lifting a hand to cradle the back of her head. Oh, Steph.]

I will be fine... but I do not think I will be trying a relationship again.