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]

[Well, so much for trying to cheer him up. She feels terrible now, makes a mental note to leave the jokes to someone that's been doing it longer.]

Probably not true, though. You've been here... for her, way longer. Definitely ahead of me.

[assassino]

[He waves a hand dismissively.]

No, no. You are her best friend, a sister from the same world. You need not cut yourself down.

[hellofist]

[She makes a face.]

Don't say sister.

[She's pretty sure you're not supposed to want to kiss your sister on the mouth.]

[assassino]

No?

[He's not sure why she wouldn't think that at all.]

[hellofist]

Not related. Only friends, don't have... any sisters. Or brothers.

[assassino]

[He shrugs.]

We refer to women and men close to us as our brothers and sisters, in my time.

[hellofist]

[And now she's curious.]

Would you call Stephanie sister?

[assassino]

[And a shake of his head.]

It is different when you would bed them. The only "sisters" I bed are nuns.

[hellofist]

[She considers clarifying that that's how she's looking at it too, but her feelings for Stephanie are something she's kept to herself for so long she doesn't even know where to start. It's easier to just focus on the not-having-sex-with-Steph part of this conversation.]

What's nuns?

[assassino]

They're... well, they are nuns. Sisters of the church. Brides of Christ.

[hellofist]

Aren't they... off limits? Since, bride of someone else?

[assassino]

Christ is God. It is figurative, to say they have chosen God over earthly pleasures.

Not that it stops many of them. Not all sisters go to the convent willingly or by choice.

[hellofist]

[Well, when he puts it that way it makes sense.]

Is there anyone... you won't sleep with?

[There's nothing accusatory in her tone, she's only curious and a little amused.]

[assassino]

[Ugly women, men, old ladies, little girls...]

There are many people I would not sleep with.

[hellofist]

[She turns to look at the bird, still safely on the perch where Ezio left it.]

Hope bird knows. Would be awkward, otherwise.

[assassino]

He does. Otherwise I'd cook him for dinner.

[hellofist]

Does he get... second chance, if he messes up?

[assassino]

Only if he brings me a better woman immediately.

[hellofist]

So strict. Pretty sure there's... a saying, about this. Get more... with honey, than murder.

[assassino]

You get more flies with honey than vinegar, yes. But I was not being serious.

[hellofist]

I wasn't either.

[Sometimes she forgets that not everyone can just look at someone at know what they mean, what their intentions are.]

Will he hunt now? Would like to see.

[assassino]

Of course.

[Ezio adjusts his grip on the bird and pulls the lure string out of his pocket, a bit of dried meat speared on the bottom. Then he unhoods the bird, who ruffles up and looks for the lure to chase.]

[hellofist]

[She takes a few steps back, giving him room to work. Once the bird can see again, everything about his body language changes and it's impossible to look away from. She doesn't say anything though, not wanting to distract either of them, just watches to see what will happen.]

[assassino]

[Letting loose the lure in his hand and slowly starting to spin it, Ezio jerks his arm up to encourage the bird to take off, which it does –– it takes to the air as if to fly away, but when it catches sight of the lure, it wheels back and dives after it. Unfortunately for it, Ezio twists the lure away, sending the bird careening around them through the air.]

[hellofist]

[Poor bird, not only is it missing it's prey but now Cass is laughing when Ezio forces it to change directions.]

Trying so hard. Bet it catches... very pretty girls.