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]

Would get fired, then. Lazy Batgirls aren't allowed.

[assassino]

As I would get rid of a lazy bird.

[hellofist]

Only one of us... would get eaten, though.

[assassino]

Of course.

I suppose you would taste good, though. [A smirk that tugs on his scar funny. Totally an eating out joke.]

[hellofist]

[It's his body language that tells her they're definitely not talking about the same thing anymore, her cheeks going slightly red as she puts two and two together.]

Um... [Yeah she has no idea what to say to that.] Bird's still hungry.

[assassino]

[Well, at least there's solace in knowing he still has it. He wheels the bird around for a moment longer, then lets it take the lure. The bird settles in the grass, tearing at the meat.]

As am I.

[hellofist]

[If teasing her helps him feel better, she'll let him get away with it.]

Want lunch, then?

[assassino]

[He drops his end of the lure, moving towards her.]

Do I get to have you?

[hellofist]

Get to... have it with me.

[assassino]

[He feels tired, suddenly, and the hand he lifted to touch her arm stops. Instead, he moves to adjust his glove. It's too easy to slide back into the old way of doing things, and he thought it'd feel better than it does... but instead it just feels exhausting.

He sighs and then smiles.]

What would you like for lunch, then?

[hellofist]

Doesn't matter, will eat anything.

[He doesn't touch her, but she moves to touch him, going in for a hug.]

Company is important thing.

[assassino]

[He lets her once more, arms sliding around her waist.]

It is, and I am glad to have yours.

[hellofist]

Always will, I promise.

[She rests her chin on his chest while she looks up at him.]

How do you feel... about cheeseburgers?

[assassino]

They are delicious.

[hellofist]

Good. Put bird away, we'll get some.

[assassino]

You will get no protest from me.

[And he pulls away from her to do that.]

[hellofist]

[While he's busy, Cass uses the opportunity to calm herself down. With Conner, when he'd looked at her the way Ezio did, she hadn't really known what to do with it and it made her feel strange, bad, confused. Like she had to run off to Kansas to see him and try to get a better idea of exactly what was going on.

Later, when Tim and then Zero had done it, she was more used to it. She hadn't thought much of it with Tim, but by the time it was Zero giving her those looks, watching her so closely, she liked it. She likes it now, from Ezio, maybe more than she should.]

Does bird have name? Seems like, should have name.

[assassino]

I did not bother naming him. But I suppose that if my horse is worthy of a name, then so is the eagle. [Teasing:] Should I name him for you?

[hellofist]

[She just smiles at him.]

If you want. Better than... calling "bird" forever.

[And hey wait back up.]

You have horse, too?

[assassino]

Cassandros for a male, I think.

And yes, I have a horse. Maximus.

[hellofist]

Cassandros. Sounds kinda funny.

Can I ride, sometime? Never have, before.

[assassino]

Of course. I could take you now, if you wanted.

[hellofist]

Not too hungry?

[assassino]

We could take the horse into the city for lunch!

[hellofist]

[She grins. You so smart, Ezio.]

Perfect plan. Never been to... horse house. [That's certainly not what that's called but that's what she's going with now.] Lead way?