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]

I would fight to my last breath, if needed, armed with whatever I could get my hands on.

[It's no stretch for him. He killed a man with a broom once, after all.]

I have enough training to see me through.

[princelyspirit]

[So he wouldn't give up, ever - but he wouldn't flail around blindly like some kid playing hero, either.]

And this training... how did you start?

[There's a subtle edge of determination to her voice, and while she hasn't switched position, she's no longer looking at Ezio so much as looking through him, now. His words have sparked an inspiration of sorts, and she's still catching up to her thoughts]

[assassino]

Formal training? My uncle taught me. He is a condottiero -- a warlord, a mercenary leader of sorts. He and his army made for good lessons.

Are you looking?

[princelyspirit]

[Hearing the word "warlord" emphasized the weight of the situation, and reminded her that Ezio's skills weren't just for show. Still, it's too late to back down now. She turns her attention fully on Ezio and gives him a firm nod]

I don't want anything here to catch me by surprise, not again. And if I don't want to be dead weight, then...

[Takes a deep breath and steels herself]

Then I need to stop playing around.

[assassino]

[He gives her a searching look -- it's not every day a teenage girl comes to him and asks him about training. His tone gets more serious.]

You should never be satisfied as someone just "playing around." Are you going to ask me to train you?

[princelyspirit]

[Doesn't falter or flinch, and looks as serious as ever]

I am. I remember, back in the expedition, I felt like I could barely keep my head on straight. But you and that girl with the claws, you two knew exactly what to do. It's not enough to know how to swing a sword around - I need to know how to fight.

[assassino]

Having a good spirit and the drive for it is a start... but only if you're sure that your motivation is not some fleeting fancy. If swinging a sword around has been a game to you thus far, I would worry you would dislike being put to hard work.

[princelyspirit]

[Before she can stop herself, her eyes narrow and her voice turns sharp]

It was never just a game to me. It was-

[Her hand starts to shake with anger - not towards Ezio specifically, but towards past taunts his comment reminded her of. However, with the memories the castle has taken away, she can't form the argument she wants to. How can she explain how important her duels were, if she can't remember who she fought for?]

...it was different. [She clenches her fist and her voice quiets, but the frustration still remains.] There was somebody I needed to protect, but when I fought, it wasn't a battle, like it was out there. It was- they were more like duels. One-on-one fights, with actual rules we had to follow.

[assassino]

[He pauses. Well, if she has someone to protect, that's her business. All that matters is getting her on the intelligent track, then.]

The first thing you have to do is forget any of that dueling crap. There are no rules in real combat, no such thing as honour or class or any of those things. Combat is about efficiency, even if what is efficient is brutal or exploitative. You understand that, yes?

[princelyspirit]

[Utena hesitates for a moment, as she forces herself to think over Ezio's words. Honor, nobility - those were virtues she aspired to ever since she was a child. However, Ezio had a point. A real battle wouldn't have rules or formalities (and hell, even the duels in Ohtori, for all their ceremony, weren't always fair fights). But, could she give up her ideals so easily? How far would she have to go?

...she'll figure it out along the way, she decides. For now, though, she has to learn the basics. She looks Ezio in the eyes and, now composed, gives her answer]

I understand.

[assassino]

[He nods.]

Good. Well, dolcezza, I do not know enough about you to take you on as a student. How about I take you for drinks first, so we can be better acquainted?

[princelyspirit]

[Her determination is quickly replaced with surprise - seriously, drinks? That sounds less like a start to a training exercise and more like something old men did together after work. Besides, wasn't she a bit young for that?

...says the girl who just asked for fighting lessons. Realizing just how silly it was to get worked up over one and not the other, she tries to play it cool]

You know, most guys wouldn't invite a kid out for drinks like that. [Not that she thinks of herself as a kid. She looks amused, and a bit curious] But I guess things are different where you're from, huh?

[assassino]

Most people wouldn't teach girls how to fight, either.

[It never ceases to catch him, the way he can baffle and be baffled by people in turn; she's surprised about drinks when he's gone out on a long limb to even think about teaching a girl to fight. Christ.]

But, yes, it's very different. Should I ask how old you are, or would you prefer to guard that secret?

[princelyspirit]

It's not really a secret, but it doesn't matter, does it? I mean, the castle doesn't really care how young or old someone is, it looks like. No matter what, I'm still going to have the same problems I would if I was older.

[She's not trying to hide or weasel out of an answer, honestly, and she'll give her age if he presses. But being a kid won't keep her safe, either, she realizes. It's time to stop thinking of herself like that.]

[assassino]

You will have more problems, I think. Youth means you are inexperienced, naïve... but it also means you have strength without knowing what to do with it. Perhaps, anyhow.

[Ezio gestures her to follow, anyhow. They'll go for drinks.]

You look about thirteen. Am I correct?

[princelyspirit]

[Following along, thinking over his words. That's...one of the most encouraging things she's heard in a long time, actually, in a weird way. The question brings her back to reality before she can think too hard, though]

Fourteen, actually. [She's a bit embarrassed, though she tries not to let it show - the question highlights just how young she is, and she's not sure how to feel about that. But she doesn't linger on that for long] But, what about you? You got a pretty early start in your training, right?

[At least, that's what she guesses. He seems like one of the castle residents who came from a different time - a time when kids started learning the family trade at a young age. And if his family trade is "warlord", well...]

[assassino]

[Fourteen. Hmm.]

Most boys of my station are raised with a sword, though I did not start training as a soldier until I was seventeen. Prior to that, I was trained to be a banker. Unexpected, hmm?

[princelyspirit]

That's an understatement. But, what made you change your mind? I mean, it's a pretty big jump to go from being a banker to a soldier.

[assassino]

[His shrug is half-hearted. He wonders if there's a point in softening news to someone who wants to learn to fight to the death.]

There's better money in war, more opportunity for change, adventure. I can change the course of history as I am now. [A pause.] That, and banking isn't a good opportunity for revenge.

[princelyspirit]

[The idea of profiting off of war doesn't sit easily with her. But what he says about change, about having the power to impact the world around him, that resonates with something deep within her. Whatever sort of man he may be, one thing is clear: he's not one to be controlled by those around him. A small, but powerful, part of her envied that ability.

Before she can think on his words, however, his last statement catches her off guard. Curious, but a bit wary, she tilts her head as she looks at him]

Revenge? What exactly happened? If you don't mind saying, that is.

[assassino]

[He shakes his head.]

I originally started this work because I wanted revenge for my family, who fell to our enemies. I did not have a choice in becoming what I am. I just do not want anyone else to be trapped in this life without choice.

[princelyspirit]

[Speaking quietly]

So when that happened, you didn't have anything left. I...think I understand.

[Takes a deep breath]

But making that choice - it made you stronger, didn't it? Like you said, you were able to change things you couldn't change before.

[assassino]

It did, and I continue to change things. It is just not something I chose myself. It was something I was made to do, something I learned to appreciate along the way.

[princelyspirit]

[Thinks for a moment, her brow furrowed and her expression serious]

But, if you could take it back - if you could make yourself have a normal life, somehow - would you?

[assassino]

It is impossible to change the past, so I do not even think of it. There is no sense in making choices as if you will have a chance to change it later on.