paradisa | 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

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?

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.]

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?

[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...]

[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?

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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

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.

[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?

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.

I guess there's not much room for regrets in your world, then. Even if you make the wrong choice... well, there's not much point in obsessing over it, is there?

[Not exactly talking about training, now, and begins to think back to her time before Paradisa. As her thoughts wander, her eyes idly scan the scenery, looking for the place Ezio is leading them]

No, dolcezza. There is not much room for regret in any time or place.

[They're heading into town. Ezio is pretty sure the bars in the castle would balk at him bringing a fourteen year old in, but hey, the town is more laid-back.]

[Makes sense - after all, the town seems kind of old fashioned, and... well, Ezio's made it clear that things worked differently a few centuries ago. Either way, Utena has no objections. While she's not a drinker, she's wanted to spend more time in town, especially now that it's been rebuilt. When she realizes just how far in they are, she begins to perk up a bit, almost forgetting her past moodiness]

Mmn. But, what about people who are motivated by that sort of thing? [More curious than anything, right now, not thinking of any past regrets of her own anymore] I mean, it's not exactly a good thing, but there's some people who look at their mistakes, and go, "Alright, that's not going to happen again."

Most people are consumed by guilt and regret, rather than motivated by it. Your enemies will depend on it.

[And that hits straight to the heart. Her eyes turn wide for a moment before she quickly glances away, and when she speaks again, there's a note of bitterness she can't quite hide.]

They'll use every dirty trick they can, won't they. But-

[She purses her lips together, not sure how to continue]

How are you supposed to stop something like that?

By killing them.

[Well that's... final. Could she have done something like that? Should she have done something like that? The thought makes her blood turn cold, but a small part of her reminds her what his plan was. Maybe if-

She doesn't take that though further. Instead, she continues to walk in silence, until either Ezio speaks again or they reach their destination.]

xli λ bambini

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