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

[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.

[princelyspirit]

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]

[assassino]

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.]

[princelyspirit]

[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."

[assassino]

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

[princelyspirit]

[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?

[assassino]

By killing them.

[princelyspirit]

[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.]