xlii λ shopping malls (backdated to the other day)

[assassino]

[He is lost. Here is his ploy to get her to come find him so he can be found without admitting that he is lost. Stephanie is, after all, an American. She should know where they are.]

So this is your home land, hmm? You should be showing me around!

Come to... ah... [A moment where he tries to find the nearest sign...] San Diego Convention Center.

Comments

[secondchances]

... uh oh. Welcome to America. I'll uh... be there soon?

[assassino]

Good!

I will be waiting by the stairs. The big staircase, that is.

[secondchances]

Can you be more descriptive?

[assassino]

They are white, with silver railings. I can see boats from them. [Pause.] Is this not a large landmark in the city?

[secondchances]

I'm sure it is, but I'm from Gotham, not here. Other coast.

Hang tight, though. I'll be there as soon as I can.

[One train ride, a longing look at a Starbucks, and a jog across the street later, Steph's wandering around looking for her Italian BFF.]

[assassino]

It cannot be that far.

[Guess who underestimates how big the USA is on a map? He's only seen a future world map TWICE, cut him some slack.

But there's Ezio, sitting on the steps, people watching. Girl watching. He whistles at Stephanie when he sees her.]

[secondchances]

[What's the best way to be greeted in America? Running jump hug. Catch!]

[assassino]

[He gets up just in time to catch her, turning her momentum into swinging her in big circles. He's fine with this B)]

Missed me, did you?

[secondchances]

[It'd be more dramatic if they were at an airport. She grins.]

Only as much as you missed me. Which must be a lot, if I'm the firs American you decided to call upon. 'cause you're totally not lost, hmm?

[assassino]

[Ezio gives a slight chuckle, but nah, he ain't admitting that at all. He keeps her locked in his arms, arms around her waist and keeping her so her feet can't even touch the ground.]

You are the first American I ever met and a love of mine, why would I turn to any other? Even if I were lost –– which I am not –– I would turn to you.

[secondchances]

You're in my time, in my country. You're so lost. But I appreciate the flattery.

[MEN.]

Put me down and we'll do some exploring.

[assassino]

[NAH NOT ADMITTING IT. He's just going to be cheeky:]

What if I do not want to put you down?

[secondchances]

Then at least give me a piggyback ride instead of smooshing me.

[assassino]

[He grins and reluctantly sets her down.]

Smushing? Is that what is happening with your breasts against my chest?

[secondchances]

[Laughs at him saying that. And then reaches up to smoosh his cheeks!]

It's like this!

[assassino]

More pillowy, I imagine.

[Reaches to tweak her boob, haha.]

[secondchances]

[Smacks his hand!]

Heeeeeeeey. That will get you arrested here. And just don't do that to me in general! C'mon.

[Grabs his arm and starts off... in a random direction. She's just as lost as he is.]

[assassino]

I did nothing! [Innocently, as always, but ah well. Following:] Would it really get me arrested?

[secondchances]

We'd call it sexual harassment, in this time. Don't grab boobs uninvited is the moral of the story.

[assassino]

Sexual harassment? It is your breast, it is not as though I am defiling you.

[But ah well.]

You laughed, anyhow.

[secondchances]

Because I know you well. I know it's just... your time or something. Just don't do it.

[assassino]

I would not do it with just any woman. You know that.

[secondchances]

I know, but you also know I have a boyfriend. [He has boob rights.]

[assassino]

Says the girl who sleeps in my arms, in my bed, despite having a boyfriend...

[secondchances]

I don't grope you.