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[Oh man. Oh man this was not good. Not good at all. Last night had been one of those rare nights where Ellie actually got a good night of sleep, a mercifully dreamless sleep where she wasn't haunted by the Infected or the hunters or the faces of all the people she had known and lost.

So of fucking course something had to happen the next fucking day. The morning had started so nicely, and then suddenly everything kind of went weird and she woke up in... wherever the fuck this was. Not cool. What's even less cool is that she woke up alone. Outside of That Incident at the resort in winter, she can't remember the last time she woke up alone. Even in the present, Joel always hung around their tiny little cabin at least until she was awake before heading off. So... being alone in a strange place with no memory of how she got here? That sent a clear jolt of panic lancing through her.

Not even stopping to really absorb her surroundings, Ellie takes off running with no real direction.]

Joel? [She's trying not to sound panicked, but she's not doing a very good job of it.] Joel, where are you, you asshole?!

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I will be honest with you, little one, I am from 1488. I don't know what you're talking about.

14...

[What.]

How the fuck is that possible? [...] Okay yeah magic I get it, but. Time travel seems like a whole different level here.

[Helpless shrug.]

I do not know.

Aha, so there's finally something that you're just as stumped as I am over.

[It's probably meant to be an insult or something, but it doesn't quite come across that way....]

So. Aside from the kidnapping, time travel, and freaky summoning shit... is there anything else I should know about this place?

[Ezio chuckles...]

The castle has taken something from you, as a price for being here.

[Now that causes her smile to fade, though she looks more confused than outright worried as she immediately begins rifling through her pockets.]

I didn't really have anything on me, so it couldn't have... [Her pistol's still there, switchblade still there, nothing but lint in her pockets...

... Wait. Hold on. Now that he mentions it... Ellie pats herself on the chest a few times, then pulls back her shirt's collar a bit and--]

Oh fuck no! [She sounds angry. Not just the annoyance she was feeling earlier, but full-on anger now.] It had no right to take that so it better give it back before I find enough crap to build a bomb and start blowing the walls down!

[He holds up a hand.]

Calm down, calm down. There is nothing that can be done right now.

That's bullshit! There has to be some way to get our stuff back!

[Fuck fuck fuck it's taking all she has stop the angry tears from coming because this stupid fucking castle took Riley's pendant and fuck maybe if she hadn't started wearing it when she didn't need to carry her backpack around with her all the time, maybe this wouldn't have happened. Stupid stupid Ellie.]

All of it has to be hidden somewhere, right? We just need to find the right place!

[A frown, and he kneels down to be closer to her level. Poor kid.]

Little one, it can take memories and abilities, as well. I do not even know what I am missing right now. Where would a magic castle keep a memory, hmm? Or an ability? No one has recovered them just by looking before.

Shit.

[Ellie's shoulders finally slump, and she's glaring at the wall like she wants to kick it. Or blow it up.]

Has anyone even tried to think of a way to get our stuff back?

There are ways, but it comes at a sacrifice. You'd only lose something else in turn.

[...]

Do we get to choose what we lose that time?

No, little one.

Damn. And here I was hoping I could just unload a few shitty memories I didn't really need.

[She's trying to just sound sarcastic... but she's also genuinely disappointed at this news.]

[Frown.]

I know it is disappointing... but we learn to live with sacrifices.

[Pause.]

I have not heard of any Joel, but we could see if he is here, perhaps. Or anyone else you know.

Not many other people I know would be around... [Ahahaha GOOD ONE EZIO oh wait no, there are a few more people now...] But there's a couple. Tommy and Marie.

Just how big is this castle? It's not going to take fuckin' forever to search, will it?

[He shakes his head.]

I have heard of neither. But there are perhaps one-hundred and fifty residents here. Men, women, children, and so on. Some do not know anyone here, but if that is your fate, you will still be amongst friends. You are too young to live alone, hmm?

[Your fate. It's her fate to be without the people she cares about here? Fucking figures. Why should that be any different?

Needless to say, that soured her slowly recovering mood just a bit, and she scowls.]

Wouldn't be the first time I've been on my own. I can handle it.

[Whoops.

Ezio sighs.]

I am saying there are people here who will take you in, bambina. The castle will provide all of the food and comforts you can imagine, but you will still want for company, will you not?

[Yeah that's not really making her feel any better.]

I don't need to be taken in again. [Those chances got fucked over enough times. She's done with it. Until she finds Joel or gets sent back home...]

Friends would be nice, but I can take care of myself. I've done it for most of my life, and here won't be any different.

Let us change the subject, then. Can I help you find your room, little one?

Ellie. My name is Ellie, so you can cut that "little one" shit out.

[She probably would've been fine not giving him her name, but CHRIST is that getting old.]

And sure, why not. It's not like I have anything better to do.

[A chuckle. HAhaha angry little kids.]

You are the one who refused to give her name! But come with me. [He beckons for her to follow.] I am Ezio.

Yeah, well... still. You didn't have to keep calling me that. [Hmph. >( ]

... Ezio. That's a pretty cool name.

[He gestures at her height compared to him with a hand.]

I thought it suited you. We Italians are fond of nicknames, though I suppose I could have used carmina for your red hair. I use "little one" or "bambina" –– baby girl –– for most young girls I meet here, though.

My name means "Eagle."

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