1st Arrow [Action]

[threeweeksago]

[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?!

Comments

[threeweeksago]

[...]

Do we get to choose what we lose that time?

[assassino]

No, little one.

[threeweeksago]

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.]

[assassino]

[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.

[threeweeksago]

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?

[assassino]

[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?

[threeweeksago]

[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.

[assassino]

[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?

[threeweeksago]

[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.

[assassino]

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

[threeweeksago]

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.

[assassino]

[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.

[threeweeksago]

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

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

[assassino]

[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."

[threeweeksago]

[Ellie's heart twists painfully at baby girl and what was merely a scowl turns into a full-on glare with as much anger as this little kid can muster.]

I swear to god if you ever call me that "bambina" shit I will deck you straight in your fucking nose, you got that?

[It's a cheesy name and she's not a fucking baby but Joel calls her that and there's no fucking way she's going to let anyone else start calling her that too. Not when it reminds her so clearly of yet another person she cares about possibly separated from her forever.]

[assassino]

[He's surprised by the sudden twist in attitude, and he frowns. She's a little fighter, certainly, but whether she's got as much bite as bark remains to be seen. What nerve did he go trouncing on?]

Suit yourself, Ellie. Rest assured I have no ill-intent.

[threeweeksago]

Yeah, well. Maybe this'll teach you to make sure that people won't have a problem with your weird naming habit in the future.

[Is she being a brat now? Yes. Does she care? Fuck no! He hit a weak spot, so of course she's going to get prickly.]

[assassino]

[He shrugs.]

You're a bit small to be teaching me any lessons.

[threeweeksago]

[RUDE????]

Wow, fuck you too! I can totally teach you shit. Like how to not underestimate people because of their size!

[assassino]

I used to talk a lot of shit to look tough, too... but at least I had the size to back it up.