fourth.

[eaglet]

[Ezio.]
[Written -- he doesn't feel like talking into a book while standing in the middle of City Royale, ok. Is this a prank or something, he's about to get mad...]

Did you get distracted by something? I am waiting where you directed, but I do not see you, nor do I see anything nearby that would be of interest. Where are we going?

Comments

[assassino]

[Boo. Ezio steps up behind him and claps him on the shoulder, closing his journal with a snap with his other hand.]

Impatient, aren't you? Can't a man be a touch late without being harassed?

[eaglet]

[UGH. Connor instantly scowls. Always touching his shoulder, why...]

I know you get distracted. I was only trying to see if I should find somewhere to wait.

[assassino]

Oh, do not give me that look. This is supposed to be a night for spending time together, as Brothers, not scowling.

[He beckons for Connor to follow.]

Come. I know a place we can sit down and relax and talk.

[eaglet]

[SOUR LOOK... but he follows. Whatever.]

Yes... fine. Where are we going?

[assassino]

A place my sister managed in her time here. Lanterne Dorate. It is a good place, it has been kept up since Claudia departed.

[eaglet]

Your sister? I did not know she managed businesses.

[assassino]

She does. She keeps all of the books at Monteriggioni, as well.

[eaglet]

I did not know you had such a library.

[Nuances...]

[assassino]

Oh, not those books. The finances.

[He leads Connor into the red light district :') Quantity of suggestively-clad women standing on the sides of the street is rising.]

[eaglet]

Ah. Financ...es... [He is getting distracted by all these women who aren't wearing that much? More that he's confused than anything else, but...]

[assassino]

[He nods. He barely gives the women a passing glance, because it's them looking at him B) And Connor, too. Potential customers, and all.]

The money.

[He glances at Connor and chuckles, nodding in the direction of one girl.]

She likes you.

[eaglet]

I know. [Hurriedly!!] I mean, I know what finances are... I do not know her. How does she like me?

[assassino]

[Amused.]

She's eyeing you.

[eaglet]

I do not think that means she likes me.

[In his experience in Boston, people eying him is a bad thing...]

[assassino]

Oh, it does. You can tell by her posture, her attention. [A grin.] Can you not tell her intent by looking at her?

[eaglet]

[Connor just looks... extremely puzzled. Where are they going???] No. I have no idea what you are talking about.

[assassino]

Never mind, then, you will find out eventually.

[And there's the ~Gilded Lantern~, pretty and well-kept. Ezio holds open the door for Connor.]

[eaglet]

[Okay, whatever, brosef.

But he's curious to see what kind of business Ezio's sister ran (is it a tavern or something?), so he goes inside.]

[assassino]

[A sexy tavern.

Inside is just as dark as the sky outside, except instead of a setting sun to provide light, it's copious amounts of lanterns, their glass and cases tinted to cast a reddish glow around. There are a number of men inside, and twice as many women –– some talking to men, others lounging in chairs, others still waiting.

Ezio gives a nod or smile to a few women as he passes through to the front desk, where he greets the hostess warmly.]

Salute, Gabriella. Connor and I would like a private room, some beer and some company.

[eaglet]

[This is... strange... but still within the parametres of normal. Why is it so dark in here, he wonders, but maybe it's a European thing if this place was once run by Ezio's sister. So he's not going to question it, just kind of curiously looking around.]

'Company'? Did you not say we were to be alone?

[He thought they were gonna talk about your cool adventures, jerk!!!]

[assassino]

[Ezio shrugs as they are led down a hall to a room. Said room is lushly decorated, a sort of sitting room with a few couches and a daybed.

The lady leaves them there, mentioning that the girls will be along soon.]

Our company is just entertainment.

[He sits on the couch, beckoning Connor to follow and sit opposite, divided by a coffee table. Ezio picks up a pack of playing cards from underneath it.]

My brother and I used to come to places like this and drink and gamble. Play cards, too, and be entertained by the girls. Do you know how to play Primera?

[eaglet]

[Entertainment... whatever. Maybe they'll sing or something?]

I did not like the wine I had at your party... [Which is a polite way of saying 'if you make me drink that again, I will punch you.']

Primera? No... Achilles has tried to teach me Fanorona but I am not very good at it.

[assassino]

We'll have beer. You like beer, right?

[It's even on the soundtrack. "Beer and Friends." Come on, kiddo. Ezio starts counting out four hands of cards –– it's a 40-card deck, unlike normal playing cards.]

Being good or not does not particularly matter. It is about having fun, hmm?

[eaglet]

I have never had beer. [He pretty much sounds like he is expecting to hate that too.]

I think it is about improving until you are good.

[assassino]

[He shakes his head.]

No, it is about fun. I understand the drive to train and achieve, Connor. I have not spent sixteen years toiling away and storming across my corner of Europe just for a lark and to meet women. But if you never stop to smile and have some meaningless pleasure, you are going to be in trouble.