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]

[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.

[eaglet]

[Frowns...]

There will be time for that when I have finished what is asked of me.

[assassino]

And if it takes you sixteen years? Twenty? Thirty? Politics are not so easy that you can accomplish everything in a year... and even then, there will be others.

[eaglet]

[Sharply] You do not --

[He stops to sigh and rub at his face, making a concentrated effort to stay calm. Which is... hard; Fanorona isn't the only thing he's bad at.]

I do not have time to delay. I cannot. The British encroach upon my people's land, at the direction of the Templars; if I do not do something about it and soon, my people will be destroyed by their greed.

[assassino]

And what do you intend to do from Paradisa, exactly? And at home, will you sit by the fireside and stew at night instead of carousing with your allies? Devote every second to warfare? You know better than that, Connor.

[eaglet]

I do not have a choice in the matter of this place. But I cannot just forget what I am to do, no matter the distance.

[As for what he's going to do at home: emphatically yes, all those things. Also play Harvest Moon, but. He doesn't know that.]

[assassino]

Do you think I have?

[eaglet]

[He pauses. Yes. Or, rather, he has the luxury to do so.]

You know the fate of your people. I do not know the fate of mine. It is not the same.

[assassino]

Only because I did research. Don't assume any of that just fell into my lap.

[eaglet]

You researched if your people would lose their land to outsiders? Ezio, there are many Americans here from the future, from Stephanie's time, but I am the only one of my people. Out of all the people here, I am the only one. What do you think that means?

[This has been weighing on him for weeks, even months, and he's just completely stressed out. He pauses to rub at his face again, forcing himself to calm down before he continues.]

I will not research my future; I will change it.

[assassino]

[He sighs and slides a pile of cards across the table towards Connor.]

Come now, Connor, I meant no offense. This is supposed to be time for fun, not serious matters... and even then, there are only one hundred and fifty or so residents here. The castle has hardly attempted to represent mankind as it truly is.

[eaglet]

[He's just mad all the time, he can't help it! It's a real problem.

Connor slouches a little and picks up the cards.]

I have not had time for fun since I left my village. How do we play this game?

[assassino]

Bullshit, you have just been turning it down. [At least that's said lightheartedly enough, before he launches into an explanation. The rules to this fucking game did not survive history.]

[eaglet]

[Later, Connor can explain Fanorona in the same fashion because I don't get it!]

I think I understand. Do we wager? [ACHILLES ALWAYS MAKES HIM WAGER....]

[assassino]

We do! But we can play for small coin, things of little value. At least until you have gotten good at it.

[He glances at the two spare hands, and then at the door.]

Where have our girls gotten themselves to?

[eaglet]

[Connor follows his gaze to the door.]

Oh... are they to play cards with us? Should we wait?

[assassino]

Of course! It is more fun with more people, you know.

[And the ladies will be along soon, coming in with beer mugs and a small keg and the world's most revealing necklines. There are nipples showing, for fuck's sake. But Ezio doesn't seem to notice that part.]

Ah, ladies! There you are. Come, sit with us, pour drinks and we will play cards.

[eaglet]

[Connor, on the other hand, is staring.

He's

not used to

that.]

[assassino]

[Ezio pats the space beside him, and one of the girls sits with him with a giggle, so close that her hip is against his and her hand rests on his thigh. The other sits with Connor, similarly close, though she busies herself with drinks.]

Connor, this is Bianca and Maria.

[eaglet]

[HE'S STILL STARING............

Then he realises he's staring and gets a little flustered, looking down and fidgeting. It's rude to stare, even though they're... really on display there, oh god. What...] H-hello.

[assassino]

[He flashes a grin to Bianca.]

Connor is perhaps a little shy, but that is why we are here for cards, hmm?

[He slides the extra piles of cards towards the girls and picks up his own to ruffle through them.]

And he will play first, because he is my guest.

[eaglet]

[CARDS... right. Okay. He forgot for a second.

He looks at his own cards, then puts some caisos on the table because they're betting, right, that's how betting works.]

[assassino]

[Ezio puts down his own and starts playing.]

So Connor... Tell me more about yourself.

[eaglet]

That is a broad question. What would you like to know?

[assassino]

[A shrug.]

Well, I know you do not like to have fun, so tell me about your friends, your family. Your favorite foods, your culture...

[Maria is leaning very close to Connor...]