iii. dictated

[heloise]

Would you leave the Castle now, if you could?

Friday was unfortunate. But for most of the year, surely it has given us a comfortable home and the most singular of friends.

And so, as for myself, I would not. I should like to tarry here a little longer, if only to relish the taste of liberty and the fruits of invention. Refrigerators are so magnificent!

[ With that, she will be in the kitchen with the fridge door open, sticking her hands into it with glee. ]

Comments

[assassino]

[Awkward laugh...]

No, not that kind of familial duty. I'd have to find a wife first, as it is.

[heloise]

[ Oh, it must be the other thing then. ]

Your father has asked you to learn the family business?

[assassino]

Yes. Shortly before arriving here, I took the oath to do his work.

[To be a banker. Yes. Of course.]

I certainly hope you are not going to carry on any, ah, familial business.

[heloise]

Perhaps my father should deal with you instead. The Medicis have given him many headaches.

[ And she considers what he might mean by that. ]

No, I cannot take the cloth. I am married.

[assassino]

Perhaps, Lucrezia. Should we wind up in Italia together, we can suggest it to him.

[And he laughs. Now they're getting all mixed up.]

Of course not. But I have something to tell you, next time we meet. It should bring a smile to your face.

[heloise]

I am sure he would be fond of you.

You will not tell me this good news now? Patience is a virtue I have yet to cultivate.

[assassino]

[Ezio can't reply to that. Not when his last encounter with her father was so tantalizingly close to including Ezio's blade in Borgia's throat.

So he moves right on, smoothly, naturally.]

Ah, but then I don't get to see you smile.

[heloise]

[ She giggles. Why so charming, Ezio? ]

We can meet at the roof again.

[assassino]

You aren't too busy with the refrigerator?

[heloise]

No, no. The refrigerator's charms pale against yours, Ezio.

[assassino]

If you insist.

I'm already on the lower floors. I'll join you in the kitchen.

[heloise]

I could open you a can of soda. It is the sweetest.

[assassino]

I haven't yet tried "soda".

[And he'll be down in a moment.]

[heloise]

[ And she would have set two cans on the kitchen counter. One already half empty for her. ]

[assassino]

[And there he is, looking dapper as usual. He sidles up to her with a smile.]

So, then, what is this soda made from?

[heloise]

[ Oh hey, dapper Ezio. She greets him with the widest smile, opening the can with flourish and offering it to him. ]

My magical friend mentioned lemons and sugar.

[assassino]

Sounds like a strange combination of sweet and sour.

[He takes the can and raises it to his lips to take a drink, and he lowers it quickly; it fizzes, and he's not sure he likes the sensation. Grimace.]

The taste is sweet, but the texture is... odd.

[heloise]

Perhaps it has medicinal qualities. He said it is similar to the waters of San Pellegrino.

[ She takes a sip of her own can and tries not to chuckle. That hurt last time she did it. ]

So, Ezio, do not make me wait longer.

[assassino]

I have not tasted those waters, but I did not imagine it tasting like this.

[He tries another sip. Still fizzy, with that slight burning sensation. Could get used to it, like hard liquor, he supposes.

Ezio glances at her.]

First, I need you to promise something.

[heloise]

[ She hops in place from excitement, then stops herself, because Giulia said it is unladylike. ]

I must promise not to tell another soul?

[assassino]

No... I need you to promise to never look for stories of what will happen in Italia in our lifetime. It's bad to ruin surprises before they come to you, isn't it?

[heloise]

[ She drops her smile and turns thoughtful for a moment. That hasn't occurred to her yet and now she grows curious, with him asking her not to do it. ]

Have you looked for such stories, Ezio?

[assassino]

[Hesitates.]

It... was a very bad idea. From now on, I'm only going to read about Americans and other people from the future.

But I'll tell you one thing I learned, if you can promise me that.

[heloise]

[ She figures all good things come to an end, and her family has so many enemies, and--it would make no difference if she doesn't remember. ]

Dearest Ezio, here you are trying to protect my heart. [ She smiles wanly, and nods. ] Tell me, then.

[assassino]

Of course, signorina.

[Smile. He feels relieved that he actually has good intentions with this, that keeping her from that information is more about protecting her than keeping himself safe.]

Your marriage will be annulled soon. You'll never have to see that bastard "husband" ever again.