xxii λ cake

[assassino]

---- Cesare Borgia's room ----

[Conveniently, Cesare's room is right below his. Ezio feels this is a blessing, in some sense, basically knowing where Cesare's foxhole is at all times, but being close to a potential enemy is discomforting in another sense entirely.

He hopes it makes Cesare squirm more.

Ah, but there's business to attend to. Ezio has a bone to pick right now.

He knocks on Cesare's door.]

Comments

[abelard]

[Cesare rises to open the door, peering out of the ornate peephole before the door swings open enough for Cesare to stand in it.]

Ezio. How can I be of service to you on this evening?

[assassino]

[He puts on a somewhat pleasant look -- assassin service with a smile, and all.]

I was hoping I could discuss an important matter with you.

[abelard]

[With a very vaguely suspicious look, Cesare moves aside to gesture Ezio in.]

And what might this important matter be?

[assassino]

[Ezio enters, vision immediately roving around the place.]

I had wondered if you had met Cristina Vespucci.

[abelard]

I have had no such pleasure. Is she a friend of yours?

[assassino]

[Ezio feels like strangling the guy, but he just smiles.]

She is, and a dear one at that. Had Lucrezia mentioned her?

[abelard]

I am afraid she has not.

[assassino]

Well, then I suppose it is of no concern.

[abelard]

Has something happened, that you would come to ask me these questions?

[assassino]

[He sighs and shakes his head.]

She has not spoken to me for days, and I had hoped that of all those she interacts with, that other people from our time would be among them. I was sadly mistaken, but no matter.

[abelard]

Well, she is a woman. I am sure she's just being temperamental. Have you asked Lucrezia yourself, if she has heard anything?

[assassino]

Perhaps. [For a second, Ezio feels like Cesare is actually right on that note, but uuuuuugh at the same time, he can't blame Cristina for her reaction at all.]

I was going to seek her out in a moment. Have you seen her?

[That's right, he's not even asking your permission, he's just going.]

[abelard]

[Cesare does not seem happy about this.]

I would be happy to accompany you in your quest to find her.

[assassino]

That's alright. [Grin.] We are good at finding each other in this place, I am sure we will cross paths eventually.

[abelard]

[Cesare gives a tight smile.]

Of course.

[assassino]

[Ezio feels good knowing Cesare is displeased inside, because he's an asshole.]

I will see you another time, then.

[He heads for the door again, then.]

But you'll let me know if you hear anything, si?

[heloise]

[ Perfect timing, Lucrezia comes by Cesare's door bearing storybooks, only to halt at the sound of people talking inside. She leans closer to the door to eavesdrop first... ]

[abelard]

Certainly, Ezio. [NOT IF MY LIFE DEPENDED ON IT

Cesare moves to open the door for him.]

[assassino]

[Ezio just waits, smiling...... smiliiiingg..............]

[heloise]

[ Caught red-handed! Not that she seems to mind, laughing at herself and preparing to flee in case he deems her trespassing worthy of punishment. ]

[abelard]

[When the door swings open, Cesare blinks, then catches his sister before she can run.]

Ah, little spy. Have you been listening in this whole time? Ezio wishes to speak with you.

[assassino]

[He chuckles.]

You see? I told you she and I tend to cross paths.

[And to Lucrezia:]

Have you spoken with Cristina lately, piccina?

[heloise]

[ She laughs and tries half-heartedly to wriggle free! Only the mention of Ezio makes her hesitate, briefly, before smiling back to him. He doesn't seem as unhappy as she would expect. ]

Cristina? No, does she wish to speak with me?

[abelard]

She has not spoken to our friend here lately, and so he would like to know if you have heard anything.

[assassino]

[Ezio is largely putting on a show of contentment and obliviousness for Cesare, here, not Lucrezia. Ah, a comedy of errors.]

Last we spoke, she mentioned something about a letter.