xxx λ thinking

[assemblatore]

[There's that familiar-yet-unfamiliar Italian accent, deeper than usual:]

My time here has been short, and yet in that time I have seen things unfathomable to the people of my time... things that I find relieving, and things that I find deeply troubling. Men are not made to weather such changes in such a brief time, but I have enjoyed it for what it is, and will continue to do so.

Interesting, too, to get a better understanding of history, and the legacies that have been left by the most influential people of my time. Strange that some I thought would would be spoken of for centuries barely register with the people of the future, and others have risen out of nowhere.

[sigh]

I wonder what those men would have done differently, had they only possessed the gift of foresight. But at the same time, who can say history might have happened any differently, given man's inherent weakness, his proclivity towards selfishness and opportunity, even at the cost of another's? I should like to think it is different in the future, where good will towards men is readily taught, but in my time, who can blame a man for stepping on others to avoid starvation if none have taught him a greater morality and code of ethics? Even if he had received instruction, could a virtuous constitution prevent a man from becoming tyrants? I do not feel it is possible.

I would also like to believe that suffering is always worth someth––

[A pause to having a considerable coughing fit, though one muffled by his sleeve.]

Ah... What was I saying? It matters little. I am sure I have worn this topic thin over the years, and I am weary of it.

[A pause.]

It is unfortunate that my memories of this place are clouded by age. I would have liked to better remember what it was like to be a young man in this place.

Comments

[secondchances]

[Stephanie figures, slipping right into a big smile. They definitely weren't having a serious conversation.]

Hey, Lucrezia. Just enjoying it while it lasts.

[She glances between them--ohdeargodwhydoesthishappentoher--before holding out a hand. Come join the train, pretend everything is normal.]

Wanna join us?

[heloise]

Ezio.

[ She grins and takes Steph's hand, if only to spite the old man, a little, and only out of mischief! ]

You were not telling him to try swimming in the pond, are you?

[assemblatore]

[He just smiles, politely.]

Of course not.

[secondchances]

[One arm for Ezio, the other for Lucrezia. AWWWW YEAH Fitting...]

Nah. He's gotten a little smarter, so I don't think he'd do it.

[heloise]

Will age do the same for us, Ezio?

[assemblatore]

Prompt you to grow wiser? Of course. Wisdom only comes with age.

[secondchances]

Let's not rush it, though. You're only young once. [Usually.] I don't mind waiting around for wisdom.

[And wrinkles and gray hair and whatnot. :( ]

[heloise]

And you have many years ahead of you still.

[ She peers at Ezio. ]

Has she told you of how long the people in the future could live? And how many years they take to grow out of childhood?

[assemblatore]

She has. I would sooner have more years of adulthood, rather than childhood.

[secondchances]

Sometimes I wonder if it's not the length of childhood that's important, but the chance to enjoy it fully. Something like that. [A thoughtful hum at that. She's not sure she wants to start talking about childhood and adulthood and age, because that could lead into mortality, and, well...

Better to avoid that, she thinks.]

Us future people are very strange, with our clothing, medicine, and shiny things to keep us entertained.

[heloise]

I would rather be a child for all my years.

[ She tugs at Steph's arm. ]

And you must not forget terrible music!

[assemblatore]

A child has no agency, Lucrezia.

[secondchances]

[She smiles at Lucrezia. HER MUSIC X( ]

Maybe that's what she wants. Besides, it's not like saying it will magically turn her into a child.

[It actually could, in Paradisa, but anyway.]

[heloise]

A child has less to lose. And he takes less time to grieve the things he does lose.

[assemblatore]

[Just a hum of acknowledgement. He's not going to argue with them on this.]

[secondchances]

[Steph's not sure she agrees, but she's also taking the route of no arguments. She does give Lucrezia's arm a gentle squeeze, though.]

Speaking of children, have you heard about Ezio's, Lucrezia? They sound pretty cute. I'm pretty fond of the image of them giving Ezio trouble.

[... weird that all three of them have had kids. Another thing not to think too much about.]

[heloise]

He has told me little of them.

[ She rests her hand on Steph's arm. She knows only two of them can say so! ]

Have they inherited their father's charms?

[assemblatore]

[chuckle]

Time will tell.

[secondchances]

I'm sure they will.

[heloise]

That would be dangerous indeed.

[assemblatore]

An Auditore girl and boy, a danger?

[secondchances]

[Nothing more dangerous than a boy (or girl) with charm... Stephanie thinks of Desmond, who was attractive and all, but not really Ezio-brand charming. It probably took a few generations for that to dilute and settle.]

Charming people left and right.

[heloise]

Stephanie would agree. [ She pulls down her hood to be more amiable. ]

Charms can be more lethal than blades.

[assemblatore]

[He chuckles.]

My son takes after his mother. Flavia, after me.

[secondchances]

She'll be the one you'll have to keep your eye on.