2nd case.

[dorkwonder]

Hey, we need to talk. Can we meet at your room in a few?

Comments

[dorkwonder]

Technically, that responsibility is still falling on you since you're footing the bill. Does the castle have cans of dog food available?

[secondchances]

In this instance.

And it does, but we don't do cans very often. We do bags. Giant, 50-pound bags that ace goes through pretty quickly.

[dorkwonder]

If I land the job at the magic shop, the next one will be on me.

[Eyes Ace, wondering how much food he can put away in one go.]

That's one way to keep up with our training.

[secondchances]

I'll remember that.

[Oh, training. Right. It'd probably be polite to get Tim involved.]

The castle has a gym, and there are some mats and weights in the Batroom. Take your pick.

[dorkwonder]

I'll probably use a combination of the two of them. My room had some rock climbing gloves in it, so I've been scaling the castle walls at night.

[Nothing creepy about that, nope. Just good ol' fashioned Battraining.]

[secondchances]

[That would be an awkward way to meet Ezio. She decides to not mention that.]

I wouldn't mind the occasional sparring match, if you're down. You'll be impressed. I haven't let myself get rusty. Quite the opposite.

[dorkwonder]

You got it. You've been here for three years, I bet you've learned a new more or two. [Suspects she has probably done some training with her assassin pal.]

[secondchances]

[Just a bit. And she certainly didn't get a sword and lessons for Christmas from said Assassin.]

I'll keep you on your toes. Don't worry.

[dorkwonder]

[For shame, Steph. FOR SHAME.]

We'll see. [Teasing. Looks away from her and ahead of them as they approach the town.]

Of course it would look like something that also belongs in a fantasy novel.

[secondchances]

Please, don't tell me you're disappointed. [NERD.]

[dorkwonder]

[Knows what she's implying.] Keep that up and I'm going to make it mandatory for players to wear hooded cloaks to the gaming sessions.

[secondchances]

[She covers up her alarm with a shrug.]

You don't do that already?

[dorkwonder]

Are you sure you want to push your luck?

[secondchances]

[The most innocent smile she can muster.]

Are you? Just imagine if I get really into it.

[dorkwonder]

That could be a dangerous door to open. I mean, if you get really into it, next thing you know you'll be dressing up Renaissance era clothes and treating Paradisa like your own personal fair.

[secondchances]

[A small cough.]

That first thing may or may not have happened already.

[dorkwonder]

...Okay, now I am worried.

[secondchances]

Hey, I don't care what history says, Lucrezia Borgia is a teenage girl and just so happens to like playing dress up.

[dorkwonder]

I bet she had to twist your arm to get you to go along with it, huh?

[secondchances]

Uh huh. Totally.

I bet you wouldn't put up too much of a fight, hmm?

[It has to fulfill some sort of nerdy fantasy of his.]

[dorkwonder]

I plead the fifth.

[Don't judge. How many people, nerds or otherwise, could pass up the chance to dress up in some classic fantasy style garb in a castle, never mind a magical castle?]

[secondchances]

And Lucrezia would probably be more than happy to help. [In an almost song-song voice:] It can happen...

[dorkwonder]

Maybe. In the meantime, someone promised me burgers and pizza with the possibility of curry. [Tilts his head towards a diner up ahead.]

[secondchances]

[She'll make sure to talk to Lucrezia about this ASAP.]

I didn't forget! And I hope you're not intending on eating all three in one go.

[She'll move to take Ace's leash from Tim so she can tie him up outside.]

[dorkwonder]

[Resistance is futile, isn't it?]

I want to be able to walk back on my feet, not have to drape over Ace and have him carry me back.

[Heads into the diner and holds the door open for her.]