paradisa | xxxv λ musing

[All things considered, Ezio has had a busy day, but now he's out and about. He's hit up a dozen or so stores in town, mostly for painting frames and books, and perhaps you've see him running errands.

Later, however, he will be sitting down at his desk to scrawl out:]

I seldom write in this journal. I think that is funny; for every boy who knows how to write, three sit without education, and here I squander my gifts and ignore books. My sister does more writing than I do, and her talent is a rarity amongst women!

It has been more than a year since I have arrived –– closer, still, to thirteen months -- and each day I learn new things about the future, history, science, and even the human body. I do not think many days have passed in the past four hundred that saw me sitting idle and failing to learn!

Yet still, when I spoke to a young woman the other week, she was hard-pressed to believe that I would return to my time, forsaking the knowledge and science and hygiene of the future. I prefer the conventions of my time, and my culture, and I have work to do. So, I wonder, then...

How many of you would go home with another, to their time instead of yours?

I'm going to miss plumbing. I think that is what you call it –– "plumbing." Even after all this time, sometimes it is fun to turn on the "tap" simply to marvel at its convenience. It is a wonder there is so much water about without the streets being flooded like the canals of Venezia.

And I have such good memories of the miracles of showers, with thanks to some of the beautiful women in this castle.

E. Auditore.

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[He laughs.

Oops.]

Thank you for your generosity, but I fear one bag like this would topple you.

[ Frodo just chuckles with, placing both hands on his hips in a mock attempt to be menacing. ]

How about half in exchange for belittling me?

[Hahaha, sassy midget. Ezio laughs again, then relents -- he reaches into the bag to take a picture frame, and offers it to Frodo.]

[ Sassiest.

He takes the picture frame and looks at it first before holding it against one arm. ]

So, where are you headed?

To the castle, where my room is.

[ He starts walking there then, trying his best to keep pace. He knows the way well enough now after wandering about so much. ]

You can call me Frodo.

Frodo, hmm? I am Ezio.

Ezio. A pleasure.

Are you decorating?

I am. I have portraits to hang, and books to keep on a shelf.

Your family's portraits? [ Because what else... ]

No, portraits of politicians. Important people.

Is it common to have your leaders on your walls watching over you?

No. I am just a lover of politics, you see.

Of politicians too? Will you become one?

In a sense. My job is to keep politicians free of corruption.

You mean to keep them from cheating? [ This is such a foreign concept. ]

Cheating, lying, using their power unfairly, yes.

You would not trust yourself to be a leader who does not cheat?

I would trust myself, but not most other men.

You do not have corrupt politicians in your time?

[ Frodo takes time to recall. There have been less-than-likable ones, as the word goes, but corrupt is a tad much. ]

Not in the Shire, not ever, I think. We have a Thain but he hasn't that much to do. The current one is my second cousin. [ This is important. ]