xxxv λ musing

[assassino]

[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.

Comments

[secondchances]

Still a kid. It's sad. All of this is sad, but that's... sad.

[assassino]

And even so, Lucrezia suspects that at thirteen, he will already know his father's business with the Pazzi.

[secondchances]

Not by choice.

[assassino]

What does choice matter?

[secondchances]

Do you feel like you had a choice, becoming an Assassin?

[assassino]

No, but I do it because I have a duty to my family and my heritage. So do all born into a legacy, or thrust into one.

[secondchances]

[See, Steph thinks this whole heritage shit is... well, shit, but she knows better than to say that. She closes her eyes to think of something she hasn't said before.]

It's unfortunate that you didn't get the opportunity to really think about it. And it's unfortunate that Cesare and Lucrezia are under the influence of a monster. That's all. That's what's always bothered me. Their father's decisions put them in this position. You, too.

[assassino]

So what, we are absolved from our own responsibilities? Surely, then, my grandfather put his sons up to being Assassins, and Cesare's grandfather handed down his legacy to Rodrigo Borgia, so are they absolved from blame, too?

We take responsibility for what we have been given. If all of society decided to abandon their families and their duty, Italia would be Hell on Earth, and all of civilization would dissolve before us. Hundreds of years of progress for nothing, just because some men had no fidelity to their fathers.

[secondchances]

That isn't what I mean. I've never said anyone was absolved of anything, least of all Rodrigo. I can feel sorry for his kids without excusing wrongs.

[assassino]

I know, Stephanie. But they will come to embrace their work, too, and you cannot pity them for it.

[secondchances]

But not here. Not in Paradisa. That's the thing.

[assassino]

And if Cesare has already embraced his work?

[secondchances]

He can't exactly do anything here. You don't trust him, make that clear with threats or whatever, and that's that. Time away from his father would do him good. I'm sure it has for Lucrezia.

[assassino]

[He shakes his head.]

We will see.

[secondchances]

[She reaches up to pick at his bangs. Ezio, you'd be so amazing if you weren't so stubborn about this X( ]

[assassino]

[He lets her. He likes when ladies play with his hair :'|]

It is a good thing you are from the future, instead of my time.

[secondchances]

What makes you say that?

lol i accidentally a word

[assassino]

You're too loving to do what needs to be done.

ahahaha

[secondchances]

That's a backhanded compliment if I ever heard one. [She tugs on a piece of hair before dropping her hand.]

[assassino]

It is a good thing, I will have you know. Assassins do not enjoy murder, they just recognize it is necessary.

[secondchances]

I never once thought you enjoyed it. [That would make this whole thing way more fucked up.]

And maybe if I was born in your time, I'd be different. Who knows.

[assassino]

Perhaps.

[secondchances]

But I'd also have a dozen kids and a husband and probably not be doing the vigilante thing, which is a good portion of who I am. So I guess it's a silly thing to try and imagine.

[So shut up, Ezio!!]

[assassino]

Do not be silly, there are plenty of women assassins.

[secondchances]

Yeah, but who knows if Renaissance Edition Stephanie would find her way to them, hmm?