xxxvi λ winter

[assassino]

-------- Private -------

January 28th.

In some ways, I feel as though I am a ship adrift at sea, or at least a boat lost in a maze of canals. I do not know how to navigate a relationship with a woman from the future. The customs that are difficult enough in friendship prove even more complicated now. I know how a man might dictate a relationship in my time, but Lana is entirely different. If I commanded her, she would likely just be angry with me, so I am letting her make all of the decisions… it is strange, to say the least, but there is little I can do, even if I feel I am being emasculated.

Put like that, it all sounds very dramatic, but it feels as though that is the only way I can express it. It is one thing to be friends with women from the future, that I enjoy very much, but it is somehow different to call one your "girlfriend." I am just not used to being at one woman's beck and call.

I want to be prepared for this, yet I still feel lost… but I am still determined to prove to Molotov and the rest of them that I can be with a single woman and respect her wishes.

(It would be easier, though, if I were not always consumed with... frustrations. She will not even allow me to taste her.)

And what else plagues my mind? The Borgia, of course, as always… I fear Lucrezia will sabotage my relationships, and am concerned about that Cesare has been planning. I dare not place too many thoughts to the page, lest I bring bad luck upon myself.

Then there is Tim, who is Stephanie's "ex-boyfriend" –– I have yet to meet him, but I look forward to it. A bit of sporting fun would do me good.


x






----- Cesare Borgia -----


[written]

Salute.

I'd like to invite you to dinner. Just men –– no fair ladies this time.

E. Auditore.


-------------





Is it time for the snow to vanish into the ground yet? I hate snow. It is miserable to have to bundle oneself up like a Rossian just to go outdoors, and even more miserable to be indoors and wet in such heavy clothing.

Fuck winter, that is what I say.

Comments

[assassino]

That doesn't even make sense.

[secondchances]

It does too. And even if it didn't, it would be fitting because you don't make sense.

[assassino]

I don't make sense? At least I come from a time trying to make sense instead of assuming we know everything!

[secondchances]

If we assumed we knew everything, we wouldn't have researchers or scientists. So there.

And I was speaking on a personal level, not a... time period one.

[assassino]

[He chuckles.]

I know.

But I still make a lot of sense. I am practical, you know? I live simply. I find joy and have good friends. I do not concern myself with academics or complicated things.

[secondchances]

Whatever makes you happy. I don't exactly concern myself with that stuff, either. Well--not here.

[COLLEGE...]

[assassino]

You have nothing to do here, hmm?

[secondchances]

You know what I do here. I wouldn't call that nothing, but it's definitely more relaxed.

[assassino]

That is true.

I wish there was more, though.

[secondchances]

Still feeling restless?

[She supposes there's only so long he could spend decorating his war room and imagining what Cesare is up to.]

[assassino]

[A nod.]

I invited Cesare to dinner, but there has been no reply yet.

[secondchances]

[She's not too sad about that.]

Do you think he's ignoring you?

[assassino]

I could not say.

[secondchances]

What would you have said to him? At this dinner? [She sinks lower into the water.]

[assassino]

I was just going to ask him what he knew of his father's business, and inquire about their ties with the Sforza.

[secondchances]

I think he'd be suspicious. Him not responding is probably a sign of that, too.

[assassino]

Then I'll force it out of him.

[secondchances]

Ezio. [She frowns at him.] No.

[assassino]

The sooner I know, the sooner I can be done with him.

[This is a lie, he's never fucking letting this go.]

[secondchances]

You find out, and then... what?

[Yeah, she figures.]

[assassino]

I deal with the problem.

[secondchances]

There's no solution for the problem. Not here.

[Said sternly, but gently. This is a sensitive topic.]

[assassino]

Stephanie, I will deal with it.

[secondchances]

[She doesn't like that, and makes it obvious with her expression. :( ]

[assassino]

Don't give me that look, I'm not going to kill him.