Ezio ran after Paulia as fast as his legs would carry him. She was running ahead of him, crying, and her curly blonde hair flying out behind her like golden kite ribbons. Ezio had only wished to show her the beetle he had caught for her. It had been a shimmering aquamarine, and had reminded Ezio of Paulia's eyes. He though she would think it pretty, and that she would like it very much, but when he held it out in his hand to show it to her, it surprised them both by snapping out previously hidden wings and flying straight up into Paulia's thick hair. She hadn't liked that at all, and immediately her face scrunched up and she gave a loud cry of distress. She turned and began to run back to Ezio's villa, back to his father.

Ezio desperately ran after her, worried that she was upset with him, and didn't want to play with him anymore. He had meant well after all, had only meant to present her with a gift, but the entire scenario had erupted into chaos and crumbled in one Ezio's goodwill. He begged and begged her to just stop and let him see. He had not known it would fly up into her hair! He could get it out though! However Paulia was on the hunt for an adult's assistance, just like any little child in distress. However Ezio feared his father might not understand, scold him for upsetting Paulia, thinking Ezio had done this on purpose. And so Ezio began crying along with his friend, continuing to call out to her, saying her name over and over.

Paulia ran straight into the garden of the Auditore villa, finding Giovanni standing among the young flowers that were first beginning to sprout out of the rich soil that they rested in. Giovanni turned at the sound of the crying children and their desperate crying. Paulia ran to him with her arms out, spread like a little owlet's unfledged wings. Ezio was right behind her. He had gotten a hold of the hem of her dress, but wasn't tugging on it, only holding on to whatever he could catch of the flying girl dearly, as if it were his favorite blanket. He was crying as well. Both of their faces were dirty and soaked with tears. It was obvious the children had been playing about in the dirt, and as they grew closer Giovanni could see that their faces were not the only thing's covered in dirt.

He sighed; they would certainly need baths before the days end. He knelt, holding out his arms to catch the flying hysterical in his arms and hugging her close, shushing her and beginning to calm the poor child, "there, there," he said soothingly, lifting Paulia up easily and holding her close. He swayed in calming motions, just as if she were a wee babe once more. He brought her to an exquisitely carved marble bench. This particular one was Paulia's favorite, and Giovanni chose it specifically, just to please her.

He took out a handkerchief and began to wipe at her cheeks, cleaning them of tear and dirt, "now what has caused all these tears?" He looked down at Ezio, who was watching all of this silently, big fat crocodile tears rolling down his face. Giovanni knew his son was probably only crying because Paulia was crying, so he focused wholly on the little girl, hoping that would solve both problems. If he could cheer Paulia up then both children would be fine and off playing once more as if nothing had happened at all.

Through her tears and upset sobs, Paulia did her best to tell Giovanni about what had her so upset and hysterical, "th-there is a-a-a bug in my h-hair!" She wailed, more tears rolling down her face at the horrifying reminder of what was crawling around in her blonde waves. Giovanni continued to clean up Paulia's face, making sure her rosy cheeks were clear of dirt and tears before tucking the little cloth back into his pocket.

Paulia allowed him to wipe up her face, her sobs receding to hiccups. Once he was satisfied he allowed her to blow her nose into his handkerchief and he tucked it away, turning his focus to her thick hair, and feeling the possibly daunting task that faced him. He wandered just how big that bug was and how easy it would be to find it. Another sigh and he smiled reassuringly at the little girl, brushing some loose strands out of her face.

"Alright, let's have a look for that bug then," He said gently, beginning his task by lacing his fingers through her hair and carefully parting it on one side. He shifted and parted and sifted through Paulia's curls, looking carefully for the offending creature. At his side Ezio stood, watching all of this silently, gripping his father's sleeve. He still sniffled here and there, and watched with great intensity. He was beginning to calm down as soon as he realized that Paulia was not upset with him. She had not told his father it was his bug that flew up into her hair, and as he watched she even seemed to be growing impatient to rejoin him on the ground, even as Giovanni continued to search for the bug. He searched thoroughly, weaving his fingers carefully through the locks of hair, his fingers searching along her scalps, waiting to feel the smooth surface of the bug's shell. It was sometime before he finally found the thing. It had burrowed deep within her hair, down to her scalp. It was quite a sizable beetle, but a gentle one, who had only sought refuge from a threat. Carefully Giovanni pulled the bug out of Paulia's hair and showed it to the girl so that she may rest assured that she was free of it. Then he set it down amongst the flowers and left it to live out its short life.

Setting Paulia back down, Giovanni rearranged her curls and patted her head with a smile, "There you are, off to play again!" He smiled at the two children and waved them off, standing straight once more. He watched Ezio immediately take Paulia's hand in his and whisk her away to play.

Ezio was beyond relieved. Paulia wasn't upset with him at all and she still wanted to play with him. They could go back to their garden as if nothing had happened, the beetle incident already well forgotten. The garden they played in was more of a very old villa that had burned down many years ago. It was not very far from Ezio's own villa and it was heavily overgrown, hence they thought it a garden. Flowers and weeds sprouted around its crumbling walls and in the barren rooms. It no longer had a ceiling, allowing the sun to shine through and feed the vegetation that grew. It was their favorite place to play. To them it fell like an entirely different world where nothing could harm them.

Paulia giggled and dashed ahead inside. Ezio grinned and went after him, fallowing her through the bare doorway. She made her way to her favorite corner of what used to be a small room. There a patch of small, purple flowers grew, collecting like a bed of violet clouds. The little girl plopped down amongst her florae, giggling and laughing as she sank under the cover of the soft petals. Ezio came after her, diving to join her under the protection of her favorite flowers.

Above them the warm afternoon sun bathed them in its soft orange glow, shining through the leaves and petals and making the colors of the flowers all the more vibrant. It was like magic to them, and the admired the plants around them, feeling safe there.

Ezio had rolled away to inspect a particularly interesting ant hill, but was distracting by the sound of Paulia's voice calling back to him, "Esio! Come sit with me!" Paulia could never say Ezio name quite right. Esio was as close as she had ever gotten. Ezio didn't mind, he thought his name was kind of hard too. So Ezio rolled back to his best friend, causing her to laugh at his silly display of rolling about in the dirt. He came to settle at her side, looking up to find her staring intensely into the flowers, as she was watching for something in particular.

"What are you looking for Paulia?" He asked her curiously, his own eyes moving through the thick patch of flowers, even though he had no idea what to be looking for.

"Fairies," Paulia answered simply without looking away from her search. Paulia was always looking for fairies, as well as unicorns and winged beasts. Ezio watched her for a time. He knew she was often teased because of these things. Children were cruel, and they thought Paulia different and anything different was a thing to be frowned upon. Ezio thought of all the girls that teased his friend. It was the girls that did not like Paulia, and they were always tormenting her with harsh words. It did whatever he could to stop them. He pulled hair, took ribbons, and chased them off, but he could never deter them for long, and they always came back.

For some reason these thoughts distressed him at that moment, despite the security of their garden. He reached out to feel his friend's soft hair. It reminded him of his mother's favorite dress. It was soft and smoothed. She called it 'silk'. Ezio did not know what silk was, but it had to be Paulia's hair. He sat up, still gripping a lock of her hair lightly. She didn't mind, and continued to search through the flowers.

"Paulia," Paulia looked up at Ezio as he said her name, blinking her large bluesh-green eyes, "Paulia, you should never listen to those girls," He said in a serious tone he did not even know he possessed. It sounded like a tone his father might use. He wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. Remembering the times they had made her cry, remembering all the hurtful things they said to her.

Paulia blinked. She did not completely understand why he was saying this now. They were fine, there were no girls to upset her or be mean. They were safe in their garden, "I don't Esio," She said, not knowing what else to say. She returned his hug, "I never do."

"I know," Ezio said, but for some reason this did not put him at ease. He felt an emotion he had never felt before. One he could not put a name to. It was one of the most unpleasant things he had ever felt before, and he certainly never wanted to feel it again. However he would. Later in his life he would call this feeling dread, and he would be all too familiar with it, "but you have to promise you will never listen to them, never forever!" Ezio insisted earnestly.

With a nod Paulia smiled, "I promise. I promise that as long as you are my friend I will never listen to them."

"I'll always be your friend," Ezio vowed, picking a flower from the purple sea that they were immersed in and sticking in her hair to rest in her golden waves, "you're my best friend, and someday we'll be married, and we'll be friends forever."

"What is married Esio?"

At this Ezio was a bit lost. "I do not know, but my mother and my father are married, and they are best friends. We are best friends, so I think that means we will marry too." He didn't think that was quite right, but it made sense to him then.

"Do you promise?" Paulia asked, resituating the flower in her hair so that it would stay there. She stood up, brushing some of the dirt off her dress.

Ezio stood as well, taking her hand in his, nodding vigorously, "I promise, Paulia," He said sincerely, wrapping his arms around her in another hug, which she returned all too happily. For a while they simply stood there, watching the clouds become painted with splashes of orange and pink, listening to the sounds of bustling people outside and the gentle breeze of spring air. Birds chirped and butterflies fluttered about the decrepit walls, making the place seem even more like a hidden forest. For the both of them that garden was a haven where they could escape the outside world and nothing could disturb them. There they were safe. Safe from the girls and their teasing and from the boys who threw stones. The garden kept their friendship safe. It was there Ezio consoled a crying Paulia many, many times. It was there they spent their days playing, and it was there that they made their promises. All of them.

Their tranquility was soon broken by the sound of a woman calling Paulia's name. It drifted toward them as if on a light breeze, coming from the direction of the Auditore villa. At the sound Paulia began to smile. She hadn't know her aunt would be visiting! She scrambled out of the garden, nearly dragging Ezio after her in her haste.

"Aunt Eva is here!" She giggled happily, clapping her hands together in utter glee. Ezio tried to smile as well, knowing this made her happy, but deep down Ezio was feeling acute disappointment. Every time Paulia's aunt came to visit Paulia would always spent more time with her Aunt then she did with him. And for days she would be with her aunt and away from him. Needless to say Ezio did not enjoy her aunt's visits nearly as much as she did.

"You'll still come play with me tomorrow right?" He asked, trying not to let his worry break through his voice.

Paulia looked back to him, her closest friend, and smiled widely, ear to ear, "of course I'll play with you tomorrow Ezio."

Reassured Ezio hugged Paulia, and then took her hand as he had before, and ran all the way back with her to his villa to meet her aunt.

Eva was standing in the small courtyard, talking with Giovanni with her arms crossed. When the two children arrived, a whirlwind of breathless giggling, she turned and smiled, kneeling to greet Paulia warmly. Standing once more she took her niece's hand in her own, bidding a fond farewell to Giovanni. She asked Paulia if she were ready to go and Paulia smiled, nodding her head happily. Ezio was now standing at his father's side, watching the interaction between Paulia and her aunt.

Paulia waved to him, saying goodbye and continuing to look back at him, even as Eva began to lead her out of the courtyard.

Eva looked down at her niece and let out a soft laugh, "I suspect that you had a good day?" She asked, only a slight hint of teasing entering her voice. She knew perfectly well that any day Paulia spent with Ezio was a good day.

Confirming this, Paulia commenced to tell Eva about her entire day, not sparing any details. She left nothing out, and Eva listened to it all, being a very good listener. By the time Paulia was finished she was as breathless as if she had been running for a time. Eva laughed lightly at her niece's enthusiasm, causing Paulia to beam up at her.

"Is this the flower then?" Eva asked, picking the small purple flower tenderly out of the little girls golden locks. Paulia nodded and Eva smiled, tucking it carefully back into place, "then we should press it in a book, to preserve it. You would like to keep it yes?" Again Paulia nodded and Eva nodded with her, "of course you would!"

For a few moments after that the walk was relatively quiet, then Paulia asked a question that generally had Eva a bit startled, or at least taken by surprise;

"Aunt Eva, what is married?" She asked innocently, looking up with her eyes that sparkled.

Eva was certainly taken aback by this. She had never thought of marriage when it came to Paulia, though she was sure her sister had, but she had plans for the little girl, and she didn't know where marriage would fit in those plans. It would ultimately be her choice, however, "where did that question come from?" She asked gently, kneeling down to meet her niece eye to eye. They had reached Paulia's villa and had paused outside the front door.

"Ezio said that we would be married." Paulia explained, shrugging her little shoulders, "He said we'll always be friends, and that when we're old we'll be married."

Eva couldn't help but laugh a little at the girl's innocence, "he was right, but only a little, you will understand when you are older." Eva stood straight again and led the little girl into the villa.

"I always have to wait until I am older," Paulia grumbled. When they opened the door they saw that Paulia's mother and father were bustling about, getting ready. They were finely dressed and it was quite obvious that they were preparing to go out that night.

Paulia's mother smiled as she saw that her sister was with Paulia in the doorway. She was pulling on her gloves and seemed quite rushed, "oh good Eva, I am so glad you have arrived. Sirus and I must go out to, social obligations and all." She was a little breathless, but smiled, "you do not mind watching Paulia do you?"

Eva scoffed playfully and waved her sister off, "of course not Luciana, go on out, I'll watch over little Paulia," She assured her sister, "You go on out before you are late."

Luciana was absolutely relieved, "oh thank you Eva, our maid went to visit a dying relative in Tuscany, and we were worrying about who was going to watch our little girl!" Sirus, Luciana's husband, handed her, her purse. They moved toward the door and Luciana gave her sister a tight hug, "we'll be home in a few hours, thank you again!" And they were gone, hurrying to their engagement.

Eva shook her head, a smile on her face. She winked at Paulia, "let's find a book for that flower then hm?" Paulia nodded with a giggle and bounded up the stairs that led to the upper floors of the house and to her bedroom. Eva followed behind, taking a much more leisurely pace then her niece. When she reached the little girl's door way she saw that Paulia was already searching for a suitable book. Eva joined her, kneeling beside her on the floor, "You want a nice, heavy one." She murmured, searching the shelves for the right book.

Paulia blinked her large eyes, carefully thinking over which book would be best. She spotted a good thick one, old leather binding and golden brown parchment. Paulia loved that book, not so much for the story, just for the way the book felt, the way it smelled and the sound of its pages turning. She pulled it out from amongst its brethren and let it fall open. Carefully she placed the little purple flower flat on the page, and then tenderly closed the book on the flower, replacing the book on the shelf with a soft smile on her face.

Eva smiled lovingly down at her niece, rubbing her back, "are you ready for bed?" She asked gently. She could see the girl was tired after a long day of running about with Ezio. Paulia looked up at her and confirmed this with a nod, but before she stood she pulled out another book. This one was almost as old as the one that now held her flower, but was in better shape, almost new, but with a well-read look to it. It was Paulia's favorite. It held tales of knights and brave warriors, and she never grew tired of listening to this story.

Eva, however, did. She had read that book to her niece at least a hundred times, "ah, little nipote, that book again?" Paulia nodded an expectant look on her face. Eva sighed; she had to think fast, "how about this, I will tell you a tale of my own, and, if it does not satisfy you, I will read you this book." Paulia did not answer right away. Eva could tell she was thinking very carefully. Thankfully for Eva, Paulia consented and allowed Eva to stick the book back and lift her up.

Eva carried her over to the bed and tucked her into the blankets, sitting down on the edge beside her. She began her story gently, using a low tone as if she were imparting some great secret to her niece and a smile played across her lips, "a long, long time ago, nipote, in a land far from here, during the time of the raging war of religion, sat a castle known as Masyaf . There a Brotherhood existed to defend those who could not defend themselves from those who sought to do them harm. They followed a very simple creed; Stay your blade from the flesh of an innocent, hide in plain sight, and do not compromise the Brotherhood. Nothing is true, everything is permitted. By these rules they protected and watched over the people, for they were Assassins and that was their duty."

Paulia grew wide eyed as she imagined that very castle, perched upon a mountain top, vigilant and majestic, "what happened to them?" She asked in a voice full of awe and excitement. Eva could tell already that she had gotten out of reading the damned book.

"They were scattered about the world, groups here and there. Some still exist to this very day."

"Why were they scattered?"

Eva smiled fondly down at her, "Ah little nipote, that is a story for another night, but com, lean in close and I will tell you a secret." She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, the smile still spreading across her lips, "You must promise to tell no one."

Paulia grinned and sat up, leaning in toward her aunt, eager to hear this great secret. She promised not to tell a soul and vowed to keep it between her aunt and herself. She would not even tell Ezio!

Eva laughed lightly, pushing a piece of Paulia's hair out of her eyes, brushing it back behind her ear, "you are an assassin, nipote, you were born one, as was I. You are destined for great and mighty things."

Paulia could not quite believe what she was hearing, and for a few moments just sat there blinking her large eyes. She eventually found her voice and asked, "I am an Assassin?" She tried to picture herself dressed as a knight, sitting atop a horse, looking down at the people she was meant to protect. It just did not seem quite right to the little girl, "are you an Assassin?" She replaced the image of herself with her aunt Eva and smiled. That was much better.

Eva nodded, smile growing, "I am, just as my mother was, your grandmother, and her mother. So on and so on. The women in our family have been assassins for more than 300 years."

"And my mamma?"

Eva frowned a bit. She had always been disappointed her sister had not joined to brotherhood with her, "No, you mother could not handle the assassin way of life." Eva murmured, Easing Paulia to lie back amongst her pillows, "but I think that one day you will make a fine assassin."

Paulia's eyes were drooping and unconsciousness was imminent, but she managed to ask one more question before she gave way to sleep for the night, "What do those words mean?" Her voice was a whisper, but Eva had no trouble hearing her.

Eva knew what she spoke of. Many grown assassins still asked themselves the same question, even after being one for many, many years, "that is for you to decide, little nipote, when the time is right." She tucked the blankets around her niece and bent to lay a gentle on her forehead, "goodnight my love."

Paulia yawned hugely and closed her eyes, "goodnight Auntie," She murmured, finally giving in to the heavy shroud of sleep.

Eva stood carefully, not wanting to disturb Paulia, and smiled down at her one last time, "Sleep well, let your dreams tell you the secrets of our world, and may you remember them when the morning comes." She blew out the candles and silently left the room. Carefully she closed the door behind her, leaving her little assassin to dream of fairytales.