"My name is Ezio Auditore da Firenze…" Ezio said as he stood before me. My friend that I once knew to wear everyday clothing was now wearing black robes with red, silver, and white designs on them. A thick red belt held a gold plaque of some sort. "And I…" he trailed off and walked even closer to me, standing inches away from my face. I breathed in and held my breath, not knowing what to expect. His breath was warm against my face and I stared into his brown eyes. His lips brushed against mine ever so lightly and I continued to stare at him. So many questions rushed through my mind. Why was he acting so odd? So dramatic? What is he wearing? What happened to the happy-go-lucky Ezio I once knew? But little did I know, that these questions would be answered in the years to come. "… I am an assassin." He whispered against my lips. My eyes grew wide and I tried to speak, the urge to run away from him and to hold him for protection were overpowering each other. All I could do was stare at him, motionlessly, speechlessly, watching, wondering… "Nicolina?" He whispered and waved my hand slowly in front of my face. I closed my eyes for 3 seconds, slowly counting in my head. I opened my eyes and he was still there, still in the odd apparel, still with his hand in front of my face.
"An… Assassin?" I asked, my voice cracking. I cleared my throat but didn't bother repeating my words.
"Do not be afraid." He said quietly. "I'm doing this for my family." He said as sadness slipped into his eyes. I wrapped my arms around him and embraced him comfortingly. One year ago his father Giovanni, older brother Federico, and younger brother Petruccio were hung. The only reason Ezio had lived to tell the tale was that he had hidden. I rested my cheek on his shoulder and looked out at the field, the blue sky above me was cloudless and the green grass ahead of me was flawless. "I must seek vengeance." He said quietly into my ear. I pulled backwards and kissed his cheek.
"Do what you must." I whispered. "But do not forget about me." I looked up at him and he smiled. "I wish I could come with you…" I said quietly. He stared at me and he squeezed my hand.
"If you wish you may come with me, but be aware of the danger I bring. I would never be able to forgive myself if something were to happen to you." I smiled at him and rolled my eyes.
"Do you think I can't take care of myself? Ezio, I seek revenge too." I said quietly and looked at the ground. He lifted my head with his hand.
"What are you talking about?" He asked me, confusion in his eyes. "What did they do?" He said sternly, anger rising in his voice. I placed my hand on his shoulder.
"Uberto Alberti, the man who betrayed your family…" I said and trailed off trying to not bring up the subject. "Yesterday I was at home, I heard yelling in my father's study. Then suddenly it stopped." I frowned. "I went to my father's study… And Uberto was standing over my father. He was dead. Uberto started chasing me but I ran, as far and fast as I could." I said and fell to my knees; I brought my hands to my face and started crying. Ezio knelt next to me and wrapped his arms around me.
"Shh." He whispered. "It's okay." And rubbed his hand against my back. I wiped my eyes and looked up at him. He stood up and gave me his hand to pull myself up. We started walking rather aimlessly, but I honestly didn't care. I was with him and we were going to make our lives better. That was all that mattered.