A/N
What if Manfredo broke his promise to Ezio and Christina? What if Ezio that found out he started gambling again? Is Ezio going keep his promise to kill Manfredo himself?
I kind of want to get a feel for these two, and yes I know what actually happens to poor Cristina. I played the last Cristina Memory in Brotherhood the other day and nearly lost it. SO SAD!
Anyways, lemme know what you thought and if this needs to continue! *cough* if you *cough* know what I mean *cough cough*
"Ezio?" A familiar voice calls out from under an archway and Ezio turns towards it.
"Leonardo!" Ezio says with a smile as he walks over to greet his lifelong friend with a tight embrace. "What are you doing at Carnivale? Wait, let me guess, looking for subjects to study?" Ezio grumbles with a cheeky smirk and a sidelong glance at the artist and inventor.
DaVinci lets out a warm laugh and grabs his friend by the shoulders, "Well, unfortunately no. Actually I was hoping to run into you, amico. It has been a while." He looks Ezio over and nods approvingly at his armor, "What armor is this? I have never seen anything like it!"
"Helmschmied Drachen armor, from Germany." Ezio answers absently as Leonardo inspects Ezio's intricate chest armor. Ezio tilts his head back, turning around slightly to take in the mid-morning activities before returning his gaze to his friend. "I am in need of some assistance, amico mio," Ezio begins softly, leading Leonardo gently by the arm to a nearby bench where they sit.
"Yes?" Leonardo inquires with a tilted head and curious expression.
"I need you to find me a mask; I am going to try and find an old friend of mine. It must be a good mask now, I cannot have them figuring out who I am."
Leonardo chuckles, "Va bene, Ezio. I will get you the perfect mask, but what is the catch…" Leonardo asks with a curved eyebrow, he knows Ezio well enough that he can tell when the assassin is about to ask him for more than just a simple favor.
Ezio sighs, "You read me like a book, old friend."
"You are one of my favorites." Leonardo remarks openly, his smile endearing.
Ezio huffs amusedly, "Come now, uomo ciocco,"
Leonardo's incredulous expression stops any further comments from Ezio, who drops his gaze in a somewhat deflated manner. "Who is it this time, Ezio?" His voice has a more serious tone now, critical, like that of a father as he urges Ezio to look him in the eye.
"Non importa chi sia." Ezio growls softly, looking away from Leonardo, distractedly.
"Ezio," Leonardo warns.
"I said it doesn't matter!" Ezio barks, landing his fiercely defensive gaze upon his friends prying eyes.
"Ezio, dimmi chi è, ora!" Leonardo demands, grabbing hold of Ezio's chest armor and jerking him closer. "Sono gravi! This better not have anything to do with the Borgia, I narrowly escaped with my life last I dealt with them! I want nothing to do with them anymore."
Ezio's jaw clenches as he realizes with a jolt that his friend must think he is spying on Cesare's men again. Leonardo's hand slips from Ezio's chest "Mi dispiace," Ezio apologizes, with an outward sweep of his left hand, lightly squeezing his friends tense soulder with his right, "It has nothing to do with the Borgia." He reassures his friend, pulling back to look into the brilliant man's eyes, "It's Christina, Leonardo."
Relief brightens the inventor's eyes and his whole body noticeably relaxes. With a soft huff he slumps forward onto Ezio's chest. Ezio wraps his other arm around the man's shoulders. "It was awful, wasn't it." He breathes softly, referring to the time Leonardo had to spend being forced to make war machines for Cesare.
"Sí, è stato terribilmente stressante." Leonardo whispers.
"Look at me Leo," Ezio urges, smiling when he sees the rise of color in the man's face at his pet name, "Cesare's power is quickly slipping, and you no longer suffer beneath his oppression. The only one you need answer to now is your God."
Leonardo manages a lopsided grin, "He is your God as well, Ezio."
Ezio withdraws slightly, "I would rather not discuss that now, Leonardo. I have wasted enough time with you, inventore pazzo. I have someone to find. So will you help me amico?"
"Sí, Ezio." Leonardo's smile evens out, "I will help you. Wait here." Leonardo gets to his feet and turns around to walk away but Ezio grabs his arm and pulls him back before he can take a second step. "Merda, Ezio! What now?"
"Take this." Ezio says softly and hands his friend a subtly decorated pouch full of florins. "Buona fortuna, amico."
Leonardo lets out a sigh at the weight of the pouch in his hands and nods, "Grazie," he says softly and heads off.
Sliding back on the bench, Ezio lowers his head and starts to watch the people as they mill about in their colorful celebration clothes. He smiles, his armor will not stand out very much at all against the flamboyant dress of the Carnivale-goers; its extravagant metal plating and intricate embroidered red silk collar flaps will blend perfectly, he thinks with a smirk.
Leonardo walks into Ezio's line of sight, making him sit up straighter. Ezio watches his friend walk slowly over to him and as he sits casually beside him Ezio smiles.
"Here you go, amico," Leonardo produces a metal colombina mask from his robes that somehow flawlessly complements the style of the Drachen armor.
Ezio dons the mask eagerly, ready to set out to find Christina. "It is beautiful, amico! How do you have such fine taste?"
Leonardo shrugs, "Non lo so."
"Grazie, Leonardo. I will see you later." Leonardo waves as he walks off and Ezio gets up and moves into the crowd to search for Christina.
As he moves through the colorful mass of people, his eye is caught by a few courtesans gathered by a covered stone archway, draped with colorful flowers and festive garlands. He looks over with a smile curving his lips, catching the attention of one of the courtesans. As he walks closer, he holds his head a little higher, letting his smile draw the intrigued woman closer.
"Buon giorno, signore. I'm Vittoria." The woman swoons in a smitten manner as she runs her slender hand down the center of Ezio's chest, coming to rest on the embellished Assassin's crest on his belt.
Ezio takes in a slow breath, "Piacere, Vittoria," he says charmingly, his voice low.
"I like your armor, bello." The woman gushes and Ezio can feel the twinge of desire grip his chest. He is starting to lose his concentration when he hears a sudden uproarious cheer. Ezio and the woman look towards the sound of the yelling. "What was that all about?" Vittoria asks, her voice small and nervous sounding.
"Non importa, signorina," Ezio reassures softly, still looking over towards the source of the shouts. "whatever it was," He returns his gaze to Vittoria, " è finita ora."
The courtesan takes a moment to recollect her thoughts and she moves closer to Ezio, pressing her hands to his chest and leaning closer, "Va bene. So, can I get your name signore?"
Ezio must fight the overwhelming desire to tell her his name and offer to take her home later, "Me dispiace, bella donna, but a man of mystery must maintain his anonymity." Ezio's eyes have fallen on the source of the disturbance; gambling. He enjoys occasionally trying his hand at games of betting and chance so he decides that it would be better if he spent his money there as opposed to on a courtesan. As he backs away from the somewhat emotionally deflated woman he pauses, taking her hand and gently kissing it. "Arrivederci bella. Until we meet again." Ezio smiles and turns around to face the direction of the gamblers.
As he scans the faces absently, his eyes fall one that is very familiar. His chest immediately tightens when he recalls this man's name; 'Manfredo'. Ezio lets out a furious growl as all the memories rush back at once, and he sees that this man, who had sworn off gambling after Ezio threatened him, was blatantly breaking the promise to him and Christina by openly participating.
Ezio's fists clench and he snarls at Manfredo "Pezzo di merda!" Ezio breaks out of the crowd and charges over to the still oblivious Manfredo, shoving the other startled gamblers aside. Ezio grabs two fistfuls of Manfredo's shirt and lifts him off his feet up to his eyelevel, his expression infuriated. "You lying bastard! How could you do this?" Ezio snarls at him, inches from his face as Manfredo's hands grasp Ezio's armored wrists.
Manfredo is rightfully terrified of this imposing man who he concludes is clearly much stronger than he as his feet dangle a few inches off the ground, "Do what? What do you want from me? What have I done to you?" Manfredo asks franticly.
Ezio lets out a venomous growl, "You lied to me." He rumbles, pulling Manfredo closer and switching the grip to just his right hand. "You lied to her." He seethes, jabbing his left index finger at Manfredo's face.
"What are you talking about, messere?"
"Gambling, idiota!" Ezio thunders and the other men that had been gambling recoil at the venom on his words.
One man stands up and strikes an assertive pose, "What seems to be the problem, signore?" He demands, trying to defend Manfredo as best he can.
Ezio shoots the man a deadly and thoroughly discouraging glare, silencing any further protest before returning his wrathful gaze to Manfredo.
Manfredo's expression drops suddenly when he is struck with the memory of that promise he made to Ezio Auditore eight years ago. Clearly, this cannot be the same man? He could not possibly have known, this man must be a messenger. But that voice… he cannot place its slowly dawning familiarity.
"How long have you been doing this, bastardo?" Ezio asks, his voice low and deadly serious.
Manfredo is quiet.
"Dimmi! Quanto tempo?" Ezio demands harshly, extending his hidden blade and holding it inches from Manfredo's neck.
Manfredo recoils. "Three years," he speaks softly, clearly aware of his crime now.
"Cazzo." Ezio says simply. He looks away for a moment and lets out a sigh before retuning his gaze to his captive. "You broke your promise to me, but more unforgivably, you broke your promise to Christina."
"Manfredo?"
Ezio's heart leaps when he hears that familiar voice, and his anger becomes all the more sincere as Christina walks cautiously closer.
"It-it's not what it looks like, amore mio."
"Don't you dare lie to her again you fottuto bastardo!" Ezio growls dangerously, careful to make his voice hard to recognize for Christina's sake. Manfredo has begun to shake, but Ezio's grip has not faltered, and he shakes the man sharply to get his attention, "Tell her what you did!" Ezio barks harshly.
Manfredo makes a frightened interjection and turns to Christina, "Mi dispiace,"
Christina steps closer, "What's going on? What is he talking about?" she demands, and Manfredo sighs.
"I was gambling." he breathes in defeat.
"What?" her voice is soft and hurt.
Ezio's chest tightens at the betrayal in her voice, spurring him on, "Corretto." He growls, shifting his weight a little.
"How long, Manfredo?" Christina asks in a hurt tone.
Ezio's voice drops to a smooth, dangerous tone, "Tell her what you told me."
Manfredo clenches his eyes shut.
"Ora!" Ezio barks and Manfredo jumps.
"Three years." He says softly.
"Bene." Ezio breathes very softly and throws Manfredo to the ground. The man stumbles to his feet and brushes off as he walks over to Christina.
Christina takes a step away from manfredo, her hand going slowly to her mouth. "Three years?" she repeats in a disbelieving tone, "Manfredo, how could you- how could you…" she cannot finish her sentence.
"Lie to her." Ezio finishes and Christina slowly nods.
"I don't want to believe it. I just…three years?" She wrings her hands a little, "So all those times you came home late, you weren't actually working late, were you." She shakes her head, silent for a moment, "First, you don't listen to me, then you start making demands, now this? I'm- I'm finished Manfredo." Tears well in her eyes, "You have hurt me enough." She speaks in a wounded tone as she removes the gold band from her finger and drops it on the ground at Manfredo's feet. She looks at Ezio, then back at Manfredo, "I will be talking to my father. He will have this finalized as soon as possible." She says, struggling to maintain her composure. "I don't know who you are signore," Cristina says as she looks back to Ezio, wiping a tear from her cheek, "but I suppose I have you to thank for bringing this to my attention." She hesitates, "Grazie, messerre."
Ezio nods, "Buona fortuna, bella donna," he says softly before turning around and walking away. His eyes burn and his chest tightens with the urge to break down. He did not want to hurt her. He did not want this to happen, but maledizione, it did. The man that took his place as Christina's husband treated her poorly and lied to him. He told him to be a good husband. The man swore that he would not gamble again. But he lied! That bastardo lied to him! And Cristina! Ezio clenches his eyes shut and balls his hands into fists. He lets out a sharp breath through his teeth as the first threat of tears sting his eyes.
He draws in a ragged breath and lets it out roughly, quickening his pace. Suddenly, he hears a slap. A jolt runs through his body as his first thoughts go to Christina. He wheels around to see if she had been hurt to find Manfredo stumbling back, hands on his face. Relief sends a shudder through his body and Ezio's shoulders slump as he lets out a relieved sigh.
Manfredo trips and falls to the ground and Christina clutches her hands together, her palm stinging after smacking Manfredo with all she had.
"Figlio di puttana!" she hisses before spitting at his feet.
Ezio turns around and walks away slowly. Sure that it is over. He hears the click of heels on cobblestone behind him so he quickens his pace. A small hand suddenly grabs his right bicep and he is jerked back a little. He turns his head to see Christina holding him. His chest tightens and fresh tears burn in his eyes.
"Who are you signore?"
Ezio's brow furrows, "Solo un ombra, niente di cui preoccuparsi."
Her head tilts slightly, "But…" she takes a breath through her nose.
Ezio shakes his head and turns around to walk away but her hand catches his cheek with the subtle slap of a palm on metal and Ezio tenses as her hand draws his face back to hers. "Bella donna, per favore, devo lasciare prima di farti del male ulteriormente."
"Signore, you did not hurt me. The only thing that could hurt me now is if the man who released me from Manfredo's lies, leaves without telling me who he is." Her voice is as gentle and soft as the hand that she slides up under the slightly cool metal mask on Ezio's face.
Ezio tries to draw back but she is too quick and before he can react, the mask is pulled away from his face. Ezio quickly turns away, using the hood to obscure his face. He tries to move away but Christina grabs a fistful of Ezio's cape and holds him fast. Ezio's eyes burn anew. He does not want her be hurt by finding out that it was him. His eyes clench shut, doubtful that she will ever forgive him. Suddenly, his hood is thrown off and he opens his eyes wide in shock. He looks down into Christina's eyes and a tear threatens to run down his cheek. 'No…' he thinks to himself, sure that he is ruined.
"Ezio?" Christina's voice is delicate, unsure.
Ezio entertains the idea of holding her face to comfort her, but his body does not respond. His lips part, as if her were trying to speak, but no words can form.
"Ezio, is it really you?" Her hand touches the scar on his lips and a hot tear rolls down his cheek as he blinks. Christina pulls back with a look of denial on her face, she starts to shake her head. Ezio's chest tightens and his jaw clenches as he fights back the urge to cry out to her. Cristina's hands cover her mouth and she hesitantly starts to reach out to Ezio, but then draws back, her face wrought with confusion. "No…"
Ezio lets out a barely audible groan as he turns away from Cristina and starts to move swiftly through the crowd away from her. He pulls his hood up and slips into a group of people.
"Ezio! Wait!" Christina calls after him.
Ezio drops his head and lets another burning tear fall to the road.
"Ezio!" Her voice is softer now, more poignant.
Ezio continues walking. "Agh!" he interjects through gritted teeth, and turns left down an empty alleyway. He slams his back against the wall with a huff and a solid metallic thud, letting his head fall back. Tears start to run down his face and onto his neck. "Maledizione…" He groans, his thoughts racing. 'Christina won't possibly forgive me, not after what I've done to her... My rash actions have probably led her to want nothing more than to have me hanged. Twice I have left her. I don't deserve a second chance; I've lost it already.' Ezio moans aloud and holds his face in his hands, as tears run slowly down his cheeks. "Idiota." He growls to himself.
"Ezio?" The sound of his name startles him and his heart leaps into his throat. He jumps back and sees Christina standing at the mouth of the alleyway.
Ezio's whole body droops. The proud Drachen armor suddenly weighs much more than it once did. So heavy, that he drops to one knee with a thud. Ezio's expression is disconnected, his amber eyes dull.
"Ezio!" Christina cries in shock and runs to his side. "Are you ok? What happened? Are you hurt?" She holds his face in her hands, her expression laced with concern. Her eyes fall on the wet streaks down his cheeks and she notices the moisture under her palms. "Ezio…" she breathes in sudden understanding. "Please," she begs him with every fibre of her being, "don't you ever, ever, leave me again, capito mio caro amore?"
Ezio feels his heart skip a beat. "My dearest love?" he repeats in a disbelieving whisper.
"Sí, Ezio."
"Ma perché? You loved him…" Ezio speaks in a slightly broken whisper.
"No, idiota! I loved you!" She corrects forcefully and captures Ezio's lips in hers. Ezio's heart races and he drops his other knee as his hands instinctively move up to her waist. Just as his hands touch her, she pushes him backwards and he collapses roughly on his back with a forced grunt.
Christina breaks the kiss and lets out a soft huff, as if she was starting to cry, "Ezio, there was not a day that I did not think of you. I was so stupid to let my father force me into choosing Manfredo over you." She collapses on his chest and buries her face in his neck, "I loved you, not him." She starts to cry softly and Ezio wraps his arms around her protectively as her hot tears run down his neck.
"I'm so sorry, Christina. I'm so terribly sorry I had to leave you." Ezio runs his gauntleted hand up and down her back.
Christina huffs between sobs, "Bastardo." she slams the side of her fist uselessly into Ezio's chest armor, "Don't ever leave again."
Ezio holds her tighter, "Capisco. I promise."
"Bene." Christina sighs and rests her head on his chest. Ezio puts a hand on the small of her back and the other he holds her head lightly.
"Christina?" Ezio breathes after a moment, Leonardo has appeared at the entrance to the alleyway.
"Hush, Ezio."
"Bene." He whispers, a smile tugging at his lips. Leonardo leans casually against the side of the building at the entrance to the alley and shakes his head in amusement. Ezio makes a subtle gesture with his hand to indicate that Leonardo should stay and he nods, sitting with his back against the wall.
Ezio opens his eyes suddenly to the sensation of being shaken. "When did I fall asleep?" he asks aloud as he sits up to see Christina sitting in front of him, smiling. Ezio smirks, she has imprints of his chest armor on her cheek.
"I'm not sure, but this man woke me up." Christina gestures to the crouching Leonardo by Ezio's right shoulder.
"Ah, bene. Christina, this is my friend Leonardo DaVinci. I have known him for many years now." He looks to the artist, "Leonardo, thank you for waking us, amico."
"Ezio, you really should get more sleep." Leonardo grouses as he helps Christina to her feet then offers Ezio his hand.
"Hush, Leonardo, I'm a grown man. I can sleep whenever I please." Ezio counters defensively as he takes Leonardo's hand and gets to his feet.
"Your friend is corretto, Ezio." Cristina runs her left thumb gently under Ezio's eye, noting the dark circles there. "You should take better care of yourself." Christina says as she brushes some debris off of Ezio's clothes and straightens his cape.
"Per favore, donna, don't encourage him!" Ezio asks, hands folded before his face in a pleading manner.
Leonardo laughs and Ezio shoves his shoulder, causing him to back into the wall and laugh harder. "Ezio, it is nearly midday. Carnivale waits for no man. Go! Enjoy this festival with her."
Ezio looks at his friend and tilts his head, "But, what about Manfredo? Cristina?"
Cristina puts a hand on Ezio's cheek, "I will talk to my father tomorrow. It is probably best to give this a little time to settle, I do not want to go into hysterics in front of him." She looks down and folds her arms, looking to be on the edge of an emotional breakdown.
Ezio takes her arms and pulls her against his body, wrapping his arms around her reassuringly. "Easy."
Cristina wraps her arms around Ezio with a sigh, "Grazie, Eizo."
"Sei il benvenuto." Ezio breathes and Cristina releases him.
"Leonardo," Ezio puts a hand on his friends shoulder a few moments later, "won't you join us? I can't have you wandering about all alone. What would Salai think?"
"Ah, it has been a while. Salai fell head over heels for one of my models. They moved in together and she is already with child." Leonardo chuckles and his eyes suddenly light up, "But, she still comes to model for me. She said she would model for me as she progresses through her pregnancy."
"Eccellente! I remember you mentioned to me once that you wanted to do a progressive study of pregnancy! Molto bene!" Ezio claps his friend on the shoulder and smiles.
"Scusate signori, dobbiamo andare avanti." Christina says, putting a hand on each man's shoulder.
Leonardo nods to her and sends Ezio a sneaky smirk.
"What are you planning?"
"Nothing messerre. Oh, and I believe this is yours, signore." Leonardo walks over to Ezio and produces his mask which he gently ties back onto Ezio's face. He then pulls Ezio's hood over his head and brushes off some dust. "There." He says as he pulls his own mask from some hidden pocket in his clothes and pulls it over his eyes. His is metallic, like Ezio's, but with many gears, cogs, wheels and clock parts with roman numerals.
Leonardo then pulls out yet another mask, this one clearly for the female sex and shows it to Christina. It is beautiful, delicate and ornate swirls of hand arranged metals curving around the eyes and all flowing in the same direction off the right side of the mask to end in a rolling plume of gold silver and copper metal. Leonardo ties the black satin ribbon around Christina's head and smiles proudly. "Hai un aspetta bella, signorina."
Christina curtsies, "Grazie."
"Shall we?" Ezio motions for the exit of the alley and the other two nod and follow him out into the bright Florentine sun.
Me dispiace guys, loads of Italian in this one. ^_^ Don't forget to tell me your thoughts! I really REALLY appreciate your feedback! Helps me get better at what I do!
amico = friend
amico mio = my friend
Va bene = okay
Non importa chi sia. = It doesn't matter who it is.
uomo ciocco = silly man
Ezio, dimmi chi è, ora! = Ezio!Tell me who it is, now!
Sono gravi. = I'm serious.
Sí, è stato terribilmente stressante. = Yes, it was terribly stressful.
inventore pazzo = crazy inventor
Merda = Shit
Buona fortuna, amico. = Good luck, friend.
Non lo so. = Don't know.
Buon giorno, signore. = Good morning, sir.
Piacere, = a pleasure,
bello = handsome
Non importa, signorina, whatever it was, è finita ora. = It doesn't matter, miss, whatever it was it's over now.
Me dispiace, bella donna, = I'm sorry, beautiful woman,
Arrivederci bella. = Good bye, beautiful.
Pezzo di merda! = Piece of shit!
Dimmi! Quanto tempo? = Tell me! How long?
Cazzo. = Fuck.
amore mio = my love
fottuto bastardo = Fucking bastard
Buona fortuna, bella donna, = good luck, beautiful woman
maledizione = Damn
Figlio di puttana! = Son of a whore!
Solo un ombra, niente di cui preoccuparsi. = Just a shadow, nothing to worry about.
Bella donna, per favore, devo lasciare prima di farti del male ulteriormente. = Beautiful woman, please, I must leave before I hurt you further.
capito = understand?
Ma perché? = But why?
Capisco. = I understand.
Per favore, donna, = Please, woman,
Sei il benvenuto. = You're welcome.
Eccellente! = Excellent!
Molto bene = Very good
Scusate signori, dobbiamo andare avanti. = Excuse me gentlemen, we should get going.
Hai un aspetta bella, signorina = You look beautiful, miss.