"But...it's s-so high...up." Ezio mumbled, peeking over the wooden edge. "I have to jump...from her...and land i-in that?" he shuddered, pointing a shaky hand to the pile of hay, that looked as small as an ant from way up here!

"YUP!" Leonardo laughed, as if he were happy his little friend was about to plunge to his death! "w-why are you so excited, old man! This i-isn't very amusing!" Ezio's breathing sped up as his heart began to race. The sound thundering in his ears. His heart was truly racing now, as he looked down." Oh come now, child! In order to pass your testing, you must jump from the perch, and land there in that hay!" The artist jokingly shoved the boy closer to the edge. " B-but! I-It's much to far up! I'll die!" Ezio squeaked back, digging his heels into the wooden ledge. He looked around frantically when his toes inched their way over the edge. He racked his brain for a practical escape. Maybe he should just...jump. He'd just land in hay. And why else would his friend pressure him into doing it if the outcome would be bad? He craned his neck forward slightly, peeking over the lip of the plank, looking down at the seemingly small landing zone, referred to as hay. Slowly, he pulled himself back, swallowing hard, while he closed his eyes, steadying his balance. He hesitated just a moment, then slowly began to reach his arms out from his sides, mimicking the mighty creature he was named after.

And in an unbelievable amount of time, he leaped from the board. His eyes remaining closed as his body slowly turned into a backward reclined position, falling quickly to the earth in a matter of seconds. A soft, thumpf, sounding as his small body was consumed by the hay pile. Leonardo grinned at such form. He truly was his fathers son. An impeccable landing! Not a si-

"AHHHHH! MIO DIO! MY ARM! L-LEO, I-I THINK I B-BROKE MY ARM!" The boy thrashed after rolling free from the hay, holding his left arm as he kicked and screamed in pain. Meanwhile, at the top of the building, Leonardo panicked. He was hurt! He pressured him into jumping! And now, His father would KILL him! Oh man was he in trouble! He rushed down the stairway, and burst through the door, running over to the wriggling boy on the uneven stone road. He bent down to the crying, moving boy, holding out his hands, wanting to help but unsure of where touch, afraid he might injure the boy further.

Ezio, the devious boy he was, born with his mother's wits and his father's charm, smirked evilly up at the older Italian , pulling both his arms apart, showing no harm was actually done. Leonardo, Shocked by the boys absolutely demonic plan to make him feel bad, just glared back down, obviously not amused by this display of trickery. He stood up, and stomped off, his eyebrows knitted together tightly in a clearly angered expression. "Aw, come on old man! It wasn't that bad...Y-you should have seen you stupid face!" he giggled, holding a small hand to his mouth, covering his crooked smirk as he continues to cackle. Getting no response from the larger man, he quieted, still following him with difficulty. For 12 Ezio steps, equaled only 3 Leonardo steps. Leonardo huffed angrily, but eventually grinned. How could he stay angry with such a child. He looked back to the boy, who was ranting and raving about how such a dirty trick could be used to draw attention to himself! Which he would never need later in life...in fact, he'd study the exact opposite...but who cared. The painter sighed contently as he continued back to the Auditore Villa. He was a child. No need to spoil his fun.