Author Notes: 6/20/14 I am amazed how many of you guys have liked this, it makes me very happy. I want to polish the story, give it more detail, as you all deserve – before I post the next chapter. Thank you so much for the support and patience xoxo
Copyright: Ubisoft owns the AC universe and every thing therein. I own the characters that were never mentioned in the franchise and make no profit off this.
Summary: Elena Nori secretly took on the same interests as her half-brother, Leonardo da Vinci, meeting her illegitimate sibling in secret who introduced her to a world of mysteries and a family of assassins.
The Mechanics of Love
I: Pilot
1476; Florence, Italy.
Calculating, autumn-colored eyes studied the liquid begin to simmer, the components of her potion finally beginning to mix together successfully after countless attempts – turning to a vibrant, green substance as it was intended. The concoction was nearly complete only needing a few more moments to cook to remove the impurities and strengthen its lethal properties. Shortly, Elena Nori da Vinci would have her first elixir created by her own hands. The pride resonating off of her in waves made it difficult for Leonardo to not be happy his young sibling and protege.
"Amazing," came the praise from the half-brother as he leaned down into peripheral view of the well-established alchemist and engineer. At the rate she had learned all things alchemical and herbalism, he'd have nothing left to teach her. In a few short weeks, she could be the one teaching him! What a twist that the teacher would become the student. Yet Leonardo could not deny the prospect of learning new things gave his inquisitive mind a thrill.
"I am your sister, after all," the once pupil and half-sister boasted as they continue to watch it brew, in fascination. After weeks of study, many failed attempts she had finally accomplished making a new, lethal poison that was unknown to the world. What kind of outcome would it cause? How potent was this malignant concoction? That was the next question her curious mind asked, and as she was sure, so did her previous mentor although he was against violence; as she learned.
"Elena, you have such a bright mind and can do a lot of good – why are you so fascinated with learning and creating poisons?" Leonardo da Vinci asked in sincere curiosity, wondering in a small part of his mind if murder was her intent. He hoped she was above that.
The young noblewoman wiped the perspiration from her brow that accumulated, the Florentine heat and being cooped up in Leonardo's workshop was not a combination she could handle for extensive periods of time like him. How she yearned to jump into a fountain in the markets, no matter the stares she would get. Sighing, she answered him, "You ask why I'm so fascinated? The irony.. the irony that the same world that gave us life, provides us the means to die." He was unsure of what to make of her response, Elena Nori, suicidal? No. That couldn't be it but before he could voice his response that would have opened another debate, as they have done many times before on various subjects, brisk knocks at the front door brought both of the ingenious inventors at edge.
"Were you expecting someone?" Elena whispered as fear trickled into her limbs. Had her family finally discovered where she had been sneaking off to? If her – and Leonardo's – father knew she had been visiting the secret, illegitimate son of the family, she was certain she or Leo would be sent away never to see each other again.
Leonardo shook his head in an equal amount of fear or more, "Quick, hide!" The noblewoman was not needed to be told twice, hiking up her cumbersome dress up as she ran into the next room to hide quietly behind the curtain as she listened to every sound that was made. Leonardo's shoes walking across the wooden floor, the door opening.. She held her breathe as she listened for his response for who was at the door.
"Hello, Leonardo," The sound of woman's gentle, friendly voice fluttered through the room. It struck Elena odd that Leonardo had never mentioned he kept female company, she surmised he was far too shy even with his age. Or that he was too engrossed in his work to notice the opposite gender for once.
"Madonna Maria!" Elena could hear the relief in her brother's tone, as he too feared the worst. She quietly exhaled her own sigh of relief yet continued to stay hidden. Better safe than sorry.
"This is my son, Ezio," The prospect of Leonardo having a female companion was immediately crossed off the list at the introduction. Perhaps she was simply a patron stopping by, that would not be a odd occurrence although now her curiosity begged to peek behind the curtain to see them.
"Piacere di incontrarvi (Pleasure to meet you)," Leonardo respectfully said as she imagined him to be bowing as well. He was such a polite man, perhaps too polite for his own good in the young aristocrat's opinion. She believed the nice guys finished last only because she seen it first-hand numerous times. The cruel and cunning always got their way; as the way the world was.
"L'onore e mio." A smooth, young man's voice responded making Elena rather intrigued more by who these guests were. By the sound of his voice she would estimate the man, Ezio, was between the age range of her and Leonardo's.
Cautiously peeking around the curtain to check on her project, seeing it was beginning to rapidly boil on the cusp of completion. She fidgeted nervously, praying to the Gods for these guests to go away before all her hard work was ruined. "I've been so busy with my work, I nearly forgot you would come by today to pick up your paintings! Come in, I will get everything for you." The shuffle of footsteps entered the room, one set in particular scurried around the room, obviously belonging to Leonardo. As the Madonna and her son began to talk, Elena listened to the slightly heavy footsteps amble around the room but slowly making their way to her workstation.
"What is this?" Elena peeked around the curtain in time to see the man she assumed to be 'Ezio' reaching his hand out for her beloved, brewing flask of shimmering, green poison finally in its completed form.
"Stop!" The young noblewoman shrieked out in fear of weeks worth of hard work being ruined, as she sprung out from behind the curtain – startling the two guests. If it was undone due to the carelessness of a meddling guest, Elena would feel a strong inclination to kill him with her bare hands. Leonardo's jaw slacked in shock as he held a small crate of paintings in his hands.
"Oh – mi dispiace (I'm sorry)!" The young fellow cried out in a confused manner, stumbling backward as Elena shoved him away from the dangerous mixture, carefully lifting the flask from the small fire and carefully poured it into small vials she had prepared. Thankfully she still wore her thick, leather gloves that helped resist the heat of scalding glass from burning her hands.
"Leonardo, who is she?" Madonna Maria asked curiously, never seeing the young man to have a female associate or even a woman in his company for that matter, the same observation Elena previously made to herself.
The young inventor was tongue-tied for a moment, unsure of how to answer his close friend. He was never good at lying, especially to a kind patron who had helped his work gain notoriety considerably. Once the project was safely secured in their bottles and sealed, Elena faced the guests and curtsy, "I am Elena Nori da Vinci, daughter to Piero and Daniela Nori da Vinci. I frequently commission paintings from Ser Leonardo, like you, Madonna."
Leonardo silently sighed in relief at the smooth lie she spoke on his behalf. A trait no doubt from the Nori family that forsaken him, then fabricated a false tale of his existence and left him as a dirty secret. "Midonna Nori was helping me complete a different project as she waited for a painting to be complete," Leonardo chimed in, attempting to help, it was not entirely a lie as well.
"No need to hide like a lover caught red-handed," Ezio commented impertinently that earned him a disapproving leer from both his mother and Elena, it was quickly forgotten as Madonna Maria stepped forward and respectfully curtsy in returned.
"Ah, the Nori family. I know your parents very well, bambina (child). In fact, they've invited my family to their next gala in less than a fortnight. I had no idea they were fans of Messere Leonardo, he is so very talented," Elena struggled to swallow the dread-filled lump in her throat. The fear of her parents discovery resurfaced but she forced herself to conceal her true emotions with a complacent smile.
Gracefully responding betraying the inner turmoil she felt, "It will be an honor to have your family attend my parent's festival, I look forward to seeing you again."
Madonna Maria bid the pair farewell before instructing her son, "Ezio, won't you carry the crate?" He looked reluctant to leave the conversation with many holes of questions but complied with his mother's wishes, bidding the artist and noblewoman adieu. As a gentleman, Leonardo showed them out, calling out cheerful goodbyes until he shut the door before showing his true feelings on his sleeve.
He rushed back into the large, main room overwhelmed with worry, "What are we going to do? If Madonna speaks my name to your parents-"
Elena raised her hand, as the other pinched the bridge of her nose to fight the headache looming on the horizon, "I need to think." Once in silence, she paced around the room, thinking over all manner of ways to assure safety from the cold wrath that was widely known from her parents. Especially her father.
Finally coming to a conclusion that the secret could no longer be kept between them as they had done for many months, she faced Leonardo with a scrutinizing gaze, "Are they trustworthy?"
"The Auditore family?" He asked, perplexed.
"Would you trust them with your life?" Elena's warm autumn eyes were marked with all seriousness as she approached her sibling in all her smooth, calculating, grace.
"Si.. Si, I would. They are the kindest people I've ever met, they've helped me through a lot." Her eyes soften in sympathy, feeling at blame for her parent's decision to cast out this wonderful man because their father couldn't keep 'it' in his trousers. Leaving an innocent child to face strife with his penniless mother.
"Give me a painting, something small you can part with," she instructed looking around the disheveled room for the object of question. His humble abode and workplace mirrored that of his intelligence and ingenuity, a chaotic mess that had a sense of order to it all. A method to his madness.
Leonardo scratched his head in wonder for what this girl had planned, "Why?"
"I need an excuse to go to the Auditore household. Then I'm going to tell them everything, how were related and that my parents can't know I've been visiting you," She looked at him sharply, his judgment hanging in the balance, "They are trustworthy?"
He gaped in shock for a moment but surmised this was their only option, "I trust them with my life. That painting over there," he pointed to a small canvas of a meadow on his desk, no bigger than a book.
"That will do," she picked it up, "It's pleasant. May I keep it? A token of yours I can keep at home."
Leonardo smiled softly at her sentiment, grateful such a kind girl was his sibling, "Of course, sorella (sister)."
Releasing the clasp on her gold, ruby necklace, Elena strode over to her brother and opened his hand, "Take this to remember me, in case anything should happen. It could also get you plenty of florins if you need to sell it in a pinch." Leonardo was momentarily dumbfounded at her offering before being able to find his voice; he's never owned something so valuable.
"Elena, I can't," Leonardo tried arguing, pushing the intricate jewelry back to no avail.
She gently pushed back and closed his hands over it, "Please, Leo." He sighed, knowing he couldn't object when she used the little nickname that was created when she first formed the bond with him.
"You know first-hand what our father is capable of to avoid a scandal to his name. I won't take the risk of letting you suffer any more than you already have," she released his hand and gathered up her belongings to leave with the painting in hand, "After I visit the Auditore family, I suppose I should head home for the day. I'll be back when I can again."
"What about your project?" he questioned as he walked her out the door. It was late afternoon as the street still buzzed with people talking, or going about their business despite the day coming to end for most.
"Keep it safe til we can test it," she continued seeing the horror rise in his eyes, "on rats, you silly man!"
He sighed in relief, laughing at his audaciousness to believe they'd test on real people. Briskly kissing her on each cheek, he bid her farewell, "Be safe, my dear."
With some navigation and kindly asking directions to the Auditore villa from local neighbors in the region, Elena found herself standing outside the gate of her destination with the small painting in hand. She wasn't all too surprised to find this was a wealthy, noble family as well being that her own family wouldn't invite anyone less to their pompous parties except for servants or guards to work.
"Fortune smiles upon me, bringing a bella donna (beautiful lady) to my door step," she turned her attention to an unfamiliar young man approaching from the street. Well dressed and groomed in the normal Florentine fashion with short, dark brown hair and a charming smile gracing his attractive features. He had the look similar to that of the meddling gentleman she met earlier and his polite mother.
Elena politely curtsy to which he returned with a bow, "Buon giorno, Messere (Good day, Mister). Do you live here?"
"I do. I am Federico Auditore da Firenze, how may I help such an angel like yourself?" He grasped her petite hand and left a chaste kiss on her knuckles as he playfully winked.
She inwardly grumbled at the womanizing vibe she was beginning to receive but ignored it, "I believe I met your mother earlier today, Madonna Maria, and she forgot one the paintings she commissioned," she held it up to show the purpose of her visit, hoping it would work without a hitch.
He quietly 'ahh'ed, "Yes, she has a fondness for art and things of the sort. She should be home, would you like to come in to give it to her? I'm sure she would be grateful."
Elena smiled broadly, pleased with herself that the ruse worked flawlessly, "I would like that very much." As he walked her inside the lavish villa, Elena glanced around taking in the welcoming energy the Auditore home delivered. She found herself envying the household. It felt.. as a home should; warm, friendly, inviting. Portraits of the family members hung on the walls donned with bright, happy smiles. Her heart twisted in a forlorn manner at the picture of a joyous family it created in her mind.
"Midonna Elena, I didn't imagine to see you so soon again," Her attention was snapped back at hand as Federico had lead her to the den where Madonna Maria had been reading a book by the fireplace. Elena curtsy a greeting, and quietly thanked Federico as he bowed, keeping a smoldering eye-contact gaze with a coy smile on his lips before leaving the two women to talk among themselves. Elena deemed that man dangerous, in the sense that he was charming and he knew that fact.
Once he was gone from hearing range, Elena assumed a serious persona, "I apologize for lying to your son to gain entrance into your home, Madonna, but I must speak privately with you on an important matter."
Maria Auditore immediately closed her book and placed it aside on the end table, "Sedersi (Sit). I knew when I saw you in Ser Leonardo's shop there was something strange. Are you.. his lover?"
Elena snorted unladylike, "Goodness, no. That would be.. incest, Madonna."
Her eyebrows rose in surprise as she realized, "I thought he had no family besides his mother who passed, Dio benedica la sua (God bless her)."
"I didn't know about him until a few months ago when I came across some old papers that my father sent money secretly to an art school to fund a student. After some work of tracking down who the person was, I found Ser Leonardo and we discovered our relation."
Madonna Maria quietly gasped at her tale, "And you've been visiting him since?"
She nodded, "Anytime I can.. he's been more of a family to me.. than mine, sadly. So I hope you can see why it's important if you don't mention that you saw me there when you attend my parent's gala. They'll do anything to avoid a scandal to their name.."
Maria comfortingly enveloped Elena's hands in hers, "I believe family is everything, I would never do anything that would come between the two of you. I've always accepted Leonardo as an important family friend and I would be honored to consider a kind girl like you as well."
Before meeting Leonardo, Elena hardly ever smiled genuinely, now she found herself smiling more and more in his company and anyone he knew. "Molte grazie (Thank you so much), Madonna. I'm indebted to you."
"Perhaps you can repay that with staying for dinner to meet my family?"
Elena's smile faltered for a moment, "I would love to, Madonna, but my parents care for keeping a pristine image in front of the servants and guests they have."
Maria patted her hand, "Non ce problema (No problem), we will find the time. Ask either of my sons to walk you home. They're both taken an interest in you so I'm sure it will be easy for them to oblige."
"Grazie, Madonna," Elena stood up and deeply curtsy in respect, "Buona notte (Good night)."
"Safety and peace." She looked at her strangely for a moment but smiled and left through the way she was previously lead. Once outside in the court, Elena immediately spotted the Auditore brothers talking among themselves, laughing and playfully shoving each other until they captured the noblewoman gracefully striding to them, her long chestnut-colored hair flowing in the breeze. They were speechless for a moment, especially the younger brother of the two, bowing once she was in range.
"I was hoping I can burden Ser Ezio to walk me home this evening," The Auditore brothers looked at each other, Ezio wearing a smug, triumphant grin as if he won some contest unknown to Elena. Federico smiled and bid the two farewell, departing to the direction of the local bordello (brothel) to end his evening.
The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in various hues of orange, red and yellow as the sun disappeared into the horizon. Although they walked in silence most of the course to Elena's home, Ezio Auditore's mind buzzed with a wide range of questions to ask this new acquaintance that he couldn't place his finger on any one, tongue tying himself as he didn't quite have the social grace like his older brother just yet.
"Quite the conversationalist," Elena remarked humorously, smirking at her escort who was fumbling nervously over a mouth full of jumbled words. Because of his reticence he didn't expect her to talk to him, he could already hear his fratello (brother), Federico, scolding him to tener cojones (have the balls / take courage) and speak to the pretty girl.
"Is that artist your lover?" Elena's brow rose inquisitively, wondering why he would be interrogating her personal life. They each looked at each other from their peripheral vision, gauging for some unknown answers to questions unspoken.
"No. He is certainly not my type." She rolled her eyes at the speculation of both himself and his mother had of her being Leonardo's mistress. The thought alone made her feel physically ill but was it really that rare to see women in his company? Elena made a mental note to question the genius about that topic.
Ezio Auditore's face began to involuntarily warm at his next query, "What is your type than?" He attempted to casually look away to avoid the young noblewoman's piercing gaze but could feel it burning daggers into his skull.
"If you must know, I like a man on my intellectual level. Smart but not arrogant about it. Good and loyal. Charm is always a nice trait as well as good-looking but such a man doesn't exist in this society." Elena could see her villa in the distance. Anyone could. It was a large estate her father had no qualms in spending copious amounts of florins in building; the perks of working in the Vaticano, she supposed.
Ezio paused, gently grabbing her hand to still her of which she looked down at the soft, large hand holding hers before looking up to his eyes. Elena didn't notice how striking they actually were, nor did she had notice a fresh cut on his supple lips that would no doubt turn into a scar, one day. She gazed back into his bright-honeyed eyes, feeling a strange electric current tickle up her spine in a sensation she never felt before in her entire life.
"And why do you believe such a man wouldn't exist?" Elena almost didn't hear his question, too focused on the uncommon emotion she was experiencing but managed to find her voice that spoke her true mind, her guard thrown off balance.
"Because men are selfish, evil creatures. They only see women as tools to their means, whether it would be for desires, ambitions or simply having her bear a son to continue his greed. Very rarely are there good men." The image of her half-brother came to mind.
"It truly saddens me you believe that, midonna.. I, um.. I hope, possibly I can show you not all men are as you think?" Ezio's heart raced as fast as it ever did, the suspense of her silence putting him on edge. He read every move she made, hoping to find an answer already.
"If you were asking to court me, Ser (Sir) Ezio, I usually say no to offers I get from men," His heart instantly sunk as his face fell in disappointment, "but something compels me to say yes for now." Ezio's face broke into a grin, a row of teeth flashing brightly that made even Elena smile meekly as a tinge of pink crept on to her cheeks. She believed Madonna Maria Auditore truly did know how to bear handsome sons.
"I simply have one request, we can only see each other if I'm at Signore Leonardo's workshop. I wish to keep my parents far away from my personal life as possible." Ezio's mouth slightly pouted with curiosity but choose not to voice his inquiry, at least not yet and simply obliged with his new playmate. Reenacting the gesture he seen his older brother do countless times, Ezio left a gentle kiss on Elena's knuckles, leaving her timidly smiling; the very same effect his brother had on the ladies, he thought with pride. He watched her ascend the stone steps of her home before finally departing back to his home, choosing to travel over rooftops and buildings as he was in too good of a mood to stay on the ground.