Author: This is a short chapter, but they won't always be this short. I also tried to keep the language simple, as they are about ten years old here. Hoped that translated well…anyway, read and review! I love reviews!
Paulia tried to block out the laughter of the other girls as she picked her books up out of the mud, but it was hard with them enclosing in around her, a pack of lionesses ready to pounce on their helpless prey. Paulia bit back tears that threatened to pour down her face in hot streams. Soon she tasted the metallic tang of blood, her teeth breaking flesh.
The laughing reached a crescendo when one girl kicked the books Paulia had gathered back up right out of her hands. Paulia did not think she would be able to hold the tears back much longer. They were closing in and she could barely see through the haze of pain and fear. She reached for her books, fingers feeling the reassuring leather. She saw the girl's foot rise to strike her again, and she felt the tears break free. Wouldn't they ever get tired of tormenting her?
The girl, however, never got to get at Paulia's books, for in seconds flat she was on her hind in on the cobblestone road, blinking and confused. The other girls scrambled, letting out shrill screams. They scattered down the streets, running back home to their mothers.
The girl on the ground remained there, beginning to cry when she realized she had been shoved. She looked over to Paulia to see if it had been the other girl, but Paulia herself was still kneeling on the ground, gathering her book hastily. So the girl turned her eyes up and saw Ezio Auditore glaring down at her.
"Get out of here Cristina!" Ezio snapped, crossing his arms over his chest, "and tell your friends that if I see them messing with Paulia again they won't like the results!" Ezio growled when Cristina rose to her feet, but let her run off without another word. He turned back to Paulia, who had finally picked her books back up and regained her feet. "Are you alright?" He asked, moving over to her, arms out to embrace her.
Paulia turned her face away, attempting to hide the fat tears that were running down her cheeks. She didn't hide them well and Ezio took immediate notice, reaching his hand out to wipe her tears away with his sleeve.
"Paulia, I told you to never listen to them," Ezio murmured, brows coming together in worried lines.
Paulia pushed his hand away gently, "I didn't," she whispered, "Until they pushed me." Paulia looked down the road, the direction to her villa, and sighed, "Ezio, would you mind walking me the rest of the way home?" She didn't really expect him to agree. These days Ezio was much too busy to spend time with her. But to her surprise and relief he nodded his head and took her books from her arms.
They started down the road in silence. It wasn't exactly companionable and Paulia worried her already torn lip, searching for something to say to Ezio, anything to break the silence, but she couldn't think of anything. At only ten years of age Paulia lacked proper words. It was no longer as simple as laughing and playing. They used to not have to say anything. But now it seemed Paulia had to find words or else she would go mad from the quiet.
Something caught her eye, distracting her and she looked up. It was a construction site, the erection of a brand new villa, but for now it was razed land, and flat patch of ugly dirt. At the sight of it Paulia felt her stomach squeeze uncomfortably tight. She could see a small clump of purple flowers struggling to grow through the flattened ground.
Ezio was watching as they passed by as well, but as soon as he found that Paulia had seen he averted his eyes to the ground. Her eyes drifted there as well. They moved passed the sight, and Paulia wandered if Ezio was feeling the same painful tightness in his stomach as well. She eyed him out of the corner of her eyes and opened her mouth to finally break the silence.
Before she could say a word, however, a cry rose and out of a nearby alley a flock of boys came rushing out, calling to Ezio and gesturing wildly. One boy elbowed his way to the front, huffing puffing and looking upset. He spoke up, casting Paulia a nasty look.
"Ezio! What are you doing? The Gorgi boys are mucking around in our territory again! We need you!"
Ezio paused and turned to Paulia, still holding her books. She sighed and took them from him, turning away, "Go on then," She muttered. Out of the corner of her eyes she could see Ezio hesitate, his eyes flashing, unsure. Then he turned, running off with the other boys, leaving Paulia to feel the acute disappointment she was growing more and more used to. She let out a long breath, walking back to her villa alone.
When she walked through the front door her parents were bustling about. Paulia did not bother to ask. She knew they were going out for the night, to a party or whatever, and she would be left with the maid. She said nothing to her parents as she walked up the stairs to her own room, taking each step slowly, already feeling sore. When she reached her room she closed the door with a long exhale.
Paulia lit a few candles and set to work drying her book. It was a delicate process, and when Paulia finally called it quits they were still damp and a little dirty, but they were not at all ruined and just needed a bit of time to dry. While she waited Paulia shrugged out of her dirty dressed and slipped into a nice, dry, and not to mention warm night gown.
The maid popped her head in to see how Paulia was doing, asking if the little girl needed anything. Paulia shook her head, thanking the maid, who smiled and closed the door, leaving her to her own devices.
Already she was feeling better, and she retreated to her bed with one of the driest books, being impatient and wanting to start one.
So curling up under the blankets Paulia got comfortable and gently flipped the book open, settling back to enjoy the story. She did not get very far, however, before she was interrupted by the sound of a light tap at her window. Paulia grunted, thinking it nothing more than a bird, or something of the sort. She went back to reading, but the bird was very persistent. It gave a sound rap on the glass, and, with a start, Paulia hopped up to see what it was with a grumble.
She threw open the window and nearly screamed when she saw Ezio Auditore hanging from her window sill. She was on the second story! How had he gotten up there? "What are you doing?" She hissed, looking out to make sure no one saw him. It was getting dark and the shadows of the deepening dusk masked Ezio from prying eyes, but still…he could not stay there.
"Just help me in!" He grumbled, beginning to struggle to keep himself up.
Paulia huffed and began to help pull him through her window, being sure to keep quiet as to not alarm the maid. She certainly did not want the woman bustling up here to check on her now.
Ezio pulled himself in and slid to the floor, staying there for a few moments to rest. He would certainly feel that in his arms the next morning…He caught his breath and looked up at Paulia, smiling.
"What are you doing here?" She asked, still not quite believing he had dared to do what he had. She went to sit on her bed, her book now forgotten amongst her covers.
"I came to see you," Ezio explained. His smile fell at the sight of the purple bruises that were already beginning to form against her soft skin and the tone of her voice. Did she not want him here? He stood, joining her on her bed.
Paulia turned her head away with a jerk, as she had before, but this time there were no tears, she just didn't seem to want to look at him. A lump rose in his throat, and he was contemplating leaving, but he did not want to leave her. Already he could feel the defeat worming its way up his throat, and he hadn't even left yet.
However Paulia halted his thoughts when she suddenly turned and buried her face in his shoulder, flooding Ezio with relief. He wrapped his arms around her in a hug, smiling. They didn't speak for some time, and eventually Ezio laid them both down, drawing the covers over them.
"Your father will be cross," Paulia muttered, her eyes looking up at him, searching his face.
Ezio shrugged. He was enjoying this far too much to care about the consequences that were sure to come the following day. It had been far too long since the last time the two of them had enjoyed a moment of peace together. At that moment, cuddled with Paulia under the warm blankets, he felt like a small boy again.
Again silence. Ezio was beginning to think Paulia had fallen asleep, then she spoke up again, but this time her words confused the ten year old boy, and unsettled him deeply.
"I'm scared, Ezio,"
Ezio blinked. What could she be scared of, the girls? "Don't be scared Paulia, I won't let them hurt you anymore," He tried to reassure her, holding her closer.
Paulia shook her head, "I'm not scared of them," She muttered.
"Then what are you afraid of?"
Paulia didn't answer for quite some time, a sigh came and she closed her eyes, "I don't know."
Ezio's brow furrowed, he did not understand, and he eventually just gave up on trying understanding. He gave her a squeeze, "well don't worry, Paulia, I'll be here, I'll protect you."
Paulia wanted to snap at him, tell him that 'sure you're here now, but where will you be in the morning? With the boys?' But she held back, knowing biting comments would do no good, and she just enjoyed the time she had with Ezio at that moment.
Despite her trying to hide her unease, Ezio felt her stir and he tightened his grip around her, "Sleep, Paulia, I'll be here." He murmured, closing his own eyes.
Paulia wanted to keep Ezio talking, afraid that if she did fall asleep that he would disappear, or this would turn out to be a dream. In her mind she knew it was silly, but her heart still tightened with unease. Soon however, her drowsiness got the better of her. She snuggled closer to Ezio's side, listening to how his breath slowed and grew even. The sound of it lulled Paulia to sleep, and she eventually gave in to slumber.
The next morning the two children awoke before even the sun so that Ezio may leave without being seen. He exited the way he came, out the window and down the side of the house. Paulia leaned out of her window, watching him climb down, making sure he did not hurt himself. It was a misty twilight; the start to a beautiful morning, the sky was a silvery grey, a still transition from the inky blackness of night to the bright glow of the morning. A breeze blew and the air was cool, but not chilly. Florence was still asleep and it was peaceful out. It was as if they were the only two stirring at this time.
Ezio reached the ground safely and he shot a smile up at Paulia, showing off a bit, before raising a hand in fond farewell. They did not dare to exchange words, afraid that even whispers would wake the slumbering. When Paulia waved back to him, mouthing a good bye, Ezio took off at a run back to his villa. He knew what would be awaiting him. His father would furious. This was not the first night he had not returned, but Ezio found himself not regretting his decision, and hardly fearing the scolding he would receive.
Ezio had enjoyed his time with his longest friend. The two of them hardly spent time together anymore, and the thought of it made Ezio sad. However his heart was warm with the memory of the previous hours. He hadn't realized how much he had missed even the simplest form of Paulia's company. He had tried to get the other boys to accept Paulia, but they had spit on the idea of a girl joining them. Ezio had tried to explain that she was not like other girls, but they would not listen.
Ezio slowed down when his villa was in sight, and swallowed hard when he saw his father sanding outside, waiting for him, his arms crossed and his face drawn with deep lines of severity. Ezio took his scolding without saying a word. He certainly could not tell him where he had been, he wouldn't understand.
He hardly noticed when his father dismissed him, his mind still on his friend. He turned and walked out of his father's office and went to find his older brother. Ezio wouldn't forget about Paulia. He had promised her after all. Maybe Fredrico would have some answers. Something was unsettling Ezio in his heart, but he could not put a name to what was bothering him and he felt as if a cloud was looming over he and Paulia, like the dark, roiling clouds that gathered before a violent storm, and Ezio was afraid he would not be able to protect her from it.
