Behold! A new chapter! God, it's actually tiring trying to think of a different introduction/greeting each time O.o Onwards to "Thank you reviewers!" time.
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Disclaimer: I don't own Assassin's Creed 2 or any of it's characters, capische? :) Yeah, I couldn't think of a better one this time... xD
Chapter 10: Who Invited These Guys?
Today is a better day. The sun is shining, which always makes one's mood better. After my tearful breakdown due to the evil that is homesickness and a trip down memory lane setting me off, I feel better. I think I just needed to let it all out. Except, I let it all out on Ezio. Kind of embarrassing, but hey to the ho. As I look at myself in the mirror, I decide that I fancy a change. Hmm, I'm feeling like getting a new dress. I don't have much money at the moment, but looking never hurt anyone. Maybe I could nicely ask Ezio to give me a loan later if I see one that I like…
"Leonardo, I'm just popping to the market quickly. I won't be long" I call out as I walk to the door. No answer. That's odd. I pause at the door.
"Leonardo?" I try again, "Leonardo, where are you?" Hmm, strange. Maybe he popped out as well. I leave the studio and close the door behind me, and merrily walk to the tailors.
"Leonardo! Leonardo!" Ezio calls as he repeatedly knocks on Leonardo's carved door.
"Mi dispiace, Messer…but he is gone. Meastro Leonardo was commissioned by a Venetian noble to paint some portraits" explains the funny little man. He continues, telling Ezio, "He paid for the Maestro to move his entire workshop to Venezia. It's quite an opportunity." He finishes.
"Grazie mille, friend" thanks Ezio, before the helpful man walks on his merry way.
"Hey," I say cheerfully as I approach Ezio who is leaning against Leonardo's door.
"Caio, mia cara" Ezio answers as he pushes himself from the door and takes several steps towards me. "Where have you been?"
"Oh, just the tailors. I want a new dress. Getting a bit bored of wearing just one all the time and want to, y'know, shake my world up a little bit. Anyway, what are you doing waiting outside? You usually just barge straight in" I joke, as a smile plays on my lips.
"Leonardo isn't here. He's moving to Venice. Something about a…commission"
Of course! I knew Leonardo moved to Venice, but I didn't realise that time was fast approaching. I know what order the events are going to happen in, but I don't have a bloody clue what exact day or time.
"Sounds like quite an opportunity." I muse.
"Yes, so I've heard…" Ezio replies, an eyebrow raised. "Come, we can ride to the mountains and try to catch him up. He can't have gotten far" Ezio playfully smiles.
"Right behind you, amico!" I cheerily reply, returning the smile. "Nice cape…" I state, gently touching Ezio's arm which the cape slightly covers, as we walk away and leave Leonardo's studio behind.
"I rather like it myself. It is a gift from Lorenzo de Medici" Of course, I already know that…
As we step out of Florence, I feel a sense of anxiety. Probably because we're going somewhere I've never been before and leaving familiarity behind. I'm not one for change. Which is ironic because ending up here is the biggest change you could throw at me.
"I think it is best if you jump on the back of my horse" Ezio suggests as he mounts his dark steed.
"Why? I've ridden a horse before. Albeit, only twice…but still, it's not like I'm new to it anymore"
"Yes, but if you still mount the horse the way that you did so the first time, Leonardo would have already finished his painting before we even get to Forli" Ezio remarks, whilst sporting a cheeky grin spreading from ear to ear.
"Oh, hilarious!" I sarcastically reply as I look up at Ezio, "I'll have you know that I actually managed to get on the horse pretty quickly on my second go. And it remained under control. I am a natural, really. I'm like… the horse whisperer!"
Ezio only laughs, which basically means, "Just shut up and get on my damn horse." I comply.
It's actually taking me longer to get on the back because I don't have the stirrups to use. Ezio's hogging them. So now I'm struggling and taking twice…no, maybe four times as long to get on. Oh, and look. Now Ezio has to get off and lift me up. If I could get a pound for every awkward/embarrassing moment that I have been part of since I've been here, I would be a millionaire.
"Are you finally ready? asks Ezio. What a bloody cheek! It was his freakin' idea for me to ride on his horse with him!
"Hey! Don't you start making out that it's my fault I've taken ages and wasted time! It was your idea to do this," I prod him in the side gently, "and it took even longer!"
Why do I get the sense that Ezio is rolling his eyes right now? Without as much as a warning, Ezio digs his heels into the horse's side making it break into a run, causing me to nearly fall backwards and wrap my arms around Ezio's waist tightly.
The ride to the mountain is over as quickly as it started. Is that because Ezio was riding goddamn fast? Or is it because I had my eyes clamped shut because of the terrifyingly odd sensation of sitting on the back of a horse, and holding onto an assassin was my only way of staying on? It beats me. Hmm, I'm hungry…
Ezio lightly pulls on the reigns; his horse obeying his silent command and grinding to a complete halt.
"Leonardo!" Ezio cheerfully exclaims as he dismounts.
"Ezio?" Leonardo questions as he looks up at Ezio, who is casually taking several steps forward. "What luck! I, er…" he says rubbing the back of his neck whilst sheepishly adding, "I have run into a bit of trouble…"
"Let me see if I can help" Ezio chuckles, bending over slightly and resting his hands on his knees for support. I can actually get a good view of his arse from here. Very…peachy. I mentally slap myself hard for thinking such a thing, and swivel round on the horse and jump down. Unfortunately, I land in a big pile of mud. Oohh, lovely jubbly.
"I know how to fix it, but lack the means to do so" explains Leonardo.
A-ha, cue Ezio's display of strength. Oo-er!
"…if you could just lift the wagon?" continues Leonardo, noticing me walking over in all my muddiness and sends a warm smile my way. I smile back and execute a little wave. So yeah, the short and short of it is, I probably looked a bit like a retard just then.
Whilst Ezio lifts the wagon and lets out a strained groan, my eyes flit over the area. I suddenly feel a sense of awkwardness. Is it because Ezio looks seriously hot right now? I'm going to say a resounding 'YES!"
"What's the matter, Ezio? Is the wagon too heavy?" I tease. Oh yeah, throw out the fishing rod, wait for him to take the bait…
"It is not too heavy, mia cara. Would you like to lift it?" Ezio counters. Ha, I have a nibble! Reel in, REEL IN!
"I think it's much more fun watching you" I reply, failing at hiding my wide grin. Leonardo merely watches the banter and can't help but smile either.
"What is this thing?" Ezio brushes off my wind up as he spots, yep you guessed it. Leonardo's flying machine!
"Eh?" Leonardo responds as he busies himself with fixing the wheel.
"It…" Ezio starts, struggling slightly with the weight of the wagon, "It looks like a giant bat"
"Oh, nothing. Just an idea I've been working on. I could not leave it behind." Leonardo says. Oh so secretive! But I can't blame him. If I came up with an invention so mind blowingly awesome and ground shattering, I wouldn't go blabbing it around.
After gently dropping the wagon, Ezio asks "What is it for?"
"Well, I shouldn't really talk about it… Eh! Che diavolo? I can't hold it in anymore!" says the excited artist as he clasps his two hands together. "Ezio, Megan." Leonardo says, looking over his shoulder before intently looking at me and Ezio, both standing there with our eyebrows raised and smiles on our faces. "I think I've figured out how to make a man fly!" Leonardo's eyes are wide and have lit up. I just love this man! Ezio lets out a small laugh, and I feel like hitting him. Oh well, Leonardo can have the last laugh when he sees his invention in action, and actually working.
"Come on, I'll drive" Ezio announces to me and a rather confused Leonardo.
"But I haven't even told you where I'm going" Leonardo answers.
"Oh, we already know, Leonardo. Oh, and by the way, can I squeeze at the front with you both?"
"There should be enough room, although it may be a bit…squishy" Ezio replies.
"Are you sure?" I enquire as I look up at Leonardo and Ezio sitting comfortably at the front of the wagon, Ezio already holding the reigns. "I mean, I don't want my arse pushing you both off"
"I'm sure we'll be just fine, Megan" Leonardo reassures me, and with that I climb aboard, if not in a rather clumsy 'whoops I just stepped on your foot' manner.
"Well, this is…intimate…" I decide to break the silence as we are slowly driving along, completely squished together, with me in the middle between Ezio and Leonardo.
"Don't tell me you don't like being pressed up against me" Ezio replies, a smirk spreading on his face.
"You're hilarious, Ezio. Really." I quip, and roll my eyes. This only makes Ezio's smirk grow, however. I wonder what would happen if I played along instead of making sarcastic remarks. Maybe I should try it some time. Ezio's reaction could be priceless. Or it could go tits up and backfire epically.
"Well, Venice here we come, baby!" I announce, rubbing my hands together. Almost like an evil mastermind fly.
"Hold your horses. We need to get to Forli first." Ezio remarks whilst smiling.
"Yeah, but ultimately we are going to Venice" I argue my point. "Dumbarse…" I add, but mutter it under my breath.
"Venezia. Such a beautiful city," Leonardo starts, as he soaks in his surroundings, "So many sources of inspiration!" As Leonardo begins to list some of these great sources of inspiration a thought comes to mind. Shouldn't Borgia's men be approaching right about now? As Ezio commands Leonardo to be quiet with his 'shushing', it is as if he is silencing my thoughts also.
"We are not alone" Ezio announces, and we all turn around to get a look at Borgia's men galloping towards us. Ah, right on schedule…
"Alright! Which one of you invited these mofos to our road trip?" I say, looking to both sides at Ezio and Leonardo with my eyebrows raised. I only get a raised eyebrow of concern from Leonardo and a dead pan "You're really not funny" look from Ezio.
"Hey! I'm trying to liven things up here!" I exclaim, my hands held up in defence.
Ezio snaps the reigns, giving us a speed boost. It would have been really epic if bright blue flames appeared from the wheels like in Mario Kart. But alas, that could only happen in my crazy fookin' mind.
"What's happening? Who are they?" Leonardo asks Ezio. Obviously he would know…
"Rodrigo Borgia's men" Ezio bluntly replies, whilst snapping away at the reigns and keeping his eyes fixed on the rocky road ahead.
"Why? What do they want with us?" Leonardo enquires, holding on to his adorable beret like hat.
As if on cue to answer his burning question, an arrow lodges itself into the wagon, and it wasn't far off from landing in my arse.
"I think they want us dead" Ezio answers, concern evident in his deep voice.
"Maybe they want you dead…" I muse aloud, only to get a glare from Ezio.
"I'm joking!" I hiss under my breath whilst ducking down as far as I can.
"Leonardo, hide!" Ezio commands and his friend obeys, taking cover next to his invention inside the wagon.
"Ezio, what is the plan exactly?" I ask, my voice adopting a higher tone thanks to my slight anxiety.
"There is no plan! We just try to outrun them"
"Fantastic..." I mutter under my breath, my lips twisting into a slight pout and my eyes rolling up to the sky. I'm getting too old for this!
"Get inside with Leonardo. It's too dangerous for you to be on top" Ezio orders firmly.
"What, because I am a woman? Listen, I'm staying on top. I can be a second pair of eyes for you."
Knowing full well that I will not budge, Ezio performs a defeated sigh and flicks the reigns, spurring the horses on to go faster. An arrow flies past my face so close, I swear I felt it. Y'know what?
"Screw this!" I say as I get up from my position at the front of the wagon and carefully climb into the carriage and join Leonardo. I don't know what he is more worried about losing. His hat or his invention. Borgia's men are getting even closer, and I know what stunts they're gonna try and pull. One eyes the distance between himself and the wagon, and deciding that it isn't too big a gap, pushes himself off of his horse and onto the carriage.
"They're trying to climb on board! Knock them off!" commands Leonardo, who is almost hugging his invention to protect it.
I decide that Ezio needs some help getting these mofos off the carriage, and so I lean out of the 'window' and try to grab the guard's ankle to pull him down and prevent him from standing on the top, but it is no use.
"Ezio, someone's on top!" Leonardo exclaims, "Do sharp turns to make the carriage roll!"
As soon as Leonardo says this, the carriage immediately turns sharply, causing me to knock my stomach on the side of the carriage as I am still leaning out of the window. Thank God I didn't go tumbling out. That would be a bit of a fail. Trophy unlocked: Ditch your ally during the chariot chase, because hey, you don't really need her.
"Oof!" I mumble as I rub my stomach and stagger backwards closer to Leonardo and sit down. The carriage is going all over the place. Me and Leonardo are practically bouncing around and sliding at each end of the carriage, with not amused facial expressions, I might add. Oh..Oh GOD! Holy shit!
"Hey, Ezio!" I shout as I bang the 'ceiling' of the wagon, "When Leonardo said 'Do sharp turns to make the carriage roll' I don't think he meant to make the whole thing tip over and promptly kill us all! Do you want t-" But I am cut short, as I notice a couple of Borgia's bastards on the bridge. Oh yeah, you know what they're about to do.
"Oh, for the love of…" I mumble, my mouth open wide.
"Hold on tight. It's going to be a little rough!" Ezio calls from above.
Oh joy! I've never ridden through fire in a wooden carriage before, but I've always wanted to, I sarcastically think. I love how the only things I can think of in this time of crisis are merely sarcastic comments. Anything to save the day? No. Anything…worthwhile? God, no!
As we ride through the flames, I go incredibly tense. I'm serious, my arse clenched in. Yeah, exactly...
I look behind to see the bridge fall apart, and guards on horseback fall to their deaths.
"Yeah, alright! Great work Ezio, keep it up!" I exclaim, egging Ezio on.
"So now you want to praise me, eh?" Ezio calls back, still focusing on the road, weaving in and out of the flames that have started in certain areas on the road thanks to the archers firing their goddamn flaming arrows.
"Hold on Ezio, we're almost there!" Leonardo exclaims.
The distance between us and the guards is becoming greater. But, they are still on our tail. Leonardo leaves his machine's side and joins Ezio on the top of the wagon, while I follow and make my way to the top, too.
"Go Leonardo. They are here for me, not you" Ezio explains, whilst handing the reigns to Leonardo. "I'll catch up with you later. Megan, stay with Leonardo. I'll see you both soon"
"If you're late and we miss the boat…" I warn, as I pop up from inside the wagon.
"Don't worry, I won't miss it. I'll catch you up" Ezio replies before jumping off the fast moving carriage and landing into a roll. Yeah, hell no to me doing that. I'll stay all kushty with Leonardo.
Thanks for reading! :) This is most likely the last chapter you'll be getting for a while. Brotherhood is out tomorrow and the little spare time I get is gonna be dedicated to playing that lol. But don't worry, I'll try to get another chappie up asap for you awesome guys :D