A/N: Sorry this took so long! Been having a bit of writer's block, plus I've been 'studying' the new Dev Diary for AC2 (About Ezio)


Ch 12

As I sat alone in the magnificent dining room, I hoped Ezio would return soon. I couldn't imagine what I'd do if he was gone for as long as he was before. I frowned to myself. I'm supposed to stay with him, though. I stood up from the table and left the room. I decided to keep myself busy while he was gone, and to look around the house.

I went from room to room, admiring the art in each. Some rooms had ornate rugs and tapestries, but sat empty, unused, and the art seemed overlooked in the admiration department. Every now and then I would see a servant or two, who would just about stare at me, but then approach me and ask if I needed anything. I politely declined, and they would bow and go back to what they were doing. After spending a few hours admiring, I found myself at another set of stairs. These weren't the stairs we had entered from last night. It appeared to lead to the third floor. Unsure on how to proceed, I weighed the pros and cons of ascending the stairs. Briefly looking around to see if there was anyone around to see me, I was rewarded with the obvious observation that no one was around. I timidly placed my right foot on the first step, for some reason, I thought an alarm would go off, or something. I looked around again, still saw nobody. Convinced I was in the clear, I slowly ascended the stairs, being careful so I wouldn't trip on my dress and fall.

I made it up the stairs without incident. I looked at my surroundings. This floor, as compared to the one below it, was rather drab. A few pieces of art hung along the main hallway, not as many as the second floor. A few doors were at the end of the hall. I opened the first, and it seemed to be some type of storage. "How boring." I said quietly. The door at the farthest end only lead to another set of stairs. Another door revealed an unused bedroom. Dust covered everything. Apparently the servants didn't clean this room for some reason. "One door to go," I whispered, and opened it. This room was obviously lived in. Papers were strewn across the desk, near the large window. I walked in, driven by curiosity. My attention was diverted, however, when something shiny on the bed caught my eye. Drawing closer to the bed, I realized what it was. It looked like a modified blade, attached to a gauntlet of some kind. I sat down on the bed, admiring the craftsmanship of the steel. The gauntlet intrigued me as well. Pointing the blade away from me, I eyeballed the gauntlet. One of my fingers must have hit a hidden trigger, because the blade slid out silently and swiftly. I nearly jumped off the bed, but managed to keep my composure.

The blade extended out pretty far, and as I examined it closer, it looked as if it was recently cleaned. As I focused on the blade, I found a sense of familiarity with it. I had seen a less elegant version of it when I had visited my grandparents! Feeling a little braver, I decided to try to put it on. I told myself it was just curiosity, as I slowly put the gauntlet over my wrist and arm, avoiding the blade, unconsciously knowing that the blade was meant to be under the forearm. I cinched the straps onto my arm as tightly as I could. The blade extended approximately two inches out, from my fingers. Looking at the gauntlet, I found a strange mechanism. I pressed it gingerly, and the blade quickly went back inside the gauntlet. "Ooh!" I said, a little louder than expected. I pressed the trigger again, and the blade emerged once more. I was thrilled. "How sneaky!" I cried out. "I wonder, is this an assassin's blade, like I heard about as a kid...?"

"It's been called that, yes." I heard Ezio's voice from the doorway.

"Oh, God! Ezio!" I nearly screamed. "I... I... I'm sorry, I got nosy!" I blurted, and put my arms behind my back, to hide the fact I had been wearing the gauntlet. "Please forgive me!"

Ezio gave a faint smile. "I didn't tell you to not come up here. So, it's not as if you disobeyed my wishes." He leaned to his side, and smiled wider. "I see you found my blade." I shifted uncomfortably on the bed.

"Yes, it's very interesting, Ezio." I hit the trigger mechanism once more, and the blade retracted. Loosening the straps on the gauntlet, I let it slide off my arm. "You put a lot of attention on it." I said.

"And how would you know, miss Alessandra?" He winked.

"Well, I told you last night, that I used to train with my brothers." Ezio nodded, and I continued. "It wasn't just hand to hand fighting. I learned how to wield a blade, and to properly care for them. But, this is a new one on me." I motioned towards the assassin's blade.

"But you know what it is." Ezio added.

"Vaguely," I sighed. "I saw something like it before, not as elegant though, when I was being nosy at my grandparent's home. The one I saw there was very old, and looked like it had seen some use. I never asked about it though, seeing how they didn't even know I found it."

"Aren't you the sneaky one!" Ezio laughed heartily. "Can I ask, once we get back from Leonardo's, would you care to show me your skills?"

"What, in my dress?" I scoffed.

"I would say naked, but that would be bad." Ezio chuckled.

"Oh, for crying out loud, Ezio, you're dirty!" I laughed.

"If the situation called for it, would you be able to fight in your dress?" He questioned, a smirk still playing on his face.

"Heh. You know, I never really tried. You know, except for that whole face kicking incident earlier." I let out a small giggle.

"And as I keep saying, you were amazing. It's truly hard to find a woman around here who can take care of herself like you did."

But I cried like a child when I lost you, I wanted to say, but kept my mouth shut.

"I would just call it 'survival instinct'." I flashed a smile at Ezio.

"So you are not just beautiful, but deadly as well, my dear..." Ezio strode into the room finally, moving closer to me. "You should smile like this more often, Alessandra. It makes you look all that more gorgeous."

"W...Well..it's because of you, Ezio! I was never really happy...until I met you. It makes me happy, as well, that you'd introduce me to your friend. I can't wait to meet him! And I think...I might...lov..." I felt my face start warming up, as I poured out my thoughts to him. "Oh, there I go again! Don't mind me, I am just rambling." I fumbled with my hands, trying to escape my situation. He must have sensed my agitation, because he had come up and taken my hand.

"If you do not wish to say it, then don't. Don't worry. Now, lets get you back downstairs, so you can eat, and see your new dresses. Tomorrow we will go to visit Leonardo. He will be expecting us bright and early, so make sure you get a good night's rest." Ezio helped me off the bed like a gentleman, and lead me back downstairs. I can't wait for tomorrow! I thought excitedly.