The days flew by and it was time for Carnevale. Catalina and the other Assassins were preparing to head out for a night of fun. She was unaware that they had set up a party for her birthday.
Catalina stood in her room, checking herself out in her mirror. The dress looks great, she thought, making a mental note to thank her friends later. She went over to her vanity and picked up the silver mask she had bought Ezio. I hope he likes it, she thought as she turned and headed out of her room.
She made her way downstairs, hearing voices from the kitchen. Ezio, she thought, recognizing his voice. And Claudia?
Stop breaking into my house, Ezio, she thought as she headed to the front door. I'll give him his mask when we meet up in front of the bordello. She reached for the knob and froze when she heard them mention her name. She felt the tug of curiosity. No! Don't eavesdrop. It isn't a mission. She stood there, hand inches from the knob, unable to will herself to leave. She tuned her senses to the kitchen, hoping to catch more than just her name.
"She should be on her way. If we leave now, we can beat her and finish setting up," Claudia said.
"Then let's go," Ezio replied.
Damn! She quickly slipped out and shut the door quietly. She picked up her skirt and hurried into a thick crowd to disappear. What were they talking about? What are they setting up? She furrowed her brow. It doesn't make sense. What could they be planning? A party for tonight?
A scream startled her out of her thoughts. She whipped her head in the direction of the scream and saw a man and woman laughing. "You scared me, dear!" the woman laughed. Catalina rolled her eyes. Had me worried there. She turned her attention to her home, spotting Ezio and Claudia walking away from it. I'll follow them.
She shadowed them, keeping out of sight. There were a few times they stopped to buy some things and she swore Ezio knew she was following them by the way he turned his head a bit every time. She stopped when they began walking along the road to the La Rosa della Virtù. So they were coming here as well. She waited till they were inside before sighing and walking up to the door.
She stopped herself from knocking. I should wait a bit before going inside. Make it more believable. She walked away to explore for a bit. She fiddled with the mask as she walked, enjoying the sights. This is my favorite time of year. She stopped and watched a performer blow fire into the air. Her brown eyes sparkled with awe. Wow! she thought excitedly.
She jumped when a hand landed on her shoulder just after she sensed someone behind her. She stepped forward and turned around quickly, ready to fight. She let out a sigh, seeing it was Ezio. "Really?" she huffed, embarrassed.
He laughed. "Sorry. I just couldn't help myself." His hood was down and his eyes glittered with amusement. She smiled. "What happened to meeting in front of the bordello?" she asked as she moved away from the performer to escape the flames.
"Well, I decided I couldn't wait to meet you." His words made her shake her head with a laugh. His eyes landed on the mask. "Who is it for?"
She was confused for a brief second before realizing he was talking about the mask. She felt her cheeks heat up as she held it out to him. "I bought it for you. I figured you would like to enjoy dressing up a bit."
He smiled. "Grazie, Catalina." He took it from her and put it on. "Show me around?"
"With pleasure," she said as they started walking. "They hold games that I think you'd quite enjoy. Races, fighting, ribbon-gathering and so on."
"Sounds like fun."
"Tonight I will be one of the girls with a ribbon if you decide to play."
"I think I will."
She felt the heat in her cheeks become stronger. Stop blushing! she shouted in her mind at herself. She glanced at him. "Have you tried any of the foods yet?" she asked, knowing full well he had at one of the stops with Claudia.
"Don't you know that answer?"
She irked and looked away with embarrassment. "I don't know what you're talking about." Her reaction made him laugh as they maneuvered through a crowd.
"I knew you wouldn't be able to resist following us. I saw you through the crowd after you left."
"Oh, come on, Ezio! There is no way you knew!"
"You're in an all blue dress with ribbons hanging from your waist. You're really obvious."
"You saw me when that man moved from in front of me, didn't you?"
"Yes."
She sighed. "I had hoped you hadn't seen me."
"We will work on your stealth."
"Hey!" She playfully punched his arm. "I am not that bad!"
He laughed as he rubbed where she punched him. "Sorry. I had to."
Together, they walked back to the bordello, laughing as they joked around. Just before she was about to open the door, he took her hand and pulled her away. "Why don't we enjoy some time alone together before going inside, bella?"
She blushed again as she gave a look of confusion. "Okay?" She let him pull her away to a bench. He sat down, letting go of her hand. She was even more confused. I was hoping for something more romantic than sitting for some reason. She sat beside him anyway. "What's really going on?"
"Nothing is going on," he said, putting on an act of innocence.
She thought for a moment. I know how to get information from you. She hugged his arm, pressing her chest against it, lowering her eyes seductively. "Come on, Ezio. Please tell me," she pleaded, doing her best to be cute or sexy. I cannot believe I'm doing this. She cursed herself in her mind as he smiled.
"So very tempting, Catalina." He leaned down to where their faces were a few inches apart. "But there is nothing I'm hiding," he said before stealing a kiss. She felt her face become hot. Damn! He got me!
She pulled away. "You bastardo!" she snapped as he began laughing. She huffed as she stood. What is with him? He grabbed her hand and she snatched her hand away.
"Catalina, I'm sorry! I couldn't help myself." He stood and pulled her into a hug. "Let's go for a walk."
She stayed silent as she thought about it. "Fine," she said, forgiving him after a moment. He let her go and they started walking. She linked her arm with his, a smile on her face. "You owe me."
"What did you have in mind?"
"I'll think of it later. For now, let's have fun."
They headed back to the La Rosa della Virtù after a while. When they walked inside, Claudia greeted them. She smiled as their friends walked into the room. "Happy birthday, Catalina!" they cheered. Catalina put on a smile as dread filled her being. I had forgotten it was my birthday. Rosa, where are you?
She pretended to be happy as they celebrated her birthday inside till dark. For the rest of the night, they were going to celebrate it during Carnevale.
"See you later, Ezio," she said when it was time for the games. "Make sure you win."
Ezio smiled. "I will." He took her hand and kissed the back of it. "I have a surprise for you later."
She blushed and smiled. "I am eager to know what it is." They parted ways. She made her way through the city to where a group of women with the same colored dresses and ribbons waited for her. She smiled when she found them and joined their circle. "I love this game," she said, forcing her sister to the back of her mind. The memory of her betrayal had plagued her mind since the surprise.
"I wonder who will win this year," an older woman said, her brown eyes full of excitement. "My husband won last year."
"Oh, Maria! You two married?" Catalina exclaimed happily. Her spirits were lifting.
Maria nodded as the other women leaned a bit closer, eager to hear all about how it came to be. Maria smiled as she began. "As you know, thanks to my skirt getting caught on the wood of that stand, we met when he helped me get it unstuck. We met again when he entered the games and came to us to gather our ribbons."
"Hello, ladies," interrupted a voice. Catalina turned and smiled. "Ezio, you found me already."
Ezio smiled as he easily took their ribbons from their waists. "I followed you after they started the game."
"You sneak," she laughed. "Good luck on the others."
"See you afterwards, bella," he said before kissing her cheek and walking away.
"Catalina, I think he likes you," Maria said as they watched him walk away.
Catalina shook her head. "It is just friendly flirting. I don't really have time to deal with love."
"I know you're an Assassin but you have to have time for love," another woman scolded.
"No, I don't, Angela. I am busy with work."
"Come on. Just give it a chance," Angela persisted. "You have been on your own for so long."
"No!" she snapped, turning around and crossing her arms.
"Catalina, are you scared of being betrayed?" she asked quietly.
"Yes," she replied before walking away. I can't handle this. She fought back her tears as her mind whirled with her sister's betrayal. We went through so much together and she betrayed me.
She was blinded by her thoughts as she hurried through the crowded streets, trying to find somewhere to be alone. Why did my birthday have to be celebrated? Don't they know this is the day she hurt me?
She turned into an alley and stopped herself in time from stepping over the edge at the end. Below, the water moved ever onward, unaware of the life it almost took. I can't swim in dresses. She backed away, her heart pounding in her chest.
She sank to her knees as she hugged herself. I thought I was over it! She had managed to convince herself she was fine. So much time had passed that she should have been fine. So why did every birthday hurt? Love isn't worth this pain. I want to be alone for all my life. I don't want to be hurt again.
She began sobbing as her memories took over. The day she saved her sister from being kidnapped. The time they robbed a noble's house together. All the days they stole food to try and survive.
How can someone betray someone after all they've been through? She looked up when the fireworks entered her haze of sadness. The bright colors reminded her of her meeting with Ezio. I need to calm down. Things will get easier, right? It's my birthday. I should be happy. She wiped her tears away and got up. It was a while before she was sure she was calm enough to go meet with him.
She took a deep breath and walked out of the alley. She made her way back to where they had parted at the beginning of the games. Once back in the large clearing overlooking the ocean, she waited for him on a bench, using the time alone to calm down more.
She fiddled with her skirt, distracting herself with ideas for a new design for next year. Some time passed before someone sat beside her. Ezio finally arrived, she thought with a sigh. "Are you okay, Catalina?" She looked over at the person in surprise. It wasn't Ezio like she thought.
The man wore the robes of the brotherhood but she didn't recognize him. "Who are you?"
"I'm one of the new apprentices. My name is Piero da Mosco. I noticed you seem upset. May I ask why?"
Catalina couldn't help but smile. He is trying to be helpful. "I am sorry but this isn't something I can talk about freely."
"Oh. Well, why don't we dance?"
"Actually I am waiting for Ezio."
"You're friends with him?"
She nodded. "But you seem sweet so I will give you a dance."
He smiled and stood. He held out his hand and she took it. He helped her up. "How do you like the brotherhood?" she asked as they walked away to a spot clear from the party goers.
"I enjoy it. Fighting for a better world has always been my dream."
"You seem to be an interesting fellow, Piero. I feel you will go far."
"Thank you for the compliment. It is an honor coming from you."
They began to dance. Catalina giggled a bit. "Have I really made such an impact among the apprentices?"
"Yes, you have!" He became excited, unable to hold back his admiration of her. "We hear so many amazing stories about your adventures. Many of us want to be like you."
She blushed with embarrassment. "You flatter me." They walked in a circle, their linked hands in the air. Her sixth sense then kicked in as the moonlight glinted off of his bracer on his right arm.
