Illusions

Chapter 2 - Apples

"So you like her then?" Federico questioned as he took a large bite out of a crusty piece of bread. The two brothers had taken residence on the roof of a building not far from their palazzo, wanting to escape the awful interrogation Ezio had received from his mother about his chaperoned date.

"I don't know what to think." Ezio said, running his hand through his hair. "She was very quiet."

Federico laughed. "Are you sure you left her enough room to speak, fratello?" Federico playfully pushed his brother's shoulder as they both laughed.

Ezio yanked the piece of bread from his brothers hand and demolished it in one mouthful, but as he swallowed a shadow on the roof caught his eye. "What was that?" he said, his eyes fixed on the shadow, stood as still as a statue, on the rooftop.

Federico squinted, trying to pinpoint what exactly Ezio was talking about. "What are you looking at?"

Ezio grabbed his brothers chin, his eyes never leaving the shadow, and directed his brothers gaze towards it. "That."

Suddenly the figure shifted quickly, reducing itself to a dark blur as it ran towards an unsuspecting guard. The figure launched itself onto the guard, slamming his face into the tiles and driving a blade into his neck.

Then, it turned towards the brothers.

Ezio felt a shiver trickle down his spine like a drop of ice water.

From what Ezio could see in the dim light of the moon, the figure was clad in dark robes. They were simple and durable, and there were strips of metal and leather armour in various places around it. All but the figures' eyes were covered in clothing and for a split second, Ezio could've sworn he saw their colour beyond the reflection of the light.

The figure placed on foot forward and then calmly stepped from the edge of the roof and fell out of sight.

…

Sleep did not come easily that night. He briefly considered visiting Cristina to calm whatever was running rampage in his head, but he felt that he owed something to his mother and his new fidanzata. But he still yearned for her, and it was killing him not to give in to his desires. He tossed and he turned, grumbling as the usual solace he found in his bed could not be found. Surely, it must be near dawn. It wouldn't harm anyone if he went for a walk.

With that thought in his mind he dressed quickly, not even bothering to don a waistcoat or shave the stubble appearing evenly across his cheeks and jaw.

He tried to shake it off the feeling, taking a large lungful of the crisp morning air and landing nimbly on his feet. It was quiet, as was expected from the time of day, but in the dim light of the absent sun, people were already milling around and chatting excitedly. Stalls were already set up in anticipation of the crowds, hoping to make good money this fine day.

A loud familiar voice pulled his attention from his thoughts to a small market stall covered with every fruit imaginable. A young woman stood with her back to Ezio, her basket full of other market goods, shouting at the stall owner and immediately, he knew who she was. Mainly due to the fact her hair was twice as large and twice as curly as yesterday.

"You call this a fair price? What, are there diamonds in the cores of these apples?" she spat, her usual fair voice taking on a rough tone. The stall owner was terrified, shrugging his shoulders while looking on with a baffled expression. Ezio was no different, as the woman stood before him was not the woman he had met yesterday.. "If you want business compagno, then you'd better lower these damn prices. No one will pay 50 florins for five apples! I could hire courtesans for less!"

Ezio clamped his hand over his mouth as he choked back a snigger. It wasn't quick enough though, as Freyja turned as she heard him, her eyes widening with surprise. "Signore Ezio!" she stuttered. "W-what a pleasure it is to see you." Her cheeks flushed with colour as she dipped her head low, suddenly afraid of what he may think.

Ezio cleared his throat, smiling widely."Allow me, bella donna," he chuckled and leisurely strolled up to the stall holder. "Would you mind lowering the price for the signorina?" he gave a cocky wink.

The stall owner grumbled under his breath, fanning out of large moustache as he did. He slowly loaded the apples into the young lady's basket and accepted no less than twenty florins. Freyja couldn't bring herself to meet Ezio's gaze. "Grazie mille." she said sarcastically to the stall owner under her breath.

Ezio watched her hips sway as she walked from him, pushing past the crowd to catch up. "Not even a thank you for me, signorina?"

The woman laughed sarcastically. "For embarrassing me? No, I think I'm alright."

Ezio sucked in a breath. "I didn't embarrass you. What are you talking about?"

"I didn't need your help. Nor your damned chivalry. I don't want people to handle things for me like that." She walked faster, desperate to get away from him, now worried the impact of her behaviour would greatly effect the future of their relationship. Christ, what would he think of a woman like me? Men like their woman quiet as mouses. If only I was, perhaps things could've been different.

"I was only-"

Freyja stopped abruptly, unable to control her temper, causing Ezio to almost slam his chest into her nose. She stared at him directly in the eyes with the anger of a raging bull. "Well next time, don't."

She turned again, her long, her obscenely curly brown hair swinging as she went, and hurried down the street leaving Ezio dumbstruck in the crowds."Freyja! I need to to help me pick my jaw up from the ground!"

"Fottiti!" she called over her shoulder.

Ezio felt a tingle in his chest and a smile grow on his face. Now this was a refreshing change. "Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?" he shouted back, but she never even acknowledged he had even spoken.

He should've been angry at the her for being so impolite to him, yet he saw a completely new and exciting side to his fidanzata which made the prospect of marriage marginally less daunting. But then, he realised that perhaps he should not have seen that side of her.

…

A knock on the door broke Ezio from his trance. Idly, he had been scribbling nothings on a page of his journal when his father came to talk. "Come in." Ezio said, his eyes still transfixed on the messy handwriting as his father entered his bedroom.

"Can we speak, mio figlio?" Giovanni asked, closing the door behind him. Ezio placed his quill down and turned in his seat to face his father. "I know you are not happy with this proposal, and you can say no if you really wish, but I implore you to consider what that may cost, Ezio."

Something stirred inside of Ezio. A bloom of guilt and sadness overtook him. "Father, I-"

"I know it is sudden and forced but I assure you, you will have everything. A large palazzo, a stable job, a beautiful wife. Just think of the possibilities you could have." Giovanni clasped his hands together and smiled sadly at his son. "Stefano plays a large part in my business Ezio, and he will be shamed if we turn down-"

"But father I-"

"Ezio, please think hard on this. I need you to make the right decision. You will see her again tomorrow, and I expect you give her your full attention."

Ezio looked down at his hands on his knees, the guilt eating him up inside. I can at least try to make it work. "I will father."

Translations:

Fidanzata = Fiancée

Compagno = Mate/friend

Bella donna = Beautiful woman

Signorina = Miss/Lady/Madame

Grazie mille = A thousand thanks

Fottiti = Go fuck yourself