ACT IV
The room was buzzing like a beehive by the time the curtain finally went up on Act IV, scene I. The whispers were quickly shushed and all attention returned to the stage, where a "very" different set was being offered. Most of the area was filled with tall, paper towers- buildings- except for a split down the middle, filled in with bluish paper. Floating in the small river of paper was a boat- a gondola, to be exact. Ezio surmised he was looking at a pitiful model of Venice, but it was impossible to be certain.
Apart from the backround, a large pile of suitcases had amassed at the center of the stage, next to the gondola. Suddenly, the actors of Leonardo and Ezio could be seen entering stage left, and both bearing large heavy-looking boxes.
"Finally, we're here!" Leonardo cried, dropping his boxes on the sloped pile of luggage, "Venezia!"
Ezio was silent as he deposited his own baggage. The fake-artist wiped his hands on his tunic and turned to the brooding Assassin with a wide grin.
"Well?" He asked.
The white-hooded man shrugged and replied boredly, "It's just like any other city."
"Except for the stench, of course!" Leonardo joked.
There was a respective chuckle from the audience, which the red-cloaked actor noted with amusement.
"Now, I insist we find a tour guide!" The genius continued, turning his back on Ezio to move closer to the gondola.
"Leonardo, I doubt we have time for-" Ezio attempted, before he was interupted by a loud SLAM off stage. Both actors turned to stare as a small, stylishly dressed man danced his way onto the set.
"Did someone say, 'tour guide'?" The man asked, musically drawing out the last two words.
"I believe I did," Leonardo nodded, "And you are?"
The little man cleared his throat and prepared to sing, accompanied by a perky tune from the orchestra.
Just call me Alvise,
Messer Da Vinciiiii!
You know Venezia has many sights,
Let ME show you our grand city!
The inventor seemed hesitant, but before he could do anything, the man known as 'Alvise' had already tackled him into the gondola and set to rowing energetically. Ezio sighed loudly and hopped in, before the boat could take off completely. As though invisible hands were tugging it, the set began to give way, until the boat was bobbing through an ocean of blue paper. A few buildings began to drift by the backround, hardly recognizable as landmarks of Venice. Alvise spared a hand to point at them, singing quickly:
San Giacomo's church!
Look at that tower!
Ponte di Rialto!
Spanning the river with such power!
There was a short interlude as the most famous landmarks of the San Polo district disappeared. But Alvise and the tune started back up again (slightly more sinister this time) as a large, walled fortress, constructed mainly of formidable paper, emerged onto the scene.
And that's Setaaaaaa!
Hiding place of Emilio Barbarigo...
I'd love to take a look inside!
But you know the way it goes...
This line apparently caught Ezio's interest, as his hooded head picked up and he began to sing:
The way it goes?
What do you mean?
Alvise musically replied:
Emilio has a quest,
A noble one, I deem.
Leonardo chipped in, taking his hat worriedly into his arms as he frowned:
A quest, you say?
Whatever could it be?
Alvise rolled his eyes as he continued:
Emilio plans to unite,
All of Venezia, you see.
Under a banner that belongs to he.
Ezio sang loudly:
Well I'm afraid I don't agree!
Alvise gulped noisily and nodded, slightly frightened at the hooded-man's suddenly violent interest. Ezio lunged at the side of the gondola that faced Seta, watching the softly billowing fortress with enough intensity to set it on fire. That is, until the stagehands pulled it away and the gondola returned to land.
The tour guide cleared his throat for one final line as the music began to slow:
Here we are, at your workshop,
Ser…Da Vinciiiiii…
Hope you enjoy your stay-
And don't forget, if you need anythiiiiing…
Pause. Smile.
Just call for Alvise!
The actor performed a stylish bow and then scooted himself offstage to appreciable applause. Leonardo watched him curiously until he was completely gone, and then turned to his new home with his hands on his hips.
"Well, that was certainly fun!" He chirped, spinning slightly as to face his chin to the audience.
"Indeed." Ezio said icily, brushing off his cape as he neared the studio.
"Care to come into my workplace, then?" Leonardo asked good-naturedly, and with a smile far too wide.
"I'd love to, Leonardo, but-" Ezio attempted, but suddenly there was a rumble off stage. Then, a group of green-clad actors burst onto the set, completely swallowing the two.
"Hey!" The Assassin yelped as the thieves buzzed past them, eager to make it to the other end of the stage. However this only made it look as though the bunch of them were trying to get into shape with a quick jog. The audience's attention focused itself on the smallest one- a thief who seemed to be lagging behind.
She stumbled across the stage, and when she finally made it to the other side, she turned to stare at the dumbstruck Assassin. For a moment, there was silence as the two characters eyed each other. Then-
"THHHHBBBB!" The female thief stuck her tongue out before disappearing to the left.
The white hooded actor tutted in frustration as the curtain went down.
[…]
The curtain rose soundlessly on the unchanged set of Venice (or whatever passed for it). The audience was blessed with a view of an exhausted, feet-trudging 'Assassino of Florence'. The actor dragged himself on-stage and heaved a sigh, a sight Ezio was finding himself a bit frustrated with. The white-hooded man looked around a bit, before straightening and speaking in a loud voice:
"Well, now I'm here in Venezia," He announced, "But I'm so BORED! What am I going to do?"
Silence met his query, and he groaned- teasing a low chuckle from the audience. He smiled a bit at the attention and then pulled at his hood, taking a look at the background. Ezio grimaced as the stage light illuminated his shimmery golden locks.
"Oh, what's that?" The actor wondered, pointing at a large building somewhere in the distance, "I think it's the Palazzo della Seta!"
The actor's grin widened and he rubbed his chin as a marvelous idea appeared to be materializing.
"I ought to scale it, just for fun!"
Ezio moaned as the audience laughed at the Assassin's seemingly stupid manner. But before any catastrophe could take place, the same thief from the last scene bolted on set, shoving past Ezio rudely. She tried to make her way towards Seta (still magnificently drooping in the background), but Ezio grabbed her wrist.
"You!" He gasped, "I remember you!"
"Let go of me!" She cried, squirming. "I don't have your money, gruelo!"
In the audience, Ezio eyed the woman beside him with slight amusement, and tapped her hand for attention.
"Getting soft, Rosa?" He murmured as the two characters began to struggle, "Gruello? Really?"
"Chiuda la bocca," She huffed, but smiled, brushing a strand of dark hair behind her cap-less ear.
Meanwhile, back on stage, the situation had worsened. Guards had appeared now, armed with bows and arrows pointed menacingly at the two. Ezio and 'Rosa' exchanged worried glances.
"We have you surrounded, thief!" One announced, "Stop running!"
"Never!" Rosa declared, hands on her hips.
The guard notched an arrow in his bow and let the string loose- but instead of firing with deadly speed, the arrow seemed to float in slow-motion. With much difficulty, it managed to make its way across the stage, to where Rosa stood defiantly.
Finally, the arrow finished its journey, lodging itself firmly in a fold of the actress' vest. The small thief inhaled sharply and seized her stomach with both hands, staggering backwards into Ezio.
"No!" She wheezed, clutching the taller actor's clothing for support, "You must save me, Auditore! I beg of you! I am sorry I stole from you!"
"Madonna!" The Assassin held her close as her body went limp, "Though I hardly even know you, I cannot allow such harm to befall a woman!"
In the audience, Ezio and Rosa subconsciously began to scoot farther from each other awkwardly.
Meanwhile, the actor 'Ezio' scooped 'Rosa' into his arms (with some difficulty), and whisked her off stage as boldly as possible. The guards pursued them until the stage was empty, which was when the curtain came down.
[…]
The curtain rose on an already full set, which gave the audience quite a bit to take in. Ezio still held a limp Rosa in his arms, but the two of them were smothered with some sort of red pigment. A distinct smell wafted up from the stage to those who were close enough to detect it, but was hard to specifically distinguish. The props included a long table, several chairs, and a door. Two or three other thieves crowded around the Assassin as he put their sister on the wooden board gently.
"What should we do?" Ezio asked them carefully.
"We will fetch Antonio!" The thieves chimed, rushing out of the area.
The two actors were then left in silence. After a few moments, Rosa lifted her head weakly.
"Thank you for saving me," She said in a voice clearly too loud to belong to a dying person.
"Anything for a lady," Ezio responded with a charming grin to the spectators, "But I never caught your name…"
"Rosalina," She said quietly, with a faint smile.
"Rosaline?" Rosa echoed in an infuriated whisper. Ezio chuckled. "They got my maledetto NAME wrong?"
"They were pretty close," Ezio replied with amusement, "At least they got your hair color."
"Cazzo playwright…" She muttered, arms folded. Suddenly there was a kick at their seats from above, and another viewer shushed them harshly.
"I'm watching this!" The stranger seemed deeply affected, "Silenzio!"
Back onstage, a thief reappeared.
"Messer Antonio will be here shortly!" He exclaimed.
"Nothing to do but wait until then…" Ezio said with a sigh, stroking Rosalina's paling face. There were a few more moments while the Assassin and the thief watched each other, until-
"Rosalina!" A strong, yet pleasant voice erupted from the curtain as a tall and handsome man (stylishly dressed) emerged, "My dear Rosalina! Daughter, what has happened?"
"Oh, father!" Rosalina wept, "I am afraid!"
"She has been shot!" Ezio cried, suddenly terrified, "What will we do?"
"Everyone, calm down," Antonio said soothingly, "I will fix this. Bartolo!"
A thief ran forward. Antonio turned to him determinedly.
"Go and fetch my equipment!"
The man nodded solemnly and disappeared off stage. The thief master ran a hand through his shockingly beautiful black waves as he gazed down lovingly on the whimpering thief who grasped his hand.
"Antonio," Ezio wondered, tested the name on his tongue, "Who exactly are you?"
"I am many things," Antonio said intelligently, "But we will discuss them later. I want to thank you for rescuing my daughter, Rosalina."
Ezio seemed to be replying when Bartolo flew back onstage with a large metal tray.
"Here are your tools, signore!" He reported breathlessly, offering the sharp implements to his master.
Antonio took them somberly and glared down at the bloody stump in Rosalina's stomach.
"Ezio," He began, "I'm going to need you to hold Rosalina while I pull the arrow out."
"Certainly," The Assassin nodded, and he tightened his grip on the girl's shoulders.
There was a disturbing yelp of pain as the arrow was removed, without Antonio breaking a sweat. He neatly disposed of it while Ezio rubbed Rosalina's middle with a cloth. Meanwhile, it seemed the thief had fainted.
"Good work, Ezio." Antonio said flatly.
"How do you know my name?" He responded, looking up from Rosalina warily.
"Your work is well known in Venice," Antonio continued, "But come- we shall talk about these things in my study."
Ezio nodded again, and several thieves appeared back on stage to transport Rosalina off it. Antonio waved slightly and then exited to the right.
"I hope this 'Antonio' has a job for me," Ezio said to himself loudly, "Or else…this stay in Venezia is going to be quite boring!"
Despite all the drama, the audience still gave a small laugh.
Ezio and Rosa exchanged disturbed glances as the curtain went down.
[…]
"So, you had a proposal for me?" The hooded actor asked nonchalantly, settling into the study's chair.
"Indeed," Antonio cleared his throat, "And what a proposal it is…"
Ezio groaned as he heard the orchestra strike up yet another song. The glamorous actor playing Antonio reared himself to full height, taking a deep breath before launching into his solo:
Venice, the city of opportuuuuunityyyyy…
Where the streets are paved with gold and silver tiiiiiiiiiiides…
But we must make sure,
To keep the people in check,
And remove the bloody tyrants that they never would suspect!
"Emilio Barbarigo?" The Assassin asked as the music lead to an interlude, "Is it he you would have me kill?"
"We've already killed him." Antonio clarified with a shake of his head. The deep music plodded on as the two sat in thought for a moment.
"I know!" The tune sparked as enlightenment hit Ezio's expression, "Why don't we kill the Doge Moncenigo?"
Antonio grinned, "What an excellent idea!"
Ezio stood excitedly to sing his part:
The proud basilica overlooking the cittyyyyyyy!
Behind its large white walls awaits our preeeeeeeey!
We'll sneak in,
Stick a sword in 'im,
And free Venezia from this cursed Dogeeeeeee!
Antonio frowned, and responded musically:
But what of the walls?
I know they can't be scaled.
The area's thick with guards,
And assaults always fail!
Ezio replied with a smile (and a tune):
Don't worry, my little friend!
I've invented a machine,
While using it, a man can fly,
And pierce the heart of the Duke's regime!
"Ezio, you truly are a genius!" The thief proclaimed, and the two danced to the ever-cheerful music. After a good round of drunk-like stumbling, they sang together:
Death to Moncenigo!
He'll drop tonight!
Venezia will be free!
They paused as the music came to a climax.
We'll finally win the fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight!
The actors froze as the music ended abruptly and the curtain shot down to cover them. The audience clapped loudly, and Ezio took the opportunity to cast a curious glance in Antonio's direction.
He smiled a bit when he noted the dropped jaw and wide eyes.
"Well I'll be…" He heard the man whisper, "I'm famous."
[...]
The curtain rose on an interesting spectacle. The scenary had changed, revealing the blonde Assassin to be perched on a very tall tower. On his back were what appeared to be a set of papery wings; only barely resembling those of a bat.
"Cosa?" Ezio whispered, frowning. He leaned to his right, addressing his friend, the genius, "Leonardo, what do you suppose he's doing?"
Leonardo did not immediately answer. Instead, he emitted what seemed to be a cross between a whimper and a growl. Ezio furrowed his brows further and turned his head to take in what he could of the artist's expression.
"My machine..." He cried softly, "How dare they mock my beautiful, my wonderful machine..."
The two were suddenly interrupted by a shout from the stage:
"Ezio, you are honestly a genius of engineering!" Antonio was proclaiming, "Who knew you had the ability to construct a machine capable of making a man FLY!"
"I know, Antonio!" The actor laughed modestly, "I didn't think it would work at first, but now I'm positive."
Ezio's eyes widened as he was suddenly struck with a sharp kick to the leg.
"Ehi, what was that for?" He hissed angrily at his friend, who crossed his arms and said nothing.
"All right, Antonio, stand clear!" The blonde announced, flipping his hood back up, "I'm going to jump!"
The orchestra set to a bold, heroic ballad as Ezio prepared to throw himself off the 'tower', glaring fiercely at the curtain stage left. He took a deep breath and then launched forward.
The audience gasped in unison as the machine swung across the stage on thick, black wires. 'Ezio' nearly slipped off several times, and the actor found himself grasping at the edge of the prop's wings for dear life. In a perfect pendulum impression, the flying machine proceeded to swing back, heading for the tower Ezio originally leapt from. It then proceeded to swing back and forth, to the amusement of all four Assassins in the crowd. Despite all of this, the actor still made a bold effort to say his lines:
"Yes!" He tried to sound confident, but it must've been a struggle, "I can...almost see the...Doge's palazzo! I'll be there...any...minute now!"
It seemed the stagehands were finally beginning to gain control of the violently-lunging flying machine, as the swinging calmed down some. When 'Ezio' was finally able to climb back into his original position, two more actors made their appearance stage right.
"Listen, Moncenigo!" A funny-looking man in a purple robe was waving his arms in desperation. The Doge, a skinny man with a disapproving grimace and nice hat, watched him. "The Assassins are coming!"
"No they aren't, Carlo, you paranoid imbecile." The Doge retorted with his nose in the air. The two continued walking until they were right underneath the now-sterile flying machine.
In an amazing, breath-taking stunt, 'Ezio' leapt from the machine and floated slowly down to the stage. The audience got a glimpse of his fearsome hidden blade right before it found the Doge's throat. Viewers gasped yet again, and the royal actor's eyes widened.
"Uh!" Carlo, the purple-robed man, gulped. Then he turned tail and sped off to the left, screaming:
"Guards! Guards! Assassino! He's killed the Doge!"
"Oh no you don't!" 'Ezio' shouted, grinning maniacally as blood flowed from the fallen ruler's mouth. He jumped up from his crouching position and hurled himself at Carlo, sending them both to the ground.
"Nooooo!" Carlo cried out as Ezio dramatically ended his life.
There was a moment of silence as the Assassin rose slowly from the corpse, whose mouth still hung open in unheard screams. A quiet 'flick' filled the auditorium as the hidden blade was sheathed, and 'Ezio' turned back to the audience.
"The Doge is dead." He said simply, "Now Venezia-"
Suddenly, the stage shook with dozens of running footsteps.
"Assassino!" Guards yelled from behind the curtain, "You won't get away!"
"That's my cue!" The Assassin said, ducking off to the right. The curtain went down on the two gaping bodies. As there were a few rounds of applause, the scene had been depressive and frightening. While the citizens of Venezia had never loved the Doge Moncenigo, they hadn't despised him. Witnessing his bloody murder brought silence to most of the spectators, who were slowly losing themselves in the performance.
"Ezio," Rosa asked cautiously, "You didn't actually kill the Doge, did you?"
"Of course I didn't," Ezio scoffed, rolling his eyes, "But the truth doesn't matter. It never has."
The thief lowered her green gaze sadly.
[...]
The next scene opened inside Leonardo da Vinci's workshop. The true artist seemed somewhat happier now that his counterpart was back on set, and busying himself amongst designs as always. Suddenly, there were two rough knocks off stage. The inventor's head whirled in the direction as 'Ezio' strode boldly into the room, his white hood pulled heavily over his face.
"Ezio!" The actor ran to him, giving the man a warm hug. "I'm so relieved you're alive!" There was a second pause as he then released the brooding Assassin. "I heard you killed the Doge. Is it true?"
"Yes," Ezio gulped, then nodded, "And now the entire city is after me!"
"Don't panic, amico," 'Leonardo' patted him on the shoulder, and eyed him in a determined blue-glare. "It's Carnevale in Venezia. No one will recognize you."
"Grazie a Dio!" Ezio sighed heavily, collapsing on the workbench. His friend watched him worriedly. Slowly, the Assassin raised his head, and smiled shyly as though embarrassed.
"Eh...Leonardo?" He said quietly, "I hate to ask, but... Do you have mask I could borrow? I left all of mine in Monteriggioni."
"Of course," Leonardo chuckled, and turned his back for a moment. After doing some jostling through his robes, he pulled out a tin face mask, hardly complimentary.
"I'm sorry," He shrugged, "This is all I have spare."
"It is perfect," Ezio assured him with a grin and stuck it on. Pulling back his hood, it made his shimmery blonde hair seem even more out of place.
"Of course no one will recognize him," Ezio murmured from the audience mockingly, then frowned, "He couldn't look more unlike me!"
Rosa laughed quietly at her friend's deep distress.
"Now, is there anything else I can help you with?" Leonardo asked gently.
"Yes, there is," Ezio nodded, "It's about this new Templar Doge, Marco-"
"Marco Barbarigo?" The painter finished with his brows raised. "Didn't you already kill the Doge once?"
"Si," The Assassin frowned, placing his hands on his hips, "But this time it's worse. I need to kill him, too."
"I hope you know what you're doing, Ezio..." The inventor warned him sternly.
"Of course I do, Leonardo!" He joked, "I always do!"
The engineer made no reply and simply crossed his arms.
"Well, in that case," He inhaled sharply, "You might want to try the Rosa della Virtu, in the Dorsoduro district. Ask for Sister Teodora."
"Sister?" Ezio echoed, eyebrow cocked.
"Yes," Leonardo cleared his throat with a few quick coughs, "Yes, sister. Now off with you!"
He swiftly shoved the Assassin (who still wore an amused grin) off the stage and heaved a sigh as the curtain went down.
END ACT IV