DISCLAIMER: I do not own any characters from any of the Assassin's Creed games nor do I claim to do so. Any fictional characters (such as my OCs) are not meant to have any likeness to actual people. If they do it is circumstantial.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I have played the games and I know that most of this stuff is made up. The point of this fanfiction is not meant to be historically accurate or to follow the actual game plotline. If you notice any problems, such as date disagreements etc., please try not to point them out unless they're fairly huge. As well I'd also like to say that criticism, so long as it is constructive, is welcome. I hope you enjoy my first fanfiction and story on ! :D

I yawned as I sat up, letting out a groan for effect when I felt her muscles tighten from disuse. "My back feels like one big bruise," I mumbled as I tried to wrap a blanket around my shoulders, failing miserably. Brushing my dark hair out of my eyes I glanced around the room curiously.

For the most part it was fairly bare, with only the cot I was laying on, a chest at the end of the bed and a small round table in the corner with two chairs beside it. What caught my attention, however, was the bowl full of steaming pasta. I grinned, my stomach growling. Unfortunately, before I could climb out of bed (albeit as slowly as an old woman nearing her time) Alessa barged in with a broad smile on her face.

Finally getting a good look at the woman, who was pleasantly plump with a round face and a bright smile that showed her teeth, I protested when Alessa pushed me down gently and covered me with the coverlet. "Merde!" Alessa said with a frown. "You can't move around yet! I don't know how it happened but you nearly broke some ribs, dearie. Moving around will only make it worse!"

Muttering under my breath I complied, though my mood lightened considerably when Alessa brought over the bowl of food.

My much improved mood dropped once more when Alessa picked up a fork and began twirling the pasta around it, smiling at me genially. "Open up dear," she said cheerfully as I scowled, crossing my arms over my chest in annoyance. No one's going to feed me if I can still move my arms. "Mmph," I mumbled around a mouthful of food, giving Alessa my best stink eye.

Swallowing I was about to ask her to quit it when she suddenly put the bowl down and left. Lying back onto my pillows and I closed my eyes and tried to go back to sleep, weariness weighing down my limbs. A burble of conversation stopped outside my door and I blinked in protest, wanting nothing more than some well-earned rest. The creaking of the door stilled me and I shut my eyes tightly in an attempt to get whoever it was to leave me alone.

No such luck. A soft patter of footsteps reached my ears, ending by my right side. Curling up slightly I propped my eyes open slightly. And met with the bright silver emblem that I'd come to know quite well. It was the crest that was on Ezio's traditional costume in the game. Eyes widening with surprise I sat up and blinked in confusion at the man in front of me. A deep voice startled me out of shock.

"Madonna, you may want to pull up your blanket," the man in front of me said in an amused manner. Yelping I snatched at the bed, pulling the coverlet in front of my chest. "Shame on you for looking," I shot back crisply. "Besides that you shouldn't exist!" Taking a good look at the man in front of me, which was no doubt Ezio Auditore or an extremely manic fan, I leaned forward, my curiosity getting the best of me.

"You're an awful good cosplayer," I commented idly, poking 'Ezio' on the nose. Chuckling 'Ezio' shook his head and crossed his arms. "Alessa, how many times have I asked not to bring crazy women into the house?" he asked in a very impressive Italian accent.

"Ezio, stop teasing her," Alessa said as she bustled into the room, wiping her hands with a cloth. "And you, Valencia, thank signore Ezio for saving your life." Distracted by the open window Alessa began wiping the woodwork over there, apparently ignoring Ezio and me. "Thanks, I guess," I mumbled clumsily, hoisting the blanket up a bit more and flushing as I looked away. I wasn't quite sure how to take this situation, but I was starting to get the nagging suspicion that this man really was Ezio.

Stranger times getting stranger.

After Ezio had left I was left to my own devices. Alessa had left the room leaving behind a knowing wink and a pile of clothes. Snorting at her audacity I clambered out of bed, my muscles groaning with protest. Staggering over to one of the chairs I collapsed on it and fingered through the clothes Alessa had given me.

There were a few different pieces, the most notable being a dress made out of some sort of linen. Despite the beauty of it I frowned, my brow furrowing. I wasn't against feminine clothes, but dresses had never been my style. The only thing keeping me from wearing my jeans and tank-top was the fact that they were nowhere to be seen.

Standing I unfolded the dress and shook it out, taking a bit of time to marvel at the excellent craftsmanship. "If I must wear a dress it might as well be a nice one," I told myself, hugging the soft fabric to my chest and inhaling the sweet scent that accompanied it.

It was made out of deep blue fabric; I was guessing indigo. Upon closer inspection, I found the weave was exceptionally fine. From what I knew of Venetian fashion of this time, the high-waist gown was fairly common. The rather long, blowsy sleeves considered every day. Glancing at the table, I noticed a plane off-white shift that went with it. The only issue I had with the dress was the low dip of the neckline. Ezio would have a field day with this, I thought; irritated.

Placing the dress on the table again I picked up the shift and looked down at myself, dismayed with my apparel. I had something on my chest, luckily, meaning I hadn't shown Ezio more than I had wanted. It was a large wrap of bandages. Probably covering the source of my discomfort, I thought with a sigh. Pulling the shift over myself I winced as the fabric dragged inadvertently on my bandages, causing small flashes of pain.

It took me a bit longer to finish with the dress, but with that over with I was more or less acceptable for company. Seeing nothing to help with my hair I finger combed it quickly before it got to be too unmanageable. A noise behind me startled me and I whirled around. "Valencia, what a resourceful girl you are," Alessa exclaimed, clapping her hands cheerfully. "But I can fix your hair, bambina." Snatching my locks from my hands Alessa proceeded to yank on it painfully, making my eyes water with the pain. It took her a few agonizingly long minutes to put it into a long braid, tied with two red ribbons.

"Piacevole, Valencia! Men would fight for one such as you." Tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear Alessa smiled and took my hand, leading me out of the room gently.