"H-how did you-"
"We have our sources," is all that Machiavelli replied.
"Fine, I'll tell you," Romano caved. "Just don't drop me into the canal, bastard!" The politician carried Romano away from the edge and placed him safely on the roof of the building they were standing on.
With a sigh Romano started to explain his unique circumstance, "I am the personification of South Italy. I was born solely for that, don't ask me how on that part! As a personification, I represent my people and fight in their stupid wars. I don't die easily, but I still feel pain, so don't fucking dare drop me in that canal!"
"What of your brother?" Ezio questioned, he found this all difficult to believe.
"That idiota represents North Italy, the better half," Romano added the last part under his breath. "Every country has a personification. Every time a new country forms, a new personification is born. Every time a nation falls... well I'm sure you can guess what happens to the personification."
"Wait so how exactly old are you?" Machiavelli asked.
"Pretty old, I only look this young because the bastards that are my bosses aren't doing anything right, so I stay small! So I am forced to work at Spain's house most of the time and when I finally get to visit my namesake and I get kidnap by bastards who are going to use me to take down my country, so they can kill me! Why is it always me that's screwing up, stupid Veneziano is too good to ever screw up like I do. I only wanted to save Italy and finally be worth something for once, that idiota is always better than me, even Grandpa Rome liked him better!" Romano began to sniffle as tears pooled in his eyes.
The two assassins exchanged awkward glances. "We're not trying to take down Italy, we're not the bad guys here," Ezio tried to explain. "The Borgia you work for are the ones that are trying to control you."
"And why should I believe you?" Romano growled. "You just want to use me then stab me in the back later! Now that I told you who I really am, let me go!"
"Not so fast," Machiavelli held up a hand. "The Borgia would have a clear advantage over us if they have you. And you seem pretty ignorant about what's going here, we could tell you more of our cause."
Romano was insulted to be considered ignorant of his own country, but this guy was right. Everything the nation heard about the assassins came from Cesare. Even if he disagreed, it didn't seem like he was given much of a choice. Romano huffed, "fine, I'll go with you guys, but don't think I'm just going to join your cause!"
"Why are we just walking around? Aren't you supposed to tell me why I should even consider helping you?" Romano glared at Ezio. Although he was thankful that the other Assassin who he now know as Niccolo Machiavelli had other business to attend to.
"Are you ignorant to the poor in this city, Lovino?" Ezio asked suddenly.
"N-no, of course not! I know my people are struggling, but..." Romano's cheek were tinted red with shame. "There's nothing I could do. I had hoped the Captain General would help change that..."
"I think I know a way that may help the people of Rome," the assassin smiled reassuringly.
"And what is that?"
"Look at the all the shops around here and tell me what do you see?"
The shops around them were boarded up and unused. "they're all closed," he stated the obvious. "Why is that so important?" The nation's patience was wearing thin.
"Well, what is a way to combat poverty?" Romano just glared in response to the master assassin's annoying questions. Ezio decided to get to the point, "jobs. If more shops were opened then there would be more jobs available for the people and money for Rome."
"Si, so why aren't they opened if there were people to fulfill the jobs?"
"Because of that." He pointed to a tower with Borgia flags that stood above the surrounding buildings. "The Borgia forbids anyone from renovating the shops near the core of an area where their influence runs strong."
"That's stupid, I'll have to talk to Cesare about this. That bastardo can't do anything right," Romano scowled.
"Has he ever listened to you before?"
"Of course-" Romano stopped. He never really paid attention before how little he had a say in his own country. Everything came down to what the Borgia wanted. "No he hasn't, he always brushed off anything me or my brother said. But I'm the embodiment of a nation, not a leader."
Ezio raised an eyebrow, "is it the duty for a nation to kneel before their boss without question? If that's the case then I can't help but pity you."
The young nation couldn't think of an retort. What is a country's duty? he didn't know for sure, he always thought that the point of having a boss was because they knew how to best help the country. He had another country ruling over him, so he didn't need to worry about obeying a boss or his people until now. Spain sometimes went against his boss when Romano was at stake, but he couldn't really grasp why.
Italy wandered about the Castel, the guards still haven't found any sign of Romano. Also Cesare made sure he didn't get any dinner the night before or breakfast this morning. "This sucks, fratello better be okay and come back soon."
"I must check up on my army. I have no time to dally here." Cesare's angry voice came from one of the rooms, Italy paused to listen. "I want you to make sure that South Italy is no longer in the hands of our enemy, use whatever means you can. Kill him if you have to, I don't care as long as they don't have him."
A voice Italy didn't recognized responded, "as you wish, captain general."
The door suddenly opened with force. Italy jumped back in surprised. "What are you doing?" Cesare glared down at the boy.
"I-I w-w-was J-just-" before Italy could finish, Cesare turned his back and continued down the hall with an annoyed scoff. Italy peeked in the room to find it empty and the window opened. "What if whoever Cesare was talking to hurts Romano?" Italy began to panic. Maybe he can find Romano before that guy can, but first he needed to get out of this place, the guards will keep a better a lookout after what happened last time.
Italy looked out the window to see Cesare riding out on his favorite horse. At least Cesare won't be there to keep watch over him.
AN: Another chapter~! I hope you guys enjoy and review if you have any comments or suggestions! Thanks for the reviews, favs and follows so far!
All characters belong to their respective owners!