Chapter 2
(February 2nd, 1459. Warners' House. Living Room. Afternoon)
(Zack: Age 5. Sam: Age 3. Gabby: Age 1)
*Nicolas is playing Chess with Zack*
Nicolas: Come on, boy. You should step it up; you're getting your tail beat.
Zack: Bite me.
*Sam walks into the living room from upstairs and walks over to the game*
Sam: Whatcha doing?
Zack: Losing.
Sam: Use the knight.
Zack: He's dead.
Sam: Use the other one.
Zack: He's dead too.
Sam: Use your third one.
Zack: *Stares at Sam* There is only- *Sighs* I give up.
Sam: Don't give.
Zack: I can't win.
Sam: C'mon, Bro. How can you give up so easily? That's not you at all. C'mon, you can take him!
Zack: You know what? You're right! I'll play until checkmate!
Sam: I know how you can beat him.
Zack: How? You don't even know how to play!
Sam: *Takes Nicolas's king piece and runs away* Brother wins! Padre has no king!
Nicolas: Get back here!
*Nicolas chases Sam upstairs. While Nicolas is away from the board, Zack switches some of his pieces around, arranging his own victory. Nicolas returns from upstairs*
Nicolas: Zack, your brother is crazy. *Sits down and puts his piece back on the board* Let's finish this game.
Zack: Actually, it's already done. Fratello took out your king, so I win.
Nicolas: …Heh heh. Fair enough. Okay, you win.
Zack: I win! I win! I win!
Nicolas: *Smirks* You switched the pieces around, didn't you?
Zack: Yeah, but I thought that it wouldn't work, so I came up with the brother excuse.
Nicolas: It definitely wouldn't have worked. You can see it too, can't you?
Zack: See what?
Nicolas: Can you move my pieces back to where they were?
Zack: Um, sure.
*Zack moves all of Nicolas's pieces back to where they were before with no hesitation*
Nicolas: So you CAN see it.
Zack: See what?
Nicolas: You knew where the pieces were because you can actually see where they were. I can see it too.
Zack: Is that a bad thing?
Nicolas: Not at all. It's a gift and there's nothing wrong with having senses that work better than others'. *Chuckles* Well, enjoy your victory, Zacharias.
Zack: Sam, let's go outside!
Sam: Yay!
*Sam runs out the back door into the backyard. Nicolas and Zack follow him*
Nicolas: It's pretty warm out considering it's February. Most parts of the world don't even have weather this warm during this time of year.
Zack: Incoming!
*Zack runs toward Sam and tackles him*
Sam: Hey! *Pushes Zack off of him* Argh!
Zack: You're getting stronger.
Sam: *Walks over to Zack and tags him then runs away* You're it! No tag backs!
Zack: But we're the only- *Looks at Nicolas and smirks* Heh heh.
Nicolas: *Smiles* Zacharias, I'm not playing.
Zack: Father, call me "Zack".
Nicolas: *Raises his left eyebrow* "Zack"?
Zack: Yes. Z-A-C-K. Zack.
Nicolas: But your name doesn't have a-
Zack: I know, I think it has a nice ring to it though. *Runs to Nicolas and tags him then runs away* By the way, you're it!
Nicolas: Alright, get back here!
*Nicolas chases after Zack*
(February 3rd, 1459. Warners' House. Backyard. Afternoon)
*Spazzo is training Zack by practicing evasiveness. Zack is in his robe. Sam is playing outside watching Zack train*
Zack: Looks like you can't catch me, maestro! *Blows raspberries at Spazzo then laughs*
Spazzo: *Breathes heavily* It's not fair, you're a small target!
Zack: Size has nothing to do with it, you're just slow. *Laughs* How about you chase Sam, instead?
Spazzo: *Looks at Sam playing innocently and helplessly* Now THAT I can do.
Zack: Sam, run!
*Spazzo walks over to Sam. Sam stands up quickly and takes off before Spazzo catches him*
Spazzo: Hold still!
Zack: Keep running, Bro!
*Sam continues to run from Spazzo. Spazzo chases Sam around until he runs out of breath again. Sam doesn't show one hint of weariness*
Spazzo: This isn't happening.
Zack: How about we go inside for a break? It's cold; my ears are hurting.
Spazzo: Alright. Time for lunch anyway.
*Spazzo walks into the house. Zack follows Spazzo, but Sam tackles Zack before he enters the house*
Sam: See? It's not hard to catch him!
Zack: Get off of me! *Pushes Sam off of him* Do you want lunch or not?
Sam: Yeah!
Zack: Then let's go inside and not tackle me!
*Zack and Sam walk into the house, Sam then sits at the dining table*
Zack: What do you want for lunch, Bro?
Sam: Melon!
Zack: Uh… I hate to break this to you but, uuuuuuhhhhhh… we don't have any watermelons.
Sam: Aw…
Zack: Don't worry. *Puts up his Assassin's robe's hood* I'll be right back.
*Zack exits the house through the front door*
Sam: Where's he going?
Spazzo: To the market.
Sam: He's going to get a melon?
Spazzo: Yup. And I know how he's going to do it, too.
Sam: Uh-oh. You know?
Spazzo: I know he steals.
Sam: Please don't tell on him! Madre punishes when she finds out he stole!
Spazzo: I won't tell. In fact, I strongly support him doing this. He has the right reasons for it.
Sam: I thought stealing was bad.
Spazzo: Sometimes, but just because it's illegal doesn't necessarily mean it's immoral.
Sam: I want to be like him when I grow up. *Smiles*
Spazzo: *Smiles back at Sam* You picked a good person to admire.
*Time passes about ten minutes*
*Zack enters the house through the front door carrying a watermelon*
Zack: I can't believe I managed to sneak this! *Places the watermelon on the table*
Sam: Faboooooooo!
Zack: Maestro!
Spazzo: Hold on. *Puts two plates on the table. Zack takes one plate, Sam takes the other plate. Spazzo then takes a knife and cuts the watermelon into small enough slices* Dig in.
*Zack and Sam take a piece of watermelon. Zack and Sam both take a huge bite simultaneously. Zack continues to eat normally, but Sam eats maliciously*
Zack: Slow down there, slop face! Remember to spit out the seeds this time!
Sam: Says you. *Continues to eat his watermelon. Zack spits a watermelon seed at Sam, and Sam stops eating* Did you spit a seed?
Zack: *Gasps sarcastically* Who me? You catch on quick!
Sam: Jerk! *Takes another bite of his watermelon and spits six seeds at Zack. Zack then takes another bite of his watermelon. Zack and Sam engage in a seed spitting war with each other*
Spazzo: Heh heh. Zacharias, remember that we're going back out to train as soon as we're done.
Zack: Yes, Maestro. *Sam spits a seed at Zack* You little- We were in a cease fire!
*Zack spits a seed back at Sam. They continue their war*
*Time passes to sunset*
*Zack is sitting on the couch watching Gabby play. She looks up to him with a smile*
Gabby: Bwotha play!
Zack: Brother no play, Piccina. (Little girl) Sorry, I'm just tired. Training wore me out today.
Gabby: Play!
Zack: *Sighs* I'll play later. Let me rest for a bit.
*Zack slouches in the couch and continues to watch Gabby play. Gabby stands up then runs around the living room with her arms spread out, pretending to be a bird*
Gabby: Tweet! Tweet!
*Zack smiles then falls asleep*
Gabby: Tee hee! *Starts to wobble* Uh-oh!
*Gabby falls down then stands back up and walks over to Zack. Sam runs into the living room from upstairs*
Nicolas: *Shouts at Sam from upstairs* I'll see you later then!
Sam: Fratello is sleeping!
*Runs to Zack, climbs on the couch, lays his head on Zack's lap, and closes his eyes*
Zack: *Wakes up* What are you doing?
Sam: I want to sleep here too!
Zack: Alright.
*Gabby tries to climb on the couch but keeps slipping off. After a few failed attempts of getting on the couch, she lifts her arms towards Zack*
Zack: Okay, you can come up here too.
*Zack picks up Gabby and sets her on the couch. Gabby crawls next to Zack, curls up next to him, and closes her eyes. Zack smiles then falls asleep*
(February 4th, 1459. Warners' House. Backyard. Sunset)
*Nicolas has Zack and Sam captured by their clothes. Gabrielle walks outside from the back door while carrying Gabby*
Gabrielle: How do you manage to catch them so easily? It takes me about three hours to get one of them in the house and you caught both of them at the same time in just a few minutes!
Nicolas: Maybe you're getting old.
Gabrielle: I'm ONE YEAR YOUNGER than you!
Nicolas: *Smirks at his wife then chuckles* Come on, boys. Inside, now! It's bath time!
Zack and Sam: NOOOOOOOOOO!
Sam: We don't want to!
Zack: We want to play outside!
Nicolas: Just because no-one else in this city bathes, doesn't mean you shouldn't! Your mother and I want you to be clean! Besides, a storm is brewing, playing outside is not a good idea.
Gabrielle: *Chuckles* Dear, there isn't a cloud in the sky. Come on, boys.
*Gabrielle enters the house. Nicolas drags Zack and Sam into the house right after*
Gabrielle: I can't wait until this girl reaches their age. I'd love to see you try to catch all three of them, Nick.
Nicolas: When that day comes, I will give you a spoon so you can eat your words.
Gabrielle: *Speaks sarcastically* Che bella. (How lovely)
Nicolas: Non bella come lei. (Not as lovely as you)
Gabrielle: *Smiles* Mmmmmm. *Sets Gabby on the floor* Go get ready for your bath, kids. I'll be up in a bit.
Zack: Are you guys going to kiss?
Nicolas: Maybe… Never mind, just go upstairs.
Zack: We want to watch!
Sam: Yeah!
Nicolas: Upstairs, ora! (Now!)
*Zack, Sam, and Gabby all walk upstairs*
Gabrielle: I might as well go too. I gotta give them their bath.
Nicolas: Aw… *Frowns then smiles at Gabrielle* Have fun.
*Time passes to bed time*
*Gabrielle is getting Zack, Sam, and Gabby ready for bed. Gabrielle looks out the window*
Gabrielle: That's a lot of clouds.
Zack: I hope it doesn't rain tonight, that'll make it muddy outside. I hate training in the mud.
Gabrielle: *Chuckles* Who says that tomorrow is even going to be warm enough to go outside? We might've had some warm weather lately but it might take an unexpected twist.
*Gabrielle places Gabby in the crib. Zack yawns*
Sam: Don't yawn; it's contagious. *Yawns*
Gabrielle: Are you three ready for bed now?
Sam: The faster I sleep, the faster we'll have breakfast.
Zack: I think we're both ready to go to sleep now, but I don't know about Piddles over there, she looks like she has some energy left.
Gabrielle: *Stares blankly at Zack* Was it necessary to call her "Piddles"?
Zack: It fits her.
Gabrielle: *Smirks* True. *Chuckles then looks at Gabby* Oh you know I mean nothing by that, my little princess. *Leans into the crib and kisses Gabby on the cheek* Goodnight. *Exits the bedroom and closes the door behind her*
*Time passes*
*Zack, Sam, and Gabby are sleeping. There is a thunderstorm outside. Gabby wakes up and starts crying. Zack wakes up and walks to the crib*
Zack: Sister.
Gabby: Waaaaaaaaaaaaaah!
Zack: Don't cry, please. *Thunder sounds again* Whoa…
Gabby: !
Zack: Hold on. *Jumps in the crib and picks up Gabby then jumps out. Zack then sits in his bunk and tries to comfort Gabby* Shhhhhh. It's okay.
*Gabby sniffles and lessens her crying a little*
Sam: What's wrong?
Zack: She's scared of the storm.
Sam: You know; that storm IS pretty scary.
Zack: Don't tell me you're scared too! You were just completely knocked out!
Sam: I fell asleep before the storm came. I only woke up because she was crying, and now I can't get back to sleep.
Zack: Oh, then why don't you come down here?
Sam: Okay.
*Sam jumps out of his bunk onto the floor, and sits next to Zack in his bunk*
Zack: You two can sleep with me tonight if the storm bothers you.
Sam: Thanks. *Climbs into Zack's bed and lies down. Zack then lays Gabby down next to Sam and then Zack lays down next to Gabby* I'm glad we have you, Brother.
Zack: I'm glad to have both of you as well.
*Thunder booms from really close and Gabby starts crying as loud as she can*
Gabby: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!
Zack: It's alright. *Tries to comfort Gabby* There's nothing to worry about, Little Sister. *Gabby shakes in fear* It's okay. It's okay. It's okay. *Zack and Sam try to comfort Gabby for another minute*
Sam: It sounds like the rain is lighting up.
Zack: That's the lightning.
Sam: No, I mean it's calming down.
*Nicolas and Gabrielle enter the bedroom in their bathrobes*
Gabrielle: I heard Gabby scream, is something wrong?
Zack: I got her calmed down.
Gabrielle: Look at that, Nick! They're all laying in the same bunk! You three are all so adorable!
Zack: Wait a minute. She started screaming a while ago. What took both of you so long to get here?
*Nicolas and Gabrielle widen their eyes and continuously stutter for a few seconds*
Nicolas: Um, well, uh, um… Goodnight.
Gabrielle: Uh, yeah, goodnight. See you in the morning.
*Nicolas and Gabrielle exit the bedroom and close the door behind them*
Sam: Mom and Dad are weird.
Zack: Yup.