I was utterly exhausted as Giovanni and I traded questions throughout the night. His private office was dim and oppressive, and I found myself feeling intimidated at first. But as time wore on, he seemed to recognize that I posed no threat. As we sat, I was able to take in more of his features: deep-set hazel eyes, a lean build, and shoulder-length brown hair that framed his face. The crows feet around his eyes spoke to a life filled with experience and hardship.

"Are you sure you don't know what the symbols mean?" Giovanni stressed for the third time, his Italian accent thick with exhaustion.

"I'm sorry, I don't," I sighed, feeling frustrated and defeated. He let it be for now. This had not gone as I had hoped. Earlier, he had told me that there was no American Embassy, dashing my hopes of finding out what was going on. I'd also learned he was a banker and had four children.

"What am I to do, Giovanni?" I asked, resting my head in my hands and feeling tears prick at my eyes.

"Ah, my dear," he said, taking my hands in his and squeezing them gently, "we will find your beloved Adam."

I paused, mustering the courage to ask the question that had been weighing heavily on my mind. "What year is it?" I asked, my voice trembling with apprehension.

Giovanni's face contorted in confusion, "What do you mean, what year? It's 1476."

As he answered, a sense of overwhelming dread washed over me. It was as if the ground had fallen away beneath my feet. Giovanni's words echoed in my head. I had been hoping for some kind of logical explanation for everything that seemed off, but there was none. The reality of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks. I was lost, stranded in a foreign land, and completely alone. I tried to keep a brave face, but then, I was unable to hold back any longer, I broke down in tears, utterly lost and adrift in a strange and unfamiliar time.

If only my mind had been functioning properly, I would have begged him to take me back to the comfort and familiarity of my hotel. But at that moment, all sense of logic had deserted me.

Sensing my distress, Giovanni spoke up, calling my name and drawing my attention. "Brielle," he said with a note of concern in his voice, "I know it is late, I know you are tired, but I have a few more questions before you sleep."

I nodded slowly, my hands retreating from his grasp. My thoughts were a jumbled mess of stress, fatigue, and utter confusion. 1476. No, that couldn't be right. But what was?

"What year do you think it is?" Giovanni asked me quizzically.

"2022?" The words left my lips uncertainly, almost as if I were asking the question rather than answering it. I desperately hoped that he would tell me that I was right, that this was all some elaborate prank or misunderstanding. But somehow, I knew deep down that wasn't the case.

"No, my dear," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "It is the year 1476."

"I don't understand," I said, my voice trembling. "How is this happening? How did I get here?" I just wanted to cry all over again.

Giovanni's expression softened as he looked at me, his hazel eyes filled with sympathy. "I do not know, my dear," he said. "But I promise you, we will find a way to help you. What is your last name?"

"Gauthier," I replied, closing my eyes momentarily to release them of their tiredness, "Why?"

"Ah, French," he said, stroking his chin in deep thought. "I have some research to do. I wonder if there is any relation?" He finished his sentence in Italian, lost in contemplation.

I yawned, struggling to keep my eyes open as he continued to speak. My last question had still gone unanswered, but I was too exhausted to care.

"One last thing, your alias," he said, interrupting my thoughts. I shook my head to wake myself up. "You will pose as my guest, Brielle Gauthier," he continued, pausing as if lost in thought. "But why are you here...?"

"Ah ha! Mario's wife was French," he exclaimed, noticing my confusion. "He's my brother. Yes, a distant family of his wife seeking refuge as they are always at war over something. Keep it to memory, and keep it simple."

Exhausted beyond belief, Giovanni had led me to a spare room on the second floor adjacent to his own. I didn't bother taking in my surroundings or changing out of my clothes, instead slumping onto the bed and dropping my backpack onto the floor with a thud. Despite my overwhelming fatigue, the sleep that came to me that night was restless and fitful.

I awoke to the warmth of the sun beaming through the window, casting a golden glow across the room. As I stretched my limbs, a sense of contentment washed over me, but it was quickly replaced with a feeling of dread as a light knock interrupted my thoughts. Huh? What could that be? As I looked around, the memories from the previous night came rushing back, hitting me like a ton of bricks. Fuck, it wasn't a dream. Panic set in as I realized that I wasn't in my comfortable 21st-century hotel room anymore.

I tentatively opened the door to see what I presumed was a maid holding out some clothes. Ah, right best not to stick out. I went to take the clothes but she pushed her way in insisting that she helped. I guess so, I relented.

"Take off clothes," she said, her English wasn't perfect, but it was enough to make her intentions clear

The woman's words echoed through my mind as I tried to comprehend the situation. I had just arrived at this foreign place, and the last thing I expected was a woman telling me to take off my clothes.

I looked around the room, filled with exotic scents and fabrics. I felt out of place, a tourist lost in a foreign land. Well I mean I was a tourist but you get the point. The woman, however, seemed perfectly at ease, as if this was just another day at work.

My mind raced as I tried to find a polite way to decline her offer. But before I could say anything, she repeated herself with more conviction. "I help," she said, her voice firm.

I hesitated, unsure of what to do. I didn't want to offend her, but at the same time, I didn't need it. The woman seemed to sense my hesitation and tried to convince me by saying, "It my job."

I couldn't help but wonder about the old customs. Despite her persistence, I knew I had to decline her offer. "Uh, no thank you," I said, shaking my head.

To my surprise, the woman ignored my words and proceeded to take off my hoodie. I was highly annoyed, but I let her do it anyway. I wasn't really shy about showing skin but the personal bubble was definitely crossed.

She made a funny face at my bra, which I had insisted stay on.

Soon, she dressed me in a simple long light blue dress with long sleeves. The material was warm and soft, and it fit me surprisingly well. Looking at myself in the mirror, I couldn't deny that the dress was very pretty. Finished off with simple black flat shoes.

"Bella," She said to me and that word I knew. "Lunch." She waved to the door and down the hall. I followed as my stomach growled.

Once we made it down to the quaint kitchen, Giovanni was sitting at a large table with whom I presumed was his wife, daughter, and one of his sons.

"Ah, Brielle, I see Vittoria helped you this morning." He said smiling gesturing to come to sit at the table. I smiled back at them all.

"Who is this girl wearing my old dress?" The daughter hissed but I didn't understand and couldn't help but notice it was directed at me.

"Claudia, be nice, she is our guest and required some attire," the girl just huffed, crossing her arms but remaining quiet.

"Apologies," Giovanni said to me, " Ah where are my manners, this is Maria, my wife, Claudia, my daughter, and Pertuccio, my youngest boy." He beamed gesturing to each of them. The young boy waved and gave the sweetest smile, so I naturally waved back.

"May I ask where the other two are?" I inquired, eager to delve into the research Giovanni had promised me.

"Ah, Ezio is currently out running an errand for me, and I don't expect him back for a while. Frederico is also absent at the moment, but he'll be here soon. He will serve as your guide and show you the city today, as I regretfully have other obligations to attend to," Giovanni explained. I tried my best to conceal the disappointment etched on my face.

Finally taking a seat at the table, I couldn't help but feel a bit uneasy under her piercing gaze of Claudia. Her aggressive energy was palpable, and I wondered if she always acted this way toward strangers. Nevertheless, I tried to push the feeling aside and focus on the warm hospitality of Giovanni and his family.

Maria seemed kind and welcoming, offering me a plate of warm pastries. Though I felt equally scrutinized under her gaze though it did not show on her face. Pertuccio was quiet but friendly, occasionally peeking up from his plate of food. Meanwhile, Claudia remained aloof, barely acknowledging my presence.

Giovanni noticed the tension and attempted to diffuse it with his jovial demeanor, but the atmosphere at the table remained somewhat strained.

Despite the awkwardness, I couldn't help but admire the beauty of the scene. The warm sunlight filtered through the windows, the sound of birds chirping outside, and the smell of lunch wafting through the air. It felt like a moment frozen in time, and I couldn't help but wonder what other secrets this ancient Italian villa held.

During the quiet conversation, Maria asked me questions about my life and family. Following Giovanni's advice, I kept my responses simple and close to the truth but avoided mentioning what time period I was from. I explained that I was an only child, 21 years old, and had been studying at the university before coming to their time. However, Maria seemed surprised by the fact that I had been studying medicine, commenting that it was very unusual for a woman to pursue such a field of study. In that moment, I realized that I had forgotten the stark gender inequality that existed in this time period, and mentally smacked myself for my mistake. Despite the slight tension of the situation, Maria remained polite and cordial throughout our conversation.

As we were finishing up lunch, Frederico finally arrived. He entered the room with a warm smile on his face. Standing tall and slim like his father, the only difference I could spot was his slightly shorter hair and the brown hues in his eyes.

Before Giovanni left, he reminded me to stick to the story we had crafted during lunch and not to divulge any information about our conversation in his office to anyone. I grabbed my trusty burgundy bag, it luckily had buckles instead of zippers, so only the colour stood out. I didn't want to leave it behind for anyone to rummage through.

"Pronta?" He asked holding out his arm, I assumed he was asking me if I was ready. I was a little stiff as I looped my arm in his but he prayed it no mind.

As we walked, I couldn't help but notice how different the streets were from the day before. The city was alive with the hustle and bustle of everyday life. People were going about their business, shopping, and completing their daily chores. It was a refreshing change from the tourist-heavy streets of the previous day.

We walked in silence, but it was a comfortable silence. I was so in awe of my surroundings that, for the moment, I forgot to even look for clues on how to get home. Fredrico led me to a bustling market, where I was able to fully immerse myself in the sights, sounds, and smells of Renaissance Florence. There were tables of fresh produce, hanging meat, and beautiful pottery. I wished I had spending money to fully indulge in this vibrant atmosphere.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself," Fredrico's voice broke the silence, and I turned to face him with a bright smile.

"This... This is incredible."

"I'm sure it holds no comparison to Parigi," he chuckled, and I laughed along. My own home was nothing compared to the beauty of Paris or Florence, but I couldn't reveal that to him. It made me feel a little guilty, though it passed quickly.

"It's so different from home, it's refreshing," I replied.

"The day is still young, is there anything specific you want to see, or shall I continue the tour?" Fredrico asked, his friendly personality putting me at ease. As if we were old friends.

Shaking my head slightly, I knew I had to figure out how to get home, but the thought of Adam worrying made me feel uneasy. "There is one location," I paused, trying to remember the name of the street my hotel was on, "Vei dei... Vei dei Cazouli..?"

"Vei dei Cazaiuoli?" Fredrico repeated, giving me a curious look. Despite his puzzlement, he didn't question me further.

"Si! That's it!" I exclaimed.

I tried to keep up with Frederico's brisk pace, but it was proving to be a challenge in my long dress and with my hair sticking to my skin. The dress was beginning to feel suffocating, but I refrained from complaining. When we were about halfway to our destination, I asked if we could stop for a moment in the shade. Frederico nodded understandingly and led us to a bench under the balcony of a nearby building.

"Of course," Frederico replied, leading us to sit on a bench under a balcony of one of the buildings with overhanging white flowers.

"Thanks," I said, sitting down and reaching into my bag for an elastic band. I resisted the urge to roll up my sleeves to hide my new tattoos. I fumbled through my bag, not wanting to take out the contents in front of Frederico. Mentally noting what was inside, my sweater, phone, a water bottle which was, unfortunately, empty, Tylenol, extra socks, sunblock, I probably should have put that on, oops, sunglasses, phone charger, useless, and, ah my scrunchies at the very bottom, of course. Oh look a navy blue one, that will match.

As I flipped my hair over my head, I put it into yet another messy bun and let out a sigh of relief.

I couldn't help but notice how Frederico seemed to be watching me with a curious expression as if trying to figure me out.

"What?" I asked, feeling self-conscious.

"You are different," he said, not really answering my question. I wondered if my unconventional hairstyle made me stand out from the women of his time. Was it really that obvious?

I tried to ignore his gaze and looked around instead, taking in the beauty of the street. The architecture was breathtaking, with its ornate balconies and colorful buildings. The sound of a nearby fountain added to the peaceful atmosphere. I closed my eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. It was hard to believe I was actually here.

As we continued on our way, Frederico and I chatted amicably about our interests and aspirations. He revealed that he had plans to follow in his father's footsteps and take over the family business, while I spoke vaguely about my own academic pursuits and hobbies. Of course, I had to be careful about what I shared - I couldn't exactly tell him that I was a passionate roller skater, so I settled for mentioning my interest in running instead.

Frederico surprised me with a story about him and his brother running across rooftops, which left me completely flabbergasted. I couldn't imagine the thrill of such an activity, but I found myself wanting to experience it for myself. When I expressed my interest, he gave me that same curious look from earlier that seemed to suggest he found me to be different from the other women he knew.

Once we made it to Vei dei Cazaiuoli, I picked up speed, leading the way with determination. Despite the lack of building numbers, the layout of the street seemed familiar, both in my time and in this unfamiliar era. Finally, I spotted the three-story building I had been searching for. However, upon closer inspection, I realized that it was no longer a hotel, leaving me feeling disappointed and surprised.

Undeterred, I approached the building, eager to find out what it had become. But before I could make my way inside, Frederico's voice called out my name, causing me to ignore him at first. It wasn't until he gently grabbed my arm to stop me that I snapped out of my tunnel vision jerking a bit.

With a strange look, Frederico asked if I knew what the place was, clearly wondering why I wanted to enter such a building. I hesitated for a moment, unable to reveal that it was the hotel where my boyfriend was supposed to be staying in the future. Instead, I shook my head and waited for him to tell me.

"It's a brothel," he said awkwardly, causing me to burst out laughing. The irony of my hotel in the future being an old brothel was not lost on me. I quickly tried to muffle my laughter with my hand, muttering under my breath, "Of course it fucking is."

"Definitely not what I had in mind," I managed to say, my laughter slowly subsiding as I attempted to regain my composure. "Don't look at me like that, let's just go inside."

Frederico hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with the idea. "But, Signora Gauthier, this is no place for a lady!"

I rolled my eyes at the notion, brushing past him and making my way inside. Despite the overwhelming scent of perfume that almost made me gag, I couldn't shake the feeling that what I was looking for might be inside these walls.

As I entered the main foyer, I was hit with a wave of noise and activity. The once drab brown walls were now painted a garish shade of pink, and young women in clothing similar to my romper were scattered about, some with men and others waiting for their next client. The sight made me subconsciously blush, realizing that anyone who saw me yesterday probably thought I was running around in my underwear.

AN: Okay, I'm stopping here, next to come is a little but of Ezio. :)