Lunch was an absolute delight as Frederico and I made a stop at a charming local bakery. Ezio excused himself, disappearing to spend time with a girl named Katrina or something like that—I didn't quite catch the name. Nonetheless, Frederico treated me to a delectable selection of sweet bread, and I couldn't help but indulge in its mouthwatering flavors. The taste was unforgettable, and I silently resolved to find a way to earn some money in this era so I could repay him for his kindness.
We had found respite from the scorching afternoon sun at a quaint little spot, with intricately designed mossy green metal table and chairs. Our plates were cleared, and we sat there, engaged in casual conversation while waiting for Ezio to return.
Unable to contain my curiosity any longer, I decided to address the matter that had been bothering me. "So, is your brother always such a flirt?" I inquired, hoping for some insight or perhaps a way to put an end to his advances.
Frederico let out a sigh and nodded in agreement. "Afraid so. It's just his nature."
I hummed softly, my teeth biting the inside of my cheek as I contemplated my next question. "Do you think he would stop if he knew I was with someone?" I asked, thinking of Adam.
Frederico paused, his gaze fixed in thought. "Probably not. He can be quite persistent. Do you have someone?" he inquired with a hint of curiosity. Great well there goes that idea.
"Yes, I do," I replied simply, opting for a vague but definitive answer.
He nodded, seemingly satisfied with my response. "Must be hard being so far away from him," he remarked, unaware of the true complexities of my situation.
A wistful smile played at the corner of my lips as I replied, "It's hard being away from home," choosing my words carefully.
As my smile faded, a sense of longing for home washed over me. It was true, I missed the comforts of family and friends and modern technology like toilets and functional lights. However, amidst my nostalgia, I couldn't help but feel a pang of uncertainty about missing Adam as much as I thought I should. It wasn't the same kind of longing, and that realization troubled me. I worried about him being worried about me, but was that truly missing someone? The internal conflict weighed heavily on my mind.
Sensing my unease, Frederico's hand reached for mine, offering a comforting squeeze before releasing. His gesture conveyed a sense of understanding, almost like a supportive older brother. "I'm sure you'll be home before you know it," he reassured me, his gaze holding a depth of empathy. "Padre told me about your situation."
His words caught me off guard. Did Frederico really know the true extent of my predicament, or was it just a partial understanding? Before I could voice my thoughts, my attention was diverted as Ezio made his reappearance, his hair tousled and disheveled.
"Shall we focus on combat this afternoon?" Ezio asked, his tone filled with enthusiasm as he playfully clapped Frederico on the shoulder. I couldn't help but notice the slightly reddish tint on his lips, or how his shirt was off-centered, oh yea, he'd clearly gotten laid... again.
"Yes, I think it would be a good idea to find a spacious area on the rooftops," Frederico replied, a smile spreading across his face as he recalled my curiosity from the previous day.
"The rooftops? Are you certain?" I couldn't help but express a hint of concern, my excitement was temporarily overshadowed by the potential risks involved. However, Ezio's infectious enthusiasm quickly brushed away any reservations I had.
Ezio took the lead, effortlessly maneuvering through the narrow back alley with the grace of a seasoned acrobat. His movements were fluid and precise, showcasing his expertise in the only way I could describe as parkour. Meanwhile, I stood there, feeling a mixture of awe and trepidation at the sight. Sensing my hesitation, Frederico, always considerate, quickly spotted a conveniently placed ladder nearby. He pointed it out to me with a reassuring smile, offering a practical solution to bridge the gap between the ground and the rooftop. Grateful for his assistance, I nodded appreciatively and made my way up the ladder, determined to keep up with their rooftop adventures.
As I reached the rooftop, a gasp escaped my lips, stolen by the breathtaking view that unfolded before me. The city sprawled out in all directions, revealing its grandeur from this elevated vantage point. The rooftops stretched like a patchwork quilt, the winding streets, and bustling squares visible from every angle. The sight was even more awe-inspiring than my explorations on the ground level the day before. I stood there, soaking in the panoramic vista, feeling a sense of wonder and appreciation for the beauty that surrounded me.
"Come, Brielle, let's find a more level surface," Frederico called out, and I obediently followed. The rooftop terrain became increasingly challenging as we made our way, but I managed to keep up. However, as we reached a point where we had a small jump down to a lower rooftop, my confidence wavered. And smaller was Ezio's words. Oh, no thank you, I could probably do it but it was a modest three-foot leap, but it still unnerved me.
Ezio, ever the agile one, effortlessly vaulted across the gap, displaying his natural grace. Frederico, too, made the leap with ease, resembling a nimble monkey in his movements.
"Jump, I shall catch you," Ezio called out with a hint of assurance in his voice.
"Ah, trust falls. My favorite," I mumbled sarcastically, though deep down there was this warm pull in my chest telling me to trust him. I tried not to give it too much thought otherwise I'd back out. I took a run jump and cleared it by a solid extra foot. I still collided with Ezio, it's like we're two magnets that smacked into each other, I had effectively landed on him and knocked him over. For a brief moment, time seemed to freeze as his arms instinctively wrapped around me, providing an unexpected sense of warmth and security. It was an odd sensation, as if a golden aura surrounded us, blurring the boundaries between reality and imagination. Can colors truly be felt?
The moment was quickly broken, by me.
"I am so sorry!" I hurriedly got off him. I extended my hand towards him, more out of politeness than expecting to actually lift his well-built frame. It was then that I truly took a moment to observe him. Ezio stood before me, his shoulders broader and his stature taller than his brother's. There was an undeniable presence about him, an air of confidence that emanated from his being.
Ezio, always the smooth talker, flashed a playful grin and leaned in slightly. "Well, falling for me so quickly, are you?" he quipped, a hint of amusement in his voice.
I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed by his attempt at flattery. "Hardly," I replied, suppressing a smirk. "I'm more interested in staying on my own two feet, thank you."
He chuckled, seemingly unfazed by my rejection. "A shame, bella. But perhaps I'll find a way to sweep you off your feet another time."
I shook my head, the corners of my frowning a bit. "Don't hold your breath, Ezio. I've got already got someone back home." There, he knows, maybe Frederico will be wrong and he'll back off.
Ezio's momentary dejection at my comment didn't linger, and his usual confidence returned as Frederico suggested we begin my training in a large open area of the rooftops. I turned my attention to Frederico, curious about what lay ahead. To be honest, I wasn't particularly enthusiastic about learning what I assumed would be fighting. I lacked substantial muscle mass in my upper body that was for sure, and my interests didn't lie in the realm of physical confrontation. My physique was slim and curvy, my legs held most of my power while my should and arms were slim. However, circumstances had brought me here, and I was determined to make the most of it.
With a nod, I acknowledged Frederico's proposal. "Alright, let's get started then."
Frederico's eyes lit up, clearly eager to share his knowledge. "We'll start with a simple exercise to assess your agility and reflexes. Just come at me, and I'll gauge your movements and reactions. It's not about overpowering me; it's about seeing how you handle yourself in a dynamic situation."
I raised an eyebrow, feeling a mix of apprehension and curiosity. "Come at you? You mean like... attack you?"
Frederico chuckled softly, shaking his head at my assumption. "Not exactly. You'll be going up against Ezio while I assess and guide you. But first, we need to see what you already know."
Great, just great. A sense of apprehension washed over me as I turned my gaze toward Ezio. His usually playful expression had morphed into a slightly more serious one, though his signature smirk still played on his lips. I myself, bit my lip nervously, wondering what I had gotten myself into.
As we prepared ourselves, I quickly ran through my limited arsenal of self-defense moves in my mind. Punching seemed out of the question; I was certain that Ezio's agility and reflexes would easily dodge any feeble attempt. But then again, I couldn't just stand there like a helpless bystander. I needed to find an approach that wouldn't embarrass me.
"I will try," I replied, steadying myself in a balanced squat position. I took a moment to shake off the nerves, flexing my hands to ease the tension. Locking eyes with Ezio, I focused my determination and launched into action.
I sprinted towards him, veering in from an angle to catch him off guard. With a swift motion, I flipped my body around, utilizing my momentum to gain leverage. Planting my feet firmly on the ground, I executed a well-timed hip check, sending him sprawling backward. My roller derby skills proved to be more useful than I anticipated. A chuckle escaped my lips as I relished in his surprised expression.
However, my moment of triumph was short-lived. Caught up in my own success, I failed to notice Ezio's retaliatory move. With a quick leg swipe, he swiftly brought me crashing down too. Oof, the wind was knocked out of me, and I found myself sprawled on the ground, my confidence replaced with a humbling reminder of my limitations.
"Unorthodox, but the element of surprise certainly worked," Fred commented, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Thanks," I say as I lay on the rooftop, catching my breath, Ezio gracefully rose to his feet and extended his hand towards me, offering assistance. However, a sudden flinch rippled through me before I could control it, betraying an instinctive wariness. I glimpsed the fleeting confusion in Ezio's eyes, a subtle change in his expression that didn't escape my notice.
Shrugging off my own apprehension, I chose to ignore the perplexed look on his face and reached out, accepting his hand. His touch was steady and reassuring, a mix of strength and gentleness that sent a shiver down my spine. The momentary contact held an unspoken tension as if there were questions lingering between us, waiting to be answered.
In that fleeting instant, I couldn't help but wonder if Ezio had perceived more than just a simple flinch. His gaze lingered for a moment longer as if he sensed there was a hidden story behind my reaction.
Once again, I redirected my focus to Frederico, deliberately avoiding Ezio's lingering gaze. "So, what's next, coach?" I inquired, eager to dive into the next phase of my training. I was determined to prove myself, even if it meant pushing my limits and addressing my weaknesses head-on.
With patience and expertise, Frederico guided me through the fundamentals, praising my natural stance and balance. Yet, he didn't shy away from highlighting the areas that needed improvement. "You've got a solid foundation, Brielle," he acknowledged, "but we'll need to work on building your upper arm strength."
And with that, the day's training left me utterly drained, my energy spent and my muscles fatigued. With a hearty meal to replenish my strength, I surrendered to the embrace of my bed, desperate for respite. Yet, as I fell asleep, my mind came with unwelcome dreams.