Disclaimer: I don't own Assassin's Creed...that's all Ubisoft
Ch. 5
The sun streamed in through a nearby window, gracing my face with its presence. I, however, was not in the mood to wake up and be blinded by the sun. I groaned heavily, sitting up slowly in my bed. I yawned loudly, rubbing the sleep from my eyes and standing up like an eighty-year-old woman. "I guess I should call dad…" I murmured to myself. I made my way to the dresser across from my bed where my phone lay, charging.
It wasn't there. And I wasn't in my hotel room. It hadn't been a dream, I was in the Auditore house, staying with the Auditore's themselves. 'Oh man… ooohhhh man….' I began to pace around my room, frantically running my fingers through my hair as a nervous habit.
My door began to creak open, and a brown head popped through the opening. "I see you're already awake! Be ready in half an hour. I will take you around the city!" Federico chirped, pulling his head back through, but before he could close the door, he stuck his head through the opening once again. "Mother laid some dresses on the chair in the corner while you were asleep." And, with that, he left.
I turned to the chair Federico spoke of. On it, lay three gorgeous dresses. I picked up the one on top, and pulled the one I had on, off, gently laying it on the bed. I put the other on. I found a comb on the dresser- thank God- and pulled it through the knots in my hair.
When I was done, I slid the door open gently, slipping out like a ghost. I had no idea if any of the Auditore's- besides Federico- were actually awake, but I didn't want to take the chance of possibly causing them to dislike me, or to burden them further. "…Federico…?" I whispered.
He appeared from behind the corner. "No one is asleep, Melina, you can speak normally," he told me. He laughed quietly, reaching his hand up to ruffle my hair gently.
I laughed slightly, fixing my hair in the process. "Where are we going?" I asked him.
He began his leave out of the door. "First, I must get some things from the local shops, but I will take you on a tour of Firenze afterwards. Promette."
I followed him through the door. Firenze's crisp, morning air hit me like a tidal wave. Passing through the gate, I realized just how beautiful Renaissance Italy was. The early-morning risers bustled about like busy bees, and the shopkeepers were setting up their elegant wares. The old-world sensation was nonexistent, and I felt as though I was in a whole new, gorgeous, universe. The buildings that I once saw as old and decrepit were now vibrant both in color and in aura. The sickening smell of gas fumes and pollution no longer sullied the air. Just one breath and my spirits instantly lifted.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
I turned to Federico. "Yes…very. There's nothing like this where I'm from," I told him.
He raised an inquisitive eyebrow at me. "Really?" His once playful face turned hard, serious. "Where are you from, anyway?"
I shook my head. "Trust me, you wouldn't believe me if I told you."
He nodded. "Va bene. I won't pester you…yet. But I would like you to tell me at some point."
"Bene, I will."
Without another word, Federico began leading me. I followed him to numerous shops, and found that he was quite the haggler. He had knocked off a silver dagger a whole ten florins! Although, I don't know what Federico's father- a banker- needed with a dagger…
"Silenzio, and keep your head low. I believe we are being followed," he whispered once we had gotten the dagger. I kept my head still, but allowed my eyes to dart around wildly. A glimpse of white here and there, but it would escape my sight quickly… that's what had me worried. If someone was in fact following us, they were well-trained. I was never one for a fight, and couldn't hold my own in one anyway, I always thought it was unnecessary.
"Follow me, and don't make eye-contact with anyone until we arrive home." My stomach lurched. Federico, unlike me, could definitely hold his own in a fight, and the fact that he was conscience made me sick to my stomach.
I followed Federico's order. I hung my head low, and kept my eyes glued to Federico's feet, the only guide as to where we were going. I sunk into his side, trying my best to keep up with his fast pace without looking suspicious. The tension was thick, and the 15 minutes it took to arrive at the Auditore home felt like an eternity.
Once the house-door closed behind us, I began to question Federico. "Who was that?"
He seemed…fidgety. "I must talk to my father…"The door opened again, and Ezio stepped through. "Ezio! Mio dio! Please… erm.. t-take care of Melina for me and…yeah." With that, he left, and it was just Ezio and I in the room. 'I'm not a dog…'
"Uh… buonjourno…" I mumbled, breaking the ice.
Ezio tore his eyes away from the door to gaze a me. "B-buonjourno… who are you?"
I bit my lip nervously. "Well, my name's M-Melina and… uhm… I'm going to be staying here for a while." I brought my hands up quick. "Under invitation, of course! I would never mean to intrude!"
Ezio chuckled. "Bene." He grabbed my hand from where they stay in the air and brought it to his lips. I blushed. I didn't think I'd ever get used to that. I should though, if I was going to be here a while.
"R-right… well—"
"You will find Federico is not home often, neither am I or my sister, Claudia. I'm sure you could find us in Firenze, though, if you needed one of us," Ezio stated, obviously noticing the awkward atmosphere.
"O-oh…grazie!" I smiled warmly at him, and he returned it. Something in my mind clicked. Ezio was the source of that force, I knew it now.
USE THE FORCE MELINA! ಠ_ಠ don't judge me...I'm a special child!
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