7. Assassin's Creed fandom. AU.
Totally Inaccurate Italian:
Pagano: Heathen
Empio cagna: Unholy bitch
Caro mio: Loved one
This adventure is inspired by 'Atelier Rorona', a fluffy, warm adventure that features an apprentice studying alchemy.
_____________________________
"Pagano! You will regret your crimes against us!"
"You are not worthy of praise! Disgusting, savage, witless FILTH!"
Fists and feet poured down on him, accompanied by Heaven's tears. His assailants were hellbent on showing no mercy, but he surrendered
the right to protest a short while ago. His throat was raw from having cried out in pain, burning with the intensity of an open flesh wound.
Wounds all across his body burned, as if they were all doused in a million flames, but no angel knew of his anguish. Heaven's messengers
had gone to sleep, and he was alone.
Cold, broken and helpless.
"Empio cagna! This is your reward for staining our family name!"
Diamonds rushed from his crisp, eternal blue eyes, but none of them were heard. Accompanied by the most savage laughter, fists and feet
continued to strike-and he was helpless, defenseless against the massacre of his fragile heart.
Twenty minutes before Heaven found its most precious angel, lying in the rain. Chilled to the bone, battered and silent.
Inconsolable.
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8. It was in that rain you found me, and in your arms I began to recover.
My dream was the birth of happiness. I dreamt of seeing smiles for so many days and nights, working at my hardest to create magic. I
dreamt of giving birth to new dreams, bright dreams, dreams of magic and wonder.
On that day you found me, shattered dreams and all.
If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't even be able to walk this Earth-let alone drink from the fountains of happiness. If it hadn't been for you,
I wouldn't be able to breathe. You rescued me, cradled me, and for that I am forever grateful.
You brought me back to life, and now I can fly.
______________________________
I believed it was my destiny to spread happiness.
I wanted the birth of happiness more than I wanted to draw breath. Every day I took up arms, heading off into the miraculous world of
alchemy with my wand. Every day I was determined to work my magic, living and breathing only for the happiness of others.
Without standing on my own two feet, I conducted spells for the world I loved.
I was frozen in time, even though sunshine moved outside of my window. It was my purpose to spread light through our world, but I bore
no true light within me. I knew nothing of love's soft, sweet glow, or the tender song it offered complete hearts. I was always delighted to
witness the bliss of others, especially when their joy came from my alchemy. I might not have been a Master Alchemist, but I experienced
the deepest rapture whenever I created something-for I knew it would bring about many smiles.
I tried so hard to make others happy, even when I stumbled. I absorbed my world's happiness as a parched rose absorbs liquid crystal,
but...you were not there. I had not yet discovered Heaven's breath. And without that breath, without that sacred air, I fell into the deepest
darkness.
In the rain you found me, and nursed me back to health.
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9. When all seemed lost, the light came.
It flooded into me, breathing life into my veins, my lungs and blood. You helped me, shaped me, and I was brought back to life in your hands.
Never before had I seen such magic, tasted such rich air, or gripped such warm clouds, but you were there. And on the wings you gave me, I
was able to fly. I learned new things, dreamt of new treasures. I rose to new heights.
In the rain you found me, and because of your good deed, I have been reborn.
________________________________
In the light of day, magic played on Firenze's rooftops.
The clouds were alive with golden delight, glowing brighter with each passing day. The winds were vibrant and playful, alive with the rich aroma
of eternal sunshine. Smiles walked Firenze's streets, bathing in glow of an infinite dream. Birds graced the skies, singing of joy that grew
without boundaries.
In the light of day, magic soared through a quaint workshop. Gifts were abundant amongst its shelves, each one brimming with the purest
delight. And betwixt their walls stood a humble Alchemist. Bathing in the day's eternal glow, Leonardo tried his hand at something new-
But laughed once it blew up in his face. And in the distance, Niccolo Machiavelli shook his head.
"Not again, Leonardo. Are you STILL trying to perfect that?"
"It will work, caro mio. You will see!"
"Unless my workshop burns down," the Master Alchemist said, still shaking his head with a smile. He spoke several words under his breath.
"A spirit of unstoppable, unparalleled radiance. That's what you are, my Leonardo."
12. The streets are empty by this time of day. Hints of the sun still sparkle in between the rows of
stone structures. Silence seems to sweep across the entire city, even the parts that would be bustling
during the afternoon. Ever so slowly the bright blue sky is over taken by the soft dark sheets of the
night. Somewhere in the middle of the vast stone forest, there is a small workshop owned by a
humble, but brilliant young painter. From the outside it looks as if no life has stirred from this place
for weeks. However, if you wonder inside and down the narrow corridor to the right, you'll see a dim
light from a cluttered, dust strewn room. As you wander closer you hear faint voices and occasional
laughter. Peek around the corner of the door way and you will see four people sitting around an iron
stove. From left to right in the circle the first person you see a large, young man with bright amber
eyes, dark brown hair and angular facial features. The person to his right is a small, but well built
young woman with long golden hair, bright green eyes and a heartwarming smile. To her right, sitting
rather closely is another young woman with lovely straight black hair and dark eyes, her features are
soft, and her smile is inviting. Swiftly she playfully whacks the older young man next to her. His hair
is golden like clean straw, and his eyes are as bright a blue as the sky lights that fade above them.
Their conversation seems indiscernible, but it is easy by their soft, relaxed expressions, that they are
pouring their hearts out.
"Leonardo, it isn't impossible! You said it yourself that nothing truly is. Come now,
show us the design! Maybe we can help!" Prods the dark eyed woman.
13. "Oh, I couldn't... it’s not ready yet." Shyly the artist replies.
"Leonardo, Saix is right... what’s to lose? You are among friends. If you'll let us help you, me and Saix will
show you our designs!" The golden haired girl glimmers playfully.
A twinge of curiosity shines in Leonardo's crystal blue eyes. For months it seems his sweet apprentices have
horded and hidden their precious art works from the world. They were afraid that they would be shunned,
hated, or hurt. In his pondering, he suddenly makes eye contact with the large young man next to him. A little
wondrous himself, it seems the subtle smile in those amber eyes makes Leonardo's decision much easier. He
nods with a shallow sigh,
"Alright, alright, I'll go get it, if you'll go fetch your designs."
More reluctant than the rest, Saix slowly stands from her seat and turns to fetch her, as she calls
them, hideous works. Before she can move past him, the amber eyed man stops her. Gently he tugs her
sleeve,
"If it means anything to you... I'd really like to see them." He mutters shyly.
14. A little taken by his sudden sweetness toward her, Saix moves on with a little nervousness. Within a
good amount of time, after Leonardo has buried through all his papers and random contraptions, the
three return to the fire's light. Each holds their work tightly to their chest, suspiciously, and at the same
time eager.
"I vote you go first Rakashael." Leonardo plucks at the papers hidden in her arms.
"Eh... o-okay, okay!" She glances at the large man to her left, he smiles so sweetly to her.
How that smile could cause one's heart to falter, if only he knew the power he held. In any case, the shy
emerald eyed vixen moves the papers slowly toward the light. Upon them, clear designs of two men and
a woman have been colored in with ink.
"Is that Ezio?" Saix gushes with a giggle.
Frightened, little Rakashael nods shakily. Leonardo and Saix smile at each other,
"I don't see why you hid them, they are very well done."
"Well done? No, they are terrible!"
"I don't think they are terrible." Ezio interjects, softly of course.
15. After a moment of admiring her work, Leonardo is elected by Rakashael to show his works. Some
coercing is needed, but he gets on with it and reveals his marvelous designs. In his scrawl can be seen
the care and love he puts into all of his work, especially so it seems, a little sketch on the top left of the
page. A small portrait of Saix, he eyes have been colored carefully.
"Such a sweet memento... it looks so much like her... “Rakashael grins and glances at the red
faced Saix.
"Well, well, how about you Saix..." Leonardo clears his throat.
All the convincing it took Leonardo to show his work, it takes at least twice as much for the raven haired
lady to even loosen her grip on her parchments. Eventually, she shows them with great reluctance.
All mouths seem to slightly drop when they lay eyes on her pieces. In a sense they lack a little muscular
structure, but are perfectly proportional, and quite relaxing to look at. Leonardo feels the need to place
his arms around the sweet Saix. Tightly he embraces her and thanks her for sharing her beautiful work.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
16. How admirable is one who never gives up, and always is so kind. It shows in their art, because without a
little heart there can be none.
The world knows so little about you, and I think they should. To be counted among my muses you have to
be close to my heart, you have to be strong, you have to hold the potential to be something great. You have
all of this, and some day there will arise the opportunity to be free of your situation and show the world
what you are really made of. When that opportunity arises I know you will have the strength to take it and
give all those bad talkers a taste of what you can do. Those mean things, those lies you'd been fed about
being worthless have greatly angered me. I know how you feel; I know we are akin, if in no other way than
our shattered minds. I was not drawn to you because you fail at life, but simply that you have yet to proceed.
We'll move on together, one step at a time.
I love you big sis!
~
Rakashael
17.
18. Here is a beautiful song written by
Rakashael:
23. The other man nodded and closing the space between the two li@ed his right hand, his fingers quickly res>ng on the painter's cheek, making the other
man froze as tension seeped into Leonardo's shoulders and neck. He could feel the new comer's back of the palm across his brow trailing it down the
curve of his cheek, his warm, calloused hands across his skin and his body standing so close that he could feel the assassin's heat. The painter smiled as
if suddenly the weight on his shoulders was li@ed and rubbed his cheek gently against the other man's fingers, his lips moving, and the man speaking
again:
"I've... missed you..."
"If that is so, then you should tell me why are you whispering to the darkness these black thoughts?"
The painter smiled amused and said glancing into the new comer’s eyes:
"What else should I speak to the night, my dear Ezio?"
"My name… So I could hear it from afar when I'm away?", grinned the assassin moving away the painter and leaning over the wooden edge of the
balcony watching the ground underneath.
"I didn't took you for a poet, assassin...", grinned the painter amused.
"Don't change the subject, Leonardo...", insisted the other man looking quickly over his shoulder at the ar>st as the man walked near the balcony, his
hands pressing over the banister.
"It's nothing, my dear...", said Leonardo.
"So hearing you whisper about stupid pain>ngs and not being good enough was just me hearing things?", smiled briefly Ezio glaring at the other man.
Leonardo snorted annoyed and turning his head towards the assassin said:
"For how long have you been hiding into the shadows?"
"Enough to hear your words...", smiled Ezio moving to the right, a step closer towards the painter, leaning his side against the ar>st's. "Why don't you share
the load, Leonardo?"
"Because it's nothing, Ezio..."
29. Leonardo stood in the square as the sun began to sink from the sky, staring at the shadow that was cast against the
closing market stalls. Clouds were rolling in rather quickly and the cool autumn day was turning into a cold autumn
night. The streets were closing and people retiring to their homes, but there the Eagle sat still as stone, his cape
fluttering in the breeze that had kicked up. Leonardo watched with sad eyes as he wrapped his arms around himself.
He had a feeling he knew why he perched atop the crumbling pillar, so far away from the world that he protected. The
painter would give anything to let the assassin know just how much he was needed, and how he didn’t need to feel so
alone. Sighing, Leonardo left his spot as the cold chill started to settle in his bones. He left the assassin to his quiet
contemplation, alone.
Ezio stared at the horizon, watched as the blazing sun started to disappear behind the hills with fire dancing across the
darkening sky. Up here, he felt free, being kissed by the evening’s cool breath. So many thoughts were trampling
through his mind and he needed to release them. It wasn’t often he let his feelings get the best of him and after
sometime he wondered if he had feelings at all or if he was an empty husk, hell bent on killing. His wonder ceased
when his feelings of loss and loneliness plagued him now and in his dreams. He hadn’t truly slept a full night in a week.
He was mentally and physically exhausted. He needed to relinquish these thoughts and somber feelings to the only
person he felt would honestly listen. Hopping down the next pillar, he followed them until he was once again on solid
ground. Mounting his horse he lowered his head and kicked the while mare into a trot, his destination warring on his
mind.
Leonardo hummed quietly to himself; he had just finished building up the fire in an attempt to get the chill out of the
large room. Grabbing one of his many research books he was about to settle down into the chaise with a blanket and
the warming, crackling fire when a quiet knock echoed through the quiet workshop.
“Un momento!” Leonardo called, placing his book on his work table.
Opening his door he was greeted by a very familiar hooded friend.
30. “Buonasera Leonardo.” White breath hung in the air from under his darkened hood.
“Ezio! How good to see you! Come, get out of the cold.”
Ezio respectfully pulled his hood off and followed the painter into his home, closing the door with his boot. His steps were
virtually silent as he crossed the vast room to where the painter was babbling. The warm fire was welcomed and seemed
to touch the chill he felt around his heart.
“…I should have cleaned up more, but hey…organized chaos.”
Leonardo turned to Ezio and immediately ceased his one sided conversation. Ezio looked horrible, he was much paler than
Leonardo remembered, dark circles formed under his eyes and a dark shadow was cast across his sharp features as his
amber eyes stared at the floor boards.
“Ezio?”
“Hmmm.”
“You do not look so good, something is troubling you my friend. What is it?” Leonardo prodded gently.
He knew why the assassin graced his home tonight. It had been such a long time and he was going to be as patient as
possible. He watched as Ezio flopped heavily onto the chaise his face buried in his hands.
“I am tired. Tired of…this.” Ezio answered, motioning at Leonardo.
“I do not understand Ezio.” A little hurt, Leonardo pulled up a stool next to his friend, placing a gentle hand on the
assassin’s quivering knee, waiting for him to explain.
“Leonardo, I do not know how much longer I can go on. I am hated and feared. I cannot walk the streets freely
anymore. I am alone, my life…it was never truly mine. Even now I work for everyone else; my life never really
belonged to me.”
“Me, your madre and Claudia…they are here.”
31. “They run the brothel; they no longer need me now that Claudia has become an assassin. I fear the world no longer needs me.
All I ever wanted was to find my place; il mentore is what I have become. Right now, four assassins are outside willing to put
their lives on the line to protect me, but why?”
“Because Ezio, you are worth their protection and you give them something to fight for.” Leonardo answered quietly. His blue
eyes twinkled in the fire light.
“Am I?” Ezio snapped, raising his head to meet caring gaze. Not realizing that his sudden outburst caused the painter to
remove his hand from Ezio’s knee.
“I am no more important than they. I am merely a leaf floating along aimlessly on an autumn breeze. I have no one to call my
own, no one to come home too. I do not even have a home anymore. I cannot return to Firenze, Monteriggioni was
destroyed… I have nothing. All my possessions I carry with me, my only home is the hideout and it is just that… a place to
hide and if I cannot make it back to the hideout, it is the nearest alley or abandoned building that can offer little protection.
This is what my life has become.”
“Ezio…”
“I am tired of being alone, tired of being hunted, tired of not having a reason to keep fighting what I am fighting for. Leonardo,
I am exhausted. I feel my time has passed me by and I have spent it chasing after revenge rather than living.” Ezio’s voice
trailed off to nothing more than a whisper.
“Ezio…”
“I am sorry Leonardo. I did not mean to burden you, I must leave. I…have some work to do.” Ezio interrupted as he started to
stand only to be shoved back down into the chaise lounge, Leonardo pointing an angry finger at the Assassin, fire in his eyes.
Ezio acted with surprise, he hadn’t seen Leonardo act like this in a long time.
32. “Ezio, you listen to me and listen good. You mean the world to your Madre and you always come up in the conversations that
Claudia and I have. She thinks the world of you. You my friend have become a legend. The thieves they talk you up as if you
were death himself, so skilled that you could sneeze and topple mountains. Your assassins follow and protect you, just like you
do with them. They strive to fill your boots, they are so proud to be led by you. If only you could hear how highly they speak of
you. Even Machievelli holds you in high regard.”
Leonardo was interrupted by a scoff and an eye roll. Leonardo punched the assassin in the arm as hard as he could.
“Owe.” Ezio whined, rubbing his arm.
“Silenzioso, I am not done with you. You might not be able to walk the streets freely, but only those who are stupido dare trifle
with you. You have an amazing power Ezio and all of Roma feels safer with you around. I have seen children playing in the
streets, pretending to be the famed il assassin of Roma with their wooden sticks as swords and canvas bags as your hood. Many
people could only dream of what you do. You don’t hear the whispers at court, they secretly admire you. You are not homeless
either. I have always opened my home to you and your assassini and I always will. If your father or brothers could see what you
have become, they would be bursting with pride. Look at what you have accomplished Ezio.” Leonardo finished, with a wave of
his hand.
“I do not see these things. Every time I come here, I put you in danger.” Ezio muttered, dropping his head.
Leonardo reached out and grabbed the young assassins chin, forcing his amber eyes to look at him. He could see all the pain
and fears that they kept hidden.
“Perhaps you should open those beautiful eyes of yours and look around assassino. Look at the lives you have saved by spilling
corrupt blood. I have the utmost respect for what you do Ezio. You, you do things that I sometimes wish I could do. You have
seen places I yearn to see. If I did not want you here, you would not be here. Apart of me gets a chance to live through you
every time you use one of these weapons.” Leonardo grabbed Ezio’s wrist with his free hand.
“I am still alone Leonardo, I feel empty and soulless.”
33. “Nonsenso. When I look into your eyes I see all the hurt you keep hidden from the rest of the world. I also see all your hopes
and fears. It is what gives them their incredible depth, and when you use your special talent they get so deep I could drown in
them. Ezio, I can see your soul in them and it is a good one, just like your heart.”
Leonardo let go of his wrist and placed his hand over his heart, and cupping his cheek with his other hand.
“Leonardo…”
“You are not alone Ezio. Look around you maestro. Most of all, you have me and so long as I draw breath I will always be here
to talk some sense in you and love you for who you really are, hidden under all the armor and blades.” Leonardo finished with a
bright smile.
Ezio sat in silence. Everything Leonardo had said was true. He just needed to hear it ever once in a while. He was lost in
Leonardo’s endless sky blue eyes and that made him truly see that Leonardo held his heart.
“How could I have been so blind.” Ezio whispered.
“You have been wearing that hood for far too long il mio amico.” Leonardo replied, his laughter loosened the chain around Ezio’s
heart.
“Mi dispiace Leon...”
“Shh! You have no reason to apologize to me. Come now, lets get you to bed. You look exhausted.”
Ezio nodded and followed the painter to his room and shed his armour, weapons and robes while Leonardo sat on the bed,
watching with trained eyes.
Ezio caught his reflection in the large mirror by the door. He was worn out and beyond tired but what he saw in the mirror was
not the tired visage of an assassin, what he saw was himself, completely free. No armor, no robes or weapons to hide himself in.
He was just himself, released from the heavy burden he carried every time he put on those robes. He was free when he came to
leonardo’s. It felt as if his anvil had been lifted. Everything he had been looking for, was right here waiting for him the whole
time. He was home, where he felt safe, comfortable and for the first time in a long time, he no longer felt alone.
34. Ezio walked over to the bed and slid under the covers, propping his head up on his hand he watched as Leonardo got off the
bed, removed his boots and made up the fire. Ezio’s tired body was now dragging his eyelids down.
“Leonardo, grazie.”
“For what?” Leonardo repied, walking over to the bed where Ezio lay.
“Reminding me of how good my life really is.”
The artist chuckled at the huge yawn that rapidly erupted from Ezio.
“You never were alone. Now, get some sleep. I will be in the chair.”
Before Leonardo could turn around, Ezio grabbed his arm and pulled with more strength then one man should have when
asleep, down into the bed with him gaining him a startled yelp from the painter.
“You sleep...re...” Ezio mumbled, wrapping his arm tightly around Leonardo’s waist. Smiling to himself he settled into the bed,
sliding under the covers the best he could while trying not to disturb Ezio who was now snoring softly.
“I’ll stay.” Leonardo whispered, smiling when Ezio hugged him tighter.
That night Ezio has slept better than he had in a long time. He knew now that he wasn’t as alone as he once believed himself to
be.
He was a legend, the great Ezio Auditore and his heart belonged to Leonardo da Vinci.
37. Ezio lay on a rooftop, eyes closed, arms behind his head. It had been a long while since he last had the chance to just lie
there … and feel.
He felt the last golden rays of sunshine warm his body, casting it into an exceptional shade of light. All facets of yellow,
gold, orange and red – known and unknown to mankind – danced slowly and sensually over his armor-clad form and
came together to create a masterpiece only nature could possibly bring forth.
He felt the cool, light breeze of the oncoming night envelop him into its soft embrace.
But most importantly, he felt a peace he had not thought possible to exist in such a cold and cruel world.
The source of this peace was simple. The last years Ezio had constantly been travelling around, assassinating allies of
the Templar order and ensuring Italys safety. The constant stress and the endless nagging of restlessness had dragged
the famous assassin into a downward spiral of depression and violence, until he had not been able to bear it any longer
and had broken down because of physical and mental exhaustion.
And it had been a friend – his friend Leonardo, the dearest and most kind of all souls – who had acted upon his misery
and had decided to not let Ezio throw himself into another dangerous mission until he had fully recovered. Surely all
those evil people could wait! The deaths of a few templars were far less important than Ezios life, si? , the artist had
reasoned.
And what a better place for recovery than in the comforting embrace of art and friendship?
Driven by these thoughts, Leonardo had dedicated all of his time during the last two weeks to Italys feared eagle,
nursing him back to health with soothing hands and loving words.
And all this time Ezio had felt his body healing and the heavy weight upon his heart lighten under the care of his best
friend.
Ezios brows furrowed the tiniest bit and his lips formed a small pout.
He could not quite count the times he had thought the word “friend” in the last ten minutes, but now that he thought
about it, what did it really mean? What was it about Leonardo that made him his friend?
38. Leonardo deciphered his various codex pages for him, he let the assassin borrow his precious inventions (quite useful for the
blonde himself because he didn’t need to search for a person mad enough to test them for him), he treated his wounds, gave
him shelter whenever the Auditore needed it, laughed with him, comforted him when the memory about the loss of his family
resurfaced, he tried to keep the assassin safe at all costs,… Leonardo was always there when he was needed, with open arms
and a reassuring smile.
And what did Ezio do to earn this kind souls attention?
He showed up in the artists workshop and always with work to do for the blonde man – usually deciphering some code or some
form of medical treatment - ,then he disappeared before sunrise, for months or even years and without so much as writing a
letter to let Leonardo know he was alive. He stole the artists precious and much needed time – time Leonardo could have
spend working on his overdue commissions or on one of his beloved inventions –and he put his FRIEND, the man who cared
about him, in constant danger!
All in all, Ezio concluded, it was a wonder the genius still spoke to him. But then again, maybe it was not so wonderous at all.
After all, the artist had always been gentle and naïve – far too naïve for his own good, never expecting something in return for
all the nights he had spend awake because of the assassin and for all the trouble he went through with the always suspicious
city guards who harassed him as much as possible.
And why did the blonde do that? Because he cared. And Ezio had never before understood the luxury he had, because
Leonardo was always there.
Yawning, Ezio stood and began to make his way down the roof of the inventors workshop, the feeling of peace never leaving
him even with the warmth and light of the sunrays gone. It was time to properly thank Leonardo for being his one truly safe
haven in the never ending storm the assassin called his life.
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39.
40. May your life be filled with happiness.
Wonderful opportunities await you.
You have all of us behind your back
and we know you will do great things.
You are so talented and wonderful and
our world would be dark without you
to show us the light.
