Chapter Two

The following morning was, surprisingly, not one of awkwardness.

Then again, Ezio knew that the thoughtful inventor would not make things so for him—Leonardo cared much too deeply about him.

This was only one of many things that Ezio had begun to brood over recently.

Leonardo clasped his hands together, an excited smile appearing on his face. He peered around the doorway at a hunched over figure that was slumped arbitrarily over his study. The hood, of course, was pulled back, revealing dark locks that shone illustriously in the light of the new dawn that streamed in from the adjacent window. The white robes on the form were specked and mottled with a various assortment of blood, dirt, mud, and sweat.

Leonardo sighed, but kept the smile pinned on his face.

"Ezio?" The inventor called tentatively to his friend.

He was rewarded with an affirmative grunt—most of the time, these grunts were Ezio's way of saying,

"Yes? Wait, no, I just remembered that I was sleeping. Later, then."

But, the artista would not let it go.

Leonardo padded quietly over to the soundly breathing Assassin. He, by no means, wanted to startle Ezio. He was, after all, a messenger of Death, in a sense. He wielded a number of sharp blades as well, which Leonardo knew well.

"Ezio, please wake up—this is rather important." Leonardo rapped his knuckles on the end of the table, hoping the vibrations would wake Ezio from his slumber.

Leonardo didn't enjoy waking Ezio up; he never would revel in something like it. Ezio was an Assassin, had seen many things that men should never see… When had he time for sleep? When was he not tormented by dreams with rivers of blood or anguished screams, or—

"Leo…nardo," Ezio croaked as he peeked open an eye. He rested his head sideways on his arms, in order to fully scan the inventor with his gaze. "Buongiorno, my friend. What troubles you?"

Ezio was always thinking about him; Leonardo felt a small twinge in his heart.

"Ah… You see," Leonardo began, "there is a matter I wanted to discuss with you—or, rather, something I would like to ask of you…"

"Ask, Leonardo. It is rare for me to turn down a request from you," Ezio murmured, eyes fluttering in a battle for sleep and attention. Leonardo felt even more guilty at that moment, depriving the Assassin of his sleep.

"I—I would like to know if you would attend tonight's ceremony with me."

Brown eyes finally opened in complete attention. Ezio slowly raised his head, a small smile coming to rest on his lips.

"You want me to accompany you? To the festival?"

"The Medici will be there, I thought maybe—

Ezio held up a hand to silence the inventor.

"If you want me to go, Leonardo, then I will go for you. Not the Medici." Ezio pursed his lips for a moment, in thought. "Though, I am not too sure a man like me should be present at a festival of God—

"Ezio," Leonardo warned. "Do not test me."

Ezio smiled—and Leonardo felt like his body had been engulfed in flames.

Quite pleasurable flames.

"Do you want to borrow some of my clothes, so that you do not attract attention to yourself?" Leonardo asked, rummaging through the chest that held his clothing. "I am not sure of what will fit you; you have become quite a broad man…" The latter part was more of a whisper to himself.

"You are kind, Leonardo, but I will take my chances. It would not be the first time I have gone out like this."

Leonardo smiled sympathetically. "Alright, my friend. Though, I would like you to enjoy yourself while we are there. It would be of no use to either of us if you spent your time brooding in a dark corner somewhere." Midway through fastening his robes, Ezio raised his head, with a look that seemed suspiciously like a pout.

"I don't brood over guards…"

Leonardo chuckled.

"Of course not, Ezio."

"I hope I am dressed well enough for the festivities—it is rare for me to go out like this…" Leonardo murmured; he fussed with the soon-to-be fraying hem on the inside of his doublet. It really was quite beautiful; the blue dye was so close to being the dazzling color of his own eyes—but that wasn't Leonardo's own thinking.

"You look quite dashing, if I must say so." Ezio spoke, reclining in a nearby chair, one boot on, the other somewhere behind him. "If you need further reassurance, I think we might be late." Ezio grinned; the artist in front of him reddened.

"Yes, but I don't want to appear lax about it. The Medici attend the ceremony, Ezio. Everyone in Venezia will don their finest attire; I would hate to undermine the celebration with—

"Leonardo, you look fine," Ezio sighed, exasperated. "You remind me much of Claudia, you know. Always preening over herself." Ezio ignored the artist's ruffled feathers, but still grinning, said, "If it is the women you are worried over, then I will just have to give you some advice when we arrive."

"Oh?" Leonardo quirked an eyebrow. "You will give me advice, on women?"

Ezio, searching for his other boot, called back, "Certainly! It is obvious to me, in the years that I have known you, that you have never been very good with women—you are always alone here. It would be rude of me to not offer my dearest friend some counsel."

It was best for Ezio to be turned around, Leonardo thought. Currently, he was doubled over in laughter.

"You believe I am always alone, because I am not good with women?" Leonardo inquired. "Is that the only reason you can think of, Ezio?"

"What other reason could there be? I know it is not easy to accept, Leonardo. That is why I am offering my help. I may even have to be careful; I don't want to attract the unnecessary attention of women while I am teaching you." Ezio stood, gesturing to the door. "Shall we leave? I think it is more than important that we begin these lessons immediately, or you will forever be a bachelor!"

"If you say so, Ezio..." Leonardo held up a finger, suddenly. "But, promise me one thing."

"Yes?"

"These "lessons" are free of charge?" Ezio feigned indignation.

"Would I ever charge you for my help, mio amico? Just pay close attention, and let me do the rest. In no time, you will have women fighting over you." Ezio pushed open the door; he left.

Leonardo shook his head.

"Ezio, I don't know what you have planned," he muttered, "but, it better have a decent purpose."

And, like all (read here: most) of Ezio's plans, it did have a purpose.