The Trouble With Time

It was a beautiful day in Venezia. There was a cool breeze, despite the warmth of summer, the city streets were abuzz with activity and Ezio loved it. The yellow rays of the sun glinted off the metal work of his uniform as he walked through the throngs of people who shopped and chit chatted amongst themselves in the marketplace.

It seemed even the guards were in a good mood. There were no shouts of, 'Hey you! Do I know you?' No one coming close to inspect him, because he looked familiar.

The only person in all of Italy, it seemed, who had no idea just how nice a day it really was, happened to be a very good friend to this Assassino. Leonardo da Vinci was hard at work in his shop on the blueprints for the flying machine. The finishing touches were being put on the design, and soon, he'd be able to completely finish his latest great work.

Ezio was on his way to visit the artist, not because there was a new Codex page to decipher, but because he was determined to draw the man outside to enjoy the beauty of the day. That, and he truely had a wish to see the man's smile. The little gestures always warmed something in him, since they'd become such good friends. The feeling was something that Ezio had come to look foreward to.

Knock, knock, knock. A warm smile came to Leonardo's face. He knew that light rap anywhere. Putting aside his work, the inventor shuffled over to the door to greet his friend.

"Ah, Ezio, amico mio! What can I do for you today?" The Assassin was pulled into a friendly, lingering hug and Ezio felt the tug of a smile at his own lips. A warm cheek was pressed against his exposed neck and he knew the older man to be smiling.

Too soon, though, his body was released and a ghost of a frown marred his features which, thankfully, went unseen by his friend. A gentle hand set itself on one of Leonardo's shoulders. "I've come to take you out. It's gorgeous outside, and yet, you lock yourself up in your shop all day. Come with me, amico. Let's enjoy the day together."

The artist's heart swelled in his chest. Something about the way his younger friend said those words made him a giddy man, and it was so hard not to show his excitement. But his machine.... "Ezio, I have to finish this. I am on to something so ast-"

Ezio looked up from where he'd been admiring the design. A strange buzzing was coming from another room, and it seemed that even Leonardo picked up on it. No, no it wasn't bees... The sound was...so different.