Year: 1476
Repubblica Fiorentina, Italy.

Claudia and I wait on the bench until Ezio's figure can be seen walking towards us.

"Well?" Claudia asks with anticipation in her tone of the news.

"He begged for mercy after the beating I gave him. He will not bother you any longer." Ezio reassures his sister as she embraces him in a hug.

Claudia then walks over to where I am standing and embraces me in a hug as well. I return the embrace to her and smile.

"Mother will be looking for me." Claudia says, beginning to walk away from both Ezio and I.

But as soon as Claudia reaches the door, Maria Auditore, Ezio and Claudia's Mother, walks out if it.

"Buon giorno (Hello), Ezio!" She says to her son. "Buon giorno (Hello) to you as well, Valentina." She says to me with a smile.

"Buon giorno (Hello), Maria." I answer returning her pleasant smile.

"Buon giorno a voi, madre. Come state? (Hello mother. How are you?)" Asks Ezio to his Mother.

Sto bene! (I'm good!) And you? Still recovering from your fight yesterday?" She asks her son with a slight grin on her face.

I look at Ezio's face to watch his mouth drop. "I have no idea what you are talking about." He lies.

"Of course not." Maria Auditore says with a grin. "Anyway, I have an errand to run. I would like you to join me." She says to her son, but then looks at me. "You may accompany as well, if you like."

I nod my head as Ezio and I follow her through the streets.

Maria finally speaks up after we have been walking for a good amount of time. "I know about your fight with Vieri.." She says to Ezio.

"What fight?" Ezio says, looking over at me with a grin.

"Per piacere (Please), let's not play this game." Maria says.

"He spoke ill of us. I could not allow him to continue." A defending Ezio replies.

"I'm sure he's having a hard time dealing with the accusations against his father. Francesco de' Pazzi is many things- and none of them good. But even I never suspected he'd be capable of murder." Says Maria, as if this was something both of us had already known.

I was right.

"What will happen to him?" Asks Ezio as we walk up steps, leading to another part of the street.

"'I imagine there will be a trial." Maria Auditore answers.

"Will Father speak at it?" Ezio asks more softly.

"He'll have to. He's the one with the evidence." She answers.

"Still, I wish there was another way." Ezio says, looking down at his shoes.

"You've nothing to fear. Everyone wants justice done. It is an unfortunate state of affairs, but it will pass." Maria assures her son as she looks back at him with a passionate grin.

We finally reach a cozy little place at an end of a street. Maria only had to knock once on the door, and it opens.

"Hello Leonardo." She says joyfully.

I look up at Ezio who smiles back at me in return.

"Madonna Maria!" A man, who I assume is Leonardo, says as he kisses both of her cheeks.

"This is my son, Ezio. And a good family friend of ours, Valentina." Maria says, introducing us.

"Molto onorato. (It's a pleasure to meet you.)" The man says to both of us.

"L'onore è mio. (The honor is mine.)" Ezio answers, bowing to the man. I quickly curtsey and give a friendly smile.

"Let me go and fetch the paintings. I'll be right back." The man says, quickly turning away and vanishing out of sight into his home.

"He's very talented." Says Maria with a smile.

"Immagino. (I guess.)" Answers Ezio simply.

"Self expression is vital to understanding and enjoying life. You should find an outlet." Says Madonna Maria to her son.

"I have plenty of outlets." Ezio tells his Mother.

Maria now whispers something in Ezio's ear that I can not hear, but it causes Ezio's eyes to widen.

"Mother!" He says, rolling his eyes.

"Back to your house, then?" Leonardo asks, walking out of his home with a box of what looks like the paintings.

"Sì. Sì. (Yes. Yes.)" Maria responds walking behind him. "Ezio, help Leonardo, will you?"

Ezio sighs silently enough that only I can hear it, but I push him forward. Ezio picks up the box and we begin our journey back to the Auditore's home.

"So, Ezio, what do you do?" Leonardo asks as we walk.

"He's been working for his father." Maria answers.

"Ah! You're to be a banker?" Leonardo asks with a slight tone of surprise.

"For now." Ezio answers. "And you? Art, was it?"

"Truth be told, it's been difficult for me to settle. Painting is nice, but I often feel like my work lacks... I don't know... purpose. Does that make sense? I'd rather contribute more practically. More directly. Architecture, perhaps. Or anatomy. I'm not content to merely capture the world. I want to change it." Leonardo says with a deep passion I can't even describe.

I smile greatly at his words, which causes Ezio to yet again, roll his eyes.

"Oh, Leonardo! I have no doubt you'll go on to do great things!" Maria says gleefully.

"Indeed." I respond looking back at the man with a friendly smile.

"Vi ringrazio. (I thank you.) That's kind of you." The man responds.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

After we finally arrive at the Auditore's home, Ezio places the box in front of the door.

"Thank you for the help, son. Don't let me keep you from your other duties." Maria says, winking at her son.

"It was nice to meet you both. I hope or paths cross again." Leonardo says while smiling at both of us.

"Anch 'io. (Me too)" Ezio and I both say at the same time. We laugh at this for a moment before carrying on with our day.