The Assassin's Change of Plans

The warm, brightly lit hall was filled with the laughter and merriment of the guests, young men and women dancing about across the smooth marble floor. However, some chose to mingle and chat idly with others, rather than tire themselves upon the dance floor. Men and women of all ages spoke cheerfully of the splendor of the ball and of the mistresses' beauty. Among the chatter there was one man who remained quite silent. He did nothing to draw the eye to him, nothing to elicit more than a simple glance from those he passed. Despite his fine clothes and elegant mask, he still managed to be someone that none could pay more than a passing glance.

He was dressed in a black coat with a great deal of red and silver adornment, silver buttons marched up the front, and intricate embroidery in thread-of-silver lined the hem and spread across the sleeves and breast of his coat, intertwined with strips of red silk that seemed to leave a pleasant balance between the colors. White ruffles and lace peeked out along the edge of his high collar and sleeves. His pants were black as well, more silver stitching along the sides that ended below his knees, ending at snug black boots, again decorated with silver. His young face was hidden by mask that covered his entire face, coming out at a slight arc down the center, bearing no facial designs. His mask was divided in half down the middle, one half black as midnight, while the other was as red as blood. The eyes were black, his own eyes hidden behind thin fabric between his eyes and the mask, making only the eye on the red left half clearly visible. His skin was hidden by his high collar, mask and gloves, and his dark brown hair was held in a short ponytail by a strip of black velvet.

None knew him, though some asked and received the answer, "A guest of the Lady of the Evening." before he vanished into the crowd again. However, this man was no friend of the Mistress. It seemed there were some in the land who wished to gain the status that her family possessed and believed that perhaps if the daughter were to have an accident, then her family would be weakened. Dante, as that was the man's name tonight, had no interest in such things. He merely did his job as he was paid to, and tonight he would be payed well, once the dear Mistress had been... dealt with.

For now though, he continued to act as a guest at a fine party such as this should behave. He danced with a few beautiful women, as well as a few less than beautiful ones. He pretended to partake in the the various drinks that were being passed about by men and brightly colored silks, slipping gracefully between the guests without spilling a drop. He laughed at bad jokes told by half drunk old men and nodded as their equally drunken wives told him of the hardships of living in extravagant manors surrounded by and army of servants. After what felt like an eternity of waiting, the arrival of the guest of honor was announced. He watched for her to emerge from the top of the steps with the rest of the hushed crowd. The time to act would be soon at hand.

"Kathrine Marie Antonie, our lovely guest of honor," the servant announced as she glided through the ten-foot tall entry way doors towards the top of the stairs above the ballroom floor. All of the eyes were looking at her, judging her, as she was in their view. Kathrine was stunning though, her strawberry blonde hair cascaded down her back in simple loose curls just above the low cut back of her sage green silk dress. The mask that adorned her face matched the color and texture of her dress, with wire and jewel accents that made the mask sparkle in the light of the room. Her mask was only covering from the bridge of her nose and half-way up her face, but it was only because the ball was a masquerade. As if everyone in the room didn't already know who she was.

As she paraded down the steps with her eldest brother, Kenneth Jackson, her sleek dress hugged her soft curves and showed the creamy white skin of her lower thigh through a slit up the side. Kathrine's eyes scanned the large crowd that had gathered for this occasion, her gray-blue eyes flashing with excitement as she looked upon all of the eligible bachelors.

Just before she reached the bottom of the stairs, she locked eyes on her target of the evening: a man in a black and red mask who's suit was dressed to the nines. She could not help but want to acquire him as her date for the evening. Perhaps he was wealthy and would take her off into the sunset, allowing her to live the same life she lived now but without her parents and brother's watch. Kathrine grinned, he would be hers by the end of the night, she could feel it.

Kenneth wished her well at the bottom of the stairs, kissing her cheek then releasing her arm from his as he walked off to the middle of the crowd and suddenly disappearing. She shrugged, she would see him later that night once the festivities ended. For now though, she was on the hunt. While greeting others and balancing a glass of their house champagne, her strawberry head bobbed around the room, all the while keeping track of the mysterious man that had caught her eye; attempting to make eyes with him enough to entice him over to her.

Risi said:

"Kathrine Marie Antonie, our lovely guest of honor," the servant announced as she glided through the ten-foot tall entry way doors towards the top of the stairs above the ballroom floor. All of the eyes were looking at her, judging her, as she was in their view. Kathrine was stunning though, her strawberry blonde hair cascaded down her back in simple loose curls just above the low cut back of her sage green silk dress. The mask that adorned her face matched the color and texture of her dress, with wire and jewel accents that made the mask sparkle in the light of the room. Her mask was only covering from the bridge of her nose and half-way up her face, but it was only because the ball was a masquerade. As if everyone in the room didn't already know who she was.

As she paraded down the steps with her eldest brother, Kenneth Jackson, her sleek dress hugged her soft curves and showed the creamy white skin of her lower thigh through a slit up the side. Kathrine's eyes scanned the large crowd that had gathered for this occasion, her gray-blue eyes flashing with excitement as she looked upon all of the eligible bachelors.

Just before she reached the bottom of the stairs, she locked eyes on her target of the evening: a man in a black and red mask who's suit was dressed to the nines. She could not help but want to acquire him as her date for the evening. Perhaps he was wealthy and would take her off into the sunset, allowing her to live the same life she lived now but without her parents and brother's watch. Kathrine grinned, he would be hers by the end of the night, she could feel it.

Kenneth wished her well at the bottom of the stairs, kissing her cheek then releasing her arm from his as he walked off to the middle of the crowd and suddenly disappearing. She shrugged, she would see him later that night once the festivities ended. For now though, she was on the hunt. While greeting others and balancing a glass of their house champagne, her strawberry head bobbed around the room, all the while keeping track of the mysterious man that had caught her eye; attempting to make eyes with him enough to entice him over to her.

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The man who called himself Dante watched the bewitching figure of Mistress Antonie descend down the elaborate staircase, her green dress hugging her pleasing fiigure and showing a remarkable amount of leg for someone of her status. As alwasy, the young sought to create a stir among their elders whenever possible. He could already hear the old crones behind him whispering of how scandalous she had dressed. He payed them no mind though, as the young woman's eyes fell on him, and remained fixed there. It seemed she had been drawn to him almost immediately, a tempting smile spreading across her face, wishing to entice him to her. Her smoky glances told him everything.

Once she had reached the bottom, she was swarmed by guests and well-wishers, speaking to her on various current events and family topic, nothing but idle banter really. Even as she replied to them graciously, she never looked away from him for more than an instant, telling him to draw closer, which he did, but slowly. He made his way through the crowd steadily, moving past revelers and laughing partygoers as subtly as possible. The guards that stood at regular intervals would not notice him as he approached her, at least not until he had reached her. By then he would be busy endearing himself to her, putting them at ease.

After a slow journey, he had arrived before the Lady Antonie, taking her hand and bowing slightly. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance my Lady." He said gracefully, his hazel eyes hidden behind the thin veil behind the eye-holes of his mask. "When you gazed upon me I could not tear my eyes away, yet I did not come to your side right away, not wishing to be to presumptuous." As always, the man called Dante was the perfect gentleman, becoming what any woman might dream of in her man. "I am called Dante, at your service."

Once the flutter of people dissipated, Kathrine's face was rosy from the small amount of alcohol that was working its way into her system. Suddenly, though, the man was there, bowing before her and introducing himself. Her eyes did not leave him, from the clothing to the slits of his mask, she took him all in as she curtsied, one hand in his. "As it is a pleasure to make yours dear Sir," she said softly, her eyelashes batting up a storm.

Her graceful form moved closer to him after each of their greeting movements, letting her hand linger in his until he released it. His words made her blush a bit more so as he spoke, telling her of his gaze upon her. "You are too kind, but I do appreciate it, Dante," she let his name roll around in her mouth as she said it, playing with it in her mind and attempting to place it to a memory of the past. She did not succeed, but she wished she had. "I am Kathrine Marie," she added, as if he didn't hear the announcement some how. With a smile she looked at his eye holes of his mask, attempting to will him to take it off. Part of her wanted him to, but the other part liked the mysteriousness of it all, the secrets and the splendor.

"What brings you here tonight, besides the ball?" she asked pleasantly, attempting to make conversation and keep his attention.

A small smile traced his lips as she batted her eyelashes at him, attempting to further point at the fact that she had taken an interest in him. All the better for him. Nothing made things easier than target that did not wish to leave your side. She drew even closer as he rose out of his bow, seeming intent to stick to him no matter what, even holding onto his hand until he released hers.

"Of course, all of Italy knows your name and adores it so, as do I." he said gently, barely audible over the boisterous guests surrounding them. For a brief moment he gazed back at her, her eyes searching for his through the mask. She seemed entranced, a snake bewitched by its charmer. All that remained was to find a place to be alone with her and then the task would be done. His mind already held a myriad of possible ways to get her to be a lone with him, and he sought to implement one of them as soon as possible.

"Why, my only hope was that I might be able to see but a glimpse of the incomparable beauty of the Lady Antoine. Even in Rome they say that none can match you in beauty and charm, though I would say even those words are not enough to accurately describe you my Lady."

She blushed profusely as he spoke of her name and her beauty, "Thank you Sir Dante," she told him through a giggle. Before she could say anything more though, the large doors at the top of the stairs were busted though. "What the hell?" she cried out as a group of thugs came through the doors, throwing the guards that were previously in front of the doors down the banisters into the floor. "We're here for the Lady of the Night," the main thug said gruffly right before his hulking mass of a body jumped from the top of the stairs to the bottom with one jump. Anyone else attempting to do the same would have been severely injured.

The people ran screaming then, from the ball room and away from the eight or so sword wielding thugs that were beginning to search the room.

"Oh Lady Antonie..." one trailed off, "I've come to find you..."

"Marco..." another called

Kathrine turned to Dante, who was still surprisingly there as the crowds pushed past them, forcing her closer to him, nearly into his arms. "Will you help me flee?" she asked under her breath as they hid behind a column. Her eyebrows were furrowed together, attempting to figure out what was going to happen.

He charmed her with ease, leaving her pink faced and giddy. It seemed these young noblewomen took to flattery like fish to water. He opened his mouth to continue with a detailed list of all her greatest qualities, when the sound of splintering wood and tearing metal caused him to whip his head up to the top of the staircase, where a large group of masked men were now standing, wielding an assortment of weaponry and throwing torches at the drapery which instantly burst into flame. The guards now lay limp on the staircase as the whole party turned into a mad rush to escape the sudden intruders, a sea of screaming guests blocking the remaining guards from attacking the newcomers.

What in the hell were they doing? He could tell right away they were with the Medicili family, the same ones that had hired him. He had things well in hand and there was no need to create such a scene just to end the little lady's life. "Wait here, and be silent." he said, moving out from behind the column. "You scum, what business do you have here?" He called out, approaching one of the burly men. In a lower, hushed voice he whispered. "What in god's name are you doing here?! I already have things under control here. Had you given me another few minutes she would be lying in a pool of her own blood by now."

The thug sneered at him behind his feathery mask. "It seems the good master has had a change of heart. He decided he couldn't trust a hired knife to get the job done, and chose us to deal with it instead." He said mockingly, making no attempt to lower his voice. "Which means you're no longer needed!" he cried, swinging a heavy steel sword straight down at Dante's head. With a slight side step, Dante dodged the blow and shoved his palm against the underside of the thug's jaw, a slim blade suddenly emerging from his sleeve and piercing his attacker's skull. As soon as the blade retracted, he whirled around and ran back to Kathrine, taking her hand. "Come on." He said taking her hand and running down one of the hallways, the man's fellows in hot pursuit.

She heard him yell out to the large men, then words after that were covered by the screams of rich men and women attempting to get out. She wanted to peek around the corner, but she didn't dare as she was sure they would know what she looked like. It wasn't a minute later before she heard a large, dead, thud and then Dante's hand fit into her's and was pulling her to run. She quickly ditched her heels, slipping them off in an awkward run-hop down the hallway.

Kathrine followed him closely, not letting his hand go as it pulled her just enough to not let her falter or slow. They were running out of hallways to run in when they came upon the large glass garden doors that had been flung open in the mob of people. She then took a right, tugging Dante with her into the garden. What she figured neither the thugs, nor Dante, knew was that there was a large shrub maze in the back of the garden, one that she could get through with her eyes closed. Which was lucky, because it was pitch black when they were not 50 feet from the light of the house.

As they ran, she heard one of the men trip over the cobblestones but she kept running to the far east corner of the garden. After a two-minute sprint, the garden was upon them and she began to slow and work their way through the mile and a half maze to freedom.

The man who called himself Dante led her down the hall, only hoping she could keep pace, lest he be forced to carry her. She managed well enough on her own, so he ran on, not pausing to look back at their pursuers. He halted at the turn and was immediately pulled along by Katerine, dragging him into the darkness of the gardens. He ripped off the mask, unable to see a thing through the covered eye slits. Had his face not been hidden by the inky blackness, Katerine that he was a man in his late twenties, with his dark brown hair pulled back, and stubble covering much of his face. It was a rather rugged face for someone his age, with amber eyes, and a small scar that broke the stubble on his upper lip and ran partway down the front of his chin. Thanks to his shaded eyeslits, he had preserved some amount of his night vision.

It seemed she knew where she was going as they were suddenly wrapped in the deep shadows between the high hedges that made up the maze. She slowed down then, making her way through the labyrinth steadily while the men following them stumbled and tripped over their own feet. It seemed he had to change his evaluation of her. At the very least she had remained calm and competent during this sudden and rather unforeseen change of events. Even more surprising was her lack of questions. It meant she was smart enough to know now was not the time for sudden questions. Though there was little doubt that would change once the were out of harm's way.

He noticed that the darkness was lessening. At first he wondered if somehow dawn had already arrived, then it hit him. The entire mansion was now ablaze thanks to their uninvited guests.

The crackle of wood caught her attention, then the light began to filter across the garden and to the maze, making it easier for her to see. The light brought her attention to it, her house, her childhood home up in flames. She gasped and tears began to form in her eyes. It'll get worse if they catch you, she told herself as she paused to look at the growing flames. Kathrine began to run through the maze then, pulling Dante with her. Her dress got caught on one of the shrubs as she rounded a corner, ripping it across her thighs. She whimpered as the branch scraped and cut her leg.

They kept going though, until they came out to the stream. The small river where Kathrine had played as a child, kissed her first boy as a teen... The memories kept coming but she knew they had to keep going. Soon they would be down the river and somewhat out of harms way. There was a small rowing boat with provisions inside docked on the riverbank. "Take the boat," she whispered harshly and began to push it into the water. As they got on the water, she heard the men whacking down the shrubbery, attempting to get to them. It wouldn't be much longer. But by the time they got through, her and Dante would be gone. Hopefully he would be trustworthy.

He continued following her, trusting in her sudden change of character and knowledge of the maze to get them through it. The rounded turn after turn, slowly progressing through it as the sounds of curses and shouts echoed behind them. He saw a few torches get tossed at the greenery, but the recent rainfall had left everything drenched. They simply created more smoke that burned their eyes and further obscured their vision. It certainly helped that the men sent after them were bumbling incompetents.

The young lady continued to impress him, getting her dress ripped to sheds by the shrubbery and continuing on, even as her home was getting burned to cinders. At long last they finally exited the maze, coming upon a stream. He followed her instructions and took the oars of the boat. once they were both in, he began to row with strong steady strokes, sending them downstream towards the larger waterways that ran through the city. They would retreat to his home for now, they would be safe from the Medicili there. He never conducted business there, and made every effort to maintain his anonymity when dealing with jobs. For now at least, the girl had time to rest and gather herself after fleeing for her life. He prepared himself for a storm of questions now that things had settled down.

The oars rowed through the water with soft splashes through the river. And though Dante was ready for questions, Katherine sat with her head hung, eyes looking into her lap. She didn't cry, sob, or even shed a tear, but simply looked back at her home alight and back to her hands in her lap once again. Silence was a easily obtainable commodity out on the river, especially in the black of night. There were a few bullfrogs creaking, but that was it.

After about a half an hour, her eyes finally looked to Dante. His face now shown without the mask; reminding her that she still had hers on. She longed to throw it over board, but she knew it could lead their attackers. Quietly, she slipped it off and placed it beside her. "Thank you for saving me," she whispered, avoiding eye contact with him.

Silence hung over them for while, only the sounds of his low rowing and river life breaking it. Under any other circumstances it would have been a pleasant scenario. However, a moonlit boat ride lost its romance after nearly being killed. He watched his former target as she simply stared back at the glowing area that showed where her house had once been. Before long, the smoldering structure was lost from sight. Dante rowed on, staying close to the shoreline as they slowly drew closer to one of the many entrances to his home. As an assassin, he had seen to it that he always had a multitude of ways to get in and out of his home, leading all over the city. It allowed him to come and go undetected, and made quick escapes much simpler.

He noticed she was now staring at him, her face now no longer covered by her own mask. The thanks was not unexpected, most people would feel that way under the circumstance. "Do not thank me." he replied, no longer in the charming falsetto he had spoken before, but a deep smooth tone. "I didn't save you out of the kindness of my heart or some sense of charity or pity." Saving her meant robbing his former contractors of their prize, paying them back for double crossing him. The fools were going to learn why he had garnered a reputation as the greatest assassin Italy.

"Then what did you save me for?" She quickly countered as they docked near a house, one she assumed was his. Her senses were on high alert after the attack, and now she was a bit angry. Katherine wasn't sure what she was feeling at the moment, anger, sadness, hurt... It would have been easier to just sit in a ball and cry. That wasn't like her though, she was strong.

She shook her head then, "I'm sorry, I should be grateful. Where have you brought us?" she questioned with a smile, trying to uphold some sort of dignity. Shivers ran through her slightly, but she attempted to push it away. Her legs were naked from three fourths the thigh down and she didn't have any shoes on. It was reasonable to be cold but she felt it a weakness. Her lips pursed and she looked to him, waiting for something to come from his mouth.

"A whim. A way to spite those gutless cowards that betrayed me and tried to kill me." The pulled up to a rather simple house, nothing stood out about it, seemingly no bigger than that belonging to a moderately successful merchant. Inside, however, would be a different matter entirely. "Now that they've done this, I'll make sure every last one of them feels a knife in his back." His voice was filled with contempt.

"This is my home. We will be safe here. No one knows about it, and its secure enough to handle anything they can throw at me." He pulled op to the shore and jumped out, dragging the boat onto the shore. "Come on. There are many things you still need to know." He pulled her out of the boat and led her up to the house.

"B-b-betrayed you?" she stuttered slightly as he pulled them onto shore. He then pulled her from the boat and lead her to the house, Kathrine let him as she was still piecing together the pieces of the puzzle. But as they reached the entrance of the home, or one of them, she pulled away from him suddenly, accusingly. "You knew those men? You only saved me in the process of saving yourself!" She was outraged with him, screaming and sorts. "I should have known," she began as she began walking back down to the river bank and to the boat. Leaving would be the best option for her, seeing as this man was a part of the group to kill her.

The second thing dawned on her as she padded barefoot through the sand of the bank, "You were there to kill me," the sad realization fell from her lips like a rock, hitting hard. Kathrine attempted to push the boat off the bank then, wanting to leave the man's presence. Obviously he didn't care for her in the slightest, and would most likely sell her out to the highest bidder the first chance he got.

As expected, it took her a moment to put the pieces together. He remained silent as she started to storm off, watching her almost curiously. When she finally understood he padded silently down behind her, unheard even on the wet sand. "Thats right." he said, standing right behind her. I was hired by the Medicili family to assassinate you. With you out of the way, your father would have been in no shape to run the family, and the Medicilis could move in and take everything that belonged to him. But it seems they decided my services were too subtle and expensive, so they opted to kill us both and save a little coin." His voice became harder as he continued. I was simply hired to do a job. I bear no grudge against you or your family, but I do have a desire to make the Medicilis pay for trying to get rid of me."

He looked past her at the little rowboat they had just departed. "Going somewhere?" he asked, then kicked the boat out into the water, letting it drift away. "Where would you go? A friend's home? Your relatives? Where do you think the Medicili will look for you first? They will have men waiting for you and looking for you all over the city. They may even get the city guard on their side, with their money and influence." He spun her around to face him. "I was hired to kill you, but that contract ended when the Medicili left me for dead. I have no reason to lay a finger on you, but it is in both our interests to keep you alive. As long as we both live, we will be a thorn in their side, and soon something much more dangerous. Truth be told I don't give a copper for what happens to you, but now that you have seen my home, I'm not letting you out of my sight." His grip on her tightened. "You will stay with me until I am able to deal with the Medicili, at which time you will come back from the dead to reclaim your family's status." He stared at her, eyes hard as his voice. "And that is not a request."

"How dare you," she cursed at him as he mentioned her father and continued to pushing the boat away into the river with a simple kick. She was have a bit of trouble with it anyways, but now it was out of the question. He laid his hands on her then, turning her to face him, yelling at her essentially now. Kathrine's lips pursed into a tight line as he continued speaking at her, telling her what they would do, giving her no option. "I liked you better when you were kind," she told him almost childishly. She attempted to pull her arm away from him, but found his hold to tight to break.

With a slight whimper and pout, she looked at him, "I will stay with you, here. Happy?" she asked, still attempting to pull from him. When he did release her, she moved to storm back into his house, obviously not happy with the arrangements that had just been forcedly made.

He smirked. "Hmph, I prefer to avoid taking up such sickening facades, but at times they are necessary in my work." he said, eventually letting her go once she agreed to his terms. It seemed at heart she was still a pampered princess, unwilling to accept the harsh realities this world had in store. She would come to realize it in time. This city was not so kind as the house she had been secluded in all her life. She was in his world now. He followed behind her, then passed her as they approached the house.

However, rather than walk towards the front door, the man called Dante walked towards the large brick chimney on the side. Kneeling down, he slid his hands across a row of bricks, pulling out two. There was a sharp metallic click and a segment of the brick structure shifted, bits of dust and mortar trickling down. With a heave, he slid the wall on a set of hidden rollers, revealing a narrow spiral staircase leading underground. "After you." he said, motioning toward the stairs. At the bottom she would find a well kept and elaborately furnished main hall. various hallways and doors led off from the central room, which was easily as large as the house above them. The walls held a multitude of paintings, wall hangings and decorative weaponry. One wall held a row of portraits, all of them men that shared a rugged, hazel eyed face framed by dark brown hair. Some were older, others younger, done in progressively more modern styles. At the far end of the room was a large fireplace with a portrait of the home's current owner, flanked on either side by a coat of arms depicting a outward facing hand with a dagger on top of it. "Welcome to the ancestral home of the Auditore family." he said, having closed the entryway and made his way down the stairs after her.

The passageway made her gasp slightly with surprise, it was something she was not suspecting. Kathrine was wary of it, figuring she was going into the depths of a dungeon and she would never see the light of day again. Stumbling slight down the rounded staircase was not her brightest moment, clinging to the railing in the dark did not aid her either. As she reached the bottom though, the room's light began to filter to the stairs and ease some of her anxiety of the torturous dungeon below. Her sage silk clung to her lithe body as he followed in after her, she was a bit wet from water in the river and the perspiration from running, needless to say she was shivering as they entered the underground home.

Her eyes wandered to the portraits, weapons, and hallways that extended from this original room with a slight awe, of course it was no more wealthy than her own family home but the rich family history intrigued her. Her own family history was one shrouded in mystery except for the hate for the Medicili family. Hate she had now been persecuted for, hate that she did not now the beginnings of. By the time Dante had spoke up behind her, Kathrine had figured it would be in her best interest to get along with this man as he was supplying her with room and board. Her pale pink lips pursed slightly as she turned to him, her mixed feelings for him not helping her decision making. "You'll have to forgive me, I am very confused over all of this. I have reason to be angry with you, no? You were contracted to kill me, which you would have done if the others wouldn't have come. I have reasons to be thankful to you, bringing me to your home, as a stolen prize but safe after all. I also have reasons for sadness and loss, both of which have nothing pertaining to you but still affect my overall feelings and how I act. Thank you for letting me stay in your home," she added softly at the end, attempting to soften her words.

Kathrine knew there would be tears on her pillow tonight. Would she have rather him be some noble who would offer her a gentlemanly shoulder to cry on with his handkerchief in hand? Yes, but that man might not have known what to do in such a state as earlier. She was stuck with Dante now, hopefully it wouldn't be such a terrible thing.

((OOC: Just realized if Dante weren't an assassin, he'd totally be a Renaissance Batman.))

Her stunned reaction was understandable given the strangeness of finding a small mansion underground. Not to mention seeing all the decor and family history that filled it. She was the first person not directly connected to the Auditore family to see it, a great privilege in Dante's, or rather, in Ezio's eyes. He would have to tell her his real name soon, lest he end up being called Dante from then on.

When she turned to him and spoke, it was his turn to be a bit stunned. In a short amount of time she had managed to go from someone acting little better to a petulant child, to a grown woman fully aware and accepting of the undesirable situation she now found herself in. It seemed Ezio couldn't quite get a fix on this young woman. At times she showed strength of a woman well beyond her years, others she looked ready to throw a tantrum. He wondered what he might have gotten himself into bringing her here. As she finished, he sighed a little, the weight of the night's events finally coming down on him a bit. He thrived on improvisation, but this had been a bit extreme. "Its alright. I will admit I was a bit callous to you." His expression softened just a little. "I will see to it that you are able to stay here with at least some level of comfort. For now I imagine both of us might require a bath and fresh clothes."

He walked over towards the fireplace where a large cauldron sat on a hook over the flames. Steam rose off the water inside of as Ezio tested the temperature with his finger, his gloves now lying on a very comfortable looking couch. "My room is through that door." he said, pointing to one just left of the fireplace. "I have no women's clothes, but you may pick something to change into following your bath. I will pour the water for you and then take mine once you have finished. The wash room is through another door inside my room." With that, he sat down on the couch to begin removing his extraneous clothing. His boots, coat, stockings, and belt came off, revealing an assortment of straps and sheaths all over his body, holding a staggering assortment of blades and other instruments of death.

((OOC: You're totally right, lol!))

Of course she had troubles figuring out how to act, she was a spoiled brat but she also understood the need to act as a human being. All people were subject to temper tantrums when not given their way, something Kathrine was not really being given right now. It did not help that her emotions were all in a flurry and she wasn't exactly sure what to do with herself. It helped as he guided her kindly to comfortability by offering a bath and a change of clothes. "You mean you don't like the ones I have on now?" she asked kiddingly, trying to throw some semblance of humor into their situation.

For a moment she paused to watch the amount of weapons he latently possessed on his person, but her mind soon wandered darkly into wondering which one she would have been killed with. With that thought, she nodded at his instructions and moved to his room to find clothes. With a quick scour of his clothing, she came up with a long cotton shirt and a pair of trousers that seemed to run a bit small. Kathrine shrugged and moved to the bathing room. As she waited, she closed the door and began to undress from what little clothes she had; A sage corset, her matching pendant, and the strip of matching fabric that once was her skirt. Sadly, she looked down upon all of her worldly possessions and wrapped herself in a towel, placing his clothes beside the bath. She knew it wasn't decent of her to simply sit in a towel as a man was in the room, but at the moment she didn't care. If he'd wanted to molest or accost her, he would have by now.

She wandered out slowly into the living room, "I can take my water whenever you're ready now," she offered softly and quickly returned to the bathing room to wait. Her soft white legs dangled over the edge of the tub as she sat upon the edge waiting for him, clasping the towel around her large bosom tightly. Her strawberry blonde hair cascaded along the left side of her neck and face as she looked solemnly into her lap.

Ezio leaned back in the couch, in only a fine white cotton shirt, and his ornate black pants. "I have come to learn that with women, what a man likes is entirely irrelevant." he said, returning her dry humor with a bit of his own. As she left him to find some clothes, he carried most of his weapons over to a large iron-bound wardrobe. He opened it, revealing an elaborate hooded outfit of black with red, silver, and white adorning it. Around it were even more weapons, as well as places for the ones he had been wearing. Once his things were put away, he walked back over to the fireplace and took a pipe and tin of tobacco from the mantle. Soon a thin plume of smoke wafted above his head, the aromatic tobacco filling the room with its scent.

He got up when she called out to him, heading over to the cauldron above the fireplace. grabbing the handle with thick pieces of cloth, he slowly carried the heavy vessel through his bedroom and into the bathroom. He carried it to another hook built in the wall, hanging over a small iron lid stuck in the floor. Ezio lifted the lid to reveal a small pit. He left the returned with a metal bucket filled with hot coals, which were poured into the pit. It was just enough to keep the cauldron hot until they had both finished their baths. That finished, he used a smaller wooden bucket to begin ladeling water into the tub.

"While you are here you may do as you like, so long as it does not endanger either of us. I have books you may read, or you may partake of some exercising if you desire. There is food and drink to spare, and I will see to your clothes. I ask simply that you do not touch the wardrobe in the main hall." Under the circumstances he thought those to be rather generous terms. soon after he finished filling the tub. "Also, I would have you call me by my real name. It is Eazio. Ezio Auditore." he turned to go, a trail of pipe-smoke following him. "Enjoy your bath."

The sting of tobacco smoke in her eyes was never something Kathrine enjoyed, as it seemed others did, but she said nothing to that effect when he entered. The pot looked heavy, but he appeared as if there was no strain on himself carrying it. Kathrine was slightly impressed, especially as he gave her no second glance as she sat scantly clad in his bathroom. He semi-lectured her and she gave a small nod, attempting to ignore the more lies he had told her. "Ezio," she repeated with an additional nod. With his turn, she began to undress from the towel and get into the warm water. "Thank you."

After a tester toe was in place, she climbed in to the somewhat steaming water and let her body relax. Slowly, her body seemed to recover from the cold as she leaned her head back on the warming porcelain. Once she was less focused on herself, the realization of what all happened at the party seemed to hit her hard. Tears began to quietly fall, but those tears became soft sobs into the bathwater. It felt unnecessary to go on, why continue to survive if everything she had known was gone? To return to the family and ward off the family that attempted to kill her, a voice in her head answered as she began to pick up the bar of soap that rested beside her.

Kathrine got out of the bath then, drying herself off slowly, gingerly and then pulled Ezio's shirt over her head. It hung to about her mid-thigh, so she decided to forgo the pants; she was hot and flushed now that she was out of the tub. Not to mention, her dress earlier, once ripped, was more raunchy then what she had donned currently. Moving to fold the towel, she picked up the trousers and returned them to his wardrobe. She left the moist towel, folded beside the hamper and took her clothes in her arms and returned to the living room where the tobacco smoke hung in the air. "I'm done, thank you" she announced.

Ezio closed the door behind him quietly and let out a long sigh, a cloud of smoke ejected out of his mouth. He felt strangely exhausted from the evening's ordeal, and needed a some time to gather himself. He walked out into the main hall and dropped down onto the couch, rubbing his eyes. He had been forced to deal with an entirely new situation like this in the span of a few hours, and it was starting to get to him. He puffed away on his pipe, trying to relax a little and let his mind and body unwind from the night's troubles.

For the time being, he had to sort out what to do with the girl. Letting her above ground would be dangerous even if he kept watch on her at all times. He could not protect her from everything, and all it would take was one man with a crossbow to end her life. On the other side of that coin, he knew that someone like her would likely succumb to cabin fever if she was forced to stay in the house indefinitely. He needed a way to keep her busy without putting themselves in unnecessary danger.

He pondered this as she entered the hall, dressed in one of his plain white shirts, her smooth white legs largely uncovered. At least he was fortunate that she was pleasing to the eye. He arose as she thanked him, nodding in acknowledgment. " Very well. If you wish to retire, you may use my bed for now." The couch would be sufficient for him until he could arrange to have another bed brought to his home. "I will be in the bath if you need anything." He walked past her towards his bedroom and into the bathroom.

He shut the door and stripped off his trousers, shirt and undergarments before wrapping a towel around his waist. Once he had drained the water out through a plug in the bottom of the tub, he refilled it, and slid into the steaming water, letting it ease him of his troubles a bit.