quarantacinque || video

[betrayedblade]

[The video is dark when the device turns on. Giovanni removes his hand a moment later but the device isn't entirely facing him and the picture is skewed at an odd angle. There is the usual rubble of the worse parts of the town in the background.

The brown bundle off to the side moves slightly and it becomes apparent the shape is that of a man hunched over. It's still hard to distinguish much.]

...sed libera nos a malo.

[The figure coughs violently.]

...libera nos a malo. Avrei...

...

Così è stato questo inferno tutto il tempo? [He begins to laugh harshly and then breaks into more coughing...and what can barely be heard to sound like heartbroken sobbing intermixed.]


[[Note: Giovanni has just come back from a canon update. He has just lived through his death. He is weeping for his dead sons who are not dead here but that is besides the point. He is in his normal clothes--aka, not the assassin's robes--and there is a rather nasty red mark around his neck from where the noose hung him that will be seen in some replies.
tl;dr: He's back from a disappearance of his own.]]

[[Translations: ...and deliver us from evil.

...deliver us from evil. I would have...

So was this hell all along?]]

Comments

[video]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

[His eyes narrow--no, he is not used to being disobeyed--and he let's out a frustrated breath of air.]

Stay put. It will hardly take me time to get back.

[And changing tactics.] ...Please do as I ask. It would please me, cara, that you remain where it is safe.

[video]

[bossyblade.livejournal.com]

[ Claudia's sigh is impatient rather than angry. ]

Do you direct me as one of the Order then, Padre? For that is what I am. You cannot deny that it is a waste for me to assist in finding and protecting you. The beasts here are many and hungry in these winter months. My blade is just as strong and sharp as that of my brothers.

[Voice]

[postasskicking.livejournal.com]

[...] Heh. I like bein' back more than I woulda thought. I've been pretty stupid.

[...]

And I think I owe you a few things.

[video]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

[He is quiet for a long moment. When he answers it is without emotion, and it is clear this is the answer he would give to another Assassin on any given day.

The rest of the matter--the fact that she is his daughter and when she learned to fight--will remain for another time.]

I do not need protection. Not from your brothers and not from you. If I didn't know they would not be as stubborn as I at their age--I would not have them here at all.

I know my way back, and I am capable of dodging a few beasts.

Stay put. That is an order, not a request.

[Voice]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

Is that so?

[It's hard to keep the smugness out of his voice even now of all times--but he can't help but to smile just a bit.]

I have to say I am not so adverse to being brought back here myself.

We will speak more later, Seifer. I look forward to it.

[video]

[bossyblade.livejournal.com]

[ Her jaw firms, her eyes flicker, but slowly, silently, she nods. There is a whirlwind of expression in her gaze, a maelstrom consisting of hurt stemming from a feeling of betrayal warring with the continued and undeniable love that she has for her father. Fine. Let him doubt her now. She will prove to him in whatever way he requires that she is capable of the place she has made without the aid of his guidance. ]

As you command. I trust your judgment.

[ Claudia bows her head in acceptance even as she smooths her expression, setting pain and disappointment aside. ]

I will see you soon, mio Padre. Be cautious.

[video]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

I wish people would stop telling me that. It never fails that as soon as it is said...

[He smiles suddenly and leans towards the communicator conspiratorially.]

For you, anything cara. I look forward to it. [And, implied, seeing this supposed skill you've developed in his absence.]

[video]

[bossyblade.livejournal.com]

[ His smile does much to lighten her mood. She returns it wryly, saying in much his vein of humor. ]

It is not for your sense of caution that I am concerned, Padre.

[is-the-eldest.livejournal.com]

[Federico will do his best to help his father stay up, a worried look at Ezio. He does notice the red mark around his neck and isn't sure what to make of it. He also can't help but stare at it, eyes flickering to his brother, unsure.]

... will you be alright? What happened?

(shaky) italian.

[eroslegy.livejournal.com]

Sir? Are you alright?

[ video ]

[isolatedpiece.livejournal.com]

You're back.. [ She sort of wants to ask if he's alright, but.. the feed already gives it away, doesn't it? So there's just a short pause in which Ange hesitates. ]

It's.. probably better to get inside. Do you need help?

/drops in on this

[aninsidejob.livejournal.com]

[She had spotted them finally after realising that actually jumping building to building was probably going to be more dangerous than running through the streets. Chloe ran up to them, nearly skidding to a stop as she gave a small smile. She felt out of shape while trying to catch her breath.]

Sorry about that loves. Took me a bit to get down here. [She laughed a bit, brushing her hair out of her face while looking over Giovanni.] Hey, cowboy, how are you holding up?

/arrives on the late bus

[silent-feathers.livejournal.com]

... Giovanni!

[The sound that emitted from her love was so foreign to her ears that it causes her heart to skip a beat and threaten to cease beating all together. Her eyes scan over his entire body to be sure that he had no bodily injures... that is until she saw the distinct red mark that bruised against his neck. The air was literally knocked right out of her and it took her a moment to recover before speaking again.]

I... I will call on your sons to find you. Just stay where you are...

italian.

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

I--no. Not particularly.

But I will be better now.

[ video ]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

...Yes.

[He takes a few deep breaths before replying.]

I believe I have some on the way already.

italian.

[eroslegy.livejournal.com]

Is there anything I can do?

italian.

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

I do not think so--not at this time. Thank you for your consideration.

italian.

[eroslegy.livejournal.com]

And are you just saying that?

<3

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

Better than two seconds ago. [He smiles wearily.]

I'm sorry you had to come out here, but so sorry to see you in person. [He tries to stand without the wall and, after a moment of uncertainty, manages to remove his hand and stand on his own. He pockets the communicator and looks around at the surroundings.] But I think it would be best if we leave as quickly as possible now.

[Voice]

[postasskicking.livejournal.com]

[...lmfao he's never humbling himself before any of you guys again, you all make it so painful w;A;w.]

[...] Right. Welcome back Giovanni.

[HANGING UP BEFORE YOU CAN TRAMPLE ON HIS PRIDE ANYMORE...]

italian.

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

It is the frank truth. There is nothing physically wrong with me, and nothing else you could help with. Besides, I have plenty of others worrying about me already who are going to do whatever they think best when they get to me.

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

M-Maria...

[He looks at the communicator and takes another moment to lock his slipping sanity away before replying. He has to keep reminding himself that this isn't a dream...or hell...or... maybe it is but he can't let it matter. He has to be strong.]

Maria... mia amore...

[silent-feathers.livejournal.com]

[His voice causes her to pause a moment and look back at the screen of the communicator, her face etched with an mix of many emotions. Her loving gaze caught every nuance in his features as he tried to regain his composure. Maria did not speak for a while nor did she move away this time. When she finally spoke, her voice was low and soft.]

I am here, Giovanni. I promise you that I am here...

[She couldn't help the tears that fell down her cheeks. He needed her. He needed his family.]

Qualunque cosa accada io ti amerò per sempre... Noi tutti ti amo tanto.


((Translation|No matter what happens, I will always love you... We all love you so much.))

italian.

[eroslegy.livejournal.com]

There are other problems besides physical.

[ video ]

[isolatedpiece.livejournal.com]

[ She nods. ]

That's good. ... You never know with the monsters out here.

Did you.. go home?