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

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

[He shakes his head in indication that he doesn't know.

He pans the camera to show his surroundings.]

[is-the-eldest.livejournal.com]

Come, brother, we'll find him. Let's go and quickly!

[Already getting his things together. Time to go father hunting!]

We'll be there as soon as we can, papa!

[vengefulblades.livejournal.com]

[Tosses his brother a sword before heading out the door. The Father hunt is on!

Basing their search on the view they got from the camera narrows it down a bit but it's still not easy to find his exact location. Soon enough Ezio sees the figure of their father in the distance. He points him out to Federico before darting forward.]

There, Federico that's him.

Father!

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

[Giovanni stays put for the time being, sitting on his legs folded beneath him and hunched forward quite a bit when he isn't speaking to the device.

At the call he glances upwards.]

Ezio. Here!

[is-the-eldest.livejournal.com]

[He's running with his brother, and is quick to go to his father's side when they spot him. He wanted to ask questions, but really he was just happy to see his father again, even if he seemed worse for wear. He'll come to stand near him, a little out of breath.]

Can you stand, padre? [He'll offer a hand for him, if he needs it.]

[vengefulblades.livejournal.com]

[Ezio stands at his father's side looking him over critically. Where were his assassin's robes? What he wore looked familiar but not in a way that put his mind at ease. Something about his appearance unsettled Ezio, brought back bad memories.]

As much as it pains me to rush you, you know how important it is we get indoors quickly, papa.

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

[Surprisingly, he immediately accepts the offer of help standing and grabs Federico's arm to pull himself up. He is awkward on his feet and sways, reaches out for a nearby wall to lean against. But he stands.]

Yes, I remember well.

We have to wait for Chloe.

[It would give him a chance to find his footing, too.]

[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?

/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?

<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.

Sup bb?

[vengefulblades.livejournal.com]

[Ezio looks a bit surprised to hear Chloe's name coming from his father, but by the time she arrives he's back to business as usual. He greets her with a smile, one that looks as is it's hiding a secret.]

I'm putting my father's life in your hands amore mio. Think you can handle it?

[Then nodding to Federico.]

The two of us can scout ahead. Are we all ready?

[is-the-eldest.livejournal.com]

[He'll offer a smile and nod to Chloe, glad to see her well.]

Si, brother, I think Chloe can handle, papa.

[A slight smirk and he'll motion with his head for them to head off. Of course not too far ahead, just enough to keep an eye out on things.]

[aninsidejob.livejournal.com]

I think I can handle him just fine. It's you two I'm not sure of. [She laughs, trying to keep it light despite having been worried since he disappeared.]

Come on, cowboy. I'll help you out.

[She moves over to help Govanni whatever way she can. Holding out her arms in case he needs someone to lean on.]

[ooc: Fff I am so sorry for being so late. I just got my notifications from it.]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

[Giovanni deigns not to comment on phrases that catch his attention--not yet--and besides he isn't too worried about them. Mostly just curious. What all had gone on while he was away? And how much of it had he simply missed, or forgotten, while he had still been here?

He smiles at Chloe and offers his arm to her as the proper gentlemanly way to go. It served two purposes: it hid his weakness, and it allowed him to be close to her in case he really did end up needing her assistance. But mostly he was just being polite.]

[vengefulblades.livejournal.com]

[Ezio takes off in quick trot, moving ahead enough that he can still see their father and Chloe when he turns his head back but giving enough distance that he can speak to his brother without worrying about being overheard.]

Federico, does something feel...off to you about padre? I cannot put my finger on it but he seems different somehow.

[He could only hope Federico said no, and that any strange feeling Ezio had was simply the remnants of the paranoia left over from his time in the empty space.]

[is-the-eldest.livejournal.com]

[He'll glance back as well, frowning a bit before he looks to his brother.]

... I've never seen father so worn before, not even... not even that night-- [Ah, the night he came home hurt... when the soldiers came over and his father left while they distracted them.]

Do you think he was hurt? [The redness around his neck, it bothered him. He'll rub at his own a little as if showing Ezio.]

[aninsidejob.livejournal.com]

You know, Giovanni, you worried me. [She says softly, taking his arm and keeping close to him.] Disappearing...and coming back? You have me worried all over again.

[She glances up toward him, giving him a smile.] Nice to have you back, cowboy. You look tired though. [There's a brief pause. She notices the red around his neck, but she doesn't ask. Either he was a kinky bastard, or things just didn't go as planned.

And really, deep down? She was hoping for it to be kinky so she wouldn't be worried about him.] Did you want to talk about it?

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

[His gaze is focused forward as they walk, roaming the area slowly and yet seeming to take everything in all at once. He makes no comment as she talks to him but he is clearly listening. He finally looks at her when she asks the question.]

It is nothing now. Not in this place. [His eyes are hard even as he smiles tightly at her.] Do not worry about it.

[vengefulblades.livejournal.com]

[Ezio can't answer his brother right away. He swallows suddenly feeling his mouth go dry.]

I don't know. I would not rule that out.

[Another quick glance over his shoulder to give their two followers a glance over.]

Help me keep an eye on him, will you?

[is-the-eldest.livejournal.com]

Of course. [And he will try to lighten the mood a little, nudging his brother with an elbow.]

I try to keep my eye on all of you.

[He will however look back here and there, pleased that their father at least seems to be doing well enough. Especially with Chloe back there to keep him company. He was glad she seemed to care so much for him... for them all really.]