uno || video

[betrayedblade]

[Silence and a starry sky. Then faint footsteps, so soft almost not even perceptible. The device is picked up; there's a flash of white; and then something blots out the camera--something brown and leathery.]

'Utilizza questo.' Che cosa è questo?

Non capisco cosa sta succedendo. Che cosa è successo? ...Che cosa è successo a Firenze? No. Non Firenze ... questo non è Firenze. Dove...?

Dove mi trovo?

Sicuramente i bastardi Templari non avrebbero potuto fare questo a me. Che cosa sta succedendo qui? Che cosa avrebbe potuto fare questo? Che cosa avrebbe potuto mi ha portato qui a mia insaputa?

[There is a long, long pause before the leather creaks and in the process compresses against the lens--a hand's grip tightening briefly--and then the very, very faint footfalls again. They stop after a good while and one last stern sentence reaches the recording device before there is complete silence. Accented.]

Show yourself.




[["'Use this.' What is this? I do not understand what is going on. What happened? ...What happened to Florence? No. Not Florence...this is not Florence. Where...? Where am I? Surely the Templar bastards could not have done this to me. What is going on here? What could have done this? What could have brought me here without my knowledge?]]

Comments

[voice ; italian ]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

That helps more than you can imagine, thank you.

They're not far apart... Brebo. North or South?

[voice ; italian ]

[recreant]

It's okay. You learn to rely on help after being here so long.

Almost directly south of you is the forest. You should be able to see it, if you've got pretty good eyes. Go north. The street will open up a bit and the road will have a roundabout in it. Wait for me there.

[voice ; italian ]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

[He won't respond to that part, but it brought a small smile to his lips briefly.]

Very well. [It won't take him long, and instead of standing in plain sight he'll be hidden...somewhere.]

[ comment log ]

[recreant]

[ He snapped the communicator closed to end the transmission. It would take him a bit more time to get there since he was on the other side of the city almost, but an evening jog would do him some good, anyway. He was finding ridiculous reasons to keep his training up and his body fit with his chip in, anyway.

Barely breathless when he reached the circle, he crossed into the middle of the intersecting roads, keeping a keen eye for monsters despite the fact he was actually looking for the man who hadn't shown. He worried a little, wondered if maybe he'd already gotten picked off by monsters. ]

Uh ... hello?

[ He kept his voice low enough in case there were any fiends nearby, circled hesitantly beneath the broken street light. ]

[ comment log ]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

[Giovanni hid in the shadows as the Master Assassin that he was. He was wary to meet anyone in this place but he had requested it in the first place and it would be beneficial to his survival, that much he already could tell. When the mere boy--probably no older than his second son back home--showed up he hesitated, more out of guilt for making him come out here than caution, but quickly realized this was who he was waiting for when he recognized the odd colored hair.

He stepped out of the shadows when the boy's back was to him and walked silently towards him. He called out before he got too close and startled the young man though.]

My apologies. I didn't want to be out in the open for so long.

[ comment log ]

[recreant]

[ It wasn't as though he couldn't sense the man behind him, even if those preternatural abilities were dulled heavily by the chip. But he'd had enough experiences to tell him when to trust instinct. He pocketed his hands and glanced over his shoulder at the hooded man with a slight smirk. Had to be the guy. He was the only one who knew Riku was coming, anyway. ]

Don't worry about it. Paranoia's a pretty useful tool here, too.

[ He gestured up towards the buildings the man had seen along the way; ] Police building and Fire station. The big destroyed lot on the other side is where the Court House used to be. Apparently a satellite crashed into it. It's the same spot I arrived in, too. We'll head north to the hospital on Ingles trail, same as the High School. They're probably where you'll spend a lot of time, since they're practically the city's heart and lungs.

[ ... Oh, right. He extended his hand, ] I'm Riku, by the way.

[ comment log ]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

[Giovanni listened carefully to the boy's words and memorized them easily with trained skills. He nodded politely and extended his hand for a poised handshake.] Giovanni Auditore di Firenze. I am pleased to meet you in person. It is rather nice to see anyone in this city so far.

I thank you for all the aid you've extended to me so far. I am in your debt; whenever you need me, I am yours to call upon. [He gave a small bow, not overly done since the young man was just a boy and not a ranking official either, but polite and genuine.]

[ comment log ]

[recreant]

[ Firm grip. That didn't really surprise him, but he met it with a nod. ] It's not quite as barren as it looks, really. There are quite a few people here; just, the middle of the streets isn't a good place to look. There's a lot of monsters.

[ Speaking of, he was beginning to move. Staying in one spot usually ended ... unwell. ] Heh, don't worry about it. Like I said, you learn to rely on others. If you're slacking on food, there's a Soup Kitchen every day at the High School. It's not to be totally relied on, but it does help for those who can't hunt.

[ And turning down Ingles trail to gesture at the hospital. ] There are doctors that work here, should you get injured. A couple of them are definitely a ... little quirky, but they all mean well.

[ comment log ]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

[Giovanni fell in step beside him easily. He looked around at the places indicated as he continued to listen carefully. He glanced back to Riku.] I'll keep that in mind, and try to stay out of trouble. [He smiled slightly.]

So there are enough people here for a working, or at least semi-working, society it would seem. It's nice to hear that people are banning together.

You mentioned a place to stay...

[ comment log ]

[recreant]

Yeah! It happens after a while, I think. The first reports of people being brought here from different worlds was about two years ago, maybe. I've only been here since around May myself.

[ He liked this guy. He wasn't really sure, but he had an aura of polite concern and ... something more, underneath. ]

Mhm. Marshall. It's on the very North side of the city, where I live. Unfortunately, Latimir's the only place with electricity, but it's pretty full, and not always with the right kind of people.

[ comment log ]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

[He nodded his head in acknowledgment at the first. The former was encouraging and the latter was good information to know, both parts.

But then he had to give the other a questioning look.] 'Electricity'?

[ comment log ]

[recreant]

[ ... He glanced back when he was quoted, taking in the expression and, of course, the older looking attire. He should've figured. ]

Ah, never mind. I remember worlds that didn't have it, either.

[ comment log ]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

[Giovanni nods slowly. He would have liked to had a knowing answer, but it could be asked again later.]

Then as I do not know what it is I shalt miss it likely. I would be close to allies, not rogues. There is room at this Marshall place?

[ comment log ]

[recreant]

Yeah, exactly what I was thinking.

[ Hey, let's pretend Riku said 'East' instead of 'North' for that Marshall comment. I was thinking of Gohl, where my other character lived. Fail, Jade. ]

Yeah, there's room. We just cleaned out the top floor to make more, so you should be able to snag an apartment.

[ comment log ]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

[This totally works because I had no clue anyway as I still haven't memorized that dang map. Giovanni will memorize the city long before I will remember where either of my characters are housed.]

This would be very bene... ah, good.

[ comment log ]

[recreant]

[ Quick Reference that I always use. It's tres effective. ]

Any floor you prefer? [ Holds the door open for him. ]

[ comment log ]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

[Yeah, its just finding it every time. Maybe I'll stick a link of it somewhere easy...]

You mentioned the top floor being the newest and likely less filled--I will take whatever is there. [What is with Eagles and their obsession with high places. Oh, and he walks through the door after Riku with a polite nod.]

[ comment log ]

[recreant]

[ Good idea. ]

Sure, I'm on the top floor, too, if you need anything. Some of the rooms are already taken and we've had quite a few people break down walls to accommodate more people, but you should be able to grab one.

[ Plus easier access to the roof. You seem like a rooflurker. Derp, up the stairs we go. ]

[ comment log ]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

[Thanks for all the links, mio amico.]

Bene, bene. That will be very convenient. If it doesn't trouble you sometime I would appreciate it if you would teach me how to properly use that device. I have the feeling it will become very useful in the stay here...

[Yes, yes he is. And more following. And he'll probably end up in the room next to yours Riku, if that isn't too creepy.]

[ comment log ]

[recreant]

[ They get stuck in my browser so it's pretty easy. ]

Oh, right. I'll walk you through the language and primary functions, since those are really the most important. Just remember that writing translates and voice and visual don't.

[ Trying to find more basic words than 'text' and 'video' since he might ... not understand those. No, that's not creepy at all! Better him than someone evil next to him and his Princesses. ]

[ comment log ]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

Very well. It's all the buttons that I fear more than anything else... [He chuckles softly, smiling half-heartedly at his own cluelessness.

Not yet anyway. He's a quick learner though. And good! That is so cute. Giovanni will happily protect them with his life, too. Because he is an utter sap. Yesss.]

[ comment log ]

[recreant]

Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it pretty quick. The communicators will turn themselves on, anyway, so sometimes it just doesn't matter what you do.

[ Clearly Marshall's Third Floor is full of saps. Huuuup the stairs and ... here, I'll even give it to you. ]

Hey, both sides next to me are open. Want one?

[ comment log ]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

...ah. [That does not sound pleasing. But he'll get over it.]

If it is acceptable, I would readily agree.

[Oh, you're so nice, Riku.]

[ comment log ]

[recreant]

Just be sure if you're doing anything ... questionable, it's in your pocket. [ Smiiiirks a little. ]

Sure, sure. Just bang on the wall if we make too much noise. We get kinda rowdy sometimes, you know. Being kids. And if you need anything, knock! I'm getting mistaken for the landlord, so I may as well start acting like it.

[ Aren't I just. :| ]

[ comment log ]

[betrayedblade.livejournal.com]

[He receives a small chuckle in return. Oh, if only the boy knew...]

Ahhah--! [He smiles largely at hearing this.] No doubt it will be just like home then. I am quite accustomed to rowdy children; I have four of my own back home. Again I must thank you for your kindness, bambino. It is nice to see such friendliness in such a young face.

[Yush.]