[CLOSED] So tell me little sister is it warm and safe in there?

[sicarius]

Who: Ezio (sicarius) and Alice (digophelia)
What: After the Darkness event, these two are just recuperating in A Needle In A Haystack
When: Day... 133-134? SOMETHING LIKE THAT
Where: A Needle In A Haystack, right in Odin!
Rating: PG at most since COMFORT TIMES

[Ever since the ending of the attack, Ezio has hardly slept. There are points where he periodically rests, gathers his thoughts, returns back to work to check on Alice, and then goes out again.

He has never been caught so ill-prepared when it came to an enemy before. Then again, he had never faced an enemy such as the one sent.

So, it is with this in mind that he has been venturing out to collect what he deems necessary. Necessary for what? The Order. Weapons, armor, supplies for the two bureaus, things that were going to be used appropriately whenever and wherever they were needed. Having lost so many from home, he's finally realized that it's up to him to set the foundation in the city, to begin the standards as he will in Rome.

If he does not, they could probably end up in an even worse situation than the last.

It's on one of his ventures back to A Needle In A Haystack that he'll pass by where Alice is sleeping again, quietly moving about as to not disturb her. Sometimes he arrives through the window, into the Bureau. But this time, it's through the door, gently moving in hopes of leaving just as quickly, mind on the next endeavor for placing down the Order. Looking over to Alice once, there is a faint smile as he notices she's fine, and thankfully calm.

...He truly hopes, one day, that she won't be afraid of what has happened, or what will happen. Until then, he can only be there as support, for as long as she needs him.]

Comments

[digophelia]

[Up until now, Alice had been firmly asleep, since arriving the prior night. She managed to clean up, and find something else to wear, curled up amongst the pillows where she did nap one time, when Malik permitted it. Her dog was curled up next to her, right where Alice had buried her face. The noise was starting to irritate her and as well as Julius peering at her, nuzzle to her nose.

She draws a breath, peering out from her green eyes, over the dog, hearing shuffling about. The first thing that comes to mind, without thinking, is Alice straightening up, looking for the vorpal blade that is resting somewhere-

No, under the pillow. From the exhaustion and not eating enough, Alice moves to the door, gripping the blade so tight the imprint would leave a mark on her hand.

But's no shadows, no intruders, just Ezio. For a moment, Alice leaves Julius taking up her side of the pillows, watching Ezio go back and forth. Her hair is a mess, after sticking her head into the pillows to keep light off of her while she slept and to dull the noise of him coming in and out. She's able to slide the knife back to her side, approaching him with somewhat mussed hair.]

Ezio?

[sicarius]

[When he hears footsteps approach, there is a snap of his head in the direction of the sound, fully intending to protect himself if need be. But it's not an enemy, only Alice, half-awake, and half-exhausted.]

...Alice.

[It's a pause, a hesitance. For a long moment he simply looks at her, at how tired she is, and how dreadful the both of them must look to each other. Then, he smiles, if only slightly.]

Everything is fine. Go back to sleep, I will be on my way shortly.

[digophelia]

Mn.

[Alice says pretty bluntly, rubbing her eyes. She slept for a while and she's still tired. Just as if she's ready to start a shift, out of force of habit she walks pass him, to her apron- no, she won't be needing that. She's followed Malik's schedule since the shop, half-reminding herself what she was doing.

Oh, that's right. Tea. Muddling around for tea. The dark haired girl walks behind, every so slowly to the pantry. Some rummaging can be heard and Alice comes back out with some tea and a tea pot, ready to brew it.]

I can't sleep.

[More likely, she won't sleep. She's still shaking and it's not because of the darkness left a lasting imprint, oh, no. Alice had given her dog most of the food left behind.]

Wait, wait... I can... brew some tea.

[sicarius]

[Her words strike him first, and the way she shakes and moves only makes him worry rather than be comforted. Finally, Ezio sighs, not in frustration, but in an amused sort of way.]

Then shall I take this as an invitation to stay?

[digophelia]

[She doesn't answer the question, just filling up the tea pot up with water, puts it down ready to brew. A half-asleep Alice doesn't really care how that works. She yawns deeply, pulling her hair out of her face.]

All morning.

[She mutters.]

You've been doing that all morning.

[Alice doesn't say this necessarily with anger, stopping herself when she's about to pull tea out on the surface. It needs to be wiped down, doesn't it? And back to force of habit, Alice moves to get her apron.]

[sicarius]

[Ezio gently grabs her by the arm when she tries to move, letting her know she doesn't have to do anything.]

You were awake?

[He's surprised, a little. He had expected her to be asleep. Then again, this was Alice.]

[digophelia]

[While Alice is half-awake, she doesn't really take too kindly to that, almost flinching and steeling herself up on contact.]

... Yes. Sometimes.

[She tries to explain it, pulling herself away. All she wants to do is fix tea, some caffeine in her system, reaching for the apron in her hands. With a deep, shaky sigh.]

What have you been doing?

[sicarius]

[He falls silent at that, mind troubled over what to say, since he cannot speak of something so easily when Alice is clearly not exactly coherent. He trusts her, fully- but with so much keeping him on edge, it is difficult for now to discern where people's alliances lie, and who belongs on what side.

As far as he knows, there is only he and Caterina who remain of the Order.

He sighs, though, mind returning back to Alice's question.]

Preparing. We did not have enough supplies when the attack came. I want to be sure that will not happen again.

[digophelia]

[With tea already boiling, a nice strong Earl Grey, Alice quietly listens, tying her apron. It'd be easier if Alice had an easy night's sleep, but it's not all of his fault. Alice has always been prone to terrible nightmares of fires, demented creatures, and even Bumby.

She gives a nod, that just seems like she's nodding for the sake of it, but she's in agreement. She just can't find the words for it. Instead, she pulls out her infamous vorpal blade, splayed across her hands, looking down on it.]

I wish I had more than this, but that's good... That's very good.

[When the tea gives a whistle, it at least snaps Alice out of her sleepy daze.]

Oh! Do you want some tea, Ezio? It will help.

[sicarius]

Tea? [It's different when he talks with her. Alice is a child, yet she is also a woman more than capable of handling herself.

He tilts his head a bit at her offer, unsure of what exactly the tea tastes like, but curious all the same. In a way, she's giving him a moment to breathe, to pause as the hours pass by. A reason to actually try to live like a human being, despite all that has happened and despite all that will come because of it. It is just him and her, in a small room in A Needle In A Haystack, taking the time to recollect themselves and their thoughts after having it be shattered against a wall.]

And what kind is it?

[digophelia]

Earl Grey.

[She prepares that tea just as she's done many, many times for customers and visitors to this shop, pouring it into two mugs and resting the teapot back onto the counter. Briefly, she remembers how she can picture it as a cannon of the sort, back in Wonderland. But it's time for her to wake up after sleeping for so long. She lets out a yawn, taking the cup to her lips to gently blow on it.]

It's a good morning tea. If you like, I can put milk in it.

[Or is that black tea?]

You should sit down. It doesn't seem like you have.

[sicarius]

Ah-

[There is a pause as he grins, chuckling to himself in how much she's noticed about him.]

I have not. I cannot do much at all by sitting down, sì?

[But he takes her notion and finds a seat, gently taking the cup in his hands and well. Inspecting it. He has never had tea before, and upon seeing Alice blow it to keep it cool, he follows her example. Then, with a careful testing, he takes a sip.

It is not a taste he is used to- the herbs in the beverage catching him off-guard, but not in an unwelcoming sense. Ezio lets it cool, a smirk on his face, realizing that yes, relaxing is a good thing, even moreso when he is in the company of people he cares for.]

[digophelia]

[She watches him with something on her lips, feeling her feet slightly kick back and forth in the seat as she sits crossed legged. After a moment she breathes a deep sigh; it could be a sign of relief.

That's a smile.]

It's not too bad, is it? We have tea in the mornings and afternoons in England. It has always been a good way to relax or wake up.

[sicarius]

[There is something akin to surprise that quickly melts away into a warm smile on his end, at her own smile. It is the first time in a long while that he has seen her happy, and it is not something he takes lightly.]

It is fine. I am not used to it, back home in Italia we would set aside time together as a family, to play a game or just sit in the gardens of our manor. It was very simple.

[digophelia]

A manor.

[It seems similar to her former home. Of gardens, the fireplace, and her father's strange hobby of photography. The odors of chemicals that Lizzie hated, the shelves and chairs Alice would jump from.]

I remember-

[Alice cuts herself short. As quick as that smile came it fades away, followed by Alice sipping her tea.]

[sicarius]

Sì. We had a small courtyard, and we would have plants hanging around it to make it look beautiful.

[It's been a long time since he remembered the Auditore home, the streets of Florence not as familiar as they once were. A fleeting memory, taken away all too quickly when half his family was hung. Monteriggioni had been his home for longer- and now that too had burned, his uncle perishing by Borgia hands as well.

How long would he travel before finding a place to call his own?

There is only silence as she drinks, but he is still smiling, thankful for her company. Even without most of his allies here, he's more than certain he'll be all right.]

[digophelia]

[Alice wonders when she'll find a place of her own as well. For the longest time, after so many years, it does feel as if she has a home. But the memories of the Liddell manor are itself painful. But it's not about her right now, it's about finally getting Ezio to sit down and take a break.]

It must have been very lovely. And a courtyard...

[There wasn't a courtyard in-

Alice looks down at her hands against the table's surface, drumming them lightly.]

Are you hungry, Ezio?

[sicarius]

[His head tilts a bit at the change of the topic, but he doesn't push when she does so. It's Alice, he's used to these things with her by now.

Though he does pause and chuckle at her question. He hasn't spent time to eat much.]

Sì, that would be wonderful.

[digophelia]

[With that caffeine in her system already, Alice has gain a little more clarity as well as sobering thoughts. She does her best to hide her pain of her former home, slipping off the chair and heading back to the same place she came back with the tea.

Muffins, of course. Blueberry. Undoing the covering she brings them to the table and sets them there.]

There you are. I suppose if you are going to be doing anymore errands, you'll need something in your stomach. Please don't exhaust yourself.