Chapter Text
Timekeeper’s Storm Report.
The Storm unexpectedly had hit Florence in the late 15th century, specifically at the peak of the Renaissance in Italy. The triggering event was unknown, with the following Storm Syndrome was similar to The Storm of 1914. People and inanimate objects started to melt into oil paint, but some of them even transformed into statues with strange forms. Chaos started to erupt, starting with the death of several important figures in Florence.
The Storm finally arrived, and reversed everything it went into contact with. The only survivor of this event is Ezio Auditore da Firenze, a mysterious assassin from the Italian Brotherhood of Assassins.
****
“Where am I?”
Ezio mumbled to himself, finally opening his eyes. The bright light on the ceiling shot through his eyes like a blade, making Ezio quickly shut his eyes.
“He is awake. Do we still need to register any sedative for him? I feared that he could still act aggressive to the staff like when he first arrived at the Laplace after being saved by the Timekeeper,” An unfamiliar woman's voice echoed in Ezio’s ear, but his body and mind felt too weak to even process the whole situation.
“I guess it isn't needed anymore. The restraint we placed on his body is already strong enough to hold him back from acting aggressive and harming both himself and the others,” The other one replied to the woman, but the mention of the word ‘restraint’ got Ezio back to his senses.
He looked down, noticing that both of his hands and feet were tied to the bed frame, restricting his move. Shit! Ezio thought in panic, trying to break free from his restraint, but his action quickly alerted the nearby doctors who quickly held his body back to the bed.
“Calm down, Mr. Ezio. We don't mean any harm to you,” a brown-haired woman said, trying to hold Ezio's body back.
“Where am I right now!? Answer me!” Ezio demanded, the restraint on his wrists got tighter the more he resisted. “We will answer your question later, but first of all, please calm down for a moment, okay?” the brown-haired woman asked, still trying to calm Ezio down.
Ezio gritted his teeth, he struggled harder, but his effort ended in vain when a needle suddenly pricked through his neck, injecting sedative to his system. The sedative ran through his bloodstream, slowly making his body drowsy. His eyesight started to blur, and the last thing he saw was the light on the ceiling before the world turned black once again.
****
“How is Mr. Ezio's condition, Mesmer?”
Vertin asked while walking through the futuristic corridor of the Laplace with Mesmer Jr by her side. “His physical condition is good, although there are some minor wounds on his body,” Mesmer Jr explained, reading Ezio's medical report. “On the other hand, he is quite agitated and sometimes can act aggressive to the medic around him, so we decided to sedate him to prevent further harm.”
“I see,” Vertin replied. She stopped by the window, seeing Ezio laid on the bed, unconscious. Both his hand and feet were still restrained, with an IV attached at his hand. The room was silent, only a faint hum from the nearby machine could be heard in the room. Two Laplace doctors were inside the room, monitoring Ezio’s condition.
Vertin instinctively touched the glass, feeling a cold sensation on her fingers. Ezio's condition reminded her when she was placed into Artificial Somnambulism to find the source of her trauma. Vertin still remembered when Lilya crashed into her room and took her away with her broom, flying for a few minutes before finally reuniting with Regulus and the others.
“Do you know when Mr. Ezio could be discharged?” Vertin asked, turning her attention to Mesmer Jr. “Maybe in two or three days. I still need to wait for the confirmation from the vice president to see when is the right time to discharge Ezio Auditore from his treatment,” Mesmer Jr answered, her tone was flat as usual.
“I see,” Vertin replied, her attention turned to Ezio once more. “We have to go right now, Vertin. Madam Vice President was waiting for us,” Mesmer Jr called. “...” Vertin paused for a while, her teal eyes still focusing on Ezio who started to open his eyes slowly, but she left before they managed to make eye contact with each other. Although his eyesight was blurry, his brown eyes managed to catch a silhouette of a familiar blue hat drifting away
Who is that? Ezio thought, before drifting to sleep again.
****
“Ezio Auditore da Firenze, A member of the mysterious Italian Brotherhood of Assassins and the only human that managed to survive the Storm in the late 15th century. Heh, he is such an interesting person, isn’t it, Vertin?” Constantine commented, putting aside the document she had just read. “Indeed, Madam Vice President. Mr. Ezio had saved Mr.APPLe from being turned into a fruit platter and even saved our lives once more when we were captured by the Templar. It’s easy to say that I, Ms. Sotheby, and Mr. APPle are indebted to Mr. Ezio,” Vertin replied, watching Constantine pouring a cup of tea from a ceramic kettle for herself.
“Do you want some chamomile tea, Vertin?” Constantine asked. Vertin nodded, and she let Constantine pour the tea into her cup. Vertin sipped the tea, the sweet and warm sensation from the tea really calmed her throat for a moment. “So, Madam Vice President, when did you plan to discharge Mr. Ezio from the rehabilitation centre?” Vertin asked, straight to the point.
Constantine was stunned for a while, before regaining her usual composure back. “Hmm, I will inform you later, Vertin. Don't be afraid because I don't have any ill intention for Mr. Auditore,” Constantine answered, a cunning smile was carved on her face.
Vertin glanced at the cup, seeing her own reflection. “I see,” Vertin said. “Then this concludes our meeting for today. You are free to go, Vertin,” Constantine stood up from her seat, leaving the library, followed by Vertin.