{|Assassin's Creed RP|} Fight for Roma {|OPEN|}

Location: Roma (i.e. Rome), Italy
Time: Couple years before the events of Assassin's Creed Brotherhood take place
Backstory: Before the arrival of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, even before La Volpe arrives in Roma. Templars have been growing increasingly aggressive against the Assassins. They have begun to attempt to run them out of the Assassin towers located within Roma, scattering the Brotherhood and weakening their hold in Roma. Because of this Assassins are struggling to retake the city and keep the growing Borgia forces in control as well as to fight off the Templars.

What side are you on?

Additional Rules

1. Please make a character sheet before you join up in this rp. It helps others understand your characters motives and gives others something to work with rather than just running in blind and hoping that everyone will agree with your character.
2. This roleplay could be rather dark given the situation the characters would be in. I would much prefer it if anyone joining stick with that theme. It really helps flesh out a serious form of not only a roleplay, but a serious story as well.
4. Roleplaying canon characters is allowed. Whether these be someone else's love interest or simply inserting these characters to help further the story.
5. Respect your fellow roleplayers. If they have a love interest, rp that character for them. Don't insult them subtly through your character. Don't ignore them. Don't make them feel left out. If I catch this going on, I will bump you out of the roleplay.
6. Please make sure you follow the original Role Playing rules, listed out here. They stand just as strong as these rules. Learn them and respect them if you want to stay in this roleplay.

Aries watched from the rooftops, calculating. Her eyes were shaded by a hood as she crouched, a hand on the rooftop. She couldn't afford to be caught, definitely not today. She had already caused quite a bit of ruckus around Roma trying to stall the Templars in their goals.

She frowned. That's all it seemed she was good for these days. A stall. A temporary set back to the Templars. The Assassins needed something on their side, something more....

Below a bandit ran by, snatching a woman's purse here and a man's coin there. Many wouldn't be able to catch him, especially not some of the guards - not as laden down by armor as some of them were. Aries smirked a little at the sight, even as a man tried to give chase to get his hard-earned money back.

She shook her head, her dark bangs falling over her eyes. She needed to focus. She had to find a way to strike back at the Templars, maybe win back one of the towers they had lost and rebuild their forces.

But how to go about it.... That was the part Aries was pondering over.

Elda sat at her small stand, arranging flowers in a multitude of colorful patterns that would draw a wandering eye. Her small business hadn't quite taken off but there were young bachelor's out there who often bought from her. Always making attempts to impress a pretty girl. Sometimes there were older men too or just admirers.

Most days were quiet for her. She didn't make trouble and no one made trouble for her. In these times, they at least had a little respect. Still, that didn't mean that trouble didn't know how to find her.

She pushed back on her chair, admiring her work before her work before she made a few changes, pulling a flower from one place and sticking it in another.

These were her days now. No luxury, no parties. If her parents were keen on keeping her leashed in their life, they would have forced her back long ago. She wondered if they were still going to make an attempt to do so. She wasn't quite sure what they had in mind.

Regardless, she was happier this way. Times might have been bad but at least she was enjoying herself.

Bliss however, always ended eventually. She wondered just how long her 'bliss' would last.

Aries caught sight of something promising. Her eyes darted, following after the figure from under the shadows her hood provided her. She soon gave chase from above, always making sure to stay out of sight of both those below and of the Borgia on guard atop the roofs. She ducked around chimneys and vaulted onto new rooftops, keeping the masked doctor in sight.

She had heard rumors of this one - the one who's bird mask had a shorter beak than others.

Rumor was that he was a Templar, having been approached by someone on Cesare's behalf a month or so ago. Aries didn't know who, no one did. Only that they had gained a wicked doctor, one who enjoyed killing the courtesans around Roma.

She froze, ducking low and ignoring the heat of the sun on her back. The doctor had stopped, eying the couple of courtesans that were walking past a quiet little flower stall.

----[x]----

Malfatto stopped, cocking his head. He had been on the way to procure more supplies. Syringes to replace the few that had broken and even some new poisons to refill his arsenal. He was a deadly doctor, after all, and it wouldn't do well if he wasn't well prepared when he was called upon.

Several courtesans had caught his eye, hidden away behind the lens of his mask. The smell of the herbs stuffed in the mask's beak were cloying but worth it to mask the stench of death when he killed and of those who were sickly and still attempted to come to him for aid. These were fools whose lives were taken from them easily under the guise of a cure.

But no, now he watched, from under the shadow of a building as the courtesans giggled and mingled with one another. One was even inspecting the flowers up for sale at the little business that had seemed to come up recently.

He was growing anxious... eager for another kill...

It had been so long....

Elda concentrated on her work, though, she often glanced up to see those who passed by. Courtesans weren't exactly a rare sight. She spared a smile toward the woman but nothing more. She was engrossed in her work and didn't have time for conversation.

When she'd finished one arrangement, she'd sit it on display and move to the next. These were her days. She never minded the work. In fact, she quite enjoyed it. There weren't any restrictions unlike the ones her parents had set. It was her life, her business; she was able to run it on her own.

She took little notice to those around her as she gathered new flowers into her arms, cradling them carefully as to not damage the petals. Bruised petals were sloppy after all and she wasn't about to sell ugly flowers.

She hummed quickly, beginning to arrange these flowers as well. Roses were quite beautiful. She hoped someone would take notice to them much like she did.

Aries hunkered down on the roof, waiting for the man to make a move. He seemed like he was doing more than just observing the courtesans as the admired a young woman's flower arrangements. If anyone else noticed the doctor's posture, the way his hands opened and closed, they paid him no mind.

Aries imagined the people walked faster as they passed him by though she couldn't be sure of that.

Minutes seemed to pass before the courtesans split up, one of them on the arm of a man that had approached her. Aries tensed as the doctor made his move. His pace was quickened from earlier's steps and he had targeted the woman in blue skirts.

Aries made her move, leaping from the rooftop.

----[x]----

Something moved from above, a shadow of someone leaping from the roofs met his gaze, the shadows before him in the morning's light. He spun, back stepping and avoiding a fatal blow to the junction at neck and shoulder.

"Ah, ah," Malfatto tsked. "You'll have to do better than that assassin!"

Around them were a crowd, gasping and backing away from the two as if expecting a brawl to break out.

Malfatto was not a fighter. Not usually but the woman assassin before him didn't look like much of a threat.

Elda's breath hitched, jumping slightly from the sudden attack on the doctor. She wasn't sure what was going on. She heard the word 'assassin' and feared the worst. Her heart pounded against her chest as she watched the scene before her.

She backed further into the stall, hoping that would make her less noticed; not that she feared she would be dragged into the fray. Still, anything could happen and she knew it.

Temporary bliss, after all.

She bit her lip, unsure of what to do. She had no protection. People took to fleeing despite the fact that they themselves weren't targets. They still feared for their own lives.

She didn't want to be anymore involved than they did but what would running do? No, she'd sit and wait this out. If anything worse happened, she wasn't involved; she did nothing. She was only a witness.

At least, this is how she hoped it would remain.

"Well, that's awfully confident coming from someone who targets courtesans," Aries hissed back, ducking low under his blow. She caught the sight of a wicked syringe, the needle longer than necessary and glinting the sunlight.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Aries clenched her jaw ducking away from the jabs, avoiding the needle. She couldn't be hit. Not once! Even once would be enough to inject her with whatever was inside it.

"Ah, not so cocky now are we?" the doctor taunted, driving her back. She couldn't get a good blow in. Her daggers where still sheathed and the doctor was keeping her on her the defense, unable to get ground enough to swing at him.

Malfatto grinned wickedly behind his mask. He had no love for the assassins, no love for anyone really.

He enjoyed death.

That was his great love.

He drove forward again, this time foregoing his delicate syringe's needle in favor of shoving the assassin with his shoulder, sending her backwards and crashing into the flower stall with a loud crash. A strangled cry left the assassin's lips and she glared up at him from the shadows of her hood.

He caught sight of tresses of brown hair poking through her hood even as he readied the syringe for one last blow.

She kicked out, catching him in the gut and knocking the wind straight out of him. He fought to catch his breath, doubled over, before the assassin could strike him. But she ran, bolting for cover as the guards were called.

Malfatto coughed. He would not take off his mask for fresh air, even if the herbs were cloying and hard to breath around at the moment. He dug into his robs, tugging out a small pouch of coin. He tossed it at the flower girl's feet.

"Consider this payment. You did not see me here," with that said he was off, running in the opposite direction as the assassin for cover. What had felt like minutes was really only seconds before they had run off, away from the Borgia guards.

What money he had left behind would pay for her measly stall's damages and then some.

Elda wasn't sure what to make of the events at hand. One moment she was watching a battle the next, both were gone in a flash, leaving only a memory behind. She blinked in the direction the doctor had fled, unsure of what to make of anything. No doctor she had witnessed lashed out like that; it wasn't normal.

The pouch he had tossed lay on the ground. She eyed it carefully; considering leaving it there. It wasn't like she was going to speak of the events, witness or not. She didn't need a payment to keep her quiet. She didn't want to get involved and as such, she didn't speak of things like this.

Of course, that left her in a dangerous position, holding knowledge guards might be waiting for.

She heaved a sigh, finally leaning down to pick up the pouch. If she had to, she'd make the money to pay the doctor back. She didn't feel right taking his money, after all, even if he had thrown it to her without a care.

Shaking her head, she went back to her work, though, it was different now. Repairs needed to be taken care of. She didn't worry about it too much. No, little things like this could be taken care of eventually. It was memories and events like this that couldn't be wiped away quite so easily.

Once the call had been made guards were relentless. Whether it was because they enjoyed bloodshed, fighting or because they truly believed in justice was anyone's guess and the reason was always different for each guard. Still, it made it difficult for Aries as she rushed atop a rooftop, using hand and foot holds within the side and launching herself up onto the eaves with a high window sill.

She couldn't afford to be caught. Even if her back was protesting heavily with the movement. Her hands were shaking with adrenaline and her heart pounding in her ears. The rush of blood in them was like a war drum.

"Stop, you!"

"You won't be getting away from us that easily!"

Aries ignored these and many more shouts and calls for her to halt. From roof to roof, some of the guards atop them shooting arrows after her in a bid to slow her or stop her entirely.

One arrow whizzed by so closely she could feel the wind it created, tearing a nick in the back of her hood.

This caused her to pick up her pace despite her burning lungs and legs.

Elda sighed. She had to leave her stand behind, if not for the moment. It shouldn't have bothered it as much as it did. With the guards running about, the last place she needed to be was in front of her little stall.

The damages she had to take care of was a perfect excuse to get away, along with replacements to the flowers that were destroyed. Still, the events rather unnerved her. She'd heard rumors of these kinds of things but never expected to witness it herself.

Times must have been difficult if things like this were escalating to street fights.

She scoffed, caught up in her own thoughts, barely paying mind to those who passed. It seemed today wasn't really her day. There wasn't much she could do about it however.

She lifted her head, finding a couple guards brushing passed. Side stepping, she made sure to stay out of their way. They were the last ones she wanted to get involved with. Cruel men, she had witnessed. If they truly fought for justice, she had to wonder just what 'justice' they really cared for.

Aries kept herself hidden, sneaking around as best she could, slinking from hiding place to hiding place. She had lost the entourage of guards on her tail only a few minutes ago and Aries would prefer to keep them searching or else find herself having to duck and dodge around the sharpened swords and axes they wielded.

The hay she hid within poked at her causing an itchy sensation where it brushed against skin. She did her best to ignore this, focusing instead on listening to the world outside the haystack. Occasionally she'd view someone pass by through the strands of hay.

She held her breath as a guard advanced, a wicked looking pike in hand. She hunkered lower into the cart of hay, waiting. From above the shadow alerted her to the man's presence and the pike was thrust into the hay viciously. She lunged then, plunging the hidden blade strapped to her wrist into the man's neck, avoiding the armor.

Aries quickly dragged his body into the hay and waited a moment. No cries of shock or alarm reached her ears.

She emerged from the haystack, expression twisted into a thoughtful one as she brooded over her next course of action. She had to go find a certain someone.... she hated to admit it but she needed advice.

Elda wasted little time getting the supplies she needed. With guards continuing to comb the area, she chose to move faster, not wanting to get anymore involved than she had; not that they knew she was involved in the first place.

Items were tucked under her arm. There weren't many women seen heavy lifting. It wasn't like she had a man who could take care of such a thing for her. She didn't complain, however. It was her work, her stand; she couldn't find any reason to complain.

She huffed however, finding a form of displeasure in not knowing what had happened. That doctor bothered her. No doctor she had seen fought. They were kind men most of the time; only doing their jobs. None of them lashed out.

Why had he been attacked as well? What did he do? She had to start listening in on the people, try to hear what they had to say. Perhaps that would provide answers for her.

Aries reached the tower, casting cautious looks over her shoulder as she entered the building. It was falling to pieces. So many attacks from the Borgia had left it in a state of disrepair and the remaining assassins just didn't have the time to try and fix it on top of keeping the city as safe as they could from Templars.

Inside the light was dim, whatever sun could make it through the windows serving as illumination to those inside. Aries glanced around, looking for Demitri. He had to be around here somewhere. She needed his input...

"Hey!" Aries called out, hands cupped around her mouth. "Get yer ass out here, Demi!"

Grumbling from around a book case greeted her. A thick layer of dust resided over the spines of the books even as tracks in the dust showed which ones the man that glared at her as he emerged had been viewing.

"What do you want, Aries?" Demitri scoffed, his green eyes flashing with aggravation. He hated to be bothered when in the middle of searching for something or other.

"Some advice would be nice," she answered lightly, hands planting themselves on her hips. "I ran into that Templar doctor, the one Cesare made contact with a few months back with."

"Ah, Malfatto," Demitri nodded. "And just what advice do you need?"

"Some double agent stuff," Aries told the man with a flippant wave of the hand. She ignored the alarmed look that flashed over his face. "It's getting harder to target these Templars from the outside."

"What you're proposing is a dangerous idea. I don't think you'll be up for it."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Aries prodded, raising a brow.

"It means I think you're too strong. I don't think you'd be able to keep up the charade for long before blowing your cover," Demitri answered honestly, turning his gaze away to scour the spines of the book. "However you were never one to be deterred. I suppose you'll go along with this plan of yours despite what I say."

"You know me all too well! Now, I need to know just how I would be able to slip my way into the Templar ranks...."

"That could be quite difficult indeed, Aries. You'll have to spend time gathering information. This won't be an easy task."

"All I'm hearing is 'challenge accepted'."

Demitri sighed, rolling his eyes at Aries.

Days passed and Elda had fixed most of the damage done to her little stand. Her main concern was information however.

When she worked, instead of keeping voices out, she listened in, eavesdropped on those around her. A serious expression replaced the usual smile on her face. The woman seemed so engrossed in her work but was far beyond that. She wanted information on this particular doctor.

Still, she heard little of him. Whether it was because not many knew of him or others simply didn't want to attract attention on themselves by speaking of him; she wasn't sure. She hardly heard anything.

There was only a bit of information she had heard floating around. He was a murderer. Elda decided that was most likely why he had been attacked. He also targeted courtesans. Why, no one seemed to know.

Of the few days she'd been listening in, this was all she had heard. There was nothing more, nothing less. Leads were little and she wasn't about to ask herself.

She bit her lip, spinning a rose in her hand, staring at what seemed to be her arrangement in front of her. In truth, she was staring passed it, watching as people moved from one place to the next. She was alone in her thoughts and appeared unhappy. She was merely curious, wondering just what was going on with this place.

Aries was nervous, her palms sweaty. She had worked tirelessly for several days gathering information on the Templars, digging in deeper than any assassin before. She had to have all the pieces, know the right people, analyze their habits and the way they moved....

She couldn't leave anything up to chance.

Demitri had wished her luck on her endeavor and she was going to need it with her temper.

After her information gathering she had dug in deep, getting her hands dirty and attracting attention. She had even dressed less like someone who held shady intentions and more like an adventurous, outgoing woman she was at heart. Her skirts were short, the train of her dress trailing behind her even as she followed this man, this man whose name she didn't work to remember.

After he inducted her into their Order he would be nothing to her. Aries would be passed off to someone else for tutelage, training and to oversee her progress. During all of this she would be gathering insider information to pass along to her real allies.

"Ah, no need to look so nervous, Aries," crowed the older man, clasping his hand against her bare shoulder for a moment. Aries jumped, stiffening at the touch out of habit. Misinterpreting her reaction as that of someone who just didn't enjoy being touched the man let his hand drop. "You've proved yourself admirably these last few days! No one will object to your induction."

Aries did her best to plaster on a smile. She had always been good at worming her way into the right places, in acting. She hoped her skills were up to snuff for this job.

"If you say so," she answered charmingly, passing a hand over her neck as if in sheepishness.

Soon they would arrive at the tavern where a private room had been rented out for the little occasion. There a small group of this man's fellow Templars in Roma would appraise Aries as this man listed off her accomplishments. It was there that Aries would either be denied access into the lion's den or to be allowed to venture deeper into it.

Elda lend forward, placing a hand on her forehead. A headache was beginning to worm it's way into her skull. It wasn't something she needed now but it was determined to ruin her day.

She heaved a sigh, pushing the flowers she had away from her. This was troublesome; the events from days ago having an effect on her. She debated on closing early, shifting about when out of the corner of her eye, she caught something.

It was the doctor, the one from the other day, moving quietly with the crowd.

She bit her lip, trying to think up some excuse to follow. Her heart raced, unsure of what she was thinking. Still, she did promise herself to return the money he had given to her; it seemed like a favorable excuse.

Grabbing the poach, she waited until he was further ahead before she left her stand, following after him. Whether or not it would lead to trouble, she wasn't sure. Rumor had it, he murdered. That fact made her nervous enough but she followed, her own curiosity getting the better of her.

----[x]----

Il Lupo quietly paced, waiting for this woman, this asset to be brought in. It wasn't often any were appraised. Having new companions could be a help or a hindrance to them. He wouldn't take any weak link, much like the rest.

He had to wonder just what this woman was like; what she was thinking, why her interest leaned toward them. There could be many things in the end, one leading to the next.

He grunted quietly, shaking his head. Time was ticking by and he had places to be, things to do. What was taking so long? He was beginning growing impatient.

Malfatto was on the move, prowling the streets for a suitable courtesan. Some killed without discrimination. That was not his style however. He was a methodical man, one who scoped out his prey and tracked them down to a quiet place. Poisons were administered, the syringe plunging deep into muscle tissue damaging much on its trek to administer the dangerous concoctions.

Even now, just thinking about it, Malfatto's lip curled up into a cruel smirk - not that anyone would be able to see it. No, he was careful. Not once had anyone seen his face and lived. It was easier to get away with things when the masses didn't know what you looked like, after all.

Ahead of him he could spot a lone courtesan. Her skirts trailed and swished behind her, her bare feet kicking up dirt and dust on the roads. She was glancing here and there, as if feeling his gaze. Malfatto was betting that she did.

Now he just had to wait, keep following this woman down into an emptied area, one with few people to bare witness to her death.

----[x]----

The tavern stunk and Aries wrinkled her nose in distaste. The stench of beer and sweat mixed with each other. Off in the corner someone was taking bets on a poker game and on the other side of the room a cheer could be heard.

"Just one moment, Aries," the man informed her, holding his hand out to her as if to silently tell her to stay in place. Aries huffed, watching as he made his way through the tables to the bartender. Hushed words were exchanged and Aries' watchful eye could spot the passing of a few coins from hand to hand.

In just a few moments he was back at her side ushering her towards a set of stairs and to a nearby doorway. The door swung open silently and Aries was ushered inside. She moved carefully, alarm bells clanging in her mind. Already, with the dim light from the lone window, she could spot four other figures in the room.

Three sat at a long wooden table, drink and food placed before them. The fourth was pacing, the hooded cape he adorned trailing behind him as he moved. His gaze was the strongest out of all of them, causing Aries to grow more alert, keeping focused on this one. Out of the bunch, the hooded one seemed the most dangerous....

"Good, good! We're all here it seems," smiled the man who had escorted her here.

One of the men at the table scoffed, taking a swig of his drink before he spoke. "It's about time you showed Donato."

So that was the man's name. Aries would have to remember, if only for the day.

Donato waved him off easily enough. They had business to attend to. "I expect that you're not here to banter. So why don't you ask your questions and we can get down to business?"

Aries did her best to seem trustworthy enough to these people; still, it was hard when her heart was pounding against her chest. She clasped her hands behind her back, trying to seem more 'open', even as she kept that hooded man in her sight at all times.

Elda had been tailing the doctor for quite some time now. She wasn't sure what to make of his actions or what he was doing. As if it was a form of protection, she clutched onto the leather pouch, pulling it close to her chest.

A rock seemed to have contently lodged into her stomach, making it feel twisted with her nervousness. She was chasing a murderer, after all; no one in their right mind would find that pleasant.

So why was she?

That question repeated in her mind so many times, she'd lost count. It was something she couldn't find an answer to. If she was alive after this ordeal, she wouldn't think on it any longer. This could have been the last risk she would take, after all.

----[x]----

Il Lupo grunted, his pacing finally coming to a halt. He studied to pair that had walked in, especially that of the woman. There was no telling what she could be like; not by simple observing anyways. She seemed to be steady, unafraid. It could all be a ploy however.

He waved a hand, his elbow resting on his other arm, already crossed over his chest.

"If we could make this brief," He pressed, watching the new comers. "I've business I must attend to. I don't care for waiting around."

He might have appeared pushy and he didn't seem to mind. He was speaking the truth in his opinion. He didn't have time to wait around. This matter had to be done and over with quickly so he might be on his way. Time didn't wait, after all; and neither did he.

It seemed to take longer than it really did, at least to Malfatto, before the courtesan had turned into an emptied street. A shortcut no doubt that she had taken time and again if he had to guess. Her confidence suggested as such anyways.

He quickened his pace, his foot falls near silent with the years of practice. His grip tightened on the syringe. A well placed stab into the curve of her shoulder, that would be all it wold take.

Malfatto reached out, grabbing the woman by the arm. She took in a sharp breath of air, readying a scream before he jammed the needle into place. A bead of blood welled up from the point of impact. He had not been the least bit gentle, after all.

A strangled cry left her lips as she sank low. The needle was long, no doubt it had done some serious damage at the angle he had shoved it in. The poison would take care of her soon enough even as she clawed at the puncture wound, her other hand working to pull herself away.

"Ah, ah, ah." Malfatto shook a finger at the woman. "Moving will only spread the poison. If you want to live longer stillness is your ally."

The courtesan didn't listen. Instead she continued to struggle even as life left her body minutes later.

----[x]----

Aries scoffed at the man's impatience. Ignoring Donato's indication that she should keep her mouth shut she spoke out.

"Patience is a virtue and time an illusion." These were words Demitri had often told her in her years training under him to be an assassin. She would neglect to tell him later that she had taken up the saying and passed it on to someone else. She'd rather not see Demitri's smug face about that. She carried on, "So why don't you settle down and we get this done and over with easily?"

Silence greeted her for a moment before one of the men at the table spoke up. He snickered for a moment, ducking his head. He passed a hand over his mouth, dislodging a few bread crumbs from his beard in the process.

"You've found a bull-headed one this time, Donato. What's the girl's name?"

Donato opened his mouth but it was Aries who answered. "Aries."

"Like the Greek god?" A brow was raised at this. No doubt they were thinking of the male Ares.

Aries rolled her eyes, sighing in a manner that seemed to suggest that this was a common mistake. "No, dumbass, Aries as in the zodiacal ram." She shook her head, grumbling something under her breath that sounded very much like another insult.

Donato cleared his throat, realizing just how badly Aries seemed to be presenting herself. He wasn't quite sure what any of his fellow Templars were appraising her for after all and any lack of it could reflect back on him.

"Don't let the attitude fool you," he shot Aries a discreet look. "She's accomplished quite a bit of difficult tasks set before her in just a few days."

In his mind Donato was already listing out the accomplishments, ready to list them out at a moment's notice. No doubt these men would want to know of them - they need only ask.

Elda had her back pressed against the wall, her heart pounding so loudly, she feared it might be heard. This little stroll had led her into some trouble; she'd witnessed this doctor commit murder, or it seemed he was in the process of doing as such.

She had nearly walked down that emptied street when he had cornered the courtesan. It could have been her in the same position.

Attempting to even her breath, she found herself rooted to the spot. Her head told her to move but her body refused to react. What if he came back through? It would be obvious that she'd seen something she hadn't meant to.

If she moved now, would he hear? There was too much riding on just one simple movement, so she didn't try.

She bit her lip hard, fighting back any whimper. Just what had she gotten herself involved with now?

----[x]----

Il Lupo raised an eyebrow at the woman's attitude. It seemed there was more bite to her than she let on. Still, that didn't mean much in the long run. He still held his doubts.

He scoffed, finally settling himself down in one of the chairs. At least she'd caught some form of attention. Whether it be good or bad remain to be seen. It would only take a little time for these men to decide.

He remained silent, watching them as they began to converse. A smirk tugged at her lips when the woman named Aries spoke. At least she was interesting, far more interesting than most who passed through.

Perhaps this new asset would hold promise. Only time could tell. Still, he decided if she was to join with them, he'd keep an eye out. She might have been holding a few more cards up her sleeve that she hadn't chosen to reveal just yet.

Malfatto stood in place for a moment, enjoying the deed he had just committed. The courtesan's body was cooling, no doubt someone would find it later on though it was no great loss to the city. Like with the beggars and homeless many ignored their plight.

He inspected the needle of his syringe next, tapping it and testing its strength. It had held up nicely. His gloved fingers slid down the needle, wiping the blood off. He smiled wickedly beneath the mask, tucking the item back at his belt for later use.

He turned, walking back down the dirt alleyway and back the way he came. He'd get far from the scene of the crime before anyone found the body. Not like many accused doctors anyways. It's what made it so easy to get away with what he did.

As Malfatto exited the alleyway he spared a quick glance here and there - an old habit developed to spot any possible witnesses that needed taken care of.

He froze.

There was a girl, dressed in blue clutching something to her chest and looking quite disturbed and pallid. Her back was pressed against the building, the very building that helped to border the alleyway....

His expression dropped, becoming stony as he advanced on her.

----[x]----

As the questioned flowed in for Donato to answer and elaborate on her successes in the past few days, marveling at her technique and just how much she had gotten done in so little time, Aries studied those her surroundings and those in the room with her. While she studied, to anyone else, it would look more as if she had little interest in the conversation at hand, merely waiting for it to end so she may speak her part and leave sooner.

If she was called out, had to make a hasty retreat her best bet was either the door behind her or the only window. The window however was past that hooded man.... Her eyes narrowed a fraction. Out of all of them he was the most dangerous looking, the one who looked the most skilled....

"In just a matter of three days Aries here-" Donato clasped a hand over Aries' shoulder. She looked at it, aggravation and a look of disbelief twisting her expression as she turned her gaze toward Donato. He didn't seem to notice even as he continued to speak. "-has managed to take out six of our enemies, half of them having been active thorns in our sides."

Aries slapped Donato's hand off her shoulder and he flashed her an apologetic look for the intrusion on her personal space. She returned to her observations.

"Ah, so the little lass her is responsible for taking out that bastard Gustavo for me? Well, she's got my vote in!" boasted the bearded man, slapping his hand down on the table as if this made it law. Aries raised a brow at him but otherwise said nothing. At least that was one down.... three more to convince....

"So she took some people out, what else has she managed?" asked another, seated across from the bearded Templar.

"Aries also drove in quite a bit of income, going out of her way to gather up money to purchase plots of land that will only bring in revenue for our cause." Again Donato's hand fond its way to Aries back and that aggravated look twisted her expression yet again as she stepped away from the man. He didn't seem to notice this time as he continued to speak.

Elda held her breath as the doctor approached. Obviously, she'd been caught. What would running do? What would anything do? She'd witnessed something that wasn't meant to be seen and now she was going to pay for it.

She could feel herself shaking, fear ebbing it's way through her entire body. If she wanted to run now, she wouldn't have known it. It was like her mind as switched off; fight or flight, neither responding.

She feared the worst and didn't know what to do. So she stood, rooted to the spot, awaiting whatever fate had in store for her.

----[x]----

Il Lupo rubbed his jaw, watching the expressions that changed on the woman's face. She was quiet but clearly unshaken by the discussion at hand. No, the only irritation she let arise was when she was touched.

Some of these men were easy to sway to her side. She seemed favorable in the acts she had managed in just a few days. Still, it left him suspicious. Those were rather dangerous plights in a few days time. Especially for that of a woman.

He didn't feel his suspicions were displaced. He chose to remain silent, however, waiting; observing what she did or how she reacted. She was certainly talented for hiding some form of emotions. Though, clearly she had a temper.

He shifted, his eyes barely pulling away from the two. Hearing out what Donato was one thing. Il Lupo was making his own judgements; ones that the others around them clearly weren't taking into much consideration.

A smirk tugged at his lips. This was certainly an entertaining event. One he hadn't had in quite some time.

Malfatto marveled out how this woman, the very one from the flower stall awhile back, neither ran nor fought him off. She merely stood, eyes widened, her face almost paper white and her whole frame trembling.

He smirked wickedly at this effect he had on her, placing a hand on the wall, the blood that had been on the syringe, the blood he had wiped off, smeared onto the stone as he did so. He ducked his head lower, the beak of the mask close to the woman's own nose.

"Just what do you think you just stumbled upon?" he questioned lowly, his voice muffled and even eerier because of it.

----[x]----

It had taken some time before Donato had finished speaking, insistent on explaining even minor details of her exploits. By this time even Aries was growing impatient, sighing and rolling her eyes every now and again.

When he clasped her shoulder a third time - she was convinced this was a habit of his when he spoke to people - she grasped his wrist in her hand tightly. Donato flashed Aries an apologetic smile, attempting to tug his hand back only to have Aries tighten her grip. They had seemed to grapple for control of his hand for a moment, even as he had explained the assets she had purchased for further income (having placed her faith in an aspiring banker and tailor to the surprise of some). This had ended after several moments with Aries tossing his hand away from her and glaring at the man.

"Well, I think most of us don't have a problem letting her in. We know what happens to traitors anyways if they disprove themselves loyal," the bearded man spoke up, leaning back in his seat. The chair creaked under him.

"True, however-" his partner turned to the hooded man. "We've yet to hear what Il Lupo thinks. Been awfully silent you have!"

Aries' eyes narrowed a fraction, her gaze drifting to the hooded man. So this was Il Lupo in the flesh? She had heard rumors about him but had yet to see him. Stories said that he had begun to mimic the tactics she and the other assassins used....

If this was true than she would have to tread carefully around him and only hope that he was not one of the ones that would oversee her often.

Elda's heart pounded against her chest. Her throat felt dry, unable to make any words pass her lips. She did the only thing she could. She shoved the leather pouch toward him.

"This belongs to you." She finally muttered in return. Her gaze had notably shifted away, in attempts to calm her own fear as if he wasn't there. "I wanted to return it, that's all..."

She must have seemed crazy; confronting a murder to return a belonging; especially in the situation she was in now. There wouldn't be much of a chance in running off; not like this. He could easily grabbed her if she made an attempt.

There was little form of an escape. She only hoped that pity and perhaps her word, if she had to swear herself to secrecy, would be enough to satisfy him.

----[x]----

Il Lupo leaned back in his chair. Even if his suspicions proved to be true, he wouldn't speak of them. No, he'd rather enjoy the chase himself. Any others would simple get in the way.

"I have no qualms." He spoke smoothly. "Do what you wish."

Some might question his easiness toward the entire issue. He had many things up his sleeve after all; this would simply be one more.

For him, the ordeal was over. For this woman who called herself 'Aries', he was sure it was only beginning. He watched her carefully, the smirk refusing to leave his lips.

Malfatto blinked once at the woman as she thrust the pouch at towards him. He could hear the jangling of coins inside of it.

He laughed next. It was a long and hard laugh, his head tossed back and he could feel tears springing up in his eyes from how hard it resonated through him. His laugh was deep and throaty, muffled by the mask even now.

Finally he lowered his head, really watching the woman now, taking not of her appearance and of her frightened demeanor. Malfatto's mind whirled with the possibilities, debating on what to do with the woman who had spied him in such a criminal act.

"It's your lucky day," he taunted finally, reaching out to tap the woman's forehead to see her flinch. "I have a proposal for you that will keep you alive if you take it."

----[x]----

She didn't trust that smirk. How could she? It was one that said he had something up his sleeve, had something planned.

Aries would have to tread very carefully in the coming weeks.

Beside her Donato smiled, even if he was a little curious about Il Lupo's lack of complaint. Usually, when he was in on these meetings, he was the one to shoot the one being appraised down in some manner. What was so different? He brushed it aside.

The men stood as he turned to Aries. She shifted on her feet to study him, even as he spoke.

"Since no one is opposed it is time to reward you for your unerring service, for you to be able to share in our knowledge and to reap the benefits of what this gift implies."

Aries shifted from foot to foot for a moment observing Donato. He looked very much like a proud parent, his chest puffed out even as he continued on. She had to resist scoffing.

"Do you swear to uphold the principles of our order and all that for which we stand?"

Aries nodded once. "Yes."

"And never to share or divulge the true nature of our work?"

"Yes."

"And to do so now until death - whatever the cost?"

If Aries hesitated here it was unnoticeable. "Yes."

Donato smiled broadly, pulling a ring from his pocket to hand over to Aries. It was sterling silver and the emblem of the Templar Cross was emblazoned on it as its insignia. She inspected it for a moment before she placed it over her finger.

It sat heavy there, like some weighty burden she'd rather not bear.

"Then I welcome you into our fold, sister. Together we will usher in the dawn of a New World Order. One defined by purpose and order. Give me your hand. You are a Templar. May the Father of Understanding guide us."

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