Come forth, prayers of the night!
Our blood reddens the offering; our tears blacken the Arno.
Our children are reborn among the blooming flowers,
While the face of God vanishes from the painted frame.
We are the corrupted.
Dim candlelight flickers over errant books and draft papers, casting shadows on the wall.
Leonardo is fully engrossed within the book held in front of him.
Leonardo: "They sang and danced to the heretic's music."
Leonardo: "Then they cut their wrists to shed blood; mixed it with hair and soil and painted the mixture on the wall."
Leonardo: "The air smelled strange. I started to laugh and dance just like they did ..."
*creak*
The door is cracked followed by the sound of heels stepping on the old wooden floor.
Despite the noises, the man doesn't stir from his book.
Leonardo: "Blood on the wall, reborn from the ashes."
Leonardo: "Blood on the wall, reborn from the tears."
Leonardo: "Blood on the wall, reborn from the flesh."
The one who entered the room halts their steps.
And all falls completely mute.
Leonardo: What?!
Leonardo at last takes notice of the figure in the room.
As it approaches him like a ghost from the shadows.
Right behind him, creeping closer and closer.
Leonardo: Good evening ...?
The "ghost" shrouds Leonardo and his book in its shadow and whispers to him ...
???: "Blood on the wall, I am reborn."
Leonardo: Ahhh!!
Leonardo jumps like a frightened rabbit, stirring up the pages on the ground.
Sotheby: What's wrong, Mr. Leonardo? I was only reading the rest of the spell.
Sotheby: Oh, I get it. You were having fun reading those horror stories all alone. I understand, I do love a good ghost story!
Leonardo: You might've considered knocking, my lady.
The young lady snorts presumptuously.
Sotheby: Mr. Leonardo? Mr. Leonardo? Mr. Leonardo!
Sotheby: I called your name three times in a row! But no one answered!
Sotheby: How could you be so rude as to ignore your patroness? I didn't mean to scare you, but Miss Sotheby has no time to waste.
Leonardo: My apologies. I've been entranced in the words ... It's a record of the Compliners' ritual. The author claims to have been part of it and escaped alive.
Sotheby: The ones you've mentioned before? That nasty group of gremlins that used to meet in the cathedral in secret?
Leonardo: Yes. They are also the ones who have secreted away the relics that Ezio is searching for.
Leonardo: My messenger must have told you why I invited you to come by. Your father just confiscated some manuscripts ...
Sotheby: Oh, I think you're mistaken! Mr. Domenico is not my father. Though I am very grateful for his help.
Leonardo: He's not your father? But I was certain that you were introduced as such.
Sotheby: It's a long story.
The young lady looks up wistfully as she recalls the events.
Sotheby: I was wandering around the Palazzo when some gentlemen arrived. As I recall, they were all members of the Decemviri.
Sotheby: One of them was Mr. Domenico! All of a sudden he rushed up to me and asked if I was his daughter, he said that I had gone missing many years ago.
Leonardo: Hmm ... No offense, my lady, but that sounds a little like how they kidnap children in Santa Croce.
Sotheby: Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Leonardo, but Sotheby is a mature young lady who can protect herself! After all, I'm standing here talking to you in one piece!
Sotheby: Anyway, he started crying about the garden he had built for her and how it had all the rarest plants he could find ...
Sotheby: He even said he had Tahitian bridal veil, Egyptian privet, and devil's tree! So ...
Leonardo: sigh Fortune certainly seems to be on your side.
Leonardo: Now, did he give you the manuscripts? I can't imagine he would say no to his long-lost daughter.
The young lady nods proudly.
Sotheby: Ta-da! Miss Sotheby already took the liberty of checking them all. This one is well-crafted and has the most details.
Sotheby: It was confiscated from a book merchant. He said ...
The young lady clears her throat before she continues.
Sotheby: "It has a silk cover, tempera painting, and gilded edges. Buy it now, and I'll throw in a free collection of Dante's poetry!!"
Sotheby: Begin the Maenalian verses with me, my flute.
Sotheby: How was that? Miss Sotheby has been practicing her Latin!
Leonardo: ... Brava! Your "father" would be moved to tears if he heard that.
Sotheby: Now that I've given you a hand, could you ...
The young lady is struck by an uncharacteristic shyness.
Leonardo: Hmm? Don't tell me you want to join ...
Sotheby: That's right! Please let me join in your adventure!
Sotheby: Take me to the cathedral with you!
The young lady seems to almost float with anticipation.
Leonardo: ...
Leonardo: I'm sorry, my lady. But this is not the sort of adventure suitable for a young woman.
Leonardo: I barely survived my own encounter with the Templars. Don't presume that they will show you mercy simply because you are a nobleman's daughter.
Leonardo: My lady, I'm sorry, but I could never forgive myself if I let you be hurt. Whatever "adventure" awaits us at Il Duomo, I do not believe it will be fun.
Sotheby: There's no need to worry. Miss Sotheby can protect herself and more than just that ...
She raises her head proudly, adopting a proud and noble pose.
Sotheby: I can make potions, aid in teamwork, research critters, read Latin, give orders, and even fight any villains we may find!
Sotheby: Just let me prove it!
COMBAT
Leonardo may be a man of many talents, but fighting is not one of them, and soon he ends up cornered by the little arcanist.
Sotheby: Hooray! My screaming roots and popeye slime worked!
Leonardo: Calm down, my lady ... Alright, please have mercy. You can join us. You've more than proved your ability.
Hands on the head, Leonardo rushes toward the door, trying to run away from the little witch.
*thud*
Leonardo: Ouch! Who could this be ...
Ezio: It seems like I've missed a party.
Leonardo: Ezio, Mr. APPLe! I knew you would get rid of those Templars!
Leonardo: Oh, and you've even brought us a new friend.
Vertin: Good evening, Mister Leonardo. I've heard a lot about you—on my way here.
Vertin: Hmm? That lady behind you ...
As heels hit the wooden floor again, a green tornado swooshes by Leonardo and charges forward.
Sotheby: Vertin!!
A heartwarming reunion. The young lady can't help hugging her friend in a swirling embrace.
Sotheby: sob You're finally here! Have you any idea what I've been through? Miss Sotheby had to attend classes and even study Latin!
Sotheby: And my teachers were even stricter than Mr. Karson!
The anxiety of exploring a new place is all at once driven away.
She takes a deep breath to enjoy the moment. Taking in the pleasant smells of the Tuscan air; with odd hints of citrus and the unmistakable smell of goat cheese.
Vertin: ...
Vertin: I'm so glad I've finally found you, Sotheby.