The great pretender (Ezio and Leonardo)

[tuttoelecito]

Ezio had been hovering outside Leonardo's workshop for something like twenty minutes now, trying to work up the courage to go inside. It wasn't that he had any problem with Leonardo, of course he didn't, but what he had to ask the other man was... perhaps not the easiest request to phrase. There was a very real possibility that Leonardo would become offended or angry (Leonardo could get angry, he was pretty sure), a much higher possibility that he would just refuse, but this was something that Ezio needed.

Admittedly, he could probably have just gone his usual stealth route just as well, but people had begun to get wise to his tricks, and this particular event was already very well guarded, they couldn't be too careful after all. This plan was the easiest, quickest and most effective way of getting what he wanted. As long as Leonardo agreed to it. He could hire someone for it, but he wanted someone he could trust as his side.

He eventually stepped up to the door, forcing himself to move before he second guessed the idea yet again, and knocked. There. Too late now, he had to go through with it.

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Translation in hovertext if needed

[howexciting]

Leonardo started at the knock on his door, snapping out of the creative haze he'd been using all morning. When he heard the door creak open and footsteps on his wooden floor, his heart leapt in his chest. Only one person did not wait outside when they knocked.

"Ezio, ben tornato! Come in!" He chirped, turning his gaze to the doorway as a sweet smile lit up his features. "It is so good to see you in one piece. How can I help, amico mio?" He closed the distance between them, arms opening immediately for a hug.

Re: Translation in hovertext if needed

[tuttoelecito]

Of course, Leonardo was just as happy to see him as always, and despite his internal turmoil there was no way Ezio could refuse the offered hug, even if he did return it with a little more reluctance than usual. It felt strange to act like everything was normal when he was coming here with a distinctly abnormal request.

"Leonardo, it's good to see you," he smiled, both the words and the expression feeling a little hollow. He fell silent for a moment, gathering his thoughts, until it became too much and he had to answer Leonardo's question before the other man started asking more questions, probing questions about what was wrong. He was going to have to come out with it anyway, but he'd rather do it on his own terms.

"I have a favour to ask of you... something a little different to usual..."

[howexciting]

Leonardo had already sensed something was wrong when Ezio's response was not automatic. They had shared enough embraces that the delay was markedly different. He frowned slightly when he heard Ezio speak and saw his face under the hood. Ezio might not have noticed, but it felt... disingenuous. Something was very wrong.

But before he could open his mouth to ask, Ezio distracted him with mentions of a favor. (Ezio had always been skilled about changing the subject when Leonardo got too close to discovering anything he wasn't meant to know. It came with the territory of secret societies.) "A favor?" Leonardo questioned, drawing away and giving a small bow of his head in acknowledgement. "Of course, Ezio! I am glad to help. Just how different? Is it a design for something large? A translation of an ancient text, perhaps? Or is there some other information you seek?"

[tuttoelecito]

"That's the thing, Leonardo, it's not information I am looking for," Ezio admitted, trying to force himself to plough on with the request even though he wanted to back away from it completely, he knew he'd never be able to drop it now, Leonardo wouldn't let it go if he tried to weasel out of it, there was no choice but to get it out.

"There is a gathering I need to infiltrate, and I need a good cover in order to gain entry and I think you are the most obvious choice... they would find your presence convincing, due to.. uh..." he was doing so well, but suddenly he'd gotten onto the actual delicate part of the delicate matter and he wasn't sure how to phrase it, he didn't want to insult his friend. "the... type of gathering... "

[howexciting]

The way Ezio had phrased his request made Leonardo grow slightly suspicious. He trusted that his friend wouldn't throw him into danger readily, but this was... remarkably indirect of Ezio. "Just what sort of gathering is this?" He asked, innocently, though his eyes narrowed briefly for a moment, studying his best friend. It wouldn't be some sort of art gathering, he'd have likely heard about it. It couldn't be an Assassin issue, or he would have come with company. So what was it...?

"... why would my presence be convincing?"

[tuttoelecito]

Ezio muttered a string of curses, as if he'd been hoping Leonardo wouldn't ask, and as ridiculous as it was he kind of had been. He knew it would become obvious very quickly, but he hated to be the one to actually say it, even if he knew he owed his friend that much.

"It's... well, don't take this the wrong way, Leonardo, please, I'm not trying to imply anything, it's simply that there was that trouble.. and... well, it's... it's a gathering of men who.. " he waved his hand to try and find the most delicate way of putting it "enjoy the company of other men?"

[howexciting]

... oh. Oh.

His cheeks flushed a brilliant pink, mostly out of embarrassment, but he also felt a thump of his heart that hadn't been there before. "You mean my... my trial." God, he knew that was going to follow him to his grave. "So you are asking me to... to take you there? To get you inside with my..." Leonardo cleared his throat, delicately, before weakly continuing, "... my credentials?"

But now that he thought about it, something else seems flawed in this plan.

"Most of the peninsula knows you to be a donnaiolo, Ezio. How on earth would I convince them?"

[tuttoelecito]

"Sì, that's what I'm asking," Ezio nodded, not quite blushing as well but definitely looking supremely awkward, he hated to bring up something that was probably a bad memory for Leonardo, didn't want to put his friend in this position, but it was the best plan he could think of.

"Well I was going to go in disguise," he shrugged as if that was all there was to it, "Your, ah, reputation will get us in the door, and then I can work from there." he clearly didn't think he needed to take any other steps to convince the assorted company within that he belonged at the party, and he didn't realise that his natural inclinations generally took about thirty seconds to show through, particularly if anybody female was anywhere even close.