[Current Balance: 374,924,774 scudi, 90 baiocchi.]
---
The late afternoon cast long shadows across the busy marketplace of Civitavecchia.
While Oldgate oversaw the final stages of restocking La Providencia and selling off the last of the valuable cargo brought from England and Spain, Alaric and Kassandra took the opportunity to wander through the stalls near the harbor.
It was around 6 PM, and the market was still lively. Kassandra, fascinated by the changes in fashion and goods even since her last brief foray into the world centuries ago, moved from stall to stall, occasionally buying small trinkets or lengths of fabric that caught her eye, funded by coins Alaric had given her.
[Money Withdrawal: 300 scudi.]
[Current Balance: 374,924,474 scudi, 90 baiocchi.]
Alaric mostly window-shopped, content to observe the flow of life in the Roman port city. His eyes, however, caught on a particular item displayed prominently in a tailor's stall... a handsome Justacorps coat.
It was a deep crimson, the wool clearly of high quality, and embroidered with subtle but elegant gold filigree along the collar, cuffs, and hem. It looked sophisticated, powerful.
He walked over to the stall, running a hand over the fine material. "Buonasera," he greeted the middle-aged shop owner who was folding other garments nearby. "I quite like this coat of yours."
The owner looked up, his eyes brightening as he saw Alaric's own expensive attire. "Ciao, Signore!" he replied warmly, bustling over. "Ah, you have a fine taste indeed! A magnificent piece, is it not?"
He gestured proudly at the coat. "I acquired this from an old friend of mine in Paris, a master tailor within the Royaume de France. He designs exclusively for the nobility, even royalty... This coat," he lowered his voice conspiratorially, "is uno di uno. Unique. He made only this one in this specific style and color."
Alaric listened, examining the coat more closely, feeling the weight and quality of the fabric. It was exceptionally well-made. He nodded decisively. "It is a fine Justacorps," he agreed. "I'll buy it."
The shop owner beamed. "An excellent choice, Signore! Given its unique nature and origin... the price is six hundred and forty scudi."
Alaric raised an eyebrow slightly at the steep price but didn't haggle. He simply reached into his pocket, accessing the System.
[Money Withdrawal: - 640 scudi.]
[Current Balance: 374,923,834 scudi, 90 baiocchi.]
He withdrew the exact amount in gleaming silver scudi and handed the heavy coins to the shop owner. Just as the owner began counting the money, Kassandra returned, her arms laden with several bags and wrapped parcels... silks, spices, perhaps some local jewelry.
Alaric smiled wryly; she clearly hadn't held back. 'Well... it's not like she knows of the current money system...'
"Well... that was fun," Kassandra announced cheerfully, joining Alaric at the stall. "How about you, love? Find anything interesting?"
Alaric turned back as the shop owner finished counting, nodding in satisfaction. "Indeed he has, Signora!" the owner exclaimed. "A man of discerning taste!" He looked at Alaric. "Do you wish to wear it now, Signore, or shall I wrap it for you?"
Alaric shook his head. "I'll wear it now, thank you."
The shop owner nodded again and carefully removed the crimson Justacorps from its hanger. He held it open for Alaric. "Ah," Alaric said, stopping him. "I won't wear the sleeves... just drape it over my shoulders, if you would."
The owner raised his eyebrows but complied, carefully arranging the coat over Alaric's shoulders like a stylish cape. It settled perfectly over his white shirt and embroidered vest.
Kassandra watched, her eyebrows rising slightly as well, but a slow, appreciative smile spread across her face. "You look good, Alaric," she commented, her eyes lingering on him. "Too handsome, perhaps... I must sharpen my swords, agápi mou (my love), in case other women try to steal you from me..."
The shop owner, overhearing her comment, widened his eyes slightly but wisely kept silent. Alaric just smiled, turning fully towards Kassandra.
"Steal me from you? Ha!" he scoffed playfully. "Impossible. No one is as beautiful as you, Kassandra."
A warm blush colored Kassandra's cheeks. "Hehehe..." she giggled softly, stepping closer. "I love you, my love."
"I love you t-" Alaric began to reply, leaning in slightly.
"Ehem..."
A pointed, dry cough interrupted them.
They both turned to see the shop owner looking pointedly away, pretending to rearrange some fabrics. Alaric and Kassandra exchanged sheepish glances and chuckled softly. "Scusi," Alaric murmured to the owner.
He turned back to Kassandra, taking some of her shopping bags. "Right then," he said, lowering his voice slightly. "Oldgate's probably settling into some dockside tavern room for the night by now. Come on, we'll find the best Inn in this city for ourselves."
Kassandra smiled, her eyes sparkling. Alaric took her free hand, lacing his fingers through hers, and they walked away from the stall together, leaving the slightly sighing tailor behind them.
---
Sunlight streamed through the window of the luxurious inn room Alaric had secured the previous evening.
Alaric slowly opened his eyes as a contented sigh escaped him. Kassandra lay beside him, her head resting peacefully on his outstretched arm, her breathing deep and even. Her usual warrior's intensity was softened in sleep, making her look almost vulnerable.
Alaric smiled, tracing the line of her shoulder gently with his finger. 'So wild in bed last night,' he thought with a private smirk.
He leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. She murmured slightly in her sleep but didn't wake. 'I guess we had too much fun last night,' Alaric mused, glancing at his pocket watch on the bedside table. It wasn't even 7 AM yet.
'Think we finally passed out around 3 AM...'. He chuckled silently, carefully sliding his arm out from under her head without disturbing her.
He got up from the large bed, naked, and stretched his limbs. He padded silently across the room, put on his underwear and black trousers, then pulled on his boots. Yawning, he ran a hand through his platinum blonde hair.
He grabbed the cigar pack from the bedside table, took one out, and lit the tip with his index finger, inhaling the familiar, calming smoke. Sliding the pack into his trouser pocket, he walked over to the double doors leading out onto a small balcony that overlooked the busy city street below, with a view towards the harbor in the distance.
He stepped out into the cool morning air, leaning against the stone railing. He touched the cold stone, channeling a tiny amount of chakra, leaving another Hiraishin marker... a habit now, leaving return points wherever he stayed for more than a few hours.
His gaze drifted towards the harbor, easily picking out the distinctive silhouette of La Providencia among the smaller merchant vessels.
'Oldgate said he sailed Reuben, Flavia, Matteo, and about thirty other Assassins to Bristol,' Alaric pondered, taking a slow drag from his cigar. 'That leaves around twenty unaccounted for from the group at the villa. On missions already? Or did they scatter elsewhere after the attack?' He made a mental note to ask Matteo or Reuben when he sees them.
He took another drag, enjoying the quiet moment before flicking the cigar butt away over the railing. Just as he turned back towards the room, Kassandra yawned loudly from the bed.
"Kaliméra, agápi mou..."(Good morning, my love...) she murmured sleepily in Greek, stretching languidly under the sheets.
Alaric turned fully, leaning against the doorframe, watching her. Even though she was tousled from sleep, she looked incredible. He deliberately shook away the perverted thoughts that immediately sprang to mind.
"Morning," he replied in English. "You hungry? This inn is supposed to have a decent breakfast menu, maybe not Albergo dell'Orso level, but good."
Kassandra nodded, pushing herself up into a sitting position, the sheet pooling around her waist. She stretched her arms above her head, unconcerned by her nakedness.
"Starving," she confirmed. She swung her legs out of bed and padded towards the ensuite bathroom. "I am just going to wash my face."
Alaric nodded. While she was busy, he quickly used "Suiton: Full Bathing Jutsu" on himself, followed by "Suiton: Laundry Jutsu" on the clothes he'd worn the previous day, leaving them perfectly clean and folded on a chair. He quickly donned his white ruffled shirt and black vest, leaving the new crimson Justacorps draped over the back of another chair for now.
A few minutes later, both dressed and presentable, they headed downstairs to the inn's dining room. It was less opulent than the Albergo dell'Orso in Rome, but still well-appointed, with crisp tablecloths and attentive staff. They found an unoccupied table near a window. Alaric raised a hand slightly, and a waiter hurried over, presenting them both with menus.
Alaric scanned the menu, his eyes widening slightly in surprise as he saw a familiar listing under the beverages. He smiled. "Alright," he said to the waiter. "I'd like to order two cups of Celestial Tea, please. And for myself, the Abbacchio alla Romana."
Kassandra, hearing the name of the tea, raised an eyebrow but turned to the waiter. "If we are ordering tea... then I will have the Maritozzi," she decided, pointing to the sweet bun listed on the pastry section.
The waiter nodded, scribbling on his pad. "One Abbacchio alla Romana for the Signore, one Maritozzi for the Signora, and two Celestial Teas. Perfetto. I will serve your meal once it is ready!" He bowed slightly and hurried away.
Kassandra turned to Alaric, her curiosity evident. "What is this... 'Celestial Tea' you ordered? You seemed surprised to see it."
Alaric chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "It's my product, actually... or rather, my family's. We started producing it back in Bristol a few years ago. I'm just surprised its distribution has reached this far south already."
Kassandra's eyes widened a fraction, then she grinned teasingly. "Oh? My husband is a businessman now, is he?"
Alaric smiled back, nodding. "Yep. This husband of yours is quite wealthy... very wealthy, in fact."
Kassandra's smile softened. "I do not mind riches or wealth, agápi mou," she said quietly, reaching across the table to briefly touch his hand. "As long as I have you..."
Alaric felt a familiar warmth spread through him at her words. He smiled, about to reply, when the waiter returned, carefully placing two steaming, fragrant cups of tea before them, along with a plate holding Kassandra's large, cream-filled Maritozzi bun.
The moment the tea was set down, Kassandra inhaled deeply, her eyes closing softly. "Gods..." she murmured. "This tea... it has a nonpareil smell... unlike anything I have ever encountered."
Alaric smiled, picking up his cup. He took a slow sip, savoring the complex, revitalizing flavor he knew so well. It truly was otherworldly. The waiter returned shortly after with a steaming plate of roasted lamb seasoned with herbs... the Abbacchio alla Romana, placing it before Alaric before departing again.
[Money Withdrawal: - 25 scudi.]
[Current Balance: 374,924,149 scudi, 90 baiocchi.]
---Somewhere Near---
"ZZZZZZZZ..."
A loud snore rattled the cheap wooden door of the tavern room Oldgate had rented near the docks.
"Captain..." Thomas, the First Mate, knocked tentatively. No response, only continued snoring.
"ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ..."
Thomas knocked harder. "Umm... Captain..."
"ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ..." The snoring reached a crescendo, sounding like timber splintering.
Thomas sighed, squared his shoulders, and pounded on the door. "CAPTAIN!"
"AH!" The snoring cut off abruptly, replaced by a startled yell and the sound of something heavy hitting the floor inside.
A moment later, the door creaked open, revealing Captain Oldgate, shirtless, his white beard askew, eyes bleary and bloodshot. He glared at his First Mate. "What!? What is it, man!?"
Thomas sighed again, trying to maintain a professional demeanor despite his captain's dishevelment. "It's morning, Captain! Past eight bells. The tide's turning, and the men are readying the ship for departure, as you ordered last night. We need to get ready..."
Oldgate grumbled, rubbing his temples. "Ready the men first before waking me, blast it!"
"I already did, Captain," Thomas replied patiently. "You are the last one I woke up. Everyone else is already aboard or finishing loading the last of the supplies."
Oldgate grunted again, stumbling back towards the messy bed. "Damn... my head's throbbing like a drum."
"You drank perhaps a bit too much celebrating the cargo sales last night, Captain," Thomas pointed out dryly.
"Yeah, yeah... whatever," Oldgate waved dismissively, searching for his shirt amongst the crumpled bedclothes. "Just... give me a minute..."
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