Fresh Off the Boat

[Renard Aestling]

A man strode confidently down the main road of the downtown core in the fair city of Lucca. Purposefully, he made his way through the crowd, but not unkindly as he avoided pushing others aside where possible. Passers-by stole glances and found themselves impressed by his finely-made suit and refined bearing, though they found it strange one who looked so young had silver hair and used a walking stick. Was he an executive from some multi-national company? Or perhaps he was dressing to impress a woman? He certainly wasn't local though, judging from the travel bags in his hand. In the end all they knew was that he was well-moneyed and sure of himself, with no doubt in their minds that he knew exactly where he was going, how to get there, and what to do once he arrived.

...Unfortunately, this was all a load of bunk, and beneath his calm exterior Renard's mind was racing...

Oh crap oh crap oh crap! I'm so lost... In every sense of the bleeding word no less! Okay, calm down... Serenity now... Breathe in, breathe out... Okay... First, where is the hotel? Second, where can I get a decent meal? Dear god that so-called 'inflight meal' went down like a ton of bricks- Oh! I'll just ask that guy over there!

His mind finally sorted out and made up, Renard nodded to himself and called out to a fellow pedestrian in hurried Italian and said, <
"Sir? Excuse me, but do you know where the Versilia Place Hotel is located?"

Renard's improptu guide then looked at him as if he had a third eye in the middle of his forehead and replied, "Um, you do realize you're standing right in front of it don't you? Are you blind or just an idiot?" Shaking his head the man quickly took his leave of Renard, muttering under his breath about "stupid tourists". After taking a moment to look up at the words 'VERCILIA PLACE HOTEL' emblazoned along the front of the building next to him (and then another moment to appreciate just how bloody thick he was...) Renard made his way through the front doors, and then to the reception desk.

"Hello madam. One to check in under the name 'Aestling', if you don't mind~." Renard said brightly, flashing a winning smile. All this earned him was a roll of the eyes however as the receptionist looked up from her work and said in a disinterested tone, "Aestling... Ah. Right. Here's the key. Room 207, down the hall and to the right." as she handed him a keycard and pointed the way. "A complimentary breakfast is served every morning from 7:30-9:00. Enjoy your stay." were the last words she said before looking back at her computer, effectively putting an end to the conversation. Thanking her, Renard nodded politely and walked down the hallway to his room. Muttering to himself, "Well.. Here's home sweet home for now I guess...", Renard looked at the card a moment before running the card through a slot near the door-handle and opening the door. Repulsed a bit at first by the stench of cleaning agents he nonetheless strode into the room, closed the door behind him, tossed his bags onto the bed, and then stood there for a moment with his hands on his hips to collect himself.

Renard thought dully, "I suppose I may as well make myself comfortable...", as he walked to his bed and opened up one of the duffel bags, and then started unpacking...

[Renard Aestling]

The last of his things unpacked Renard sat down on the edge of his bed and flopped backwards to lie across the mattress. As he stared at the ceiling one thought alone ran circles through his mind: Now what? The notes and letters that came with the package were exceedingly thorough in detailing the history, terms, and conditions of the grail war as well as the process required to summon a servant. What they failed to mention however was how to go about it all, as well as what he was supposed to do in the time between. Cut off from his library and workshop he couldn't even lose himself in his work and studies as he normally would in such a situation, and given that there surely were other masters out there who were better-equipped and prepared than he was (as well as having fewer scruples), wandering aimlessly was rather a bad idea.

"Well... You've gotten yourself into it this time..." he muttered quietly as he closed his eyes and sighed in spite of himself, "...But you brought this on yourself you stupid git. You easily could have binned that package and saved yourself all this trouble..." This was true enough, but as soon as he read the notes on the Holy Grail even he would have to admit that the endless power and potential of the wish this Grail would grant its winner was intriguing in and of itself (even if he couldn't think of any strong wishes or desires to see fulfilled). Sitting up Renard gave his head a shake and smirked inwardly. "Bah. T'hell with it then. S'not like there's any going back from here, so I may as well make the best of it." With that settled he he put both palms to the mattress and sprang lightly to his feet. Throwing caution to the wind he grabbed his coat and cane, and headed out with the intent to explore the city a bit...

[Ilaria Manlius]

Huh, she couldn’t remember what exactly was doing wandering around the area here. I mean her brother had been dragging her around almost by hand for the past like ten minutes now. She had asked, but he had just been like, “Hold on, you’ll see when we get there!”

Its probably something to do with cosplay again. Not that she minded or anything, but because of that convention a couple months ago he had been dragging her everywhere to see pictures, and costumes, and other stuff like that.

He liked things like that, and, well, so did she. He sewed the cutest things, had made her a cellphone strap, a scarf, a beautiful sweater, and tons of costumes. Ilario also sewed costumes for her other brothers, Amato and Isaia, but they were much more reluctant to wear the awesome costumes he sewed.

“Lalala~” She had begun singing a little as they made their way through the crowd as her imagination scrambled around thinking of where Ilario was taking her.

And then she saw someone, just walking through the crowd rather regally, and almost dropped her own handbag when she looked at him. “Hey, hey, Ilario, its ummm…” Huh, she couldn’t remember his name. He had made her a cute little sewed bunny that had gone missing recently, at about the same time the guy in front of her had. They had even been on a date once until he had like left the country or something.

Wait.

Nahh, this guy was too old. But now he was looking at her, and Ilario was looking at him. So he had heard her? I guess I really do have a loud voice.

“Oh, sorry! Just mistook you for someone else!” She felt like bowing to the man in his rather expensive looking coat, tie, and cane that may have come out of monopoly or something.

In fact she was now imagining a top hat on his head with that broad white stripe circling on it as he leaned on the cane looking at her. He even had the bearing of that guy! Well a younger one, without that ugly curly mustache. But he did have that grey hair… maybe his son, or from some young kids version of monopoly.

She could also imagine him as some noble. With a monocle! That was also popping unbidden in her head, and she began giggling as she tried to at least get some dignity.

The guy who had sewed that bunny for her had never had the bearing of nobility. That was the last nail in the coffin for that idea.

“Ahaha, sorry, but are you like cosplaying or something? Oh wait… introductions should be polite.” She almost managed to contain her laughter as she introduced herself and her brother. “I’m, hehe,” Oh that image of a monocle, it was really getting to her “Sorry, I’m Ilaria, and this is my brother Ilario. Never seen you before.” Although one could not expect to see everyone in Lucca a lot of fancy suited business people, people that looked like him, thought that they could reach the four sibling’s parents at their house. Pfft, I think they are back for like what, two weeks a year last year? All of them had gone away disappointed. “But really, why are you so dressed up like that? You look too young to be one of those fancy businessman. And that cane! It’s like you forgot your monocle! I know Ilario had one once for cosplay, don’t remember who that was.”

He could be, but then again whatever came to her mind was just coming out her mouth. So well, maybe the question was a little rude, but whatever. He looked like he could take it. Besides, it was a public street, what would he do, yell at her?

[Renard Aestling]

At first Renard could only stand there in stunned silence as the girl chattered away, a bit surprised by the idea of a person coming out of nowhere and rambling on at him like this young lady was proceeding to do (Illaria was her name? It was only briefly mentioned in the nervous deluge of words she burst forth with...). Before too long Renard found himself grinning out of bemusement, and then chuckling quietly at the whole situation. Illaria certainly was energetic, though her brother seemed markedly less enthused. I suppose I can't blame them for being so wrong-footed. I do rather stick out in this outfit, and given some of the connotations attached to being so finely-dressed in this country... Does she ever stop talking?. Before he knew it though, the torrent issuing forth from Illaria abated, leaving him to make his response.

"Well let's see... I'm not 'cosplaying' as you called it, I can't say I've ever used or needed a monocle, the cane is just for show, and I dress like this because I'm a businessman but if I told you the details you'd likely just get bored and walk away..." He then paused to scratch at the non-existent stubble on his chin pensively, taking stock of what questions he answered and working out what to say next before shrugging and continuing on regardless. "As far as names go... I suppose you can just call me Ren. Pleased to meet you." He then flashed a winning smile as he leaned casually on his walking stick and extended a gloved hand toward the girl with not even the slightest trace of ill intent in his gesture...

[Ilario Manlius]

Ilario regarded the grey haired man (Or was he as old a man as his hair suggested? His face seemed a bit too smooth for that) with a sort of wary apprehension. Though Ilaria had forgotten her last boyfriend's name and everything, it still remained fresh in her brother's mind. Jacobo, captain of some sports team or other, son of the owners of some small toy shop downtown.

Fled like a little girl under Amato's (accidental) gaze, too.

Ilario snapped out of his reverie as his sister winded down, allowing him a chance to actually look over this strange foreigner. The large coat looked a bit out of place - it wasn't even that cold, and a cane...? Who wore a cane at, like, thirty? People with a bone condition or something? The guy was obviously going to a convention. Even if he was thirty. Cool, old people existed, after all, even if they were a dying species.

Ilario continued musing on this strange man, even as he started to introduce himself, speaking in a dapper, british accent. Or some foreign accent, at least. Maybe not british, but Ilario already gave the man's accent a nationality, no matter how misplaced it was.

Huh, he was a generic stuffy businessman after all. This guy was just another foreigner. Silently, Ilario berated Ilaria for introducing herself. Those types were hilariously engrossed in their own lines of work. Briefly, he was transported to another moment, when some guy arrived for career week, and spoke about stock options with such fascination...

Wait, what? The man was holding his hand out already? He had finished explaining the sordid of his job already? That was fas - Ilario mentally punted himself. What was he doing? The hand! The haaaand! Ilario's mind worked furiously as it quickly cast a judgement on this guy who had not given his name yet (or he merely did not hear it). It came back as normal. Not suitable. The fact that the man was forty did not help, either.

Before his sister could take up the offered handshake, Ilario took two, quick steps, subtly arranging himself in front of his sister, and shook the hand heartily, a grin plastered on his face. "Yep, m'name's Ilario."

[Renard Aestling]

As he shook the boy's hand he couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at his own foolishness and Ilario's sudden surge of confidence in coming to Ilaria's defense. Of course it would seem a little odd, if not suspicious, for someone as well-appointed as Renard to suddenly start chatting up some teenager just because she bumped into him and started rambling away. The cane likely didn't help either... Even Renard was starting to question why he brought it along... Before too long he pulled himself out of his train of thought and flashed a beatific smile to Ilario. "In that case, it's a pleasure to meet you as well. Sorry if it seemed like I was starting to get overly-familiar with your sister there. It's so rare that anyone really talks to me anymore and I got a bit overeager." He chuckled out of self-derision and broke the handshake to slip his hand into his pocket. However, he soon found himself at a loss for words, drumming his fingers on the pommel of the cane idly as he thought of what to say next...

"So... Uh... What is there to do around this town...? I havn't exactly had time to tour around yet-" But then he stopped and thought for a second about what he was about to say. What the hell Ren? You're thinking of asking a pair of teenagers to show you around town at this time of night? What the hell kind of freak are you? Seriously. After this self-administered kick to the head he changed his tune and continued. "-Actually, never mind. I'm sure you've had enough of me already. I should probably take my leave now before you think I'm even creepier." He then turned away and waved at them back over his shoulder as he started to head back into the crowd...

[Ilaria Manlius]

Did… did he just turn and leave her behind! That was… grrr, there was a word for it that she couldn’t remember. That wasn’t very nice of him! He hadn’t even let her tell him what there was to do around town.

Wait! I can just follow him and see what he is doing that is so urgent he had to leave in the middle of a conversation! He was a businessman… not a cosplayer. Did he really have that urgent of business that he could be rude? And a foreign businessman too… yet his Italian was really good.

Huh… that only left one choice!

He had to be from the mafia. She should have seen it at first by the cane and the suit, his misplaced self. Maybe he was even like a Don or something. Like in ‘The Godfather’. He could even be from some other chapter of Mafia… people, whatever they were called and they were having some giant meeting. To plot whatever evils the Mafia plotted.

“We should follow him, Ilario!” She tugged on his hand trying to drag him with her as she moved. “He could be, like, a bad guy! Some guy from the underworld or a Mafia boss or… I don’t know! He might be evil, so we should follow him sneakily, and if he does anything suspicious call the police.”

I should really be whispering, what if he can still hear me…

“Shhhh!” Ilario hadn’t said anything but still she felt the need to shhh him even if she had been the one talking loudly. “Let’s be very careful now~”

She began creeping behind him through the crowd like all those robbers she had seen in movies. On her tiptoes for silence, and any time the mafia boss glanced back she would whistle or hide behind someone or something. Heh, he will never know we are following him.

They would totally look like they were just heading the same way, and once he entered his hideout BAM she would phone the police with her awesome cellphone. They would capture some famous criminal… or infamous, that’s what the word was.

All because of the two of them~

[Renard Aestling]

Renard couldn't help but grin to himself as the twins tried (and failed miserably) to tail him through the crowd. It was so obvious they were following him that it was almost painful, and they made no real effort to hide when he looked backward to check if they were still there. It was as if they were kids just playing at- Oh who was he kidding... They were kids more or less, despite the brother's protective tendencies. It wasn't like Renard could blame Ilario for being so defensive, Ilaria seemed like the type who would be prone to blithely getting in over her head without even realizing it, and thus needed a bit of a guiding hand to help rein her in. In some small way he envied them for how easily they got along and supported each other. Shaking his head to rid himself of this sudden bout of navel-gazing, he surreptitiously glanced back over his shoulder under the pretense of reading a menu in the window of a restaurant to make one final check on the twin would-be spies, and then took off into the crowd for the last time.

After leading them on a merry little chase in a big circle around the block, he then ducked into a side-alley and waited for them to pass, then stepped out behind the two and walked along for a bit to relish a job well done, then came up beside the two of them and blocked their way with his cane, tapping the cane's metal tip a bit louder than strictly necessary on the wall (though he told himself it was to get their attention, he knew it was for the satisfaction of watching the twins jump out of their skins).

"Alright, I'll bite. Why are you two following me...?" he asked almost lazily, a note of playful curiosity in his voice as he brought the cane to rest tip-down on the pavement once more and faced them head-on.

[Ilario Manlius]

Ilario was quite content to let the strange old-young man to meander about on his own business. He had a 'CON to get to. It would be the last 'Con of the school year, before he had to return to SCHOOL, with the exams and the essays and the schooling. By Counter Force God, he wanted to enjoy this last day.

Buut...

Ilaria had another of her ideas, it seemed. The boy's sister urgently pulled at a sleeve, dragging him along. A faint, despairing wail spilled out, for all the good that it did. It went unheard and unnoticed, lingering in the moment, before dying to Ilaria's cruel caprices!

However, as Ilaria relayed her plans to Ilario, he found himself... believing her. He recalled many foreigners arriving recently, cute in their awkward clumsiness, though he barely paid any heed to them at the time. But was there a connection...? Immediately, he recalled that many of them happened to be Japanese. Maybe...

"I... I think you're right, sis," Ilario whispered back. "There were a lot of Japanese arrivals too. Maybe the Triads are also here!"

His resolve strengthened, Ilario attempted to play Altair and Ezio rolled up in once, some sort of supreme amalgamation of the greatest assassins to grace the land. He imagined himself leaping across rooftops, into trashcans and hay bales, and surfing rails.

Instead, he ended up as some bastard child of the aforementioned assassins. He was so focused on shadowing the CRIMINAL SCUM in the loosest sense of the word. Too focused, in fact. He stepped on everybody else's feet, tripped on every crack, and drew too much attention.

It was no surprise that Renard quickly found them out. Emulating videogames was a lot harder than it looked. Grey-hair turned back to Ilario, smiling loosely, leaning on the cane, the picture of relaxed calmness. By contrast, Ilario's heart thudded and pounded irregularly. Was he going to kidnap them, sell them off into slavery in Africa? Mafia bosses had to silence nosy people, after all! Well - he'd protect his sister, then! He was strong - it was about time that he'd use it!

The man began speaking. Ilario wasn't listening. "RUN!" Ilario exclaimed, roughly shoving Ilaria back. In the next split second, he was already dashing forward, ducking, hands balling into a fist, and with a strength born of desperation, swung his fist at Renard's dick...

[Ilaria Manlius]

Ahhhhh! They were found out! The man must have had ears like… like… like a hawk? No, that was eyes like a hawk. They were being so stealthy! It probably came with being a mafia crime boss person, or whatever he was.

“Alright, I’ll bite. Why are you two following me…?” The cane from the mafia Don hit the ground with an echo that seemed to spell her doom. Why was no one else stopping him? She could scream… but no! She could totally handle this and screaming would only make him attack her, or try to silence her.

She had heard stories about a cane containing anything from a gun to sleep darts, and everything else. Even swords! It probably had a sleep dart and then he would use it and then… she didn’t want to think about any more ‘and then’s.

She had to act!

But her brother was faster, trying to push her away from him, and shouting “RUN!” as he ran straight towards the white-haired guy. The push made her go off balance a little, but still standing. He was completely running straight into danger! Although the mafia guy totally looked like he didn’t care, that’s how all those deadly martial artists looked like in all the movies and stuff!

So now she had to do something different, and she sprinted after her brother, who was closing the short distance incredibly fast. Well she was wing on her football team; she could close the distance even faster! With a burst of energy she leapt after him, and towards the smiling, but almost... confused, yeah that seemed to fit his face, Don.

Please don’t kill him, please let me be faster! The cane raised slightly as she managed to grip Ilario’s back arm as he readied a punch and just as he was delivering it, she pulled on his other arm with all her strength, pulling him back and off balance.

Immediately she took off the other direction, still clutching her brother’s arm.

“You said run away, not run at him! He could have killed you! That cane could have been like a gun!” The words were quick and shouted as she near dragged him away from the startled man, running as fast as she possibly could. Whew, I guess that sports do pay off. She had succeeded in saving Ilario’s life.

He would remember them though! Remember their faces, remember their names. Oh god she had told him her name! Well… maybe he didn’t know they knew. Maybe he just thought they were students up to pranks or something. Hopefully. We should still tell the other two about this. The day seemed to be going disastrously so far; she hoped that wherever Ilario was taking her would make it a little better, at least.

“Uggh,” Breathe… breathe… her lungs were gasping for air from all the sprinting she had done, once they were safely out of sight of the grey-haired criminal. More than that. How long had she been running? “Whew… hah…” Still catching her breath she tried to continue, “Never ever do that again! Ever! What if he attacked you?” More gasping breaths came out of her mouth.

Finally her wind came back, and she looked Ilario in the eyes. “You know what was the worst of all that though? Now we have no evidence to call the cops on him.”

[Ilario Manlius]

Ilario stood there, slowly working through the adrenaline, the shock of tangling with a Mafia Don and living, the heady rush of fear. “A-alright...” the student muttered. “I-I won't do it again, sis. Sorry 'bout that. Guess I wasn't thinking...” A quick look at his sister's eyes confirmed her fear. He reached out with a hand, shakily patting her shoulder. “Don't worry, I don't think he can track us. Didn't give him our last names, and he didn't snap our pictures, after all.” Unless he has a lapel camera thingy and can run our faces through one of those big databases... That last thought went unuttered, for obvious reasons.

“You know what was the worst of all that though? Now we have no evidence to call the cops on him,” Ilaria muttered.

Catching his breath, Ilario slowly got to his own two feet. It didn't matter. As far as he was concerned, this 'Renard' could do his illicit Mafia-y things for all he cared, so long as he did not come near the people he knew. He was done with this PI stuff, scarcely five minutes into the job. So he shrugged and loosed a noncommital grunt. “Eh.” Ilario looked around, unsure of what to do next. And, from the look of things, Ilaria did not know either. Forcing a quick smile, the younger twin glanced at his wristwatch. Ah – the convention. It closed in an hour and a half. “C'mon Illy... if we hurry, we can still make it.”

Already dismissing the worries of the past minute, Ilario started down a street, lightly tugging at his sister's hand...

[] Guess this be the finisher. If any of you want to get in your last shots, do it, or Ren can close it up. []