When the storms get rough, flee to the basement.

[Rosa Giovanno]

Lions roared in the sky, thundered as they collided, prepared to rip each other apart. Serpents of electricity slithered between their paws, lashing out at the world below without warning, followed by even louder roars. Water crashed to the ground in great waves, quick and panicked as if it were fleeing the war in the heavens above. Suicidal things, the rain drops. As if in fear, they jumped to their deaths, where they would only break and burst on the buildings and streets of the for once sleeping city below.

Well, nearly sleeping. Rosa sat curled by the second-floor window of her room, a blanket wrapped warmly around her shoulders and a glass of wine cupped lightly in her hand. With the window open just a bit, she could smell the thunder, could taste the lightning as it clashed and illuminated her face. She breathed it in. To her, it was so calming, like someone's low singing in the night. This storm was quite violent, however, and it teemed with a life she knew nothing about. She watched it affectionately, admiring the swirling shapes of clouds as they shone white in the dark with a flash of a thunderbolt.

It had been over two months since she had lost her would-be baby. It was hard to believe it had already been so long. But with the days, her sorrow had lost its constant blows, and the weight in her heart had become more bearable. Every now and then a sad smile would find itself on her face, as it did now, wondering how different this storm would have been if it was still with her. But Rosa had gained more control over these thoughts, and ushered it from her mind as she watched the clouds.

That is, until the lighting exposed a peculiar sight in the streets. Her grip tightened around her wine glass as she looked down, trying to glimpse it again.

[Catone[Inactive]]

The storm had come out of nowhere. One second, the night was calm and peaceful, albeit a little cloudy. In an instant, screaming winds had torn across Roma. Catone had been caught up in the gale as soon as the first banshee started its hellish song.

He knew what would follow and had done his best to find cover. But, at this time at night and with this kind of weather brewing, every sane person was already in their bed, either laughing it off or praying to survive the night. No one could help him.

Then, the rain came. Neptune was furious tonight. Sheets of water came down like arrows, pelting him with a drenching wave. Feet hit the cobblestone faster and faster as he ran, searching for some safe haven. It was getting harder to see. Suddenly, a loud cracking noise filled the air behind him and a white flash illuminated everything for a brief moment.

The Assassin's heart clenched as his chest constricted in surprised horror. It was too late. Another electric bolt shot across the clouds on his left, followed by another a few miles ahead of him. Breathing quickened to a frantic pace as one of his worse fears manifested itself. Trapped. He was trapped all alone surrounded by lightning.

No.

No! Not again!

Pushing forward, he was battered by the raging rain and the whirling wind. He ran, ran for his life. He probably looked like a madman, hooded and running through a storm. Catone certainly felt the part, his panicked thoughts bouncing around his head made him feel almost insane. Another cannon roar and white fire lighted the area again. A tunnel entrance!

Relieved, he ran forward, grateful to find an entrance to the 'server's catacombs used only by Assassins. Reaching forward, he gripped the gate and pulled. Nothing happened. Confused, he rattled the door. Locked.

Giving an almost lunatic yell, he cursed and kicked the gate, hoping to break his way in, but it was no use. A cloud cracked its lighting whip once more and Catone jumped in surprise. He was going to die out here, struck down by the heavens themselves.

In a last-ditch attempt, he sprinted to the nearest building and started pounding away on its door, yelling in a frightened voice. "Sanctuary! Please, I need sanctuary!"

Little did he know that the building he was trying to enter was the Rosa en Fiore, a place that would provide the refuge he seeked.

[Rosa Giovanno]

For a while she watched this dancing figure with interest and pity, sprinting and sliding and jumping as he did with every strike of lightning. What was he doing out there? Most people would have gone inside long ago. Maybe he was a madman. Closer and closer he came down the street, through the plaza in front of the Fiore. The storm seemed to be coming closer too, as the angry growls and battle-roars of thunder began to match the flashes of light. It was right over them. A final flash intrigued her, as she caught the outline of his hood in profile. It was an Assassin out there, one of their own.

And he was coming to their humble home for help. In an instant he seemed to be at the door, his heavy blows against it threatening to beat it down, though hardly heard over the howls of wind. Rosa sprung from the window, leaving the wine at the windowsill as she rushed from her room and began down the stairs, jumping them where a landing permitted it. Some of the other girls had already formed a ring by the door, the Donna of the house in front of it. "Who are you?" she called to the man, her hands and ear pressed against the wood frame.

"For God's sake, let him in!" Rosa shouted at them, pushing her way through her crowd of sisters.

"No one is to open this door until we know exactly who this man is. He could be a murderer for all we know, out in a storm like this!"

Infuriated, Rosa responded with several obscene hand gestures as well as a shove away from the door. "Don't worry, he is." She gripped the handle firmly and thew the door open quickly before the Donna could stop her. She put her arms out to catch the figure that stumbled in through the door.

His face was white, as if he had seen a ghost. It took her a moment to recognize exactly who it was. "Gondoliere?"

Realizing that Rosa knew the man and that he was an Assassin, the ladies began to circle him like vulturous doves. "An assassin in a storm." some of them cooed to him warmly. "How exhilarating." They were flirting with him.

"Get away from him!" Rosa shooed them away with a wave of her hand. "Give him some space! Can't you see he's scared?"

[Catone[Inactive]]

To tell the truth, he hadn't expected the door to open so readily. That was his only excuse as he lost his balance and tumbled into welcoming arms, probably drenching his rescuer in the process.

Head snapped up in recognition of both his title and the voice. "Rosa?"

Wheels in his head began turning. He was in Rome. She lived there, in one of the brothels. Emerald eyes turned away from the familiar comfort of her face to take in his surroundings. Oh. Pale face began to regain some color(mostly a furious red) as realization slowly came as did some composure. 

And suddenly, he was surrounded by beautiful woman who were all interested in him. Very interested. An unfamiliar hand placed itself on his upper arm, feeling the muscle while a more slender one brushed against his backside without warning. Jumping forward, he gave a nervous chuckle as Rosa rescued him for the second time that night. Then, another boom shook him into action.

Springing forward, he slammed the door shut and barred it from the inside. Finally, he was safe. 

A relieved sigh escaped him, thanking whoever was looking out for him. He was lucky he just so happened upon a friendly place, even if it was a brothel. It wasn't that he disliked interacting with courtesans, it was the fact that they were so... open and comfortable with the physical side of love, something he barely knew himself. 

Feeling eyes on his neck, Catone turned and offered a small embarrassed grin to the women. "I was being chased by some very dangerous men. Thankfully, I lost them in the storm. Is it alright if I hide in here for a while?"

Trying to look as sincere as possible, he met eye contact with every single of them. All except Rosa. He couldn't meet her gaze. After all, it was a great lie, the only thing the storm was good for. Some small part of him prevented him from trying to hide it from her. Swallowing a small lump in his throat, he added, "that is, if you'll have me?"  

[Rosa Giovanno]

A smile spread over her lips. “Don’t you know it.” she responded sarcastically to the questioning way he said her name. Her fingers pushed back his sopping wet hood, the trademark of his creed. Well, minus the water. It was good to see his face again.

And apparently, the other girls liked his face too… as well as other parts of him. Rosa’s face turned slightly pink, embarrassed by her comrades and his actions as well as amused. She herself was guilty of such boldness when other men entered their little den, but rarely did she see plainly how crude and forward it was until some innocent being like Catone jumped away from their advances like a lamb among wolves, trembling and frightened. Maybe not so much frightened as… shocked. A small laugh rumbled in her throat, which she cleared shortly after. Poor Catone.

A single eyebrow raised on her forehead in skepticism and suspicion when he mentioned being chased by men. The assassin she had met, even if for a short time, she knew to be brave. She had watched him stand unwaveringly against three men in the tavern, had observed his patience as he waited for his prey to return from Forlí. She knew his strength, his weapons, and the skills of his creed. Never would she have suspected him to flee from a fight. What was he really running from? She had seen him out in the storm from her window. There hadn’t been anyone in pursuit.

But he didn’t meet her gaze, which meant her wordy facial expression would have to go unanswered. So she opened her mouth, but before she could speak, the Donna cut her off. “Of course we will have you. The Assassini are always welcome in this house.” And with that she snapped her fingers and pointed at Rosa, as if she were a dog. Clearly she was still upset about her boldness and overstepping her place. “Rosa, get him some dry clothes and a blanket. The other girls will show him to a room where he can change.”

Her expression of doubt became one of apology as her eyes moved away from the Donna to him. She didn’t want to leave him alone with the rest of her group, she didn’t trust them. But her orders were her orders. Removing her own blanket from around her shoulders, she tossed it around him. It was little protection from the eyes of the other women, but at least it was another barrier. “Be nice to him.” She warned them somewhat, before disappearing quickly to another room on the ground floor while the girls began to guide him up the stairs.

It was surprising, the things they collected from customers. Well, the things they left behind. Shirts, vests, socks, even pants in some cases. All clean, of course, washed as soon as gathered. Picking some items of each kind and holding them up, she judged his size. She had worn his clothes before, after all. Of what she thought might fit him, she chose the most comfortable and folded them again before taking a large blanket from the shelf and adding it to the stack. Pile in hand, she returned to the main room and began to climb the stairs. Rosa wasn’t sure which room they had given him, but she was sure she would find a group of them around one of the corners.

Sure enough, she found them giggling outside one door. They must have given him one of their own rooms to change in, since there weren’t any rooms that were unoccupied. Unfortunately, there were enough courtesans in Roma to fill the house. Still laughing and twittering like birds, she noticed one of them bend down to look through the key hole. Idiots. He wasn’t going to change without something to change into. Rosa rolled up one of the shirts and hit the girl in the back of the head with it. As they made room for her to pass, she knocked on the door. “It’s me.” she called through the frame, with an agitation not directed at him.

[Catone[Inactive]]

One small glance and he caught her sympathies. His head barely shifted down in a small, almost impercievable nod. Clutching the blanket tightly, he smiled at the Donna. "Grazie."

And then, he was set upon by the most dangerous of all predators: women. Catone's grip tightened on the fabric as a gaggle of girls surrounded him, giggling and laughing as they pulled him along. They followed Rosa's advice well. They were really nice to him. So nice, in fact, they couldn't keep their hands off him.

It turned out that three of them were jostling for his attention the most. A brunette pulled him along, her hand clutched his in a manner a little too familiar while a blonde pushed into his side, her chest too close for his comfort. Hands belonging to a redhead ran up and down his free arm, feeling the toned muscles there. Most likely, she was the one who had felt it earlier as well. Skin as ripe as a tomato, he gave a small scared laugh in response to his bumbling up the staircase. Down a hall he was led. Within a minute, he was at a door and he couldn't open it fast enough. All he offered the group of courtesans was a charming smile before he slammed the door shut.

Now, he was finally alone. Slumping against the wall, he collapsed to the floor, his head leaning back. Quite a night. His thoughts revolved around his embarrassing behavior and the fact that Rosa had seen it all. Now, he really looked foolish in front of her. She knew something was up, and she was too smart not to figure it out sooner or later. After all, what grown man was scared of lightning?

His wet clothing felt heavier on his shoulders and the damp feeling was beginning to make his skin crawl. Slowly, he stood up and, unaware of the peeping eyes, began stripping down. He got down to wearing only his pants when he was interrupted by a knock. Most likely Rosa, proven by her voice seconds later. "Come in, Bella."

Catone had no idea that she wasn't alone and wasn't aware of the ramifications of using such a familiar moniker. 

[Rosa Giovanno]

She opened the door only wide enough for herself to get through, waving the others away like dogs not allowed to come in the house who might try and dart in with only a small gap in the door. Really, it was as if they had never seen men! They were courtesans! Closing the door and turning to hand him the clothes, Rosa was reminded of exactly what drove the girls mad.

He did. He was handsome, and innocent. Two qualities rarely paired together. They didn't know him, of course. But they could sense it. For one guilty moment she eyed him up and down, admiring the toned muscles she had once innocently snuggled up to. But then she took her gaze away and shot a glare at the door, hearing footsteps once again come tiptoeing down the hall. "Don't change yet." She said smugly, and moved quietly towards the door as well. Bending down, she drew in a breath and blew quickly into the keyhole, forcing dust into the eye of the person on the other side. Laughing in her throat as she heard the ow's and retreating footsteps on the opposite side of the door. "Now, you may change." She motioned to the changing screen in the corner.

As for herself, Rosa took a seat and watched him. She didn't watch him change - not even she was that rude. But she watched his face, his movements, his behavior. Why had he lied? Was it so difficult to say that he got caught up in the rain? Why had he been so afraid? Why had he avoided her gaze?

She sighed, far from giving up but not content only to stare at him. She picked up the matches on the table and struck one up, lighting the candle with it and then setting the spent match on the side. Her eyes went back to Catone, prepared to start in on her interrogation with a look. But she was interrupted as the window suddenly burst open from the wind, rain and cold following it in an instant. Rosa jumped from her seat and struggled for a moment to push it shut again against the force of the storm, her eyebrows furrowing as she tried with eventual success to lock it.

[Catone[Inactive]]

Confused, he watched as she came in and proceeded to remove any prying eyes. Oh. Now, he was really red in the face at the thought of being watched as he removed his clothing.

Catone fled behind the screen quickly, trying to hide his mistake from her. As he pulled off the last of his wet clothing, he was struck by a sense of deja vu. Not too long ago, they were in the same position, only the roles were reversed. A small smile appeared at the thought.

He was finished dressing in under two minutes. Running his fingers through his long hair in an attempt to dry it, he emerged from out behind the screen. He gave a small flinch as the match was lit and the candle soon after it. Finally meeting her eyes for the first time that night, he was prepared to give her any answer she wanted, but was interrupted by the window bursting open at the storm's command. The Assassin rushed over, about to help, when a flash of lightning flew across the sky and branded itself in his vision. Terrified, he jumped back and lost his balance, his feet swept out from under him. But his escape wouldn't be hindered. Instead, Catone crawled backward to the safety of the far wall, allowing Rosa to shut it herself.

He remained there, breathing heavily with fear and a little shame, as she turned around.

[Rosa Giovanno]

Turning to look at him, she wiped her now drenched face on her already wet blouse, as it had become when he came in from the storm. What was wrong with him? She had seen him come to help, and then the scramble of his legs as he practically fell over and bolted away like a baby deer. Watching him sitting with his back against the wall, he looked like a trapped mouse. His face was as pale as, well, lightning. His eyes wide. His chest rose and fell like thunder. Another flash of lightning invaded the sky as she looked at him. Carefully, Rosa drew the curtains and made her movements slow as she approached him.

And she looked down at him with pity. Kneeling beside him delicately, she pulled his larger shaking frame into her arms and rested her head atop his, holding him tightly. Honestly, she had wanted to hug him since he came in, only now it was done for his comfort. For a while she held him as the storm marched on outside, the lightning illuminating the curtains every now and then, but its viciousness greatly diminished by the cloth. Rosa took his hand, coaxing him to stand and trying to lead him to the table so they could sit and talk.

Silent for a few moments, she thought of how to phrase her words. She didn't want to insult him or embarrass him by being too direct. What are you so afraid of? And why did you lie? Seemed like heartless questions in that moment. So she just took his hand, trying to calm him by tracing her fingers over his palm gently. "What's the matter, Catone?" she finally asked him quietly, looking up to meet his eyes.

[Catone[Inactive]]

Shoulders untensed as the curtains closed. His breathing began to slow as his pool of fear began to dry. Chest heaving, he allowed his friend to comfort him and curled into the embrace she offered. Her smaller physique was a little damp, yet warm. Allowing his head to burrow between the space where shoulder met neck, his own arms wrapped possessively around her torso. She smelled of jasmine tonight.

This small gesture comforted him to no end, taking him back to a memory of a small room on a calm morning. It had been so long ago, yet felt like mere moments. Every now and then, the roar of thunder would call, but it was drowned out by the sound of her slow heartbeats. And the storm's flashing light couldn't break through his fortified eyelids.

Just as quickly as it began, the touch was over. Rosa hoisted him to his feet and he followed along dutifully. Catone sat at the table, staring at the wooden surface as if it held the secret to to keeping his. But it didn't. Sighing softly, the Gondoliere forced his gaze up at the soft touch of her skin on his palm. Rosa's question derailed his already unnerved disposition.

He gave no answer as he stared, his mouth squirming as it tried to give some answer. Then, the storm did it for him.

Zeus' mighty weapon struck its target a few miles away with a mighty crash, shocking Catone out of his stupor. Eyes widened as his head snapped around with a terrified look at the window. He had practically forgotten it was still out there. Petrified, his heart took residence in his throat and his lungs lurched to a quicker pace.

If she didn't know, his violent reaction was the answer she needed.

[Rosa Giovanno]

Memories were bittersweet things, especially the memories she shared with him. Apart from their first encounter in Venice, the days they had known each other were spent comforting one another, mainly her. Now, it was her turn to put all of her attention on him.

Fear. That was his issue. Fear, and shame. For a while she watched his lips move silently, failing to bring forth words. "If you don't tell me, how can I -" help you, she was going to say. But another clamorous flash of light snapped his attention, his spirits, and caught him in its glare even through the closed window. Rosa reached out to him and stroked his cheek, pulling his face gently to look at her instead of the storm. Then, with another thought, she stood and moved between him and the window, shielding him from it all together.

Rosa tilted his head back and ran her fingers through his hair, at first trying to regain his attention and re-calm him. This of course was something she had done before - she was used to distracting men from things that ailed them. But unlike before, she genuinely cared about this one. And she wasn't seeking anything from him. Taking a towel from the stack of things she had brought for him, she began to dry his hair, stroking the cloth from his forehead to the base of his neck as if she were petting a dog. "Is it the thunder or the lightning?" she asked, choosing to be sympathetic with him instead of making fun of his fears. If it were anyone else besides Catone, she would have. But she didn't like seeing him so afraid, and it would be easier to help if she knew what she was up against: the sound or the light.

More important would be to find out why he was so afraid. After all, how could an Assassin stand against men with swords and weapons, but flee from rain? She knew he was brave. Catone wasn't a coward. So what had happened to him to make him act the way he did? In other circumstances, Rosa would have left his business alone and not pried for information. But this was crippling him - crippling him with fear. She wouldn't have it. But for now, she was quiet, taking one step at a time. That information would come soon enough.

[Catone[Inactive]]

Her touch soothed him, negative feelings fleeing at her touch. Mind going blank, he stared into her eyes, loosing himself in the ocean of color he found there. The ocean was calmer than the canals on a summer day. It was warmer than the first day of spring. Most of all, it was the moat beautiful thing he had ever witnessed.

He could not tear his gaze away, even as she moved in between him and the very thing that frightened him the most. She became a wall, protection from the turbulent danger of the storm outside and the hurricane within. Again, he felt her touch as his whole being turned and his head shifted at her command, his hair becoming untangled with her great skill.

Then, she was gone. For a moment, his wall was gone and the torrential downpour of his memories flooded his mind. It had been a dark and stormy night, much like this one. Leonni had to go to the rooftop to collect some of his work he was doing there. Catone had joined him to help when.... when a flash of light and then-

Suddenly, a softness enveloped him. Saved by Rosa once again, his hateful past banished to the dark recesses of his mind. Closing his eyes, he relaxed. A response rolled off his tongue before he could stop it. "Lightning. It's the lightning."

[Rosa Giovanno]

He was so... quiet. One moment he seemed afraid, and the next, he was easily lulled and comforted. And yet the only thing that changed was his eyes. A small smile touched Rosa's face, inspired by the calmness he now possessed, and perhaps a bit of pride that she had put it there. It was a guilty thing, really. It wasn't that she was happy that he was so scared, but if he had to be scared, she was glad that she was the one who got to soothe him. The city had strange ways of bringing unlikely friends together, perhaps the one of the only credits she would ever silently give to Rome.

"Come on, then." she said, taking his hand again and tugging gently, asking him to get to his feet. "You can wait out the storm in my room." By 'wait out', of course she meant for him to spend the night. Every other room was occupied by one of the girls, and there wasn't one of them who would have been so understanding towards his opinion on the more common actions that went on in those particular rooms of the Fiore. At least Rosa wouldn't try to pressure him into anything.

She threw the fresh blanket around his shoulders, the last of the things she had brought for him, and led him out of the room. The girls seemed to have resumed their places in the lounge on the floor below, though their faces turned up to the balcony to giggle again at Catone. "Don't think you can have him all to yourself, Rosa." one of them called up, waving her fan flirtatiously in Catone's direction. Not willing to shame him by informing them of his most innocent standpoint, but also not willing to allow such humor to be made at her expense, Rosa leaned over the railing to say something.

But as she opened her mouth, the windows on the main side of the building burst open. Some of them flew open, unlocked and slamming their panes against the wall behind them. Others that were locked simply shattered from the force of the wind, sending glass shards into the room. The girls screamed and shouted in surprise, including Rosa, who gave a short jump backwards away from the railing, startled. But the Donna only stood authoritatively from her place on the sofa. "No one will be doing any of that tonight. Get to the cellar, all of you!" And she ran to lead them to the door and stairway in the back of the building. Then a crack so loud and fierce pierced the air, as the entire sky lit up, blinding them for a mere second. That one wasn't miles away. It was several blocks away. It struck a church, who's shingles erupted from the roof like shards of glass. Shouting to each other, the girls began to run down the stairs.

[Catone[Inactive]]

For a moment, he still sat there, with her tugging on his hand. He enjoyed the small moment they had and didn't want to ruin it like the last one. Some uneasy feeling buzzed in his chest. One look at her pleading face and he stood, allowing her to lead him out of the room.

As soon as the crossed the threshold, his false demeanor returned. Catone knew full well that the other girls were out and about. Being an Assassin meant keeping up appearances, both in a crowd and among allies. Only the ones closest to you could see you in your times of weakness. Huh. How odd it was that he considered Rosa as 'close' to him.

A strong blush reasserted itself as well at the courtesan's comment. Back in Firenze, he didn't care that others made assumptions about his relationship with a , well, a 'lady of the night.' But, she was no whore to him. She was a lady, strong and independent and under some unusual circumstances in her line of work. However, this was her home and these her sisters in a way. If they had that idea about them...

The blast interrupted his thoughts. He was afraid of no loud noise, but even he was shocked by the vibrations running through the building. Seeing Rosa's reaction, Catone caught her without hesitation. They protected each other, an odd symbiotic relationship.

Then, another bolt flashed across the night and he froze, his grip on the woman in his arms tightening. He stood, silently rooted with her in a sea of panicked women, being battered by wave after wave of courtesan.

[Rosa Giovanno]

In an instant she felt him embracing her, and then felt the rolls shift as the lightning struck, holding tightly to each other. The wind was loud, much louder than it had been before when she had watched him running through the streets. Rosa pulled at him, seemingly anchored as he was to the floor. "Come on!" she shouted at him, pulling as hard as she could against his hand. He was heavy and difficult to move. Putting an arm around his waist, she tried again to guide him down the stairs to the safety of the cellar.

For a moment between the gusts of wind that seemed to pick up speed as they were channeled through the building, Rosa heard something whimpering. Struck with a sense of horror and relief at the same time, she squeezed Catone's arm, telling him to stay there for a moment as she ran back to her room. Throwing the door open, her dog game sprinting through the hall. Luckily, there was only one place for him to turn, as the Donna stood waiting for them at the bottom of the stairs. He ran into the safety of the cellar, and Rosa returned to her poor petrified friend, taking his hand again.

Somewhere, in some dark and instinctive part of her mind, she knew this was just the beginning and this was no ordinary storm. Her heart raced, suddenly afraid of one of the things she loved. And yet, she tried to calm herself. It was just some broken glass, right? Maybe the winds were a little strong, but maybe the windows were a little old. She tried to bargain, to reason, to make it seem less than it was in her mind.

Oh, how wrong she was.