System in Assassin's Creed

[Current Balance: 149,470,603 scudi, 40 baiocchi

---

The morning atmosphere crept through the tall windows of the Albergo dell'Orso.

Alaric yawned, stretching as he closed the door to his room behind him. He walked down the quiet upper corridor and saw Reuben leaning against the railing at the top of the main staircase, seemingly waiting.

Reuben wasn't wearing his usual practical attire; instead, he had his red long-sleeved polo, the sleeves folded neatly at the elbows, paired with his standard black pants and boots.

His face, however, was what caught Alaric's attention... it was practically blooming, flushed with a rosy hue that hadn't been there the day before.

A mischievous grin spread across Alaric's face. Moving with silent speed, he dashed forward, appearing instantly in Reuben's blind spot. He threw an arm around Reuben's neck in a casual headlock, leaning in close.

"Well, well," Alaric teased, his voice low and conspiratorial. "Someone looks pleased with himself this morning. You rascal, you did the deed, huh?"

Reuben's eyes widened in alarm, and he struggled futilely against Alaric's hold, his blush deepening. "What?! What do you mean, bastard! Let go!"

Alaric laughed, releasing Reuben easily. He patted his friend's shoulder before heading down the grand staircase towards the inn's common room on the first floor.

Reuben, still flustered but now understanding Alaric's insinuation, could only sigh and follow sheepishly.

Alaric approached the polished counter where the innkeeper was polishing glasses.

"Buongiorno," he greeted cheerfully. "Caffè, per favore. Any kind you have."

The innkeeper nodded with a smile. "Buongiorno, Signore." He glanced past Alaric and saw Reuben approaching. "Caffè for two?"

Alaric nodded, and the two friends took seats on the stools by the counter.

Alaric pulled out his pack of cigars, selected one, and lit it with a touch of his finger, the rich aroma mingling with the morning scents of baking bread from the inn's kitchen.

He picked up a nearby newspaper left on the counter and began to scan the headlines.

Reuben wrinkled his nose slightly at the initial puff of smoke, then paused, raising his eyebrows. The smoke didn't have the harshness he expected; it actually smelled... pleasant... and expensive.

After a minute of silence, punctuated only by the rustle of Alaric's newspaper and the distant clatter from the kitchen, Reuben spoke, his voice low and awkward. "Can... Can you keep it a secret?"

Alaric lowered the newspaper slightly, raising a brow as he looked at Reuben over the top edge. "Keep what a secret?"

Reuben shifted uncomfortably on his stool. "I mean... what you said... the deed and all."

Alaric chuckled, folding the newspaper and setting it down. "Relax, mate. It's not that big of a deal. Just teasin' ya."

Reuben's eyes twitched slightly. He sighed heavily and muttered under his breath, "I shouldn't have said anything..."

Alaric chuckled again. Just then, the innkeeper returned, placing two cups of dark, aromatic coffee in front of them.

"How much?" Alaric asked.

"Fifty baiocchi for the two caffè, Signore," the innkeeper replied.

Alaric nodded, reached into his pocket again, and discreetly withdrew the coins via the System.

[- 50 baiocchi.]

[Current Balance: 149,470,602 scudi, 90 baiocchi

He handed the coins over. The innkeeper nodded his thanks and moved off to tend to other arriving guests.

Alaric took a sip of his coffee, followed by a puff from his cigar. He looked at Reuben thoughtfully. "So... what's next for you?"

Reuben looked up, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Well," Alaric explained, swirling the coffee in his cup. "I'm only in this city for one thing, really. After I've handled that, we're heading north to Florence, remember? Flavia's hometown, Monteriggioni, is nearby. I have some business there too." He paused, meeting Reuben's gaze.

"I know you're probably coming with me to Florence... but you now have someone you might need to commit to."

Reuben stared at Alaric, then looked down into his coffee cup, contemplating. After a moment, he looked up, his expression serious.

"I'll see," he said slowly. "I promised I'd follow you, 'Laric. And... well, I'm still very new to... relationships."

Alaric took another sip of coffee and a slow drag from his cigar before replying, exhaling a plume of smoke.

"Either way, it's all good," he said calmly. "If you choose to stay here in Rome for a while, or maybe settle near Monteriggioni with Flavia, I have a task for you. Something important you could handle."

He shrugged. "Otherwise, you can come with me to Thera. Don't feel pressured by me or... anyone else."

Reuben remained silent, absorbing Alaric's words. He gave a small, almost imperceptible nod and finally picked up his coffee cup, taking a thoughtful sip.

Meanwhile, back on the galleon docked in Civitavecchia, Captain Edward Oldgate was in a decidedly good mood.

He strode across the deck, occasionally clapping a crewman on the back or bellowing a cheerful order, a wide grin rarely leaving his face.

He spent a rather enjoyable evening with a certain fiery Roman tavern owner, a fact he wasn't shy about hinting at to any crewman within earshot, much to their amusement or exasperation.

His good mood extended to business. Supervising the loading process, he directed his men to prioritize not just the valuable silks and spices already in the hold, but also several large crates of basic grains and dried vegetables being brought aboard.

He'd heard whispers in the port about food shortages, possibly even a famine, developing up north in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. A shrewd businessman, even one recently hired for a private charter, would never miss an opportunity like this.

'That kid Alaric did say he'll stay in Rome for a day or two...' Oldgate thought, watching another crate of grain being carefully lowered into the hold. 'That gives me time. Plenty of time to stock up as much cheap grain as I can before we set sail for Tuscany. Livorno's near Florence, right on the coast... bound to be folks there willing to pay a premium if things are tight.'

He grinned again, already calculating potential profits alongside the hefty sum Alaric had promised him.

---

Just as Alaric was about to pick up his newspaper again, Flavia Auditore emerged from the staircase, looking refreshed and composed. She spotted them at the counter and made her way over to their side.

"'Giorno," she greeted them both with her smooth voice. She slid onto the stool beside Reuben, giving his arm an affectionate squeeze.

The innkeeper saw her approach and came over. Flavia ordered her own coffee, and the innkeeper nodded, heading off to prepare it.

"I had a great time last night," Flavia murmured, leaning slightly against Reuben's shoulder. Then, looking directly at him with a warm smile, she added softly in Italian, "Mi fai impazzire!" (You drive me crazy!)

Reuben, not understanding the language, simply smiled back, looking pleased by her affection.

Alaric, however, understood perfectly. He choked slightly on his coffee, quickly turning it into a cough to cover his surprise and amusement.

Flavia's eyes widened as she realized her slip, remembering Alaric's linguistic abilities. A faint blush crept up her neck.

"...Um," she stammered slightly. "That was... embarrassing."

Alaric chuckled, taking another puff of his cigar. Reuben looked between them, confused. "What? What did she say?"

"Can't tell ya, mate," Alaric replied with a grin, deciding to spare Flavia further embarrassment and enjoy Reuben's confusion. He turned his attention back to Flavia, changing the subject. "Anyways, Flavia... d'you know where I could ride a carriage? I'd like to go visit the Basilica di Santa Maria in Aracoeli."

Flavia raised her eyebrows as the innkeeper arrived, placing her coffee before her. She retrieved a few coins from a pouch at her belt and handed them to the man.

"Grazie," she murmured. She pulled the cup closer, taking a grateful sip before looking back at Alaric. "Sì, the Aracoeli Basilica? You wish to worship there?"

Alaric's eyes widened slightly behind the newspaper he'd half-raised again.

'It was a church?' he thought, then lowered the paper. 'Ah well, play along.' 

"Sì, to pay my respects. It'd be nice."

Reuben, however, knew Alaric well. He watched his friend with narrowed eyes. 'What could he be planning?' Reuben thought skeptically. 'Alaric's not religious in the slightest...'

Flavia seemed to accept Alaric's answer readily enough. "There is a carriage station just north of here, you can hire carriages there easily. It can be expensive, though..."

"Money is not a problem," Alaric waved a dismissive hand, taking a drag from his cigar. He then looked between Reuben and Flavia. "So... want to come with me? See the sights?"

Reuben still looked suspicious but found himself intrigued by Alaric's sudden interest in a church. Flavia, however, smiled brightly.

"Sicura," she agreed readily. "I haven't visited the Capitoline Hill in a while. It would be pleasant."

Seeing Flavia agree, Reuben could only nod his assent as well.

Alaric smirked, stubbing out his cigar in an ashtray on the counter. He stood up abruptly. "Excellent! Let's go!"

Flavia's eyes widened. "Bastardo," she muttered, grabbing her coffee cup. "I haven't even finished my caffè!"

"I need to get dressed as well," Reuben said to Alaric but the latter already went outside the Inn.

"Well… I better get dressed."

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