It was luxurious. That was the word that would best sum up the entire room. Luxurious. The wood paneling was dark, the small sitting area in front of the fireplace looked comfortable and welcoming, and the desk and chair were dignified without being pompous.
And it was all a lie.
Lucy passed her portfolio to her other hand and clenched her teeth. Everything led here, to Abstergo. She was the only one with a potential in, and she wasn't about to waste it.
The gleaming brass doorknob turned.
-----
“Thank you for a wonderful evening. We’ll have to do it again.” -oh god never again, never, never- “I hope you’ll think about my offer.” Alan Rikkin’s huge hand enveloped Leonardo’s -I wonder how much force it would take him to break my hand.- as they shook for the last time that night. -nine pounds per square inch-
“Of course, but as with any such large commitment, careful consideration is required. I will try to get back to you within a week or so.” A charming smile, a hand ushering him out the door –at last, finally, get out- and the final dabble of polite small talk.
“Just call my office during business hours and Nemu will set something up.” Rikkin shrugged his arms into the sleeves of his great-coat. “Caio, Mr. Da’Vinci. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.” And the door was closing.
“Caio.” Leonardo muttered thoughtlessly, closing the door and resisting the urge to slam the deadbolt home. -Why don’t I have more locks on the door?- There was a pause, then a quiet slam of car doors and an engine idled away -needs to have the oil changed in a week at least- and took all the tension in his body and turned it into dizziness and nausea.
“Oh thank God.” He murmured as he slowly slid to the floor, -I’m wrinkling my best suit. Hanging it in the bathroom during a hot shower should take care of it.- and listened to the near-silent booted footsteps pad across the cheap hardwood.
“You cannot go.”
Leonardo didn’t bother to lift his face from his hands. “Do you think I am stupid? Of course I cannot go. But I also cannot just say that to Alan fucking Rikkin’s face.” -trembling, fear, adrenaline, should document the effects, never been this bad before-
“Calm down, Leonardo.” There was the sound of fine cloth rubbing against leather and metal. -crouching, on my right, my weak side, covering for me- Leonardo let his head fall back to rest against the door, turned his eyes to look at his oldest and truest friend.
“Ezio.” He had to return the warm smile his friend gave, though it was not half as sincere. “I am not a brave man. I just sat for two hours, thirty-seven minutes and fifty-two fucking seconds across from a man who, if I refuse to work for him, will have me so fucking dead, I don’t even-“
“Leonardo! This is not like you. Breathe, and move. You think better on your feet.” Ezio laid a gauntleted hand on his arm, and a bare one under his armpit, but applied no pressure. -He is letting me choose. But he is right. I need to think.- He nodded, and with a quick heave found himself on his feet again. Without his permission they carried him back into his living room and around his coffee table.
Childhood Fantasies, Part 9
And it was all a lie.
Lucy passed her portfolio to her other hand and clenched her teeth. Everything led here, to Abstergo. She was the only one with a potential in, and she wasn't about to waste it.
The gleaming brass doorknob turned.
-----
“Thank you for a wonderful evening. We’ll have to do it again.” -oh god never again, never, never- “I hope you’ll think about my offer.” Alan Rikkin’s huge hand enveloped Leonardo’s -I wonder how much force it would take him to break my hand.- as they shook for the last time that night. -nine pounds per square inch-
“Of course, but as with any such large commitment, careful consideration is required. I will try to get back to you within a week or so.” A charming smile, a hand ushering him out the door –at last, finally, get out- and the final dabble of polite small talk.
“Just call my office during business hours and Nemu will set something up.” Rikkin shrugged his arms into the sleeves of his great-coat. “Caio, Mr. Da’Vinci. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.” And the door was closing.
“Caio.” Leonardo muttered thoughtlessly, closing the door and resisting the urge to slam the deadbolt home. -Why don’t I have more locks on the door?- There was a pause, then a quiet slam of car doors and an engine idled away -needs to have the oil changed in a week at least- and took all the tension in his body and turned it into dizziness and nausea.
“Oh thank God.” He murmured as he slowly slid to the floor, -I’m wrinkling my best suit. Hanging it in the bathroom during a hot shower should take care of it.- and listened to the near-silent booted footsteps pad across the cheap hardwood.
“You cannot go.”
Leonardo didn’t bother to lift his face from his hands. “Do you think I am stupid? Of course I cannot go. But I also cannot just say that to Alan fucking Rikkin’s face.” -trembling, fear, adrenaline, should document the effects, never been this bad before-
“Calm down, Leonardo.” There was the sound of fine cloth rubbing against leather and metal. -crouching, on my right, my weak side, covering for me- Leonardo let his head fall back to rest against the door, turned his eyes to look at his oldest and truest friend.
“Ezio.” He had to return the warm smile his friend gave, though it was not half as sincere. “I am not a brave man. I just sat for two hours, thirty-seven minutes and fifty-two fucking seconds across from a man who, if I refuse to work for him, will have me so fucking dead, I don’t even-“
“Leonardo! This is not like you. Breathe, and move. You think better on your feet.” Ezio laid a gauntleted hand on his arm, and a bare one under his armpit, but applied no pressure. -He is letting me choose. But he is right. I need to think.- He nodded, and with a quick heave found himself on his feet again. Without his permission they carried him back into his living room and around his coffee table.