Scene #466: Florentine Bucket Challenge

Owner	Pose
Ezio Auditore	When a King gives an order, you are bound by your loyalty to your regent to do as asked without question. Ezio hasn't been at the beck and call of others for decades now, and this isn't even /his/ king. That said, King Arthuria is very much one whose word carries the weight of MILLIONS given her reputation, even if the request here is rather...odd. Ezio Auditore, the Florentine banker and owner of a small mercenary band, is no stranger to charity himself. He's always been one to do his best to improve the standards of living for others, ironic as it may be. The money was sent out before he even got here, prompt as always, and Ezio arrives in front of Dun Realtai with more than just himself and a bucket. He comes with several men, a burly gentleman, one well dressed and with the bearing of a noble or even a businessman, and an inventor. Besides those three, Ezio has brought a group of mercenaries with him, all of them somewhat ruggedly dressed but still all hardened fighters and loyal warriors. Ezio kneels first when he meets with Saber, removing his hood and motioning for others to do so by example. "King Arthuria, safety and peace." He says with reverence towards the King of Knights. It hits everyone just who this girl is for the others with a very hard impact, and they're dumbstruck. "It cannot be...Pendragon was a /woman?/" Niccolo Machiavelli says, shocked before sense settles in and he begins to kneel."What else have you not told us, Mentore?" "Everything is permitted, eh?" Bartemelo D'Alviano chuckles and whispers, before he does the same. As does Leonardo da Vinci, but at this point nothing's come to surprise him.
Saber	In truth, the Servant Saber of the Fourth Holy Grail War was expecting nothing more than the continuation of this rather baffling challenge. Her pride as a knight -- the Virtue of Militia -- meant she could not go without properly answering it, and charity -- Generositas, Pietas, and Humanitas -- were chivalric virtues she had emphasised during her rule. While she herself was unable to act, the unspoken agreement with her marshal had sent Sir Bedivere out to act as the open Left Hand of the King, the hand which offered comfort rather than the sword. While the challenge itself puzzled her, the charity was certainly something she supported. Hence, when one of those she had challenged, the honourable Hashshashin Ezio Auditore of Florence, came to her directly at her new home of Dun Realtai, the petite blonde was a little surprised. Especially when he had come with a most impressive retinue. "Safety and peace, Sir Ezio," she greeted, smiling slightly, now dressed in her blue dress with a cloak thrown over top. "There is no need for such formality...I am the Servant Saber now." She turned slightly to face the others. "Arise, good sirs. It is true that in my own world, I am Arturia Pendragon, heir to Uther Pendragon. I disguised my sex, for the people would not have accepted a woman as king."
Ezio Auditore	It's uncertain whether or not this King or the King Arthur had the better deal. One was turned into a servant, the other was an unwitting pawn of a Piece of Eden. Either way, Ezio seems to consider both paths equally...convoluted. He smirks a little as he rises, "I am technically not knighted, as I've said before. It would not do for the likes of me to tarnish the title next to your brothers of the Round Table." He says, chuckling before he suddenly begins to disrobe. Left with just trousers and boots on, Ezio definitely has fruit to show for his training and years of combat in the form of a lithe, wiry physique with compact anc cut muscles, as well as several scars faded from over the years, some better healed than others. He has a mercenary carry his robes, before snapping fingers. Leonardo and the others bow their heads as they begin to rise, "I am Leonardo, Ezio's technical specialist for many of his weapons and other tools over the years. I'm something of an expert in my time, and it seems history has elevated me to quite a high pedestal." The inventor says wryly, as he begins to set up a camera on a tripod to record the occassion. "Niccolo Machiavelli, Ezio's advisor. I...it is a very huge honor to meet you, your highness." Whether or not this King Arthur's a woman is irrelevant, as a couple of Bartemelo's mercs are female themselves, wiry and toughened theives carrying axe and sword with the best of 'em. "Whenever you are ready, Ezio." Leonardo says, beginning to hover his finger over the record button as the camera rolls." Nodding, Ezio motions for Bartemelo and another merc to carry the bucket, a plastic tub of water and a bag of ice. It's a weird juxtoposition seeing these men of the 16th century's eve using modern equipment and technology while still dressing like something out a period piece. Bartemelo grins, trying to hide his laughter as he looks to Saber. "I'd step back if I were you," He says, grunting with a little effort as he hovers the tub over Ezio's head. "We got a /lot/ just for the Mentore." "Laugh it up, Bartemelo." Ezio says with a sigh, before clearing his throat and signalling the recording to begin. "Good evening, Multiverse. I am Ezio Auditore, so challenged by the King of Knights, the Union Saber Arthuria Pendragon." He begins, and QUITE a few female viewers out there will get a show at the silver fox of an assassin. "I have donated the sum of thirty-five US dollars to the fundraiser known as ALS that seeks to raise awareness for a /horrific/ disease plaguing many people without restraint, Lou Gherig's Disease. This blight MUST be researched if we are to find a cure for it, if not a means to counteract its effects, and I am willing to do my part in spreading the word, but I cannot do this alone. Join us, all who have already partaken in-GAGH!" His speech is interupted right on cue as Bartemelo lets out an 'oops' and SHOWERS Ezio in cold water, leaving him soaked to the bone. He chatters a moment, his stoic gaze still maintained as he sucks in breath. Bartemlo howls in laughter, slapping Ezio on the back as laugher is heard from the other mercs, the rowdy lot not seeming to fear Ezio's reprisal for this. Ezio sputters and coughs before he shakes his hair from water, "...Well then. Now that that is there, I challenge..." And suddenly the Assassin smirks wickedly for a moment, clapping a wet hand on Bartemelo's beefy arm when the mercenary captain drops his tub. "Bartemelo D'Alviano here..." He begins, just as Bartemelo's guffawing stops. "Wh-what? You've got to be joking!" He protests, but Ezio continues. "Besides that, I also challenge Niccolo Machiavelli, and also Cesare Borgia. I know you are listening to this, show us you and you do truly care about your people." And with that, the camera stops. Despite Ezio probably looking like a wet cat at the moment, he's rather smug in the most glorious way as the feed stops. Especially as he turns to Saber, "So. Care to help in refilling the buckets?" That /grin/ on his face transcends nor