Practice Makes Perfect

Practice Makes Perfect is a memory in Assassin's Creed II.

Description

After buying equipment from the markets, Ezio returns to Mario. Mario then directs him to the training field to teach him how to fight. After Ezio practices, Mario proposes they stay, however Ezio quickly rejects his offer. Mario storms out of the practice field and Ezio follows him only to be told that he had left for San Gimignano to kill Vieri. After deciding he wanted to follow Mario, Ezio went to check on his mother.

Dialogue

After the purchase of items instructed by Mario, Ezio returns to him.

• Ezio: Salute (Hello), uncle. I did as you asked.
• Mario: And quickly too. Ben fatto! (Well done!) Now let's teach you how to fight.
• Ezio: No. As I said, we are leaving.
• Mario: Ezio! You barely held your own against Vieri. You won't survive a week on the road. If you want to leave - so be it. But at least do so armed with the skills and knowledge necessary to defend yourself.
  If not for me, for your mother and sister.
• Ezio: (reluctantly) Fine.
• Mario: Ottimo! (Very good!)

Ezio starts his training respecting Mario's request. Ezio trains everyday guided by his uncle.

While training, Mario educates Ezio about the Templar and the Assassin Orders and their continued war against one another:

• Mario: You can swing a sword, to be sure. But offence alone will not carry a battle. You must survive long enough to strike. I will teach you how to dodge.
• Ezio: You said my father was more than just a banker?
• Mario: No use dancing around it, I suppose. Your father was an Assassin, Ezio.
• Ezio: I told you before: my father was a paper pusher.
• Mario: No. He was born and bred to kill.
• Ezio: I find this difficult to believe.
• Mario: What of the list you carry? Do you think it's merely a catalog of debts? It holds the name of those responsible for your father's murder.

Ezio learns the "Quickstep" skill after some time.

• Mario: Bene (Good), I've taught you how to avoid your enemy's attacks. Now you'll learn how to turn them to your advantage!
• Ezio: All this talk of Assassins and Templars. It reeks of fantasy.
• Mario: Like something from an old parchment covered in arcane writing, perhaps?
• Ezio: How did you know...?
• Mario: You have your father's blade. I figured you'd have the Codex page he was holding as well.
• Ezio: Codex?
• Mario: Sì. A guide to the inner workings of our order - its origin, purpose and techniques. Our creed, if you will. Your father believed the Codex contained a powerful secret. Something that would change the world. Perhaps it's why they came for him...

  

  Ezio practices with a mercenary.

• Ezio: Assassins, Templars, Codex pages... This is a lot to take in.
• Mario: You need to open your mind, Ezio. Always remember:
  Nothing is true, Everything is permitted.

Ezio learns how to counter an attack.

• Mario: You're making fine progress, Ezio! Today I'm going to teach you how to position yourself in battle. Where you stand and how you move make all the difference.
  Don't think I haven't seen you picking apart my library. I trust you believe me now?
• Ezio: Yes my father was an Assassin. But why the need for such secrecy?
• Mario: Are you familiar with the Templars? One of several Knightly orders formed during the Crusades. History teaches they were disbanded nearly 200 years ago in France. Only they weren't. Merely pushed underground where they continued their nefarious work.
• Ezio: What work?
• Mario: The Templars seek dominion over man. And we, the Assassins, are sworn to stand against them.
• Ezio: Was Uberto one of them?
• Mario: Yes.
• Ezio: And the other names on my father's list?
• Mario: Templars as well.
• Ezio: That means Vieri...
• Mario: Just like his father, Francesco. Likely the entire Pazzi family.
• Ezio: It would explain many things...

When Ezio's training is complete, Mario challenges Ezio to a swordfight and is defeated by him.

• Mario: Well done nipote (nephew)! You've really come into your own.
• Ezio: Thank you, uncle, for all you have given me.

  

  Ezio rejects Mario's proposal to stay.

• Mario: You're family! Such is my duty and my desire!
• Ezio: I'm glad you had me stay.
• Mario: Good! You've reconsidered leaving!
• Ezio: We sail for Spain in three days...
• Mario: But nipote (nephew), I have given you these skills that you might be better prepared to strike against our enemies...
• Ezio: And if they find me, I will.
• Mario: You want to leave Ezio? To throw away everything your father fought and died for? To deny your heritage?
  Fine! Come vuoi, Arrivederci e buona fortuna. (So be it. Goodbye and good luck.)
• Ezio: (calls back) Uncle.. wait!

Mario storms out of the training ring and into the villa, Ezio talks to a mercenary beside him.

• Ezio: Why is he so upset?

  

  A mercenary explains why Mario is upset.

• Mercenary: How can he not be? Vieri has been harassing us since you first arrived. To be expected, I suppose. Given his heritage...

Ezio walks into the villa to find his uncle, but he is nowhere to be found.

• Ezio: Uncle!
  (to a mercenary in Mario's room)
  Where is everyone?
• Mercenary: They ride for San Gimignano to slay that snake, Vieri.
• Ezio: I wish to join them.
• Mercenary: You'll find what you need at the stables.

Before departing to Tuscany Ezio pays a visit to his mother and sister.

Ezio assures Claudia that Maria will come back to them.

Claudia seems to be worried about their mother.

• Claudia: Ezio, look at her. I still can't get her to talk! She spends all day and night in front of those feathers Petruccio used to collect. She can't let him go. I don't know what to do.
• Ezio: Don't worry. She'll come back to us, I know it.

Outcome

Ezio Auditore trains under his uncle Mario Auditore for two years. In his time with Mario, Ezio also learns about the war between Templars and Assassins.

Gallery

• 
  Mario conversing with Ezio.
• 
  Ezio and Mario in combat.
• 
  Ezio continues his training.
• Ezio makes more progress as the training goes on.
  Ezio makes more progress as the training goes on.
• 
  Maria praying in her room.
• 
  Feathers Chest

Trivia

• Ezio mentions the Templars before Mario educates him about them.