[Open]

[livethecreed]

Date & Time: March 6th, the afternoon
Location: Wandering throughout the city
Characters: Altaïr and anyone who wants to join
Summary: Altaïr is wandering through the city, learning the layout of the area.
Warnings: There may be brief moments of violence, depending on who he runs into.



[He'd spent the days since arriving to this new world exploring the city he'd found himself in: learned the best escape routes and vantage points, familiarized himself with the way the city moved and breathed, watched others use the tablet he'd been given so as to learn. And it was time well spent in his opinion. Even though his robes were vastly outlandish compared to the clothes others were wearing, he was now able to weave his way through the streets without catching anyone's eye, could vanish into the crowds as needed. It was enough to put him more at ease with his new circumstances.

That said, he was still angry. He'd been pulled, without warning, from his home and people before he could learn of their fate. The villagers and Order members could still be under the control of the Apple or they could have perished with Al Mualim (the traitor, couldn't let himself forget he betrayed them all), the Apple being the only thing letting them survive. He was the only one the cursed Apple of Eden had responded too after the traitor had died. He was the only one who could lift the haze that had descended upon all but he and Malik. And he was trapped, here, in a world which appeared on the brink of death, forced to perform tasks for cause not his own. It was maddening.

His anger overpowered him for a moment and he pushed a body from in front of him, making his presence stand out. Knowing he'd most likely been spotted, Altaïr ducked quickly to the side, hoping to hide himself among the shadows and continue on his way once the other had moved on.]

Comments

[livethecreed]

[Well that was an interesting development.

Though, considering the man's robes and demeanor he should have been expecting it. Novice mistake Altaïr.

A quick shift even while he let go of Ezio's arm had him out of range of the other's blade. He didn't release the mechanism that kept his blade extended though, not comfortable sheathing his only weapon quite yet.]

Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad.

[mentore]

[His expression changes, from hard and measuring to simply... surprised. This must have been what Connor felt when he mentioned his own name to the Assassin of a later time.]

Altaïr?

[livethecreed]

You have heard of me?

[News of his ranks being taken must have reached wherever this man was stationed. Hopefully it wouldn't be problematic.}

[skennen]

[A need for supplies had brought Connor out of 'hiding' early that morning. He'd made the journey from the edges of the city to the marketplace near its center to purchase the required goods. It's on his way back that his plans for the day hit a bit of a snag.

He's turning a corner when he spots a familiar streak of white and red in a city washed grey by constant rain. Ezio. Ezio and... another man? Connor stops in his tracks and stares when he picks out two figures instead of just the one he'd expect to see dressed in those colors and in that style.

His next realization is that much more jarring: the second man has a blade held to the Mentor. Connor tenses, instantly prepared to take action and neutralize the situation if necessary.

Except then he spots the faint gleam of Ezio's hidden blade, as well, and in the same moment recognizes both the stranger's weapon and his garb.

Another Assassin.

Another Assassin... threatening Ezio? It doesn't look like Ezio is the aggressor, backed up against the wall as he is. Even among the Brotherhood, there could be traitors. Or perhaps a... fake, someone who dresses as an Assassin to deceive? Or even an Assassin who doubts Ezio's identity, as he had at first... There's no time to think it over.

Taking both of his bags in one hand, Connor moves forward with intent, his long strides covering the ground between him and the other two in a flash. One of his hidden blades flicks out with its usual chink. He steps up behind the stranger, his straight blade bared at his face.

His expression is guarded but, in stark contrast to his gesture, uncertain... and even a little curious. He glances from Ezio to the side of the stranger's hood and back again.

He obviously didn't catch that exchange of names.]

Mentor Auditore?

[The look on the Italian's face is odd. Closer to him now, Connor doesn't think he seems particularly angry or tense. What is going on here?

... Is this some... Assassin greeting ritual he never learned? Introduce yourself with your blades?]

[mentore]

[If Ezio weren't in this position of being held at knifepoint, he would've stopped Connor from rushing in and openly threatening Altaïr as such. Does this boy not know what it means to be subtle?

Clearly, he has a lot of work to do with Connor.

Three generations of Assassins, all pointing their blades at each other, at a loss for words and complete thoughts.

This must be among the most ridiculous things Ezio has somehow involved himself in. Now more than ever, the apparently oldest of the small band of Assassins thinks that they require a safe area for only them and no one else.]

Put your blades down. All of you.

[And to show that he actually means business, Ezio's hidden blades slide back into his arm guards.]

[livethecreed]

[The blade flashing in the corner of his eye had Altaïr reacting on instinct. In the blink of an eye, Altaïr drove his left arm back, putting his weight behind the move so as to knock the air from whomever was holding him, and moved to knock the blade at his throat away with his right. He twisted even as he did so, pushing the other man away from him and towards Ezio so as to keep them both in his line of sight whilst giving himself room to maneuver.

Once the other men were at a comfortable distance away, Altaïr slightly relaxed. The intruder seemed to have been addressing Ezio as if he was of a higher ranking, it was possible this newcomer was the other man's Novice. Although why a Novice would be entrusted with a Hidden Blade he didn't know.

The command to sheath his blade had Altaïr snorting in derision. There was no way he was leaving himself open to another attack, even if his blade was easy to unsheathe.]

When you have better control of your pet, then I may decide to consider your request.

[skennen]

[Connor grunts in surprise when the stranger's left elbow suddenly jabs hard into his chest. Caught off-guard, he gives a shout as he's shoved forward easily. He stumbles over his own feet and just manages to stop himself before colliding with Ezio. Stepping away from the Mentor hastily, he turns to regard the other man with a hard look and a slight curl of his upper lip.

The reaction on the other Assassin's part doesn't really bother him. Had it been left at that, he likely would have dropped his head, sheathed his blade as the Mentor commanded, and then offered a reluctant but earnest apology without prompting.

But then the stranger goes and speaks up and Connor immediately bristles.]

I am no man's pet.

[His growl rumbles deep in his chest and his gaze on the other man turns cold.

The surge of anger inside him feels wrong. He knows nothing of this man. And he has heard worse spoken of him by strangers before. This shouldn't enrage him so. But that knowledge does nothing to douse the fire.

He doesn't need this. They don't need this. Months trapped in the Templar-Initiative's prison and he is no closer to making an escape. His father has up and left this place, leaving him to wonder if what people say about time being frozen is a lie. How easy it is to imagine the Templars trapping Assassins here and going about their plans unimpeded, stealing land with one hand and freedom with the other.

Now here is this man, threatening Ezio Auditore and showing such disrespect.

He won't stand for it.

A quick flick of Connor's wrist tugs his hidden blade back into its bracer. He has heard Ezio's order, and unlike the impudent stranger, will obey it. Though it's readily apparent he's only following the most literal meaning of Ezio's words: rather than stand down completely, he tosses his bags from the market off to the side and curls his hands into tight fists.

Connor stoops into a lower, more balanced stance... and then makes a wild charge for Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad.]

[mentore]

[This is going to be a very long day.

Though he must admit that Connor's ingenuity at following orders and breaking them immediately is... rather admirable. Stupid right now, but admirable.]

Connor.

[Now his own voice has dropped into a deep, angry growl. Never did he have such impudence in his ranks in Roma, because they were all apt to follow orders. Some were more trouble than others, but they weren't making to fight each other so publicly, at least not in his presence.

There are two options to this scenario: attempt to break up the fight and everyone get hurt in the process, or let the two fight each other, get it out of their system. and drag them off once they're done with their stupid antics.

One of these options would make it far easier for them to listen to him.

There is the third option, though, that seems a little extreme. But considering Altaïr, a Master Assassin of his time, skilled in original ways of the Order and Connor, an Assassin with a penchant for brutality and survival, Ezio alone stands little chance of tearing them apart.

He's going to regret this.

Both of Ezio's arms reach out and under Connor, attempting to pin him back to stop him from charging further.]

I promise both of you if you don't stop, I will find other methods to stop you. And neither of you will like it.

[The threat is evident in Ezio's voice. Stand down or face the consequences. Using his evolved blades is an ultimatum, but he's presented it. If they choose to continue fighting... well. They made their choice.]

[livethecreed]

[Altaïr had braced himself for Connor's charge, calculating how to dodge the bigger man's attack. He knew he wouldn't be able to hold his own in a hand-to-hand fight so he'd have to use his own agility to stay safe.

Ezio catching the other man almost had Altaïr releasing a sigh of relief; he knew he'd have ended up injuried, even only with scrapes and bruises, but in this strange world it would have left him vulnerable to attack, and that was the last thing he wanted.

Ezio's tone didn't sit well with him, but Altaïr knew he'd overstepped himself with that last statement. The younger man's -Connor's- reaction to his words hadn't been that different from Altaïr's attitude only a year ago, and he had to fight the part of him that wanted to ignore Ezio and continue their fight.

Reluctantly, he twisted his wrist, triggering the switch that caused the blade to retract.]

I will cooperate. [The 'for now' is unspoken, but clear all the same.]

[skennen]

[Connor finds himself restrained mid-rush. He tenses against Ezio's arms, going rigid for a second and then breaking out of that spell with an unbalanced step backward into the Mentor. He struggles some, but he's distracted and his efforts to get loose lack coordination and power.

Neither the growled warning nor the stranger's compliance still him and, finally, Connor twists himself free of Ezio's hold with a single hard jerk. Rather than resume his attack, though, he storms away from both of the other Assassins.

(At least he is strong enough now that no one should ever be able to pull him back when he really needs to act.)

He stops several paces away.

It takes him longer than he'd like to force the anger down and think with more sense.

When he turns back to them, his head is bowed a little. But he hasn't been able to completely clear the scowl off his face.

Unsure what to say, he aims a wary stare at Altaïr.]

[mentore]

As you should.

[Ezio lets Connor go after having released himself. He doesn't much care for the scowl on his face. The boy could complain for all he wanted, as long as he curbed it for now.]

Now, have both of you come to your senses or must I wait for you to act as we are?

[Yes, he's very annoyed now. Ezio is not about to soften the blow of how completely idiotic the pair are currently.]