[OPEN] When you're free to choose but the choices leave you lost

[sicarius]

Who: Ezio and EVERYONE EVER (aka you)
What: After the past few days of arguing with Desmond, trying to talk and instead arguing/being ridiculed by Shaun, and Connor losing his temper, the Italian is in sore need of a break. To top things off, Caterina has gone missing.
When: Day 384-387
Where: ALL OVER ASGARD it's a pick your own adventure!
Rating: PG13 at best

[This is just not his week.

Ezio is tired. No, more than that. He feels exhausted, run down to the spare fumes that he carries on the long nights where he just cannot sleep, bound by nightmares and pushed by adrenaline to lengths he really should not go. He does not find himself in this predicament often, and while the sleepless nights are a common thing for him due to his line of work, this has led to him being far more weary mentally then perhaps against other difficult times.

You can find him any of these places on any day wearing this, as he'll be around quite often, trying to relieve the amount of stress suddenly thrown onto him.

ODIN; A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK: It's been a long day and it's not even halfway through, but Ezio all the same can be found plopped in a chair in a corner of the shop, rubbing his face with his hands and pinching the bridge of his nose. He looks terrible, his age beginning to show with the greys in his hair- limited though they are, they're still visible- and he sighs, closing his eyes and trying to think. The Italian doesn't look unapproachable, in fact, he would actually appreciate some company. Goodness knows he needs something positive rather than negative these days.

SIGYN; ROOFTOPS/WELCOME HALL: Free running is something he does just as easy as breathing, and so it's no surprise to find him flying above, with everyone else down below. In a sense, it is freeing, just as flight can be to a bird, or water for a fish. He crosses the rooftops, makes his way across the district and perches on ledges, eying the ash-ridden horizon with weary eyes. There's no particular destination he has in mind, and so it's a rather aimless wandering on his behalf.

The Welcome Hall, however, he decides to visit if only for a little nostalgia. He has no intent on going anywhere further than the main hall, as he doesn't want to run into certain family members if they don't want to see him. The interior is warmer and more welcoming than the outside, and he doesn't seem to be looking for anyone. Still, conversation is not something he'll turn down.

OTHER; STREETS: At times he is easy to spot, a tall Italian among the crowds and making his way through them with remarkable ease, hands gently pushing people aside, as if he knows just exactly where to touch to get them to move. Sometimes he sits on a bench, watching the crowds pass by, eyes alert and silently making note of everyone he sees. But perhaps the interesting thing about him is that he is far easier to lose and disappear completely from the eye, rather than to follow. He blends in groups of people, becomes hidden in the most open ends of the street- you would think a man of his height would stand out, but he doesn't. Carefully trained eyes will spot him blending, but for what purpose... well. He can't get rusty on his own skills, now can he?]

Comments

sigyn rooftops.

[hisstrength]

[Something Ezio will no doubt notice: there's a new face up here above ground level. Tris hasn't forgotten about Kidd and her first trip to the above. And she's gotten yelled at already for climbing around and sitting on rooftops, but it's become a place to withdraw to and think or to just unwind when the crowds of people are too much.

She's still careful, because she knows she doesn't have much experience, so no running, no impossible leaps for her yet. Just a small, pale, skinny teenage girl in black clothes, wandering around the rooftops she can reach so far, and occasionally perching somewhere, watching the horizon or the people down below. She will certainly notice Ezio as he's practically flying around up there, and her eyes will follow him curiously, but she's not one to stop people rushing to get somewhere. And she's nowhere near good enough to even attempt following.]

[sicarius]

[A new face definitely causes him to pause, slowing down where he is, and eventually approaching Tris where she stands. She's young, and does not look familiar with moving across the skyline, but he is not one to turn away from someone else.]

Enjoying yourself up here, piccina?

[hisstrength]

[All things considered, Tris half expects to be reprimanded for being up here, because that's what most people have done. But he seems... friendly, if, somehow, tired. She looks up at him, trying, but not very hard, to hide her curiosity. How many people were there in this city who ran around on rooftops?]

It's not bad. But I'm still getting used to it. ...Looks like running around on rooftops isn't that unusual around here.

The Shop

[secondborn]

[Well. Alastair's been noticing the things brewing in various places, and though he hasn't actually seen most of it first hand, he's at least aware enough of the things going on to know that Ezio is being put through the wringer.

So during a quiet moment he makes some tea, brings it over, and holds it out to Ezio.]

[sicarius]

[Alastair would be correct- the past few days have taken its toll on him. Being yelled at, arguing, used as an outlet of pent up anger; they are all tiring on their own, and to be hit with them in almost rapid succession of the other is even more exhausting to experience. The additional knowledge of Caterina missing does not comfort him any more than it does to add to his worry.

So Alastair's quiet gesture does not go unnoticed, and it's only after Ezio opens his eyes again that he speaks, weariness settling into his tone. There is a small smile, however, and he is grateful.]

Grazie, Alastair.

[A breath, and it is apparent that he was not expecting, perhaps, comfort in a short time where he has received none for all he has tried to do. He hasn't slept in two days, bound to bury himself in work or tasks to keep his mind off the guilt and it shows now, in how he forces himself to take a break, if only for a little while.]

[secondborn]

You're welcome.

[He watches Ezio for a moment, taking note of how tired he looks before sitting down on the floor in front of him.]

So what's going on?

haystack

[couldfindapen]

[Clay tries to focus on the menagerie of dictionaries in front of him, he really does, but after a while, staring at grandpa flopped over a chair seems far more important than trying to figure out how to translate words invented in the 21st century.

And not too long after making that decision, Clay hunts down two small glasses and some strong liquor to pour in them.] Qui. You look like you could use a pick-me-up. [He offers one of the glasses to Ezio with a slight smile on his face. There, he was helping.]

[sicarius]

[The offer causes Ezio to open his eyes again, and there is a smile as he picks himself up in his chair and takes the glass. It's not an alcohol he's familiar with- most of his drink back home was wine, and the smell is welcoming but different. There is a sip before his nose wrinkles, the hard liquor leaving a kick as it goes down. Ezio shakes his head, definitely not expecting that, and raises an eyebrow at Clay in a question.]

"Pick-me-up?"

[couldfindapen]

[Clay laughs, shaking his head amusedly.] You're supposed to drink it all at once, you know. [And he'll demonstrate, knocking the whole thing back in one go, blinking hard at the burn of the liquor going down.] But yeah, a pick-me-up. You know, something to perk you up a bit. Make you happy.

386 - Asgard Streets

[true_renaissance_man]

[So adept was Ezio at blending in with the crowd that even Leonardo did a double take when he was spotted ducking in and out of the groups of Asgardians. The outfit helped of course, his friend really had gone native!
The medical kit he was holding was placed on the pile with the others being packed up for the front lines before he jogged after the elder assassin, catching him up to him and gently grabbing his arm before he could disappear again. ]

Ezio! I just wanted to say goodbye before I...

[The artist's warm expression fell. It struck Leonardo instantly how worn Ezio looked, with his drawn expression and sunken eyes... almost as if he had not slept in some time.]

You look terrible!

[Count on a friend to give you the truth, as blunt as it may have been.]

What has happened? Are you worried about the war?

[sicarius]

[The touch causes Ezio to pause, and he turns just as the other breaks off his words. Though, bless you, Leonardo, for your bluntness, because it causes Ezio to laugh.]

I am aware, amico, but I appreciate your concern.

[He gets a smile though, for his efforts.]

Not about the war, no, but there has been issues coming up with everyone else that I have become involved in.

["Everyone else" meaning the Assassins. Usually, things aren't bad, but when drama happens in the Bureau, it usually isn't something quiet and small.]

[true_renaissance_man]

[Issues. It was vague but he could guess things with the Assassins must have become spirited. ]

With so many coming in from so many different times there are bound to be differences of opinion. You shouldn't let it get you down like this, I am sure given time you will sort through this mess.

[Leonardo glanced back at the supplies he had been getting ready, but they were being seen to by a few of the locals and could be managed without him for a time. They were used to his getting distracted and wandering away by now anyway. ]

Come, before I leave we can spend some time together? Maybe it will help get your mind off your troubles.

Rooftops

[not_sasuke]

[He's just been skulking about for the most part - high places are his preferred spots for observing, and with most trees having shed their leaves, he's had to take to the roofs instead. It's more distant than he'd like; picking up conversation from this height can be difficult, after all. But it's good for getting a general overview of the people, too.

He's just finished jotting down a note ("Back alley thief; Sigyn str #") when he spots Ezio and, in a fluid movement taps the paper back into his armband, the pencil disappearing along with. It's a quick, practiced move, blending in perfectly with a small "jump" of surprise.]

Huh-- another one?

[sicarius]

[Ezio manages to see the boy as he crosses from one rooftop over to the next, and while he does not recognize his face, he has not made the effort to introduce himself to newcomers recently. So his approach is not a quick one, but at an even and steady pace. There is a smile as he speaks.]

Buon giorno. Apparently I am not the only one who ventures by rooftop.

[not_sasuke]

Definitely not. You're like the third person I've seen up here.

[Not necessarily today, but.]

I didn't realize the roofs were so popular.

sigyn welcome hall

[meliorator]

[When it comes to people in need, allegiances stop mattering. That's something Dr. Sung has had the face personally, obviously-- first Clay and Desmond, now the understanding that there are likely more Assassins around. But she's no danger to them. Unless they're afraid she'll heal them to death. Be kind of counter-productive.

It hasn't been long, but she's been able to get herself to work, thanks to Dr. Watson. He'd been extremely generous letting some random woman take up space there, but she'd be the last person to turn that down. It mostly meant she'd spent half the near-month she's been in Asgard asleep over her desk or just too weary to make it to the Welcome Hall and instead found herself in a cot. Every so often, however, she'll make her way back. Trousers and sensible boots help the trek compared to, you know, a skirt and heels in this weather.

And it's not that she can't, from records, recognize Ezio. Dr. Sung has just stopped caring about these specifics. Getting dropped into this place shatters any real pretense of being shocked by much.

Still, upon entering the Welcome Hall ready to just go right to bed, thank you very much, it's hard to miss how weary someone can look just standing... She frowns, always careful to make sure her footstep are audible when approaching, and gently lays a hand on Ezio's arm.]

[sicarius]

[He's kept to himself, mostly. Watched people as they come and go, hardly spoken to them, and stayed quiet unless spoken to. Which hasn't happened yet. Still, the sound of footsteps and a gentle touch cause him to turn and face Dr. Sung, and despite his weariness, there is still a smile on his face, if only a small one.

He's thankful she's taking care to make sure he hears her and doesn't react poorly- tired as he is, his actions can be caught, but not always.

There is a headtilt as he looks at the woman before him, seeming familiar in some ways, and not so familiar in others. He doesn't recognize her by her face, as they only spoke by voice, but her quiet and caring demeanor is something he picks up on easily, without even words to say something.

He has no intention of really speaking, but his body language says everything he does not. Yes? How can I help you?]

[bewarethecross]

[Daniel knows that the best way to get a feel for his surroundings is through doing - actually forcefully aquainting himself with this "Agard" place - and the easiest way to do that is by getting an "overhead" view. He's up on the Asgard rooftops, free running - something he learned from Orelov. It definitely wasn't part of the typical Abstergo training regimen (even if he had included some basics in the classes he'd taught). He guesses he should be thankful that Asgard doesn't look anything like Russia, considering. Doing things like this always risks him a chance to ... "drop out" of himself, so he's doing his best to focus intently on the here and now.

He's not making any notations or sketching a map or anything as he goes - he figures he'll just learn from memorization and repetition. Making a map to rely on would be time-consuming, tedious, and wouldn't exactly help him from getting out the aggression he feels thanks to his little conversation with Desmond Miles and his Assassin Gang anyway. Pure movement is better for that sort of thing.

...Speaking of Assassins... Daniel takes a turn, pulls himself up a ledge, and sees a man a few meters ahead of him, sprinting across the rooftops. Daniel would know movement like that anywhere.

It's not Desmond - but it's definitely an Assassin.

Without thinking, Daniel gives chase.]

[sicarius]

[The thing about being an Assassin and traveling by the rooftops for so long is that when someone begins to tail you, you pick up on it remarkably fast. Ezio has been making his way across the city skyline at a relatively easy pace, feeling out the differences in his clothing, in the air, in the environment as a whole, noting the ash falling and taking note of where it is best to travel. And while it has not helped much in the stance of everything overall, it at least allows him to clear his mind for the present period of time.

So when Daniel falls into step in chasing him, the Italian feels the hairs on the back of his neck stick straight up. It's a feeling that comes from home, from guards who are persistent and foolish enough to try and chase him- but Ezio shoves it down, partially thinking it's his nerves gone haywire because of lack of sleep. Still, he does not ignore it entirely, but chooses to switch directions, leading Cross on a merry little venture across the Sigyn rooftops.

If you wanted a chase, Daniel, you're going to get one.]

Park Bench

[madcuriosity]

"Hello, sir," a voice calls behind him as Alice sees the very tired man sit on the bench. "May I sit here?" she asks as she gestures to the seat beside him. In her arms is a sketchbook, the assassin may note the signs of an artist, a little callus along her fingers and thumb in a place a pencil is held, little smudges of graphite along the side of her hand. She offers him a gentle smile.

Perhaps the most interesting about her, though, is not her, but rather, the dragon flying beside her, in bright golds, reds, and oranges, a stark warm contrast to the cold scenery. The dragon gazes at Ezio with the same color eyes as Alice, watching, carefully, the same as Ezio watches everyone else.

[sicarius]

Alice's voice startles Ezio a little, mind elsewhere as he simply watches the world pass by. His head lifts up a little and he straightens, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Of course, piccina. I do not mind at all."

His head tilts as he looks at her, and at the dragon who is her supposed tagalong, raising a brow as he notes the colors and the stare given back to him. For a moment he is quiet, but eventually his curiosity overtakes his tiredness and he speaks again.

"That dragon of yours, is he a pet?"

Needle In a Haystack, Day 386

[emergingspirit]

[He's had a few days to calm down, come around, and generally feel like a bit of a dick for the way he treated Ezio. To that end, and because he's leaving on the first train in the morning, he wants to snag Ezio before he goes. He wants to apologize and...ask a favor.

So when he finds Ezio in the shop, he approaches and settles on the floor in front of him, cross-legged. It's a deliberate choice of positioning, a gesture of respect. An unspoken apology before the spoken one.]

Mentor.

[sicarius]

[Despite having not slept for the past few days, Ezio still seems to be in control of his movement rather well. While his immediate reaction is to jolt upward, he instead opens his eyes and blinks rather confusedly at the man sitting before him.]

Connor?

[In truth, a part of him is convinced that his words from before had hurt the other to the point of having him not want to deal with anything in the Bureau. But to see him here and now- Ezio shifts up in his chair from where he slouches, and there is a look of relief on his face, understanding the position they are both in, and what it means. An apology.

He is tired, but perhaps... perhaps things will bring themselves back together a little sooner than he had imagined. And that, to him, is something he is thankful for.]

385, Rooftops

[familyissues]

You've got ash in your hair, Mentore

[ It's convenient that Ezio should be here, when Desmond's just climbed up for a run. He takes it as a sign, coming up beside Ezio for a moment to watch the horizon with him, letting the quiet settle again. The apology is there on the tip of his tongue, but he wants another second to shore himself up. ]

[sicarius]

[His travels each day have led him to meet new people, and run across some old faces as well. In them he is taken care of and reminded that while this is difficult, he still has family and friends who care for him. It is enough to keep him going, and give him comfort despite his shortcomings over the past few days.

He stands on the edge of a rooftop overlooking one of the district squares, eyes watching the horizon again, until Desmond speaks up. Ezio goes stiff a little at that, unaware that he had even climbed up to begin with, but turns his head to see the other stand beside him. Ezio is tired, and his smile is a little weary, but he gives one to the other all the same.]

Sì, I have heard it is the latest hit in fashion, recently.

[He almost adds how Caterina would approve, but chooses instead to stay silent, his eyes showing hesitancy instead. It's obvious it's not towards Desmond, but something else.]