[OPEN] Birinci ◉ Varış

[daistanbul]

Who: Yusuf Tazim and YOU!
What: Yusuf has just arrived, and is exploring the city by leaping about on rooftops.
When: Day 510, morning to early afternoon
Where: All over the city!
Rating: PG-13 at worst.

Asgard [OTA]

As dawn breaks, Yusuf steps out of the castle, feeling ready to take on the world. But as he glances out over his new surroundings of the sleeping city of Asgard, Yusuf realizes something.

It's far too quiet.

So without further ado, Yusuf makes his way to the nearest climbable building, and scales onto the roof. Anyone can be woken by the sound of feet tapping on their roof, or be greeted by the sight of a metal hook latching onto their windowsill as someone bounds past it, or just on their way to work only to find a man leaping from signpost to signpost in the direction they're going. He may even stop for a minute and say hello.

Someone who knows of the Assassins would be able to tell from his bearing, his movements from ledge to ledge, and the sheer amount of weapons he appears to be carrying that he is probably one of them. Though this face is brand new, and with much more mirth on it than to be expected for a trained killer.

Needle in a Haystack/The Assassin Bureau [closed to Assassini]

Later in the day, after an invigorating jaunt through the city, Yusuf happens to find the entrance to the bureau entirely by accident. It is no surprise that it is there, of course; he wouldn't be able to recognize it as the entrance to an assassin bureau were it not situated one one of the taller buildings in the area. The familiarity of home makes him pensive, but only for a moment, before he tests the hatch and finds it unlocked. So Yusuf opens it, somersaults into the bureau, and uses his hookblade to shut the hatch behind him, landing on two feet. He greets those inside with open arms.

"Kardeşlerim! Bacılarım! I was not expecting you to be this easy to find! Am I late for the party?" He gives a broad grin before offering the "proper" Assassin signal, right hand over his heart, signalling that he is, in fact, supposed to be there. You can put down your weapons now. No, really.

(( ooc: Put preferred time/place in subject header. Will format-match as necessary! ))

Comments

[womanfromacre]

Maria had been minding her own business, drawing up lists of what stock needed to be held back and what they were still able to stock in the shop with the food shortages still effecting the city. It had been relatively uneventful.

That is until a very loud, hairy and scruffy looking stranger suddenly appeared in the middle of the bureau and proclaimed his arrival for all to hear.

Startled, Maria drops her ledger and immediately pulls her knife from her belt and points it at the intruder's jugular.

"You have five seconds to explain yourself."

[daistanbul]

Yusuf does take a step or two back on instinct, but when the knife is stuck directly at his throat, he freezes in place, and carefully moves his hands up in the air to prove that he means no harm. "Easy, easy, Hanımefendi." He smiles again, though this one is clearly meant to disarm Maria rather than to make light of the fact he's at knifepoint.

"I am Yusuf Tazim, formerly the leader of the Ottoman branch of the Assassin Order. You can see my hidden blade on my wrist." He shifts his left arm downward slightly, so that he can unsheathe and withdraw the blade away from her. "Nothing is true, everything is permitted."

With the maxim said, Yusuf slowly moves his right hand toward his neck, his index finger gingerly pressing against the point of the blade and shifting it slightly away. Better to get a cut on his finger that would easily heal, than a gash under his ear that would drain him in minutes. "I was expecting a bit of a warmer welcome than this."

[womanfromacre]

Maria's eyes remain narrowed as she fixed the intruder with a long, hard look. Disarming smiles were all very well, but she knew all too well that a wolf in a pasture would bear its teeth before it struck.

"I have known Templars bear Assassin arms before," she said carefully, still not letting her guard drop. "And I know not of this 'Ottoman branch' of which you speak. When do you hail from? What was the year?"

Time had a funny way of making fools of people, though the presence of the hidden blade and his knowing of the creed made his story more plausible, Maria was determined not to relax her guard until she knew for certain that this Yusuf Tazim was no enemy to the Brotherhood and her family.

[daistanbul]

"You think I am a Templar?" Yusuf can't help but get a good laugh out of that, even in such a situation as this. "The Templars I know would hardly come into an Assassin hideout with open arms, Hanımefendi. They would much sooner shoot us on sight, rip us limb from limb, leave our bodies hanging from the nooses as a warning, that sort of thing." But he plays it cool, eyes still locked on Maria and his hands still stretched out to where she can see them, even though he's still eyeing her knife occasionally.

"I see you have not been well informed of us. Very well. The Ottoman Assassins officially formed in my homeland with the death of the Templar and last Byzantine Emperor, Constantine XI. That was some thirty years before I joined the Assassins. The Byzantines have still not been eliminated, though."

It was an odd question to answer - what year it was - but knowing what he knew now about this place, it was a reasonable question. And answering it kept him from being sliced open ear to ear. "It was the year 1512 at home. Do you remember a different year?"

[womanfromacre]

"Yes. It was the year 1196," she replied dryly. "And I hail from Masyaf. I know nothing of this Byzantine Emperor of whom you speak, I fear it may well be after my time."

But 1512... that placed him squarely in Ezio's time. Perhaps he might know something of this strange new arrival.

Finally she lowers her knife and backs towards the door, not once allowing her eyes to drift away from Yusuf as she opens the door just a crack. Saulé is making her way towards the door with a flagon of water that Maria had asked for earlier and the older woman privately thanks whatever higher power might have orchestrated such convenient timing.

"Saulé, I need you to track Ezio down and have him come here as soon as he can," she told the novice in a low voice meant only for her ears. "Be quick about it."

The girl needed only to look at the grim set of Maria's jaw before she was off about her errand, which allowed Maria time to return to evaluating the situation at hand.

"In answer to your earlier question: no, I do not think you a Templar," she said carefully. "I am well aware that they are more... subtle in their approach."

[blackhand]

Garrett's been keeping to himself ever since running across Desmond accidentally during Connor's training. Either by paranoia or by sheer stubbornness, he's determined to better himself with what he's learned from the Assassin. He keeps getting caught by them, keeps being thwarted and shoved back where he should be able to easily slip by. Truthfully he's aiming to simply be better in his skills overall, but with the Assassins around, they give him a greater challenge than any guard of the Watch could ever pull.

It's morning by the time he's returning towards the clocktower- he's kept his word on what he steals, taking only minute and unimportant things (and it's both humiliating and boring, honestly, but he grits his teeth and deals with it), booking it back to the familiarity of his home in a similar style to Yusuf. It's not until he passes by, a few houses over, head turning, that he pauses in his traveling and studies him.

Definitely not a person Connor pointed out, but he's armed well enough to be considered one. There is a wary sort of stance that he takes, feet light and cautious as he quietly walks to the edge of the building he's on to watch him. His arms are sore and he's tired, but curiosity gets the better of him, and Garrett trails after Yusuf as he makes his way around the city. He's nowhere near as skilled, he takes time where most Assassins can simply climb and pull themselves up with ease, but it's a start, and he's faster than when he first began.

[daistanbul]

It is easy enough to spot Garrett the first time, mostly due to his dark clothes that stand out in the early morning sun. Yusuf pegs him as a thief almost instantly. Having been one himself for most of his childhood, he understands the sort of things to look for. The general shiftiness of his body language, the lurking around on rooftops, the quickly calculated but remarkably cautious glances over the city... though the thieves he knew operated during all hours, not just at night. Yusuf probably still would be a thief himself, if Ishak Pasha had not found him and seen the potential in him; so it is partly sympathy, partly interest in the rest of the city that leads to Yusuf mostly ignoring the man, though the thought that he could be an ally is tucked into the back of his mind for later.

It's only after he makes a bit of a turn across a set of rooves that he spots Garrett again out of the corner of his eye, tailing him though at a slower pace than he expects. Surely he's not a target, Yusuf thinks to himself, having little on him worth anything except perhaps his kilij. Perhaps there's some ulterior motive there, and what it could be makes Yusuf rather curious indeed.

So he slows down a little, making sure to keep Garrett visible in the corner of his eye as he leaps from roof to roof, allowing him the time to catch up while he appears to look around the scenery. He gets to the edge of a roof, and then--

-- he performs a Leap of Faith into a haystack below, meant to feed horses, but thankfully also in view of a courtyard-like area that's somewhat closed off from the streets that are now starting to bustle with activity. There he watches and waits, to see what his new friend will do.

[blackhand]

Garrett follows, well aware that Yusuf knows he's there. He can notice when the pace changes to a casual chase, one that is meant to lead the other to some ideal location rather than to lose him. It's faster and more for those with endurance compared to his work- he can do spurts of speed if necessary, but stealth is more his kind and darting across rooftops as fast as possible has a habit of drawing attention from the amount of noise it makes.

Still, he follows if only because now his curiosity's been grabbed by the collar and is currently being dragged towards somewhere, as a testament to his skills. The thief comes alongside another rooftop, leaps over the gap between it and the next, and continues his pursuing. It's not until he comes to the same rooftop before a closed courtyard that he catches up, feet hitting the beginning of the spot just as Yusuf hits the end. Then he does a Leap of Faith, and Garret balks, losing his footing as the rooftop slopes downwards a little and slamming his arm into the tile, grabbing onto the top of the rooftop as he watches the other drop into the hay with ease and grace, pulling himself upwards so he doesn't slide off the edge.

He's going to feel that tomorrow.

Still, there's only a glare given when the assassin emerges, a look that says that's cheating and stop doing that. He's not too happy about his arm, which is currently screaming at him underneath all this, but his pride is hurt more, and that's what he clings to.

"You cheated."

[daistanbul]

Well. He certainly wasn't expecting a thief to suddenly become afraid of heights. Or rather, a change in height. Yusuf chalks it up to inexperience rather than confidence, however, because as he looks up initially before he steps out of the haystack, he can see surprise on Garrett's face moreso than discomfort. He does, however, grin a little when Garrett outright scowls at him, and it turns into a laugh when Garrett finishes speaking.

"I cheated? Hahaha! And how did I do that?" He wonders, still chuckling a bit to himself as he quickly ruffles thick black hair to remove the stray strands of hay from it. With that done, he turns his attention back upwards to Garrett, still nothing but smiles. "How is your arm, hırsız? Should I come up and have a look?"

[blackhand]

Garrett's face scrunches a little under his cowl, the face of an angry cat who has been bested and is incredibly disgruntled with the current situation. Yusuf's demeanor is, if anything, far too cheery and far to upright to what he's used to.

"You're not supposed to jump like a lunatic." Well, if the other was curious as to why he didn't follow, there's a good answer. He hauls himself upwards more, hissing a little as his arm protests, pride keeping him quiet when there's the offer to take a look at his arm.

Go on, Yusuf, he doesn't bite. He's just a prideful idiot who needs to be taken care of, despite his saying otherwise.

Asgard in the morning

[pushesgently]

[The city is tense these days, nerves worn down from the curfew and days spent waiting for the next danger to draw near. (Too often, the number of those days isn't very high.) But Altaïr still prefers to run the roofs of the cities when he can, to maintain his training and connect with Asgard itself, in a way. Stealth isn't necessarily part of this morning routine.

What's that? Could it be a man dressed vaguely as an Assassin (in a very old-fashioned way) freerunning not far from Yusuf?

Indeed, it could.]

8D !!!!!

[daistanbul]

[Yusuf had been happy to leap around the city on his own, explore as he wanted, and generally get a lay of the land. But when he sees another person (most certainly an Assassin from the way he's dressed and the way he fluidly moves from perch to perch), it lightens Yusuf's heart and gives him a sort of second wind to catch up to the other.

He soon approaches with a leap to a flowerbed windowsill and a simple flip onto the roof, so that he's only two or three rooftops behind Altaïr on the other side of the street. And then he'll continue at the same pace, watching the other's every move for a sudden turn or drop to the street level.]

[pushesgently]

[Altaïr notices his follower after a few minutes when he makes a turn to leap across a narrow street. It's not his habit to show strong reactions without reason, so he keeps going. At least it isn't another young girl this time.

The man's attire isn't familiar, but the experienced way he moves is. An Assassin, then, or one very like their people. He could stop and ask the man himself, but why not learn by observing? He speeds up a little instead. Time to see what this fellow can do.]

[daistanbul]

[He can't help but grin as the other assassin turns, and then quickly picks up the pace. Finally, a challenge! Yusuf accepts it by making a sharp turn past a chimney and vaulting over the street into a roll, picking himself back up onto his feet as he too picks up the pace.

Now he's only about a rooftop behind, though the path he's chosen seems to involve a little more weaving and ducking to keep up. Not that Yusuf minds; he's keeping up rather well.]

[pushesgently]

[His follower is keeping pace and more, and Altaïr is reminded of the first time he encountered Desmond above the city so many months ago. If this man has even half that much ability, he won't mind being tested further.

So he sets a course for a nearby block that offers considerably more vertical buildings, and without looking back, he goes up.]

Early Afternoon/after the stabbing threats

[primafamiglia]

It's after the commotion dies down that Giovanni shows up, his usual amusement at the morning's gossip shifting to curiosity at the new face. He may not be in his robes or wearing his hidden blade but he did drop in through the hatch with practiced ease.

"Should I be thankful or sorry that I missed your arrival, fratello?" He sighs, there was probably some sort of commotion about it anyway.

[daistanbul]

Yusuf has managed to find a nice corner with a small ottoman, which he has taken to perch on. He's leaning forward and checking for dullness of his weapons - the one thing he barely had time for at home, for which he's partially disheartened. But he doesn't let it show as he's spoken to, glancing up at the new voice and grinning when he recognizes one of the few Italian words he knows.

He laughs, motioning to Giovanni with his free hand. "You should be sorry, and I think I should be grateful! You look like a man with deadly aim. But this lets me know that word gets around quickly, here. A good sign." The Turk then gives a rather deep and almost theatrical bow, adding, "Piacere di... di conoscerla, or... something like that." He stands, waving his hand dismissively. "My Italian is horrendous, I am afraid. It all sounds the same to me."

[primafamiglia]

"There are few who can run across the roofs as well as we can." He grinned, "And people talk about strange men flying past their windows at ungodly hours of the morning, especially to charming gentlemen who listen to them. Your italian is better than others though, so all is forgiven."

He waves a hand dismissing the matter and drawing nearer to take a look at Yusuf's weaponry.

"I am Giovanni, and yourself?"

[daistanbul]

"There are fewer still who can keep up with me!" He teases, flipping one of his throwing knives up in the air and catching it with ease. "If it is any consolation for butchering your tongue, Bay Giovanni, my Latin is much better."

Yusuf has about twenty of those same knives spread out, along with his sword and his hidden blade, though he still has the hookblade attached to his wrist. There is also a dagger, sitting rather suspiciously to the side, away from his usual weapons. But given its style, it is obviously from his homeland.

"Yusuf Tazim, formerly of Istanbul. I was the leader there, of the Ottoman Assassins, after my Mentor passed. But I suppose now I am merely a humble servant of this Order, waiting for someone to tell he where I should be pointing my blade. We were brought here to fight a war, yes? I am not sure what sorts of measures have been taken, and need to be taken."

Haystack!

[daddyissues]

Connor doesn't hang out in the bureau as much as some of the others, but he's there often enough to be accustomed to members dropping in (so to speak) at all times. He doesn't think anything of the hatch opening, or of a man jumping down in front of him... It's the proclamation afterwards that makes Connor raise an eyebrow and wrap the stranger in a seemingly impenetrable cocoon of shadow. 'Find them'? He leaves only the man's head free, for scrutiny and questioning purposes.

Nope. Connor is confident now that he's met everyone in Asgard's Brotherhood, and he doesn't know this guy. "You are, actually, it was last week... But you weren't invited."

Start explaining, buddy. Since he's strapping on the blade that he was oiling when you showed up.

[daistanbul]

He certainly wasn't expecting to be unable to move, and his first instinct is to struggle out of it, though he learns in only a few seconds that it would be difficult to escape. It might even be impossible. Was this another one of the "powers" the woman in the castle had spoken of? Either way, he stops his struggle, eyes locked on Connor, but his expression calm despite his predicament.

"It is a shame I only arrived just this morning, then," He admits with the smallest hint of a smirk. "I am sure it would have been a more interesting party. Come now, efendi, what must I do to prove to you I am one of the brotherhood? You have tied my hands, so I cannot show you my brand or our blade."

For someone who is completely trapped, he looks completely unafraid, though his eye is piercingly attached to Connor's blade and its movements.

[daddyissues]

Blade back on, Connor considers his prisoner, fighting not to smirk back. On first instinct? He likes the guy. But his instincts regarding people haven't always been the best, and he knows there are enemies of the Brotherhood in Asgard now. So he has to be cautious, as the only one around. It's probably obvious to Yusuf that this kid has no idea what he's doing, security-wise, but being young and curious doesn't make him any less dangerous.

He moves forward, just out of what would be Yusuf's reach-- wait. It is just out of Yusuf's reach, as the shadows melt away to just below his shoulders and off of his arms, leaving him trapped in place but with use of his upper limbs.

"Now you can. What's efendi?"

[daistanbul]

Yusuf is reminded of the novices Ezio trained in Istanbul. Though he only knew them for a short year, they learned much in their time under the Assassin's wings. This young man is not to be taken lightly, especially with his powers over the shadows that keep his body stiffly confined.

Thankfully, within a few moments, Yusuf's shoulders and arms are freed. "Ah, that is much better," He says with just a hint of sarcasm, though he does roll his shoulders a bit before answering the question. "It is how you show a man respect in my homeland. It is like calling someone sir." He's... rather unsure as to how he knows that, but it's not important at the moment. What is important is showing the kid his hidden blade. "You see? Our blade..." He motions his head towards his arm, where he unsheathes and sheathes the blade, to show that it works.

"... and my brand." He then flips his left hand over, so that the back of his hand is facing Connor, and he holds it up just a foot or two in front of his own face. On his ring finger lies the Assassin symbol, branded into his flesh long ago from the looks of the scar. If Connor knew of Ezio's brand, it would be similar, though with stylistic variation.

"Is that enough?"

later in the day /wiggles fingers

[familyissues]

Desmond is out running his mastiff, Moose, when he hears the familiar sound of footfalls above him. He watches Yusuf Tazim leap from a roof to a signpost, and Desmond slows as he draws near, caught in a sudden bit of deja-vu that isn't properly his. Oh.

"Merhaba?" He offers up to the Assassin, as Moose comes to heel beside him, the dog's head tilting at Yusuf.

yes good ouo

[daistanbul]

"Merhaba!" Yusuf offers instinctively in reply, stepping onward to the roof before a thought hits him.

This isn't Istanbul, it's Asgard.

If one could gracefully screech to a halt, Yusuf manages to do it - he has to dig his heels pretty sharply into the roofing tile, and then turn to keep his balance, but a moment later he's planted his feet squarely on the roof, eyes darting down to see who on earth it could be.

What he finds is a man, a man who looks... remarkably like the Grand Master, actually. As Yusuf stares down, the man's staring up at him, and followed by a curious, but huge dog to boot. He grins at the sight of the mastiff, but his curiosity is just a bit too strong over this man to ignore him for very long at all.

Yusuf's grin turns into more of a smirk, as he hops down onto a rather dilapidated cart that's perched against the wall at an angle, which he uses to slide down to street level. "I think you may be the only one in this city that knows how to greet an Ottoman properly! Well met, efendi."