asgardmeridiem | (CLOSED) remember when you were a madman

Entry tags:

(CLOSED) remember when you were a madman

Who: Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad (

haydiving), Malik Al-Sayf (

dai) and Ezio Auditore da Firenze (

sicarius).
What: After finding out about Ezio betraying their Order by informing a civilian about their existence, Altaïr and Malik move from dealing with the civilian in question to turn their severity on the truly guilty party.
When: DAY 60 | late evening (b a c k d a t e d).
Where: ROOFTOPS | Odin District, Needle in a Haystack | Assasin's Bureau.
Rating: PG-13 | for violence, and really angry assassin's.

[There was no manner in which to quell his mood. After dealing with with the orange haired child, he still found himself seething from the events that had transpired in the last handful of hours. After the civilian was able to leave with his life, certain to inform him of the situation he had stepped into and the severity of it, the conversation between himself and Altaïr had changed to the one who was truly at fault for all of this. Ezio, he felt foolish now in trusting him because that simple, all important note of the creed to never compromise the brotherhood had been broken and to him, it was a sin against his fellow brothers of the order, it was one of the greatest that he could break. It was betrayal and now, Ezio was a traitor in his eyes and he was kicking himself for allowing trust to flow steadily between them since they had last spoke about the potential templar boy that had shown up weeks ago on the network. The one that had known too much.

Soon after he had spoken to the other, the one he fully trusted strangely enough, he contacted Ezio via the device in text: he leaves the eye and seeks the mark. The only difference was is that they would not be meeting in the bureau like normally planned when sending out such a message, they would be on the top of the rooftops with the bureau entrance securely locked, shut tight with no manner of entering because Malik kept the key hidden on his person.

Standing there, his only hand resting on the hilt of his blade, he looked to Altaïr then out into the night as they waited his arrival.]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

['He leaves the eye and seeks the mark.'

Truth be told, he was not expecting this. It was only in emergencies that this were to happen, that the bureau were to be labeled as in danger, that it was something to be concerned about.

Yet there was no trouble outside. No rampant attack from unknown sources, no open chance to hear or divulge in possible information being breached. So then why had Malik contacted him? What was the danger that closed the doors and shut the way?

He's silent as he makes his way across the city, preoccupied in thought and light in his steps, easily moving towards the rooftop of the Bureau-

And the instant his feet touch the rooftop there, he knows something is wrong. If not for the already sinking feeling in his gut, he would mark it as his nerves overreacting. But no, this is no mistake. The entrance is closed, and to make matters worse, Altaïr and Malik are waiting for him.

No, something is wrong, and while he remains silent as he approaches, his eyes do not hide the confusion he holds, and the wariness he has at seeing them there. Only time would tell, it seems.]

[Altaïr watched Ezio approach, eyes glinting in the dark beneath the enclosed safety of his assassin's hood. With Malik beside him he knew this would be a confrontation that none of them desired but was unavoidable. Ichigo and his information had assured that much.

He had thought Ezio understood the rules of their Order and while this whole scenario caused something within him to stir unpleasantly at the familiarity he understands that what Ezio did was wrong, the same way it had been when he had done it.

Your actions must never bring harm upon us - direct or indirect! The words ring in his ears. A bitter way to be reminded.]

Ezio, we have a problem. I met someone this evening, a boy. He said he knew you.

[With Altaïr taking lead of the conversation, Malik remains in silence which is strange for him but right now, there are no words that he can say that will assist the situation and the other is spot on in his reply, is appropriate enough. The less they could say the better at this moment in time because sometimes words were futile and saying too much would just be that.

When Ezio approaches though, he keeps his gaze on him, steeled and serious, brows narrowed and lips set in a fine line.]

Edited 2012-04-02 04:51 (UTC)

[The second Altaïr speaks, the moment his eyes lock on Malik, Ezio knows. Knows who his ancestor is referring to, knows why he has been called, and now knows that there are consequences to follow.

He knows they speak of Ichigo. And inwardly he cannot help but feel the infamous anger at being told upon. He had trusted the boy with that knowledge, considered him an ally. And yet- yet- it had fallen through. Slipped through the cracks in the ground like water is absorbed into the desert sand, never to be seen and only to make the surface beg for more.

The maestro can only remain silent at first, contemplating how to answer. In all his years as an assassin, he has never been in an Order like this, and as such, it was up to him to determine his allies and what he told others. Besides his uncle, there were the courtesans, the thieves, the mercenaries- all those who fought for their own reasons, in their own way. He felt they should know since they were working together.

But here, it is different, and because he did not treat it as such, did not consider it, he was going to pay for it. The hard way.]

...Cerca. You mean Ichigo.

Yes. Ichigo. You know why you are here then, what we need to discuss.

[He'd never liked wasting time, wasn't interested in seeing Ezio sweat, he only wanted answers and wanted them quickly. He doubted they would suffice, at least not entirely, and the other man would certainly be made to pay for such a careless betrayal.

The anger that suddenly enters his tone is caustic.]

You told him! You've compromised all that we stand for, do you know that?

[He didn't turn his head away from the other when he stole a glance towards him, and never as Altaïr spoke did he turn away from keeping his eyes solidly placed upon the other. He didn't care much for the others presence at the moment but it had to be done, this had to be said and there was no other way to say it than to be honest about the entire situation. It had to be brought out into the open which is why he did not stray his tongue after Altaïr had finished his sentence.

His tone was sharp, it was not loud but it was venom.] You're a betrayer to the cause.

A traitor. Have you no respect for anything that we stand for?!

[A visible bristle makes its way down his back, not due to arrogance, but by the way Malik addresses him. Traitor. His own voice is steady, defending himself but not rising above Altaïr's, just stating what his reasons were.]

The boy was an ally. He had aided me in the battle with the frost creatures had attacked, and had saved me from a terrible blow.

[There is a pause before continuing:]

I gave him that information with the trust and promise that he would not ask, and would not tell.

[And his look hardens, obviously still bothered by Ichigo's actions.]

Trust that was obviously broken.

[Oh.

When he speaks his voice is deadly soft, and he hopes Ezio truly understands that not only has he erred by telling the boy but now this, revealing this motive to them.]

So it's worse then. You revealed your identity to a stranger and then sought to hide it from us! You have called yourself an Assassin, a part of our Order, called yourself our Brother, and now you admit you reveal our identity to children whom you consider an ally because you feel you owe him something?

What about what you owe us, Ezio? As your Brothers, your allies, who would lay down their life for you!

[He does't care much for how he makes Ezio feel at the moment. He needs to be verbally shoved into the ground, he needs to know that he has completely and utterly lost their trust at this given moment in time for breaking one of the most important rules of their creed. It was unforgivable and even though Altaïr had found himself in the same predicament he had to work to find his way back into the orders good graces. Malik still had not completely forgiven him but that was due to alternative circumstances, not just his betrayal of the rules.

His gaze narrowed slightly though at the Italian's reply and there was a visible breath that he took in. That--that was not what he wanted to her at all and was not a wise thing for the other man to state though at least he was being honest about it. So he kept things from them, lied to them.

Altaïr said exactly what he would have said but with a little more control. He stood alongside the other and simply watched on, waiting for Ezio's reply tensely.]

[He can hear that voice. Hear the sound it makes and the danger that lies just beneath it. And while he has faced many things in his life, and hasn't flinched, the severity of Altaïr's words sends a chill down his spine. He's angered them both, he knows this, and a part of him begins to wonder if he's actually ever going to fall in their good graces again, a simple mentioning causing such cataclysmic results.

A good chunk of him seriously doubts it.

Ezio has always worked on his own. He has made allies by his own deduction, chose who should know, who shouldn't. It has served him well over twenty years, and trying to change to this method was like trying to teach an old dog new tricks. Habits die hard, even for him. The maestro is still human, after all.]

No. Non mettere le parole in bocca. ['Don't put words in my mouth.'] That was not my intent. It is the furthest from it. I owe you much, including my life- despite being from a different time. That will not change, no matter what differs in our ways of upholding the Order.

[Ezio wishes now, more than anything, that he can explain his reasons, beyond the simple 'different period, different lifestyle' that he has noticed between them over the days. But he can't, because it will only serve as an excuse, only anger them further.

Still, he returns their gaze, knowing fully well that anything he says is almost pointless at this moment. It's painful, to see his own ancestor disapproving and coming close to killing him. If it comes to that, he doesn't know how he'll handle it. Doesn't know if he can. To fight Altaïr is like forcing himself to fight his uncle, to fight his allies one by one, mercilessly.

A pause, and then:]

However. I cannot convince you that what I had done is for a good purpose. You have no reason to trust me, and I do not expect that to change.

[He is insightful, and if anything, he is giving them permission to do what they deem is necessary for a consequence.]

You are right.

[The speed in which he closes the space between them would be alarming to someone not versed in their skills but he doesn't expect Ezio to flinch at it, already knows the man is talented himself, a Master, and he makes the move to see if he will tense, if he will give some fighting desire away.

If the other Master understands that he is in the wrong does that mean he is willing to pay the price? Altaïr hadn't been, he remembers trying to fight against the arms that held him. But he had rejected his guilt back then. Ezio was another story, and a different man.

They are about the same height, the two of them, and he lifts his head, his hood far back enough, to look directly into the other man's eyes, expression serious. His fingers curl at his side and all it would take is a twitch of his wrist to make this confrontation deadly.

He knows that all of them know this.]

Tell us, what do you believe is a fitting punishment? You acknowledge that we cannot trust you and yet you have put us in a position where you know all of our secrets. What is the solution, Ezio?"

[Once again Altaïr has taken the question from his lips so he awaits in silence. Ezio is holding against the words shared between the two parties, but his words are not enough, not even by a long shot to break the thick tension that exists so heavily. He's curious to know what he thinks is the solution, he quietly would commend his brother on his choice of words but even that was too much for Malik. He simply just watches and is certain to shift his stance to something more defensive when Altaïr steps closer to the other.

He's nearly unblinking, ready to move if needed by voice or body.]

[When Altaïr closes the distance, Ezio doesn't flinch. There is no fighting desire- upon being called here, he knows he is in the wrong, and that while his methods worked for him back home, this is their Bureau. Their Order. He is a part of it, yes, but he must abide by the rules and laws placed there, or forfeit anything of relevance. A price he did not pay heed to, and now was paying for it.]

Were this our worlds, our times- the answer would be death. We all know this.

[The answer given back to Altaïr is with acknowledgment, eyes staring back into his ancestor's. They are not defiant, just understanding. Still, he continues.]

But this is Asgard. Death is not permanent here. We know this as well.

[He doesn't mean to sound chastising, or demeaning. Ezio is simply explaining the options they have. If he felt he could, he would gesture, but as it is he is on the bad end of two very short fuses.]

If you are seeking for the proper consequence, I will not object, even if it is death. [A pause.] However, I cannot give you a consequence that seems fitting enough in a realm that defies all that should be impossible.

[Altaïr's focus on Ezio does not waver and when he speaks it is clear his mind is made up. There will be no arguing it.]

Then allow me. We want nothing to do with you. Keep your weapons, keep your robes, but know that as far as we are concerned you are no longer a brother of our Order.

[He is silent for a beat before he adds this much more, because as much as Ezio has upset him, disappointed him, he understands something of second chances.]

Maybe in time you will earn our trust back. Until then, you are not welcome here.

[He prepares to turn, turning his shoulder to Ezio before he pauses again, head turned towards him, eyes shadowed by his hood.]

And Ezio. If we find out that you continue to flaunt our creed we will find a more suitable punishment. Permanence or not. You should remind your friend of this fact as well. You did not choose the most discreet outsider to betray us to.

[Once again there was nothing to say. The viewpoint though was that Ezio, in his commentary, was not exactly making the best choices in what he was saying. Seemingly, he was trying to demean them and back-peddle all at once and to the dai it seemed foolish from a man in his position. There were so many things that he felt like he wanted to say but Altaïr was doing well enough on his own and to add another voice to the mix would be overplaying the entire thing.

He turned his body to the side slightly though, eyes drifting out over the rooftops before turning their attention back on Ezio, quietly listening to the pair speak. The entire thing was a disappointment, Ezio--he was a disappointment and he knew if he parted his lips to say such a thing to him, it would not escape calmly.

They would be watched, there was no question in that.]

[There is a silence in the words that are spoken to him, the maestro taking in each and every one, and only after everything is said, does it make any sense to him.

'We want nothing to do with you. You are no longer a brother of our Order.'

The words hit him hard, like smacking face-first into a stone wall at a high speed. It's the first time his face flinches, as if he's taken a blade to his side and is slowly bleeding to death, though no physical wound could ever compare to this.

It is not an injury to will or wits. It is not a hit to his personality or statements. But it is a blow to his pride, and a high one, at that. To hear the one who has a legacy you aim to follow condemn you for your actions is not something you can prepare for, no matter what you may say or do. The amount of disappointment he can feel from them is staggering, and for a moment, he opens his mouth to say something, then snaps it shut again, realizing anything else will be pointless to say.

They've made their decision, and he was willing to pay any price. Everything pointed out to him- a possible return, and a silencing of the boy, is noted in the back of his mind. With that, the Italian merely nods, hood lowering over his eyes slightly, as he speaks.]

Va bene. So it shall be.

[There will be a time for him to spend on his own, mulling over thoughts and actions of what has occurred recently. A time for him to reflect on what this all means. But here and now, he is no longer welcome in a place he once hoped would explain much more about the Assassins, and the ways he himself followed. Here and now, he has to leave.

It only takes a second, but in that span he widens the gap between them all, leaving the top of the Bureau and moving across the rooftops, back towards Sigyn. This is the choice they have made, and despite no longer being a part of their Order, he will honor it.]

[Altaïr watches him go, waiting until Ezio is completely gnoe from his line of sight. He draws in a breath, the inhalation audible in the quiet. The danger, the tension of what this meeting has been is slowly starting to leech away, Ezio having taken their ire with him.

That this did not result in a death, however temporary, is a private relief to him. Enough blood has been spilled in his Order. He had not relished the possibility of adding another drop to that, regardless of the anger he still felt for the other Assassin.

He turns, drawing closer to Malik.]

What do you think?

[Watching the other leave, the anger does not flee him but he resits the urge to throw up his hand in the air in frustration, instead keeping his eye on the man until he fades off into the distance. Good, it was done with but that did not mean they were in the clear. Both of the men at fault would have to be watched closely to assure everything they promised was kept tight-lipped. Letting out a breath he turned his attention towards his brother, brows furrowing before exhaling.

Death was temporary, but it didn't matter. It was the act of it that degraded the man.] I think this entire situation has put our entire Order at risk.

I think he's an idiot and I'm an idiot for having trusted him.

Yes.

But it is only us now, Malik. Us and Kadar. Our entire Order does not exist here.

[He breathes out an irritated breath. He hadn't wanted to deal with this threat so early in their time here. Had not expected to have to worry about exposure from another Assassin, and a Master at that. The irony was a bitter taste in his mouth.]

He said he was from the future, maybe things are different then, the Order is different. [Which didn't excuse Ezio's crime, the tenants were clear and as far as he knew the Order from Ezio's time still followed them. The Assassin was clearly a carelessly trusting one and it made him tense.]

...But do not think so harshly of yourself, my friend. I made the same mistake, neither of us could have known he could hold such different attitudes regarding this. What bothers me most is how he would have withheld it from us.

So are you defending him then? [Came the sudden reply as he threw his hand up in the air, looking at the other severely before turning back towards the bureau entrance.] If that was the case then, Altaïr perhaps we should not have said anything and allowed him to continue on his way of things, informing who he pleases and keeping it a secret from his brothers.

[His tone is sharp, it's annoyed and he's not in the best of moods so he's reaching out to verbally snip against anything that seems out of line. So as he kneels down to unlock and unlatch the entrance after assure no one is in sight he looks over his shoulder at the other.] I've let you know how I feel about this. He's going to have to find his way back into our good graces and I promise you it'll not be easy.

I am not.

Simply questioning his actions, though he is no longer here to gain the answers from his lips.

[He walks towards the rooftop entrance to the Bureau, intent on following Malik back into the sanctuary.]

I will not trouble you any longer with the complications behind this, I am tired. Let us retire before something more can go wrong this night.

[Dropping down into the bureau, he paused and then looked upwards for the other to follow before continuing the conversation. When he was located within, he took up the hook and pole to close the gate behind them, replying as he did so.] Let us.

Because this is more than just a simple annoyance. That man has brought issue to our order, but I have too harsh of a headache to consider how to deal with it in the future.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

(CLOSED) remember when you were a madman

no subject

bluh html

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject