asgardeventide | first sequence // video

Something like that. [Still sounding surprisingly cheerful, if unsurprisingly rather resigned.] Could be worse, though, right?

It could be, perhaps. [There is a chuckle at this.] Allora, when you are settled down, could you meet me in Odin?

[Better known as "there is shit to tell you and we need to meet at the Bureau asap"]

[Uh oh. He doesn't really like the sound of that.] Not much more setting down I can do. [He'd kind of rather not, but... well, he bets this is Assassin related.] Let me grab lunch and I'll be right over.

[Oh, it is, and it is not going to be something you'll enjoy hearing.]

Va bene, I will be at the shop and waiting.

Be there soon.

[And like he promised, he is there soon! He approaches the front door and pushes it open with veiled caution. He slips inside with a false fair of casualness.] Ezio?

Entrare. [Ezio doesn't look up, but he knows Desmond's voice well enough to recognize him being there. He's putting away inventory, looking over the last bit of the list, when he finally raises his head and grins.]

It is good to see you again.

[It's small talk, one to keep the employees uninterested and going about their day, to not think twice about why Desmond has come here. The Italian pulls away from his work, speaking with a few semi-colored natives, and then tilts his head slightly, indicating to follow him to the back.]

You disappeared for quite a while, nipote.

[Still small talk, but he's getting to the point he wants to make. He won't properly speak until they reach the Bureau though.]

[Ezio stocking shelves. That's something Desmond will never get used to, but he knows he'd better at least pretend to be used to it. So instead of gawping like he feels like doing, he gives Ezio a smile and a nod.] Same. Feels like forever, right?

[He lets the door swing closed behind him and follows after Ezio. His tone stays calm and his stride stays casual as he offers a careless shrug to his great-grandfather.] You know how it is. There's a learning curve.

[But like Ezio, he falls silent after that. Best to wait for the maestro to speak up again.]

[There isn't going to be much speaking, at least for a while. Ezio leads him to the back room, carefully lowering the hidden ladder from the ceiling, and motions for him to climb. The second floor isn't much- ruins and a mess of furniture, papers, broken applicances and wood all over the floor, but any Assassin who knows a Bureau, knows better.

Getting to the fourth floor doesn't take much time, and finally Desmond gets to see that despite Ezio keeping it clean, there has definitely been someone else within the Bureau. Someone who isn't Ezio. It isn't a breach, however- the Italian is far too calm for that, and he waits for Desmond to finally take everything in.]

[That's strange. That's definitely strange. Desmond regards the wreck on the second floor with calm indifference, and the... state... of the fourth with an arched brow. Clearly, a lot could happen in just a week. He glances to Ezio, but not for explanation.]

More of us?

Si. Malik and Altaïr have returned.

[There is a definite "but" attached to his words, and he lets the other slowly take that in. Ezio speaks as if Desmond remembers, but in truth, he knows he doesn't. So, to clarify, he gestures and finishes what he means to imply.]

They are different from the last time they were here. You may not remember, but we were not on good terms before. Different views on the Creed caused our conflict, and I was the one to start it. We eventually came to an agreement, after much time avoiding each other, and then they disappeared.

[A hand bats away something that isn't there, and Ezio continues.]

I have already spoken with Malik about this, and he was much calmer than I last remembered him. Still, it went over well, though I suspect he will be keeping an eye on us for a while. ["Us" meaning the Italian branch.] I would prefer that over a harsh tongue and cold stares for days.

[Desmond's initial response is to perk up at the mention of Malik and Altaïr. He may not have spent as much time with Altaïr as he had with Ezio, but the presence of another Master Assassin can't be anything but good, right? However, hecatches the implicit but in Ezio's tone and waits for him to finish.]

[Though it's still mostly good news, Desmond can't help but notice a certain omission.] What about Altaïr?

When Altaïr was last in Asgard, he was calm, level-headed, understood and followed the Creed. He was steadfast but respectable, and knew how to respect those he did not know within the Brotherhood.

[Can you tell where this is going yet, Desmond? Ezio gives an unamused look as he continues.]

From what I have heard and now seen of him, however, he is nothing more than stubborn and full of pride. He holds no respect save for his Master, and everything he does he views with arrogance.

[It's clear Ezio doesn't take this well, especially since he holds much respect for Altaïr in general. But the flighty and testy attitude he was given a few days ago, not to mention what he has heard of the other's actions, is leaving the Mentor disappointed.]

[... Oh no. Desmond knows where this conversation is headed after the first few words, and he's grimacing by the time Ezio finishes.] Great. [Desmond brushes a hand over his hair.] Perfect. Just what we needed, right?

[He gives Ezio a smile, but it's fleeting.] Did he mention anying about Solomon's Temple? Or some sort of demotion?

[Ezio shakes his head at this, but there is some good news attached to this bad news as a whole.]

Altaïr did not mention anything of Solomon's Temple, nor his demotion- but Malik did. He spoke of their Master stripping him of his rank for his failure, and how he is now on a journey to redeem himself in front of the eyes of the Order.

[Oh, perfect. Desmond manages to not heave any dramatic sighs over it, but relief is obvious in his expression.] At least we've got that much. [It could be a lot worse, though it does raise the question...] So what are he and Malik gonna do? Work here?

[And that gets a snort from the Italian.]

Malik will, I am certain, he does not enjoy leaving the Bureau unattended. Altaïr...

[Considering how awful he is right now... yeaaaaaaah.]

I would not know.

[Desmond nods, unsurprised by the news about Malik. Malik could never just let things sit, after all. He does have a smirk when Ezio mentions Altaïr, however.]

Altaïr won't be able to stand not being in the middle of things, if he's acting the way you say he is. He'll come around.

After consistent banter that will be ignored, perhaps. I doubt he will want to do any missions given to him by-

[For a second, Ezio pauses mid-sentence, gears turning in his head, a very familiar grin slowly creeping on his face.

Someone just came up with an idea. A very, very, very, very trollish one. He turns back to Desmond and keeps that grin on his face, explaining what he just thought of.]

Desmond, how well does Altaïr respond to challenges of his skill at this point?

[Challenging the Great Altaïr with a mission that looks normal, but is purposely for trolling? Oh hell yes.]

[That grin... that grin spells trouble. Desmond blinks at the sudden question. Challenges of skill...?] Uh... angrily? He thinks they're beneath him, but he won't turn them down. [At least, that's what Desmond recalls. He gives Ezio an odd look, though he thinks he knows what the Italian man is getting at.]

Why?

Va bene, that is what I needed to know.

[He isn't dismissive, and he knows Desmond should be able to pick this up from him, so he simply shrugs.]

I am simply thinking of a challenge he could not refuse, and for us to have a little fun at the same time.

Well, whatever it is you've got planned, count me in. [It sounds... interesting, to say the least.]

first sequence // video

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