asgardeventide

Entry tags:

video;

[Kadar looks a little confused when he appears on the network, rubbing at his eyes as though he's been asleep. What's going on?]

I don't remember... being here a few moments ago. [He sounds a little puzzled. Okay: a lot puzzled.] I was just at the store... wasn't I?

[He shakes his head a little, then shrugs and brightens.] It cannot be that unusual to lose track of time here. I remember it happening to others before. I hope that I was not gone long? I think... a few days is normal, is it not?

I hope I did not miss anything important! [and then, faintly, as he reaches out to end the feed;] Brother is going to be upset if I have missed my shift...

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[... That can't be right. Right? Desmond's going to pretend this isn't who he thinks it is.]

A few days sounds about right. I was out for a week until yesterday.

[Kadar blinks.] You were? I hadn't realized you were missing at all!

[Oh fuck. Has everyone from Syria decided to come back?

Poor Kadar, he has no idea about Malik. But at least he remembers being here?]

Kadar?

[Merda, either Malik is going to flip out or he'll... Ezio has no idea what he'll do.]

Ezio! Do you know how long I was gone? I would like to know before I arrive at the shop, so I know how upset my brother is going to be.

[The Italian provides him with a smile, but at his question, he faintly chuckles, trying not to make the next few sentences seem that surprising.]

It has been longer than a few days, unfortunately.

[Kadar frowns a little.] Desmond said he was gone for a week, but I do not remember him being absent at all...

How long was I away?

Almost two months, perhaps longer. Time is hard to track when much has changed.

[It's an honest answer, and while he doesn't like giving it, Kadar needs to know.]

Do you still remember where the shop is?

Two mo-- [Kadar's jaw actually drops. Two months? Malik was going to kill him; he must have been sick with worry. Not to mention Altair.]

I remember where it was, of course. It doesn't feel like two months. Unless... the shop has moved.

Si, it is still in Odin, and still where you remember it. [He pauses.] Still, there are things you should know. Would you come by, when you have the chance?

Yes, I will be there as soon as I can. [which won't be hard, traveling by rooftop.]

[Ezio warned him, at least.

Never the less Malik stares at the feed in disbelief when he finds it. He is not yet used to the functions of the bracelet, it's too foreign and too magical for his tastes, but he's beginning to get the hang of it, now.

And this is what he finds.

He doesn't know what to think. He doesn't know what to feel, let alone what to say. Kadar is here. Alive. And it hurts - because he had closure and moved on and everything about this place seems intent on reopening old wounds. At the same time, he couldn't feel happier to see him, as unnatural as it is. So, give him a minute. He'll get there.]

[He can't speak with him like this, but he has to, and he needs to. So he does. It's not limited ability that makes him pick to answer without showing his face.

His voice is tense when he answers, though he tries to keep the shaking out of it and pretends to be something like calm.]

It was longer than a few days.

[Kadar brightens a little at Malik's voice, laughing a little. At least nothing terrible has happened. Malik is still there, and hopefully won't be too angry at him for disappearing.]

I am sorry to have left you for so long! I will be back to the shop soon. Did Altair help you keep everything in order?

[and then, a little more soberly;] I hope I did not cause you too much worry.

You were gone for months, as was I, and Altair as well. Ezio has kept things in order in the meantime.

[He didn't have a chance to worry, didn't realize there was reason to be worried on Kadar's behalf. It hurts though, that he should've been. Unsure what else to say, he leaves it at that.]

You and Altair were also gone? [Kadar's a little confused by that. Why would all of them have disappeared at the same time... it's a little suspicious-- but he doesn't think anything of it.]

Well, then at least you should not have had to worry much.

You missed more than your shift, but I can hardly blame you for it.

[Too tense, too quiet, still. He's shaking where he stands, and can't even find it in himself to call Kadar- well, anything.]

Never the less. Come by the shop.

I am already on my way. I will not keep you waiting much longer.

Good. [Is it, though? Most of all, it hurts.

He ends the feed before he can say anything else. And waits.]

[Kadar doesn't try to say anything else. He knows Malik well enough to know when something is upsetting him, and while he assumes it's just because he was gone so long ... well, it's best to just get there as soon as possible.

So he does, as quickly as he can, and before long he's sliding into the shop, a little out of breath.]

Brother? Ezio?

[Ezio has been waiting within the shop since Kadar said he would come. Both as a support for Malik, but also to steady Kadar for what he is going to hear about his brother and Altaïr.]

Ciao, Kadar. It has been a while.

[There's a smile on his face, one that is welcoming, as he looks towards the other to fully greet him. As for Malik, he will keep watch.]

[Kadar waves a little with one hand as he comes to an easy stop, his smile slightly more dim than it usually would.]

Not so long at all, for me.

[Malik had a hard time waiting - just waiting - for his brother to come. The urge to pace was impossible to suppress, and Ezio being there was not much of a comfort. If any, honestly.

It still takes him aback, seeing him. Walking into the store like an apparition. Hurts, too.

He wishes, not for the first time, that he could just remember.]

You have returned. That is the important part.

[The strain in his voice is evident, now. Malik doesn't move from the counter, now, not sure what to do, not sure what he can do and too proud to let himself fall apart where people can see. Because he might. Because this is entirely too good to be true and he doesn't want to let himself believe it.]

[He can tell immediately that there is a slight tension, if only on Malik's end, and he does not bring it to note nor does he dwell on it. Doing so will only make the strain worse.]

Sì, that it is.

[He pauses, slightly, trying to think of what to say next. While it is important he's there, this is also a time where it would be better for the both of them to talk, without him being around.]

You still remember all the tasks for the shop, correct?

[It's strange for Kadar. Yesterday was perfectly normal: he talked to everyone. He teased Malik. He talked to Altair. He ran across rooftops and ate at the shop and nothing was out of the ordinary.

And then today everything is different, and it wasn't yesterday at all. It was strange to have to relive these opening conversations, the reassurances that he was alive, that he wasn't a mirage or a dream or a cruel prank.]

Of course I do. I did them just yes-- [no, that's still wrong.] --recently. [Probably knows better than Malik does, now, the routine. Or how it was.]

I am certain I will be able to work. That is the important part, right? [It's a joke. Not a very good one, and Kadar's smile isn't exactly selling it, but it's an attempt.]

[It's not a good one, and Malik's look says as much, with the barest huff that might be as much a scoff as a chuckle. Frightening, how easily these things fall into place. Frightening, how easily this reopens a wound he thought had healed. Faded into an ugly, jagged scar, just like the rest of the consequences of that day.

He can't keep this up though. Pretending nothing's changed, pretending he remembers when he doesn't. Can't and doesn't want to. So he glances at Ezio, hoping for some understanding, before his eyes return to his brother.]

Kadar, we need to speak.

[There's no point putting it off, or trying.]

[Ezio picks up on it quickly, only nodding in return.]

I will stay behind and finish the tasks here, there is still much to be done.

[Go on, the both of you, remains unsaid, but it is noted in his eyes and the way he looks at them. There is only so much he can do as Mentor for the Bureau. Family matters are something he will not butt into, not unless asked.]

[Kadar automatically drifts closer to Malik. He can't always pick up on the intracacies of unspoken communication between higher members of the Order, even when it's his brother -- but he can pick up on this, and he flashes Ezio a grateful smile before turning back to Malik. He wills the smile to stay in place and not falter as he nods.]

We do. Would you like -- back at the shop? Or as we walked?

[Something else to concentrate on, for both of them, maybe. Not a distraction -- but neither of them are terribly good at conversations like this; full of loss and unsure footing.]

[Man, it's like a syrian invasion, what is this even

Ah well, at least he seems to remember being here last.

...wait shit what was even his name? K something?]

I think you've been gone for longer than a few days.

So I have heard. I have missed ... much more than I anticipated.

Hey, it happens. It isn't like you wanted to leave for a while, right?

It isn't. I have very little interest in returning home.

...Why's that?

[GUESS WHO FORGOT? In his defense, he didn't really hang with Kadar much when he was here the last time.]

Oh, well -- I am not... alive, back home...

...Oh.

[That's...that's a pretty good reason. He looks away, awkwardly.]

...Sorry.

It is all right. I have this chance to live and to be with my brother, and that is more than most could ask for.

A few days or a week is the most common, judging from people's announcements here. Rare cases, couple of weeks, and, uh, at least once leaving entirely and coming back. But- [He pauses, licking his lips, a small drawn out silence, then-] Uh, but, you didn't miss anything unless you're, I don't know. Really interested in farm animals? [A nervous laugh.] Sorry, that was. Probably more information than you wanted.

...farm animals? [Kadar sounds completely confused.] It seems I have been gone for many weeks, and that I am not the only one, but--

Farm animals?

You were here before?

[The question is asked in a very disinterested and condescending tone, but he is genuinely curious. He's heard of people appearing more than once, but he's never seen someone appear twice with their memories intact. Do tell.]

I was. I didn't realize I was gone so long, but... Apparently I was gone for months, not merely days.

Interesting. And I suppose you don't remember how you got out.

I do not. I do not remember leaving or coming back at all.

You just woke up and the days advanced?

Yes. I had thought I had merely overslept for a few hours, until... I was informed otherwise.

How long were you gone?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

video;

[video]

[video]

1/2 video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

video;

1/2 (not here yet.)

2/2 [voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice]

[voice] > [action?]

[action]

[action]

[action] this is what happens when I forget to track these things I AM VERY SORRY

[action] IT'S OKAY WE ALL HAD HIATUSES SO WE'RE GOOD

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

[video]

voice;

voice;

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject