ANONYMOUS TEXT

[pushesgently]

he leaves the eye and seeks the mark.

[There is no name attached and there will be no replies, because this isn't meant for the residents of Asgard as a whole. It's a signal to the Assassins to check in at the bureau no later than two hours from now, something all members were brief on as part of their membership packet and complimentary order of hummus.

Not that anyone knows that. Have fun wondering, Travelers.]

[When the Assassins arrive at the bureau, they'll hear the following from Altaïr.]

I don't trust these gods but they say people are being controlled and we've seen ourselves that it's true. We've all had the strange thoughts, we're all tired, but that doesn't matter. Innocents are dying now.

I want everyone on patrol at night, seeking out the corrupted ones and stopping whatever they're up to, but not alone. It could be any of us and we wouldn't know it. If you don't think you can control yourself, hand in your hidden blade now until this is done.

[Anyone who arrives at separate times will get a version of this same speech, delivered with grim determination. Altaïr is not happy, and the dark urges to do violence himself are not helping.]

[ooc notice; fellow assassini who arrived and got the speech together, feel free to action it up with each other as well as with altaïr! threadjack away.]

Comments

[secondborn]

[He really doesn't want to be the one who asks it, but the thought flashes through his mind. When do they sleep? With everything that's going on, Alastair is just completely exhausted. If everyone else is feeling anything like he does right now, he has no idea how they're supposed to be of any use to anyone.

But he doesn't ask that, because he doesn't want to sound like he's whining. Or disrespecting orders.]

So we really don't know who's behind any of it?

[pushesgently]

[Sleep during the day, beebin. Get an eye mask. :| Or maybe they need to start endurance work to train you to go without when this is done.]

Thiazi, or so Odin says. He's not infallible and we have no evidence either way, but at this point it doesn't matter who is responsible, just what we do about it.

[secondborn]

[Noooooooo 8(

Alastair sighs and rubs his face.]

So are there going to be routes or do you want us to just take different districts?

[pushesgently]

[WE'LL SEE.]

Use your instincts and your training. Look for where trouble might be, don't wait for it to come to you. I trust all of you are capable of that.

[secondborn]

[He nods slowly, uncertainly.]

Yes, sir.

[redhourglass]

[ natasha arrives around the same time as everyone else; she'd been monitoring the network and fighting sleep when she noted the message, more surprised by how close it seemed to her own messages than anything else. hopefully no one would think that it was her doing some sort of spell mumbo jumbo or killing people. she'll listen to the message somewhat impassively, no stranger to patrols, laying her blade on the table without question. the rest of her weapons were already locked up. one less would be a weight off her shoulders. ]

How should we contact each other? The network may be watched.

[pushesgently]

[The fact that she immediately disarms herself is concerning, but Altaïr won't make an issue of it. It's what he asked them to do, and it's better that she recognizes any danger now and not when it's too late.]

Always assume that's a possibility. We can use it to message one another with discretion, but otherwise we may need to return here when necessary.

[redhourglass]

[ she feels surprisingly .. light without it, her last weapon on the table; but it's also freeing. hand to hand, she's dangerous but anyone with a weapon would be able to at least get more of a jump on her otherwise. hopefully sleepwalking!her didn't have the reflexes of an awake natasha. ]

Of course. Who would you like me to be partnered with?

[pushesgently]

[He pauses for a moment, considering. Unarmed, worried about her self-control...there's a balance to be maintained.]

Ezio. You'll be able to keep up with each other well.

[And if anything went wrong, Ezio could stop her.]

[redhourglass]

[ if she notes what he's doing, she doesn't say anything. instead she just nods, surprisingly subdued for her. ]

If one of ours is working for the enemy..?

[pushesgently]

Subdue them. Defend yourself.

[He pauses. It's the last thing he wants to say, but—]

Do what is necessary.

[redhourglass]

[ her mouth thins into a line, but she nods. fine. she'd do it. she didn't have to like it. ]

Right.

[raffinato]

[She is there in record time, concern written in the furrow of her brow. And, in true Claudia fashion, she jumps right to the point.]

I am working on obtaining the bordello I once had here. When that is done, we can use it as a secondary safe house and place to rest. In the interim, I would not be adverse to us having teams.

[Even if it does feel like they're running around like chickens, chasing an unknown enemy.]

[pushesgently]

[Best granddaughter.]

Good. That may make it easier to conceal the bureau's existence here, as well.

Can you fight?

[raffinato]

It will at least direct some of the attention from you, as well. But that is only if I can acquire it once more...and soon.

[She smiles to his question and nods.]

I can. I learned from very fine teachers.

[pushesgently]

One thing at a time.

[Excellent. He knew she wouldn't be unable to defend herself, but the Assassins of the future have their differences, and the ability to kill isn't always what's most needed.]

We need everyone covering as much ground for as long as possible. There's no way to know who is doing Thiazi's bidding, or when they will do it.

[raffinato]

Then we will need to have patrols both night and day, if that is the case. How much of the city can two of us cover efficiently?

[Not enough, in her opinion. But the others must rest and be ready after their shifts, should anything else happen.]

[pushesgently]

Less than I'd like. We're not going to be able to watch all of the city at once; our numbers are too few. But the alternative is to do nothing, and that is not acceptable.

[Video]

[modernmarvel]

[Mm, hummus.]

You know, it's very rude to keep secrets. And even ruder to address the network without revealing your own face.

People might think you're up to something.

[Someone doesn't like being left out of the loop.]

( not here )

[redhourglass]

[ tony pls.

do you know who you work with. ]

( not here )

[modernmarvel]

[He should have guessed you'd be involved with this riff raff.

He's just hurt you didn't invite him, Nat. Truly hurt. Wounded even.]

( not here )

[redhourglass]

[ not riff raff. good people.

she's just protecting you, ugh, you make it hard to do good things, stark. ]

( not here )

[modernmarvel]

[Protecting him? Who's the superhero around here?

...Without his suit.]

( not here )

[redhourglass]

[ that would be her, then. ]

( not here )

[modernmarvel]

[He's still a hero though.

And he's not giving up so easily.]

( not here )

[redhourglass]

( too bad, so sad )

also not here

[pushesgently]

[Well yeah, Tony. They are. But you don't know who they are. 8) ]

not here

[modernmarvel]

[And that is so not fair.

Do you guys not know who he is?]

[pushesgently]

[Nope.]

[modernmarvel]

[Still rude.

He'll be saving this for future reference.]

[sicarius]

[He's quick to respond, tired as he is amongst everything, and greets Altaïr in a timely fashion.]

How many have come so far, fratello?

[pushesgently]

Most of us. I expect the others will arrive shortly.

[Of those remaining, he can't picture any of them doing Thiazi's bidding. But that's how the witch has managed to be so effective, isn't it?]

[sicarius]

Of course. Have you chosen partners yet? Or will you leave that to all of us?

[It's unnerving, to say the least, that one of them may be among the killers. It would explain why some have not been caught yet.]

[pushesgently]

I've left it to most, but if you don't object, I think you should accompany Natasha. She's having some difficulty coping.

[He'll prepare for the idea that it's one of them, but he won't make any accusations without reason. Paranoia will lead them to ruin.]

[sicarius]

[He nods, understanding, and turns his head towards her direction.]

It would be difficult for anyone to cope, let alone for the fact of our skill and experience. [A pause.] I will keep an eye on her and she on me. Hopefully it will remain quiet and uneventful.

[pushesgently]

Hopefully. But even if we see nothing but quiet, I've no doubt others will not be so lucky.

[He shakes his head.]

I don't think this will end until someone ends it.