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[LET'S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS, TO DEFEAT THE...daily duties of the brotherhood. Vacation's nearly over, Assassini.]

[It's hell to gather all the Asgardian Assassins in one place at one time, so after some experiments with the bracelet to be really sure, he dares to make a filtered post instead of alarming everyone with another check-in message. Even though he's still a bit suspicious of magic jewelry :T]

I know many of us have been taking a break, and we've needed it—but not for too much longer. There's still work to be done for the brotherhood and your own individual training.

[In other words, mandatory parkour runs are in everyone's short-term future. Everyone's.]

During the chaos of Thiazi's attacks, we were joined by Connor. [He nods over his shoulder at the bear of a man in white robes in the background, who looks a little wary but not overtly distrustful.] He was brought from several centuries in the future compared to Ezio and I.

And I believe most of you have met Malik—he is from Masyaf as well, and a valued asset to the order. He's come from a few years behind me. [And that's all he'll say about that. Sob.]

I understand a number of us plan to pay a visit to the natives' village that Honir spoke of. That's fine, but when we're all back, I want to see us working harder. Spar with someone you don't usually fight; no one should get too comfortable. There was nothing anyone could have done to stop Thiazi's last attack, but it won't be the last.

So we need to be ready when it comes.

[Open Action Option — A Needle in a Haystack is having a sale! Stopping into the shop today will great you a break on food, and perhaps some easier haggling on the rest. Come on by and say hello to Harmless Merchants^TM and an extremely burly Mohawk man. ~~Just don't touch him~~.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

They range from the very new to the more learned. Ezio and I are the only masters, though Desmond is also very skilled in our ways.

[He'll skip explaining how Desmond received his training for now, though. That is not his story.]

Natasha is likely the most experienced from other worlds. But there is much we can all learn.

[Desmond, Natasha. He'll have to remember Altaïr's comments for when he meets them.

He certainly still remembers those that were made about Alastair.]

The Brotherhood in my time, where I hail from, is still quite small. I have only succeeded in recruiting six new members. They have gained much experience and put their skills to good use over the years, though.

[A pause. Making conversation for conversation's sake has never been one of his strong points.]

Do those who are very new at least know how to hold their own in a fight?

By yourself? Well done.

[He's heard how the Brotherhood was greatly diminished in Ezio's time, and the great lengths to which the Italian Assassin went in rebuild it in that country. Altaïr has never faced such a challenge; he has had to change their order, to guide it toward its best potential, but he has never lacked men or their commitment. Even in Asgard, he is not a lone leader.

He hopes he would do as well, if he ever found himself a man alone, creating something from nothing.]

They do, but they also train daily to build their skills. As do those of us born to this life.

[Connor levels Altaïr with a sharp look at the compliment but quickly turns his glare to the wall when he realizes the other Assassin doesn't (and couldn't possibly) know.

Thinking of the Colonial Brotherhood smooths his expression back to something more neutral, but there's still a bit of an edge to his voice.]

I did very little, only had the good fortune to meet people who longed to free their communities from the influence of corrupt men. I gave them the means to do so, and they saw fit to lend their abilities to the Order's cause afterward.

[Which is the truth. It wasn't as though he'd set out those days to find someone slap a hidden blade on.]

I was not born to this life. [Just pointing that out. For the record and all. With a sigh, he steps away from the wall, letting the rest of his anger slide off him.] And I suppose I should warn you I have not trained much the past few months. [Here or back home.]

[The look doesn't go unnoticed, but whether it is meant for him or some aspect of their situation, he can't say. For now, he won't press; Connor will share what he will share.]

If you made a difference in their lives and those around them, that is not little.

[It's actually a lot harder than it sounds.]

Did something happen to interrupt your training?

[He shakes his head in quiet disagreement but doesn't argue Altaïr's assertion further. For now.

To explain his admittance that his training has been neglected, he gestures to his side.]

I sustained a wound... of some significance while pursuing a fleeing Templar. I was still able to put an end to his life, but my injury did not heal as quickly or as cleanly as I had hoped it would.

[Then again, his expectations that he should be able to return to full health within a few weeks time may have been somewhat unreasonable.]

[Altaïr nods in understanding. He may not know the circumstances of Connor's fight, but wounds he knows intimately.]

They have a way of frustrating as like that. But it's good that you survived your injury, however long it interrupted your training.

[Side effects of inactivity can be overcome, but a dead Assassin can do no more good for anyone.]

There is no lack of training opportunities here, you'll find.

Yes. It has been frustrating. [A grievous understatement, if ever there was one.

Truthfully, Connor's more concerned with the lingering pain than his having gotten out of practice, but he feels no pressing need to confess this specifically. After all, he should be back in training. He wants to be back in training. Even if there is pain, even if he's a little stiffer than he once was, to be active again. To be involved in more than mission planning when it comes to the Brotherhood.

Perhaps with the right work here he will even be able to return to the Colonial Brotherhood in full form. Wouldn't his recruits - his Assassins be surprised?

A twinge of pain up his side brings Connor back to the moment and bleeds off his enthusiasm. He settles for nodding again.]

I look forward to seeing what the others can do. [... The lower ranking recruits first maybe.]

I look forward to seeing what you can do, as well.

[There's clearly much more to Connor than he shows on the surface. No surprise there—Assassins lead complicated lives. He can't help but suspect that the killing of this Templar may have been more complicated than it sounds.]

It was only a short time that I knew you before, and I didn't know you well. But though we're separated by time in our world, I believe all of us bring something valuable to the brotherhood here.

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