Well, I haven't done this in a while B|

[livethecreed]

So, I see my brief respite from your presence is at an end. A pity, I was quite content not having to deal with your inane chattering about my possible futures.

[a beat]

Although, you seem to have no immediate designs for my person. I would advice you keep it that way.

Comments

[givetheslip]

What, the master of Masyaf can't hold a single mun at bay indefinitely? I thought better of you than that.

[livethecreed]

I had thought myself rid of her. She appears more tenacious than even your former order. [Not that that's difficult or anything.]

[givetheslip]

[Sure it is, they're incredibly tenacious about being dicks.]

Then you'll have to think of other ways to shake her. I'm sure a mind such as yours is more than up to the task.

[livethecreed]

[The sarcasm is strong with that one. He'd forgotten.}

It will simply require a different approach; my last attempt was successful for unto a year. A bit more study is all that I need.

[givetheslip]

[You can't forget things, Assassin, it's dangerous.]

And what will you do with your time then? Return to your books? Your beloved Empedocles?

[livethecreed]

[You're likely to stab him, but not fatally. So better to forget sarcasm than something about his enemies.]

Whatever I wish. Which is the point. I have no desire to be trapped in Tartarus again, or the city of Exsilium, or any other place she may think of.

[givetheslip]

[What, that's how she shows affection.]

An understandable desire. But take heart—at least you've escaped the land of dragons. I'm told that arriving on the back of one of those beasts is a most unpleasant experience.

[Not that she's talking about herself, nope. She certainly didn't almost hurl on a majestic creature.]

[livethecreed]

[He's aware. That doesn't mean it's not painful.]

Dragons? You speak of those giant winged beast the English tell tales of? [Now you have him curious] That seems it could be an unpleasant experience.

[givetheslip]

I believed them to be mere stories, but it turns out that in at least one world, they're all too real. Unfortunately.

[livethecreed]

Intriguing. Are they as fearsome as the stories told?

[givetheslip]

It didn't breathe fire on me out of vengeance when I was nearly sick on it, so probably not.

[So much for plausible deniability.]

[livethecreed]

[Well, that is disappointing.]

Something I'm sure you were thankful of once your head was more clear.

[givetheslip]

[WOW RUDE]

Very. In any case, the company of mundanes is not so objectionable in comparison. Perhaps you're the lucky one.

[livethecreed]

[Allah above! Them being tame(ish) was what he meant! Not them sparing you their fire!]

I will have to disagree. If we did not have the company of our mundanes we wouldn't end up in the situation we have. We'd still be home.

[givetheslip]

[It had better be :|]

But would we exist at all, or would there only be other incarnations of us somewhere else? I'm sure you've noticed that we're not so singular here.

[Wait, is this philosophy? Did you trick her into talking philosophy?]

[livethecreed]

I do not care of other versions of myself, they can fight their own battles for freedom or they are not really me. I care that this girl is taking me from my home and my duties for her own sick amusement. Al Mualim was not even this cruel.

[It wasn't intentional. But yes, that does seem to be the result of this bitchfest.]

[givetheslip]

[Raised eyebrows yes]

Worse than your traitor of a master? I'm impressed.

[livethecreed]

[Okay, that might be a stretch, but he won't admit to over exaggerating.]

Al Mualim did not take pleasure from his actions. [At least, Altaïr didn't think he did because eww]

This girl finds amusement in my suffering and laughs about it with others. [bitch]

[givetheslip]

I'm not sure that made a difference to their result.

[Then again, maybe it did. She wasn't there, she doesn't know.]

I'm afraid I can only offer you sympathy, my friend, and hope that eventually you'll prove to be the more stubborn one.

[livethecreed]

When it comes to a betrayal, it can mean quite a difference.

[Of course, now he's no longer speaking of his mundane. Al Mualim's actions and reasons are the only thing on his mind, and it's not something he wants to think of. He barely stops himself from visibly shaking away the thoughts before she continues.]

I believe you called me the most stubborn creature in existence once. Are you taking such a claim back?

[givetheslip]

I've experienced quite a bit since then. I'm willing to revise my claim.

[Especially if she takes multiple Altairs into account—imagining a stubbornness competition between them just gives her a headache.]

You are extremely stubborn, but there are others who would make a good effort at challenging your position.

[livethecreed]

'Effort'? [He feels a grin cross his features.]

That implies I am still in the lead.

[givetheslip]

[She's totally not holding back her own grin. Totally not.]

For now. We shall see if this state of affairs lasts.

[failssassin]

I'd take more than a 'brief respite' from you if I was her. You can take up a lot time and energy...I would know. [He says a bit dryly]

[livethecreed]

[See the face above? That's his only response to your comments.

Well, that and:)

Because your carelessness in attracting the attention of the Templars was my fault? [He's seeing additional training in your future Des. Aren't you thrilled?]

[failssassin]

[And here is where Desmond tries not to roll his eyes off]

If you want to get technical, then yes, it's your fault. You could have left alone that shiny ball and I would have been left alone in the future.

[Nevermind that Ezio and Connor have a role to play in this too.]

[livethecreed]

[Desmond's eye roll hadn't gone unnoticed. What had he done to deserve a descendant like this?]

The Templars were interested in The Apple long before I learned to coax it to reveal it's secrets. Or do you not remember then beating me to Soloman's Temple?

[failssassin]

[Hey! He's turned out okay! Sorta...He's got your self sacrificing streak, at least?]

I remember. [He's a bit more sober. Even without the Master Assassin's obsession with shiny things, Templars would have taken interest in him anyway.

And then a small smirk,] Though the sting might not be as bad as yours.

[At least, he was never demoted to novicehood.]

[livethecreed]

[THAT WAS NOT SOMETHING HE WISHED YOU TO INHERIT!

And now he's glaring at you. That is not something to be joked about.]

It seems you are eager to feel the smack of my blade once more. I am willing to oblige. [Keep talking, you're gonna get beat again.]

[failssassin]

[TOO LATE IT'S DONE. Not that he's ever going to tell you what he did. Even if it might help your view of him.

Oops? He's recoiling a bit. Even with all the training he got from the Bleeding effect with Ezio, he still doesn't want to get into a fight with Altaïr.]

No, not really. No need to oblige, really!

[Oi, chill out Grampa!]

[livethecreed]

[Desmond's obvious terror is enough to turn his anger into amusement for now, but the boy would eventually have another lesson. He remembered the conditions the younger man had spoken of in his time, and nobody of Altaïr's blood was to be left unprepared.]

I believe I can show you mercy this once. [He might have missed this banter, not that he'll ever admit it.]

[kickedhisface]

Why, are you not master of your own future, Assassin? And here I thought you were the free one.

[livethecreed]

I see you have been caught once more as well. I had thought you a free woman in charge of her own future. [The comparison isn't going to end well for him, but he's strangely okay with that.]

[kickedhisface]

[She smiles a bit smugly.]

I still am. I chose to be here, unlike you. [Because frankly, how can she miss an opportunity to flirttaunt with him?]

[livethecreed]

[Well in that case:]

I have missed your presence as well. [Because obviously her missing him is the only reason she'd willingly allow herself to be here once more.]

[kickedhisface]

[She huffs lightly, mostly for show.]

Who says I am missing you?

[She is, though. But she's too stubborn to admit it.]

[livethecreed]

[He has to hide a reflexive smile at her huffing. It had been too long since he'd heard that sound.]

Forgive me for assuming. I'd believed our previous experiences together had removed any need for subterfuge between us. [You know, considering all the torture they'd saved each other from.]

[drunkensailor]

Ah, mate, it's never that easy.

[livethecreed]

[You're one he hasn't seen before, but it's been a while, so not surprising.]

It would be easier if she could feel the bite of my blade.

[drunkensailor]

[Surprise?]

Little harsh, don't you think?

[livethecreed]

She has sent me to Tartarus before. Where I was tortured constantly. And she found it amusing. [He doesn't think it harsh enough really.]

[drunkensailor]

See, that's where you're going wrong. Gotta have an understanding with her. She fucks with you, then you fuck with her. Give and take.

[livethecreed]

You expect me to cooperate with my captor? [Disbelief is clear in his voice.

Have you no pride? Is that why you do not protest your enslavement? The idea is almost unimaginable to Altaïr.]

I will not bow to one who finds pleasure in the suffering of others. I have seen first hand what that can lead to.

[drunkensailor]

[Pride? Yes. But Edward really has no shame.]

Not the compromising sort, eh?

[livethecreed]

To compromise with someone, both must be on equal footing. The power our mundanes have over us doesn't allow for such a thing.

[In short: No, no he's not.]

[nvrtheeasyway]

My, my, Altaïr...[She smiles lazily at him.] But what about those that might have missed you?

[livethecreed]

[She was a most unexpected arrival. But not at all unwelcome.]

I suppose I could make an exception for yourself. I believe I'm still owed lessons with those weapons I'd had threatening my person. [And other things.]

[nvrtheeasyway]

[She laughs lightly. Oh Alty, you haven't changed at all!]

Yes, you are. And maybe if you are...[a deliberate pause]...good enough, I might throw in some swimming lessons...

[Admit it, Altaïr, the prospect of Lara in a two pieces swimming suit is enough to be willing to overcome your fear of water, right?]

[livethecreed]

[It takes him a moment to understand what she's referring to, but once it clicks he can't stop himself from grinning slightly.]

I would never deny myself the pleasure of your teachings. [He remembers seeing what women of her time considered bathing attire, and while it had startled him at first, he'd grown to ...appreciate the style.]