On looking at games and narrowing down possibilities

[pushesgently]

You claim to look for a home, but seek gods and monsters. None of these places would benefit the brotherhood. Speak truth; it's your own enjoyment that's important to you, not mine.

I was as arrogant once, enough that I disregarded the creed and thought only of what I wished to do. I learned. So should you.

Don't question me about where I might thrive. I'll give you no answers.

Comments

[sicarius]

They do have a tendency to push where we do not wish to go. Though there is still the brotherhood in either place they are considering- you only need look for it in the right locations.

[pushesgently]

They should take care not to push too hard.

[Eyeing you, Italian man. There's wariness, but not outright distrust when he speaks.]

What do you know of the brotherhood?

[sicarius]

Certo. But caring for our well-being has never been one of their strong suits.

[There's a wry smile there.]

I know much about it, brother. I am a Mentor for the one in Asgard.

[It goes without saying that he knows you. A little better in Asgard than in Exitvoid, but beggars can't be choosers. 8') He's glad to have even met you at all.]

[pushesgently]

So I'm coming to understand.

[Don't tell him that, Ezio, you'll make him blush...well, no. Not really. This new information gets you another look, something more appraising and perhaps with a hint of respect.]

Then it's true—that in these places, the boundaries of time are as weak as the boundaries of worlds.

[He might not know the world of Asgard, but he's sure he'd know any Assassin in his time who could rise to such a rank.]

[sicarius]

[There is a chuckle at that, and he nods. You're a legend in his time, Altaïr. There are no boundaries in this realm.]

Sì, that it is. Asgard is set far beyond my own time, and even the simplest processes, or terms used then, are very different.

[pushesgently]

[That might actually be as surprising to him as the world-hopping.]

When is your own time? Does the brotherhood remain strong?

[wont]

They are slow to learn and reluctant to listen. [ Alayne gathers her skirts and bows in apology. ] Enough to venture that your breath may be wasted.

[pushesgently]

She will hear my words, no matter how much breath I must waste.

[ He's a stubborn one :| ]

[wont]

[ Alayne's seen her fair share of stubborn ones. It never ends well. ]

By what force will you make her bend the knee to your will? Titles mean nothing to them. Blades, even less.

[pushesgently]

There are other means than blades. She may pretend to ignore me, but if she could not hear me voice, she'd have no use for me at all.

[wont]

If it is your voice that she finds so appealing, why raise it readily in protest? [ Alayne knows, it is the silent dagger that is more dangerous, the one that steals from the shadows and finds its way between the ribs of many an unsuspecting man. Open defiance did nothing but welcome punishment. Better to keep one's mouth shut and plot and wait. ]

You may do nothing but further goad her cruelty, if she has a mind for monsters.

[pushesgently]

Because to stay silent would be to yield to her plans without resistance. I have responsibilities where I belong, and a brotherhood to think of. [Also some kids to get started on making.]

She doesn't know what she wants. Her mind is weak.

[wont]

Strong enough to hold you, [ Alayne notes, but she means no real quarrel by it. She does not know this man nor any of his brotherhood aboard the Charon, but his tenacity is obvious enough. ] For a time.

[pushesgently]

For a time.

And you? Would you free yourself from the one who commands you?

[wont]

She has proven far kinder than my former keepers. [ With every curse came blessings as well — the opportunity to be elsewhere, to see family long-thought gone. ] Her generosity is not endless, but there is nothing for me in Westeros.

Only unhappiness.

[pushesgently]

[Slowly, he nods. Altaïr has seen such suffering before; it is not in his power to ease, but he can understand it, at least.

But still.]

And if you had no keepers at all?

[wont]

[ Alayne hesitates but the truth is weakness, so she keeps it to herself — like a heavy stone upon her tongue.

(I would be truly lost.) ]

Then I would be of no use to anyone.

[pushesgently]

Be of use to yourself.

[wont]

Is that what you look to do?

[pushesgently]

To myself, and to my brothers.

[wont]

This brotherhood of which you speak.

[pushesgently]

Yes. I belong by their side, not in some strange other world.