paradisalogs | [open] Never sleep...

Who: Altaïr ibn La-Ahad & YOU
What: Arrival + Sleepwalking
When: feb 24 - mar 02
Where: Populated places like the Castle and City, and in front of the Insolitus door.
Rating: will vary, probably PG but things could escalate. As things come up, slap some content warnings on your threads at will.

A(rrival sleepwalking)

Altaïr had been left with the mystery of an ancient artifact, the betrayal of a man he had completely trusted, and the Brotherhood in shambles. The treachery was still fresh, raw; his very blood still stained Altaïr's hand when he woke in Paradisa. "Woke" turned out to be a figure of speech. Though he moved as if awake, washing his hands and going about his business, Altaïr would remain unconscious for the next several days, eyes shut. Though he could not know he was in a new place, he noticed with alarm that the familiar weight of his hidden blade was missing from his bracer. Now where did he put it? His efforts to check under each couch were fruitless, though entertaining for anyone who witnessed him.

His other weapons were intact however, and with the recent upheaval of the Brotherhood, he paced the halls of the castle fully armed—sword at his side, knife on his back, and fifteen throwing knives arrayed over his leather armor and boots. He believed it was the fortress back home in Masyaf. This wasn't too much of stretch, as it was similarly outfitted with a library, garden, towers, and ample living quarters. The hooded man in scholar-like robes was mostly silent, besides the occasional orders to (who he thought were) other Assassins:

"Be on your guard. We are more vulnerable than ever."

B(e in front of the Insolitus door, 27th onward)

About a year ago, Altaïr's lover had been captured and killed by his enemies, the Templars. Since then, he had hunted each one responsible, killing every last one. This did not bring him peace or comfort. He would often wake at night from the haunt of Adha's face, the terror there frozen in death. Altaïr had felt so strongly for her, he thought he could never love another woman like that again.

Now he was in the throes of another nightmare like this. He swiftly took his post at what he thought was a door deep within the Assassin fortress, but was really the Insolitus door. He knew enemies were going to flock to it, and there was no place he could hide while waiting. But he would protect Adha, and maybe cut down a few Templars in the process. His eerie calm, the meditation of an assassin, belied his violent intent, were it not for the chill in his voice and the hand on his sword hilt.

"You should leave."

[ ooc: Try to tag in with a specific date! Plotting post for more info ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Of course Masyaf, the Master Assassin must have been reliving some moment from his ascension to power. The story of the Assassin Order had been passed down from generation to generation though, as things often do, many of the details had been lost to history. Giovanni knew Altair had come to lead the Order during a time of great trouble, he would strengthen it and lead it towards a better future, but the regret... some how the historians hadn't written about that. So Altair had killed his Mentor who had become twisted by the Templar's way of thinking and now he was seeking, what? Absolution? Something else?

"If he betrayed the Brotherhood you did what needed to be done. Come, there is no more reason to stand here. You should rest."

Giovanni spoke, thinking it for the best to return the sleepwalker to his room rather than allow him to continue his wanderings.

Just months ago he was used to scathing whispers and brusque remarks about the Mentor's favorite. Al Mualim had called him his best student. Now Al Mualim lay dead, his blood on Altaïr's hands. He did not regret it, even traded some harsh words with him during the fight, but he had been just as shocked as the other Assassins.

"Did you not hear what I just said? We are more vulnerable than ever, Rauf. Now would be the perfect time for the Templars to strike. Robert is dead, but he could have passed the location of our fortress to any number of his allies."

He clenched and unclenched his hands restlessly.

Rauf. Was that who Altair saw him as? Try as he might Giovanni could not remember that name from his studies. Perhaps a follower whose accomplishments were lost to time?

"Cap..."

No, not Italian. The game might be up if he slipped into Italian.

"I understand but there is nothing we can do about that right now. We have to secure the fortress. If any enemies come the Brothers can see to them. You have assured they will remain loyal to our cause."

He reached out, testing his luck by taking the ancient man's shoulder.

"But you need to rest. We will need someone to tell us what we should do now. As you said, many are confused by what has happened."

"There are those who would see this as an excuse to bring me down, when we should be working together. You know it as well as I, and that I am to blame for it. Until recently, I did not treat my Brothers with the respect I should have."

He fell quiet, the shadow of his hood crossing his face. Did he even have the right to tell everyone what to do? But taking Al Mualim's place still seemed the logical course of action. He did not shun the man's hand on his shoulder, but he did shy away a bit to sit on a nearby bench. Kindness in the form of physical gestures was in short supply for an Assassin raised to eschew attachments that were weak in Al Mualim's eyes.

"Perhaps if I had not been blinded by my own foolishness, I would have seen it coming."

'Perhaps if I had not been blinded by my own foolishness, I would have seen it coming.'

Giovanni had been saying this same thing to himself since he arrived. He had placed his trust in the wrong person, not questioned him enough... not moved fast enough. It was his fault his family had been destroyed.

These feelings were never very far from the surface but Altair speaking as candidly as he was brought them flooding back to mind again. Was that what the change of power had been like for the legendary Altair, like watching your family be destroyed?

His eyes softened as he watched Levantine Assassin walk away and take a place on the bench but he did not move to follow him. Perhaps he needed the distance. There was nothing worse than that feeling, knowing you were the reason everything ended up as it did... it was difficult to go on with that knowledge.

"You have the opportunity to make amends for your mistakes."

He did not, which made his words take on more heartfelt sincerity.

"Make the most of it. You will find the strength to become everything the Order needs."

Al Mualim had said that familial attachments made one weak. Altaïr had had little in the way of this, instead turning to the old man for guidance and approval. His life had changed when he'd been stripped of his rank and possessions, and it changed again when he'd had to kill him.

"You were always kind to me, Rauf," he said quietly. "Thank you."

He suddenly gave a short laugh.

"If I can win back Malik's trust, keeping the Brotherhood together may yet be possible."

The past few months of struggling for false redemption in Al Mualim's eyes had counted for something after all. Malik had lost his arm and his brother to Altaïr's folly, yet he saw Altaïr's change in heart and supported him in the end. Indeed, Malik's sword arm was a good thing to have on one's side.

"Your welcome."

Malik? That was a name mentioned in the Codex wasn't it? Giovanni's memory on that proved a little sketchy so he just smiled. At least Altair was laughing so maybe some of his burden had been eased, if even temporarily.

Strange to see a legend laughing. The statues always made him look so stern and imposing. But, this was no statue on a pedestal. This was a rare chance to come to know the real person behind the man so highly regarded within the order. He would love to pick the man's mind about so many things but foremost he made note to ask after Malik and this Rauf once this sleep walking event, curse, whatever it was... ended. The names of men not as well known to history but undoubtedly important.

"The world is full of endless possibilities."

Even more so, here.

"You will have those loyal to the Brotherhood to support you."

It was an almost hollow laughter, but it was there. He tended to face adversity with tenacity and stubbornness anyway. It had saved his life when he faced Al Mualim.

"So it is. Everything is permitted."

It was a way of saying everything was possible, and Altaïr believed it. The illusions of this world could be transcended if one saw the possibilities.

"I will take my leave... finish my watch and rest as you suggested."

Perhaps it was the sitting down, but he already felt tired.

[open] Never sleep...

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