singlehandedly | Asgard: IC Inbox

Malik, this is Claudia. I have something I need to discuss with you in person. Can you meet me outside the shop about half an hour after we close?

[...well. This should be important, or she wouldn't want to meet him alone and after closing. It's a surprise that it isn't bureau business, but why not. In fact, he's not even going to ask.]

I will be there.

Thank you.

[In all actuality, it was bureau-related, but she wasn't ready to trust the network in the bracelet they had been provided with, especially as she hadn't quite mastered it yet. Last thing she wanted was to accidentally speak her business for the whole city to hear. So half an hour past close, she had finished recording the day's sales and waited by the now-locked entrance.]

[And sure enough, he made his way down the street - the early shift had been his today, and he'd spent the rest of the day elsewhere.

Malik greeted her with a nod.]

Claudia. What was it you wanted to speak about?

[She lowers her voice so only he can hear.]

It's a matter that concerns the Order and my business partner. Shall we speak upstairs?

[Additional credit for discretion. He's beginning to like her, truth be told.

A nod.]

Yes, it would be best.

[It's just what she needs too, especially with what she plans on asking.]

Thank you.

[She'll follow him up to the roof entrance. since he probably knows a better route than just... climbing up the front of the building. That and she's been inside the bureau proper once, if at all.]

[There aren't actually that many ways up the building. But he knows the one - the best one - that he can use despite his handicap. Further bonus points for respect in letting him lead the way.

It doesn't take long before he's climbing in through the window. The place is neat and clean, smells of wood and ink and paper and incense and of the maintenance of blades and armour. Once they're both safely inside, he cocks his head at her curiously, waiting for her to speak up.]

[She brushes off the front of her tunic before addressing him.]

I do not know how much my brother has told you about the Assassin Order and its allies from our time in Rome, but there I ran a brothel. My girls were trustworthy, those who weren't were expelled. They helped gather information to help the Brotherhood. They were taught to be discreet, how to walk the streets, and be seen, but unseen. Here I have met a woman named Inara, and we have discussed establishing a business where the natives and our fellow Travelers alike can be entertained or find an ear to listen or satisfy other needs.

If I am to train those who come work for us in a manner that will allow us to establish a network in the city, I cannot hide it from Inara. I need her to trust me and I cannot do that by hiding my ties with the Order. My brother has given me permission to inform her of the Order's existence and anything she may need to know, but only if I informed you of what I intend to do.

[Straight to the point, too. Malik cocks his head and listens, struggling to resist the urge to pace. She makes good points, though, that much he has to admit - it would not be possible to create any business together based on pretense. At least, that would not be an arrangement that would hold. For now, he has neither approval nor disapproval for this idea, only questions.]

So you trust her?

[In all reality, she's only known Inara for a short time. But if she's starting a business with her, she needs to. Without a little risk, there could be no gain. Besides, an Auditore went with their gut, and to betray one meant finding out why it was a very bad idea. But her gut told her Inara was trustworthy. And it was because of this that her answer comes promptly with no trace of doubt or hesitation.]

Sì, I do.

[Malik took a moment to think on this, but finally nodded to himself. Claudia seemed convinced, and he could hardly see every contact or ally for himself, there needed to be some measure of faith among the members of the Order. His eyes returned to her, sharp as ever.]

If you vouch for her, and you tell her about us, should she turn out not to be trustworthy, it will be on your head. [And it would not be pretty.]

I will accept the consequences, should that be the case, but I do not believe she will betray us.

[You hear that Malik? She is brimming with confidence. That serious tone and look on her face? Claudia isn't fucking around. She intends to keep her word and make absolutely certain Inara understands that what she's told cannot be repeated to anyone.]

[He watches her as she speaks, listening closely for this resolve. Then, another nod, slower this time.]

It will be good to have more allies in this city.

Grazie, Malik.

[A small smile appears on her face as she nods her thanks and her left hand comes to rest over her heart.]

[He doesn't rightly know that means 'thank you', but it's his best guess from her body language. While his mouth doesn't quite make it all the way to a smile, his posture loses some of its tension.]

If your plan succeeds, I may yet be the one thanking you.

It will take some time, but I will ensure its success.

he leaves the eye and seeks the mark

[There's not much to be said to that, and so, there is no response. But he's immediately looking for a place to take to the rooftops at and then making his way to Odin district as fast as possible.]

Hello, Malik.

Alice. What is it?

I have a mixture of loose leaf tea that I am giving out. Would you like some?

Safety and peace, fratello. Are you busy?

[Bit of fumbling. But he has more practice than some other people.]

To you as well, brother.
I am busy, yes. But it is nothing that can not be postponed. In fact, I have something I wished to speak to you about, myself.

[It's a much better response than what he got from Altaïr, so he's pleased.]

Of course. I am currently at the shop, if you wish to meet now.

I will be there soon.

[And with that, he cuts the connection. It shouldn't take too long, despite the hideous weather.]

[Ezio is waiting for Malik when he arrives, eyes looking over a map of Asgard laid out on a table. He raises his head when the other arrives, and smiles slightly.]

Salute, Malik.

Safety and peace, Ezio. [He greets him with a nod and approaches the table.]

What is it that made you call me?

I received information of a potential troublemaker and danger to the city from one of our recruits, Alastair. He told of plans to actually destroy the gods, and while I would believe this was another complainer- Alastair indicated he already had plans in action with another traveler to make sure it would slowly succeed.

[A pause as he looks at the other, the slightest of smirks showing.]

That is not why I called you here. The reason I ask is because I wish to send Altaïr to gather information, and to keep tabs on him. Our target is paranoid and wary at best, unstable at his worst. I do not want to endanger a recruit if we have someone who is far more suited for the job.

["And I need you to help me convince him."]

[His voice is firm, level. There is obviously something going on from the way he speaks.]

Malik, where are you. Something of grave importance has come up.

[He accidentally cuts the connection once before he can answer. When it picks back up moments later Ezio may catch the tail end of a swearword in Arabic. Never the less - Malik catches the seriousness, and it is not often that Ezio is this serious about something.]

I am in the Heimdall district, near the welcome hall. What is it?

Va bene. I will be there shortly.

[And he will be. There is no mention of coming to the Bureau, no- this is far too important to wait. It's one of the greatest dangers the city now faces.

He takes to the rooftops, and is there soon enough. He'll look for Malik around the Welcome Hall, determined to find him.]

[Well, none of that does a single thing to ease his mind. might be just as well, though, if the matter truly is this serious.
Malik makes himself easy to spot and waits by the entrance, approaching Ezio if he sees him first.]

[Ezio notices him, but Malik is quicker in his approach, and when the Italian finally is within low speaking range, he does so as assassins do, in passing by.]

Where can we speak, brother? This is not for open ears.

[It is both strange and easy to slip back into such habits. He passes Ezio by, catches his eyes, catches his words, and stays that close only long enough to answer.]

Follow me.

[And he moves on, off the open space in front of the hall, moving with their customary intent grace. Down a side street and into the shadows, two quick turns and they're out of earshot of most anybody. Here, the rooftops are easy to get to. Malik slows down, glances back, and leaves the choice of going up ot not to the Mentor.]

[Old habits die hard, as they say. He keeps his eye on Malik as he passes, quickly banking to change direction and follow after him. When all is said and done, he arrives where the other is, and doesn't even pause before starting to climb.

If anything, he doesn't trust the openness of the city, right now. He could have waited, but every second he does without telling the other of Haytham, the worse it may end for them all.

When he gets to the rooftop, he waits for the other to arrive and only begins speaking when he is certain he won't maul Malik with the news.]

Our enemy is here. I fear our extended time of so-called peace within the city now hangs by a thread.

[There is emphasis placed on that first statement, indicating it is not the enemies of Asgard, but their own. The Templar have arrived.]

Edited 2013-01-19 04:03 (UTC)

[He follows up to the roof with some ease. Familiarity with the place helps, certainly. When the news hits, at first, he is not quite sure of the meanings of Ezio's words. It has been over a month since, and many other threats arose in the meantime, so it takes a moment to sink in. But sink in it does, and his face goes from confused to surprised to nothing short of pissed in a second. He opens his mouth to ask and clarify and doesn't, because it's pretty clear as is. There are more important questions.]

How many? [But more importantly yet,] Who?

[Really, Asgard, why put enemies behind your walls all to fight for your side? this could only end in bloodshed.]

As far as we know, only one. His name is Haytham Kenway. [But there is a long pause here.] Connor knows him because he is from his time- and he has told me that he is no ordinary enemy, but a Grandmaster Templar.

[He doesn't know exactly what that is, but it's safe to assume that Haytham is dangerous.]

I do not know what exactly that entails, but I do know that we do not want more blood to be spilled when there is war still here. We are already facing enough to keep everything in line.

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