open/closed ][ I should not be left to my own devices

[bealufull]

Who: Kaz Brekker & open
When: March
Where: Cadens & Horizon
What: catch all for post event stress, open posts in comments
Warnings: violence, bar fights, the damage of such fights, gambling, likely excessive drinking, talk of body horror, vicious mockery including taunting others about weight and looks





𝐈'𝐦 𝐚 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐥

Comments

[aquilus]

It's an accurate point, so he doesn't patronize Kaz by contesting it, though privately Altaïr thinks that if temperament made all the difference, they would be much more evenly matched this night.

"Not really. Violence stopped being a useful outlet for me some time ago." The desire to engage in combat for its own sake had been locked away behind layers of discipline and focus. A good thing, to be sure, but other unhealthy outlets had risen in its place, something he'd been blind to at the time.

"Not that I don't have frustrations." No, he has many. Altaïr smiles a thin smile. "Don't ask me to say whether I'm better or worse at dealing with them now."

[bealufull]

"I'm not sure that is something to aim for or to feel for you on," he says, as if Kaz Brekker was capable of feeling for others in that way. "It begs the question what method you use now though I suppose if you tell me disappearing acts and running across rooftops I'm going to have to stick with violence."

He nearly smiles then, feeling more relaxed for Altair's presence. Few left him feeling that way, here or home.

"Which is not the same as better or worse."

[aquilus]

Disappearing acts and running across rooftops but also diving off high towers and murdering defenseless training dummies...Kaz might be right to stick with the violence.

"We all do what we can, in our own way." Nobody died; he won't judge Kaz for his better or worse method of choice. "That was impressive work with the cane. I take it you didn't have it made only to assist you in movement."

[bealufull]

Kaz's expression turns fond and he lifts the cane to the light a bit. "The truth?" He hardly gives it, even when he has the chance, but with the man before him, it feels right in this moment. "I do sometimes need it. The pain comes and goes, but the limp is not a game."

He might fake it being worse than it is, but the damage is true and real.

"But that said, it's designed and created to be more than it seems and to give me more when used properly. Weighted in unique weighs, balanced in others. It's an extension of myself and a weapon unique to me."

[aquilus]

"I expected you did. That makes it all the more impressive, though — too often, people and things are only capable of doing one thing well."

Potentially not even the one thing. But he's not terribly surprised that the cane — and Kaz — are both more than what they seem at a glance.

"I'd watch your back, though. You did enough damage with it that your opponents' pride may push them to seek a second round." He smiles. "Assuming you didn't pummel the memory of the first from their heads."

[bealufull]

"Back in our world, I worked hard to ensure they weren't ever sure. Never showed the truth in public if I could avoid it." People knew. He couldn't hide it all, but they thought it was less a need and more an affectation. It benefited him well that they did. "Always have surprises. You get more done in that moment of shock, after all. Though I suspect you know that well."

He isn't sure just who or what Altaïr does back in his own world, but it's obvious he has skills that Inej does and he knows well what she uses them for.

Despite himself he barks a laugh as he wipes at his cheek. "I may have. I know they likely had nothing to do with what happened but I know I feel better." Which is an odd statement given how his cheek is turning dark and his lip busted. He'll definitely be a sight in the morning.

[aquilus]

Oh, Altaïr can definitely relate to that, if for very different reasons. He nods. "I do, very well."

Hide in plain sight. Use surprise to stoke fear in one's enemies and ensure they never feel safe. He imagines Kaz would take to some aspects of being an Assassin quite well if things were different.

"I'm glad it made a difference, whatever the consequences may be," he says. "I expect you're not alone in coping with the last weeks in...unique ways."