(open) a million miles from home, I'm walking ahead

[aquilus]

Who: Altaïr & OTA
What: An Assassin gets a feel for Abraxas; catch-all for the first part of the month
When: Early August
Where: Mostly Cadens

It takes more than a day spent in this strange new world before Altaïr truly accepts that this is not some delusion, a grand vision sent by the Apple or his master from beyond the grave — and even then he can't be fully certain of anything. But he did not survive Al Mualim's phantoms by denying what he sees in front of him, no matter how outlandish.

What is, is, and that means he must respond as an Assassin does. Learn the land. Observe the people. Hide in plain sight.

rooftop parkour;
He'd taken to the roofs almost immediately, and that's not something that changes with the passing of time. Not yet, anyway. It will take a while to learn Cadens as an Assassin truly needs to know it, including all the boltholes and escape routes on multiple levels. He spends at least a couple of hours during each of these early days observing, mapping, and simply free-running for its own sake; it keeps his muscles strong and his skills sharp. He doesn't expect to run into anyone else, and if anyone happens to see him skitter up or down a building like a lizard, well, he's not particularly bothered, as long as they're not a guard.

rooftop napping;
Eventually, he has to sleep, but not in the barracks. Altaïr is not under anyone's command and has no intention of allowing himself to be coerced into military service. Instead, having acquired* several linens, pillows and some hay from a nearby stable, he makes a place for himself tucked into a reasonably comfortable spot atop a rooftop, where he's unlikely to be spotted from below.

He's a light sleeper, but in the unlikely event that someone else is inclined to walk the rooftops, a recently liberated** knife rests under his pillow. Hopefully no one wakes up him up while standing too close.

*stolen
**also stolen

library & museum;
If being here has any benefit, it's that he can learn. Once his immediate needs are taken care of, Altaïr makes a point of spending time at both the library and numerous museums. In Cadens, it's not necessary that he take on the guise of a scholar, but if it were he would certainly fit the part; he gathers piles of books, surrounding him at a study table in stacks, and rapidly jots down notes and scribbles sketches at exhibits. It almost seems like the only reason he leaves is because he's kicked out at closing time.

desert;
Having acquired a sword, he's able to borrow a horse from a man who came to the conclusion that anyone who could afford such a fine weapon would clearly be coming into further funds soon. He may or may not be wrong, though Altaïr has every intention of returning his mount; he only wants to venture a little ways into the desert, extending his knowledge of the landscape by no more than a day's ride into the wilds.

Once he's far enough away from Cadens, he's not particularly surprised to hear the sudden sound of other hoofbeats, nor is he bothered by the appearance of bandits, who demand that he dismount his horse and hand over his money. Altaïr could inform them that they've made a poor choice of victim in more than one sense, but instead he smiles and reaches for his new blade.

Should anyone come along, he doesn't truly need the assistance, but they're welcome to join in if they like.

[ooc note - Feel free to tag this in action brackets or prose format, I picked one for the top level but I truly don't care which — I'll match you. Also, for the rooftops prompts, please keep in mind that Altaïr will be moving relatively quietly, so anyone who wants to spot a weirdo doing parkour should be fairly observant/prone to looking up...but he's still a weirdo doing rooftop parkour so it's not that hard to spot him.

If you'd like to try a different scenario, hit me up at my ooc intro/cr meme thread or on plurk at effervescible!]

Comments

[aquilus]

Altaïr nods for him to go ahead and take that book, then seeks out another from his ever-increasing stack to slide over.

"I haven't done more than skim this one yet, but it may be what you're looking for," he says. "And no. They failed to provide a more compelling argument than the one I received upon arrival. What about you?"

He's pretty sure he can guess.

[bealufull]

He draws the tome closer, considering it. He's not sure there is actually a book about this, but he's still curious. Is this a new war, or an age old one. He's not sure it mattered but he's curious.

"In truth? I haven't returned to the barracks since I arrived and have avoided them fairly well. I have others I know here and they were living in one of the taverns." He pauses a moment before adding. "I find that interesting. They want us to fight for them, and they're not doing anything to convince us we should."

[aquilus]

Altaïr feels a pang of envy, but doesn't let it show. He wouldn't wish this...abduction on any of his brothers, but he'd gladly welcome the sight of any familiar face, even the most caustic of rafiqs.

"I've noticed that as well." His expression grows darker, mistrust coloring his tone. "One might claim that they're respecting our freedom. But I can think of no greater blow to that freedom than bringing us here against our will."

[bealufull]

Alone in this place and Kaz likely would have caused a bigger scene then the one when they pulled him from the water. As it is if he had to take that wagon again, he might just at that.

"Exactly." He gestures to the seat opposite Altair and then draws it back to sit down if he's welcomed. "I would be more likely to believe they're willing to work with us if they hadn't started things with a kidnapping. Which means they likely have another plan in place. I suspect it might include the Summoned in the other cities."

[aquilus]

He nods. By all means, he welcomes Kaz's company; he was one of the first people Altaïr met here with some sense.

"I'd like to know when they began their summoning, and in what order." He drums his fingers on the surface of the table, considering. "If one faction was the first to begin the practice, they may have advanced knowledge. If they all began around the same time, that implies coordination. Or a mutual discovery of whatever allowed it."

[bealufull]

He's grateful to take the seat, gloved fingers curling onto the crow's head of his cane as he settles into the seat.

"I had wondered if, at one time, they had been joined as one community and so it was common knowledge they used individually after some kind of split. Perhaps over the Singularity as that seems to be what the fight is now."

Which makes sense, but then so does any fight over it. Source of power and all.

"I doubt they keep a census on the Summoned, but I'm sure others could point in the right directions. Those I know have been here about six months or so but I could ask them. It might not be entirely accurate for how long they've been doing this but it might give a clue."

[aquilus]

"It wouldn't surprise me. Sometimes I think no one fights harder than two groups of men who were once one."

Maybe that's cynicism talking, but he has few reasons to think it's not true. The Singularity, if it is everything he has heard other describe it as, would be more than enough to turn small differences between comrades into insurmountable disagreements and then some.

"That would be a start," he says. "I can't say knowing more about the summonings would provide guidance on next steps, but everything starts somewhere."

[bealufull]

"Isn't that the truth."

If it is cynicism, Kaz has lived the same life and dealt with the same issues. For them all to have access to it, and just now this seeming to be coming to a head in the form of battle, then something had to have changed. Or it was, to this place, relatively new.

"The truth? I don't know if it'll tell me much more either, but I feel like I'm more likely to get information on our side of things than theirs.

[aquilus]

"Information is valuable however it's gathered," he says. "It's up to us to determine its veracity and importance once we have it."

Because information can be twisted, even if it's freely given and in no way a lie. Something that seems simple so often isn't. He's learned this to be true in his world and doesn't expect it to be any different here. Yet he doesn't feel as though there's any practical option but continue seeking the truth. He is an Assassin; it's what they do.

He goes briefly quiet, considering possible courses of action. "I can't say whether I'll turn up anything useful about our presence here, and if I do, it's possible some would raise objections," he adds after a moment. "But I'd be agreeable to a knowledge-sharing arrangement between those who seek information and are willing to be be discreet about it."

[bealufull]

Kaz smiles then, approvingly and gives the other man a nod at that. He can't argue the point he makes. His truth and needs in this place are not the same as another's. Not even amongst those with him here that he knows. It's why he's seeking out as much information as he can because he can't know yet what is relevant.

"I have wondered about that. Objections, that is. Part of me thinks anything useful won't be easily found either. It seems counterproductive to what they want from us," he admits, something he run into in his own world, and doesn't expect different here.

"I think that could serve us both well. I don't think they're ever going to give us straight answers so it'll be up to use to find them ourselves." He glances at the books on the table between them. "Is there something in particular you're looking for?"

[aquilus]

"I'm not accustomed to obeying the strictures presented by those who think they know what's best. Let the difficulties come."

It's as simple as that. Whatever world he's in, Altaïr will see it as it is, regardless of how determined others are to hide certain knowledge.

"Right now, I'm trying to learn as much as I can about the background of this land. What led things up to this point. How I can avoid standing out." He flattens his hand against the surface of the table. The books are already stacking up, but it's just the start. His lips quirk into a small smile. "And I wouldn't mind reading the work of local philosophers."

[bealufull]

"In that you and I are most certainly alike. I've spent years playing their games if only because I then know every way around them until I have mastered what they all still dabble in. I plan to do much the same here."

And take over what he needs to if he's given half a chance.

"I suspect that will come by lurking across the rooftops for one," he teases in his dry tones. "Are there works of such people? Or would those be held in one of the other factions? Considering what their focuses are, from the things I've been told. Such as the magic."

[aquilus]

A shrewd man, if Altaïr takes him at his word. More and more, he's glad their paths have crossed.

"It doesn't require a title, or even formal recognition," he says, shaking his head. "Philosophy is to do with the way one sees the world. The creed they live by. Wisdom can be found anywhere, shaped by the the mind it comes from and the society one lives in. It's rare that anyone has the chance to travel as far as we have coming here; I'd like to take advantage of that."

It is, perhaps, the most genuine enthusiasm Altaïr has displayed about anything since they met.

[bealufull]

Kaz hadn't thought about it quite that way, about what he could learn from this land. Only in what he could shape it into for his own sake, and that of his people. He considers it though, especially in the way that Altair speaks about it.

"I've always looked to the people. How they live their lives, why they do what they do. You can't do anything unless you know these things. Not when it comes to thriving in their society. Here presents an interesting challenge, especially with what you talk about taking advantage of.

"It's not just the society that's taken us, but that of the others taken. What I learned in my world, in Ketterdam compared to your own, for one. And then that opens how many doors?"

[aquilus]

Altaïr nods as he speaks, understanding and apparently agreeing.

"Many, I expect," he says. "Even if the one we walked through has closed behind us so that we can't return. The opportunities we have to learn go some way to make up for the inconveniences." He smirks. "Does that make me sound like an optimist?"

[bealufull]

"Isn't that how life always is? Always facing forward to what comes next? I guess that makes me sound like an optimist, which I admit that I'm very much not. An opportunist though, that is another story."

And he is going to take advantage of whatever opportunities he's given.

[aquilus]

"Truthfully, I don't think I'm either one." He smiles faintly and shakes his head. "But I do think it's important to make the most of every opportunity one comes across."

In life or in his...work. It's all the same in the end.

[bealufull]

"What would you consider yourself then?"

Kaz has learned that how some see themselves truly does mean a lot into who they are. Or at least what they might do.

[aquilus]

He considers it for a moment. It's a fair question, one that he only has one answer for in the end.

"A realist," he says. "I see the world as it is, not as how I wish it were."

We see the world the way it really is, and hope that one day all mankind might see the same.

"That doesn't mean that matters can't be improved, but it does mean that anything we wish to achieve, we rely on ourselves to do so. Whether or not an opportunity already exists."