sable_repose | m o b i l e ⇨ Somarium

"Sí," Ezio lifted his hand and turned it over to show Altaïr the burned mark on his finger. "There are no other assassins here, and I built what I could with my hands.. which is little." He chuckled. His eyes then looked around the library before returning to Altaïr. "I have hired contractors to work in silence for different areas of my home. Some I used again, others I used once.. Not one knows all my rooms."

Altaïr gave a slight nod, thinking Ezio wise for having done so with what resources he had, and thinking so far ahead. His eyes trailed over the details of the others' clothing and armor yet again it occurred to him suddenly that these robes could be that of a Master, in Ezio's own time. The robes were different enough from his own that who knew what the Master's or Mentor's robes would look like?

He bite off a small piece of cheese while staring at Ezio's belt and his eyes lifted to the other man's face. His tongue felt at the scar on his upper lip and he realized he had never shared his own tale, even if Ezio's had been vague. "Mine was during sword practice when I was a novice," he said, out of place somewhat for their conversation. "Sparring in the training ring."

Altaïr popped the last bit of cheese into his mouth and stared at his lap while he chewed and swallowed, then he came to the question he wanted to ask next, and he met Ezio's eyes for it. "Are you Master in your own time?"

"Aren't we all masters of our time?" He said, thinking himself clever yet there was a sadness to his tone as well. "To those that follow me, yes. I will lead them. I have become a master in our Creed and will establish bureaus throughout Italy. Freeing the people of the oppressors by taking back control regions of our lands." He looked to Altaïr's scar and wondered on his fight, wondering if he felt himself more a man for the scar to his mouth for everyone to see. Ezio's was not significant in that way, but in the way that during that day, that time, everything had changed and he no longer was the boy that obtained that wound and by the time it healed he was on the path of becoming the man he must, the man he needed to be.

Masters of our time... Altaïr had not been, he had been stripped of his rank and rightfully so, made to learn the ways of a Master Assassin once more. It was ironic in a way that the man who had taught him some of his most valuable lessons was his greatest foe in the end. Altaïr gave a slight nod, agreeing to what was said for he understood the sentiment of it and not the literal meaning of it. Ezio was wise.

"Then you and I, we are equals," he concluded, motioning to Ezio and then to himself. "I would not have you call me Master, I would have you call me Altaïr. Ezio, we are brothers."

"We are brothers," Ezio agreed but there was some reluctance in his tone. "But you .." He looked to the table, the pouch that held the Apple then moved his eyes to the food and glasses. How can he explain the greatness of Altaïr to Altaïr who does not recognize the legacy he had left behind. His eyes lifted and he looked to the young face, youthful, beautiful, harsh and dark with mystery. "So young," but there was highlights to Altaïr's face, especially in his eyes, almost a glow with the specks of gold to those brown eyes. "But you have accomplished so much already and to think of what you will do for yours in your time and mine and me in mine.. it is .. beyond equal."

It had been a long time since someone had spoken so highly of him. Altaïr was respected for his skills but by the time he'd lost his rank much of the brotherhood spoke ill of him behind his back, for his failure at Solomon's Temple and the loss of Kadar. Even in that moment Altaïr had not understood the depth of his failures. Assassins were lost all the time, it was expected, they lived and died by the Creed. Yet Kadar had been but a novice and his respect and admiration of Altaïr had gotten him killed. Altaïr looked down and away, feeling a strange mixture of both pride at Ezio's words and shame for his actions. It was that same pride which had cost lives.

Yet his pride did swell with Ezio's words. Had he not already made up greatly for those mistakes, had not Malik said himself that he was not the same man? He sought forgiveness from Malik most of all but the man had said he no longer needed it. Perhaps his time of shame was indeed done, and the future ahead where he would accomplish these great tasks that Ezio spoke of could be attributed to this new him.

Altaïr felt the corner of his mouth twitch up very briefly, almost a smile, and he smoothed his hands down over his thighs as he glanced up at Ezio before shaking his head and looking away to try and hide the smile that was trying to surface. "Not young enough that I do not recognize that having my pride stroked so is not entirely healthy for me, or anyone else."

Ezio tilt his head back with a snort, then forward with a grin. He stretched out his legs on the ground before his chair and smoothed his palms on the chair's arms. "Ah, everyone needs a good stroking." He exaggerated and huffed over a confident grin to his lips. "It is essential to remind us that we are appreciated, we are needed." He looked between Altaïr's eyes and down to the scar at his mouth. "Anyway, I need it, for you and for myself." He confessed, not embarrassed or guilty for it.

A good stroking. Such a choice of words, it had Altaïr's bottom lip between his lip a moment to prevent himself a snort of his own. Altaïr had never been one to be very emotive, nor indeed to have many emotions besides a drive to succeed and to be the best, and often anger or at least heated blood toward violence. Something about Ezio was putting him at ease though, made him feel comfortable and light. Perhaps it was fact he respected Altaïr already, and was so comfortable in saying so.

At the admittance of his own pride Altaïr felt a further kinship to this new brother, and he finally allowed himself a sharp exhale through his nose that was nearly a chuckle. Ezio was amusing, as well as capable.

"Then allow me stroke you in return, Ezio. I am highly impressed with this den." Altaïr looked briefly around the room but then his eyes were sharp on Ezio again, taking in the details of the man. "With your stature..." He was a big man, it wasn't the first or last time he would mentally remark on that fact. "With your abilities, and what you have done here. It is not often I compliment others but it is due here, I will say it freely. You have impressed me." After this was said it was no good, Altaïr could no longer subdue nor hide it, he gave Ezio a smile.

Ezio bowed his head in gratitude for Altaïr's kind words and lifted his head in time to see the smile. It was kind and full and that dark mysterious edge Altaïr had, Ezio noticed softened and the light from his eyes seeped through his expression. He was beautiful.

It was something to be acknowledged and complimented by Altaïr, a feeling he wouldn't forget or let go so quickly, it warmed him from the inside out and made him feel pride in abundance. He returned the smile.

m o b i l e ⇨ Somarium

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