002 | Dictated

[hellofist]

So, uh... everyone uses journals, here... But I can't read. Know I'm... missing a lot, like this. So, was wondering... are there teachers, here? Or just... someone who can help?

Can't pay, but can trade. Can teach to fight, hand to hand or... with weapons. Most kinds. Going to gym now, can meet there. Can meet... just to spar, too. Could use... sparring partners.

[The recording stops there, but Cass will be in the gym ready to spar with whoever wants to drop by.]

Comments

[eaglet]

[Two hundred whaaaaaaa?? He just stares at her. She probably doesn't even need to be able to read body language to understand what that means.

But he doesn't say anything about that, because she asked a question...]

Ezio is my Mentor. He said I would be a fool to not learn your skill. [But, he shrugs... clearly he's not as interested in it as Ezio is.]

[hellofist]

[You're kind of cute when you're all baffled, Connor.]

Well, will teach other skills. Then, you can show him... who the fool is.

[eaglet]

[NO HE'S NOT CUTE he's a very serious Assassin! Grrr!!! (I'm kidding, he's adorable.)

Connor smiles a little, nodding.] I think I like this plan better.

[hellofist]

[She reaches for his hand, then moves past him with the obvious intention to find the exit.]

Can start now. Fighting's more fun... than learning, anyway.

[eaglet]

[O-oh! Well, okay. He lets her take his hand and lead him.]

We will still have to come back here eventually. Or it is not an even trade.

[hellofist]

[Now it's her turn to look back at him while she leads him forward.]

That's true. Fair is better. Could... switch off days? One visit training, next visit reading?

[eaglet]

[He nods, smiling a little as she looks back.]

So next time, we will come to the library.

[hellofist]

Yes. Will give more time... to figure out teaching part.

[Since that's probably not an easy thing to think up on the fly with no real preparation.]

[eaglet]

[Yeah, no kidding. He just likes to help...]

And you? Do you already have a lesson plan for me?

[hellofist]

No, but... shouldn't be hard. I have easy job.

[And she gives him a sympathetic look because he really does have the short end of the stick here. Teaching fighting will be easy and fun no matter what kind of student Connor will be. And he'll be a good one, she can tell already.

She'll do her best to not cause him too much trouble, but she knows what her previous attempts at reading were like. Effort, but not much reward, and then she gave up. Maybe now, with a real goal and a good teacher, that can be different. She hopes so, at least.]

[eaglet]

[He's pretty confident that he can teach her at least the basics, but he sometimes has a problem with being overconfident in situations that don't really warrant it. Cocky teenagers and all.

His expression softens slightly at that, his brow furrowing.]

Why do you say that? You will learn. I know it.

[hellofist]

[Well, when every bit of his body language is so sure, so confident, it's hard for her to doubt him. She gives him a smile and squeezes his hand, trying to show she believes him.]

Thank you, Connor. Will try to... make you proud.

[eaglet]

[He returns the smile with a nod.]

You will make yourself proud, Cassandra.

[hellofist]

[She goes a bit pink upon hearing that and drops her head, looks foward again, but her grip on his hand tightens a little bit more.]

No one's ever... said anything like that, before.

[eaglet]

[He's glad she turned back around because once he sees that he's embarrassed her, he blushes too, looking down at their hands. He squeezes her fingers in response, not saying anything right away.]

You must want to succeed for yourself. That is how you will do it.

[hellofist]

Is that first lesson?

[It's a good one, something she'll do her best to try to remember.]

[eaglet]

If you would like it to be.

[He's not too sure about something he said being some kind of gem of wisdom, but -- if it helps her, he's glad.]

[hellofist]

It's a good one.

[And once they reach the gym, Cass finally lets go of his hand to turn and face Connor properly.]

What do you... normally fight with?

[eaglet]

[He takes a moment to look around the gym once they're inside. He's never been inside one before!]

My people use war clubs and hatchets. [He motions at the stone tomahawk at his side.] I did not have a club when I was taken to this place.

[hellofist]

You haven't... wished for one, yet?

[She can't imagine why he wouldn't, if it's something he's used to having, something he needs.]

[eaglet]

[He shrugs.] I do not want to wish for anything if it can be helped. I will have to make one for myself instead.