HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[paradisamods]

All that clamor from the lion dance prancing down the halls should be enough to draw attention to the party, even without actual invitations. If not the noise, then perhaps the delicious smell wafting under every door and leading back to the ballroom.

The castle is vain, if nothing else. It has decorated the ballroom in the deepest red and brightest gold with auspicious greetings in the common language tastefully posted about the hall. May your happiness be without end, one says, while another goes May all your wishes be fulfilled. Small order, all things considered.

Round dining tables (with the turning glass part) are set up in the middle of the hall, each with about ten chairs and piles of food fit for a whole village. There are two more lion dance teams hopping about the hall and making a racket while occasionally nabbing that dumpling straight from your chopsticks. That should the least of your concerns, however, with many residents still aiming to settle their grudges before the new year.

Watch your back.

[ ooc; IC mingle log for Lunar New Year plot, feel free to make your own threads! ]

Comments

[unmanned]

He's not without any redeeming qualities. [He sorta got caught him up on the state of the Assassins in Paradisa. Tiny and no Templar threat. Woohoo.]

Has he been a good friend?

[hellofist]

Yes, a very good one.

[As ready and willing as she is to stand around and talk smack about Ezio, and as much as she does agree he could present himself better to a lot of people, it's impossible to ignore that Ezio really is an important friend here.]

Have a lot in common, and that... doesn't happen, often.

[unmanned]

Hmm? What is it you have in common with an Italian man like him?

[He hopes those scars don't tell similar stories.]

[hellofist]

[Oh they do, and even worse. She's really not going to get into all the Assassin stuff because that's not her place, but she can clarify a little.]

We have, um... similar training. Same kind of background.

[unmanned]

[The clarification pretty much tells James that she knows. She doubts Cassandra has anything to do with banking.]

How's that?

[hellofist]

You figured it out, I think.

[unmanned]

[Ezio only mentioned himself and another as members of the order, so what is this girl? He doesn't seem immediately pleased about her knowing about Ezio being an Assassin, which she must, but James had braced himself for this.]

What is it you do?

[hellofist]

[In the middle of a party isn't the best place for this, so Cass steps closer so she can speak quietly and not be overheard.]

I fight crime. Don't kill anymore, though. Ezio and I... are similar, not the same.

[unmanned]

I'd hope not. [For so many reasons.]

[hellofist]

[She ducks her head to laugh this time. Damn it James, stop being so funny.]

You're part of his group, then?

[unmanned]

[Laughing she may be, but he doubts this girl will be convinced with his denial.]

Aye. From a time long after him, however.

[hellofist]

[Hearing that, a lot of James' body language in relation to Ezio is starting to make sense. Now she just feels bad.]

He's not... what you wanted him to be, is he?

[unmanned]

You're quick. [How much does she know?]

[hellofist]

Observant.

[Which is almost the truth, anyway. And now she has to wonder if Connor doesn't feel this way, too. She'll have to ask now.]

Just needs time. Eventually he'll be... what you know him for.

[unmanned]

I know. [He does. Kenway was a selfish, mess of a man before he apparently shaped up. He's different. He'll hope Ezio doesn't have to suffer that many tragedies to mature into the leader he's remembered as.

... until then? Headache city.]

Don't mean I'll excuse any foolishness in the present.

[hellofist]

[She reaches out to pat James' arm.]

Good. More people to learn from... will only help him. [A thoughtful pause.] Punching might help, too. To get points across.

[unmanned]

We'll see how willing a student he'll be. [James is no mentor and Ezio's experience is more than his. Also, he doesn't doubt that he can be a stubborn ass.]

You've seen him fight, then? [While they're on the subject of punching.]

[hellofist]

[Punching is definitely one of her favorite subjects, so it's not hard to shift to that.]

I have. He's good, but dumb sometimes. Won't fight hard, against girls. Takes a lot... to convince him to spar, even. Can be annoying.

[unmanned]

[IS THAT SO? James chuckles. Too easy, Ezio. Too easy.]

Not a way to fight, if he plans on staying alive for very long.

[hellofist]

That's what I said.

[Like almost word for word, even.]

[unmanned]

He'll figure that out sooner or later.

[Amongst other things.]

[hellofist]

Gave him an example, once. Did nerve pinch... on his arm, made it numb. Tried to show him... what could happen, if you underestimate someone.

[She's not sure if that lesson even stuck, but at least it had happened.]

[unmanned]

And he still holds back, hm? I'll see what can be done about that.

[hellofist]

Can I watch, when you do?

[unmanned]

We'll see. [He wants to see what Auditore can do on his own, first. James is realistic--he's pretty sure Ezio can whoop his ass.]