paradisa | HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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! ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Connor stares for a second. When he answers, his tone is as flat as his expression.]

If he would stop mentioning me to people without my knowledge, I would perhaps have more faith in him.

That much I'll take responsibility for. I asked if he were the only one here. [You know. Assassins. Thank God it's not just Auditore.]

James Kidd. We've heard the same tales.

[To which Connor's attention instantly goes to Kidd's wrists and then up to his face -- his eyes, his mouth -- then back down to his body as a whole. He's looking for some kind of tell, whether he's lying or if he's a threat, but he doesn't find anything. It takes about a second to pass judgment, after which his posture relaxes somewhat.]

What year is it that you are from?

Edited (verbs) 2014-02-10 19:14 (UTC)

1721. Yourself?

[Auditore mentioned their times were similar.]

[That doesn't really explain the clothes, but then again, maybe fashion changed a lot in the past 50 years. He doesn't really know very much about that.]

1770. Though I have been in this world for nearly a year. We do not age here.

[Ezio was right. Color him impressed.]

Aye, that I've heard. I hope learning ain't impeded here, too.

[Of course it's not. James is just opening the path to thrilling conversation.]

[For once, maybe... Connor often gets the impression that Ezio doesn't really pay a whole lot of attention to him.]

Not through any action of the god of this place itself, no.

[He gestures vaguely.] Where is it that you are from, James? You are British?

I'm from England, but I been living in the West Indies for some time, now.

Word is that your brotherhood isn't faring well.

[Word from Cassandra and Ezio.]

[EZIO........... Connor's mouth briefly twists, but he nods.]

The Templars destroyed all of them nearly ten years ago. My Mentor is the only one who survived, though why they spared him, I do not know. But he is old and worn down; it took several days before I was able to convince him to train me.

[Bit of a blabber mouth, isn't he?]

I see. [James seems to be mulling over something, though it's not long before he's speaking again.] Your training here. How's it gone?

[He rolls his eyes up toward the ceiling.]

It was not hyperbole when I said I am not taken seriously.

Not surprising. I'm finding it much the same. [Not that James is in need of much training, but it's probably better Auditore think that he does. He's a young man, after all.

Connor, however, shouldn't suffer because of a Mentor inexperienced with teaching. Maybe it's a waste of time given how this world works and how things don't get taken home... but it'd be a shame for someone eager to be trained to be left without a serious teacher.]

I'll teach you what I know. That is, if you're willing to learn from someone without Auditore's experience.

[Yeah, well. That's what you get when you try to talk to Ezio and you're not a) what he considers an adult, or b) not a pretty lady. It's frustrating.]

I do not think I only need to learn from Mentors. [Especially since Ezio isn't even one yet...]

I would be grateful if you would teach me.

[Let James just say that aloud for you:] Auditore's not a true Mentor, not yet.

[Connor gets a small smile.] But I doubt you need me to tell you that.

We'll start tomorrow. See what your true Mentor's taught you, and if you've picked up anything worthwhile from Auditore.

[Connor answers that with a small smile of his own. He couldn't have said it any better.]

I will be honoured to show you. There is not much use for our skills in this place, but still I train every day.

As you should. From my understanding, there are threats other than Templars that we can use our skills on.

And if there can be a handful of us, it's not too much a stretch to suppose that one day there could be a handful of them.

That is what Ezio says as well. That we must be prepared. [He very clearly has his doubts about it, but he doesn't really voice them.]

[Color James surprised...

Instead, he just shrugs.]

Better than sitting idly about.

This is also what he says.

[He glances at James again, at his wrists, before looking at his face.]

How long have you been in the Brotherhood?

Five, six years now. You?

[Whoops, awkward. Connor fidgets just slightly, then holds up his wrists. No hidden blades.]

Um... I am only training. It had been six months with my Mentor in Massachusetts Bay, and six months here.

[James makes a thoughtful sound.]

Auditore ever let you grow accustomed to the weight of a blade at your wrist?

[Perhaps no blades of his own, but still...]

[He shakes his head. Not being taken seriously is pretty pervasive.]

No.

We'll have to get you started on that.

[Assuming this boy isn't entirely incompetent. Here's hoping Auditore would have no patience for that crap.]

[Connor just smiles a little, maybe kind of excited. An Assassin closer to his age who isn't an enormous asshole? James is already great in his book.]

I would like to know more about where it is you come from as well. Um, if you do not mind telling it.

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