paradisa | [dictated] Perhaps you can show them what you know.

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altaïr ibn-la'ahad

[dictated] Perhaps you can show them what you know.

[ It's a gamble, making an invitation in this journal. An Assassin usually doesn't risk such exposure. With what he has planned, Altaïr will be risking more than just a meeting with a well-armed man in white robes. His words are careful, almost contemplative, but deliberate as a blade. ]

Safety and peace, Paradisa.

I am sure you have noticed that this land is capable of neither. [ an understatement. ] I have seen that many of you cannot avoid a fight or defend yourselves. I cannot teach you how to ward magic, but I do have some skill in the art of movement and of the blade.

We will blend with the crowd, use rooftops to move about, and spar with knives and swords if you have them. Anyone of any skill may come and learn something of worth. And for those of you who already have exceptional skill, I hope you will join me in teaching. We are trapped here together, and knowledge is nothing if it cannot be passed on.

I will be in the city's craftsmen district on the first, second, and third of next month. Look for the man in the white hood. Have you any questions?

[ ooc: This post is for questions. Open log is here! ]

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Huh, so yuir teachin' folks how ta fight too, aye? I might be up for that.

[He's not going to apologize for pranking you, Altaïr, sorry.]

I'm David, by the way. Sorry we weren't properly introduced when I was havin' my fun in the Lobby.

What, no lessons in philosophy as well?

I'll be there. I'm not and probably never will be much of a fighter, but I'm sure I'll learn something useful.

Knowledge can be dangerous. [It's not a challenge at all. He's merely curious as to how this man hopes what he's offering to teach will be used]

I can defend myself with my fists. My uncle Zak told me I was a natural when it came to boxing. But I don't know how to wield a sword or knife. I guess I might have to learn that.

You make such an offer to just anybody?

How well will you fare when you do not have your sorcery to help you?

[ And he's not going to apologize for giving you a hard time, either now or in a week. He is genuinely curious if a sorcerer might place any importance on the skills of stealth and dexterity... ]

[ Wow he's just trying to extend the proverbial olive branch here. If she's going to be difficult... ]

I will be sure to set aside some especially for you.

[ Take that. ]

Sometimes the best way to win a fight is to avoid it entirely. I am not only teaching people how to fight, but how to survive. I will probably start by showing you how to see and remain unseen. Then, how and when to move. Without these, all the arts of the blade would not save you.

In my experience, lack of knowledge is a far greater danger. There are empires built on ignorance.

I have no plans to give blades to small children, if that is what you are worried about. [ He's only being half sarcastic, what a surprise. ] I will not be instructing those who are not ready. What I have to teach expects a certain amount of wisdom.

Perhaps we may have something to teach each other. I have trained much with blades in order to finish fights quickly, but I am out of practice fighting with bare hands.

[But this is her being friendly!]

You already have. I know all about Empedocles now, and how very impressed you are by his writings.

[Slight exaggeration, but it had sure felt like a long boat ride.]

[ He replies to the handwriting with voice, though inwardly he thinks it a strange way to respond to a letter. No need for people to match his handwriting with the rest of him. Assassins prefer anonymity if they can take it. ]

You cannot know a man until you've worked alongside him. Yes, anyone may come. What they learn will depend on them.

Oooh, touchy!

[He laughs, but then sighs.]

You've a fair point, mate. Fact is I rely on my powers ta see me through most things. They define me...in a way. Problem is...this place likes ta take powers like mine away from me when I might actually bloody need 'em, so I figure I better brush up on skills like fightin' and blendin' into a crowd, so I'm useful for more'n just my tricks.

[David's not usually one for humility, preferring to keep people guessing about what he's actually capable of, but he's had to learn hard lessons in Paradisa, and realize that powers aren't always the answer.]

Alright, that sounds good to me. I'll try to not injure you too much.

Whether you can land a punch on me remains to be seen.

[ He might be humbler than he was three months ago, but he still enjoys a good fight. ]

[ Oh she'd argue that there are many ways to know men... But she won't. ]

You claim to be a master of your trade, then, to be able to train any man.

Uh huh. Nothing wrong with a bit of practise anyway.

[He chuckles softly, because he wasn't worried about that at all.]

What kind of wisdom are you looking for?

That's definitely something I need practice in- and you're right, it's harder to get into fights when you're actively avoiding them.

[ A simple proverb, an excuse. He had plenty of ways of spying on people, without working with them. But holding classes would be faster. ]

Some things I know very well, likely more than others. But wisdom is knowing there is always something to learn.

[ He wasn't about to out himself as a Master Assassin, but neither would he hide his ability to teach. ]

If you know about that, then you must know that just like the chaos that weaves the fabric of this world, a man must weave the threads of his knowledge from many places. Empedocles is not the only philosopher I enjoy reading the works of.

[ He's gotten the impression that she sees his intellectual pursuits as a bit dry, and isn't above threatening her with more. ]

You are right to pick up some extra skills. A friend of mine told me once that you cannot know anything, only suspect. Even then, you must expect to be wrong, and allow for errors that could otherwise cost you your life.

They take powers as well as possessions?

[ He'd heard of these so-called "losses," things missing from the time people woke up in this land, but didn't know the Castle could give and take more than once at whim. Though he kept his voice neutral, this was disconcerting. His Eagle Vision saw him through many an assignment. ]

[ He spoke with a measured conviction as he answered him seriously: ]

The kind that knows the laws of the land are not divine, nor are they truth. They are reason, the same reason that prevents a man from putting his hand in a flame. It is this reason that makes us wise.

But every once in a while, wisdom dictates a man must put his hand in a flame.

[ or a blade to someone's neck. ]

The man who neglects his practice neglects himself. There are some empty plots of land near the edges of the craftsmen district where we can spar. I hope to see you there.

It is also harder to get into fights when your first blow is your last.

[ He doesn't mean to be ominous, but sometimes his low voice and serious manner can seem that way. And on that note... ]

I will see you there.

[Neeeeerd]

Oh yes, I must know that. [Sarcasm or a straight face? The world may never know.] But I got to heat the most about Empedocles on a lengthy passage over water that I could not leave, so he tends to stick in my memory.

I'm still deciding whether chaos is a virtue.

I'll be there. I'm Aaron by the way, Aaron Livesy.

Mm. For his own sake, or for that of others?

Ah, are you to list what you are not skilled at, now?

Edited 2014-05-06 03:37 (UTC)

Also true.

Looking forward to it.

Wise words, that. Future's always changin', an' most people are bloody hard ta predict.

Aye, they do. Stole some of my heavier powers, Paradisa did. Stuff that'd let me work the same kinda magic the castle itself does, an' my ability ta go places jus' by thinkin' about them.

[ He'd closed his book, thinking that was all there was to say. He is surprised when this person gives his name. Altaïr isn't so forthcoming with his own, but he considers giving it to him in person. ]

Am I to list all my shortcomings in a magic book? Doesn't that seem unwise? This land seems to hold many surprises I would rather avoid.

[ He hardly trusts a stranger, and the Castle even less. ]

One would hope that, in his burning house, a man would reach for his child first, instead of his possessions.

It was a jest, sir. Mayhap you are too focused on your violent training.

I have been taken from my home against my will. Is it wrong to be cautious? Forgive me if I do not jest while in captivity.

[ Just a little bitterness there. ]

One would hope.

Are in the habit of sticking your hands in fires?

[ A small chuckle. He did many things with his hands, mostly involving sharp objects, but not that. ]

No. I was merely illustrating a point.

[ Said to the woman who made dark jokes up to her execution. ]

Do not assume that others are not cautious because they do not put bitterness on display. Such plain disregard can be as dangerous as anything else, good sir.

There is naught wrong with finding things to smile about. When you have been here for long enough, you will see such a dour disposition does little for your escape.

[Sure, abandon the metaphor...]

So was I. It's a fair thing to want to know about a person you're considering letting near you with a sharp object.

I have saved others before, but not from fires. If you are worried I am laying a trap, know that our training will be in full view of the city's people.

[ Of course, being in front of a crowd in broad daylight never stopped him from assassinating anyone, but Gren didn't need to know that. ]

Not all traps spring right away. But thanks for the reassurance anyway. I'll think about it.

[Vicious would have his head if he got himself killed. And then he'd probably have Altair's]

You know where I will be. [ was his parting reply. And really, even if he wanted to randomly pick off people, he wouldn't broadcast his location to everyone's journals. ]

Just by thinking...? [ He tried not to reel too much. ] Well it would make sense for the Castle to ensure it is the only thing here that can do that. But why bother taking you and stripping those powers in the first place? Would it not serve their interests better to find someone easier to control?

[ As soon as he said this, though, he realized the Castle was doing exactly as his last target had done: manipulate him into actions he thought he was doing of his own free will. Mind control would have robbed him of what he did, in addition to who he was. He would have been useless then. ]

Smiling does little for it as well. It only encourages the illusion that all is as it should be. I do not intend to fool the ones around me in such a way. If I find cheer, it will be of my own choosing.

[ Stubborn to the last, but at least he was capable of joy—on his own terms, that is. ]

Aye, makes sense. How better ta keep us all in line than ta make sure we can't fight on Paradisa's level?

[But Altaïr's question makes David pause and think. Why did Paradisa take him? After all, he was harder to control than most thanks to his previous experience with being manipulated. The other thing to consider was how much havoc he could wreak if manipulated in the right way.]

Honestly? I don't know. I mean...nerfed as I am, I've still got more power in my li'l pinky than most do in their whole body. It's like...Paradisa's counting on my apathy. S'why I've been tryin' ta act, ta do what I can for people around here, much as I might freak 'em out.

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