third memory sequence // DICTATED & ACTION

[seventeenth]

[ DICTATED ]

So what's the best place to hit up if I wanna go for a swim around here?

[ ACTION ]

[Meanwhile, out and about in the city, Desmond is engaging himself with a nice, long run through the city -- and over it rooftops, as well. He can be found pretty much anywhere but the castle today, down on the streets like a normal person as often as he up on the rooftops like some sort of wayward ninja.]

[He doesn't have his hoodie on for once, having finally traded it in for a plain white t-shirt.]

Comments

[assassino]

[Eyebrow raise.]

It's sinking?

[seventeenth]

Right into the swamp.

[assassino]

Well... that's disappointing to hear. I suppose it cannot be saved, either.

[seventeenth]

It's still hanging in there come 2012, at least. [Of course, then another globe-spanning disaster might come along and knock it, and the rest of Italy, over anyway.]

[assassino]

So it will survive that long, at least. What of Monteriggioni?

[seventeenth]

Also still there. There are people still living in the city, but villa is just a historical site, now.

[assassino]

[That's so pleasing to hear, Ezio practically beams at the news.]

Good. It is sad that my ancestors do not live there, but the fact that it stands at all is good.

[seventeenth]

[Ezio's kind of charming when he's so happy. Desmond grins in response.] The Sanctuary held up well, too.

[assassino]

Well, I did not think that would have been found. [He stands up.] I imagine you've visited?

[seventeenth]

Yeah. Turns out it's a good place to hide from Templars with satellites and and cellphones.

[assassino]

Good to know I can have at least some hand in keeping future Assassins safe, then!

[seventeenth]

Yup. It came in handy. [Though he's thinking he should stop there. No need to tell Ezio that he pretty much revolutionized the Order and give his ego and unneeded boost.]

[assassino]

[He knows a teeny bit of that. Who needs more?]

Are the Assassins forced underground so often?

[seventeenth]

Yeah... [Desmond's mood grows more somber.] The Assassins aren't exactly in the greatest shape, right now.

[assassino]

And why is that?

[seventeenth]

Templars. [Desmond shrugs lightly, but after a moment of pause -- and of digging through his memories -- he adds:] He was an Assassin, but he was a sleeper agent. One day he just up and killed the Mentor, then went back to the Templars and told them were all the Assassin hideouts were and how to get in.

[Desmond frowns. He remembers how tense those weeks had been. His father losing sleep along with the tension and anxiety everyone on the Farm was dealing with. It had been hard to not believe in the conflict, back then.] There are way more non-combatants in the Assassins than there are front-line people, so... well, when the Templars marched in with body armor and rifles the fight didn't last very long. Now there aren't many of us left.

[assassino]

[Ezio frowns, too.]

It is difficult to know what to think of these modern Assassins, then. Thousands of years of brotherhood should not be felled by a single spy.

[seventeenth]

[Ezio gets a dry look for a his comment.] Yup, just one spy with billions of dollars and one hundred thousand guys backing him up. [Alright, probably not that much literally, but come on, Ezio.]

[assassino]

[Like he knows jack shit about your time, son.]

And the Assassins did not have funds or an army to repel them?

[seventeenth]

The money, maybe, but not the manpower. Like I said, most of the Assassins right now are politicians, hackers, scientists, people that deal in information... stuff like that. [He shrugs lightly again.] Being able to throw a punch or a knife isn't nearly as useful as being able to lean on the right people, anymore.

[assassino]

[Slow nod.]

It would be nice if the enemy thought the same, then.

[seventeenth]

Oh, they do. They've just got enough money that they can splurge on the wholesale slaughter thing. I guess trying to rule the world is easier than trying to save it.

[assassino]

It is the opposite, in my time. The Templars go to such great, unnecessary lengths to conceal the truth.

[seventeenth]

Now they barely have to. They just keep their nastier projects under wraps and the whole world side-eyes anyone going on about how Johnson and Johnson has an evil twin.

[assassino]

[Just a confused look.]

I have no idea what that means. Who is Johnson and Johnson?