"Takashi," he greeted with a slow nod. There was no longer the pang he'd had when first seeing the man, the immediate wish for Malik's presence. It was still there - always would be there, as mourning was not something that simply ended - but now he was able to see with eyes more ready to tell the difference one from another. "My intention was never to make anyone worry. My apologies. The decision to explore was rather abrupt, I know. I... am afraid I needed the time."

Altaïr did look a little more settled in his skin than he had been at their first meeting, to say the least - not to mention the short time afterward. He'd kept attending the sick until it was obvious they would improve, but then his own whirling thoughts had needed privacy and quiet. And there was no longer an Apple full of discoveries to put all of those thoughts to rest.