Six | Help Them to Heal

[eaglesonofnone]

WHO: Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad
WHERE: House 31
WHEN: The days after returning from OMS
OPEN TO: Any who would want to check on him.
WARNINGS: Possible mentions of violence/fox death, blood, probably some cursing.

---

It was not, to say the least, the kind of arrival he'd have preferred to make. His own misestimation had caused the wound, his experience being with fighting men instead of foxes with more intellect than any beast he'd ever seen. He still wasn't sure which it was that had caused the wound: the fox's fangs or its claws as he was dealing with one of its comrades, but in the end, it didn't matter. It was a wound that would take some healing, and he'd arrived back in the village with his weight half-taken by another.

He was supposed to stay seated, to let his leg stay still and the healing process begin, but after the first night, two boxes were found in his home - one holding bottles of oil, one of which smelled like home, and the other holding cooking supplies that he had sorely missed. Already, his pot was cooking a good lentil soup and he smelled like himself again.

But Altaïr was perpetually too much of a busybody to let himself sit and rest. His pants needed mending. That meant finding needle and thread. He had a thought in mind for a memorial for the departed that he intended to place in the town hall, and he needed to get a design in mind for it that could be expanded, as unfortunate as the thought was. And of course the soup needed tending. There were too many hours in a day to spend them doing nothing.

Comments

[to_defend]

7 had needed to spend a couple days recovering herself; less suffering from a wound as result of an incident and more dealing with the aftereffects of exposure. She's spent the majority of the time bundled up and drinking warm fluids and soup next to the fire, but eventually her natural desire to move and observe pokes enough at the sedentary recovery to venture outside.

It's nothing more than quickly walking from her house to Altaïr's. As she'd reocvered and processed the things she'd seen up on the mountain, she'd realized she hadn't heard from her friend in a good while.

She knocks sharply on the door, then immediately tucks her hand back against her side as she waits for an answer.

[eaglesonofnone]

"A moment, please." The words came from deeper in the house and were followed by the sound of uneven footsteps. The door opened shortly after, showing Altaïr in his dishdasha and cowl, a branch in one hand acting as a walking stick. When he saw 7, he easily offered his free arm. "Bnti. Ah, I have neglected you of late haven't I?"

There was a scent inside the house - a few, in fact. The clearest being that on Altaïr himself. A spicy, woody scent overlaying a sweet, soft warmth and a subtle floral. From the kitchen was the scent of something savoury, touched with mint. He might have been wounded, but he had kept busy.

[to_defend]

She hadn't realized how much she'd missed him until he's there in front of her now. She does place a hand on his arm, but then ducks in to wrap her arms around his waist and bury her face in his chest for a hug.

It's quick, indulgent moment but then she's pulling back and slipping her arm through his, ready to take any amount of weight should he require it.

"Are you alright? What happened?"

[eaglesonofnone]

For the moment that she's close, he rested his chin on her head, arm close around her, and then he guided her into the house with all the grace a limping man can muster. "A fox," he answered, "up on the mountain. I am trained in how to anticipate men, not beasts, and as I struck one, another struck me. I will heal - though Malik is apt to wound my other knee if he sees me on my feet."

There's a faint smile on his face as he says it, for all he is rather sure that he'll find himself alone in the house sooner than later. The amount of time Malik had mentioned that he was likely to stay was nearly up, if not already past.

Altaïr would miss him, painfully, but now was not the time to think of such things.

"Come, though - I've received a gift of sorts. Food from my home. Have a bowl of soup with me, Bnti."

I am so sorry I missed this

[to_defend]

He's smiling at least, so she takes that as a good sign. She remains close to him as they enter the house.

"I'd love some soup. " and, a chance to share some of his home flavors, too. "Do you want me to help with anything?"

[relentlessness]

Since their return, Jacob hasn't had a full night's sleep. Since the disappearances en masse as it were, he feels he's let his guard down, and prices have been paid. People injured, and if others have gone missing can they really know it is the same vanishing as before and not just people getting lost, hurt, or killed after whatever had happened to leave them on the middle of nowhere.

And yet that isn't what is bothering him the most. It's how it happened. It's too much about moving people without them knowing, and the visions many of them spoke of, and knowing just how that could be accomplished, which only solidified Jacob's thoughts that he needs to be more careful, and he needs to be vigilant. If not for his own sake, then the sake of those in the village that he considers his, and because he can't have Evie return and find he's grown lazy.

Many a night he finds himself atop Altair's roof in the wee hours, resting there though he should be inside somewhere, curled up in his coat, and his head down against the wind. From there he can watch over the area, to watch and see who is about until the sun breaks over the horizon.

It gives him a lot of time to think, too much for his sake, and he knows he's doing Altair a disservice to stay close and yet distant at the same time. Dropping down from the rooftop onto the porch, dressed in his new clothes with tweed trousers, waistcoat, and hoodie with his heavy peacoat over it. Tugging off his cap, the leather of his gauntlets shoving in how they curve of his hands as he raps on the door.

[eaglesonofnone]

Footsteps approached the door, uneven but steady. Altaïr could see who it was at the door through the window - and it put a small smile on his face as he opened the door. His cowl doesn't hide that. Seeing Jacob and Malik had taken a weight from his heart, and now was no different.

"I see you've decided to come down from the roof," he said, not even trying to keep the tease from his voice. "Will you come inside as well, or has your bravery eluded you now that you've seen I still stand?"

He hoped Jacob would come inside. Especially the more he looked at him. The man seemed concerned. Perhaps his teasing was misplaced.

[relentlessness]

"The food smells good," he says, as if that's all the reason he's approached Altair's door and nothing more. Not a need to just see him and make sure he was doing well.

He smiles a bit at that, gesturing broadly. "If I'm welcome, certainly. Though it's not a lack of bravery, but a desire to give you your space," he admits, knowing that he wasn't asked to give that but still coping as poorly as Jacob ever has with things that go beyond recklessness and destruction.

"Also, if you're up for it, I wanted to talk to you about some things about what happened." Pausing, realizing that between them that could mean a lot. "About your disappearance. If you have some time and are feeling up to it."

[eaglesonofnone]

"Please."

He stepped to one side, careful of his weight, and motioned Jacob inside. "I have time, I am willing, and there is lentil soup waiting for any who wish it. And I don't doubt both you and Malik would be more gratified to see me sitting than wandering about."

That didn't stop him from leading Jacob further inside, to the kitchen where they had sat before. Though this time, he points-- "Bowls are there if you wish some soup." With one hand on a walking stick, he wasn't precisely able to serve as he had been before. He took a seat at the table instead, using one of the other chairs to prop up his leg.

[loyalrebel]

Malik can't help but heave a sigh at the sight of Altair up and about when he returns from a trip outside.

"This is exactly why none of the healers ever wanted to deal with you." He grumbles, wiggling out of his coat after putting the bag he'd had down. "Now go sit down and stop straining your wound, before I tie you to the bed. I brought some books that seemed interesting enough."

[eaglesonofnone]

"I will not let my lentils scorch, Malik," he said as he eased himself into a chair. "Say as you will, but I refuse to lose this bit of food from our home to something so simple as not stirring it."

Still, he'd seated himself as bidden. It seemed there was something of his usual obedience to Malik's wishes remaining, despite his minor defiance.

[loyalrebel]

Malik fixes him with a flat look, one eyebrow rising ever so slightly in his usual expression of unamused disbelief.

"Your leg is more important than lentils, Altair." He replies, even if his tone is a bit gentler than usual. "Trust me, pushing a wound before it is properly begun to heal only leads to difficulties and pain later. I can handle things at home until you are better healed."

[eaglesonofnone]

Altaïr kept his gaze on Malik, quiet and remembering. Thirty-six years he'd lived without Malik, many of them spent without anyone. Only the company of the Apple and the knowledge that he was neglecting his duty. Now, having Malik - having anyone - was strongly unusual. He watched his oldest, dearest friend with a sort of melancholy, eventually saying, "I will miss you."

[rebornpaladin]

Shiro didn't wait long before making his way to Altaïr's. At Liv's instruction (Liv, who seemed to be gone, now, the only one who knew- but it didn't matter, anyway), he kept a small stock of spring water on-hand, and turned up the morning after their return to the village, ill-rested and restless, on Altair's doorstep with a jar of it.

There was a faint scent in the air he couldn't place, which had him frowning, curiously, as he used the lid to knock against the front door.

[eaglesonofnone]

It took a bit for the door to open, but the inhabitant was likely who he expected. Altaïr let the branch he'd taken as a walking stick keep part of his weight as he pulled the door open - and then smiled at Takashi when he saw him. "At last, you have found my house," he greeted, taking a halting step out of the way to let him in. "Please. Please, come in."

With the door open, the scents were stronger: spiced lentil soup with a hint of mint. And, more closely, something spicy, warm, and faintly floral that lingered around Altaïr.

"Are you well? Settling into your home once more, I hope?"

[rebornpaladin]

Shiro visibly took a moment to breathe it in, blinking a little owlishly at Altair as he stepped over the threshhold.

"It smells amazing in here," he said honestly, letting Altair close the door behind him before stepping in to embrace the other man, mindful of the walking stick, just a quick physical reassurance he hadn't planned on. Altair smelled amazing. He wondered what it was. Shiro let their temples rest against each other for a moment before drawing back, smiling, and lifting the large glass jar of water.

"I didn't know if you had any on hand, so I brought some spring water. How's the leg?"

[eaglesonofnone]

"I forget it exists, that spring. Perhaps I should head that way soon." But then he motioned inward, toward his kitchen. "The day after we returned here, I woke to find two boxes, one with oils as I have missed sorely and one with supplies for my kitchen. I made prompt use of both, much to Malik's distaste as it means I have been up and moving instead of sitting and resting."

He looked over at Takashi. "He does have a point. I should be resting my leg more than I am, but I have missed lentils and rice. I am already planning a majboos soon. He will hate me for it, but he will eat it."

After Leonardo's post conversation, at the house!

[capturetheworld]

Leonardo did not want to appear over eager, but he was in fact very over eager, and after speaking with Altaïr all he could think about is meeting him. He had the other pages! He invited Leonardo over! It is like something out of a dream. There were people who considered Leo one of their heroes, fellow artists and inventors, and he had some of his own. But Altaïr? He was one of them too. A brilliant mind of mystery and creativity. He focused on Ezio's blade for a time, to make certain he had headway, and then went to wash up. He can't smell of soot and oil when meeting Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad!

After calling himself foolish several times for being concerned about how he looked, why would Altaïr care about that?, Leonardo just went to the house in question and told himself to calm down. He did not want to make the man uncomfortable after all, but he was enthusiastic for no reason most days. This was for a good reason. You have met royalty, Leonardo! Calm down.

He knocked on Altaïr's door, wondering if he should have brought something with him as an offering. Oh dear, too late now. "Signore Altaïr? It is Leonardo, if you do not want to get up and the door is open, let me know, I will come!" He remembered his injury, after all.

[eaglesonofnone]

Inside, he had begun to stand - but when Leonardo called out, he slowly eased back into his chair. Yes, he knew he needed to let his leg rest, and while he could get to the door, maybe this once, he could let the person outside the door come to him.

"Yes," he answered, "do come in - the door is unlocked." His voice was raised just enough to answer, but certainly not a shout. He knew his own voice wasn't so suited to shouting, and he didn't enjoy shouting besides.

He was sitting in an armchair in his living room, leg propped on an ottoman. (The name had amused him.) Despite being indoors, he still wore his cowl and his simpler Masyaf clothing, no Mentor's robe over it all. The inside of the house smelled like cooking food and more faintly of something spicy, warm, and floral - and to Altaïr, it was finally starting to smell like home.

[capturetheworld]

Leonardo came it and respectfully took his shoes off by the door so as not to track anything inside. He must make a good impression, and also to bolster up his strength not to immediately shower excitement all over Altaïr. He was in modern clothing as it was his only option, but overdressed for the cold without question, which he tried to take off and place politely by his shoes. He traded his original violet for deeper reds and blacks, his colors of choice.

He approached Altaïr with a quickly beating heart and smiled as he took in the assassin he felt connected to through words. It was not both ways, of course, as only he knew of the other, but Leonardo found so much interesting in the codex, it felt personal as he researched and deciphered the secrets. He always respected brilliant minds, and certainly Altaïr had that. He took a seat nearby, blue eyes focused on him.

"Now that we are in person, I am Leonardo da Vinci, and I assisted the Italian brotherhood in understanding your designs. It is an honor to meet you."

[eaglesonofnone]

He took in the man before him thoughtfully. There was definitely more of the scholar about him than the warrior, but he did seem able. And that he had interpreted any of the Codex at all meant he had seen through at least a few of the layers of code in which he'd written it. A keen mind. He'd remember that.

"Ah, so they did make it to Italia. I'm glad. I gave my Codex to Niccolo and Maffeo Polo," he explained, "and they said they would first go to Constantinopoli and then to their home. That it made it there is a relief."

But then, curious, his head tilted. "You say you assisted the Brotherhood - were you never inducted yourself?"

[skyward_eyes]

Given the sort of man Altair was, how he'd worry and no doubt frown at Nida for the fact that he got himself hurt on such a simple thing like jumping down from a building somehow Nida was certain that Altair would get the story from him, full honesty, whether he liked it or not, he'd been putting this off. Sure, he'd been anxious to check in on Altair ever since he'd run into Malik at the schoolhouse, but it was only today that he'd finally woken up with no pain in his ankle. Days of working himself over in the hot spring's waters had finally paid off, and Nida was spry on his feet. Which meant checking in on Altair.

Which of course was made a bit more interesting by the fact that he'd awoken to find his wristband had gone through another change. After some research on the network and some play, he'd figured out just what the power he had come to possess was, and that had a smile on his lips. And a bad idea in his head.

He had picked a rather out of the way wall on the house, near the kitchen, and pushed through, intangibility up, and just like that, Nida had gone from outside of Altair's house to in his kitchen without making use of any doors. With a smile he soon found himself floating over to the pot that smelled so wonderfully of lentils, moving on soft feet, making barely a sound even though his work boots were heavy. His training was great, after all.

He smiled and opened his mouth, calling out to the house in general, hoping to get Altair's attention.

"Smells great in here. Can I have some?"

[eaglesonofnone]

Malik had brought some books and, while they were in English, he had still endeavored to read them. It had mostly ended with his finger in the book, his head tipped back on the chair, and Altaïr asleep. He was nearly in such a state when he heard the query - and he blinked himself awake. The voice was easy enough to identify. Nida. The question--

Ah. Even easier.

"Of course. Only tell me if it is the last, but I doubt it is." He'd made a large pot. "The bowls are in the fourth door in the top shelves."

But after a pause, he amended, "Second from the left. Fourth from the right. Good afternoon, Nida."

[skyward_eyes]

Well then, he's not going to pass up a tasty smell. Soon he's got a small bowl fished out, a scoop of the lentils, and a spoon. With all of those he heads toward the source of the voice, taking a small bite of the lentils as he goes. When he gets to the living room he circles slowly around Altair's seat and, after a moment of consideration, sits himself on the floor, smiling up at the man.

"Malik told me you were hurt. I came to check up on you. What happened? He said foxes."

[eaglesonofnone]

"Foxes," he nodded. "Quite intelligent foxes, at that. As I was fighting one, another came, swept my leg from under me, but I landed halfway upon it. It took the opportunity to savage my knee with fang and claw alike - quite the mess, all told."

He patted the joint carefully. "It will take some time to heal, and I will need to practice more defenses against wildlife rather than mankind. I miss having a sword."