Malik Greatly Disapproves. Yet Again.

[loyalrebel]

[Malik's voice cracks across the network, and he's livid.]

Seeing as it seems that any idiot who whines about it loud enough gets their way, who am I to try to keep morons without a wit of reason from getting their hands on red magic?

You all rely on magic to heal people so why not up your game to using it to kill? You won't even have to train all that hard to use it either! A couple hours and you'll be able to go to to toe with any opponent you meet in any world!

Because that's all you care about, isn't it? How easily you can manage to do something regardless of what the method is. Power is more important than being responsible with it. Who cares so long as you have magic to rely on, right?

Comments

[loyalrebel]

There are things that are beyond even my ability to be stubborn.

[He can't clap back home after all.]

These powers we squabble and claw for are only minimally different from the powers of the Pieces.

All of us are a concern. I am simply the first one to be pushed over the edge by what the Trumps have been doing to us.

[theflyingone]

That you are the first troubles me. The whole point of our wisdom is to not be pushed over the edge! We do not become like them! If you are in danger of doing so, if the Trumps have become too much, you have to tell me. You cannot blame them for your lack of remorse.

I cannot abide by this. If I saw anyone else doing what you just did today, I would be after them with bare steel. [ He let the implications of that be enough. ] You must promise me never to attack a person's mind again.

[loyalrebel]

I do not know what sort of god you think I am to have a infinite well of endless calm.

[Something crosses his face, a part of him wanting that fight and the quiet that would follow the loss of it because for a brief moment he's sure he could make a purposeful slip and allow it. The calculating expression dissapears again after a moment though, replaced by something tired.]

...I forget that you are not who you will be.

I have no intention of doing it again, Altair.

I will be looking in to something to prevent myself from losing control of my temper.

[theflyingone]

[ He can see the tic that heralds more of Malik's anger, like a break in the waves. He is familiar, having directly endured months of it, even if he is not yet experienced in stymieing it. He regrets that, suddenly, and realizes this is what Malik means when he talks of the man Altaïr will be. Altaïr feels cheated out of something intangible, and that drums up an unexpected pang of both frustration and sadness. He cannot put it into words, however, even if only to ask where he went wrong. It is enough that Malik is giving his word, and Altaïr is wary of asking more of him. ]

Thank you.

[ His eyes flutter shut for a moment in unspoken relief. He does not know what he would do if Malik refused—or rather, he does, and it would most likely mean losing his first friend in... so very long. ]

I will as well. It would be irresponsible of me if I did not. Meanwhile, I will go see what damage can be repaired.

[loyalrebel]

No.

[It's firm, even if there isn't any venom left to it.]

I no longer care to try to make myself seem something I am not to these people. If they refuse to listen then I will no longer help them beyond what has already been set out.

Besides, I doubt the next piece of what I have become will sit well with anyone. Including you.

[We're gonna talk about cannibalism now, because it's the perfect time for that.]

I am not certain I am entirely human anymore.

[theflyingone]

I am not referring to your reputation, which is yours to mold or not mold as you see fit, but to the results of your actions.

[ It's always a perfect time to talk about cannibalism. Like the weather, it's the most appropriate of subjects.

Altair's chest constricts with uncertainty bordering on fear. He is beginning to see that the only reason fear never ruled his life was because he had so little to lose. No family or friends, just the Brotherhood, their targets, and the people they saved. Even his time with Adha was cut short. Now, things are a little different. ]

Some Travelers are not human, but they arrived that way... What happened, Malik? [ he asks, keeping his voice low to hide any tremor. The effect is almost gentle, and he's not sure if he meant it to be or not. ]

[loyalrebel]

Things cannot be unlearned.

[Seriously. Cannibalism is a way better topic of conversation here. He pulls up the sleeve on his right arm, revealing the black tattoo on his forearm.]

I retained something from Lupa's dungeon, it... is difficult to explain properly. I have a vast amount of power, likely enough to take on a hundred men if I shift form but there is a price for that.

[He sighs.]

I am at risk of truly losing my mind and going on an endless murderous rampage, the only way to keep it at bay is to eat human flesh.

You are more than welcome to talk to Lupa or the man named Gale about this, they both have the same condition.

[theflyingone]

[ He reaches out to touch it, hesitates as if just remembering that he shouldn't touch plague, then lays his fingers on it anyway. A mark, similar to the ones the Trumps branded him with, but from another source. Still, his blood runs cold. Being branded like a slave was a thing that happened to other people, not Assassins, right? The Assassins treasured and protected their personal freedom more than anyone else. As much as Altaïr was shocked, infuriated, and hurt by the presence of his own mark, seeing it on a friend is far worse. ]

You need to kill people to keep this madness at bay?

[ His reactive question, he realizes belatedly, is much the same as when Thorne told him about her vampirism... Perhaps his condition is not quite as dire as the worst-case scenario. ]

Or just... make blood, like Thorne?

[loyalrebel]

[There's the faint popping tingle of static electricity when Altair touches the brand, but it's otherwise the same as the rest of the warm skin it marks.]

Corpses can be made the same as bread with the manipulation of liminal space, I... do not know if blood alone would work. Though that is something to ask Lupa, it would be less... conspicuous if we become somehow cut off from liminal space or lose the ability to manipulate it.

[Or if they ever get sent back home and he retains it. Though if that happens, he's planning on taking a trip somewhere. Maybe Egypt. Egypt sounds nice.]

Lupa and the others refer to the creature within them as a Demon, though I am not sure they are quite as such.

[theflyingone]

It almost stings—

[ He nearly jerks his hand at the sensation, but elects not to move it away so quickly as that. If it was dangerous, Malik would tell him so. Malik doesn't need any more jumpiness from his friend. He needs his friend, frustrated though they may be at each other. He stares hard at the mark, as if he could will it away, then returns to looking at Malik. ]

You mentioned that it is a shifting in form... And when this 'demon' takes over, you cannot tell friend from foe?

[loyalrebel]

I can, at least when I change willingly, but that does not mean that I am any less dangerous.

[He sighs, rolling his sleeve back down.]

Auriel has the power of thunder and terror, it is... I suppose it is not unlike having the power of a Piece of Eden in my veins. I can control him, but there is the risk of him controlling me if I slip.

[theflyingone]

...I could not destroy it.

[ Malik should know he means the Apple, and its continued existence as detailed by Altaïr's very own Codex. Altaïr isn't sure he would now, even while knowing what it entailed. All the more reason Altaïr should start looking into contingency plans in case Malik loses control, in whatever way, cannibalism demon or not. ]

You will forgive me if I do not tell you if I find a way to curb the demon's rampage?

[ It is technically a question, but the finality in his tone suggests there is no arguing that matter. ]

[loyalrebel]

Altair, please.

[There's a note of amused exasperation.]

I know you will do it, whether or tell me or otherwise. Talk to Lupa, and the green haired man named Gale. They know the most about this and can point you in the right direction.

how the fuck does friendship work

[theflyingone]

...Right.

[ He keeps forgetting that Malik not only knows him better, but is used to the sort of decisions he may make. It is awkward moments like this that remind him of that. There is no questioning Altaïr's dedication to the first friend he's had in so long, but closeness and familiarity can only come with time. ]

I will begin immediately, if you do not require anything else from me.

[ He is painfully aware that he sounds like an Assassin talking to a Bureau leader, even if he and Malik are still more frank with each other than others. An unintentional side effect of their former enmity was blunt honesty. ]

Is there anything else I can do for you, Malik? [ he added fumblingly. ] I could stay here with you for a short time if you prefer.

just like this, novice

[loyalrebel]

[Malik just looks tired, and... old.]

I... if you wish to, yes. I have few words left though, so I suspect there will be silence between us.

[Not an awkward one, because as much as Malik can throw words like knives he's just as comfortable in quiet.]

im full of feelings, and also this thread can end whenever

[theflyingone]

[ His shoulders relax noticeably. This is a better reaction to his awkward offer than he could have hoped. Where others consider silence a bad sign, he often prefers that form of companionship and wishes he could enjoy it more. He belatedly realizes Malik is probably already familiar with this habit of his. ]

That is fine. I am of the opinion that people speak too much, except when they truly need to. Silence speaks as well. You know this, from the way we have been taught to observe.