[Altaïr snaps to attention the instant he hears Alastair's voice, and he understands the words but can't process them. He gives him several moments to do as Ezio instructs rather than press him immediately.]
[For a long moment, he blinks. There are words Alastair is saying, but it seems almost impossible for Ezio to comprehend them.
Desmond is gone. He completely disappeared.
The Italian's face pales, but he doesn't panic. Even if his stomach twists in knots as his mind races a million miles a minute, trying to figure out what just happened.]
Is anything of his still there?
[He'd check his bracelet but it's currently being used to try and calm the poor boy down.]
[Altaïr's breath is suddenly shallow, and all he can do is listen for Alastair's answer. And that's more than he can do for Desmond, who may be gone in more ways than one.]
[Ezio goes completely still, breath coming in fast, trying to wrap his head around the fact that Desmond is suddenly just gone from Asgard, gone from their lives and back home. Back to nothingness. To death. It hits like a slap to the face and he is left silent, unsure of what to say, and it shows.
He knew it was a possibility. It always is. But not now. Not ever- Desmond had so much to live for now, here. Ezio doesn't want all of that to have been for nothing.]
[Altaïr doesn't even want to think of it, but he's never been one to hide from hard truths. They all know what awaits Desmond back home. He'd be better off facing Thiazi and her minions alone. At least then he'd have a chance.
It isn't fair. But when have their lives ever involved fairness? When he speaks again he's quiet—not harsh, but not showing what he feels.]
Then he has gone from Asgard. As others have gone before him.
[The word is soft, carried on the breath of a sigh as Alastair slides down the side of the bed and lands heavily on the floor, his head in his hands.
There is a deep, yawning despair that threatens to swallow him whole. He can feel it. It terrifies him.
He can't... he's not strong enough to face it. He can't face it. Not again. Not again. He's lost too many people he's loved.
He's not strong enough.
His head leans back against the bed and he stares up at the ceiling, and slowly, very slowly, completely forgetting that the Mentors are watching, he puts the pain away where he can't feel it anymore.]
[There is weakness where usually there is strength, Ezio at a loss for words. It's only after his eyes make their way back to watch Alastair push things down, to shove them away.
And Ezio finds something to focus on, if only for now.]
[They aren't without their own pain, But Alastair's—so transparent on his face for a few moments—is perhaps more worrisome for the two who have guided him like fathers.
[A breath, a pause. A moment where Ezio realizes that this is happening all at once and that he has to be a pillar for when others fall. Alastair needs him, needs them both. Far more than any of them probably realize.]
[Altaïr remains quiet, knowing that Alastair needs them but equally aware that the words of two will not accomplish any more or less than the words of one. Alastair has to pull himself out of the hole of despair, to believe in himself the way they believe in him. Only then can they grieve together.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Video to both Ezio and Altair, Late D443
He's gone.
[The words come breathlessly and desperately, and he pulls his hair with one hand.]
Desmond is gone.
no subject
Alastair. Breathe. Breathe. Calm down first, then explain.
no subject
Slow down, Alastair. What has happened?
no subject
He was here, we were... he was here, and then he got up and... just. He's gone. He completely disappeared.
no subject
Desmond is gone. He completely disappeared.
The Italian's face pales, but he doesn't panic. Even if his stomach twists in knots as his mind races a million miles a minute, trying to figure out what just happened.]
Is anything of his still there?
[He'd check his bracelet but it's currently being used to try and calm the poor boy down.]
no subject
no subject
Yes, but... he's gone from the network.
[He runs his hand through his hair, pulling at it too hard.]
I don't understand. I don't...
no subject
He knew it was a possibility. It always is. But not now. Not ever- Desmond had so much to live for now, here. Ezio doesn't want all of that to have been for nothing.]
no subject
It isn't fair. But when have their lives ever involved fairness? When he speaks again he's quiet—not harsh, but not showing what he feels.]
Then he has gone from Asgard. As others have gone before him.
no subject
[The word is soft, carried on the breath of a sigh as Alastair slides down the side of the bed and lands heavily on the floor, his head in his hands.
There is a deep, yawning despair that threatens to swallow him whole. He can feel it. It terrifies him.
He can't... he's not strong enough to face it. He can't face it. Not again. Not again. He's lost too many people he's loved.
He's not strong enough.
His head leans back against the bed and he stares up at the ceiling, and slowly, very slowly, completely forgetting that the Mentors are watching, he puts the pain away where he can't feel it anymore.]
no subject
And Ezio finds something to focus on, if only for now.]
...Alastair, where are you.
no subject
They don't want to lose him, too.]
You are not alone. We will face this together.
no subject
He shakes his head, staring at the ceiling.]
...I can't.
no subject
You can. You have to lean on us, Alastair.
no subject
[Not a threat. ...sounds sort of like one, though. But it's meant well.]
no subject
I can't do this anymore.
[He's falling apart. He can feel it. He never wanted this to happen again, but here he is.]
no subject
[A breath, a pause. A moment where Ezio realizes that this is happening all at once and that he has to be a pillar for when others fall. Alastair needs him, needs them both. Far more than any of them probably realize.]
no subject
no subject
It hurts so much.
[Pain like this demands to be felt.
But he doesn't want to feel it anymore. He wants to hide from it forever, but it always comes back. Always.]
no subject
Perhaps even strength. Alastair needs them more than anything else right now, they can grieve in their own time.]
Altaïr, do you remember where they are?