Of all things, it would be the weather.

[Alessia Jiron[Inactive]]

Alessia sat there in the corner plotting her next move. She knew that someone would be coming for her soon. Its when the guards turned around a left for a few moments she ripped apart of her shirt that came down over her legs figuring it was easier to send. She found a sharp stone and cut her finger open. It was a bit clichéd to actually use blood to write a note but it was the only thing she had to write with naturally. Ali looked to make sure no guard was around as this seemed the time of day they vanished for a bit. She quickly wrote where she thought she was and her name. My name is Alessia Jiron, I am in a tower somewhere in Roma. Please hurry. She wrote with her blood she moved quickly seeing a pigeon where the bars where at . She moved now figuring out where a foot whole was. She crawled up the side holding on with one arm and tied somehow the little bird and sent it away before she slide down the wall just as the guards came back in. She looked back hoping they didn’t see anything.

[Diego Liberatore]

Silence. Placed beside his ranting, it built up in the air, coated everything in a soft, delicate glass. Was that all? When had this fierce, wolverine-like woman ever been quiet? It had been her damn question! And she wasn't even going to say anything?!

But he didn't have to wait long. Silence shattered, crashed noisily to the ground. His heart leaped and raced in a panic, his eyes widened. Slowly, in one fluid motion he turned around, drawing his sword as he did so. He held it defensively, though, close to his body, prepared to block. "Do not threaten me, boy." he snarled at Nicola, eyed the silver steel that glimmered at his wrist. "I am not one of your pathetic targets." His eyes wavered, studying him. This was a whole new game, now.

How could he handle two of them? He and Rahmil had been through a lot. Most of it consisted of fighting, but he had enough good memories with her to patch up the holes in order to hold together whatever weird sort of friend/enemyship they shared. Some of the memories he almost cherished. Well, before she started hating his guts. He wasn't going to lie, Rahmil was a pain in the ass. But there was another part of her that he liked, sought out to uncover. And he wouldn't admit it - at least not willingly, but he didn't just depend on her as he had said. Sure, depending on someone couldn't be helped. She knew his secret, he had to depend on her, he was forced to. But he trusted her. Yes, that sandy sentence he had choked down. He thought she already knew it. Diego trusted her. How else could he go about his life? How else could he walk through the streets without fear?

And then there was Nicola, the man who could barely hold his liquor. He knew very, very little about him, and trusted him even less. Two could keep a secret, but three was too much. Diego's mind raced rapidly, searching for an escape. He had backed himself into a corner, not physically, but verbally. That bastard. How long had he been standing there? How had he come up those creaky stairs so quietly, like a shadow? Bastard. That was all he could think. Only one thought, one realization comforted him. It was only him. Diego. He was all he knew about. Nicola didn't know about his family. Not even Rahmil knew their location, now. If anything happened, it would only be his price to pay, and not theirs. So all was not lost.

Killing Nicola was not an option. What Diego had told Rahmil was true; he hated death. And he had never killed an assassin. His mission, his sole mission in the eyes of the Order, was to watch and listen, and give information. Mostly, that information was 'move the hell out, they're coming for you'. What else was there to tell? That was all the assassins did. Assassinate. Sure, they had headquarters, but a person would have to be absolutely mad to walk into an assassin den. Besides, that wasn't the Templars' goal. Their goal was to achieve positions of power and stop the fighting. Stop the bloodshed. Seek unity. Peace. Again, as Diego had told Rahmil before, they had the same goals. It was only the way they went about it that differed. And that was why Diego hated the war. Because only from his position, in the middle of the two sides, could he see that there really weren't two sides at all. They were just fighting amongst themselves, people against people. But no one wanted to come to his position, no one wanted to see. They were all blind, every last one of them. And though he might have killed Nicola to save his family, if put in that situation, he would not kill him to save himself.

That didn't mean, however, that he would lay down a die. No. He would fight to keep his position, his secret, his hold for as long as he could. Diego was a fighter by nature, forced to become a murderer. They were contradictory things in this moment, as he searched for a way to undo what he had just done. But all he could do was try to buy his time. "You will have your answers." His teeth gritted, his jaw clenched. "But not here. And I think we all have more urgent matters to deal with, don't you think?" He reached behind Rahmil and snatched the letter back. It was a bit of an awkward move, considering, but she had her whole life to get over it. Diego uncrinkled the paper and shoved it at Nicola. "I can help you."

[Nicola Rangé]

Nicola went into an offensive stance the moment he saw Antonnio go for his weapon. He kept the blade pointed towards him as he locked eyes with his, moving around him slowly in a small semi-circle. Could Nicola--a young, inexperienced Assassin in the order--really take down Antonnio? Though, he wasn't exactly sure about the level of skill he possessed with a sword, but he seemed in least like he was not a novice, based on his stance. Nicola held his scowl as he continued in his semi-circle, closing the distance between them ever so gradually.

You will have your answers. Nicola halted uncertainly, though his eyes did not leave his, nor did he drop his stance. And what did he mean by "we"? We? He was the enemy, as Nicola was to him. He didn't actually mean they would work... Together, would they?

But his assumptions proved correct as he shoved the letter in his direction, followed by the four words he would never expect to hear out of a Templar's mouth. Nicola eyed him distrustfully, but quickly stepped forward to snatch the parchment from his hands, never once letting his guard down.

He skimmed over the words quickly, constantly keeping Antonnio in his range of vision as he read. Finally, he lowered the note. "You're going to help us?" he said skeptically. What incentives could he have for helping them? To gain their trust? It had to be. But they had to rescue their fellow Assassin! And using Antonnio would be the only way reach them.

"Then let us go to a more... Private area," he said reluctantly. He couldn't believe he was doing this, but he at least had to hear him out. Then he could get the answers he wanted and judge if he could be useful to their situation.

[Rahmil Binachi]

Fear directed at the stand off between Nicola and Diego.
Shock directed at the stray hand that snatched the note off her person.
Irritation directed at the whole situation.

There was an assassin in danger, his or her life on the line this very moment. While they did nothing but stand and bicker at each other.
However, finally, both of them suggested moving to somewhere safer. Quieter.
Away from listening ears that had already heard the loud, meaningful words from just a few sweet seconds ago.

They were idiots, the both of them. So all she could do was roll her eyes, bite her tongue, and unlock the key to her door.
Rhamil's room was small. This would be uncomfortable.
But what other option did they have at the moment?

Not bothering to hold the door open and wait for them, she immediately set to work. Yanking the dark leather bag out from under the bed and opening it. Checking all the pockets that had been pre-packed for a quick move like this.
Medicine, clothes, water, weapons, and a handful of other items that they might need.

Outside the clouds grew together to release their duet of booming roars. Shaking the wooden building with the sound waves of their song.
Adding sound track to the dreary, dramatic mood.
It made Rahmil jump, the unexpected sound sending shock down her spine. Dragging its claws through her flesh on the way.
She clenched her jaw, hoping the other two were too busy talking to notice.


Rahmil turned her body to reach the stand by the bed, yanking open the drawers and pulling out the necessity's of her outfit.
Gloves, knives, bullets, and swords. Hooking them onto each specific place on her body. Easy and fast to reach.

In under five minutes, she was ready to go. All they needed to get was food for the ride, as well as their supplies- if they didn't already have it with them. Yet don't forget a plan.
That was the most important item of the journey.

" _{Sorry to interrupt boys, but we need to go.}" She stated, her voice flowing with the honey-like texture of her sweet irritation.
They didn't have time to sit and talk over tea.
Someones life was in their hands.

[Alessia Jiron[Inactive]]

Alessia looked as the guards were talking about moving her to another place. She had been there only a few days after her capture and she knew it wasn’t the same place she was captured from. They saw is as a chance to get information from her. They wanted to know what she had taken and who she was. This assassin knew you never gave anything out and what she did give them was false information. This female knew she was facing death and exposing her true nature, though it was shocking she hadn’t been exposed yet. The Templar who was in charge of her capture though told the guards not to touch her; which was an odd thing to say. Alessia watched as the guards came back with handcuffs and there wasn’t a few. There was about thirty of them surrounding the exit. She knew it would be near impossible to escape out of the tower alive or without taking a lot of injuries. As the guards opened the jail cell door she sat in the corner knowing she’d have to take a chance and take out two. When they came in she stood up kicking one and then the other grabbed her quickly in a bear hug so she wouldn’t move. It was the trouble she wanted to get into just to cause a distraction or something. Another guard came in and held out the handcuffs as the guard let her down. They pulled her arm behind her back and tighten the hand cuffs so she wouldn’t get away. They pushed her out of the cell. The death glare could be seen from inside her hood as she walked down the stairs. She moved her finger a little to let the blood drop to the floor allowing a trail for someone to find her. Her time was being coming short as she was pushed into a random room with no windows. It had a bad and a table and a few chairs. In the room along the walls was a where people were chained up. A confused look about what was happening to her being in this room. The guards pushed Ali in as she fell to the ground one undid her handcuff then shut they a large steal door. They had figured out she had been sending notes to the outside word to the assassins.

[Diego Liberatore]

Diego raised his eyebrows at Nicola's question. Was it really that shocking? Of course he was going to help them. "I have been helping you. For five years." he smirked. How easily did they forget?

He kept an eye on Nicola, but watched Rahmil as she prepared herself, start to finish in under five minutes, like a well-oiled machine. Everything had its place, its step in her precise routine. Well damn. Diego liked to be ready for anything, but that was just almost military. It seemed to him as if she lived to kill. And then he remembered - she did. This sad little creed was all she had left after her loss. She needed a better hobby.

As for himself, he had his sword and hidden blade. It was supposed to be another workday at the shop for him, and he only wore minimal armor, his leather breast plate and vambraces. What use did he have for anything more? What a grave mistake. He remembered the gloves he had walked in with, wrapped in his cloak. Where had he put them? He must have set them down, but he couldn't remember. Oh well, they were safer in this miserable tavern than they would be where he was going.

He went first down the stairs, but did so at a side-step, ever cautious of Nicola. Out into the rain that drummed on the shingled roof tops. First out of the building, he spotted a new arrival in the coup, and swung himself quickly up onto what he considered to be the canopy of the city to get it. It was a relief to him, regardless of the rain, just to put a little breathing space between himself and the young blood thirsty companion he would now have to prove himself to. Diego stroked its damp feathers tenderly and tugged and the knot around its leg. The material of the letter was most peculiar, and seemed to be made from cloth. But that was nothing compared to its contents. Startled, he nearly dropped the message completely, and turned to face the two on the ground. Blood.

[Nicola Rangé]

Nicola followed Rahmil to her room cautiously. When she opened the door, he went straight to the wall, laying his back against it with his arms crossed. From this position, he could watch the two of them as Rahmil got ready. She--Nicola had noted--had been very quiet. Which brought up the question in his mind: had she known? And if so, for how long? He exhaled slowly. He couldn't even believe he was doing this; working with a Templar to free one of their fellow Assassins. He's just trying to gain your trust, he thought to himself. Don't let him in--not even for a moment.

Nicola was the last to follow them down the stairs, still keeping an eye on Antonnio, who seemed to be mindful of him, as well. He stopped outside and pulled his hood over his head, as to shield himself from the droplets of water that had started falling more frequently. He looked up as he watched the Templar go for a new note that had arrived, crossing his arms. "What's wrong?" he called up to him when he watched him stop.

[Rahmil Binachi]

And then they were out. Descending the screaming stairs and into the roaring ugly.
Diego was the first to exit, Rahmil was second, and Nicola last.
Rain immediately spat down onto her person, leaving drops of cold on her warm skin. On instinct, she reached back to her hood and yanked it over her face, shielding away what she could.
Only then was she yanked out of her wet misery by the startled intake of breath.
She glanced up sharply to notice the disgust and worry etched all over Diegos frozen features.
He was speechless.
Nicolas voice sounded wordlessly behind her while curiosity gripped at her.
Pushing her forward.
Her feet placed themselves one after another on their own accord, while her hand reached out as the unspoken words of 'show me' poured out of her skin.
Though his loose grip allowed the paper to flap in the sudden gust, revealing the red letters smeared into the material.
She snatched her hand back, dropping her bag to hold the trembling hand to her chest.
Rahmil turned her body so that she could face them both, looking them both in the eyes as her voice spoke with the fearful undertone that meant even more than the raging voices above them.

" _{Let's go.} "

[Alessia Jiron[Inactive]]

Alessia hoped her little note made it to its destination without problems without being seen by someone who wasn't supposed to see it or Templars who would keep it. She was sure that whoever got her notes would understand she was facing the worse situation now. She laid on the bed looking up to the ceiling as she was trying to figure out a way to get of the stone room. Her eyes looked at the door as it opened revealing two guards and a man walked into the room. Ali stood up wondering what was going on though stayed near the best as it was a good thing if she could make her escape. "Assassin come over and sit down." The man spoke who looked like a Templar versus being a mere guard like the other two who stood at the door doing their job. She cautiously walked over looking at her surroundings just in case she need to do something. She knew she could lie her way out of anything and hoped this was one of those attempts she could prove it. The assassin sat down across where the man was standing. "What did you steal signora?" The man asked her as he sat down at the table across from her. "I didn't steal anything that concerns you or your cause." Alessia spoke keeping her self calm and posed as ever. She knew it would be a rough interrogation as she could tell he was becoming angry with her response. "Alright Assassin Ill ask you again... What did you steal?" He spoke as the anger rose in his voice. She smirked a little already figuring out his weakness as it was his anger. The female shook her head. "I told you it doesn't concern you." She spoke again keeping her calm voice. She tried to keep herself like this under pressure but it didn't always work that way. The man growled at her as he was trying to collect himself yet again. "Fine then Signora lets see what pretty little face is under your hood Guard tie her down." He spoke again as the guard walked over to her holding chains to bind her legs and arms together so she wouldn't move. When the guard came over however she stood up and punched him in the face. The guard came back swinging and she dodged before dropping down and kicking his legs out from underneath him. When she stood up however the Templar put his sword at her throat with a smirk on his face. Alessia knew defeat as she held up her hands. The Templar motioned for the guard who now standing up to come over to her. "Take the hood off now!" He demanded. The guard walked behind her and took off her hood revealing her brown hair and blue eyes along with her fair skin. The man smirked at her lowering down his sword before approaching her and taking her chin. "Are you happy now you get to see my face Templar." She spoke with a distaste to her mouth. "Oh i am. Such a beautiful girl and so sad to meet your fate here if you don't tell me what you stole" He spoke again and again Alessia shook her head. This time instead of words being exchanged he took his hand and hit her across her face. The assassin did not budge from her point. She knew she had to hold out longer. The Templar took his sword and slashed it across her body not deep enough to kill her but enough to bleed. The female dropped to the floor and covered her wound with her hand to stop the bleeding. She knew once he left she could take something to cover it up. "Now girl think about what you have stolen and ill return for you tomorrow to get that information" The man spoke showing he was satisfied with what happiness. He and the guards left the room leaving her there suffering and injuries. Alessia stood up weakly and took her sash off and tying it with one hand and her mouth up tightly across her arm and shoulder where the wound was bleeding. She moved back to the bed and laid down on it again counting the time she would be here.

[Diego Liberatore]

His hands twisted in his hair, thinking fruitlessly. Those were just the questions. What was wrong? He hadn't the slightest idea. What were Templars doing taking Assassin captives? That wasn't their goal, that wasn't routine. It was the Assassins who sought out Templars, not the other way around. Unless... unless they had come upon each other - stumbled, more so. That was the only thing he could think of. She must have gotten in the way.

But that still didn't answer their second problem. 'Let's go', Rahmil had said. Go where? A tower somewhere in Roma? A frustrated exhalation burst through his lips and he paced on the roof top, looking down at Nicola and Rahmil. They would blame him for this. Whatever happened, they would blame him for it. They would make him pay for it, too. For the crimes of those in his creed. And whatever poor woman, this Alessia Jiron, her blood would be - was very much already - on his hands. Back and forth he paced, thinking.... thinking... Time was ticking. No, time was up. And Diego didn't have an answer. He ran his fingers through his wet hair, raked them over his scalp. Cold plumes of white vapor rose from his lips as he tried to focus enough for his mind to function. He had to remember. He had to be logical. Methodical.

The pigeons. The first in the morning. He had seen Rahmil take it from its perch. The second... the second had come under an hour a later. Fifteen minutes, maybe twenty. How far could a pigeon fly in twenty minutes? He tried to be logical, he tried to think, pictured a map in his head. Where would the Templars keep a captive? Where did they have access to? Underground. That was his first answer. In the catacombs. But no, that wasn't right. She had sent birds, had said she was in a tower. Diego jumped down off the ledge. "There's an abandoned church." he said. It was his best guess. It wasn't safe enough to house services. The building was falling apart, and would need to be restored. They had connections in the church, the Templars did. But he was so cut off from the rest of his fellows.... he couldn't be certain. Maybe they had purchased the building, under the table. Maybe. He didn't know, couldn't be sure. He sheathed his sword and began to run.

[Nicola Rangé]

Nicola kept his arms crossed as he waited impatiently. What's on that note? he wondered. He took a deep breath as he looked skyward, watching the clouds that continued to storm above. He was so absorbed in though, he barely noticed the Templar as he bolted away down the streets... Until it struck him. He dug his heels into the ground as he took off after him. Was he... Trying to escape from them? Leaving without so much of a single word? But upon further thought, realization settled and he knew he was probably just leading them hastily. Why was he so eager? Unless... They were running out of time. Whatever was on that note must have been urgent.

[Rahmil Binachi]

And just like that, they were both gone.
Leaving Rahmil stricken and dumbfounded in her own weight.
She blinked once
twice
thrice
then threw her bag over her shoulder and clambered up onto the roofs, the weight of the bag smacking against her back with enough force of annoyance, yet not so much of pain.

Squinting in the dark light, she saw the quick motion of Diego running across the arches, and soon she took off after him.
She started out wobbly, the water laughing at her as her feet desperately clawed for traction, but once motion was on her side, she was good to go.
" _{Where are you going!} " She barked, her voice sharp and high pitched, slicing through the rain and low rumbles.

[Diego Liberatore]

People jumped back off the streets, pulled each other out of the way of the fast-footed Templar as he charged through the center of his path. On any normal circumstance he would have stopped to apologize, and wouldn't have shoved them so roughly as he tried to pass by at mach speed. Rahmil's voice made him look over his shoulder at her for a moment, but nothing more. She was on the rooftops - a place he wished he was. But he hadn't taken the time to climb up to that higher, clearer path, and didn't have the time now. As to her question, he wasn't about to just shout the answer back up at her. It seemed pointless to him to draw any more attention than he was already drawing to himself. A runner through the streets was a little unusual, but it wasn't too startling. Any number of excuses lay at his disposal for that. But to start shouting at rooftops about abandoned churches and towers might be a bit much. She would just have to follow him, and trust that he was leading her in the right direction. Uncertain as he was, he hoped he was leading her in the right direction, too. He could hear the heavy splashes Nicola made behind him, but didn't check to make sure he was keeping pace. He was an assassin, he probably couldn't shake him off his trail if he tried.

After what seemed like ages of searching, and coming upon several infuriating and curse-filled wrong turns and dead ends, Diego finally came to a square which he believed to be the abandoned church, in which he believed the assassin girl was being held. So much was uncertain it made him feel sick to his stomach. Only then did he turn around, breathless, to face Rahmil and Nicola. Now they needed a new plan - how to get into the church tower.

[Nicola Rangé]

It seemed like ages before Antonnio finally stopped before, what seemed to be, an old abandoned church. Nicola skidded to a stop just a few feet away, a little breathless. He took a moment to let his breathing settle before examining the architecture before him. Why would Templars keep someone here of all places? He raised an eyebrow slightly at the thought.

His eyes then narrowed as they fell upon Antonnio once more. Clenching his hand into a fist, he approached him, stopping just inches from his face. "Listen," he ordered, "I don't trust you or your kind. If you try anything that I find suspicious, I won't hesitate to cut your throat. Understand?"

Nicola was being... A lot more aggressive than he normally would have been. What was it that made him so edgy? It had to be Rahmil. Upon reflection, he had realized that it was his over-protectiveness of his friends that made him so forceful. In one way, it made him glad that he had found someone who he could consider a friend. In another way, he felt weakened by the need to protect her. A single human being having this much of a hold over him worried Nicola--especially him of all people; someone who didn't let emotions interfere with his work.

[Rahmil Binachi]

Rahmil had fallen behind.
The weight of the bag, the slickness of the roofs, and just the pure confusion of where they were going was encumbering her process. However, the deadly tone of voices up ahead was her only indication that they had stopped.
Of course they were already bickering.
Clenching her teeth, she stopped at the edge of the roof above them, her breath coming heavy through her tight teeth. The only barricade protecting them from her annoyance.
" _Boys. " She hissed under the sound of a rumbling cloud.
It too seemed to be angry at them.


Once her breath was caught, and contained again in her lungs -as it rightfully should be-, she looked up to where Diego was looking just moments ago.
A tower.
That would make sense, any open window could fit the two fingers that held the paper of help.

Wet hair clung to her face like needy children, getting in her eyes if she looked to fast, and slapping her in the face at any sudden movement. She grunted, and yanked her -now drenched- hood off her face, and tied the wet mess behind her head with a small band that was around her wrist.
How attractive She thought with a very un-feminine snort.

On her belt hung two pairs of gloves. One for warmth, and the other for climbing. On the climbing pairs base, was a very thick and gritty part- mainly for conditions very much like the one they were in.
Yanking them off her belt and shaking the water out, she slid them on her hands and threw her bag down. Rolling her shoulders to release the tension it created with it's dead weight.
From the roof to the tower was a pretty noticeable distance.
Enough distance to hold the two girls
men below.
She looked at them
her feet
the tower.
And counted.
1, she moved her feet and crouched.
2, she took a deep breath, expanding her lungs to their fullest with wet oxygen.
3, she pushed with all her might against the tile, and threw her weight off the building. Slinging herself forward and reaching out with her gloved hands like a cat reaches out with wet claws.

Her body collided with the brick, while her fingers tore at the small protrusion from the wall. She grunted through the pain, taking a moment to hang there and catch the air that had pushed its self from her lungs.
Then she pulled herself up, her two feet catching onto the thin ledge.
Just above her was a rod, enough to hold her weight if she balanced it correctly. Then from there, she thought, would be a piece of cake.
She wiggled her butt, positioning her feet in the appropriate places, and jumped up, grasping onto the rod and swinging herself up. It let out a small groan, but was otherwise still.
She was up, and she was proud.
Looking down at the two, she let out a low whistle.
" _{Are you two coming?} " She called down in a very cat-call voice, a grin spread across her face.
" _{Or am I going to have to out-do the both of you?} "