[That's a fair reaction, really. Arno isn't surprised that Tony's a bit suspicious just now. It makes sense, from a logical perspective.]
I do and have. There are men out there deserving of death. A few women too.
[THAT admission is a bit harder for him to admit to. It's not that she was not deserving, and you don't become a full assassin unless you're willing to do the things that are hard for you too, but still. It's a hard and probably awkward situation.
He doesn't need to explain himself to anyone, Arno thinks, but there is something about this that he doesn't want to foul up so soon. His expression turns serious as he looks to Tony.]
I... think I should give you a better explanation than that. [He's stopping, where it looks like things are quieter, then leaning on the side of a building that looks nearly deserted this time of day.]
Being an Assassin is one thing. Killing in cold blood for no reason is another. When we strike, we strike those who could not be reached in any other way. A grain agent who insisted that her couriers lose some of their wheat, so that less bread could be made and the price be driven up, when the people were already starving on what they could barely afford, murderers, those who would not be punished in the system because they know how to play it and win
[It still doesn't sound great, and he knows it, but it's not so bad as it comes out at first.]
Our moves are more deliberate than it must sound. Our Mentor and a Council give the orders. First, we investigate, then we analyze what we've found, and they decide on our course of action. Well, we are supposed to wait.
[He looks, and sounds, rather chagrined as he admits to this last part, indicating, well, it's probably obvious.]
If a death can be prevented, then other ways to solve the problem are found. Death IS the last resort that's used. Killing may be wrong, but when someone presents the larger threat, we do...well...
[Arno's pausing, actually swallowing a moment before he continues that.]
We do what we need to. That's all.
[His thoughts turn to Bellec, and his eyes go dark for a moment, remembering their last fight and all that came next. Certainly not a high point in either of their careers, he would imagine.]
And we do have our enemies, who work against not only us, but the principles that we...that many people hold dearly in this world. I don't think the Templars are going to stop until they've taken over the country, maybe the world.
They aren't all bad, Templars. But a good number of them are in some godforsaken noble's pocket and they know it and don't care. Whatever influence and power they can gain, they take. We do the same, when we can, but I would say that personal freedom and the ability to not be indoctrinated like sheep into a world that a few select of their members take care to give the orders in are worth it when you weigh our pros and cons.
[He shrugs a little here, hood falling forward over his head as he does so. ]
They harm guilty and innocent alike, when it comes to the Templars. We stay our blades from innocent flesh. It's not...it was not all so dark and criminal as it must sound. If I have a soul, I've probably sold it, back when I signed up. But the brotherhood...it gave me a great bargain for that soul is what it did.
The point is, I guess, we're not all what we seem. No one actually is.
no subject
I do and have. There are men out there deserving of death. A few women too.
[THAT admission is a bit harder for him to admit to. It's not that she was not deserving, and you don't become a full assassin unless you're willing to do the things that are hard for you too, but still. It's a hard and probably awkward situation.
He doesn't need to explain himself to anyone, Arno thinks, but there is something about this that he doesn't want to foul up so soon. His expression turns serious as he looks to Tony.]
I... think I should give you a better explanation than that. [He's stopping, where it looks like things are quieter, then leaning on the side of a building that looks nearly deserted this time of day.]
Being an Assassin is one thing. Killing in cold blood for no reason is another. When we strike, we strike those who could not be reached in any other way. A grain agent who insisted that her couriers lose some of their wheat, so that less bread could be made and the price be driven up, when the people were already starving on what they could barely afford, murderers, those who would not be punished in the system because they know how to play it and win
[It still doesn't sound great, and he knows it, but it's not so bad as it comes out at first.]
Our moves are more deliberate than it must sound. Our Mentor and a Council give the orders. First, we investigate, then we analyze what we've found, and they decide on our course of action. Well, we are supposed to wait.
[He looks, and sounds, rather chagrined as he admits to this last part, indicating, well, it's probably obvious.]
If a death can be prevented, then other ways to solve the problem are found. Death IS the last resort that's used. Killing may be wrong, but when someone presents the larger threat, we do...well...
[Arno's pausing, actually swallowing a moment before he continues that.]
We do what we need to. That's all.
[His thoughts turn to Bellec, and his eyes go dark for a moment, remembering their last fight and all that came next. Certainly not a high point in either of their careers, he would imagine.]
And we do have our enemies, who work against not only us, but the principles that we...that many people hold dearly in this world. I don't think the Templars are going to stop until they've taken over the country, maybe the world.
They aren't all bad, Templars. But a good number of them are in some godforsaken noble's pocket and they know it and don't care. Whatever influence and power they can gain, they take. We do the same, when we can, but I would say that personal freedom and the ability to not be indoctrinated like sheep into a world that a few select of their members take care to give the orders in are worth it when you weigh our pros and cons.
[He shrugs a little here, hood falling forward over his head as he does so. ]
They harm guilty and innocent alike, when it comes to the Templars. We stay our blades from innocent flesh. It's not...it was not all so dark and criminal as it must sound. If I have a soul, I've probably sold it, back when I signed up. But the brotherhood...it gave me a great bargain for that soul is what it did.
The point is, I guess, we're not all what we seem. No one actually is.