Tough Love

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Tough Love was a virtual representation of one of Kassandra's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.

Description

Kassandra met with Mikkos north of Myrina in Thasos.

Dialogue

Kassandra docked at Lemnos and a civilian hailed her as she disembarked.

• Civilian: Misthios! Over here, I need to talk to you!

Kassandra approached the man.

• Civilian: Misthios! And that looks like Barnabas's ship.
• Kassandra: In fact it—

Barnabas came up behind Kassandra.

• Barnabas: Ah! That ship belongs to the Eagle Bearer now. Legendary misthios, famed across the Greek world. I am just her humble servant.
• Civilian: Barnabas! You're back!
• Barnabas: In the flesh. A little older, but not a bit wiser.
• Civilian: Mikkos sent me here to wait for your return. It's about Neleus...

Barnabas rolled his one good eye.

• Barnabas: Here we go. What has my nephew gotten himself into this time?
• Civilian: I think the trouble is real, Barnabas. You should go to him. Mikkos told me not to return without help, and I mean not to.

Barnabas raised a finger.

• Barnabas: I need to think. But one thing... I know my nephew. Ah yes. He's fine, that much is certain. I'll be on the ship.

Barnabas walked back towards the ship.

• Civilian: And you, misthios? I need someone to go see about Neleus.

(If players choose "Why doesn't Barnabas believe you?")

• Kassandra: Why doesn't Barnabas think something is wrong with his nephew?
• Civilian: It's just... Neleus was a legendary nuisance growing up. He lied. He cheated. He brawled and broke things.
• Kassandra: Some of us grow out of that.
• Civilian: Well, now Neleus is a serious athlete, training to be an Olympic champion. And what's more, he's family to Barnabas.
• Kassandra: That is important.

(If players choose "I'll see what's going on.")

• Kassandra: I'll help Barnbas's nephew however I can.
• Civilian: Neleus lives with his caretaker, Mikkos. Their house is just up the hill north of here.

Kassandra travelled to Mikkos' House. As she approached, she heard a loud argument coming from inside the house.

• Barnabas: The amount of times this boy's been "too sick to work" only to hear, not two hours later, he's in the fields with his friends. By Zeus!
• Mikkos: He's grown since you've been gone. He's not a kid anymore.
• Barnabas: Ah, but still up to his old tricks, if you ask me.
• Mikkos: Listen to reason, Barnabas. I saw him vomiting myself. And now he's like this!

Kassandra entered the house to see Barnabas and Mikkos standing over Neleus, who lay on a mat on the ground.

• Barnabas: He's faking it, Mikkos. I've seen this routine before. Gods! Grant me Penelope's patience.

Neleus groaned in his sleep.

• Mikkos: It's not just Neleus. There have been others. All promising young athletes turning up sick or missing. Something's not right in Thasos.
• Barnabas: What goes on across Thasos is not my concern. But I know my nephew. Ah, yes. He practically worships at the altar of Aergia. A devotee of sloth and idleness, he is.
• Mikkos: Help me talk sense into him, misthios.

Neleus needs tough love.Try a gentle approach.

• Kassandra: Maybe you should be a bit easier on your nephew this time. He really does seem sick.

Barnabas shook his head sadly as Neleus groaned again.

• Barnabas: Ah, you're right. I–I guess I didn't want it to be true. He's not a boy anymore, I can see that.

• Mikkos: He may be grown, but he still needs help.
• Barnabas: There's only one way I know how.

Barnabas walked out of the house, pausing at the door only to give Kassandra and Mikkos his parting instructions.

• Barnabas: Let me know if there is any change in his condition. I'll be at the ship making offerings to Asklepios.

Barnabas left. Kassandra turned back to Mikkos.

• Kassandra: Give Barnabas some time.
• Mikkos: But our time may run out. I have more leads to follow up on, but with Neleus like this I can't leave his side. Maybe you could help me?

(If the players choose "I'll help.")

• Kassandra: Barnabas is like family to me. I want to do anything I can to help Neleus.
• Mikkos: Thank you.

Mikkos relaxed.

• Mikkos: You know, it's not often a beautiful and capable misthios comes to this house.

Flirt – Must have been the Fates.Not now.

• Kassandra: They may have brought Neleus sickness, but the Fates have brought us together...
• Mikkos: I'd hate to get sick someday and think of all the fun I didn't have.
• Kassandra: But first, there are those leads you mentioned.

• Mikkos: Well, someone at the Champion's Gymnasium must know something.
• Mikkos: Aietes was the last one to be with Neleus when he was well.
• Kassandra: They were friends?
• Mikkos: They were. If he doesn't know anything, you could talk to the doctor at the quarry.
• Kassandra: If he's the local doctor, he's bound to know something.

(If players choose "What more can you tell me about the Champion's Gymnasium?")

• Kassandra: What more can you tell me about this gymnasium? You say other athletes have disappeared?
• Mikkos: Many, yes. A lot of the athletes came here to train from elsewhere across the Greek world, so when they disappear, people think they maybe just went home.
• Kassandra: A convenient story if something bad were happening to them.
• Mikkos: Exactly.

(If players choose "Where is the quarry?")

• Kassandra: I'd like to have a word with that doctor at the quarry.
• Mikkos: The Aliki Quarry is at the southern point of Thasos. The doctor there is mixed up with training athletes and the workers.
• Kassandra: Sounds like a strange connection.
• Mikkos: Yes, until you realize half of the workers are athletes who have given up on their training. Something's happened to them, and that doctor is the only connection I see.

(If players choose "Where can I find Aietes?")

• Kassandra: The last person to see Neleus before he got sick was Aietes. Where can I find him?
• Mikkos: He's an aspiring athlete, too, but nowhere near as talented as Neleus. He trains alone on the outskirts of the Vineyard of Glory. You're sure to find him there.

(Leave – "I'll look into these leads.")

• Kassandra: I'll follow up on these leads and check back when I know what's going on.
• Mikkos: Thank you, misthios. And feel free to "check back" any time.

References

• Assassin's Creed: Odyssey