Isaac Altair

“What the heck is that supposed to mean, not a part of the cartel…he’s working for Alessandro is he not?” Huffing lightly, Ingrid pushes her hair out of her face and bites down on her lower lip, giving Isaac a nervous glance. She looks back at her daughter for a long moment before closing the door and turning to face him. “Maybe you can’t but I can try.” Ingrid mumbles, pouting a bit when Isaac places his hands on her arms. “If it’s not easy for you either why are you letting it happen?” Opening her mouth to protest against his words, she promptly shuts it again, narrowing her eyes. Sadly…he was right. Leo’s mother was murdered, and god knows what that might have done to him growing up. Ingrid and Isaac were both very honest and caring about their son and daughter, though sometimes it hurt her to be. She sighs lightly, stepping closer to her husband and resting her head on his shoulder. “Why can’t he just talk to us? Or…I know know, why does he have to do this?”

“Yes, but we’re not like a cartel, you know that. It’s different for us, we’re family, it’s not all business” he replied with a sigh, running a hand through his hair. It was difficult for someone outside that world to see what set apart one killer from another, but Ingrid had known all along that this was his life “And that means every single man of the Amatores will have his back. Always”. He gave his wife a sympathetic look, because he could understand this wasn’t easy for her “Go ahead and try if you want, but he’s been set on doing this for years” he told her with a serious tone, so she wouldn’t get her hopes up on that matter, thinking that there was a big chance to convince Leonardo to do otherwise. “Because I was in his place when I was younger. I understand that need that is driving him to do this”. One of his hands moved up to her cheek, resting there as his thumb caressed her skin tenderly. “It’s us Altair boys, we have that in our blood” he said with a sad smile and a shrug. Death seemed to have a way to break them when they were younger and then they grew up to become bringers of death. “He’s doing this because I was his example, Ingrid. Now he’s following it” he said in a low tone, being realistic about this time around.

“Diversión, mi hermano, que está a punto de casarse.” As the strippers walk in, Ivan claps like a child on christmas, laughing his ass off and nearly falling out of his seat on the couch. “Ladies, ladies, come on in.” Flagging them down, Ivan sits with his legs crossed, leaning back into the cushions. “So, ladies, this is my handsome cousin Isaac, he’s getting married.” All of them squeal, flocking over to Isaac, putting their hands on his shoulders and arms. “Hermano, I covered my tracks. The likelihood of Echo knowing is slim, plus she loves me and trusts me. She knows me joke. Try me.” “What does she look like?” “Do you have pictures?” “She must be beautiful if she’s marrying you!” The girls chime in, making Ivan laugh as he pulls out Isaac’s phone that he stole earlier. “Here’s pictures, ladies.” Ivan leans over to his cousin, giving him a wink. “I thought you could use some gal pals, since you are a cute little gal. They’re not here to strip. But it’s money well spent for that look on your face.” 

“Si no fuera porque en verdad me agrada Echo, ya estarías muerto” Isaac hissed at his cousin, giving him a true death-glare. Awkwardly sitting on his spot, he just looked around as the room was flooded as all those ladies with very tiny, very revealing clothing surrounded him. The second they started to touch him he sat more stiffly, and he had no idea what to answer as they all bombarded him wtih questions “Yeah, uh- Ingrid is very beautiful” he replied to one of the few questions he actually managed to hear in all that squealing, and laughing and talking. Hearing Ivan’s words, he looked at his cousin with disbelief and an expression that revealed he he really wanted to punch him “I fucking hate you”.

Let me get this straight.

“It’s not like that. We’re not a cartel, Ingrid” the man replied, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned in a relaxed way against his daughter’s door frame. He could understand Ingrid’s worry, of course, but Leonardo was mature enough, and most importantly skilled enough, to get into the Amatore family. “I can’t stop him from making his own choices” he told her before he took a couple of steps closer to kiss Amelia’s forehead. After they leave their daughter to sleep and exit her bedroom, he turns to his wife, placing both hands on her arms in a soothing manner “I know you are, and this isn’t easy for me either” he began, his voice calm and collected “Unfortunately for both of us, he takes after me... And I can’t keep him from doing the very thing I did in the past. He needs it, Ingrid. Leo is lucky that he got to grow up with a mom, with you, but he still has some demons because of what happened to Carla and this is his way of dealing with it”.

Ah, right on time.

“¿De qué coño hablas?” Isaac asked with a frown, looking a bit confused for a second thoug he was already suspecting his cousin was about to reveal some bullshit idea he’d come up with. If he’d learnt anything about Ivan over the years besides knowing that his cousin would always have his back, was that he had an uncanny ability to pull off stupid shit and it that was never to be underestimated. He sat down even though he didn’t want to. Something was going on, he could sense it and it wasn’t going to be good for him. This was going to be payback for Vegas, he could sense it already... And the strippers walked in. He immediately glared at his cousin, giving him a murderous look before he spoke “You’re fucking dead, asshole”. There was a silver lining to all this, though, there was still a way to turn this around and have his cousin get fucked by this situation, so Isaac smirked “Echo won’t like this at all. You can bet your sorry ass I’ll tell her you brought strippers”.

Buscando la salida, me topé con tu sonrisa

"La la la la..."

(Holding the cigarette between his fingers, he slowly blew out the smoke and nodded in a thankful manner at the bartender when he set a beer in front of him. With his son at home, he no longer lit a single cigarette inside the apartment, all for Leo and Ingrid's health, since she was around the house too quite often. Absentmindedly looking around, his eyes set on the woman that was just a couple of meters from him. He recognized her straight away, remembering her as one of Knight's three agents that ended up siding with the S Gene carriers in the end the same way his cousin and him did) You look familiar (is all he says, not sure if she remembered things from before the time jump).

[Ingrid was so much about sharing and being honest with a person but for the first time, she didn’t want to talk about it. The idea of just cutting off contact with this guy…she was getting attached now. She knew she was way too attached to him now to just let that go] You can try to chase me, I think you’ll find I sort of stay put though. [She smiles, reaching up to ruffle his hair playfully] I don’t scare you? Dang it, I’m just not scary at all? [Ingrid was always good with kids, Leo was special though, and he was special because he was Isaac’s kid. Was she putting in more effort? Yes, and it was an effortless sort of thing. Seeing Leo smile made her smile. Wow…first Isaac now Leonardo…she was sure both the boys would become a part of her life. And she wanted that] Ha detto di sì! [“He said yes!” Giving Leonardo a thumbs up, she gets up and jumps up and down a little bit before leaning down to speak with him] Posso tenere la mano? [“Can I hold your hand?” It was the first thing she’d learned in Italian and it made her chuckle that she could use it now. Leonardo nods vigorously and reaches up to take her hand, making her smile even brighter. Turning to see Isaac return into the room, she moves to the door and pushes it open] He’s gonna end up following me back to St. Mary’s. 

(He was kind of glad that they dropped the issue for now, he had enough worries and feelings of guilt as it was... He didn't want to think of letting go of Ingrid just yet, even if staying out of her life was most likely something he'd have to do eventually. He smiles a bit at her next words and moves a hand up to more or less settle his hair as it had been before she ruffled it). No, scary is not the word that comes to mind when I look at you. (When he returns with the sweater, he smiles at the image of his son holding Ingrid's hand. He seemed happy, and so did she. It was nice seeing Leo so excited about getting the ice cream and just basically by being around Ingrid. It was also pretty great that Ingrid had accepted his son just like that, not freaking out or anything about suddenly there being an extra person in their sort of relationship). Don't joke about it, I'm sure he'll do it (he replies with a light smile). Thanks for making my son smile. He needed that (he pulls her close for a moment to give her a quick kiss on the lips. At least it was intended to be quick, but Isaac kind of lingers there until he hears his son asking if they could go already) Sì, andiamo ("Yes, let's go" he tells him with a light chuckle).

Stop, stop, stop, just…let’s not talk about this now. You don’t need to talk about this right now. [Ingrid moves forward into his touch, resting her hands on his forearms. She rubs circles into his skin while her forehead rests on his] Your job is your job but when you’re with me you’re not your job. That’s all I care about. Even if you did stay away from me I’d be persistent. [Smiling lightly, she leans forward to give him a quick kiss before patting his chest] I’m glad you think so, because other people would…well, they would freak out. [She bites down on her lower lip, trying not to look too giddy but she really couldn’t hide it. No one had ever told her that her power was cool before, it was weird, or not normal] Oh, grazie. [Letting out a small laugh, Ingrid leans over to give Leo a high five before she claps her hands together. She narrows her eyes and looks from Isaac to Leo, raising an eyebrow] Lo penso…we should get un gelato, hm? Leonardo, ti piace un gelato?

(He looks at her for a moment before he nods, looking down. So they wouldn't talk about it. Not now. Eventually they would have to, and they both knew it because they weren't the sort of people that lived in a world when a happy ending between a hitman and an S Gene carrier came easy, there were too many variables around them, too many dangers and threats). Am I not the one that's supposed to chase after you? (he asks in a low tone, his lips curving into a gentle smile for a moment before she kisses him). I've been through things that freak me out, hearing your voice in my mind is not one of them (he tells her before he's the one that leans forward to place a quick kiss to her lips. As Ingrid and Leo give each other a high five, Isaac's smile widens. It was impressive, Ingrid had won over his kid in less than five minutes. He was pretty sure that if he let him be around her five more, Leo would be ready to walk out on him and go live with Ingrid. As soon as she mentions 'gelato', his son gets up and looks at him with pleading eyes and a happy grin). Sì, possiamo ottenere il gelato ("Yes, we can get ice cream" he tells his kid as he also gets up. He goes to the room to grab a sweater from Leo's suitcase -they hadn't unpacked his things yet- and returns, only to see his son already holding Ingrid's hand and ready to go). I think it's safe to say my son loves you already (he tells Ingrid with a light smile, sliding his arm around her shoulders so they could go out now).

[Contrasting to his frown, Ingrid smiles instead, shaking her head lightly as she puts her hands on his shoulders] Isaac, I’m not afraid of you or what you do…I think part of you wants me to be. Plus, anyone comes near me, I’d hear their thoughts before they even knew I was around. I believe in you, you need to believe in me, okay? [No, Ingrid wouldn’t kill if she was in danger, should couldn’t do that…but she could defend herself now that she’d invested more in her training. Over the past few weeks and that time where Isaac was gone, she’d taken to spending more time in the training facility with Ms. Dunham or even Mr. Webb sometimes. Mr. Wainlight often got pestered by her as well, Ingrid was constantly asking questions. Which reminded her she meant to ask Isaac what Mr. Wainlight had been talking about with memories and the future…now wasn’t the time for that. Chuckling at his reaction to her voice in his head, Ingrid nods] Nope, didn’t say anything aloud. It’s an extension of my ability. I can read minds, I can also project thoughts into other people’s thoughts. That doesn’t uh…scare you, does it? I figured it would be a good way to communicate, just us. [Looking up at him with a bright smile, she nods excitedly before adjusting her sitting position so she her legs criss crossed over one another] I’d like that very much. If I’m gonna hang out with this little guy I’m going to have to communicate with him. [Putting on a funny thinking face, Ingrid taps her chin and hums a bit before putting the finger in the air] Verde. Hm? Come ho fatto? [“How did I do?” She asks, giving Leo a smile before she looks back at Isaac. Resting her hand on the side of her head, propping it up on her elbow, she lets her gaze rest on his for a moment. There’s a faint smile on her lips which only grows the longer she looks at him. Holy cannolis Ingrid…She was falling for this guy and it was sort of terrifying and exciting all at once and she wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. Maybe it was just supposed to be confusing like this]

Because you should be, Ingrid. I mean... I kill for a living. I kill and steal things from people. Clearly I've earned more than a few enemies in this line of work. And what happened to Carla- (he cuts off, closing his eyes for a second. It was still hard to process that she was really gone... that she'd been killed as a warning and provocation to him. One life had been taken away just to make a point... He would never forgive himself for Carla's fate, for her untimely death) ...I don't want something like that to happen to you. And being with me... that's a surefire way for making it a possibility. I shouldn't even be saying this to you, Ingrid. I should just stay away from you, disappear from your life... (he lets out a breath, raising his hand to brush some hair behind her ear, but his hand lingers by her cheek and he rests it there, cupping her face). No, of course it doesn't scare me. That's a pretty cool skill, Ingrid (he says softly, managing a light smile. It was amazing that she was learning more about her power, it made him happy to know she was getting a better hold of it, getting more comfortable with it. It made him feel proud of her). Io vi insegnerò ("I will teach you" he tells Ingrid. He doesn't even notice that he's smiling as he watches Leo and Ingrid, and even more so when Leo's widen as she guesses right the color. Of course she would be right because it hadn't even been a guess at all "Si ha poteri speciali!" -You do have special powers!- Leonardo exclaims, clapping happily. Isaac ends up grinning, it was amazing that despite the tragedy that had fallen upon his son, he was smiling now. It had been heartbreaking to hold him while he cried back in the Amatore's estate, when the kid more or less understood his mommy had died. But now he was smiling, Ingrid had made him smile, and that was all a father could ask for). 

Young The Giant | "The Islands (The XX Remix)"

[She frowns lightly, shaking her head] Then she never would have had that little guy in there and you wouldn’t have the son that you love very much right? I know that might not justify you not feeling guilty, and there’s nothing I can say here for me not to make you feel that way but…I don’t want you to feel like you have to feel guilty about the same thing happening to me. [Resting her cheek on his chest, she closes her eyes for a moment and listens to his heartbeat. It was something that made her focus, hearing life in someone like that. His thoughts were clear enough for her to hear over the beating, however, she pulls away from him to look into his eyes. "We’ll talk about it later. But it doesn’t change a thing."  She didn’t say it out loud, but instead projected it into his thoughts. It was something Ingrid had been trying a lot lately, and in this case she figured it was as good a time as any to try it out with Isaac. She was worried about him now, everything was sort of just dumped onto his shoulders and she wasn’t about to run away from him and his son] Oh, he doesn’t speak English yet, I completely forgot. [Pressing her fingers to her lips, chuckling when the boy reaches out to touch her hair. She raises her eyebrows at Leo, making a couple faces before she looks up at Isaac to give him a warm smile. When Leo speaks, she grins and nods lightly] I know a bit of italian from…uh, ex-boyfriend. From Italy, taught me a bit, I decided to learn a bit, moving on. [She explains quickly, squinting a bit to hear the boys next words. All she could make out of it was princess. The question makes her laugh, and she shakes her head] Lo non sono una principessa. Umm … Io sono un … magician. So cosa stai pensando. [“I’m not a princess. I am a magician. I know what you’re thinking.” Ingrid taps her forehead and leans a little closer to Leonardo] Pensate ad un colore. [“Think of a color.” She smiles, leaning over to place a hand on Isaac’s shoulder, moving her thumb along the fabric lightly. It was her way of still comforting him even when she wasn’t speaking verbally to him]

(He knew she was trying to make him feel better, but he ends up frowning at those last words) Ingrid, don't... don't say that (he speaks in a low tone. He didn't want to think of it, even if he knew that her ending up hurt or worse because of him was a possible outcome, a very possible one. He should pull away from her, stay out of her life before he dragged her deeper into this violence and that chain of constant revenge. He holds her close when she leans into his chest, and truth was that he didn't want to pull away from her. Not now, not ever, he wanted her to stay a part of his life. It was a fucking selfish notion, and right now more than ever he should put Ingrid's safety. Suddenly he can hear Ingrid's voice in his mind and he blinks a couple of times, pulling away to look at her) Wait, what did you just do? I heard- You didn't say it out loud, did you? (he asks warily, not sure if he'd imagined it had been her voice in his thoughts. There's a warm sensation in his chest when he sees Leo and Ingrid together, both safe, both alive. He still thought it was some sort of miracle the cartel hadn't found his kid when they went for Carla. If they also had gotten to Leonardo he didn't know in what fucked up state he'd be in right now...). Well, if you want to learn some more, I'd gladly teach you (he tells her with a light smile. So her ex-boyfriend had taught her some Italian. Now it was time for her current- well, he wasn't her boyfriend, but he could still teach her). That's good (his smile grows a little, pleasantly surprised by Ingrid's Italian. It would be fairly easy for her to continue learning new things because she already had the foundations. Leo gives him an incredulous look after Ingrid tells him she's a magician). È vero. Ha un potere speciale ("It's true. She has a special power" he tells his son with a nod, gently ruffling his hair. Leonardo beams and thinks of a color. "Verde", he thinks. Green. Isaac looks at her when he feels her hand on his shoulder. He had one hand resting on his son's back, and he lifts his free one to gently caress Ingrid's cheek for a moment).

[Giving him a sympathetic look, reaching up to place her hand on his cheek. Something like this would be eating him up inside…because of the job he had, it must’ve had something to do with Carla’s death] You’re going to be okay, and so is your son. This isn’t your fault, Isaac, you left so she’d be safe…there’s nothing you could’ve done. [She sighs, giving him a small nod as she moves out a little to see Leonardo sitting on the couch] So…we’ll just have to make sure that nothing does. He’ll be fine, he has you and now, well now he has me too. I’ll help out. [Ingrid smiles lightly, taking his hand in her own and giving it a small squeeze] It’s good he believes something. [Tightening her grip on his, her hand runs along his back while the other wraps around his hair] You’re doing the best you can. [She whispers close to his ear, pulling away to look at him] I’m glad you back. [Smiling again, Ingrid leans forward to press her lips against his softly, letting her hand slide down to rest on his chest] I really did miss you. [Ingrid taps his nose before she goes into the living room and and plops down beside Leonardo] Hi, I’m Ingrid. Watcha watchin?

(His eyes are downcast, but they dart up to meet hers when he feels her hand caressing his cheek. He doesn't say anything at first, because he wants to let her comfort him. He needed this, he needed those words and knowing she was there, alive, that he hadn't lost her as well... yet. He appreciated her effort to make him feel better, and in a way she did achieve it, but deep down he knew that at least one part of what she'd said was a blatant lie) It is my fault, Ingrid (he says in a low, broken tone) If it hadn't been for me, she'd never become a target... (He pulls Ingrid close again, holding her in his arms. He was mourning for a woman he'd been in love with once, and now he had found this girl that he was falling in love with. In the situation he was, he couldn't help but be terrified that he was putting Ingrid in danger just as he'd done Carla... Ingrid had already been in the line of fire once, what if- He doesn't even dare to finish that thought. He wanted to believe what Ingrid was saying was true, that they all would be alright. Hell, she was even speaking of including his son into whatever relationship he had with her. Not every girl would have done that, probably most girls would run off now that he was officially a single dad. As much as he'd like that, the three of them... he couldn't drag her down with him, people that surrounded him ended up dead. He had all these worries running through his head, and she was probably listening. Yet right now he couldn't bring himself to properly discuss it all with her, but later on they definitely had to). It's good to be back (he says somewhat quietly, finding it a bit hard to inject his words with any positive emotion. But when Ingrid kisses him, at least he's able to show her through that small action what he wasn't able to articulate well enough: he really was glad to have her here with him right now. When she heads to the living room to talk to Leo he follows). Ehi, amico. Dire ciao. ("Hey buddy. Say hi" he says with a light smile to his little boy, who was looking at Ingrid with curious eyes and already reaching out to touch a strand of her pretty, long hair. Leo had been raised with Italian as his mother tongue and his English probably consisted on the ABC and the names of colors because he'd seen that in cartoons. So at least for now, he'd have to act as translator between his son and Ingrid until he taught him more English or Ingrid learned a bit of Italian). Il suo nome è Ingrid. Dille il tuo nome. Andiamo, lei è una persona molto piacevole. ("Her name is Ingrid. Tell her your name. Come on, she's a very nice person" he tells to Leo as he goes to sit by his side and lets him sit on his lap. The kid was looking at her with wonder and a bit of a shy smile formed on his lips as he went ahead and introduced himself to her by saying "Sono Leonardo. E 'buono conoscerti") He says it's nice to meet you. (Leo taps Isaac's shoulder and he looks down at his son "Lei è carina, babbo. Lei è una principessa?" says the kid before he looks back at Ingrid. Isaac can't help but smile at those words) He wants to know if you're a princess, because he says you're pretty.

[Opening her mouth to speak, Ingrid finds herself a little stunned. Out of everything she’d thought of, this…this hadn’t been one of them. Biting down on her lower lip, she leans over and takes his arm, leading him into the kitchen] Are you alright? Is…is he alright? I mean does he even know that his mother… [Taking a deep breath in, Ingrid slowly moves forward to wrap her arms around him] Isaac I’m sorry. 

(Isaac glances at his son, he was still hugging a pillow as he watched some cartoons. Then he follows Ingrid into the kitchen. At her first question he simply nods slowly at first. He wasn't alright... and he'd promised Ingrid that he wouldn't lie to her) ...no (he finally says. He was feeling as if his guilt was eating him up from inside, it was a poisoning sensation, but it was his fault what had happened to Carla). He's scared... Thankfully he didn't see anything, but he's afraid that whatever happened to Carla could happen to him... (he runs a hand through his hair, letting out a breath) I didn't tell him exactly what happened to his mom, I mean- Leo knows she's gone, he understands that his mommy is in heaven (he says, because that was what his son had said. Isaac wasn't one who believed in God or heaven, but if that was his kid's way of understanding his mom had died and was in a peaceful place now, he wasn't going to break that illusion for him. When Ingrid pulls him close, he wraps his arms around her as well, closing his eyes for a moment).

I'm here!

(Even if he was glad to see Ingrid, he doesn't smile when he sees her) Hi (he holds her close for a second as she kisses his cheek, and when he pulls away to look at her, there's unmistakeble sadness in his eyes) I missed you too. (He closes the door once she's inside, and soon enough Ingrid sees Leonardo sitting on the couch, while he's still thinking of the easy way to tell her what had happened). Ingrid, that's... that's my son. Leonardo (he says in a low voice, not wanting his kid to hear this conversation. He was just a five-year-old, he was barely grasping the idea that his mommy was gone) ...his mother- Carla... she got killed two days ago.

Fuck off. [Ivan flips his cousin off, sneering a bit though he can’t help but smirk before he turns away from him. He knew it was sort of pathetic he couldn’t shop on his own, but he never really had to. Wow what the hell kind of man was he really?] She’s a nice girl hermano. All jokes aside, I know I’m a shithead eh, I like to mess with you. This girl, she’s good for you. You’re all smiley and fucking dumb in the head when you’re with her and while I get a kick outta that it is good to see you like that again. [He jokingly ruffles Isaac’s hair and chuckles lightly as he moves away so he doesn’t get punched. Grabbing a box of his favorite fruit rollups- he had no idea why he was addicted to those- Ivan turns to his cousin and rolls his eyes] Please like Faye can do as good a job as me. We get shit done faster when we work together and the job I’m doing, it’s to ensure Echo’s safety, if you must know. [Ivan nearly chokes as Isaac’s next comment] ‘You don’t forget the things you learn well? ¡Oh, dios mío, pobre alma, su pequeño hombre ha estado fuera de servicio durante más tiempo que el mío, hermano. ["oh my god you poor soul, your little man has been out of service longer than mine, brother." Shaking his head, he waves Isaac off and looks at cat toys] Hey you ever think we should get a pet? I bet Ingrid would back me up on that. 

(When Ivan flips him off, Isaac kindly returns the gesture. He also smirks a little, but turns a bit more serious when his cousin speaks of Ingrid without being teasing about it) It's alright. I guess I deserve it, I didn't go easy on you when Echo made you her bitch (he smiles at Ivan. Despite the mocking remark by the end, his smile wasn't a smirk but an actual smile. He was happy, and it was kind of nice to know his cousin was glad to see him this way. He supposed Ivan was feeling something similar to what he did when he realized Echo was the real deal for his cousin, and that at last had come someone that really brought some light into the life of a hitman). Fuck off (he laughs a bit as his cousin ruffles his hair). She's good at what she does, hermano. And I bed anything that it was easier to sneak into that formal party with her as my date than it would've been with you. (His curiosity spiked as Ivan spoke and he looks at him with a serious expression. What the hell was this moron doing now?) Secure her safety? How exactly are you doing that? (He rolls his eyes at his cousin's mocking words and once again flips him off). I don't care, get a pet if you want. (he says with a shrug, because he honestly was impartial about it. Though Ivan was right, Ingrid would probably like it).