He laughed at that, "disdain? Never quite heard it put quite like that."<br/><br/>Laughter was something that came easy to him, and often times easy enough to those of his Family as well. Family of course meaning the Dark Brotherhood, some would see it as twisted and demented Family, but what Family could be more accepting, more caring, more loving and yet oh so practical about things. Though the newest addition to their Family, Cicero, was a bit off kilter more so than he was used to, he was still willing to be a bit more accepting than Astrid seemed to be. He was a bit wary of their leader's reactions to all of this, he was all for change, but the Brotherhood was based off of certain principles and rituals and ever since they had lost all of that, the Brotherhood had suffered. Now that the chance to bring those things back was here, she seemed apprehensive to do so, more willing to hold onto her power rather than give it to that which they were meant to serve.<br/><br/>His loyalties were becoming strained as time went on and he wasn't sure where to stand on it. He'd never felt as conflicted as he had as of late and it was a mind numbing experience for him. He had been groomed for the life of a killer, and the loss of life at one's own hands was nothing short of a rush, a pleasure and thrill for him. It was a mindset that he didn't mind having. He could see why others who weren't a member of the family would detest them, though they claimed it was about the sanctity of life, he knew the truth of it. It was fear that pushed them, the Brotherhood, while not as glorious and deadly as it had once been, was still the dagger in the night that could slay even Emperors, Kings and Nobles. He worked for the glory of his Family, for Sithis, and for himself and that was his life, the rest be damned for all he cared. He loved his job and he was damn well good at it.<br/><br/>He refilled his glass, "I think you missed the part about being partners, our orders, or at least mine, were to stay with you until further orders were given. While I may not obey all rules to the letter and more to the spirit, both the letter and spirit are in agreement in this case. So I'm inclined to listen, though of course I'll be watching my pockets, even if you are trustworthy and loyal to your mission, the best of you tend to mischievious at best and like to play the pickpocket for the hell of it. Which I imagine the Guild wouldn't send some clumsy low level oaf to work with me, so I'll have to keep an open eye."