Catching Up was a virtual representation of one of Kassandra's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan in 2018 through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.
Description[]
Following her mother Myrrine, Kassandra came to glimpse what kind of life her mother had crafted from the ashes of her former life.
Dialogue[]
Having dispatched the incursion from Paros, Kassandra and Myrrine had earned a moment's respite to catch up. They speared the sands with their weapons and sat down to talk.
- Myrrine: There's always been a rivalry between the islands. After all, Naxos used to control Paros and Andros. They're envious of our craftsmen too.
- Kassandra: And now?
Myrrine tells Kassandra about the history of Naxos and Paros
- Myrrine: They think they "deserve" expansion. Their oligarch demands their wings spread wide.
But we'll clip their wings before that happens. - Kassandra: They don't know who they're up against.
Myrrine smiled at her daughter's determination.
- Myrrine: You remind me of Nikolaos. You fight just like him; ruthless and cunning. He would be proud.
- Kassandra: I've never forgotten what you both taught me. I had a good education.
- Myrrine: I wanted you to be unstoppable. And you are.
Kassandra ask Myrrine questions
Regardless, Kassandra still had questions for her mother, now without Paros to interrupt. (If players choose "Who is my father?")
- Kassandra: I want to know about my real father.
- Myrrine: How did you know?
- Kassandra: I was told.
- Myrrine: Nikolaos? You saw him?
- Kassandra: In Megaris, yes.
- Myrrine: Nikolaos was your father. He was the man who raised you... until he took his Spartan duty too far.
- Kassandra: He mentioned another. What can you tell me about him?
- Myrrine: I always hoped you would never need to discover the truth, but there are things you need to know if we are to stop the Cult.
- Kassandra: What do you mean?
- Myrrine: He sought me out before I knew your fa... Nikolaos. I've not heard from him in a long time.
- Kassandra: Why didn't you tell me the truth about Nikolaos?
- Myrrine: You were just a child, you looked up to him. I couldn't bring myself to take that from you then, and I'm sorry you know now.
- Kassandra: I've been sheltered from the truth long enough.
(If players choose "What happened to you?")
- Kassandra: What happened to you in Argolis after that night?
- Myrrine: I found your brother and rushed to a young doctor's apprentice, Hippokrates. I thought I'd lost you... I wasn't ready to lose you both.
- Kassandra: I spoke with him recently. That night still haunts him.
- Myrrine: I was heartbroken when the healers in Asklepios told me Alexios was dead. The two of you were my whole world.
- Kassandra: But he did live, they lied to you.
- Myrrine: They... must have realized he was special and handed him over to the Cult.
- Kassandra: We'll save him from the Cult, mater. We'll get him back.
- Myrrine: The Cult is insidious, once they have their claws in, they don't let go. I fear he is beyond saving.
- Kassandra: I found you, didn't I? I know we can save him, together.
(If players choose "What does the Cult want?")
- Kassandra: I don't understand why the Cult targeted our family.
- Myrrine: There are many reasons, lamb.
- Kassandra: What did we ever do to them?
- Myrrine: Now that we're reunited, it's more a question of what we could do to them.
- Kassandra: They fear us.
- Myrrine: Your ancestors have been a thorn in their side for generations. They've decided we need to be eliminated to ensure their plans come to fruition.
(If players choose "How did you end up here?)
- Kassandra: I know you left Sparta, but how did you end up on this island?
- Myrrine: I couldn't stand by Nikolaos after what he did—I had to get out of Sparta.
- Kassandra: So why here?
- Myrrine: I saw an opportunity to help people, to grow something. I was elected to rule and protect this island from those who would ruin what we've built.
- Kassandra: You've done some incredible things. Naxos is lucky to have you as its leader.
- Myrrine: It's not been without its difficulties, but I'm proud of what we've achieved.
- Kassandra: It's a pity there aren't more leaders like you.
(Leave – "We should go.")
- Kassandra: Let's continue this discussion somewhere the smell of death doesn't linger.
- Myrrine: Ride with me.
Kassandra and Myrrine riding back to town
They collected their weapons and mounted the horses to ride back to town, continuing their chat.
- Kassandra: The island is beautiful.
- Myrrine: It is. Sparta has nothing on Naxian beaches.
- Kassandra: Sparta. All I remember is the bottom of Mount Taygetos.
- Myrrine: When I brought you to the Pythia as a baby, she never said we would live a nightmare. She said you had such promise.
- Kassandra: The Pythia can't predict everything.
Reaching the city gates, Kassandra complimented the readiness of Myrrine's forces.
- Kassandra: Your general acted quickly—raising the alarm.
- Myrrine: Timo knows Paros is a threat. They make their business clear.
- Kassandra: They can't be more clear than sending soldiers. There's no treaty?
- Myrrine: Maybe there was, but it's long over. Now there's no mistaking them for anything but the enemy.
- Kassandra: An enemy I could help you defeat.
- Myrrine: We'll discuss that later. But I think you're right.
Kassandra and Myrrine at the unfinished temple
They rode through town and dismounted, continuing on foot to the site where a temple to Apollo was under construction.
- Myrrine: The temple's coming along, Evandros.
- Priest: It'll stay in ruins if we don't secure more donations. Soldiers can't get all the funds.
- Myrrine: They can if you don't want the temple destroyed by our enemy. But I'll see what I can do.
- Priest: It's a good deed, restarting construction. Lygdamis was a great man who deserves reverence.
- Myrrine: His battles against corruption and oligarchy are lessons we all should remember. I do intend to finish the temple.
- Priest: Thank you, Phoenix.
Exhausted, Kassandra and Myrrine made their way to the villa to reflect on the day's events.
- Myrrine: What a strange day it has been.
- Kassandra: But a good one.
- Myrrine: I've certainly had worse.
- Kassandra: Me too.
- Myrrine: You have grown into a remarkable woman, but I see the burden you carry on your shoulders.
- Kassandra: Finding you has lessened it, I think.
- Myrrine: I'm glad, but I have wondered why the gods chose to reunite us now.
- Kassandra: I think they felt it was about time our family found each other again.
- Myrrine: If we want to be truly united, we have to find Alexios and rescue him from the Cult's grasp.
Regardless, Kassandra emphasized the threat the Cult posed.
- Kassandra: They are the source of all our pain and they will cause more to many others unless we act.
- Myrrine: I put that life behind me the moment I left Sparta. I have Naxos to worry about now.
- Kassandra: Let me help you here. We can safeguard Naxos and then hunt down the Cult together.
Timo entered and addressed Myrrine.
Timo reminding Myrrine of her upcoming symposium
- Timo: Myrrine, the symposium is about to start.
- Myrrine: By the gods! I'm sorry my sweet, I forgot. Prepare the horses - I'll be out shortly.
- Kassandra: The symposium?
- Myrrine: I need to show the people their leader is strong and in control.
Sometimes the face we show to the world needs to be one of strength, despite the chaos we harbor beneath.
I will help you stop the Cult, but before I can leave Naxos I have to ensure it will survive without me. - Kassandra: What do you need?
- Myrrine: Paros has to be dealt with. We need to weaken their position. Once they're vulnerable, they will make a reckless decision, and we will strike.
- Kassandra: What did you have in mind?
- Myrrine: We must force the Paros fleet to engage us and destroy it, but my admiral, Euneas, is missing. His ship was sailing for Paros to engage in peace talks, and he never returned.
- Kassandra: Don't worry, I'll find him.
- Myrrine: If you need me, I'll be at the symposium. Although... try to look less intimidating should you choose to pay me a visit.
Outcome[]
Kassandra and Myrrine caught up after 17 years apart, and Kassandra resolved to help her mother deal with Paros.
Gallery[]
Myrrine and Kassandra passing the agora on Naxos
Evandros and Myrrine chatting
Myrrine and Kassandra return to her villa to discuss strategy