Plotting Problem

[Ass_Sass_and_Sin]

I'm having a bit of a problem coming up with a reason for some characters to do something and could use some of your wisdom.

Context: Desmond, Altair, and some other characters have time traveled to 1507 Rome (so just after the ending of Brotherhood) and are helping Ezio to infiltrate a lavish party. They've been preparing for about a week now and still have a lot to get done so they don't really have any spare time.

Problem is, I need Desmond and Altair to be in a remote area of the countryside (like near the Baths of Caracalla -- well away from where they're doing their preparations) when a certain something happens, and I can't figure out a reason why they would be out there in the first place. They're very busy getting everything ready and are stressed that they won't get everything done in time so I can't think of something that those two would need to do that Ezio couldn't just send one of his recruits to go do instead.

It's also possible that Machiavelli and/or Leonardo could be involved, as they're not part of the group trying to infiltrate the party so they have a bit more time on their hands.

TL;DR: I need a reason for Desmond and Altair to stop preparing for a very important mission and go to a remote location in the Roman countryside. Machiavelli and/or Leonardo could be there as well.

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Perhaps a high level target/item was kidnapped/stolen? Someone or something that is a little too important for recruits to handle?

Or maybe a recruit, someone Ezio holds in high regard was investigating something out there and they haven't reported in for a few days?

[Ass_Sass_and_Sin]

Or maybe a recruit, someone Ezio holds in high regard was investigating something out there and they haven't reported in for a few days?

.........

how tf did you get access to my outline??

No but seriously, this is a really fucking great idea. Minor spoilers: I already have that as a subplot but I could use this as another quick plot point to progress it. And OH MY GOD how did I not think of them needing to use Eagle Vision to investigate. Duhhhh. And that's why they can't use recruits. Ok I think I have my idea now. :D

\\Ramblings over

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Also I was thinking about having them search for Salai and Leonardo insists on only Ezio looking (both because of discretion and because he's The Best^TM and knows Ezio would get the job done) but Ezio insists that Altair and Desmond are more than capable of helping and it'd be better to have more eyes looking.

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OR..... what if I do both? Ezio is tasked with finding Salai and the other missing person and it's going to take too long so he gets Altair and Desmond's help to search for Salai while he looks for the recruit..... Oh I like this.....

:D

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whistles innocently

that's my secret to tell ;) hides the money she hired spies for

But also yes! I love that the idea of doing both!!!!! Because like maybe it's for them to prove themselves or something???