To Find a Girl

To Find a Girl was a virtual representation of one of Kassandra's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.
==Description==
Following Alkibiades's lead, Kassandra travelled to Korinthia to look for Anthousa, the leader of the hetaerae.
==Dialogue==
Kassandra made her way to the Porneion in Korinthia.
*Kassandra: Korinth, the city of pots, prostitutes, and not much else.Alkibiades said the hetaerae here could help me find my mother.I should look around for Anthousa's whereabouts.
She addressed a civilian in the area.
*Kassandra: I'm looking for Anthousa. Is she here?
*Civilian: Wouldn't I like to know. Sunrise, sunset, I save my drachmae for a taste of the divine. The hetaerae are hard to come by!
*Kassandra: So you haven't seen them.
*Civilian: Not with the Monger's army on the loose. The hetaerae won't tolerate that.
Before Kassandra left him, he spoke once more.
*Civilian: You let me know if you find those girls! They have to be somewhere in this city.
Kassandra accosted another civilian.
*Civilian: Haven't done something wrong, have I? Swear I haven't!
*Kassandra: If you have, you might see me later. I'm looking for Anthousa.
*Civilian: Phew.
*Kassandra: You know her?
*Civilian: No one really knows Anthousa. And the hetaerae got pushed out of here ages ago!
<tabber>
|-|Why aren't they in the Porneion?=
*Kassandra: "Pushed out?" So someone didn't want them here.
*Civilian: We don't like to say his name—in case his men overhear. Just know the hetaerae were forced to move out of Korinth's markets.
|-|I need to find them.=
*Kassandra: Can you tell me where they've gone?
*Civilian: I haven't seen 'em since, I swear it! I can't afford to pay 'em.
*Kassandra: Hm. Then I'll keep looking.
</tabber>
*Civilian: Someone around here's gotta know. 'Til then, I'll be on my best behavior, misthios!Just minding my own business, misthios! I'm sure someone here can help you.
In the corner, Kassandra spotted a woman and approached her.
*Kassandra: Are you Anthousa?
*Civilian: Me? Anthousa? I could be anyone for you, lamb. I charge less than the hetaerae, but do I ever know my way around a hay-bed!
The woman stepped closer to Kassandra, flirting with her.
*Kassandra: So her name means something to you.
The woman stepped back.
*Civilian: Anthousa? She's been around forever, but I never met her. I know the hetaerae all work as one—on equal footing—but Anthousa's special. She talks—they listen.
("Who are the hetaerae?")
*Kassandra: I haven't met any hetaerae yet.
*Civilian: Don't believe all you hear. They sell what a lot of us sell in Korinth—but for them, it's not just about the flesh. They're merchants of a sort. Streetwise—can talk as nice as they look.
*Kassandra: Sounds like a good trade to work in. You don't want to be a hetaerae?
*Civilian: Not in my prime anymore, am I, misthios? By the time I study what they did, I'll be serving clients on my deathbed!
("Help me find the hetaerae.")
*Kassandra: If the hetaerae aren't here, where are they?
*Civilian: Their sort are too high-and-mighty to be down here in the dirt with us. You want 'em, you'll find 'em up on the hill—the Akrokorinth. By the Temple, keeping Aphrodite's worshippers satisfied.
*Civilian: No pay, no play! If you want your precious hetaerae, go to the Temple of Aphrodite.
With information in hand, Kassandra traveled to the Akrokorinth. When she reached the temple, she overheard thugs threatening some worshippers.
*Civilian: Please, leave us!
*Monger Thug: The hetaerae! Where are they?!
*Civilian: The hetaerae aren't here!
*Monger Thug: Then you're gonna pay for the trouble we went through to find 'em.
*Kassandra: Who do they think they are? I need to stop them.
Kassandra killed the thugs, with the civilians helping by crying out warnings when more approached. Once victorious, she set about questioning the worshippers.
*Kassandra: Who were they? And why were they looking for the hetaerae?
*Civilian: Ai-ya! They think this temple is dedicated to them, the brutes.
*Kassandra: The thieves are here and the hetaerae aren't.
*Civilian: The hetaerae? They're much wiser than we are. They realized their visitors were all getting robbed on the way in.
*Civilian: There's no avoiding the Monger's men in Korinth.
<tabber>
|-|Then I should look out for him.=
*Kassandra: I'll keep my guard up.
*Civilian: He craves money, misthios.
*Civilian: Not only that, but power. Once he smells it on you, you're a goner!
|-|The Monger? That's a stupid name.=
*Kassandra: Who walks around with a name like the "Monger"?
*Civilian: Don't let him hear you say that.
*Civilian: Last time his name came out of a fool's mouth, the man's tongue was sliced out.
</tabber>
*Kassandra: So the Monger is a Korinthian criminal?
*Civilian: Master of the underground markets. He rules with one hand open for money, and the other clenched around a weapon.
*Civilian: A drachmae—and blood-hungry monster's what he is!
("What does the Monger want from the hetaerae?")
*Kassandra: So he's hunting for the hetaerae. For money?
*Civilian: Exactly. Since the hetaerae bring in so much drachmae, he wants everything they control!
*Civilian: The thieves are better off robbin' them than us.
("I'm looking for Anthousa.")
*Kassandra: If you know of the hetaerae, then you know of Anthousa. I'm looking for her.
*Civilian: They say she's everywhere, though I've never seen her. But the hetaerae see everything!
*Civilian: I've seen them gather by the Spring of Peirene, down the mountain. They meet clients there, and then take 'em elsewhere in secret.
*Kassandra: Good. Maybe pray to Aphrodite from home next time.
Kassandra made her way to the Spring in hopes of finding Anthousa. As she approached, she overheard voices of women discussing urgently.
*Anthousa: It shouldn't be long now. No, it won't be, I'm sure of it.
*Hetaera: Then they'll help?
*Anthousa: Everyone has something they want. My job is to figure out how much they'll give for that something.
*Hetaera: Then Korinth will be ours again.
*Anthousa: Very soon, it will return to its rightful hands.
As Kassandra approached the women, they noticed her and Anthousa opened her arms to welcome her.
*Anthousa: Ah, so Kassandra has finally found us.
*Kassandra: You know me?
*Hetaera: And you know her. This is Anthousa.
*Anthousa: We saw you help the worshippers at the temple of Aphrodite. You've proven yourself a friend.
Kassandra glanced at Ikaros, perched on a statue.
*Kassandra: Hear that, Ikaros? Her sight's as good as yours.
*Anthousa: Someone also spoke very highly of you.
*Phoibe: Surprise!
*Kassandra: Phoibe?
*Phoibe: Aspasia sent me! I work for her now, remember?
*Kassandra: But why here? Korinth isn't safe.
*Phoibe: I had to tell Anthousa you were coming! Aspasia taught me a new word: "emissary." That's me!
*Anthousa: And now Kassandra and I have met.
*Phoibe: See? This is easy! And now I can help you!
<tabber>
|-|You shouldn't be here.=
*Kassandra: There's a killer on the loose in a city with no morals to begin with. You can't just follow me around like in Kephallonia.
Phoibe pouted, and crossed her arms.
*Phoibe: The Monger, the Cyclops... I made it all the way here, didn't I?
*Kassandra: Yes, you always find a way.
|-|Now's not the time.=
*Kassandra: You and I will talk about this later.
*Phoibe: I don't work for you—I work for Aspasia!
*Kassandra: Then the work she gave you should keep you busy.
|-|That would be great.=
*Kassandra: I guess that would be all right. Who knows what I'll get into?
*Phoibe: Yes!
*Kassandra: Just make sure you're extra careful.
</tabber>
*Anthousa: We need to move inside, Kassandra. We're not the only ones watching. Come with me, and we'll talk.
*Phoibe: Can I come?
*Kassandra: As long as you're quiet.
They walked into the chamber of the Spring.
*Anthousa: To what do I owe your visit?
*Kassandra: Alkibiades told me about you.
Anthousa laughed.
*Anthousa: Did he? Go on.
*Kassandra: I'm looking for a woman from Sparta—a runaway, long ago. She may have gone by the name of Myrrine.
*Phoibe: Who's that?
*Kassandra: She's my mother.
*Phoibe: Your mother? You don't have a mother! Markos told me he raised you!
*Kassandra: What did I tell you about talking?
*Anthousa: I see. There will be time to respond to your question, but that time isn't now.
<tabber>
|-|That's not an answer.=
*Kassandra: That's not the answer I'm looking for.
*Anthousa: It's the only one you'll get until I've bargained a proper exchange. I've become quite the businesswoman, after all.
*Phoibe: You better be telling the truth! Kassandra can get really mad.
|-|So you've heard of her.=
*Kassandra: As long as you tell me what you know sooner or later.
*Anthousa: You'll have to trust me. You don't get to where I stand without credibility. My word is yours.
*Phoibe: And you can always trust Kassandra!
</tabber>
*Kassandra: Why don't you go play, Phoibe? Let me and Anthousa talk.
*Phoibe: If you say so.
Phoibe left the two to talk.
*Anthousa: I propose a trade. Help me—help us—get stronger. Strong enough to rid Korinth of the Monger permanently. A simple transaction, I assure you.
<tabber>
|-|It's a deal.=
*Kassandra: You have a deal.
*Anthousa: A wise decision, dear misthios.
*Kassandra: I haven't made it this far being a fool. I know when to take a chance.
|-|You better repay me.=
*Kassandra: As long as you deliver what I'm looking for, we won't have a problem.
*Anthousa: Negotiation always involves some compromise, you know.
*Kassandra: Compromise I can do. But I won't be cheated.
</tabber>
*Anthousa: Then we're in business. Now. You've heard of the Monger?
<tabber>
|-|I hear he's dangerous.=
*Kassandra: From what the worshippers say, he's someone I should watch out for.
*Anthousa: They're right. I'm sure his victims wish they'd been more vigilant. My eyes are wide open.
|-|I'm not worried about him.=
*Kassandra: I heard about him after I killed his men. Seems he's famous in Korinth.
*Anthousa: For all the wrong reasons. His knife has shed much Korinthian blood—but that's just the way of commerce. The blood between us is bad.
</tabber>
*Kassandra: Then you've held your ground well. You're not dead.
*Anthousa: Not yet, anyway. But he's employed enough thugs to amass a small army. Now they're attacking people in the street—us included.
*Kassandra: He's been killing hetaerae?
*Anthousa: Killing? We're smarter than that. But action must be taken before it goes that far.
Anthousa stepped past Kassandra, gesturing at the world outside.
*Anthousa: I'm not the only one who needs help. My girls, Damalis and Erinna, are suffering too.
*Kassandra: More Monger trouble?
*Anthousa: I wouldn't doubt it. Work against their aggressors, and then it will be his turn to suffer. You'll find Damalis here at the spring, but Erinna has gone to Bellerophron's Garden.
<tabber>
|-|I'll talk to them.=
*Kassandra: I'll see what I can do for them.
|-|What is Erinna's problem?=
*Kassandra: What's wrong with Erinna?
*Anthousa: She's looking for Kleio—another hetaera—who's gone missing. I've been too distracted to help in the search.
|-|What is Damalis's problem?=
*Kassandra: Has Damalis told you what's wrong?
*Anthousa: She hasn't told me much, but I know these girls as well as I know myself. Something's not right.
</tabber>
*Anthousa: Good. The Monger feeds his thugs with the drachmae he makes smuggling—weapons mostly, which is all the more lucrative now that he has a war to supply.
*Kassandra: So if someone interrupts the Monger's supply, his men go hungry.
*Anthousa: Exactly. Go to his warehouse in the Port of Lechaion and burn his cargo. All of it. We'll let chaos take care of the rest.
("Why does the Monger bother stealing?")
*Kassandra: Why rob people who can't put two drachmae together if he has a business? It's illegitimate, but gets him rich.
*Anthousa: Even the smuggling is a front. He steals slaves—innocents, who shouldn't be harmed. But his thugs can burn.
("Why burn the warehouse?")
*Kassandra: Seems to me that burning his biggest source of income is asking for trouble.
*Anthousa: I want to put new muscle I've acquired on show. Plus, violence is the only language he understands.
*Kassandra: I know many people who speak that language.
("I'll do it.")
*Kassandra: Then the warehouse will be cinders.
==Outcome==
On Alkibiades' advise, Kassandra met the hetaerae Anthousa, agreeing to help her deal with the Monger in exchange for information on her mother's whereabouts.
==Behind the scenes==
Two of the three thugs threatening the heterae have unique avatars when viewed by Ikaros. They can be recruited as lieutenants for the Adrestia. The other thug when viewed appears as a regular male civilian, but also carries the Thug's Bracers, a somewhat unique item. The three at the back of the temple have regular avatars.
==References==
*Assassin's Creed: Odyssey 
Category:Memories of Kassandra
Category:Memories relived using the Animus HR-8.5
fr:Recherche de femme