Hey guys! I had come up with this idea awhile back, and decided to bring it to life! I feel like Malik doesn't get enough love in the fandom, so here's a cute little story I had come up with! ;w; Hope you all enjoy ~

"You wish to... Become what?"

A female assassin looked fairly embarrassed, for she had to repeat the words she dreaded.

"Ah... I wish to make maps."

She earned a very confused glance from her master, but he sighed and looked at his hands. She was one of his best assassins, and now she wanted to trade her job for something so... bland?

"Please explain yourself." He finally replied, wanting to head her reasoning.

She looked uncomfortable still, but knew she had to do this. "I enjoy my job as an assassin, and what it's all about, however... I have always felt it wasn't right for me." She began. "I feel as if I can't fully use my skills. I don't enjoy the killing, I don't enjoy the worry, and and besides this, I've always felt I belonged to another job. As I've always liked arts, paints, inks... I find the idea of being a cartographer something very fun and interesting."

She explained as vaguely as she could, watching her master expectantly. He watched her awhile, before he finally nodded and took out some papers.

"It is not for me to keep you here. I mean, technically I could, but it's very apparent that its not where your heart lies."

He began to write some things down, thinking. Cartography wasn't the most appealing job, meaning there were only so many around. She would have to learn... Meaning she would need someone to teach her. Looking at some papers with the closest cartographers, he finally ended up finding one.

"I'm sending you to Jerusalem then. There's someone there who will train you, and hopefully will allow you to work with him. Otherwise, you may come back here. The need for maps here is less needed, but your work might be used if you haven't anywhere else to go." He finished his sentence with a sigh. "Take three days to yourself. I'll plan the your trip to Jerusalem, and I expect you to make all of your goodbyes. Also, be certain this is what you want; but by the look in your eyes, I suspect this is exactly what you want."

The female assassin nodded, averting her gaze down. Mihalis had been a mentor to her since she had first joined the order, and had watched her go from a nervous novice, to a strong master. Though, he had always noted on the spark in her eyes fading as she went on, as if she were skeptical and uncertain about something. Without saying another word, she dipped her head respectively and walked out of his room, going to her own. It was going to be a long couple of days, she knew, but she also knew that it was what she wanted.

} ~~~~ {

The three days went by much faster than she had originally thought. There was a lot of emotion, as many of her friends were shocked and upset that she was leaving. After a good amount of crying, farewells, and packing, she set out, two of her closest friends going with her on her travels.

"Zoe, I still can't believe that you're leaving."

One of her friends murmured, looking rather upset. She just nodded, watching her feet as they all walked.

"I know. I'll come and visit again one day though, I promise it!" She tried to make the situation happier than it actually was.

The trip through the odd city of Jerusalem ended up silent, as if the three traveling assassins just wanted to enjoy each others presence. They neared their destination, a bureau where the assassins stayed. They all climbed up, looking down the hole that would lead inside the building.

"I think we ought to leave here, Zoe. Though, you take care, and always remember your life as an assassin."

She nodded to them, and with a few more hugs and whispers of goodbye, they left. Jumping down and walking inside, it seemed rather empty, and quiet. She looked around curiously, her eyes dragging over her new home. It was rather different from Athens... But she could get used to this. She walked over to a counter, where some kind of incense burned, and a few maps in progress lay out.

"...You new here?"

A male voice made her jump, and she turned around quickly to see who had spoken. She was surprised to see a white robed assassin standing behind her. Wasn't there no one there just a moment ago?

"Ah... Yes. I'm suppose to meet someone here... For-"

"Making maps?" He interrupted her.

"Precisely." She smiled gently, always being a generally kind person.

Obviously he knew what was going on around here, and hopefully he would be able to help her out. She was nervous, but at least he wasn't a threat. His robes proved he was an ally. Holding out a hand to him, she nodded.

"I'm Zoe. I've come from Athens, though I'm not too familiar with this place?"

The man watched her hand for a moment, before he too lifted his hand to shake it.

"I'm Altaïr. One of the assassins here. And I'll leave Malik to show you around."

He said as he began to walk away. She blinked in confusion, quickly following behind him.

"Malik?" She questioned with a rather puzzled look.

"Yes. It'll be his job to show you around here. After all, he'll be your mentor now."

He responded, a bit of amusement in his tone. Her face lit up as she followed him, happy to hear this. Now she had a name to the person who would be teaching her!

"Oh! See, I was never told about my new mentor, so I-" She was cut off by him chuckling.

"They most likely didn't tell you about him considering his irritable behavior. They wouldn't want to scare you off."

He said as he stopped began passing some doors. She blinked in slight concern, hoping she hadn't made the wrong choice.

"Oh... Well... I'm sure he'll be fine!" She replied, sounding as if she were trying to convince herself.

Her nervousness only grew when he stopped at a door, and turned to her. He looked as if he might say something, but didn't as he knocked on the closed door. Some angry murmuring could be heard from the other side, before a lighter voice called to them.

"I'll be out in a moment!"

Altaïr sighed and looked a bit impatient.

"Malik, your apprentice is here."

"Tell him to meet me by the maps!"

He snapped back. Altaïr looked a bit annoyed, but smiled a bit as well. Apparently they hadn't told Malik who she was. He was under the idea that she was a 'he'. Walking back to the table she had been looking at earlier, he turned to her.

"I have to leave. Good luck to you and Malik."

And before she could say anything back be ran out the door. Sighing, she sat down in a chair nearby, feeling nervousness overtake her. Would he be someone scary and irritable, or someone kind? What had she truly gotten herself into?