I'm tired of reading fanfiction that starts off Haytham-y and then BAM! Connor romance. Drives me bonkers damn it! Rated M for future chapters because there isn't enough Haytham smut on here :) Constructive criticism is always welcome friends, let me know what you think.
A pale light swathed her lightly tan skin through the windows of her boudoir as she ran her stocking over her pointed toe and up her thigh, buttoning it to her garter belt that she had imported from France She could not deny her love for frilly and delicate things, in truth her collection of lace was becoming slightly out of control. She sighed, smoothing the fabric of her stockings before turning to the mirror and lightly powdering her face. She couldn't hide the fact that she was privileged in the area of beauty, she was born from a french woman of pale complexion and bright blue eyes and sired by an Italian noble. She therefore possessed honey tinted skin, long black hair and baby blue eyes. She had her mother's full pink lips and high cheekbones while possessing her father's proud jawline. She was unusual indeed... But it was her unusual beauty that made her so prestigious in her line of work... She was mastered in the art of espionage, a skillful sleuther and assassin who swore loyalty to no one. From an early age her father tutored her in the art of reading humans. By the age of nine she could profile a personality and tailor her own to fit it, making her well liked amongst the people. By fifteen she could lift a purse right from under the victim's nose and disappear seconds later without arousing suspicion. She could make a death appear to be an accident, cover her trail, and had the art of deception down to a perfect point. By twenty two she had all those she came in contact with eating from the calloused palm of her hand, they were all pawns. All of them. She was the best at what she did in her own opinion, and she guessed that was the reason for the letter sitting atop the smooth wooden surface of her vanity. It was from one of the Templars no less, who had been a thorn in her side since they discovered her.
"Lucy, Annette! Prepare my dress for me if you please, and my hair must be done. Hurry now!" She sighed as her two maids entered into her room hurriedly, all smiles and excitement. She admitted to being a little too fond of them and that was dangerous... Having love for any person, place or object. It was a hard and painful sacrifice for the money and prestige that came with her lifestyle. Annette began brushing her dark locks smooth while Lucy laid out the dress she had chosen for the event. The letter detailed a simple assignment, to accompany a sir Reginald Birch to the Theatre Royal as an escort, formal attire was required. A carriage would be sent at three o clock on the dot and tardiness would be unacceptable. Inside the envelope was an invitation and 200 pounds as recompense for her services. She was antsy to discover what the Templars wanted from her. She had worked for them twice before and the pay was always good, but they had not left her in peace since. She knew that they knew she was a threat, her lack of loyalty meant that any information she received while on missions could be bought at a price, and that put her on their list she was sure...
An hour had passed and her curled hair was tied up loosely to the back of her head, threaded through with pearls, and it was now time to slip into that damnable corset. It was nearing three o clock by the time she was fully dressed in an ivory gown with pink and blue floral accents. It too was imported from France, she had only worn it once before this occasion since purchasing it. She slipped on a pair of heels and draped her coat over her arms, she could tell the night would be a chilly one by the way winds shifted and carried down from the north.
"You look lovely my lady, simply divine!" Lucy gushed sweetly, she smiled kindly in return before proceeding through the open doors to the stairs. Her ladies took their place behind her and she exhaled sharply before beginning the treacherous decent. Between her corset, the hoop skirt and the unfathomable amount of fabric on her dress it was a miracle she made it down without tumbling to her death. Her doorman greeted her with a bow and opened the large oak doors for her. The air was crisp and fresh today, Spring had only just begun and already the trees lining her drive were beginning to bloom delicate pink flowers. Her carriage had arrived early, and it seemed they spared no expense. It was painted white with gold filigree detailing the doors and two grand white steeds pulling it.
"Farewell my lady, enjoy your evening." She nodded in dismissal before taking the driver's hand and climbing into the carriage. How Detestable...She thought as she saw who she assumed was Sir Reginald sitting across from her in the plush red velvet seats. And here she thought it would be a quiet, relaxing trip into the city. She straightened out her skirts with a huff before greeting the man.
"Sir Reginald Birch I assume?" She questioned in her sultry voice,
"Good day Lady Adeline." He bowed his head to her... At least he knew how to behave in her presence. These templars, or the one's she had come into contact with so far, seemed to be very educated in aristocratic behavior They were always polite, if not menacingly so, and they spoke very proficiently. They were highly intelligent, and thorough in their research and knowledge. They knew more about her than they ought to have, which she assumed meant they had eyes and ears all over London.
"I assume there is good reason for you calling upon me in such short notice..." She spoke in a low, menacing tone with a smile playing across her full pink lips. Reginald did not flinch however, he was well off in the way of scare tactics.
"Indeed my lady, I have a rather bold request of you, if I may."
"Oh?" She tapped her finger against her small purse, how ridiculous she felt in this enormous dress.
"I would prefer to discuss matters of business after the opera if you don't mind though, my lady. Why not enjoy the evening while we may?" He gave her a charming smile as she glowered at him, her blue eyes burning hatefully from beneath those thick black lashes. She hated being kept in the dark... What awaited her at the opera house? He couldn't have called on her simply to be escorted,
"I can assure you Sir Reginald that no part of this evening shall be enjoyed on my behalf." He smiled at her banter, what an incorrigible little thing she was. Still, pleasantly so in his opinion. She was proper enough for the job and she would warm up to the Templars sooner or later. Not that she had a choice in the matter... He chuckled darkly before waving her off. The rest of the carriage was spent in grateful silence as she stared thickly at him from beneath her sculpted brow. Reginald had to admit it was unnerving if only slightly, he could liken it to being watched by that of a great feline sizing up it's prey before pouncing. He kept his palm on the hilt of his dagger in any case. They arrived in the square at high noon, she was guided out of the carriage by the dapper young driver and waited patiently as Reginald quietly gave him instructions. He appeared at her side moments later, offering his arm to her with another of his charming smiles. She fell into her role and smiled politely back, placing one hand delicately on his arm and the other in her skirt, pulling it up off of the ground as they sauntered through the courtyard.
"How lovely you are when acting like a lady." He offered in quiet conversation as they made their way through the crowd. She looked up at him, widening her eyes and fluttering her eyelashes at him as if he had paid her a lovely compliment.
"I am a very talented actress I can assure you." She nearly hissed, keeping her face smooth and smiling. He chuckled darkly in return,
"Precisely why I have hired you dear." They continued through the courtyard chatting about idle things she had no interest in until they reached the main doors. They were opened by a doorman who politely took their coats and invitations and directed them towards the theatre. She was not disappointed with the place, she was in fact almost impressed. It was richly lit with lush red carpet lining the decadent marble floors. The ceilings were high and painted with incredible detail. She fell behind a bit, taking it all in before being dragged back to her senses,
"Come dear, let's not be late to our seats now." She smirked to herself before following obediently. Truth was she was nervous, she didn't want to find her seat for fear of what awaited her there. She remained composed despite her growing anxiety, focusing on the exact placement of her daggers hidden un her three quarter sleeves. She also had a pistol strapped to he bodice beneath the first layer of her skirt and a small wooden box of poisen tipped needles within her purse. She was quick, very quick indeed, she could evade a direct threat. That was the thing about Templars though... They were sneaky... She took her seat next to Reginald and brought out her fan, damn this heat! A whale boned corset did not breath well at all and she was soon sweating lightly.
"Fear not my dear child, no harm will come to you here." He must have seen her shifty glances around the theater, her hasty observations of all those around her. "You are a valuable piece of my plan at the moment. Prove to remain valuable and no harm will ever befall you." She glanced at him without turning her head, a frown gracing her pretty lips. It was a polite invitation to shut his mouth he observed. Feisty... Most women her age were. Finally seating had begun, the room would be much easier to observe when all were still and quiet. She released a sigh and put her fan away for now, focusing on the stage and the music instead. A minute had passed, perhaps maybe two before a large and unusual man made his way down their aisle. He wore his hair tied back in a peculiar red ribbon and wore a cape embroidered with what she immediately recognized as a Templar design. She stiffened in her seat as he approached, examining him a bit more tediously as he came in range of her. He sported a broad handsome face and large calloused hands. A light tan line on his forehead suggested he wore a hat quite often, his foot placement aligned with his shoulders as he walked suggesting an air of confidence. His posture was impressive, back straight and shoulders back.
"A thousand pardons." He mumbled in a luxurious voice as he stepped in front of her. She made no eye contact, no sign that he was even remotely worth her attention as he passed. But when he wasn't looking she was drinking him in, his large broad chest and capable arms. An impressive specimen indeed, and not one she would ever wish to spar with.
"Evening Haytham."
"Reginald..." They spoke without looking at one another. She pulled her fan out again and began fanning herself in an attempt to hide any anxiety. They spoke quietly, to quietly for her to hear over the opera. She again went over the exact placement of her daggers and how nicely they could part the soft flesh of a throat, soothing thoughts to ease the anxiety. She even went on to plan an escape route before realizing when she glanced over that this Haytham fellow was no longer seated. Her eyes scanned the theater wildly before catching his figure hop over the railing of a fourth floor box. She moved her fan in front her face as she leaned into Reginald, he smiled leaning into her as she spoke,
"Has he gone mad Sir Reginald?" She whispered, waving her fan lightly in a suggestive manner. He chuckled in that deep throaty way of his,
"No dear girl. He is only very good at what he does." She nodded, pulling away from him and once again focusing on her soothing thoughts. She noticed a slight movement in the upper right corner of the stage a moment later, something that could easily be missed by an untrained eye. What on earth was he up to? Reginald leaned into her then. She took the cue, waving her fan in front of their faces as spoke quietly to her,
"Ready yourself dear, things may get a bit hairy in a moment." She nodded, placing her fan in her small purse and gathering up the fabric of her skirt. Not a minute after he spoke did a shrill screech sound from one of the upper boxes. She took her cues from Reginald, remaining still until he moved to get up. She followed suit, exiting the aisle calmly and taking her place beside him as they moved almost casually out of the theater.
"What's going on here?" Reginald stopped attendant as he attempted to shuffle by.
"There's been a murder sir, I suggest you make your way out of the building as quickly as you can!"
"A murder?" She gasped hugging Reginald's arm tightly as he nodded to the attendant before hurrying their way down the stairs and out the door. Once outside she released his arm and used both hands to hold her skirt up as they hurried along the garden path.
"How adorably well you play your part little damsel." He remarked, not slowing his pace. She smirked, "You have seen nothing yet dear Reginald." The dainty clicks of her heels accompanied them as they swiftly reached their carriage. The driver already had the door opened for her and his hand ready when she reached him. She bowed her head lightly and climbed in, followed swiftly by Reginald.
"To Fleet and Bride." He ordered before the carriage set off...
"So about your employment dear Lady Adeline..."
Was I the only one incredibly disappointed with the design of females in this game? They all wore the same thing! Peasant clothes! There attending an opera at the Theatre Royal for god's sake! That was for privileged people, come on Ubisoft! Done ranting... What'd you think lovely readers? Drop me a line and I'll love you forever!