I have always liked to write random things that spring from my mind, but I've never actually had the courage to organize it. So here's a first attempt at trying to chain down some thoughts. Assassin's Creed Black Flag was released a few days ago and it refreshed my excitement on the series. I LOVED the first game that came out for Assassin's Creed. I love the region it is placed in. If you find anything out of place in my story, please tell me - I want to try to avoid 'WTF?' moments if I can call it that. I've been thinking about Asra and Ikram for a few days now so I decided to flesh them out. They are still fairly new to me which is probably why I have them as children. Comments and Critiques are appreciated!I don't own Assassin's Creed, just some OC. Actually I don't think any Canon characters will even appear for a while. This is set around 1167, Asra and Ikram are born at this time.
EDIT 11/19: I will be updating the summary soon. I've decided to make this just on Asra's point of view, because I will be taking her to another setting that is different from the middle east. She will come back, but I guess this could be like a back story for Asra, so I will not be deleting the POV from Ikram. I don't want to split between two different worlds, I'll have them separate - two back stories.
I know it is kind of weird to have someone not from China ENTER China, but one of the biggest issues I had about having a girl character born in China at this time period is the fact that this is the time when Lotus feet start to become the norm in Chinese society. It is also known as feet binding, where a girl's toes are all broken so they can fit the foot in a 4 inch shoe. I'm still trying to get some thoughts organized, and so I might not write more until I get this figured out. Also, from what Fox pointed out, I have found some more errors I need to fix in my paragraphs. So I have to get that stuff down before continuing.
"Mama, Ikram is being mean to me again!"
I ran towards my mother, my dress picking up the dust on the dirt road as I trailed into the house. Mother smiled as she let me grab hold of her apron. It smelled of oil, fresh bread and a faint scent of the flowers. Mother kneeled down, placing her hands on my small shoulders to comfort me as my brother ran through the door, his black hair in disarray from chasing me home. Pieces of dirt clung to his hair and dust had attached to his skin.
"Tell her to stop following me, Mama! She can't even keep up with me and then she complains!" Ikram huffed.
"I would be able to if you stopped trying to lose me!" I yelled back, my face still muffled in my mother's clothing. I could smell the sweat and spice from a day's work blending together on her sleeves.
"Hush children – Asra, Ikram, please." Our mother said calmly, "I need to fix dinner; your father is coming home tonight."
"Asra, come help me with the table – Ikram, please change your shirt," and with those words, mother stood up, beckoning the boy towards his room. "You look as if you've played in the dirt."
I stuck my tongue out at my twin as he scowled and went to grab a clean shalwar. I followed mother into the kitchen. Barely able to see above the counter, I managed to grab the wooden bowls nearest to me, careful not to knock them over.
"Child, did you push your brother?" My mother Samina asked, her eyes on me.
"He pushed me first," I said quietly, quickly placing each bowl on the table – the wooden objects making a light noise as they tapped the table. I had gotten angry with Ikram and shoved him back as I ran home. But the chiding tone from mother made me regret my decision and I did not want to use such a reason for an excuse. I sat on a chair, my head down.
"Well stop following me around Asra." Ikram walked in, his new shirt clean of debris. He hops onto the chair next to me, giving me an irritated look. It was like looking into a mirror, except I was not covered in dirt. The same brown eyes and feathery black hair - though my hair was covered.
"You use to let me follow you," I muttered under my breath, my eyes lifted just enough to see my brother roll his eyes. It hurt more than it annoyed me when Ikram got mad. I have just been so used to following him around but mother or someone else had watched us. Now he goes off on his own with his other friends and I sometimes couldn't help but follow. I never liked being by myself.
"Fine, next time I won't try to lose you…but don't be so slow!" Ikram concluded.
"Really? I won't be slow next time, I promise!" I looked up to Ikram, who was already chewing on a loaf of bread.
"Ikram! Wait for your father" mother said as I laughed at Ikram's growling stomach. Then they heard the door open and a tall figure walked into the home. His strong frame contrasted against the darkness of the night sky, a few gray hairs shone against the black of his beard.
"My children sitting nicely at the dinner table instead of creating chaos, what world have I stumbled upon?" the man laughed lightly as his wife walked up to embrace him.
"Hello Papa!" I leaped from my chair and followed mother.
"MMhpM!" my twin also ran towards the man, arms wide, still chewing on his food.
Taking a seat once more at the table, Ikram was the first to ask of their father's trip.
"What did you do at Duma, Papa?" Ikram asked between mouthfuls of food "It's too tiny of a town for trade."
"I was visiting an old friend of mine, he had requested some items the next time I head for the trading ports."
Asra pushed her food from side to side on her plate, quietly listening to the conversation. Her silence ended when her food vanished from her plate.
"Ikram!" irritated, I grasped for my brother's hand, his finger holding the Mehshi that was originally on my plate. But, every time I tried to reach for it, he would pull his hand further back. I wanted to leap from my chair and yank the eggplant out of my brother's hand, but instead I ran for my room.
I saw on my bed, my face flustered and red from embarrassment as well as frustration. Over my sniffling, I could hear the sound of my father's boots headed towards my room. He down next to me and put an arm over my shoulder.
"Why is he so mean to me papa?" my two arms supported my head as I leaned forward.
"Ikram did not mean it; he just doesn't think his actions through."
"Well he should. I'm not a boy, he knows I can't run well in this dress." I claimed. My father only smiled.
"Asra, why do you not join your friend Zahri when your brother goes to play with his friends? Do you not like her?"
I remained silent. My eyes follow the movements outside my door – Ikram was helping mother with the dishes. Zahri was the child of mother's friend who lived next door. She was very nice to me and I liked her the first day we met. She gave me a present after that day, one of the many dolls she had owned. She said she had too many and she wanted to share. I still keep it with me.
"She is visiting another family with her parents." I pulled the doll from out of my dress pocket, its golden strands of hair swayed awkwardly. I wasn't sure why she had to go; usually it was just Zahri's father who went. Papa raised an eyebrow, but did not comment.
"Ikram, come here." papa called. Only then did I realize Ikram had been standing by the door. Father stood as Ikram walked next to face, facing me.
"I will be leaving for Masyaf in a few days." Father placed his hand on Ikram's shoulder. Your brother, Asra, will be journeying with me. So before that, I'd like to take both of you to the market first. I trust there won't be any trouble?" Ikram and I nodded.
"Can I go now father?" Ikram's eyes darted side to side, as if he was in a hurry to escape something.
"No. Apologize to your sister."
"I'm sorry Asra. For taking your food," Ikram quickly added the end, his eyes watching Father.
"I'm sorry too, for pushing you so hard." I looked at Ikram with a slight smile on my face "I didn't know you would trip over your own feet."
I heard my brother scoff, but there was a smirk on his face. He ran out of the room as soon as Father let him go.
"I hope you two were listening." Father sighed.