London, 1868- The Thames
"You and I ought not to die before we have explained ourselves to each other."
~ John Adams
.:+:.
The deep shadows cast by falling twilight stretched across the murky surface of the ever churning Thames, boats rolling by and the air cached with acrid, hot black clouds spewing from the engines. Nightfall did little to curve the activity of the foul water, though the darkness did cast a deeper sense of danger on the area. One could imagine and feel glittering eyes full of malice and murder watching your movement along the shoreline, the suspicious and dark glances by those who rest upon boats passing by as the waves crashed against the oily, blackened shoreline.
Your boots crunched against the soot slicked stones as you passed along the dirty waterfront, your hood up to shadow your face and your walk purposeful as you made your way forward, flanking the small stained stone wall that created the entrance to the sewers running beneath London.
'While I was aboard the Train heading from London I overheard the Blighters talking about the Warehouse you and Jacob were involved in when it caught fire. As far as they are concerned, whoever it was who was caught in the blaze has perished. Whether or not this is a view shared by their superiors, I am not sure, but perhaps the Templars will assume the threat has been neutralized.
Another note, in the documents you gave me before I left there was nothing mentioning another, somewhat disturbing, conversation I overhead from the Blighters in the Train. On the chance you know nothing of it, I'll mention it.
The Blighters were discussing Horace Athernette and mentioned he was performing expirements of some sort on people, and that they stemmed out of a Lab. If you are aware of this, ignore what I have said, otherwise perhaps that's something more you'd like to look into.
Sincerely,
Evie Frye'
Your eyes narrowed slightly as the neat script of Evie's handwriting suddenly invaded your mind's eye. The note had been tucked in the documents she had given you, she must have been trying to return to her search of the Kenway Mansion documents as quickly as she could, otherwise she may have taken the time to tell you personally.
The news the Blighters thought whoever had invaded the warehouse to be dead was new, though a part of you really doubted Adelain would assume you were dead, if she was aware it had been you to meddle in her affairs in the first place. Which, may have been unlikely if it hadn't already been made clear that someone had betrayed you to the Templars already.
You surpressed the sudden rise of anger inside of you, you had to keep a level head about you, especially here. It wouldn't do for unwanted attention.
Then why did you ask him along?
He won't be anywhere near this... Not for a long while. I have time.
He's not known for showing up at the proper time.
You sighed at yourself, every once and a while the constant bickering between the reasonable and unreasonable portions of your mind (or perhaps they could be the pessimistic and optimistic) grew wearisome.
... A necessary evil perhaps. If one were to exist without the other, there was no telling how unruly your actions could become.
... Should he be overzealous, and arrive before the specified time, you should already be long since finished with your business here. That would be best after all... These are things that really did not concern him, or anyone.
You stiffled the cough rising up your throat, shallow as it was, it was still a bother. The last four days of pouring over papers and discussing back and forth with your contacts had helped your damaged health... But still, that burned and aching sensation in your throat and chest persisted. It was a relief the dizziness only reared its head should you exert yourself too much over too long a time.
You paused slightly, your (E/C) eyes glinting from the shadow of your hood as you faced a deep, black opening in the stone wall. The shadows crept out from the depths as night fell heavier behind you, curling up from the depths to stop at your feet. The distant, cold ring of water dripping from stone echoed toward you, coupled by something else. Something like the ring of feet shuffling, and the muffled humm of hushed voices whispering among the shadows. The faint patter of vermin feet scurrying over stone.
The entrance to the underworld, right through this opening. To a world of murder, where the dead are left to rot and screams of terror are left unheard by anyone, but the devil himself...
... Its an odd thing, this place is more familiar than home ever was...
You cast the thoughts from your mind, eyes closing as you tightened the buckle around your neck. Your fingers curled about the straps on your bracers.
You walked into the deepset shadows of the sewer tunnels, your boots clicking against the grime and the slick of the trickling water. You moved further into the darkness, eyes trained ahead to the shadows and ears trained to every noise, every sound. You moved further and further into that cold, dark abyss of the London Underground, with nothing but the evil and the dead for company.
Glittering eyes watched your form melt away in to the shadow from across the dirty flow of the Thames, their face covered by the deep shade of their hat. An orange glow illuminated from the cigarette burning lowly in their teeth, their fingers twirlng about a match as they balanced nearly perfectly upon the beam of a docked ship near the entrance to the sewers.
You left the world behind without a word, and without any idea of the silent figure watching.
"(L/N)..."
.:+:.
Pale grey and turquoise light filtered in over the Thames, boats rolling from the docks and crashing against the churning waters as the city awoke from its deep, brooding slumber of the night. You blinked slightly, leaning against a bench on the dockside and twirling a small piece of paper between your fingers as you kept your arms crossed, your attention sweeping about the mass of people moving by as the streets filled up. You remained in the shadow of the small building set behind you, hood still up and saying not a word, nor moving beside your fingers.
"Ah, good to see you again love." Jacob smirked, he drew up beside you after having rounded the corner. Your attention moved toward him, blinking once as he gave you that sly smirk he always seemed to wear.
Only one person would ever dare call me that...
You folded the paper between your fingers instantly, allowing a small, faint and nearly imperceptible smile as you dipped your head his way.
"Good morning, Mr. Frye." You replied easily, he feigned mock disappointment a moment.
"Ah, I thought we were calling one another by our first names?" He smirked, his eyes moving up and down your form as his eyes narrowed for a moment.
You blinked, your fingers sliding to place the small scrap of paper in your coat as you took notice of the look.
You knew this look, you'd seen it twice now before. Once just after the debacle with the Warehouse, and a second time four days prior, in Westminster.
That look of searching, he was looking you up and down, taking special notice of your movement, your reaction, everything.
This look was driven by something you hadn't seen in him before your actions in the Warehouse. Before then his searching had been filled by intrigue, he had been looking hoping to learn something new, to understand you better... But this look. It was fueled by something deeper, something more pressing, something foreign... And something you were not entirely comfortable with either.
Concern
Of course he had noticed your off behavior after the fire, and perhaps it was no wonder he was looking to make sure you were... Well, well.
But why he was suddenly concerned was a mystery, and you weren't really keen on his sudden show of compassion either... It was too close.
He had been keen on making sure you were alright in Westminster as well, he had settled this look on you as he came up to the second floor after his fight. Though perhaps he should have been paying more attention to his own injury, and less to you- you would have certainly appreciated that better.
Casting your sudden uneasiness aside from the look, you rolled your eyes and shook your head at him in slight exasperation.
"You're chipper for someone up so early." You replied back easily, "Especially so, considering how busy you've lately been regarding your inquiries with Starrick's Syrup."
"Informed as ever love," he smirked, leaning against the bench with a hand while the other rest on his hip.
"Am I to assume your work with the Syrup has brought you closer to a target then?" You murmured,
"Ah, indeed." He smiled, "It would seem that a Mr. John Elliottson is at the head of the Syrup's distribution." You nodded slightly,
"Then you'll be heading to the Asylum." You replied, "Should be an interesting adventure for you, it'll be hard to navigate through those halls without causing a fuss." You're eyes glinted slightly as you shot him a look from the side. "And I think we both know stealth is not one of your strong suits." He scoffed a little, pointedly looking away as if you had offended him by the comment.
"That's harsh love," he replied, "I am more than capable of being subtle when I choose to be."
"Oh I'm sure." You replied, your tone full of barely contained mockery.
"Care to test your suspicions then?" He smiled, you blinked, an eyebrow raising slightly in question. Jacob's eyes sparkled in challenge and delight as he straightened up, "Why not join me on my little excursion tonight?"
Join?
Your expression must have given slight hints of surprise, though you weren't particularly sure. Jacob seemed to notice a sudden change however, and he seemed slightly amused by it.
"Join you..?" You murmured, blinking once, before you narrowed your eyes slightly, he simply smirked again.
"Yes, we could have plenty of fun together love." He replied, "After all, breaking and entering into an Insane Asylum couldn't possibly be dull."
You bit the inside of your cheek a bit, feeling a wave of cold run up your spine as you simply gazed at him. It was an unpleasant feeling, but it was an appropriate one too.
There was a flood of dark corners and hallways filled with shrill screaming that invaded your mind a moment, but you banished the images and forced yourself to give him a wry smile, your hip cocking as you looked at him with glittering eyes.
"... Are you asking for help, Jacob?" You nearly purred, he blinked.
Oh dear he looks flustered.
I'd say perhaps a bit more offended than that.
You smirked a little more as he hastily wiped the shock from his face, apparently that hadn't been the response he was expecting.
"Not help, only that it would be interesting to work together again. Our time last was cut short rather... Abruptly." He replied quickly, you sighed, though you were still smiling slightly in faint amusment having caught him off guard a little.
'Abruptly' is one word for it I suppose...
You glanced away, your eyes closing a moment as you fell into silence, ever aware of Jacob's eyes on you.
He's persistent, isn't he? Always pushing for more time... I suppose working with him wouldn't be awful. And I'm not entirely busy today...
... Do you really wish to go there?
... That's beside the point.
You're getting too involved, and you know it.
You blinked your eyes open, silencing the one half of your mind quickly.
"What do you say love?" Jacob smirked, "Up for a little fun?"
Your eyes moved his direction, glitning from under the shadow of your hood as you smiled faintly.
You're weak willed, you know that?
"I have a few errands to run, but perhaps I will join you." You replied cooly, stepping away from the bench lightly. You cast him a small smirk as you turned away from him, waving a hand behind you.
"Until tonight, Jacob."
.:+:.
You tightened the straps around your gauntlets as you stood atop the slanted tile roof of a building set across from the Asylum, the sky a hazy gray slowly turning darker as night settled in. The sound of moaning and disjointed screams echoed from the confines of the gated area, lights flickering inside several windows and the shadowy figures of people moving past them about the premise.
You had worked to finish those errands in a timely manner earlier that day, so that you could accompany Jacob on his outing, leaving Hector to see to the things you didn't manage to finish yourself.
Your eyes narrowed slightly, lips pulled into a tight line as you looked upon the daunting, shadowed outline of the huge building against the indigo backdrop.
This damned place...
Your eyes flicked sideways, ears catching to the distinct sound of boots over the roof tiles as they moved toward you. You glanced upward, smiling just faintly as the figure of Jacob appeared on a higher section of the roof not far from you, his eyes trained to the Asylum with a keen light glinting in them, focused.
"Good evening Jacob." You said lightly, seeing his attention snap toward you in faint surprise, before his expression gave way to pleasure and excitement. He lightly hopped down onto the level you stood on, lips pulled into a carefree smile as he faced you.
"Good evening love." He replied, dipping his head to you. "Pleasure to have you joining, it's sure to be quite the night." You smiled just a little, shaking your head slightly as you looked away from him.
"Hopefully it will go more according to plan this time around." You commented quietly, you could see the exasperation on his face from the corner of your eye, but you ignored it.
"Are you expecting other company?" You asked, Jacob blinked, his attention following your hand as you gestured to the courtyard of the Asylum where there stood the figure of a man fumbling with his umbrella in the cold wind blowing around you.
It smells as if it will rain..
Jacob smiled in slight amusement, "Ah, indeed I am." He chuckled, his keen dark eyes moving toward you, so intent and glinting in rising excitement.
"Shall we, love?"
He's calling you that more and more often, you know.
.:+:.
Your boots crunched over the cobbles as Jacob's did, the two of you crossing the damp and somewhat flooded and worn road running in front of the Asylum. You both made your way through the gates and across the courtyard, your eyes trained ahead toward the figure you had spotted from the rooftop.
The man's umbrella turned inside out on itself in the wind, resulting in a prompt loss of the instrument. You sighed silently, watching from the corner of your eye as Jacob shook his head slightly, looking bemused but he smirked as the man whipped about in your direction upon noticing your approach.
"Mr. Frye! I trust that you had a productive meeting with Mr. Owens?" The man announced, turning toward the pair expectantly as his eyes flicked toward you in intrigue. You blinked at the other man, dipping your head slightly but otherwise saying nothing as Jacob stepped ahead of you.
So, Mr. Charles Darwin. You and Jacob had some fun disrupting the flow of Soothing Syrup a day ago, yes?
You suppressed the urge to smile at the thought, you wouldn't say you were surprised with the destruction when one of your urchins brought you the news.
"Oh yes, we had a most wonderful chat. I've found that the man behind Starrick's Soothing Syrup is John Elliotson." Jacob replied, your head tilted his way ever so slightly at mention of the name, though you had heard him say it before- Elliotson was a known Templar associate. Or at least, known to you, you doubted Jacob had any clue before looking into the Syrup itself.
You saw the familiarity light up in Darwin's face at the name as well, as he shook his head and turned away. He started to pace as you hooked your arms behind your back.
"Dr. Elliotson? I haven't heard that name in quite a long while... He was a brilliant heart specialist." Darwin murmured, pausing. "Until he became obsessed with phrenology and mesmerism." he turned toward the pair of you, "It ruined his career."
Perhaps not as much as it should have... He is still practicing.
Of course you were aware this was a fact only owed to the Templars, so you didn't mention it aloud.
You blinked, watching silently as Darwin perked up, a slightly enthusiastic smile pulling at his lips as he pushed himself up on his toes a moment in exaggeration.
"So? What is our intended course of action?" he asked brightly, you saw Jacob blink in surprise from the corner of your eye.
"Ah, with all respect Mr. Darwin, I believe it'd be best if we were to proceed alone." Jacob replied, his hand gesturing toward you as Darwin's eyes flicked your way again. Jacob leaned in slightly, a small smirk pulling at his face. "After all, we wouldn't want to attract any... 'unwanted attention'."
Your eyes narrowed slightly, for a moment feeling as if you had missed a conversation. Charles Darwin's own eyes narrowed a moment as he patted his pockets, "Sounds very..." He trailed, before smiling and leaning forward in animated fashion, his voice rising in a mix of mirth and excitement. "Wise!" he laughed, his arm moving to clap Jacob on the shoulder a few times, you could imagine his soreness from his brawling flaring a moment. "Good luck my boy!" Jacob half smiled, before Charles Darwin's attention turned to you.
"And best of luck to you as well my dear!" He told you brightly, you nodded slightly. "A pleasure to meet you, Ms. -?"
You smiled, ever so slightly as you broughy your hand forward to meet with his own.
"L/N." You murmured, he nodded.
"A pleasure." He smiled, before stepping backward and began to move away.
Jacob glanced sideways toward you, eyes narrowed and looking slightly intrigued.
At the time of your first meeting with himself and his sister, however subtle it had been, upon that roof he had noticed your hesitation in giving up your name. It was clear you were guarded and aloof, and perhaps it wasn't a surprise you kept from giving out personal information given your (and Jacob's) line of work. However he found it odd, and shocking that you had given Darwin your name with absolutely no hesitation.
His attention was ripped away from you as Darwin turned around quickly on his heel, "Oh, and Mr. Frye. If you ever do find yourself with any free time- please, do call on me." he smiles, Jacob nodded slightly, looking exasperated and amused all at once. Darwin turned back around and headed from the courtyard, the chill air filled with the tune he began to whistle as he moved away from you both.
"Interesting fellow, isn't he?" You murmured lightly, eyes glinting.
"Indeed." Jacob murmured, before smiling as he turned to you. "Alright then love, shall we?" He asked,
"Do you have any plan on how to get in?" You asked coolly, your eyebrow quirking a moment toward him. "Or how you plan to make it all the way to Elliotson without causing a stir?" You smirked slightly, eyes glinting in challenge a moment. "I do assume you wish to be the one to take his life, yes?"
"Of course!" He replied quickly, though he managed to throw in a carefree smile- though you were sure he was a little sure you had meant that as a threat.
I could probably kill Elliotson and be done in only a few minutes.
He isn't your mark.
That doesn't mean I don't have a point.
Why are you here? What do you hope to do? He's too stubborn to accept help easily, too proud.
I suppose what I am doing here is a good question...
... Well, there is that...
"Well then, your plan?" You pressed, the debate in your head dying on the last and unknown subject, he glanced away and toward the daunting figure of the Asylum, the wind picking up as rain became ever heavier a scent on the air.
"It'll be hard to navigate the halls, especially at this time. Those patients who aren't confined to their rooms will be wandering around the corridors. There are those who won't even recognize you among them, and those who will openly react. The attendings may not care if shouting occurs, but it will cause a stir if you are attacked by one of the patients.. Or you attack them." You murmured casually, your eyes leaving him and fixing to the building. Your attention flicked between the lit windows and the shadows moving passed, "The attendings and nurses will be more brutal than your regular Blighter as well, morality is left outside those walls. They won't be kind should they discover you, and they are always on high alert, ready for the next patient to cause a stir so they can bring their clubs down and beat away without mercy. They're always roaming the halls, its almost impossible to avoid them entirely. And of course, alerting any attendant or nurse will surely cause more to circle in on you. In narrow halls full of locked doors as those, fleeing from a large crowd of pursuing enemies will be extremely difficult."
You fell silent a minute, your thoughts swirling with image of the floors and the people roaming, and the routes that could be assessed from the outside, and the possible ways in order to get to Mr. John Elliotson. All the while oblivious to the searching and somewhat perplexed look Jacob had set upon you.
"... Have you by chance stolen your way inside the Asylum before, love?" He asked with a small wave of his hand toward said building.
You blinked, your eyes falling closed a moment.
You nearly left yourself open just now... Very risky. You don't usually get so distracted.
Hmph...
"Just once." You replied easily, careful your tone gave away nothing but casual neutrality. You smiled just for a second, a small, quick smile as you glanced his way again, "Well then, Jacob. You invited me along, were you looking to make this excursion a bit of a challenge?" Jacob simply looked at you for a few small moments,
For a moment he didn't answer, it wasn't a long pause no, but enough. He noticed just then when you were talking about the inside of the Asylum, the surety in your voice and the way in which you seemed to fade into your own mind and thoughts. He wasn't sure what it was... But something about your demeanor changed, just in that moment. You seemed even more distant, like you were in your own world.
Information was your trade of course, so perhaps it wasn't a wonder you knew the ins and outs of any place, let alone this one. But something about the sheer detail and the way you seemed to effortlessly list it, like there needn't be any reason to pause and think about it. Your words maybe almost sounded rehearsed, natural on your own tongue... To the point of being almost unnaturally familiar to you. He found himself wondering why you had made your way inside the Asylum on that 'just once' occasion.
He banished the thoughts from his mind quickly, his usual smirk reappearing as his dark gaze glittered in excitement.
"A challenge would be interesting," he smirked, "To start, let's see who can make it inside and to the top floor first, shall we?" He smiled, carefully and playfully stepping forward and around you, facing you though he had begun to back up toward the building, you noted it instantly.
"Trying to sneak in a headstart?" You asked easily, he chuckled.
"Bah, me?" he replied, "You think I'd stoop so low as to cheat?" He took one step back still, that carefree smile still gracing those lips, his hand placing itself on his chest as he feigned offense. You quirked an eyebrow, allowing yourself a low, quiet chuckle.
Cheeky man.
"Hmm, cheating or not, I'd dare say you'll actually need a headstart." You replied easily, his head tilted at the comment. "You really don't stand much of a chance against me Jacob." You smirked, he returned the gesture.
"I suppose we'll be seeing about that, won't we love?" He chuckled, whipping about as he waved a hand behind him. "You won't be so cocky when I make it inside long before you! Best of luck ~!" You smiled, your feet moving forward as you followed quickly after his retreating figure. He already disappeared as you approached the stone castle,
You faintly wondered if the both of you would conclude your business here before the rain set in.
You shook your head, still smiling slightly despite yourself as your eyes trailed toward an open window.
Don't go enjoying yourself like that, it's unbecoming.
Perhaps it is... But I can't remember the last time I went on a job that included an actual mark. Its been years of relaying letters and scraps of paper... As helpful as it is to the cause, it can be extraordinarily dull.
But it is your duty. You can't change that. And you certainly should be doing that, instead of playing here with him.
Perhaps there is no shame in having a bit of fun from time to time.
This place isn't one for fun. And you certainly won't end this here, if you go ahead you'll be digging yourself deeper. You'll become attached, too relaxed.
I know myself quite well, you needn't tell me.
Yes, you do. And you know this road will only lead one way.
You bit the inside of your cheek, for a split second hesitating as you looked up toward the window.
Shut it, you growled toward the other half of yourself. You wanted nothing more than to can the ideas, you wanted something more than filtering papers, just once. Just once... You wanted to have fun, even as morbid as that sounded when the 'fun' meant killing a man.
You lift your arm as the grappling hook shot from your gauntlet, attaching itself to the base of the window, and you felt your feet lift from the ground.
... Careless fool.
.:+:.
"Nurse, please deliver these papers to Dr. Elliotson. He'll need them for his lecture this evening."
"Right away sir."
Your body melted into the shadows along the edge of the hall, your eyes glinting from the deep shadow of your hood, the small voices filtering toward you among the ringing screams from lower levels, the hushed and frantic whispering and the moaning.
Damn it... Such things shouldn't be familiar.
You growled inwardly, your senses casting out a moment as you closed your eyes. Red itched at the edge of your mind, but you hardly cared- you hoped your sixth sense would catch just one thing, one color.
You easily locked on to Jacob's green-blur hue on the floor below you, amongst the red and the dull gray of the other people roaming the halls in a drone. A very predictable, slow drone with the exception of those so out of their minds they stumbled in jerking, random directions.
You moved along the wall quietly, your hand grazing the cold surface lightly and with not a sound as you moved down the hallway. Your eyes moved sideways, feeling the small faint itch of something gold on the edge of your mind... But only faintly, not Elliotson but something else, something helpful maybe.
Your footsteps made not a sound as you moved down coriddors like a shadow, easily avoiding the patients and the nurses milling about. You were circling toward the center of the top floor, your (E/C) eyes narrowed under the shadow of your hood, biting the inside of your cheek subconsciously as you passed locked door after locked door.
There were moaning and shouting from the other side of some of those, with the distinguishable sound of bones breaking and bodies being beaten.
You were suddenly very unconcerned with the fact you had certainly beat Jacob to the top floor. It mattered little... At the moment it took everything in you to keep from falling into a black corner of your own mind.
You slowed to a halt, on your left the walls opening to a sudden rectangular corridor lined with windows- to which overlooked a room below. You glanced through one of the ones left ajar, seeing others glancing over the side on opposite ends, down to the well lit gallery below. A circular floor was enclosed by rising seats on the edges, to which sharply dressed men and silent nurses sat, their eyes and fullest attention fixed to the table in the center, and the event taking place.
"... See something interesting, love?"
You had been faintly aware that turquoise hue of Jacob had drawn nearer, though you didn't look toward him, your eyes remained fixed downward as you bit the inside of your cheek.
A small flick of your head in the direction of the window was the only response Jacob received from you, though he seemed to understand it instantly. His smile faded and his expression turned taught, he stepped up toward the window beside you, his dark eyes glittering as he spotted what you would not look away from.
There was a man splayed out on a table in the center of the room below you, his clothes white rags and his eyes bulging as he twitched and strained against the leather bindings keeping him pinned down. He gasped and yelled against the gag running over his mouth, limbs twitching as a man stood over him, scarlet spraying against his coat and the table as a sickening crunch crackled on the air, accompanied by the slow, forceful turning on an instrument working its way into the poor bastards head. The man over him, his eyes yellow and expression remote of any emotion for the torture he was inflicting, his lips twitched in the ghost of a smile as he screwed the instrument into the man's head more, the gasping and muffled screams joined quickly by violent spasms, until suddenly, the table filled red, and the man lay silent.
Your fingernails dug into the underside of the stone sill of the window, the tenseness in your body you felt mirrored by Jacob beside you. For a moment your vision clouded in red, had it not been for the low growl Jacob let slip under his breath beside you, you may have even forgotten he was there, or why you were here at all.
You could both hear the blood spray and the bits of skull and flesh hit the floor and the table as the man pulled the instrument away, before softly setting it down.
In both your minds immediately flashed a glow of gold, though you hardly needed it.
Elliotson turned from the table easily as he addressed the onlookers, his tone light and formal.
"Well, as you just witnessed the application of too much pressure can sometimes result in... Unexpected outcomes." Elliotson announced, his eyes flicking over the people watching. "Unfortunately, in this case it would seem I have ruined the organ."
He doesn't even flinch at what he did, its trivial to him.
Did you expect any less?
Elliotson turned round and strode toward the wall where a call panel was set into it, the room slowly filled with the murmuring of the spectators, but both you and Jacob hardly noticed, you were trained on one thing only.
"Send up a cadaver." The man muttered into the line.
"At once, Doctor Elliotson."
Your eyes fell closed, for a moment forcing yourself to look away from the thing that suddenly had rage bubbling inside you more fiercely than it had in... Well, a very long time. It was a deep rage and anger that bordered on losing yourself, something dark and murderous stirring in the depths of your core, something cold that was slowly rising upward after slumbering for a very, very long time.
You know well why you feel this way.
You told that half of your mind to kindly shut it. You didn't want to hear it, it only made you angrier. So you cast it aside and let your mind and senses wander away from the gallery and all about the massive building itself. You let go of your material place in that hallway, of the closeness of the window and the fellow Assassin beside you, as even the barrier of stone and tile between walls and floors fell away and the world opened around you in the new hyper sentivity that came available- and only by letting your hold on yourself fall into nothing.
This sense was like a free fall, a sudden wash of things and the images and sounds of people and events too far away for any normal collection of information. It was an influx on the things your perceptive mind locked on to, and you became entirely unaware of yourself, and that deep anger- for all but a few moments that rushed events in insane rapidity toward you.
You could sense a gathering going on near the main foyer, music playing and people shuffling on the lower floors, while nurses and orderlies patrolled the top.
There was a man and a woman near the back, small tidbits of the woman's protests reached your ears, though you hardly cared, even at the mention of keys.
Something low and shuffling and the drip of cold water on stone.
A man whistled as he moved along the corridors, patients moaned and screamed as they were herded into rooms.
Your ears rung with an electric buzzing, the very sound from ever so far making your skin prickle as the electricity popped and snapped.
The world was dull and gray as people glowed dimly in color in your mind, all manner of things, too many things all at once someone other than yourself may have had trouble determining all of it. You certainly didn't try now.
Self consciously your body stiffened, again hearing the buzz of the electricity on the air, and the sound of metal instruments and levers shifting. But perhaps just as well... The intent was to focus on something else in order to quell the bloodlust rising.
But damned, this place was setting you on edge more than you could have ever anticipated, even more so as everything flooded your mind. And that angered you as well.
Jacob had looked your way, his mouth falling open to voice his intent of action- but he stopped when he noticed how very still you were. His dark eyes glinted in the half light around the both you, narrowed as he watched you stand still, your eyes shut tight and silent as the grave. He would have simply assumed you were concentrating, or simply thinking of a plan- had he not been able to see the taughtness in your body. You were completely rigid, your head tilted as your attention seemed to fix everywhere all at once, everywhere expect there, with the both of you.
He may have thought nothing of it, because he had a faint idea you were listening for something of use, if he hadn't been able to see the small, faint inkling of anger and discomfort in the simple rigidness of your body. Where usually you were relaxed and collected, suddenly it was almost as if your emotions were beginning to get out of hand.
But why you seemed so tense so suddenly was beyond him. And frankly... he was curious.
For a moment he wondered if perhaps it had something to do with that 'just once' excursion you had made to the Asylum sometime in the past.
But what in bloody hell would have happened? As ever, you were a damned mystery to him, and he felt his wish to know grow all the stronger again.
Jacob waited a few tense moments, simply watching you in your stillness to see of you would turn your focus back to where it had been before. He gave you a chance to maybe find what it was you were suddenly trying to find, his eyes glinting in slight surprise when he saw the ghost of some... Pained expression pass over your face. It was gone so quickly he wasn't sure, and it was so dim, but he felt his heart jump slightly.
"(F/N)." He said steadily, deciding it best to break your concentration.
Your thoughts and focus on the infernal buzz of electricity was shattered at the simple sound of your name in a voice that had become quite familiar as of late. And just as it had been able to, you felt that dark inside of you settle again, as your eyes immediately found his own, blinking slightly as your mind settled back in the present. In an instant... Somehow his voice caused all your attention to land on him.
He smiled slightly at how easily his voice and your name brought your (E/C) eyes up to meet his. He felt for a moment it was a small victory for him, if he could catch your immediate attention like that...
You swallowed slightly, standing up a bit straighter as you shook away the sudden fuzziness in your mind and allowed it to clear some. It was something of a mystery how he managed to gain your attention like that, once you got lost in your own head so deeply it was usually very hard to come back up. But he managed to pull you back, almost effortlessly, and seeing the small smile appear on his face made your heart lighten a little too. As if his amusement was contagious.
Even in this place...
You shook your head slightly, allowing the contagious smile to bring your own to your lips for but a few moments, any hint of tenseness or your sudden rise in rage was gone in a moments time, as if it never happened. Jacob noticed the change immediately, noting not for the first time how you managed to keep your deeper emotions to yourself with such ease.
He was still burning with curiosity inside as to what had caused you to fade away into your own head like that, he wanted nothing more than to pry. But for sake of the time being lost in the Assignment, and perhaps maybe a bit out of regard for you as well, he let it go- at least for now.
Gods, something about you managed to make him step away from something he wanted badly. Usually nothing could stop him from pushing and searching for what he wanted, he was usually too impulsive and stubborn... And yet you.
"It seems I have a way to our dear friend Elliotson." Jacob murmured lightly, you blinked at him. He smiled a bit more, tapping his knuckle against the glass of a window lightly. "If I can manage to sneak my way into the room where the cadavers are kept before the new one is delivered, I could take the place of the corpse and be wheeled right into the good doctor's reach." He explained easily, you're head tilted slightly, your mind quickly catching up.
"... To which you would have the perfect opportunity to eliminate him, and do so when he least expects it." You replied, your arms crossing about your torso. Jacob smiled, holding his hands out a bit animatedly as he leaned in, looking for your approval of the idea to show.
"... Of course you will need to reach the basement quickly, and once the deed is done there is only one true way out of the gallery. It will be hard work to escape, as this plan of assassination will be in clear view of dozens of witnesses." You glanced away from him, your eyes trailing up the hallway as your voice dropped a bit, your eyes narrowing. "... But if you think you can manage the escape afterwards, and you can take the cadaver's spot in time, it could very well work." You relented, turning back his way as he smiled, maybe a bit in exasperation a moment, but he smirked and stepped past you.
"Well, no time to waste then, hmm?" He hummed lightly, stepping up passed you and toward the hallway back the way you had come before. You smiled slightly,
"I'll meet in you in the basement, then." You murmured,
Your hand reached forward, your finger curling lightly under his chin as you smiled slyly, your fingertip lightly flicking up as he stood still, looking amused, and perhaps a bit surprised at the unexpected contact.
"Try not to get caught on the way there, Jacob." You smiled, your hand drawing away from him slowly, oh so slowly.
The way he smiled, he was so pleased, and yet all at once you could almost see him squirm. He even seemed to lean your way as you drew back, just ever so slightly.
Usually such a reaction from a man simply ever amused you, but you certainly didn't ever give into an action such as that- small and coy as it was. You kept your hands to yourself unless it was for killing, rarely was it for something so playful... And in that moment maybe you were a bit pleased yourself how much he seemed to latch on to such simple attention.
You had turned and disappeared into the dim of the hallway long before he could manage to protest splitting up- he was smiling still.
The sensation of your light touch under his jaw lingered, he found himself wasting precious moments to get to the morgue simply staring after where you vanished.
He shook himself, smirking just a bit more as he started down the other way. The unexpected contact was... Well, he wouldn't say it bothered him.
For a minute he wondered if he was getting somewhere with you.
Jacob allowed the thought to settle in his mind but for now turned his attention back to the task at hand.
He didn't even question why it is you decided to split up, and maybe he should have... But it was clearly a common occurrence with you.
Jacob slid down the hallway with ease, dodging and avoiding the orderlies, nurses and patients where he needed- though dodging about in the shadows so much made him growl slightly. It would be simpler if he could just walk through without a care, but being found now would ruin his (ingenious, in his mind) plan. Thinking of the sheer surprise on the good doctors mug when Jacob popped up from being 'dead' made him smile, and push past his irritation.
He paused at the head of a doorway, sparing a glance around the corridor to see the stairs leading downward... Far down, toward the morgue he would assume.
And right in his way, a man in nurses scrubs, his fingers tapping along the edge of his baton.
Why are they always in the way?
Jacob smiled, before he easily spun around the corner, his hands clapping down on the man's mouth and holding fast to his neck and shoulders. The man let out a muffled gasp of surprise, struggling instantly against Jacobs hold, though it didn't matter.
It took a few moments more for the man to stop his squirming, Jacob pulled him aside and let him slump against the wall to the side of the door, before quietly slipping down the stairs, his boots making hardly a sound on the stone and tile.
The basement was less crowded, what few nurses there were they stayed still, or moved very little from the rooms lining either side of the hallway. It was easy enough for Jacob to pick his way through the rooms, ducking around corners and countertops as he slipped past each one with deft silence and skill.
Who ever said he couldn't be subtle when he needed to be? Evie wasn't the only stealthy one of the two of them.
He paused, pressing himself up against the wall, just outside a small anti-room connected to the morgue and where he felt the faintest gold flicker of the young doctor pacing. There was a blue flash in the room too, owed to the last and only nurse still in his way and in a position to cause him trouble- he'd have to hide the real cadaver that was planned to be sent to Elliotson, and Jacob couldn't have this nurse around to see him haul a heavy corpse into a hiding place.
.:+:.
The buzz of the electricity grew louder, accompanied closely by the sound of a body spasming against a table. Your teeth grit against one another, no doubt in similar fashion to how that man's jaw had convulsed shut, and so tightly he may be cracking a few teeth.
Two people stood before the table, one watching that man who's eyes bulged and muscles twitched incessantly, and the other- his hand resting atop the control to the cruel machine, both of then unfazed by what pain and torture their 'treatment' was causing. There was a click as the lever was forced upward one, two, several (and much too many) notches, the machine burning with more life as the buzzing sharpened on the air, you felt your heart flutter slightly at the sound.
The nurses moved, their hands working to hold down the man who twitched and jumped and moaned with more ferocity, his muscles twitching violently as his body spasming upward all the more, what little life was left in that man quickly faded.
The lives of the two men standing above the table faded as quickly, your hands shoving upward as you lodged your Hidden Blades into the base of their skulls, blood staining your sleeves and the floor as you let them fall limp at your feet.
Your hand thrust out toward the machine, taking hold of the lever and throwing it down to turn it off- the buzzing ceased, and the twitches and convulsions of the man strapped to the table fell silent too.
You hissed under your breath, drawing your blade along the straps holding him down and then moving to the wiring- cutting what lines gave the machine life, rendering it useless- though you knew the wires could and would be replaced eventually.
You couldn't manage to force yourself even a glance at that man, or what dazed, faraway look had seeped into his face, the emptiness in his eyes as his brain settled... Wiped clear and unable to form thought. Probably never to form even the slightest idea ever again...
Your fists clenched at your side, fingernails digging into your palms even through your gloves, the Hidden Blades hiding themselves once again as you stepped away and toward that set of stairs that would lead downward.
Murder.. rage, bloodlust... All things dark and fiery swirling in the pits of your stomach as images malicious and wicked raced through your head- the things you wished to do, to people who's faces were so clear and yet you dare not even think their names.
... You were getting worked up, much too quickly- but already under that anger that rational side of your mind had drowned under the wash of fire.
You agitated and angry... That was never a good thing, least of all in a place such as this.
Your movement halted before you even attempted descending the first step, your eyes falling closed as a flash of bright red and gold flashed in the back of your mind.
A truly awful swirl of color, one you had imagined few times before, and one that sent that fire burning in your core alight all the stronger.
Do not
Your feet turned away from the stairs, oblivious of that voice or what it said. You headed back the way you had come, back away from the direction Jacob would surely be waiting, away toward that ugly red-gold color that sent your anger burning all the stronger.
Do. Not.
You hissed, your hand moving upward as you slammed a fist against the stone wall hard enough to make the bones ache.
Your skin was crawling, prickling as you heard the buzz of electricity ignite again- not in this room, no, but another... That room with the ugly flash of color.
You cannot, he'll know
Bullshit
... You cannot keep Jacob waiting, you bloody fool
Your jaw clenched, your other hand moving to grip the railing behind you tightly, as if it was a lifeline- but more like a line on reality.
... Finish the mark, come back if you have to. But not now.
You growled under your breath lowly, a swirl of thoughts and arguments and rationalities running through your head. Most fueled by emotion, and few by reason... But reason had to win over, right now, you knew that. You needed to calm down, clear your head... Because what madness and slew of thoughts and rage you were falling into so quickly- that was a sure way to ensure you'd do something stupid, and give in to what murderous, malicious side of yourself you had to keep in check so often. And that would not end well... For you or anyone.
That turquoise color, Jacob... He's already close to the Morgue. You'll keep him waiting, acting like this.
Damn you
You let out an aggravated breath, turning, stiffly, back to the stairs as you swept down them, silent and quick.
I told you we should not have come back here.
Shut. Up.
Your movement down the stairs went past in a blur, aware of your surroundings and yet hardly paying attention as you slipped down the long corridor, dodgding deftly passed open rooms and what few nurses inhabited them. You were like nothing more than a shadow, drawing closer to the Morgue and the glow of faint gold and turquoise blue.
You didn't pause for even a second as you drew near the last side room before the Morgue opened up, didn't give a thought to what you were going as you stepped lightly around the corner, your wrist flicking back as your arm shot forward like that of a snake- lodging the already stained blade into the neck of the man leaning against a heavy, stone table. Your other hand moved forward, covering his mouth to stifle what small gasp of pain that escaped, before you let the blade slide from the body and eased the heavy, limp form onto the floor, dragging him out of sight on the other side of the table from the doorway.
Your eyes snapped backward, glinting under the shadow of your hood to face what soft, light footsteps sounded behind you- Jacob, though for a minute you didn't recognize it as him, so wrapped up in muffling that murder and rage still swirling inside you.
He must have noticed something was off the minute you turned toward him, because he stopped short, and halted in an instant, his eyes narrowed and lips pulled into a tight line. One eyebrow quirked, looking you up and down in a matter of seconds before his eyes settled on you, your face and what cold neutrality was suddenly plastered there- and that he had never seen in you, not once.
"... You alright, love?" He dared ask the question, his voice hushed as not to draw the attention of the young doctor still pacing in the next room.
"Just fine." Was your short, quiet response, though inwardly you cursed yourself- if he noticed something off the minute he looked to you, you needed to control yourself better.
You took in a silent, slow breath as you glanced away.
"No time to waste." You murmured quietly, moving toward the door and waving a hand behind you in motion for him to follow- you took in another silent breath, hoping that it would quell the murder in your heart.
Jacob followed you, slowly at first, almost uncertainly, his eyes narrowed at your back as you both slipped inside the room, staying low as you both slipped behind the curtains that provided cover from that young doctor muttering and pacing as he pulled and put tools in their place. He stopped beside you, his eyes flicking toward the doctor as he moved toward the other end of the room and toward another set of curtains- that would leave him with no view of the table and the sheet-covered cadaver you planned to 'misplace'.
You flicked your head in the direction of the body, motioning for Jacob to move just as the Doctor was out of range of sight. The younger Frye moved quickly and quietly, muffling the grunt of effort as he hoisted the stone cold cadaver over his shoulders and quickly moved toward the anti-room you two had been in previous.
You stepped out of your cover as he moved away, reaching out and picking up a folded sheet from a nearby counter, letting the length unfold in your hands as Jacob moved back into the room with little a sound. His eyes flicked your way for a moment, before he lightly hopped atop the table and lay down.
You threw the sheet over his person, hiding him from all view for a few split seconds before he pulled it down from over his face- his gaze searching as you stepped up beside him.
"I'll be seeing you soon then, right love?" He asked, you blinked, before you smiled- just slightly- your fingers lightly folding under the rim of his hat and pulling it from his head.
"Of course. But you'll need to make it out alive first, dear Jacob." You smirked, a small, amused smirk that he seemed a little perplexed by- not the smile itself, but how quickly your humor had come back, and quite frankly how forced it seemed.
Your hand moved to place the hat inside your coat, it wouldn't do to have a body so fully clothed, it would cause a bit of suspicion. And without undressing the younger Frye... Well, removing his hat would have to do for now.
"Let's hope the young doctor fails to notice your shoes under the sheet, hmm?" You hummed softly, he chuckled lightly, before laying his head back- you replaced the sheet and slipped away, disappearing into the anti-room just as the young doctor moved to grab hold of the table Jacob rest upon.
You remained only a minute to watch the table roll by, before disappearing back down the hallway you had cone- anger alighting again as you focused on that awful, ugly red-gold color once more.
.:+:.
The table jerked over the cracks and separation in the stone floors as Jacob and it were pushed steadily upward, pale, dirty yellow light filtering in through the sheet barely as they passed under lights.
The sound of murmuring grew louder over the squeak of the wheels, the table shifting as it turned direction, Jacob holding his breath as the table jerked to a halt.
"Here it is, Doctor." The younger's voice sounded, the shadow of him over the table and through the sheet retreating as he stepped away. Jacob could hear his footsteps moving backward down the hall, and away from the atrium altogether- though still he remained utterly still.
"We will continue our expirement shortly," Elliotson's voice rose among the hushed murmur of the gallery. "In a moment we will compare the brains of our two specimens- and since both specimens had a propensity toward violent behavior, we should see similar protrusions in specific parts of their brains..."
Jacob felt his nose start to itch terribly, but he ignored it when he heard Elliotson trail off, for a moment he swore he heard uncertainty.
"... Corpses do not wear boots..."
Ah, and there is my cue.
Hehe, (F/N) thought the shoes would give it away, now didn't she?
Jacob had sprung up in the next instant, his feet swinging from the table and sheet sent flying- his arm pulled back as his wrist flicked, the Hidden Blade flickering in the lowlight as his other hand grasped instantly about the good doctor's coat. The blade had been plunged into his neck before Elliotson had even enough time to gasp in surprise,
The world took on what surreal, slowness it seemed to when he met his mark, his hand working to lower Elliotson to the floor as everything faded from thought- and left only the two of them for moments that felt like years.
"... So at last... It ends." Elliotson shuddered, the words broken slightly.
.:+:.
You were aware of the keen eyes watching you from the entrance to the room, the figure of a woman, a nurse with dark brown locks and a clever look about her. She said nothing, made not a noise, only stood in absolute stillness as the body of the man fell limp, sliding backward into the chair of his desk as blood dribbled from his neck and stained his white shirt a delicious crimson.
You could feel her eyes on your back even through what haze of hatred and sheer malicious intent had worked its way into your core- and did nothing to settle down once the deed was done. You knew she had approached the office, but had not cared, and for a few moments you glared down at that man, his wrinkled, stern face, the dull, dead eyes and the small flicker of fear now forever imprinted on his features- you simply could not care of the silent observer or what they would do having witnessed your swift murder of the man. In your mind was a slew of things you wanted no part of, images and sensations that had long since lingered but you had managed to keep buried- they rose with new fervor to the surface and you knew there was some dark, deep scowl on your face you couldn't hide.
So wrapped in your own rage and your own thoughts it did not occur to you right away to wonder why she hadn't begun shrieking for the police the minute she stepped across the threshold.
"... You're not running." You murmured lowly, your back still turned to the door. Pale, shimmering light filtered in from the window set behind the chair and the body, providing the only illumination in the room where the light had been snuffed out.
You stepped sideways, moving behind the chair as you took a few steps toward the way in which you intended to leave now that the only door into the room was firmly blocked by that ever silent woman.
"... I would have expected shouting, or a gasp at least. Yet you do not seem all that concerned." you went on softly, finally pausing to turn toward the door, glancing toward the woman and what stony expression passed on her face- taught, rigid brow and lips.
Maybe she did seem a bit concerned, but it wasn't out of fear... She seemed mostly agitated, if a bit unhappy- but only just. As if something had left a sour taste in her mouth and yet she accepted it none the less.
In some small, faroff corner of your mind- you knew who she was. You knew everyone of course, but you hardly thought on it just then,
"... Need I be concerned that you plan to take my life as well?" She asked lowly, steadily- much too steadily for someone who walked in on murder- but it was impressive.
"I don't make a habit of taking the lives of the innocent." you replied easily, true enough- as 'Staying your blood from the flesh of the Innocent' was a part of the Creed.
"So you enact judgment on the wicked, instead?" she replied without missing a beat, you blinked, seeing the small hints of disdain work its way into her features for a moment. "Judgment where only God has right to pass?"
"... You would scold me for ending the life of someone you believe wicked?" You asked, barely containing what small hints of sarcasm tried to make its way into your voice. "You must know what he has done, you do know- or you would not label him wicked. You know what horrible crimes he has comitted, immoral, brutal actions- you would not be so calm about his death, if you were unaware. A horrible, evil man meeting his end- his death that could save countless others pain at his hand. You would berate me for that?"
"To take a life is a sin, no matter how evil the life is that is being taken." The woman replied evenly, "But who am I to say that perhaps this is not God's will? That he has sent you here to cleanse this place of evil and wicked hearts? That you have been sent to enact His judgment?" You blinked, your head tilting slightly at the sudden words, seeing the calm make its way into her face, the flicker of an expression of some bitter taste fading ever so slightly. She folded her hands in front of her, her head turning to the hallway as your attention did the same- hearing the sudden shout and echo of people, yells for police filling the halls as Jacob met his mark and all hell broke loose on the lower floors.
"... I will choose to believe your intervention here is the will of God. For I feel that the loss of both of these wicked men will allow light to reign upon this place again, where healing and health may return in the quake of their deaths- as admittedly bitter it is simply how they met their ends." The woman went on, you narrowed your eyes slightly.
It seemed more to you she was making an excuse, to try and lessen the guilt she felt for how relieved she was these men were dead and gone... A better thing life would be with them gone. Of that there was no doubt.
"... I do not condone your actions, or your methods... But I will not argue with the good that will come of it." She added a bit more quietly, her eyes settled on you for a few moments, as you simply stood there, uncaring of the commotion steadily getting louder.
... Stubborn woman... She is relieved he can no longer do harm... But she can't admit it out loud.
Murder is not everyone's answer to an issue
No, but sometimes is is the only acceptable answer.
You let out a breath, smirking, just slightly, before turning away and toward the window.
"Best of luck bringing the facilities back to acceptable standards, Nurse Nightingale." You called softly, waving a hand behind you as you pushed the window open, the chill night air so thick with the scent of rain blew in.
"I don't doubt you'll have everything back in line in very short time." you smiled to yourself, but never looked back over your shoulder as you lightly stepped up into the sill, and descended down the building without a word.
Is this better? Did it do you good? Taking his life?
... This is better.
Are you certain of that?
Absolutely.
.:+:.
The Asylum was awash with noise and people running in and out, the wail of sirens on the air as the police came in droves, panic and mayhem setting in quickly as word of murder rung in the halls- and quickly left the walls, jumping the street and passing between lips and urchins. Before long all of London would know of the events, most likely well before dawn.
You took in another, slow, calming breath- forcing more of your rage and bloodlust to settle as you simply focused in breathing, the smell of rain absolutely thick by now and helping to ease your race of emotion a bit more.
You let yourself get a bit out of hand, (F/N) you bloody fool... What were you thinking?
You huffed slightly, your eyes falling closed as you leaned against the wall with your shoulder, your feet crossed over one another and arms crossed about your chest. You hushed your thoughts and the very one-sided scolding that had invaded your thoughts in lieu of the usual two sided arguments.
... A night spent in the one place in London you never wished to go... A night spent battling yourself and your emotions, crushing images and thoughts you wished were tangible enough to stab a blade through. A night, dodging down sickeningly familiar hallways and a night where you silenced a wicked, awful life for good... and all of it, because you had given in to Mr. Jacob Frye's insistence you join him.
You'd hardly spent anytime with Jacob once you stepped inside the building, hardly given into amusement or challenge as he surely planned to. You were sure he'd realize how little of your company he had managed during this excursion... And knowing him he would insist on another, another little adventure, more time watching you, being near you... Trying to figure you out as you were oh so sure he was trying.
Perhaps you had let him get a bit too close... But you did enjoy it too, though maybe you shouldn't.
So... Is it time I back off? Allow myself to disappear for a few weeks? Leave him to himself?
Of course if I do that, there is no telling what he may get up to in the meantime... He's a very brash, cheeky, quick-witted man that one. Stubborn too... And maybe a bit foolish. If I left him now with no explanation- what trouble could he get up to, even simply trying to gain my attention back?
You put yourself here... You let him too close, there is no fixing that.
... That is true, and unfortunate. I hate to admit it... But I am having fun, outside all the bad and unexpected portions. Cheeky man... I haven't been around anyone as amusing as he is in a very, very long time.
The rain started as you became lost in thought and deliberation with yourself. You hardly cared, the water mostly bounced off your coat harmlessly, your hood still hiding your face from view as you simply waited.
You could argue back and forth with yourself for days, look at things rationally and irrationally... And in the end you did know what the end had to be.
... The board isn't set the way it needs be yet... I can't risk making a wrong move.
You sighed again, just slightly.
Your eyes opened to the sound of boots clicking over the tiles outside of the patter of the rain, your attention turning toward the figure of Jacob as he made his way toward you, smirking slightly and keen eyes gleaming under his hood as he approached.
"With the deed done, let's hope Starrick's Syrup meets an end, eh love?" He smiled, stopping in front of you, hands on his hips and delighted with himself- so much so he didn't care about the rain.
"Hmm, indeed." You replied softly, "... Of course now where will you be putting your attention? The Syrup and Elliotson may have been stopped, but there's certainly no end to the Templar's hold." You stepped away from the wall, your hands hooked behind your back. "Or will you prefer to strengthen your Rooks some more, before taking on another Target?"
"Ah, so many choices!" He smirked, "Might you have any suggestions, love?"
He was looking for you to tell him you wanted something of him. He wanted you to tell him you planned another excursion together, maybe with Adelain, or Athernette... Anything, if it involved you.
You smiled, just slightly, and for only a brief second that Jacob wasn't sure he had seen it or not.
"May I suggest a conquest of the Southwark Burrow then?" You murmured lightly, "The Templars will have their hands full worrying about the loss of Mr. Elliotson, and the Blighters will surely be suffering for it. Southwark has shaken loose some of it's Blighter coils the last few weeks, so now would be ample time to make a go at taking it for your Rooks." Jacob nodded in slight agreement to the plan, though you noticed his smile faded somewhat at a lack of helping you on some errand or other.
"Will I have the pleasure of your company while taking Southwark then, love?" He asked easily, you blinked at the question, your eyes trailing away from him and toward the shimmer of dismal light glittering from the puddles of rain pooling about the road and the streets.
... you need to distance yourself... if you don't this may end badly.
... but maybe not yet.
You smiled ruefully, hating yourself for a moment for giving in so easily.
"... in time, yes. I would be happy to assist you should you need it, Dear Jacob." You replied, casting him a small, teasing smirk as his own smile widened a bit. "I'll have my own things to attend to, but it would be my pleasure to help you on any matter you need- small or large. And maybe in time I'll invite you along for another excursion." His eyes gleamed at that, looking absolutely giddy at the idea though he kept himself relatively well collected.
"Splendid plan, love." He smirked, you shook your head slightly, chuckling under your breath. You had cleared the small bit of distance between the two of you easily enough, your hand reaching into your coat whole the other reached forward- catching the back of his hood and pulling it down ever so softly. He blinked in quiet surprise at you for but a minute, your own slightly coy smile on your lips as you let the rain fall atop his head and his features a few moments- before pulling his hat from the inside of your coat and replacing it on his head lightly.
There was a small minute of sheer stillness between you two, your hand remaining on the rim of his hat as the rain fell between you, splashing against what little of your face and hit there was left open to the air. You smirked, faintly, seeing the look mirrored in Jacob in that care-free manner he was so very good at, and your hands fell away as he dipped his head to you.
"Much appreciated, love." He smiled, you let out a low breath, your (E/C) eyes glinting in the shadow of your hood.
... a little while longer, then...