Desmond was used to strange things popping up in the Animus. Strange glyphs, historical figures that he recognized but didn't act like he thought they would, and of course, the pieces of Eden and the sound recordings left behind by Subject Sixteen.

But this was strange, even by his standards. This rated at least an 8 on his What The Fuck meter.

He had been trying to merge again with his ancestor Ezio Auditore, and had naturally been waiting in the white space that was presented to him when the Animus needed time to load everything.

Ezio had popped up next to him within moments, and for once, he did not come alone.

"So…you are an Assassin?" a smooth voice purred behind Desmond.

He turned, staring at…an elf? The stranger was shorter than him, blonde, had a tattooed face, and wore light leather armor and a decidedly deadly smile.

"Si, mi amigo," Ezio replied. "I'm with the Brotherhood of Assassins."

"Oh, a brotherhood? We are something similar, but surely not as dedicated as yours," the elf sighed. "The Crows are notorious, but they would put their assassins, even the best ones, in gilded cages."

"Is it that bad?" the Italian asked, sounding shocked.

"Si," the elf nodded. "We are a brotherhood, but we are not brothers. Quite the opposite in fact."

"I am sorry to hear that," Ezio said. "Without my brothers, I wouldn't have gotten as far, or survived as long as I have. We watch each other's backs, and it makes taking on more contracts easier when you have more people."

"Is your organization taking applicants?" the elf asked eagerly. "I'm already trained, and I do need a new place to stay."

"Leonardo!"

The Animus shook, twisted, and the artist and inventor stepped out of white DNA strands, beaming. "Si, mi amigo?"

"Do you have the assassin contracts? We might have a new recruit."

"Si, si," Leonardo said, handing the elf a sheet of paper. "Always ready to welcome another into the fold. What interesting ears you have," he added.

"Yes, I quite like them myself. The ladies love pointed ears," the elf chuckled.

Ezio glanced at Leonardo. "Could you make my ears pointed?"

"I could try."

The elf held up the paper, beaming as he started reading out loud.

"Name: Zevran. Age: Young. Sex: As often as possible."

"I like this fellow," Ezio grinned.

"I get the feeling you like a lot of things, amigo," Zevran smirked.

Ezio laughed, clapping a hand on the elf's back. "You would be right then, Zevran. Come, come, let us walk and discuss things."

Desmond watched stonily as the trio walked into the white blankness of the Animus and vanished. With a concentrated effort, he exited the Animus and blinked up at the lights.

"What's wrong Desmond? Why did you exit so early?"

He turned towards Lucy, giving her a hard stare. "You've been playing computer games while I've been in the Animus again, haven't you?"

The assassin blushed, and shoved a case depicting a red dragon back under her journal.

I just finished the first AC game, and am working on the second one. Leo makes me squeal, and Ezio reminded me of a certain elf from a certain game. ^_^