Just A Little Thought I Had

Just a little thought I had

I recently heard someone talk about having "scary dog privilege" and it got me thinking...that could also apply to humans could it not?

This is embarrassing but oh well in the hole of the internet why not write this and get it off my chest? Being around the Frye twins would certainly put you into a position where not many people would want to tread on your toes.

Imagine being in London during the time of AC: Syndicate with the Frye twins waiting for a contact to arrive. Evie sits on your left next to you reading a book about botany ('cause we know this girl has got a love for plants) and you read it with her. Your attention is of course divided between her and Jacob, who is to your right pacing and playing around with his top hat. He seems like the type to pop it open when he's bored no? He wonders out loud where your contact is while Evie waits patiently. Despite Jacob's antics mumbling to himself, telling you corny jokes, and trying - and failing - to bother Evie who has a talent for putting up with his attempts to get a rise out of her.

It's early morning in the Autumn after a fall rain, wet and crisp leaves litter the ground below. Your contact is a baker who told you to meet them before they open their shop and to stay hidden to keep safe from Templar and Blighter eyes. As you sit there with the twins the sun rising behind the bricked buildings and lighting up the sky, you feel at peace. The dying green of the trees reminds you of Jacob's Rooks and you laugh to yourself about how Evie seems to genuinely enjoy the morning, while Jacob merely seems to tolerate it. You had had to lure him out of bed with a cup of earl grey and a slice of sponge cake, which he had eaten with a cute little pout.

No one would bother the three of you. Jacob's reputation and Evie's intimidating gaze alone assured that. You felt safe around them - despite gang wars, and Blighters, and that weirdo Templar with the God-awful mustache you wish you could rip off his face - you really did. They brought chaos into your life yes, but also peace and safety when the waters settled. In a way you felt like the twins were your own personal bodyguards. Evie being cautious and assuring that you were always well and consistently checking in, and Jacob being the one to bring a bit of fun and spontaneity into the mix keeping you safe despite the trouble he would sometimes drag you into.

Jacob comes over to you and sits beside you, giving his signature Frye grin of mischief, and you think he's up to something Evie will have to box his ears for...until he holds up a leaf to you.

"It's beautiful." he boops your nose with the leaf gently. "Like you."

(I thought about this the other day - as one does when you create scenarios in your head as you fall asleep. Unless I'm a wacko who does that as a result of an underlying health issue... Any who! It had me kicking my feet and I thought I would share it because why not?)

Head cannons bc I can - What kinds affectionate the different assassins would be - Part 2

Evie Frye - The Enduring Lover. Personal head cannon that she gives hand kisses whether it be the back of your hand or the palm, and she loves to hold hands while reading books. I see footsies being a thing too, like if you can't hold hands but you're sitting down to work with her you two are wrapped together at the legs under the table. She would be more serious about teaching self-defense genuinely wanting you to learn from it and be able to protect yourself, but there would be sweet smiles of encouragement and pride here and there, soft touches to correct your posture and stance, and a surprise kiss here and there. Speaking of surprise kisses... she will totally pin you down and smooch you. 100%. Brushing her hair will be routine because who can look at the gorgeous hair she has and not want to run their fingers through it, brush it, braid it, and style it? Her love will definitely be playing with her hair and doing her braids for her, and she loves it (especially if you give her head a little massage during lol). I see her adopting a cat specifically a wispy blue-eyed baby maine coon! Somewhere along the line maybe a dog - a small one for lap cuddles alongside a big intimidating one to protect you (she seems like the kind of woman to be into dogs that look like children of satan himself but are actual babies) such as a Belgian Malinois or a Doberman. Feel like she would feel a little better leaving you with a dog that is dedicated to protecting you (and do those dogs LOOOOVVEEE her bc she's Evie and all of the interesting smells she brings home). Flowers are a definite way in which Ms. Frye would woo her love. She brings many of them to you whether they have meaning or they're just beautiful. She carries pressed flowers from you inside a handkerchief (one that you made her as a token of your favor) hidden in her coat, resting just above her heart. The first thing she wants to do after kicking bahookie in Fight Club is find you and hug you tightly. It's for both of you really - her to let you know that she's safe and to receive comfort from your embrace, and you to check her over any injuries she has and fuss over her and how great she did in the ring (which she LOVES might I add). After a long day she'll want nothing more than to just plop right into your arms - and if she doesn't conk out first (poor thing) - she'' wrap her arms around your waist and rest her head against your stomach. I see her having a girlfriend that does her nails via filing them in a way so that they're sharp AF this helps her out (not that she needs it lol woman's a menace) against Templars, Blighters, and goons in Fight Club bc everything's allowed - she legit breaks bones for crying out loud so ofc she claws people's faces off too. Have a feeling that she has a secret sweet tooth so if you baked for her, you're going to get a kiss on the cheek as she munches away with a major blush coating her freckle speckled cheeks. She will box Jacob's ears if he tries to sneak off with some of the snacks you made her and tell me why I'm at.least 93% certain that she keeps some of the things you bake for her in a handkerchief in her coat. Would totally recommend books to you, share them and bring them to you so you two could have your own little book club together haha. She is a devoted lover and although shy when it comes to showing and verbally expressing her love, have no doubt that it's there. She loves you very much and hopes that despite the kind of life you two lead, you have many years together. Or if you choose not to be an assassin, she still hopes for the same just accompanied with a deep unspoken fear of her getting killed and leaving you alone. You two have the kind of bond where others are totally convinced that you'll both die on the same day. Rest assured that your love will be one that lasts throughout the ages.

Malik Al-Sayf - The Restrained Lover. Will drape his robe over you to keep you warm, he hates to see you uncomfortable (and this ties into why he doesn't show you public affection). I have a feeling that he's only affectionate in private due to societal norms at the time throughout the late 12th and early 13th century. Will escort you through the market and help you choose things (idk why but I have a feeling that Malik is the stand there behind you in the candle aisle and sniff candles with you boyfriend lol). He'll keep you close on his arm and help you with your basket (one of the first clues that you had about him liking you back was that his fingers would reach up and brush yours, lingering when he holds it in the crook of his arm). He would teach you how to draw maps efficiently and also how to work out the geography that revolves around creating one. He would stand behind you real close hovering over you as he holds your hand and helps you make your first map...and every map there after lol. A certain Novice he knows is only a little taller than him so he's up there in height, with this being known he will stand in front of you with your head tilted back and his forehead pressed against yours as he looks into your eyes muttering sweet things in Arabic. You should SEE HIS FACE when you get him gifts! If you bring him a loaf of fresh baked bread, some new incense, or pick up some extra papyrus for him to make maps he will get redder than a chili pepper. He kisses your forehead quite often caressing your hair which is something he often does as well. You two can sit there in complete silence before you feel his fingers taking up a lock of your hair and twirling it around his finger, without even looking up from what he's doing. When he leaves for missions and you two are in front of people, he doesn't touch you, but he stands before you and bids you farewell in Arabic wishing "Safety and Peace" upon you. However, if you two are alone he'll kiss your cheeks - as is common among assassins - lingering with his lips against your skin (which makes you blush, and he does it on purpose). Once he sees the blush he'll chuckle and look around quickly before taking your waist in his hands and kissing you properly. You made it a habit of being alone when he has to go off on missions so you two can have a proper goodbye. Altair immediately knows lol and teases him to the ninth realm and back, which make Malik try (and fail) to shove him off his horse lol. He does have issues reminding himself not to touch you in public and you two have almost been caught embracing, standing too close or with his arms around your waist, but assassin reflexes come in handy. Malik remains restrained for the majority of your relationship (save for in private ofc) but he kind of has to while Al Mualim is alive, as love is thought to make assassins weak. When Altair takes over and changes a lot of things it takes him a while to get used to it, but he's happy that he can finally show his love for you in public. When this is the case, he'll take to hugging you and kissing your hands and head and speaking lovingly to you in the open. I think this man would have a garden. I really do. I think he would grow flowers in that garden that reminds him of you and when they're ready he would bring them to you. When you two have to hide your relationship, he'll press the flowers in books he gives you to read. But after he'll stand there and decorate your hair with them. He would definitely teach you Arabic and you'll get a kick out of the cute little blush he has when you call him Habibi for the first time. More of a serious lover but he does make sure to show you the affection you deserve (which is a lot bc this man is quite handsy in private lol). I think he would bring you tea and dates or oranges depending on what was available and you two just sit there and talk or hold hands in silence enjoying each other's company.

Henry Green - The Selfless Lover. I think that this man drinks chai, tis a staple drink to this gorgeous man and once he introduces you to it and you like it? Consider drinking Chai together one of the many things you two share together. He loves it when you call him his real name Jayadeep and the grin on his face every time you do it is a mile wide. He always kisses the back of your hand when you two meet bowing slightly (which once you two become friends you wonder why he keeps that formal gesture, but he continues to bow out of respect for you). Has a little habit of pulling at his collar when you're near and when he looks at you while you're speaking it takes him a moment to respond. If you're looking at a book about botany and want to show him something he'll place one arm behind your back his hand resting on the surface next to you, while the other supports the book as you show him. You have noticed how his chest gently presses against your back and how his fingers brush yours when he holds the book, how close he stands and the way he leans down over your shoulder close to your face. He never tries anything ever the gentleman and you would never expect him to...he totally just gets closer to see the book properly! Will bring so many flowers you'll have your own literal garden, and every single flower will mean something. A thornless red rose after the medieval tradition to symbolize his pure and eternal love that will never wane. Forget me nots for his affection and loyalty to you. Daisies for the ability to keep a secret a little joke between you two about how you must keep the true nature of what you do - aka being assassin's - secret. He takes very good care of you, always asking how you are and if there's something you need. Imagine the blush on his face when you tell him that the only thing you need is his company, this poor man will look like a tomato lol. He's always there when you want to talk offering you something to drink beforehand and then he sits there, holding your hand and listening to you talk. Will call you endearing nicknames in Punjabi and say things that you don't understand. Though when you ask him what he's saying, he just smiles with a slight blush on his face and kisses your cheek sweetly. Always offers his arm when you two are walking together, him being closer to the street of course as he wouldn't want you in/near the road. In the end if you want to stay in England or go somewhere else, he'll follow you wherever you go (personally believe that he would love to travel with you, learning about new lands and cultures, exploring with you and making memories). The first thing he does at the end of the day is search for you and he invites you to read together or have tea/whatever your pleasure drink is, so you two can just relax together (and be alone but he won't admit that lol). This man will pretend to read his book, but he'll actually be peeking at you over the top to catch glimpses of your face. Will gush about you to his parents and his mother already loves you because you make her darling son happy, but his father is a little skeptical. The reason being that Arbaaz was angry to find out that his only son did not have the killer instinct of an assassin within him and turned out to be a peaceful intellectual instead, and he is now concerned that the love his son has for you may make him weak. The whole "love can make you weak vs love can make you strong" argument runs rampant in his mind. But when Arbaaz sees how serious his son is about you, he begins to have hope that Jayadeep's love for you will at least inspire a protective nature in his son. It does. He asks the Frye twins if they can brush him up on combat (he can fight from previous training but he's lil rusty) so he can be ready to kick the dumb out of anybody who tries to hurt you. He loves you and never wants it to come to a situation where he can't fight or kill to defend you (but then again, he doesn't really get into fights bc the majority of people like him lol he's a cinnamon roll)

Yusuf Tazim - The Amusing Lover. This man will make.you.laugh allll the time. He has a wonderful sense of humor and considering that his favorite sound in the world is your voice and specifically your laughter? He'll do anything to bring a smile to your face and make you laugh. He is very sweet and would NEVER do anything to disrespect you but if someone else does? I have a feeling that this man goes from sweet to serial killer real quick lol. Something about him says to me that he goes feral when protecting his loved ones, so don't cross him or disrespect the one he loves. Calls you endearing names in Turkish his favorite being 'Sweetheart' because he thinks that you're very sweet both personality and otherwise... Head cannon that he got so nervous when he first met you because he thought that you were so beautiful he couldn't remember English, so he stood there introducing himself in Turkish and asking if he may have the honor of showing you around the city when you have some free time. You had no idea what he was saying but you couldn't deny that he was very cute, and it made you smile. While he is quite a good-natured comical man, he does have serious moments and is not afraid to wrap his arms around you and tell you how much he loves you. Cooking and especially baking with you is something that he loves to do because he has fond childhood memories of baking with his mother. Have a feeling that he's a family man and that he would LOVE to have big family. This man is MEANT to be a Papa (fight me I won't back off on this one lol). He cannot WAIT to have a handful of little bitties running around who call you Mama and him Baba. He would love to have daughters who he can play with (and teach about hair care bc have you seen his luxurious locks?) that look exactly like you. He loves to hold your hand and trace the lines of your palm almost as if he's trying to memorize every single detail, all while kissing the tips of your fingers. You tell him that this tickles of course but it makes you laugh so he doesn't plan on stopping anytime soon lol. He also loves to kiss you on the cheek always pulling away with a wide grin when he hears you giggle at the feeling of his beard against your skin. There are few feelings in the world that he thinks are better than holding you in his arms, waking up to see you asleep next to him, or the feeling of coming home to you and seeing you safe and happy. If.you.bake.for.him he will MARRY YOU. There is no asking (joking he 'll plan the most romantic proposal ever for sure) he'll literally just consider you his wife because he'll never want anyone else or their cooking. Playing with his hair, brushing it, braiding it and putting his head wrap(?) on for him are things that he will melt like butter over. He loves it. He loves how you kiss him all over his face and cling to him just as tightly as he does you when he hugs you. I personally think that he would looovveee it if you learned some Turkish lullabies and sang to him, whether it be while doing a minute task or just before bed. This man DEF gives the kind of hugs where he rushes to meet you and wraps his arms around you to spin you around. When you greet him at the end of the day, he jogs to you with a happy smile and kisses you sweetly. Will totally take your hands intertwining his fingers with yours as he moves your arms and hands slowly in a silly dancing motion as he asks about your day. Man gives a vibe of lowkey ADHD lol. Whenever he gets into a mischievous mood you can expect him to grab you by the hand and pull you in tow behind him, running through the markets either to cause a ruckus with the guards by trolling them from AFAR (he'd NEVER put you in intentional danger) and making them pin it on each other, or finding a secluded spot on the rooftops to watch the sunset/rise/stars in the sky. TELL ME that after all of the teasing and picking on Ezio that this man has done, that Ezio will hesitate for a SECOND to tease him right back about you and how whipped he is for you.

I did notice that about Evie as well and I always felt so bad for sweet Jacob. But you pointing out that most of what he did was for attention is EXACTLY what I was trying to put my foot on but couldn't quite find a way to put it. Jacob is high key one of my favorites and yes he does do some crazy things but I feel like he just needs some extra love.

A little rant...okay I got carried away so it's kinda long... apologies divine readers

Am I the only one that has noticed a rather....toxic pattern in Assassin's Creed romantic relationships?

In Unity the "relationship" between Arno and Elise is...very one sided when I take a deeper look at it. I'ma be fr here...I hated her character. I didn't revel in her death, but the game certainly felt more enjoyable without her presence and without Arno's lovesick puppy act of following her around.

She didn't stand up for him or even question the accusation of him being framed for her father Francois' murder. No 'Hey I know Arno. I love him. I trust him and I know he did not kill my father' or anything. She LEFT HIM TO ROT IN THE BASTILLE??? QUOI?? I AM CONFUSION. She was mad at him for not going after Germain because he wanted to PROTECT HER because he LOVES HER - when they got the chance to meet and kill him again later. And then THE BIG ONE - she abandoned him under that rubble to take Germain on by herself. All she had to do was take a few extra seconds to free Arno, they could have fought him together, and maybe - JUST MAYBE - she wouldn't have died. And it's not just that either it's the leaving him under that rubble for me. She was supposed to 'love him' and she left him under something that was hurting and trapping him? If it were me, I wouldn't stop until he was free Germain be damned. I will free my baguette boy and then we ferry onward to glory!

It seemed like a lecherous kind of situation where Arno gave and gave, and Elise just took and took. I felt like she hardcore used him because she knew how much he loved her, and she fully used that to her advantage. Maybe she did it on purpose, maybe it was unintentional but either way...it had me shaking my head and waving my red flag like I was in the color guard.

The same thing occurs again in Origins with Bayek and Aya. Bayek seems to love Aya a whole lot more than she loves him, and I even get the vibe that she just stayed with him because she got pregnant. I mean...she rejected his proposal because SHE wanted to go back to Alexandria to follow her dreams, SHE didn't want to be the wife of a Medjay, she was what I believe could be termed an 'absent mother' as Bayek spent more time with Khemu than she appeared to, and then she left Bayek to go off on her own and they wound up separated for a year not too long after their son's death. Bayek had to grieve alone while she seemed to just...refuse to grieve. It was strange. She never wanted to discuss Khemu even though Bayek was emotionally available for her to do so (which I loved about him because most men don't do the 'emotionally available' thing as they think it makes them seem weak). The one time I remember in the game when Bayek said that he wished not to be separated from her again after Khemu's death, she shut him up with sex...and then left again not too long after that. Then she eventually separated (read: pretty much divorced him imo) from him to go do her own thing in Rome. I mean...it certainly benefitted the Brotherhood in the long run...but it seems to me like she ran from her grief, left Bayek behind, shut herself down to all discussion of Bayek and then she even changed her identity. Reference to the Aya - Amunet transformation.

Their relationship was just tragic overall to me and the shutting down a conversation with sex, was a major red flag to me that their relationship was not going to survive the death of their son. I do think that Aya had...a type of love for Bayek. A fondness. A feeling of loyalty and a high-level trust. But I do not think for a second that Aya loved Bayek as much as Bayek loved her. Man would have gone to hell and back for her.

Why is the 'men being absolutely whipped for a woman who doesn't appreciate them' a recurring thing in the Assassin's Creed games?

I know I probably read WAAAYY too much into this but as someone who's bigtime into psychology I just - OOF. These were not some healthy fully functioning relationships. And I did not care for either of them in the long run.

Arno deserved better as did Bayek. I think they're both sweethearts - that each have their own faults and flaws of course because they're human beings - but they deserved more.

I'm in the mood to write so if anyone wants anything...?

I know literally probably no one will see this, but requests are open for anyone who DOES see it and wants a little drabble written about an assassin's creed character. I write pretty much anything - WITHIN REASON.

So, if anyone by any chance would like to have something written I'm down for it!

AC: Odyssey - Deimos

Some thoughts that I've had about Kassandra when she is Deimos if you choose to play as Alexios...she is F-ING TERRIFYING. I know that this has been a debate among players for quite some time, the incessant argument about who the better Deimos is and who is cannon. BUT - Kassandra when she's Deimos? It's why I don't play as Alexios because she legit scares me and I don't wanna fight her lol.

I was on YouTube the other day watching a compilation of all her scenes in Odyssey as Deimos and ONE SCENE STUCK IN MY MIND LIKE WET ON WATER.

That scene where she says - "Finally reunited... Only to lose each other again!" when Alexios talks about finding their mother?

HER FACE. HER EYES. WHY IS IT SO SCARY??? I mean the way her face just drops into warrior - like not even warrior mode - try STRAIGHT SPARTAN DEMON.

I CAN NOT GET HER FACE OUT OF MY MIND I MEAN IT LEGIT TERRIFIED ME.

The way she went from having a somewhat actually sweet smile to one of crazed anger and hatred and the EYE DILATION - I - JUST - I didn't know they could even capture something so detailed like that in a dadgum video game!

I replayed that ONE PART at LEAST TWENTY times and it had the same effect each time. Chills. Goosebumps. Terror. And of course, the urge to run away screaming in terror.

The video is called Assassin's Creed: Odyssey - All Deimos Scenes (Kassandra)

From about 12:15 to 12:40 is the scene that I'm referring to.

But at 12:30 EXACTLY. LOOK.AT.HER.FACE.

If they meant to put the fear of God in me with that then CONGRATULATIONS CUZ I'M TERRIFIED.

@a-little-buggy Thank you so much!!! I'm so, so, glad you like it! I was glad to write it for you and I had a fun time writing it. Also, it's not obnoxious at all! Thank you for sharing with others. I hope they enjoy it too! Your comment literally had me kicking my feet in happiness! If you ever want anything else written be sure to hit me up! Thanks so much!!

A Day at the Critter Shop

for @a-little-buggy the first one to ever make a request

The first thing that Desmond had thought when Connor had been transported to the future was...better left unsaid lest Connor's ears be violated again. The man of course was no stranger to strong language, but to hear such things upon his arrival on top of being disoriented and confused about where he was? Give the guy a break.

When they had realized that Connor had some way, somehow been brought to the future by Desmond's visits to the past, Desmond instantly felt guilty. He couldn't imagine how it felt to be ripped out of your own century and thrown into almost three hundred years in the future. He had of course immediately volunteered to take full responsibility for his ancestor and help him as much as possible. Though the nerd known as Shaun had wanted to pick Connor's brain to build a better psychological profile of him.

Desmond had thrown a package of pop tarts at him and told Connor to RUN.

Within a week the two had found themselves building quite an amicable relationship. They had more in common than they would have thought - having been born over two hundred years apart. The Bleeding Effect helped of course. Being someone and taking on their mannerisms certainly made it easier to understand the actual person.

The two men had a lazy slow afternoon about a week after Connor's arrival, with the colonial era assassin taking the news with some surprise but mostly ease. He had questions of course but he wasn't panicking the way Desmond had been. The. Whole. Entire. Time.

The guilt of the younger man was immense. He felt like it was his fault Connor had been misplaced in literal time. In experiencing the side effects and cons of the Bleeding effect, Desmond had however been able to offer the man some sort of comfort by speaking in his mother tongue to him. The two men were conversing in Kanien'keha:ka when Desmond got an idea. It was a bit wild because it involved taking a man from the 18th century out into the 21st century world, anything could happen and in Desmond's case...it usually did.

"Do you like animals Ratonhnhaké:ton?"

The man's eyebrows peaked up in interest before he answered a piece of toast halfway to his mouth. "I do. I've always felt fondly for nature and the creatures that inhabit it. Comfortable. I was raised to respect the animals in nature, even when it comes time to hunt."

Desmond nodded in understanding. "What about pets? Have you ever had one?"

"No. We usually ate the animals or came across those in the woods that were too wild to be tamed." He paused, "Can you do such a thing? Do people have...pet wolves in this century?"

"They do actually. But it is extremely rare, and they usually just nurse them back to health and then release them back into the wild." He thought about his offer and decided it was now or never. "Would you like to go to a place where they have animals available for adoption?"

His brows furrowed. "It sounds interesting."

"If you trust me, I think you'll really like it. You'll get to see as many animals as you want and you can be friendly with them."

"They won't get scared and run away?"

"No. They're used to humans normally. Some can be skittish, but you just need to be gentle with them. Come on." He grinned grabbing his keys. "I'm taking you to a pet shop."

After making sure that they wouldn't be recognized in public by any freako Templars, they headed out and twenty minutes later reached their destination. The place was huge and there was a glass display at the front of the store, filled to the brim with little puppies in one and kittens in the other. Desmond grinned excitedly, "Hey! They're having an adoption event for a few new arrivals today."

"How does one do this? Do you just go in and claim the one you want?"

Heading in with Connor close behind weary and ever alert of their surroundings, Desmond answered. "Pretty much. Only you have to sign adoption papers and you usually have to pay a fee, and sometimes buy a couple of things from the store to take care of them when you get home."

Connor nodded in understanding as he brought his hands behind his back. "What would I get?"

"Depending on the animal you could toys, collars, beds. You have to have food for them, and you can get dishes to put the food in. Every animal is different so there's different things to get for different ones. My advice? Go with either a cat or a dog."

Connor eyed a pink sparkly rhinestone collar with a look of WTF and Desmond snorted. "That is...abhorrent to the eyes. Why...would one torture an innocent animal with such a thing? It would die of embarrassment. To say nothing of not being able to blend in with their surroundings."

Desmond laughed at Connor's honesty. "Well typically a pet is kept inside your home. Most people don't want their animals getting torn up by other animals that aren't domesticated or people who are missing more than half of their marbles. They think of them as a family member."

Connor had frozen staring down into the glass encased pit and it was then that Desmond instantly knew. Connor was a dog lover confirmed. An adorable little german shepherd had its tiny paws up on the glass yipping its heart out at the tall man, who just stared curiously in response.

"What...does he want? I have no meat for him, and I didn't touch his territory." He narrowed his eyes at the little furball, "If you bite me, fair warning dog I will bite back."

Desmond snickered and came closer smiling down at the little thing. "Hey little guy. Do you like my friend?"

The puppy whined in response and Desmond had to stop himself from letting out an audible 'awww'. "The puppy wants your attention Connor. You should pick him up and hold him."

"I can hold a... what I think is a wolf pup? Its fur is unlike any that I've ever seen..."

"It's a german shepherd. A breed of dog. Not a wolf. Perfectly safe to hold. They wouldn't sell wolves in a pet store, that would count as an 'exotic animal' and you would need a license, and you have to pay fees... it's a headache basically."

Connor continued to stare at the puppy hesitating before leaning over to gently reach in and scoop the puppy up in one of his large hands. He gently brought the animal to his chest and cupped its head with his other hand hoping not to drop it. "Is this good?"

Desmond nodded smiling like a dork at the sight of such a tiny puppy in the large hands of a man who was built like a roman brick wall. "It's great man. You're doing great."

The puppy began to lick Connor's palm and the man smiled. The stretch slightly hurting his face because the muscles were unused to being used, but Connor was actually happy. Or he seemed to be. Desmond couldn't read his mind.

"If you think this little guy is cute wait until you see the other animals in the store."

The puppy by now had propped itself up to lick Connor's cheek making him smile even more and speak softly to the puppy. "You look like a wolf, but you are much nicer you know that? So soft too."

Giving the little creature a pat on the head Connor let him down back into the pit to play with his littermates. Various other puppies were there ranging from little yorkies to sassy sausage dogs and a few golden retrievers.

"Well at least we know that he'll be easy to find again. Come one we still have the cats to look at too."

When they got to the kitten pen Desmond reached in to gently offer his hand to a tiny black kitten with green eyes, which curled up in his hand, tucking their little tail in as they waited patiently for their ride upward. Connor had secured an orange tabby kitten...which was currently biting the h-e-double hockey sticks out of his hands.

Petting the cat, he winced as he watched Connor get mercilessly attacked, by the feisty little thing. "Ow! Does that not hurt man?"

Connor shrugged. "No." He studied the cat as it continued to attack his hand with the same vigor he once went after Charles Lee with when he was younger. "I'm still trying to figure out if it's trying to be intimidating..."

"I think they're playing. Cats do that. Dogs play bite and cats do too. Cats however... tend to hurt more."

Suddenly the cat overestimated its balance in Connor's hand and toppled over the side, hanging on for dear life. The kitten mewled as its tiny little body dangled from Connor's large hand, and Connor just watched with slight amusement.

"See what you this has gotten you? You bit me and now you are stuck. You reap what you sow you naughty...not mountain lion but sharp clawed creature."

Desmond wheezed laughing at Connor's sass toward the kitten for play biting him. "Here try this little one. Boy cats tend to be more aggressive, and I got a girl."

The second the two men traded cats, the orange kitten took to chewing on Desmond's hoodie strings with a fiery wrath, and the black kitten looked up at Connor. The two studied one another for a moment, before the kitten reached its paw out and batted the air like it wanted something.

Connor brought the kitten closer weary after the first encounter but was pleasantly surprised to find that the kitten wanted his braid. He felt the beads in his hair tap gently against his jaw as the kitten played with them with jovial fascination.

And he smiled. Genuinely. For the first time since - well ever entering the 21st century Desmond supposed. Connor wasn't really known for smiling even back in his own time, and Desmond would especially know having been in the Animus experiencing everything that his ancestor had. He couldn't blame him though. Connor hadn't really had anything to smile about for a good portion of his life.

He chose to change the subject. He wanted to help Connor feel comfortable, not make him upset.

"Wanna go see the fish? They're usually pretty cool to look at."

Connor opened his mouth confusion written on his face but shut it and nodded. They headed over to the fish section where there were endless aquariums filled with as many fish as you could imagine. There were small, medium and large fish

The goldfish stared at Connor through the glass before blowing a single bubble at Connor.

Desmond smiled and puffed his cheeks out back at the fish in return. "Aww. He just blew a bubble at us. I think little fishy likes us."

The tall man next to him nodded and crossed his arms, the cat on his shoulder beginning to chew on the end of his hair peeking out from the end of the colored beads. "And I like fish."

He felt hope that maybe they would be taking an unexpected pet home today. A cat or dog he had expected, but a fish was unexpected. "Oh really?"

"Yes." There was a brief pause. "With hoecakes. Or deohako. Or even sofkee. Especially grilled over the fire. These ones are scrawny though... they would hardly make a mouthful for a child."

Desmond stared at him in fascination before laughing and moved him along to another part of the store. Reaching a small section of bunnies munching on cabbage leaves and sleeping in their little huts all huddled together, Connor joined him and scoffed.

"I thought you said that this was a 'pet shop'."

Desmond frowned turning away from the cotton ball with eyes. "It is."

Connor gestured to the bunnies munching peacefully on their snacks. "Then why did they put food in a place where you adopt animals to be your pet?"

The tattooed man's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Huh?"

"We eat those as well. In my time. All the time. They're delicious. I made a pair of fur lined boots for my mother when I was boy with a creature that looked exactly like this one. It was one of my first kills actually."

Desmond smiled nervously and moved along. "Ooookay next animal coming up."

Walking around the store they came across a case with multicolored small snakes. Until one caught Desmond's eye: the Western Hognose snake. "Oh cool!" Reading the handling information he carefully opened the case, so he didn't startle the snake. He slowly stuck his hand in the snakes' path, and it slithered right into his hand, making Desmond make a face at the feeling of its slippery underbelly. He gently lifted the creature out of the case, supporting it with both hands and turned to Connor.

Where he was met with a face of abject horror.

Desmond snickered. "What? He's cute right? Look at those little beady eyes."

"How... are you not being bit or strangled right now?

"You wanna hold him? I'll take Signora whiskers on your shoulder for a second if you do."

The man backed up clutching his small furry companion closer as if for comfort, before he pointed at Desmond completely serious. "If you put that slimy slithering henchman of satan near me I will end you. Descendant of mine of not."

Desmond grinned and leisurely set the small snake down back into its enclosure, where it slithered slowly back underneath its little palm tree. "Okay not a fan of snakes. Got it." He looked around before his eyes lit up at the small creature on the other side of the store. "Let's check these guys out."

Connor reluctantly followed as he grumbled to the kitten. "Only good snake is a dead snake little one. Dead and turned into jerky. Because while dangerous, they are delicious."

They headed over to the next display where various different types of gerbils were moseying about with their own agendas, completely oblivious to the humans ogling them. Connor peered into the glass with curiosity before quaffing in surprise. "What the... what is this - is this a mouse? Why are they selling diseases carriers? These things kill people." He frowned in disdain. "They get into your grain supply too and contaminate it."

"Not these little guys Connor. They're perfectly okay to have as pets." He opened the latch and gently offered his hand to one of the gerbils. It came closer sniffing his hand before hopping on and scampering up his arm, making him laugh. "See? Completely harmless. Just be gentle with them because they're so tiny."

Suddenly the gerbil jumped from Desmond's shoulder to Connor's jacket, clinging to the fabric for dear life, before it attempted to continue its journey. Connor's voice pitched in alarm as the gerbil launched itself onto his forearm, from his jacket, and the man was quick to grab it and stop it in its tracks. "Why can it jump like that?!"

Mouth hanging open in surprise he answered, "That's what...they do...?" Desmond genuinely knew nothing about gerbils. He had always thought they were just a form of domesticated mice. Noticing a plaque in front of the cage he began to read from it absentmindedly as the gerbil ran amuck in Connor's palm, climbing his fingers as he let the animal run between his hands.

"The Mongolian gerbil is one of one hundred ten species of gerbils and have proven to be a popular pet. The tend to thrive in arid and hot types of climates such as deserts and sometimes rain forests. They are commonly found in India, Asia, and Africa and have long hind legs, that allow them to execute a unique type of leaping to get around. They make good pet and get along with other animals. It is not recommended to have a gerbil and a cat in the same house - for obvious reasons. Annnndd they have an average lifespan of two to three years out in the wild, but can live anywhere from four to five years, with proper care if domesticated."

Connor frowned at the gerbil in his hand currently busy with the task of licking its hands and cleaning its little head. "That is sad. They live for so little time. Many people in my tribe live for a very long time, upwards of a hundred years."

"Yeah. Unfortunately, animals just don't live as long as humans do. That's one of the sucky parts about having a pet. You stick around longer than they do." He grinned, "But you have a bunch of centenarians in your tribe? That's cool."

Connor's mouth twisted in thought. "Centenarians are...?"

"People who are one hundred years old and older. You become an ultra-centenarian if you're well over a hundred years old. Like one hundred twelve or something like that."

He nodded in understanding catching the kitten without any thought as she slipped from his shoulder, before bringing her down to his chest. Connor looked sheepishly back to the puppy he had played with earlier as he simultaneously cradled the kitten closer to himself.

Desmond smiled in understanding. He asked anyway though he already knew the answer, his fellow Assassin would give. "You want the dog and the kitten, don't you?"

The elder assassin didn't take his eyes off the dog, two pairs of brown eyes looking deeply into the others. They were looking at each other like they were soul bonded, and Desmond knew that dog would be the latest addition to the family. "We bonded. And dogs are known for their loyalty..."

Desmond paused before a devious grin spread across his face. "We can train it to bite Shaun when he acts like a jerk and goes on his 'I'm smarter than you' rampage."

Connor made a face of consideration. He did think that this Shaun could be quite annoying. Maybe a bite here and there could convince him to be a bit less snappy, and a bit more happy. "While devious... I like your way of thinking." He looked down at the kitten and smiled once more, as she gave a tiny little meow up at him. "She is very sweet too." He scratched her little head behind the ears making her purr loudly. Desmond was surprised to hear such a loud sound come from such a tiny little cat, and it amused him to think that if she meowed it would probably wake Shaun out of a dead sleep and annoy him.

He nodded in understanding. Shaun certainly wouldn't be happy, but Rebecca would be ecstatic about the little guys. Besides with the stressful work they were doing all the time, what could it hurt to have some cute animals running around? They all deserved a break. And Desmond would never admit this out loud... but he wanted a snuggle buddy. "Okay we'll get them and get what they need and then go home. Does that sound good?"

Connor grinned and gave a single nod. "Sounds good."

Twenty minutes, some paperwork, and money later they walked out the new co-parents of two adorable bundles of fur.

"Let's go home so we can get these little guys settled huh?"

Connor nodded content to not say a word as he watched the small dog gnaw on his finger in delight without a care in the world. He looked down at the kitten sleeping peacefully in the blanket against his chest and he smiled.

Both animals completely happy and ready to go to their forever home.

NOTE! 'deohako' meaning 'life supporters' refers to the "three sisters" crops of corn, beans and squash. These were staple foods for the Mohawk people. Alongside 'sofkee' (also known as 'sofgee') was a corn porridge that the Mohawk people often ate as well.

ALSO - Sorry that this is kind of long I got carried away, but I hope it's enjoyable nonetheless!