AC Syndicate: Isolated Files [OS]

Last Christmas - Part. 2

After the hearty dinner, George suggested that the Assassins go into the large living room, where the Christmas tree was decorated in red and silver, and where the fireplace offered a gentle flame. The atmosphere of the room was so warm that it could be mistaken for the living room of a cosy house of a bourgeois family. It was impossible to see any Assassin symbols on the walls or banners. For this evening, the members of the Creed were all one family, there were no more Assassins. Only brothers and sisters, and the father figure of George Westhouse.

The atmosphere was as warm as it was cheerful. Smiles were plastered on faces despite the heavy digestion of the dinner and the first effects of the alcohol, which were still quite mild. As Thomas looked on, Victoria was in the arms of Jacob, sitting behind her. They were both sitting on the floor, the top-hatted one's back supported by a pile of soft cushions. The hubbub and sniggering of the others prevented the Assassin from hearing what his rival was saying in the ear of the brunette he wanted back. He could only see her smile and laugh. The Londoner was looking forward to midnight to give her gift to Jacob, whom she had drawn a few days before. Despite what he saw, Thomas tried to enjoy the evening by talking to his fellow students over another beer. But he still had one eye — filled with contempt and jealousy — on her and the Frye twin.

The time passed, and the atmosphere gradually calmed down. Some people's eyes began to twitch, others were dozing or had fallen completely asleep. At half past midnight, George called the attention of the Assassins to the exchange of gifts before sleep overtook everyone. The Brotherhood members, happy to hear this news, woke up those who had fallen asleep. Victoria was both excited and stressed. She was worried that Jacob would not like her gift, even though she knew his tastes quite well.

Most of the presents had been exchanged. Evie got a present from George, Henry Green from Jacob, Victoria from a fellow student and Thomas from a fellow student. When the father of this Assassin family pointed to the brunette to give his gift and reminded her of the recipient, the brunette forgot her stress and did not keep the recipient waiting any longer. She took the newspaper-wrapped box out of her pocket and gave it to the recipient.

"Merry Christmas, Jacob," Victoria wished with a smile.

Jacob tore the wrapping off the old Times page and opened a small wooden box. He discovered a necklace with a raven's head pendant with wings curved to form a circle around it. Evie's brother thought the silver jewellery was beautiful, so much so that he smiled before looking at the woman who had given him this beautiful gift.