AC Syndicate: Isolated Files [OS]

Valentine's Day

After a good day, and as usual, Victoria and Jacob met up around Big Ben. Tonight they wanted to celebrate their first Valentine's Day. Jacob hadn't wanted to at the beginning, but Victoria had insisted... by proposing a bet, which he had lost... Fortunately, she had given him carte blanche to celebrate their first lovers' day.

For Jacob, there was no question of a table covered in white and decorated with red rose petals, candles and a violin by the Thames for this evening. No. His program was the Chillin Rook, Robert Topping's fight club in Devil's Acre and finally peace and quiet with Victoria on the train, in the carriage that served as his room. A programme that was sure to please the brunette, who didn't appreciate all the honeyed, overly naive romanticism.

"Whenever you want, Mr Frye," she said with a smile. "Make me dream!"

"If Miss Reid will," he invited her to jump off the roof very politely, curtseying.

Victoria giggled and then did so. As soon as she emerged from the pile of hay, she removed the straw from her hair and her outfit while Jacob jumped off. He then extricated himself from the pile of dried grass and gave his arm to his lady. Victoria entered his game after arranging her coat and top hat.

"To the Chillin Rook!" he declared proudly.

Arm in arm, the two Assassins went to Rosie's pub. As they walked through the door, the forty-year-old, smiled and welcomed them with a smile.

"Ah, there are my favourite lovebirds."

The guests took their usual place at the counter. She immediately served them their drinks, there was no need to tell her that they wanted a beer. As always, the Assassins and Rosie chatted away during this quiet evening at the Chillin' Rook. An hour later, it was time to leave. Robert Topping's fights were about to start, and they still had to go to Devil's Acre. Jacob and Victoria each paid their share and greeted the manager.

"Have a nice evening, folks," she winked.

Once outside, Jacob took Victoria's arm. Seeing him play the gentleman amused her greatly. To tease him, she asked to go by car, but he immediately got into her act. He asked a coachman who was nearby to take them to Devil's Acre and gave him a good sum of money to convince him to go to this still very dangerous part of London. He then went to the door and opened it.

"If Miss Reid will," he said, holding out his hand.

"Thank you, Mr. Frye," she replied amused, placing her fingers in his palm.

Once the brunette was settled in the car, Evie's brother entered and closed the door. The coachman shook the horse's reins and led them to Devil's Acre as requested. The lovers took advantage of the ride in the car to exchange a few affectionate gestures. When they reached the edge of the neighbourhood, the coachman stopped the carriage. The gentleman and his partner got out. When the door was closed, the driver moved his horse forward. The two Assassins then went to an old shed to join the fight club.

When they arrived, the crowd was already clamouring for the fight to begin. Robert's men were passing between the spectators for bets. Jacob took the liberty of betting a few shillings, unlike Victoria who did not like to bet on fights. They stood as close to the arena as possible to enjoy the show.

There were no rules in this fight, except to avoid killing your opponents. The first few matches of the evening were pretty soft and classic: one against two, one against three, then four. Victoria and Jacob were screaming to encourage their favourite. They were far from bored with the fights Robert was offering. Sometimes the brunette took a few minutes to admire the man she loved. She could see the joy shining in his eyes and in his shouting voice. She could only widen her smile. Then she turned her gaze back to the arena, where two ruffians were fighting fiercely. The two men bumped or clutched each other repeatedly, knocking each other down or tipping each other over. The fight was fierce, and the crowd was still cheering for their favourite. Despite the excitement and passion, Victoria began to tire, and Jacob noticed. He suggested they leave for a more relaxing and comfortable evening.

The two Assassins then slipped through the crowd to exit the hangar. The two lovebirds were able to breathe easier. The heat was beginning to be unbearable inside. They debriefed passionately about the fights as they walked to the station to join Jacob's - and formerly Evie's - locomotive. It was a lively discussion between the two, and both enjoyed it.

The infernal duo finally arrived at Charing Cross station, which was much quieter at night than during the day. They entered the second carriage and crossed the engine, waving to Agnes McBean as she prepared to leave.

"I've made you a little something to eat," she warned, "so you don't have an empty stomach.

"Thank you, Agnes," Victoria smiled.

"Have a nice evening."

She left the train and then the station to leave them alone.

"Don't trust the word small when she says it," Jacob advised with a smile.

When they arrived at the equivalent of the dining room. Victoria's face contorted in discomfort and surprise, while Jacob smacked the top of his forehead and grinned tightly.

"Damn it," Jacob swore through clenched teeth.

Victoria laughed at the man in the top hat's reaction. The owner of Bertha the Locomotive had prepared a pretty table with red rose petals and candles. Jacob's hand slid over his face to realize what he was seeing. Victoria, on the other hand, was positive as she inhaled the smell that had filled the carriage.

"At least the food looked delicious."

Jacob nodded and suggested that they remove all the excess. The brunette agreed and started by removing the candles and glasses while her valentine moved the plates and cutlery. He then removed the tablecloth and Victoria put the meal back on the table.

The lovers finally sat down and began to eat. The valentine loved the meal. She had never eaten anything so delicious. The Frye twin was delighted by this unexpected event; he knew he owed Agnes one.

When the meal was over, the lovers decided to go to the roof of the carriage in Jacob's room, which was outside the entrance to the station. From there they could admire the opal light of the almost full moon. The two Assassins were sitting next to each other, Victoria's head resting on her beloved's shoulder and Jacob's arm resting on hers. The brunette had her eyes closed to savour this moment of calm and silent tenderness with that trickster Jacob.

Evie's brother kissed his valentine's hair and kept his face turned towards her. She lifted her head and faced her valentine, then gently placed her lips on his. The kisses, at first very brief, lasted a little longer with each exchange. In between, they just smiled. Then they gazed again at the moon, without saying a word.

Even if the rogue had not wanted to celebrate Valentine's Day, he was happy to have spent an evening like this with his sweetheart, the beauty of the Seven Bells.