Souls Through Time (EzioxOC/DesmondxOC)

Chapter 26 - Claire

September 8th, 2012, 6:30 pm

The quiet hum of the safe house settled around them as Desmond and Claire returned, their footsteps echoing softly in the dimly lit, converted warehouse space. Shafts of light fell in uneven patterns across the concrete floor, casting long shadows from the overhead lights. Claire took in a deep breath, grounding herself, the silence offering a brief reprieve from the din of memories that still echoed faintly in her mind.

The respite didn't last.

Shaun's voice cut through the stillness, a sharp edge to his tone. "And where exactly have you two been?" Arms crossed, he fixed them with a critical gaze, eyes narrowing as he looked between Desmond and Claire.

Claire lifted an eyebrow, a hint of defiance in her eyes as she brushed past him. "We were... taking a walk." Her tone was breezy, but her hand lingered on the edge of the nearest table, fingertips pressed firmly as if to steady herself. Desmond caught the slight tension in her stance, a subtle tightness in her shoulders as she steadied her breath.

Desmond leaned against the table beside her, mirroring her casual stance though he threw Shaun a sidelong look. "Didn't realize we had a curfew," he muttered, his tone light but his gaze steely.

Before Shaun could fire back, Rebecca interjected, her voice gentle but with a sense of urgency woven through. "I think what Shaun means is that we don't exactly have time for scenic strolls." She cast a concerned glance at both Desmond and Claire, her fingers pausing mid-air above the keyboard. "The clock's ticking, and if we're going to stay ahead of Abstergo, we need every advantage we can get—especially from you two."

The levity slipped from Desmond's face, his expression growing serious. "Look, I get it. But after today... I need a minute." He shifted, his gaze resting on Claire as if looking for her support, hoping she'd understand his reluctance to dive back into the Animus too soon.

Claire gave him a slight nod, catching the quiet plea in his eyes. She understood the toll, perhaps more than anyone here. "Desmond's right. We're not machines, Shaun. If we push too hard, we'll be the ones losing our grip." Her voice was firm, brooking no argument.

Shaun let out an exasperated sigh, his fingers moving to adjust his glasses. "Fine. But don't take too long," he said, his voice begrudging but with a trace of reluctant acceptance. "Abstergo's not about to hit the brakes for us."

Desmond met Shaun's gaze with a calm intensity, his resolve steady. "Noted," he replied, his words carrying a weight that seemed to settle the conversation.

Rebecca's attention returned to the monitor, her fingers moving deftly over the keyboard. "I'll run some diagnostics," she murmured, her voice softer now as if the tension had temporarily faded.

The glow from the monitors cast Claire's face in sharp relief as she watched Rebecca's screens flicker with data streams. Rebecca's movements were quick, practiced, and Claire found a sense of comfort in her friend's efficiency, as if Rebecca's quiet competence could hold all their fractured pieces together.

"So," Shaun spoke up, breaking the silence with his usual dry tone as he leaned against a nearby table. "Diagnostics aside, are we going to talk about what we're up against?"

Rebecca glanced up, her face serious. "Abstergo's not just looking for artifacts anymore. They're refining their Animus programs, targeting people with stronger ancestral links. They're not just after history—they want control, and they're using people like us to get it."

Desmond's expression hardened, his face tense as he processed her words. "Yeah, I get that. But how far are they willing to go for relics?" He looked at Claire, the question hanging between them.