Assassin's Creed Syndicate: Affinity

1. New Beginnings

Becoming stranded in the city of London is not exactly what you would call "going all according to plan." Truth be told, you imagined you'd be on a train ride to Brighton by now seeking passage to the New World; ceasing to exist to your current problems. Everything was so meticulously planned. Everything but getting caught in fisticuffs with a group of barbaric Blighters. Therefore, causing all of your effort in planning to accomplish a silent escape go to waste. Months of recon, months of delivering and collecting on favors all to waste because of a slight miscalculation.

The only bright side to your failed mission is that you did manage to escape from your hometown in Cambridge. Though it may not seem like such an accomplishment to others, to you it was somewhat of an acceptable one. Given the strict mannerisms of your family, it wasn't an easy escape. But alas here you are in London, a city you rather infrequently visited but in a way it reminded of you of home. A different kind of home. Perhaps a home in an alternate universe with no obligations, without a life course that's been planned for you to follow since you were capable of holding a sword. A home that could've been had you been allowed to choose your own path.

You breathe in the new and polluted air, all fault to the many factories no doubt, walking straight forward with the distinct sound of your boots clacking against the cobblestone street echoing behind you. You don't think nor dare to look back. The past, your past, is now but a mere tale you don't plan on reminiscing with anyone anytime soon. Now is your time to create a new story for yourself, a new life based on the foundations of the freedom to choose your own direction in life. Oh, how your heart flutters in infatuation with your newfound independence, sending a frenzy of butterflies to inhabit your stomach. Every part of your being was filled with excitement, every part with the exception of your mind. For deep down, you knew this was only the beginning of your journey. Without a doubt, there will be more obstacles in the way of your new haven.

You walk about the streets of the city, observing the sights of the many of factories that meet your eyes, "Welcome to the city of London, (y/n)," you mutter. Gazing at sights before you, you notice a type of correspondence of this town and of your old one. The similarity manifest itself in the atmosphere of different shades of gray. Plain whitish-gray sky, light-grayish smoke clouds omitting from the chimneys of the surrounding factories, and the dark and light gray clothing on the backs on the occupants of the town.

As well as the surroundings, the inhabitants aren't too different from what you're used to normally seeing. Much of the surroundings are not foreign yet you find comfort in that small fact. It all reassured your serenity until you spot two women clad in red identical jackets speaking amongst themselves merely a block away from your current spot.

Instinctively your body dashes to find cover. Finding solace behind a brick building you take a peek from the corner of the brick wall, ignoring the bemused gazes and comments being cast your way.

"Blighters," you murmur. You scrutinize the area, taking advantage of the building hiding your form, and spot yet another group of Blighters surveying the area perpendicular to the two women in red. "By God is there any portion of land not being manned by these blokes?"

Remaining covert will prove to be a humongous challenge if these streets were to constantly be filled with Blighters. And something in your heart tells you that that is, in fact, the state of this current case. Fighting off Blighters is not of your concern, the thought of a brawl was never part of your worries. It is but the fear of drawing unwanted attention that restrains you from doing so. No one must know of your presence in London otherwise, you'll never have the chance to reach Brighton. If you wish to remain incognito, you must act so.

Thus, you find yourself stepping out of your hiding spot and casually proceed to walk up the block. You near the two female Blighters at their post, your head held high looking straight forward, avoiding any eye contact you don't deem necessary. The one on the right merely glances at you before ogling other passing by civilians whilst the one on the left glares you up and down. You quicken your pace and exit their line of sight, exhaling a gust of air you did not know you were holding in.

You figure it is still too soon for anyone in this town to know about your disappearance in Cambridge. Telegrams still take some time to be delivered despite the rapid development of new inventions in your time. Still, the ruse will only last for so long. Next on your objective was to find shelter and a new disguise...most urgently a new disguise.

On your walk, you probe the area and its inhabitants. Everyone around you moves as if they have something to do. Nothing struck you out of the ordinary until you spot children guarded inside a factory by a group of Blighters. Your feet subconsciously cease walking, your eyes observing the child labor abuse a few meters in front of you. Their skin is covered in coal dust, their small bare feet exposed to the glass and broken cement on the floor, their spirit drained from their faces from working for too long hours with little pay to show for it. Yet no one does anything.

Part of you is not surprised that London and Cambridge share the same social problems, with the entire city of London under Crawford Starrick's influence who could be. But that doesn't stop your heart from breaking at the depressing sights before you; it doesn't stop your fists from curling till your knuckles turn white and it certainly doesn't stop your body from tensing up.

In a way, you can relate to the exploited children being worked out of their childhood. Having your own childhood been robbed from you due to your previous line of work made you furious every time you thought about it. Yet it doesn't only bother you because of your personal vendetta. It is because of your moral compass that you seem to find yourself crouching and scrutinizing the factory of the Blighters and their posts.

Your narrowing eyes peer to the guard leaning on the alarm post. "If that alarm were to be pulled more reinforcements would no doubt be on their way," you mumble. "No mistakes, (y/n). Just like in Cambridge. It wouldn't only be your life on the line."

Slowly yet steadily you begin to creep you way into the factory to perform a deed you wish you were lucky enough to have been done for you. If your family could see you now they certainly wouldn't expect to see you use your years of training for activities such as this. No matter it's status of nobility who's to say they'd be proud? Still, that doesn't stop you nor weaken your spirit.

"Insubordination!"

 "Double Crosser!" they would yell if they were present to make comments on your judgment. The thought of their disapproval makes you grin with satisfaction. You were done with carrying out their orders. After what you've been put through, you and your family are two strangers grown.

Hello lovely people! I said I was gonna make a Jacob Frye fanfic didn't I? :3 Well, here it is!!! First chap at least.... Hope you all liked it and if it seems a little vague to you as to who your character is don't worry it's supposed to be like that (meaning I'll elaborate on that on the next chapters). I feel like I had some stuff to say in the A/N but Idk it's just not coming to me at the moment....Anyways hope y'all have (or had) a great day today...also just realized I posted this on Valentine's Day so yeah happy said day for those who celebrate it and yeah guess I'll go now..stay tuned for more chapters and tell me what you think!  Adieu mes amours! (sorry if it's inaccurate, google translate is the only French source I have.)