Assassins' Creed Oneshots

|32|. R! Shay ♡ I

Request for @fioracavazza
I've never written a shay oneshot before but I can't lie: I'm quite keen on this; perhaps I'll write a second part?

Qotd: Assassin's Creed Rogue or Unity? (For me, it'll always be unity - Arno est mon mari)

-Kia C.

———————————————

Tailor's Daughter

"Cormac!" The local tailor exclaimed with open arms at his regular customer, "Needing your robes patched up again?" He was a fairly old fellow, in his late-fifties with greyed hair and a scruffy beard.

"Actually," The Templar began in his Irish lilted voice, "I'd quite like an entirely new set, I need some more. . . higher status clothing for an event I must attend." His eyes wandered to the open door behind the counter that allowed a view into the back room where measurements were taken and clothing was made. He spotted a young woman with (h/l) (h/c) tresses tidying up. She had (s/t) skin and wore a creme white stay hugged her torso and was embroidered with small white flowers. She wore a crisp white blouse with bishop sleeves that billowed around her arms and tightened at the cuffs. But, what really caught his eye was the long pale green skirt that she wore; it was covered with what must have been hundreds of little dark green and grey patterns that swirled around the skirts in a frozen elegant dance.

"Follow me to the back room then and I can get you measured up." The tailor spoke. The Irishman followed him, being led into the back room where the young woman with the floral dress was.

"(Y/n), be a dear and take this man's measurements while I sketch out some designs, won't you?" The man requested.

"Of course!" The young woman smiled brightly, picking up a measuring tape as she ushered Shay to stand on a short platform in the middle of the room. The tailor left to go and get a book to begin sketching some designs, intent on making a variety for Shay to choose from. "Arms up and out to your sides." The young woman spoke, Shay did as told, elevating his limbs into the air.

"So," (Y/n) began, wanting to start up a conversation as she measured the length of each arm, "What are you looking for today? Something like your usual or something different this time?" She quizzed.

"How would you know my usual requests?" The brown-haired male prompted, not having ever seen this woman in the tailor's shop before.

"I'm the owner's daughter; I've been working unprofessionally since I could pull a needle and thread." She smiled, "I've worked on quite a lot of your clothing." She paused to chuckle gently while she wrapped the tape around his bicep, nothing down the measurement on a nearby notepad with a quill, "And before you ask how I know it's yours: your style is rather. . . unique. What's your line of work?"

"Now look who's being the inquisitive one." The russet brown-eyed male teased, "How about you try to guess?" He decided to turn it into a fun conversation. He knew she'd be unable to guess that he was a Templar but it would assist in stringing out the conversation.

"Well. . . Judging by the nature of the robes, you need to move around a lot and very quickly too;" She would have noted on the fact that he had to keep in shape due to the size of the muscles on his arms but didn't wish to come across as odd, "You have to fight because your belts require room for weapons' holsters. I would also guess that you're outdoors a lot seeing as they're designed to keep you warm;" She paused to hum thoughtfully, "It's a dangerous job considering the scar on your face too if I'm not rude in pointing that out. I would guess you're a guard but I get the feeling your work has more importance than that. . . A private bodyguard perhaps? Maybe some elite form of guard? A more secretive sort of service?" She concluded.

"You're very observant," Shay noted as she ducked under his arm to measure the width of his chest. She shot him a side-long glance and a smile as she noted down more measurements.

"I suppose I'm correct in assuming you work for a secretive organisation then considering your lack of an affirmative answer." She teased.

"I'll admit that you're correct but I'm afraid that I can't tell you much more than that." He replied.

"Does that red cross represent your organisation?" She quizzed as she measured the length of his torso.

"What did I just say?" He spoke with a playful tone as to not make her embarrassed or shy away.

"Fine, fine, keep your secrets, Cormac." She hummed a giggle.

"Where did you learn to read people so well? I know people that would have well-paid work for someone with eyes and a mind as keen as yours." He spoke as he looked down at her lining up the tape to get the measurements for the length of his legs.

"Well, I've only just started working in the shop with my father so I've always had to guess about the lives of the clients judging by their clothing - what a person wears can tell you a lot about them, you know?"

"And what could I read from you?" He raised a brow.

"Well if you look at my clothing, it's fairly simple but not dirty or too bland - I don't come from a family with a lot of money but with enough to afford a few luxuries. Going on from that, the embroidery on my dress wouldn't be something I could afford to have done so I would have had to do it myself which shows I'm experienced with needlework through time spent indoors, therefore, my job doesn't require me to leave the house very often." She explained.

"You really are well-experienced in this." Shay raised his scarred brow as he looked down at all of the patterns that decorated her skirt, "You stitched all of that yourself." He gestured to her clothing.

"Oh, yes, and the stay too - embroidery's my favourite part of this job. It's time-consuming but the final product is always worth it." She smiled happily; it was clear from her face and the way that her (e/c) orbs lit up that it was something she enjoyed doing very much.

"How do you do it?" Shay questioned, finding her look of happiness while talking about the subject rather adorable.

"Well, I have to stretch the fabric over a frame then I usually plan out the patterns with chalk and I begin sewing. I use different types of stitches depending on the design. For the wealthier customers, they're usually able to afford embroidery with beads - I have to put all the beads on the thread then stitch which takes more time but it's utterly gorgeous, I love it when wealthier customers request such designs."

"Do you think you could work something onto my waistcoat if I pay your father a little extra then?" He prompted. (Y/n)'s (e/c) eyes lit up.

"Of course!" She exclaimed as she wrapped the tape neatly around her hand, "Come, let's see what designs my father has come up with for you!" She gently, somewhat uneasily took his hand to lead him to where her father was. He replied to her touch by taking a gentle grip on her hand, seeing her blushing slightly told him that she didn't do this with every customer. There was something each of them saw in the other that had them wanting to know them more. Perhaps this was the beginning of something much bigger. . .