Assassin's Creed: Enter the Animus

Memory Fragment: Connor

You drank the last of your drink then set it down on the table. It was beginning to blur your vision, in addition to the warm flush that enveloped your chest and cheeks.

You attempted to sit quietly, not wanting to irritate a very sober Connor as he discussed business with a colleague across the table.

He had brought you along, he insisted not to leave you alone in the house for the evening. He also suggested the two of you stay for supper once his work was finished, but it was growing more difficult to wait patiently.

It seemed like hours had passed, and you simply sat and watched the two men converse. You couldn't help but drink, it filled your empty stomach and occupied your time. You sighed quietly, standing up slowly to ask for another.

The barmaid nodded at you and left to retrieve your order. You eyed the men seated at the bar, watching their conversations while you waited. It was no wonder the inn was so loud, there wasn't a corner not already claimed.

She handed it to you over the counter and you proceeded back to your table, sliding into your seat slowly so not to embarrass Connor in front of his colleague. You perched forward and nursed the drink, taking small sips.

As the fiddler began to play his instrument and the other instruments joined in, you watched the groups of people who got up to dance. You desperately wanted to get up and join them. A finger tapped you on the shoulder, and you turned to face a young man with his hand offered to you.

You smiled and looked over at Connor, who had been so invested in his partner that he didn't notice you shrug, and take the man's hand to follow him to the dance floor.

The man was a good dancer, fast on his feet and swift with his hands, he carried the two of you. You let your feet move to the beat of the drum. You laughed as the young man took your hand and spun you around, butterflies lurching in your stomach.

He pulled you in, leaning forward to speak in your ear.

"Have you never danced before?" He teased, referring to your inability to keep up.

"Is it obvious that I'm not entirely sober?" You smiled.

"I've seen you put away more drinks than most of the men in here combined," he chuckled.

"Perhaps they should keep up then."

Your response made him laugh, and he continued to lead as the two of you enjoyed the music.

Finally, breathless and sweaty, you sat down at your seat, and he slid in across from you, a satisfied smile on his face.

"Why is it you're here alone this evening?"

"My husband actually has business here," You said, taking a sip of your ale.

"Where might your husband be?" He asked.

You glanced over to see if Connor was still there, though he wasn't.

You turned back to the man, "I'm not quite sure."

"Well, I'd be more than obliged to take his lady home," He offered.

"I think I'd like to go home with my husband," You said firmly, moving to stand from your seat.

"Oh, come on now, lass," he grovelled.

He stood from his chair and made his way over to you before you could escape. Leaning down, he had trapped you between himself and the table.

"I think he'd be more than willing to share."

Before you could string together a novel of curse words to shout in the man's face, Connor's voice seemingly came out of nowhere.