#my sugar plums. my darling dearests. there is no story without them.

[fiapple]

to be totally upfront with you, when it comes to op i am like... 90% just here for the women. like, don't get me wrong, the male characters are fun & i enjoy them! i'm having a blast, even! there are a few upcoming arcs that i'm vaguely aware of which i'm sure will allow some of the men to garner more of my favour!

but also, like... the women are the characters that make me feel like screaming & crying & slowly peeling off my skin layer by layer. they are the characters who haunt me, who harrow me, who's suffering i feel in my very bones. they are the characters who have intellects which fill me with awe, resilience that guts me organ by organ, the characters who are flawed in a manner which ground me & heartens me in equal measure, the characters given a sort of atypical strength which fascinates me, their sense of chaotic whimsy what brings a lightness to my heart. the women are the people carrying the story for me. it wouldn't be anything close to worthwhile without them.

[b3k1720]

Christmas stories with Jacob ✨🎄

London December 24, 1875

@nemo-my-name-forevermore @ct-5445 @thedragonqueenfan @assassins-and-hidden-blades : I thought you guys might like this 🥺👉👈

Snow fell gently over the bustling British city, falling in to the muddied streets and sending a chill through the frosty air.

With the sun setting and the world getting colder, store clerks were closing for the Christmas season.

Pubs were opening up their doors with warm light and Yuletide cheer for both the merry and the drunk to enjoy.

Fortunately that would not be the case for one assassin.

“Mama when is daddy coming home?” A little girl asked as she pressed her small hands up against the frosted glass, looking out in the whitened streets expectantly.

“Very soon Amelia, darling now come away from the window before Jack Frost nips your nose” Rebekah announced with a smirk as she took the pouting little madam away and sat her next to the fireplace.

“Do you think daddy will tell us a story before bed?” Her other child, a small boy with whisps of browny blonde hair piped up as he slipped down from his fathers large armchair to the floor, letting his body flop out of exaggeration.

“We shall have to see my darling but he might be exhausted from work” their mother answered with a smile at her children’s innocence.

“Now come along supper is ready so go clean those little hands and faces”

It was not long after dinner had finished that the door to the little two story house opened, unexpectedly slamming from the wind; snow flying in the house before quickly slamming close again.

Jacob stepped in, barely taking off his hat and scarf before squeals and stampeding of small feet could be heard coming towards the front room.

“DADDY!”

Quickly the two small children latched on to the large assassin, barely letting him go.

“Ah there’s my little rooks” Jacob chuckled as he picked both of them up and pulled them to his chest.

“Oh Emmet, Amelia your both so warm, have you been by that fire all day?” He laughed as both the small children giggled.

“Daddy your very cold!”

“Let go!” They both cried out in hellish little giggles.

“Why should I your both SO warm and toasty!” Jacob chortled as he tickled them, causing more squealing to ensue.

Rebekah quietly came to see, she couldn’t help but smile at the sight.

“Alright you lot that’s enough for now or you won’t fall asleep” she announced in a jokingly warning tone.

“Quite right my love” Jacob answered with grin as he let the children down.

Now being able to take off his coat, top hat, scarf and weapons hanging them on the stand before pulling off his large boots and putting them by the door.

“Now my darlings was there something you wanted to ask your father?” Rebekah announced motioning to Jacob as he sat down in his chair by the open fire.

“Really and what would that be?” He grinned as he motioned them to come climb up on the arm rests.

“Well...daddy...perhaps could we have a Christmas story?” Amelia asked with large begging eyes.

“Please daddy” Emmett begged with earnest, both the children loved hearing stories from their father, he always made them so exciting!

“Hmmm well I’ll definitely tell one if mother dearest would put the kettle on” he joked with a wink towards his wife.

“Already on it darling” She chuckled before heading to the kitchen.

Jacob then carefully pulled his children up on the large chair with him, holding them close to keep them warm despite the fire.

“How about I tell you a story my father would tell me and Aunty Evie each year when we were children” he announced with a warm smile.

“It’s called the night before Christmas”

“Does this story have Saint Nick daddy? Amelia asked with curiousity.

“Yeah it has to have Santa!” Emmett cried which caused the assassin to chuckle.

“Of course it does, why would I tell it without the big fat jolly man?”

Both the children looked to each other and nodded, both satisfied by this answer.

“Here we go nice warm tea for everyone before bed” Rebekah announced gently before carefully handing a cup to her husband and placing the tray near the chair before grabbing a cup for herself and sitting close by.

Everyone settled in, Amelia and Emmett cuddling in to their father while Rebekah leaned closer to listen.

“Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;”,

Jacob started to recite the verse he had almost memorised from Ethan

“The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

“Oh!” Both Amelia and Emmett exclaimed before their father chuckled and continued.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN!

On, COMET! on CUPID! on, DONNER and BLITZEN!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

The children couldn’t help but giggle as Jacob made the motions of rustling reigns, neither could Rebekah stifle a laugh.

“As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

“Like jelly!?” Emmett laughed before Amelia shushed him with such a serious expression before their father could continue, she was far to enthralled with the story!

“He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;”

With this line Jacob also did wink towards his children who were now starting to yawn despite themselves.

The next verses were now more quite, as to lull and calm them....

“He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night...”

Jacob ended in a whisper as now both little Amelia and Emmette, his two little rooks were both dozing off.

“Alright my darlings time for bed” Rebekah hushed gently before taking the smallest of them from their fathers arms.

Laying Amelia over his shoulder Jacob followed his wife upstairs to the children’s shared room before placing them in bed.

“Sweet dreams my little rooks...” Jacob murmured softly, giving them both small kisses on the heads, tucking them in for the long winters night...