So, this is.. a really self-indulgent AU because no matter how much I love angst, I also love people being happy. Ngl. Dedicated to the wonderful discord crowd x3 Credit for a large portion of these ideas goes to tumblr user qdeanna, I am just writing them down haha
The station was busy as always. Businesspeople and travelers both, mostly human. You saw the occasional werewolf or someone who might have some noble blood in them. Sometimes you even got to see someone who must descend from the indigenous people who fully assimilated with the human conquerors centuries ago already. Humans will always stay the same, Frankenstein thought, sipping his coffee. He hadn't chosen this meeting spot without reason.
His thoughts were interrupted by a woman approaching them with a single plate.
„Here, that cake with the Dliberries of the Beta Toriga System." The ginger werewolf woman smiled at them warmly.
„Great. They smell like someone threw up on it. He will love it." Frankenstein laughed and glanced at his two companions. „More coffee? Cake? It's on me."
Garda laughed as well. „Keep your money, Frankenstein, who knows how you got your hands on it."
Seira and Regis shook their heads slightly. They were perfectly content. Frankenstein dug his fork into his own cake. „Anyway, it's good to see you again, kids." He finished his coffee. Ah, there he was, that familiar red head! For a second, their eyes met – and by the time Urokai reached the table outside the bakery, the blond man was gone already.
„Crap! I missed him again! Well, nothing I can do now. Hey there, kids." A polished badge gleamed on his chest, looking brand new and shiny. Of course, if Urokai really put his mind to it, he probably would catch that man. The port security would stop the fugitive.
„Any news?" He glanced at the cake in front of him with crumpled nose. „I know you two just met with Frankenstein. Tell him to order tastier cake next time." Still, he picked up the fork. Muzaka would try to rip him a new one if he didn't eat that cake.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Seira said innocently, though amusement gleamed in her eyes. Regis smirked. This game was well familiar to them, by now.
"Right. Anyway, I got news. Ludis and his guys caught one of those space rat ships. They had some interesting cargo. There's a sealed coffin, from earth. They're moving it to the University of Intergalactic History. I don't know about you, but I am definitely paying Rozaria a visit. Ludis said there's traces of noble energy clinging to it. I didn't know we had any relics left."
Regis picked up his cup and took a sip. "Seira, your school is visiting the university next week, right?" Seira nodded slowly in response. A boarding school for extraordinarily gifted children from disadvantaged backgrounds, situated in the neighbouring solar system.
"Will you say hello to her from me? We are starting the trial on Maitland Mogg and his band of robbers this week, so I will hardly have any time for anything."
"Oh, Maitland. Good old Maitland." Urokai laughed. "That was one hell of a shootdown, I tell you. Make me proud, devil's little advocate."
"The devil's advocate is standing on the side of the criminals, though," Regis pointed out with a smirk. "Besides, get off my back already! I am not that short!"
"Sorry, kid, to me you will always stay the little pipsqueak you were when we first met." Urokai snorted, setting down the fork. After a few bites, he definitely knew he would not do this to himself. "Hey, if Muzaka asks, I wasn't here. Frankenstein is the one who didn't eat his cake."
He winked at the two white-haired nobles before getting up from his chair. "See you, kids!"
The two nobles sat down comfortably. The office was bright, the large window front offering a view over the yard of the university, planted with species from all over the galaxy. Rozaria leaned forward to pour Urokai a cup of tea. "Striped Zedoary?", he inquired and she gave a little nod, adjusting her glasses. In half an hour, the research team would be ready to scan the mysterious coffin. Maybe they would even try to open it today. Science was always too slow, too meticulous for his tastes. If it were up to Urokai, he'd just get a crowbar and pry it open the good, old-fashioned way. Heh. Gejutel would skin him alive if he heard something like that.
"The energy is undeniable. And it's definitely from earth. If I had to bet, I would say it's the chosen resting place of a hermit noble."
Urokai shrugged and sipped at his tea. Not enough sugar, but she'd added two spoons already. Show some self control, Urokai.
"Let's go and see. I am curious. It's been decades since the last time we found something from our old homeworld." She rose from her chair and Urokai followed without complaint, glad he got to leave this bitter tea behind. The hallways and elevators were busy as always, full of students, researchers and visitors. Even here, he insisted on wearing his uniform. People glanced at him briefly, then averted their eyes uncomfortably. Right, kids, obey the law! He adjusted the pin slightly while humming to the tune of the elevator down into the basement, where dangerous and rare objects were stored for further examination. Urokai placed a hand against the lid while Rozaria was distracted by her phone. Something... He could not describe the feeling. Quickly, he jolted backwards as something definitely moved inside of that coffin. "Rozaria!" Dragus manifested in his hands, an old habit, even though the age of soul weapons was long past.
No. No. No. No. No. This couldn't be. With drops of sweat forming on his forehead, he dropped to his knees. "Noblesse!" He hardly dared looking him in the eyes, these beautiful red eyes, framed by dense lashes. Like a God come again, sleep still clinging to him, clothing lightly creased from so much time in sleep. For a few moments, the tall man before him remained silent. Confused, Rozaria took a few steps back, not sure if she should be kneeling too. Noblesse... a term she heard ages ago. Could this truly be...?
"Urokai Agvain." His voice held the calm of the morning sea.
"Cadis Etrama Di Raizel," Urokai whispered, finally daring to look up. He stood before him, he, in the flesh. He'd seen so much in this life and nothing had quite felt like this.
"... and I think that's it. Well. Zarga is my partner. As in, we are... investigation partners. He joined the police force too. We tracked down almost all of the former union criminals." Urokai looked so proud, genuinely happy. Raizel could not quite describe the way it made him feel, to see the younger noble like that. They sat in Rozaria's office, Raizel had changed into the white and red uniform of a member of the university staff to raise less questions. Rozaria had poured them yet more tea and for the past two hours, she and Urokai explained what happened in the centuries after Raize's disappearance. The disbanding of the union, the destruction of earth, the fate of the nobles...
Raizel remained quiet for a few moments, gaze fixated on the tea in his cup. "What about Frankenstein?", he asked after almost two minutes passed in silence. Urokai's lips pursed into a thin line. He might or might not have left out the whereabouts of Raizel's contractee.
"He's a wanted criminal. Half the galaxy is after him."
A certain sadness appeared on Raizel's face as he nodded. Disappointed? Was he disappointed? Had Frankenstein turned back to chaos and destruction after he entered the long sleep? It appeared so. Urokai got up, walking a couple of paces.
"Come with me." His voice held genuine excitement. "I will show you everything. We can go visit everyone. You are back! You are really back! I'm so glad-"
There was something else he'd left out: the part he played in the events surrounding Muzaka and his half human daughter.