A week had passed since the baby shower. It had taken Frankenstein a few days to get rid of all the confetti and just when he thought he'd gotten it all, there was still some hiding somewhere. He was making tea for his master when the doorbell rang, "That's strange, I'm not expecting any guests." He checked to see who it was.
"Hey, Frankenstein. Open up! Ashleen wanted to come visit." A lie. He was here for Raizel. But Ashleen liked him too.
Frankenstein was slightly annoyed seeing Muzaka again so soon, but with Ashleen here at least Tesamu would have someone his own age to play with. "Alright," he said letting them in.
"Hey!" Ashleen greeted the blond. In Korean, this time.
"Hello there!" Frankenstein responded, smiling. Tesamu would be happy, his Korean had also come along quite well.
Tesamu came into the room, wondering what Frankenstein was doing "Ah! You're the girl from before!" Tesamu remembered her. "What's your name?" He couldn't understand things before, so he was never able to get it. If she even spoke Korean, anyhow. He didn't think he'd heard her speak it before.
Ashleen saw the boy approaching, "Yes, I'm Ashleen. What's your name?" she asked, she didn't speak whatever language he spoke, so wasn't able to ask when they last talked.
"Tesamu." So she did speak it now! "Wanna go play?"
Ashleen nodded, "Yes, okay." She followed the boy to the den he'd been building in his room. It was mostly cushions stacked on top of each other, with a few toys and books inside, "This is so cool, did you build it yourself?" she asked.
"Yeah!" Umm. Huh. "I got video games. They're really cool!" He never could have imagined something like them back before he lived here. Korea really was different from home.
"Really? I don't think I've played video games before," she said. She wasn't quite sure what they were, they didn't have them back home.
"Here, I'll show you!" What kind of game would a girl like though? Maybe that farming game? It was kinda fun. Good for learning economics too, from what Teacher had said when Tesamu described the game to him after playing it. Teacher had just picked up a bunch that seemed 'age-appropriate' for him, after all.
Ashleen looked at the handheld console the boy produced. Seeing the moving pictures, the colours and the sounds, she was so impressed. "That's awesome, how do you play?" she asked, wanting to try the game.
"Umm. Here." He handed it to her after starting a new file. "You gotta name your character first." He showed her how to use it to move the selector around on the screen, and selected and deselected a few of the symbols.
Ashleen took the console, following the instructions Tesamu had given her, she began to play. "Did you see that? I moved that character." She was so excited! She'd never seen anything like this before.
He nodded. "That's how you play! You gotta make them do stuff according to how the game is played. This one's a farming game." He pointed to some of the text on the HUD. "That'll tell you what you're supposed to be doing. It's still in the mode that teaches you how to play."
"Cool, so I need to grow some corn." She followed the instructions Tesamu had given her and managed to complete the task fairly easily. "This is awesome. You're really good at this game."
"It's fun, right?" And there were a lot of different things to learn from them! He liked the surgery game that was on the shelf right now himself.
"Yeah," Ashleen and Tesamu continued playing games until there was a knock at the door. Frankenstein entered having brought them milk and biscuits to enjoy whilst they played. "You two look like you're having fun." He smiled, setting the tray down on the table.
"Yeah!" Video games were fun, after all. "I'm just showing her the games, Teacher!"
"That's great, as long as you're both enjoying your time together." he smiled. "Well, I'll leave you both to it, be sure to call me if you need anything," he said, before getting up and leaving the room. He'd leave them to have fun together.
"Ah! I do have other games if you wanna take a look at them." He didn't think they'd interest her as much. There were lots that didn't interest him. Like the car racing one. It was just a way to get around, so it didn't interest him. The one with the characters in the carts though... that one was kind of interesting.
"Sure, I'd love to," Ashleen said, looking through the games as Tesamu explained what each one was about.
"And this one's a fighting one. I think it's called 'Smash Bros.'? You pick a character and fight with them and they all have special abilities."
Ashleen's eyes widened in excitement, "Really, they have games for that. Can we play it?" she asked. Since her father still refused to teach her to fight, she'd learn from the game instead.
Huh? "All right." He could put in the game then. He didn't think he was very good at it, but they could play it. He picked up a controller of his own. "Let's play then."
"Alright!" Ashleen was excited as she picked up her controller. She designed her character and began playing. This game was fun, she wished her father would teach her how to fight. "So, your dad seems nice."
"My dad?" Was she talking about Teacher?
"The guy who came in a few moments ago, to bring us snacks. He's your dad, right?" She asked.
"Ah, no. He's my teacher. I don't have a family anymore." Though Teacher had said he was part of his now.
"Really, that's sad! I lost my mother too when I was little."
He nodded. "Teacher said enough time has passed that none of our relatives would be alive now." Teacher had further explained that he'd been immortal for a while, so that explained how he at least was still around.
"Yeah, it's sad. I didn't have many friends when I was younger. Me and Dad travelled too much. We do have a home now, He's the Werewolf Lord." She smiled, happy that they finally had a home after all those years of moving around.
"...Werewolf? You're a werewolf?" He looked at her dubiously. So, they could look exactly like humans then? No wonder they'd been able to make so much trouble!
She shook her head. "No, I'm half human. Well, according to my Dad at least. He says I'm stronger than most humans, but not as strong as a werewolf would be." She huffed. "He still won't teach me to fight though."
He pressed his lips together. "Why is that?" Did he not want her knowing how to defeat him?
"He's worried I might end up getting hurt. But I only want to learn to fight so I can protect people weaker than myself." She looked at him. "That makes sense right?"
He nodded. "Yeah." Huh. "Maybe you can find someone else to teach you."
"Who?" she asked, "You mean like another werewolf?"
"... I guess?" Though. "I doubt a werewolf would help you with your dad being the... lord was it? The ruler, in any case."
"Yeah, that's true." she sighed, "Who else could teach me though?"
"... Tristan says Lunark used to teach him. But she can't anymore because she's pregnant."
"Awe, that's a shame. Do you think she would've helped me though? I mean, she is a werewolf after all."
"... Lunark is a werewolf?" She was... Teacher's love though! He'd said that the baby was his! He'd said he was going to marry her, and that it was the best feeling he'd ever had! But he was marrying a monster! No. He had to tell Teacher. Even if it hurt him, he had to know the truth.
"Yes. When I go home, everyone always asks me how she's getting on here." She smiled. "I think she's really cool. Everyone says she's super strong! I'd like to grow up to be like her one day."
"..." Super strong? That was worse than he thought. Was she the strongest werewolf then? Was Teacher in danger? Were they all in danger? Wait. Was Tristan a werewolf too!? He thought he could scream. Monsters. He'd been living with monsters. He carefully controlled his expression. This girl... this girl was at least half a monster too. "Hey, I gotta go ask Teacher something, why don't you stay here and play some more?"
"Okay." She seemed puzzled by Tesamu's sudden exit but didn't think anything of it as she happily continued playing games.
He hoped he'd be able to find Teacher alone. No one else needed to know about the threat in their midst just yet. He and Teacher could deal with it alone. They were the saviours of humanity now. It was their job.
Frankenstein was in the living room with the rest of the household drinking tea. His Master was sat in his room with Muzaka. He saw the young boy come in, "Oh, Tesamu, do you need something?" He asked.
Tesamu simply took his hand, leading him away. He needed to talk to him, alone. And Teacher would get that, he was sure. Frankenstein understood and followed the young boy out of the room. "Why don't we talk in my study," he said, leading the way so Tesamu could say what he wanted. The child was clearly distressed about something.
Once in there, he wasn't sure what to say. Did he just... tell him, outright? "Lunark is a werewolf!" She'd tricked Teacher! There was no way that he would have just chosen to be with a werewolf!
Frankenstein could see that Tesamu was rather upset by that. He had planned to tell him eventually but hadn't found the right time. "I see, is that what's troubling you?" He asked, wondering if he was worried about something else as well.
"Yes!" How was this not bothering Teacher!? "And the grey-haired man is one too! And maybe Tristan!" Their house was filled with monsters!
Frankenstein knelt down, so he could talk to Tesamu face to face. He patted the young boys head. "I am aware of Luna being a werewolf." He supposed he had to tell him about it now. "Tristan isn't a werewolf, he's a modified human. We're not in any danger, so there's no need to worry. I promised I would keep you safe from harm, and I will keep that promise."
Tesamu swallowed. "You... You know!?" How? Teacher actually trusted the werewolf woman?
"Yes, I've known since the moment I met her." He thought for a moment about the best way to explain it. "You've known Luna for a while now before you found out about her being a werewolf. Did you feel threatened, scared or intimidated by her?"
"...N-no?" Because she was hiding what she was! She was a spy in their midst!
"That's because she's a good person. It shouldn't matter what a person is, as long as they're good, right?"
"..." But how did they know she was good?!
"Why don't you talk to her, you'll see she's a good person and has no intention of hurting you or anyone else. These new werewolves are nothing like the ones you and I encountered in the past, and it'd be unfair to judge them based on the actions of their ancestors."
"But she's one of the strongest ones!" There was no guarantee what would happen if she suddenly decided to not be good. "Ashleen said so!"
Frankenstein smiled, thinking back to the times he'd spent with Lunark. "She certainly is, but that doesn't mean you need to be afraid of her. Why don't you spend some time getting to know her? You'll see. She's not all that frightening."
"Hnngh." He didn't think it was a good idea at all! "...Wait. If you've always known that she's a werewolf, why're you having a baby with her?"
Frankenstein laughed. "Because I love her. It's something you won't understand right now since you're too young, but when you fall in love one day, you will. You trust me don't you?"
He huffed. "Yes." If nothing else, he did trust Teacher.
"Then trust me now. Know that I won't let anything bad happen to you and that the werewolves now are nothing like the ones in the past." He pulled the boy into a hug, "You're my son and I'm not going to let anything happen to anyone in my family. You're safe here."
"...Your son?" So, he was his dad then?
"Yes. I told you that you were part of my family. I'm always here for you, no matter what."
"...Okay." He wasn't comfortable with calling him his dad, but... this was fine. He reached to give Teacher a hug as well.
After holding him for a while, Frankenstein released him, "I know this is frightening for you, being asleep for all those years means that things that happened long ago, seem like they only happened yesterday, but give it time, be patient and you'll get through it."
"...Teacher, how long was I asleep for?"
Frankenstein thought for a moment, "You've been asleep for over a thousand years."
"A... thousand?! But we don't live even a hundred!"
"Yes, I know. But you've been in stasis for all those years. That means your body was preserved for a long time until we woke you up."
"...Teacher... why did you have my necklace?"
Frankenstein felt it was time for the boy to hear the truth, "Come sit down here with me." The two of them sat down on the sofa, as Frankenstein pulled the boy close. "After I left, and you went back to the Union, they killed you and put you into stasis. Your necklace was given to me by a member of the Union much later on." His eyes started welling up with tears. "I had hoped they'd spare you, and when I later found out what happened to you, I was heartbroken, but seeing you again, brings me so much joy."
"...I... I died?"
Frankenstein nodded, "Yes, and I'm sorry. I failed to protect you, I should have taken you with me, kept you safe. I hadn't expected any harm to come to you."
He swallowed. He'd... he'd died. "What... what am I doing here then?" If he'd died, he should still be dead. "I... am I in hell?" Heaven would be more appropriate. But they had werewolves here.
Frankenstein held him close, "No, you're alive. You're not in heaven, or hell, you're back here, with me. The Union conducted a reanimation project, in which those who were dead, were brought back to life. You, Ashleen and the others you met that day in Estonia, all of you were brought back from the dead."
"...We were... reanimated?" What did that even mean?!
"Yes, reanimated, means you were brought back to life."
"Oh..." He looked down. He didn't know how he was supposed to react to this.
Frankenstein, seeing the boy's distress held him close. "You don't need to worry, I will help you through all of this, no matter how long it takes. Is there anything you want to ask me about?"
"...Why do you call Rai 'Master'?" That wasn't anything like the strong, independent Teacher he'd known. Teacher would have bent his knee to no man, yet... he did so to Rai.
"That is because we have a contract," he replied, wondering if he should give him all the details. He wasn't sure if he'd yet accepted the idea that werewolves were no longer a threat.
A deal? What kind of deal would have Teacher serving someone else? His face clearly telegraphed his confusion.
Frankenstein could tell the boy was rather confused. "It's nothing to worry about." He smiled to reassure him. He wasn't really sure how to explain it. Tesamu let out a huff of frustration. That wasn't acceptable, but whatever. He didn't think he'd be getting a good answer anyway. Frankenstein placed a hand on the boy's head. "In time, you will come to know everything. But right now, I think you've got a lot of information that you need to work through and process."
Tesamu nodded mutely and trudged back to his room, simply telling Ashleen that he'd prefer to watch right now. "Is something wrong?" She asked.
He shook his head. "No." It wasn't any of her business anyway.
"Alright," she said. Ashleen was rather worried about her friend and hoped he'd be okay.