Disclaimer: I do not own Noblesse or its characters; that right belongs to Lee Gwang-Su. I do own the OC used in this story and do not want her used anywhere, by anyone!
Author's Notes: A heads up (As in this is the only warning you are getting for this whole fic), this will and won't follow the Canon storyline in the Manwha/Webtoon. This is my Fanfiction and I will do what I want with it as I see fit during the telling of the story. There were many things in the Manwha/Webtoon that had been left (to me) unfinished and a few of those will addressed. Characters will be pulled (by my OC) out of character. Plot devices will have some tweaking, and most importantly, this is my FIC! So if you do not like that, I politely ask you to turn around and leave now. Because I don't see the point in you wasting your time and mine.
A soft wind blew, kicking up a small dust devil, causing a small smile to appear on a petite girl's lips as she looked at Ye-Ran High School. Soft brown-hazel eyes were narrowing in speculation. Her heart-shaped face scrunched up as if she was in disbelief that this was the place she needed to be. Then with a straightening of her shoulders and stiffening of her back, the girl walked through the campus gates onto the School's grounds.
"Hey, at the back of the school, we have a visitor," Tao spoke from his little command post, eyes watching the petite girl. "And I am sure that she is no student. Whose closest?"
The line was silent for a few seconds before it buzzed, and he got Takeo confirming he was on the way. Smirking as he continued to watch the girl, only to freeze because she had paused and was staring up at one of his very well hidden cameras — the slightly raised eyebrow on her face as she shook her head as if amused before looking away. Her gaze focused on Takeo now that he had arrived.
Tao frowned as he saw her look rather unimpressed at his comrade, but something about how she had looked at the camera and her reaction didn't sit well with him. Silently he watched and zoomed in as the two started to speak. The audio was coming in loud and clear, hoping to get what he could information wise.
"Miss, can I help you?"
"I hope so, Sir," the girl replied, her voice flat, giving away nothing, though accented.
Takeo stared down at the girl, taking in how she was dressed. Though it was casual wear, fitted jeans, a T-shirt that had Kanji on it in a language that was not Korean with an unbuttoned sweater over it. From her skin tone and slight build, she was of at least partial Asian heritage.
"Depending on what you want, yes," he said, his eyes meeting her hazel ones, noting the mirth that was concealing a calculated gleam underneath, "Obviously you are not a student here miss...?"
The smile she flashed had both Takeo, who was front and center and Tao, who watched from his little command room blink. It was bright, friendly, mischievous, and predatory all at once. Then it was gone as if it hadn't been there. Her head tilted to the side as if she was thinking about how to answer.
"You are correct in your reasoning, Mister?" she quipped back, her voice soft and very accented now that she was openly speaking, "I am Fa Ming."
Takeo looked down at her, getting a gut feeling that something was off about her. But from what he could see, she was just a normal human girl of mixed ethnicity. Though there was just something about her, that was setting him on edge. Mentally he was glad it was him that was closest instead of M-21. With his naturally sour disposition, things would be going badly as he acted on instinct instead of thinking rationally.
"Takeo, I am a security guard for this School. So, Fa Ming, what brings you Ye Ran High School?" he asked politely.
When she laughed at his words, he noted that it didn't reach her eyes at all. It was dry and humorless as irritation flashed across her face. A brief shake of her head, had long braided black hair slipping over a shoulder.
"I have been looking for someone. And I got some information that a man matching the description of the person I am looking for is here. Though I will admit, I am surprised that he is at a prestigious school," she paused looking over Takeo's head at the tall white building, her nose wrinkling, "But then again if he were to do his experiments he would want it to be in a place one wouldn't think obviously. Smug, twisted, arrogant, blue-eyed, and blond-haired bastard."
At her word, Takeo narrowed his eyes at her. Already he could hear Tao clicking away on his many keyboards, muttering under his breath. When he looked back at the girl, she was observing him; her lips pressed together as if to keep from doing or saying something.
"If you do not mind, just who are you looking for?" he asked, relaxing his body and smiling, hoping to disarm the girl.
"I have no clue what name he goes by now, but when I was a child before he just left, I called him Frankie cause I was unable to say his name," her word a whisper as her eyes darted past Takeo to look behind him. "So, does a person fit that description here or not? Cause I do not have time to waste on a pointless conversation."
Takeo just stared at the girl, how she just shifted gears like it was nothing. Only to stiffen when a hand was placed on his shoulder. He knew who it was without having to look, as he saw the girl step back, her face and eyes guarded now that M-21 arrived. Her cheeks were turning to pink just a little bit as she looked away from them.
"Hey, Takeo, is there a problem?"
At his comrade's question, Takeo shook his head and kept his blue eyes trained on the girl. Who was now openly refusing to look at him? He watched in amazement as she spun away from him as he reached out to touch her. Standing still, he let his hand drop to his side as he felt M-21 stiffen and shift his body to move to stand before the girl, only to find she was now standing before him once more, her eyes meeting his, flashing.
"I was not aware that etiquette in Korea had changed, and it was okay now for a strange man to touch a woman without her consent," Her words bitten out as she backed up. "I will take this as an admission that whom I am looking for is not at this school and that he is a threat with intent to harm my person."
Tao choked over their comlink at what she just said as Takeo heard M-21 groan. Wanting to absolve the situation and not give the School a bad reputation that their boss had worked so hard to build up, he shook his head.
"I am sorry, I meant no disrespect to you. And as for my partner here, he is a bit... well... he means no harm," he said, a wry smile dancing at the corners of his mouth, "As for the person who matches your description, there is only one person. May I inquire as to why you are looking for him? It seems urgent."
The sour look on the girl's face spoke volumes as she sighed. Her movements were precise and deliberate as she kept her eyes on him, refusing to look at M-21, who was now standing by his side again. It was curious how she seemed to react before either of them had made a move, almost as if she knew beforehand. But he was sure that she was just a normal human girl. Silently they both watched as the girl pulled out a small red-brown book with gold embossing on the front, indicating it was a passport from China and held it out to him.
Knowing that Tao was already zoomed in and listening, Takeo took it and opened it up. Quickly he scanned it, making sure it was all in order. Only to have his eyes jump back to the name. Woo, D. Fa Ming. The last name was Korean. Then down to her age and job description, before looking back at her, waiting for an answer. Already knowing Tao was running a search on her to see if this was legitimate.
"That Mister Takeo is personal," she snapped at him, before quirking an eyebrow at him and continuing, "Are you going to ask me for my measurements next? Maybe you are a pervert?"
The soft chuckle from over the earpiece, as well as from M-21, who he noted with a quick side glance, was not looking at him. Making heat rise to his cheeks. Takeo quickly recalled his early interactions with the female student Yuna. How he was speaking was being incredibly rude without meaning to be — raising his hands defensively.
"No!, No... I am not trying to... Just that our priority is to protect all who are in attendance at the School. Both students and staff. Please follow me..." he said, deciding that taking her to his boss, the school chairman might be the easiest thing.
Spinning in place, he started to walk away, catching M-21 falling into step beside him. Neither had to check; they could hear the soft footfalls with their enhanced hearing as Fa Ming walked behind them silently and at a distance. No one said a single thing as they weaved through the empty halls to the intended destination.
0000000
Frankenstein was just finishing up pouring tea into a cup when a soft knock on his office door resounded. Pausing for but a second to tell whoever it was to come in before he handed the cup to his Master. Who took it with hands that shook just slightly. It worried him each time his Master used his power, draining his life force even more. But there was no way to stop it; it was the fact of life for the Noblesse.
As he straightened up, getting ready to turn around, he was suddenly hugged from behind, making his eyes go wide as he stayed still. He had no clue who would dare to play this kind of prank on him. Only to feel the blood drain from his face at the words spoken in a voice he had not heard in a long time.
"I finally found you, Daddy!"
Taking a peek at his Master, who had his teacup stopped right at his lips. Indicating he was about to drink the tea. The look those red eyes were giving him was questioning and dare he guess amused. And the shocked gasps that came from behind him and his little hugger let him know that this situation just got a lot more complicated and awkward than it needed to be.
"Really? I was not aware that I was lost or hiding away, Fa Ming," He spoke, as politely as possible, "Please let go of me, and explain, so that no one gets the wrong idea."
At his mild rebuke, the arms loosened and vanished from his waist, allowing him to take a deep breath of air. His mind was trying to figure out just what the hell was going on. Why would this child even come looking for him unless she was sent because an answer had been found?
Carefully he turned around to look down into a pair of brown-hazel eyes that were looking at him as if condemning him for something great. But he didn't miss the pain and sorrow in their depth. With a sigh, he waved a hand to indicate that she should sit on the couch before looking at two of his three security details before deciding to have them sit as well.
"I have been looking for you for a few years now... You are a hard man to track down, you know? But, when I finally got some information, it led here... I am still in a state of disbelief, Franky. This was not what I expected you to do with the answer granny gave you," she said as she sat and crossed her legs at the ankles.
The look he shot her had her shaking her head as she waved off the offer of tea. Her eyes were darting all over his office. And his keen gaze didn't miss how she just jumped over M-21 completely as a faint blush crept across her cheeks. It made him smile tightly, already knowing that the man had that effect on women in general.
"This is what I took from that answer, yes. And I enjoy the work I do here, most of the time," Frankenstein said.
Watching her as she finally let her gaze come to rest on his Master, he quickly noted from knowing her as a child, that her gaze went cold and melancholy before she looked at him. Brightening up greatly.
"Well, creepy, twisted, snarky, manipulative, and loyal all describe you to a tee," she said, leaning back. Her hands were limply laying in her lap, "But I am here for a reason, well two of them. Since I am here in Korea, I think I should visit my cousin; he is attending your School, you know."
Frankenstein paused for a second, his mind thinking swiftly through the student body. Her last name was Woo, which was not an uncommon name. There had to be at least a dozen students attending that had the same last name. Though he needed to know the real reason she was here in Korea. He didn't doubt for a second that crazy old bat would let her precious granddaughter leave Greece willingly.
"To answer both the questions banging around in your head. His name is Woo Ik-Han. My father is his father's brother. And the other... well, this School is not the place, and not everyone is gathered to hear what I have to say," She said, her voice lilting a bit as if she was singing mockingly at him.
Nodding his head as another knock came from his office door. Already knowing who it was, Frankenstein didn't even bother to say anything as it opened, revealing the third member of his security guards. Who was giving Fa Ming a complex look that didn't bode well?
"Oh, Mister Voyeur decided to join us finally. And Mister Takeo, can I have my passport back? I mean, that is my only identification while I am here in Korea."
The soft shuffling he heard, had Frankenstein glancing at the tall, purple-haired man who was flushing darkly while noting that the other two were smirking at him darkly. Not wanting to know what happened, primarily where Fa Ming was concerned as she was an imp manifested in human flesh. So, when Takeo held out the passport, Frankenstein took it and looked it over — flipping it open to look at it briefly, pausing and looking into a somewhat bemused face.
"The Chinese Consulate?" he asked.
When the passport was plucked roughly from his hand, Fa Ming sighing dramatically while doing it.
"A lot changed after you vanished the night before my sixth birthday, Frankenstein. But, I digress, here is not the place to talk about it," She bit out, eyes glazing over in pain, "Let me spend tonight with my cousin and his friends. I am dying to see if Han Shinwoo dropped a pair and finally told Yuna he has a thing for her. Hell, that girl is just as dense, she's been madly in love with him as well, for like ever."
The silence that fell over the room was thick and uncomfortable at the girl's words. They had all noticed the odd dynamic of that trio. And at one point or another had had Shinwoo approach them about advice on how to either get Yuna to notice him, or to tell her how he felt. But the fact that this went farther back than any of them knew only made it more awkward.
Chancing a glance at his Master, Frankenstein saw him with what he was sure was the same look on his and the trio off to the side though his Master was also looking directly at Fa Ming.
"That is fine; you can take tonight to visit with them and catch up. Since you keep stating that everyone is not here, how does my house sound tomorrow evening after School?" Frankenstein asked, doing his best to keep his voice neutral.
The way he saw her eyes widen, as a smile he recalled she wore as a child appeared on her face, clearly showing how delighted she was — drawing a smile of his own to flash as he looked down at her briefly. He knew she was full of ideas, questions, and trouble. The girl hadn't changed that much in twenty-four years.
"Then it is a business date. I will make sure that the children don't bother coming over to your house after School tomorrow. I mean, seriously, I am shocked a neat freak like you has tolerated a bunch of messy, teenage human running rampant in your space," she said as she stood up, a light, lilting laugh filled the room, "Alright, so, if you do not mind, I will kidnap the voyeur. He can lead me to the cafeteria while making friends with me. It should be lunchtime, Right?"
Feeling perplexed, Frankenstein looked at Fa Ming, wondering just how the hell she had that information. There were only a few solutions he could come up with, and none sat well. One, in particular, left his stomach feeling as if it was trying to claw out of his abdomen.
As he watched her prance over Tao, grabbing his hand and looking at the stunned man as they left the room. The office door clicking shut on the four left behind, like a final ringing note to a dark sonata.
"Frankenstein?"
Turning, he looked at his Master, who was looking back at him.
"Yes, master?" he replied.
"My tea is cold."
Those words broke the tension in the room.
TBC!
