Disclaimer: I do not own Noblesse or its characters; that right belongs to Lee Gwang-Su.
In the few weeks since Delphi had entered his house, a routine had been established. She never left the house unless she had two people minimum with her. Or she went with the kids and his master to do something for fun. She had also started helping with the chores and cooking. The latter had surprised him much. As she didn't seem to be very domesticated, indicated by her personality alone.
Frankenstein watched as they all sat at the table. The children were all chattering excitedly with Muzaka. Who he was sure had an ulterior motive for being there though the man would occasionally look towards Delphi, who was smiling but not speaking, which she had not done since they all showed up with bags laden with Ramen.
Looking at the others as they waited for Rai to eat his Ramen so they could. Though he was disturbed by the fact that Delphi had not spoken once. It had him on edge. She always had a snide, snarky comment. Leaving Frankenstein wondering if he should speak up.
"Hey, Fa-Ming, you feeling alright?" Shin-woo blurted out of nowhere.
This brought the table to a standstill. Leaving it so quiet, Frankenstein was sure if he dropped a pin on the carpet, you'd hear it echo. Delphi just blinked a few times before smiling softly.
"I'm sorry. I guess I am tired. Please, excuse me," she mumbled.
When her eyes met his, Frankenstein cleared his throat and nodded. The smile on her face got a bit wider, showing how grateful she was, as she pushed the chair away from the table. Giving a small bow, he and everyone else, watched her walk away and to the stairs.
"Do you think it is her Fibromyalgia?" Yuna asked.
He realized that the kids still operated under that little white lie, Muzaka having no knowledge of her. Frankenstein confirmed it. Only for Raizel to pick up his chopsticks and start eating his Ramen. Cutting the growing tension as Frankenstein saw Muzaka give a quick look towards where Delphi had gone. He knew the man was exceptionally perceptive, given his normal lackadaisical appearance.
It had been a surprise when Muzaka just showed up. Knowing there had to be more to his sudden appearance than just to visit. .The kids were his priority. And he knew Muzaka was aware of it though Raizel did enjoy introducing his oldest friend to the joys of Ramen.
He'd been a bit leery of the food which had been amusing. But his silent interest in the house's newest member had not just set himself, but the others on edge. More-so when the outspoken girl had stayed quiet until Shin-woo had addressed her. Just to have her agree and excuse herself.
Still not sure about her, or her purpose, Rai had done what he thought logical, eat his Ramen. It had grown enough to be palatable. Silently he told Frankenstein to check on her later. The need to keep up appearances and everyone else knew it too.
It was sometime later, the children now safe at home as he stood there with Regis and Seira. Muzaka was staring back. Raizel frowned, not liking what his friend had declared. It was a blatant threat to the welfare of the children. He knew Muzaka wouldn't just make it without a motive. And the loss of his wife and daughter had planted deep hate for humans in him. Raizel wanted to change that, but he knew it was futile. So, it meant that they'd be fighting again soon.
Saying the words had been a little harder than he had thought. But he had to make Raizel believe he was serious. So, when they fought, Raizel wouldn't hold back — shrugging as he readied himself to head back to Dr. Crombels. Only to pause, the fine hairs all over his body standing on end. Just like they had when he entered Frankenstein's house. Him just being close to the silent human girl, Fa-Ming.
Spinning around, Muzaka stared wide-eyed. Said girl was right there. Only she appeared a lot different. Her black hair was braided and had streaks of white and one pale yellow streak through it. Her now bare arms had odd interwoven lines up and down their length. But the biggest was her eyes. They had pupils but were seemingly colorless. Except at the same time, they weren't.
"I approve of what you're doing, Muzaka, True Lord of the Werewolves," she said, her voice soft but powerful as she smirked openly at him.
He was not sure how she was there. Or how she thought she knew what she was talking about.
"I know. It is one of the many ideas you had. You chose it because you care. Not because you're a certifiable ass, though that still applies," she said, her words meant to be teasing.
This had him reacting. Closing the distance, he grabbed at her. His hands were sliding through what was an image. A very warm, feeling image that left a slime-like feeling on his hands.
"If it were anyone else, I'd say pervert," she quipped as she laughed.
"Who are you?" he asked, a bit disturbed.
This had the image raising an eyebrow as they replied, "Odd. Shouldn't you ask what?"
Growling low, Muzaka cracked his knuckles.
"Fine, fine. Spoilsport. I am Fa-Ming as far as you are concerned," she said. "Damn... I... have to... go."
Her face was contorted in a mix of irritation and amusement. Then in the next second, the image was gone. He wiped his hands on his pants, Muzaka took off. This night was just too heavy and confusing for him to want to deal with any more bullshit.
Groaning as she came back to awareness, Delphi squinted at the brightness in her room and hating how her head throbbed as if some hyperactive pygmy was beating a discordant melody. As her vision focused a bit more, she realized she had been moved from where she'd fallen to the floor when her power took control of her for that oh-so-wonderful out of body experience. Something she was not aware she could do. Hell, she didn't want to do it ever again.
Next was that she was surrounded by multiple people while wearing nothing but a bath towel. Causing heat to flood her face as she felt her emotions start to filter in. The main being anger at her personal space being invaded.
"Delphi, can you hear me?"
At Frankensteins' voice breaking into her train of thoughts, she rolled her eyes to glare at him. She was only making him smile back at her, the smug bastard.
"Yes, daddy, I can hear you just fine," she said with a hefty helping of sarcasm.
This earned a mix of laughter and gasps of shock, while Frankenstein had a noticeable twitch of one eyebrow.
"Good, care to explain what happened tonight?" he asked, a saccharine smile to match his tone.
Knowing not to push it any further, she thought about how to phrase her next words. Everybody in the house was in her room. Including Cadis Etrama di Raizel. The person she'd been trying to avoid without avoiding outright — an oxymoron in and of itself. So, there was no hiding anything from them at the moment.
"I was uncomfortable around Muzaka. And instead of causing drama, none of us needed, also to keep from having the kiddos memory wiped, I stayed quiet. Until an opportunity presented itself to be polite and excuse myself," She said, closing her eyes.
"Okay. Any particular reason you got an odd feeling from him?" Frankenstein asked her. "And do not forget you were collapsed on your floor, completely unresponsive."
Sticking her tongue out at him, she kept her eyes shut. She could feel the weight of all their gazes.
"Because I saw who he was. His past is directly related to the Noblesse. It is...numbing," she muttered very softly. "As for the other, why should I explain myself to a bunch of inconsiderate, jack-ass perverts, who are gathered around me while I am barely decent because of a bath towel?"
Cracking her eyes open, she saw as almost everyone's face, Frankenstein included, flush in various shades of red. Seira had a faint smile twitching at the edge of her lips. Meaning she had tried to be rationale for which Delphi was thankful.
There were softly murmured words as all the men looked away. Then with several more muttered apologies, most shuffled out of the room. Leaving her alone with Frankenstein, Raizel, and Tao. Who all politely looked away as she climbed under her bed covers.
"I had a knockout session. My ability kicked in," She remarked, giving a pointed look that there'd be no more on that topic.
The looks she got spoke volumes. Tao was pouting, but his eyes were glittering at what she did say. Frankenstein had that look she knew from her childhood. He'd be revisiting this, much to her displeasure. And the last was Raizel, whose face was its typical blank mask. But his body language screamed his disbelief at what she said. Of course, she had figured he'd somehow know she hadn't spoken the full truth. But his silence was genuinely golden and appreciated.
TBC!
