Memories: The Family Leaders
Raizel was in his usual position looking from his upstairs window when he felt three family leaders approaching his home. It wasn't like he hadn't expected this, but…
Frankenstein. Attend to me, please.
A few minutes later, his butler entered the room, giving him a swift but respectful bow.
"Yes, Raizel?" Frankenstein asked. "What can I do for you?"
Raizel hesitated for a moment.
Might I ask… Are you well?
Frankenstein grinned at him momentarily before plastering a more appropriate look on his face.
"I'm very well. The spirits are quiet today. Thank you for asking."
Raizel nodded. He'd been attempting to be a bit more sociable since he had someone living with him now… It wasn't always easy, but Frankenstein didn't seem bothered by his awkward (and brief) attempts at social interaction.
To that end, Raizel had asked Frankenstein this exact same question every single day for over a year. And every day, no matter how much pain his butler was in, Frankenstein would always thank him for asking. As if his pain were something to be thankful for...
It was a strange feeling, having someone living under the same roof with him. Having Frankenstein here… he was never truly alone. And he couldn't help feeling responsible for the human he'd claimed as his own.
So the knowledge that three family leaders were coming to confront him about his new housemate made him feel a bit annoyed. It was his decision to keep Frankenstein with him… He had no interest in being criticized for his choice.
"Raizel?"
Raizel focused on Frankenstein. Right, he needed his butler to do something for him…
We are having guests. Would you please prepare some refreshments?
Frankenstein's cheeky grin appeared back on his face.
"Certainly," he said. "How many guests are we expecting?"
A tray for four should suffice.
"Right away, Sir," Frankenstein said, nodding his head. His servant turned and left the room.
It wasn't long after Frankenstein had left that he sensed the three family leaders enter his home, heading directly for his study. And moments later, the door creaked open.
"Cadis Etrama di Raizel."
Raizel turned around to greet his guests. Locktis, Urokai, and Edian were all standing at a respectful distance behind him. They all bowed as soon as he'd turned to face them.
"How have you been?" Locktis asked.
"I am well."
"I find that hard to believe!" Urokai butted in. "How could you be well with that… that…monster lurking around!"
"Urokai," Locktis interrupted. "Mind your manners. We came here to ensure Raizel's well being, not to make baseless accusations."
"Are you sure you're all right, Raizel?" Edian asked quietly. "Truth be told, we are all a bit concerned about the human you have living with you… He is known to be vicious in the outside world…"
"I am fine. Perhaps you would like to meet him…?"
Before anyone could say anything more, Frankenstein entered the study pushing a cart with tea and cookies on it.
"Sirs… Ma'am," Frankenstein said politely. Though he was the picture of professionalism, Raizel didn't miss the distrust coming off his butler's mind.
Raizel watched as Frankenstein set the tray on the table, immediately pouring a cup of tea for him.
"Please, have a seat, Master… I made a fresh batch of cookies for you and your guests."
Grateful for Frankenstein's interruption, Raizel took his usual seat in his favorite arm chair by the table. Once he was comfortable, Frankenstein handed him his cup of tea. Raizel smiled slightly at the aroma… It was the same blend Frankenstein had served him when they'd first met.
Despite Frankenstein's obvious distrust of the other family leaders, he was still attempting to treat them well. Even the cookies smelled better than usual.
"Please, sit with me," Raizel asked his guests.
As his visitors seated themselves on the couch around the table, Frankenstein placed a little plate of cookies within his reach.
"I hope you like them. I added a little more sugar and some dried fruits…"
Raizel immediately reached out to take one. It was sweet and tart and crunchy. He looked up at Frankenstein and nodded his approval. The tension in Frankenstein's gaze faded a little.
Frankenstein's blue eyes turned to his guests.
"May I get you all anything?" he asked softly. "A cup of tea or some sweets?"
"I can pour my own tea," Edian said stiffly.
"No, please, allow me…"
Frankenstein reached out to take the kettle from her when…
Smack!
"Edian," Raizel said sharply.
"Apologies, my Lord," Edian said softly. "He startled me."
Frankenstein had withdrawn his hands after Edian had smacked them, but Raizel already sensed the evil spirits beginning to stir in his butler's mind.
"Sirs?" he asked, shifting his gaze to the other two family leaders. "Anything for either of you?"
"Nothing for me," Locktis said dismissively.
"I wouldn't eat anything some disgusting mutant human touched," Urokai spat.
Raizel's gaze snapped up to his butler's… Frankenstein's expression had gone cold.
He'd been hoping it wouldn't come to this, but it was too late… the evil spirits were awake now.
"Of course not," Frankenstein said quietly, his eyes slowly becoming unfocused.
Frankenstein straightened up, arranging a towel on his arm.
"We're all just very curious about your reasoning, Raizel," Locktis said in a blatantly suspicious tone. "Your butler appears to be quite dangerous."
Raizel had barely heard him… He was too busy listening to the angry spirits beginning to tear at Frankenstein's mind.
They're the monsters! They created the mutants! You should kill them all! Let us take their filthy souls!
"Frankenstein…" Raizel said quietly.
"Is he making you uncomfortable?!" Urokai said loudly. "Say the word, and I'll get rid of him!"
The screaming was only getting worse, despite Frankenstein's attempts to control it… His shoulders were stiff and his eyes had all but completely glazed over.
"Perhaps you should leave, human," Edian said, her voice chilly. "We don't know what you will do here… We can't trust you. If anything were to happen to Raizel..."
Frankenstein obviously hadn't heard a single word she said. His hands were shaking slightly and his eyes were focused on something only he could see. Raizel reached out to gently touch his servant's mind.
Frankenstein…
His butler suddenly bent over, coughing into his hands… Raizel felt nothing but pity and sympathy when he saw the toxic black blood seeping out from between Frankenstein's fingers.
"Ugh!" Edian exclaimed.
"That's disgusting!" Urokai spat. "It looks like that human is broken, Sir… You really should let us get rid of him…!"
"Enough."
All three of his guests froze. Each of their faces registered nothing but shock. Even Frankenstein was gaping at him, that sinister black ooze still dripping from his lips.
"All of you… that is enough," Raizel repeated. He stood up authoritatively.
He turned his gaze on all of them, daring them to speak. All three of his guests lowered their eyes submissively. Satisfied, Raizel turned his attention to Frankenstein. He lightly placed a hand on Frankenstein's golden head, sending a sliver of power into his butler, pushing back the darkness in his mind.
Frankenstein breathed out slowly in relief. Raizel took the opportunity to press a towel into his stained hands.
"Here… clean your mouth with this. I do not need it at the moment."
Raizel saw the gratitude in Frankenstein's eyes. Frankenstein knew he wasn't being judged for the curse he carried or for his moment of weakness… Raizel knew how much that meant to him.
Suddenly, he felt another noble approaching his home. When had his mansion become so popular? At least this guest wasn't likely to trigger the evil spirits in Frankenstein's mind.
"Frankenstein… I believe Ragar is on his way here to see you," Raizel said calmly. "You two have been sparring together lately, yes?"
Frankenstein looked surprised, but he recovered quickly.
"Yes, Sir. Shall I go and greet him?" he asked, his voice a little muffled as he spoke through the towel.
"Yes. I will show our guests out when they have finished their business."
"Of course, Master. Please, enjoy the cookies while they're still fresh."
Frankenstein bowed to him, the towel still pressed to his blackened mouth. Once his butler was gone, Raizel turned his attention back to his guests, who were all looking more than a little tense.
Raizel took a deep breath. He understood that the family leaders worried about him. That didn't bother him so much as the pain they had purposely inflicted on his housemate.
"I understand your worry. I will keep it in mind."
His guests relaxed a little.
"But I ask that you please understand me as well. I have decided to keep Frankenstein here in my home. He is not perfect, but he is mine."
"He's just a butler, my Lord," Edian said quietly.
Raizel shook his head.
"He takes care of me, true, but he is more than that. He is also… my companion."
"Raizel!" Urokai interrupted, jumping to his feet. "You… you can't possibly want that mutant to be your companion! You could have one of us instead! Someone more worthy of you!"
Urokai bowed so deeply, he nearly bashed his head on the table.
"I volunteer! I will be your companion!"
Raizel shook his head.
"You have your own duties to attend to, Urokai Agavine. And I have already made my decision. Frankenstein will be my companion."
"Why, my Lord?" Locktis said, his voice hard. "You could have anyone you chose. Why would you pick such a vicious, cruel human to be your companion?"
"My companion suffers every day to keep a great evil contained," Raizel said calmly. "He is not vicious or cruel."
"I suppose you haven't heard the stories about him...?"
"And I have no interest in hearing them," Raizel said sharply.
"Not even if he performed forbidden experiments on nobles and humans alike... and consumed the blood of nobles?" Locktis said quietly. "Do you know how many he has slain?"
Raizel's face hardened.
"I said... I have no interest in such exaggerated tales. If I want to know his past, I will ask him myself."
Locktis shook his head.
"He won't be able to change. I hope you won't be too disappointed when he goes back to his old ways."
After his guests had left, Raizel lowered himself back into his favorite armchair.
Those stories... they couldn't be true. It made no sense at all... Why would someone who had willingly taken on such suffering for the sake of others do such cruel things?
No... humans exaggerated things all the time. And from what he knew of his butler's power, the only human experimentation he'd done had been to himself. Raizel was sure the other family leaders were simply misinformed.
Raizel closed his eyes, picturing Frankenstein in his mind.
His housemate really was something special. In the short time they'd been together, Raizel had become quite fond of him. Frankenstein didn't take care of him because he was the Noblesse... He did it out of the kindness of his heart.
Raizel hoped to see more of that kind heart in the future. Thankfully, his evening tea was only a few hours away.
Later that evening, Frankenstein was in his quarters hastily bandaging his wounds. Ragar had pressed him hard today, sensing that he needed to blow off some steam. None of the wounds were anywhere near fatal, but they still caused him pain. They would heal soon thanks to his abilities, but he didn't want his Master to see him like this. Raizel would only pity him.
Once he'd hidden his bandages under his clothes, he quickly set about baking more sweets since Raizel had seemed to enjoy his new recipe. Though he should probably feed the noble something besides an endless stream of sugary cookies. But his Master seemed to long for nothing else, aside from fresh tea leaves. He wondered if it were possible for nobles to suffer from malnutrition.
When he had finished preparing tea and brought it to the study, he found Raizel in his normal place by the window. He was looking out at the sunset, the orange light warming his face.
"Raizel?" he called. "I have your evening tea."
His Master nodded, but he made no move to come sit in his usual spot. Was he not hungry? Frankenstein saw a slight frown appear on his face… Maybe he was annoyed at how afternoon tea had gone with his visitors.
"Master, if I may say… ah… thank you for your consideration earlier," he said with a swift bow. "I didn't intend to disrupt your visit with your guests."
Should you be apologizing?
"Master?"
I did not ask for an apology. You did nothing wrong that I can recall.
"Still… I did not intend to cause such a disturbance."
I know. Please, it does not suit one of your stature to plead such excuses.
With that said, Raizel left the window and came to sit in his favorite chair, awaiting his tea. After a year of serving Raizel, Frankenstein knew exactly how he preferred to be served, exactly how much sugar he wanted in his tea, and exactly how many cookies should be on the plate. Frankenstein poured a cup and placed the sweets within reach.
As he went to add the sugar to the tea, he felt Raizel's powerful mind drawing closer to his own. He was used to it now, but Master's mind was just so… vast and deep and alien. But it was also warm and familiar, like lying beneath an endless blue sky that stretched on and on to eternity. Raizel did this whenever he wanted to a better sense of how his servant was feeling, and sure enough...
You still carry much sorrow and anger in your heart.
Frankenstein lowered his gaze. Master must have guessed what he was thinking while those three family leaders had been insulting him.
"Yes. You must have heard those spirits in my mind," he said bitterly.
I did.
Frankenstein felt instantly uncomfortable. No doubt the noble would feel sympathetic toward his own people. But… Raizel hadn't been there to see the corpses that had been gnawed on by ravenous mutants, to hear the screams of the orphaned children… Those were sins that could never be forgiven.
He grit his teeth, doing his best not to get worked up like he had earlier… The taste of his own tainted blood in his mouth was enough to make him feel sick to his stomach.
His Master beckoned to him with one long finger.
Come to me.
Frankenstein slowly approached his Master's chair. Had Raizel heard his thoughts, or seen his memories? He knew his Master to be a gentle soul, but he was suddenly worried the noble would scold him for his anger, his hatred… Would his Master think he was a rabid monster, just like all the others?
One slender, pale hand reached out, coming to a rest on his heavily bandaged forearm.
You are wounded. Must you always hide it from me?
Frankenstein's shoulders relaxed. He had been worried for nothing. He should have known by now what kind of man his Master was.
"These wounds will heal soon," Frankenstein replied. "It's nothing to concern yourself with, Master."
His Master considered that, as if he'd just made some very grave statement.
But the wounds in your soul have not yet healed. You have placed such heavy burdens upon yourself. The pain of others, a curse not of your making… I would not have you burden yourself further by carrying unneeded wounds.
"I… thank you," Frankenstein sincerely. He could already feel the pain in his arm lessening as Raizel began healing him. Pulling away now would be rude. "This really isn't necessary…"
After he had healed his forearm, Frankenstein stood completely still as Raizel's slender hand searched for any other wounds he was hiding. It was hard to believe such slim, soft hands belonged to such a powerful noble.
Finally, his Master was satisfied that he'd healed every wound on his body and he lowered his hands. Raizel's probing hand had even found the gash on his lower back, hidden just inside the waistband of his pants. Frankenstein stretched. All his wounds had healed, and his pain had completely gone.
"Thank you again, Raizel," he said with a low bow.
He turned to leave the study so that his Master could enjoy his tea in peace. But before he could retreat to his quarters, he heard his Master's voice once more.
Won't you take evening tea with me?
Frankenstein paused and looked back. He sensed that loneliness hanging in the air again, but… Was he not tired of company? He'd just spent the afternoon with three family leaders.
But perhaps… Raizel didn't consider them to be good company.
"I would be happy to."
Frankenstein came to sit by his Master, pouring himself a cup of tea. He wished he still had some tea leaves left from his home. Perhaps Raizel would allow him to venture forth and get more… maybe he could even find his apprentice, and see how much he had grown…
I'm afraid my guests were quite rude to you today.
Frankenstein looked up, distracted from his thoughts. Raizel was watching him, a hint of apology in his gaze.
"Ah… think nothing of it, Master. I have heard worse, I promise you."
Even so… Should we have guests again, I may have to teach them proper manners.
His Master's demeanor was calm, but his tone was colder than ice. Frankenstein almost didn't want to know how he intended to teach his guests good manners.
"There's no need, honestly. But I appreciate the thought."
I will do as I see fit.
"Of course," Frankenstein chuckled.
Raizel sipped his tea with that dignified aura about him. Yet again Frankenstein wondered what sort of position his Master had amongst the nobles. He was obviously someone of great importance and power, and yet people rarely visited him… this had been only the second time they'd received guests this year.
He wasn't the Lord… and if he were one of the family leaders, he wouldn't be treated with such reverence by the others. What was it that he did for them?
"Master, I was wondering… what is your position here?"
Raizel frowned again. He didn't appear to want to answer, but after a minute, he heard that familiar voice in his head.
My line is the oldest of all the noble lines. We were here before all the others. Our blood carries great power.
"Ah… I see," Frankenstein said slowly. That wasn't a complete answer, but he didn't want to push Raizel anymore when he seemed unwilling. "I didn't mean to press you."
And you? What was your… position? Before you assumed this one?
"I'm afraid I can't claim any great lineage," Frankenstein admitted. "I don't have land, or wealth, or authority. I'm… nobody, Master. I have no position or title."
Raizel tilted his head as if he found that statement extremely baffling.
But you do not need titles. You are mighty among humans… strong in mind, body, and spirit. Even the noble families have acknowledged it. That is enough.
"There may be one who is stronger," Frankenstein pointed out. But Raizel shook his head.
No. There isn't. No other could carry the burden you bear. It may be that not even a noble could bear it.
His Master looked out the window toward the sun that had dipped below the trees.
Besides… In time, you will have your own title. Your name will be your title. All will know of you.
"Heh… Do you see the future, Master?"
He'd mostly been joking, but Raizel nodded.
Only glimpses, feelings… on rare occasion.
Frankenstein sipped his tea, unsure of how to respond to that statement. Raizel didn't seem to mind.
Another few minutes passed by in silence. Frankenstein felt as though he should entertain his Master somehow, not bother him with questions he didn't want to answer… but even after a year, he wasn't sure what sort of things Raizel enjoyed aside from tea and stargazing. He should say something to lighten the mood.
"Raizel, do you have any hobbies?"
Hobbies?
"You have a great library, and yet I have not once seen you with a book at your table… Or do you perhaps play games?"
I have read every book contained in the library, long ago. I still read them at times. But… what games do you speak of? Is it a thing of your making?
"Not of my making, no. But I will think on what game I could bring for you, or perhaps some new addition to add to your library…"
There is no need. Your presence is enough for me.
"Thank you. But I'll think of something. Thinking is what I'm good at, after all."
That prompted a small smile from his Master. Frankenstein couldn't help returning that sweet smile. He had to offer something… something to keep the smile on his Master's face.
"Perhaps… you would like to go out this evening, Master?"
Out?
"Yes. To see the ocean, and walk on the shore. You live so close, and there is a pleasant breeze over the water this evening…"
The young noble twitched ever so slightly in his seat.
I… do not go out.
Frankenstein frowned. The unspoken sadness in his response was so obvious it was hard to ignore it.
"Ah, not even if I were to escort you?"
It is not a matter of having or not having an escort… I simply do not leave this place unless I must.
"I understand," Frankenstein said slowly, even though he didn't understand in the slightest.
Raizel nodded as if he'd perfectly explained everything and the matter was now settled. Well... how he could not take that as a challenge?
Now he had another goal: to tempt his Master to leave this place. If the salty sea breeze and sunset over the ocean was not enough to draw Raizel from his home, then he would have to come up with something better.
Watching Raizel nibble delicately on one of his cookies, Frankenstein wondered if the noble would eventually tire of him and send him away before he could accomplish his goal. That would be disappointing. And he'd adjusted fairly well to living here, too… This new life wasn't so bad at all. His Master was gentle and pleasant company, if a bit quiet and mysterious. But he supposed if he had to leave one day, at least he'd gotten to rest here and be at peace, for a time.
But still… the thought of leaving forever made his heart ache. Frankenstein was surprised to find himself hoping that such a thing never came to pass.
My Comments: It was totally yucky how all those family leaders tried to suck up to Rai to win his favor, like he was a prize. It felt like none of them really cared about Rai, they just wanted to be his favorite or use him. Frankenstein and Rai seemed to have a more genuine connection. (And I honestly didn't feel bad for any of those family leaders that betrayed Rai. They made their beds, now they must lie in them. Plus the story didn't devote a lot of time to fleshing them out to make me attached to any of them. Plus Urokai was a frigging asshole with a bad case of "nice guy" syndrome. And Edian was super underdeveloped.)
