Another Vapor/Tina joint project. Karias = Fleeting Vapor, Regis = me. Enjoy!

Perhaps leave a comment with character or story suggestions. We may take it up, if we both like it.

Bringer of Change

"You're leaving in the morning?" The moonlight filtered through the treetops in dim shafts of light that swayed with each breath of wind, and glimpses of the night sky broke through the branches. Karias leaned back into the grass and folded his arms under his head.

Regis stood to his right. His eyes were gazing to the heavens, and he hadn't moved to acknowledge the question. They both already knew the answer. Even in the familiarity of Lukedonia, the kid couldn't relax to this degree, but he did seem different somehow. He had changed, and in a land where everything remained constant, bringers of change were rarities. He hadn't been like this before.

Karias propped himself up on his elbows and stared ahead. The waters of the lake lapped against the shore, and this may be his only chance to voice his concerns. "Regis, those modified humans, they're not the same as the rest of humanity."

Regis stood a bit stiffly next to Karias, his hands stuffed deep into his pockets. Of course he had heard the older man's question, but it was rhetorical so he didn't bother to avert his eyes from the waning moon. A part of him felt sad that he would have to leave home again, but at the same time, Frankenstein's house felt like a home, too. Regis only knew that he would miss Karias and Gejutel amongst others.

At Karias' next question, Regis snapped to attention. "I know that they are different," Regis said quietly. He knew what the other noble was implying, but he didn't need to remind him about it. Of course Regis knew that enhanced humans were the cause of his father's death. But nonetheless, he felt like he needed to defend the three men. "But they aren't bad."

"They seemed fond of you." His words came as a whisper, and Karias threw a rock carelessly at the water. He had seen them interact with Regis. They treated him with the familiarity of a close friend, the affection of a younger brother. A role much too similar to the one he held in the boy's life. And still, he harbored an apprehension toward them. Was there really no reason beyond camaraderie that they associated with Regis?

"Do they?" Regis tried to play it off with a casual counter question. But currently, he felt something in his chest warm slightly at the thought of the three enhanced humans caring for him. They really had to be fond of him if even Karias could tell after a few days. Suddenly feeling a bit shy, Regis averted his gaze to hide the small smile on his face. There was no reason for being so ridiculously happy about something like that. But as soon as the smile appeared, it vanished again. Perhaps they cared a bit too much. "They almost died in their fight against Rael."

"Yes, that concerns me." Karias stood and dusted himself off. The humans had almost died at Rael's hands, that was true, but only after Rael had released his soul weapon. They managed to hold their own against him up to that point. If they could do that against Rael, what chance did Regis have? He was still only a child. The enhanced humans were fond of Regis for now, but humans constantly change. There was no guarantee. And still, they had offered their lives to defend Regis. "I suppose I should be grateful to them for protecting you."

It concerned him? Sure, Karias was sympathetic, perhaps more than the rest of the clan leaders, but the worry shouldn't come from the fact that he cared for enhanced humans. He didn't like that people like them existed. Regis had thought so, too, before he got to know those guys. That only left that Karias was concerned about them and not for them. "And I would protect them if necessary." It wasn't a threat; he just wanted to make sure that Karias got how he felt. Regis considered to call the enhanced humans his friends but decided against it. That would be too much.

"To be able to say that so easily after what had happened to your father, you certainly have grown up, haven't you?" Karias affectionately placed one had on top of Regis head and pulled it away before the boy could overreact.

Regis wanted to flinch away out of reflex but, scowling, allowed Karais the small gesture instead. He didn't want to be treated like a kid, even though he somehow liked the affection the older man showed. "I still have much to learn."

Karias smiled as they walked along the edge of the lake toward the massive mansion. Perhaps next time he encountered the enhanced humans, he would try to see what Regis saw in them. And maybe the bringer of change would bring about change in him as well.

Regis wondered a bit why Karias escorted him to the Noblesse's house. Lukedonia was one of the safest places on earth since Ludis destroyed the fleet of the Union. Well, perhaps it was because he caused so much havoc the last time he had been running around here alone. Or Karias wanted to take another look at Rai? "It's almost seven. Want to stay over for dinner?"

"Yeah, I'd like that."