Of Time and Change
Word Count: 400
"We have existed for far too long, Gejutel; although, nobles remain untouched by time as the years pass by, immobile. Yet look at the progress the mortals have made – truly fascinating creatures…They no longer seek our protection nor do they need it. I have become weary of this perpetual stillness; I fear we have grown stagnant – relics of a dying age. The time has come for us to step down, my friend. We shall entrust this dawning age to our children and pray they will walk a different path," the Lord announced in a soft yet strong voice. His eyes spoke of melancholy and forlornness when he turned to face the white haired noble.
"A wise decision, my Lord. I have been prepared to pass on my duties to my son for quite some time now," Gejutel nodded solemnly, content to be relieved of his burdens.
"You misunderstand me, Gejutel. I do wish for our children to lead us into the future, yet they are too young to be left without proper guidance. You will remain as their mentor until they can walk their own path," the Lord corrected Gejutel's false assumption promptly.
"Your will is my comman-" Gejutel began only to pause when the words registered in his mind.
"Pardon me, Lord, I believe my hearing has been impaired due to my old age. Could you repeat that?" the clan leader asked, praying he had simply misheard. He did not wish to contemplate on the alternative. No – it couldn't be!
"Come now, Gejutel. You will be able to witness the gears of change as they shift! Are you not excited?" the blond haired noble asked with palpable enthusiasm and Gejutel felt faint at the prospect.
"My heart flutters in erratic patterns and my mind is laden with strange heaviness. However, I would not describe this feeling as excitement…" he replied dryly, trying to suppress the sarcasm in his tone but failing miserably.
"Is it a strange disease then? Are you terribly ill!? Should I call the healers?" the Lord exploded in a barrage of hurried questions, genuine concern spreading over his elegant features.
"I believe the humans refer to this condition as a headache, my Lord. I have been told it is naught but a passing malady – albeit recurring," the white haired noble reassured him in a splenetic tone, exhaling a long sigh as he surrendered to his fate.
Of Tokens and Preparations
Word Count: 350
"I apologize for my sparse visits lately, Raizel-nim," Gejutel bowed deeply. Raizel inclined his head in an elegant arc, gracing the noble with his pale profile, but made no other move.
"How have you been?" the white haired male asked, a kind smile tugging at his lips. Gejutel was not surprised by the lack of verbal response, yet what happened next left him speechless.
"How gracious of you to visit, Gejutel. I had almost forgotten what your face looks like by now. I trust you have at least brought a gift to compensate for your inexcusable rudeness?" a familiar, highly caustic voice echoed in the large chamber with no prior warning.
"If you must spout such crude insults then at least have the decency to stand before me, Frankenstein!" Gejutel bit back, aggravated. It was strange. He could not feel the human's presence inside the mansion, yet the voice had undeniably been his.
"Have you truly no shame, Gejutel? To demand my presence when you visit without notice after such a long time – what irony!" came the immediate mocking remark.
"Enough – I tire of this insipid charade! Show your face, Frankenstein!" the clan leader huffed, forgetting he was in the presence of the Noblesse.
"Please excuse my terrible manners, Raizel-nim!" Gejutel exclaimed, flustered when Raizel turned to level him with a dispassionate stare. The dark haired man walked towards him in slow steps then placed a strange metallic device upon the table.
"Raizel-nim, may I ask what i-" the clan leader started to ask but was interrupted by a cackling laughter that seemed to be coming from the peculiar machine.
"Frankenstein is absent," Raizel informed him after a small pause.
"Absent? I do not understand… how is he –" the clan leader mumbled, utterly confused.
"He prepared this invention in case you visited," Raizel offered simply.
"Prepared?" Gejutel asked, more baffled.
"You may continue your… conversation. Frankenstein assured me he has recorded a suitable reply for anything you might say. All you have to do is press the red button," the Noblesse concluded, leaving him alone with the strange device.
Of Nerves and Certainty
Word Count: 200
"How many times must I apologize, Karias? It was an unfortunate mistake – I didn't know it would have this effect!" Rozaria huffed with exasperation, tapping her foot on the floor irritably. The lack of reply aggravated her tethered nerves to no end.
"Oh, stop being so melodramatic and come join us for dinner!" she insisted, banging her fist against the closed door of the room Karias had practically barricaded himself in.
"How can I appear before others like this? I will be a laughing stock!" A highly distressed male voice finally came from the other side of the door.
"It can't be that bad… and, I swear, it will wear off in a few days," the redhead cajoled him, softening her voice as if speaking to a child.
"Are you certain? Truly!?" the blond male hollered, voice more frantic than before.
"Yes, I am certain! Now get your blue skinned hide out of that room before I break down the door and carry you down myself!" she growled, her patience finally reaching its limits.
"You can at least show some care since you reduced me to this!" Karias shot back after he finally emerged, looking like a golden haired smurf.