Gaining Strength [Part 15]
Jul. 29th, 2020 12:17 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
esp_dragonv2Fandom: Noblesse
Summary: Frankenstein needs to gain strength to protect humanity; the werewolves might hold the key to that.
Notes: Frankenstein decides werewolves are the bigger threat AU.
Rating: G
Genre: General
Word count: 1,824
Total word count: 31,720
Status: Work in progress
Frankenstein snorted, following the werewolves. They moved like warriors, keeping to the rooftops, but they couldn't sense or hear him following so they weren't that observant.
When he got close enough to get a good look at them, Frankenstein frowned.
He didn't recognise them, but that wasn't the problem. The problem was that there was someone being carried under the arm of one of the werewolves.
While the werewolves on their feet were clothed in the warrior cloak, the unconscious one had more layers on. Someone who wasn't a warrior.
He ducked into the shadow of a chimney as the werewolves stopped at a rooftop.
Frankenstein could see the unconscious one were still breathing at least. That was good.
A hostage? No, that didn't make sense. At least to the warriors Frankenstein knew.
The werewolves didn't do anything and Frankenstein frowned.
Looked like he was in for another waiting game. He had his targets in sight for this one though.
* * *
Frankenstein turned his head towards the sound of a carriage approaching. It wasn't a strange sight, even at this time of night, but the werewolves stirred and hm, maybe he would finally find out what was happening.
The carriage stopped next to the building and-
Frankenstein's eyebrow shot up. Well, well, that tied things up nicely.
Osbern stepped out of the carriage and scurried quickly to the side of the building the werewolves were standing on.
The werewolves waited a moment and then jumped down to where Osbern had gone, taking the unconscious werewolf with them.
Frankenstein jumped to their rooftop as soon as they disappeared from his sight. If he had timed it exactly, they wouldn't hear his landing over their own.
He snuck closer.
His enhanced hearing meant he didn't have to be too close to hear them, but he would rather see what was happening as well.
The unconscious werewolf was at the feet of the warriors as Osbern tried to greet them.
"Have you got it, human?" the warrior in front said.
Got what...?
"Of course I do," Osbern said, holding up a book. There was no title or author on it.
"Great." The warrior held out his hand.
Osbern tossed the book over. It was going to fall short. The warrior nodded towards the warrior on his right and she snatched it from the air before it hit the ground.
Something was wrong. This was going too smoothly. They'd done this before.
If Osbern was exchanging information, then what were the werewolves...
The air got caught in Frankenstein's throat.
No.
Frankenstein stilling in shock must have saved him, because the warriors left, jumping to the opposite rooftop and didn't see him.
The unconscious werewolf was still there.
He could follow the werewolves or he could question Osbern. The warriors seemed to only be carriers, lackeys. Osbern however... He could get more information here.
And he couldn't leave the werewolf either.
"They're so strong and yet they can't carry the body an extra few steps to the cab," Osbern muttered as he stooped over the werewolf. He turned away, walking towards the carriage.
Frankenstein jumped down while Osbern was distracted. "Dealing with werewolves, Osbern," Frankenstein drawled, kneeling beside the werewolf. "Have you sunk so low?" The werewolf's heartbeat was strong, in the very least.
Osbern whirled around, almost tripping over his feet. "Hah?" He froze, his eyes going wide. "Frankenst- Me? Sunk so low?" He drew himself up to his full height, which was still shorter than Frankenstein's own. "And what of you? You're living with the beasts!" he hissed.
Frankenstein stood up, dusting off his knees. "And that gives me the unique experience to know this one isn't even a warrior - your negotiation is just as bad as your research," he said with a sigh.
Osbern frowned. "What do you mean, 'not even a warrior'? A werewolf is a werewolf. It's more than you managed." He sniffed.
Frankenstein raised an eyebrow. He may not have gotten a whole werewolf, but he had been able to gain his information through his own work. "Really." He shook his head. "And that's why your research was so subpar - you settled for whatever you got rather than digging further into what you could improve."
He didn't have time for this - who knew when the werewolf would regain consciousness and what he would do. "What did you give them?"
"Hmph." Osbern crossed his arms. "As much as you're laying with them, you continue to be tight-fisted with your work."
Frankenstein's heart stopped, and his gut lurched. No.
Osbern gave him a tight smile at his reaction. "They are willing to exchange their own for your research. If either of us makes a breakthrough in getting your research to actually work, we'll share it with each other."
"As if you would be able to do such of a thing," Frankenstein said. How long had this been going on for? How many more people had been hurt with his research? Even werewolves were doing it now...
Osbern glared at him. "Do you really think that your intellect is that great that it's incomprehensible for us 'less gifted' as you? When your research didn't even work? You were just acting after the attack, pretending you had made a breakthrough!"
Frankenstein merely raised an eyebrow. Hm, teaching Garda what would insult him to use against him helped him to keep a hold of his anger. "And yet you're frustrated and desperate enough to get my research to work for you, like you knew I succeeded." Frankenstein peered at him. "Like you knew I stay with the werewolves." The pieces fell into place. "They told you."
Osbern went wide-eyed again.
"You've had my research for how long now?" Frankenstein said. "Months? Almost a year? How many successes have you had so far?"
Osbern's mouth flapped like a fish, and with his wide eyes, added even more to the image.
"You were oh so very successful using my research that you had to delegate research with the people it's actually based on!" Frankenstein said, curling his lip.
"And you haven't done the same?" Osbern spluttered.
"No," Frankenstein said, snorting. "The ones I talk to haven't helped with my tests - they have been teaching me how to use my transformation the best way possible."
"So you've been giving them your research?"
Frankenstein paused. "Hm. No..." What had he been exchanging for their lessons? Had they been teaching him without expecting anything in return? "Good fights and companionship, apparently." And that had been enough for them?
"That's all? No wonder they came to me for something more valuable than your words," Osbern said. "Everyone knows you would rather hole up by yourself than to deign to talk to the rest of us unless we needed your help."
Frankenstein exhaled, staring at him. ...He had been like that in the Union, hadn't he? What had changed?
The werewolves had welcomed him, drawing him in, but also allowed him to be by himself when he wanted. They didn't talk to him only when they needed him to solve their problems - the werewolves talked to him about anything they wanted, asking about him while also talking about themselves.
Exchanging. Not just taking. Like in a fight.
Frankenstein let out a soft chuckle. Damn. Of course.
"What is so fun - what are you doing?"
"I got what I came for," Frankenstein said lifting up the werewolf, moving his head so it rested against his shoulder. And he was done with Osbern. He wouldn't get any more information aside from more bickering. "I'll return this one back home."
"Hey!" Osbern strode towards him but flinched back when Frankenstein glowered at him. "I paid for that! It's mine!"
Frankenstein curled his lip, controlling his temper. "Paid with my research, so therefore, this werewolf is mine to do with as I see fit." He turned his back on Osbern, walking away. "Good night to you."
"You can't just-!"
It was satisfying hearing Osbern's voice fade as he jumped to the rooftops and ran out of the town.
* * *
Frankenstein checked the werewolf's pulse after setting him down on the forest floor. It was still strong and steady, and his breathing wasn't laboured. He was young - maybe only just old enough to have gained his claws.
The warriors would be long gone by now, but this werewolf's wellbeing was important. And he knew where the warriors would be heading with his research.
He glowered in the direction of the werewolf territory. He would find them. Somehow.
He glanced down when he heard a soft sound from the werewolf.
The werewolf opened his eyes, focusing on him instantly. That was a good sign.
"How are you feeling?" Frankenstein asked, handing him his waterskin.
"All right?" The werewolf sat up and took it, sipping. "Am I here?"
"'Here'?" Frankenstein repeated. The werewolf knew what was happening? And they were fine with it?
"Yeah," the werewolf said, looking around at the trees. "The warriors said they were taking me somewhere I could help werewolves, and then..." He frowned, his gaze drifting. "I was here."
That was one way of putting 'help'. Tricking their own people and then using them... Was that had Osbern had been doing, or just having people collected off the streets with no pretence? "I don't suppose they gave you their names or mentioned any places that seemed important to them?" It would help to narrow tracking them down.
The werewolf shook his head.
Ah well. There would be other ways he could try to find them. "No matter. I'll be taking you back to the werewolf territory."
"Huh?" The werewolf looked at him, confused. "Did something change?"
"...Yes," Frankenstein said. "If all goes well, you shouldn't be asked to do that again." Though, on that thought... "Do you know more of warriors showing up and asking others to do the same as you did?"
"Hm." The werewolf was quiet for a few seconds. "No, but there's been a couple of werewolves who've disappeared over the last few months. I thought they might have just moved elsewhere though." He looked at Frankenstein. "You think the warriors asked them for their help as well?"
Ever since he'd arrived. Dammit. Frankenstein smiled at them. "Thank you for telling me. Do you feel well enough to travel back?"
The werewolf nodded.
Good. He needed to get back as soon as possible.
Had lots of fun with the academic fight, ahhaha.
Summary: Frankenstein needs to gain strength to protect humanity; the werewolves might hold the key to that.
Notes: Frankenstein decides werewolves are the bigger threat AU.
Rating: G
Genre: General
Word count: 1,824
Total word count: 31,720
Status: Work in progress
Frankenstein snorted, following the werewolves. They moved like warriors, keeping to the rooftops, but they couldn't sense or hear him following so they weren't that observant.
When he got close enough to get a good look at them, Frankenstein frowned.
He didn't recognise them, but that wasn't the problem. The problem was that there was someone being carried under the arm of one of the werewolves.
While the werewolves on their feet were clothed in the warrior cloak, the unconscious one had more layers on. Someone who wasn't a warrior.
He ducked into the shadow of a chimney as the werewolves stopped at a rooftop.
Frankenstein could see the unconscious one were still breathing at least. That was good.
A hostage? No, that didn't make sense. At least to the warriors Frankenstein knew.
The werewolves didn't do anything and Frankenstein frowned.
Looked like he was in for another waiting game. He had his targets in sight for this one though.
Frankenstein turned his head towards the sound of a carriage approaching. It wasn't a strange sight, even at this time of night, but the werewolves stirred and hm, maybe he would finally find out what was happening.
The carriage stopped next to the building and-
Frankenstein's eyebrow shot up. Well, well, that tied things up nicely.
Osbern stepped out of the carriage and scurried quickly to the side of the building the werewolves were standing on.
The werewolves waited a moment and then jumped down to where Osbern had gone, taking the unconscious werewolf with them.
Frankenstein jumped to their rooftop as soon as they disappeared from his sight. If he had timed it exactly, they wouldn't hear his landing over their own.
He snuck closer.
His enhanced hearing meant he didn't have to be too close to hear them, but he would rather see what was happening as well.
The unconscious werewolf was at the feet of the warriors as Osbern tried to greet them.
"Have you got it, human?" the warrior in front said.
Got what...?
"Of course I do," Osbern said, holding up a book. There was no title or author on it.
"Great." The warrior held out his hand.
Osbern tossed the book over. It was going to fall short. The warrior nodded towards the warrior on his right and she snatched it from the air before it hit the ground.
Something was wrong. This was going too smoothly. They'd done this before.
If Osbern was exchanging information, then what were the werewolves...
The air got caught in Frankenstein's throat.
No.
Frankenstein stilling in shock must have saved him, because the warriors left, jumping to the opposite rooftop and didn't see him.
The unconscious werewolf was still there.
He could follow the werewolves or he could question Osbern. The warriors seemed to only be carriers, lackeys. Osbern however... He could get more information here.
And he couldn't leave the werewolf either.
"They're so strong and yet they can't carry the body an extra few steps to the cab," Osbern muttered as he stooped over the werewolf. He turned away, walking towards the carriage.
Frankenstein jumped down while Osbern was distracted. "Dealing with werewolves, Osbern," Frankenstein drawled, kneeling beside the werewolf. "Have you sunk so low?" The werewolf's heartbeat was strong, in the very least.
Osbern whirled around, almost tripping over his feet. "Hah?" He froze, his eyes going wide. "Frankenst- Me? Sunk so low?" He drew himself up to his full height, which was still shorter than Frankenstein's own. "And what of you? You're living with the beasts!" he hissed.
Frankenstein stood up, dusting off his knees. "And that gives me the unique experience to know this one isn't even a warrior - your negotiation is just as bad as your research," he said with a sigh.
Osbern frowned. "What do you mean, 'not even a warrior'? A werewolf is a werewolf. It's more than you managed." He sniffed.
Frankenstein raised an eyebrow. He may not have gotten a whole werewolf, but he had been able to gain his information through his own work. "Really." He shook his head. "And that's why your research was so subpar - you settled for whatever you got rather than digging further into what you could improve."
He didn't have time for this - who knew when the werewolf would regain consciousness and what he would do. "What did you give them?"
"Hmph." Osbern crossed his arms. "As much as you're laying with them, you continue to be tight-fisted with your work."
Frankenstein's heart stopped, and his gut lurched. No.
Osbern gave him a tight smile at his reaction. "They are willing to exchange their own for your research. If either of us makes a breakthrough in getting your research to actually work, we'll share it with each other."
"As if you would be able to do such of a thing," Frankenstein said. How long had this been going on for? How many more people had been hurt with his research? Even werewolves were doing it now...
Osbern glared at him. "Do you really think that your intellect is that great that it's incomprehensible for us 'less gifted' as you? When your research didn't even work? You were just acting after the attack, pretending you had made a breakthrough!"
Frankenstein merely raised an eyebrow. Hm, teaching Garda what would insult him to use against him helped him to keep a hold of his anger. "And yet you're frustrated and desperate enough to get my research to work for you, like you knew I succeeded." Frankenstein peered at him. "Like you knew I stay with the werewolves." The pieces fell into place. "They told you."
Osbern went wide-eyed again.
"You've had my research for how long now?" Frankenstein said. "Months? Almost a year? How many successes have you had so far?"
Osbern's mouth flapped like a fish, and with his wide eyes, added even more to the image.
"You were oh so very successful using my research that you had to delegate research with the people it's actually based on!" Frankenstein said, curling his lip.
"And you haven't done the same?" Osbern spluttered.
"No," Frankenstein said, snorting. "The ones I talk to haven't helped with my tests - they have been teaching me how to use my transformation the best way possible."
"So you've been giving them your research?"
Frankenstein paused. "Hm. No..." What had he been exchanging for their lessons? Had they been teaching him without expecting anything in return? "Good fights and companionship, apparently." And that had been enough for them?
"That's all? No wonder they came to me for something more valuable than your words," Osbern said. "Everyone knows you would rather hole up by yourself than to deign to talk to the rest of us unless we needed your help."
Frankenstein exhaled, staring at him. ...He had been like that in the Union, hadn't he? What had changed?
The werewolves had welcomed him, drawing him in, but also allowed him to be by himself when he wanted. They didn't talk to him only when they needed him to solve their problems - the werewolves talked to him about anything they wanted, asking about him while also talking about themselves.
Exchanging. Not just taking. Like in a fight.
Frankenstein let out a soft chuckle. Damn. Of course.
"What is so fun - what are you doing?"
"I got what I came for," Frankenstein said lifting up the werewolf, moving his head so it rested against his shoulder. And he was done with Osbern. He wouldn't get any more information aside from more bickering. "I'll return this one back home."
"Hey!" Osbern strode towards him but flinched back when Frankenstein glowered at him. "I paid for that! It's mine!"
Frankenstein curled his lip, controlling his temper. "Paid with my research, so therefore, this werewolf is mine to do with as I see fit." He turned his back on Osbern, walking away. "Good night to you."
"You can't just-!"
It was satisfying hearing Osbern's voice fade as he jumped to the rooftops and ran out of the town.
Frankenstein checked the werewolf's pulse after setting him down on the forest floor. It was still strong and steady, and his breathing wasn't laboured. He was young - maybe only just old enough to have gained his claws.
The warriors would be long gone by now, but this werewolf's wellbeing was important. And he knew where the warriors would be heading with his research.
He glowered in the direction of the werewolf territory. He would find them. Somehow.
He glanced down when he heard a soft sound from the werewolf.
The werewolf opened his eyes, focusing on him instantly. That was a good sign.
"How are you feeling?" Frankenstein asked, handing him his waterskin.
"All right?" The werewolf sat up and took it, sipping. "Am I here?"
"'Here'?" Frankenstein repeated. The werewolf knew what was happening? And they were fine with it?
"Yeah," the werewolf said, looking around at the trees. "The warriors said they were taking me somewhere I could help werewolves, and then..." He frowned, his gaze drifting. "I was here."
That was one way of putting 'help'. Tricking their own people and then using them... Was that had Osbern had been doing, or just having people collected off the streets with no pretence? "I don't suppose they gave you their names or mentioned any places that seemed important to them?" It would help to narrow tracking them down.
The werewolf shook his head.
Ah well. There would be other ways he could try to find them. "No matter. I'll be taking you back to the werewolf territory."
"Huh?" The werewolf looked at him, confused. "Did something change?"
"...Yes," Frankenstein said. "If all goes well, you shouldn't be asked to do that again." Though, on that thought... "Do you know more of warriors showing up and asking others to do the same as you did?"
"Hm." The werewolf was quiet for a few seconds. "No, but there's been a couple of werewolves who've disappeared over the last few months. I thought they might have just moved elsewhere though." He looked at Frankenstein. "You think the warriors asked them for their help as well?"
Ever since he'd arrived. Dammit. Frankenstein smiled at them. "Thank you for telling me. Do you feel well enough to travel back?"
The werewolf nodded.
Good. He needed to get back as soon as possible.
Had lots of fun with the academic fight, ahhaha.