Disclaimer: Noblesse isn't mine.

Broken Glass (Part 1)

The lock screeched from the outside of the door in a painful wail of metal scraping metal, both a sign of rare use and the changing of the guard. Shoes tapped against the stone floor for thirty-nine paces then a shuffle of cloth signaled that the current guard had turned toward his replacement. Sixteen more paces before they will greet each other and an additional five paces before small talk. From there, three minutes until the current guard finally reports the status of the prisoner, the same status that had been repeated the last eighty-six times, and another two minutes until the new guard would appear at the prison door. Judging by the pattern, it would be Gejutel K. Landegre. Just the man he wanted to see.

Frankenstein rose from the floor and dusted himself off during the time allotted to small talk. He had seen enough of this prison cell and had garnered a satisfactory amount of information from his captors. There was no need to hesitate. He was confident of his next move.

"He still refuses to speak." The words flowed through the darkness in the familiar voice of the Mergas clan leader. "He does not acknowledge me at all and will not eat unless alone. Nothing has changed."

Two more minutes. Frankenstein combed his fingers through his hair as if stroking rays of sunlight and allowed it to fall over one eye. Two sets of footsteps, one leaving and one approaching, filled the room with sharp raps. Twenty more paces until he began his escape.

"Are you faring well?" Gejutel slid a tray through a slot in the bars.

A mixture of fruits and cheeses accompanied by slices of bread and honey, and a meat dish lavished in the most glorious gravy he had ever tasted. The meal was extravagant for a human, not to mention a prisoner. Frankenstein carefully resisted the temptation to savor the aroma. Show no signs of desire.

The sharp twist of the lock, and the door grated across the floor. Another second and the lock clicked back into place, securing him inside along with his captor. They were alone. Time to begin.

"Not much to say, I see." Gejutel waited a moment as if expecting a reply before conceding that there would be none. "I shall leave you to your meal."

Three paces. Just long enough for his captor to turn his back but remain within the range of a whisper. "I wish to file a grievance with the lord."

His robes swept forward as his body stopped, and Gejutel slowly turned around in disbelief. "Could you repeat that?"

Frankenstein lifted his head, making full eye contact, and repeated his words in the language of the Nobles. "I wish to file a grievance with the lord."

"Who taught you our language?"

"That clan leaders did." Another jolt of astonishment passed over his captor's face, and Frankenstein carefully kept any emotion from his own features. "I listened to you speak."

"I see."

"I wish to file a grievance with the lord." Frankenstein stated again before Gejutel had enough time to question what else he had learned during his imprisonment. "I have a right to know my charges-"

"You caused a disturbance in the human world."

"-and to dispute them accordingly. Or," he dropped back into his native tongue, "is it the practice of a race of your caliber to condemn men without their understanding, much less a proper defense."

"This is not an easy request," Gejutel murmured, patiently considering the idea. "It may be difficult."

Frankenstein took the tray from the slot in the bars. There was no longer a reason to restrict himself before them, and the nobles' curiosity would be peaked by his sudden change in behavior. He wouldn't be able to eat alone from now on. "It will be more convenient to honor my request than to imprison me indefinitely. I am sure the clan leaders have more pressing matters to attend to other than acting as a common prison guard."

"That is true…"

"I will need any transcripts related to my charges, as well." Frankenstein glazed a thin layer of honey across a slice of bread, using the motion as an excuse to look away.

"You should already know what happened."

"I would like the official account." He set the knife down on the tray. Strange that they would give a prisoner something that could so easily be turned into a weapon. It must be a testament to their strength… or their naivety. "I also require any rules, regulations, jurisdictions, and procedures that pertain to the Noble's involvement in humanity as well as the hierarchy of authority I must use to make my request."

"Normally, a grievance would be plead to the corresponding clan leader, but in your case-"

"I should appeal directly to the lord since I do not belong to a clan. I am aware."

"You are rather well informed."

"I listened."

"I can see that." Gejutel pensively traced his thumb along his jaw line. "You have thought this through very carefully, haven't you? Why is it that you have selected me for this request? You could have asked anyone."

"Isn't it obvious? You are a very obstinate man that will not be able to turn from your values, especially if you agree that my treatment-"

"I have agreed to nothing."

"-is an injustice. You are also in good standing with the other clan leaders and have the favor of the lord. If anyone would be able to fulfill my request, it would be you. You will help me in spite of yourself."

"Ha!" Gejutel laughed in beguilement. "You are rather brazen for a human!"

"I do not dislike you, Gejutel K. Landegre, but I am apt to change my mind." Frankenstein slowly sipped his drink before looking up to catch his gaze through the bars. "I am aware that you will not rest until you accomplish this. You are partially responsible for my mistreatment, after all. That is the sort of man you are."

"Humph."

"Spoken as a true Noble."