an unfortunate change in genre

Part 51

Alberu was familiar with the sight in front of him.

It was probably what he looked like to other people after hours and weeks pouring over various contracts, trade agreements, treaties, and all the other mind-numbing paperwork that caused a kingdom to function appropriately.

However the man who was currently hunched over his desk hard at work long after the sun had set was unfamiliar to Alberu.

At least on the surface.

The man looked up from his work, surprise crossing over his face that he was no longer alone in the office. His face hardened into a very familiar frown and distinctly piercing brown eyes pinned Alberu to the spot.

Roksu Henituse.

Except he wasn't. Rather than the thin and sometimes sickly looking nobleman with bright long red hair and expensive clothes, this man was older. He was muscular, scars barely visible beneath conservative clothes that clearly sought to hide them, his hair was black and neatly cut and styled to look professional.

"Who are you?"

His voice was also a lot deeper than what Alberu had come to expect from Roksu.

Still, you didn't spend over a decade as a person's close friend without recognizing certain mannerisms. Roksu was watching him cautiously and looked stoic as anything but his finger was tapping the table soundlessly. He was thinking through every possible identity Alberu might have and there was just an element to his frown that let Alberu know that he was inwardly freaking out.

"...each shard is trapped in a memory of importance to him..."

'...I wouldn't have expected Roksu of all people to have an important memory of doing paperwork. Or Roksu doing paperwork. He hoists everything he possibly can onto me.'

Maybe that was why. Roksu had already done enough in his lifetime that he hated the idea of doing it. That also explained why every folder Roksu prepared was so meticulously perfect.

Alberu smiled his perfect political smile and took a seat across from Roksu.

Truthfully he was freaked out too.

He could tell that it was an office and Roksu was looking over paperwork, but everything from the words on the paperwork to the architecture of the place was so strangely foreign. There were also a few strange devices that he had no idea about.

And Roksu, his scrawny and foolish young friend with the heart of a lion and the bad attitude of a hyena, was a completely different person.

Whatever Alberu's suspicions about the reason for Roksu and Cale being so strange were blown out of the water by this revelation. Were they like the White Star? Reborn from another life with memories?

Those were distressing questions that would have to wait.

"My name is Alberu Crossman." He said smoothly. "May I know your name...?"

Roksu's frown tightened but he made the decision that it was worth talking it out with the stranger first. "Team leader Kim Rok Soo, grade one ability user." Roksu wasn't the sort to flaunt status unless he was trying to make a point. Unfortunately Alberu wasn't sure what point was being attempted since he had no frame of reference for 'ability user'. Although he could infer that it was a very gentle warning just from knowing Roksu. "What are you doing here?"

Alberu thought it over.

He needed to persuade Roksu to go home with him but judging by the tension in his shoulders, he was more likely to get kicked out.