forum “Hinder me no more. Or so it says, at least” (OxO, Mature, Closed)

Started May 26, 2024 by @Serpentess health_and_safety language

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”What makes this funnier is that I hadn’t even considered the congruence between vampirism and the scholarly arts when I decided to become a High Scholar. I was a bookworm as a teenager, and I just went off that lingering interest when everything else started losing its meaning,”Nok commented with a chuckle.

Nok grinned at Marc’s answer, not surprised in the least. Though, when he mentioned that it was getting late, Nok couldn’t help a snicker. He glanced over toward the doors, where a small slit was cut into the wall, just enough to see what time it was outside. It was indeed getting late, or ‘early’ if one preferred.

“Damn. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to pass the time so easily. Well… if you wish to leave and sleep, I won’t keep you. You’re more than welcome to come back and talk myths with me at any time. Though, I am aware you are still obligated to hunt me,”Nok said.

He flicked his finger and the doors audibly unlocked, allowing Marcus the opportunity to leave if he wanted to.

Marc chuckled softly as Nok admitted to his current passion having roots to that long ago. “Gotta say, you don't see too many people lucky enough to know what they love in their youth and being able to pursue it later on.”

He shrugged slightly. “It's the same for me. Not every real conversation I’ve had has held my interest like this in… probably years,” he confessed, rubbing the back of his neck. He nodded awkwardly as Nok reminded him about the contract, and was honestly relieved that the old man was so understanding about the situation.

However, he raised a brow at the sound of the lock clicking open as he didn't remember the door being locked in the first place. Was it just an oversight on his part? Something he had missed? Something he hadn't noticed? That wasn't like him. But he had to acknowledge that he hadn't felt like he was trapped or in danger the entire time he had spent talking with Nok.

He cleared his throat and smirked faintly. “Chances are pretty good that we’ll see each other again. And I hope we’ll get to talk more, but that's going to depend on how our paths cross next time. Of course, “hunting” can have more than one meaning.” he pointed out with a wink before heading towards the door.

(Sorry for vanishing once again. I’ve been moving, so life is a little hectic lol)

Nok sighed,”It is indeed a rare thing, but it’s not always lucky.”

The mirth faded from his eyes as he considered the reasons why he chose books to keep his time.
As he’d mentioned previously, everything else from his life had become meaningless. Going back to a teenage fantasy of being a ‘hermit librarian living far from a stressful world’ was desperation, not design. Everything else no longer mattered. Nothing mattered. The things you lose when you are turned against your will…

He quickly pulled himself out of those darker thoughts to avoid dragging down the conversation, and because the intrusive thoughts were starting to annoy him.

Nok hummed, intrigued that they both hadn’t had a good conversation in a while. It wasn’t often that a vampire and a human had something like that in common. Then, at Marc’s version of a farewell, and that wink, Nok’s eyes lit with mischief.

“Indeed it can,”he said with a playful grin.

He watched Marcus leave, both confident and sad that once he exited the library he wouldn’t be able to enter again without Nok’s help. There was a vital detail about his library that he never revealed to visitors. It existed within a pocket dimension. Unless Nok unlocked the doors, whoever entered would only see the original structure the library occupied, not the library itself. In this case, Marcus would find the ruins of an old shop if he tried to enter without Nok opening the door for him.

It was one reason why Nok had survived so many hunts. The hunters could easily track his routines outside his home, but they could never enter his home. And, if necessary, Nok could exist inside his library for years without leaving. It wouldn’t be comfortable, and he’d probably lose what was left of his sanity, but he could do it.

(It’s ok. I’ve moved plently of times, so I understand how crazy things can get.)

Marc smiled over his shoulder at Nok one last time before stepping out. This had been surprisingly fun. He usually enjoyed hunting, the challenge… but the actual conversation was something he hadn’t expected. The old man was full of surprises. And didn’t seem to hold any grudge against him for trying to kill him earlier. Marcus wouldn’t have blamed Nok if he had but… it was nice not to be on the reciving end of someone’s ire.

Of course, a part of him wondered what it would be like to see Nok really angry at someone. But he didn’t want it to be him. He wasn’t that stupid. If their fight earlier had told him anything, he believed that if Nok really wanted to… well, the conversation told him that Nok wasn’t the type. He was powerful but not reckless.

The Clans on the other hand… Was the whole reason behind his contract because of the issue of that “royal” brat the old man mentioned? Or was there something else? His age? The fact that he wasn’t subservient to any clan in particular?

“No.” he shook his head with a chuckle. “I barely got out of there the last time. And that was because they let me leave. Going back would be stupid.” he reminded himself. But the idea of trying to talk with them again wouldn’t leave him alone. Trying to get more information, some answers… He hated going into a hunt unprepared.

Once Marcus had left earshot, Nok turned back to the books in front of him. Opening a few, he grabbed an ink jar and feather pen nearby and wrote down notes about Marcus.

Afterward, he reread some of his other notes and previous journal entries, reminiscing for a moment. Though, his thoughts kept going back to Marcus. Despite the man’s profession, and the likelihood of another battle between them, Nok couldn’t help looking forward to seeing him again. The intriguing nature of the hunter and the possibilities between them were too hard to resist.

However, the truth of it was, Nok wasn’t sure if Marcus would ever stop hunting him. Yes, they’d only had one encounter, so it was still too early to tell anyway. Also, he was just doing his job, and Nok couldn’t blame him for that. But, the vampire clan that had ‘hired’ Marcus wanted him dead. Truly dead. And, vampires were nothing if not tenacious. If they couldn’t persuade Marcus to kill him, they would coerce him, and if that didn’t work, they’d either kill Marcus or turn him into a mindless thrall. Nok didn’t like those possibilities.

With a sigh, Nok shut his journals and decided to worry about the clan another time. He was craving rest. A lot had happened this night. So, he double-checked that the doors were locked and headed into his basement/living quarters. He flopped down onto his bed, which was an actual bed covered in soft, puffy blankets, and fell into a sleep-like trance.