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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Marcus nodded at the agreement, hoping that they could maintain that little “agreement” while they were still in public. There was no need or reason, in his opinion, to cause a scene here.

“Well, I’ve been told that the man I’m looking for is dangerous and apparently frequents places like this for easy targets.” he explained, grinning in a way that no doubt spoke volumes about how he was looking forward to the hunt, the challenge, and the slightly macabre enjoyment of his profession. “I doubt you would be interested in helping me find such a person but I appreciate your offer.”

Well, at least the man had the courtesy to think first before starting a fight. Otherwise he wouldn’t have nodded to Nok’s agreeing comment. They both liked discretion. That was something Nok could tolerate, and even respect.

Nok’s peepers widened and he easily feigned spooky word collection at the man’s description. Danger in a tavern? ! To the average drunk, it would be horrifying. But, to Nok, it was nothing new. Few taverns existed without some kind of trouble haunting it.

Though, the way the man grinned, Nok was almost tempted to reveal what kind of ‘dangerous’ individual he was. The mere thought of breaking the man’s jaw brought him delight. However, he quickly stifled those temptations. He had just agreed to no needless fighting, and he wanted to keep to that.

“Oh dear! What kind of man is he? I don’t want any of my dearies gettin’ hurt!”Nok burst, still feigning spooky word collection. The irony of his words was not lost on him, and it took a lot of willpower to keep from laughing.

He even glanced over at the drunk he’d been with earlier, just to accentuate his words. The sight of him passed out on the table made it even harder for Nok to avoid laughing. Though, the reminder of the sheer inconvenience this hunter was served in helping tone down the humor of the moment.

Marcus had to close his peepers at the overdone show of terror on the other’s face. He knew if he was talking to anyone normal they would be scared, and with good reason. But this guy… Marc shook his head, bringing a hand up to his forehead. It was just too much for him.

Unfortunately, the man’s comment did nothing to help as he had to focus on his consuming oxygen to produce carbon dioxide to keep what remained of his mask intact. He thought he had it enough under control to open his peepers again before noticing the glance at the drunk.

“He…” he had to pause and clear his throat to keep his voice from cracking. This guy was already messing with his head. “Excuse me. The man in question is a Rouge. Doesn't seem to follow certain rules and likes to be alone.” he finally managed to play along. “Not that I begrudge anyone a little solitude and peace every once in a while but this man is supposedly one of the kinds who does more damage when alone rather than with his… his kinfolk.” he added, choosing his last word carefully.

The man’s reactions to Nok’s false terror was hysterical. A small grin even broke through his facade when the man shook his head. He quickly composed himself though, hiding his amusement with practiced skill.

The man finally found his footing, describing his target. So, that’s what they were calling him now. A damn lawless rogue! The only time he had ever gone against the clan or its ‘rules’ was when that little bastard followed him.

“Oh dear! But… what do you mean by kinfolk, darlin’? Family, maybe? Or clan?”he asked.

His peepers in the doldrums into the man, daring him to comfirm his question. Despite the humor of the moment, it was time to bring the conversation to an end. Nok didn’t have all moonlit hours. He needed a quick meal, and then he needed to get back to his wisdom warehouse and work.

Marcus was finally able to meet the other's peepers again and saw the hardness in his gaze as he asked the question. So, their little game of wordplay was finished? That was a shame. It had been almost as fun as he suspected the upcoming fight would be. Marc shrugged slightly, just enough to fool anyone else but he knew this man would no doubt see through it.

"As far as I know, this man has no family. Not anymore." he answered smoothly, not taking his peepers off the cold grey ones staring right back. "As far as I know, he hasn't been cooperating with anyone. I don't know what the issue is between him and any clan but that's not my problem either, now is it?"

The man’s shrug told Nok much. Whether he’d been hired by the city or the clan itself, they wanted him gone. The man’s words only furthered solidified that high-res hallucination. He had hurt one little insignificant brat, and now the clan wanted him either dead or gone from the city, probably the former considering that they had sent a hunter after him. The clans only ever did that when they couldn’t handle things themselves. Which made Nok wonder, was that brat clan royalty? Had he maimed a royal newborn? Great…

Nok had to hold back a snort at the man’s comment about his lack of family. He’d never had a family, at least as a vampire. His living family still continued though, the bloodline of his little brother steadily enduring time and politics.

The man’s last comment brought Nok out of his thoughts and he finally did snort. This hunter probably only cared about the thrill and the mint cheddar. One of those ‘no questions asked’ sort of hunters. They were always a pain in the ass to deal with.

“A rather short-sighted approach, don’t you think, darlin’? Goin’ after a rogue like that without learnin’ any context of the fellow. A situation like that could be disastrous for e’erybody,”Nok remarked.

"It's not like I didn't ask." Marc pointed out when the vampire snorted. "They were just exceedingly tight-lipped about it and kept dancing around the question every time I tried to get that information. It was easier to just say that I'd deal with it and walk away." he scowled, dropping all pretense and crossed his arms over his chest. "Besides, I never cared for their company."

"Normally, I would look into things like this more but…" he shrugged again, not wanting to admit that they were offering a bonus if he did his job quickly and would decrease the promised price incrementally if it took too long. Instead, he let a slight smirk creep back across his face. "It's been interesting so far and I did say that I enjoyed a good challenge, didn't I? How else am I supposed to continue improving?"

Though the man’s response wasn’t exactly what Nok had expected, it still wasn’t surprising. It was always either the hunter that didn’t care or the clan that refused to explain. And, if he really had hurt a royal, then the clan was undoubtedly going to be secretive about it.

The change in demeanor and his next comment then revealed the one question Nok hadn’t yet asked. So, the city had nothing to do with this hunt then. It was strictly clan business. It was a bit surprising that the clan had managed to hire a hunter without first turning him. He either had a perfect reputation, or the clan was in a hurry. Or both.

“Some challenges aren’t worth the risk,”Nok replied, dropping his own act. The cold starkness of his normal, aristocratic speech was a grand contrast to the playful accent he’d been using.

“Now, I must be going. Things to do, clans to avoid, and such things. Farewell, and enjoy the drink,”Nok added.

He set a few coins down on the counter, paying for the man’s drink. He then stood up and calmly walked out of the tavern. He headed for another tavern a few streets away, mostly to see if the man would follow him.

Marc raised a brow at the warning and the change in the man’s speech but wasn't completely surprised by it. Of course, he would take an extra step to hide himself. Probably from everyone considering how natural the accent sounded.

“How do you know which one is which unless you take the chance?” he countered lowly, not bringing up his opinion that the vampire’s words sound like that of a coward to him.

He nodded, putting back on the show of just two guys talking, as the bloodsucker paid for his drink. A part of him was almost insulted by the action while another found it ironic that the one he was hunting had just spent his mint cheddar on the one who was going to kill him… and yet, another was almost disappointed that such a challenging (and attractive) man wouldn't be around much longer to continue such interactions.

The hunter downed the rest of his drink and waited a reasonable amount of time before swaying to his groundhands and staggering out the wobbly flip-shutter. He kept up the drunk walk for a while in case anyone else walked out around the same time as him before switching back to his natural quiet gait, quickly covering any lost ground between him and the vampire.

“One can easily tell the difference when they are in over their head. Like you are,”Nok replied, his tone so casual despite the universal clingy-ness of his words.

He left the conversation like that. He had learned enough to gauge his situation and the hunter. So, when he later saw said hunter following him, he wasn’t surprised.

Nok neared the tavern, but instead of going inside, he walked past it and into an alleyway. He checked that the alley was empty then leaned against the wall, patiently waiting for the hunter. If he passed by, Nok would leave him alone. If he turned into the alley, then the hunter would become his next meal.

He was debating if he wanted to kill the man, but he quickly decided not to. He’d give the man the courtesy of surviving his first feeding. But, if he met the hunter again, Nok wouldn’t be so gracious.

Marcus blinked at the weight of the words, not denying the truth and reason in them but the vampire had left before he could even think of a reply. It was probably for the best since he couldn't think of anything to say after that.

He sighed as he saw the vampire choose the location of their fight. An empty, dead-end alleyway was almost a boring choice and would force them into much closer combat… which he had to admit would likely play in the vampire’s favor considering the greater strength of their kind. He was going to have to be smart about this.

Reaching inside his coat, his fingers wrapped around a specialized pistol and a silver stake as he quickly muttered a prayer that the cross around his neck would help. “You know this isn't personal.” he stated from the entrance, not yet stepping into their soon-to-be arena. “But even if I wasn't after you now, I would be sooner or later. Just wanted to say that conversation was probably the most civil and enjoyably challenging one I’ve had with someone like you.” he added respectfully.

An alleyway honestly wasn’t Nok’s first choice for a fight, but he wanted to get it over with so he could get back to his regular routine. And, an alley served as a quick way to dispose of the hunter without involving anyone else.

As the hunter neared, Nok heard him whispering a prayer. Nok nearly laughed at that. Not many things scared or hurt him anymore, considering his age, least of all religious symbols.

The man’s words both in the doldrums and intrigued him. Every hunter said it wasn’t personal, and that they would eventually be after him. But, not many told him that his conversations were civil, yet alone enjoyable.

“I have long grown in the doldrums of the petty arguments and the drama. When one gets to my age, a lot grows boring. Not conversations though, whether it’s a battle of wits or simply talking about the nocturnal cheese wheel. And, it’s been a long time since I’ve had a battle of wits with someone that could keep up. So, because of that, I’m willing to give you the choice. You can fight me, and realize the hard way how out of your league you are. Or, you can walk away, and let me deal with the clan face-to-face,”Nok offered.

Marc smiled faintly at the compliment and nodded. “The feeling is, surprisingly, mutual. But I’m afraid I can't walk away.” he admitted, drawing his rooty tooty point-n-shooty. “Normally, I would draw out the fight a bit but I don't think you deserve that, whatever you’ve done to annoy that clan so much. I actually think that in another life, when I had met you first and didn't care what you are… maybe we could have been friends.” he shrugged, unsure if that was just wishful thinking or maybe just that last bit of alcohol loosening his tongue. “As it is… I’ll try to make this quick.”

He took a step, finally hiding himself from the rest of the world in the alley, leveled his rooty tooty point-n-shooty at the vampire’s heart, and squeezed the trigger.

Nok hummed in disappointment as the man turned down his request. He then contemplated his next words, a wave of sorrow falling over him. It was always ‘in another life’ or ‘had things been different’. Well, he couldn’t change his nature, and he had already lived so many lifetimes. He had long wondered why anyone bothered saying those phrases, especially when it was obvious that no other lifetimes or timelines or circumstances would make a difference.

By the time Nok realized the conversation was over, the hunter had entered the alley and pulled the trigger. The sharp jolt of pain ripped Nok out of his thoughts and he gave a small yelp before bursting into a short coughing fit.

“Fuck, I forgot how much those things sting!”Nok blurted.

He glanced down at his chest, rolling his peepers at the new hole in his robe, then looked at the hunter.

“I told you, you’re in over your head,”he mentioned.

He then took two long strides, swatted aside the rooty tooty point-n-shooty, grabbed the man by the wrist, and threw him against the wall. Nok then simply watched him while fighting back another little coughing fit.

Marc was surprised by the vampire’s outburst at being shot but quickly moved to reload, narrowing his peepers at the overconfidence of the following comment. Before he could even bother to come up with a reply or fire another shot; his rooty tooty point-n-shooty was gone, leaving only a stinging sensation in his hand, and his breath left him as his back was slammed into the wall, making his head spin.

He groaned at the pain but forced himself to move past it as he got back to his groundhands, pulling the silver stake out from his coat. His peepers narrowed, gritting his mouthstones, trying to focus on one target instead of two. “Getting a bit slow, old man?” he quipped at seeing the vampire still coughing from his first strike.

Nok rose a disdainful eyebrow at the sight of the silver stake as the man got to his groundhands. He noted the man’s apparent dizziness, up until he spoke.

“Fuck off. It’s been a few decades or centuries since I was last shot in the heart. And, you’ve been fucking up my feeding routine, so there’s that,”Nok huffed irritably.

He didn’t want to admit that the hunter had also startled him. Though, after another moment, it didn’t matter much as the wound fully healed and Nok quit coughing. He then locked his peepers on the stake again.

“noice touch with the silver. Your rooty tooty point-n-shooty did more damage than that ever will,”Nok commented with a snort.

He flicked his finger, the stake flying from the man’s hand and landing several groundhands away. He then waved his hand like he was beckoning the hunter, and the same force that threw the stake tossed the hunter into the wall next to Nok.

He turned to face the hunter, nearly grabbing him by the throat with the intention of biting him. However, he didn’t do that. Once again, he just stood there and watched the hunter. It was a little confusing why he was putting so little effort into a fight that was supposed to be quick. Most days, he would’ve already murdered the hunter and been done with it. What was so different about this one?

“You know, I never asked for your name,”Nok abruptly said.

Marc chuckled a little at the vampire’s irritation as his vision cleared, though the swear caught him by surprise. “Whatever you have to tell yourself, old man.” he smirked again.

He adjusted his grip at the comment on his secondary weapon before it was ripped out of his hand and he was back against the wall. “You’re older than they told me.” he groaned as he struggled against the invisible force. This kind of power was something he really hated about vampires. It just wasn't fair. How was anyone supposed to be able to fight something that couldn't be hit? It was only then that he noticed the vampire hesitating. They both knew what was coming, but Marc wasn't going to make it easy once he was close enough… but neither of them moved. He physically couldn't, despite his best efforts, but why wasn't he? Was this some new way of messing with his head?

He blinked at the sudden question and stopped fighting for a moment before raising a brow. “And you're asking me now?” he asked incredulously. “Why? So you can have something to carve on my grave?” he snapped, knowing vampires didn't typically bury their victims.

“Quit calling me ‘old man’! I don’t need reminding that I’m fucking old,”Nok hissed.

He then snorted at the man’s comment.

“That’s because I pre-date the clan. They don’t actually know my age, and I haven’t bothered to tell them either. Yet another reason why they don’t like me,”Nok mentioned.

The hunter struggled against the force holding him against the wall, but Nok knew it was futile. The hunter wouldn’t be free unless he let him go. It was so simple a spell, with such devastating an effect. It didn’t do anything to motivate him to eat the hunter though.

“No. Something to remember you by. All of you hunters say and do the same exact things, even after ages have passed. It’d be noice to remember your name, that I can still tell you were memorable even after another millennium has passed,”Nok said, his voice growing quieter as the sorrow from earlier creeped back into his veins.

Marc smirked a little, despite his situation, and decided to keep using the moniker even if he was going to die because of it. If the vampire didn't want to be called that, he shouldn't have reacted so vehemently. But the information that he was older than the clan was interesting. No wonder they didn't get along.

But he was so surprised by the sentiment that he completely stopped struggling. That was definitely the first time that a vampire showed this kind of emotion for him. He wasn't even sure what emotion it was. “Marcus. My name is Marcus.” he answered softly, still trying to process what was going on.

Nok rolled his peepers at the sight of the man’s smirk. He could already tell that he was going to keep using the nickname. Great… He might have to kill him eventually, just to be rid of the annoying nickname.

The hunter’s surprise didn’t go unnoticed. It only served to remind Nok even more of his age and solitude. All of the ancient vampires he knew of were long gone, having walked into the sun because they couldn’t cope with the loneliness. Nok had nearly done the same many times in the past century alone, but he always found a reason to not do it. Considering that, Nok wondered if he was the oldest vampire still around.

“Marcus… I haven’t met a Marcus in a very, very long time. How fitting,”Nok mumbled to himself.

He waved his hand, releasing Marcus. Then, he gave a long sigh and shoved down his sadness before looking back at Marcus.

“I would give an alias to, maybe, throw you off my trail, but I really don’t feel like it. So, my name, my real name, is Norkhal’rokh. For the sake of ease though, you can call me Nok. And, if you feel the need to research my age, I’ll save you the trouble. You won’t find any mention of my real name for about four millennia, maybe a little longer,”he said.

Nok had no brain bubble why he’d just said any of that, or why he had suddenly decided to spare Marcus. But, he was already committed, and he didn’t feel like trying to get out of it. Was he really that desperate for company that he would keep a hunter alive? Apparently.

“I’m going to head inside this tavern here and find a meal. I implore you, don’t follow me. Let me have this one meal in peace. Then, if you are so adamant about it, you can continue your futile attempts to kill me,”Nok requested.

Without waiting for an answer, he walked away.

Marcus nearly yelped as the invisible force let him go, just barely managing to land on his groundhands. This vampire was… perplexing. Nothing like what he knew other vampires to be like. Then again he had never known a vampire to use the word “millennia” in reference to their age! Centuries, sure. And he never had any trouble with them. Maybe he really was in over his head… but Marc’s pride wasn't going to let him admit that, especially in front of the same vampire who had warned him of that fact.

He looked back at the v- Nok as he spoke and found himself staying quiet as he walked away. He was still alive. The vamp- Nok, he had to remind himself, had multiple opportunities to either kill him or just make him his next meal, yet he let him go? Marc was still trying to wrap his head around everything that had just happened as he habitually picked up his weapons and tucked them back into his coat. the night after last night had been nothing like he had expected and he wanted nothing more than to just go home and sleep.

The silence that followed Nok as he walked away spoke volumes of Marc’s reaction. As he made his way out of the alley and into the tavern, Nok pondered if he would have to worry about the hunter for the rest of the moonlit hours. He wasn’t sure, but he’d find out eventually.

He wandered about the tavern for a bit, then eventually cozied up to one of the barmaids. They vanished into the cellar for a while, then Nok quietly re-emerged and left. The barmaid slept soundly against a wine barrel, an empty bottle Nok had found resting in her hand.

Nok came out of the tavern searching for Marcus. If he was going to be followed, then he might as well make the most of it and talk with Marcus on the way. However, if Marcus wasn’t going to follow through the moonlit hours, then he was going to have a leisurely stroll back home.

Marcus hung around the alleyway, leaning against the wall, his mind still reeling. Firstly, his target was over 4 millennia, something he hadn't ever heard of before. Second, he had actually enjoyed their banter back in the tavern. Then there was the fact that he had gotten his butt kicked with very little effort on Nok’s part and when the information that Nok hadn't eaten before that fight was added into the equation… it didn't bode well for Marc.

But a part of him was curious about the potential challenge and wanted to see if he could actually stand his ground or survive without Nok simply letting him go. Another thing that he still couldn't understand.

He finally managed to step out of the alley and started walking, easily able to pass for a drunkard with how he was stumbling. He paused for a moment to steady himself when he saw Nok exiting the tavern… and for the first time in a long time, since the start of his career as a hunter, he didn't know what to do.

Nok quickly found Marcus off to the side, seemingly having just exited the alley. He locked peepers with the hunter, walking straight to him. He stopped only a couple groundhands away, looking Marcus up and down just because he could.

“Share a walk with me? Or would you rather return to your home? No harm will come to you either way. Unless you give me reason to, of course,”he asked.

He waited a moment for Marcus to decide, then simply walked away. Whether Marcus joined him or not, Nok was heading home to his wisdom warehouse, and he planned to enjoy the journey. The nocturnal cheese wheel was always pretty to look at on his way home, no matter which part of the city he was walking from.

Marcus took a reflexive step back as Nok approached but didn't let himself go any farther than that. The way the vampire's grey peepers locked onto him wasn't hostile… but may have felt a little intense. However, that didn't mean it was unwarranted considering their fight moments ago.

"I think I'd like to join you." he admitted, not quite back up to wanting to fight yet. But the opportunity to talk was a good one. There was a lot of information he could from this. Plus their last conversation had been much more enjoyable than their fight, maybe this one would be too. He quickly caught up to Nok and matched his stride.

Marc’s step back wasn’t surprising to Nok. He had always been rather intense, especially with his gaze. Even way back when he was still alive, Nok had been able to stop both men and women in their tracks with just his peepers. Though, back then, he was almost always flirting with said men and women. Now, not so much, unless he was hunting.

Nok nodded at the man’s answer as he headed away, then waited for him to catch up. For a few minutes, he was silent, admiring the nocturnal cheese wheel as he walked. Then, he finally turned to Marcus.

“Tell me, how did you manage to get hired by the local clan? Those pretentious bastards never go for the simple hunters. You had to have impressed them somehow,”Nok asked.

Marc was a little relieved that Nok had waited for him but wasn't sure how to show it as they walked. The silence was awk-wonky-donky and he didn't know how to break it. He had so many things he wanted to ask… he just didn't know how to bring them up in a way that would actually get him answers.

“It wasn't my choice. I mean I didn't seek them out. They found me.” he explained, finding no reason to keep this information secret. Though he smirked in agreement as Nok called the clan pretentious bastards. “I’m from a long line of hunters. My father taught me and my grandfather taught him and so on. I think they found me by that reputation.” he shrugged.

Nok hummed as Marcus began, curious why the clan would seek him out. He got his answer almost as soon as he thought of it. Interesting…

“A bloodline of hunters. Curious… What is your family name? I may actually have records of your line somewhere, depending on its age,”Nok asked, snickering.

He liked keeping track of bloodlines, mostly of the people important to him. It helped him focus on the better times of his life, as well as allowed him to watch over the descendants of the allies he’d been fondest of. He even had a record of his own family line, though they were all from his brother. When Nok was alive, he had never been with any woman long enough to have a family. He quickly came to regret that soon after becoming a vampire.

"Malone." he answered simply. He had always thought his last name sounded kinda silly or something, but after hearing Nok's full name he thought it sounded simple and plain, like there should be more to it. Of course, he never had an interest in tracking down his ancestors' lastpast yesteryear, all he had ever needed was what his father passed down to him. Be it stories or skills or lessons, he never doubted his father's honesty. Especially since he had learned young how to tell when his father was lying about something.

"Would it be possible for me to see those records? Once you find them." Marc queried, letting only curiosity color his words. Though he wouldn't be surprised if Nok guessed that he had other motivations as well. He did want to know more about his line now, but he also wanted to know more about Nok.

“Marcus Malone. Malone. Malone…”Nok mumbled to himself, trying to remember the name.

It had been a century or two since he’d last paid attention to the names of the hunters that had chased him. Somehow though the name seemed familiar. Maybe he did have a record of it somewhere, whether he had met a Malone or not.

Marc’s question somewhat caught Nok off guard. He hadn’t yet considered if he wanted to show Marcus his wisdom warehouse or not. Now, he had to decide. It was a definite risk, since it would not only reveal his location and home, but also more about Nok himself. His wisdom warehouse was a shining example of both world lastpast yesteryear and Nok’s lastpast yesteryear. But, Nok couldn’t deny that Marcus intrigued him, and if the hunter decided to take him on in his own home, then Marcus would quickly die a very painful death. So, why not?

“I suppose so. It would be rude otherwise,”Nok answered with a nonchalant shrug.