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 Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:45 pm
Nick sat up, ashamed of his behavior, realizing Nori did have a point but he'd thought at the time he was being sarcastic, and really DIDN'T want Nick to come after him. For the first time in a long while, he felt like a child and could find no words to say other than a low whispered "I never want to be rid of you...' that was said with such longing and honesty that could near rip one's heart in half if they heard it.
He watched Nori unwind his bandages and was horrified by what he saw, the scars, the burns, all carved deep into his skin...he'd always had good suspicions that Nori'd been through hell and back, which is why he'd been trying so hard to get his trust in the first place. His shock was slowly replaced by anger, a ferocious roar built up inside him to see those physical souvenirs of his past that he was forced to carry with him to teach him that everything Nick was trying to build up didn't exist. Nick had a feeling this was still merely the tip of the iceburg, and his anger grew to think of what lay under the rest of Nori's bandages.
Deadly serious, he voice was stone cold and had little about it of the Nick Nori'd come to know. A fire burned bright in his eyes with malicious hate, hate for all those who'd injured his mate, teaching him that all Nick had to offer didn't exist. "I will kill whomever did that to you. I will make them pay a hundred times over, and more, for all the pain they have caused you." Looking to Nori's eyes, his gaze and voice softened as he added, "Love does...and one day, if you let me, I will prove it to you....even if I have to wait hundreds of years to do so, I will...as long as you want me around, I will stay."
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 6:02 pm
"That last bit, is my line. It's you who will have to get rid of me, master." He re-bound his foreleg, hiding away the horrible scars that marred his tortured flesh. Of course there were more hidden on various parts of his body. The worst, the one that actually almost succeeded in taking his life was behind the bandages at his throat. "My previous masters have gotten what they deserve. Few are probably alive right now to feel your wrath." He shrugged and tied off the bandage in a deft move that was well practiced.
"Shall we go home?" He canted his head to the side, not wanting to talk any more on the subject. In truth, now that Nick had been found, he was hit by how absolutely tired he was. He obviously hadn't slept, having been searching for Nick.
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 6:21 pm
Nick actually threw his head back and laughed whole-heartedly at Nori's first statement, complete change for a moment from the deadly serious hunter from before. "Then seems there's no getting rid of either of us, so we might as well get used to it, huh?" It fell away quickly though, the anger reappearing though not near as prominent as it had been before, though the tone was still serious. "Nori...whether you believe me or not, I don't tell you what I do just for kicks. I want you to know that. I do love you, even you never will me."
Though Nick hated the fact that he couldn't touch Nori, couldn't comfort him in the way he wished, he did his best to put up with it because it was what his other half wanted. He understood a little better tonight the why behind it, but even so had to force himself to put down the paw that had reached out to touch him as he'd closed the subject, instead replacing it with a nod. "You've spend so much time watching over me, it's my turn to do so for you." Glancing to his companion as he began padding towards the cave, he raised an eyebrow with a hint of amusement. "No arguments either...and don't make your unconventional master turn that into an actual order." He was teasing, but he knew Nori would obey even if it was more out of habit, than his exhaustion.
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 6:37 pm
"An order here and there would be nice. At least I'd know what to do from time to time." He followed gratefully. Maybe not needing to hunt for your master wasn't so bad. At least it meant he could sleep his exhaustion away sooner rather than later.
Once back into the cave they called home he all but collapsed to the ground. "If I may be so bold, master? Please don't do that again. I don't think I'm not going to be very good company tonight after today's exhausting events..." He sighed, looking up at him to gauge his expression. Would he be disappointed? Angry? Happy that he wouldn't have to deal with him?
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 7:00 pm
Nick was still fighting the urge to curl up around Nori as he collapsed, so frustrated that things had to be this way, but still putting on a patient face. He had no intentions of making Nori anymore uncomfortable than he already was, and compromised by laying down beside him, a paw's reach away."Well, then, your first order should be one you'll like. I want you to take my bed. Yah, I know the usual saying of slaves not getting rights/possessions/blah blah/what have you, and I'm not arguing the point....and I know this is still alot to get used to after all you've been through, but this is as much your home as it is mine, and I want you to start thinking a little more about your own needs and wants." He waved a paw dismissively cutting off any argument Nori may have at that point. "but for now, go lay in my bed and sleep. I'm sorry for hurting you..it was never my intention."
He turned and gazed into Nori's eyes, the anger completely gone now, only sorrow and sadness in his gaze. "I'll never do that again, I promise with all my heart and soul." He did reach out his nearest paw, but for half the distance between them. "Just rest and for once, don't worry about me. I'll be here when you awake."
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 7:20 pm
He frowned for a moment, then gave him an odd smirk. "If that is your order." He stood, but lowered his head to his master's outstretched paw and nuzzled him with a purr. "It's all I ask, master, that you are still here when I wake." He drew away and walked over to flop down on the soft grasses and leaves that were used as bedding. Exhausted from the day's ordeals, he curled up and was asleep in record time.
Despite the fact that the night had closed on good terms, his dreams were wrought with nightmares. His past had been full of pain, and tonight he relived it all. His body gave little outward sign at the mental anguish. Tensing now and then, a slight baring of teeth as he grit in pain in his dreams. He wouldn't wake screaming like some would. He had long stopped from doing so. There was little his dreams could do to him that he hadn't lived through already.
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 7:41 pm
Nick was actually surprised by Nori's nuzzle and purr, and watched him sleep for a long time, touching his mind, interested at the things that came to light while Nori slept in such a vulnerable state. When he could no longer bear it, he urged soothing thoughts, hoping to put him into a deeper and dreamless sleep instead for once. He gave into his desires and finally moved until he was curled around him, his mind continually urging calm thoughts and pushes to Nori's psychie as he lay with his head on his paws. It was the only comfort he could give and it seemed like the only time he could physically express a fraction of the love and concern he had for the young naga.
He remained like this till the morning's light began creeping into the cave, waiting only until Nori's subconscious showed signs of waking before creating a soft bed of vines nearby and reluctantly taking his position there.
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 8:05 pm
Once calm slipped into his dreams the nightmares ebbed away to the darkness of true sleep. He didn't flinch away when Nick curled around him, not even slightly waking at the sudden addition of warmth. There was a subconscious fight between cuddling closer to the warmth and shuffling away because it was a threat. He did neither, simply staying close.
When he finally began to wake it was slow, his exhaustion earlier dragging him under for a few minutes longer. He silently stretched and then laid still, not really wanting to get up but knowing he should. He knew it was past dawn. He'd spent too many nights waiting for it to miss the signs.
Would Nick be there? He finally opened his eyes, blinking to clear the sleep from them. Relief hit him when he spotted Nick not far from him, sleeping over some vines. His first reaction was to smile. He stayed...
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 8:15 pm
As if reading his thoughts (which was exactly what he was doing), Nick poked one eye open and gave a lopsided grin. "Who were you expecting...the Easter Bunny?" He was in a much better mood today, mostly over the fact Nori'd not shied away from him in his sleep. Granted, he'd not cuddled closer, but it was a start at least. Maybe I should do that more often... He'd not done it before, partially cause it was harder to do while hunting a distance away (okay, nigh impossible, at least for now till the first blood exchange was made, then it'd be much easier), but mostly cause he was afraid of breeching any sort of trust that Nori gave him. Maybe, though, that'd been a mistake as well...one could only keep their distance so much, and if he'd kept it up, in no way was Nori ever going to get used to having him nearby though there'd been definate signs of improvement.
Finally though, the lethargy of his race claimed him and he manged to mumble out a sleepy "Wake me if you need me," grateful for the fact that at least he'd not have to leave Nori to sleep in the ground for the earth in the cave would rejuvinate him just as well for now.
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 8:36 pm
He tried to fake his smile out with a yawn when Nick revealed that he was awake. No need to let him know how much relief he felt at seeing he hadn't been abandoned again. He nodded his agreement to wake him if needed and began to stretch in earnest. He'd gotten a good rest, but now his sleep cycle was wrong. If he wanted to join his master tonight he would have to force himself awake all the way through and sleep at dawn again.
Nori shrugged to himself and turned to the only real duty he had. He cleaned up the bedding area, pulling in all the loose grass and leaves back into the pile that was the "bed". He remained by his master, watching over him, until hunger pronounced itself. He would only hunt for himself, meaning something relatively small.
This "easter bunny" persona seemed ideal for a meal, though it took him the better part of two hours to find and catch one. He didn't even pause to eat his meal, taking back to the cave to eat instead since he didn't wish to leave his master longer than needed. Once done, the bones were dropped back outside, leaving the cave clean and perfect as usual.
With a few hours left until Nick awoke he turned his thoughts to that which he had been dreading to check for many a day now. ....But the cards would give him better answers... Ones to be believed...
With a hesitant paw he pulled them from the holder on his hip and began to shuffle them around.
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 2:50 pm
Nick hadn't been fooled for a second by the yawn, having been in constant contact with Nori's mind, he could feel the happiness that flooded him. However, he was still uneasy as he feel asleep, and it was that same uneasiness that awoke him earlier than was usually normal for him. He just wanted to be sure Nori was still okay, and so as he awoke, he was careful to only reach out with his mind...if he was okay, then Nick would go back to sleep for the few remaining hours ahead.
What caught his breath, the first instant he touched Nori's mind, was a sense of forboding and dread. He tried to figure out the reason why, but it wasn't until the sound of cards shuffling registered that he realized that Nori was going to read his own fortune, and he was probably dreading the truth they might speak to him. A slight smile tickled the ends of his lips as he settled a little more comfortably mentally to watch the show, curious to see what the cards would say himself.
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 3:39 pm
One by one the cards were laid down, face down, in rows. He hesitated a moment, staring at the cards before him. Just what would they tell him? He hadn't felt so apprehensive over his own future since...well...since he'd been obtained by the master who'd almost killed him. He'd known there was no escaping unscathed from that hell, but he hadn't foreseen just how bad it would get.
He sighed and began to turn them over, analyzing the possibilities the cards foretold from every angle. By the fourth card he sighed. While it wasn't looking disastrous there was already a bad outlook. He reserved judgment until the end, revealing the rest of the cards quickly.
Bright teal eyes stared at the cards for a time, trying to decipher them more thoroughly. Just what path would it take? Appearantly things were up to him. Some of these paths would sever soon, meaning timing would be important... but just which decision would be right? Nick was not going to give him up so far as this would tell. There was an edge between safety and danger which would grow ever thinner until it broke over. That was the turning point. Nori would be forced to make a decision or appearantly both would suffer.
He groaned. Why were the cards being so vague? The sheer fact that his master drank blood was hazardous to his life. He didn't need to be told there would be a point where walking the edge wouldn't be a choice anymore. What choice was this supposed to be? Obviously Nick was part of it, seeing as he wasn't going to give up. He returned the cards to their pouch at his side and sighed, thinking it all over.
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 4:02 pm
Nick understood the fortune told better than Nori did, and knew all the decisions to be made ahead, HAD to be Nori's choice alone. He knew he could force things to happen, use his mind to mentally influence Nori one way or another too, but neither option was the right one....if Nori was going to make the right one, it had to be his decision, and he had to decide with his heart and soul.
The biggest problem that Nick could think of would be the fact that it could take hundreds of years before Nori made the choice, if it got dragged out long enough, but who knew how long he personally had? Every day, the demon got a little stronger, and if he killed a vampire, it'd grow that much faster. There would come a point eventually that he would be forced to make one of three choices: Force Nori to make a choice, greet the sunlight and die, or give into the demon and become a vampire...becoming the very thing he dreaded. Converting Nori by force was not an option...he'd hate Nick forever for it, and that was something Nick couldn't live with and would rather die than do.
Finally, Nick couldn't stand just laying there and pretending to sleep while Nori was troubled, so he raised his head and gave a yawn and strechted. Looking over to the naga, he started to give him a smile, but the thoughtful look on his face stopped it in it's tracks. "Are you okay?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 4:19 pm
He tried to erase the worry from his face before turning to him, head bowed. "I am well. Just took the time to ask the cards a few things while you were still resting." He still had absolutely no idea Nick could read his mind. Otherwise he'd have kept the tone of his fears concerning him strictly locked up behind a door somewhere in his mind. As it was, the underlying threat the cards had spoken about was echoing in his mind. Nick would be around for all of -his- lifespan. Whether he lived long or died soon was up to him, but the end would have to do with Nick one way or another. He knew very well that one of those paths was that Nick killed him himself. Why and how was a mystery of course, but he suspected there would be fangs involved if things went down that road.
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Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 11:53 am
Nick reached out and laid his paw on Nori in a comforting gesture, not fooled by his cover-up. It was then, when Nori was thinking about how there was one option where Nick ended up killing him, and it made him shudder to even consider the idea for a moment. The only time that would happen was when he was no longer the Nick that Nori knew, when he was only the monster awakened that Nori feared. He wish he could alleve him of those thoughts, but it was the truth that it could happen. "I take it the reading wasn't quite what you were hoping for?" he asked softly, trying to read what he could from Nori's downturned gaze.
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