i have too many wips (1)

Vesper hasn't been himself lately. He's making mistakes more than usual, his mind is a fog that distracts him from menial workーand most of all, there's a bloodlust that lingers within him. Yes, he's the eternally 28 year old scholar of Tempus, but it's obviously a lie that many know not to question; his appearance tells all of his biology. Grey skin, pointy ears and the exaggerated top canines of his teeth, it's simple to tell Vesper Noir isn't a human. By his physical looks, with perhaps enough work of a makeup artist, he could pass that grey skin to something lively and be a convincing humanーthough he didn't care much. After all, with how his inner mechanisms workedーphysicality was the last thing on his mind. A lust that welled in him was certainly the reason for these symptoms and yet, he was afraid to seek out the relief for it. Naught many could he turn to with such a simple question of bloodletting and feasting upon the divine drinkーand the ones who knew, it felt too personal. Like he was using them solely for his sick hunger like a quick snack. Asking a stranger was far too daunting and risky, he wasn't in need of more rumors about him, there were enough as is.

Perhaps he could just turn to one of his guildmatesーafter all they all had promised to be there for each other in their time of need. No, no, no, it was still too personal, he wasn't fully prepared to let himself be seen in such a way. Vesper sighed, displeasure on his face as he slouched into his comfy reading chair, staring at the tall ceiling of the library. His eyebrows creased together as he mulled over his choices and the possibilities; time was limited in terms of this aching need and he /still/ had yet to find a solution. If he were to turn to a guildmate for help, it definitely couldn't be Axelーhe was far too moronic to even understand his issue, and Regis? He was busy being their leader and asking to sneak him off to feed would be a challenge around that schedule. That left Magni, who he vibed well enough with, though he doubted that the alchemist would allow himself to be submitted to being bitten. Maybe. Vesper wasn't sure.

"Oy!"

The librarian nearly jumped out of his seat with a scream, startled by the Gladiator's obnoxious appearance. "JesusーJesus Christ, Axel!" Vesper grasped his chest with a small scowl, holding onto the table in front of him for both physical and moral support. "Geez, Vespie. You've been spacing out lately, is everything okay?" Axel frowned, grabbing a nearby chair and pulling it over to sit on backwards. "You usually don't get /this/ startled, not even after the time we all watched a horror movie together." He rested his chin on the back frame of the mahogany stained chair. "Is something bothering you? You know you can tell us anything, man."

Vesper's scowl melted away at how concerned Axel was, it was very sweetーyet it also told him that it was very apparent that his behavior was suspicious at best. The older man sighed and sat properly in his chair, adjusting his glasses. "Well.. It's just that it can be a little time consuming when you're taking care of a library /and/ teaching a certain someone how to read." A light-hearted answer, one that would take away the spotlight on how he's been feeling. "Aw, come on!" Axel pouted, crossing his arms. "You're the one who wanted to teach me! I only come to the lessons cause you always feed me after.."

"Yes, yes, I know."

"You also promised me you'd cook me a steak if I finished a book too."

"I'm aware."

"Sooo.. if it's too much work to do with your other duties, why not skip all that work and just invite me to your place for dinner, Vespie?"

"YouーWhy would I do that? You'd just be getting rewarded for not learning anything! That's the opposite of my goal!"

"I dunno! I'm just saying man, we could just.. y'know, skip all the reading and learning and eat like bros!"

"Axel, if you don't get up out of here, I'm going to pour hot sauce in your mouth."

"Ayo?! NonononoーI'm good, I'm good, Vespie! You don't have to do that!"

"Then get out of here before I start basting you with the remaining hot sauces I have."