Gairovald ground his teeth as he pondered what to do. He certainly could do something, but he wasn't keen on the idea of potentially showing his hand, which was the biggest reason that Zombie remained alive.... in a manner of speaking. He had worked hard to remain in the shadows, to prevent anyone from knowing his true power. He had worked hard to be dismissed as Jericho's lackey. He wasn't about to let that change.
"Spit it out already," He snapped. The new girl, Delivera Stone, had been hovering near him for awhile now, and it was clear enough she had questions.
"Oh!" She let out an odd squawk, gasp and jumped at his tone. Were he in a better mood, he might've laughed.
"Well?" He pressed impatiently.
"Well…" she eyed him reproachfully, clearly not pleased with the way he was addressing her. "I just wanted to know if that was normal zombie behavior. It felt like it was… watching us…"
She dropped her voice at this last part, trying to avoid drawing attention from the others. Luckily for her, it seemed they were preoccupied by some upcoming social event or other.
"It was," Gairovald replied dully, "and no. That is not normal behavior for zombies. Anything else?"
Del refused to say anything more. In fact, she went out of her way to avoid looking at him the rest of the way to the school. Nevertheless, he could tell she was still brimming with questions. Perhaps he would consider entertaining them later, when he was in a better mood… assuming he remembered to do so of course.
The second they stepped back through the entrance to the tower, all of the runers but Del dispersed without so much as a backward glance. Gairovald observed with a mixture of amusement and impatience as she offered a polite bow to each of them.
"Thank you," she said stiffly to Gairovald. "Good night."
And she was gone. Gairovald and Jericho were left alone in the deserted foyer… for about thirty seconds.
"BRING THAT BACK YOU PANTY PILFERING PIECE OF POOP!" Anemone came rocketing into view, hot on the heels of Jamal, screaming at the top her lungs.
"You'll have to catch me first and earn it back!" Jamal called back, snickering uncontrollably.
"I'M SERIOUS JAMAL! YOU BRING THOSE BACK THIS INSTANT!" Anemone snarled. Gairovald laughed at the scene.
"It seems Jamal stole something from someone," Jericho chuckled with a shake of his head.
"Anemone's panties, to be precise. She certainly isn't being quiet about it either," Gairovald replied.
"That would explain why he's moving so fast," Jericho sighed. "I hope she gives the pest a good beating."
"I have no doubt that she will," Gairovald replied. "Shall we leave them to it?"
"Yeah, it's been a day," Jericho yawned. "I have classes in five hours to boot."
"And who's fault is that?" Gairovald questioned.
"You're a turd," Jericho replied. "Speaking of which, how is it that our little deliverer likes you and your jackassery more than me?!"
"Simple," Gairovald laughed. "I'm still 'pure.' I think saying she 'likes' me in a stretch though. 'Tolerates' me is more like it."
"You? Pure?!" Jericho burst out in hysterical laughter. "Pure evil, maybe!"
"I am still a virgin," Gairovald stated with a deadpan expression. The laughter stopped.
"Oh no. You did NOT just go there," Jericho wagged his finger saucily at Gairovald.
"I did," Gairovald replied with a smirk.
"Nuh-uh! No way!" Jericho shook his head. "You can't seriously expect me to believe that a unicorn could possibly like you, the hell spawn favorite grandchild of a demonic spider woman who is infamous for eating other demons, better than me just because you are a virgin."
"Believe it," Gairovald's smirk grew wider.
"No way!" Jericho repeated heatedly. "Virgin or not, you're the creepiest, most blood thirsty bastard in this country!"
"Thank you," Gairovald chuckled.
"There is no way your shadow-skulking demon ass is less off-putting than my natural charisma!" Jericho continued as though Gairovald hadn't spoken. "Unicorn's hate demons more than they hate everything else!"
"Jealous are we?" Gairovald was laughing freely, though he was carefully watching and listening for potential eavesdroppers. If word got out that he possessed demon blood…
"You wish!" Jericho snorted. "I'm just saying, that your twisted personality trumps my lack of virginity! "
"Chastity is very important to unicorns," Gairovald shrugged. "It is proof the blood runs strong through her. I'm sure she'll start hating me properly in due course. Now stop sulking and get to bed."
"This is total bullshit," Jericho cussed, snatching Jamal out of the air as the sprite shot by. "You'll see! I'll get her to thaw that ice queen routine!"
"Possibly, but you would have to stop flirting," Gairovald snickered. Jericho settled for flipping him off with his free hand.
Gairovald watched him disappear up the spiraling staircase with some amusement. As soon as his friend was out of sight, however, his smile fell. With a gesture, a form materialized in the depths of the shadows nearest him.
"Deal with anyone who might've overheard," Gairovald instructed in a low rumble.
"Already done, my most malevolently morose master," came the high pitched, silky reply of the shrouded figure. "One student over heard, but was so deliciously drunk I doubt they understood what they heard. Never the less, my magnificent self gave them a boozy bottle of saucy spirits spiked with just enough forgetfulness potion for him to forget the night he's had."
"Any sprites?" Gairovald checked.
"Currently captured and awaiting your choice of magnanimous mercy or pernicious punishment," she replied with a soft giggle. "Do you require any further dastardly deeds to be promptly performed my most contemptible commander?"
"Keep an ear out for any rumors," Gairovald replied.
"As you wish, grandest guardian and beloved benefactor," the shadows swirled as the figure bowed and melted away before his eyes.
"Eccentric as ever," he sighed before turning to the staircase. It was about time he took his own advice and got some rest.