The wolf and the gnome

Each step he took seemed calculated, his movements exaggerated to make sure everyone knew exactly what he was doing. Theron watched with an amused smirk, already sensing the inevitable chaos that was about to unfold.

As Kael got closer to the vampire, he couldn't resist the urge to needle him. The vampire stood tall, his face stoic, his posture rigid. He looked like the type who'd never been caught off guard, never given in to anything as weak as humor or playfulness. Kael's eyes glinted. Perfect target.

He leaned in, a mock serious look on his face. "Can I help you?" Kael asked, his tone teasing.

The vampire slowly turned his head, arching an eyebrow. His dark eyes scanned Kael for a moment before he replied coolly, "Can I help you?"

Kael's grin widened, clearly entertained by the vampire's lack of reaction. "Ah, look at that. We're both offering assistance now. How sweet."

"Sweet?" The vampire's expression didn't change, though a small flicker of confusion seemed to flash in his gaze. "I don't need your help."

"Well, I wasn't offering it," Kael replied smoothly, taking a few steps around the vampire as if inspecting him. "Just making an observation. You're giving off 'eternal brooding' vibes. It's kind of... off-putting."

The vampire's lips twitched, but his face remained impassive. Kael wasn't fazed in the slightest. He had a knack for poking at people who thought they could walk around with an untouchable air. The more stoic they were, the more fun it was to mess with them. Just look at Bronn-he'd been as quiet as a shadow when they first met, barely speaking a word. Now? He couldn't resist sneaking in little jabs every time Kael turned his back.

One creature Kael loved to tease the most were vampires. They always seemed to walk around with this 'death' or 'I hate this world' look on their faces, like life itself was some cruel joke. Kael found it irresistible. He loved bringing them out of their shell, like adding vibrant strokes of color to a dark, moody painting. What was once a canvas of shadow became alive with layers and depth, revealing a side they didn't know they had. And to Kael, that was the real fun-turning their icy, stoic exteriors into something a little more... interesting.

"Yeah, that's right," Kael continued, getting even closer now, making the vampire's personal space feel just a little too tight. "I get it. Life's tough, right? The whole 'bloodsucker' thing, the endless nights, the creepy vibe. But I just wanted to remind you, you're not a statue, after all."

The vampire's eyes flickered slightly, as if a thought had crossed his mind, but he kept his gaze steady. "Are you always this... exhausting?"

Kael threw his hands up dramatically. "Exhausting? I'm just here to make your day a little more interesting. You should be thanking me, really. You look like you've been stuck in the same routine for centuries. A little chaos might do you some good."

The vampire let out a soft breath, the barest sign of frustration tugging at the edge of his composure. He didn't move, didn't even flinch. But Kael was relentless. He loved this. The push and pull. The way some people tried so hard to remain unshaken, like it was some kind of challenge to get them to crack.

"You're really something," the vampire muttered, his voice low but not unfriendly. The hint of a smile-so small it could have been mistaken for a shadow-finally made an appearance in his eyes.

Kael paused, watching him closely. That was it. A little victory. He had gotten through the vampire's cold exterior, just a crack. But Kael wasn't here for some deep philosophical exchange. He was just here to mess around, to stir things up a bit.

"Yeah, I know," Kael said with a wide grin, stepping back with exaggerated flair.

The vampire didn't respond right away, his lips pressing into a thin line. He looked around at the students who had gathered, seemingly noticing for the first time how much attention Kael's antics had drawn. For a moment, Kael thought he'd lost the vampire completely. But then, to Kael's surprise, the vampire didn't storm off. Instead, he slowly turned, as if considering something, then walked away with the smallest of smiles tugging at the corner of his mouth-just a flicker, but it was there.

Kael watched him go, the smirk still plastered on his face, satisfaction settling in his chest. He hadn't expected that tiny hint of amusement, but he'd take it. The vampire wasn't as immune to fun as he appeared.

Theron, who had been standing off to the side, couldn't contain his quiet laugh. "That was... interesting."

Kael winked at him. "I know, right? Totally got under his skin. He's just trying to act like a stone wall, but I'm a damn good sledgehammer."

"You're a piece of work," Theron said, shaking his head, though he couldn't hide his grin.

Kael shrugged, his carefree attitude never wavering. "I'm just having a bit of fun. It's not my fault if people take me so seriously."

"You're practically begging for trouble," Theron remarked, raising an eyebrow.

"I know. It's what I do best," Kael replied, giving a dramatic stretch as if he were preparing for round two. "And hey, look-he didn't walk away completely angry. That's a win in my book."

"Sure," Theron agreed dryly, "if you consider leaving with a smile in your eyes a win."

Kael paused, eyes gleaming. "Oh, trust me, I noticed. That was the first step. I'm gonna crack him wide open before the year's over."

Theron shook his head, knowing full well that Kael's brand of 'cracking someone open' was more about ruffling feathers than anything else. And while it usually ended up with people mildly irritated, it was always entertaining. And honestly, that was one of the things Theron appreciated the most about his friend: his ability to find fun in any situation, no matter how serious-or how stone-faced-the person was.