“The things you make me do…” The Lich was only partly annoyed as he borwsed through the wares from the merchant.
“What? I don’t make you do anything!” The Nightstalker had already finished his shopping and was waiting by the entrance, looking out towards the road. He was impatient to be off.
The Lich frowned as he looked up. “No? Then why am I wearing this stupid headdress?” It didn’t only look stupid, a brown leather cap with the skeleton of a birds head on top, bluish feathers sticking out from its back. It was also impractical with the bones and the feathers, always slipping from side to side or into his eyes. And it was especially ridiculous on the skeletal head of the undead Lich.
“I don’t know why you are wearing it.” The Nightstalker shrugged, the mass of muscles of his torso rippling under blue skin.
The Lich rolled his eyes, or he would have if he still had eyes. “Because it helps you! It has healing powers that are an advantage for you in a battle. Or after a battle.”
“And not for you?”
“Well, of course for me, too, but I am here to protect you and that means making sure you’ll heal from the injuries you take while fighting.” With arms crossed in front of his chest, the Lich left the shop. He had what they needed for now, no matter how ridiculous it might look.
Another rippled of muscles as the Nightstalker turned towards the Lich. “That’s nice and all, but you don’t have to, you know?”
“What would you have me do instead?” Leaning forward, the Lich put his hands on his hips. The headdress slipped forward, threatening to tumple from his skull. It made him irritated and annoyed that he had bought it. Especially considering how little grateful the Nightstalker was. “I could…”
The Nightstalker grinned and the Lich stopped talking. It was a rare thing, to see this beast displaying such an emotion. Not that a smile on his face was a nice sight, rather it was frightening as it made the rows of teeth, too many and too sharp, even more prominent. “Are you laughing at me?” The Lich was incredulous but strangely flustered.
“I wouldn’t dare.” When the Nightstalker turned around, the Lich thought for a moment he could hear him chuckle. But that couldn’t be. The Nightstalker was a creatrue of darkness, a night terror, he didn’t laugh. Or chuckle. Still, the Lich kept wondering as he followed him down the road, his annoyance forgotten. If wearing a ridiculous hat amused the Nightstalker, maybe he should do so more often, he mused. It would be worth seeing him smile.