Zach had an interesting place here. The school was sprawling in every sense of the word. Spaces were large, classrooms were full, and people surrounded him from all corners during normal school hours. It was a little overwhelming for someone of his nature. It wasn’t until he stopped and let himself take a breather did he feel he could stomach and tolerate others. Larse just needed his space that was all. He was a dog, and dogs required a pack mentality, but that didn’t mean he was the norm at all times. He could stand having a small pack of friends instead of an insufferably large one to handle.

Glancing this way and that, Larse slipped a hand down beneath his uniform button down shirt and fished for the necklace he held so dear. The necklace in question looked to be swirling in design, like a whirlpool. If you looked closely enough, it looked like what was within was moving and alive. He thumbed it, allowing himself to be taken away to a far more appealing place. Close to two hundred years ago, that same room with the baby grand piano.

And that woman, dressed in a thick dress that noblewomen wore. Yet her smile was far too casual for the stuffiness it evoked of the dress. He began to wonder how she’d take the world now if she were ageless like he was. Would she laugh at the complicatedness of it all? Or would she be frightened but curious of the changes? She always was the type to trudge headfirst into something new.

He moved on, but her memory was a constant warmth and comfort. He felt like he could start to let things go and relax when he was around her. Just listening to her play. Larse closed his eyes, standing still and allowing a spring breeze to pass him by. Yes, this was a good place to be. No one judging him, though he might’ve looked odd just standing there holding something in his hand.

At the sudden jerk one usually made when someone bumped up against them, he whipped his head to the girl’s direction. Out of impulse, he grit his teeth, uttering a small constrained grunt. It did sound like a growl in the beginning, but control led him to stop before it could be too noticeable. Larse’s eyebrows furrowed deeply at this girl. He was actually quite embarrassed to be caught so unaware. She hadn’t seen it too much right? Him being vulnerable?

He had a reputation to maintain, damn it all.

“...are you new?” He asked her, turning his body to face her completely. “Only really new students introduce themselves without a care in the world.” A little irritating and naïve in his opinion but it’s not like this was hell. Behavior like that would get some scoffing, mocking laughter, or both.

She screamed of someone new, and his assumption was right on the mark. Larse slowly allowed his arms to cross over his chest while she explained things. As well as say a few weirdly annoying things. For the most part though, it was straightforward. New people always asked a lot of questions and it would be unbecoming as Student Council President to turn others away just because of his own personality. Even if he didn’t want the job in the first place. God was probably punishing him in some fashion.

“No. I’m not a teacher. I’m a fourth year student and Student Council President.” Inwardly, he growled further, but since it wasn’t his real name it was tolerable and polite to give names. “Larse Meerholz.” At mention of his necklace, he shoved it back under his shirt and kept it there. By even a child’s observation, it wasn’t a closely known thing on what the necklace was and what value it had to him.

Not having any memory of a certain period of time led to many questions. Was she human? He inhaled some air, but his natural senses gave him nothing on her. Besides the faint trace of gingersnaps.

“It is what it is. I’ll need to be in my room to find peace. …” His eyes narrowed a little while keeping themselves on her. It was not something he wished to discuss, but Ayanna was good on changing the subject to something else from what he had gathered of her so far. Now this girl wanted a tour though? Was that part of his job description? He just didn’t know, but to put in a good image he’d have to make due with some things.

It was far out of his comfort zone to give tours, partly because he’s so blunt with everything that it may be hard to translate.

“This is the courtyard, obviously. Kids come out here to study, chat, and other social shit. Outside on the sides and back are the areas for sports crap. They’re easy to distinguish on which is which.” He beckoned her to follow with a reserved wave that she better heed. “Coming inside the school…” He paused and pointed to one hallway. “Most doors on the first floor all have signs on what they are and a map is available in the front for those who get lost. It’s no issue.”

“Music room is upstairs. The different wings of the school can be confusing, but you’ll get the hang of it.” He began to walk towards the area of the stairs, but stopped before ascending them. “Just because the music rooms are usually quiet doesn’t mean you can make them designated places to fuck around with boys. I caught one couple and they got a swift detention.”

”Don’t make the same stupid mistake.” He breathed, finding it difficult to talk so much as is. “Any questions before we continue?”

Was she offering? He really didn’t like being talked to like he was a child. If he didn’t want to divulge his name he wouldn’t have said it. Blast this job, if he wasn’t the President he would’ve stayed being a hermit with socializing. Now he was relied on by many people if not the entire school body. The girl before him was far too bubbly. It was like that expression of getting diabetes from sweet little children and women that giggled too much. Her niceness could be exploited, that was his first thought. I would be a shame if that happened to anybody truly nice.

Being told that the way he described things was comical and great to someone had his eyebrow arching just a bit. Surprised, really, but he let it go.

Her answer towards relationships made him nod. He was in agreement with such things for himself. There was only one person he came very close to being involved with, and it was by her own undoing that she wasn’t around with him. Also, the fact she was human. She would’ve died soon anyway, which saddened him when he was coping all those years ago. The inevitable, it was.

Larse’s nostrils did flare at the name she gave him. Mister Student Council President? What is she, four? “Don’t call me that. It sounds juvenile.” He did ponder over her questions, coming with an answer fairly quickly. It was common questions after all, and he knew well enough how things operated. “Clubs are mainly student based in operation, with a teacher at the helm for supervision purposes.”

“It is the president that dictates club times, days of the week to meet up, and so on. Then it is handed off to the Student Council to look over and approve. The Headmaster usually doesn’t get involved. There is a bulletin board on this level that posts the times and etc for each club. That and when important tests come up to know that club activities are closed and so on.”

Larse began to ascend the stairs to the second floor, taking his time just for safety’s sake. His hand on the wooden rail and keeping himself steady with each step. “There usually is from what I can tell. The Headmaster likes to have an environment where the students have choices rather than anything limiting them. It’s to make things civil and comfortable.”

“Also, that isn’t entirely up to me. To join the Student Council you have to impress those within. We come to a consensus after writing up a letter on why you’d be a good fit for us and we review it.” Before, the old president ruled it as if he was King. That is not how he wished for it be handled and the others liked it better with his rules. All was fair and right. He’s dealt with actual kings before, it is a travesty to let those rules remain.

Stepping on to fair ground of the second floor, he took a glance around and turned to the appropriate direction in the hallway for the music room. “What do you want to know about the Council? It’s pretty straightforward.” His steps were fluid, passing by numerous classrooms until he stopped at a particular door. This school had around three music rooms if he was exact. Zach really went overboard with how many rooms he wanted in this place.

“This is the music room that is usually the least used. Really just for private practice. The second room. The first room is used by the Music Club and the third is general purpose. Take your pick.” He stepped away from the door, if she wanted to look around inside.

There was something so odd about humans that he took notice of very often. They were usually open with their affections and feelings. So free to do as they wished, and yet having such short lifespans. He was enviable of their emotional progress, but pitied them over life spans that only spanned so long in time. This girl was one of those types, always so carefree in her approach to people. She had apologized, and then even offered to speak his name in a respectable manner.

There was no need for this and thus Larse shook his head to signify his answer to this. She was right to act a bit flustered after such a question. Larse’s thin eyebrows lowered, face only tightening at such an inquiry. Why if he were younger he would’ve growled and attempted to burn the girl for such insolence. He inhaled deeply and released it in a sigh, just to relieve whatever desire there was to do such a thing here. This academy wasn’t fit for creatures like him and definitely not to be around people like her.

Curiosity and ignorance go hand in hand after all.

“Everyone has their own opinion about it. You can visit the room any time that isn’t normal meeting days. New kids get that privilege since we’re always recommended on showing new students the ropes.” The demon blinked when Ayanna looked to him while she spoke. The question was very simple and it beckoned the question of why in his head. Perhaps she was into the instrument herself? It was popular because of its myriad of notes and sounds it could make.

Corina liked it as well, and a brief flicker of pride washed over him. Knowing her made him feel quite good about his life even if it was brief.

“Two do. This one for instance, does. Why?”

That made a bit of sense. The accompaniment of singing with the piano was lovely. Larse was fairly glad that humans had such time to develop so many nice things in their spare yet short time on earth. It showed how diligent and serious they could be with what time they were allotted. After her explanation, Larse shrugged his shoulders. “It sufficed.”

“You’ll get lessons if you’re serious about it.” Larse looked inside of the room past the glass to the side of the door. The instruments laying within caught his attention briefly and he perused what he was able to make out. Truth be told, Larse never played inside of the music rooms here. He never really had a reason to. He stayed at the dorm, but he had his own home. In that very dwelling was a piano that stood as grand as its name. It was old, maintained heavily to keep it going as long as possible.

It was probably the most treasured item that he had in his life save for the necklace and the vintage liquor he had in his basement. Music rooms also reminded him far too much of the one woman in his life that mattered. All the good and bad that came from that, exumed from the recesses of his inside emotions.

“…you still need the rest of the tour or are you good?” He finally ripped his gaze from the music room and to her again; positively indifferent and hard to read his facial expression.

There were assumptions being made, that which settled into his gut and veins like poison. It was in distaste that Larse’s nostrils flared, keeping his back to her. He could feel it, that hot vapor threatening to pour from both holes like he was a bull. It was the first sign of his anger, but not any normal kind of anger. No, not the kind any human could create on their own. This was not the anger that accelerated blood flow reddened cheeks, and grit the teeth as a means of an outlet. Actually, this was that hellish side wanted to break free. Larse could be compared to a chimney, crafted in hell, and ready to explode at a moment’s notice.

The only thing keeping him from wanting to dominate her by means of the hellhound instinct was because she was human. Otherwise, growling and baring his teeth would suffice, perhaps even a brief voice change to that of what he truly sounded like. Anything to make her bend the knee and know what her place was. Those who didn’t usually were bitten and or incinerated. There was little mercy for dominance of his kind. You kneel or die when faced with your superior.

He took in a deep breath into his hot nostrils, keeping the smoke at bay. The rising temperatures in his gut threatened his body, filling himself with vigor for the hunt, but also of aggression. No, he did not need this…this prodding. This…whatever this was. Was she a spy? Perhaps a huntress? Did she know of him then?

She was still human. A second confirmation by growing necessity confirmed that. He couldn’t do a damn thing to her. Not a one. He didn’t want to get reprimanded by Royce (or would he laugh or just pity her?) or Zach whom would certainly cast him out. (Not that Larse cared, but it was a pain in the ass to deal with regardless.)

Larse leaned his neck to one side, a sharp crack, and then another, the same.

“Are you…” He turned his head to look behind him at her. “Implying something?”

His eyes burned, fiercely. She knew nothing, and if she wanted to see his emotion he’d gladly show her how irritated he was. "Are you?" He repeated, turning around slowly. Larse's eyes could've had the impact of two guns firing at once, putting holes in this girl.

"...I am not here to educate you...on my feelings or my experiences. I am here to educate you on the school. If you want to get to know people...join a fucking club. Am I clear?"

She wasn’t? Really? Is that so? Adrenaline still coursed through his body. It made every hardened bit of muscle tense, as if coiled in a spring and ready to let loose destruction. He was old, not as old as some he knew, but old enough to know better. There was a limit to how angry he could be and how much anger he should show right now. Act more human, he thought. Accept the apology, even if it is just wasteful noises coming from her mouth to project some amount of feeling and understanding.

Even though in that concept, his kind knew next to nothing besides barking and other noises. They were more straightforward then the dribble that slipped from human lips on a daily basis.

With himself in this state, so close to everything bestial besides the full change, little things alerted themselves to him. He could hear the kids outside, steps in the hallways, anything that could trigger something in him. This hyper awareness was overwhelming, a dogs knowing feeling deep down that nagged and bit on his spinal cord and everything associated with control.

Larse looked at her, appearing lofty, as if he looked down at her from a pedestal despite the height difference. Yes, she apologized, and yes, what she said next unnerved him, but she didn’t flinch away from him. She stood where she was, and that was not normal by any means. Was she truly human then? Or was she masking herself?

“I can’t imagine why an angry guy like me would give you that idea, but…” Larse huffed. “…go, make friends, whatever you want to accomplish. Just don’t include me in this. My job is done.”