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WHO: Karkat and Nepeta Vantas-Leijon
TONE: fluffy, familial
RATING: PG-13 due to Karkat's mouth
WHEN: 2nd of August!
WHERE: Diagon Alley
WHAT: Karkat decides he wants a pet and Nepeta is taking him to Eyelop's Owl Emporium and Magical Menagerie to help him out.
STATUS: ongoing

[Why he'd ever asked if he could have a pet was beyond him, but it had been something his aunt and uncle had been pleased about and readily agreed to after Di gave him a lecture on how pets were a thing for life and not just a temporary companion. Since he was allergic to fur of pretty much all kinds, they decided maybe a frog or an owl would be best, and so off to Eyelop's they'd gone.

Which was how Karkat found himself in the frog and toads section with his cousin after Uncle Sal had dropped them off, wriggling a finger around in his ear after a particularly loud croak. He glanced at Nepeta, an unsure look on his face.]

Are they always this loud or is it just up close?

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[It was nice to be spending time with Karkat. It had been a while since they had done something together, just the two of them. Diagon Alley was always a fun place to go to because no matter how many times you had visited it, it still felt like entering a new world. There was so much to be seen.]

They're kinda loud, yea, but not this loud. It's just beclaws there are a lot of them and they're super excited.

[Frogs aren't her forte but hey! She knows enough about them to get by.]

[It had definitely been a while since they had done something together, possibly since first year. He felt a little guilty about that, especially since he'd just started accepting her parents as his. He leaned away from the tank of frogs, raising an eyebrow at her.]

How can you tell? [Looking back at the tank, he shrugged.] It all sounds the same to me.

[In truth Nepeta had no certain way of knowing. She noticed that they seemed to be hopping around quite a bit, and something in their croaking but she didn't really know if that did in fact mean they were excited. It was just something she felt, as she did with so many things. She gave a small shrug and lean down towards the glass cage.]

I dunno. They just kinda seem like it. Lookit this little guy jumping about. [She pointed to one especially large one who kept hopping about and sometimes throwing himself at the glass.]

[Karkat had noticed that one. It was kind of hard not to since it seemed to be wanting so much attention. He copied Nepeta's movements, leaning down to prod the tank with a finger. The large frog threw himself at the glass, startling him and making him jerk back a little.]

Yeah, well, you're a retard. [The frog blinked beady eyes at him and croaked, making Karkat scowl and look back to his cousin.] I think it's smart mouthing me.

[Nepeta couldn't help but laugh at that and she gave Karkat a small nudge.]

Looks like it'd be purrfect fur you then. Two peas in a pod.

Are you calling me a retard or saying I smart mouth too much?

[Yeah, yeah. Go ahead and laugh. Karkat shuffled his hands into his pockets, pursing his lips together as his brow furrowed, glancing at the frog again. It seemed a bit enthusiastic about the prospect, sure, as if it had heard her.]

I dunno, Nep. Doesn't it look kinda sick to you?

That you smart mouth, of course!

[It was pretty adorable, warts and all. She looked at the frog before giving a shake of her head.]

It's not too skinny, and with all that energy I can't imagine it'd be sick. I'm sure the shopkeepers take real good care of all their animals. Why don't you hold it and see how you get along?

Right. You're the expert I guess.

[Although not really. Frogs were different from cats after all, though she still knew animals better than he did. Calling one of the shopkeepers over, he got a look when he said he wanted to hold the fat one for a minute. When the large frog was handed to him, Karkat struggled for a moment to hold onto it.]

Fuck it's slimy.

Not slime. Mucus! [Because that was so much better. She learned that little factoid from intense studying.

....actually no, she learned that from Disney movies. Shhhhh.

She raised a single finger to gently stroke along the frogs back.]

[It's okay, Nep. He's watched his fair share of Disney movies too. Of course, that's not really that much better, but he just screws his nose up as the frog ribbits.]

Gross. [It blinks up at him and his lip curls into a small sneer.] What? It is. You're gross, dude.

[Karkat you are kind of adorable.]

Aw, don't listen to him. You are adorable Furroggy. Aren't ya?

[He's a Vantas. All Vantases are adorable in some way. The frog turns his gaze towards Nepeta, exhaling a croak in response. Karkat raises an eyebrow before tapping its head with his finger.]

Are you hitting on my cousin?

[Her smile widens and she plays along]

Aww...how sweet! If I give you a kiss, will you turn into my purrince? [She puckers her lips a bit]

[Karkat rolls his eyes before taking one hand from under the frog and pinching her nose gently.]

I think this one's more of a douche than a prince, Nep.

[She wrinkled her nose a little and pulled back, giving him a lopsided grin.]

I bet he's just tsundere, but I guess you're right. The chances of it being my purrince and purrty low, aren't they? [She straightened up]

But what do you think? Do you like it? Or should we check out some others--or maybe some owls?

Your purrin-- [hold that thought, Vantas] -- ahem, prince probably wouldn't be caught dead hanging out with a bunch of lame frogs. And if he's that type of douche, I'm gonna have to have a few words with him before you start dating.

[So he was a bit overprotective of his cousin. He pulls away, placing his hand back under the frog as it started to squirm, holding it up over his head and looking at it.]

Well, they all look pretty much the same to me. I guess this guy's as good as any other. [He looked back at her.] Was there anything you wanted to look at or are you happy with mum's billions of cats?

Edited 2012-08-03 00:40 (UTC)

[Nepeta caught that, Karkat. And it's obvious from her sneaky expression. She doesn't comment on it, and the expression softens at his next comment.]

Oh, you worry too much. I can handle myself. [But she really does appreciate it. More than she could probably put into words.] But if partner ever does start being mean and more than I can handle, I know who to come to.

Nah, I'll just be bringing Pounce again.

[He flushes in embarrassment at being caught. He hasn't humored her with returning the cat puns for a while but every now and then he slips back into it. With the frog content in his hand, Karkat reached into his pocket, feeling around for the galleons he'd bought with him.]

He's going to get fat if you keep feeding him under the table in the Great Hall.

Shoosh. The two of us do plenty of hunting so that we can both keep in shape! And Pounce is a she, silly.

[She stuffed her hands into her pocket skipping up towards the counter and glancing around at some of the other animals.]

You should join us again, someday.

Don't you remember what happened last time?

[Honestly, Karkat wasn't that good at it. He was way too loud in his footsteps, and even though he'd tried he'd never been able to do it right. He placed the frog on the counter, watching the way the shopkeeper raised an eyebrow before starting to gather the necessary supplies the Gryffindor would need.]

Besides, you guys would probably have better success without me around.

Maybe. [She admitted it reluctantly. No one could deny that Karkat was...er...rather attention-grabbing but]

But it's still fun having you around. Aside from Vriska there weren't really a lot of people who would come with her on her little adventures. Though she had had a fun time with some people at the camp. She missed hanging out with Karkat in particular though.]

Hey, do you mind if we swing by the broom shop?

[He was pretty much banned from the Forbidden Forest because of a tiff with the centaurs back in second year, but we don't talk about that. He blinks at her question before paying for everything.]

Sure. Are you going to try out this year?

[Not at all. Nope.

Nepeta nodding, seeming to brighten up at his words] I sure am! I'm not letting anything hold me back this year.

[She looks down at the frog, before back up at the shopkeeper] Does this one have a name? And is it a boy or girl?

[The shopkeeper turned his attention to Nepeta, adjusting his glasses.]

It's a boy. He's been here for a couple of years now. I'm quite surprised he took to your friend there so easily, since he's always been too hostile to my other customers. The kids that visit nicknamed him Bilious Slick, for reasons I don't know but for all I know it might be code for you kids these days.

[When he turned away, Karkat looked down at the frog sitting contentedly in his new environment, blinking up at him with beady eyes.]

Bilious Slick, huh? [A croak was his answer.]

[...poor baby ;A;]

Aww. Well don't worry, Karkat will give you a good home. He's gruff on the outside but he's a real sweetie, you'll see. [That was meant to tease Karkat more than anything, but hey! Bilious Slick undoubtedly wanted to know more about his new family]

[He gave a disgruntled huff at her words, rolling his eyes as he shifted his arms around the medium sized tank.]

I am not.

You aren't what? A gruff on the outside or a real sweetie?

[She grinned at him and held the door open.]

The latter. I'm not fucking saying it.

[Truth is, he knows he's softer on the inside than he lets on. It's more of a defense mechanism than anything. He does give her a half smile as he pushes past her though, going sideways since the tank is a little too big for the door.]

Ho hum~ If you say so. [She closes the door behind him one he is through and raises her hands to the sky, starting to head in the direction of the quidditch shop]

Can't believe summer is over already but it'll be fun to be back in school. What electives are you taking this year?

[He follows after her, making sure his arms are secure around the glass tank and he doesn't bump into anyone. Despite the fact that most people have already gotten their school supplies, there's still a fairly decent crowd, especially given that it was a weekday.]

I dunno really. I guess since we're going into fourth year we have to take classes that are connected to our ideal future careers or something.

Do you have any idea what you think you might like to do?

[He shrugs before looking down at his new pet.]

Never really gave it serious thought. Honestly I never expected to reach fourteen.

You're going to become a wrinkled old fart so it wouldn't hurt to start thinking about the things you really like and are good at. [She said it very matter of fact. Nothing is happening to her cousin while she is around]

[Karkat has the best cousin. Not that he'd say that.]

The real question is what am I good at?

Lotsa things, silly! When you put your mind to it I bet you could do whatever you wanted. The trick is finding something you are both good at and like...what's your favorite subject? Or something you just enjoy a lot in general.

[He tilts his head in consideration.]

I guess that makes sense. So what're you going to do? Y'know, when we graduate or whatever.

[She raised a finger to her lips and lowered her voice]

I haven't told anyone yet but. I think I want to try and work in the Department of Mysteries.

[Well...that was something new. Karkat blinked a little before he smiled slightly lopsided.]

You'll get in. You're the best at keeping secrets.

Thank you. I really hope so. I'm not even sure what O.W.Ls or N.E.W.Ts they require though. Even that infurmation is classified, so I guess I better stop slacking off.

I guess...try and eliminate the ones that seem like they wouldn't be of use? I bet Defense is something they'd consider important.

[She nods, lifting her head as they near the Broom shop.]

Yea, that's one I think is a definite. It seemed the case in a lot of high end jobs. Potions too, purrobably.

[As was often the case the shop look pretty crowded, especially with kids who looked like they'd be first years. Who could blame them?]

So Defense, Potions...maybe Arithmancy and Ancient Ruins?

[He comes to a stop just before they reach the shop, eyeing the crowd before glancing down at his new pet. He'd never really understood the thrill of flying before. He glanced at Nepeta.]

You go in. I don't think I should with all those kids in there.

Math. [Nepeta wrinkled her nose at that. She was pretty invested in DADA and Ancient Runes, and potions could be interesting depending on what they were making and the more hands on aspect of it...but Arithmancy was one of those classes she. Could use help on.]

But yea it does seem purrty impurrtant. [Unfortunately. But if that is what it took she would do it. She looked at Karkat and then the shop, and down at Billous Slick.] You sure?

Yep. Math. [Karkat wasn't that goot at it himself. Hell, wizard math sometimes seemed more impossible than Muggle math. He nodded, looking down at the frog in his arms. Bilious Slick seemed to have gone still.] Yeah. Go on. I don't think the big guy likes huge crowds of kids.

Aww, okay. I promise I won't take long.

[She gave him a small wave and entered. Most of the others were crowded around the new broom but Nepeta had only wanted to come by for a repair kit. Her broom was an old one but still a dependable one. As promised she quickly got it, purchased it, and returned outside to Karkat.]

Thanks fur waiting. Is there anywhere else you wanted to go?

[He looked up from where he'd sat down on the curb to give his arms a little rest. Taking hold of his pet, he stood, shaking his head.]

Not unless you want to get some ice cream before we head home.

[She considered this for a moment before nodding] Ice cream sounds good!

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