School Year Starting Logs: Train + Feast/Sorting!

[shnpc]

WHO: Everyone!
TONE: Anything!
RATING: PG through PG-13
WHEN: The day of September 2nd for the train, and at night for the feast!
WHERE: Hogwarts Express/Platform 9 3/4 and The Great Hall
WHAT: Gotta get back to Hogwarts! Back to witches and wizards and magical feasts! Students and teachers are finally heading back to school on the Hogwarts express, and with the new school year means sorting for the first years!
STATUS: Ongoing!
NOTE: There is a thread for the Train back to Hogwarts, and the Feast, with a subthread for the Sorting! First years can comment to be sorted, and everyone else can greet their new house mates/students!

Comments

[strongjumps]

[ Equius, during his adventure through the train, passes by this compartment in particular just as a croak creeps past the door to get his attention. ]

Karkat.

[ And then Equius invites himself into the little room. He's standing there, arms crossed, staring at that book that he doesn't recognize. His face shows he doesn't know what to make of it. Fifty Shades of Gray sure is an ambiguous title. ]

I did not know you could read.

[selfhatred]

[Karkat looks up from his book and eyes Equius with a slight distaste. Nepeta's friend had always rubbed him the wrong way but it wasn't exactly something he could change her mind about. He just put up with it, which he guessed he'd have to do now.]

I'm not president of the book club for nothing, Zahhak. Being able to read is kind of a requirement. [He purses his lips together.] What the fuck are you doing in my compartment? Nepeta's not here.

[strongjumps]

[ Equius chuckles. ]

It does not take literacy to be able to shout about the characters of some story. For all I know, you simply facilitate discussion and have no idea what the books are actually about.

[ And then he shrugs at the question, giving a few seconds to get Karkat just that little bit more riled up. ]

I heard the croaking of your little pet. It is really quite bothersome. But I saw that you were reading something that was not a textbook. It aroused my curiosity.

[selfhatred]

'Fraid you're going to have to put up with it. [A shrug.] Bilious Slick can't be quieted by anything, not even a muffliato charm. Dad tried.

[He raises an eyebrow before an evil idea came into mind. He handed the book over.]

Why don't you borrow it and see for yourself if you're so curious? I just finished before you came in and I think it'll be right up your alley, Zahhak.

[strongjumps]

You could always put a pillow on top of it.

[ Cruel, yes, but probably not fatal. ]

Really?

[ The sarcasm is positively venomous. But, maybe the book illuminates some sort of sociopolitical struggle in which no party is correct. Or maybe it's about someone's descent into the Dark Arts. Or maybe it's about a painter? The possibilities are endless. ]

What is the premise?

[selfhatred]

[Not even going to comment on the idea of smothering his frog, though he does scowl before starting to explain it. Even if his explanation is going to be a blatant lie, it's not like Equius will know until he reads.]

It's about a Muggleborn and a Pureblood where the Muggleborn must submit herself to the Pureblood's wealthy and sophisticated person while he shows her her proper place at his feet.

[strongjumps]

O-Oh.

[ Equius stammers a bit, looking a little uncomfortable as the lightest beads of sweat begin to form. ]

I did not know you were a fan of such tales.

[ He fidgets just a bit. Trying real hard to hide his reaction. And probably failing. ]

What is the significance of the title?

[selfhatred]

[Karkat was resisting the urge to smirk so hard. Hook, line and sinker. Instead, he waved his hand nonchalantly.]

I dabble every now and then. It's named after the main male character, Christian Grey. I don't think the author really chose a Pureblood-appropriate last name, which is a pity. It'd make it a bit more real.

this is going to end so miserably for all parties

[strongjumps]

If the content is acceptable, I will overlook such a gross error. I will likely begin reading it tonight.

[ He gives Karkat the teeniest, tiniest of smiles, and quite a nervous-looking one at that. ]

I never thought I would say this, but...

[ Equius cringes just a bit, but shrugs it off. He still sounds very much like he's forcing the words, though. ]

Thank you, Vantas.

[ And then he starts to head back to the rest of the car for more wandering. Will Karkat stop him? ]

oh my god Equius don't thank Karkat, you'll make him *feel bad*

[selfhatred]

[Was that a small waver of guilt for tricking Equius about this? Nope. Not at all. It might be. Still, he feels a bit weirded out by the notion of being thanked, but shrugs and inclines his head. It was out of his hands now.]

we can't have that can we?

[strongjumps]

[ With no final remarks from the other boy (what a surprise!), Equius simply makes his way out of the compartment and back to his own. He'll have to keep the book safe. After all, he is borrowing it.

And he surely won't regret borrowing it in all of like two days. karkat might want to start hiding ]