Profs need to socialize, too!

[grandhighwizard]

WHO: Teachers!
TONE: Snarky, interesting, fun?
RATING: All the way up to R for grown-ups talking and language
WHEN: March 20th
WHERE: Staff table in the Great Hall, or a teacher's lounge, if Hogwarts has one
WHAT: Just a general mingle thread for the grown-ups at the school
STATUS: Ongoing

Everyone can feel free to do different threads or whatnot!

Comments

[nosigntospeakof]

[Sal really isn't terribly up for socializing tonight. The poor guy just found out his older brother is dead by having his blood ghost show up for Parents' Day.

But, as usual, he's sucking up his feelings for the good of the many.]

[psiignlanguage]

[BRO. BRO. HE FEELS YOU.]

Speak. Something's troubling you.

[nosigntospeakof]

Hm? Oh, no, I'm fine, Cy. Just still a little distracted from all the excitement over the weekend.

[psiignlanguage]

There's more than just that, isn't there?

[He lifts his head from his combined studies and grading.]

Something is troubling you. There's a difference between being distracted by something positive, and something negative. Speak.

[nosigntospeakof]

[Sal lets out a sigh, lowering his head onto his forearms resting on the table.]

Family things. Issues with Karkat and my brother.

[psiignlanguage]

[And Cy takes a seat right next to him.]

What's going on?

[nosigntospeakof]

[Sal rolls his head in his best friend's direction, his eyes tried.]

His father showed up to Parents' Day with his mother.

[psiignlanguage]

[Cy's not exactly in the loop in regards to Sal's family.]

...And?

[nosigntospeakof]

And...neither of them were what you could call alive.

[psiignlanguage]

[Oh.]

Sal...

[He sits there silently for a moment, and then reaches out and places a hand on the others shoulder. He knows what it's like to lose family.]

I'm...sorry.

[nosigntospeakof]

[He swallows before shifting his arm to lay his hand on top of Cy's.]

Thanks.

Karkat saw them first and he was so upset. I felt awful, still feel awful for him.

[Fuck his own feelings, the orphaned thirteen year old is the one who matters here.]

[psiignlanguage]

[He feels that slightly awkward ping from feeling the returned contact but remains composed.]

...Have you checked in on him since? He may really need the rest of his family right now.

[nosigntospeakof]

I've tried but I think he's been avoiding me. He's been spending all his free time with his friends.

[psiignlanguage]

...I suppose it could be a little strange having your family working in the same school you attend--you know, my mother was offered a position teaching Charms before. But she declined so not to make me uncomfortable.

[Right, back to Sal.]

...Would you like me to try and talk to him? I'm not his direct family so to say, but I might be able to get him to talk to me.

[nosigntospeakof]

She was? [A smile flickers across his lips.] I never knew that.

You don't have to, Cy, but...if you can get him to talk I'd be so grateful.

[psiignlanguage]

I swore I had told you that.

[He manages a small smile as well.]

I can't guarantee I'll be successful...But I can try.

[nosigntospeakof]

You probably did when we were in school and I just couldn't understand what you were saying.

[Teasing. Teasing is a good sign.]

Thank you.

[psiignlanguage]

Thut up.

[But he's still got a smile going.]

Are you going to be alright, yourself?

[nosigntospeakof]

[No.]

I'll be fine.

[He'll be spending the night sobbing into his wife's bosom.]

[psiignlanguage]

You're lying.

[nosigntospeakof]

Just a little.

[psiignlanguage]

A little?

[His eyes narrow, looking at him from the top of his glasses.]

Go on. Vent. I'm listening.

[nosigntospeakof]

[Sal lifts his head finally, looking at Cy with a tight grin.]

You know me, I don't vent. [He rubs the heel of his hand into his right eye, drawing in a slow breath.] I quietly stew in my negative feelings.

WHY DOES HE HAVE YELLOW ON HIS MOUTH.

[psiignlanguage]

If I recall correctly, if a situation calls for it, you can be quite masterful of a longwinded drawl now and again.

[A smirk.]

Humor me.

STRATEGIC CROPPING...it's cheese. :T

[nosigntospeakof]

[A sigh.]

Not in front of the rest of the staff.