Waxing Pale
Twin Kats

For the first time since he could remember, Karkat felt off. It wasn't off in the sense of illness, but more of a bone deep tiredness that wrapped around his bloodpusher and squeezed. He didn't know what this 'off' feeling was, except that he was sure it wasn't normal, and he didn't know what to do to make it stop. So Karkat just floundered on.

When dawn approached, Karkat was awake. For a brief moment terror took him as it always did; the sun was up oh god what was he doing awake when the blistering sun was scorching the earth?Then he remembered that this was the awkward place with the hornless, pink not-trolls where the sun didn't burn. That reminder, of course, soothed his pan enough that he was able to crawl out of his weird alien recuperacoon that was more like a slab of wood combined with a fluffy items pile than an actual 'coon.

Karkat sleepily looked around his respiteblock and remembered that he shared it with four other wrigglers. He breathed out a sigh; he hadn't woken them as he slept then. Which meant the faded daymare—nightmare was what they called them here—he most likely had, as any troll with sopor most likely had, hadn't been too horrific this time around. Karkat counted that as a slight bonus; waking up his fellow wrigglers with insane screaming probably would not be the best start to the sweeps of shared respiteblock-hood.

He rubbed at his eyes, they were bleary from sleep, and wandered off to the abulationblock. Inside was the typical hand abulation device only multiplied by five, and several load gapers shoved into stalls. There were also several abulation traps settled along the far wall. They weren't the normal type of abualation trap, but instead a fancier standing abulation trap. Kakart eyed it warily; living in Petunia's hive had gotten him used to the combination of the two different types of abulation traps, but he'd never used a standing one before.

Plus, Karkat just knew, it would be full of water and not slime. Water was great, sure, for washing away surface dirt, but slime was better for the skin overall. He grumbled to himself, stripped down, and decided to get clean.

It was a while before anyone else awakened from their sleep; by that time Karkat was finished, dressed, and sitting on his recuperacoon—no, pile fit it better—and looking at one of the textbooks with a frown on his face. A sandy-haired, slightly round wriggler was next to awaken as Karkat tilted the book at an awkward angle in an attempt to understand it.

"Um, I don't think...reading it sideways...will help," the other boy said hesitantly.

Karkat raised his gaze, "But it makes no fucking sense!"

The other boy winced, but smiled weakly, "Well perhaps we'll have that class today?"

Karkat just huffed and snapped the book shut. "Fuck it. It was just a way to pass time until the rest of you nookstains woke up." He glared at the book, which had been about History.

The boy didn't wince so much as look greatly confused as he said, "Okay?" Next to him the wriggler with the odd accent woke up.

"Where's'a fire?" he asked, and rubbed at his eyes.

"There's no fire Seamus," the first wriggler replied quietly as he stood up and gathered his items for the abulationblock.

That seemed to cause the cascade for everyone else, aside from Ron, to wake up. Karkat watched them all from the safety of his pile-'coon as, one by one, the boys trudged into the abulationblock. He looked to Ron, who still snored away in the arms of sleep. Once the others came back to the respiteblock, the noise level rose steadily. It was only as everyone gathered their books and bags that Ron woke up.

"Whassitnoise?" the red head mumbled; he was still in such a state that despite how he looked around the room, he didn't see anything.

"Everyone's up, dumbass," Karkat replied. Seamus and the dark skinned wriggler were talking to one another in rather hushed tones as the blond haired wriggler finished gathering up all his schoolfeeding supplies. Karkat's own where piled at the foot of his pile-'coon-thing. "We're gonna go to the nutriblock."

"Food..." Ron groaned, and dragged himself out of bed.

Seamus yelped, "He's a zombie!" and there was laughter. Karkat didn't understand the significance of the comment and just scowled.

As Ron trudged out of the respiteblock, the blond glanced around the room and spoke, hesitantly, "Uhm...guys? I think we share classes...right? So...can't we just carry around one book each?"

Seamus and Dean in the corner quieted for a moment and then grinned. Together they said, "Good idea, Neville!"

The first day of schoolfeeding was boring as fuck. Karkat didn't understand why he needed to learn all this voodoo stuff, but the nubby-horned bastard said it would help him later in life back when they were shopping for supplies. He supposed since the fucker was obviously old enough to no longer be a pupathat he knew what he was talking about.

Not that Karkat cared or anything about his opinion.

So Transfiguration passed slowly and Karkat didn't understand half of what the teacher tried to tell them but he attempted the spell assigned anyway. It didn't work, and a bushy haired, pan-infested, queen of all schoolfeeding fuck, went on and figured it out first. She then proceeded to practically brag about it for the remainder of the class by attempting to show him, Neville and Ron how to work it right.

She made no sense either. Karkat squashed down the feeling of utter hatred just barely. He was not old enough to be Quadrant hunting. Even if he found his first black crush, they were only a sweep old. Besides, Ron seemed to be of the same mindset. Perhaps he felt more of a platonic hatred then.

From there on the days just seemed to blur together. Charms, like Transfiguration, made no sense. Potions Karkat didn't even want to contemplate. That class was completely filled with black advances that, really, he wanted to scream rape, grubphilia, and his desire for nubby-horns to keep him safe and protected. Karkat would never admit, out loud, that he had ever thought of the nubby-horned fuckass in the regard of a respectable adult ever. Or that he wished the bastard would keep him safe.

Something unholy inside himself just screamed at the idea, actually. Karkat wasn't sure why.

In fact the only class that Karkat really even liked was Astronomy. For some reason the make-up of the stars, completely unfamiliar to the ones he was certain he'd seen once or twice when his lusus was distracted, fascinated him. Karkat could already pick out a few of the various caste signs from Alternia, even his included in the list. Twelve signs in total, that made up twelve very popular constellations. This knowledge, these stars, actually woke up Karkat's pan and made it think.

He wanted to know why they were there, and why these people followed them almost religiously.

Then, of course, there came the first flying lesson and all of Karkat's slowly building anger bubbled over like a furious subbjugulator denied his kill. Really.

The flying lesson was, honestly, rather boring at first like everything else. Mostly because Karkat didn't understand the need for it. Especially once he realized how backwards this entire schoolfeeding place was. They weren't going to teach anyone to be Flightreceptors, and there while Karkat could see plenty of what he guessed where psionic wrigglers, there was no need to make the entire class learn to be Helmsmen, unless the non-psionics were to be pilots instead.

No, instead it was to teach wrigglers how to fly brooms. Karkat naturally was wary—it was like asking for someone to fall, get hurt, and then get culled. He didn't want to be in the air, zooming around; he didn't like the risk. Still, unlike the other terrified wrigglers—the bushy one with knowledge, Neville, and a couple of wrigglers he hadn't bothere to talk with yet—Karkat put on a brave front and did as the Professor instructed.

Karkat held his hand over the prone broom on the ground and said, "UP!" in his most commanding and leaderly voice. The broom leaped into his waiting hand. Some rolled over lazily, some jerked, and then floated up slowly, and others responded with a readiness similar to Karkat's. The young troll peered at the broom, slightly baffled.

How did it do that?

The Professor proceeded to command them to sit astride the broom, and float a few inches off the ground upon her command. Karkat forced back the shaking of his hands, sat astride the broom—this is a danger waiting to happen—and kicked off into the air. Beside him the other students followed suit, except Neville who jerked upward and didn't stop. Karkat watched with wide eyes as Neville's broom tilted back until the wriggler slipped off it entirely and went falling towards the ground.

Internally Karkat called foul play; some psionic in the class fucked with the kids flying device. That had to be it. Karkat couldn't believe that the kid himself tilted the broom at such an angle that he'd fall to the ground. Especially not when he appeared absolutely terrified of the damn thing.

The Professor instantly leaped to Neville's side, hummed, declared his wrist broken and said she'd take him to Madam Pomfrey. Karkat winced and hoped Neville wasn't going to be culled. She left with a final command for them to stay on the ground.

Of course then Draco had to stand up with a shiny little orb. Karkat remembered Neville got it this morning; it would glow red or something for a memory forgotten. It seemed useless.

"Look what Longbottom's lost!" Draco laughed. "Should I leave it for him somewhere? Perhaps in a tree?"

Karkat scowled, crossed his arms, and said pointedly, "So now you're waxing black for Neville? Are you like some fucking retard or something? We're just wriggler's numb-bulge."

Draco scowled, "Excuse me? Have something to say Potty?"

Karkat laughed derisively, "Potty? Wow, you are fucking retard. I've heard better insults from a barkbeast."

Draco mounted his broom with flare, blatantly disregarding the teacher. Karkat scowled again and clenched his fists.

"Oh poor Potty, afraid to fly?" Draco asked. "Why don't you come up here and get your little boyfriends toy back."

"God, your insults are fucking weak, nookstain," Karkat rolled his eyes. "I'd wipe the floor with you."

It took about a minute before Draco realized that, honestly, nothing he said was having an effect on Karkat like he wanted. So instead he tossed the remembrall away, and dove right at Karkat's head. He'd get the reaction he wanted if it took impaling the brat on his broom!

Karkat dodged out of the way clumsily and cursed, "What are you doing fuckass? Trying to get us culled?"

"Oooh, look, I'm a poor little baby chicken," Draco laughed. Karkat snarled and clenched his fists.

"I'm not a cluckbeast!"

"You're afraid of a broom!" Draco replied, and zipped close by Karkat again who dodged out of the way, tripping over his feet as he did so. "Look, your little baby hands are shaking!"

"Shut up grubstain!" Karkat snapped back.

"Make me!" Draco replied. Draco's next pass, Karkat jumped onto the broom with the blond. He gripped at the school robes and began tugging. In hindsight Karkat realized this was probably not a good idea. The broom swerved.

"Let go!" Draco cried out and struggled against Karkat's grip.

"You look go nubslurper!" Karkat replied in kind as his claws got caught in the delicate frabric of Draco's robes. "Watch where you're fucking driving this thing!" was shouted next as they barely dodged a tree.

Eventually, due to all the struggling and fighting and clawing on the broom, Draco and Karkat crashed. Minerva stood in the field, foot tapping, as both boys pulled themselves apart next to the ruined broom.

Draco and Karkat's gaze followed up the tapping foot, all the way to her pressed lips and stern gaze.

Perhaps, next time, he shouldn't get himself wrapped up in black advances, Karkat amended.

terminallyCapricious [TC] began trolling madVisionary [MV]

TC: when are you motherfuckin gonna get here
TC: THERE AIN'T MUCH I CAN BE DOING UNTIL YOU DO MOTHER FUCKER
MV: Oh it will be a while yet for me sorry
TC: :o( why
TC: HAVEN'T I BEEN FUCKIN WAITIN LONG ENOUGH BITCH
MV: I meant it will be a while for me specifically For you i should be there soon i think Sorry
TC: oh
TC: THERE IS SOME MOTHERFUCKING TIME BULL SHIT GOIN ON
TC: ain't there :o)
MV: Yeah For me i havent met anyone yet
MV: But you had the chance to say hello and get sober and start everything off
MV: I cant wait until i get to help out Cuz we will have so much fun once we get to the same place
TC: i hear you sister
TC: I MOTHERFUCKIN HEAR YOU WICKED SISTER
TC: ain't no need to preach that to me
TC: HONK
MV: You have been making sure everything will be smooth for our arrival though right
MV: Its all supposed to be a surprise you know We cant have anyone aware weve showed up until the right momentarily
MV: Otherwise everything might go horribly wrong And then id be stuck listening to a bunch of whiners
MV: And then everyone will get worried because ill start getting angry And nobody likes me angry
TC: i thought you ain't gotten to see anybody yet sister
TC: OR HAVE YOU BEEN FUCKIN LYIN TO ME ABOUT THAT MOTHER FUCKER
TC: :o(
MV: No i havent been lying Promise
MV: Maybe i should have said nobody will like me angry
MV: Especially since it only is supposed to happen after hes gone already
TC: better
TC: MOTHERFUCKIN MUCH BETTER
TC: and yeah you should have
TC: HONK
TC: :o)
MV: You know it kind of sucks
MV: I mean i already know how everything is going to go
MV: Or how the most important bits are supposed to go i guess since i cant know everything yet
MV: Yet i havent even met anyone though even though i feel like i know them all so well already
MV: But i still miss them despite their not gone yet
MV: Do you think it will get better when im older
MV: Or does the knowing only get worse
TC: you'd have to ask a seer for that
TC: I'M JUST A LOWLY FUCKIN BARD MY MOST WICKEDEST OF MOTHERFUCKIN SISTERS
TC: honk
MV: But they wont know me until im there
MV: How could i ask them now
MV: When all i am is an unknown
TC: dunno
TC: JUST MOTHER FUCKIN ASK I GUESS
TC: :o(
MV: Okay i will then
MV: If you think it will work
MV: 8?
TC: i'll be right here when you come back
TC: IT AIN'T LIKE ITS GONNA FUCKING HURT NONE
TC: so go ask one of them motherfuckers and see
MV: Okay

madVisionary [MV] began trolling gallowsCalibrator [GC]

MV: Does the knowing get any better when you get older
GC: WH4T? WHO 1S TH1S? HOW D1D YOU G3T TH1S H4NDL3?
MV: I just wanted to know if it got better You know
MV: The knowing what will happen
GC: LOOK L1TTL3 L3MON L1M3 1 DONT KNOW HOW YOU GOT TH1S H4NDL3
GC: OR 3V3N HOW YOU C4N CONT4CT M3
GC: 3SP3C14LLY S1NC3 4NYON3 WHO 3V3R COULD 1S D34D OR W1TH1N W4LK1NG D1ST4NC3 OF M3 R1GHT NOW
GC: 4ND 1 DONT KNOW 4 M4DV1S1ON4RY 4NYW4Y
GC: BUT 1F YOU DONT 4NSW3R MY QU3ST1ONS SOON TH3N 1 4M 4FR41D 1 W1LL H4V3 TO CH4RG3 YOU W1TH UNL4WFUL SOL1C1T4T1ON OF 4 L3G1SL4C3R4TOR
MV: Thats mean
MV: I just asked you a question
GC: WH4T S1Z3 1S YOUR N3CK?
MV: Why
GC: 1 L1K3 TO KNOW HOW B1G TO M4K3 MY NOOSE :3
MV: ….
GC: W3LL? 1M W41T1NG FOR 4N 4NSW3R H3R3 L1TTL3 L3MON L1M3
MV: look i wasnt doing anything to you
MV: i was just being fucking nice okay
MV: but then you went and threatened me little miss pyrope and that just doesnt fucking fly bitch
MV: especially since i already have some hard fucking feelings for you
MV: after you break his little heart and stomp on it by being the tealblooded whore that you are
MV: when he did nothing except want you in all the ways that matter
MV: when he did nothing except be there for you
MV: all i came where was to ask if you if the knowing what fucking happens
MV: to me and my friends and the universe
MV: all the deaths and the pain
MV: all the hurt that everyone feels
MV: i just wanted to know if it ever gets fucking better when you get older
MV: or if it stays the same
MV: or gets worse
MV: but i guess a little upstart seer of mind like you
MV: who never had the guts to slice her own neck with her sword and become more than just the pathetic ball of suck that you are
MV: who never bothered to really train herself to see the fucking truth for what it is
MV: was not the seer i should have asked
MV: ill leave your punishment for pissing me the fuck off to my brother from another universal plane
MV: since he likes getting all up in your nook
MV: although i cant see why your such a horrid bitch
MV: forget i ever asked you anything

madVisionary [MV] ceased trolling gallowsCalibrator [GC]

GC: WH4T

MV: i asked your kismesis and she fucking threatened me
MV: realized that the whore wasnt worth asking in the first place
MV: especially considering what a fucked up coward she was
MV: since she ran from him once she realized just what he wanted
MV: torrid little bitch
TC: calm down sister
TC: CALM THE MOTHER FUCK DOWN WICEKD SISTER
TC: i ain't gonna have you talkin that way about my kismesis-sister
TC: NOT WHEN I CAN FUCKING STOP IT RIGHT HERE RIGHT MOTHER FUCKING NOW
TC: honk
TC: HONK
TC: honk
TC: HONK
MV: i get it quit your fucking honking you rot for a pan
MV: gog you cant take a little platonic hate towards your quadrant
MV: especially after what she did
TC: my brother aint needing anymore hate
TC: ESPECIALLY NOT TOWARDS THE FUCKING WHORE THAT I HAPPEN TO SHARE A MOTHER FUCKING QUADRANT WITH
TC: especially when hes still got his motherfucking emotions all up in her nook
TC: WHEN SHE DOESN'T MOTEHRFUCKING REALIZE WHAT A GOOD FUCKING THINK MY PUNCH BLOODED BROTHER IS
MV: fine
MV: ill lay off her
MV: but this is fucking useless you know that
MV: if i try to talk to the only other seer
MV: shell figure it all out before its time
MV: that tealblooded whore was the only chance at an answer
TC: then i guess you should wait until your older
TC: I GUESS YOU SHOULD WAIT UNTIL YOU GOT YOUR OWN MOTHERFUCKIN UNDER STANDING ON ONCE YOU'VE GROWN UP A BIT
TC: don't you
MV: yeah fine whatever
MV: i need to go kill something
MV: fuck will i feel happier once ive got that bastard palemate of mine
MV: make sure everythings fucking ready for our arrival
MV: and keep that fucker kurloz in line
MV: we cant have him fucking everything up
TC: i know sister
TC: BELIEVE ME I MOTHER FUCKING KNOW
MV: good
MV: see you soon gamzee
MV: you know the me thats on her way and all
MV: not this me thats right here
MV: thatd just be fucking stupid
TC: see you soon wicked sister
TC: SEE YOU MOTHERFUCKING SOON

terminallyCapricious [TC] ceased trolling madVisionary [MV]

Gamzee closed his husktop and breathed in slowly. He let a smile cross his face. It wouldn't be long before it was time for the real miracles to begin. His eyes shifted towards Cal and his smile turned practically vicious.

Soon all the puppets will be lined up in a row. Won't it just be beautiful.

Summary: Nobody is displeased to have more help against Lord English or Jack, but everybody is confused as to how this new group of humans showed up on the meteor hurtling through the Furthest Ring. Everybody except Karkat who is just cursing up a storm and facepalming. Repeatedly. Of course they'd crash the party. They can never leave well enough alone, can't they. / Potterstuck

We actually had some Gamzee time here, and he's chitchatting with someone special. I wonder who that is? Oh well, you'll all find out soon enough. Hope you enjoyed reading this writersblock chapter of mine. I didn't start having a flow of ideas until the very end there (and the very start).

I suggest, if you wish to see text colors and the like, visiting the AO3 copy of this. The colors are quite visible there. I'll probably screencap them (and other pesterchum/trollian/quirk text) for tumblr or something.