Kori: Hey everybody! I'm back! I'm so sorry it took so long and I really have no excuse. I lost my flashdrive that all my stories were on and literally only found it a couple weeks ago. Then there's the fact that the only internet access I have is normally at school where fanfiction is banned. BUT THAT IS STILL NO EXCUSE! I'm also sorry that it's mainly introductions but nevertheless I hope you enjoy.
Review Corner:
Saint Raven: Thank you! I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Socks and butter (Guest): Thank you! I think my story will be a bit more unique later on. I have some ideas… wink wonk! Enjoy!
lightmaster: Hey again! Thanks for your comment on Kurloz! I love his character! I'm glad you found my writing funny! Here's your update and you're welcome!
Masterblader158: Thank you! I really was worried about that but the ages actually play a part in the major plotline!
Fallonyourface: Thank you so much! The drawings were just adorable! I loved it!
animeLover: Thank you! I do not currently have a pesterchum but I am attempting to get one!
Windy Silvermist: Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed John!
strangerYOUknow: Thanks and I'm sorry about that, that was mainly for the main couples first meetings from both points of view...please get out of my corner
johnegdorkable: Thank you so much! Here's your update!
Summer Blooms: Thanks a ton! I'm actually planning a lot more with the canon relationships with a few of my OTP's thrown in there for shits and giggles.
A/N And for everyone that doesn't know I do have a tumblr where I post art and fandom stuff! I'm askKoriTheEvilEditor if you're interested!
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The Alternian Exchange Program chapter 3
BE KARKAT VANTAS -
Karkat was jerked out of his sleep by the screeching of his hives doorbell. He groaned and yanked his covers over his head, hoping that Kankri would answer it. After a few minutes it became obvious that Kankri was not going to do so. Karkat dragged himself out of bed and glanced at the clock.
His eyes narrowed in disbelief at the time. It was five! Who the fuck rings someone's doorbell at five in the morning!
The bell rang again and Karkat stumbled down the stairs, not even bothering to get dressed. He was wearing the black boxers and gray t-shirt that he normally slept in and who gave a shit what the fuckers at the door thought. He opened the door, muttering profanities under his breath. His eyes widened. "Gamzee? What the fuck are you doing here?"
His morial was standing in the doorway, that same lazy smile as always plastered across his face. He looked like he had slept in his clothes, but at least this time he had a jacket on. A backpack was slung across one of his shoulders. It was black with indigo horn designs all over it and a Capricorn symbol charm hanging off the zipper.
"I was all up and mother fucking ready for school, Karbro. You said that little human mother fucker was gonna show you all around the fucking school today and I thought we could up and join in."
Karkat peered around and Gamzee and saw three trolls fooling around behind him.
He glanced at the juggalo again. "That still doesn't explain why you're at my house at five in the fucking morning!"
Gamzee blinked. "I didn't know when you'd be leaving with the human mother fucker so we got here with time to fucking spare." The clown actually looked proud of his logic and Karkat was too tired to argue with him at the moment.
"You know what, fine! Fucking fine! You and you're little party can hang around the living room until time to go." He stepped out of the way, rubbing his eyes as the four trolls filed in. Gamzee plopped down on the couch immediately and stretched out, his feet under the coffee table.
Then came Kurloz. The skeleton/clown whatever-the-fuck gave Karkat a nod of greeting. His face paint was in the form of a skull and was emphasized by the skeleton hoodie he wore. Two bags hung from his shoulder, one was purple with black skulls and a Capricorn symbol on the zipper and the other was olive green with black paw prints and a Leo symbol on the zipper. From over his shoulder peeked a small head with olive-green eyes and two thick and pointy horns. A blue tail waved around behind them as she waved. "Hello, Karkitty," she chirped.
Karkat rolled his eyes at the nickname. "Hello, Meulin," he sighed. If Meulin was here then the last troll would have to be-
Karkat almost fell to the ground as someone leaped on his back. "Good meowning, Karkitty," the small troll purred. "Isn't today just purrfect?"
"Nepeta," Karkat growled. "It's nice to see you too. Now could you please get THE HELL OFF OF ME?"
The cat-troll slid off of his back and smiled at him. She looked like a smaller version of Meulin except that she was wearing a blue hat with cat ears and a huge olive-colored coat. "Sorry," she giggled.
"KARKAT WHAT IS THE MEANING OF ALL THIS RACKET? DO YOU REALIZE WHAT TIME IT-" yelled Kankri from the top of the stairs. The elder Vantas stopped as he took in the scene below him. He stormed down the stairs and grabbed Karkat's arm, dragging the younger into the kitchen. Karkat flailed around a bit before he was flung into the cabinets. "What, exactly, are they doing here?" Kankri hissed.
"Don't act like it's my fault," Karkat hissed back. "Apparently Gamzee thought it was a good idea. You know he doesn't really think these things through. He's already here anyway so I'm not going kick him out in the cold! You know Kurloz will keep Meulin and Nepeta in line and he's not going to make any noise. Gamzee's pretty quiet so it's not like they're going to be that much trouble."
Kankri growled under his breath. "I don't want them in my house. You know very well how I feel about the Makara's, Karkat. I do not even have my contacts in." At the moment his eyes were a very bright candy red rather than the slightly darker red John had seen the other day. The elder Vantas wore colored contacts so that his eyes would appear as though he was a rust blood.
"Then go put them in if it's really that big a deal," Karkat huffed. "It doesn't matter as much as you seem to think it does."
"Fine then, Karkat. If it doesn't matter then why don't you wear your blood color like the others do? Maybe I should just waltz out there right now and show off our color to the highbloods in our living room since you're so sure it'll all turn out just fine," Kankri said scathingly. "There's a reason I work so hard to keep this a secret, Karkat. It's the same reason Dad had."
"But Dad did tell other trolls, Kankri. He told the ones he trusted and I highly doubt Gamzee or Kurloz would care. They don't give a damn about the hemospectrum any more than I do!"
"And look where trusting others with this got Dad! If you tell the Makara's you'll end up just like him, dead at their claws!"
Karkat bared his teeth. "Don't you dare talk about Dad that way! You and I both know it wasn't The Grand Highblood that killed Dad, it was those filthy humans!"
Kankri narrowed his eyes and his voice took on a tone as if he were talking to a grub. "Believe what you wish, Karkat. You know that I'm right, you're just too stubborn to admit it."
Karkat shoved by Kankri, shouldering the elder hard in the side. "I'm not kicking them out," he hissed. "And neither are you!"
He glanced at the visitors as he exited the kitchen. Gamzee was curled up on the couch, fast asleep, with Nepeta napping on his feet. Kurloz was sitting in Kankri's armchair with Meulin in his lap, braiding his wild hair. He figured they'd be fine for the moment and dashed up the stairs to get ready for school. He didn't particularly care what the humans thought of his appearance, but he didn't want to piss Kankri off any more than he already had. The guy was enough of a pain when he wasn't angry.
He quickly decided on a black turtleneck with a light gray Cancer sign on the front and dark gray jeans. He brushed his teeth quickly and yanked a brush through his hair.
He stuffed his backpack, it was just plain black with a silver Cancer symbol hanging from the zipper, with school supplies and several troll romance novels. The books were at the bottom of the bag where, hopefully, nobody would find it. He slung it over his shoulder and ran out, sliding down the stair banister and almost crashing into Meulin at the bottom, who was perched on the end. Kurloz was on the ground, leaning against the stairs with Meulin playing with his hair.
Gamzee was curled up on the couch, fast asleep. His tucked up legs made a triangle space on the couch where Nepeta was curled up, also asleep with her nail neatly wrapped around her. Kankri was already dressed and perched stiffly on the arm chair like he was ready to abscond at given point.
Karkat glanced at the clock. Damnit, it was only six. The human wouldn't be here for another half an hour or so and the tension in the room was already grating on his nerves. He strode over to Gamzee and shook the clown awake.
His eyes slowly blinked open. A small smile lit up the painted face. "What's up, Karbro?"
"Did you eat breakfast yet?"
Gamzee paused and shook his head. "Nah, bro."
The Vantas sighed and shook his head, though he'd expected that answer.
"Why Karkitty?" Meulin asked, looking up from Kurloz's head which was now covering in little braids. "Are you gonna cook something?"
Karkat glared at her. "I'm not your fucking maid but we have cereal in the kitchen. You're welcome."
"Do you have any animals?" Nepeta yawned from her spot on the couch.
"Yeah," Meulin piped up. "I could go fur a mouse or two right now."
"No I do not have any animals!" Karkat said. "I have normal food."
"Fine," Meulin huffed, prancing off to the kitchen with Kurloz right behind her and the rest of the group quickly following.
Within about twenty minutes they were all contently eating at the table. Kurloz and Meulin were sharing a few waffles they had dug out of the freezer. Nepeta had found a package of Poptarts and was downing a glass of milk with them. Gamzee was sipping happily on a bottle of Faygo he'd found in the fridge, Karkat always kept a couple bottles around for his morial, after Karkat had practically force-fed him a bowl of cereal. The clown didn't eat enough as it was and Karkat wasn't about to let him skip another meal. Kankri was sitting next to Karkat, nibbling on a piece of toast. Karkat himself had just eaten a piece of fruit and was now waiting for the others to finish up.
Just as the last of the plates went in the sink, the doorbell rang.
Karkat jumped up to answer it before any of the imbeciles that had taken over his house could. The human stood on his doorstep, a giant, dorky grin across his pink face.
BE JOHN EGBERT -
John's morning was going smoothly so far. He hadn't slept through his alarm. He'd gotten dressed quickly and he was at the troll's house with a bit of time to spare. He pressed the doorbell and heard the ring echo from inside the house.
There was some scuffling on the other side of the door before it opened to reveal an obviously irritated Karkat.
The troll looked extremely tired with shadows under his eyes. His hair was disheveled and his sweater was crooked, like he'd gotten dressed in a hurry. Actually, he looked like a grumpy cat.
John internally giggled at the thought, but jumped as Karkat stumbled forward, almost running straight into him. A small head peeked over his shoulder, the source of his sudden movement. It was a girl troll with a blue cat hat and a giant olive green coat.
"Who's the human boy, Karkitty?" She asked, clinging to the trolls back.
John couldn't hold back a laugh at the nickname, causing Karkat to glare at him.
"Not a fucking word, Egbert," he growled. Then he looked at the troll on his back. "AND GET THE HELL OFF OF ME!"
The troll giggled and scrambled up and over Karkat's shoulder, almost forcing the troll to his knees. The string of profanities that were emitted from Karkat's fanged mouth made John laugh even louder. His laughter cut off as the troll girl got right in his face. She stuck a finger in his mouth, pulling his lips to the side.
"He hasn't got any fangs!" she squealed.
Karkat quickly pulled her back, much to John's relief. He gave Karkat a grateful look, receiving only a glare from the troll.
"Of course he doesn't have fangs you stupid meowbeast!" Karkat growled. "He's a human!" He stepped back inside the house for a moment to scream "HEY ITS TIME TO GO!"
John took a step back as four trolls filed out. He already knew Kankri but the others were strangers. One of them was the giant who'd scared him yesterday and the one standing next to him was even taller. The larger of the two was wearing skull face paint and a skeleton hoodie. A troll who looked like an taller version of the cat troll he'd already met waved at him from the skeleton's back.
John gulped a little and tried to politely hide his panic. He certainly didn't want to offend the big scary trolls.
Karkat sighed a gestured to each troll. "You already know Kankri. You met Gamzee yesterday," he pointed to the clown troll. "This is his brother, Kurloz, Kurloz's matesprit -er girlfriend- , Meulin, and her sister Nepeta. They'll be coming with us."
John forced a quick nod and a smile. "S-sure," he chirped. He didn't want to be rude or anything but the taller ones just had a slight air of unstability that put him on edge.
Karkat huffed and began to walk, pulling John along with him at the front of the herd. They'd only gone about a block when a familiar voice made John look back to see a flash of red, blue, and yellow flying towards him. "JOOOOOOHHHHHHNNNN!" was all he heard before a small troll crashed into him at full speed.
He stumbled backwards, crashing into Karkat. The trollimmediately shoved away from him, forcing John to steady himself before he fell.
"Hey, Mituna-" was all he managed to get out before the elder Captor came racing around the corner. Mituna scrambled over Johns shoulder and jumped onto Kurloz, climbing up the creepy trolls torso and sitting on his shoulders. He stuck a forked tongue out at his older brother.
"Mituna Get down from there!" Sollux demanded, skidding to a stop a few feet from Kurloz. "How many timeth do I have to tell you not to uthe your powerth in public before it getth through that thick helmet of yourth? You're going to a human thchool now and thomebody ith going to get hurt if you don't cut it out!"
"Thut up, Tholloxth!" Mituna shouted over Kurloz's head. "I won't do it a thchool! Gothh, why do you alwayth yell at me!"
"Becauthe you never lithten to me, you little brat!" Sollux growled.
Kurloz glared at Sollux a little. He seemed protective of Mituna. 'Probably one of those weird troll relationships,' John thought. He felt awkward watching the whole situation so, without much forethought, he stepped between the two trolls.
"Hey, um, I hate to interrupt but we do need to get to school." He winced as the glares turned on him.
"Egderp's right, for once," Karkat sighed. "Lets just get to school so we can get this damn 'tour' over faster"
Kurloz gave a quick nod after one last glare at Sollux. Sollux let out a low growl. "Fine, KK," he muttered.
"Okay, then," John said hesitantly. "Let's just...go."
The group was about a block and a half from the school when another pair of voices stopped them.
"Kar? Gam? Wwait up!" Shouted a wavy voice.
"'Ey, quit runnin'" shouted another voice.
Johnn turned around and even Sollux looked up from pissing off Karkat. Two obvious siblings were about ten feet from them. The younger looking one was jogging toward them, a purple cape and striped scarf flung out behind him. He wore a long sleeved black shirt with a violet Aquairious symbol on the front and black pants with purple stripes. Large glasses hung on the tip of his nose. His hair was short with a streak of violet at the front of the fohawk. His horns were z-shaped and instead of pointy ears he had what looked like fins sticking out of the sides of his head.
The other one was walking toward them at a leisurely pace, his hands in the pockets of his ripped jeans. He had a white shirt with the same symbol as the other, and he was wearing a leather jacket over it. His horns and ears were the same, but his hair was shorter. A lit cigarette hung from his lips, which twitched into a smirk as he drew closer to the group.
The caped one reached them quickly and stopped to catch his breath. "Hey, Kar," he greeted, his smiled dropping as he eyed the Gemini next to him. "Wwhy is he here?" He sneered, glaring at the yellow blood.
"Great to thee you two, fithh thtick. I thee you're thtill wearing that thupid cape."
"And I see you still can't get rid of that ridiculous lisp, lowwblood."
Sollux's lip curled up as he growled.
Luckily, Karkat stepped in before they could get physical. "Will you idiots quick black flirting for five minutes? Some of have more important things to do than listen to you to beat around the kismeisis bush. "
Both trolls immediately began to protest, though the fishy one looked mildly offended when Sollux began fake gagging.
"Vantas is right," the other one said. He stepped up beside Kankri. "Hey, Kanny."
Kankri sighed. "Cronus, how many times must I request that you not call me that? It is not my proper name and it triggers me to be called by a name that is not mine."
"Awwww," Cronus whined, slinging his arm around Kankris shoulders. "Porrim calls you that."
Kankri shrugged off the arm quickly. "Porrim has exclusive permission to call me by that name. We have discussed it and it is not just you that I ask not call me by a nickname. I apologize if I have offended you by assuming that you thought it was only you as I would not wish to offend you in any way-" he cut off with a screech. He turned to Cronus and smacked his hand away from where it was gripping his rear.
"Cronus!" He squeaked, his lip trembling and his face was slowly darkening. "N-not only was that very triggering but also extremely inappropriate. Please refrain from attempting that ever again."
Cronus snickered and strolled in the direction of the school. "We'll see about that, chief."
John watched awkwardly as Kankri chased after Cronus, still lecturing away. He glanced over at Karkat, who rolled his eyes and sighed. "The pervert hitting on my brother is Cronus and the hipster is Eridan. "
John nodded quickly and followed Karkat toward the school, which loomed in front of them. Standing at the front doors, John saw his friends and let out a small sigh of relief. The trolls around him seemed to be multiplying and he wasn't entirely comfortable being the only human in the group.
"So, Kar," John heard Eridan say. "Wwho's the human?"
John froze at the haughty and slightly threatening tone of his voice. He knew trolls were supposed to hate humans, but all of the ones he'd met so far had been pretty nice. What if they turned on him.
"My fuckass neighbor, John. He offered to show me and Kankri around the fucking school and of course my damn brother accepted."
John peeked around Karkat to where Eridan was and gave a shy wave. Eridan stared at him for a moment, a slightly disdainful look in his face, before sticking his hand out toward John across Karkat's chest. "Wwell I suppose you don't seem too bad...for a landdwweller."
John shook the offered hand. "Thanks...I think."
Karkat shoved their arms away from him. "Fucking great. Now get your hands out of my face."
John chuckled at Karkats grumpiness as they went up the stairs. John broke away from the trolls and ran to his friends. "Hey guys!"
Rose gave him a small smile and Dave gave a nod. "Sup, Egbert?" The 'cool' kid said.
Jade grinned. "Hi!"
Behind them John could see Dirk flirting with the ever oblivious Jake and Jane throwing away the latest bottle of vodka Roxy had tried to sneak into the school.
"Who are these dumbasses?" He heard a now familiar angry voice say behind him.
John turned around just as the rest of the trolls he'd met gathered around. He could sense his friends stiffening behind him and he even heard the other conversations in the vicinity stop.
"Karkat!" Kankri scolded. "You shouldn't be so rude to John's companion's!"
John laughed a bit nervously. "It's alright. I've gotten used to him. These-" he gestured to the teens behind him"-are my friends!" He pointed to each in turn.
"-Rose-" She snapped her book shut and waved politely to the trolls.
"-Dave-" He pushed his shades up even further on the bridge of his nose before giving a small nod.
"-Jade-" She grinned widely and gave a spazzy wave.
"-Jade's cousin, Jake-" He waved.
"-Dave's brother, Dirk-" He gave a quick salute.
"-my cousin, Jane-" She smiled, both of her hands busy steadying the stumbling Roxy.
"-and Rose's sister, Roxy!" The drunk girl grinned at the trolls.
"What's up, guuuuys?" she slurred.
"So what's up with all the trolls?" Dave asked.
"Yes, John," Rose said. "I think that's what all of us are wondering."
John scratched the back of his head. "They're some of the new transfers and I offered to show them around. I think I remember all their names...These two are Karkat and Kankri, they live across the street from me." Kankri waved politely and Karkat just glared at them.
"Then there's Kurloz and Gamzee-" Gamzee gave a lazy grin and Kurloz just kind of stared.
"-Nepeta and Meulin-" Both of them waved excitedly.
"-Eridan and...Cronus, right?" Eridan just looked at the humans haughtily and Cronus smirked. "Yeah, kid."
"-and...Where's Sollux and Mituna?"
"Captor had to take the brat to his school," Karkat grumbled. "He'll be back in a few minutes."
"That is very rude, Karkat," Kankri said, sounding exhausted.
"Yeah, yeah."
Suddenly Nepeta perked up and ran to the railing, jumping over it and pouncing on a tall male troll at the bottom. Two shorter trolls looked on, laughing behind their hands. The tall troll Nepeta had jumped on spun around in surprise, relaxing slightly when he saw who it was. He had shoulder length hair that was completely straight, which John thought was rather strange for a troll. One of his horns was long and shaped like an arrowhead at the tip and the other was broken off halfway up the horn. He was wearing a black tank top with a blue Sagittarius symbol on the front, grey cargo shorts, cleats and a pair of broken black shades.
He smiled a bit as he saw Nepeta on his back, revealing broken teeth. He very carefully lifted her from his back. She grabbed his hand and dragged him to where the rest of the group was standing. "Efurryone! This is my meowrail, Equius!"
John waved enthusiastically, seeing Karkat facepalm from the corner of his eye. "Hi! I'm John!"
The tall troll gave him a disdainful look. "Hello, human."
"Be nice to Karkitty's friend, Equius," Nepeta scolded.
Equius gave the cat troll a slight smile and John heard Karkat growling behind him.
"Uh, hey, wait up," came a shy voice from the wheelchair ramp and a crippled troll pushed himself up, rolling quickly after the two small trolls that had been beside Equius. One of them wore a Sagittarius shirt like Equius and goggles and his horns were like Equius except that neither of his were broken. The other one was slightly taller, with spiked hair died red on the ends. His horns were large and went out to the sides before turning upward like a bull. His shirt had a Taurus symbol on the front and he had a wooden sword tucked into his belt. "Fine," the Taurus said, grinning and running back down the ramp with the Sagittarius chasing right after. The two trolls got behind his wheelchair and pushed him quickly to the top.
John could now see that this troll had horns like the young Taurus and was also wearing symbol, both of their's colored a peanut butter brown. The older ones hair was cut in a mohawk and he waved shyly. "H-hey guys."
"Yo, Tavbro," Gamzee said a little louder than he normally spoke, striding over and leaning on the chair.
"H-hi, Gamzee," the troll stuttered.
A hand grabbed John's shoulder and shoved him to the side. He caught himself on Rose's shoulder and turned to see Karkat stepping where he had just been. "Okay, Fuckasses. We are never going to get this tour over with if we dont get started soon. So, let's get these fucking introductions out of the fucking way. "That-" he points at the one in the wheelchair. "-is Tavros. That-" he pointed at the younger Taurus. "-is his younger brother, Rufioh. And, lastly thank gog-" he pointed at the goggled one. "-is Equius's little brother, Horuss. Get it! Got it? Good!"
The angry troll stomped toward the glass doors, only to be stopped by a loud voice. "KARKLES!"
Karkat froze and clenched his fists. "I said... NO FUCKING NICKNAMES YOU NOOKSNIFFER!"
A girl troll was climbing the stairs, tapping a white cane against the ground in front of her. She wore red glasses and a black shirt with a teal Libra symbol. Her horns were really pointy and she was grinning in a hyperactive and slightly terrifying way. "Oh be nice, Karkles. " She giggled as he began to scream profanities at her.
"Oh calm your titth, kk," Sollux lisped as he came up behind her. "Tz'th jutht playin around."
The troll girl giggled and sniffed the air with sudden interest. "Who's the blueberry blast? Smells amazing!"
"That would be one of the humans, I would assume," Kankri said. "As he is wearing the most blue of the group."
"Yup, that's me!" John piped up, waving at her.
He was confused by her lack of acknowledgement and her continuing to sniff and look around until Karkat tapped his shoulder. "Stop waving, idiot. She's blind."
"Oh, sorry."
"Dont apologize. She doesn't give a shit, you just look stupid."
"Okay! Thank's Karkat!"
"Don't mention it. Seriously. Don't. Anyway, that's Terezi. She has a little sister named Latula, but she's probably at school with Mituna. Which is where the other two brats should be heading soon enough."
"Don't call them brats, Karkat," John scolded. "They're adorable!"
"You say that now. Just wait til you get whacked in the kneecaps by Rufioh's sword. That shit hurts!"
John giggled. "You're so grumpy, Karkat!"
Karkat rolled his eyes. "Shut up, Egderp."
"Egderp?" came Dave's voice. "That's fuckin' genius!"
"Karkat!" John whined. "Don't give him any ideas! He's bad enough as it is!"
Dave sauntered over to Karkat with a slight grin on his otherwise straight face. "I think we're gonna get along, Krabkrab."
Karkat curled his lip over his teeth and growled lowly. "Shut up, Dave."
The 'cool' kid adjusted his shades. "Aww, little troll knows my name already," he cooed.
Karkat glared at him. "Of course I fucking know your name. You were just introduced two seconds ago you sack of horse shit!"
"Ooooooooh, Karkat," a snickering voice sounded from the doorway.
Every head in the group immediately turned to the girl who had just exited the school. She was a troll with long hair that fell in her face slightly. Her horns were strangely shaped. One had a half moon shape on the end and the other sort of turned to point down at the end. She wore a gray shirt unbuttoned over a black shirt with a blue Scorpio symbol. Her one visible eye gleamed out from behind thin framed glasses, the other lens blacked out to hide her other eye. Thin fangs protruded from between her lips, which were colored bright blue.
She smirked and took a step forward, flicking her hair out of her face with one hand. "Aren't we supposed to be making nice with the humans?"
John frowned a little bit as the light of the morning sun caught her hand. Was it...silver? Was she wearing a glove or something? But her other hand looked normal! Was she only wearing one glove? He hardly noticed Karkat yelling at the girl until she was laughing at whatever he had said.
"Why don't you be nicer to me, McShouty?" she pouted, crossing her arms but her eyes never lost the mischievous glint.
"Oh fuck off, Serket," Karkat shouted. Kankri seemed to have given up at this point, only sighing and shaking his head at Karkat's 'triggering' behavior.
"Vriska, stop running off like that," another female said, racing out behind 'Vriska' and stopping at her side. She looked the same in every way except both her eyes were showing and she wore a blue dress. Her lips were pursed and her arms were loaded with thick books. "I told you to stay with me until we can get our schedules."
Vriska rolled her eyes and seemed about to reply when another snarky voice overtook hers. "Clam down, Aranea."
John's head turned again. God how many of them were there? They just kept coming.
This one was wearing pink glasses with a matching bandanna over her hair. Her horns were blunt on the ends but tall, curving out slightly. Two braids came from under her bandanna, thin and going to her feet. That actually seemed a bit dangerous to John. What if someone stepped on it? But whatever. She was wearing a simple black shirt with a pink Pisces symbol on it. She grinned at Aranea and ignored the rest of the group, striding up to the Scorpio.
A smaller and similar looking troll ran up the stairs. Between the colors and the looks, it was really easy to tell who was related among the trolls. This girl had pink swim goggles resting on top of her head and a colorful skirt on. She wore a lot of jewelry, from the bangles on her wrists to her necklaces to the tiara on her head. She stopped beside Eridan and wrapped her arms around her waist, panting.
"H-hey guys," she gasped. "Cod, she runs fast."
"Hey, Fef," Eridan said, his face darkening slightly and his fins seeming to perk up.
She grinned widely and stood straight, catching her breath. "Oh shello, Erifin!"
The disdainful look he'd been wearing from pretty much the moment John had met him lightened as his lips twitched into a smile.
John noticed Equius and Nepeta rejoin the group and frowned. Where had they been? When had they left? The little trolls weren't there anymore either. Maybe they'd gone to their school?
A sudden clawed hand on his arm made John jump. It was Kankri, with strained look on his face. "I understand that the growing number of us may be intimidating, but could you please lead us to the school office so that we may receive our school schedules. I promise that we will get out of your hair after this."
John shook his head slightly and forced a smile, though it was easier this time. "It's no trouble! Its just inside anyway."
Kankri smiled gratefully and turned to the chatting trolls. As he got their attention, John turned back to his group of friends.
"I'm sorry about this guys," he said, scratching the back of his head. "I didn't mean to abandon you or anything, but I did promise to show them around and a promise is a promise."
Rose smirked slightly. "I hope that you are not implying you would like us to leave you alone with this group of strangers? John, no offense but you are quite naive."
An arm slung around his shoulders and he found a straight-faced Dave at his side. "Yeah, Egderp. Ain't nothin good gonna come from you being left by yourself," he drawled, his Texan accent showing up.
John smiled as Jade agreed, though they were mostly ignored by their family members. "Okay, okay," he giggled. "Come on guys."
They turned to see Kankri finally wrangling in the groups attention with some help from Karkat.
And now they were all staring at him again. John felt like there was something blocking his throat. Oh yeah this was his best idea ever! Oh god, he was going to have to talk to this group. But they were nice...well most of them seemed to be. He gulped a little and cleared his throat. "U-um, I'm just going to show you where the office is...uh...i-it's this way," he pointed at the doors and after a moment realized that probably didn't help much. There were his fantastic social skills again. He sighed and walked inside, glad to have his friends near him.
After a seemingly longer than it should have taken to walk down the correct hallway John opened the wooden doors of the school office. The inside smelled like the tiny hard candies that sat in a bowl at the secretaries desk. John felt a real smile ease onto his face at the familiar scent. He had been in here quite a few times since the beginning of the year. Not for any trouble, but just to get away from the...less pleasant people he had to deal with. It helped since none of his friends had his lunch period. He grinned at Ms. Norde, the secretary, and bounced to the desk. "Good morning, Ms. Norde!"
She gave him a sweet smile, though her eyes widened as the rest of the group walked in. "H-hello, John. And I assume your friends are the...exchange students?"
John nodded. "Yeah. A couple of them live on my street so I was showing them the school and everyone else just kind of... joined in." He gave a small, nervous chuckle.
Her face softened into a comforting look. "Well I'm sure they'll be very grateful for your help, John."
He shrugged. "We can only hope."
She stood and walked around her desk, patting his shoulder. She was a short, pudgy woman in her 60's with graying red hair immaculately styled into a tight bun. She straightened her thick glasses and smiled at the group. "I'll take it from here, John. Have a good day."
With that she sent him out of the room and welcomed the others, her sweet disposition changing to something more authoritative. "Now I am here to help all of you with your schedules if you'll just follow me." She turned and walked further into the office.
John giggled a bit at the surprised looks all of the trolls gave her, but none of them protested. That was just the kind of person she was. It helped with bullies occasionally. With one last glance at the group, his eyes met Karkat's just before John left the office. He waved to the troll and received a dismissive hand wave that ended in a one finger salute, though he could swear Karkat had the smallest grin on his face. It was too quick to really tell, but it kept the goofiest of grins on John's face as he rejoined his friends.
Thanks for reading!
Wow this turned out longer than I thought it would. Sorry its just filler but there'll be some real action soon enough.
Review please!