All aboard!
The Train ride
Platform 9¾ is bustling with activity as proud parents dote on their kids, some saying goodbye, others rushing their kids inside the train- some even fussing over uniforms and wrinkly shirts.
Azrael's baggage seems heavier than usual as he pushes past students inside the train- because really, it's hard to get around when there's kids crying on the windows and running back and forth to find empty cabins to sit on with friends.
He's not used to this much activity, his parents had left in a hurry after quickly saying goodbye because they couldn't stand the crowd...or the direct sunlight on their faces (especially his mother, who had practically dragged her husband into the shade, it really is a sunny morning after all).
After what feels like forever of walking- he finally finds an empty cabin to settle into, with a huff- he picks his baggage up again and pushes it inside the overhead compartments inside the cabin, quietly sitting down near the window with a twitch of his finger.
was it REALLY this necessary to cry that much? There was a girl sobbing her eyes out in the cabin next to his, another boy crying because he missed his parents already- the train hasn't even taken off!
still, he can't exactly judge...not when he's the odd one out of the bunch of people in there.
he can't help but squint as the sun suddenly hits his face when the train starts to move..so he quickly shifts to sit by the door instead...he really should have listened to his mother and taken one of the last cabins, according to her- those were the quieter ones.
His large eyes narrowed as someone peeked inside his cabin, only to squeak and quickly shut the door and leave- he's not THAT weird, is he?sure, his eyes are like two big plates and he's paler than a vampire, but surely it isn't THAT bad? Regardless, sooner than later someone will probably end up sitting with him, after all- the place is already filled up to the max.
Maybe someone will actually want to talk to him then?
.......................
"A pair of wide, pale blue eyes that seemed to hold the cold clarity of a winter sky, yet sparked with an uncommon, sometimes unsettling, intelligence." -About Azrael
"The Sun's shadow knows no fear, no dawn. Is the watcher always watched, or simply drawn?"
All aboard!
I chewed the inside of my cheek as my dad ruffled my hair taking a long drag. "Are you sure you'll be alright, kid?" I nodded, swallowing thickly. I probably was going to be alright. I looked at him and hugged him-tightly, feeling my throat thicken up before letting go. "See yeh Dad,"
"wait-," Dad said pulling off his brown leather jacket that he wears everywhere and put in on my back and gripped my shoulder tightly. "dont know what im going to do without yeh, ey yeh little bugger,"
I gripped my backpack and the old charity shop carpetbag with the broken clasp and ran as fast as I could through the third brick pillar between 9 and 10 taking, gripping the oversized jacket tightly. a deep breath and closing my deep blue eyes. I opened them and swallowed as I took a breath looking about the people in funny wizard clothing and looked behind at the pillar just wanting to go back to dad before I looked at the old fashioned train, labeled Hogwarts. "ALL ABOARD LAST CALL FOR HOGWARTS!!"
Of course I was late. I scrambled as quickly as I could to the edge of the crowd of sobbing kids and parents and leapt onto the train. Practically every cabin was full. The train had started moving and quickly opened a cabin door to find a cabin with only one occupant. I didn't give a shite who it was. I plopped down with a groan and rested my head against the window, shutting my eyes tightly.
@Azrael Holloway
"wait-," Dad said pulling off his brown leather jacket that he wears everywhere and put in on my back and gripped my shoulder tightly. "dont know what im going to do without yeh, ey yeh little bugger,"
I gripped my backpack and the old charity shop carpetbag with the broken clasp and ran as fast as I could through the third brick pillar between 9 and 10 taking, gripping the oversized jacket tightly. a deep breath and closing my deep blue eyes. I opened them and swallowed as I took a breath looking about the people in funny wizard clothing and looked behind at the pillar just wanting to go back to dad before I looked at the old fashioned train, labeled Hogwarts. "ALL ABOARD LAST CALL FOR HOGWARTS!!"
Of course I was late. I scrambled as quickly as I could to the edge of the crowd of sobbing kids and parents and leapt onto the train. Practically every cabin was full. The train had started moving and quickly opened a cabin door to find a cabin with only one occupant. I didn't give a shite who it was. I plopped down with a groan and rested my head against the window, shutting my eyes tightly.
@Azrael Holloway
All aboard!
Azrael's eyes snapped in direction of the thud, slowly turning to look at the boy his age who was now sitting there...he didn't expect anyone to want to sit there, especially not when everyone who passed by would kind of just awkwardly shuffle past.
"...Hello."
he spoke with his usual monotone voice, blinking for the first time since he sat there as he stared expectedly at the boy sitting beside him.
"...are you also a first year? I'm Azrael by the way."
Azrael's mother had been telling him he should try to make friends his age, after all- he never really had anyone to talk to...so maybe he should give it a shot? Especially since he doesn't think anyone else is gonna approach him to talk, or even want to sit with him in the cabin.
hopefully he doesn't mess this up, still...with the blank, almost unreadable expression on his face and the huge, creepy owl like eyes- it's hard to see him and think of him as a potential friend- it's happened multiple times already, especially when he was younger...he remembers how parents used to usher their kids away from him because they didn't want them to be near Azrael- or anywhere near his family for that matter.
@Keegan Cadwalader
Last edited by Azrael Holloway on 7 Nov 2025, 20:24, edited 1 time in total.
"The Sun's shadow knows no fear, no dawn. Is the watcher always watched, or simply drawn?"
All aboard!
Opening my eyes I quickly glanced at the other boy, looking him over before I leaned back in my seat looking to the side nodding. "M' Keegan,". I said a bit gruffly as I fidgeted with the leather jacket.
"Yeah...i'm a first yea'r too," I studied him, his blank unsettling expression-those big owl-like eyes, that sort of freaked me out but I've chatted with people who looked weirder, I didn't mind him so much-he was quiet. I shifted as I yawned, my back hurt from the uncomfortable pull out bed I crashed on last night. I didn't know what to expect from going to a magic school-but hopefully the bed would be more nice and cozy. I was also eager to eat dinner.
I yawned and stared at the boy trying not to look too much like a yob and gave him a small smile, hopefully it worked. I slowly untensed, letting out a breath I didn't even know I was holding. I cringed inside and tapped on my arm rest as I leaned against it, trying to get more comfortable and less stiff. "So we're du yeh come from? Wales, meself but I…travel alot," I was never good at talking to other kids.
@Azrael Holloway
"Yeah...i'm a first yea'r too," I studied him, his blank unsettling expression-those big owl-like eyes, that sort of freaked me out but I've chatted with people who looked weirder, I didn't mind him so much-he was quiet. I shifted as I yawned, my back hurt from the uncomfortable pull out bed I crashed on last night. I didn't know what to expect from going to a magic school-but hopefully the bed would be more nice and cozy. I was also eager to eat dinner.
I yawned and stared at the boy trying not to look too much like a yob and gave him a small smile, hopefully it worked. I slowly untensed, letting out a breath I didn't even know I was holding. I cringed inside and tapped on my arm rest as I leaned against it, trying to get more comfortable and less stiff. "So we're du yeh come from? Wales, meself but I…travel alot," I was never good at talking to other kids.
@Azrael Holloway
All aboard!
Azrael's eyes narrowed as he titled his head, he's always been observant and seemed to realize that Keegan wasn't exactly as relaxed as he was trying to appear to be...in a poor effort to look more friendly, his eyes become wider- which, obviously, had the opposite effect.
"...I'm from London, although we're planning to move soon...it's too sunny there."
He paused, eyes narrowing.
"...we don't like the sun."
It didn't make that much sense, considering London wasn't exactly the most "hot" of places...maybe he just didn't like the sun at all? Seems like it- especially with how pale he is, as if he never goes outside when it's sunny-either way, he probably just doesn't enjoy the feeling of the sun rays on his skin...or just doesn't like sweating and feeling hot to the touch overall- who doesn't? He takes it to a whole new level though...
"...we prefer dark, cold places...my parents get irritated in the sun...well, also when it's hot."
Now, does he mean physically irritated? Or mentally? You'll probably never know, unless he decides to tell you that is.
"...is Wales cold?"
He asked, unblinking eyes slowly shifting back towards the door- as someone ran by giggling- probably going to sit with friends.
@Keegan Cadwalader
Last edited by Azrael Holloway on 7 Nov 2025, 20:28, edited 1 time in total.
"The Sun's shadow knows no fear, no dawn. Is the watcher always watched, or simply drawn?"
All aboard!
"Erm no, it's quite warm-just rainy I suppose. Warmer than the north that's for sure,"I shuddered-remembering the few weeks we spent in the dead of winter in Glasgow for whatever reason. "Are ye some sort of vampire or somethin?" I asked, scratching the back of my neck, which reminded me I needed a haircut. I honestly do not know if that was an offensive thing to ask a wizard…"You ever been to Hearthstone? It's a live pub in the east of London, Dad played there once." I mumbled looking to the side, chewing the inside of my cheek again and pursed my lips. I held my guitar case closer to myself gripping the handle tightly as I pulled it further onto my lap, my stomach growled and I grimaced inwardly. I knew it was probably a while till we got to Hogwarts so I was tempted to break into my rations even though we just got on the train. I thought I must've summoned a trolley just by thinking about food because the cabin door opened and a lady carting a trolley full of sweets and treats and I looked up at the boy across from me"You don't get any quid do ye? I spent all mine on supplies,"
@Azrael Holloway
@Azrael Holloway
All aboard!
Azrael hummed after being told that Wales was indeed, not cold.
Finding a cold enough place to live in would probably be hard, especially with his mother's pickiness... regardless, they'll probably find something soon.
He blinked for the first time in what felt like several minutes when he was asked if he was a vampire- is he really THAT pale? He didn't think he was ...then again, he never thinks he's THAT weird.
"...No, I'm not a vampire...do I look like one? I've had several people ask me the same."
He paused for a moment, as if thinking about it- because to be fair, he really did act like some obscure vampire from under the snow.
"...we just don't like sunlight."
"and, I suppose i HAVE been in Hearthstone? Just...not the inside- my father has gone inside multiple times though, I just stay outside- never had anything to do inside either way."
He seemed to be getting ready to say something else- but the lady with the trolley beat him to it; He turned to look at Keegan as he was asked about having money...and like always, of course he does.
he just casually pulled out a small black pouch with a silver cord tied around it, he quietly opened it and pulled out 3 galleons (A gold coin, it is the highest-value coin), hell- the pouch didn't even seem empty afterwards, he probably has more in there.
"...I do, what do you want to eat? I'll pay."
he said with his usual monotone voice, blankly staring at Keegan expectantly.
@Keegan Cadwalader
Last edited by Azrael Holloway on 7 Nov 2025, 20:31, edited 2 times in total.
"The Sun's shadow knows no fear, no dawn. Is the watcher always watched, or simply drawn?"
All aboard!
I stared at him, my face turning a slight shade of pink at the sound of his monotone voice. There was something oddly calm about the way he spoke, like nothing ever surprised him. I hadn’t actually expected him to pay — it caught me off guard, left me fumbling for words. “Oh, uhm— I don’t know… yeh, pick fer me,” I muttered my voice gruff, my eyes darting to the colorful display in front of us. None of the sweets looked familiar; in the trolley as the lady looked at us expectingly but with a sweet look.
I leaned in slightly, pretending to examine them, though really I was just trying to avoid his gaze. The air between us felt a little too unsettling. I could feel the warmth creeping up my neck as I shifted in my seat and itched the base of my neck. “Uhm… thanks… Ezra?” I finally said and tried to smiled at him again. I wasn’t sure whether I’d said the right thing at all. I just hoped I did. I hugged my dad's jacket tighter against my body.
@Azrael Holloway
I leaned in slightly, pretending to examine them, though really I was just trying to avoid his gaze. The air between us felt a little too unsettling. I could feel the warmth creeping up my neck as I shifted in my seat and itched the base of my neck. “Uhm… thanks… Ezra?” I finally said and tried to smiled at him again. I wasn’t sure whether I’d said the right thing at all. I just hoped I did. I hugged my dad's jacket tighter against my body.
@Azrael Holloway
All aboard!
".... you're welcome."
Azrael simply said as he bought a bunch of different snacks from the trolley- mostly for Keegan, as Azrael didn't seem too hungry.
soon enough, the trolley lady left- and he passed on 11 different snacks for Keegan, keeping 2 for himself-
after a beet of silence, Azrael's big eyes narrowed as he realized the creeping shade of pink on Keegan's face.
after a beet of silence, Azrael's big eyes narrowed as he realized the creeping shade of pink on Keegan's face.
"...are you feeling alright?...is the sunlight bothering you? If it is, we can close the blinds."
He seemed to think Keegan was overheating from the sunlight coming through the window, even gesturing for him to move further away from it-
"if you're not feeling well, I could maybe call someone? I heard they have thicker blinds somewhere in the back."
There was a strange, almost uncanny "cuteness" in him, as if he just can't comprehend why you'd be turning pink if it wasn't from the sunlight.
@Keegan Cadwalader
..................................
(Hey! Take your time btw, if you can't answer immediately I really don't mind, its better you finish anything that needs to be finished rather than rushing through replying, it happened to me and it really does take the fun away from you lol, but yeah, take care!)
Last edited by Azrael Holloway on 7 Nov 2025, 20:28, edited 1 time in total.
"The Sun's shadow knows no fear, no dawn. Is the watcher always watched, or simply drawn?"
All aboard!
(yeah i was just visiting some fam for halloween 
also the way you write fits your characters personality perfectly :> )
I paused mid-bite and looked up, startled. “Huh!? N–no, I’m fine, just… uhm, nervous is all,” I mumbled, forcing another smile before lowering my gaze again. My cheeks felt hot, and I could feel that awkward tightness in my chest that always came when too many eyes were on me.
Closing my eyes for a second, I took a deep breath, trying to push the fluttery feeling away. My back was aching—more than before—and the longer I sat there, the more it throbbed. I shifted in my seat, pretending it was nothing, and reached for another sweet.
The sugar helped a little. I scarfed down most of them in silence, trying to ignore the dull pain crawling up my spine and the strange warmth that came with it. Maybe it was just nerves. The room felt heavier than before, though, the quiet stretching out until it was almost uncomfortable.
“So… do you come from witches and wizards, or… regular people
also the way you write fits your characters personality perfectly :> ) I paused mid-bite and looked up, startled. “Huh!? N–no, I’m fine, just… uhm, nervous is all,” I mumbled, forcing another smile before lowering my gaze again. My cheeks felt hot, and I could feel that awkward tightness in my chest that always came when too many eyes were on me.
Closing my eyes for a second, I took a deep breath, trying to push the fluttery feeling away. My back was aching—more than before—and the longer I sat there, the more it throbbed. I shifted in my seat, pretending it was nothing, and reached for another sweet.
The sugar helped a little. I scarfed down most of them in silence, trying to ignore the dull pain crawling up my spine and the strange warmth that came with it. Maybe it was just nerves. The room felt heavier than before, though, the quiet stretching out until it was almost uncomfortable.
“So… do you come from witches and wizards, or… regular people