It's More than just Funny Papers

Marceline had always been inclined towards comics since she had started reading. It had been an obsession she shared with only one other person, she was sure; her best friend Frank. The two had developed a system, since Beauxbatons academy was far from any sort of comic book shop, in which Frank would enclose the latest of the comics they followed in parcels towards her and during holidays, they met and discussed it. Marceline was happy with this set up. She wouldn't have minded if Ruby read comics as well, but it almost made her feel unique that she didn't know another soul who fancied the same sort of storytelling device. That was, until today.

Marceline had headed up to the library to do one of her monthly studying rituals which dealt less with actual studying and more with preparation of studying before losing interest and leaving without having turned a single page. She scanned the bookshelves looking for a particular book on history when her eyes wandered to a familiar color scheme and artwork. Her mouth dropped. Some underclassman kid was lounging in the library reading a comic book and what was more surprising was that it was one that Marceline knew.

Curiosity compelled her to approach him. Marceline wasn't used to approaching people when she wasn't about to pound something she wanted out of them. She wasn't even sure how to greet him, so she stood over the kid debating with herself to say something until he took notice of her. "I like that one," She uttered, matter-of-factly and pointed towards the cover. She supposed that was a start.

Riley wanted to get away from all the chatter in the common room. Sure he could stay in his room, but he wanted to get out of there before he never wanted to leave his room ever again. His bed was so soft and there were familiar things there. The library was a place that he was meaning to visit but had never actually went there. Today he decided that he should, it would be quiet enough for him to get some reading done. He carefully put his comic books into his bag then put it over his head and onto his shoulder.

He had gotten lost a few time but had finally found his way to the library. It was bigger than he had expected. He would have to come here more often, he would love to read the books that the room had to offer. But for now, he was going to read his favorite comic for the millionth time. He was scanning for an empty seat when he noticed a seat at the window. He always wanted a seat like that. He made his way over across the room and took a seat on the cushions. He grinned and leaned against the wall. He pulled his comic out amd began to read.

He didn't get far before he noticed that someone was watching him. His face began to burn when he looked up at the older girl. She said she liked his comic. What was he supposed to say now? He was so awkward that he didn't know what to say. A small squeak escaped his lips as he watched the girl. "I-I," he started. He cleared his throat a bit too loudly. "It's my favorite," he said a bit rushed.

The boy looked like he was about to wet himself, though Marceline had a tendency to have that affect on those who were feint of heart. She pulled at a lilac lock of hair, not sure where to go from there. She decided to take a seat so that she didn't loom over the boy in an intimidating way. Maybe that would make him feel more at ease.

"Have you read the latest issue yet?" She started. She preferred Dark Horse comics over Marvel, but she was still pretty caught up on most mainstream comics. "That cliff hanger ending is just...wow! I can't wait for the next issue," She relayed with enthusiasm. Though there were no comic book stores in Cheval, her friend Frank often bought her the good issues of comics and sent them to her after he read them. It wasn't the same as going to the store on her own, but it was definitely better than nothing.

Since she was starting a conversation about comic books she couldn't have been all too bad. At least she wasn't yelling at him or being mean. If she was into comics like him then there was a huge chance they could be friends. But you couldn't just say 'do you want to be friends' to a random stranger. He would have to wait.

All he did was reread the same issues over and over. "No, I haven't," he said softly. A small frown formed on the first year's lips. He wished he could get the new issue of his favorite comic but he was too scared to ask for the new comic. He didn't like asking for things and he hardly ever did. He was so used to hearing the word 'no' that he stopped asking for things unless he truly needed them. "The ones I have are the ones I read," he admitted. "I don't get new ones."

Marceline rose an eyebrow. Maybe she had misjudged how much the kid actually liked comics. Come to think of it, he might as well just be getting into them for all she knew or maybe it was a fluke he was reading a comic book when she walked in. He elaborated though, which gave her a better idea of the situation.

She knew comic book stores were scarce in the wizarding world, or so they were from what she had seen so far. The poor boy probably hardly had the opportunity to get new comics, however Marceline wasn't incredibly generous. She had plenty of comics in her room which she had already thumbed through several times and which, judging by the release date of the one the kid was reading, he had probably never read. She wasn't about to give out her whole collection to the little pip-squeak, but she didn't see why she couldn't loan him a few, like a private comic library.

"Listen kid," She started. "I've got a bunch of comics in my dorm that might interest you. However, don't think that I am just being nice or that it means we are friends, but I was just thinking it might be cool to have someone to talk about them with," Marceline hinted towards. She wasn't good with this whole being kind to kids thing. "So if you ever need new reading material, maybe, just maybe I'll let you borrow some of mine."

He scrunched his eyebrows together in confusion. She hardly knew him and she was letting him borrow her comic books? She didn't know him well enough to know that maybe he'd never give them back. There would be two reasons to why he would give them back. One, he didn't steal, and two, he was scared of the older girl. It didn't have anything to do with her appearance but how she carried herself. He couldn't put his finger on it but there was something scary about her. Maybe it was the way she used her voice to sound like she was threatening you but then her words weren't so threatening.

When he was younger, he had gone a long period of time without talking and while not talking he learned (somewhat) how to read people. Usually he was totally wrong about someone, but occasionally he has a bit right. What had really spooked him at the beginning was that she hadn't said a word to him at first, she just stood there. But now he was over that and there was something else that was spooking him.

He was willing to get over that to get a hold of those comics she was talking about. He would do just about anything, well not really, to get the new issues of his beloved comic books. "Why would you be willing to share your comics with a total stranger? You don't know my name and I don't know yours. Sure, we share an interest in comics but you don't just go lend your stuff to people without knowing them. I think you do want to be friends, you just don't want to say it." His fingers wrapped around his mother's necklace, well her ring on a chain, he rubbed his thumb against the ruby. "My name is Riley," he said after a bit of silence.

The kid seemed a bit confused by her charity, despite her claims, but Marceline remained cool about it. "I told you, I don't really have anyone to talk comics about around here. My girlfriend never really got into them and my best friend is a muggle so I get really bored not be able to talk about them with anyone," Marceline claimed. She chuckled and shook her head at his insinuation that she secretly wanted to be friends. "Why would I want to be friends with a little twerp like you? You even wear glasses! Face it, you're the perfect material to be bullied and I probably would've teased you if you hadn't been holding that comic," Marceline pointed out. "Besides, you don't look like a thief and if you know what's best for you, and you seem like an intelligent little snot, you will return those comics to me," Marceline stated, leaning closer to him. She could tell he was intimidated by her and knew she wouldn't have any problems with him. "Marceline Bones," She introduced with a smile. She was starting to like this kid and dangerously fast. He would never have any problems with other kids in school if she could help it and she would.

The girl seemed tough, was tough, but he could tell there was something about her that wasn't so mean. She could use her mouth to make him shake in his boots but now he wasn't. Sure, he was still intimidated. But he wasn't so scared anymore. She went on about his appearance and how he'd be likely to get bullied by other students. He didn't flinch at her words though because soon she smiled. If she was really insulting him, she would have looked like she meant it. And she looked as if she didn't mean any of it and was just talking out of someone else's perspective. Maybe she did mean it though, but he still didn't mind too much about the things she said. He knew that his glasses gave people a reason to make fun of him and so did his comics. But that didn't change the face that he liked his glasses and his comic books. He like Thor and wasn't ashamed to say that he wanted to be him.

"I like my glasses," he said with a small grin. "You're right, I would never steal. It's rude." Stealing was something he was taught not to do and he never did. Even though that new comic book that he saw in that shop's window looked so good. "I only told you my first name. My name is Riley Ainsworth and it is nice to meet you, Marceline Bones." He smirked a bit as he said her full name. Most people didn't like to be called by their first and last name, maybe she was one of those people.