<span style="font-family:EB Garamond">Auden flashed the group a smile that was all teeth, “glad to see you all made it.” <br/>
<br/>
Pi Kappa Alpha was financially snug. Father before father had laid down the funds that grounded the pillars that loomed over the yard they stood within. All of the boys were either standing or leaning against the nearest overturned bin from the party that had died down to a couple stumbling stragglers. Who made their way across the connecting yards with as much grace as a rugby player trying his hand at ballet. These inhibited few had nothing to do with this house, who was different from the others: those whose music rattled the windows and lights that beamed like a beacon for trouble. <br/>
<br/>
Straight-laced, prickly, Pi Kappa had heard it all. They carried a significant name around campus, but the weight it carried was full of questions; curiosities; theories of what went on behind those doors. The excitement did hum, but not from the beat of speakers, but a different kind of music. The type that if sought out and driven out into the light might find them condemned and publicly shamed. <br/>
<br/>
Which was less tolerable than a couple rumors. <br/>
<br/>
Standing beside the opened door, Auden extended an arm inside. Where the lights seemed to die completely. A few exchanged nervous glances, and there weren’t many potential members to be found. A few that hardly knew each other, dressed nice, but many choking in their ties from clear anxiety. The majority were open books. Auden preferred them this way. <br/>
<br/>
“Welcome to Pi Kappa Alpha.” <br/>
<br/>
It was clear this fraternity’s head was doing this to acknowledge them one on one. It’s a group of six, and he knocked the number down to four by the time they all had a chance to shake his hand and step through the arch. <br/>
<br/>
When Adrian stepped up, Auden’s eyes immediately danced with familiarity and deep knowing. As if this were an old friend. “Economics with Holland, right? I had him freshman year, you’re in for a semester.” <br/>
<br/>
Then he was onto the next. Until there were no more men left to greet and the porch stood bare. The door was closed and the world on the other side was shut out, keeping away onlookers, who had to be wondering why the shakeup? All these newcomers. Nights like these didn’t happen often, Auden too picky; the pool too shallow. <br/>
<br/>
Auden spotted the disappointed expressions of two more, they were mentally crossed red in rejection. It was the disappointment, their hopes had been soaring to see some sinister ongoings, probably on the living room rug which they all stood among. There were no sacrificial virgins, or figures hidden in cloaks, the most intimidating thing in the room happened to be a stuffed deer head mounted—and they weren’t animals in a field. The wallpaper was new and the furniture looked as though it were too expensive to sit on, but Auden made himself comfortable. <br/>
<br/>
There were a few actual members scattered about the room. Percy, the one who had delivered their golden tickets, was standing beside Auden’s seat, leaned against it casually with both arms crossed. He had a face like a junkyard dog, and if anyone looked hard enough they would see the chain to his collar led to Auden’s hand. A couple others were leaned up against the stairs twisting up, the rest actually on them. <br/>
<br/>
Then Auden said without so much as batting an eye, “Pickett, Jones, Bolton, and Andrews: return to your dorms.” <br/>
<br/>
Jones shoved himself off the wall in abrupt surprise, eyes wide and flustered. “W-what? We didn’t even—!” <br/>
<br/>
Auden shook his head as if disagreeing with simply being spoken over, “No need to. Now, you have two choices: stand there, scream and cry like a toddler who pissed their shorts, or quietly leave with some of your dignity intact." <br/>
<br/>
The rejected handful left, but Jones didn’t go without a glare. The rest falling in line to leave with either their heads low or their chins raised high enough to see over a mountain. They would clear out, and the mood would make a sudden but appreciated shift in their wake. It warmed up. The attention the last standing two were getting was less jeering and more approving, but those grins did not run blunt at the edges. <br/>
<br/>
Auden brought himself to his feet and straightened out his blazer. He made eye contact with the both of them, and perhaps from the center of the room, it might've seemed like wolves crowding in. When your pack grew smaller in size, and you were left outnumbered. Faced by a leader whose taking you in as if deciding whether to claim you or rip you to shreds for the worms to find. <br/>
<br/>
“Let’s begin.”</span>