GRADUATION

[descentinto]

[ There’s a spark in the darkness outside the dome, somewhere. The pale rainbow of some kind of bio-luminescent jellyfish. Then another. Then two more. Then ten more.

Within moments, the seafloor around you is illuminated by jellyfish, shining brighter than nature should allow, and you find your surroundings changed. Statues, piles of gold, paintings, all of them lie scattered around for as far as the eye can see in any direction. Just a disgusting amount of wealth.

The frosted glass box in front of all of you just… vanishes. And standing at a podium that doesn’t at all match the previous silhouette, you finally get to see The Professor, in all his slightly ghoulish glory.

Honestly? This might be exactly the kind of man you pictured he would be. ]

Allow me to introduce myself properly, boys and girls. I am Professor Gunnar Maelstrom, one of the five sitting members of the Faculty here at VILE. I suppose, one way or another, this is where it ends.

[ You’re getting close, gumshoes! Don’t give up! ]

Comments

[philoxenia]

Because of her abilities? Or something else?

[ ugh. this fuckin guy ]

[descentinto]

How to best explain...

[ He ponders. ]

This entire simulation is running off of her.

[nothingcanstop]

Well, this entire simulation's gonna have to stop, then.

[descentinto]

Interesting that you seem so quick to jump to mothering her. Have you read what happened to her last one?

[nothingcanstop]

[ ...Della didn't actually. Read that evidence, but-- ]

I know she deserves to choose what to do with her life, for once. When I thought this was a naive, stupid choice she made I was pretty pissed. But knowing it's because someone was messing around in her head? She doesn't even have the ability to make stupid, thoughtless choices. So yeah, I don't care, you fucking creep.

[hardnosed]

[ From across the little podium arrangement, Jasper just kind of raises one swole arm and... gives a silent thumbs up, with absolutely no change in expression. ]

[nothingcanstop]

[ ...She's proud of you, Jasper, for several reasons. ]

[descentinto]

Hm. Your feelings on the matter are noted.

[ He sighs. ]

Not that I'm likely to get another use out of her at this point.

[bolderfell]

...What did happen to her and Cassandra.

[descentinto]

They're currently having a very long and involved talk about their feelings somewhere up above us. I figured there would be no reasoning with some of you if I threatened them.

[bolderfell]

Probably not, no.

[Ew. Feelings. Gross.]

[philoxenia]

[ ... ohhhh buddy. Mira stiffens. ]

And sinking to low blows now? I'm not surprised, but honestly, you're showing how petty you are. Are you that worried we're going to end this?

[descentinto]

I refer you to the name of the organization I run. But ending this... perhaps it is about time something like that happened, isn't it?

[philoxenia]

I'm sure I'm not alone in wondering what the point of this confrontation is.