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

[hardnosed]

Believe me — I'm counting on it.

[bolderfell]

Mind doing something for me before you rip his head from his shoulders?

[hardnosed]

Depends on the something.

[ honestly, that's just her way of saying yes ]

[bolderfell]

[He pulls out that iron shackle he's had locked around his wrist for at least seven of the last eight weeks out and twirls it around his finger.]

Where I'm from, this is called a Fool's Bangle. Sign of shame and failure for a thief.

[He tosses it Jasper's way.]

I think it'd suit him well.

[philoxenia]

[ she's so proud ]

[hardnosed]

[ She catches the shackle easily, eyes it — and the grin that subsequently crosses her face exposes even more horrible square teeth, heretofore unseen in-game. ]

You're right. This is perfect for him.

[bolderfell]

[He makes a show of patting his pockets.]

Huh. Damn shame. I seem to have lost the key.

[As if he'd ever let that key a millimeter from his reach after Mira gave it back to him.]

Oh well. Think it still makes for a fine parting gift. You know, repayment for all he's done for us.

[hardnosed]

[ Shrug! Smug! Smug shrug. ]

If this goes right, he's going to lose everything else he stole from our worlds. It's only fair.