The last place that y'all were, I think, I believe we're considering visiting was the university.Oh, yeah, we can meet up there.
Yes.Yes.Because might as well.
Yeah, Chloe will set a meeting spot at, like, some coffee shop that Varun will also probably hate.Thanks.
Yep.Equality!Thanks.Equality.Varun must hate it.
Is it another corporate cafe?Yeah, exactly.
There's no chairs.There's no chairs?Okay.
Red just immediately sends three thumbs down and is like, boo!Boo!
Like, Varun... like doesn't necessarily respond to the message, but there's definitely a face he puts on the other side of the screen as he's texting, where it's just a scowl.
It's a maroon-flavored scowl as he looks at that, and he double-checks to look up, because surely this isn't the place that Chloe is suggesting that has no chairs, and looks up the Google webpage for it, and it's just like, Yes.No, it's that one.
Ren types out, bro, this place has no chairs.It's going to be hard.I'm going to have to look down on you.I always do it, but for real, physically, I'm going to look down on you.Everything is like an enter.There's just 20 texts blasting through.
Do you have a better suggestion, Ren?
Yeah, one with chairs.Enter!Ren's gonna go, literally anywhere else.Like, a park. Do you need a cafe?If you need a cafe, like the one next door, across the street, down the road.
Varun sends a link, like a Google location link.I'm imagining this is something kind of like WhatsApp.Yeah, yeah, yeah.This is a location pin.And the location pin is to a like, community cafe based in a park that does have chairs and tables.
It's very like rustic and cozy.You know, it's very maroon.Yeah, he sends a link for that.
You get the like typing dots for a little bit.Fine.I can be there in half an hour.
I think you'll see like a text emoji and I'm like, great, are we all decided?Can we just go now, please?
Wren sends like a saluting emoji and then is like, I'll get there faster than Chloe.30 minutes, talk about a slow poke, geez.
my god the hateration exhibited by ren at any given opportunity is uh my favorite actually just uh never ceases to make me laugh
Y'all finally, after what potentially feels like a long time after all of the investigations and downtime, finally are able to see each other at this cafe park situation.
As y'all get situated, I think everyone also sees the university in sight as well.I'll leave y'all this moment to play out the plan or talk about everything that you've experienced so far.
I think you relay all the information, right?I don't think any of us are purposely holding back anything.Yeah, no.
I think at some point as Varun is like, retelling what happens, I think the story stops abruptly just as we the narrative encompasses the incident in the locker room, and he glances over to Arjun.
What?You want me to?I'm fine.Just continue telling the story.
Yeah.So they they're snatching things.They're clearly up to no good.And it's all pointing to Professor Sheridan.
So we're thinking university investigation next, but it's it'd be kind of weird if all of us just showed up in a group one day and just started asking questions on university campus.
Wait, why would it be weird?Like, what are you talking about?We have questions.
I mean, we graduated and, you know, we graduated and I don't know, maybe the ragtag group of council aldermen, graduates and adults in the city just randomly showing up asking questions, but Professor Sheridan might set off, I don't know.
Well, not all of us graduated.Maybe Ren could pretend that she's curious about coming back.
Okay, so first off, you're dumb.Second off, how dare you?Third off, I have a younger brother who attends this university. And also, I'm sorry, like the students that we're trying to track down are thieves.
So that's the type of people that go to this university who are trying to graduate, thieves.
I went to this university, but like we're under his threat.
Halcyon kind of like pivots and is like, does that mean you're a thief too? And like there's like an eyebrow twitch.
I don't think so.Uh, Maroon says, uh, and then he shakes his hands and his head is like, wait, wait, no, no, no.Okay.If, if we are going to go all together investigate, I mean, rent, that's a good point.Right.
Uh, if you're going to go meet, meet up with Adam, maybe we can get Adam's perspective on everything.It'd be good to get his thoughts on what's happening actually.
Yeah, I mean, yeah.No, we can talk to Adam.Adam's gonna be so happy to see us, actually, yeah.Because I have a good relationship with my younger brother.And she's looking right at Chloe.She's like, yeah, because I'm just, I'm loved by my family, so.
yikes oh no i'm not like some other people barun oblivious to all of this uh it's just smiling and nodding me like yeah i've been Yeah, like Adam is such a good kid.I really it'd be nice to catch up with him.We could also split up potentially.
I don't know which direction you specifically wanted to go, Arjun.We could.And you see, he makes a weird face of like maybe not directly confronting Professor Sheridan, but maybe if we can get access to
the professor's lounge or something where we could get some dirt.I don't know.I've never committed a theft, so I don't really know that.And he's looking pointedly at Halcyon.I'm like, I've never committed a theft.I don't know how to do this.
I mean, I mean, we're all thieves, I guess, right?Like you're about to steal and you graduated from this university, so. maybe don't steal, maybe don't be part of the team that steals, maybe?Arjun, you can steal, but not Varun.
But not Varun, but Arjun, I would suggest that you go in and you steal.You steal a lot.
Sorry, what is that supposed to mean?
We're encouraging theft now?Yeah, like steal dirt on Professor Sheridan or whatever.Just be like, hey, Where's the blackmail?Then get the blackmail and then go for it.
She came to the community center.She was digging around your room, right?
Maybe you could confront her while another group digs through her room.Fair play.
That seems a little dangerous, don't you think? Listen, the students here have seen some of our faces.Sheridan probably knows who most of us are, certainly you.
So I think we should split up and tackle the groups of people who don't know who we are, right?
Yeah, and I think doing the suggestion that Arjun confront Sheridan, there's a brief moment, but for those, whomever is paying attention to Varun could see that brief moment where his eyes widen in a slight
fear or concern about that particular approach.And as he kind of settles back down to the plan and nods, yeah.So if we split up with Ren, with your brother, I'd be happy to go with you.Maybe, I mean, Sheridan can't be that popular.
There's gotta be some professors that've got an opinion on her, right?
-"I can--" It runs rolling her eyes, and then she goes, -"I can do that thing where I ask professors about their opinion on other professors because I want to come back to this bad university for journalism.Okay, sure.Yay."
Oh, right.Varun says with a bright smile, then maybe.If you're going to talk to professors and maybe I can go and talk to your brother.Oh, yeah. I mean, we were friends back in school, so it'd be nice to catch up again.
Again, pure, bright smiles and sparkles raiding off this man, who's probably not spoken to your brother in several months.
And you know what, Varun, I'm just, I'm really glad he has a friend like you.Yeah.Like a really close friend, someone that just cherishes him. It'll be good for Adam, you're right, you're right, you're right.
Okay, I'll go confront the professors and poke around, because nobody knows who I am, because I'm stealthy and beautiful, and you guys can go do the other things, sure.
Bird looks over at Arjun and Halcyon and Chloe, and I think his eye lingers on Chloe, and it's just like, Um, is there any like, and he kind of like a scratching the back of his head?I don't know.Council business in the university.
Alderman official business.
I could try and find an event and say I'm going to spotlight it, I guess, in my newsletter, but we don't really have that much to do with the university.It's kind of its own... entity?Okay, then lie.
I mean, hasn't been a problem for you before, has it?
Red is cheering, whooping, fist pumping the air.
Did you have a... I mean, if Ren is asking around the journalism professors, who should I try to reach out to?Just the other journalism professors who have better things to do with their time?Talk to the students.
They don't know anything about politics.
Could try the students or some of the up like some of the upper heads maybe like deans or administrative staff possibly.
I mean, I'm an alderman coming to the school so pretty big deal right maybe that could be a. an incentive for some of the students to talk to you.
If someone as important as you is talking around, then maybe they wouldn't feel as beholden to whatever Professor Sheridan has them cooked up in.
I can always take another few summer interns.That's a good idea.Okay.That's three of us. Arjun, you're also pretty recognizable.
Yeah, that's the main problem.That's why I can't really go around asking people.What I am worried about is what if Natasha finds out what we're all doing here?
But, like, Natasha doesn't know that we're a group now, right?Like, she doesn't know who I am.She only knows, like, you guys.And then it's the thieves that know that we're a group of four.Because, you know, Chloe was doing whatever.
And so then we just chill out for a while.I mean, I don't think she knows.
Problem is, who's safe?Who's safe?They haven't told her already, though.
But they don't know who we are. They were scared.They're not going to do anything.They're pliable, right?We have a window until they get their shit together.We should take advantage of it.
Yes, they're scared and we should not be scared.We're in control, so we should just go after the things and then solve this issue.Then the scared people, when they're not scared anymore, it's too late for them.
sucks to suck yeah i think varu nods and like agrees with your concern arjun i mean regardless i think protecting your um appearance in the university is probably pretty important we do not want you to get
uh, ambushed by more, we don't know how many students professor Sheridan has, uh, you know, under her thumb.
So maybe you could come with me and while we go talk to Adam, or you could join, um, Chloe or, uh, Ren that way you always have someone right by you just in case.Um, yeah, I just do not want you to get ambushed.
I got it to overview.We've got basically almost everyone or how soon do you feel a particular way of where you'd want to join us?I mean, you could also just accompany someone else.
I want to go where I'm most useful and I want to bring these thieves to justice.So I'd like to talk to the students, but all right.I know, um, My eccentricities can be off-putting, so if we don't think that's smart, I will do something else.
Nah, you're going with Chloe, so she's more off-putting than you'll ever be.You don't have to worry.
I would like to think that both Ren and Varun spoke at the same time, and Ren was like, oh yeah, Chloe's off-putting, and Varun was like, oh don't worry, you can go with Chloe and it'll be far more comfortable.
literally these just two very separate reasons for the same action is oh love that oh the dichotomy of man is great the dichotomy of man iteration iteration of people-pleasing i guess i'll go with ren then in that case
Look, I'm just, this whole situation has me worried.
Worried about what?Chill.
I have a reputation that's on the line here.Who knows what Natasha could write?
Oh my gosh, come on, well just ask and everybody knows it's like clickbait and your reputation will be fine, okay?I think you're worrying about a future that's not even gonna happen, so let's.
Tell that to the public, that sends me hate mail sometimes.
Okay, well, you know, isn't it like all press is good press?There's no such thing as bad press, whatever press.
I don't know about that one.That's not even remotely true.
Okay, sounds like we got some non-believers work.
We have the groups.It is time for the investigation in the world. So Halcyon and Chloe, the two of you on yet again another wild little outing.This time with the both of you certainly having a better idea of what is about to happen.
So the two of you, you were going to have a sort of talk with the journalism students.
Also, I just wanna say, and I'm retconning to make sure that I have this, Halcyon was wearing a baseball cap and turns it to face backwards in the hello fellow youths style.And this is canon and this is real.
I want to make sure everyone is aware of this. Thank you.
Chloe, you were just yourself.You were the alderman of Caldera Hart coming to speak to some students.
Yeah.And I think that unless Halcyon has a better idea, Chloe's just like, oh, I'll tell them I'm looking for a summer intern and I want a go-getter.And I know the journalism students are like that.
And you can be one of my current interns and talk about how great it is to work for me.
Halcyon's kind of like, okay.
Incredible.And also just remind me, are y'all looking for these students that y'all have seen?
I think it's probably best to avoid them.I think that we can handle it if we need to, but I don't think we're searching for them.And in fact, we probably talked about it like, I don't think the ones from the community center would recognize me.
So I'm fine talking to them.I do think the ones from the mortuary would.So those two specifically, we are trying to avoid.Everyone else I think is fair game.That sound good?
And but the purpose for speaking to the students is to just like get a little bit more context for why like there are students coming out.
Yeah, and what kind of assignments maybe they're being sent on.Got it.Why that would involve stealing shit.
I think as soon as you all make it to university, specifically the department for media and communications and journalism and stuff, the secretary just kind of says, well, there's currently classes in session at the moment.
Would you be able to contain it within five to 10 minutes?Of course.
We appreciate whatever time that we can get.
She prints you out kind of like a map of the classes that are in session for the day.You get professor names, you get room names, room numbers rather.And specifically, all the classes that Sheridan seems to be teaching for today.
So thankfully, all of it is contained within the same building.Some of them rarely leave the same floor.We'll say the second floor.It all seems to be, I guess, realistically, it's maybe only two classes for today that Sheridan is doing.
Interestingly, they're all the very basics of media, basics of journalism or whatever. I think, interestingly, you also receive classroom rosters.
Did y'all know the names of the ones who were stealing stuff?
Oh, yeah.Oh, yeah.Oh, yeah.We got that. console and CC, which I don't think they saw me.So if we can talk to them, they were kind of freaked out.I bet we could get some good information out of them.You're kind of intimidating, right?
I mean, I try to be friendly.Sure.Yeah.And I know I'm intimidating.So. I think we should go after them if they're in class.
Are they in class?Yeah, I think looking through the class rosters for their names specifically and if we can find what class they're in, going to that one.
I do think despite the knowledge of Lee that it's so stupid to see people who know who Halcyon is, Halcyon does want to exact some sort of revenge on them or even scare them a little bit.
So they kind of like point and are like, hey, you remember those two, right?You remember those two, right?They're here right now.
We could get them.Do you think they're involved in the same thing?It just sounded like everyone at the mortuary was stealing.
OK, but they were like really suspicious.And also, what are the odds that four journalism students going off in pairs are stealing stuff from old people?Pretty low, right?
Okay, if you think that that's the best use of our time, I'll follow your lead.
Also, I feel like my disguise is pretty good.And Halcyon kind of steps back and like strikes a pose.Like, I'm a kid.
I'm sure that the other students won't find anything suspicious, but are you trying to not be recognized by these two either? I mean this in the best possible way.
Do I not look like I'm just a guy?
You're a pretty recognizable guy.
I feel like I look like every other person walking around.
I'm doing human right, right?Oh, no, you are.I think you overestimate other people a little bit, maybe.OK.
What if I draw like a little mustache?Would that work?It will certainly distract.You know what?I'm taking that as a seal of approval.And I think Halcyon, there are students like kind of around, right?
Halcyon like just goes up to the nearest students like, hey, can I borrow a Sharpie?
Yeah, sure.You get like, it's like a bright pink one.
Excellent taste.And Halcyon kind of brings it back to Chloe.And it's like, this will work, right?
It's on your face now.So yeah.
Okay, great.So off to off to Pete until we go.
The class is called The Practice and Process of News, proctored by what seems to be a Professor Felix Halcyon.It's almost as if you are laser focused in on Peter and Till, the two of them.
Again, Till with this crazy dyed hair and Peter, just like this spectacled kid, really, the two of them sitting next to each other, seemingly inseparable.Chloe, do you knock or how polite or otherwise do you go about your entrance?
I think that she sort of knocks on the doorframe and then, without waiting for a response from the professor, comes on in and will sort of introduce herself loudly enough.
Introduce herself nominally to the professor, but loudly enough so that the rest of the class hears, so that Professor Felix can't sort of cut her off. and be like, oh, hi, I'm Chloe Min, the alderman of this ward.
I got permission from the university to come talk to your class for a little bit.
And there is what seems, Professor Felix, there is an acknowledgement of who you are and just kind of like goes over to like shake your hand in a very warm way of like, oh, again, pleasant surprise.
Like this is exactly the type of thing that could potentially happen.This is a great opportunity for all of you.Chloe, you are able to take the stage here, quote unquote.
You don't have to get into like a whole like speech or anything, but Halcyon, I would love for you to, roll to pass beneath notice.
Yeah, I figured that was gonna happen.I had a feeling.Okay.
Please check against infamy.
Okay.That is... Hold on.My infamy is four.I got a six.
Okay.How many dice did you roll?
Two.I got six total.I got a five and a one.
Five and a one.Okay, so that is a weak hit.Okay.
Cool.So I have to choose two, right?
Yes.So you do it long enough to get what you wanted, but it will cost you.
So at this very moment, presumably, you're just trying to like hide where or who specifically you work for and in what situation you could be traced back to, but please pick two.
Okay, I think I do think I want to stick around here.So someone notices me and they'll keep an eye out later and I get separated from my allies and or pulled out of position.
Okay, so somehow, you will get separated from Chloe after this.
I mean, look, if you need to take them to the hallway to rough them up a little bit.
Yeah, so at the moment, it doesn't seem as though Peter and Till, the two of them like are catching your eye, Halcyon.
But I do think that the person that does notice you here at this very moment is the professor himself as Chloe, you're on the spiel, kind of like speaking to you like on the hush to the side so that the students can get the full experience of the talk.
Chloe, are there any moves here that you would like to do?
Yeah, I think that maybe I'll try and get a little information like I'll offer up like, oh, you know, I'm really like looking for interns and folks who are go getters and, you know, able to investigate things and work on their own.
And, like, if you're interested, you know, I'd be happy to just like sort of take addresses.
Definitely that being said, you were a visibly active person on that day.So Peter seems to be trying to keep his head down, try and not make himself really noticed.But then I think Till is the one maybe asking some questions.
Till seems to attempt to ask a question very unrelated to what you are asking.I think he one of the questions that he's just like, is it usual in your high of a position to find them in like volunteer positions?Is that something that might be?
I mean, the place of an alderman or an alderman is anywhere within their board.And that's where we want our people to is. anywhere so that if anyone has an issue wherever they are, they know that they can turn and find one of us to help them.
And there is definitely an implicit threat in that.Maybe it's an explicit threat.
Mm-hmm.Okay.The two of them definitely seem like, not alerted by anything, but just that they were like halted at all in whatever they were doing by the person speaking to them right now.
You have successfully been able to make it seem like this is just run of the mill whatever.
I think that this is the point where Chloe glances towards the hallway because she wants to ask Halcyon, what's the plan here?Should I pull them out and try to interrogate them or something?Halcyon is just gone.
Chloe, what do you want to do as your time is wrapping up?
I think that she will go in front of the class.It was Till who asked the question. Yeah, I'll go to tell him say, you know, but that's the type of question asking that I'm really looking for in an intern.
Why don't you give me your contact information?
Sure.And I think kind of non committally takes out like rips out a piece of paper, puts his school email onto it.Excited to hear from you.
I think we'll work great together.
Till speaks up, cool, sure, yeah.And Halcyon, I think you and Chloe kind of catch eyes here of like Chloe with a piece of paper in front of Peter and Till.
Kind of walks over to Chloe, eyes the two of them is like, hey, we can go to the next class.But like, but gives them a stink eye.
Great, well, thank you so much for the time with your class, professor.
Yeah, we're so glad that we could steal a little bit of your time.
The two of you will go on to your next class, but we are going to hop over now to the next group.
Great.I love going to talk to Adam, who I've not spoken to
in months, I think how Varun goes about this if I may is Varun digs through his contacts because I believe he would have had Adam's number saved even though he has not like maintained contact and sent him a text essentially amounting to
Hey, how's it going?Long time no see.I'm heading to campus for a bit.If you want to grab a coffee and meet up for a bit.Smiley face.Sparkle emoji.Sparkle heart.
Adam responds.Varun question mark.Yeah, sure.I guess.
Yay!Yay.Yes, Varun.Let's meet up at and I imagine there's a like a student cafe sort of situation on campus that he'll say, yeah, let's meet up here.Yeah, looking forward to seeing you, bud.Smiley face, big teeth emoji.
The two of you meet similarly from Ren, although Varun you wouldn't know specifically, but perhaps from the last time you've seen Adam, Adam is dressed like a mini version of his own father. very much like his style is off.
He seems older than really seems necessary, but it seems apropos for someone in his major.
Makes sense makes sense.I yeah, there's an exchange of pleasantries and as a Varun sits down and they order their drinks or snacks or whatnot.
He like leans over with a big toothy grin and is just like, yeah, so how's how's your major been treating you?How's how's uni been?
Good. bit, like all the grades, academics and stuff have been pretty seamless for me.
That's great.That's good news.That's pretty much three quarters of the battle.How about clubs and stuff?You getting into any fun clubs?
Um, I'm in a, I'm in a frat kind of department.Yeah. I think what you're maybe able to get out of him is truly it's a frat to help him socialize and be in with more of other men of his age sort of thing.
But there is also this thing of he's still not really able to fit in or feel comfortable.
I think that's the thread that Varun kind of like taps in.He kind of like leans forward, cups his, like rests his chin against his hands and listens really attentively to what Adam's putting down here.
And he's just like, yeah, I mean, that's all well and good.How about, it's nice to know that you're like getting into clubs and you're doing really well in school. Um, it sounds like you're, if you don't mind me, don't mind me overstepping here.
It sounds like you're still feeling a little out of water a little bit.You need, do you need anything support wise?I know university is like, Oh, so overwhelming everything all the time.And everyone's trying to get you to do all the things.Um, yeah.
Anything I could do that. help out or hear you out about.And there's a genuine like, empathy because he's been there before as any college student has, there's always that feeling of being out of water and feeling disconnected.
I don't know.I mean, I'm getting I'm getting my sister to like, help me get some help style me, I guess if that's the right word.
Yeah, yeah, I've been having some problems.I don't know if problems is the right word, but like, I don't really know how to dress.And since I don't really know how to do that.It makes me worry too much about that before I go to a party or whatever.
I feel too in my clothes and it just doesn't feel right.I don't know.
Yeah, I totally get that. I mean, here's the thing.Before I got to university, I would basically wear all of my brother's hand-me-downs.And I don't know if you've seen my brother.Exactly.He's massive.And I'm tiny.
And so every time I would wear his clothes, it would just be, you know, it's not me, right?So I totally get how you feel.Only when I got to university did I find my sense of style.
And I think this is the perfect opportunity where anyone who glances over Varun, you see these like cute little accessories, a floral necklace of his kind of very like
queer boyish look that he's got of a cute little button up with a bandana around his neck and as he like kind of like gestures around onto his own style he says I mean, I know that Red would love to help out.
Yeah, if you ever need a pal to kind of come with you to some clothing stores, even thrift stores, most of my really nice button-ups I got from the thrift store.They're really, really pretty and they last forever. I more than happy to sit with you.
Sometimes you just sometimes you just need a pal to just walk with you and hype you up with all the different styles you want to try because this is the best time to be trying out your different styles.
There seems to be a discomfort around thrifting for some reason.You can like still be like, still look good with old clothes.
Yeah.And I think that is the opportunity where he kind of like pulls up this like floral button up that he's got.I was like, this like thrifted.Isn't it cute?
Really?Yeah, that looks really good.
Yeah, it's so cute.And listen, like this. There's some things, and I think Varun does clock the discomfort.
It's like, I'm not saying you got to have all of your clothes from the thrift store and that every single clothing in the thrift store is like the best.
I'm thinking more like if you want to go for like, I don't know, like a leather look, like a leather jacket. that is typically best to get the old school ones, because they are actually, one, made with high quality, really good leather.
They last for ages.And even if it looks a little rough, a little polishing would make it look amazing.But yeah, it's just things like that that are hard to get.
And maybe if you were to get a similar quality in bigger stores, they'd be really, really expensive. Um, but again, we don't have to always go to the thrift store.We can also get some, and he's like, he starts looking over Adam's look.
He's like, we can get you some layers, you know, get a few basic shirts, uh, so that you can swap in and out of different kinds of styles until you find which one you're comfortable with.Either way.
I think friend would really love and appreciate, uh, helping you out there.She's got such good taste.
Did you just want to hang out to catch up?
Sort of.I'm also kind of... And he kind of thinks for a little bit about how he's going to approach talking about this.Well, I've been really curious about the journalism course recently, specifically on Professor Sheridan.
And I thought that maybe if I come onto campus and got a feel around for, like, how the course is and how the professor is like, I'd get a better feel of pathways forward, you know?Like going back to school?No, not for me.He raises up his hands.
He's like, not for me, for a friend.
Could you imagine me as a journalist?And he gives a very, very playful smirk.
I don't know.But I thought I'd be a really good friend because my friend is out of town.
Mm hmm.Mm hmm.Yeah, I mean, the Sheridan classes have been really popular as far as I have been hearing.Oh.I mean, I mean, sorry, I haven't been hearing a lot, but like if I am hearing
if us over here in the engineering department are hearing about a really popular professor, then it's kind of like... Because she does a lot of the general stuff.
If someone has to do a communications or a leadership class, usually she's down, she's somewhere involved.That's a gadget. I mean, she's an actual journalist in town too, and she does bigger articles online and everything.
People are interested in the people that come back to teach, I guess.
I think Vernon would just follow up and just say, so is it like, oh, she's really popular because she's in the industry sort of popular, or is it like she's popular with the kids as well?
I think it's mainly, I guess because of her industry, that's maybe why she's good with university age students as well.She seems like you can just talk to her about anything kind of vibe.Also, I hear her classes are really easy.Oh.
So it kind of has me thinking, I have this stupid leadership thing that I have to fill in.And I was just thinking, maybe I'd try one of her classes next semester.
There's a tiny bead of sweat that drops from the top of his forehead down.Then he hears the phrase next semester and then goes, ah, yeah, next semester.That might that might be a good shout, you know, to get a course that helps with communications.
Always, always good to expand your repertoire.Yeah, that's awesome.I mean, it sounds like Journalism is a well-beloved course and professors also pretty beloved.I'll report back to my pal.Thank you for sharing with me about your thoughts on that.
And I know we haven't talked in a while, but you can always hit me up whenever.
we can catch up last little thoughts uh i don't think he's i think he's pretty satisfied with the information he's uncovered um because at the very least it showcases a disturbing dissonance um with public perception and what we know um i think he'll spend the remaining time like
drawing like literally drawing up i think he's got like a little notebook a little literally drawing up like ideas that he has for um adam for like places to check out clothes or like new styles that he thinks are really cute and if adam's interested he can go and check it out if he wants ren and arjun
Let's get this bread, boy.Let's get it.You're going to the...
media journalism related majors department.How do you go about it?Do you just kind of like walk in or like do any emails?Like, what's the Ren and Arjun method of this mission?
Ren will walk in if Arjun doesn't stop her.Ren's gonna walk in.
I mean, Arjun also had the idea to just walk in, so I mean... Great.
Yeah, Ren's gonna walk in and she's gonna look at Arjun and she's like, just knock on the doors and start asking questions or what?
Maybe like lead into it with like a little bit of a story and then we can ask the questions.
Okay, cool, cool, cool.First professor door, she's knocking.
There is a professor Moore behind, peers over and sees the two of you.Yes, can I help you?Are you two students?
So I'm interested in attending this wonderful university, particularly the journalism course.And this, and gestures to Arjun, is my really wonderful and talented friend who loves this university as well.
I'm a former, I'm a graduate, but I offered to help her, give her a tour around campus.And once you mentioned the journalism department, I figured I could bring her by.
So we wanted to ask you a few questions regarding the program and then classes and such, but, and the professors.So if you wouldn't mind.
Well, you've caught me at my office hours.
Oh, thank you for your time.I appreciate it.
Yeah, wow, so cool.Can we, so journalism.Sit down.Yeah.Wren immediately sits down.Journalism is like such an interesting field.What courses are taught by the professors here?Do you like know Caldera Voice?
I am super interested in journalism because of that.So like, what course does like, Professor Sheridan teach?
There's a little bit of, like, a slight disappointment in this, like, through line that's building in his head about what you are approaching him with.
In his mind, like, I think either of you can see this, it's just like, oh, you want to be in the journaling thing because of Sheridan's, like, following, that kind of thing, but he attempts to continue to, like, humor you.
Well, I guess, luckily, Sheridan has been with us for a couple, a few semesters at this point.But you may very well see her for her hybrid gen eds for the major.So it's very possible to just see her at some point.
Really, it would just be a matter of you signing up and you would almost certainly get a class with her.
Oh, I'm not really interested in like signing up for these classes.
She wanted to start off by doing a non-degree-seeking classes first and then see if she wants to get into it.
But regarding Professor Sheridan, I guess if she says she does take one of those classes, I mean, how has Professor Sheridan been as a teacher?I just want to look out for my friend, obviously, make sure she's getting a good education, obviously.
Yeah.Great education here.
Okay, you'll get an eclectic experience, that's for sure.There's often a few waivers about experiencing classes in certain fields, which is non-standard, usually.
Yeah, what's a waiver?Like, what are you signing away?
Signing just in case if anything gets lost that the students take on their own responsibility for that sort of thing.
Their own belongings.When these field classes, you know, they're just
to be able to take notes, or to be able to speak to go out into the local areas go to, depending on the class that she's taking, it could be one about local festivals or celebrations and how to report on that, for example.
So a class might go out to like, experience a local festival.
And, and you would lose things like at this festival?
It's just a very general thing.I'm not sure what you're getting caught up on.
I'm just like confused because you said it's like non-standard.
So if it's like, everybody is worried about losing their staff, like a professor, like, for example, I might bring my class along for like a very special occasion.Natat, excuse me, Professor Sheridan might take on a more
a more flexible schedule with some of her students.And it could be like extra credit or something along those lines.
Uh huh.Yeah.So like extra credit, like what are, what are some examples of like the extra credit stuff?I've like never heard of this.I thought like extra credit was like, you answer a question on a test correctly and you get like two points.
I didn't realize you could like do things. Oh, does she like take up a lot of the budget?
And there's a clear discomfort here.And I would love for you to make a move that can be connect, make a stand, rebelize any of these to get that information out of him.
Godspeed.Let's do connect. I'm gonna try and convince or put up a false front.
Hmm Let's try I don't think it's gonna matter I think I still have yeah, it's not gonna matter Because I'm not making the vassals right clear yeah, I'll try put up my false front just like I'm just like a
kind of insensitive, inquisitive, 17, 18 year old, going to school, trying to enter freshman, just graduated high school or whatever, like a high school senior.Okay, what did I get?That is a four and a six, and my lack was a three, so that's,
That's a strong hit.Incredible.Okay.Connecting on a hit, they'll give you a chance to make your case.They'll answer a few questions or do a minor favor that doesn't risk their own standing on a strong hit.You can also pick one.
Could you imagine we hit it off?
Okay.They reveal far more than they normally would.Let's go.
okay okay okay um you see the discomfort there and he for some reason just speaking to ren like maybe it's just like a sheer like absolute frustration with the type of character ren is um but he just like shrugs and just sort of like leans in a little bit and then kind of like
feels the absurdity of feeling that he has to keep anything a secret here.He looks something up on his monitor, he moves the monitor towards you and just points to a point.
It is a university news article, which is about Natasha Sheridan being a huge donor to the university as well as the specific journalism program. So Professor Moore kind of shrugs and says, well, she funds it.
So theoretically, realistically, a lot of us at this moment, it makes sense.A lot of us could take her up on these trips, that sort of thing.
these extra credit moments where we could, rather than asking the students to go out of their way to use their own parking ticket money or gas money or lunch money or something along those lines to go to these events, we would be able to bring them all at once.
It's beneficial to the students.
Yeah, but what do you think?
I don't... I mean, as a teacher, surely you have to have opinions on this.
It is... I could be just more old-fashioned or traditional, but I believe these events should be not given out
so often as extra credit because it just dilutes the classroom experience, this is just my opinion, but the frequency is the problem, if you understand what I mean.
Yeah, like it happens every week.
Approximately.Interesting.
Yeah.Do you feel like other professors agree with you or are you alone in this?
We try not, we just try to have professional conversations with each other about it.We all have very differing opinions, some that are positive, some that are a little bit more conflicted, but ultimately understand the worth.
Yeah.Like, are you guys like friends, like you and your professors?Do you have friends like in this department?
Some of us would choose that wording, I suppose, but first and foremost, we are co-workers and peers.
Like, you never grab, like, a beer with, like, your co-workers after, like, a long day's work of, like, grading.
Every day is a long day, so we're generally not attempting to endorse alcoholism amongst ourselves, so I'm not sure.
Haha, you're so funny.So... I feel like I learned so much, but I think that I still have a couple of questions, maybe.
And Ren looks at Arjun and is like, kind of trying to signal with her eyebrows, like, do you have anything you want to ask this guy?
Well, I, uh... I mean, Ren, if you're out of questions, maybe you could wait outside.There's one thing I do have to ask the professor here, if you could just wait outside.
Okay.Bye, Professor Moore.Bye.
If you want to find someone else.
Ren, like, gets up and is like, just shimmies out.
You'll have to excuse her.I'm so sorry.She's very... Very, very blunt, especially with people who aren't familiar with her.But the reason I wanted to talk to you in private... I'll get right to the point.
I've heard some interesting rumors about Professor Sheridan. things that aren't exactly good for her reputation, I should say.Let's just leave it at that.Have you heard anything regarding those or have anything to share about that?
Anything could help, honestly.
It's just... I'm gonna need to connect from you.
Okay. Like Arjun had it, or like we played it, we played it like Ren's way by like being indirect.I'm just going to be direct at this point.I'm like, I'm too angry at this point to really be like indirect at this point.This is not the time.
I, I don't like Natasha.Natasha is like, I feel like I'm going to be either going to be doing infamy or heat.That's the question.Like probably heat would be the best one in this case.
Cause I'm actually like, Hey, something's like, something's definitely off about, about Professor Sheridan. Okay, that is a five and a... Five and a four.So that is a- A strong hit?Yeah.Let's go.
Let's go.That's my best friend.The anger, it fuels me.
So would you like- It fuels him.You get to also choose one more option. You hit it off.
Let's go.No, we can definitely hit it off.No.Oh, God.
Because they definitely, I feel like there's either, we definitely got a good information, but I feel like, I don't know if there's a restricted location or valuable item that we might want to check out.
Could the restricted location be her office?
I would, no, I'm not going to steal.Wait, no.I have a reputation to keep. Plus, they won't, yeah, they won't do my is it they won't they won't risk their own standing.
So I mean, I might give him the key to the top of his office might might end up getting him fired.So I'm not gonna have him do that.I think I think I'll probably go with reveal farmer than they normally would.
So your last question was about
Basically about like the he's gonna he's gonna rumors not any like nasty rumors regarding Natasha or her students regarding and even like you might phrase it in the way that puts it in context regarding the extra credit trips that was just discussed with.
Yeah, yeah.I've heard some.Yeah, interesting things with these extra credit trips and things that aren't.Let's that don't exactly fall on the following the legal side of things, shall we say.
This time he does lean in.Okay.You know, listen, I'm not trying.We're all trying to keep it under wraps.Because yes, she's providing a lot for the subsidiary departments outside of just the journalism one as well.Just
We have also been hearing some strange things.Apparently, there are, quite frankly, some major changes as well within the department.People who were just communications going into the journalism, like within, who knows how fast, how long.But
guidance counselors listen to things.They see strange new interests.That's, you know, it's just something that we see.There are some grades shooting up before like I have never seen from shared students between me and Sheridan.
Oh, I don't I'm really I'm not sure about the legality of certain situations.I think some of it, without the context that you may have, I may just not be the right person to talk to about this.
There is a department head of everything that I can give you the contact information for if you have truly questions about legal kind of actions, but It is weird.It is strange.And she's only been working here for a couple years or so.
She's always been in Caldera, but she works and moves very quickly.That's for sure.
Definitely interesting.I definitely would like that contact information if you please.
Okay.And he like takes out a pen and like, or he actually probably has a business card.So he gives you the business card of himself and the department head.Much appreciated.That's all that I can really provide comfortably.
I don't really know who you are.But I, you know, if I can provide something, I'll try.
I think Arjun is going to, oh, that's such a risky move, but I think Arjun is going to, I think, ask for another business card just so he can get a pen.He's gonna write down his email in the back and hand it over to him.
If you can send anything, send it here.I will, I guess. And obviously it goes without saying, but if you could keep this a secret from Professor Sheridan.
I go out of my way to make sure that I am never really in a conversation with her.So I feel like that will just kind of organically be the case.Much appreciated.Okay.
Please, please leave.Yeah.Thank you for your time again, Professor. And he lugs at the door.He lugs at the professor's office.Ren, where are you at this very moment?
Ren has skedaddled.Ren is probably- Oh, you've left.Not left, left.Ren is just wandering aimlessly down this hallway, being like, maybe I should knock on a door, but then Arjun might not be in a good mood if I do that.And so she's just wandering.
Ren and Arjun, and Arjun specifically in this moment, you've closed the door, Professor Morse behind you.
The both of you, although the two of you don't have eyesight or eyeline to each other, you hear at the end of the hall, the voice of Natasha Sheridan entering into the hallway.Shit. I'm gonna need the two of you to pass Penny's notice.
I'm angry, so I have disadvantage on these.
I have disadvantage on these.Okay, let's go. Oh, baby, I'm good.Wait, am I good?I'm good.
Don't announce you're good before you know.
I got a four and a five.And I'm going against a three.
Okay. It's not bad, but I got a four and a one.And I'm rolling against the three.So it's a weak hit.
That's a weak hit.Pick two.
Okay.I mean, honestly, we're kind of already separated.So I'm probably just going to pick the first and second option.
You have to leave the situation right now or be discovered and you get separated from your allies or pulled out of position. Excellent.
Okay.The top two.Leave the situation.Oh, the top two.Yeah.
Someone notices you and they'll keep an eye out later.Okay.
Okay.Ren's gonna do something a little bit spicy.
Ren's, I'm gonna choose someone notices you and they'll keep an eye out later and Ren's straight up gonna go, hi professor.
To Natasha?Oh.Okay, interesting.Natasha in her overdressed glory snaps her head over to you. It gives you like a quirk of an eyebrow.Can you, oh, you were at the community center.Can I help you with something?
Oh my God, you remember me.That's so nice.You're just like what people say.
And what do you mean by that?Like,
You're Natasha Sheridan, right?Yeah.
So like people talk about you.You're kind of a big deal.
Arjun, you can hear Ren's voice at this point.So you are at the very least able to like you can't I don't think you see her but you can hear her voice at this moment because you're still attempting to pass beneath notice and you are
I think your senses, this like this anger, the angry condition here is not doing you any good.No, it's not.He hears her voice and he just like begins to walk down the hallway towards Ren.I would say yes.I'm a pretty big deal.
Great.That's like really great.You're like a big deal at the university too, right?
Like you don't need like all, all that money to like, you're like a big donor.Oh my God.Wow.
Can I help you with something actionable, tangible, or is it cool if I go back to my office?
Sure.I'm not stopping you. Right?
Okay.So nice to meet you.So nice to see you again.Goodbye.
Bye.Do you wanna stop by my salon sometime?
Just ignores you, keeps walking away and then- Your hair is kind of bad.Arjun, you can hear.
I just think a salon would be nice.You look like you need a touch-up.
You can hear her close the door.
Oh my god.What?I guess the only question is, did she catch a glimpse of Arjun while she was heading her way in?No.She did not?No.Oh, thank god.
And oh, no, I think Arjun is you make your way over to Ren or if you are sorry, that was an assumption.Arjun, what's your move?
I probably try to like meet back up with Ren.So okay, in some way, shape or form.
You lock eyes with we'll say CC and her eyes kind of widen
he's just and before unless you make a specific move CC like runs he he would make a move but at this moment he's just I'm not he's not just gonna he's just gonna let her go honestly they're gonna tell Natasha at some point it was gonna happen eventually so might as well have it sooner than later
Arjun, Cece, the person, one of the two people that you confronted stealing jewelry, all of this information, all of this stuff, these words coming out, legality, this extra credit, these field trips, the frequency of them.
Halcyon and even Chloe, maybe even just by proximity.Eventually, whenever Halcyon says the words out loud, even another vision sort of clouds Halcyon's mind.
this red silhouettes, this heat vision, these figures, Cece, in Natasha Sheridan's office, this hurried whispering, and all of you feeling what feels like the clock ticking at an hour, whatever hour it may be, that sends dread and shivers up all of your spines.
The investigation clock ticks to alert.
Let's go!They know, they know.
All of you right now take one gauge of stress in anything that you would like.
Josephine at Scary Dog Friend plays the architect and edits the show.The biggest thanks to Minerva McJanda for creating our system, Voidheart Symphony.You can find Josephine producing actual plays at Badhaus RPG and Nameless Domain.
Other podcasts you can find her include Someplace to Be, a system-hopping actual play with an indie focus, and Monsterfuckers Anonymous, rating and dating your favorite monsters everywhere you listen to your podcasts.
Thanks again to Goblets and Gays for hosting us, and all the music you hear today is from Epidemic Sound.
Abhishek Matanke, he him, plays Arjun Kumar.
You can find him voice acting, as well as starring in other TTRBG APs, such as Zenith, over at Sword and Key, premiering August 29th, as well as Iron Storm the Valley, Season 2, over at Nerves with Dice, premiering September 5th.
You can also find him being a huge tokusatsu nerd over at neon underscore raiden, at twitter.com.
Alyssa, at a disaster career, plays Chloe, penitent.You can find them here on Goblets and Gaze, for our Pathfinder series Tyrant of the Dark Star, as well as on An Unwavering Force, a Star Wars actual play.
Donna, she, her, plays Ren Kang.You can find her voice acting, playing other TTRPGs, and overall being a goofy gal at Shawbro on Twitter.com.
Leanna Albanese, any pronouns, plays Halcyon. You can find them acting, producing, and generally goofing around at Leanna Albany's On All Platforms.
Valiant Dorian, at Valiant Dorian or at Otso's Spirit Bear, plays Varun Pillay.
You can find him as a main cast member of Transpanner RPG's The Chaos Protocol, hosting his TTRPG talk show Dicey Banta, and designing wild-hearted monstrous games like his in-development TTRPG
The Beast Within, a grungy action RPG with a werebeast twist.
