lorelei's inbox

[instructus]

the instructor

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[festiverogue]

I'm surprised you're awake! Shizuku's fast asleep. Don't lose sleep over us if you can help it!

Aaaanyway, this might sound kind of weird coming from me after all the grief I gave you when I first got here, so get ready.

Reeeeady?

[instructus]

[ ...HM. ]

There are no hard feelings towards you.

But yes, I am ready. What do you have for me today?

[festiverogue]

Thanks! That's awfully generous of you! Truthfully, unless I absolutely respect them, I have a reeeal problem with authority! Too bad, so sad...

No, but that's really not why I'm texting you, so here it is:

Thank you!

[instructus]

You have an issue with authority, and yet you're thanking me. How curious. For what, exactly?

[ ???? She is confused. ]

[festiverogue]

For listening to me when we needed help earlier. You sent Florence out.

I realize I could've contacted her directly, but Chongyun asked for you specifically. Meanwhile, I think the rest of us were kind of at a loss. We were scrambling. It wasn't pretty.

So thanks. Even if nobody else appreciates what you did, I'll say it for them.

[instructus]

[ There's a bit of a delay before she sends her next reply. ]

Well. That's just part of their capabilities, you see, and naturally, the equipment at the university would not be sufficient enough to have properly treated Eiichi and Chongyun's wounds. I have yet to hear how they were able to treat the wounded, but I assume things went as well as they could have.

While your situation here is certainly less than ideal, the goal here isn't to see any of you die.

I appreciate the kind words nevertheless.

[festiverogue]

If you wanted us to die, we'd be dead already. This isn't set up quite like that.

[Please don't ask why he thinks that. Enstars is a special hell.]

I'm going to thank Florence, too, so don't you worry about that either. I know it's kind of an "all's well that ends well" situation, but some people were really scared and upset for a while there.

While I have you, I've got some questions. I don't know if you'll have answers for me, but I want to ask juuust in case. You know how 3 AM goes.

[instructus]

Understandably so. I can imagine that their injuries would be cause for some panic.

Go ahead. I've been awake, anyway.

[festiverogue]

Do you not sleep much usually, or is this a special occasion?

Aaannyway, what I was wondering is if there's a specific reason each of us is here. Not necessarily why we were picked, but you know how there was no syllabus? Something like an end goal for us individually. Or is it just some biiig nebulous "pass the course, do your best!" sort of thing?

Guess I got to thinking a liiittle too hard tonight.

[instructus]

I normally sleep an adequate amount, so this is a special occasion, I suppose.

Passing and doing your best is essentially the goal of this, yes. But if you don't trust that, I will not stop you from taking matters into your own hands. It's good to see you all working so hard to figure things out.

[festiverogue]

[Holy what the fuck.

That's not what he expected in an answer. At all.

He changes direction again.]

Sorry to hear that. Insomnia's nooo fun. Still, glad you're here.

Do you already know the things we're "figuring out", or is it going to be news to you, too?

I mean, when we have these biiig lessons, is the outcome known or unknown?

[instructus]

I don't know if I would say it's insomnia so much as it is...taking some extra time to look into things. Late nights are a necessity in this profession.

I know at least some of it, and I can say that thus far, you've all been passing. I don't think you'll have anything to worry about when it comes to that.

[festiverogue]

I guess that's what happens when you're a gooood teacher looking out for your class like a little flock of lambs~ We'll be sure to send you an apple every day!

All-knowing isn't actually as cool as it sounds. But you don't think you're a god or anything, riiight? You're just the teacher.

[instructus]

I look forward to the apples, then.

Furthermore, I didn't claim to be all-knowing.

[festiverogue]

I didn't say you did! I just said being all-knowing wasn't greeeeat! The opposite! Sorry, even if you know a little about me, you don't know how I feel about that, huh... My bad!

Should we trust you? I know that sounds like a weird question, but follow me for a second here!

[instructus]

Hmm, I see. Then I apologize for the misunderstanding.

And whether or not you trust me is completely up to you. I don't normally try to persuade people to see me in a certain light; as long as things are getting done and progress is being made, however people feel about me is irrelevant.

[festiverogue]

No problem! I'm misunderstood a looot~ It comes with the territory!

I guess that's fair enough.

[And the answer he expected, which is good.]

What's progress? Helping people, right? There were people here before us. And they might be around somewhere, hiding or trapped or something.

[instructus]

That's part of it.

I saw a newcomer wandering around campus recently, if that's who you're referring to. It's likely that others like her may be hiding around, unable to escape with the environmental constraints.

[festiverogue]

You don't know her? Well, it's not like I know her. We haven't spoken, actually. I let Shizuku handle the delicate stuff.

Was this place evacuated before we got here? Is that why it's deserted? I guess I juuust assumed everybody got eaten or something~

[instructus]

I haven't seen her before, no, though she doesn't seem to pose a threat to you or the program so she's welcome to continue lingering, I suppose.

As for your question... Tell me, what are your theories on that?

[festiverogue]

Didn't I juuust say I assumed everybody got eaten?

I just somehow get the feeling you all know what you're doing more than you let on. Like maybe this is a repeat or a do-over.

[instructus]

Hmm. I was simply wondering if your opinion had changed after everything, is all.

I'm curious as to why you think this is a repeat. I'm aware that some of you have seen the people inside of the orbs, for what it's worth. But is there something that you'd like to discuss?

[festiverogue]

Nooope! It's just a hunch. I just wonder if this wasn't maybe tried on the average, everyday folks before us. Or something like it. Why're we thaaat special?

[instructus]

...Actually, that's what one of your classmates came to ask me about. Shin, specifically.

I'm sure he'll give you some of the answers you seek if you ask.

[festiverogue]

I'll see if I can find some time to talk to him! Hate to make you repeat yourself.

So, on more of a personal curiosity note: Are you happy here?