Aledon and I had breakfast together in our suite, the longest we had spent together in person since he started school here. It was mostly him talking, as he peppered me with information on all the opportunities here. Most were "things I would consider in the future," until we started talking about the Third Level Society, and, inevitably, the subject of Monika Rhodes.
"So...let me clear something up." Aledon bit his lower lip as we each were eating our cereal across the table from one another. "If you have not heard rumors yet, you probably hear them in the near future...Yes, I did have a bit of a romantic fling with Monika early on. I was, admittedly, allured by a lot of things, like the proximity of her hometown to ours (she is from Kempton). I was also impressed by her intelligence (and she is a Psychology major, one year younger than me). And then there was also her passion and excitement for the Society and the Arturian Realm. You'll most likely see her if you join and spawn on the original Planet Arturia. She has an avatar named Tera who is, by now, a superior spellcrafter in the Rope Age regions there, particularly big on nature preservation quests."
"Then you found out who she really was and decided to call it off?" I ventured. "Or did she decide she was not interested?"
"Yes, no, and neither," said Aledon. "Like I said, it was only a short fling. We went on two dates. After that, neither she nor I messaged each other. I think she knew my sentiment and decided to move on...I mean, I like her supportive opinions over the darkfire community; and we agree on most things about Lora Kotimer. But I think she seems a tad...blind...when it comes to her perception of Cabotton politics. I mean, it was never black-and-white Liberal-versus-Conservative. And it's even less so today."
"And Monika's the one running against you this year for Dungeonmaster?"
"I know, right? Normally, I try to give the benefit of the doubt to my challengers. I aim to demonstrate respect for them in terms of how well they would lead the Society while I, with every re-election campaign, tell the masses how I would do a better job. Taking an approach like that lessens antagonism between competing candidates, after all. That said, while I have done the same for Monika as best I could, I believe her refusal to acknowledge the very real threat posed by Arnold Stamp may place the Society in jeopardy should she become Dungeonmaster...And I'm sure you've learned a lot about Stamp in the past day or so."
**"You were telling me about him last night," I said.
"Speaking of which," replied Aledon, who pulled out his comm tab and began searching for something. After a few moments, he sent a cyber-link to my comm tab. It was an article from an independent writing platform called the Northeast Courier. "I came across it last night. I believe that this is a well-rounded, unbiased, but critically analytical source. It's authored by numerous educated observers on various local events around the country."
The article showed to me was by someone named Peter Stevens, a sociology graduate from the University of Combria. And a few excerpts from the article he wrote concerning the happenings of Cabotton University I remembered for being alarming. The title itself, "Cabotton: A University at Risk," was one. Another was an excerpt about various Cabotton Conservatives deeming Stamp to radical even for them, as well as Stamp calling the Third Level Society the...
"So that was a direct quote? 'Bringers of witchcraft'?" I read aloud with a raised eyebrow.
"I was not exaggerating yesterday," said Aledon darkly. "That is...quite literally...what he said. And that kind of terminology has not been used here in Remikra since the days before the formation of the Great North."
"In other words, he aims to have us hunted down? Burned at the stake?"
"He didn't say he'd do that, exactly. But then again, he didn't exactly specify that he'd not persecute us in some way, should be become Headmaster. Think Campus Watch..."
"So stepping up arrests or trespasses?"
Aledon gave a shrug and slight nod. "Kinda like when they were enforcing anti-darkfire policies during the pre-Kotimer years..."
I cringed. "Maybe we can re-locate, worst-case scenario..."
"Oh dear," said Aledon with a cringe and grim laugh. "Very much easier said than done. Not only do we have to find a venue large enough to hold us and the many, many servers. We would also need to have the owners of the venue be willing to host us. Finding a venue like that could take years. In the meantime, we'd be forced to split up, have some assets in one place, some in another..." Aledon put his head in his palm. "It would just be absolute chaos. In fact, I highly doubt we'd survive that sort of a thing."
To this I had no response; and I began feeling a knot in my stomach.
"I mean," Aledon continued. "I wouldn't dread too much just yet. I know he has a backing right now, but does that constitute a majority of the voting population here, per say? Because that's what matters in the end. And Stamp's effectively alienated a large number, maybe an even larger number, of Cabotton Scholars, saying things like ending the University debt come day one, eliminating the Honors Scholarship Program and the Global Academy Agenda..."
I looked back down at the article and added, "Calling both the Conservative David Keener and Liberal Lora Kotimer 'establishment figures' and saying they need done away with to 'save the University'.... Claiming that the Flagstaff is part of "media infiltration" and vowing to carry out a "grand replacement" strategy..."
"It's just ridiculous," said Aledon. "That being said, I have established somewhat of a platform to help keep the public informed, though I plan to solidify things. All the roommates are in on this. Right now, we're forming a plan for the Society in the unlikely event that he does win. One can never be too cautious after all."
"And where's Monika in all this?"
"She is...believe it or not...blaming me for sowing paranoia. I will mention that as I speak, we are implementing a sort of back-end agenda to help ensure none of the Traditionalists in the Society get swayed in supporting Stamp. Monika is aware of this and is calling me out for apparent paranoia. She claims that I am overstepping my bounds and that this agenda can be used by someone in the future for less-than-ideal purposes. According to her, no one will take Stamp seriously. Again, while I agree that some of his talking points are ridiculous enough to cost him majority support, his charisma is enough to sow destructive discord within a given organization left unchecked."
By this time, I was finished with my breakfast. "Hopefully it won't come even to that," I said, standing up. "In the meantime, I am going to seek out Otto."
"Name kinda rings a bell," Aledon replied as he cleared his own dishes. "Can't think of the last name...Mooring or something...?"
"Worren."
"Oh yes that's right. Not terribly close with him myself but I gather he's pretty harmless. You might as well squeeze in the fellowship before things get crazy busy next week."
Staying true to my word, I set off exploring the vast Campus for either Otto or Meghan. It was in the afternoon when I found Otto. He was en route to the Music Hall from the Slack. "Meet me at 7:30pm tonight. I will give you a tour of the Society," he told me after I asked.
I had lunch after that. Afterward, I explored the Planetarium. I initially had hoped to find the entrance to the Society, but after awhile, I gave in and decided to just take in the Planetarium for what was in plain sight. Then I wandered over to the Music Hall hoping to find Meghan Wen, all to no avail. For the remainder of that day, I resolved to continue unpacking my things and to walk around to all the lecture halls on campus in accordance to my upcoming class schedule. I had a dinner at the Slack, then I proceeded back to my suite where Aledon and our roommates were going to meet. This would be the first time I joined. On the way, I was excited about the ordeal, with a knot forming in my stomach again. I was almost to the South Entrance of Fleming House when someone called to me from behind. I turned around and saw Monika accompanied by three others. Sara March I knew, but then introduced to me were Layda Marrows and Karyanna Dwemmer.
"I would like to invite you to the Rally we're planning to have over there," Monika started, pointing back toward the Slack. "It's on September 10 at 7:30pm. There will be dinner provided, and all are members of the Society."
"I'll think about it," I replied, patting Monika on the arm and giving a friendly glance at the others. "Although I will have to double-check my schedule." I could not say no outright. I did not desire more bad blood than was necessary.
But it appeared that Monika saw through my front. "Understood," she started. "I just hope your brother is not trying to use 'sibling pressure' to draw you into commitments that you wouldn't join of your own accord. He has a knack for that, which is why I fear for division in the Society. In fact, our Rally on the 10th revolves around the University Motto: 'Together for Progress.'"
Even as a beginning freshman, I cringed on the inside when she said that. But there was no time to think and reflect, for Layda Marrows was now speaking to me. "He had me in his sphere of influence, your brother Aledon," Layda explained to me. "I understand Monika now. And we are all hoping that you will as well. Having his own sister on board would bring Aledon to his senses."
"Like Monika said," started Sara. "This is critical for you. Think for yourself before simply doing what your own brother says."
I paused for a moment, glancing at all four of them. "You say I should think for myself, so give me a few moments to think for myself." And with that, I continued on my way to Fleming House. For a brief second, I was worried that I had been too blunt; the glower I got from Karyanna at the last moment certainly added to my anxiety.
And she did not say a word to me, I realized. Why that was significant, I could not figure out. But Karyanna's silence spoke volumes to me. Before long, though, I put it out of my head and focused on tonight's meeting.
It was a full house back in our suite. All the roommates were there. They were introduced to me as Bernard Weyne, Madison Daryls, and Elisabeth Mackson.
"The polls are very close," started Madison. "Some people are refusing to respond, so it's uncertain how the Dungeonmaster election is going to go."
"I will add that some of these people are, from what I have heard, even convincing others to avoid us pollsters," said Elisabeth. "Also, Monika is posting more and more calls on OCEA for 'unity.'"
"A phrase that seems to have resonated with Layda Marrows," I said, earning a glance from my brother. "I just met her, as well as Monika and friends, right before I got here. Monika is all about 'Together for Progress' at her little Dinner Rally thing coming up. And Layda says that she 'understands' Monika now."
Everyone in the room noisily cringed at that.
"I remember her," Bernard said. "She started here three years before I did; and I started two years after Aledon to give an idea. She seemed a modest, open-minded individual, willing to deviate from the mainstream. She made a male avatar named Brandt, who's now one of the Five Head Space Commanders of the Cosmic Forge..."
"Well," said Aledon to Bernard. "Perhaps we can get her back one day." Then he turned to me. "And who else was with Monika?"
"Sara March and Karyanna Dwemmer," I said. "Karyanna didn't speak to me. Only glowered, as if that somehow held some sort of oathcrafting influence."
"I highly doubt it," said Aledon. "But regardless, she's turned as well. And you're certainly not the only one disappointed....In the meantime, we are in the home stretch, with that election coming up soon. We need to make sure we clinch the vote. Fear and doubt, pinned on me but nonetheless started by Monika, will only destroy the support we have."
"Monika is obviously blind to the Arnold Stamp thing," said Bernard. "People will see that."
"True," I said. "But mere hope and speculation accomplishes nothing. I would very much like to join, and I am willing to help. Just tell me what I need to do."
"Welcome aboard," said Madison.
I realized that I would not be meeting with Otto tonight, so I reached out to him through OCEA. He and I agreed to meet on September 10, intentionally on the day that Monika was going to have her Rally.
Meanwhile, the roommates and I focused on the planning details. The election for the Dungeonmaster is apparently going to be held September 24. So our outreach strategies centered around that schedule. During the planning, I made small talk with the roommates. What I remember most is Madison's background. She is 24 years old, and had been at the University since 1351. And she is currently finishing up her post-grad studies in gyroplane engineering, alongside Aledon. She and Elisabeth, who is her partner, seem not wanting to engage too much in Third Level Society politics other than helping Aledon in his re-election campaign as well as doing the occasional quest.
For me, it's a matter of joining the Society, avoiding Monika, and otherwise focusing on my coursework.