The stress from the previous two weeks pales in comparison to this week.

The Federal Estates Prime Minister election is still being debated in the courts; that of course sets a chaotic backdrop for the things that came to pass in the Third Level Society Caucus Chamber this week, even though we are an independent organization not associated with external politics.

Apparently, between my meeting with him and the evening of Wednesday October 21, Karlin actually met with Terrings, and, together, formulated Terrings' idea into an actual proposal. Wednesday night, Dungeonmaster Karlin Maryk delivered this idea in a speech.

Everything he presented, including the problem he saw with the "overcrowding of the Realm" and the solution he saw in conjunction with Terrings, was what we discussed in my meeting with him. Except, being in the form of a formal and stately Dungeonmaster speech, his discussion was very structured, at least very much so in contrast to his loose thinking-on-the-spot vibe that I know him for when it's just me and him.

It was during that speech that I reminisced upon the existence of two Karlin Maryks: the one I know as a close friend; and the other as a public figure standing at the front of the Caucus Chamber.

As soon as he finished, the division in the Caucus was very apparent. There was definitely a share of Members who seemed undecided. But there was sharp division between those excited about the Terrings reform and those dedicated to preserving the balance fostering the "Steamster" culture of which we have been known.

There was a lull in my course schedule on Thursday, as there always is every Thursday. I took that opportunity to take a boat out onto the University Lake to Fellowship Isle.

An interesting place this is. The wide-bodied creek feeding into it and the one draining out of it have always been there. In fact, until 1235, it had all been a creek. During the 1234-35 academic year, however, the University Council, as part of its early University Construction projects, voted to dig trenches along a part of the creek on campus property West of the Playing Field and dam up the creek where it crossed the Southwest corner of the premise. Thus, the University Lake formed in due time. Aside from that, terraforming efforts formed Fellowship Isle, where stands a Lodge serving as a good venue for parties, weddings, or simply informal gatherings.

That all takes place in the summer. During this time of the year, the place is deserted due to the cold weather. But on this day, though cold, the sky was clear and the Sun illuminated the brillant colors of autumn. That, with the silence, was perfect for me.

So I sat and unwound. The shimmering waters were beautiful out here on the Fellowship Isle. And the great Campus, with the Great Clock upon the mighty Fleming Tower in the background, cast a beautiful scene behind the shoreline cabins with the autumn trees.

I will remark, though, the Meon Bell, a former Member who left Cabotton before I came, and who, in fact, encouraged me to come to Cabotton, was right about the ugly new buildings. I am referring to the Schools of Language and Literature, History and Politics, Design and Engineering, and Service and Hospitality. Those are taller than the other buildings and are quite bland; and the intimidating darker shade of red to each of these new buildings does not diminish the ugly modernity of their appearance.

You see, I've noticed two types of modernity: beautiful modernity and ugly modernity. And I see both at Cabotton University. The older buildings, like Fleming Tower, the Five Houses, the Library, the Planetarium, the Council Building, the Administration Building, the Assembly Hall, and even the College of the Arts, are symbols of beautiful modernity. In contrast, the four new schools, which, if I remember correctly, were built about eight years ago, represent ugly modernity. Those cast a vibe of "dark industrialism" like what one sees in the authoritarian regimes of East Hobland. Meon says that the "Four Dark Towers," as he calls them, "do not belong at Cabotton University and never will."

Initially, I dismissed his sentiment, but now I understand. It took Terrings to propose his idea, a change that is ugly, for it's appearance is completely foreign to what the Third Level Society stands for. And this change is poised to destroy the Society and deprive it of the aspects that make it beautiful.

The "Four Dark Towers" have not done that to Cabotton University, per say. So long as no more blemishes appear, the University should remain beautiful. However, I do not know how confidentally I can say the same for Terrings and the Society.