The Idealist

     Date: August 24th, 2020

     While the academic side wasn’t her favorite at school ( she’d much rather be planning her campaign or, if she was being bold, toying with someone until they were helpless and in her bed ), Calliope had never had trouble keeping her grades up. Whether it was because professors were quick to like her or because her mind was simply superior to her classmates’ was beyond her point. It was all about learning who she should keep close ( and who else, closer ) on the first day of class, and that’s what was on her mind as she scanned the room full of familiar faces. Calliope knew her talents were desired by some of her classmates and she made no effort to hide her impossibly high standards. Whoever made the cut, they knew they were in for a good ride – and a sweet photo op, too. 

     Shy people had never been her cup of tea – but, then again, she did need someone who’d simply let her take the lead and wouldn’t raise their voice at her. Out in the open, she couldn’t afford to be stood up to. It made her blood boil and her reactions were rarely pretty. Best to keep them guarded; nobody really spilled the secrets of what they did in private with her ( or what she did to them ). There might be something ironic about her choosing to so gracefully sit on the spot besides this quiet girl, and the irony was even grander when she realized this was class 353: Political Violence. She’d be passing with flying colors, everyone would want her help. And still, the brunette beside her had still to look up. Shame. She liked a challenge. “Already studying?” she pried, poking her head forward and over the girl’s shoulder to sneak a peek at what had caught her attention. “Class hasn’t even started, and you’re already ahead?” with an amused chuckle, she spoke her words.

     @nadinebisset​

Nadine was perhaps most nervous for this class. A whole class dedicated to focussing on all the bad things that go wrong in the world. However, she needed to take it and living in ignorant bliss about the world wouldn’t make her a better lawyer. Besides, she needed this class in order to graduate in a year. Nadine was confident she could make it through it. She arrived early as she always does, and finds a spot near the front that seems like a good spot. Not too close to the front, but close enough that she should be able to hear everything. 

When someone sits down beside her she’s looking over the syllabus again, reviewing all the important bits. Nadine looks up at them and realizes a moment later that the face is familiar; she’d seen her at the Lethe initiation. She keeps the surprise from her face and instead smiles. “Something like that.” She offers her hand. “I’m Nadine. I don’t think we’ve officially met -- but your face is familiar.” 

“There have been lots of people over the years. But I can bounce back from it, I always do. I’m just one of those people that others think they can treat poorly; like I don’t have feelings. Most recently I suppose Frankie comes to mind. I suppose I’m just not good enough for her anymore.” 

Vince knew the blind spots. In his lesser proud years, he had developed a sixth sense for security cameras and a talent of keeping himself in their periphery. Although he didn’t know where they were going and why, he unintentionally exerted said talent by steering them a foot to the left here, two to the right there, until they arrived at one of the lower levels of the garage.

He felt almost at ease, loitering in garages like in the old days, if it wasn’t for her question. He looked down as they walked to keep his face hidden from surveillance, a natural response at this point, and to avoid Nadine’s eyes. “We need to go to the auditorium when we’re done here,” he said simply. Vince knew he would need to tell her more. The auditorium was an awfully large room. By himself it would take hours to find what he needed. “I have to find a newspaper clipping.”

There was the chance that he would find what he needed to find first. Vince imagined his brother’s obituary would call to him like a siren. Strange, though, that he worried more about Nadine seeing it than the fact that Lethe had done some digging into his past, that someone had sifted through the archives to find Nate’s obituary, printed and cut it out for him to find. Sick, really, and he realised that perhaps there was more to her stealing a plate than met the eye. A shiver ran up his spine.

They stopped in front of a car. He hovered just behind her, placing himself in between her and the cameras. There was nothing extraordinary about the vehicle in front of them. A modest model. A plain colour. The sort of car he could see his father driving. Vince watched her take out the multitool. It seemed rather impersonal in comparison. A plate was easily stolen. The whole car was easily stolen. “Any plate? Or this one in particular?”

“A newspaper clipping?” She can’t help the surprise in her voice. That’s so different from her task. Nadine wonders if they’re all like that -- highly personalized and each one very different form the next. “That’s awfully vague.” She opens up the multitool and takes a deep breath, staring down at the plate in front of her. 

“It can be any plate. I’m not sure why they’re having me do this.” While she had her suspicions, it was generic enough that she couldn’t be certain. Nadine steels herself against her worries and bends down carefully, grateful that at the very least she’s not alone. The garage is empty, save for the two of them. She unscrews the plate carefully, picking up the screws and being careful not to touch the car. As the plate comes undone, she catches it before it hits the concrete. 

She stands and puts the tool away, hands shaking just slightly. She’s a rule follower through and through, and this is pushing what she’s okay with doing. Yet here she is -- doing it anyways. She suspects that the curiosity is what’s driving her. She wants to know why Lethe is having her do this. Nadine turns towards Vince. “Should we go then?” 

From the second that Frankie’s eyes spotted Nadine, she froze at the door, debating on if she should do her laundry now or later. But then the girl quickly realized she wasn’t going to let a haunting familiar face dictate her actions, that’s not who she is anymore.

Frankie wished like a child that she wouldn’t speak out to her, “please don’t, please, please, please, pl” she thought, and then she heard it. “Fucking goddammit,” she mumbled loud enough for her to hear. Frankie didn’t address her back, only keeping her eyes focused on the floor, beyond annoyed. Always so kind and reaching out to everyone, not even while looking at them. The disdain the girl held from her came from a place deep within herself that she had been ignoring. 

A loud sigh left her lips as she leaned her head back before walking to the next machine, doing her best to ignore the girl. 

The swearing drew Nadine’s attention. Her eyes shift upwards, only to see Frankie at the door. Nadine watches for a moment, not sure what to do. They’d been friends once, not that long ago really. Suddenly Frankie had cut her off and stopped talking to her. Nadine still wasn’t sure why; it’d hurt, it always hurt, but by now she was more than used to this feeling. Nadine knew she was a doormat; people used her and then walked away. As angry as it makes her, Nadine would never say anything. 

Nadine can tell she’s being ignored, but she tries again anyways. “Hey, Frankie. How was your summer?” 

After packing up her things, she stood and adjusted the bag on her shoulder. “The courtyard will be fine,” she said, thinking of spaces that wouldn’t get too rowdy this early in the day. “I biked the way from the dorms and other than the pedestrians I threatened to run over, I’d agree that it’s a nice day outside.” That incident certainly got on her nerves but she had other more important things to do so she brushed that off along with her other woes. 

She led the way to the courtyard in the briskest pace her heels could handle. She lightly chuckled at Nadine wanting an easy schedule. “That’s precisely why I took every subject I could in freshman and sophomore year,” she said, remembering how tight her schedule was. The sleepless nights and utter exhaustion was a whole ordeal. “My schedule may be a cakewalk but these subjects are killer. I’m not excited for comparative economics at all.”

Nadine can’t help the laugh that leaves her as she imagines Marianna running over anyone who dared to get in her way. It fits her; Nadine believes her when she says she did it. “I’ll be sure to keep a better lookout for bikers next time I’m walking around campus.” She adjusts her bag on her shoulder and follows Mari to the courtyard. She struggles a bit to keep up with the pace, but doesn’t ask for the other woman to slow down at all. 

“Oh I’ve heard nightmarish things about that class. Personally, I’m not looking forward to my modern government class. It’ll be interesting, but I’ve heard the professor is really tough.” Nadine glances around and her eyes settle on an empty table. “How about over there?” 

“Lots of things make me sad, but I suppose what hits the hardest is when people treat me as if I don’t have feelings. It happens a surprisingly often; I suppose I just attract people like that.” 

“My sibling, for one. And Sunny -- she’s always pleasant company. I don’t have too many close friends, I suppose that’s the consequence of being busy.” 

Although it’d only been a few days since Nadine had moved from the hotel room they’d rented for the Lethe initiation to the dorms of Bonavich, she hadn’t seen her sibling in all that time. Despite her resentments and her petty jealously, she did miss them when they went a few days without seeing each other. So, Nadine had texted, asking to meet up for lunch.

She arrived at Tabitha’s first, and got them a table towards the windows. She liked the sunny spot, and it was somewhat tucked away from everything. Nadine’s only just taken a seat when she sees her sibling. She waves them over, a bright smile on her face. Once they join her at the table she picks up a menu, even though she already knows what she’ll order. “How’s your day been?” 

“Like what I do in a normal day? Not much honestly, mostly just class. I’m thinking of getting involved with some extracurriculars though. Maybe student government. Of course, I try to always make time for my hobbies too.”

“If you’re talking about what I study -- I study politics with a focus in public policy and pre-law. I’m planning on going to a law school overseas once I graduate next year.” 

Nadine Bissset - instagram post 

“I care because someone has to care. I mean -- look around you. The world is filled with people who don’t give a damn about anything other than themselves. I feel like that’s selfish, and I try to be better than that. I care because someone has to care about others, why not let it be me?” 

“What makes me angry?” 

“Well, lots of things make me angry.” Being a doormat, being used, being overlooked. “I get angry at how bad the world seems to be. I get angry when people choose to be negative instead of choosing to look at the positives. I get angry at the injustices -- that’s why I want to be a lawyer. I believe it’s my responsibility to try and fix things in this world.” 

Vince studied her expression closely as she seemed to try to make up her mind. His own gave nothing away, but he knew what he felt inside and saw his emotions practically mirrored in her features. Worry. Curiosity. The latter was perhaps the only reason why he decided to go along with tonight’s events. Vince could not deny that a part of him just longed to break the secrecy around Lethe, to find out why he was chosen, to find out why they were all chosen.

The card burned in his pocket as he saw her tuck away hers. The letters have burned into his mind already. Suspiratio. The word in itself made him angry. And so to divert his thoughts from the rising bile in his throat, he turned to Nadine. “A screwdriver?” There were numerous places he thought they could get one and was about to suggest visiting woodshop when she produced a multitool from her purse.

“Let’s go,” he agreed. They weren’t the first to leave the hall, neither were they the last. The fresh night air helped to ease his mind a little. It was as though they had momentarily stepped out of reality for the mixer. But outside the prestigious hall nothing had changed. It gave him a sense of comfort.

The student garage wasn’t far. He didn’t himself own a car but he’d passed through it as a shortcut a few times. “What do you need that screwdriver for, if I may ask?” He would find out eventually, as they were partners, but Vince hoped to take the tension out of the moment by perhaps narrating what they were doing.

Once at the student garage, he pushed open the door to the stairwell. He let her pass him. After all, this was her task. “What are we looking for?” Rather she, but Vince was there to help.

Her mother has always insisted on keeping a multitool on her person, just in case she ever needed it. Nadine had thought it foolish, but tonight she’s finding herself grateful for it. The less she has to steal, the better. She drops the tool back in her bag and clasps it shut, following Vince towards the door. As they walk towards campus they stick out in their fine attire. Maybe that’s one of the reasons Lethe insisted they wear it. 

Nadine is quiet for a few moments while she considers his question. Her heels click softly on the ground, in rhythm with the taps from his shoes. By the time she’s finally ready to answer, they’re at the student garage. Nadine is a terrible driver, so she doesn’t have a car here so even if she wanted too, she couldn’t steal her own plates. “I have to take a plate.” Her voice is soft. Another secret for Vince to add. 

She wants to say that she doesn’t know why, but that would be a lie. The only memorable experience she has with a car is that night. However, Nadine can’t help but wonder if maybe it’s all just a coincidence. Maybe they chose her to do this on a whim just to test her loyalty with petty crime. “What do you need to do?” She changes the subject quickly, glancing over at him before she opens up the door to the first floor. The garage is notorious for not having cameras in it; truly and oversight on the part of the university.  

There aren’t many cars here, given that the semester hasn’t properly started yet. Nadine pauses, looking for the closest one before she starts to head towards it. She stops once she’s there, pulling out the multitool and just holding it in her hand. “This... It’s not crazy to go through with this, right?” 

Social Policy was Mari’s first class of the day. It went okay, quite uneventful to be honest. She sat on her usual seat in the front row and pulled out her planner. Jotting in the new assignment, she thought which unfortunate soul would be stuck with being her partner for this activity. As she was about to call out a friend’s name, she felt someone tap her shoulder. Before she could put a word out, Nadine had already asked to be her partner. Better her than anyone here, she thought.

“Hi Nadine,” she said with a smile. “Sure, that would be great. Do you have class next period? I was thinking we could plan out this little project.” Pulling out her schedule, she checked her availability. “I’m free until 1pm. I wasn’t kidding when I said this semester was light.” Her lips quirked up into a grin. Sure her schedule seemed like a cakewalk, but that only meant her extracurricular work would take up most of her time. It would be exhausting, but that’s what Mari secretly wanted anyway. 

Nadine had yet to memorize her schedule entirely. She pulled out her phone and pulled up the picture she’d taken of it. “I’m only free until twelve, but that’s still two hours of uninterrupted work time.” She smiles brightly. “We could head to the courtyard? It’s a beautiful day outside.” Nadine didn’t get herself involved in too many extracurriculars. Sure she still did debate and model UN, but outside of that she kept to herself. She was always worried about overextending herself. “I’d kill for an easy schedule,” Nadine laughs. “I’ve got eighteen hours this semester. I don’t know what I was thinking.” 

starter for @nadinebisset​

WHEN: August 22, 9:00 pm WHERE: Tabitha’s Diner and Bar WHAT: back to school event

The last time she has stepped foot at Tabitha’s was the night of the mixer–memories of which still left a slightly sour taste in her mouth, but she couldn’t allow such a beloved place to be clouded by thoughts of that night. That’s why she came to this year’s back-to-school event, to remind herself of all the reasons was Tabitha’s was one of her favorite places. When she went in, it was loud and filled to the brim with people. Unlike the mixer, however, the air is easy-going and cordial. It was relatively early on in the night, so everyone was still sober for the most part. Sunny even spotted some of her classmates and the few friends she made at the Art department at a small corner at the back of the bar. As she made her way to the back of the room, she ran into a familiar face she hasn’t really encountered since the mixer.

 “Hey, Nadine, how are you?” She greeted the other woman with her usual warm smile. She felt more bonded to her after that night. They might not have had the same tasks and were not partners, but the mere fact that they were both participants of the same strange event bonded them in their complicity.

Nadine loved Tabitha’s. Ever since she’d been shown it during her first semester she’d fallen in love with the place. It’s got charm to it, a mix of a pub and a diner, it’s perfect for the edge of campus. Although she’d already been back to Tabitha’s this semester, Nadine had heard about the back to school event towards the end of the month and simply had to come. She knew it would be a hit, with live music and a bustling crowd. Nadine had just ordered a drink and some food from the bar and had stepped back, planning on finding a table, when she ran into someone. 

She turns to apologize, only to see Sunny’s bright expression. Nadine grins, relieved to see someone else that she knows here. She had been confident when she came that she’d recognize someone but it’s reassuring to finally see someone she knows. “Sunny!” She hasn’t seen the other since the mixer, but Nadine is quick to put thoughts of Lethe out of her mind. Now’s not the time to dive back into all the feelings Lethe had made her feel. “I’m great! Excited for a night out. How are you? It’s been nearly a month since I’ve seen you! I almost thought you were avoiding me.” The smile on her face lets her friend know she’s teasing.