[Friday, August 27, 2004.] [It's halfway through the fifth period! Madness happened. Students have been filing back into the building in a more or less (or less than more?) orderly fashion. It's been announced over the intercom that fifth period's been called off, and school will resume the sixth.] [Students are milling about in the halls, then, doing that studenty thing students do. There's a lot of talk and general confusion as to what exactly happened. The teachers probably aren't much better, but it's hard to say, because we start with the camera on Veronica.] [Where is she going? What is she doing? These questions and more will be answered momentarily! Maybe.] [Mini Start.] * Veronica walks on forward, losing any pleasantness her face had, if it had any to begin with, and taking on a more serious look. She's heading back from the front of the school and heading past the cafeteria without stopping. [Around Veronica, people are gathered in groups and talking. Some of the students are heading into the cafeteria. Why not sit around and grab some munchies?] (Snicker.) * Veronica glances inside the cafeteria for a moment while she's passing. Just in case. [Nobody's on fire.] (Good to note.) (I think so.) (Can't be too careful these days.) * Veronica just continues on her way towards the library then. [Veronica reaches the library! The doors are glass and unlocked and she gets to walk through one of those book detectors to make sure you're not a BOOK STEALER.] [This could be the first time she's gone in since ever.] (There's a Wanted Poster for Ms. Balen hanging up.) (Heheh.) [It's a standard set up. There's the librarian's desk - complete with librarian - pretty much straight forward, and books to the right and left and back, cubbies, and stairs up to the computer lab. Some tables for groups, and probably more tables and cubbies behind the shelves. There are even a few doors to small group discussion rooms.] * Krista is, uh, in the library. She's got a big book out before her, but doesn't seem to be paying an inordinate amount of attention to it. Maybe the glasses being off is a factor in that. * Veronica just walks in the library. She doesn't seem to really pay attention to the book detectors. She may not even know what they are. (Woo!) (God, those book detectors were always out to get me, and I never even stole any books. All the way through high school and halfway into college. The EIU ones haven't beeped at me yet, but I wince every time I walk into and out of the library.) * Veronica walks into the library and blinks as she notes Krista. She walks up a bit and waves awkwardly. "Hey." * Krista turns slowly and looks up at the blurry shape. She says, uncertainly, "Hello?" * Veronica looks at her oddly for a moment. "Um...glasses?" [Krista's pretty cute without her glasses on.] [If, you know, Veronica swings that way. Or even if she doesn't.] (She would but she's already got Christy and Charlotte.) (It's just like in the movies, where taking off glasses and putting hair down is a foolproof beautification method.) (Except here it actually works.) * Krista blinks a few times, then fumbles for her glasses, puts them on blinking in surprise. After a second she says quietly, "Veronica... what are you doing?" (Hey, it works. I've tried it at Loews!) Not here for pleasure reading, that's for sure. *sighs* You hang out here in your free time, Krista? (Yes, she knows her name too! Horror of horrors!) * Krista smiles weakly. "Free time? What free time?" Apparently now that class was cancelled. * Krista looks back at the book. "Well, this is your lunch. For me, it's just the first part of AP Physics being cancelled." * Veronica frowns and sits down. "I'm, uh, kinda glad you're here actually." [No food for you!] * Luke walks in through the book detectors. He's got his attache case in his left hand, but as the detectors don't go off, he must not be carting stolen books in it. * Krista blinks again. "W-what? Why?" Beat. "What'd I do?" (Luke carries half the library in his attache.) What'd you-- * Veronica blinks. "Wait, why are you asking that?" * Krista looks to her book again and mumbles, "'Cause you're happy to see me and there's not a trash can with in fifty feet big enough to hold me?" There's...what exactly are you talking about? I need your help with *research*. (Glasses mess up your distance perception!) ( Do my homework for me!) (That's coming later.) * Krista looks to her funny. "R-Research? On what?" * Veronica sighs and takes in a deep, long, not-so-cleansing breath. Then responds, "Spontaneous combustion." * Luke seemingly doesn't notice the students. He glances around, looking for indications of what books are in which stacks. ( * Luke discovers the Dewey decimal system!) * Krista blinks again. "Spontaneous combustion?" Beat. "No way, you can't really..." * Veronica looks off to the side. "I don't really think what happened to Camila was an accident. But to know that for *certain*, I've got to know more, yeah?" (Does there happen to be any indication of where books on the occult might be? Not that Luke's expecting much, but he hasn't actually checked yet.) [Science fiction and newer books to the right. To the left is all of that educational stuff nobody wants to read. Back is periodicals.] (Probably left, then. ;P) But... spontaneous combustion is fake... it's all stories and such... * Luke heads left. (They're all checked out for the "Witches and Witchcraft 101" course offered 6th period.) [Luke heads past the half-whispering girls!] (Ha.) That's the thing. So what do *you* think happened to Camila? * Kirby is now known as Charlotte * Veronica turns her hard, piercing gaze onto Krista. Bet she wishes she didn't put on her glasses now, huh? * Luke passes just as they say that. * Krista blinks, and says uncertainly, "I-I don't know. Maybe it was a bad prank..." (Geez, Luke. Why don't you just carry a glass in your attache to walk around to random doors eavesdropping? ;P) [Luke hears Veronia's question!] (How do you know he doesn't?) [And Krista's response, yes.] * Luke glances down at Veronica as he passes, but keeps going. * Veronica chuckles dryly. "Yeah. Bad prank. She's not going to be the same, Krista. You can't be after third degree burns. At best, she'll just be disfigured for life with no feeling in her hands." That's a little more than a "prank." * Luke heads into the stacks, looking for the occult section. * Veronica eyes Luke as he passes. Nosy teachers. * Krista's eyes widen, then she looks away and murmurs, "Depends on who's doing it..." (Sure. That's why she's eyeing him.) * Veronica sighs and leans back in her chair, looking idly at the ceiling. "You never know. Could have been me." * Luke, through his mastery of the Dewey Decimal System, finds the section he's looking for. Is there anything worthwhile? * Krista nods slowly, then says, "I-I still don't think... spontaneous combustion, really..." So what else? It takes longer to burn like that, Krista. She had to have been burning from the inside. Or else I'm missing something. ( God smote her! Duh.) (There was no lightning bolt.) [Luke finds a number of books on witches, demons, devils, the history behind them, and such. No books on actually performing witchcraft.] * Krista says, "Gasoline? Gasoline burns. Maybe someone dumped burning gasoline on her and nobody saw it." Beat. "Okay, that's silly, but..." * Luke checks a few to see if they'd have anything useful. We would have smelled it. I smelt burning. I didn't smell gas fumes. [There are stories about witchcraft! Fun stuff like a witch making a pact with the devil for a belt made of flesh that'd turn him into a werewolf.] Maybe... could be something. Magnesium, or napalm, or... * Krista looks disbelieving. "Spontaneous combustion, really!" Alcohol, kerosene...none of that. (Nothing apparently on topic?) I didn't say that was the only answer... * Veronica sighs. "Magic..." ( Maybe she was shot with a phaser!) M-magic? Now you are talking crazy... * Krista pales when she says crazy. Considering who she's talking TO. Yeah? Maybe, I am... * Veronica glances up at Krista. "But how do you explain the lights too? At the same time?" That's different... And Jeremy? He was probably hit by a spark from the light, but still... * Luke grabs a couple of the more useful looking books, figuring a closer reading might turn something up, and heads out of the stacks. Yeah. Seems like an awfully fucking convenient coincidence though.. But... there wasn't any lights or anything in the classroom... just the fire. And it was after. * Veronica glances at Krista after she says that. "Sorry. I know how ya hate that kinda language...bein' a religious type an' all..." [THE BOOKS ATTACK LUKE. Or not.] * Krista smiles weakly. "Ah... thanks..." Still happened around the same time, Krista. Two "unexplained" occurrences. ( If she was shot with a phaser, we would've seen the beam :P ) (Not if it was modulated to a frequency that isn't visible.) Yeaeh, but... Look. That's why I need your help. I'm not going to be able to figure this out on my own... * Veronica sighs. "And nobody believes I wouldn't have it out for Camila anyway..." * Luke walks by carrying two books in his right hand, in addition to the case in his left. The one with the cover on the outside is entitled Unexplained Occurrences. * Krista looks at her funny, then says, 'E-even if it's spontaneous, that wouldn't explain anything to anyone..." You'd just be making things up... Yeah. That's why I don't believe it is... But, well, we don't know any better explanation. * Veronica frowns. "If it's totally random, there's nothing we can do. But if something's causing this..." The lights. What happened with the lights? * Krista says uncertainly, "They broke?" [Krista looks up to see Mr. Mendel walking by and the title of his book.] All of them at once? Did they say what actually *happened*? * Veronica doesn't stop. Because she is unaware. ( "How to set people on fire by remote control" ) * Krista blinks at the book and says, both at it and in response, "Unexplained occurrences...?" * Luke is a few feet from the girls when Krista says that. He looks over to see if she's talking to him. * Krista is caught staring at the book. [Guilty! BOOK STEALER!] (Luke's the book stealer!) (Okay, I need the exact geography of this area of the library so I can figure out where they are relative to each other.) ( This is not the book you are looking at. *hand wave*) * Veronica starts to respond to Krista then notes that she's not exactly looking at her. She blinks and turns. [The girls are to Luke's right, sitting at a table. There are other tables to his right and one to his left, and two more chairs are around the table the girls are sitting at. Krista has a large, heavy book open. Behind Luke are stacks. Ahead is the door, the librarian's desk, the new book/fiction sections, the periodicals, and doors to small discussion rooms. Near the periodicals is the stairway up.] (How wide an open pathway is Luke in?) (About five feet.) (You can walk in single formation and have full reach with your longsword!) * Luke is in the middle of the open pathway, so he's about two feet away and also about three feet back from them. * Luke gives Krista a quick smile, though she may not notice, as she is staring at his book. * Krista looks sheepish as she IS caught, because while needing glasses, her peripheral vision isn't that bad. * Luke starts to walk off again, if nothing else happens. * Veronica glances at Luke once she finally catches notice of him and Krista looking at him. "Having fun spying on your students again, Mister Mendel?" * Luke stops after another few steps, but they've actually brought him closer, as he's just pulled even with them. He turns to look at Veronica, and holds up his books. "I'm just here for something to read." Uh-huh. "I had no idea you were even here. My elaborate network of spies let me down." * Veronica taps the table and looks down at it. "So what do you think?" * Veronica snorts and stops the table tapping. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you what I think happened." (They're also monkeys.) Try me. * Krista chuckles weakly. 'Cause that's funny. * Luke looks over at Krista, then back at Veronica, and says conspiratorially, "Something supernatural." * Veronica just blinks oddly at Luke dumbfounded. "Okay. If this is some sort of sick joke..." (Yeah, I know. * Krista looks startled and says, sounding disbelieving and disappointed, "You too? Mr. Mendel..." she pushes her glasses up along the bridge of her nose. * Luke turns to look at her, flashing an easy smile. "Yes, Krista?" * Krista blinks and shakes her head slightly while replying, "Nothing, I was just... I can't believe you are thinking of crazy answers too..." * Veronica snorts. "Next thing you know, he'll be saying UFOs abducted her and altered her DNA or something to make her light from the oxygen in the atmosphere." "Nah, my insane delusions are pretty genre consistent. Spells and demons, that's the wacky sign of mental unbalance for me." What isn't? "What isn't what?" * Krista glances between two of them and then murmurs to herself with half- closed eyes. "God help me..." A mental unbalance, "Professor". "I'm not sure what isn't a mental unbalance, but I bet it's pretty boring." * Veronica sighs and leans forward at the table. "Look. There's got to be something out there that can explain this. I mean...even if Crackpot Larry's right, there's gotta be someone who's got somethin' against Camila enough to do that to her." That or it's just simple coincidence. * Krista says, "Well, you would, ah, know that more than I would... I don't really follow...' Well, whatever. Go ahead, Mister Mendel. * Luke sets the two books he's carrying on the table. The other one, which previously hadn't been visible, is a much older volume, and upon inspection, isn't from this library at all. It's old and leather bound and smells faintly musty. * Luke flips the books open with his right hand, moving his left to set his briefcase down on the table as well. * Krista 's eyes drift to the older book curiously, although trying (badly) not to be noticed too much. "This charming fellow here," Luke says, pointing at a picture of a bald humanoid with black eyes and nails, a forked tongue, and black goat's horns, "is called a Malphas. Legends says they could cause people to burst into flame." * Krista takes in a sharp breath and crosses herself. * Luke's book appears to be written in some antiquated, almost unrecognizable form of English, with frequent deviations into Latin or other languages that Krista and Veronica probably don't know. (Half that probably is wrong. *cough*) (Or maybe just a quarter.) (No, the *other* languages are ones you don't know. I know you know Latin.) (Snicker.) * Veronica looks at the picture and makes a face. "You've got to be kidding me." "Yes. I am. I had this book specially made up this morning to set up a practical joke. Damn, I thought I had you, too. What gave it away? It's the Latin, right? Too over the top?" You know, Mister Mendel, I thought it was a rule that teachers weren't allowed to indulge in sarcasm. Something about their senses of humors being sucked dry as soon as they got their credentials or something. "They make an exception for the crazy teachers." * Veronica rolls her eyes. "I don't know why they even hired you then." "I slept with the principal." So, let's just say what you say is true. Why Camila? And what's more, why in the middle of class? "These things tend to be summoned. Somebody's probably controlling it. Somebody who didn't like Camila." I mean...this Murphy or what ev-- ( So, let's just say what you say is true, and you *did* sleep with the principal...) * Krista just keeps eying the book and looking nervous. "A demon... controlling a demon. Evil Satanic rituals..." she shivers. * Veronica's voice catches in her throat and she coughs a few times. (Veronica is totally the villain of the week.) (Aww. Just the week?) "Not Satanic," Luke absently corrects Krista. "This would be more like a pagan sect than Satanism." (Also, Nic, that's exactly what I thought with the "let's say what you say is true." thing.) Who cares what it is? It's damned creepy's what it is. Who'd do something stupid like that? * Krista glances over her glasses up at Luke and then looks down. "It's still evil work." * Veronica leans back in her chair and lets out a deep sigh. "Well, there's one good thing about this..." "More like evil play. Summoning this demon involves getting high on peyote. Your parents were right when they told you doing drugs led directly to summoning demons." If what the crackpot professor says is true, and it IS someone who summoned this... whatever into our school, you can't possibly blame me. Everyone knows I couldn't possibly read Latin. * Veronica eyes Luke. "And I most certainly don't get 'high'." * Krista quirks her head slightly and then chews her lip. "W-when did he say you needed Latin?" Isn't that what that book's in? I thought I saw a "quo" somewhere in there." "This isn't the How To guide for summoning. Just a book of old legends." * Veronica sighs. "Anything to say how to get rid of it?" * Krista starts dry washing her hands, "It's, um, an... interesting story..." "Not exactly. But the summoner would need to use a silver knife to call it up, and when they lost the knife, they'd lose control of the demon. Which is like getting rid of it, except that it's actually letting it go out of control instead." Oh wonderful. So instead of killing who this person would want it to kill, it'd just kill anyone and everyone? "Probably the summoner first, actually. And incidentally, there is a short incantation you'd need to know, but it's not in Latin. It would be in Kickapoo, which is- believe it or not, and I actually don't myself- an actual language. Algonquin." And that does...? ( Turns it into Jigglypuff. ) ( Less fire, more sleepage. ) "Oh, you need to recite it while high and cutting yourself with the silver knife, to call the demon. There'd also be a rather goofy ceremonial dance involved. It's a party all around. The bad heavy metal music and dim lighting, however, is optional. And we need to know this why? "You expressed an interest. I'm supposed to foster that. Encourage learning." How the hell would you remember a word like that while you're high anyhow? "Maybe it actually sounds *less* silly when you're high." * Krista looks at Luke funny and then looks back to the book. "I still, ah, think you're reaching for an explanation... I mean, isn't that why people burned witches and all things like that?" (It's all about demonic disco. Disco really IS evil.) "Yes, it is." Luke gives Krista a smile. "It's dangerous to take these old stories too seriously." (Exactly. It's all about the disco. Camila burned in a Disco Inferno.) So you're seeing how gullible your students are... is that it? "Yes." Luke nods to Veronica. "And see if I could get you interested in some old folklore. It's a hobby of mine. I'm always happy to spread it to my students." "Were you really taking it seriously?" Luke grins. * Luke closes his book and picks it up again, as well as the library book, and his briefcase. Of course not. Was just seeing how much longer you'd parade yourself around like an idiot. "Well, it's still the first week of class, so you've got at least ten more months." * Krista laughs very weakly to herself. * Luke turns to Krista. "Speaking of witches, though, people also said that they could cast spells to set people on fire. Did you know that?" (Speaking of segues...) * Krista blinks. "I, ah, don't study witches, Mr. Mendel... I-I mean, people would say they can do a lot of things..." * Veronica just eyes Luke quietly. Silent but deadly. "You don't study them? I'm sure they're mentioned in the Bible. Something about suffering them to live, and what not to do." * Krista nods slowly, "Yes, but it does not say, 'Thou shalt not suffer a witch, who also burns people alive, to live.'" A weak smile. * Luke chuckles. "You're learning." He pauses. "Now if I could only teach you people about literature and not just how to imitate my sarcastic ways. Ah well." * Veronica rubs her head. "Look. All this talk about this stuff *still* doesn't really say what happened or who would do it." "True. But then, I'm an English teacher who reads folklore for a hobby. My crime fighting resources are generally limited. If you'd prefer I left you to your sleuthing, I'll depart." * Krista offers, nervously, "Well... maybe you should focus on who, and not get such deviant ideas about why. You... know people, right?" ( The King of Sweden says, "Get your own people!" ) Eh... a little bit. But I wouldn't know who'd hate her. Or, more specifically, I don't know who *wouldn't.* "Not a fan?" * Veronica sighs and shakes her head. "Okay, okay. So she's not THAT bad. But she never been exactly the nicest person since I've known her. * Veronica eyes Luke. "Nah. Really? What tipped you off?" "There was a subtle clue in the way you tilted your head when her name was mentioned. I notice those little things." Yeah. My shouting across the room at her on the first day of class was just an act. * Krista swallows and says, "Maybe... that's a lesson on why you should be good." Beat. "A little literal, though..." she trails off and starts to gather up her own stuff. "At first, I figured it was a shoddy attempt to cover your passionate love for her. But it does occur to me that, as someone well known for disliking her, you might have some luck if you spread around that you wanted to find out who was responsible for her problem and thank them." * Veronica eyes Luke some more. "Yeah. Really..." Did it ever occur to you if whoever I did that to found out it was an act, they might come after *me* next? And besides, everyone thinks it's spontaneous combustion. If I start acting like someone caused it, people'd think I'm a nut. * Krista looks at Luke and murmurs, "That is not a funny joke, Mr. Mendel," and then finishes shoving what she was looking at before all this was happening stuffed away. * Luke shrugs. "As a responsible authority figure, I should probably inform you that the safest thing to do is not get involved at all." Also stupid if it happens again. [Right about now, Tabitha enters the library. Remember her? Tall, gangly sophomore with oily, dirty blond hair, braces, acne problem, and thick glasses? Luke wouldn't. She has her standard armload of textbooks and overstuffed backpack on.] "I should get going, anyway," Luke says, checking his watch. "So you can make up your own mind about what to do. Try to be careful, don't take candy from strangers, and so on." He pauses for a second, then adds, "And if either of you are curious about how witches were said to cause people to catch fire, let me know and I'd be happy to explain more." (Because I have a whole second line of exposition I haven't worked in yet.) (Hehe.) [She comes charging in, then pauses and looks at Luke at the catch fire line.] * Krista stands up, taking her bag with her, and says quietly, "Well, if we see a big black... demon, I guess we'll know..." she looks doorward and spots Tabitha, who she DOES know. [Tabitha tries to wave! And nearly drops all of her books.] * Veronica looks over at the person charging in with a careful eye and blinks. "Oh. Hey." * Krista waves back. This is why she has a bookbag. She moves away from the table. Over closer to Tabitha. Away from Veronica. >_> <_< [Tabitha has a bookbag, too! It's just full, so she's holding some of them. "What're you talking about?" she asks as Krista nears.] ( Foul, ungodly topics. Luke and Veronica are damned. Stay away from them.) (Sweet.) * Krista glances back at them and says, turning to Tabby, "They were just gossiping about what happened in class..." * Veronica waits a little while, tilting her head to look at Krista and Tabitha to await an answer. * Luke heads off toward the check-out desk. ["Oh. Even the teacher?" She looks towards Luke. "He is a teacher, right?"] We weren't gossiping. [There's a librarian there! She looks up from what she was reading and holds out her hand for the books. "Awful about that girl, isn't it?" she asks quietly.] Even teachers can have idle hands... you know what they say about idle hands. Mister Mendel's just got some crazy ideas that's all. Sometimes I wonder what this school is thinking making him a teacher. * Veronica then looks at Krista. "Look, if you're not going to help me look for that book, just say so." * Luke nods at the librarian. "Terrible. It happened in my classroom." [Tabby just watches Luke check out books. Distracted by the cute teacher!] * Krista looks to Veronica and says, back in nervous mode, "I... ah, if there is a book to look for, I-I mean..." [The librarian's eyes widen. "It was one of your students? I'm so sorry. Do you think she'll be all right?"] "I don't know. We're still waiting to hear." Well, what would you look for then? [She takes the books and scans them out without looking at what they are. "I hope so. I've never heard of anything like this." She slides them back. "Friday, September 10th."] * Krista says uncertainly, "Mr. Mendel seems to be looking for things." She glances to Tabitha, then says, "I'll be back in a second," before shifting the backpack and going back to look for books. [Tabby blinks. "Uh? Okay." She looks at Veronica. "What's he teach?"] "Thanks." Luke takes his books and heads out into the hallway... and adventure. Or possibly just the hallway. ( Early to Mid Nutballism. ;p) [There is a hallway, and it adequately fulfills all expected functions.] (I expect my hallways to provide me with love and fulfillment.) (It certainly tries!) (Luke meets the principal in the hallway. He's hoping to pay Luke back for his hiring qualifications.) * Veronica looks back at Tabitha. "English. Supposedly." [She nods and looks back to see if Luke's there. He isn't! "Oh." And then she spots the clock. "Oh! Um... tell Krista I'm sorry, but I really have to go meet somebody."] Already? You just got here though... (Tabitha lives in the fast lane.) ["Yeah, that's why I came here." She smiles. Braces! "Tell her I'm sorry." And she walks quickly, heading up the stairs to the computer lab.] (There to meet... Drusilla.) (How did you know?) (I peaked at your notes.) * Veronica watches her go. Huh. She then goes to look at the books nearby. (Ah, the reasons for his visit become clear.) (Not books! They'll burn!) (BURN YOU WITH THEIR EVIL KNOWLEDGE AND 'WORDS') (Curses, having Nic over was a bad idea.) (It was.) (Yes, he was just feigning interest in you to get closer to your GM notes. ;p) (Sob.) (See, Ard, this is why I tell you to keep 3 different sets of notes on your person at all times.) (All with entirely different information.) (A half note, a quarter note, and an eighth note?) (Yes.) * Krista walks back out of the stacks with a book in her arms, sees Veronica (and no Tabby), and crosses to her after a second. "Ah... here's your book." * Veronica blinks and looks over the book. "Ah...thanks." She looks up. "The other girl had to head off to meet someone." [It's titled: Spontaneous Combustion: Myth or Reality? The letters are in red and black, and there's a pretty candle on the cover.] ( She has OTHER FRIENDS?!?! But... but... I thought we were kindred spirits!) (I *love* this school library.) * Krista blinks and then nods slightly. "Right. I should get going too." (Ha. Why?) ( Should we order some copies of classic literature for the children, or focus on modern popular novels to try to encourage interest in reading? Screw those choices. Books on spontaneous combustion!) Well. Thanks at least. I'm glad you're at least refreshingly normal compared to the professor. (Dude, yes!) (I'd read it.) * Veronica starts idly kind of flipping through the book shortly after that statement. * Krista smiles weakly and then walks escapeward. (Veronica idly doodles VW and LM in a heart.) (Pfft.) (Sorry, bud. Christy's her first choice.) (Fair enough. The better candidate won.) * Veronica starts to say something, then catches Krista escaping out of the corner of her eye, so just shakes her head and sits down to get to reading. (Hm. It wouldn't be too hard to have Luke be caught in something that keeps him right in front of the library, if Krista wants to deal with him more as she leaves.) [A quick flip through the book reveals a few narratives concerning spontaneous combustion and a lot of big words as it gets sciency.] (Krista wants to PUNCH HIM IN THE FACE!) (Sure.) (No wait. That's Veronica.) [Krista goes to escape! The librarian looks up as she approaches.] * Veronica goes to the librarian. "Um...excuse me?" [Annnd the librarian also looks at Veronica, since she said something. "Yes?"] I'd like to check this book out. [She holds her hand out for it.] * Veronica hands the librarian... THE BOOK! Dun dun duuuuuuun~ [Scanbeep! The book is checked out! She slides in a card and hands it back. "Friday, September 10th."] * Veronica nods in thanks, takes her book, and heads out. [Veronica enters THE HALLWAY.] * Luke is standing in the hallway, less than ten feet away from the exit to the library, addressing a pair of students. * Veronica notices Luke almost immediately and starts to walk in the other direction. "... not going to prevent you from sitting next to each other in class, playing footsie, staring at each other, passing notes, and so on. But you should bear in mind that while you're doing it, everything you're doing is being watched by your over-the-hill teacher, namely me. If that doesn't put a damper on your libido long enough to pay attention in class, then yours is a true love and I give it my blessing." ["Yes, Mr. Mendel," the guy says. The girl just looks really embarrassed, not that Veronica can see it.] "Okay. See you in class, Skip, Xiang." (You know...just that combination of names is wrong.) [Skip nods, and Xiang takes his hand and practically rushes away, tugging him behind.] (I know. So very, very, very wrong.) (Welcome to 2K) (2K?) (Year 2000 and beyond) [And so, they all went their separate somewhat merry ways. Even the NPCs!] [Session End.]