The Mentor

Gabriella Escarra sat at her kitchen table grading papers for her Advanced Calculus class. She enjoyed the upper level classes so much more than when teaching the basics, not because of the math itself which was always a joy but because of the attitude of her students. Her advanced students wanted to be in her class, they applied themselves and often moved on to rewarding careers unlike so many of her entry level students who were merely trying to squeak by a passing grade. Such a shame.

Sitting up after pushing the last finished paper into the completed pile she reached for her cup of tea with one hand while smoothing down the skirts of her beloved Victorian dress that she wore even relaxing in her own home. She had several actually, though they all looked much the same; a wealth of ruffles and lace, tight at throat and through the corset, and flaring out below. Full long sleeves of course and all in a shimmering purplish black. Very expensive of course but she had no one else to spend her money on and after inheriting her parents simple country home her expenses were modest.

Looking about her kitchen she caught her reflection in the glass sliding doors that led out back to her garden. She smiled looking at her dress though that faded as her gaze got to the streaks of grey in her once all raven black hair. Not getting any younger she thought, but time comes for us all. Looking back into her kitchen her gaze fell this time on her refrigerator where she had her more recent correspondence from former students pinned by magnets to the door. The top most belonged to the eldest of the Black sisters, all three who had been in her classes at one time or another but the only one who wrote her. This letter again thanking her for mentoring her, how she had won yet another prize in her work, and how she had always admired her style.

Some might think it strange of a proud Spanish woman to be so enamored with an old English style but Laura had always gushed over her dresses. All three sisters had been quite gifted at math, such a shame when the third had thrown that all away.

Skirts rustling she started to rise and refill her cup of tea when everything started to go dark. Is this it? She thought as consciousness faded away.

.

The three woman all looked down the path as the strident clacking sound of boots on stone echoed ahead of the older woman wearing an elegant Victorian dress stalked into view.

"Professor Escarra?!" Laura exclaimed in shock recognizing the teacher she had taken the majority of her math classes with. She hadn't seen her in years but she didn't look a day older save for slightly more silver in her hair.

Gabriella noted Laura right away and gave her a bright smile but continued her path straight to the host and looking up at the tall woman and simply asked "Am I dead?"

"No, not at all. You've just been kidnapped to compete on a game show broadcast to beings across the multiverse." Shar replied in a casual tone.

"Highly unprofessional."

"Yes well it is my first time. Perhaps written invitations would have been better?"

"Look here young lady..."

"I'm actually several times older than you I'll have you know."

"How?" Gabriella asked after a moments silence at that ludicrous statement "You don't look a year over 25."

"Yes well immortality will do that to you. Why don't you have a seat Professor?"

She stumbled back towards the second seat at that. **** she could have faced, the silly note telling her to don the silver bracelet she now wore that had led her to a hidden door didn't even phase her, but this giant of a woman claiming immortality she was having a hard time coming to grips with. Finding one of her star pupils with her in this strange place was something of a help though.

"Laura, you're in this mess as well?" Gabriella asked.

"Apparently I'm supposed to be the master of the harem you're competing to be in." The young woman admitted "That I do. Not Want." She finished, glaring at their host.

"Tough cookies." "So Gabby you want to introduce yourself for the folks at home?"

Gabriella flinched at that, she hated people shortening her name like that but a calm came over her and she found herself talking against her will "My name is Gabriella Escarra, I am 46 years old and a Professor of Mathematics at Hollbrook University, I am not attracted to men or women, I am five foot ten and an A cup at best, I know the master from teaching her at University."

She blinked a few times after that "How?"

"Magic! So no sexual interest at all Prof? That's got to be rough."

"It's never particularly bothered me. I'm not actually opposed to sex you understand, I've just never had any interest in pursuing it. So magic exists here and you can use it? How does that work?"

"Times up on questions for now Prof, we need to introduce our next candidate!"