Inside a man in a grey suit of average height and build stood with his back to you. He was admiring a piece of art work. The sculpture was a large twisted thing, over seven foot in height and nearly as wide. It was made of glass and steel. You had a sense of some misshapen horror but couldn’t quite make sense of it. You thought you made out what was meant to be people trapped within it. Shuddering you looked elsewhere.
The office, was like any other typical academic's space (if such a thing existed at Shoubu) but there was an off-putting normalcy to it. It was as if someone had copied and pasted a picture of an academic’s office and in fact the real space hung behind the façade.
As the secretary, makes his way out of the office, the man with his back to you who you presume is the Auditor known as Green Notary turns and locks his gaze with yours. The touch of an unsettling smile plays upon his lips, revealing a row of perfectly pristine teeth that seem just a tad too sharp.
“Ms Clarke, Ms. South. Please take a seat.”
Like Lewis Sullivan, his attire was impeccable, his grey suit interwoven with intricate dark green patterns resembling vines, their stitching subtly shifting as if alive.
“1928. 93 years,” he says in a voice that is soft and used to not having to raise it to be heard. “93 years since the last time two students challenged each other to a No Holds Barred GAME to the death.” He gives you both a thin smile without any warmth.
Inside your stomach, an icy worm of fear was starting to wriggle. You did not like where this was going.
Green Notary indicated the twisted artwork. “This was commissioned in 1929 and finished in 1930. It commemorates the event. Do you have any idea how difficult, which is really what people say when they mean expensive, it is to cancel a GAME?”
You both shake your heads’ mutely. Another thin smile. “Very. The magical expenditure is, prohibitive. It upsets certain ledgers that I and my fellow Auditors spend a considerable amount of time keeping tidy.”
Mandy goes to say something and Green Notary stopped her with his index finger held up.
“However,” he continues. "Given the gravity of the situation The University would be willing to make a concession. If either of you wish, we will consider the GAME partially forfeit. Either or both party that agrees will take the consequences of a NO PLAY result.” No orgasms for a year you remind yourself.
“Furthermore, they will not be able to be challenged by the other party for the remainder of their time at Shoubu. They will however have to bear a financial cost. The details are to be determined but roughly an additional year’s worth of tuition. And after that the GAME will be over for both parties regardless of whether one or both of you took the offer.”
The Auditor gives you a benign look “Now would either of you young ladies like to take this generous offer.” No orgasms were a tough proposition but you had to admit having Mandy off your back was tempting. But a whole extra year of tuition fees? That was simply crippling.
Mandy’s lip curls in contempt “No fu…” she gritted her teeth as the swear word died in her mouth. “No way!” she spits out. “I am not even partially losing to this..whore!” she growls.
The Auditor holds her gaze as he asks, “And you Ms. South?”
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