RBYDark — Roleplayer Guild

Professor Dupree nodded. World's mad – or people trying to impose their idea of order. Gawking and quick to accuse when the world refused to fit it. Their truths were based only on a handful of ideas and perhaps a fact or two. So much easier to say the world was mad than say they were wrong. That was what they often met. 

It was certainly prudent to keep this to himself when speaking to a student who, at best, had been startled witless by his first encounter with a madman. He tried to avoid unnecessary harm as a matter of principle.

Convinced that the student was able to continue on, even shaken, Professor Dupree allowed himself to follow at the end of the group. Steiner at the front, Dupree at the back. Shepherding their students through insanity, led by Dr. Martin Gabrowski. As the tour proceeded into the heart of the asylum, its brain and vessels and lungs- He shook off the thought with a small shudder. Perhaps it was merely the close proximity to the insane, the thought that someone like that had been wandering among them and had been so normal until yesterday morning, the thinly-insulated walls that let the cold pervade the hallways with a sense of dampness that soaked through coats and cloth and skin and muscle; Dupree couldn't be certain. Everyone but Dr. Tarr leading the way (did that make his colleague back on campus Professor Fether?) seemed to instinctively recoil from the doors that bulged past the hallway walls. Professor Dupree certainly wasn't above instinctive responses himself, he noted as he found himself oddly in the middle of the hall. At least Dr. Gabrowski was willing to give everyone their time's worth as he began describing the set-up of this ward – of self-protection, from heads smashing against doors and wrists rubbed raw on metal frames. But of course Jeremiah knew what that felt like.
The set-up was perfect for a segue into the description of the patients the ward held. If any students who had attended came with uncertainties as to the ethics of human study, it seemed to melt away at the illnesses Dr. Gabrowski shared. How thin the line of madness and sanity truly seemed to run! When Dupree was able, he did attempt to glance through the cracks between the doors and walls, to observe the patients within. Storytelling was fine and all, a perfectly suitable method for gaining knowledge, but Dupree knew the benefits of direct observation. One other bolder student lagged behind to join him on this particular venture, and Dupree couldn't help but feel justified. Nicolas Redd – he had a good feeling about this boy when he'd walked into Dupree's lecture hall. This boy was sure to go far, he knew that for a fact.

Yet, in his observation, it took Steiner's words to point out what should have been obvious: Dr. Gabrowski had skipped one room. Had Dr. Gabrowski been more careless in identifying patients up to that point, Professor Dupree might have had to consider whether it was important or not. Whether the patient hidden behind the door he had yet to reach was worthy of observation. Whether the patient simply did not fit someone's idea of order. Quick to be accused, and perhaps less protected than Dupree. However, Dr. Gabrowski's denials and harsh explanation proved sufficient.

This patient was definitely important.

How it related to everything else and everyone else was another question entirely. The fact she would be released soon according to Dr. Gabrowski lifted his hopes even further – he would not need to attempt to cajole or flatter staff into allowing him to meet with this woman. He might need to do so at the end of the tour, to discover when she would be released. Perhaps phrasing his request as looking for a guest speaker and desiring a patient known to be stable might work for his purposes? Redd continued onward as Dupree allowed his thoughts to wander and his frenetic pace to slow to a simple walk alongside a student – the same student from before. A pattern? Perhaps not yet. Perhaps so. Was he in Steiner's class? Dupree thought so. It might be worth asking Dr. Steiner for his name.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

There was no mistaking it, Dupree thought as he slowly rose from his thoughts. The unknown patient's door had been knocked upon. It had been soft, so soft that, as Dupree looked to Dr. Steiner for help in pressing the issue, it was clear that the rest of the group had moved on too far to hear anything. Such a pity. Of course Dupree was curious. The door seemed sealed tight, he noted – the gap between the wall and door much thinner than the other doors. Coincidences existed but this could not be a coincidence. Not planned, no, that was giving the doctors too much credit.

No matter what Dr. Gabrowski claimed, Dupree had a feeling this patient would not leave this room.

Before Dupree could move closer to investigate the door and hopefully the patient that laid behind, the student fell forward, brushing against Dupree on the way and almost striking the door in the process. Panic. Did he feel anything odd? Had he felt the extra fabric? What was he worrying over, a student had nearly fainted on top of him!
Before Dupree could move to help him, the student waved a hand, catching himself on the wall and staggering forward. This was still worrisome. Even if he had not fallen unconscious, even if he had not fallen entirely, the asylum was not necessarily equipped to dealing with illness of the physical variety. If the fainting was merely hysterical, that could be even worse. Dupree hesitated before deciding to keep his hands to himself. The student seemed to compose himself and turned to face Dupree.

“Persistent, them.” He tapped on the metal door. “Scared me there. Never know when to quit. They'll just hurt themselves. Someone should tell the doctor, or a nurse.” Dupree nodded, curiously. Two for two. The student just attracted madness. He would need to ask Steiner for a name. For understanding. Had he been here before? It was worth looking into while trying to discover where Faye Desdemona had gone.

“I think I'll head for the bathroom, professor. I'm feeling dehydrated. Yes.” The student smiled.

“That would be wise. I believe there were facilities in the lobby – a nurse should be able to help you rejoin the group once you are finished?” Dupree nodded. This... actually worked to his advantage. A moment alone to talk to this woman, determine what she knew.

Why she was clearly so important in the grand scheme of things.
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