Chapter Text
Setting : Set in a world similar to our own, roughly in the same year (2024) as I’m currently writing this. All the characters are, in some way, involved with a certain university, which for the sake of naming I’ll call University C or U of C (no associations to any U of C irl that might exist, haha.) Covid has occurred in the past here, but will appear harmless compared to what’s about to occur.
Yi Sang: Third year computer engineering student. One of Faust’s colleagues, and spends most time outside of class with her as being a fellow engineering student, and had a lot of his initial classes shared with her. He likes talking with her because she “comprehends all that he verbalizes” - essentially, they’re just both big nerds.
Faust: Third year electrical engineering student. Gets 150/149 when the highest score ever was 7/149 and everyone hates her for fucking up the class average. She doesn’t see a problem with it, clearly they’re just not on her level.
Don Quixote: Currently taking on a part-time arts class load, Spends a lot more time in the LARP and D&D clubs, putting everyone else’s roleplaying skills to shame. Pretty disorganized but brings a lot of interesting ideas to the table in class discussions, and is doing pretty well grades-wise. Contagious enthusiasm. Volunteers when it doesn’t interfere with her busy “schedule”.
Ryoshu: Snobby art prof who is either loved or hated by students - nowhere in between. Uses every opportunity she gets to display her own art as an example of a certain technique, no matter how gut-wrenching it is. Makes someone cry once a month and throw up at least once a semester, but is surprisingly good at getting a point across.
Meursault: Part of the university’s admin/office team. Has perfect muscle memory for the hold button.
Hong Lu: Not from where the university is located, but just kind of showed up and fit right in. First year arts student in open studies and has probably been that way for years, profs love him and the students love him. He’s like the school’s therapy dog.
Ishmael: First-year student entering after struggling in dead-end jobs for some time. Open studies, completely unsure what she wants to major in at all, so she’s taking a bit of everything, including an introductory marine biology course.
Heathcliff : Scary arts student who no one would believe from his resting bitch face that he’s actually a bleeding heart. Isolates himself often but grows lonely on the inside.
Rodion: Affectionately called “Rodya” by most, a mature student taking some arts and business classes. Works part-time in the campus bookstore.
Sinclair: Shy and anxiety-ridden boy, taking classes in psychology, sociology and theology. Despite his outward appearance, morbid topics seem to take their place in his papers over and over again, concerning at least one of his profs.
Outis: History professor who looks like she would revive you just to kill you again in every single battlefield she knows. Often grating, but much like Ryoshu, can actually provide feedback and help her students. Successfully dispatched a rumor about her drinking at her desk.
Gregor: Works in the student association and wellness center, often seen helping out at campus events. More popular than he’ll ever think or know, but a dark shadow casts itself across his face when no one is looking.
Ayin: Deputy head of the biological sciences department. People wonder if he sleeps on campus with how often he’s there. Married to Carmen.
Carmen:
Head of the science department. Some heads were turned when she married her colleague, but they’ve done so much work for the university that anyone who could dispatch them from their positions seemingly turned a blind eye.