Correspondence Scholarship, Class Three [Tuesday Morning, June 24th]

[theexdisgracedacademic]

This week, The Academic was on time for their own class. They’d cleared the chalkboards, refilling them with an extensive list of symbols. Though each clearly corresponded to The Correspondence, not one was scarcely more complex than the radicals they’d learned last week.

“While technically correct, you will almost never see any of these symbols on a plaque or temple wall. We’re still one step away from proper symbols." The Academic stepped away from the display, inviting the eyes of the students to begin to roam over the writing." But put your goggles on now, and look! You can see it now, can’t you?”

Not all of the symbols were rendered in plain white chalk. Every tenth symbol or so, there were tinges of something else, something reddish, or violet, or-

The Academic smacked the dust from their claws. “Yes, there is a touch of violant pigment in some of the chalk. I’m making very, very sparse use of it, in order to assist you in memorization of these patterns and connections. Under regular circumstances, it would take a scholar roughly a year of back-breaking expeditions to The Forgotten Quarter, or Bazaar Back-Alley deals to find and collect scraps of symbols from under the watchful eye of the government.” The Academic clasped their hands behind their back. “Don’t try to memorize it. Simply take your time with it, as you might glance at a broadsheet on your way to the green grocer.”

It wasn’t impossible to look away from. These symbols were laced with neither compulsion nor trickery. If anything, it was little more than a word search. There was no need to read from right to left, when the pattern is as interesting upwards, or diagonal. 

But the longer you look, the less the symbols seem to be aligned into strict rows and columns. The entire thing feels convex. But that can’t be right, because each one is right above the other. Some on either edge of the entire grid have more in common with one another than the ones that are next to them. But why does the noun for “light” have so much in common with the verb for “to commit violence?” Why is your stomach so tight? How does your gut balance that with the satisfying scratching under the surface of your skull, the itching sated again and again by noting which symbols connect to which ones connect to which ones connect to which-

A snap as wood clatters against wood. You aren’t done when The Academic pulls down a second layer of boards, filled with another grid. But when you glance at the wall, over an hour of the class’ time has fled into the void of the past. That feels wrong both ways. You’d only just looked up. But you’d also been playing for days. Playing? Yes, of course. If it hadn’t been fun, you would’ve looked away. But your mind feels as though you’ve finished solving a fiendishly tricky puzzle. Indeed, as you look back to the new symbols, you’re about to connect new information. You’re not just looking.

You’re reading.

The Academic clapped their hands, startling any new reveries before they began. “You may wish to stretch your legs before diving into the next set. These ones shouldn’t take quite as long, but you’ve already been working very hard.”

Faces stirred around the classroom, the other students managing to blink. Each stirring snap of eyelids knocked tears loose to stream down their faces, landing and pooling in the cups of their goggles.

Oh. There was a tickling sensation on your cheek, and a coldness at the rim of your googles. You too. 

Perhaps that break wasn’t such a bad idea.

Once everyone had a good chance to stand up, get a good drink in and a good cry out, The Academic reconvened class. 

“This is applied use of The Correspondence. Heavier usage of violant pigment can force a reader to recall certain words, and there are ways to inscribe symbols in a way that conveys, conducts, or enhances meaning.” The Academic gestured back to the board. “This grid system invites the reader to draw connections, and the use of the faintest dash of violant helps the mind to hold onto important information while continuing to read. This effect is only temporary, but the best study happens when you are able to begin employing the symbols on your own terms. Perhaps the effect could be made permanent if I’d written the entire thing with a stronger shade of violant...” The Academic clucked their tongue against their teeth. “But I’m not looking to burn my readings on these symbols into your mind. It’s much better for me to pass on what I know as a foundation, and to get you building your own voices as quickly as possible.” They tapped their boot on the stone floor, and lifted an eyebrow. “If we wanted everyone to simply agree with me, we might as well throw me into a Rubbery vat and attempt to make copies. But your perspectives are valuable. Irreplaceable. Don’t forget that, while you look at the next set of boards."

As before, the end of class came before anyone was quite done. The Academic rolled up each and every board, spiriting the grids out of sight.

“That’s it. Don’t ask for any more time with them. The correspondence can be highly addictive, but looking at these grids won’t teach you anything else you don’t already know. If you’ve still got the itch, look over your study materials this week. Next week you’ll begin writing in earnest.” 

The Academic gripped their lectern. “You may be experiencing the dread beginning to overtake you. This is normal. Learning languages opens up new ways of thinking. Learning The Correspondence opens up venues of cognition man was not meant to know.” Claws adjusted their monocle, like fingers worrying at a cuff. “And the speed with which you have all broken new ground this week will be…trying. Your sleep tonight will be unpleasant. That is one side effect of studying The Correspondence. Thus, you have two homework tasks this week. First-“ The Academic added this to an empty chalkboard, “-write down one of your nightmares. Especially if a particular vision proves to be recurring. You don’t need to do anything but be aware of it. If a dream repeats, there is a kernel of truth in it, and it’s better to be aware of what it’s telling you.

Second assignment: get rid of the nightmares.” The Academic underlined this, twice. “If they get worse, you’ll be forced to take a stay in hospital, and that will get in the way of your studies, and effectively waste MY time, too. So. Find something soothing. A good meal, time spent with someone you think you can trust, several bottles of opiates. I don’t care what you use, so long as it works. You don’t need to bring it into class; I’ll be able to look in your eyes next week and tell. Anyone who comes into class with a haggard and haunted look will…” The Academic looked from face to face, then smiled.

“…not receive homework points!” They tossed their chalk back to the lip beneath the chalkboard. “That, of course, is all the punishment which I care to offer. If you choose to ignore my warning, then tonight you will immediately receive a somewhat more natural incentive.” They took up a rag and an atomizer of their own, before promptly beginning to clean the chalkboards.

“Class dismissed!”

Comments

[ticktopis_observatorium]

"Let's say the Rubbery arts are too fascinating a practice to not develop given the chance. The end of one endeavour is never the target, but one more step in an even bigger path that becomes visible then. And... Oh, excuse me, I was about to ramble."

A light chuckle follows, then answers.

"Just getting to know my fellow classmates. But now that you ask it's true I could comment something. Dr. Rosewood and myself are planning on do some group study on other sources of the Correspondence in between classes. Would you join us? The more the merrier, of course. We could go so near as the plaque library of so far as the Forgotten Quarter, maybe beyond."

[themorbidsocialite]

The Morbid Socialite was loathe to admit that they had also had curiosities about the Rubbery Arts, but that had always been science for much bolder men. Perhaps one day. Until that day, the Socialite considered. "I would avoid studying as a large group anywhere public. Our first class, if you'll remember, the Emissary stated that the study of the Correspondence was not strictly legal, advising us to hide our notes when away from the class. But I see no harm in traveling as a study group to the Forgotten Quarter. When will we meet?"

[ticktopis_observatorium]

"Well, the Emissary said they granted us access to the Correspondence section of the library. But perhaps you're right, and would be wise to do so in smaller groups. Anyways, Dr. Rosewood and I are planning to discuss it at the end of the class, once we know for certain how much we can handle of the Correspondence, and what not."

[themorbidsocialite]

"Well said. I would be more than happy to join you. I will send word of my delayed return to my household." The Socialite gently nudged the stoat awake and offered her a pre-fabricated card, having expected an event like this to pull him away. Tularemia scampered off and all but disappeared into the bustle of the morning class. The Socialite turned back towards the Professor with a smile. "I look forward to working with you. With business out of the way, tell me: what drew you to the Correspondence?"

[ticktopis_observatorium]

The Professor looked at Tularemia go with a smile. "Such a beautiful lovely creature. What's its name? And I can say the same, it will surely be a pleasure. About the Correspondence... As a scientist, it represents the most logical next step in our way of learning. We started just recently to properly study the facts, the perceivable cause and consequence, conceptualizing the knowledge of the universal laws that can be inferred by observation and experimentation until proving the repeatability of a model... And now we come down here, where little of it applies, just to learn all those laws were written in this very language" pointing at the blackboard "And that it can be understood, translated... A peek towards the very strands that keep together the fabric of reality as we know it... Or tear it down, depending on the case. What is not to be drawn to?"

[themorbidsocialite]

"That was my Tularemia, an old and close companion." The Socialite paid close attention, chin propped on a delicate hand, as the Professor spoke, soaking in the enthusiasm. "I couldn't agree more. The defiance of the very fabric of reality- or, therein, the adherence to it- which defines how we experience this world, turned into a language that can be used, manipulated, and rewritten to redefine truth and bend reality to the will of the writer or, potentially, the speaker. There is a natural appeal to it that cannot be denied."

[ticktopis_observatorium]

"A pleasure to meet Tularemia as well" even when the morbidity of the name doesn't escape them, that prompts a warm smile from them. "And that's exactly my wish. But you can understand the risk as well, if such knowledge that currently lays dangerously accessible yet unguided all over London was abused or misunderstood. Learning properly is a responsibility not for your own use, but to guide others on their own. Not to control, nothing farther from my intention, but to give them the control, do you understand? To make sure it is their choices and those alone that shape what they'll do with that knowledge..."

The Professor loses track of the conversation, sighing. "My apologies. That part of the plan is what I find more complex. Should knowledge be freely shared, or carefully kept? All the knowledge? Who to trust, who to reject, who to guide to a good end and who will fall astray nonetheless? All too complex, but luckily the plan still needs to advance quite a lot before reaching that part."

[themorbidsocialite]

The Morbid Socialite nodded along. "That, I can most certainly understand. There is, of course, the fear that those that control the knowledge will keep it for themselves, control who should receive an education in certain areas like the Correspondence. But knowledge is power and, therefore, should we be monitoring who should have access to this information? Who has the authority to decide who will use the Correspondence 'right'? We cannot keep it tied to who has the ability to attend classes, as that would limit the learning of the Correspondence to those who can afford to, which is far from a proper system. To share knowledge or to keep away the risk of it falling into disarray? It's a complicated issue and one I'm not sure the leaders of our society should have a say in, as they will inevitably choose to only approve those like themselves."

[ticktopis_observatorium]

"And that's why I am most invested in its learning, beyond its practical uses or fascinating theory. Every person who properly learns about the Correspondence becomes a new element capable of bestowing that same knowledge in a different way. Keeping it both outside the sole control of a single interested part, and at reach of others who many would consider not apt or capable. Call me an idealist, but that perspective, of being one more light in a very dark road that some day a traveler will be guided by, brings me some peace."

[themorbidsocialite]

The Socialite nodded sagely. "That is a wise and very honorable view of things. Any student, I believe, would be fortunate to have you as their professor. To teach and the encourage others to learn; I believe that is, perhaps, the most valuable occupation of this modern day. The people must learn, therefore someone must teach them. How are you on your path to being such a teacher?"

[ticktopis_observatorium]

"Still far from, but on the way, I like to think. I have a nourished group of former students more or less well placed after their time in the University, and we keep occasional contact. Others just forget about me atogether, and that's good as well. But I yet to find someone who thinks poorly of me after a year or two of sharing a classroom. That makes me proud, more than almost anything else. And with this experience I hope to at least keep it that way."

"How about you? What's your goal with Correspondence, and in general?"

[themorbidsocialite]

"Ah, well, little more than the average learner, I'm afraid. Simply to learn the language and find what to do with it and with myself after." This was, of course, an outright lie. "I'm merely a gentleman, whiling away the time in study and scholarship." Another lie. "I have no plans beyond mere curiosity. And, thus far, the curiosity has been progressively sated by our lovely and effective Emissary." A... partial lie. The Morbid Socialite did find the Ex-Disgraced Academic's lessons to be enjoyable and efficient thus far, but being there to simply sate curiosity? Undoubtedly and absolutely a lie. And they said it so easily, too.

[ticktopis_observatorium]

"I see..." a polite smile, too polite, a visible "I'll let you have your way for now" kind of smile. "Well, then I wish you a sated curiosity once this course ends."

[themorbidsocialite]

"And to you, my dear Professor, I wish you fortune and skill." There was no lie in it, only genuine well wishes. Perhaps a ploy to throw off suspicion or perhaps a real hope for the good fortunes of the Chimeric Professor. Most likely the latter. The Morbid Socialite would not seem the type to throw down obstacles with too much subtlety. What they lacked in honesty, they made up for in transparency of subterfuge. No, this was a genuine, kind wish and it was paired with a charming, warm smile.