[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=sienna]Gilbert Summers, "The Hat"[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://i.pinimg.com/236x/61/4a/a8/614aa83f1f1ee0fffd8e92fedcaea790--jason-moma-bats.jpg[/img][hr][b][color=sienna]Location:[/color][/b] Ville au Camp (Main Building, Study) 
[b][color=sienna]Skills:[/color][/b] Greek, Spanish [hr][/center]

	The first thing that he noticed was that Evelina was gone. It wasn't like her. This was the first day following the last Paradox training session, one of the things where they all had a session discussing things as a group, most definitely some things privately, and spent a good amount of time in reflection. That last part was important - reflection. Some feedback was going to be good, other was going to be ...not as good. Yet they were all part of the same team, and so had to move past their little difficulties (their big ones, too) and work as a team. Emendators and Paradoxes joined together with singular purpose. 

	Except they could not be of a singular purpose. The lady known as The Dice was gone. Which brought him to the [i]second[/i] thing that he noticed: He couldn't feel her anywhere, either. Not in the collective history of humankind, not in the recent history of the Destrehan Plantation grounds. Now he learned from Alicia that she wasn't appearing on the vid. That was troubling to the extreme. The sudden switch to Greek was also troubling, though not because of the language itself. What the words conveyed were harrowing, both what was written and what was said aloud. Being as he was in the region while the language was evolving, Gilbert felt very comfortable joining the conversation. An air of calm confidence settled over him; it was not what he actually felt, but it most certainly was what he needed to project to the others. Only Alicia might know the truth of him. 

	[color=sienna]"Συμφωνώ με τη Νανσύ. Τα Παράδοξα χρειάζονται εκτροπές. Τίποτα όμως μαζικό, αυτό πρέπει να είναι ο χρόνος τους."[/color] He looked around everyone, Emendators and Paradoxes both. Giving Nancy an even gaze, he cracked a little smile and continued, [color=sienna]"Μην κάνετε τίποτα φρικτό ή μόνιμο σε αυτά. Όχι μέχρι να γυρίσω, ούτως ή άλλως. Ξέρω ότι μπορείς να είσαι λεπτός και υποτιμημένος."[/color] He even gave her a little wink, his smile broadening. 

	When Belladonna spoke, it immediately snapped his head around with rapt attention. He took in her words and nodded in agreement. At least he knew where to start. [color=sienna]"Επιστρέψτε το συντομότερο δυνατόν, αν θέλετε. Πρέπει τώρα να περιφέρουμε τα βαγόνια μας. Οι σκοτεινές ώρες μπορεί να πλησιάζουν, και όχι με το διασκεδαστικό τρόπο. Θα ήθελες να επιστρέψεις σε μας με ασφάλεια, κοπέλα κυρία."[/color]

	Finally, to Alicia, who seemed to want to get in on the differing language action (and selecting one that only she and Gilbert knew out of this group), [color=sienna]"Por ahora, solo sea su voz. Las otras Paradojas confían en ti. Lo mismo hacen los Emendadores. Trabajaré con el resto. ¿Bueno?"[/color] 

	There were questions from the other Paradoxes, to be sure, but the totality of the Emendators' conversation was not for their ears. Not yet, anyway. Nonetheless, ignoring them might lead to panic. Panic was counterproductive. [color=sienna]"My apologies, really. Some concepts must be discussed among those who have experienced them. Too much knowledge too quickly can be as troubling as blind ignorance. It comes down to a common frame of reference more than anything else. For right now, unless we need something of you, let us do exactly as Evie (ahem) as The Dice ordered: One week. Take the time off. Look back on your training. [i]Reflect[/i]. Until one of us says otherwise, let [i]us[/i] handle the issue at hand. One moment more, please?"[/color] 

	Gilbert addressed the other two Emendators, switching back to Greek, [color=sienna]"Έχουμε ακόμα ένα Παράδοξο εκεί έξω που δεν ξέρει τι συνέβη. Δεν θα είναι στη λίστα του Παλαιού Παράδοξου. Νάνσυ, νιώθεις να πηγαίνεις στην Αίγυπτο; Ίσως καλύτερα να προέρχεται από εσάς."[/color] A sudden change back to the language of the time and place had him speaking with optimistic syllables, [color=sienna]"And Giosue, if you would be as kind, I need to take a field trip of my own. New York's Deadlight District, 1980's. I believe that The Dice wished to show one of our pupils the area's nightlife. I can at least take care of that for her."[/color] In a more serious tone, he concluded with, [color=sienna]"Τη στιγμή που την άφησε τελευταία. Χρειάζομαι απαντήσεις."[/color] 

	The smile reappeared on his face as he made for the door. [color=sienna]"Andromeda? It's time for some Extra Credit work. I need you to join me at The Mill. And bring your new coat. It looks good on you."[/color]  

	

	

[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=indianred]James Grady[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://image.ibb.co/i56LZR/Blackjames.jpg[/img][hr][b][color=indianred]Location:[/color][/b] Ville au Camp (Main Building, Study)
[b][color=indianred]Skills:[/color][/b] N/A [hr][/center]

	Time was up already? Why, it had only seemed like a year and a half since he's died, been brought back, and then sent through a series of ongoing tortures spanning the gamut of time, space, and alternate realities beyond his previous imaginings. He even got notecards telling him how he did, at the estimation of his Emendator teachers. Scanning over them, he was surprised. Shocked, even. There were certain words used to describe him that he weren't sure were accurate. Good words, but he wasn't sure about the veracity thereof. Things about leadership qualities and good instincts. Other words were used to describe him, too. Less flattering ones. Words like rage, guilt, and darkness. Phrases like "waiting to explode", among others. 

	There were recommendations for further training, which he was actually okay with. James had learned a ton over the past several months. While it was not effortless, there was really nothing else quite like the forced, accelerated learning that he was getting with these people. He could eat this stuff up, if it didn't kill him anyway. That was a very real possibility. Past the recommendations for further training was a sort of prognosis about his future as a Paradox. Depending upon how it was read, it could be very good, or very bad. Hopeful he would assume, looking at the positive feedback, but he had a ways to go, obviously. And he had a LOT to work on within himself. He probably always would. James knew there was a darkness inside of himself. Sometimes it was even a damn useful tool, so long as he could put it back away. 

	The moment that he finished reading the letters and had his happy little introspective moment, he realized that something very off was going on. And it wasn't just because they were all speaking in that strange language that they spoke in the Spanakopita joint around this one place he used to love to visit in Texas, but that didn't help matters much.

	James had used the phrase more than a few times before, "This one wacky game show", but somehow the level of sarcasm necessary for it to fit this particular set of circumstances was beyond his ability to summon. There was joy at being done with his initial training, followed by immediate concern. The Dice was missing? Yeah, that didn't set right. She was the reason they were all there. What happened if they needed another Paradox? What happened to all of those necessary things she did to make the world right? Hell, what was going to happen to [i]this place[/i] without her keeping things in order, and who was going to step up? Certainly not him. Looking over to Alicia, James spoke, [color=indianred]"Hey girl... I got [i]lots[/i] to talk about, long as you're offerin' an ear. Fore we get to it, I'll be happy as a pig in shit, help you find that 'quila. Afters though, what do you all need from me?"[/color] That last part was directed to the room as a whole, rather than to any one Paradox or Emendator.