After-class Homework

After-class Homework	Operational Intelligence
Just bubble in C all the way down. If it's wrong, who cares?

Characters

Doctor Frostleaf Ifrit Projekt Red ??? Medic Operator

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“

Ifrit and Projekt Red have another dispute over homework, resulting in Ifrit losing control of her emotions – and nearly her powers as well. But with the help of those around her, she finally manages to regain control over herself.

”

Everything was white. From the sky above my head to the ground beneath my feet, everything I could see was a calming white. Pure, silent, empty white. Only the flames flickered and swayed. Eventually, my dream quietly eroded, melting away until finally I awakened. "Where am I?" No answer. "Why am I here?" No answer. "Should I leave?" No answer. "......" There was no one but me. There was nothing but me. And so, My confusion left only one— "What... are you?" ...... ..........
<Background 1>
02:35 P.M. – Rainy and Overcast Rhodes Island Ark – Cabin #2 – Operator Quarters
Ifrit	!! ...Phew. (Again. Why is it always that same dream. What the hell does it mean?) (Ugh. I slept on my head wrong. It's throbbing.) (Scratching) This is all this damned Doctor's fault. These questions are too hard! What is this even about? Surface area? Who cares? Aaaaagh! Nononono! Not now! Don't ignite! Eeeeep... I singed the edge of the desk... Okay, at least I didn't burn the worksheet. This Doctor...
<Background fades out and in>
<Flashback starts here>
Ifrit	Ugh, do I really have to do this whole thing? Pain in the ass... Huh? Studying is good for me? Come on. Like I didn't know that. Why else would anybody study with you? But this is too much homework! And like, what's the difference between this word and this word? I say two words to you and Silence takes away my dried peppers. It's all your fault! Hey, what are you laughing at?!
<Dialogue branch starts here>
Doctor	I know where she's hiding the dried peppers.
Ifrit	Really?! Where?! I want to take them with you. Then she'll lecture both of us.
<Dialogue branch>
Doctor	...
Ifrit	Stop silently smiling like that, it's really creepy! You just don't want to answer me?
<Dialogue branch>
Doctor	Chargrilled sandworm leg. Want one?
Ifrit	Ew, Doctor, what is that? No, no! I don't want it! —Mmm? Hm? (Chewing) Mm. (Swallowing) Gulp... ah? Wh–what did I just eat? Nevermind...
<Dialogue branch ends here>
Ifrit	Hey, Doctor, is Silence going out on a mission tomorrow? You think I could go too? You know how powerful I am, don't you? Just talk to her for me. See if you can get her to let me go.
<Dialogue branch starts here>
Doctor	This is a cleanup operation. You're better at combat, aren't you?
Ifrit	What are you talking about? I can handle that stuff. So why aren't we fighting right now? Send me out already. I want to show everyone my power!
<Dialogue branch>
Doctor	We've had quite a few complaints this month. You sit tight for a bit.
Ifrit	I can glass a whole battlefield with my flames. They're just jealous they can't! I don't care what they say!
<Dialogue branch ends here>
Ifrit	You and Silence believe in my, don't you? The others don't understand. I don't care about them, and they don't care about me. But why! Tell me why!
Doctor	Ifrit, calm down!
Ifrit	Gah!
<Flashback ends here>
<Background fades out and in>
Ifrit	I hate you. Forget it. Screw you. Here. This one, and this one, all of these... they're all C. And this one... I don't really get. Doesn't matter. It's C too. There. Done...!
Medic Operator	It's time for your checkup, Ifrit.
Ifrit	Ugh. Another annoying doctor's here.
Medic Operator	Why do I smell burning...? Ifrit? Work with me. We're checking the density of Originium crystals in your blood today. Are you going to cooperate... Hm? What happened to the desk here? How did it get charred?
Ifrit	Don't worry about it. It wasn accident.
Medic Operator	Ifrit... you know this is dangerous. You can't be starting fires inside Rhodes Island. You have to control yourself. I told them we can't use any suppression drugs, but you have to work with us...
Ifrit	... Are you finished? You sure love to hear yourself talk!
Medic Operator	...Ifrit, I'm a nurse. I'm really not good with kids. So do you think we could just, you know, communicate.
Ifrit	Who's a kid?! Do you, like, think?! Why do I have to deal with people like you all day?! Why can't everyone leave me alone?!
Medic Operator	Ifrit... I'm just doing my job.
Ifrit	Then do it somewhere else! I feel sick to my stomach whenever I see those dumbasses in their stupid white coats. Out of my way. I'm leaving.
Medic Operator	But, your checkup...
Ifrit	I'll make you move! Aaah!! My–my homework! It–it burned! What did you do?! You did this!
Medic Operator	Ifrit! Hurry! The flame!
Ifrit	I told you to leave me alone!! You have to pay for this!
Medic Operator	W–wait! I'll get Nightingale. Just hold on!
Ifrit	...Why. What did I do this time? Damn it... My homework! It's...ruined. (Silence won't take me either. Even though I'm this powerful!) (The Doctor's done too. It's just me and those sickos in the white coats...) (It sucks. They're so scared of me they run off as far as they can.) (My notebook... is a little singed, but it's still good.) (Whatever. I'll just put the practice questions on the Doctor's desk. Good to go, right?)
<Background 2>
Frostleaf	? ... Can I help you?
Projekt Red	!
Frostleaf	You'll scare people acting like that.
Projekt Red	I'm just walking.
Frostleaf	Normal people don't walk on the walls.
Projekt Red	?
Frostleaf	Forget it. What's that in your hand there...
Projekt Red	Homework. It's a pain. But Kal'tsit said to listen to the Doctor. I had no choice. You understand this? This word, I do not know.
Frostleaf	You're... you're asking me.
Projekt Red	You don't know?
Frostleaf	I can try. Let me see. This word... Hm... I'm not sure either.
<Background fades out and in>
Frostleaf	...I think it's like this. Do you understand now? I'm afraid I didn't speak clearly.
Projekt Red	Yes. Very clear.
Frostleaf	I'm glad. But you could have asked the Doctor too. The Doctor would have explained it better than me.
Projekt Red	Yes. But I think Frostleaf speaks softly.
Frostleaf	...I see.
???	What are you two doing hanging out in the hallway!
Ifrit	Hey, Little Red Riding Hood, right? How come I never see you in class...?
Projekt Red	—–Ifrit.
Frostleaf	Ifrit, don't get so close to her. Red has very quick defensive reflexes. She might lash out at you accidentally.
Projekt Red	Defensive reflexes?
Frostleaf	What happens to things that get within five centimeters of you?
Projekt Red	I cut them.
Frostleaf	See.
Ifrit	Huh... You seem to know a lot about her, Ice Cube.
Frostleaf	I've gone over the operator's handbook and spoken to Dobermann. But do you think maybe you could relax a bit around us, Red?
Projekt Red	?
Frostleaf	Nevermind...
Ifrit	Pff... hahaha!
Projekt Red	What's funny?
Ifrit	Hah?
Frostleaf	Don't worry about it, Red.
Ifrit	Ugh.
Frostleaf	Hmm...? What's that you're hiding behind your back?
Ifrit	Oh? This? It's– it's my homework. The mighty Ifrit conquered it easily.
Frostleaf	Oh...? I'm glad.
Projekt Red	I smell burning. Ifrit burned her homework.
Ifrit	... I didn't do it on purpose.
Projekt Red	Oh.
Ifrit	...You think I burned my homework so I didn't have to finish it, don't you?
Projekt Red	I don't know.
Ifrit	Just come out and say it already.
Projekt Red	?
Frostleaf	Don't, Ifrit. She doesn't talk much.
Projekt Red	Are you mad?
Ifrit	... I hate you! You're the worst. Why do we have to be in the same class? Why does today suuuuck so muuuch...? Why does this keep happening to meeee?
Frostleaf	Calm down, Ifrit. The temperature is rising. This is getting dangerous.
Ifrit	...Huh? Don't act like you know me. I'm fine! Don't talk to me like you know everything!
Projekt Red	A threat?
Frostleaf	No, Red, it's okay! That's how she is!
Monster.
<Background 2>
Ifrit	Gah.
Projekt Red	Got it.
Ifrit	What do you get...?
Monster. A monster that hurts people. A monster that burns things. A monster who can't control herself.
<Background 2>
Ifrit	It... It hurts... agh...
Monster.
<Background 2>
Projekt Red	Need to burn?
Frostleaf	Wait, Ifrit... not here.
Ifrit	Mind your own business!
Monster.
<Background 2>
Ifrit	You don't know me!
Monster.
<Background 2>
Frostleaf	Stop!
Projekt Red	She's a threat to me. A threat to Rhodes Island.
Frostleaf	Don't do it, Red! She's just heating up! Both of you—
Ifrit	Who's heating up? Are you calling me a hothead?! I'm thinking clearly! It's you and your whole ice queen thing nobody wants! Get the hell away from me or I'll turn you into cinders!
No. Don't.
<Background 2>
Projekt Red	She's out of control. So weak.
Ifrit	You're kindling, Hood!
Monster. No, don't do it. They're friends.
<Background 2>
Frostleaf	Don't! Ifrit!
Monster! I'm not! I'm not a monster! The flames ignite. The flames are out of control. The giant monster cackles. The white room burns to a charred black. Some cry. Some flee. Where am I? Someone is coming. Someone familiar. Tall...
Ifrit	No... Sari... save... them...
<Background 2>
???	Oh dear, oh my, what is going on here? Iffy? You can't be igniting in the corridors. Saris would be very upset if she knew. Silence too. Get...!
Ifrit	No, it's not... you're not...
???	Let's gather up some water molecules and calm those flames down...
Ifrit	?! Pfah— It's freezing cold! Wha... MuMu?! MuMu, help me... I don't want to...
???	Sssh— you can't tell anyone I'm here. It's okay. I'll take care of it. Hehe, I'm not worried at all. You're going to be fine. But remembered what we agreed on, Iffy?
Cruel. Wanton. Rampage. Destroyed everything. ... I know it's all true. The painful experiments make me sick. The stares of the people in the white coats make me sick. This place makes me sick. This is no life. This is no future. All it would take is one flame, one lick hot enough, and all their disgusting eyes, all those whtie walls stinking of disinfectant, all of it would go up in smoke. As long as the people I like survive. The rest mean nothing. —That's how I used to think. Before I came here. I think that's how I always thought. But I'm different now. Cruel. I know I know. Wanton. Okay, fine, I'll be careful. Rampage. ...It really wasn't that bad! Destroyed everything. I didn't mean to! It's not like I don't know. But at least, hrm... Like you said. I can do it. I won't burn Rhodes Island, or my homework. Or my friends. Hrmm... My friends are all as great as me anyway! So, it's fine. I get it. I haven't been trying hard enough. I have to try even harder. Just watch me. I'll show all of you!
<Background 1>
Ifrit	Hmph!
<Dialogue branch starts here>
Doctor	A whole corridor destroyed, just like that?
Ifrit	N–no! Agh! It's none of your business! Grr... That Little Red Riding Hood and, everyone else, they're okay...? You helped Hood get away? Hmph, good. I'm dangerous? Everyone's dangerous? Oh...
<Dialogue branch>
Doctor	Chargrilled sandworm leg. Want one?
Ifrit	Let me have one... N–no! I don't want to eat it! I can't... Eat that much.
<Dialogue branch ends here>
Ifrit	That whole, thing, back in the hallway, I didn't do it on purpose... So, I guess, I'm– I'm sorry! Gross, why are you looking at me like that...? Oh, hey, don't you need to check my homework? Here it is!
<Dialogue branch starts here>
Doctor	This notebook looks a little scorched.
Ifrit	Gah, don't take it if you don't like it!
<Dialogue branch>
Doctor	...
Ifrit	You can make it out, can't you?
<Dialogue branch ends here>
Ifrit	Here. This is the homework. There was a little accident and it got like this... Hey, what's with that look? Just come out and say it! It is what it is! Who cares if you don't believe me. I did the whole thing. I really did! It's– it just got a little... ripped... and singed... and splashed. Ifrit and um, erm, some of them I just kind of guessed, but... I'll do better next time! ... I screwed up again. Just lay into me already. I can take it.
Doctor	Ifrit, give me your hand.
Ifrit	Ow! Not so rough! Hm? It's my... dried peppers? My favorite dried peppers! You, uh? I can have them? Hey... what the hell! You prick! Don't think you can just give me a little snack and then... and then... (Sniffle) Hah. Fine then. But I still think you white coat dumbasses are hella gross! (Whisper) But I guess you can be an exception! But I'm warning you! Don't treat me like a kid all the time, like Silence does! I'll get angry! And you wouldn't like me when I'm angry!
<Dialogue branch starts here>
Doctor	You are an exemplary operator.
Ifrit	Gr... Grr... where did that come from all of a sudden?! It's obvious anyway!
<Dialogue branch>
Doctor	Truly imposing, Iffy.
Ifrit	Gah—– cough, cough, cough. And who taught you that nickname anyw—no, who—who said you could call me that!
<Dialogue branch ends here>
Doctor	You'll be joining the next operation.
Ifrit	!! Really? Really really? You mean it? I can go out on the next mission? You really mean it? No kidding?
Doctor	But...
Ifrit	But what? Open your damned mouth! You want me to think it through myself? What's that supposed to mean...? ... Right. I have to go apologize... The medic lady, I didn't mean to scare her... And I shouldn't have been so rough with Frostlead and Hood... Hey Doctor, can you do me a favor? Can you come with me? To apologize?
<Dialogue branch starts here>
Doctor	Why not go yourself? / Are you going to scare more medics?
Ifrit	I... I know I screwed up. But they're really the worst! Still... I shouldn't do that to them... And I don't want people blaming you for it either.
Doctor	Next time we go to the beach, would you like to join us?
Ifrit	Beach? What's that? Doesn't matter. I'll go! I wanna go! Erm, but, why did you invite me all of a sudden? You're kind of a weirdo, Doctor...
Doctor	Because if you behave yourself, I think I could convince Silence to let you go.
Ifrit	Ugh. You're always trying to make me do stuff, huh?
Doctor	Will you go apologize?
Ifrit	Hmph. Fine! I can do it! I can apologize! So we have a deal? No backsies! You have to let me go! Hehe. "Beach!" Yeah, sounds pretty sweet. See you tomorrow, Doctor!
Ifrit	... Are you still looking? Yeah. I know how they look at me. I know what they think of me. But it doesn't bother me. What do I care? I'll melt you! You know, it's your fault for embarrassing me. That's why I always end up in trouble.
Where would you be without me?
Ifrit	Hah. You think I'm still afraid of you? As much as you hurt me, as much as you hurt everyone... Fatass! Moron! Pig! Blimp with horns!
Haha. Good one.
Ifrit	Look, I'm never going to burn everything again. I get it. Some things I can burn. Some things I can't.
There's nothing that can't be burned!
Ifrit	What? It's my choice! If the mighty Ifrit chooses not to burn something, it cannot be burned! And whatever gets in my way, I'll burn to the ground. But the stuff I can't burn? I won't touch. Not with a single lick!
Then I wait, little thing.
Ifrit	... Sooner or later, that day... will come!