Chapter 282

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*- Kassandra*

This is the 282nd episode of *unORDINARY*.

## Synopsis

Kassandra introduces Arlo to the department, to a great round of huzzahs. Arlo notes that the workplace relies on Kassandra to run smothly, and counts himself lucky to be her protege. His first day continues with a small tour, including the haven that is the break room! They take the opportunity to make water cooler talk over a cup of coffee. Kassandra asks why Arlo, with a free pass to join any department he wanted, chose a future in Anti-Corruption. Arlo recalls the intel from Kayden, about how EMBER is a secret branch of the Authorities. But he keeps it to himself, and answers that Anti-Corruption was a calling of sorts.

Upon taking a seat, Arlo holds up an employee guide to conduct. He stares at the front page, but is too preoccupied worrying about Remi and her downward spiral. He was at a loss as to how he could keep her from getting in over her head again. His fretting is interrupted by the loud thud of a stack of documents being placed on his desk. Kassandra, who placed them there, told him that his first assignment was to scan each one and sort the digital copies. Feeling a little overqualified for such a menial task, Arlo asked to be put on an investigation instead. Kassandra jovially tells him that everybody had to work their way up from the bottom.

Hours pass, and Arlo is still at it. He resentfully thinks that his dream job isn't nearly as prestigious as he thought it would be. He grabs his next folder, and is surprised to see that it's full of documents about his school. Even more startling, the name of the headmaster is prominently on the folder's label. Arlo stops working in order to go over the contents of the Wellston High files. One page is about Vaughn himself, and an investigation about him possibly plotting conspiracy against the Authorities is underway. Also listed are documents on John and Seraphina, apparently victims of Vaughn's misguidance. Arlo's eye is drawn to a mention about Unordinary on John's file, which makes him wonder what correlation there is between the book and the hothead. But even this is forgotten when he gets to the next file of interest: Remi's record of misconduct in the field of vigilantism. Now fully on edge, Arlo fears that trouble could be around the corner. So it's no surprise that he nearly jumps out of his skin when he hears Kassandra mack on him for still doing paperwork. Arlo sarcastically tells her that she can blame the one who assigned him the enormous workload. With a smirk, she tells him that he was *meant* to get through the stack over the course of the week. She suddenly realizes that Arlo has the Vaughn files in his hand. Taking a more serious professional tone, Kassandra tells Arlo to keep one important thing in mind: in the Authorities, discretion is the better part of valor. Arlo tells her he understands completely, which Kassandra commends him for. She says that he's free to put his work on hold and call it a day.

Back on the school grounds, Remi thanks Isen and Blyke for the meal and bids them a good night. Though the parting was amicable, Blyke goes to his dorm most somberly. Remi was clearly troubled all day, probably about the details Kuyo shared about his final outing with Rei. Blyke is just about to turn in when he notices that there's unfamiliar luggage in front of John's room. Then a pair of students he recognizes walks in, having a debate about said luggage. It's John and Seraphina, who have returned unannounced! Blyke says hello and asks if they're helping somebody move in. Seraphina confirms that she is that roommate. Blyke is flabbergasted at the notion that a girl would be sleeping in the Boy's Dorm. John assures him that it wouldn't be a permanent arrangement. Blyke, struggling to keep his head straight, demands an explanation. Why would they pull something like this after disappearing right, *after* they almost got rubbed out. Taken aback by his awareness, the pair ask how Blyke knew about their narrow brush with death. Blyke, flustered by his own big mouth, claims that he was tipped off by a news report. (John silently notes that the incident didn't make the news).

Blyke says that they now owe him that explanation. Seraphina tells him that, in light of the attempt on their lives, they were cautioned to stay close to each other in case other killers were after them. She tells Blyke that he, Isen, and Remi ought to start watching each other's backs too in the midst of the burgeoning Spectre mobilization. Blyke cringes at the mention of the organization that nearly did in the hiking group. He offers his condolences to John and Seraphina regarding their ability-loss, and couldn't fathom being in their position. Blyke promises that, if they get in another fight with Spectre, he would be there to help the duo.

## Appearing Characters

* Arlo
* Kassandra
* Kayden (flashback)
* Remi
* Vaughn (picture)
* Seraphina
* John
* Isen
* Blyke