Chapter Text
Carmen sank into her seat. This was the fourth class today. It’s so boring here. She wouldn’t even have thought about college if not for Shadowsan. He waltzes in, katana swinging, and tells her to get a ‘real education’. It’s not her fault she was raised on an island of thieves. But nooo—the second she is forced to get an arm cast, he sends her off on a… break.
Ugh.
It doesn’t help that she’s learned everything here already. Say what you will, but V.I.L.E.’s eccentricities and multiple sections of expertise really know how to round out a person.
So, Carmen prepares herself for another boring professor to walk in and start teaching something she already mastered.
What she didn’t expect is for a woman barely older than herself to steal every ounce of her attention as she came in though the door. She was carrying a satchel that, when paired with her glasses, emphasized her studious demeanor. It was directly opposite of those who brought overflowing backpacks and only wore sweatpants everywhere. Carmen didn’t bring much with her—if a singular pen counts—so it looked like there were two sore thumbs in this class.
That being said, Carmen was about to offer the seat next to herself when the woman kept walking towards the front of the class. She vaguely remembered someone talking about teacher assistants, where students help teachers for credit or something. Carmen raised an eyebrow and watched the woman rummage though her bag.
She pulled out multiple items and set them around the podium and desk before finally turning towards the class.
It was then that Carmen had the very rare thought that she missed something.
“Hello, I’m Professor Argent.”
Oh. That makes so much more sense.
The professor continued her introductory speech, smiling at everyone and taking attendance. Carmen locked eyes with her as she called out “Carmen Santa-Rosa” and grinned. As she lowered her raised hand, she noticed the professor do a double-take. Nothing came out of it as she continued reading on.
Carmen found her opening lecture more intriguing than she expected. There was a reason she took this deep dive history class. Well, two reasons. One: she already knows history. Two: it’s a topic she enjoys.
Shadowsan only told her to get an education, not necessarily to broaden her (already pretty vast) horizons. It’s her chance to “be normal,” as he so kindly put it.
So out of everything college has to offer, at least she knows she’ll enjoy this class.
And by the way the professor keeps glancing at her with a curious look, Carmen thinks this will be interesting.
“Miss Santa-Rosa, may I have a word?” Professor Argent called for her as class ended.
Carmen sidestepped the crowd flooding out of the lecture hall and went up to the professor’s desk. “Yes?”
“I notice you have a cast. I hope you get better soon.”
“Thank you. It’ll still be a few months.” She smiled.
Professor Argent nodded. “In that case, I’ll allow you to use a laptop to write in-class essays and provide you extra time. You need to go to the disability resource center and file for this accommodation for it to be officially sanctioned.” She pulled out a paper from inside her drawer. “Fill this out and turn it in, then someone will meet with you and discuss what you need—which will most likely be what I just suggested.”
Carmen blinked at the sheet and grabbed it with her non-injured hand. She was ambidextrous, but the professor would feel silly if Carmen outright denied her offer to help. And anyways, a laptop during writing times means more opportunities to stay in touch with Player.
She looked up with a grin. “Where’s their office?”
“Player, you’ll never guess what.”
“What?”
“There’s a class here.”
“A class? In college? Unheard of.”
“Complete insanity, I know. But that class? It’s interesting.”
“No way.”
“Yes way.”
“For once? Something about college you enjoy that isn’t the 24/7 library?”
“I know!”
“Wait. You just got out of history.”
“Yeah?”
“Oh my fucking god you chose the one class that’s just the library personified.”
“Hey! I did not!”
“You so did, you nerd.”
“Says the nerd.”
“Takes one to know one.”
“Yeah, well, you and all your nerd powers need to help me apply for accommodations. I break one arm and the whole world screeches to a stop.”
“Of course miss Carmen Santa-Rosa, coming right up.”
“Also, just making sure, you did background checks on all my professors, right?”
“Yes? Why are you asking?”
“I don’t know. This teacher seemed to see something in me.”
“All your amazing potential, of course.”
“Beside from that.”
“Mm, maybe it was how humble you are.”
“Hey! I know my worth.”
“Oo I’ll send that to Shadowsan. Rub in the salt that the coat was empty.”
“While you’re at it, ask him where his favorite teapot is.”
“You did not.”
“I so did.”
“You’re insane. And the best thief in the world. I wish you luck with college and a rogue samurai hunting you down. I sent over what you need to fill out. See ya, red!”
“Same time tonight?”
“Of course.”
Carmen ended the call and pulled up the information on her phone to copy over. A quick pop in and one scheduling later, Carmen was free for the afternoon.
…Free and bored.
She went into town to find a good restaurant. Player already made a list of the best spots around and she’s barely touched it. She closed her eyes and picked—gyros it is.
The restaurant was small and next to a few more on the street, but it admittedly cooked some of the best foods she’s ever tasted. She was just about to order a second serving (it’s not her fault half of the wrap fell out—she has a cast on) when she noticed someone familiar in the back seats.
“Hey professor, what are you reading?” Carmen slid up behind her booth and peeked at the newspaper she held.
“Miss Santa-Rosa! I didn’t hear you come over.” She tucked away the paper. “Do you eat here often?”
Carmen raised an eyebrow at her avoidance. “This is my first semester so I haven’t been around much just yet.”
Professor Argent fumbled to slide it more out of view. “If you’re going to order, I suggest getting the skewers. A gyro is lovely but it gets so messy with how much they load onto it.”
She considered the (very bored looking) cashier for a second before deciding to pull up a chair to the professor’s table. “I hope I’m not intruding, but I think I read that article earlier. I wanted to talk to someone about it but all my friends are busy right now.” Busy tracking down more of V.I.L.E., but she didn’t need to know that. “Would you humor me until you food comes out?”
Professor Argent looked between her and the counter before sighing and pulling out the newspaper. “It’s just—there’s something strange here. About these heists.”
Carmen perked up. “You think?”
“I know.” She nodded. “Look here,” She said, pointing to a portion of text. “There’s been a few instances publicized like this, but every time there has been a ‘mistake’ that the criminal made.”
“You don’t say.” She started reading the section.
“At this point, I think it’s not a mistake anymore. I think that’s just the signature of Carmen Sandiego.”
Carmen jolted up and scanned Professor Argent’s face, but she was still engrossed with the article. There was no way. But what if… no. No, Player checked. Then how could—
“Sorry!” The professor smiled sheepishly. “I know my theories aren’t shared amongst the majority.”
“No! No—I think—um. Do you have specific examples?” She tried recovering after her long silence.
She lit up. “It’s a stretch, but at the same time it’s not—well, I’ll let you come to your own conclusions.”
Carmen could only blink at her.