Where Evil Grows

The Clash

Ivo was not used to clashing with authority figures. That is to be expected when you are an owner of four different PhD's and are working on your fifth. However as a result, Ivo was not used to the beady brown eyes of Professor Eunice Lennox. A small, prune-like woman she wasn't one to glaze over any incident no matter the size. Here she was, sitting upright in her mauve office chair, wringing her thin, pale hands in each other. Ivo thought to himself she looked more like a skeleton in a chiffon skin suit than an actual human being that had thoughts and emotions, but he knew in his position snarky remarks could not be risked.

"I ask you again, Dr Ivo Eggman Robotnik, what on earth possessed you to strike another student in the center of the plaza?! You know that....or at least I HOPE you know that this university has a high reputation to uphold and striking another student is simply not good enough" Professor Lennox said. 

Ivo tried to find words to explain his side of the situation, but it was looking like it wouldn't be that well received. Why did he do such a thing, especially to a member of the goddamn Dawson clan. A family that had so much money it practically fell out of their ears, they got away with alot more than they should. He wouldn't have been surprised that those Dawson fellas had threatened to take away funding off the school to get their way. 

Ivo's thoughts were interrupted by Professor Lennox.

"In light of your lack of explanation, the school board has considered expulsion and, hell, even though they mightn't want to admit it..they don't want to do that. Ivo, I'm talking to you as both a principal and as a friend...if you can just give me a reason why you did such a thing then maybe, just maybe we can turn this situation around. You're smart, it would be an awful shame for a one-off incident to ruin your chances at greatness."

Her voice was calming now, almost motherly. Ivo could tell she really meant those words and he felt so ashamed that he couldn't bring himself to tell her why. Finally, Ivo managed to find some words.

"Would it be alright if I could just...think over this meeting...at least for a day,Professor? I completely understand if I can-"

"If it provides an explanation, then you are most certainly are allowed. However, I feel like a day is far too generous. It is currently....nine o clock, if you can have a solid explanation by seven o clock today that would be most appreciated."

"Thank you. Thank You. Thank You" Ivo said, quickly racing out of her office.

=========

Stone hadn't expected to get a text of that mysterious guy who had beat the shit out of Chadley for him, but he wasn't going to mess up the opportunity. They had agreed to meet up in a nearby coffee shop at half nine and here Stone was at almost ten and there was nobody to be seen.

Suddenly, a darkly dressed lanky man burst through the door. He looked around the shop, seemingly scrutinizing each customer. Upon making eye contact with Stone, he strode over and sat across from him.

"Apologies for the slight delay...traffic" he said, rather gruffly. He gestured to a nearby worker who was cleaning a table to come forward. "A large black coffee, please and thank you" he said and then his attention was focused entirely on this small man. 

"I just want to say sir, that was so...amazing for you to do for me on that night. I think-" Stone was silenced by Ivo placing a gloved finger to his lips.  Stone jumped slightly, completely surprised by the man's actions. 

"Let's get down to business here, shall we? Since I attacked that feeble-minded dim-witted idiot that night, my chance at a fifth PhD has been threatened and I might be expelled for such an action. Lennox...and consequently the entire school board want an explanation, do you get my point?"