DISCLAIMER: One of the scenes from this chapter might resemble a scene from the first chapter of the fanfiction "Garage Kids", by Epsilon Tarantula. This is because I read it before writing this and most likely got influenced by it. You can find their work in this website.

Odd Della Robbia

Monday afternoon of next week. The bell's ring marks the end of Ms Hertz' class. Before leaving, Jeremie approaches the teacher. Ulrich waits for him near the door.

Jeremie: Hi, Ms Hertz, thanks for today's class.
Hertz: Just doing my job, Jeremie. Anything I can help you with?
Jeremie: Yeah, I'm interested in the work of someone named Waldo Schaeffer. Have you heard of him?
Hertz: Waldo Schaeffer, you say? No, it doesn't ring a bell. What area is he specialized in?
Jeremie: It should be computer science or something like that.
Hertz: Hmm, and when did he release his work?
Jeremie: I'm not sure, but it should be pretty recent. Maybe at the start of the 90's or a bit earlier than that.
Hertz: Oh, it's pretty recent, then! It's hard for me to know him, Jeremie, my work mostly concerns teaching about discoveries up until the 60's. How did you end up knowing about him?
Jeremie: I have a friend outside school that knows a bit about his work, and got me really interested. I looked for information in the school's library, but didn't find anything.
Hertz: I see, it's unlikely that such a recent work would be available at the school's library… Hold on, don't you have a personal computer?
Jeremie: Yes, two in fact.
Hertz: And have you heard about the world-wide web?
Jeremie: Of course, but I haven't looked too much into it. I can connect to it though.
Hertz: Well, some universities have been uploading content to it for a while now. If your Mr Schaeffer worked for a university or published under one of their licenses, maybe his work was uploaded to the web and you can look it up there.
Jeremie: I'll look into that. Thanks, Ms Hertz.
Hertz: Happy to help, Jeremie.

Jeremie and Ulrich leave the classroom and head to the dormitories.

Jeremie: Well, I'll have to follow Ms Hertz' suggestion. Next step: the world-wide web.
Ulrich: Good luck with that. I have to deal with my new roommate now. From what I was told, he should arrive any minute now.
Jeremie: Do you want me to join you? It looks like you need some emotional support.
Ulrich: I wouldn't mind you joining me.
Jeremie: I'll take that as a yes.

The boys go to Ulrich's room. Jeremie takes out his laptop from his backpack. As soon as it loads, he starts typing.

Jeremie: Let's see what happens when I search for "Waldo Schaeffer".

Jeremie tries a few things for the next five minutes.

Jeremie: Nope, even with the keywords "waldo", "schaeffer", and "university" it doesn't give me the result I'm looking for. Looking through so much information is hard, I'd probably need more specific keywords if I'm expecting any more success.
Ulrich: Maybe Aelita might be able to help you?
Jeremie: Most likely. I'll have to ask her for details.

Someone knocks on the door and Jim enters, followed by a boy who has a very stylized hair.

Jim: Ah, the usual suspects! What are you plotting now, you scallywags?
Jeremie: Good day to you, Mr Morales.
Jim: Good day, Jeremie. I come to show Ulrich's room to Ulrich's roommate.

The boy that came with Jim waves his hand, smiling. Ulrich looks at him from top to bottom, without moving from his place next to the window.

Jim: Ulrich, meet Odd Della Robbia, your new roommate.
Odd: What's up?
Ulrich: Charmed.
Jim: (to Odd) Your bed's the one here to the right. You may locate your companion on your side of the room. Any exception to this must be talked with Ulrich.

Odd pulls from a cord that he's carrying; attached to its other end is a small dog.

Jim: Anyway, we hope that you enjoy Kadic, and that you behave. Ulrich, let me know if the dog misbehaves. Odd, let me know if Ulrich misbehaves. Until then!

Jim leaves.

Odd: (impersonating Jim, hands on his waist) Ah, the usual suspects! What are you plotting now, you scallywags?

Awkward silence.

Odd: (more serious, but not giving up yet) I hope I'm not interrupting anything. I hope you were informed about the dog, Ulrich.
Ulrich: I was.
Odd: That's cool. Don't worry about him, he's very well-behaved. The one who isn't is me.

Silence again.

Ulrich: (sighs) Just don't involve me in your troubles and we'll get along swimmingly.
Odd: Deal! Nice to meet you, roommate. (extends his hand)

Ulrich shakes his hand, without energy.

Odd: And nice to meet you too… Jeremie, was it?
Jeremie: That's correct. Nice to meet you, Odd. (the two shake hands)
Odd: You're not ones to talk much. Is hushing a common practice here in Kadic?
Jeremie: No, it's just us who are undemonstrative. May we help you unpack?
Odd: Truth is, I'd be very thankful for that. There's a lot of stuff, between mine and Kiwi's, that we have to put in order.

The boys unpack Odd's luggage, until the cases are emptied.

Ulrich: Well, I'd love to continue this unpaid work, but I must go. Jeremie, I'll be at the forest's edge, where usual.
Jeremie: Noted. Good luck!
Odd: Best wishes, partner!

Ulrich leaves. The other two kids remain sorting things.

Odd: This Ulrich is a pretty serious guy.
Jeremie: Yeah, don't worry, it's nothing personal. He's generally a taciturn fellow.
Odd: That's okay, to each his own.
Jeremie: If you're looking for extraverted or more popular people, I'll tell you now that you had bad luck with your first acquaintances.
Odd: Hey, don't sweat it! There's nothing wrong with being introverted or impopular. The world of today is done by those, isn't it?
Jeremie: Some of those, yeah. Anyway, where are you from, Odd?
Odd: I come from Bordeaux, running away from my family.
Jeremie: Define "running away".
Odd: Let's say, trying to keep my distance. (jokingly) Believe it or not, my family is excessively talkative.
Jeremie: (jokingly sarcastic) It's hard to believe, to be honest.
Odd: Aha! I see you do have a sense of humor. Do you know if Ulrich has it?
Jeremie: I haven't researched that much, but he doesn't show it often.
Odd: There's a challenge from here on: discovering Mr Ulrich's sense of humor!
Jeremie: Good luck with that. At least, try not to mess with him too much.
Odd: Very good, we're learning Kadic's rules fast. Number 1: Do not mess with Ulrich too much.
Jeremie: (changing subject) Well, Odd, how did you find Kadic?
Odd: It's a good school, isn't it? It has its little fame; It's also located in this particular city, which is pretty quiet overall.
Jeremie: I cannot argue with any of that. You've chosen well.
Odd: Of course I have! That's why they call me "the Electric Elector".
Jeremie: (sarcastic) Sure.
Odd: Ha ha, I'm just messing with you!
Jeremie: (relaxing) It's okay, Odd. By the way, thanks for not rejecting us immediately after meeting us for the first time.
Odd: What kind of a comment is that? I'd never in my life heard something like that. (puts a judgy face)

Jeremie rolls his eyes

Odd: (smiling) No problem, Jeremie. Although, I'd like to ask you a favor.
Jeremie: Tell me.
Odd: Could you give me a guided visit of the campus? I'd like to get familiar with the place, and I think I need a bit of help..
Jeremie: Sure! I'm not busy at the moment. Will you bring your dog along?
Odd: Good idea, that way he'll have his afternoon walk of the day.

Small montage. Jeremie shows Odd the campus: the cafeteria, the teachers' office building, the bathrooms, the sports field, and the main yard.

Jeremie: Well, that's practically everything.
Odd: Thanks, Jeremie! Now, if you can, tell me about the de facto powers.
Jeremie: How so?
Odd: You know, who actually rules this place.
Jeremie: Oh! I get it. Well, the headmaster, Mr Delmas, is an undisputed authority. He usually wanders around the campus, making sure everything is in order. His right hand is Jim, the inspector and PE teacher. If you have to choose one of them, choose Delmas. Jim is the worst blend between imposing and stubborn.
Odd: I had the pleasure of meeting Jim. I'll be careful with him.
Jeremie: Regarding the students, I'd advise you to stay away from Nicholas and Herve. They're very strong and troublesome guys, who you don't want after you. You'll recognise them immediately because of their attitude.
Odd: Noted.
Jeremie: Also, one important power is wielded by Sissi, Mr Delmas' daughter. In addition to being related to the headmaster, she's widely known for her beauty, both of which she's well aware of. Unfortunately for us, she's obsessed with Ulrich, which makes her a constant headache for us.
Sissi: Who's a headache, if I may ask?

The boys turn around and find Sissi facing them.

Jeremie: Sissi! I'm sorry, I didn't see you.
Sissi: Well, I didn't see you too, despite being very close to you; what I did do was hear you.
Jeremie: Sorry, Sissi. Next time I talk badly about you, I'll be sure you're away.

Sissi changes from sassy to aggressive in an instant. She gets uncomfortably close to Jeremie.

Sissi: Listen, you four-eyed twit, I won't insist in giving you a lesson just because you're Ulrich's friend. But if you weren't, woe would be you and your precious glasses!
Odd: Hey, let's calm down, guys! There's no need to break anyone's glasses.
Sissi: And who's this, who combs himself with a vaccuum? It's amazing your power of making your imaginary friends visible, Jeremie.
Odd: Ohh, that's how it is, huh? Well, as Jeremie's imaginary friend, I'm sure he treats his better than you do yours.
Sissi: No need to treat well nonexistent beings. (to Odd) You should join them in their nonexistence, you know.
Odd: I think joining Jeremie is enough for me. It's strange to get friendship lessons from someone with no friends, real or imaginary.
Sissi: (aggressive again) For you to know, flameface, I have more friends than you could count even using your toes. You'd better shut your mouth or I'll present them to you, and you can be sure they won't like you.
Odd: (defiant) Well, go on! I'll be delighted to meet them.
Sissi: (sassy yet again) Before that, I think it's better that you meet my father. Did they mention to you that he's the school's headmaster? And that he doesn't take well when her little daughter is mistreated? Good luck.

Sissi walks towards the teachers' building.

Odd: What a mean girl that one is. Are we in trouble, Jeremie?
Jeremie: Don't worry, she usually makes that kinds of threat; but she knows she's on the losing side. There's a power I haven't told you about: I am Kadic's student with the highest grades. The headmaster will listen to me if I intercede in your defense.
Odd: Well, that's fortunate! I'm assuming that you're suggesting you'll intercede given the case. I'm thankful for that!
Jeremie: Thank you, for standing up for me. By the way, I'll be on my way to joining Ulrich now. Would you like to come with?
Odd: Sure as ever!

The two kids meed Ulrich and Yumi. They find them focused in their martial arts practice.

Odd: Oh, I see Ulrich was going on a date when he went out of his room!
Jeremie: I'd suggest making friends with him before making that kind of joke, for your own sake.
Odd: Alright, alright.
Yumi: Oh, Jeremie, hey, you're just in time! We're going to fight now, would you mediate the match?
Jeremie: Okay. I'll inform that you have an audience today.
Odd: Don't mind me.
Yumi: Hello! I don't recall seeing you before, who are you?
Odd: I'm Odd, Ulrich's new roommate.
Yumi: Nice to meet you, Odd! Do you know Penchak Silat?
Odd: I'm not even able to repeat what you just said.
Yumi: Ha ha, it's okay! Well, let's get to it, Jeremie.

The duel lasts for a couple of minutes. They both fight really well. In the end Ulrich wins, with Yumi falling to the ground; the boy helps her stand up.

Yumi: Good fight.
Ulrich: Good fight.

The two kids bow to each other.

Yumi: You were pretty aware this time, I wasn't able to get through your defense stance.
Ulrich: Well, it took me a while to get through yours.
Yumi: Yeah, I studied a bit before today; but I think I'll have to work more on that.
Odd: Bravo! It was a very good show.
Yumi: I'm glad, Odd! Penchak Silat is a good sport.
Odd: Yeah, except for the name, impossible to retain.
Yumi: Hey, I hadn't seen your dog! What's its name?
Odd: His name is Kiwi, and he's ten months old. He's my little trip companion.
Yumi: He's a cutie! (approaches to pet him) And they let you bring it to the school? How's that possible?
Odd: My parents were clear in that the dog has nowhere to go here in the city other than where I am, and that they won't like it one bit if I am forced to abandon him.
Yumi: Sounds machiavellic. But at least we can now count with Kiwi's presence.
Odd: Isn't that right? Also he's pretty well-behaved. He's probably more qualified than me to join Kadic.

Yumi laughs. Jeremie and Ulrich look at each other in disbelief.

Jeremie: Well! I think it's time to get to business. You'll excuse us, Odd, but we have our own issues to attend to.
Odd: Okay! I'll leave you to it, then. What will you be doing, if it isn't too much to ask?
Jeremie: Oh, we're preparing a project for the science fair that's happening next week.
Odd: Sounds cool! Good luck with that. Let me know if I can be of help.
Jeremie: You can count on that. Thanks, Odd.

The three children leave. Odd starts returning to his room, when he realizes that a tall and muscular boy is guarding the front door.

Odd: That must be one of the big guys Jeremie warned me about. I'll get the other door, then.

He goes to the other side of the building, but there's another boy, tall and thin, watching the other door.

Odd: Uh oh… Looks like Sissi took more drastic measures to put me in trouble. I'll wait for a while longer.

- END OF CHAPTER 6 -