Work Text:
from: Giann von Hagen [[email protected]]
to: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
subject: We’ve been friends long enough that I know you’ll totally say yes to what I’m going to ask of you.
Hey, Vyn!
How are you! I hope you’re doing alright! Or at least something close to it, haha. I’m sorry about not being able to meet you as often as before, and I owe you an explanation. Well, if you remember Neil Hume, the attorney we met a few months ago, he’s the reason why. I’ve started working with him on this team and the things we’re investigating...I can’t disclose that information, but I can tell you that it’s a lot of work.
I’m only going to get busier from here on out, but I do still wanna know what’s going on with you. Afterall, our five minute chats at the research center can only let you know I’m alive and let me know you haven’t killed your students yet.
Anyway, yeah, I’m gonna get busier, and I have a favor to ask from you. Marius, my baby brother, is coming back to Stellis from Florence in a month or so and once he gets here, he’s jumping into his masters degree as soon as he can. Insanity, right? I told him to take a gap year but the little dweeb is acting as if he has to get everything done as soon as possible.
I can’t talk him into taking a break (believe me, I tried) but I can talk you into helping him out. Grad school is a whole other animal compared to undergrad, and so you’re going to tutor him, preferably as early as possible. Start now through online classes, if you’re chill with that, because he’s revving to get back into academia. Insanity... But yeah, generally just prep him for nightmare that is never ending revisions, and uh, whatever the hell else happens in grad school.
You’ll get paid, of course, but you don’t give a rat’s ass about money. So really, I’m asking you to do this for him, but you don’t know him. So really really, I’m asking you to do this for me.
Gotta run now! I’ll get back to you after you get back to me!
Thanks!
—Giann
from: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
to: Giann von Hagen [[email protected]]
subject: We’ve been friends long enough that I know you’ll totally say yes to what I’m going to ask of you
Hello, Giann.
Firstly, you do know that making the subject of the email a sentence that is kilometric in length completely defeats the purpose of telling me anything about its contents, yes? The only reason I did not delete the email is because it was from you, which, eventually, will also lose its charm. Secondly, you say you are “requesting” something of me and yet nowhere in your email is there a single question mark. The confidence you have in my acceptance is equal parts touching and idiotic.
Nonetheless, I accept. I will be needing Marius’ contact information. His transcript of records would also be useful for identifying subjects to work on, but if you do not have it, I can simply ask it from Marius himself.
As for how I am doing, I suppose I am well. The usual classes, sessions, and consultations. And in regards to whatever you are investigating with Hume...I am aware that none of the questions I wish to ask are questions you will be able to answer, so all I will say is this: do not be as assured out there as you are with me.
Be smart.
Best regards,
Vyn Richter
from: Giann von Hagen [[email protected]]
to: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
subject: We’ve been friends long enough that I know you’ll totally say yes to what I’m going to ask of you.
Are you aware you’re the funniest human being alive? “Don’t be so sure I’ll say yes,” you write. “Yes,” you write not a paragraph later. I laughed way too loud. That aside, I’m really happy you’re doing alright. Make sure to take some breaks every once in a while, okay? Go hug your plants.
I’ll talk to Marius about this whole deal tomorrow (and he’s gonna say yes as well, that’s something I will make him do) but you can email him before that, if you want. I’ll give him a heads up as well on sending you the relevant academic documents but honestly, to save you the time, all you have to know is that he’s a straight A student. Literally the only straight thing about him. He’s definitely not ‘a pleasure to have in class’ but you’re gonna get a student who does the work and has the passion.
And Vyn, any other time, I would’ve told you that you were being an overly worried bastard. But this time, you aren’t. You’re right. I’ll be smart because...I can’t help but have this funny feeling that something bad is going to happen soon.
Ack, look what you’ve done, you’ve made me paranoid! This is what I get for being friends with a psychiatrist, I guess.
Thank you for helping out!
—Giann
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from: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
to: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
subject: Tutoring Details
Good day, Marius.
I am Dr. Vyn Richter, a professor as well as a friend of your brother, Giann. I am sure that at this point, he has explained to you his request that I be your tutor. I agreed, though the wording of his explanation to me seems that this is a non-negotiable for you. Rest assured, I will ensure that our classes will not be a hindrance in any way. Instead, what I have planned is a course to aid your transition towards your postgraduate studies.
Attached is the syllabus and schedule for our classes, both open to reasonable adjustments. If you have questions, you may email me any time after 12:00pm.
Best regards,
Vyn Richter, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Psychology
Stellis University
from: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
to: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
subject: Tutoring Details
Cool, got this. See ya. ✌️
Sent from my iPhone
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from: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
to: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
subject: Link to the first class
Good day, Marius.
I have just sent you a Google Meet invite for our first class. The link to join the meeting should be within the invitation. Please be there five minutes earlier than the prescribed time.
Best regards,
Vyn Richter, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Psychology
Stellis University
from: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
to: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
subject: Link to the first class
Oh my god, Google Meet? Are you kidding me?
I’ve added your email to a paid Zoom account. Judging by the emails you’ve sent me, your communication style seems be long winded as all hells thanks to the fact that you write as if you’re penning letters while in the trenches of fucking World War 1. The one hour limit is not gonna cut it for you, doc. Also, Google Meet just sucks. Well, all teleconferencing sucks, but at least on Zoom, when you get annoyed, it’s easier for you to mute me.
You’re welcome. See ya at class. 🏃
from: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
to: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
subject: Link to the first class
Marius.
Thank you for the paid Zoom account. It is fast becoming clear to me that muting you will become a frequent necessity during our classes. Afterall, judging by the emails you yourself have sent me, your communication style seems to be an exercise in obstreperous self-aggrandizing.
Vyn Richter, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Psychology
Stellis University
from: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
to: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
subject: Link to the first class
Man, you’re going to be so much fun.
-
from: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
to: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
subject: Essay Submission 1
Hey, doc. Attached is the gdrive link to the first paper.
from: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
to: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
subject: Essay Submission 1
Marius.
I am writing to acknowledge that I have received this email. However, I am puzzled at how quickly you have accomplished this requirement. There are still three days before the deadline. I hope that in your haste, you did not forget to write something of actual quality.
Vyn Richter, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Psychology
Stellis University
from: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
to: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
subject: Essay Submission 1
Haha, read the damn thing and get back to me with your comments and then we can talk about quality.
from: Vyn Richter (Google Docs) [[email protected]]
to: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
subject: Essay Submission 1 - @[email protected] This is we...
Vyn Richter has mentioned you in a comment in the following document: Essay Submission 1
Vyn Richter
@[email protected] This is well researched and the topic is discussed thoroughly. However, it is also a stale regurgitation of information. Surely, you can do better than this. Or did you think me a professor that would let it slide? B-
(And here I thought artists were supposed to be creative…)
Marius von Hagen
@[email protected] Oh, game fucking ON.
-
from: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
to: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
subject: Our succeeding classes once you return
Marius.
If I am not mistaken, your flight back to Stellis is this weekend, yes? Once you are back in the city, our classes will continue in person. I am amenable with going to the von Hagen estate or with you going to my home. Whichever is more convenient for you, I suppose, since I am sure you must have some kind of inane preference concerning ambiance.
Let me know as soon as you can so I may factor the travel time into my schedule.
Vyn Richter, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Psychology
Stellis University
from: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
to: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
subject: Our succeeding classes once you return
Are you exciteeeeed? Are you exciteeeeeeedddd to see me in person? I’m excited to see you, that’s for sure! Webcams can’t give me the full experience of your annoyed eye twitch.
You can come over to the von Hagen estate. The least I could do is not make you stress about things like being a host or whatever, you’ve got enough on your plate dealing with the smartest student in the world. Heads up though, I can’t come to the class on the weekend after I get back to Stellis because I wanna catch up with Giann. I haven’t seen him in person for ages.
Don’t miss me too much!
from: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
to: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
subject: Our succeeding classes once you return
Marius.
I have noted both the location of the classes and your absence for the first week. I hope you enjoy your time with your brother.
Vyn Richter, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Psychology
Stellis University
from: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
to: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
subject: Our succeeding classes once you return
Hey, so. It turns out Giann can’t hang out with me. He’s apparently busy with shit.
We can have that class or whatever.
-
from: Giann von Hagen [[email protected]]
to: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
subject: Please don’t kill my wonderful baby brother, Vyn, please, find mercy in your marble countertop heart (also how are you?)
Hi, Vyn!
So Vincent worriedly told me that yesterday you left the estate after your class with Marius muttering “Murder is frowned upon” over and over to yourself. I’m very proud you’re tamping down on the urge to murder my baby brother! But lemme tamp on that some more: don’t kill him. Because if you do, I’ll kill you.
I do have to apologize though. A lot of the reason Marius is keyed up way more than usual these days is my fault. I...there’s no time for me to be with him. I see him around the house but there’s always something I have to get to and Marius has always been the type of person to steadily get more and more upset when he doesn’t get attention. And I want to give him attention, I’ve missed him so much, but...I picked him up from the airport and drove us both home and that’s basically all the time I’ve spent with him since he’s gotten back. And god, Vyn. The moment he saw me, he hugged me so tight, as if he already knew. As if he knew that that was maybe the last time he’d get to do it.
Some older brother I am, huh?
I can’t spend much time with him. Or with anybody outside the investigation thing. I like Neil, he’s a great guy, but I’m gonna be honest, I’m starting to get tired of his face, haha. But yeah, I haven’t been able to see you either. I’m sorry about that too. How are you doing? How are the classes (aside from you wanting to strangle Marius)?
I said before that I’m only going to get busier. And no matter how much I hate it, it’ll only get worse from here on out. On my end and on yours.
I hope things are okay.
—Giann
from: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
to: Giann von Hagen [[email protected]]
subject: Please don’t kill my wonderful baby brother, Vyn, please, find mercy in your marble countertop heart (also how are you?)
Hello, Giann.
Here you are once more with an email subject so long that it is useless to me. This email in particular is exceptionally inefficacious, for after reading the words “Please don’t kill” I immediately no longer wish to listen to you. The magnanimity I had to embody to read your email was astounding.
Now regarding the contents of your email: An apology without taking action to rectify the mistake you committed is an empty apology. And yet I forgive you nonetheless, for both being one of the causes for Marius’ behavior and also for not being able to meet with me. I forgive you because I know you will fix the wrongs you have done.
Like the last time you asked, I am still doing well as it is still most of the usual. Although I must note that, these days, I am quite thankful for the fact that my hair is naturally white. If it were not, teaching your incorrigible, insufferable, intolerable younger brother would have definitely given me white hairs out of stress. You are not an angel either, but the intensity at which he is unbearable is excruciating. How the two of you are related boggles my mind. What on earth did your father do differently to cause such a disparity?
I will admit though that Marius is indeed one of the brightest students I have ever had the displeasure of teaching. After I had pushed him the first time, he has revealed a feral drive to go above and beyond, something that he delivers on, as well as a fiery drive to push me in return, something he also, unfortunately, delivers on. Sometimes I wonder if he actually needs me or my classes at all. His mind is voracious enough, dedicated enough to do whatever it is he wants to do, regardless if he has somebody prodding at him.
He talks about you. Little things, during our classes. He thinks highly of you in every way, but mostly in regards to how you are as his brother. He misses you. I am sure you know this, but do you know just how much? And I understand you don’t have time right now, but the way you have been writing to me…
Giann, are you having trouble making time? Or are you running out of it?
Best regards,
Vyn Richter
from: Giann von Hagen [[email protected]]
to: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
subject: Please don’t kill my wonderful baby brother, Vyn, please, find mercy in your marble countertop heart (also how are you?)
Haha, this is what I get for being friends with a psychiatrist, I guess.
He needs you, Vyn. Not just because you’re one of the first teachers who has ever challenged him this well, but because you’re a good person. And he is too. The little shit just will never, ever admit it. Marius hides the goodness in his heart behind a metric ton of facades and masks, but you don’t strike me as the type of person to get fooled by things like that. You know he’s good. And you know he needs you.
Another thing he’ll never admit is that he likes you. He has a weird way of showing it, but you should know that, especially with what I’m going to ask of you next:
Look after him. Please.
I know you’ll say yes.
—Giann.
from: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
to: Giann von Hagen [[email protected]]
subject: Please don’t kill my wonderful baby brother, Vyn, please, find mercy in your marble countertop heart (also how are you?)
Giann, why does this sound like a goodbye?
from: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
to: Giann von Hagen [[email protected]]
subject: Please don’t kill my wonderful baby brother, Vyn, please, find mercy in your marble countertop heart (also how are you?)
It is rude to leave an email unanswered.
from: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
to: Giann von Hagen [[email protected]]
subject: Please don’t kill my wonderful baby brother, Vyn, please, find mercy in your marble countertop heart (also how are you?)
Giann, please.
from: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
to: Giann von Hagen [[email protected]]
subject: Please don’t kill my wonderful baby brother, Vyn, please, find mercy in your marble countertop heart (also how are you?)
You...knew this was going to happen.
-
from: [[email protected]]
to: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
subject: Listen, I’m really sorry it had to happen like this but the only way to go now is forward. This is me asking you to come forward.
Hey, Vyn!
It’s me again with the “kilometric” and “useless” email titles, haha. One thing it sure is good for though is letting you know exactly who I am. And if you’re reading this, well...it means that something has happened to make me incapacatated for a week and unable to bump this scheduled email back another week. And you know me, even if I’m hospitalized for food poisoning, I’ll always be checking my email.
So yep. Something happened. And I’m so, so sorry.
But the world keeps spinning.
This email doesn’t take into account if Neil is okay, so if he is, go to him and tell him the word ‘Checkmate’ and he’ll tell you everything. If he’s also out of the picture for whatever reason, go to the attorney he’s been mentoring, Artem Wing. He should’ve gotten an email like this as well, in the event that Neil is also out of the game. If it’s you and Artem, go over to the attached address, it’s one of my places. In the soil of the potted plant with a smiley face painted on it (I had to differentiate it somehow), you’ll find a flash drive explaining everything.
I’m sorry. But if something has happened, then I guess you should know why. And I also guess I should give you the option to see what Neil and I have been investigating, giving you the choice on whether or not want to continue it.
—Rex
(Yes, like as in the Latin word for ‘king’, laugh it up.)
from: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
to: [[email protected]]
subject: Listen, I’m really sorry it had to happen like this but the only way to go now is forward. This is me asking you to come forward.
And surely you must have known I would say yes…
It seems you are just as insufferable as your brother after all.
-
from: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
to: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
subject: Following up on requirements
Marius.
Do not be alarmed, you are not behind on any of the coursework. I simply write this email to follow up on the current assignments I have given to you. While none of them are late, you have always been of the habit to send every requirement three days before the deadline. Until now.
If you are having difficulty with an assignment, let me know. We can discuss the material once more and I am always open to any clarifications or questions you may have.
Vyn Richter, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Psychology
Stellis University
from: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
to: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
subject: Following up on requirements
The links to my stuff are attached.
from: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
to: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
subject: Following up on requirements
Marius.
I have gone over your submissions and I am certain you know this: what you have written does what is asked of it but is also devoid of any of the personality or flair I have seen in your previous works. Simply put, you have gone back to how you were when we began our classes. You have stopped putting in effort.
I know that certain...circumstances out of your control have been difficult lately for you, but is that not more reason to keep on pursuing excellence in the areas where you do have control?
Vyn Richter, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Psychology
Stellis University
from: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
to: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
subject: Following up on requirements
Oh, that is so fucking rich coming from you, doc! I’m the one who’s stopped putting in effort? Go fuck yourself. You come over and go through classes as if all you want is to be out of them, and not in the way like before, because I’m annoying. You want out because it seems there’s now something more important for you to do than teach the whiny brat. You’ve got one foot out the goddamn door, and I can see it. You’re just another fucking person who’s going to leave. Eat shit.
from: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
to: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
subject: Following up on requirements
You are not the only one who misses him and is worried about him.
from: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
to: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
subject: Following up on requirements
As per my last email: Eat. Shit.
from: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
to: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
subject: Following up on requirements
Ugh.
from: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
to: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
subject: Following up on requirements
Ugggggghhhhhhh.
Fucking hell. I’m sorry. Blah blah blah, I’m acting like a kid right now, I fucking know, okay. But I think I should get to act like a kid for just a bit, given that my older brother disappeared off of the face of the fucking earth. And I know you’re worried too, you guys are friends, I just
I don’t know what happened or if he’s okay or if he’s ever coming back. Hell, there’s no way I can even help in figuring any of this out. There’s no way I can help find him.
from: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
to: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
subject: Following up on requirements
There is a way you can help.
from: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
to: Vyn Richter [[email protected]]
subject: Following up on requirements
What? How?
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from: [[email protected]]
to: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
subject: Onboarding
I apologize for the lateness of this email. I had to consult with the other member of this team before sending this out, and our discussion concerning you went on for much longer than I thought it would go. Regardless, we came to an agreement.
You told me there was nothing we could do to find Giann, there was nothing we could do to even help. And I will not make you any promises, but I can tell you that there is a way for both of us to take action, to try and figure out what is going on and uncover the truth that is being hidden from us. There is a way, and working on this has been why I seem distant in class. It is not because of you. It is because I am trying to help somebody that means so much to both of us.
The details on this are things I can only tell you in person. Surely you know who I am, yes?
If you want to do something for your brother, meet me at my address tomorrow at 1pm.
Best regards,
Adjudicator.
from: Marius von Hagen [[email protected]]
to: [[email protected]]
subject: Onboarding
You are such a fucking drama queen, y’know that? Left me on read for 9 whole hours, letting me stew in uncool boo hoo sorrow and anticipation, and then you waltz in with this piece of work of a fucking email. For what you put me through, I’ll be at your hoity toity house tomorrow at 8am, see how you like that. But it’s whatever, I guess. Because no matter what it is, no matter what you’re going to tell me, I’ll do it for him.
And whatever this is seems to involve having a codename. That’s kinda cool. What’s Giann’s codename? And when can I pick mine?
Anyway, get up bright and early, doc! See ya. ✌️