The sanatorium door opens before Parsley can leave. The senior boy stands outside, still in his dark uniform, his sandy hair and pale eyebrow scar caught by the corridor light.
Senior Boy 2
There you are. Your medical visit has taken long enough. My work remains unfinished, and our private arrangement requires you to return with me now.
He extends one hand towards the corridor, not touching Parsley but making the direction unmistakable. Behind Parsley, the clean basin and folded linens mark Matron’s authority over the treatment just completed.
Matron
He has been medically treated, and I have ordered him to avoid unnecessary exertion. You may wait outside, or return later, but you will not countermand medical instruction.
Senior Boy 2
With respect, Matron, he is under my direction for the evening. The school cannot suspend every obligation because a boy has visited the sanatorium.
Matron
Nor can senior privilege overrule an injury. If his work requires exertion, it must wait. I will record that plainly in my book.
The senior boy’s hand lowers, but he does not withdraw. Matron remains beside the examination space, calm and immovable, leaving Parsley between the promised private service and the formal protection of the sanatorium.
“I ignore Matron, and leave with the Senior Boy, obeying his every whim.”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +0)
Parsley lowers his eyes, turns from Matron, and steps into the corridor beside the senior boy. His composure falters visibly for one moment before he steadies himself and follows.
Matron
Parsley, I have given you a medical instruction. Your refusal to follow it will be entered in my book.
The senior boy leads him away from the sanatorium without touching him. Parsley keeps pace, though the effort of suppressing his hesitation leaves his face pale and his breathing shallow.
The Senior Boy in the Library
You have chosen your obedience. Do not falter again, and attend to every instruction I give you this evening.
Parsley enters the senior boy’s private study with him. The door closes behind them, and the boy indicates the place beside the desk where Parsley is to wait.
The Senior Boy in the Library
Stand there until I require you. You will obey promptly, quietly, and without returning to Matron for permission.
“I thank the Senior Boy for bringing me back to his study. I pledge to obey his every word, even if it involves further injury to my rectum or buttocks.”
SUCCESS (Good Willpower, rolled +3)
Parsley
Thank you for bringing me back to your study, sir. I will obey your every word, even if you require further injury to my rectum or buttocks.
The senior boy regards Parsley in silence beneath the gaslight. The pledge is absolute, and Parsley’s voice does not waver as he gives it.
Senior Boy 2
Your thanks are noted. But I did not bring you here to have Matron’s treatment undone. You will obey me, and you will also preserve your usefulness.
He points to the chair beside the desk rather than the floor. The small concession gives Parsley a place to rest without kneeling, and the senior boy opens a ledger.
Senior Boy 2
You will sit there and copy these names into a clean list. No lifting, no kneeling, and no return to Matron unless your condition worsens. That is my instruction.
He places the ledger and paper within easy reach, then adds a brief note recording that Parsley is to perform seated work only. His impressed expression makes the protection tangible.
Senior Boy 2
Your obedience has been plain enough. Complete this quietly, and I shall remember that you can be trusted with more important service.
“I quietly copy every name into the list”
FAILURE (Fair Trade, rolled -4)
Parsley settles into the chair and begins copying the names. He keeps his movements quiet, but pressure from the scraped palm makes the pen tremble and sting.
The first lines are legible. Then his sore hand slips against the paper, dragging a wet stroke through several names and blotting their endings into dark, uncertain marks.
Senior Boy 2
Stop. Do not continue turning a simple list into an unreliable one.
The senior boy takes the sheet and holds it beneath the gaslight. Several entries can still be guessed, but the order is spoiled and two names are no longer safely readable.
Senior Boy 2
You have failed to produce the clean copy I required. Set that sheet aside, wash the hand, and use your other hand if you are able.
He places the spoiled list apart from the ledger and points toward the washstand. The task cannot simply be repeated as before: the damaged names must first be identified and restored.
✓ Quest Accepted
Produce a reliable copy of the names
“I wash my scraped hand and try copying with my other hand.”
SUCCESS (Great Agility, rolled +1)
Parsley rises carefully, takes the washstand basin, and rinses his scraped palm in cool water. The sting sharpens briefly, then settles as he dries it with a clean cloth.
He returns to the chair and shifts the pen into his uninjured hand. The first letters are awkward, but he steadies his wrist against the desk and continues.
Slowly, the damaged entries become clear again. Parsley compares each name with the ledger, correcting the uncertain endings and restoring the proper order without disturbing the open pages.
Senior Boy 2
That is better. Your left hand is slower, but it has produced a dependable copy. Continue at that pace.
Parsley copies the remaining names in a small, careful hand. The list is complete, legible, and arranged in the same order as the ledger.
Senior Boy 2
Leave the clean list here and keep the injured hand resting. You have corrected the failure without making another demand upon me.
Quest Complete
Produce a reliable copy of the names