THE MOMENT
"You're putting an awful lot of eggs in that basket...," Victoria said. She sat in front of Mrs. Sharp's desk as they both watched a new ad sponsored by Sharp Development. The ad was meant to inform the multiverse about the Nexus Academy; a new school for Unique Souls. It was geared towards parents who thought their child might be Unique. However, Victoria was more interested in the promised Exhibition match. Melody Sharp shook her head.
"If this doesn't work, all my metaphorical eggs go to Chroma Corp," she said. "I've already lost everything; this is my last chance to do something for her." Victoria sighed.
"Why? You don't owe Ms. Sharp anything," she said with a trace of anger in her voice. "You were there when she abandoned you to try and save herself, right? The multiverse has a short memory; but we both know how things ended. Dread almost killed you and she let it happen; she set it up to happen."
"Ms. Sharp had her reasons, and I have mine," Melody said. "Love is blind and determined." Victoria rolled her eyes, but decided not to argue the point.
"Well, all that aside, the ad looks good. Helios did a great job." Victoria was surprised when Melody shook her head.
"Helios is more unstable than he is useful. I took him off the campaign, it's too important. But, I'm glad you approve of the ad; it starts airing today in all universes."
"Hah," Victoria chuckled to herself. "And here I thought you put him on the Green Tornados as a backup plan."
"Not at all. I completely expect you to win; however, winning is not the point of this match. It's publicity for the school, and Ms. Sharp." Victoria narrowed her eyes.
"But J.J. said you needed us to win..," she said. Melody smiled.
"What I told J.J. is what I told J.J.," she said.
"Of course," Victoria sighed. She hoped things would be different once Melody took over; but nothing changed except for the company falling apart. If she hadn't seen it happen with her own eyes, she'd be tempted to think Ms. Sharp was still alive.
"Speaking of secrets and trust...," Melody said. "No matter what happens at the match, I would like to be aware of the goings on at the Nexus Academy. As hopeful as I am, I have to be prepared for nothing to happen. As of this moment, you have been reassigned to the school, unless you have any objections."
"I'm not teaching, am I?" Victoria asked. Melody shook her head.
"Not at all, I've created a low responsibility faculty position just for you. You may leave and return at your leisure, though I hope you'll be on school grounds more often than not."
"You got it," Victoria nodded. "Anything else?" Melody shook her head.
"That's all for today, thank you." Victoria nodded. She stood and walked out of the office. Melody turned to her computer and continued working after Victoria left. Several minutes later a black cat with a red patch of fur on its head hopped onto her desk. The patch resembled a red skull and the cat looked Melody in the eyes.
"There's been a change of plans," Janet, the cat, said. Melody giggled and smiled with deep, warm affection.
"Of course there has; she's always changing things on me."