irisnetwork | un: 46692

[ well, flat will take those directions and head straight to them!

not that he expects that much. just because a professor understood the reference in his username doesn't mean anything. perhaps he's like the others in the previous schools he was in, and this would all be for naught. however, there's still a tinge of curiosity that pulls him towards the apartments.

could this really be---?

once at the door, he knocks twice. ]

Sir? It's me. We spoke through text!

Ah, yes! One moment -

[There's some shuffling inside the apartment, before he opens the door with a smile.

...And of course, he's completely unaware that Flat can see him, under the glamour - seeing his true form of a tall man with the same gray hair, but with no mustache and...

...a striking similarity to someone else on campus.]

Come in, come in.

[ the moment that flat sees the teacher in question, his eyes widen slightly in surprise. he stands silent for a few seconds, taking in the essence of his new mathematics professor.

and laughs. ]

You almost had me there, sir. [ he walks into the apartment, appearing casual. in reality, however, he was on high alert. not because of moriarty’s identity, though—that’s just how he is in general. ] You really looked like how the books described Sebastian Moran for a second—but you’re just how the books described Sherlock! With gray hair, sure, but close enough. Pretty incredible!

[Thankfully, he had just closed the door before Flat dropped that bomb on him - which leads to him suddenly spluttering in disbelief, butterflies suddenly appearing in the air around him in response to the intense rush of emotion.]

How did you-?! What?!

[Normally, he'd play it off - but he's too taken aback by all of the descriptions and someone seeing past his glamour that he just spluttered out what came to mind.]

How did I what?

[ flat turns around, head tilted to the side, smiling. ]

I guess it would be weird if you actually wanted to look like an old man for the aesthetic...so it's a disguise? Interesting! It's pretty well made, too!

You saw through the glamour like that?!

[He's - for once in a very long, long time, he's actually flabbergasted.]

It's - It's -

[Suddenly, his mind kicks back into gear - and he goes very still, quiet, and icy.]

....Flat. Do not tell others of what you saw. Do you understand?

Hm?

[ flat doesn't seem to be affected at all by moriarty's glare, with his smile is still frozen in place. ]

I guess I'd ask if it's that important, but you're a criminal mastermind and all, so it probably means a lot to you. Still, this is probably the fastest I've made a Professor angry at me, huh?

[....Hm?

There's something wrong.

Even with someone fearless, they wouldn't have their smile stay exactly like that. There would be the tiniest movement of muscles under the face, keeping the smile in place...

but there's nothing. It's just - there. Solid. As if it isn't really muscles -

ah.

...That cold anger suddenly fades away, as he closes his eyes and shakes his head.]

...No, I'm not angry. But - may I give you another piece of advice?

Eh?

[ flat can't help but feel a bit uncomfortable when the anger from moriarty fades away, leaving behind something softer that he wasn't used to handling.

he doesn't let that show, however--or at least he thinks so. ]

You're the Professor here, so go ahead!

...Using magic to force a smile is a bit crude. Those who know what to look for will notice it immediately, after all.

[It's said kindly enough, as he begins to move towards the kitchen.]

--!

[ no way.

when moriarty says that, the spell breaks with an ease that frightens even flat himself, who covers his face with one of his hands. he's shocked, confused, unable to understand where he went wrong. he had hidden all signs of his magic, no? moriarty was strong, certainly, but there had been no way that he could have picked up on the magic.

so, how?

how? ]

[ like a computer rebooting, it takes a while for flat to get his composure back, with moriarty probably well in the kitchen now. and even then, he's at a loss for what to do.

does he leave? not go to his class unless absolutely necessary? a possible solution, and one that flat wants to entertain the more that he looks at the door he had come from.

however...

he wanted to know how.

how did moriarty see through it?

with none of the feigned energy and confidence that he had before, flat timidly approaches the kitchen. he's no longer smiling of course--it's been so long since his muscles have made a smile on their own, that he has practically forgotten how to do so without his crutch. ]

Sir...?

Edited 2019-11-18 03:52 (UTC)

[He's in there, placing cookies and tea on a tray like a good british host - until he sees Flat come in at the corner of his eye, and smiles.]

Yes? Oh, I forgot to ask - is tea fine with you?

[He's casual and light, back to the pleasant professor.]

Tea?

[ flat says it like the gesture is absolutely foreign to him--and it is, somewhat. it's been a long time since someone has even done this much. part of him wonders if it's just out of formality.

he feels bare without his spell. it's uncomfortable, and what he'd like to actually do is turn around and leave, but he pushes on.

he nods. ]

Sure.

Good.

[He notes the way the boy is grasping - that he's uncomfortable and off-kilter, but still staying around.

Admirable.]

Then let's go and sit on the couch, hm?

Mhm.

[ flat feels like he’s walking on thin ice as he makes his way back to the couch. he sits down with his hands neatly placed on top of the other, his eyes looking around the room they were in.

his mouth feels dry and his chest feels short of breath, but he brings himself to ask the question that has plagued him for the past few minutes. ]

I hid all the signs of magic back then. So how... how did you see it, sir? What did I do wrong?

[Ah. So he's asking about that, is he?

Quietly, Moriarty watches him for just a moment before placing his index fingers on his cheeks near his mouth.]

It was the muscles in your face, my dear student. The magic you were using forced them in unnatural ways if you know what to look for - and your smile was perfect in all respects, when that's impossible when naturally smiling.

[He smiles again himself, as if to give an example.]

With how long you were keeping it up, you would expect to see the tiny movements of your facial muscles twitching. And yet - there was nothing.

[Taking a sip of his tea, he laughs.]

It was quite the good effort, however! I'm certain most wouldn't have noticed it.

So I got caught because it was too perfect...?

[ well, that’s a surprise. flat takes the tea in his hands, staring at his own reflection on it. what a strange turn of events, to be seen through so easily. although he’s uncomfortable, there’s a small sense of relief, too.

he takes a sip of his tea, followed by a sigh. ]

What are you going to do now?

What am I going to do?

[He repeats it with a bit of surprise, before laughing again.]

Nothing, of course. You found a secret of mine, and I found a secret of yours. Thus, we're even!

All I wish to do from here on is teach you.

Oh.

[ that is.... a pleasant surprise, actually. his muscles loosen a tad, letting himself relax just a little in front of the professor. ]

Well, I guess that’s your job as a professor. [ he drinks from his tea again, shrugging. he’s a little surprised that moriarty would take this so seriously, considering all that has to do with the impending doom but otherwise uninterested. school hasn’t been interesting to him in years. ]

So why are you disguised?

It is! I've read a bit - it seems you're quite advanced, so I'll have to figure out which class would be the best for you.

[He perks up, looking quite excited at the thought - though he pauses when Flat asks him about the disguise.

....Hm...]

...Ha. Actually, I suppose it just feels...'normal?' Since you've already seen my true face, I suppose I may as well be truthful with you. I am almost 200 years old, and a man living that long in the human world...well, it's impossible. ...Especially if that man doesn't age.

So, the spell that covers me is a way of being able to form a new identity, if need be. I am able to change my face, height, and voice - though my hair and eye color are always unaffected, no matter what I try.

...And since it's turned gray, older disguises seem to fit more readily...along with it matching a bit of my own mental state, I suppose? I've never quite given much thought to it.

Am I?

[ flat sounds legitimately surprised when asking that. he doesn’t feel advanced in the least—he just feels different from everyone else. but he has always felt like that, so he’s used to it.

quietly, he listens to moriarty’s explanation, nodding every once in a while. the idea of living for 200 years doesn’t seem to startle him either—though he can’t help but be a little curious. ]

I think if you disguise yourself as a punk man the gray hair will also fit! A punk math professor would be super interesting—ah, not to say that a criminal mastermind as a professor isn’t. I’m just saying that you could probably think outside of the box for a while.

Oh, yes! I'm actually quite interested in seeing if you can do theoretical calculus...though that's a question for later, I suppose.

[He rubs his chin, before giving a chuckle at the 'punk' comment.]

I could, indeed...but acting much younger would most likely be exhausting. Not that I couldn't, mind you, but - well, I don't quite think like a young man anymore.

[There's a note of melancholy in there - along with a deep, aching tiredness that's easy enough to pick up before he shakes his head.]

Ah, anyway! I did happen to catch some of your conversations on the network...and you seemed interested in seeing someone die?

If I'm interested, sure!

[ because if it isn't interesting, then what's the point in doing it? it's one of the many things that his teachers took issue with when it came to him. he was too whimsical, unwilling to follow directions or orders from those above him.

but moriarty's interesting, so flat doesn't have that hard of a time imagining himself doing said work.

when asked about the chat, however, he gives moriarty a quick smile--fake of course, but it's force of habit more than anything. however, that look in his eyes... ]

Yes! Isn't it an interesting subject? It's something that so many people have wanted to know, I'm sure that even those like Jack the Ripper were interested in it-- they've practically made death a form of art! I'd love to study it, at least once!

Oh, I'm sure you will be.

[There's a quick, sharp, impish grin before he focuses back on the talk of death, noting the fake smile, but at least it's with his actual muscles and not forced through magic.

It's a Start.]

Hm, well...I also noticed that you were talking about temporarily killing yourself - with supervision - to see it. However, I feel this is much too dangerous...but I would be willing to help you with your...study, so to speak.

[He takes a breath, steadying himself - before clearing his throat.]

...You may do it on me, and then ask me questions about the sensation of death.

After all, though I die - I do not stay dead.

action!

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