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“This Isn’t How It Went Down, Xander”

As Xapper slept, his mind fell into a memory. It was only a few years ago when his daughter graduated from the University of St. George. Xapper traveled all the way to the coastal town in Scotland to be there. He even wore his full dress uniform for the occasion.

And it was a monumental occasion so Xapper had to be at his best.

Xapper was not the only foreigner amongst the crowd. St. George had a diverse student body that brought people from all around the world. There were some American families present too and Xapper felt less out of place.

Speeches were made and Xapper ignored them because none of them were his daughter. But then he saw her take the stage after the Dean made a long winded introduction. There was applause from her fellow students and Xapper joined in.

Valiant Shooter stepped to the podium and nodded with a proud and very tired smile. She said nothing to Xapper about making a speech. She spoke little about her studies when they called and their conversations were kept to more personal topics.

Xapper was happy that Valiant was popular with her fellow students. The applause continued until the Dean had to tell them to settle down. Xapper was worried Valiant was going to struggle once she went to university. Quite the opposite was happening and Xapper leaned forward to listen to his daughter’s speech.

“I would like to thank you all for your support, it means the world to me,” said Valiant, with her adorable high pitch cockney accent that Xapper always found charming. “The last few years have been the best of my life. And I owe it all to the staff and my fellow students. And to my father, who is always in uniform.”

There were some chuckles and Xapper raised his hand up. He refrained from shouting out or clapping. His daughter was embarrassed enough to be on stage.

Vailant smiled and sighed into the microphone. “Now, most come to this old and historic campus to study one subject. Some are gutsy enough to double major.”

There were some chuckles and outbursts of applause. Valiant giggled and continued.

“Very, very few would dare major in multiple subjects all at once. Such a student would have to be mad to attempt such a feat.” She then came very close to the microphone and whispered. “Let alone achieve success.”

Another bout of applause roared and students stood. Xapper stood too and joined in. He could feel the tears well in his eyes. He had no idea what Valiant’s major (or majors) was or what she wanted to do but he was proud of her nonetheless.

The Dean had to quiet everyone down and everyone seated. Valiant laughed and had her hands on her redding cheeks. Her tired eyes were dripping with tears of joy.

Valiant then said, “And! May I add! Such a student still had time for rest, recreation, and romance.”

“I love you, Val!” shouted a girl amongst the students.

“More study sessions!” cried out another girl.

“Stay at St. George!” begged another girl.

“Stay, Val! Stay! Stay! Stay!” was chanted amongst the students.

Valiant waved gently for everyone to stop and let her continue. A mixture of pride and remorse came over her. Xapper pulled out his handkerchief and blew his nose.

“Thank you, thank you all but I must let this be known,” said Valiant. “Most of you are aware of what I wish to dedicate my life to. It had been my dream since I was old enough to read. The study of Palaeography and Codicology.”

Xapper had no idea what those were but they sounded important and complicated.

Valiant then looked to the Dean and whispered, “Subjects which are frustratingly not offered here at the oldest university in Scotland.” The Dean, staff, and all the students laughed as Valiant smiled. “I hold no grudge though. This has been the best experience of my life. And I would not trade it for the world.”

Gentle applause was given. Valiant waved and everyone went silent. “My Auntie Poppy Shooter was an alumni here at St. George. And she learned a great deal which has helped her save many lives in the field of medicine. And I too have learned a great, great, great deal.”

Xapper applauded but no one joined him. He went silent as a stoic expression conquered his daughter’s face. There was a crushing silence in the air as she took a deep breath.

“However, it is with a heavy heart that I end my time here at St. George and continue my studies elsewhere,” said Valiant. There were a few boos in jest but most of the student body sat in silence. “Palaeography and Codicology are very specific fields and very few universities offer doctorate programs for them.”

“Doctorate?” muttered Xapper. “Did she get a Masters? She never told me.”

“And I am fortunate enough to have been accepted at one such university,” said Valiant. “Miskatonic University, Massachusetts. Yes, I am studying abroad in America.”

Xapper became so shocked from the news that he lost the rest of Valiant’s speech. After her speech concluded, she texted him and asked to see him at a cafe on campus. After the ceremony ended, Xapper saw a crowd of students and faculty circle Valiant.

He avoided the crowd, took his leave, and went to the cafe to wait for his daughter.

🍴🧠

Xapper waited at the cafe for almost two hours. After a few coffees and bathroom trips, Valiant finally arrived. She was still in her graduation gown and she took a moment to fix her makeup after many tearful goodbyes. She sat across from Xapper and removed her cap.

“So, America then?” asked Xapper.

“Yes, in Arkham, which is not far from your base in Maine,” said Valiant.

“You didn’t decide to study in America for my sake, did you?” asked Xapper.

“I considered King’s College in London, since they do have a Doctorate program in my field,” said Valiant. “They were my original choice to enroll in but since Auntie Poppy was an alumni at St. George, admission here was less challenging.”

“How is Poppy?” asked Xapper.

“She is quite busy, sadly but to be expected,” said Valiant. “She is a neurosurgeon after all.”

“And your mom?” asked Xapper. “I haven’t seen her around.”

“And you won’t,” said Valiant bluntly. “I cut ties with her a long time ago.”

“Same, so let's forget her,” said Xapper with a smile.

The waitress serving Xapper walked up to them with a very flirtatious smile towards Valiant. “Same as always, Val?”

“Oh, thank you Rose,” said Valiant. “And you are looking dashing as always.”

Some more flirting commenced until the waitress left with her hips swaying. Xapper eyed his daughter with pride. He could not help but ask a very important question.

“You have a girlfriend then?” asked Xapper.

“It’s more like a harem, really,” admitted Valiant.

“So, you don’t need any advice from me then?” asked Xapper.

“I should be giving you advice,” said Valiant with a cheeky smile.

Xapper chuckled and asked, “So even with being the most popular girl on campus, you still had time to study.”

“Yes, I had accumulated enough credits to warrant multiple degrees,” said Valiant.

“How many?” asked Xapper.

“Oh, enough to apply anywhere for anything,” said Valiant vaguely. She then puckered her lips and shook her head. “Except math. That I struggled with.”

“Hey, same,” said Xapper. “And you have a Masters?”

“I took graduate courses and accumulated credits towards my future goals.”

Xapper understood nothing of what Valiant said. He had a feeling a simple yes or no was not enough to explain her situation. The faculty seemed pleased with her, so Xapper assumed she had enough time into her studies to do what she wanted.

The waitress returned with another coffee for Xapper and a latte for Valiant. Xapper tried not to stare as more flirting commenced between the waitress and Valiant. After the waitress left, Xapper had another important question cross his mind.

“So, Palaeography and Codicology? What are those all about?”

“Palaeography, in simple terms, is the study and handling of old books,” said Valiant. “Like before the printing press became commonplace, those kinds of old books. And Codicology is the study of manuscripts as cultural artifacts, such as the bible and early works on Arthurian lore.”

“So . . . you want to study old books?” asked Xapper.

“Yes and you have no idea how frustrating it is to be at a university with books dating back to the 15th century and yet very little regarding my field,” said Valiant. “It still baffles me that such an old and historic university would lack such . . . sorry, I lost myself there.”

“I mean, it makes sense to me,” said Xapper. “An old college should have old books.”

“University, father, a college is much smaller and offers less,” said Valiant.

“You got me there, this whole campus is like its own town,” said Xapper.

“It is, father,” said Valiant.

“Right, well, what are you hoping to do with a Doctorate in old books?” asked Xapper.

Valiant took a moment to think about it. “Well, historic artifacts are highly valuable and to properly handle them is difficult and requires intensive study and training. In short, such care is highly valued, just as much as the value of the books themselves.”

“Right, so museum work, that kind of thing,” said Xapper.

“Handling historic and rare prints and editions at prestigious libraries is what I had in mind,” said Valiant. “I also wish to translate some obscure ancient texts and publish papers on my findings.”

“That sounds like a lot of work,” said Xapper.

“No shortage of work, I will be quite busy in the coming future,” said Valiant. “Especially since Miskatonic University is looking for applicants studying Palaeography and Codicology. They have many old books that need translation with proper care.”

“Is the pay good?” asked Xapper.

“Yes and—” Valiant smiled bashfully and added, “and the Director of the Library at Miskatonic is a rather fetching woman.”

Xapper stared at Valiant with concern. “And you’ve electronically mailed this person, I assume?”

“Yes, we emailed, father. You sound like you don’t approve,” said Valiant.

“Well, I hope some older woman wasn’t the reason you're leaving St. George,” said Xapper. “And going to this Miskatonic place.”

“Professor Waxington was not a deciding factor, but her advice and encouragement have been vital to my time at St. George,” said Valiant. “And she is only about four years my senior. She is quite intelligent and respected enough to become Director of Librarian Studies at a young age.”

“I’m sorry, Val, it’s just that you have all these people who like you, especially girls your age and—okay, you can stop giving me that look, I’m just talking,” said Xapper. “Don’t mean anything by it.”

“I know what I am giving up, father, but this is my future and I must stay the course,” said Valiant. “I had Miskatonic in mind long before I graduated from Westminster. It is full of mysterious and wondrous text that very few have studied.”

“Val, I want you to be happy and if studying old books at this Miskatonic will make you happy, then do it,” said Xapper. “I just want you to be safe, financially secure, and enjoy what you do.”

“And I will,” said Valiant.

The waitress came back carrying two plates of treats. “Brought you two something good to eat. It’s on the house, Val.”

Valiant then smiled at the plate before her. “Oh, pumpkin pie. Rose, you shouldn’t have. Are you sure I can’t pay?”

“No, it's on the house, Val. And for you, officer.”

“Thanks—” Xapper then watched as the waitress set a plate in front of him.

Xeak sat on the plate and smiled insidiously with his cross stitch mouth.

“This isn’t how it went down, Xander.”

Xander looked up at Valiant who now looked disheveled, her hair a mess, and she wore pink pajamas under a dusty overcoat. Her bloodshot eyes were fixed on a little red notebook that was opened and clenched in her hands.

Xander sneered down at Xeak and said, “Come on, yarn boy. Let me have this.”

“If you’re going to remember something, Xander, remember it right.”

“No, come on. Let it be—”

A flash of light passed and Xapper found himself outside the gates of St. George again . . .

To Be Continue . . .