Rafal The Unethical Psychologist - Part 1

Rafal the Unethical Psychologist - Part 1

Note:

This series of posts won't be posted in a particular order since they're not actually part of a greater story. Nor are they set during a particular time, so expect some variance. They're only bound by having a certain AU in common, by virtue of fitting under the same thematic banner in my head, so you can read them in any order.

Also, feel free to leave asks for Rafal the Unethical Psychologist, and prepare yourselves for dark humor and nonsense that will certainly almost never be in compliance with the APA code of conduct, obviously.

⸻

The whole lot of Nevers sat on their splintery pews, in a hopeless, sagging, mumpish slouch.

Were they awaiting torture? Rhian fretted.

Rhian would've told Rafal to try something, anything, to get them to bounce back, to pick themselves up by the bootstraps, and rally them around himself as their leader, but knowing Rafal—well, he was more likely to resort to prodding them with live wires than putting on anything reminiscent of a false, cheerful facade.

And the answer is:

RAFAL

If you selected "Japeth" or "Multiple of them," you receive partial credit!

Japeth causes blood loss that sends Tedros into a not-quite-lucid state, and Rafal is specifically responsible for the provocation that sets Tedros off.

Also, I was surprised by the spread of the responses. Did most people see "fowl" and immediately think "Rafal?"

If anyone wants to sate my curiosity, what was your reasoning for other choices/your thought process in general? I also had Tedros' head turn to be intentionally misleading, as if he were addressing two people instead of one—did anyone latch onto that?

Wizard Guessing Game

Somebody sent Tedros to the insane asylum (not literally) in TOTSMOV41. Guess who.

I'm sure you've all heard of: "Which witch is which?" Well, this is: Which wizard is this? Feel free to write out your reasoning. I'm curious.

Tedros’ head lolled to the side. “'Tis ungodly, my hears. Ears. Myne eyen hear. 's the Evil wizard, foul, foul." He laughed to himself as if he had witnessed a joke no one else was privy to. His head snapped to the other side sharply, his gaze unfocused. "No—foul fowl!” he burbled in a daze, approaching incoherence.

Vulcan: Vulcan kill Evil School Master dead.

Rhian: All murders end in death. Isn’t that unnecessary clarification?

Rafal: Not with me it isn’t. I never purchase one-way tickets. Death’s an old friend of mine, so he grants me round trips.

Round VII of Excerpts from The One True School Master of Vault 41

Someone has “revenge” on the brain. I thought the first excerpt might be funny and could stand on its own out of context. The actual context makes it funnier, in my opinion, but I unfortunately can’t spoil it because it involves possibly the most insane shock in the entire fic.

Admittedly, I’m slightly proud of myself for managing to not burst and to hold back on revealing the plot twists, particularly with major events #2, #3, and #4. Otherwise, there'd likely be zero surprises left.

Though, plot twist #1 is sort of foundational to the premise, so I gave it away! (Sophie is nominated for the position of School Master.)

Also, a strange observation about my own plot occurred to me: contrary to what I or others might think, the plot is actually quite simple. Or, at least, from my view at the moment, it is. I’d originally thought it was complicated, but no. Actually, it’s simple masquerading as complex because there are complications thrown into the story, like wrenches, via a few different elements/events. So, that’s something, I guess?

If I could summarize the plot in one sentence, it would be: three souls enter a crystal ball, and some of them emerged scathed, changed, or both at once.

That’s probably the easiest way to put it, without spoilers.

Anyway, here are the excerpts (from two entirely different sections of the fic):

⸻

That was it. To say it irked her was to put it mildly.

Assuming they were both alive by the end of it, the first moment she got after all these crises were over with, she was taking him for a haircut, whether he liked it or not!

She would march him directly over to the finest salon she could find in the Woods, posthaste, like a prisoner if he resisted—all for the sake of a nice, neat trim.

So be it if it ended up botched. His Doom Room had done the same to her. So what did it matter?

⸻

Rafal glared at Agatha as if to signal: don’t let on that you’re hurt.

“Why are you both limping?”

Agatha stole a quick glance at Rafal who found himself turning to stare intently at a Stymph on high.

He shook his head with the slightest motion. She couldn’t know what it had cost them, or she would intervene.

The movement caught Sophie’s eye, and she turned her attention to Agatha for the truth.

Agatha shrugged wordlessly.

Sophie narrowed her eyes. “Well, it certainly wasn’t bird-watching, that much I can gather.”

Agatha shuffled, and Rafal observed her shove one foot behind her other ankle, but in her gaping, oversized clumps, one sock slid down to reveal an inflamed, red welt.

Unfortunately, Sophie traced his sightline to Agatha's foot. “Agatha? What happened?”

Whoah. This is soo cool! I love the cold lighting. One of your best yet!

dragon fire

What would Rafal say about Mifal?

(which I wholeheartedly ship against my better judgment btw)

Also, would he consider me a seer?

for reasons...

Hopefully, the answer I came up with isn't too disappointing.

⸻

Rafal: What is "Mifal?"

[After he receives an explanation:]

Rafal: Ergo, you intended to "ship" me with a student... why? I don't love, and I'm not about to make a habit of it. It'd sooner be cold in Hell before that happens. [dismissively, with a note of sarcasm] I think you would better your chances by bringing this query to my brother. I'm sure he'd just rejoice to hear it. Besides, as useful to my cause as he was, Midas was too willful—the boy didn't even follow through with my plans.

Rhian: [overhears and interrupts, mockingly] O, the great Rafal was felled yet again by the error of his ways. You should've known he wouldn't be pliable enough for either of our plots! Even your original class of students sentenced you to life in Monrovia. Loyalty these days is seldom a given among subordinates. [shaking his head.]

Midas: You're one to talk. As if anyone's ever been loyal to me! And, Rafal wanted to ship me with that puffed-up, googly-eyed brother of his? Bleh. What use do I have for him?

[Personally, I'm doubtful about whether Midas would ever admit his feelings openly, given how he can barely tolerate sentimental, Everish customs. Did he have (confirmed or implicit?) feelings for Rafal? I don't think I interpreted his character in the same way as you might've.]

⸻

Which reasons? I don't quite follow what you mean.