The Cosmos, The Arrivals, Book 1, Chapter 7, Steph Encounters Babs & Janet & Robyn, also Tiffany, Day 1, Section 3, Steph Considers Babs… and Commits Robyn: Takedown ¶ Steph pauses where she must turn from the sidewalk and considers the walkway up toward the Cosmos House. Just because the current dynamics occurred through no action of Babs, the sexually self-confident and exploitative Steph still considers Babs an impediment to her progress. Be it real or symbolic, the role-reversal adds insult to loss. ¶ {Am I hostile to the Bikini Babe? Do I hold her responsible for embarrassing me in public today? We’ll see.} ¶ Steph speaks out loud as walks, “Bikini Babe, all you need to do is stay out of my way! Because I’m going to promote to Monitor next Term. If not sooner! So you’d better not disrespect me!” ¶ Yes, Gamers understand that Steph was the Cosmos Monitor last Term, and for reasons Steph considers “most unwarranted and unfair,” Steph returns to the Cosmos House, only as a Cosmos Pledge this turn. Demoted. Monitor Opted-Down to Pledge. ¶ The root cause of Steph’s demotion lies deeper than Babs. {An unplanned, unfortunate, and unfair set of circumstances conspired to stall} (more correctly, reverse) {my upward progression.} ¶ “Hello Robyn, wherever you are, I’m coming to get you!” ¶ Steph raises her chin. The huge, hacked armholes ensure titter. The huge, hacked buttonhole opens the stomach all the way down to her scruff. But Steph remains determined. {I shall transcend my current transitory diminution to Pledge status, so that next Term (if not sooner!) I shall return to my rightful Monitor Caste. Actually, I need to Double Opt Up and make it to House Mom el Capitan. MomCap! That’s where I belong.} ¶ {And Babs better facilitate my advancement!} ¶ Steph forms Babs in her mind. {Well, perhaps Babs will not facilitate, but she will not dare get in my way. I won’t be asking, I don’t need to; I’ll just take what I need. This is my third Term, and I do know how to play the Game.} ¶ Steph has always been a creature of privilege. She assumes truth accommodates her needs, and knows: “I am a pure-breed!”