The Principal's Office

[tailor_made]

The door to the principal’s office is open at all hours, although you will only find Hester at the receptionist’s desk from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. This is primarily where you can have private conversations with her. Though there’s an actual office in the back, it is always closed and locked.

Comments

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[Cassandra leans back against Hester's desk while she listens, the same one she combed through weeks prior... If she looks out of the corner of her eye, can she find the same laptop that was there before?]

You don't remember? [She frowns, returning her full attention to Hester. Actually leaning in just a bit.] What kind of dreams are you having?

[comeandfindme]

[ Peregrine looks it over carefully. ]

...It's good to know you're okay. But not exactly that the Wizard is.

[tailor_made]

[Hester looks at her carefully, taking in every detail. Maya, through all of this, has been frankly incredible. Beautiful, strong and caring, multi-talented, taking charge, with so many people who love her...she's everything Hester wanted to be, back in her small pond of a hometown.

Do we have time though?]

I am making a choice. I do, want to sleep with you. In Broadhurst I mean! I like...cuddling. It's nice.

[mayavericks]

Whenever you would like, then. Our doors will be open to you.

[And since Maya is feeling a little bold (especially with Hester's eyes trained so intently on her), she lifts Hester's hand and kisses the back of it.]

[themuseabandonsyou]

[ That's unusual!!! Orpheus raises his eyebrows a little, but he guesses if the Wizard could wipe a place or a person from existence or undo the weavings of the Fates, he could fix a simple injury. ]

I think everyone is okay. Or, um. Not injured, at least.

[ No one is really okay after what they've been through, but he's pretty sure no one got burned but Hester. ]

I'm glad you're better, though. I'm - sorry I ran away instead of checking on you. There was just... a lot happening.

[violentenvies]

Is...adoption out of that system difficult, then? [he shifts his hand as she leans into it, so he can press more of the towel against her face]

[tailor_made]

Mmmmm, mmhm. There's a lot of paperwork and the system doesn't really... [She frowns a little, struggling to find the word she wants to use again.] Lean toward single widowers and adoption. And after he got sick...they thought it'd be better if I went to live somewhere else.

Week 6, Sunday

[fourbutts]

[ After running some Vibe Checks, well... Janis does want to talk to Hester more. So, keeping herself open to The Vibes, she heads over for... the first time she's done this on purpose! ]

Hey, Hester!

[tailor_made]

[She can! It's currently open and looks like it's paused on a movie.

Hester shakes her head.] You know those dreams that are just memories but something is wrong but you don't realize until you wake up? They're like that.

[tailor_made]

[When Janis busts in Hester looks up from her little pink laptop, tapping the space bar to pause what she's watching and look at her with a smile.]

Janis! What brings you here?

[fourbutts]

Just... wanted to say hi, I guess. How're things?

[tailor_made]

They're...you know, things. They're going. [As murdergames do.] How are you? Do you like the new art room?

[fourbutts]

As a wise horse-themed twitter account once said, everything happens so much.

[ She nods. ]

Oh, for sure. Big fan.

[tailor_made]

[She nods sagely like she understands but there's definitely a hint of confusion in her eyes.]

Good! I'm so glad. There's enough paint colors and canvases? I know you like to paint so I argued for a good variety. [There are about 25 different shades of yellow in that room and this is who you can blame for it.]

[fourbutts]

[ Janis cannot actually help she's too young to know the full horse_ebooks story. She's just trying to sound cool and funny. ]

I have had to mix for a shade a total of maybe twice, you have in fact outdone yourself. [ And, without any irony: ] Thanks.

[tailor_made]

[Hester downright beams and, even without trying, Janis is immediately getting some Vibes.

Let me make you proud
Let me show you the best in me]

I knew the subtle difference between pine and juniper would make all the difference.

[tailor_made]

[Hester freezes, blood rushing from her ears to her cheeks then lighting up her whole face. Is this her first (technically) kiss? It has to be, she'd never been kissed in school. Not even during the school shows-

It's not.

She shakes off the intrusive thought, not letting it ruin the moment.]

You can hold me to you- it!

[Too late.]

[fourbutts]

My school can barely afford the basic colors, so... lap of luxury, right here.

[ Is that friendly? Is that slightly flirty? It's Janis, who fucking knows. ]

Almost feel like I should take a request - you're my patron, apparently, want a commission?

[tailor_made]

[Hester is having a harder and harder time telling the two apart when it comes to girls anyway.]

Ohhhh, patron. You make it sound so fancy. Hmm...sure, Janis. I would love to get a commission from you.

[mayavericks]

[Maya tilts her head back, laughing far louder than she's been able to manage in some time.]

I'll expect you to honor that commitment. Both of them, for that manner.

[fourbutts]

[ Janis nods. ]

Alright, cool. Any ideas, or you wanna think about it?

[tailor_made]

Hmmm... [She taps her index finger against her jaw in thought, pondering all the possibilities.]

Would you think I'm conceded if I asked for a picture of me? I think the idea of being able to see yourself how other people see you is just kind of neat. You know?

[tailor_made]

[Hester lowers her chin to her chest, her shoulders shaking with barely suppressed giggles until she throws her head back and laughs right along with Maya, red-faced and uninhibited.]

Oh no, I'm stuck now. I can't just break a commitment like that, either of them.

[fourbutts]

[ well damn at least janis knows her facial features. ]

Sure. Portrait or full-body?

[mayavericks]

I would hope that you would not, Hester. [She tries to choke back her laughter, tries to muffle it behind her hand.]

No, that's not quite right. I trust you will not. [A beat.] I trust you, period.