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

[mcfife]

I believe the Chaos Wizards serve the opposite of Order.

[Heh heh]

So, if he wants things where they belong, he should return us home. Some of us have countries to lead.

[tailor_made]

He said you'd say something like that. [She starts to lean her cheek onto her hand but stops herself, lest she smear her foundation.] I'm curious, Angus- what's the last thing you remember before waking up here?

[tailor_made]

Better a prison with some freedoms than being a garden decoration, hm? [She knows which one she'd prefer in his situation.]

The Wizard warned me to expect the unexpected and that, [Hester laughs a little, a hint of her still slightly shaken nerves creeping into it.] Was unexpected. I love some good dramatic tension but most of the time it doesn't include sharp objects being thrown at my head.

Week 1, Tuesday

[tellthestory]

[Knock knock! It's your favorite cast member!]

Hi, uh, Hester?

[mcfife]

[He opens his mouth and pauses. His memory isn't faltering.]

I had been on fighting atop the citadel of Dundee. We had finally defeated Zargothrax and were watching his body crumble into liquid dust.

...Is he somehow still alive?

[mayavericks]

Are we allowed to know what traits define our dorms, then?

Week 1, post-intro

[stopbelieving]

[That could've gone better.

He had known to expect some theatrics, obviously. It seems to always go that way. But that doesn't mean that seeing Hester get threatened like that wasn't...frustrating. Let's call it "frustrating". It can't have been anything worse, because he really shouldn't get attached to her. She's just an echo of other people, people who never really existed themselves. He shouldn't dwell on figments. He really shouldn't. The past is the past.

Will waits in the office for her to return, anyway. He did this with the SQUIP too, when it was still around. It never appreciated that; in this, at least, he can comfortably say he's glad to have Hester.]

Are you okay?

[disharmonizes]

Mine usually involves more sparkly magic blasts being shot at my face, but that might just be me. Still, you know, watch for that. Just in case.

[you never know]

First time being the face of an operation like this, hm?

[violentenvies]

Ah, certainly. [fortunately, he brought paper with him already so he'll just take a moment and list out the items he'll need including seven gallons of honey, two large wooden half-barrels, one regular aging barrel (36 gallons) with a tap, 8 gallons of barme, and three handfuls each of rosemary, sage, hyssop and thyme. Once written, he'll set it on the counter]

These items would be enough for me to create a barrel of short mead.

[tailor_made]

[The introduction had been...a lot more than Hester had anticipated. She'd been warned they wouldn't take to her right away, that something might happen but that she'd be protected if it did.

The knife, to put it mildly, had been a surprise and despite how well she'd pulled herself together in the moment she can still feel a weakness in her knees. But coming into her office and seeing a familiar face calms her ragged nerves she hadn't even known were on edge.

She quickly closes the door behind her, her face- Rachel Berry's face- brightening instantly.]

Mr. Weidman! [She takes a step forward, her first instinct to hug him, to thank him for saving her from a thrown knife of all things, but she hesitates. Would it be weird? Would it make him uncomfortable? She settles for clasping her hands in front of her.] I'm fine. It was scary but I'm okay. Thank you so much for stepping in like that. I'm not sure what I could've done otherwise.

[tailor_made]

Not from me. [She idly fiddles with the gold chain around her neck.] Think of it as part of the overall mystery of the school.

You're all- [She pauses, reconsidering.] Most of you are smart. I'm sure if you do the legwork you'll figure it out.

[brokeforgood]

Good news, H. [Farrah's sweeping into the office on Friday AM, looking extra pleased with herself.]

We're now both Assistant Directors.

[mayavericks]

[Maya almost scowls. Almost.

Instead, she allows a pleasant smile to slip over her features. She leans forward, settling against the counter. It's an act. She's an actress, she can do this.]

Surely you could spare a hint for me? [She flutters her lashes. That's how it's supposed to be done, right?]

[stopbelieving]

[Will shifts his weight for a moment like he expects - but no, no. She isn't Rachel, so it's not...it's better this way. Just focus on the matter at hand. Don't think about it.

Still, he smiles.]

Of course. I won't let anything happen to you, Hester.

[And he means it. He does. This isn't going to turn out like last time.]

Are you going to be okay doing office hours? They shouldn't try anything else, not after that. Even the Balladeer told them as much.

Friday Morning

[violentenvies]

[again, promptly at 8 a.m., Salieri will be there, knocking on the door. Hello he is here to make what is possibly the worst life choice.]

Saturday; close to 6 pm

[feudalladyshandmaid]

[Near the end of the day, a sharp rap of knuckles on wood at the principal's office reveals... someone who hasn't been here yet!]

Hello? Hester? "Principal"?

[tailor_made]

[The door opens after the second knock. Hester blinks in surprise, her dark hair neatly braided just as it was the last time Cass saw her and a mint green shawl wrapped around her shoulders.]

Oh, good evening, Cassandra. You're here awfully late, what can I do for you?

[tailor_made]

Come in, Monsieur Salieri! [Hester's ever-perky voice chirps from behind the wooden door.]

[violentenvies]

[he definitely didn't announce himself, and is going to do his best not to let the shiver of unease he just felt going down his spine show as he opens the door and steps inside]

Madame Hester. Good morning. Thank you for your prompt supply of the items I needed for the short mead.

[tailor_made]

[Hester looks up from her pink laptop with a small startle when Farrah makes her entrance, blinking several times in surprise while she tries to register the words coming out of her mouth.]

What? But the Wizard didn't mention anything about that to me- [One hand moves from her keyboard to the gold chain around her neck, nervously fiddling with the pendant there.]

[tailor_made]

Of course, of course. I'm happy to help. [She smiles brightly, seemingly genuinely pleased.]

I hope it turns out well, I asked for the best quality honey we could get. According to my research the type of honey you use can have a huge impact on how it turns out. [Her hair is styled differently from the last time he spoke to her, this time pulled back into a tight ponytail, and, despite the early hour, she's still notably wearing a full-face of make-up.]

Did you need something else or did you just come to chat?

[tailor_made]

[Oh joy. When he opens the door Hester is seated behind the receptionst's desk, typing away at her little pink laptop without looking away from the screen.]

Hello, Balladeer. Did you want something?

[violentenvies]

I do appreciate your attention to the quality. I'm certain it will turn out quite well because of it.

[as for that question]

I did, in fact, come with another request, if you would indulge me?

[tailor_made]

Mmhmm, it shouldn't be an issue. What do you need?

[violentenvies]

I was hoping to procure a set of barber's instruments for my friend, Monsieur Barker. They are the tools of his trade, and considering the work he is doing for the performance, I believe it would make his life easier if he had them.