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

[tailor_made]

Elle! [The moment Elle walks through the door Hester's attention is on her. She snaps shut her little pink laptop and jumps to her feet to reach over her desk to take Elle's extended hand in both of hers.] It's so nice to finally talk to you face to face-

And Bruiser too! I must've missed when he popped out.

[whatyouwant]

[Bruiser gives a happy yip as Elle shakes Hester's hand.]

Good to meet you too! Quick question: Do you have any of those puppy potty pads? We can't exactly get outside right now, and I don't want him just going anwhere.

[tailor_made]

[The cookies are very tasty! And all different shapes- hearts, stars and horseshoes.]

I don't think you've gone off the deep end. I just think getting a second copy of a picture that includes your own corpse isn't, hmmmm, let's say "productive" or "healthy".

WEEK 3, WEDNESDAY

[comeandfindme]

[ For the second time this week, Peregrine barges into the principal's office. This time, she's alone, and she looks quite annoyed. ]

Alright, don't think I actually want to talk to you. But if you're not gonna let us outside, I need a few things, alright?

[brokeforgood]

Yeah, see, this is why I’m not asking him. [She sighs heavily.]

I need it back. I don’t even care about my own corpse being in it, though, thanks for bringing that up and also for confirming?

My sisters in that picture.

[tailor_made]

[She shakes her head slowly.]

Mmhm. The trial took more out of me than I thought it would... [She takes another small sip before setting down the mug to pick up her compact again to clean her ruined make-up.] But I'm feeling a bit better now.

[violentenvies]

I'm...glad to hear that.

[he pauses]

Madame, ah...[he has to pause, swallowing against the tightness in his throat, trying to clear it] Madame Elisabeth mentioned the zither. If you have an interest in learning...I would be happy to teach you in her stead.

[tailor_made]

[Oh, that coyness is going straight over her head because her eyes go wide.]

I mean, if you want to watch some things he's been in I have a couple of boot- oh right! It should be here now. [She pulls open one of the many drawers of her desk and pulls out a gift.] There we go!

[tailor_made]

[Hester is in her usual place behind her desk, chin resting on her hand while she watches something play on her laptop. She turns her head when Maya enters and gives her a light smile. At a glance she seems completely back to normal from Sunday.]

For you? Always.

[mayavericks]

[Well... That's a good sign! Maya offers a smile back, relieved that there at least doesn't seem to be any awkwardness between them!]

I won't take up too much of your time. I just wanted to bring you something. I made one for everyone.

[She hands over the banana muffin.

Also while we're here, is there anything new next to Enjolras on the wall, or are the decorations all the same?]

[tailor_made]

It's... [Hester hums a little, leaning her cheek onto her hand while she ponders an answer.] I can't exactly call it "nice", all things considered, but it's comfortable in a weird way. Knowing someone I trust is looking after me.

I haven't really had that before now.

Week 3, Tuesday morning

[barberic]

[Benjamin doesn't linger outside for long this time.]

Can you...answer a question, for me?

[tailor_made]

That's what I'm here for, Mr. Barker. [Hester flashes him a gentle smile when he comes in and makes a small gesture to the plate of sugar cookies sitting on the corner of her desk.] Come in, have a cookie.

[tailor_made]

[Hester's face lights up when Maya produces the muffin and she reaches out to take it.]

Oh my gosh, Maya, you didn't have to! [She takes a small bite, savoring the sweet treat.] Thank you. How'd you know I love banana?

[The wall decorations are the same, nothing new there, but there is a vase of fresh flowers sitting on the edge of the desk closest to the wall. Those certainly won't in here a few days ago.]

[mayavericks]

Don't be silly. We have all had an exhausting few weeks. I figured everyone could use a pick-me-up.


[Anyway, she's definitely giving those flowers a look. Anythign special about them? What type are they?]

In any case, I can't say that it was any special guess work on my part. It was just my assumption that everyone loves Banana.

[Haha she's got the jokes!]

[barberic]

Thank you.

[He takes one out of instinct to be polite, more than anything.]

Suppose I'll get right to it, then. I have a daughter- she would be just turning sixteen now, I think.

I was wondering, if you might know how I could get a photo of her. As the young lady she is now, I mean.

[tailor_made]

[She's on the verge of arguing- she doesn't want to retraumatize Farrah anymore than she already has- but the moment she brings up her sister Hester's resolve wavers and she glances toward one of her several desk drawers.]

...Right. Annleigh.

[brokeforgood]

Yeah. Annleigh.

It’s not the best picture of her, but... it’s the only thing I have. [She hadn’t been looking at Hester— but now she does, pleadingly.]

[tailor_made]

[Hester pauses, freezing for a solid few seconds before she look sat him again with slightly wider eyes. A small crack in the dreamy fog she seems to be stuck in.]

I'd...I'd like that very much. Thank you.

[violentenvies]

[he can see that crack, and it's not difficult to parse its origins.

Salieri deliberately softens his expression into something a little sadder, something understanding]

I imagine the two of you spoke of it before...I had some quite lovely talks with her myself. I'm sure she shared quite a lot with you as well.

Perhaps you could enlighten me as to what you've already discussed?

[tailor_made]

Oh, that should be fine then. [Probably??] But I don't think that's a very good idea, Angus. They're not native to this area, they'd just get carried off by birds or eaten by deer.

[tailor_made]

[Hester watches her for a long minute, her brows deeply furrowed while she tries to find any real reason to not give it to her...and she can't. Heaving a heavy sigh, she pulls open the draw and takes out a photograph. She starts to extend it to Farrah but stops, carefully folding it so that just Annaleigh is immediately visible, before she hands it over.]

I wish I could give you a better one.

[tailor_made]

You might not know him but he's well aware of you and the Leading Player. [She snaps out her name like a curse.]

[tailor_made]

Well it was a good assumption for me. Banana bread is my all-time favorite thing. [The flowers are a colorful mixture of orange and white amaryllis, pink carnations and a few small sunflowers, all in a lovely clear green glass vase!

Hester laughs and happily takes another bite.] Thanks, Maya, really. I needed a little boost.

[mayavericks]

I'm happy to help, Hester-san.

[She gives Hester another once over, just to reassure herself.]

I will not keep you. But, should you ever need to talk, you can always find me in Broadhurst. I... Would be happy to listen to you, whenever you need.