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

[mayavericks]

[Her eyes narrow faintly. There's something distinctly wrong about how casual the woman is about all of this.

Nevertheless, Maya's expression flattens soon enough. She glances to a spot over Hester's shoulder.]


How permanent are our living situations? If... one sought to sleep elsewhere, would that be possible?

[tailor_made]

Oh, of course you can sleep somewhere else! It doesn't change your assigned dorm but you're welcome to bunk with the other girls or even sleep in one of the other rooms if you want more privacy. I just can't guarantee that would be very comfortable.

[mayavericks]

I think I can deal with discomfort.

[Maybe. She did have a really nice bed at Seisho, though...]

Were the assignments done by design? A fun laugh to place the all-girls-school attendee in a roomof men?

[tailor_made]

No, no, no no! Not at all. [Her smile shifts to something more sympathetic.] I am sorry you ended up in a dorm full of boys, you just ended up meeting the proper criteria for that particular dorm better than the other ones.

[mayavericks]

[Oh, what's this?]

Criteria? We were assigned based on... traits?

[Sure, she gets being assigned with Salieri based on his success, but... She isn't sure what she has in common with a kid, a penguin, a self-described crazy person.]

[tailor_made]

Mmhm! There are certain traits most of you have in common with the other people in your dorms, so we sorted you together.

[mayavericks]

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

[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.

[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?]

[tailor_made]

I- [Hester's cheeks immediately flush, something akin to panic briefly flashing in her eyes, but she squares her shoulders and straightens her posture.] Not, not even for you, Maya.

[Then, almost like a switch flipping, she tilts her head and leans forward just slightly, folding her arms on top of the desk.] I wouldn't dream of insulting your intelligence like that.

[mayavericks]

[Her smile doesn't falter, even in the face of denial.]

I suppose I should say "thank you" then, for not demeaning me in such a way. [Her head tilts, and she lifts a hand to tuck her hair behind her ear.] Still, if you ever do find that there's insight you can provide, I would be delighted to listen to you.