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

Monday Morning

[violentenvies]

[Monday morning, once again promptly at 8am, Salieri will be knocking on the door again.]

[tailor_made]

Good morning, Monsieur~! [Hester's voice sing-songs from behind the door. There's a momentary pause and, before he can open the door himself, she opens it for him. She looks genuinely pleased to see him this morning, even holding a fancy-looking black and white tea cup on a saucer in her free hand. It's steaming gently.]

I recognized your knock so I went ahead and poured you a cup of tea.

[violentenvies]

[Salieri blinks, a bit startled when the door opens just as he's about to open it--and is further surprised to find Hester already standing there, holding a cup of tea. He, as well, is holding a cup, but this one is a bit taller and thinner]

Ah, Madame Hester. Good morning.

[he looks a little surprised still, but pleased]

That's very kind of you. And, what a coincidence? I happen to have brought a beverage for you to try as well.

[he'll step inside, though, so she doesn't have to keep holding the door open.]

[tailor_made]

[She gently closes the door behind him, raising her eyebrows in pleased surprise.]

You did? That's so sweet, thank you! [She motions for him to have a seat in the chair across from her desk and, instead of stepping behind it, she leans against the front of it.] What is it?

[violentenvies]

[oh, well, in that case, he'll sit, placing the cup he's brought on the table]

It is a sampling of the finished honeyed short mead. [he tilts his head to look up at her, sitting back in the chair so he can look at her easily]

I would not have been able to make it without your help, so I thought who better to be the first to try the finished product, other than myself?

[tailor_made]

That is...so kind of you, Monsieur Salieri. [She extends the tea cup and saucer to him but doesn't quite look at his face, glancing down at the mead instead.] But I'm not sure if I should. You see, I'm, um...

I'm not old enough to drink.

[Is...is that actually something to be embarrassed about, Hester?]

[violentenvies]

[Salieri reaches out to take the saucer but pauses, blinking in surprise when she says that]

You...ah. Is that so? [he'll take a sip of that tea, finding it rather pleasant--herbal and slightly sweet] If you're not comfortable, please don't feel pressured. However, you may be assured it's not strong mead. Short mead's purpose is not to become inebriated, merely to have something other than water to drink. You could always save it for the evening, if you wish.