Zoe's Office Hours - January 14

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe sits in her office, pleased that she managed to survive the first week of classes without having to get physically violent with anyone. If that's not a good start, she doesn't know what is.

The door is open for anyone who needs her.

[open primarily for Susan]

Comments

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

Having *finally* managed to get to the school after a certain amount of difficulty, and having gotten to the gates, Susan used the phone by the entrance-- and wasn't there something odd about it?-- to call the contact number on her letter.

"May I please speak to Dean Washburn? It's Susan Pevensie, I need to be buzzed in."

[bigdamnprincipal]

Pevensie? Oh, the new counselor. "This is Dean Washburn. Give me one moment and I'll get you in." Zoe glanced at the buttons, thankful that she'd labeled them as she buzzed Susan in. Electrocuting the new counselor would probably not be the best way to make a first impression.

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

"Impressive," she muttered, turning in circles as she walked into the marble-inlaid foyer. Clearly, Fandom High School wasn't the indigent, newly-established program she'd thought. She paused, staring at an oil painting of a woman dressed in combat gear with sunglasses on one wall, her attitude martial and disdainful at once.

She put her bags down on the parquet, and hoped that someone would come find her. Really, the place was huge. If Dean Washburn thought Susan already knew where her office was, this could get more than a little problematic.

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe was new enough to realize that a guide would most likely be necessary to get Susan anywhere past the front of the school, and went out from her office to find her. Luckily, the baggage and look of awe pretty much gave Susan away.

"Ms. Pevensie? I'm Zoe Washburn," she said, holding out her hand. "Welcome to Fandom High. Why don't you follow me, and we'll go back to my office."

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

"Thank you, Dean, it's a pleasure to be here. The school is... lovely," Susan said, leaving her baggage in the foyer as she followed Zoe. "I admit I expected something much more modest, from the query letter I received. I would have been here sooner, but the map someone sent me was sadly out of date."

She entered Zoe's office with relief, a little overwhelmed already.

[bigdamnprincipal]

"Was it? I apologize for that. But I'm glad you found your way here." Zoe motioned to the seat across from her desk, and sat down herself. "This place can be daunting. I'm still learning where everything is myself. I'd recommend leaving a trail of bread crumbs if I didn't think it would draw out the gremlins."

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

Susan did a double-take, then smiled. Surely the Dean was joking. "Ah. Perhaps chalk on the walls?" She folded her hands. "I have a few questions about the position, if you don't mind clarifying. My contract was rather sparse on details."

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe smiled in return. "I don't mind at all. What sort of questions do you have?"

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

"How many students will I be counseling? Is it strictly therapeutic, or do you want me to do career counseling as well? Shall I be working out of the clinic, or will there be a separate office? Who was the previous counselor, and shall I have access to their files on the students...?" Susan smiled. "I'm afraid I'm a little nervous about this. I've never counseled at a school before, I'm not entirely certain what you require."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"There's no need to be nervous," Zoe said reassuringly. "Despite the physical size of the school, there are less than 150 students here. That's who you'll be counseling. Right now, we just need you to take care of the therapeutic needs of the students. You will be working in the clinic, with Dr. Gregory House, but you'll be reporting to me if anything comes up. Our last counselor left her files, and they're all ready for you."

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

"Oh, good." Susan started to relax at this. "Are there any cases pending at the moment? Anyone I should see immediately? I was hoping for time to set up my office, and get acquainted with the school, if that would be possible." She frowned.

"I was told there were apartments in town -- Mauvaise Chance? Is it acceptable if I stay there, or should I be lodging on-campus?"

[bigdamnprincipal]

Zoe shook her head. "Surprisingly enough, school started without much trouble, so I don't have anyone for you to see yet. Hopefully, this trend will continue.

"And you certainly don't have to stay on campus. I've heard the apartments are nice."

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

"That's good to know." Susan smiled back, and shook her head. "Are there any questions you want to ask me, or anything more I should know? I've left a message for Dr. Wilson, he's supposed to give me the clinic tour tomorrow."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"No, I think we're all set for now." Zoe gave Susan a friendly smile. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask." She laughed. "Feel free to give me a call if you can't find my office again."

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

"I appreciate that, Dean Washburn," Susan said, getting to her feet with a smile. "If it's not too much trouble, I'd like to crash in a teacher's lounge for the night. The jet lag is beginning to catch up with me, and I really don't wish to present myself at a hotel when I'm still getting oriented."

[bigdamnprincipal]

"That's no trouble at all. Just follow me, and I'll show you to the lounge."

[susanofnarnia.livejournal.com]

Susan got up with a smile, and happily followed Zoe, studying her surroundings as she went.

A new start, a new school. Wonderful.