“I’m practicing,” Reese said, insisting. “It’s the ways that we’re supposed to, like… please Dominants, you know? The ways that they want to see us, whatever. Haven’t you been in the General Submissive class?”

     “no-” she shakes her head, offering her hand for him to take to stand up. “i don’t take classes.” though if this is what they were being taught, perhaps she should attend some. “is that what you want to be doing ??”

      ‘ thank god, that’s the kind of energy i need in my life, etta, ’ he said emphasizing her name with a small chuckle.  ‘ it’s a pleasure to properly meet you, ’ a grin still playing on his lips. ‘ not particularly, i’ll certainly keep my eye out and keep you in the loop if i notice anything. ’ 

     he’s warm, friendly. she feels at ease for once; glad of the comfort his company brings. “well, good because you’re stuck with me now.” she teases, soft laugh tumbling from her lips. “please do. i’m here for the student’s support and wellbeing but i’m here for yours too.” 

“Like it with a lot of things.” Ajax replied, looking down at her. “A lot of people don’t want them here. Both teacher and student alike.” The male said, despite being one of those people himself. “It’s a Monday, you can afford to be scatty.”

     a lot of people don’t want them here. and yet she was one of them wasn’t she ?? she might be an adult, a faculty member, but she was still a submissive. still in new territory, trying to prove she belonged. “only on mondays ??” she jokes, shaking her head. “damn, i’ll have to make note of that for tomorrow.”

‘ sure, if you have the time. i don’t wanna waste your time.’

“of course !! it’s never a waste of my time if you need help.” 

“It was worth a shot.” He smiled and looked her over. “You make me wish I was older.” He sighed and leaned dramatically against the wall. He smiled at her, looking her over with a slight tease to his eyes. “I could draw you with clothes on too.”

     you make me wish i was older. this was dangerous wasn’t it ?? toeing the line between what is appropriate and what isn’t. she was expecting that professors, teachers, might take advantage of their students - but students hitting on her ?? that was a new one. “why would you want to draw me ??” etta furrows her brows, swallowing thickly. 

“You’re certainly welcome to try,” he hummed, a little amused by her attempts. “Change, absolutely. For the better? Up for debate.”

      “well what is it that you don’t like about it ?? what don’t you think is good about the change ??” etta asks curiously. to be able to convince someone, you had to understand their side first. 

“I was just checking, there’s no need for you to be so rude. I may be a submissive, but I am a teacher at this school and it is important for you to show respect.” Bryony replied, her tone a lot sharper than usual. “Is that all?”

     “respect is earned, not given freely.” niah rolls her eyes, leveling her gaze on the blonde’s. “so far you’ve done nothing to earn it. teacher or not.”

Zac could see her amusement by the information. He did worry about a couple of them getting in way deep over their heads. “Me, join? Nah, protesting isn’t my thing. I rather spend my time doing other stuff.” He dabbed out his cigarette. “It’s weird to think the world use to not be like this. Doms.. subs, At least that’s what I heard..”

      “such as ??” she cants her head, quirking a brow. he’s not entirely exhausted her interest as yet, so she’ll entertain the conversation a little further. stubbing out her cigarette, she lights another. what’s the fun in breaking the rules if you don’t get caught ?? “evolution.” niah shrugs. “we also all used to run around in furs and eat raw meat with our bare hands. society has developed.”

“They’re human beings, not plants,” Peter said, his tone showing that he was clearly appalled by the woman’s words.

     “potato, potahto.” she waves away his words dismissively. liberals. always so easily offended.

“Good,” he hummed with a little smile. “I’m looking into customizable collar designs too. A lot of that is still sketchbook work but we’re getting there.”

      “you’ll have to show me the designs when they’re done.” she nods, vaguely intrigued. “perhaps some test samples.”

‘ for the most part. but i can’t get my education if i’m being punished all the time. sometimes it’s hard to bite my tongue or not scream at some brainwashed submissive but i just pick my battles and try and keep my temper even and always remain mannerly. ’

      “disappointing.” niah lets out a weary sigh. “i thought you had a backbone.”

‘ no, i’m polite and nice…but it shouldn’t be an option for anyone, you know? ’

     “that’ll only get you so far.” niah scoffs. “does being a good little girl really work for you ??”

“do you know any decent teahouses nearby? or even coffee shops? i haven’t managed to find one and i’m desperately craving a cup of properly brewed tea.” hermione sighs, trying to hide the massive yawn that is escaping her. “i need my caffeine but i’m done drinking the sludge they call coffee in here.”

     “sorry, i haven’t had any recommendations-” etta wrinkles her nose, giving her sister a sheepish grin. “but if you ask ian, he might let you use his coffee machine. it’s pretty nice.” 

    “finally–this weekend was nothing but homework, projects, reports, and other cruel nonsense.” he dramatically took in a deep breath, dropping his backpack to the ground as he looked up towards the sky. “who assigns an assload of homework over the weekend??? don’t they know i have things to do, like, sleeping, eating, and bingeing on my favorite shows?” 

      “i imagine they don’t care.” niah says dryly, dark eyes flickering over the male. “much like i don’t care for your whining about it.”

“So what’s the right way?” Reese had no shame kneeling where he was, knees apart, feet together. “This?” Palms moving to the ground, he brought his knees together and then looked up, expectantly. “Or this? I swear to God, I’ve been trying for, like… an hour to remember.”

        “what are you-” she bends down, hand settling on his shoulder. “what are you doing ??”