It wasn't as though this was Aurora's first time collaborating with another teacher. In fact, she had taken great pride in the fact that she was a very open and team-player kind of person in general, so much so that it went over into her teaching style as well. So no, she couldn't say the general buzz of excitement she had while clearing off her desk had much to do with the collaboration at all, not when the more obvious answer happened to be who she was collaborating with. She'd known Maris only in the peripheral kind of way since she'd started at the beginning of the school year, but the woman along was intriguing to Rory. Not that she'd say that was the reason for this particular venture. No, she always liked the idea of tying in history to the fictional pieces she was teaching her students, and so it only made sense that The Crucible should have some significant lessons to reach her students. Which, seemed harder and harder the more technology wanted to pull their focus. Thank god for no phone during class rules... and the threat of detention for violating that rule.

Having pulled out her laptop and her copy of the play which had ... a more than healthy amount of post-it notes throughout it, she busied herself with working on her ideas rather than watching the clock for her company to arrive. Yes, they could have done this elsewhere than her office and elsewhere than school, but somehow that had nagged at the back of her mind that keeping things professional might be a real problem for her if they were at another venue. That of course, was something she'd chastise herself for as soon as she'd thought it. She had a good sense of decorum, and a little crush on her co-worker wasn't going to change that. That's what it was, wasn't it? Just a simple crush on a woman who was smart and beautiful and a total mystery to her. She had no reason to think that it was reciprocated in any way, so this would just be a good opportunity to geek out over some classic stories.

Hearing a knock at the door, she glanced towards it, assuming it was the other teacher, but never quite counting out an overzealous student just looking to capitalize on extra hours of school work. "Come on in." She called, standing as she slid her glasses off.

Maris had been on her way to Aurora's room when she was cornered by Ashley, a tenth grader who still hadn't seemed to have grown out of that annoying, ask every single question about everything phase most people left behind when they were no longer a toddler. The old adage was wrong. There was such a thing as a stupid question and there was certainly such a thing as too many and the pretty redhead was usually the one asking.

Mentally exhausted after answering a myriad of questions about World War 2, Maris was left craving a stiff drink but had to settle for a stale chocolate chip cookie and a Styrofoam cup of the cheapest, most poorly brewed coffee imaginable. She sipped on the latter as she made her way to the English wing, wondering why a school that charged such outrageous tuition couldn't afford to buy it's staff something a little nicer. Teachers really did get the sort end of the stick no matter where they were.

She'd noticed the school's newest from the moment she arrived. Rory was the sort of woman she would have noticed if she spotted her walking across the street. It was next to impossible not to now that she was on a staff where Maris, hardly a spring chicken now that she was inching toward her mid thirties, was still one of it's youngest members.

Okay, so maybe she had been tempted by a pretty face before. The former French teacher, Jamie (who was actually from Jersey) was gorgeous, though Maris' interest could have had a lot to do with the fact that she was curvy with a penchant for cardigans tight enough for the buttons to gap. Jamie had seemed into her too. Until she mentioned a husband on their first and only night out for drinks. Talk about mixed signals.

The new teacher probably had a husband (or at least someone) too. Girls like her never stayed single for long and teachers were notoriously...devoted sorts. Couldn't have a family without a significant other, after all.

Unlike her colleagues, Maris didn't particularly like kids, which is why she'd stuck to the upper levels in the first place. She'd always liked learning. It only seemed right to share everything she'd picked up with someone else.

"Sorry I'm late," she said, ready to get down to business as she walked toward the empty chair pulled up to Aurora's desk. "I got cornered in the hallway." Maris slipped her leather bag over her head, then popped it open to search for her copy of The Crucible. The messenger bag was black, like the majority of her wardrobe. A few of her more playful students liked to joke that she was goth and she only egged them on, humming The Cure songs under her breath with a wink whenever she heard it.

Truth be told, she just favored simple, structured pieces and had never been one for busy prints or obnoxious pops of color. Today's outfit featured impeccably tailored black slacks (because when you were as tall as she was, your pants had to be modified one way or the other), a dark blue button up with barely noticeable white pinstripes and heels that usually signaled her arrival long before she got anywhere.

"Thanks for agreeing to do this by the way," she said, looking up at the other woman once she'd gotten it. "I'd really like to do something with them about McCarthy. We're not really there yet, but they're smart girls. They usually catch on pretty quick even when I skip around. Besides, if I taught everything in order, I'd never get past the Crusades before June."

Even though she was spending hours of her supposed "free" time working for her students, it was a relief to have some time with just another adult. Rory loved being a teacher, and she loved her students, but much of the time she ended up exhausted simply from having to be "on" all the time. She didn't mind the work after hours -- after all, it came with the territory, but especially if she allowed herself to indulge in some wine as she lesson-planned. Not that she and Maris would be doing that tonight, but it could be a fun addition as time went on. She kept feeling that she'd truly love to get to know the other woman more than she did, but it was something she kept having the internal battle with herself over the questions: did she like her as a person, or did she have a giant crush? The answer would often just be that both were correct.

But this afternoon, the focus was to be on Arthur Miller and the very real history that women had to endure centuries before. It would never cease to break her heart how history seemed to be cyclical, that any progress seemed to be a step or two forward, but only really had the ability to prepare new generations for similar fights. She could go on and on about the political climate or how the patriarchy ruined so much, but those were heated topics for another time.

During her limited time at the school, Aurora had learned the importance of biting her tongue in certain aspects. She'd learned that the higher-up, tenured teachers had a certain way of doing things, and that she was clearly one of the few outcasts because of her teaching style. She actually liked getting on a level with her students, rather than following a staunch curriculum. She had been elated when Maris had agreed to collaborate with her, giving her hope that not everyone at this school had a stick up their ass about such things.

"Oh not at all," Rory waved her hand between them, smiling softly as she came around her desk. "Student, wasn't it?" She said knowingly, leaning back against her desk as she regarded the other woman. Another thing she'd become accustomed to in this particular school was how she should and shouldn't dress. Granted, she'd never show up in jeans and a t-shirt so more often than not she looked as she did today: brown slacks and a soft pink sleeveless blouse - her black blazer was draped over her desk chair at present. The teachers all seemed to mirror each other in certain ways like that, but that didn't mean she noticed Maris any less.

"Are you kidding? Thank you. I've really been looking forward to this." She chuckled a bit, eyes widening in feigned exasperation. "The Crusades. Bless you for trudging through." Standing up straight, she moved around her desk to pick up her book. "Can I get you a drink or anything before we start? I may or may not have made it a priority to get a tiny fridge in here as soon as I moved in."

If asked, Aurora would state with exact certainty that she loved all of her students equally. Then in true Lucille Bluth fashion, list in her mind the ones that ranged from mildly annoying to altogether insufferable. Did all teachers have favorites? Maybe, but she tried very hard not to. She'd rather a blanket an overall grievance she had with students (ie; overzealous, cell phone addiction, etc) than pinpoint anything on one student.

"I know, I'm going to have to start learning that same phrase in other languages, just to mix it up." She chuckled, nodding as she got herself a water and settled onto the chair next to Maris rather than taking up her seat on the opposite side. That felt too "official" for just brainstorming. "I'm trying to be better about having coffee later in the afternoon ... but if I get the shakes and tackle you for a sip of yours, I apologize in advance."

The mention of the film earned an immediate reaction of her nose wrinkling in distaste, vehemently shaking her head along with it. "God, no. I know the kids love an easy movie day, but no." She laughed, making a face even though she probably should have been kinder about her predecessor and how she did things. "At some point, you just have to figure the kids have seen worse ... or find a cartoon version?" Shaking her head at her own thought, she waved her hand between them. "I prefer actually showing them something of value, or making them get creative with it. I was considering assigning groups to scenes, and letting them interpret the scene in any way they see fit? Complete creative control could be interesting ... or it could be disastrous."

"This shit?" She held up her cup, wrinkling her nose in distaste. "I mean, I've been drinking it so long I guess I've lost the gag reflex I used to have in the beginning but you can probably still remember a time before you didn't have to drink this sludge." Maris didn't even attempt to moderate her coffee consumption. After quitting smoking a few years earlier, she'd replaced one vice for another, though coffee, good, bad and in between had always played a pretty significant role in her life.

"Coffee aside, how are you settling in?" she asked, somewhat surprised as the question left her mouth. Maris usually wasn't one for small talk especially with co-workers. She had a few friends, of course and was especially close to Cassie, the school's librarian but she found most of them either insufferable or mind numbingly boring. If she was completely honest, she kept to herself in general. A firm believer in quality over quantity as far as friends and the socializing that came them were concerned. But she was curious about the new arrival and figured hearing about Rory's move would tell her how she got there.

"It's either or with this crowd," she joked, though she secretly thought the majority of their students were a little too well behaved, agreeable little debutantes locked away in their golden cages. "A little theater could be nice though," she said, nodding her head in approval. "A little something different for the students. We haven't been able to keep a decent drama teacher for years now. It's our own personal Defense Against the Dark Arts position."

Coffee was such an acquired taste, but it always amused her how it became the life-blood of adulthood. A habit she herself couldn't shake, she still remembered how revolting the very first coffee drink she'd ever had was to her -- and that was some sort of frappuccino to be sure. Now she had a more refined palate when it came to coffee ... and had indeed noticed that the stuff in the lounge was, as Maris so kindly put it, sludge indeed. "I feel like I'm going to become a convert ... or just be stubborn as hell and find a non-fire hazard place to get my own coffee maker in here. I might be willing to share if I do. Maybe." She narrowed her eyes playfully, a smile breaking through. Usually one who was a bit quiet when she didn't know someone very well, it probably should have alarmed her how at ease she felt with Maris. Sure, she'd been there long enough for them to be friendly acquaintances, but that was different than really knowing someone. She wouldn't mind knowing her better, not at all.

Rory hadn't noticed that she absentmindedly put the book down, her fingers clasping together as she turned her attention to Maris. "Coffee aside, things are good!" It was a standard answer to a standard question, which she winced at herself for. She was terrible at small talk, though she recognized it as a good fall-back. Still, part of her just didn't want to leave it at that. "It's always an adjustment, you know? Kind of like high school all over again. Figuring out who is going to throw a side-eye in your direction, or who might be an ally. At least I don't have to go trying to find a prom date or something." Rolling her eyes, she chuckled, her mind back to how mortifying that had been when all she'd wanted was to take the impossibly adorable Bianca Faraday to prom ... who happened to be playing into a stereotype and dating the quarterback. Weird to have that memory.

"Ah, that's fair. God forbid I show a film with bare bodies to the more sheltered students." Actually, that would be terrible considering the phone calls she'd likely get from their parents. "Exactly! That's kind of what I'm after, just something different they can sink their teeth into." Nodding knowingly, Rory curiously looked at the other woman. "Oh I know that, I feel like every school has one of those. Are you a Potter fan enough to know your house?"

"I would say sharing is caring, but I didn't really take that to heart in kindergarten. I wasn't about to let those heathens break my crayons."

Maris wasn't joking. She'd always been a particular sort, set in her ways from the moment her personality started forming. Her father often joked she had been born as an adult, the same way Athena had sprung, fully formed from Zeus' forehead, a scenario she liked more because it meant that her mother had never been in the picture as opposed to leaving it, than she did because it compared her to a goddess.

Though there was no denying that had it's appeal too. Maris was confident and with it a little concieted (even if that was a trait she couldn't abide in men, mostly because she thought the majority of them had no reason to be).

"It's not so bad here once you get a feel for everyone. Most of us keep to ourselves apart from the really friendly group." Which were exactly the sort of overly friendly people Maris liked to stay away from. They were the type who couldn't stand silence and never stopped talking for the sake of filling it, no matter how banal and forced the conversation. She paused, asessing the other woman for a moment before continuing. "A few of us go out for drinks and pub trivia occasionally. It's not really a standing thing, but I could let you know the next time we decide to go out."

Aurora seemed like she'd fit in with their little group, so Maris had a feeling her friends wouldn't mind that she invited her to come along and if they did, well, she just wouldn't tell her the next time trivia night came around.

"Are hybrids an option? I'm definitely a ravenclaw," she said, deciding it was an obvious, if not boring answer considering most academics probably were. "But a bit of a slytherin too. They're almost the same house really. Tenacity? Smarts and cleverness? They're more or less the same thing. You?"

"Oh no, as soon as I graduated to colored pencils, I hoarded them like they were my sacred items. I get it." Rory chuckled a little at the memory, figuring she probably still had some badly worn pencils stuck at the back of some bin somewhere.

There was something almost curious to the ease with which Rory found herself in conversation with Maris - though it could have easily been brushed off as just like finding like in a very mundane topic. Art supplies certainly didn't have conversation longevity, however she felt like she could catch a glimpse of a tiny (maybe surly?) Maris, refusing to hand over her reds and blues. For some reason, the thought made her smile.

"Oh that's good to know. I always figure there are the friendly sort ... and then the overly so that are just ... exhausting." Rory could often be accused of being very friendly, but she liked to give people their space. She'd been around people who were all up in her business, to the point where she had been massively uncomfortable. No, Rory generally liked to keep to herself, and the few people that she'd grow to be close to over time. The idea of pub trivia however, piqued her interest. "Is that right? I think I could really get into that. I can get very competitive though, I will warn you."

Rory regarded the other woman as she spoke, nodding as she described what made her into the Hogwarts-house-of-choice. She could see that in her, for sure. "I'd say hybrid houses are definitely an option. You kind of have to pick the attributes that make the most sense, no matter from which house." It had taken her a long while to actually get into that whole universe, but it was a deep dive once she got there. "I'm a Ravenclaw too, with some definite Hufflepuff tendencies ... even if their color scheme is atrocious." A cheeky grin spread across her face as she leaned back and considered her answer. "I can be a little too loyal though, so I have to just be smart about it."

"Oh, we welcome competitive. Most of us are. Well, except for Genny but she can be coaxed into being as ruthless as the rest of us after a few martinis." Maris' lips twitched into a smirk. A lifelong overachiever, she was easily the most competitive of the group. She liked to win in just about every aspect of her life and took a certain amount of pride in the fact that she could count the number of times she hadn't on one hand, which meant that those rare defeats were almost soul crushing.

Maris wrinkled her nose, giving the other woman a not so quick once over. She was almost certain the other woman had caught her looking, but she simply held her gaze once their eyes met again. "Yeah, yellow's definitely not your color. You're right though. Loyalty is admirable, but risky. Not everyone deserves it."

She couldn't help but wonder who Rory was loyal to. Did she have someone at home waiting for her? It seemed best to find out now, before she found herself in another Jamie situation.

"Are you new to the area too?"

"Oh good, so I won't scare you off when I yell my Tolstoy knowledge." Rory laughed, biting at her lower lip - a habit when she felt particularly amused (or maybe a little flirty? Certainly not...) That hyper-competitive side of her came out mostly due to sporting events in her youth, when volleyball seemed to be the only thing worth living for (aside from books, there were always books). Maybe that actually had more to do with the teammate she had her eye on and how attractive she'd found that competitiveness, but that was another lifetime. As an adult, trivia, she assumed, could absolutely pull that back out of her. Just a slightly nerdier-competitive nature. That seemed right on brand for Aurora, actually.

A habit of downplaying her own attraction to someone until it was staring her right in the face, Rory also had the (annoying) habit of never being quite-sure if someone was indeed looking at her in a certain way. As such, her brow quirked ever so slightly as she looked at Maris, wondering if she was just projecting her own attraction to the other woman and manufacturing a similar interest. "Isn't that the truth. Can I trust you to at least steer me away from the untrustworthy around here?"

It was actually difficult getting a read on a new place altogether, and much more the people within her workplace. Particularly, with the hierarchy she'd already come up against. For whatever reason, Maris seemed like someone she could actually talk to. Maybe that was her attraction talking? Who knew.

"I am, actually. Still sort of getting my bearings even though I've been here a few months. But hey, I'm finally completely unpacked, so I get to celebrate with wine and Netflix."

"Well, we don't have any Voldemorts if that's what you're asking," she shot back cheekily, making a bit of a face as she finished off the last of the cold, bitter coffee lining the bottom of her cup. She wavered slightly, looking as if she was weighing the pros and cons of what she was about to tell Aurora next.

"Watch what you say around Annette," she said finally, leaning forward even though they were the only two people behind a closed door. "She's the worst gossip."

Maris wasn't. She prided herself on minding her business, so talking about someone (even to warn someone else) felt a bit wrong, but she had seen more than a few people suffer thanks to Annette and her loose lips and she didn't want Aurora to be one of them, especially since the other teacher tried her hardest to seem like the sort of person you could spill your secrets to.

"Red or white?" she asked, genuinely curious. "There is a right answer so choose carefully."