Always the Ulterior Motives

[Priya Kaur]

Priya had woken up on the morning after Thanksgiving to find the Academy absolutely bustling. Apparently the locals had gotten into the whole Black Friday madness, which had just as apparently bled into holiday madness, which Priya understood to some degree. The holidays were ever so much fun: everyone always dropped their guards then, clearly not expecting someone to use it as a predatory time of year. Of course, Priya happened to be predatory all the year round: she certainly wasn't a seasonal hunter.

She'd woken up to find that nearly every door in the international dorm had a wreath pinned to it and a little basket of holiday cheer on the front, every door save Priya's. So naturally she decided to head out to fix this, and she figured the best place to find someone who could potentially answer her queries was the teacher's lounge.

If nothing else, Priya figured she could use her search as more pretext to start prowling around and find more potential victims or allies. "Hello?" she called as she entered the room, looking around. She had, of course, dressed in something relatively festive, which in her case meant a tight green sweater with a red ribbon and a skintight black skirt. So at least she should look slightly less like a predator, though pretty well anyone who would likely be in that room would probably know better by now...

[Tamara Sulik]

Tamara was in desperate need of a coffee after the task the twins had her do. She supposed she should consider herself lucky they didn't have her dressed as an elf while putting wreaths and baskets by the doors of the international dorm. She got it was a move to make allies of them but it still wasn't something she signed up for. At least it was over now, every door got its wreath and every basket had been delivered. She hoped she was not supposed to do this for the entire south wing.

It was hard to have the spirit of Christmas when your family lived so far away. Far away not only as in another town or another state but another country, in another continent. It didn't make someone feel very festive, although Tamara wouldn't try to destroy other people's Christmas simply because of that. She had more important things to care about.

For example, the fact there was no coffee in the monitor's office in the south wing. It wasn't just the pot that was empty, there really was no coffee anywhere. They emptied it and had nothing left to make more. Now, this was troublesome. Tamara figured somewhere else, there would be some left. It was impossible this entire school ran out of coffee with the amount of people who needed it to survive through the day. She could get herself a cup, make one in her dorm, but the problem would remain once they get to the afternoon and she’d need another one.

She figured that, if there was any left, it ought to be in the teacher’s lounge. They needed it as much as she did, perhaps they even got more than enough to take one bag or two and bring it back with her. It was worth a check and Tamara headed there with the firm intention of finding some caffeine. And she found some alright. If anyone in her department ordered coffee, they probably ended up with it. She looked through the different boxes and bags, to see if it was all the same and, if not, which ones they had the most to take some of them. She even was kind enough to write a note, explaining where they left and where they could find it if anyone had a complaint about this. Not that she thought there would, but just in case, she would not deny taking them. Since there also happened to be coffee in a pot, she decided to serve herself a cup, also writing it down in her little note.

She smelled the beverage and was about to take a sip when someone entered. She turned around and noticed the woman she only knew as the headmistress or something like that of the school in India. At least, if her memory was right. She might be mistaken, as she wasn’t dealing much with their guests. She preferred to think the students remained the responsibility of their staff members who came with them and so did only the minimum required out of her for them. “Good morning,” she told the woman. She didn’t think this hello was nothing more than she being polite to Tamara since they were both in the same room and so she reported her attention to her cup of coffee.

[Priya Kaur]

Hmm, quite an attractive woman, and one that Priya didn't immediately recognize. She of course responded immediately with a friendly smile, finding the expression all too easy to slip into. Priya could smile prettily at the most rude and obnoxious of people, let alone those that she was already hard at work mentally undressing. She'd set out to get a wreath, but now she was seriously considering aiming for something a little... lower.

"I don't believe I've had the pleasure of meeting you yet," she said, gesturing toward the other woman. Priya extended her ability, wanting to read the emotions. She thought she got a sensation of distraction, a bit of exhaustion, and a strong desire for... something. Ah, probably coffee. Priya gestured, "I'm assuming you're here because you're looking for caffeine? I'm afraid I'm quite useless at starting such things, so I haven't had a chance."

Priya shrugged and gave Tamara an apologetic smile that was nearly entirely an act. "Oh, shame on me: my mother would be appalled. I'm Priya, Priya Kaur," and she extended a hand along with a slight nod."

[Tamara Sulik]

Unlike this woman, Tamara was not really good at faking any kind of emotions. Even if she’d want to, there would be sarcasm in her voice, something in her eyes showing she was upset. That being said, unless the other person was too smooth to be real, Tamara often didn’t notice, or care enough to notice. Right now, there was no sarcasm or furrowed brow. She simply chose to ignore the woman now since they had been both civil, saying hello to each other since they sort of bumped into each other. There was no need for more.

Except that the other woman was up for a conversation. Tamara had no real problem indulging this desire, it would give her the opportunity to sip a cup of coffee here, in peace, before going back to work. She too had the right for a break. She already had a cup in hands after all, it was not like she would just ignore the woman while drinking it.

At the mention of coffee, she looked at the few bags she meant to bring back with her. “Ah, yes. We ran out of it at the monitor’s office, I came to see if there was not any spare I could borrow,” she explained. The fact she didn’t seem to know this woman had Tamara think she might be one of those international staff members. She dealt with them even less than she dealt with the teachers of this school. “There are some in the pot if you want any,” she added, gesturing towards the coffee machine. Her knowledge in starting the thing might be small, as she claimed, but surely she was able to get a cp and serve herself if she wanted to.

The woman might have pointed out at first they never met but she didn’t get her name until now. “Tamara. Sulik,” she replied, placing the cup on the counter so she could shake this woman’s hand. “I’m assuming you came here with the international program or something? I’m a dorm monitor here. I normally don’t come here but, like I said, it was an emergency,” she explained, a somewhat sheepish smile on her face as she called it an emergency. For an ordinary adult who needed some caffeine to function properly, it surely was.

[Priya Kaur]

the monitor's office... so the woman worked as a dorm monitor of sorts. That could potentially prove useful, but Priya was fairly certain that she had enough surveillance with the British cat that she'd managed to contact. Though she wasn't wholly convinced he'd be that open.

Tamara did make the offer of coffee, and Priya saw no reason not to try. She headed over to pour herself a cup, fighting back the expression of disgust that naturally started to rise as she looked at the coffee. Priya could hide such expressions and emotions quite well though, especially when she had another goal in mind. She kept attempting to read Tamara, wondering if she could at least pick up any basic understandings and reactions from the woman. Tamara seemed almost... neutral to her, which was somewhat surprising to Priya.

Ah, yes, a conversation, Priya couldn't let her part in that slide. "I'm the director of the Ishvaras Institute," said Priya, nodding. "That would be the Indian school, of course," she clarified. Priya moved to the coffee pot, then stopped, looking around for a moment, frowning. "I'm afraid I don't know where the coffee cups are around here. I am assuming there is some? And... well," she looked at the coffee with some surprise, "it looks as though someone may have actually put in some halfway decent coffee as well. Apparently your headmistresses are trying to make your jobs at least a little more bearable."

[Tamara Sulik]

Tamara didn’t care what people had to say about her work. If anyone was to underestimate it, point out it normally was the work of a college student or something, then clearly they never went to Bellefonte and they never tried it. Surely they were more demanding work, just as she could have found something more ambitious or financially interesting, but Tamara had little ambition about work and she got used to this job. Besides, she had a room at the school and that meant she would save money on an apartment or a house. She supposed that, at one point, it might be good to have a place of her own, but she was in no hurry. She had other things to take care of first.

Priya didn't strike her as a woman with some secret goal in mind. She was only a staff member here, coming for coffee or a little break before the day gets really busy. Whatever she was doing here, it clearly was of no concern to Tamara. She nearly repeated the of course as she explained she was the director of the Indian school but she preferred not to let these two words escape her mouth. It would sound too sarcastic for someone she just met and might not know she could often sound like that without meaning any disrespect. Instead, she nodded. She didn't even know the name of the Indian institute. She didn’t even know for sure there was one in India. She preferred to hide her ignorance behind this simple nod. “It must be quite a change to you around here. You’ve ever been to America before?” Tamara actually found that question ridiculous, perhaps because she wasn’t all that curious as to where this woman had been. She tried not to let it show however.

She looked at the other woman for a moment when she pointed out not knowing where the cups were. “Yes, there are some,” she confirmed, giving her a small smile before walking to the cabinet where she would find them, opening the door so she could see. “You mustn’t have come here since you arrive. I normally shouldn’t be here, but, like I said, we ran out of coffee at our office...” she explained once again as she offered her a cup.

Tamara was not dumb, she get the message Priya tried to send, making the girls look bad while apparently complimenting them. “We’re all doing our best,” she said, hesitating on every word, trying not to fall in her trap but not wanting to bluntly point out she questioned her headmistresses’ work. She did find it weird to be bossed by kids but her job didn’t really change much since they took that job and as long as she could do things her way, she didn’t really care who, in the end, paid her. “I think they got the order mixed up and sent every bag here. Or the teachers grabbed them all to place them here. They sometimes forget they are not the only ones who might want some.”

[Priya Kaur]

The woman certainly struck Priya as savvy, or at the very least, alert, which was saying something given that she hadn't had much coffee yet. Priya smiled slightly, already painting some especially impressive mental images. This one may be slightly more difficult to impress than some of the teenagers that Priya had been wowing with her abilities since her arrival. She already tried purposefully reading the other woman's emotions, trying to see if she could work in some threads of attraction, or at the very least some lust.

After all, it had been at least a few days.

"I've been doing some exploring, but I haven't spent as much time as I'd like here," replied Priya, looking around for a moment. "I've mostly been dealing with students, sadly. Getting through the preparations for the main event and learning all sorts of interesting cultural tidbits. I generally find that older company is so much more preferable," she smiled coyly at Tamara, "don't you?"

And she reached for the coffee, taking the cup she'd poured and sipping slightly. All doing their best. "I do feel quite welcomed," agreed Priya, nodding slightly. She purse her lips as she continued though: "I can't help but wonder if there wasn't some sort of mix up with something else as well: I actually came here because someone had neglected to put up a holiday wreath and gift basket at my room," she sighed, "I know it's petty, but I couldn't help but feel slighted. I suppose it's the lonesomeness that can come with these holidays," she took another sip, trying to look forlorn, like someone in need of some intimate comforting.

[Tamara Sulik]

Tamara let out a heavy sigh, the look she gave Priya showing how much she understood her. She never thought she’d have enough patience to deal with kids on a daily basis, yet here she was, at Bellefonte, dealing with kids on a daily basis. “I agree,” she replied. Sadly, Tam felt like she did not spend enough time with her adult colleagues but it that feeling came mostly when she had to deal with hormonal teenagers more than she normally had to. This could get old real fast. “Sometimes, I barely get the time to sit down for more than a few minutes. But I accepted this job and there are calmer days, it compensates. Still, it’s nice to talk with people who are more level-headed. It’s a nice change.” Don’t get her wrong, fooling around like some of these teenagers did, saying crazy things and acting silly could be fun too. But, sometimes, it was nice to be around people who were responsible and not totally self-centered.

Whether or not Priya felt welcomed in this school was of no concern to Tamara. Should the woman complain about the way she was treated here, the dorm monitor was not likely to be blamed, unless she said something about students acting up. She hoped she had no problems with the students here because Tamara believed she was doing a good job and she didn’t want to be yelled out because she apparently didn’t. The fact that one or two might have escaped her attention on occasions was not impossible however. So, of course, when she said that she didn’t have any wreath and basket at her door, Tamara startled. “What? I’m sure I put one on every door. I placed down every wreath and basket I had.” She knew Priya was not accusing her of taking any for herself and Tamara didn't think of it that way either. She more thought that some kid chose to leave with it, for some obscure reason, and that the blame would fall on her.

Tamara suddenly felt terribly lonely, forgetting for a moment about the little mix up. Pointing out the loneliness one could feel during the holidays had her remember of her son, so far away from her. In books and movies, it seems so easy for people in different countries to meet for Christmas but in reality, the cost for a plane ticket was pretty expensive and Tamara wasn’t even sure if she’d be allowed to leave for a long enough period of time for it to be worth it. She tried to shake this feeling by going back to Priya’s little problem. “I’m sorry if you didn’t get one. I’m pretty sure I put one on every door. I know I don’t have any wreath or basket left at the office. I can check with the administration if you want but it might also be some kids who ran off with it.”

[Priya Kaur]

Yes, agree with her. Priya smiled, keeping her attention focused on Tam. the more time she spent with the woman, the easier those emotions became to read. The frustration of the job, mixed with some satisfaction, yes, certainly there. Yes, Tamara clearly enjoyed her job, which Priya actually found somewhat admirable, even if she didn't necessarily agree. Even better: guilt and contrite feelings toward the basket thing.

"I certainly didn't mean to besmirch you or your work," agreed Priya, gesturing toward the other woman. "I was just disappointed myself," she added a sigh, working a little sympathy into the loneliness that she'd started weaving around Tamara. Part of Priya just wanted to slam the other woman with a wave of nearly undeniable lust, but that wouldn't be nearly as much fun. It was the holidays: most single people were desperate for attention and company, especially from someone attractive and understanding.

"Well, I would so hate to put you out," said Priya, shaking her head slightly. "It truly is just a small thing. It's just," she tapped her fingers, "I do so hate to be left out of such things, and anything that seems like a slight is just... disappointing," she held for a moment, then looked over to Tamara. "But I'm sure it's just some children running off with things," she insisted, reaching over to give Tamara's upper arm a slight squeeze. "I doubt that you wouldn't do your job well. You strike me as being quite, what's the phrase, on the ball, very diligent, and, if I may say," she smiled, "quite attractive," there, slide that out, see where it goes. Another little squeeze before Priya released, knowing that she didn't want to push if she wasn't sure of a positive reaction.

[Tamara Sulik]

Even though Priya might not have accused her directly, Tamara still felt the need to defend herself. She was doing a good job and even if it was only unintentionally implied, any remark that might say otherwise was seen as an attack. She didn’t want anyone thinking she wasn’t doing a good job, and that even if she doubted the twins now in charge of the school would fire her only because there was a basket missing. They could check anywhere in the office or her room if they wanted, it wasn’t like they would find it there. If there was a mistake somewhere, it didn’t come from her part.

She realised she might have replied with a bit too much force as the other woman assured she never meant to discredit her. “I’m really sorry about that. I’ll tell the Bellefonte sisters, I’m sure they will take a look into that,” she said although she figured they might not or perhaps just buy a new basket or something. Not that Tamara was caring much about a basket and a Christmas wreath but they might not want to upset someone like Priya, not when they used this event as an excuse to strengthen the alliance between the different schools.

Tamara tried her best not to let the loneliness she got at the thought of her son get in the way. She was working right now. With a bit of luck, during her lunch break, she might be able to talk to him through Skype. She nodded in agreement, forcing herself to care about this little disappearance. She was a little surprised at the sudden physical gesture from the woman. If she had not been called diligent a lot Priya was not the first one to say she was attractive although they were normally men or some cocky students. She blinked for a moment but smiled to the other woman. She thought the woman might have tried to see if she was into women also and even if she would never say that she was, Tamara was not against a little of ego stroking. It always felt good, whoever provided it. “Thank you. We’ll find out what happened. Like you said, it was probably kids but they will still have to understand they cannot do something like this. We wouldn’t want you or anyone else to feel unwelcomed here.” Wow. She felt like such an ass kisser right now. If she went further she might just have to take a shower.

[Priya Kaur]

Priya smiled and waved a hand dismissively. "It's quite fine: these mistakes happen. The holidays practically demand that we make little mistakes, do they not?" Priya smiled and nodded. She was actually feeling quite pleased about this current mistake, since it looked to have some quite interesting repercussions for her. The little gesture didn't result in something like disgust more... curiosity.

I can work with that.

"It's really no problem," Priya reiterated, half realizing that she was nearly directly contradicting her earlier statements. She nodded again. "I certainly don't feel... unwelcome here," she dripped the word in sex, letting it drip for just a few moments, her attention seeming to shift away from Tam for a while. Would it be so wrong to just hit the woman with a burst of lust, really? It wasn't as though Priya would really be engaging with her again; she so very rarely repeated.

"Besides," continued Priya, turning her attention back on Tam, that smile sliding across her face, "it meant I got to be introduced to you, and you're certainly more... appetizing then a basket of treats." And just a little bit of flattery sent in there, as Priya increased her net, wanting to feel out the woman's reaction to see how to twist things to get precisely what she wanted.

[Tamara Sulik]

Tamara could take the holidays when she kept hearing it was more about gift giving and school breaks. Luckily, most students in this school were in the same position as she was, with their family far away and it was highly unlikely they could see for the holidays. Or course, it was even harder for Tamara. Unless she managed to snatch a last-minute ticket plane to Serbia, but who would fly to Serbia for Christmas, her chances of seeing her boy in any other way than through Skype were slim at best. It explained why she preferred not to think too much about Christmas, even if that made her a bit of a Grinch.

Tamara got the sexual innuendo in her words. She was not against using it herself but she was not thinking it might be hinted at her. Whatever she might have done with another woman could more be described as an experiment than herself being bisexual. She had to come to the conclusion she was hitting on her however at her words. They took her by surprise and she chuckled as she tried to chase it away from her face.

“Well thank you. It was a pleasure meeting you also,” she said. Tamara was slightly confused as to what to do now. Not about the flirting, as she had no problem telling the woman she was flattered but not interested if it went to that. Tamara didn’t really want to bother telling the co-headmistress there was one wreath and basket missing and that the director of the Ishvaras Institute couldn’t get hers. Or that someone stole it before she could find them. Either way, she had the feeling the fault would fall on her and she’d have to deal with it. She didn't consider this part of her job.

[Priya Kaur]

Hmm, no immediate response of arousal, but not an immediate rejection either. That generally meant that the target was at least a little curious, or at the very least, suggestible, which was enough for Priya to work her gifts. Though she knew she didn't stand much chance with all that stress.

"Tamara, dear," Priya said, raising to gently lay a hand on Tamara's shoulder, "you shouldn't stress so much; it can't be good for you. Though I suppose suggesting that to anyone who works with teenagers around this time of year is just folly, isn't it?" she laughed again, lowering her hand. She curled one arm about her chest, cradling the other so it would be up to tap a fingernail against her lips.

"Ah," she said, nodding as though it just came to her, "why don't you come to my room? I've this excellent vintage alcohol directly from my homeland that a few kindhearted souls sent for me. I'd absolutely love to share a drink with someone, help forget about all this stress," Priya gestured dismissively, then smiled. "Do say you will, I really would love to share a few drinks with you. Just between two women," and the way Priya said it, totally tame...

[Tamara Sulik]

Tamara didn’t think she was all that stressed but apparently it showed on her face as Priya tried to calm her down. She flinched slightly at this, figuring that she might have quite a bit on her shoulders. It was the season, really, that was not doing any good on her. And when she had to go around playing Santa’s elf and give people gifts, it didn’t help at all. She sighed heavily, chuckling softly in the end in response to Priya’s laugh. “I suppose you’re right. The holidays aren’t exactly my favorite moment of the year,” she admitted but didn’t go any further in her explanation. Priya was free to think whatever she wanted as to what her reason might be.

Tamara supposed she should head back to the monitor’s office with the coffee and leave Priya. She didn't mean to be such a downer and the woman was not at fault for the stress that apparently washed up over her all of a sudden. It had to be expected at this time of the year. But Priya had other thoughts in mind and Tamara stopped to look at her, slightly surprised at the proposition. A drink could be nice but she wasn’t sure it was the right time for it. It was probably best for her to go back to work. She was curious about the type of alcohol she might have from home. Not wine, of course. She couldn’t picture India having wine. She thought about it for a few seconds only to shake her thoughts off. Now was not the time.

But Priya really knew how to ask and Tamara smiled. “It is very tempting, but I don’t think I should. I still have some work left,” she said. And coffee to bring back to the office. But it was very tempting to say to hell with that and sit down, glass of alcohol or no.

[Priya Kaur]

Someone who didn't care for the holidays? Priya certainly couldn't blame her. The holidays often came with so much stress and responsibility, especially for adults. It was even worse when someone was separated from someone else. Though Priya certainly didn't like that it seemed as though Tamara was quite determined to head back to work. Priya could feel the woman's dedication even before she heard the words.

Well, Priya still had a few tricks up her sleeve. First, she'd slide a little bit of guilt at just abandoning Priya, as though the drinks should be making up for an earlier mistake. The guilt could be assuaged, and possibly drowned, especially as Priya felt the already existing temptation in there. Priya also happened to slide just a bit of curiosity and arousal as well: she did want the encounter to end in a bed, after all. "Your dedication is most impressive," admitted Priya. "Though I've always heard it said that we never die wishing that we'd spent more time on work, but more time enjoying the life we led." She took a few steps closer to Tamara, adding some temptation into that smile. "Besides, you could always say that this was part of your job: building international relations and helping a poor, wronged woman feel just a bit more welcome and happy in this strange new land."

A bit  thick? Perhaps, but Priya found that thickness often worked.