"Hello," Saffron said. She was quiet, which was characteristic, but she was staring as well, which wasn't. If Kelly didn't know any better she might think it was something close to awe, except there was a startlingly calculating edge to the regard as well. But, overall, there was a definite respect there which one did not expect to be directed at a teenager.

These people were weird, plain and simple. Kelly had seen a number of weirdos in her time. Some people might argue she was one of them, a distinction she could wear with pride. These people still took the cake.

She shook her head and scowled at Janet, but good-naturedly. "I suppose you slept like a baby last night," Kelly grumbled, knowing full well Janet had spent half the night trying to calm down the girls who were panicky in retrospect, just at the implication of the gun. "Just because you're stupidly well-adjusted doesn't mean the rest of us are. This way, ladies."

She linked her arm in Saffron's, half protective and half playful, and led her first into Janet's office. She gave Saffron the comfortable, plush armchair, the most comfortable chair in the room, and then flopped in Janet's desk-chair herself, swivelling back and forth and with fingers steepled together.

"I have called you all here today," Kelly announced, and was interrupted by a yawn. She wound up flapping her hand at Tanith and Steph and mumbling, "Oh, whatever. Go ahead, do your thing, Dominatrix Lady Leather and Student."

Saffron sat on the edge of the armchair, hands folded on her lap, and looked up at Tanith and Steph.