Bluntly, as is your nature

"That's pretty much the stupidest thing I've ever heard." Your calm tone does nothing to lessen the challenge you throw out like a gauntlet. You see Ms. Naylor's lips tighten and you brace yourself for the next round in this unending contest of wills.

"I'm not surprised that a testosterone-driven military man like you who has known nothing but killing and **** all his life has trouble understanding the concept of Restorative Discipline." This Headmistress' disdain for your values, training and experience is impossible to miss, but you refuse to make this about you.

"What about the Code of Conduct I found on the school's webpage?" You had been meaning to ask about the section of code that details the paddling received by students for their infractions, it seems now is the right time. "Don't you give the students and their parents a copy of the rules every year?"

"Well, yes they still receive the old code, but we don't really follow it." Ms. Naylor smiles hopefully before continuing. "I told you already Mr. Hawkfeather, it is the expectation of the administration that our young ladies behave themselves at all times." You don't even try to disguise the doubt you are feeling. "For the most part the students live up to our expectations."

"I don't doubt that, Ms. Naylor, but as the new Disciplinarian of this school, I need to avoid subjectivity." You look at the Headmistress hoping she'll understand. "It is my job to enforce the rules as they are written."

"Well, you can't do that." Ms. Naylor snorts dismissively.

"Isn't the Code of Conduct I saw what the students and their parents receive?" You ask more bewildered than ever.

"Well yes," the fierce Headmistress begins hesitantly, "but, as you now know, our approach to discipline has been greatly reformed. Consequences of student infractions are determined based on a number of different factors..." Her explanation tails off as she senses your growing anger.

"And how has that been working for your acclaimed academy, Ms. Naylor?" You ask, making no attempt to hide the sarcasm in your tone.

"Mr. Hawkfeather!"

"Hear me out Ms. Naylor." You try again, careful not to sound condescending. "The students will be informed that we will be following the Code of Conduct as it is written. If, as you say the young ladies in our institution behave as they should, then it will not matter. But if they don't I intend to enforce the rules as they are written."

"Kyle," this is the first time she's used your Christian name and you find you like the way it rolls off her delicate lips. "Do you even know what you're saying?" She asks softly, "Are you really going to lift the young women's skirts and paddling their exposed backsides like Mrs. Marshall used to?!" Knowing that your answer will undoubtedly ruin the rapport that you have worked hard to develop, you sigh silently and answer her as honestly as you can.

"If that's what the students and parents have been told to expect, I don't see any other option."

"It's barbaric!" She marches across the room until she is just inches away and stares you in the eyes. "And I think you're barbaric as well." When you walked into her office earlier today she disliked you on principle, now it was personal.