What Constitutes a Lady

Writers: Bree, Nici
Date Posted: 25th August 2005

Characters: Fielton, Badia
Description: Badia confronts Fielton over the situation with Miryene, and things get out of hand, much to Fielton's shock.
Location: Vintner Hall
Date: month 7, day 24 of Turn 3

Fielton

Fielton had decided to take the afternoon off, and was somewhat annoyed to realize that his wife was not in their rooms when he returned to them. It was the absence of the sewing kit next to the fireplace that reminded him that she'd gone to visit Miryene that day.

Mollified somewhat by the idea that at least she was learning something useful, Fielton stripped his boots off--carefully placing them next to the hearth, since it seemed to please her so much--and settled into his chair with a book he'd been meaning to read for a while. He'd wait for his wife patiently... for a little while, at least.

Eventually, he heard the door to their chambers open and Badia strolled in, however she didn't immediately come to him and sit in his lap _or_ offer him a kiss. Instead she set her sewing kit aside and sat in the chair across from him, arms crossed. "We need to talk."

One of Fielton's eyebrows went up and he set his book aside. "All right. What is it, Badia?"

"It's Miryene. She's so _stubborn_, Fielton!"

Both of Fielton's eyebrows were up now, and threatening to climb into his hairline. "Miryene? Stubborn?"

"Yes, but what she doesn't realize is that I'm even more stubborn," Badia replied. She uncrossed her arms and leaned forward earnestly. "Fielton, do you consider it your responsibility to keep all the residents of this Hall safe?" If not, she'd have to convince him, now wouldn't she?

Still stumbling over the very concept of _Miryene_ being stubborn, Fielton blinked at her in confusion. "Of course... everyone _is_ safe here, Badia."

"If they were, we'd not be having this conversation, husband." Her arms crossed again. "Miryene's being abused by that wherry of a husband of hers. Which really leaves me to believe he's less than the dust on the floors. The woman's pregnant with his child and on _bed_ rest of all things!"

"What?" The entire conversation was moving far too fast for Fielton, who pointed at her sternly. "Slow down, Badia, and tell me what exactly you're going on about. You're trying to tell me Jhonnel is _abusing_ his wife?"

"Of course that's what I'm trying to tell you. I can't have been going _that_ fast if you picked it up so quickly. And _don't_ point at me. I'm not a child."

Fielton blinked again, this time at the tone of voice his previously placid wife had taken. "That's absurd, Badia. Whatever would make you say something like that?"

"The bruise was pretty convincing. Her story about having 'fallen' wasn't."

This was a side of his wife he hadn't seen before, and wasn't all that sure he liked seeing. "Well, I'm sure we can look into it, but you shouldn't jump to conclusions, Badia. If Miryene said she fell, she has no reason to lie."

"Fielton, please don't patronize me. I'm your wife, not your child." Badia stood. "She's trying to protect that moron of a husband _or_ she's too frightened to admit the truth."

"I said I'd look into it," Fielton replied testily, eyebrows drawn together. "And that's enough on that subject, Badia. I won't have you poking your nose into other people's marriages. It's not proper."

One of Badia's brows rose. "Excuse me?"

Fielton was oblivious to the changed tone of voice. "I said, you can't go around meddling in other people's affairs. I won't have it said that my wife is a gossip."

"I came from Miryene's directly to _you_. Where is the gossip?" Her hands landed on her hips. "And you did _not_ say you'd look into it. You were too busy treating me like one of your daughters and I _won't_ have it." Her eyes narrowed. "The woman is being beaten--and if you won't deal with it, then I shall go to Lord Alalir. _He_ seems like a decent man." That said, she stomped towards their bathing chambers. Of all the nerve! Pointing his finger at her and calling her a meddler!

"Badia, don't you storm off while we're talking!" Fielton jumped to his feet, taking a few steps after her. "And don't you threaten me, young lady. I won't have it and I certainly won't have you trouncing off to the Lord Holder behind my back!"

"Don't you tell me what to do and don't call me 'young _lady_' as if I'm some child. I _won't_ have it!" She passed her nearby chest of drawers and grabbed the nearest item--a small ceramic jar of face cream--and held it, ready for use as a missile. "And don't you _threaten_ me. Unlike Miryene I will hit back!" She left out the fact that if she was _telling_ him she was going to Lord Alalir then she was hardly doing it behind his back. Details, details...

Fielton stared at her in shock, wondering what had happened to his sweet, quiet little wife. "I don't hit women," he said stiffly, eying the jar in her hands. "But I do expect them to behave as ladies!"

That was it. She tossed the jar, watching as he surprised her by ducking rather energetically out of the way. She was rather pleased at her husband's virility and his ease of movement and _almost_ got distracted by it before she remembered she was angry at him. "And how does a _man_ have the ability to dictate what constitutes a _lady_, husband? By being pompous and declaring you know it simply because you want to shut me up?!"

It had been a long time since _anyone_ had spoken in such a manner to Fielton, and for a moment he had no idea how to respond. The fact that his first instinct was to rush to her and apologize for making her angry didn't sit very well with his pride--nor did the idea of the rest of the Hall finding out that his wife had come within inches of knocking him unconscious with a jar of face cream.

He covered his confusion with bluster. "I decide what constitutes a lady in this Hall! When you've come to your senses and cleaned up the mess you made, we'll discuss this like _civilized_ people!"

"In that case..." Badia reached for a new jar and prepared to throw. "Then call me barbaric and don't expect much of _anything_ from me until you do your duty as Hallmaster and make things _right_."

Telling himself that he was really saving _her_ from the wrath of _his_ temper, Fielton did the prudent thing and ducked out of their bedroom before she could throw anything else at him. It took a few more moments for the meaning of her words to sink in, however...

Then he stomped out of their suite, trying to convince himself that his sudden concern with Miryene's marriage had nothing to do with the idea of his welcoming, willing wife threatening to become a whole lot less welcoming.

~*~

~Nici (nici@triadweyrs.org)
Badia, hall resident, ACH-VH

Bree - bree@triadweyrs.org
Fielton, Hallmaster, ACH-VH

Last updated on the August 26th 2005

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What Constitutes a Lady