A Polished Exterior

Writers: Heather
Date Posted: 14th August 2014

Characters: Rethisa, Verlow, Vaschaya, Elsavere, Befuela
Description: Rethisa has a run-in with her two step-daughters.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 8, day 4 of Turn 7

Putting hot spices on Verlow's sandwich had not been smart, and the
beating she'd received for it had been one of the worst yet. Still, in
some way, it had been worth it. She was punished for things she didn't
do, at least she had earned this one and a small amount of
satisfaction with it. He had still been dripping with sweat, his skin
a flushed red when he stomped up to the house and drug her inside.

She laughed remembering it, and then hissed as it cracked open the
busted bottom lip that she sported. This certainly was not what she
had dreamed about when she was a young girl. Even as a child she had
not been completely idealistic. No, she had kept her dreams simple and
small. Marry a man who was not completely grotesque, but perhaps
someone that she could at least be friends with. He did not have to
love her, but just provide a friendship.

**I have gone as far away from that as is possible.** She thought as
she tried to apply some facial powders to the bruises Verlow had left
on her face. Normally he kept her punishments to areas that could be
hidden by clothing. Last night had been an exception to the rule.

When she had done what she could to make herself look presentable, she
grabbed her sewing items and went to the main room of the home to sit
in front of the fireplace. Most of the Hold was already outside going
about their daily chores. Except for Verlow's two daughters, Vaschaya,
and Elsavere. Secretly, Rethisa called them "Dimglow" and "Deadglow."

"Oooh, looks like you learned your lesson last night." Vaschaya crooned.

**Dimglow.** Rethisa inhaled slowly as she began putting an embroidery
line on the edge of a pilowcase.

"I haven't any idea what you mean, Vaschaya."

Elsavere rolled her big brown eyes, "You can't show up with your face
looking like that and think we don't know what happened. And frankly,
you got what you deserved. Treating poor Papa like that."

**Deadglow.** Rethisa pursed her lips a little, "It is not befitting
of a lady to discuss domestic matters with her children."

"We're not your children." Dimglow sneered.

"You are nothing like our mother!" Deadglow exclaimed.

**And Thank Faranth for that.** Rethisa turned her eyes back down to
her sewing. Her voice was soft, but there was a defined edge to it as
she spoke, "No, you are not my daughters. If you were my daughters
your thighs wouldn't be the size of the breeding bull's flank, and you
most certainly would have better etiquette."

Dimglow and Deadglow had immediate, synchronized reactions. They both
popped their hands upon their extra wide hips, their mouths open in
shock.

"I am telling Papa you said that!" Deadglow seethed.

Rethisa turned her bright blue eyes back up to the two girls, the
picture of serenity, "By all means, please do. Maybe then he will
consider putting you on a diet as I have suggested."

Mouths dropped open again in shock. Dimglow made some spluttering
noises, and then the two spun on their heels and flounced away.

She watched them with, bemused, but not afraid before turning back to
her embroidery. **Probably just earned another beating. That one was
worth it too.** Rethisa decided, feeling a smile twitch to life on her
face as she thought about their reactions to her words. If she would
learn to keep her tongue at bay she could probably relieve herself of
being punished so often....

**Nah.** Rethisa shook her head. She had to have some enjoyment out of life.

Maybe tomorrow she would sneak back outside and into the barn to see
Shadow in the Wind. Pevran had been nice, and she hoped she had not
gotten him in trouble when he had come to her rescue behind the barn.
She was sure that Everlow had painted Pevran as the villain in the
situation. Yet Pevran was the most qualified beastcrafter at the tiny
cothold, and if Verlow wanted his stock to sell well he would need the
man.

"Oh, milady, what did ya say to those girls?" One of the kitchen women
came out from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron and shaking
her head in worry.

"Hm, nothing but the truth. Why?" Rethisa did not look up.

"They are out in the yard now a-tellin' it to their Da." The wrinkly
old woman looked worried.

Rethisa exhaled slowly, but in a resigned fashion, "I thought he was
out in the lower pasture today."

"He hadna' left for the field yet."

"It is fine, Befuela." Rethisa looked up at the old woman, "Please
don't worry about me."

Befuela reached out and gingerly touched a strand of Rethisa's
white-blonde hair, "But mum, someone has to."

Rethisa smiled, and opened her mouth to speak, but was abruptly cut
off by a yell from the doorway.

"WOMAN!"

"Befuela, it is probably best that you return to the kitchen." Her
voice was firm, but kind, "I think my husband will be wanting to speak
to me."

There was pity, and concern in Befuela's eyes before she turned to
look at Verlow, who had stormed into the room. "Yes mum." She ducked
her head, "Master Verlow." And then retreated to the kitchens.

"What have you been telling my daughters?" Verlow demanded, advancing
upon Rethisa.

"Merely the truth, out of concern, husband. They need to watch their
etiquette and their figures if they hope to attract a husband as fine
as mine." Rethisa was sure that Verlow was not intelligent enough to
know that she was insulting both him and his daughters in one
sentence.

Verlow's eyes narrowed, "I don't know what kind of games yer trying to
play," he reached out his hand, and ran his thumb along a bruise on
her face, "but cut it out. If you would behave I wouldna' have to take
you under hand so often."

Rethisa's blue eyes snapped to his, her mouth a thin line, "I do my
best to please you, Verlow."

For a moment the two regarded each other. Rethisa was not foolish
enough to let hope blossom, however. She had experienced these "almost
normal" moments with Verlow on more than one occasion over the last
eight Turns.

"Then try harder." He grunted, catching her chin between his fingers,
"I had best not hear anymore about you having a smart mouth for the
rest of the day." It was a threat.

"Yes, dear." She replied, although her tone was less than sweet.

Verlow narrowed his eyes at her, as if trying to decide whether or not
she was being truthful or insolent. The oaf finally released her chin
with a tiny shove behind it, "Good."

Relief coursed through her as the oaf turned and walked back out of
the room, and she felt the starch in her spine flee, leaving her
feeling weak and tired. She could not show weakness to Verlow, ever.
She would never let him see how broken she was.

Last updated on the August 19th 2014

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A Polished Exterior