Character Work, Veta, part 2.
(Please read in order, all drafts can be found in the jelisaveta tag.)
"I was going to wait until your wedding day to give you this, but since you're leaving before the wedding I'll give it to you now..." Her mother removed the small golden cross from around her neck and placed it around Veta's. "My mother gave it to me when I wed your father, and she received it from her mother on her wedding day. It's been passed through the family thus, going back more generations than I can count."
"I'm scared of him," Veta said softly after a long pause. Her mother put an arm around her shoulder.
"I was scared when I got married too," her mother said to reassure her.
"But were you scared of Papa, or were you just scared in general?"
"In general, I guess..."
"I'm afraid of the man I'm to marry. He sends a chill down my spine every time I speak with him, I'm yet to see him in daylight, and he has never actually smiled at me... unless you count those close lipped attempts that just scream at me that he's hiding something."
"Oh Jelisaveta, calm down dear, he's a perfect gentleman, and your mind is playing tricks on you. Once you get to know him, I'm sure you will not have any problems."
There was a knock at the door and Veta's mother opened it to a woman who seemed little older than Veta.
"Gavril asked me to bring her and her things. He's tied up with the organizing of the caravan for departure," she explained. Veta looked up and met eyes with the woman who was to take her away, but she did not move towards the door.
"Come in, we're just about done packing."
The woman stepped inside and Veta's mother shut the door. There was an awkward silence as Veta's mother folded the blanket Veta had slept under since she was old enough to remember, then placed it on top of Veta's other few possessions in the small wooden chest.
Veta made no move when she saw her mother close the chest. The strange woman stood silently waiting by the door still, making Veta wonder about her.
"Come on dear," Veta's mother said giving her a hug. "You shouldn't make anyone wait." Veta stood silent, avoiding eye contact with the woman by the door over her mother's shoulder. "I love you, just remember you'll be fine."
The woman moved from next to the door and picked up Veta's chest.
"Come, we mustn't keep mast- er, Gavril waiting. He wants to reach the next town before nightfall," the woman explained. Veta tensed at the slip of the woman's tongue, however her mother didn't notice one bit.
"Goodbye Jelisaveta, I will miss you but you must not keep the whole caravan waiting." Her mother said guiding her towards the door behind the strange woman.
Veta looked over her shoulder to see her mother shut the door and wave at her through the window. Veta sighed and resigned herself to follow the woman to her new life.