Myshuno: Carrots
Myshuno Prompt: First day of school
Characters: Isabetta, Moria, Olivia and Asher Norrington
Notes: spoilers, behind the scenes in Guilford
Word Count: 938
Carrots
“Isabetta Rose Norrington!” Olivia called out as soon as the door had closed behind her. Her fair cheeks were flushed with irritation, her usually impeccably done hair was wind blown with blond ringlets having escaped her updo, and she managed to pop a button on her over coat as she frustratedly tried to pull it off. “Where are you young lady? There's no point in playing innocent, I know what you've done!”
She found the girl in the back kitchen with her sister, the elder attending to the younger. Betta, freckled and bedraggled, sat at the table with one small hand in a bowl of cloudy water. Moria, dark and poised, tended to said hand with a wet cloth, a bottle of witch hazel stood by.
Olivia was taken aback. “What is this in aid of?”
Mutinous blue eyes, still red from anger and tears, glanced up. “Teacher struck me.”
This news almost took the wind from Olivia's sails but with effort she regained her bluster. “Well it would seem with good reason. Would you care to explain what it is I've heard from your Aunt Abby?” A minute shake of red curls was her response. “No? As in you don't wish to tell me or as in you've no idea what I speak of.”
Betta gave her older sister a miserable and helpless look. Moria continued to tend the bruised hand in her care. “In all fairness she was provoked.” She offered quietly.
Betta nodded. “Very much so.”
“That's enough out of you young lady.” Olivia pointed to Moria. “And provoked or no, that is absolutely no excuse for your atrocious behavior!”
“Jamie Prescott is a toad!” Betta exclaimed unapologetic.
“You broke a slate over his head!”
“He called me carrots! And pulled my hair!”
Olivia sighed in exasperation as she watched her daughter break down in angry tears. “Betta, you must learn to control both your sensitivity and your temper. This behavior is unbecoming and as a young lady you can not go about bashing in the heads of every boy who regards you with toadish behavior. What an impression to make, and on your first day.”
Betta hiccuped and Olivia could no longer maintain even an ounce of irritation. Instead she did what she'd been longing to do since she come into the room and reached for her child's wounded hand. The pale skin was striped dark red from the ruler no doubt used to inflict said injury. “Mr. Pringle did this?” She asked quietly.
Betta nodded with a sniff and Olivia took in the wet blotchy cheeks, red rimmed eyes still burning with beautiful defiance. So spirited, so much like her own. How dare that man strike her child. Should Asher find out he would be furious. As it was Olivia wished she could take a horse whip to the man herself. She kissed the bruised knuckles and sighed.
“You must be punished.” She stated calmly. “You understand? This behavior can not be allowed to continue.”
“Yes Mama.”
“You shall retire for the day without tea or supper. You will write a letter of apology to Mr. Pringle and hope he allows you to return to his class. Your father will decide if that is sufficient when he returns home. Now off you get.”
Isabetta left the room dejected as her mother and sister cleaned up and readied for dinner. Hours later she sat on her bed, legs drawn up under her nightdress, head resting on her knobby knees, anxiously awaiting her father's judgment. She'd eaten only because Moria had sneaked her a biscuit from supper (which Olivia had pretended not to see). Despite having arrived home just before dark, Asher hadn't come to her. Betta had heard what she assumed was his angry reaction to her behavior. His voice had been raised though she couldn't make out the words. Now she watched silently as Moria readied for bed, a prisoner condemned.
On cue Asher entered her daughters' room just as Moria was ushering a reluctant Betta under the quilt. Without his having to say a word, Moria let herself out of the room and Betta watched as her father sat on the bed.
“Did you finish your letter?” She nodded. “Might I see your hand?” He asked quietly.
Betta watched as he examined her injury not quite understanding the expression of repressed rage on her father's face. “Are you very angry?”
“Yes.” Asher clenched his jaw before gently setting the small hand on the bed. “But not with you.”
Confused but pleased Betta released a sigh or relief. “I'm sorry.”
“Did you truly break a slate over that boy's head because he called you carrots?”
Betta nodded and missed Asher's smirk as he looked away. “Do you think Mr. Pringle will allow me back into class?”
“If he knows whats good for him then yes.” Asher answered lightly. “Are you hungry?”
“No. 'Ria saw to it.”
A smile. “That's good.”
Betta sighed wistfully. “Moria is good.”
Asher studied his daughter's resigned expression and teased a red curl on her head. “Yes, she is. Moria is good. And you are brave. And I count myself most fortunate having daughters who are both good and brave.” Betta smiled slightly as he continued to study the curl in his hand. Red like his father's. “Carrots huh? I see a sunrise. Bold, brash and new.”
With a wink he kissed her forehead and left the room. Betta grinned and stared at her freckled hand. She could hear her father wishing Moria sweet dreams as she examined the bruises. No longer marks of shame but badges of courage.