Slander & Correction

I sent Tupita to her kennels early last evening, allowing her the indulgence of her girl-kennel a few ahn earlier than what has become usual these past hands. I was visited by a woman in pristine white robes, trimmed in silver and complemented by beaded slippers and a pale pink veil. Noemi tends to dress for her audience. Her wardrobe ranges from the utterly scandalous to her own interpretation of current fashions. I suggested she wear no less than three veils and that wealthy women of Ar wear no less than five and as many as seven. Proprietous dressing was not the purpose for her visit, however. I have long maintained that the woman requires discipline. All women require discipline from time to time. It can take the form of a mild upbraiding or be meted out much more severely.

When it was mentioned that the Physician Claudius had taken an interest in pursuing a contract of companionship with the woman, I had assumed that he would tend to her sorely needed discipline. It has become clear that such a union is not forthcoming. Most recently, the unruly strumpet had the nerve to slander my name, perhaps assuming that my polite, affable demeanor somehow made me less likely to take exception. When she was told to remove her veil in my presence, she protested mildly, but acceded the directive when I asked her if she wished for me to repeat a command. She understood, of course, what it meant to face strip herself before a man, but she is a vain thing. Her face is not uknown to men. She was less inclined to remove the rest of her garment when I told her to do so. She rose dramatically and said a lot of things that I confess I do not remember. What I do remember is she was soon nude, her elaborate garments put aside. She similarly protested when she was directed to fetch the quirt I keep on the shelves in my office. It, too, was soon in hand, however. She has a curious nature, this woman. She protested every step of this discipline, but ultimately obeyed. Told to crawl, she scoffed, but she crawled. I was then kind enough to discipline the woman. I do not think her vanity prepared her for the type of discipline she received. It was certainly not what she would have liked, but it was exactly what she needed. Afterward, she was instructed to return the quirt to the shelves. I allowed her to dress herself. I, then, dismissed her.