Lady isn’t exactly a meaningless title for me, it’s all down to how I was raised. But I suppose I’m getting a bit ahead. Let’s examine this a bit closer shall we?
I was raised to behave a certain way, and while I shed most of the ridiculous aspects, and I’d hope fight the problematic ones, certain remnants have stuck. From the time I could crawl a series of beloved female relatives have taught me to behave as a Lady should. How to speak, how to walk, how to present myself, and even how to defend myself and those needing my help. How to show myself to be worthy of respect and how to determine when others are worthy of the same.
Manners therefore are important to me. The energy I’m initially presented with determines exactly what I’m giving back. I can be playful and flirtatious, sweet and nurturing, gracious and kind. When presented with courtesy I can return it and ensure the other party knows they have my rapt attention.
But there is another side, as well. A side brought out by disrespect, by childish testing, and some mistaken belief I wouldn’t dare. I have the ability to turn off the kindness, to retract that gentility, and leave the offending party a gibbering mess, grasping the remains of their pitiful self as if I couldn’t return and begin the chaos anew.
I of course don’t enjoy being the villainous lady anymore than I have to, but honestly. How far should I be pushed before reminding people the name isn’t accidental. I can be as cruel as I can be kind. What possesses some to test that is beyond me.
What brought this on today, when I’ve had such a lovely few days? An utterly disgusting encounter with a foolish woman while doing my errands this morning. A woman I’ve never met before attempting to preach at me because I obviously need religious intervention in my life. A woman who chose to speak to me like a child, despite appearing to be very nearly my age. A woman who very well may be picking her jaw up from the pavement still once I informed her I’d sooner entrust my soul to Lucifer than have to see the likes of her in “paradise”.
What a way to ruin a perfectly lovely morning.
