A/N: This is set right before/during Our Mrs Reynolds, using information from the shooting script.
A Woman Named ---
'Saffron' A bitter herb, revered for its unusual taste and colour. A highly prized substance back on the old Earth-that-was and even more so in the World-that-is. The sound of it flowed through her mouth like honey, sickeningly sweet. It was perfect.
She stood in front of a mirror, gazing at the reflection and into the face of this girl called Saffron. She was pretty enough, with her lush lips made for kissing, doe eyes that would dart about and never make contact, and hair red enough to be seen for miles. Nothing too impressive, admittedly, but not too shabby either. Add a simple outfit and a few tragically wilting flowers and the portrait would be complete.
Another name, another mask, another hapless target. It was getting to be a bore, really. But a girl needed to eat. Who knew, maybe this one would be different; maybe he would be a challenge, someone she would enjoy crushing into defeat. It was unlikely of course; she'd yet to meet anything even remotely at her level. But it wasn't completely impossible.
She sighed heavily. It was best not to get her hopes up. Out here all the men were buffoons, only wanting one thing: to get their hands all over her and then some. Such a pity for them that this property was too hot to handle.
Then, of course, there were men like him-
No, she wouldn't think about that. Never about him. He was dead to her or might as well be. The memories tucked deep within her brain were never to be used. Unless…unless there was no other choice.
She heard a noise coming from outside the tent. The guests were here which meant it was show time. Elder Gommen had arranged everything, all so she could get off this wretched planet. Next stop, the Core. She was sick of having dust and grime in every crevice of her body.
It took only a moment of posturing for Saffron to be completely born and take her first naïve steps out into the world. Who was it that she replaced? What woman lay beneath all the facades, all the masks, and all the names?
Only one person knows that and she's not telling.