A/N: Hey hey hey! I would just like to say to you all that I would MUCH appreciate some reviews, and that I do except flames although I would rather you didn't. Enjoy (I hope)!

~*What Kind of Posture is That?!*~

Rosa shook Alanna awake, however reluctantly, at six fifty-five. The girl half-shouted at the prone Alanna, "Hurry! or you'll miss breakfast! The others said you would wake eventually, but I wasn't so sure myself. The Mother gets angry if you miss a meal!"
So the fiery-headed girl dressed in novice's uniform of white gown, blue sash, and white cap. The pair hurtled down a spiral stair, and into a large hall filled with long tables and high-backed oaken chairs. Rosa whispered in Alanna's ear, "Follow my lead and you'll do all right, okay?" Without waiting for an answer, Rosa sat down at the far table, and placed her napkin on her lap. As Alanna did likewise, the High Priestess swept into the chamber and sat at a long board at the head of them all. She glared at the girls until they all stood, and said the morning prayer:
"Great Mother Goddess, we do ask you to govern this humble dwelling justly and without undeserved kindness. Lord Mithros, please bless our convent and do not fail to protect our lands from harm. So mote it be."
"So mote it be," they all intoned, and the servers went 'round with platters of toast, fruit, and fresh milk. Alanna took an apple, and bit into it with gusto.

***

Alanna and Rosa soon became fast friends, as both scorned convent life, and so they went together to their first class-etiquette. The lesson that Alanna dreaded most. Not for the last time, she thought I really am damned insane, I don't know what I was thinking. But she sat at a desk in the classroom and vowed to live through it.
A priestess with a ramrod-straight back strode into the room and clapped her hands smartly. "Good morning, girls! I see we have a new face here, so you may call me 'ma'am.' She looked pointedly at Alanna, who smiled weakly. "Today we will be discussing correct body positions in public or courtly functions." "Ma'am" went about the room, passing out enormous volumes that looked extremely dry and boring.
The violet-eyed girl groaned quietly, and Rosa threw her a sympathetic glance. Ma'am beamed happily, and lectured them on pose for a few minutes. She finally stopped, and looked about the room. "Would anyone like to be an example for how to hold yourself properly?"
Alanna was just thinking how she would never do such a thing when Ma'am beckoned to her. "Come on up, Alanna my dear, come on!"
She unwillingly walked to the front of the room, and tried to look the woman directly in the eyes. But Ma'am was looking, with an obviously practiced look of disgust, at Alanna's back. "What kind of posture is that, my dear!"
She tried to control her embarrassment, but utterly failed. "It's my posture, Ma'am, and if you don't mind my saying so your posture is more like that of a sick cow than a human one!"
The class waited with bated breath, as Ma'am fumed silently for a moment. "Unfortunately for you, miss, I do mind. Report to the kitchens at 5 o'clock every evening for the next week, where you might do some good cleaning pots."
Alanna's cheeks reddened, but she sat down again without another word. Rosa squeezed her hand comfortingly, but she was too angry to pay any mind.