(no subject)

[fiery_ring]

It's late autumn in Carlotta's world, but it's a mild and sunny day.

The fair is very crowded on the field behind St Clare's. A big banner with 'ST CLARE'S RED CROSS SCHOOL FAIR' is tied between two trees. Groups of girls have stalls all around the edge - some selling small cakes or crafts, or even girls' artwork.

Carlotta's form are all in a bunch; a couple of games and one stall doing fancy hairstyles. Carlotta is on the Hoopla stand, alternating with Claudine. Most of the games cost about sixpence and give either sweets or a small prize.

Along the right hand side of the field, a tall boy of about eighteen is giving pony rides around the field to small children. He is the only boy to be running a stall, but doesn't seem bothered. Nearby, some of the first form, in Guide uniform, are manning a First Aid and Refreshment tent with Matron.

Some brave second formers have managed to get Mam'zelle and the Games Mistress into home made stocks, and are charging to have slightly damp sponges in warm water thrown at them.

Right in the middle of the field, with a single rope to mark the edge, is some live entertainment from various forms in the school. A couple of dance displays, a punch and judy show, a dog show (villagers entering, the Mayor judging), and a couple of performances by the school band, depending on what time you go past.

Wandering around serenely are the Mayor and the headmistress; various teachers are also dotted around the field.

Comments

[fiery_ring]

Wouldn't they have sunk in the trenches?

"I guess I should have listened more in history." Will says ruefully.

[ostro_goth]

Because they sunk in the trenches, the cavalry was soon replaced during World War I. Teja has heard of that, even though he had not, of course, fought in that war, but in older wars where horses were still truly useful, even decisive.

"History is always a good thing to learn," Teja says. "I keep telling that to -- the young people I talk to."

He should not, probably, admit that he knows Carlotta well, that far into the conversation.

[fiery_ring]

"Ha, tell that to the politicians." Will says. "My father thinks things are getting rotton in Europe again, but the government are keeping quiet. Yet we were told that the Great War was the one to end all wars."

He sighs sadly.

"Nobody learns from history. It's just a way of rewriting things to decide whose fault it was."

[ostro_goth]

"I do approve of that way of seeing things," Teja says. "Indeed, sometimes humanity seems hopeless. It is a marvel they survived to this point."

[fiery_ring]

"The Lord is forgiving." Will says. "Which is just as well considering how often we make a mess of things."

[ostro_goth]

"Indeed," Teja says, "quite astonishing."

The boy is religious, as Carlotta is; and while Teja sees no virtue in that for its own sake, it will mean they would fit well with each other, in that point also.

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta's father is starting to move towards them. But his eyes are on Will, not Teja.

"Are you William Frances?" he asks.

"Yes sir." Will says. "May I help you?"

"I'm John Brown, Carlotta's father. I'd like to have a chat with you. Alone."

Will nods, then smiles at Teja.

"I have to go, it was nice talking to you."

Over the other side of the field, Carlotta waves frantically for Teja to move away before her father sees him.

[ostro_goth]

Teja nods to Will and leaves, then circles around the field in a wide arc, pretending to pay attention to this and that, and scaring a first-year dreadfully with a stern look.

Finally, he arrives near Carlotta's stall.

[fiery_ring]

"Goodness, what did you do to Molly? And what did you think of Will?" Carlotta asks.

[ostro_goth]

"He is a good, honourable young man," Teja says, "who, I hope, shall not be put off by whatever your father will now say to him."

Pause.

"The little girl? She ran into me without looking, which is both uncouth, and dangerous to herself and others, so I looked at her when she finally did notice me."

No child of his people would have dared do such a thing -- they would hide behind their mothers as the legendary grim warrior passed, and Teja would not notice them.

[fiery_ring]

"Oh good." Carlotta goes a little pink hearing the praise of her friend. "I don't think he will, my father doesn't know our intentions, he just wants to know who I associate with."

[ostro_goth]

"He took him aside very pointedly," Teja says.

[fiery_ring]

"Oh." Carlotta looks crestfallen.

[ostro_goth]

"Will has the fortitude to acquit himself well, even in that situation," Teja says.

[fiery_ring]

"Yes, but father looked fairly casual when he left me. Oh well, I suppose it was too much to ask for him to be upbeat all day."

She grins. "Would you like to play hoopla for sixpence? It's for the Red Cross."

[ostro_goth]

"What?" Teja says, aghast, "is hoopla??"

[fiery_ring]

"You have to throw the hoops over the poles sticking out of this board." Carlotta says. "If you get the highest score of the day at the end of the day, you'll get a prize. If you throw less than thirty, I'll put you in the stocks with Mam'zelle." Wicked grin.

"The last line was a joke." she adds, after a five second pause.

[ostro_goth]

"I have trained aiming well, and hitting what I aimed for, all my life," Teja says. "I am getting better even with base-balls! This would be blatantly unfair to all else competing. How about if I give you money, and we forget about the ring-throwing?"

[fiery_ring]

"How about you play, but I don't write your name down if you're the best?"

[ostro_goth]

"You do wish to see me throw hoops, do you?" Teja says, amused.

[fiery_ring]

"Yes!" Carlotta says, grinning at him and handing him the hoops.

A petite girl of about Carlotta's age comes back to the stall with a thick scarf; it is apparent when she speaks that she is French.

"I wish they had held the fair inside." she says. "I know not how ma tante can stand those sponges."

"You can't stew inside all the time Claudine." Carlotta says, rolling her eyes. "You've always got an excuse."

Claudine grins and shrugs good-naturedly.

[ostro_goth]

Teja throws the hoops, each landing neatly over a pole; he hopes Carlotta is content now.

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta was about to tell Teja that he has to aim for the highest point ones. But then he doesn't want to win.

"Well done, Your Highness, have a toffee." She holds them out.

"You are the king?" Claudine asks, with wide eyes.

"Ssh, secret, I'll tell you later." Carlotta covers quickly. Claudine grins a cheeky grin and winks.

"I like secrets. I am so, so good at keeping them."

[ostro_goth]

Teja says, "Yes please"; for as the other girl is present, he cannot ask Carlotta what a toffee is.

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta tosses him one.

"Carlotta Brown, I told you not to throw the sweets." one of the teachers chastises from nearby.

"Sorry Miss Ellis." Carlotta says meekly.