fiery_ring | (no subject)

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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

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."

From:

ostro_goth

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

From:

fiery_ring

"Oh." Carlotta looks crestfallen.

From:

ostro_goth

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

From:

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."

From:

ostro_goth

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

From:

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.

From:

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?"

From:

fiery_ring

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

From:

ostro_goth

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

From:

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.

From:

ostro_goth

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

From:

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."

From:

ostro_goth

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

From:

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.

From:

ostro_goth

Teja knows not what to do with it, so puts it in his pocket.

"Thank you," he says, earnestly, ignoring the scolding woman.

From:

fiery_ring

"You will be a fifth former next term Carlotta, try and remember that." Miss Ellis says, before being distracted by a couple of first formers running wild.

"Like I could forget with those exams in it." Carlotta comments when she's gone.

From:

ostro_goth

"Will they be very hard?" Teja asks

From:

fiery_ring

"Yes, deadly." Claudine says seriously.

From:

ostro_goth

"No, surely not," Teja says, "as you will not be examined with weapons!"

From:

fiery_ring

Claudine looks mildly surprised, or amused, it's hard to tell.

"They'll be very hard." Carlotta translates.

From:

ostro_goth

"I thought that was what you meant," Teja says. "But I wanted to be sure. I think not that the lives of school-girls are endangered in a regular manner."

From:

fiery_ring

"It's all right, he's just joking." Carlotta says to Claudine. "Can you cover for me for a few minutes."

She takes Teja off towards the performance in the middle.

From:

ostro_goth

"I am sorry," Teja says. "I did not wish to bewilder your friend! But my sense of humour is somewhat hard to understand for those not used to it."

For of course, he had been joking -- merely in that 'Black Count' sort of way at which nobody laughed, least of all himself.