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:

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.

From:

fiery_ring

"Claudine is French, she's already having to translate."

From:

ostro_goth

"Language is no excuse; it is the spirit of the words as much as their sound," Teja says. "Where are we going?"

From:

fiery_ring

"Away from Claudine." Carlotta says. "And towards the live entertainment."

From:

ostro_goth

"Can you see what your father and Will are doing?" Teja asks. "Need we go and save him?"

No doubt which 'he' would need saving!

From:

fiery_ring

"All right, wait here and watch the dancing for a moment?"

Carlotta speeds off to rescue Will. But it seems that the boy is in no great danger; they're just talking. And then they shake hands, before Will goes back to running the pony rides.

From:

ostro_goth

Teja has been watching the dancing, as instructed -- with one eye, and Carlotta with the other: - but things seem to be going well there.

From:

fiery_ring

Carlotta's father spots her and goes back to her, says a few words, gives her a quick hug and leaves, collecting her grandmother en route. Carlotta looks rather disappointed, and waves him goodbye.

From:

ostro_goth

Teja waits for her; she will have to take him back through her door, at the very least.

From:

fiery_ring

"He's gone." Carlotta says, when she's come back. "He had to go to a meeting."

From:

ostro_goth

"Perhaps you should take me back as well, before anybody notices me, and gets suspicious?" Teja says.

From:

fiery_ring

"It's all right, everyone here from school knows you as my Uncle Fernandez - except those who weren't here when I told them the first time. And they know you're not to come into contact with my father and grandma."