(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]

"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."

[ostro_goth]

"That is very cleverly plotted," Teja says, approving.

[fiery_ring]

"Claudine helped." Carlotta says. "I thought you might want to talk to my teachers so it was best to be prepared."

[ostro_goth]

"Oh," Teja says. "Thank you! That is very generous of you."

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta grins.

"That over there is Miss Cornwallis, she'll be my form tutor next term. And I think you've seen the head before."

[ostro_goth]

"Yes, at your play," Teja says. "So you would not mind if I spoke to them, claiming to be your uncle from Spain?"

[fiery_ring]

"Not at all, I could hardly have expected none of them to recognise you."

[ostro_goth]

"The run-in with your father at the play was memorable," Teja says. "For a moment, back then, I thought that Demeter was going to turn him into a goat."

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta laughs.

"Can she do that?"

[ostro_goth]

"Of course she can," Teja says. "She turned Ramon Salazar into a tree, the other week."

[fiery_ring]

"A tree? Who is Ramon?"

[ostro_goth]

"An evil man," Teja says, "whose only saving grace is that, for some reason, a good woman loves him and defended him in his helpless, wooden state."

[fiery_ring]

"What does he look like?"

[ostro_goth]

"Dark, short, ugly, will smoke stinking things, and drink a foul liquor called tequila," Teja says. "Avoid him by all means!"

[fiery_ring]

"I will." Carlotta says. "Point him out to me some time?"

[ostro_goth]

"Yes," Teja says. "I will!"

[fiery_ring]

"What did he do to get turned into a tree?"

[ostro_goth]

"Many evil things," Teja says. "Ultimately, he hurt friends of Demeter's -- a woman called Kate. One of the many there are. And some of her friends. Demeter went to help them, Ramon did not back down -- then, he was wooden!"

[fiery_ring]

"Oh dear. Which Kate was it?"

[ostro_goth]

"One that has a gun," Teja says.

[fiery_ring]

"Doesn't obviously narrow it down."

[ostro_goth]

"The one who is not Doc Scurlock's girl-friend," Teja says.

[fiery_ring]

"Not the one I know then."

[ostro_goth]

"But Doc and his Kate were involved, also, when Demeter came to help them all, and turned Ramon Salazar into a tree," Teja says.

[fiery_ring]

"Oh dear. Was anyone hurt?"