(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]

"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?"

[ostro_goth]

"Somewhat," Teja says. "Mostly Ramon's pride, I hope."

[fiery_ring]

"Oh, well I daresay that'll grow back."

Carlotta looks around as Will comes back over.

"Hallo Will, are you all right?"

"Yes, but there's something I need to talk to you about." Will glances at Teja. "If you have a moment."

[ostro_goth]

"I will take myself off, then," Teja says.

Pause.

"I am Carlotta's Spanish uncle; I meant you no harm when I did not introduce myself," he adds, to Will; then, he walks away to see if there are any that he can recognise as teachers.

[fiery_ring]

Will and Carlotta descend into a serious-looking conversation.

Nearby are the headmistress, Matron, Mam'zelle and both the teachers identified earlier - Miss Ellis and Miss Cornwallis.

[ostro_goth]

"Good afternoon," Teja says politely, approaching them.

[fiery_ring]

"Good afternoon Mr Fernandez." The headmistress greets him.

"I'm Miss Theobald; Carlotta pointed you out to me earlier but I don't think we've met before."

[ostro_goth]

"Nice to meet you, Miss Theobald," Teja says. "Carlotta has been telling me so very much about her school. It has done her good."

[fiery_ring]

"Carlotta has done herself good." Miss Theobald says with an amused smile. "We only channelled what was already there. That said, she's a credit to the school and definitely one of our successes. I don't think she'll make head girl, but I'm sure she'll do all right."

[ostro_goth]

"She always speaks of doing very badly in French -- why is that so?" Teja asks.

[fiery_ring]

"Well, I don't think it's from lack of trying." Miss Theobald says. "As you know, Carlotta had no formal education below the age of fourteen; frankly it's miraculous that she keeps up with her class at all, even now. I think she simply hasn't much aptitude for French."