Pre-wedding

[fiery_ring]

The arrangement was that Will would spend the night in Fred's caravan. What with the whole bad luck to see your bride before the wedding thing. The reality was that when he stumbled in at four in the morning, he fell over Wolf, Fred's guard dog, and nearly ended up with a broken arm.

Carlotta, unaware of this particular development, is getting ready in her caravan. Will is still in his boxers, in Fred's caravan, nursing a hangover.

Comments

[fiery_ring]

"The first, though the second happened to me." Carlotta says. "And I got through it."

[wheatencrown]

"Yes, I know you did but you do you want him to have to go through it? I've raised Kore on my own for thousands of years and sometimes she knows more than she wishes but she knows she can ask me something and I'll tell her. Sometimes I might say, this is complicated, this is what I know and there's more to know. You have to be thoughtful and trust your children, they're stronger than you know."

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta rubs her forehead.

"Demeter, I know you're trying to help, but can we please work this out later? I'm about to get married and Little William's not going to be at an age to understand for several years."

She slips the little jacket on the small boy, and passes him to Demeter to hold while she gets his trousers on. Little William gurgles and starts to play with Demeter's hair.

[wheatencrown]

Demeter's quiet as it had seemed like Carlotta was asking her advice and she was giving it,

"Of course."

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta sees her expression and sighs.

"Sorry." she says quietly. She appreciates Demeter's advice, it was just getting a bit deep when she already has the weight of the world on her shoulders.

[wheatencrown]

Demeter hugs her, carefully as not to wreck her hair or dress,

"You'll figure it out, Carlotta. I know you will and I'm always here if you need me."

[fiery_ring]

"Thank you." Carlotta hugs her back.

"On with the show."

[ikissdhimbck]

"You, my darlin', look absolutely radiant."

She beams, stepping inside and tenderly brushing her hand over William's hair.

"Is there anyone I can fetch, or ... ?"

[fiery_ring]

"Thank you." Carlotta grins.

"Well, Fred was with him earlier, but he should have gone on his Security round. Could you and or Tommy bang on the door of the red caravan?"

[ikissdhimbck]

"The red caravan? Of course."

She's never met Will, and there's always the fear of walking in on him in a state of undress. But she'd be happy to check, for Carlotta.

She smiles.

"Everythin' will be fine. I'll see you later."

[fiery_ring]

"Thanks Kate."

At least if she finds him less than sober, she knows about his little problem...

[ikissdhimbck]

"You're welcome."

With one last reassuring smile, she steps back outside. Closing the door to the caravan, she looks for where Tommy got off to while he was waiting.

"Carlotta asked if we wouldn't mind checkin' on the groom," she says, once she's found him. "Red caravan. Shouldn't be more'n a minute, with any luck."

[gavin62truck]

Tommy had been leaning against the side of the caravan, watching the surrounding activity while having a smoke. When Kate finds him, he straightens up, self-consciously adjusting the knot of his tie.

"Sure. Everything going okay so far?"

[ikissdhimbck]

She watches him for a moment before taking over. It's a nice tie. She's not accustomed to tying them, but she's familiar with the knot.

"So far. There's some question as t'whether the groom will be, ah, alert."

There. He looks smart.

"Sober."

[gavin62truck]

He doesn't mind too much if she fusses with him. Because cleavage view!

"Sober, huh?" he says as they go off in search of the red caravan. "I've heard of going on a bender before your wedding day, but not before a vow renewal. That's kinda hardcore. Have you met 'im before?"

[ikissdhimbck]

She grimaces.

"This'll be the first time."

Clearly not the best way to meet, but with any luck he'll be dressed and ready to go.

She sees the red caravan. Marching up to the door, she knocks softly.

"Mr. Francis? Ah, hello?"

[fiery_ring]

A bleary head sticks out of the caravan, grimacing at the light.

"What time is it?"

[gavin62truck]

"Time to put some pants on, pal, that's what time it is," says the guy in the suit who looks like he's doing a bad James Cagney impression, except that's how he really talks.

Tact: how does it work?

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate genuinely linefaces at Tommy.

"Ah, I'm one of Carlotta's friends, Kate Barlow. She asked me t'come 'round an' check on you. It's nearly time for the ceremony."

[fiery_ring]

"...Oh man, I overslept, thanks."

Will disappears momentarily, then reappears avec pants in the doorway.

"Just a sec, I got to put on a shirt." he says, stumbling blearily back into the caravan.

[gavin62truck]

"A shirt would be great, too. Jacket. Tie. Shoes, maybe..."

A few beats pass. He turns to Kate.

"Think he needs a hand?"

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate now has her back to the door, only slightly scandalized and just a touch red.

"Would you mind?"

[fiery_ring]

Hm... okay, the tie has... some sort of damp stain on. Maybe steal one of Fred's ties for the moment.

There is a crash as he trips over the puppy, who starts barking.

[gavin62truck]

"...Right."

Tommy knocks firmly on the door before opening it a crack and calling inside.

"Hey, uh, Will? Hi. I'm Tommy. Thought you might need a little help. Just to speed up the process. And to make sure you don't look like shit when your wife and all your guests see you. Y'know, all that. Mind if I come in?"

[ikissdhimbck]

She watches Tommy with a slight, sympathetic twist of the lips.

He really is a good man.


She'll stay out here while Will is in a state of undress, and let the men talk.