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]

"Um... performance jacket!" Will says. "It's a little bit sparkly but it won't be lit up so it probably won't be obviously."

[gavin62truck]

It's...very sparkly.


"...That could work," he says, not entirely convincingly, but hey, it's all they've got. "What exactly do you do in the circus anyways?"

[fiery_ring]

"I used to do a horse acrobatics act with Carlotta, before the war. But she had to change her act after she got shot, and she only has a small part where she isn't Ringmaster. I don't perform anything well enough to be a solo performer this season, especially out of practice, so I just do odd jobs now."

[gavin62truck]

"Holy shit, she got shot? Jeezus Christ. Well. Guess this's as good an occasion as any to put that jacket to good use again."

[fiery_ring]

"She served action in Europe." Will says, with a hint of pride visible. "Saved a lot of people. Unfortunately, I ended up stationed nearby and... kind of blew her cover by mistake. She said I redeemed myself by carrying her to safety after though."

He puts on the sparkly jacket, and tries to find his shoes.

"They sent her back home after. She founded the circus as Ringmaster because she was bored rigid hobbling around with a cane."

[gavin62truck]

"Goddamn. Sounds like the kinda story you'll be tellin' your grandkids."

Wolf is about to settle down and gnaw on something. Tommy snatches that something away just in time. "This one of your shoes?"

[fiery_ring]

"Well, I don't think we'll tell Molly just yet, she's too little and would be scared." Will says. "But I've seen Carlotta use the cane now and again, especially if it's a cold night, so I expect she'll ask about that."

He nods. "Yeah, that's one."

He finds the other one, covered in dog slobber. He sighs and rubs it in with his handkerchief.

[gavin62truck]

"Yeah, understandable. Sounds like you both went through hell and back to get to this point, so, y'know, it's great that you still wanna do this, to renew your vows. Not everybody's that lucky to even get a second chance. At least, not without blowing it."

Will's got his shirt and jacket and shoes... "I think you're all set, right? Kate might wanna say a proper hello before the ceremony, by the way. She just prefers to meet people for the first time when they have their pants on," he adds with a smirk.

[fiery_ring]

"Yeah, not everyone survived..." Will says quietly.

He nods. "Thanks. I'll head out there."

Just as he's stepping out, a teenage circus boy bangs on the side of the caravan from the opposite side Kate is standing at.

"Got your drunken arse out of bed yet?" he shouts cheekily, before running off. Will just about manages not to shout 'Everybody down!' at the bang.

Oh God, light...

[ikissdhimbck]

"Smart-mouthed li'l bastard."

Kate's looking around the side of the caravan for the teenager. That mutter wasn't meant for anyone's ears, but she isn't particularly upset Will might have heard her.

She straightens instantly.

"Good day, Mr. Francis. You look quite dapper."

It's a bit of an embellishment, but from the look on her face you'd never be able to tell.

[fiery_ring]

Will smiles slightly and tries to look less hung over and nauseated.

"Miss Barlow, what a lovely dress." he says.

[gavin62truck]

Kate took Tommy's mutter right out of his mouth, and he glances at her with an arched eyebrow. "There's hope for you yet," he murmurs lowly through a smirk.

In the sunlight, Will's jacket may look...festive...but hey, it's a festive day! So what if it's completely covered in sequins! (Which...kind of make Tommy squint every time Will moves in the light. He's like a disco ball with arms. But still: festive!)

[ikissdhimbck]

"Thank you. May I offer you a hand?"

She offers an arm that he might lean on as he gets his feet on solid ground, though she makes no comment on his current state.

Tommy gets a quick, sharp smirk. She mouths, 'confounded whippersnapper.'

"Carlotta's a real pretty picture in her dress. You're awful lucky."

[fiery_ring]

Will declines the hand politely, looking vaguely embarrassed.

"Thanks." he looks around and calls to the teenager sauntering off. "Hi! Charles, come back here!"

The lad looks like he's going to ignore the request, but reluctantly returns.

"Less of that cheek." Will says, firmly. "Unless you want a good hiding."

Charles scowls, but doesn't retaliate, and there's no real threat in Will's tone.

"No sir."

"You may go." Will says, turning back to Kate and Tommy.

"Best get heading to the chuch as soon as Carlotta is ready."

[gavin62truck]

Tommy sticks his hands in his pockets and watches the exchange -- at least Will's got some authority around here. After the boy leaves, he nods at his suggestion.

"Yeah, guess we'll go join the rest of the guests and we'll see you at the church. You're gonna be okay, right? No last-second cold feet or nothin'?"

[fiery_ring]

Nervous laugh.

"If I did, I'd be in way too deep. I just hope Carlotta won't have cold feet."

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate offers a bracing touch, and a sympathetic smile.

"Carlotta loves you just as much now as she ever did before, an' she's waitin' for you. Y'don't have anythin' t'worry about, so long as you love her back."

[gavin62truck]

"Uh...yeah, what she said."

What? He agrees!

[fiery_ring]

"With all my heart." Will says.

"Thanks for your help, I'll see you there."

[ikissdhimbck]

She smiles warmly, relieved — until now she hadn't realized there was a seed of doubt and worry buried in her belly — to hear his answer.

"We'll see you there."


She waits a few moments, just to be sure he's all right on his own. Satisfied, she tilts her head back and smirks at Tommy, gently poking his side.

"That was a real nice thing y'did."

She's not just grateful, she's impressed. He might even find out just how impressed.

Later.

[gavin62truck]

Will seems to have found his wedding legs and is off on his way. His very sparkly way.


Then the poke in Tommy's side, accompanied by the comment, earn Kate a slightly confused look.

"Uh-- what? The agreeing with you?"

[ikissdhimbck]

"No," she laughs. "Well, yes. That too. I meant goin' in an' talkin' t'him for me. Helpin' him get ready."

[gavin62truck]

"Oh. Well. No big deal." He shrugs.

A beat.

"Plus it ain't like I was gonna let you help a guy you never met before put his pants on. I mean, jeez, talk about scandalous."

His mouth twists wryly, and he offers her his elbow.

[ikissdhimbck]

"Oh yes. I know how mindful y'are of keepin' up appearances."

Her lips twitch as she takes his arm.

"As a matter of fact, y'may want t'close your eyes so y'don't see this. C'mere."

She rises on her tiptoes and presses a kiss to his cheek, immediately wiping the smudge left by her lipstick off his skin.

"Now, c'mon, Handsome. We've got a weddin' t'catch."