fiery_ring | Reception

Reception

The reception takes place in the Big Top, which is more than large enough to accommodate the crowd. Outside, a large hog roast is taking place, with food and drinks aplenty.

It's a good time for Carlotta to catch up with her friends from school, most of whom she hasn't seen since the start of the war. A few of them have married in that time and brought husbands, some are in work or still at university. A petite, pretty woman, Alison, has brought a daughter of about two; finally a distraction from an incessant need to worry what her hair looks like. A tall, strapping woman, Mirabel, is sporting a burn scar on her face; rumour has it, she has been serving in combat.

The circus folk mingle among the guests, bringing food and occasionally breaking out into acrobatics. At the front of the tent, Fred the Bouncer sits with Wolf, his large guard dog.

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"Fern!"

Will's sister Libby comes to join the scene.

"Look at how much this is upsetting William. His reunion with you should be a happy moment, not like this. Why not let him spend one more night with Will and Carlotta, and then tomorrow do this calmly?"

Little William is still bawling his eyes out and struggling. Will reaches out and gently takes the little boy's hand, and he starts to calm down.

Teja stands back; they seem to be getting this in hand.

"He's not staying with Carlotta." Fern says.

"Well could he stay with my parents?" Libby says. "And tomorrow we have a proper meeting? You're ruining Will and Carlotta's big day, and you did it on purpose."

"And you don't hate me now, do you?" Will says, with a bit of a puppy eyes look.

"...Fine, he can stay at Aunt Polly's tonight. Just until he's calm. But tomorrow, we're doing that blood test." Fern says.

Teja turns around to see how Carlotta is doing.

Well, she's not being arrested, but she is being interrogated by her grandma and looking pretty miserable.

Teja comes over and looks at both women, willing the grandmother to be silent at least.

"This isn't your business." Carlotta's grandma says to Teja.

"It's fine." Carlotta says. "The dirty laundry has all been aired."

"It is," Teja contradicts the old lady. "I have known of much of this, and would stand by Carlotta, rather than tell her off as you seem to be doing."

"I'm not telling her off." Carlotta's grandma says. "I'm just shocked that she knew about the affair and went ahead with this ceremony."

"To be honest, it made me even more committed to the ceremony." Carlotta says. "I married Will in sickness and in health. The war has hurt him, and I'm not going anywhere. At least he's been honest!"

"She is free to forgive if she wishes to," Teja says. "Is not forgiveness a virtue, in your faith?"

"This should have been sorted out properly, not aired in public." Carlotta's grandma says. "Now everyone will know, and the whole family will suffer."

"Do you see them minding?" Teja says. "Only you do. Leave well alone: - they do not need your opinions in this mess, bad as it is already."

"Carlotta!" A group of her school friends come over.

"Did you really take in that little boy, just like that?" Pat asks.

"I mean, you're not exactly keen on babies, and having two is really hard!" Isabel puts in.

"Thanks." Carlotta smiles slightly. "He's my nephew, I had to do what was right."

"She does that," Teja agrees, proudly.

He peers outside, to see what is happening with Fern.

Fern has handed Little William over to her aunt, and is just sitting there crying.

"She has made such a mess of her life," Teja says, "but why? Only to get back at you, Carlotta?"

"Fern always wanted Will." Pat says. "Even when she was in school. I suppose she couldn't stop loving him."

"And revenge on Carlotta was just a bonus." Isabel puts in. "She tried to frame Carlotta for all sorts of things when she was at school with us.

Carlotta nods.

"Some spend their lives in such madness," Teja says, thinking of Mataswintha whose misguided love for Witichis almost had brought the Goth realm down.

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Reception

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