Reception

[fiery_ring]

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.

Comments

Re: Dancing

[ikissdhimbck]

After pulling Teja from one corner of the tent, and before her little conflict with Fern, Kate makes her way to the dance floor with Teja on her arm.

She may be the more experienced dancer of the two of them, but this time they're dancing to music she isn't familiar with either. Starting with a slow song seems the wisest course.

Re: Dancing

[ostro_goth]

Teja tries not to shuffle his feet too badly, or on the other hand, step on hers. He's still somewhat caught up with the technicalities of this, trying to do it right.

Re: Dancing

[ikissdhimbck]

"Relax."

She smiles at him, giving his hand a light squeeze.

"You're a fine dancer an' musician. Jus' follow the rhythm."

[ostro_goth]

Teja looks into her eyes, concentrating on Kate instead on what he is doing, and letting the music and his feet deal with the rest more naturally.

"These are odd dances," he says.

[ikissdhimbck]

"I like the music. It's — spirited."

She looks among the other dancers, watching their feet.

"I wouldn't mind learnin' how they do somma them fancy kicks."

[ostro_goth]

"Very spirited indeed," Teja says, "but they just came through a war: - they are allowed!"

He spins her around, as he's seen the others do.

[ikissdhimbck]

She laughs. The dress she's wearing makes a nice little fan as she spins.

"My daddy once told me 'bout the celebrations they had after the war in my world. Cheerin' in the streets, music, fanfare."

[ostro_goth]

"It must be such a happy feeling, to know one has won, and evil has been vanquished," Teja says. "Which war was that? American Civil War?"

[ikissdhimbck]

She laughs wryly.

"I wouldn't put it quite like that. Among his hometown friends he wasn't very popular."

She nods, placing her hand back on his shoulder.

"My daddy fought for the Union."

[ostro_goth]

"And his home town was on the other side?" Teja asks.

[ikissdhimbck]

She nods.

"He grew up in New York, but the family moved t'Georgia when he was fifteen. When the war rolled around he joined up with the Union. My granddaddy refused t'fight, an' he — "

She trails off, concentrating on the next few steps. Eventually, she shakes her head.

"He didn't make it out the other side."

[ostro_goth]

"I am sorry to hear that," Teja says. "War always has dire costs, not only to those that fight them directly."

Then, he gives a little smile.

"Whatever we speak of, we will always end at gloom and death."

[ikissdhimbck]

She dissolves into soft laughter.

"It's our curse, Teja. The Goth king an' the outlaw; somehow it always comes back t'gloom an' death."

She encourages them into a turn as they dance, tipping her head to one shoulder.

"Funny, then. How we're such good friends."

[ostro_goth]

"Just because of it," Teja says. "We are much alike."

[ikissdhimbck]

"An' we've been through a lot together."

You don't get much more gloom and death than witnessing the end of all things.

"Then what should we talk 'bout? Our dear Carlotta? It'd be hard bein' melancholy with her as our subject."

[ostro_goth]

"She has been through a lot, as well, and has come out strong and victorious," Teja says, agreeing.

[ikissdhimbck]

"You must be so proud. She's such a fine lady."

Kate's proud of her, and she's not even half as close to her as Teja and Demeter are.

[ostro_goth]

"I am," Teja says. "I truly am. She is amazing: - strong, resourceful, standing up for herself so well!"

[ikissdhimbck]

"Her young husband better have a strong constitution, if he has any hopes of keepin' up."

The song is drawing into a 'big finish', brass and drums growing with a flourish.

[ostro_goth]

Teja twirls her around dramatically one more time.

"He has been through this war, also," he says. "And has come out hale."

[ikissdhimbck]

"He's lucky indeed. In more ways than one."

She comes out of the twirl laughing, and just slightly dizzy.

"Thank you. Y'think you'd be up for a faster dance before the night is out?"

[ostro_goth]

"Certainly, I shall be!" Teja says. "If I pay not too much heed to what my feet are doing, I may rely on them."

[ikissdhimbck]

"Perhaps if y'think of it as dodgin' a worthy opponent in battle?"

She grins.

[ostro_goth]

"I merely need to think less," Teja says. "I think."

[ikissdhimbck]

"I think that's good advice," she chuckles. "An' not jus' on the dance floor."

She gives him a chaste peck on the cheek.

"Thank you."