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fiery_ringThe 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.
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.
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-18 03:52 am (UTC)Why, yes, this is what the former schoolteacher got out of that whole spiel. The amusement on her face damages her overall aura of ruler-wielding schoolmarm, however.
She presses her cheek to his, leaving a faint smudge of lipstick just under his sideburn.
"Why don't you spin me, take a bow, an' lead me off the floor t'this magical out-of-the-way place?"
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-18 08:30 am (UTC)But he isn't going to argue, because she's just agreed to participate in the aforementioned tomfoolery.
Straightening up tall and pretending that he has more class than he actually has (which is to say, none), he keeps her hand in his as he steps back, gently twirls her out, and holds her at arm's length as he puts his free hand to his midsection and gives a little bow. When his hair falls over his brow, he looks up at her, nothing but pure mischief in his eyes.
Righting himself, he hooks her hand in the crook of his arm and they make their way toward the tent's exit.
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-18 08:49 am (UTC)He's going to sink her with that charm, and the peek-a-boo of his blue eyes from behind a curtain of hair.
She smiles wildly, for one moment looking the wind-blown cowgirl she usually does.
Curtsying, she takes his arm and follows him out.
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-19 06:47 am (UTC)Once outside, he leads her around the tent toward the back. There are some caravans and circus trailers parked there, but nobody seems to be in them as they're all at the wedding party. From here they can still hear the music and chatter and laughter, but faintly.
Tommy pulls Kate into the shadows between two trailers where he's pretty sure that nobody will see or hear them.
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-19 06:58 am (UTC)She's humming the song they danced to, once again trusting him to lead her true.
"How on earth did y'happen upon this?"
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-19 07:25 am (UTC)With his back braced against the side of the trailer, he shifts lower so that their height difference levels off a little, and grasping her lightly around her waist, he draws her in closer between his legs.
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-19 07:38 am (UTC)"Y'came lookin' for horses y'could introduce me to?"
And fretted about not worrying her by disappearing?
That's the sweetest thing he's done so far.
She laughs softly, pressing up between his legs until almost every bit of them is touching, and pulls him into a deep kiss.
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-19 08:31 am (UTC)...Well, this is a pleasant -- and totally unexpected -- reward for his efforts.
He'll take it.
As his hands roam her body, indulging in the curves that her dress does a great job accentuating, he deepens the already thorough kiss, his throaty, purring sighs muffled against her cheek.
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-19 08:50 am (UTC)He'll need to comb his hair back in place before he can rejoin the party.
"Mmm — we shouldn't — no hanky panky — mmmmph, we shouldn't do anythin' that'd embarrass Carlotta."
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-20 02:59 am (UTC)And he'll have to wipe it off his face, too.
"Trust me," he murmurs between kisses, "we ain't gonna embarrass her."
He manages to hike her skirt up enough for his fingertips to graze her thigh.
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-20 03:09 am (UTC)"Trust you."
There's a playful spark in her eyes before she goes back in for another kiss.
"Says the man with red all over his face."
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-20 04:23 am (UTC)"I'll worry about that later. Besides, it matches my tie."
And then he goes back in for another kiss as he squeezes her thigh, wrapping his arm around her and bringing her to her tiptoes.
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-20 04:37 am (UTC)"I reckon it does."
Her hand slips to his tie, fingering the soft material for a moment. And then she tugs, keeping his mouth firm against hers.
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-20 05:14 am (UTC)He lifts her leg up onto his thigh.
But they're not exactly alone anymore.
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-20 05:29 am (UTC)"This is a bad idea. What is it about you?"
Somehow, every bad idea seems like such a good one when he has his hands on her. She kisses him again.
She doesn't even hear the shuffling of paws.
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-20 06:31 am (UTC)From the roof of the trailer, a pair of little black eyes stare down at them.
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-20 06:37 am (UTC)Maybe he's just really, really good at this.
She hums softly, mussing his hair, and rolls her hips against his.
Of all the sounds she's making, however, the shrill EEK EEK is not one of them.
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-20 06:48 am (UTC)And the last thing he sees is a monkey in a tiny suit diving off the roof--
"Holy sh--!"
--and landing on Tommy's head.
"GAH!"
Chattering rebukingly, it clings to his hair and ears and nose.
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-20 06:53 am (UTC)and has the presence of mind to step back.
"Oh my god!"
She stumbles a few paces, pulling her dress back in place. And then she just stares.
It isn't exactly the sort of thing one expects to see! Her outlaw instincts will kick in eventually.
Probably.
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-20 07:09 am (UTC)Now imagine that the swarm of bees attacking your head is actually just one monkey. Your first reaction would probably be the same as if the monkey were bees.
At least, this would be Tommy's first reaction.
So, there is much ducking and flailing of arms.
Along with calling the monkey every name in the book.
This goes on for a while.
Finally, the monkey springs away with an EEK EEK EEK that sounds suspiciously as if it wants Tommy to kiss its posterior. And Tommy is left thoroughly frazzled and rumpled and so, so, so very annoyed.
He shoots Kate a Look.
"Gee, thanks for the help, sweetheart!"
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-20 07:22 am (UTC)Honestly!
Truly!
Just as soon as she stopped laughing.
She glances over her shoulder in the direction the monkey scuttled. He's crouched at the opening of their little getaway, huffing. He flaps his lips and gives Kate a withering look, to the point where she imagines his little monkey voice learning English and shouting a YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES at her. And then he bounds off.
Hand to her chest, she returns her attention to Tommy.
"Oh, sugar. Are you all right?"
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-20 07:33 am (UTC)GRUMPY NOW.
He runs both hands through his hair.
"'M fine."
Pout. Grump. Grumble.
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-20 07:44 am (UTC)Beat.
"An' I did warn you earlier that he might be sneakin' about where y'couldn't see."
That counts for something, right?
Probably not. All right, new tack.
"Are you hurt?"
She comes in close, gently caressing his face.
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-20 08:21 am (UTC)Grump, grump, grump, pout.
She was right about the warning but he's not about to admit that.
Because moar pouting.
"No, 'm not hurt," he mumbles as he lets her touch his face.
He'll be okay.
He then reaches into an inside jacket pocket for a handkerchief (the suit conveniently came supplied with it).
"Do I still have lipstick on me...?" He rubs vaguely at his lips to check.
Re: Dancing
Date: 2012-08-20 08:27 am (UTC)"That's what you're worried about right now?"
She gives him a Look, and shakes her head.
"I hope it's lipstick, an' not blood. Here — "
She holds out her hand, offering to take the handkerchief and help clean him up.
Re: Dancing
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