(no subject)

[fiery_ring]

The school hall is crowded with parents. Carlotta approaches the back door to it and turns back to Teja and Demeter.

"Remember, you're my aunt and uncle Fernandez from Spain, on my mother's side so not really communicating with my grandmother and father, who are also here. Have you chosen first names?"

Comments

[wheatencrown]

"I'll just be Ara, dear, its what I go by sometimes."

[ostro_goth]

"Theo," Teja says. "If it is not Greek but Germanic, it is the same name."

[fiery_ring]

"All right." She grins. "Most of the other parents know my family situation, I don't think they'll ask too many questions."

She pushes the door, and encourages them in, then leads them up to a teacher.

"Miss Jenks, this is my aunt Ada and uncle Theo, they just got here from the station." Turning back to them. "I just need to check in with my grandmother, this is my form teacher Miss Jenks."

[wheatencrown]

"Its a pleasure to meet you, Miss Jenks. I do love to hear Carlotta talk about how much she's enjoying school."

[ostro_goth]

"Good evening," Teja says, a bit awkwardly, when he realises his usual 'greetings' will not work here. "It is good to hear that she is doing well now."

[fiery_ring]

"A pleasure to meet you." Miss Jenks says. She smiles politely and welcomingly.

"Carlotta is a credit to her form." she says warmly. "She has adjusted well to fitting in here." Glancing around, she adds. "Don't tell her just yet, but we're thinking of letting her have a try at head of the form in the next few terms. Probably when she starts the third form."

She glances at Carlotta, who is being told off by her grandmother for her hair having escaped from its ponytail.

"I haven't mentioned it to her grandmother just yet, in case we don't go through with it. You never know what will change in a term or two with the other girls."

[wheatencrown]

"Oh of course but Carlotta wishes so well to do her best and that will do wonders for her. She needs to be reminded that she is succeeding since this is all so different for her."

[ostro_goth]

"She is proud, and cherishes her honour," Teja says. "She will live up to, and grow into, whatever you may entrust her with."

[fiery_ring]

"I'm sure she would do her best." Miss Jenks says. "But it would be harder for her if we were to give her the role too soon and she wasn't ready."

Carlotta comes back over at this point, so Miss Jenks changes the subject.

"Carlotta, your hair has escaped, go and tidy yourself up before the curtain goes up."

"All right." Carlotta grins at Demeter and Teja as Miss Jenks excuses herself to see other relatives. "That lady over there is my headmistress, Miss Theobald. Over there is Mam'zelle. That's Matron in the front row, and the rest are all parents of girls in my form."

[wheatencrown]

Demeter gives Carlotta a quick hug,

"Have fun and is there anyone we should sit by?"

[ostro_goth]

Teja stands behind Demeter and says little. He feels strangely shy, in this place, among all the strangers from the future.

[fiery_ring]

"Depends what sort of conversation you want." Carlotta says with a grin. "I'd avoid sitting with my grandmother and father, though I'm sure you could have casual conversation afterwards. If you want to have an odd conversation, sit with Mamzelle. If you want to talk about my darning skills and general health, sit with Matron. If you want someone who won't ask nosy questions, the twins' parents are nice and sensible."

She hugs back and shoots off backstage.

[wheatencrown]

Demeter laughs and considers,

"I'd actually rather like to meet her grandmother and father, so why don't we sit with them."

[ostro_goth]

"I will try and stay silent," Teja says, "and not rant at them."

[fiery_ring]

Said father and grandmother are sitting in the fourth row, looking fairly serious.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats, the play will be starting soon." Announces Miss Jenks from the stage.

[wheatencrown]

She squeezes his hand and sits beside them,

"Hello, may we sit here?"

[ostro_goth]

Teja follows, quiet, eyes downcast.

[fiery_ring]

"Of course." Mr Brown says. "I'm Mr Brown, Carlotta's father, this is my mother."

Carlotta's grandmother nods politely.

[wheatencrown]

"I'm Ada and this is my husband Theo, we're visiting from Spain and had to come see Carlotta perform."

Her smile is huge and welcoming as she sits down.

[ostro_goth]

"Good evening," Teja says, quietly, sitting beside Demeter.

[fiery_ring]

The polite smiles from the couple change to a look of poorly concealed horror. They exchange rather shocked glances, then turn back to Demeter and Teja.

"Now look here, we've worked very hard to get Carlotta into this school and mixing with decent, ladylike people." her father says seriously. "I don't know how she managed to organise this, and I will be having words with her for making you both come out here. She doesn't need your kind tempting her."

At this moment, the curtains open, and the play begins. A very shy and timid-looking girl enters dressed as the Countess, gives the audience a terrified look, then allows herself to become so deeply absorbed in the part that she manages to forget they are there.

Carlotta enters in the second scene, and is sufficiently shocked to see Demeter and Teja sitting with the relatives she just told them to be careful with, that she forgets her lines.

[wheatencrown]

Demeter smile is dangerous and still warm as she says,

"I run a winery, my dear man. Don't presume."

Then she turns to enjoy the show, giving Carlotta one of her best smiles.

[ostro_goth]

Teja scowls, silently, and concentrates on the play.

When Carlotta just stands there, he looks at her, trying to convey that he is here for her, that all will work out.

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta recovers her lines, but messes up her scene a little. There's a bit of nudging and whispering from some of the girls from other classes watching; it's not like Carlotta to get stage fright.

"Good Lord." Mrs Brown can be heard to whisper to her son. "Alcholics as well!"

[wheatencrown]

Demeter completely ignores them and focuses on Carlotta since she's what's important not these snobs.