Harvest Festival

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

Wednesday, September 23rd, early evening

From my bedroom I can hear a band tuning up outside. I smile and look out of the window. Stalls are being put up all along Main Street, and at the end nearest the river there's been a temporary stage erected. Bunting flutters in the breeze, and I smile, because we have two things to celebrate today - the harvest, and Edmund's win. I am so happy for him! That good news, along with the meeting we had on Monday, has left me feeling quite optimistic. It's true that we didn't find anything in particular to help us, but we started to get some ideas, and maybe more importantly I think it helped to know that there was a group of us willing to act. We've arranged to meet regularly, and I think good things should come of our meetings. I plan to spend some time in the library during the week, too, to try to make myself useful. I don't have any specialist knowledge about any of these things, unlike some of my friends, so I have some learning to do.

I wasn't sure what to wear. I thought about the dress I wore to Hermia's party, because with a jacket it would be warm enough, but I decided it would be a little dressy. Besides, if I see Laurence tonight, I don't want to remind him of an event we went to together. I feel a little cramp as I think of Laurence, but all the same, I hope I see him today... It's been a few days, and I want to see him for myself so that I know he is well, or as well as can be expected. That doesn't help me decide what I want to wear, because I don't want to appear like I am too lighthearted because that will hurt his feelings, but I don't want him to think I look plain. Which is selfish of me, really, and I shouldn't care if he has a low opinion of me. But I do. In the end I take out a sober but fitted navy wool dress. I don't think I've worn this since last autumn... I check my hair in the mirror again and touch up my lipstick, and then I go outside.

I see Mrs Wilson and Amanda manning the raffle stall, so I of course stop and buy a couple of tickets. Amanda looks happy and excited, but Mrs Wilson looks so careworn these days. She still hasn't heard from Edith; no one knows where she went after she attacked Jamie's sister. It's a horrible thing... I see another stall where you can pay a dollar and throw a wet sponge at someone. Toby Hutchinson seems to have volunteered to sit in the chair, but he seems like the council member least likely to have people throw things at him... I spot that a couple of the Saturday market traders have put up stalls selling knicknacks and laces and ribbons... And there's the abbey stall, which is selling homemade ginger ale and apple juice... John Longfellow, Terence Longfellow's nephew, is with the band. They are playing some cheerful country music, and I know once they get going there'll be a few girls standing around, because although he's not the handsomest young man, John has a good voice and a fine smile, and that seems to be enough. I wonder who else will be playing tonight?

I sit down on a bench and watch things begin to come together. It looks like it should be a lovely evening.

[open]

Comments

[will-moreton.livejournal.com]

Ella explains about what happened to the mayor and I shake my head as she finishes. "Poor guy. Those are the next elections, right? For mayor? Seen signs around for a couple candidates. What do you think about the two runnin'?" Heard some marks talkin' about it on the lot too, apparently one's an ex hooker and ones just an asshole. Not sure who I'd pick, not that being a workin' girl is a slight against one's ability to be mayor, but the more proper folk do tend to look down on it.

"He's a real nice guy an' he does make some'a the best baked goods anywhere 'round here."

"Good, I'm glad he won then," I smile, nodding once. Though not sure who his opponent was either. "You tried the ginger ale they got over there?" I ask pointing to the stand. "Think I'm gonna go get another, would you like one?"

Will! I hear a firmiliar voice yell from behind me and a grin spreads across my face as I turn. Don't even get fully around before I have my arms full of leather, velvet, topped by a mane of green hair, "Hey girl, how the hell have ya been? Long time no see," I laugh swinging her around, then set her down, "Stayin' outta trouble I hope," I ask with a playful scowl, then smile and look at Ella, "Ella, Ri, Ri, Ella."

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

The yell did the trick. He turned round enough to catch me, and we're both laughing as he swings me round. Hey girl, how the hell have ya been? Long time no see, He puts me down next to the blonde; and scowls playfully at me.Stayin' outta trouble I hope, Ella, Ri, Ri, Ella. He looks to her first as he rattles through the introductions. I smile at her and offer my hand. "Hi!"

[ella-kessler.livejournal.com]

"Poor guy," he says an' I jus' shrug a little. I never really knew him an' Daddy always called him useless at his job. "Those are the next elections, right? For mayor? Seen signs around for a couple candidates. What do you think about the two runnin'?"

"There're no elections for that one. The Council appoints the mayor. Two people're runnin' for that. This fella named Robert Reaves who wants ta close off the town an' run out the Carnival. The other one's a lady named Karina Bathory. She used ta run Follow Me Boy." I lower my voice an' lean in a little. "That's the place on Silk Road that, y'know, sells services." I blush a li'l sayin' that an' look away from Will. "Anyway, we don't get ta vote on that one but Edmund supports Karina, so I think she'll get it. I won't mind that. She's a real nice lady an' wants ta help the town an' the Carnival get along."

"Good, I'm glad he won then. You tried the ginger ale they got over there? Think I'm gonna go get another, would you like one?"

I smile at him an' start sayin', "Sure!" but someone yells out his name an' some girl with shockin' green hair is up in his arms gettin' twirled an' they're laughin'. He sets her down near me an' introduces us. She offers her hand ta me so I take it, only a li'l disappointed at havin' someone else here with us, though I'm not real sure why.

"Hi, Ri. Do y'all work at the Carnival together? Must be a real excitin' place ta be."

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

She takes my hand but there's a bit of hesitation there though her words are friendly enough.Hi, Ri. Do y'all work at the Carnival together? Must be a real excitin' place ta be. I smile back at her. "Oh it is!" and I glance over to Will and then back to her. Something...between them. "And yes I'm originally from the Carnival, but now I run the Salon."

[will-moreton.livejournal.com]

Ella confirms what I heard about the candidates for mayor, sure as shit one of em is an asshole. Yeah, good fucking luck runnin' us outta town buddy, you go ahead and try it and see how far you get with that.

Then she blushes as she mentions the whorehouse, making my smile get a little bigger. She's a sweet girl, surprised she's here by herself.

"Hi, Ri. Do y'all work at the Carnival together? Must be a real excitin' place ta be."

"Oh it is! And yes I'm originally from the Carnival, but now I run the Salon."

"It is, couldn't imagine being anywhere else. You been to see it yet?" I grin, wrapping my arm around Ri's shoulders and giving her a squeeze, "Yeah, she left us awhile back. She's one helluva cosmologist," I tease grinning down at Ri. "We were just about to go grab a drink from that church fella over there. C'amon, I'm buyin'," I say, then offer my other arm to Ella.

[ella-kessler.livejournal.com]

"Oh it is!" she exclaims. Her eyes dart from me ta Will ta me again like she's lookin' for somethin'. "And yes I'm originally from the Carnival, but now I run the Salon."

Will follows her, sayin', "It is, couldn't imagine being anywhere else. You been to see it yet?" He's grinnin' an' puttin' his arm 'round her. They must be pretty good friends, I guess. "Yeah, she left us awhile back. She's one helluva cosmologist. We were just about to go grab a drink from that church fella over there. C'amon, I'm buyin'."

He holds out his other arm ta me an' I suddenly feel way out'a place. Like I jus' don't understand these people. I jus' met 'em but they're bein' real friendly. Like Karina was in the library. Maybe that's jus' how most people are. Friendly an' all.

"All right," I say with a big grin an' tuck my arm in his. "So, I hope you don't mind me askin', but why'd you leave the Carnival if it was so excitin'."

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

Will grins and wraps his arm round my shoulders as he praises bot the carnival and my skills. I can't help but grin back.We were just about to go grab a drink from that church fella over there. C'amon, I'm buyin' Will offers holding his other arm out to Ella.

There's a moment of hesitation and then she grins and tucks her arm into Will's. Ah! She must be a little shy or something.

So, I hope you don't mind me askin', but why'd you leave the Carnival if it was so excitin'. She asks me as we walk towards Nanse-kam and his current customer. Ah! damn, I hoped not answer this one anymore.

"Been with the Carnival all my life, and while it can be an exciting life always on the move, it doesn't have room for everything." i shrug my shoulder under will's arm. "So since we're staying here I took the opportunity to set up in town. Have my own place. try something new. Whaddya you do, Ella?"

[ella-kessler.livejournal.com]

I'm lookin' 'round Will at Ri when I ask an' it seems like she doesn't really want'a answer. That makes me feel a little bad 'bout askin' her but she still answers so she must not mind talkin' 'bout it too much.

"Been with the Carnival all my life, and while it can be an exciting life always on the move, it doesn't have room for everything. So since we're staying here I took the opportunity to set up in town. Have my own place. try something new."

"That sounds swell. Sometimes I wish I lived on my own."

"Whaddya you do, Ella?"

Makes sense that question would come up in return, but I feel kind'a foolish answerin' it now. I mean, these're performers. I've been ta the Carnival enough ta really appreciate what they can do. What do I do?

"I'm a... I help run my family's orchard just southwest a town."

Oh, yeah, swell. Jus' a simple ole country girl. Can't even say I'm a townie.

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

Ella blushes when she answers my question about what she does. I'm a... I help run my family's orchard just southwest a town. and now it's my turn to peer around Will in fascination.

"Really?! what kinda fruit d'you got?" I'm sure she thinks it's really boring having grown up around it and all but the idea of having fresh fruit in season is still new to me.

[will-moreton.livejournal.com]

The girls chat about the salon and why Ri left the carnival and I grin at the lady at the stand and order three Ginger Ale's this time, paying then handing one to each of the girls.

"That sounds swell. Sometimes I wish I lived on my own."

"So why don't ya then?" I ask, realizing I kinda just jumped into their conversation, "Err, live on your own I mean. If its something you wanna do, why not?" Then she blushes and mentions her family's orchard and how she helps out with it and yeah, maybe that's why. But still don't mean she couldn't have a place of her own and still help out. I'm kinda glad Ri gets excited over it too, shouldn't be ashamed at what your family does. Look at her interested in what they grow out there. Hell if the carnival slows down enough, might see if they could use a hand.

[ella-kessler.livejournal.com]

Will asks "So why don't ya then?" as I'm tellin' Ri what I do. "Err, live on your own I mean. If its something you wanna do, why not?" Almost right on top'a his question Ri asks what sort'a fruit we've got, lookin' at me like she's excited that I've got a farm.

"We've got all sorts'a thing's. Apples're comin' inta season now. We've got some peaches and tomatoes that're still good, but they probably won't last a whole lot longer. 'Specially with how cold it is right now. We've got some great raspberries, too."

I look up at Will as he hands me a gingerale and say, "Thanks. I don't live on my own 'cause it's jus' me, my brother, an' my dad. I end up doin' most'a the work on account'a Daddy's injury."

Did I jus'--? Oh, I can't believe I jus' called 'im "daddy" in front'a them...

[verite-belrose.livejournal.com]

Will jumps back into the conversation asking why she doesn't just move out on her own. I figured there was some reason or she'da already done it.

Then the reason comes out. Oh. Her dad's hurt.

"why haven't you had the doc come look at him?" It just slips outta my mouth. and I recoil in shock at what I just said. oops!

[ella-kessler.livejournal.com]

Ri's lookin' surprised by what she jus' suggested. I don' know why she'd be, though.

I jus' shrug an' force a bit'a smile. "He doesn't trust doctors much." I remember the last doctor that was in our house. Daddy nearly took 'is arm off with a hatchet. "He hasn't even talked ta one in over twelve years. 'Sides, it's old. He got hurt five summers ago. A horse kicked him in the leg real hard. Jonesy, he was a friend a ours that helped 'round the orchards, said that it shattered some part'a Daddy's leg," darn it! I keep sayin' that. "The Humah 'r Femuh 'r somethin' like that."

I realize how depressin' it must be ta listen ta this sort'a thing. My smile brightens an' I perk up a li'l. "Y'know, since we're sort'a gettin' between crops on a few things an' some stuff'll probably jus' go ta waste, I can bring y'all some baskets a fruit. Complimentary. We hate havin' ta throw away much. Not all'a it can be composted."