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

[kaeli-whyte.livejournal.com]

"The town proper would have its benefits, especially with all that crawls around in and out of the town lately, but as long as it's not too far I think that should be alright,"

"Right," I nod in agreement. The town has been filling up so fast that its hard to think of a spot. "Wonder if they would approve a bridge going across the river, the at the end of Main street? That would make a nice spot I think." Would employ some of the new arrivals to town as well. "Would leave you room to grow if you needed too," I say smiling. I really hope it works out well for him. "What sorts of messages do you hope to deliver in your sermons?" I ask. Hopefully not all that fire and brimstone and dark stuff, we could use some messages of hope more I think.

[brotherlaurence.livejournal.com]

"I'll ask," I say. It's a good idea, the bridge. As long as I can get the council to agree. "The sermons?" I ask and then flush a little for not having realized I would be giving sermons again, but they would have to be of a different sort than I am used to. "Something a bit more rallying and hopeful, I suppose," I finally respond with a laugh. "God knows we all need that, now. Some of of more than others," I add ruefully and cast a look back over toward Kate, though she is busy talking to one of her friends and a young girl.

[kaeli-whyte.livejournal.com]

"Something a bit more rallying and hopeful, I suppose, God knows we all need that, now. Some of of more than others," he says and I follow his gaze to Kate and frown.

"I agree, Laurence. I think we all could use a little hope," I say evenly. I really should have asked Cain what happened between Laurence and Kate, but for Laurence to look at her like that, it couldn't have been good. "What happened Laurence?" I ask finally, "I thought you two were doing well. What changed?"

[brotherlaurence.livejournal.com]

I hesitate before answering, partly cursing myself for making it so obvious and another, bigger part of me happy to have someone else to talk to about the whole strange thing.

"I did, I suppose," I say after a moment. "I had a bad dream, one I couldn't handle in the light of day, and she was...she didn't see it the same way I did. Decided that we could never truly be anything more than friends, and I suppose she's right." I look at Kate one last time, then down to Kaeli. "Seems I was the only one in love, anyway. She's moved on quite well."

[kaeli-whyte.livejournal.com]

"I had a bad dream, one I couldn't handle in the light of day, and she was...she didn't see it the same way I did. Decided that we could never truly be anything more than friends, and I suppose she's right."

"Oh," I say quietly. I know how awful bad dreams can be. But one that causes a break up? "How could a dream cause all of that?" I ask, more than a little confused. "Seems I was the only one in love, anyway. She's moved on quite well."

I look over at Kate and though I could tell what she was feeling beyond what she shows, I don't. She does look okay, but Kate is strong and tough and I don't know if she'd show anything else in public. Sighing, I shake my head and look up at him, "You know as well as I do that not everything is always as it seems, Laurence. And was? Are you not anymore then?"

[brotherlaurence.livejournal.com]

I shake my head, not really willing to explain it all in the middle of a crowd.

"I don't think you ever stop being in love, Kaeli." I smile at her then and purposely avoid looking over at Kate. I feel a tear coming up, so I look up at the sun for a moment to hide it. "I don't think I ever will."