Forge post

[ostro_goth]

Teja is in the forge, working furiously.

The midwinter holidays are not far off; also, it has been his while since he's seen Charlie, and that brings up feelings in the Goth that are best dealt with by intense sparring, or vigorous hammering.

The cats, not minding the noise, lounge by the fire.

Despite the cold outside, the door is open, and all comers, be they friend or stranger, customer or merely curious, are welcome.-



[[OOC: Forge post -- open until it scrolls!]]

Comments

[ostro_goth]

"Yes, you must," Teja says. "It is dishonourable to not return such a present, when breaking off the betrothal. It would be good if your father found a wife again, and let you have more leeway for your future; but he must know of such things. You cannot leave him to danger just to gain your own freedom."

[fiery_ring]

"That wasn't why I hesitated." Carlotta says. "More because I thought he would just think I was, well, jealous. And he's really happy."

[ostro_goth]

"He knows you," Teja says. "He knows you would not do such a thing out of sheer spite!"

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta nods.

"I still don't like to ruin his happiness. I hope they can work through it."

[ostro_goth]

"It would be worse if you abandoned him to run into the bared blade that awaits him," Teja says. "You are not ruining his happiness if his happiness is counterfeit by a deceitful woman; and you are not, either, if the questions are cleared up, and it turns out to be nothing."

[fiery_ring]

"True." Carlotta says.

"Do you think I ought to write it in a letter, or is it safe to leave it a few weeks until half term?"

[ostro_goth]

"How long ago did that woman deceive your cousin's friend's father?" Teja asks.

[fiery_ring]

"Well, she said she was told her stepmother died when she was six, so it must have been eight years ago."

[ostro_goth]

"Then she does not move fast, from man to man," Teja says, "and you can leave it until you may confront her, and your father, in person."

[fiery_ring]

"What if she's had other men in between?" Carlotta points out.

[ostro_goth]

"She has been long at this, and would bide her time," Teja says. "And a letter is more easily cast aside."

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta nods.

"If she passed my grandma's screening, she must have been at work quietly if she has done it again."

[ostro_goth]

"Indeed," Teja says, "another sign that, if she is indeed false, she goes about it slowly and quietly."

[fiery_ring]

"In eight years, she could easily have gone through another eight men."

[ostro_goth]

"But then, there might have been more outcry, more rumours, anything that your grandmother might have happened upon," Teja says.

[fiery_ring]

"Mary's been travelling." Carlotta says. "Who's to say she reported home?"

[ostro_goth]

"Something will ever adhere, and come out," Teja says. "And she would not work too quickly, moving in circles like yours. Affluent circles. More finesse is needed there."

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta nods.

"It'd be a terrible shame, if she does turn out to be using him." she says sadly.

[ostro_goth]

"It would be," Teja says. "And I hope that all shall turn out well. Even if she would be less of a friend to you, after that incident. But you need her not as your friend, do you?"

[fiery_ring]

"Not at all, but I want my father to be happy once I leave home." Carlotta says. "It's not about wanting to abandon my duties."

[ostro_goth]

"I know you do not -- you would not!" Teja says, gently. "But you need not be meek to get on her good side, for long."

[fiery_ring]

"What do I do if he doesn't believe the story?"

[ostro_goth]

"He would not believe or disbelieve out of hand," Teja points out. "He would try to find truth from a third place; and then, whatever he find, you will all have to live with."

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta nods.

"I can't imagine Marigold's friend Beatrice would lie about it." she says. "The poor child seemed truly upset that the secret of her stepmother not being dead should leak out. Parents being seperated is still somewhat stigmatised in my time, and she'd already had to cope with losing her birth mother."

[ostro_goth]

Teja nods. "It hardly happened, in my time, except by death," he says. "Poor child!"