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

[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!"

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta nods.

"Well her birth mother died." she says. "And she was just at the age where she was starting to accept Mary as her stepmother. It must have been truly awful for her. Her father told her Mary had died rather than admit she had abandoned them."

[ostro_goth]

"It must be painful for her to learn the truth," Teja says, quietly.

[fiery_ring]

"She found out a little while ago." Carlotta says. "But kept the picture anyway. I don't think she wanted to believe it really."

[ostro_goth]

"What people will inflict upon their children..." Teja says, sighing, and shaking his head.

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta nods.

Then suddenly, has a thought.

"I say, what if he brings her to half term?"

[ostro_goth]

"Then you can introduce her to your cousin's little friend," Teja says, "stand back, and watch the fireworks."

[fiery_ring]

Sudden grin.

"I like this plan. I shall try and warn Beatrice first though, and try and get them to meet away from the crowds, I don't want her hysterically upset."