milliways_bar | (no subject)

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[oom: She was born in the wagon of a travelling show.
Her mama had to dance for the money they throw.]

Carlotta is sitting near the fireplace. Instead of the bump she was sporting recently, there's now a small girl strapped to her front, currently asleep.

In the meantime she's busy patching up some slightly raggy-looking baby clothes, mostly Will and Libby's from when they were tiny, a few from Libby's daughter. She could get some from here, but it would look suspicious with the ration books at home.

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Teja approaches after awhile, slowly and quietly.

"Hallo." Carlotta says softly.

Molly gurgles slightly, asleep.

"Greetings," Teja says. "Is there anything to help you?"

"There was something I wish to ask you." Carlotta says, with a small smile. "Don't worry, it's not ironing."

"What is ironing?" Teja says. "And indeed, yes, ask me."

Carlotta hesitates, stroking Molly's little blonde curls.

"I have a dillemma. I'd like Molly to be Christened, and I've asked Libby and her husband if they'll be Godparents. But I'd really like two sets and... I'd like to ask you and Demeter, but I know you don't believe in God and she kind of is one.

It's less about your religious beliefs, more about taking care of her if anything were to happen to me."

"I will of course do that," Teja says, "and will be honoured, if I must not swear in the name of the Christian god, but can simply swear by my own honour."

"At home, it has to be in the name of God. Perhaps we could have a second ceremony here." Carlotta suggests.

"They know me now," Teja says, "and will need to know, so that they would indeed trust me with her. So I think I swallow my principles, for the sake of those I care for most."

"I'll have a word with the vicar. Perhaps there can be a way for you to take part without having to lie."

"You could tell him we are of a different faith?" Teja says.

"I think maybe he might do the ceremony for Libby and John, and a seperate blessing for you two. As... guardians, maybe?"

"I'd go to the proper ceremony, if there is any way," Teja says.

"You could still come." Carlotta says. "Just I'll try and get him to do different words for you and Demeter. I don't want you lying in church, that would be wrong."

"I think we would be glad for the different words at the same ceremony, indeed," Teja says.

"I'll ask the vicar. And Demeter, of course." Carlotta says.

Molly yawns suddenly and wakes up, looking up at Mummy and Teja with wide eyes. Carlotta unstraps her properly, getting her out in her hand-me-down white baby outfit and hand-made tiny Ringmaster coat.

"Should I take he off you for a moment?" Teja offers, a bit awkwardly.

It is not what he usually would do, but knowing the children of his people has made him somewhat more at ease with the very little ones.

"I think she'd like that." Carlotta says. "She doesn't like to be put down, she likes to be attached to people moving around." Grin. "I suppose it's her inner acrobat."

She passes Molly over, careful to support her head.

"At first I was a little afraid we weren't bonding, but she feels more like mine now I've found out she likes to be on a horse."

Teja takes the child, careful to support her head, also; he moves about with her a little.

Molly gurgles and flails her fingers until they catch something... yep, got your hair Teja.

"So small, and she can already grip and pull," Teja marvels.

"Oh yes, it's a reflex." Carlotta says, trying to disentangle him. "I could put her hands against a tightrope and she'd hold on, if I dared."

"But my hair is not a tightrope," Teja says.

"No, but it's something she can grip."

"And she does that very well!" Teja says.