Economy sized dreams of hope.

[kateohara]

Monday, November 16th - late afternoon/early eveningWhat a beautiful day it has been! The sun has been shining brilliantly all day, even though it's decidedly cool. The sun is low in the sky now, but I think there will be a lovely sunset. I have been humming to myself all day, because it is a good thing to be alive and healthy when it's a bright

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[tess_thiess]

I was glad when Kate suggested we go out t'the Carnival. I ain't bin smilin' much since my dreams a couple days ago, where Bill's goddess came and offered me that choice. I kept mostly t'myself, but maybe this'll chase the taste 'a salt out 'a my mouth.

Kate's waitin' fer me at the bridge, wearin' a coat over her dress and carryin' a package. I'm wearin' a skirt and sweater myself, and it feels strange t'be wearin' two halves rather 'n a proper dress. I got t'get my winter clothes in from the farm soon. I wave as I quicken my pace, walkin' u t'her. "Evenin', Kate," I say.

I feel a little better already.

[kateohara]

I smile as Tess comes over to meet me.

"Hello," I say, and I give her a one armed hug, the package in my other hand, and I think I love you and my smile lifts up. "How was your day?" I take her arm in mine, because that's an ordinary enough thing for friends to do and no one will look at us oddly, I shouldn't think. "I have something for you," I say, "though we can wait to sit down before you open it."

[tess_thiess]

She smiles, and that ache in my heart whenever she smiles at me drives some of my brooding away. "Hello," she says, embracin' me, and if I clasp her back a bit more tight than a friend would, well, no one's payin' any real attention. "How was your day?" She takes my arm and we start walkin', arm in arm, off east t'the Carnival.

I ain't ever bin there, and I want t'know what Johnny sees in it that he keeps makin' friends there. "It was alright," I say. "Lord Hughes is bearable if you dunt spend time 'round him, and Jenna 'n I've bin workin' different hours to we hardly even see each other in passin'."

"I have something for you," she says, "though we can wait to sit down before you open it." I smile at her, eyein' the package she's got. "I guess I can hold my curiosity that long," I say. "How's your Monday bin?"

[kateohara]

"Lord Hughes is bearable if you dunt spend time 'round him, and Jenna 'n I've bin workin' different hours to we hardly even see each other in passin'."

I get a little pang thinking about Jenna, but I'm too happy today to really mind it.

"I'm glad you can avoid Lord Hughes," I say with a sniff. "Though where he's a lord of I do not know. The man has the most ridiculous airs and graces."

"How's your Monday bin?""Oh, very nice," I say. "I took Lady out for a longer ride than usual - you know, we should go riding together," I add as an afterthought, and it's a pleasant idea, riding with Tess through fields dappled red-gold with fall. "And I finished this," I say, holding up the parcel. "It's so nice to have two days off a week. I don't know how I managed with only Sundays for so long

[tess_thiess]

"I'm glad you liked it, its my favorite place up there," Mr. Moreton says, noddin' skywards. "Anything else you wanna try? Or have another go on the wheel, maybe?" I ain't sure 'a that, but if Kate wants to I will. But she says "Maybe the carousel? It's such a lovely thing, all the different animals and bright colours," and I nod, a bit relieved since it's lots different goin' 'round than up. "I've seen smaller merry-go-rounds, but nothing as grand as the carousel here. Do you still go on the rides, Will, or has the novelty worn off?"

I wouldn't 'v even thought 'a that, but I guess it must wear off fer the after a while, though Mr. Moreton does seem like the sort 'a person who always sees things like new.

[will_moreton]

"Maybe the carousel? It's such a lovely thing, all the different animals and bright colours," Kate smiles, "I've seen smaller merry-go-rounds, but nothing as grand as the carousel here. Do you still go on the rides, Will, or has the novelty worn off?"My smile goes wider at them wantin' to go on another ride, "Nahh,"I shake my head, "Gettin' to see folks havin' fun goin' on them for the first time is like seeing everything through new eyes, never gets old."I say remembering their smiles as the wheel came down. Nope, never gets old. "The carousel is right this---,"I say an almost hold out my hand to take Kates hand. Then remembering myself, my face heats, ain't fittin' to touch a lady without her permission. A proper gentleman offers his arm. Been hangin' out with the girls around the lot, forgettin' my manners. Can almost feel Ma gently slappin' the back of my head playfully, and laughin' knowin' I know that I forgot myself. I turn my face an cough as if to clear my throat, more so to hide my fuckup more than anything. Turning my face

[kateohara]

"Gettin' to see folks havin' fun goin' on them for the first time is like seeing everything through new eyes, never gets old."

I smile at Will’s enthusiasm, though I’m a little startled when he reaches out as if to take my hand. I wonder suddenly if I’ve misread his friendliness and he’s hoping for something else. He coughs and runs a hand through his hair and I’m sure my surprise showed, but he gestures down the Midway happily enough. Holding the vase in one hand I take Tess’s arm with the other and we head toward the carousel.

It’s almost dark now, and the carousel looks beautiful, all bright polished wood and metal, and the tune it plays is pretty. I make sure to pay for two tickets before Will can offer us anything else for free - it isn’t fair to keep taking, especially if he’s too much of a gentleman to let us pay.

“What sort of animal do you want to ride?” I say with a smile to Tess. There are horses, of course, but also unicorns and dragon creatures, as well as a couple of carriages that put me in mind of Cinderella.

[tess_thiess]

"Nahh," Mr. Moreton answers Kate. "Gettin' to see folks havin' fun goin' on them for the first time is like seeing everything through new eyes, never gets old. The carousel is right this---." He reaches out like he's goin' t'take Kate's hand and I can't help but squeeze the one I'm holdin' and take a small step forward.

He pulls away and looks real sheepish, but it makes me kind 'a mad 'cause I was startin' t'like him. He's blushin' and he coughs and leads the way, grinnin'. Kate lets go 'a my hand and takes my arm as we follow him, and she pays fer the ride 'afore he can offer.

“What sort of animal do you want to ride?”

I look 'round. There's all sorts, carved out 'a wood with bits 'a brass 'n such, and it's lovely. A bit bright maybe, but there's lots 'a work as went into it. "I think I'll ride that one," I say pointin' out an animal that's got the front end 'v an eagle 'n the back 'v a lion. "Though I dunt know what you'd call it."