Drabble: Quite a performance

[misskarin_ebz]

The lady carries so many parcels, she’s out christmas shopping at the bazaar. There’s a spring in her step, a happy smile on her lips and she’s humming a carole. People turn their heads to get a better glance, obviously admiring her beauty, grace and joyful demeanour. She doesn’t seem to notice, though of course she does but she is used to the attention. She’s a performer and this is one of her stages. Though even a performer as talented as she can’t always be prepared when someone else decides to improvise.

“YOU VILE CREATURE!” - it’s a young and pretty blonde that shouts whilst running to catch up with the lady she apparently deems worthy of such a description. The lady isn’t hard to catch up with since she’s so shocked to be called such a thing, in public, that she’s stopped dead in her tracks.

“How could you? You said you liked me, and then you celebrate with... him, and you...” The young blonde starts to cry loudly, wailing and sobbing. “I TRUSTED YOU!!!”

Karin sighs, the scene is drawing quite a crowd. “My dear Miss Manfield, you said you were otherwise occupied that evening.” Karin’s voice is calm and cool, she speaks loud enough for those closest in the ‘audience’ to hear her. “And I can’t see what has you so upset? I did celebrate my birthday with Mr. Attford who was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to spend some time with a friend.”

“Friend?! Some friends you’ve got.” The blonde manages to sound unsure, angry and upset all at once.

“Sure one could question my choices when it comes to friends. There’s certainly something to be said about those who break off plans, in the rudest way possible, to go drinking at The Singing Mandrake.” Her tone suggests that she herself is at fault, choosing to have such unreliable acquaintances, it’s an excellent act and she is winning the sympathy of those gathered.

The young blonde turns red, looking awfully uncomfortable, “... how... how did you know that?”

Karin chuckles. “How could I not know it? Your cavorting was... how do I say this...” she sighs, faking concern for the woman, “the talk of Veilgarden. Such rumors my dear, I didn’t want to believe them but...” she doesn’t finish her line.

“Yeah, well... you shouldn’t believe everything you hear!” The guilt in Miss Manfield’s voice speaks louder than the words she speaks. “And you and your friend managed to stir up some rumours as well!”

“What are you implying?” A question delivered so sharply one might get cut. “Am I perhaps not allowed to enjoy a night on the town?”

The blonde swallows, and swallows again. “... but... I heard...”

“Heard what? That Mr. Attford, a true gentleman, tried to lift my spirits with some quiet birthday celebrations after you cancelled our plans so abruptly? If that’s what you’ve heard you’d be correct, anything else is just rumours, and as you said one shouldn’t always believe in them.” Anyone in the crowd that’s heard said rumors are now convinced they aren’t true and ashamed they ever thought so ill about the lady, such power holds her statement.

Miss Manfield is terribly pale, what she thought would be the hour of triumph over the lady who she believed had wronged her turned into a shameful admission of her own less than admirable behaviour. She has been thoroughly defeated and managed to make a fool of herself in the eyes of many. “I’m sorry... can you forgive me.”

“I forgive you Ruth,” Karin takes a deep breath as if to steady herself, when she infact just builds up the anticipation for the grand finale, “but I don’t think we should... continue our friendship.” One would have to know Karin quite well, better than Miss Manfield does, to realise that the sadness is nothing more than an act.

The young blonde just stares at the lady for a moment, she never thought... Tears start trickle down her face again, but quietly now. She opens her mouth, but no words come, so she just nods before scurrying off quickly, slightly traumatized by the whole experience.

The crowd disperse, some already starting to forget the performance they just witnessed, others gossiping amongst each other. From what Karin can hear not a single one takes Miss Manfield’s side.

Karin smiles to herself, Goodbye Miss Manfield, perhaps next time you won’t be foolish enough to try to upstage a performer with your amatuer act.