Clockwork Firefly

Clockwork Firefly - Chapter Four

She shook her head as she walked, skirting the fair at the far end, her thoughts turning toward the strangeness of the day thus far. When the whistle had awakened her so early, she could never have imagined what the train had actually brought. She thought about the robots, of course, which were marvels and though she'd seen them, spoken to them, she still couldn't quite believe they were real. Peter was very real though. A little blush touched her cheek in thinking about his smile and she forced such thoughts from her head. He was a traveling man, not the sort one settled down with, no matter how handsome. Still, just because he was leaving did not mean she should be ungracious and repay his kindness somehow.

Veering into town, she'd let her feet take her along the streets, peering in shop windows as her thoughts drifted. She had no real goal, but she did stop by the tea shop, purchasing a small packet of the dried catnip tea her father enjoyed for his nerves as well as a small strawberry cake which she nibbled at as she moved on in her shopping. She stepped into a second-hand shop, browsing with a smile sent toward the girl behind the counter. She rummaged through scraps donated by others when their projects were completed. Too small for anything usually, but a bright flash of crimson silk caught her eye and she snatched it up with a quick measurement. Whatever gown this had become, she was sure it was magnificent, and its owner was a true angel for leaving so large a square. It spawned an idea, and from that, a plan. She dug through the bottles of paint on a shelf, most were the usual colors, and she could not help but feel disappointed. A rolled black cloth was undone, and she grinned at the sight of bristles and wood, unused save one empty spot, but she hoped he would forgive its loss. As she searched, her basket grew more full with the treasures she discovered. A barrel of buttons sitting beside the counter caught her eye as she went to pay for her selections. Half buried, but still vibrant, a two-hole button of shiny ebony hue, a four-leaf clover of golden color cut into its surface on both sides. She added it to her pile with a grin, knowing just what she'd do with it.

When she left, she had spent much of her pin money, but she had been happy to lose every penny for what she gained.

Her mood effervescent, she made straight for home, though it would be after noon before she reached it. A note was laid on the breakfast table when she entered. Setting down her parcels, she plucked it up, recognizing her father's hand immediately.

I have gone over to Rudolph Johnson's to help him get

his bull loaded. Hazel has gone with the Cobb girls

to get her flowers entered. They're planning on staying

in town until the official opening tonight.

I will be home as soon as I can.

She set it down and put the perishables away. She found herself in a very cheery mood as she prepared some sandwiches and covered them in a cloth on the table to await his return, then she scampered upstairs with the items she had purchased with her newly made friends in mind. Each item was carefully finished, then wrapped in whatever bits of pretty writing paper she could find, a fluttering of excitement dancing about her stomach like The Jon's butterfly.

The sun had neared the horizon, the crowd gathered outside of the gate, awaiting the official opening of the fairgrounds. The dusky sky was awash in purples and deep indigos pouring into golds and red wine swirls at the horizon. The mayor stood in his spot atop the hastily constructed platforms of orange crates and planks. The people were looking over his shoulder, peering all about to try and see more. The glint of the gold pocket watch in his hand caught the low light and he let the long finger reach the space between the one and the two at the top of his watch before he raised his hand to call for silence.