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We'll Keep to the Fringes

Hi hello I'm back with writing!

This was one of the birthday presents this year, and my friend has actually read it so I'm gonna share it now.

They asked for my witch gays having to deal with the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, bc that do be where they live

I fully used it as a chance to complain about the fringe.

~

They’d met in Qualitea, of course. Katida got there first and had already made their order by the time Tamsin swung in the door.

“The traffic in this city,” she grumbled. “If everyone would just trust the public transport that would be great.”

Katida giggled as Tamsin dropped into the seat beside her, kissing her cheek as she pushed the cake nearer. “You could always get an earlier bus.”

“… So anyway, how does freedom taste?” Tamsin flicked a ring laden finger against the glass in front of Katida.

Katida laughed and pushed it closer to Tamsin. “Have a taste, if you like.”

The drink came in a tall glass and smelt faintly of sugar. There were ice cubes floating in it and a bedraggled mint leaf and a strawberry hull on the plate beside it. It was an unnerving shade of blue.

“I’m good, thanks.” Tamsin picked up her own cup and took a sip of it instead.

“Coward.”

“It’s all sugar, Kat.”

“Hm, you probably don’t need more of that.” Katida smiled, reaching for the straw with its shiny tassels to have a sip.

“Because I’m sweet enough?” Tamsin grinned.

“Of course.” Katida patted her hand. “That exactly.”

Tamsin narrowed her eyes slightly, then shrugged. “So. Now just to wait a couple of months for judgement, right? How shall we distract ourselves?”

“It’s Edinburgh in the summer, I’m sure we’ll find something to do.”

“We have all sorts going on,” said one of the staff, cleaning a table nearby. “There are flyers near the counter if you’re interested.”

“Thank you.” Katida smiled. “We probably will.”

“Great.” The staff smiled back. “After all, pride is for life, not just for Christmas.”

Tamsin snorted into her cup as Katida laughed.

They didn’t stay for much longer; just long enough to finish their drinks and their cake.

Katida picked up one of the leaflets and tucked it into her bag. “Thanks for – mph!” She crashed into Tamsin’s back as she stopped in the doorway. “Tamsin-” Katida pushed her out onto the street.

“It starts,” Tamsin said, in a low tone of dread.

Katida follows her gaze up to where the skeleton of scaffolding rises against the skyline. “Oh.”

“Doom is approaching.”

“It’s just the festival.” Katida winds her fingers through Tamsin’s and pulls her away.

“Just, she says, as though that doesn’t mean open season for tourist,” Tamsin mutters.

“Tourists are here year round.”

“It’s too late to leave for somewhere else, right?”

“And become someone else’s tourist problem?”

“Touche.”

Katida laughs. “It hasn’t started yet, at least.”

“No, it’s just going to be ominously looming.” Tamsin sighs. “Summer is ruined.”

“As it is every year.” Katida tugs Tamsin down to kiss her cheek “It will be fine. Come on. Botanics?”

“Sure.” Tamsin turned eagerly from the sight of the scaffolding.

#

They’d just reached the Mile when the rain hit, and ran for the shelter of the building on the corner without a second thought. They weren’t alone in their dash, and Katida and Tamsin found themselves pressed up against the ATMs.

“Told you the raincoat would have been a good idea,” Katida said, shifting to let someone actually use the machine.

“Hush. No one loves a smartass,” Tamsin replied, running fingers through her scruffy mohawk and flipping it to shake droplets free.

Katida laughed, raising a hand to shield her face. “You do.”

“Hm, true.” Tamsin grinned and pressed a quick kiss to Katida’s upraised hand.

Katida flipped her hand to cup Tamsin’s cheek, and for a moment they just stood there, watching each other.

“Why didn’t we wait this out in the bookshop? It’s right there,” Tamsin murmured.

“I like watching people deal with the weather.” Katida smiled slightly.

There were people still braving the sudden shower, fighting with their umbrellas or just trudging along, head down against it. It was easy to tell who belonged to Edinburgh and who didn’t, in these moments.

Katida giggled as someone’s umbrella flipped inside out and they got a face full of rain as they struggled to fix it.

“And I thought I was the mean one.” Tamsin snorted.

“But if you want to buy me some books…” Katida wrapped her arms around Tamsin’s neck, drawing closer.

“Oh, no. Nuh-uh.” Tamsin shook her head. “I’m not playing your loophole, your mum terrifies me.”

“She doesn’t have to find out,” Katida murmured.

Tamsin slid her hands about Katida’s waist, resting her forehead against Katida’s. “Yes she will,” she replied. “She always does.”

“Coward.”

“Hm, always.” Tamsin kissed her.

“It’s not going to clear up.” Katida glanced up at the sky, all dark grey with clouds.

“Where’s a Weather Witch when you need one?”

Katida laughed. “Come on.” She tilted her head towards the street. “Since we’re wet already.” She interlaced her fingers with Tamsin’s and tugged her out onto the slick street.

Together, they crossed the road and stepped up onto the pavement, weaving around stands of hats and hoodies – all under plastic wrap – and rain ponchos that were already proving their usefulness.

As people spilled out of the shops or off the tour buses, the pavement filled up. Tamsin tried not to growl as they had to slow to a crawl, sidling around groups that just stopped in the middle of the pavement as they checked where they were going next.

“To the castle or the shops, it’s not hard,” Katida muttered, keeping hold of Tamsin’s hand.

Tamsin glanced at her and grinned. “Thought that was my line?”

Katida jumped down a few steps to get around a clump, weaving past a bin and a lamp post. “These pavements aren’t wide enough for this.”

Tamsin glanced behind her and then tugged Katida to a slower pace, exaggerating her trudging footsteps. “We’re not in a hurry, are we?”

Katida laughed. “Alright, fine.”

“If we were, you could always fly us.”

“Flying in rain is a terrible idea,” Katida replied, twisting her fingers up to brush against her bracelet.

The castle looked as much as it ever did; sprawling and grand, partially propped up in places by scaffolding. Covered in people. There was one ice cream truck still gamely doing business, despite the rain and the encroaching stands.

“Shame about the view,” Tamsin said, as Katida asked for ice cream.

The stands were almost completely up now, taking up the edges of the open space and restricting access down to a straight walk up to the castle. The views out over the city were barred off, unless one felt like ducking under and around.

Tamsin felt a little like ducking under and around.

“The view from the top of them must be something, though,” Katida said, looking for her purse.

Tamsin leant past her to pay. “I’d get tickets, but they’ve probably all sold out.”

“Hey!” Katida looked up. “You have got to stop doing that.”

“It’s turnabout.” Tamsin shrugged. “You bought drinks.”

“Weeks ago.” Katida sighed, taking her ice cream.

“You’re just mad I won’t buy you books.”

They wandered up towards the castle.

“Books would be a longer lasting gift.”

“Yeah, death via your mother’s wrath is also fairly long lasting.”

The crowds were thicker inside the walls, where they slowed to a sluggish crawl into queues. The one for the tickets trailed back almost to the arch.

“When was the last time you went inside?” Katida asked, winding her way around to stand against the wall outside the gift shop.

“No idea. Probably a school trip.” Tamsin shrugged. “If you want to go, we’re booking tickets.”

“Obviously. Ooh, we could get a student pass!”

“If we don’t have to pay full price, I’m all for it.” Tamsin leant around the corner to look up towards the castle proper, past the queue and through the tunnel.

“Another time, then?”

“Sure.”

Tamsin glanced at the queue as they left. “Although Stirling is better.”

#

Katida met Tamsin outside the church, a bag over her shoulder. “Hey.” She grinned, leaning in for a kiss.

“Is that a new book weighting that bag?” Tamsin asked, reaching for the strap with one hand as she returned Katida’s kiss.

“Mum said I could, since my results were good.”

“So, Glasgow?” Tamsin grinned.

Katida nodded, smile growing wider.

“Glad to hear it! We can’t wait to be shot of the both of you,” said someone else.

Tamsin rolled her eyes. “Also, Ripley’s here.”

“Hi, Ripley.” Katida waved at Ripley as she stepped onto the wall beside Tamsin, dropping down to sit beside her.

Ripley grinned, crooking her fingers in a wave. “Still attempting to make a respectable woman of my cousin, Katida?” She slung her other arm around Tamsin’s neck, pulling her in for a half hug.

The cousins looked similar, could be mistaken for sisters at a glance. Ripley’s hair was shorter than Tamsin’s, carefully tousled, and still its natural auburn. Her eyes were different – Ripley didn’t have Tamsin’s penchant for red contacts – but there was the shape of their faces, the same grins.

“Of course.”

“It’s rotten work,” Ripley said, releasing Tamsin and kicking her heels against the wall.

“Not to me,” Katida replied, as Tamsin groaned. “Not if it’s you.” She grinned.

“If you’re done? I was promised celebratory lunch.” Tamsin fussed at her hair, making sure it was all lying properly on the right side of her head.

“My treat.” Ripley nodded, twisting to look about. “Just waiting on – ah, there they are. Hey, Bri!” She stretched up without standing, waving a hand in the air.

Katida turned about to see Briony wandering towards them. Despite the weather, they’re wearing a long duster coat over worn cut-off jeans and a buttoned shirt and docs, with a bright piece of fabric tied about their throat. Their long blue hair is tied up into a messy bun, showing off the shaved side of their head and the arc of piercings in their ear.

“Hey.” They smiled slightly as they joined the others, keeping a careful distance. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Nice playdate?” Ripley pushed off the wall to stand before them.

“It went well.”

“Where were you?” Katida asked, tugging Tamsin to walk alongside her.

“Helping a friend with rehearsals. They’re in a show, you should come–”

“No.”

Ripley snorted. “Wow, Tam, that’s rude.”

“We’d love to come,” Katida said. “Dramatics aside.”

“I’ve managed this far through the month-”

“Oh yeah, how’s that going for you?” Ripley smirked. “Tamsin’s trying to avoid the Fringe entirely,” she said to Briony.

Briony nodded, looking slightly lost.

“If people would stop asking to meet along the Mile, it would be going a lot better.” Tamsin shoved her free hand in her pocket, turning her back to a street performer as the four of them walked past, trying to give him some room.

“You could’ve vetoed me, but as I recall you were keen on this place too.”

“It’s the principle of the thing,” Tamsin muttered.

“We could’ve gone to Qualitea for lunch,” Katida said.

“If Rip’s paying, I’m going to milk her for all she’s worth.”

Briony laughed.

“You’re going half on this,” Ripley said to them. “You owe me, Briar.”

“That was two years ago.”

“Yeah, and I still have nightmares about it, so.”

“Plus it’s like the only leverage you have.”

Ripley shrugged. “I take what I can get.”

Katida watched them, amused even if she didn’t know the context.

“Hey, excuse me-” Someone bumped into Tamsin.

“Shit, sorry man.” Tamsin pulled her hand from her pocket to steady them. “You alright?”

“Sure.” He shot her a winning smile. “Here.” He shoved something into her hand and disappeared towards the next group of people.

“Wait – fuck.” Tamsin stared at the flyer in her hand.

“We should’ve bet on that happening,” Ripley muttered.

“That’s an easy bet,” Briony replied. “See?” They passed Ripley a handful of leaflets they’d collected. “Everyone’s at it.”

Katida smiled, taking the flyer from Tamsin’s hand and looking it over. “Maybe we should go to this one.”

“Or – hear me out here – we could not.”

“Fate placed it before us.”

“Actually, a guy taking an opportunity did.”

“Still have a grudge against the Festival?” Ripley asked.

“It’s annoyance. There’s too many people around.”

“It’s a grudge,” Katida said. “It might actually be worse this year.”

“It’s exam stress,” Tamsin retorted.

“You got your results today, I don’t think you can use that as an excuse now.”

Tamsin pushed Ripley away as she cackled. “Who invited you again?”

“Oh, maybe it’s the fear of leaving home and never seeing the Fringe again. You know, lashing out and closing yourself off pre-emptively isn’t healthy.” Ripley moved smoothly with Tamsin’s push. “Isn’t that what Oscar says?”

“Gotta admit, I tend to tune out when he starts talking through his studying.” Briony shrugged, slowing to watch a street performer set up.

“Wow.”

“He just wants a sounding board, not actual engagement, otherwise he’d be talking to his department.”

The performer had cleared out a large circle of the road, and was chattering at anyone who slowed to see what he was doing as he set down a big trunk and started to pull things out of it. He reached up towards the sun and made some kind of pinching movement with his fingers, and music started up.

“Techno Mage?” Katida asked, looking for the speakers.

“Isn’t that cheating?”

“It’s not a competition, Tamsin.”

“The way this street ends up, could’ve fooled me.” Tamsin turned away. “Come on, I’m hungry.”

“Sure. Bri.” Ripley tugged at their coat.

They hesitate a little longer, until the performer makes the same gesture again and the music pauses. “Oh, maybe it’s the glove? He’s only got the one on.”

“Maybe a Charm Witch, then.”

“How low our kind have fallen,” Tamsin muttered, trying not to grin.

“Because you wouldn’t be caught dead doing anything that flashy.” Ripley raised her eyebrows, giving Tamsin’s rings a pointed glance.

“I have an aesthetic to keep up.” Tamsin shoved her free hand in her pocket.

Katida brought their tangled hands up to kiss one of Tamsin’s rings. “I appreciate the aesthetic.”

“And I appreciate you.” Tamsin smiled, angling her body away from Ripley and towards Katida.

“I want one of those gloves,” Briony said, as the performer started his music with a press of his fingers, skipping a track. “Rip, you could make that a charm, right?”

Tamsin snorted.

“It’s also possibly just tech.” Ripley narrowed her eyes as she watched the performer, who actually seemed to be starting his set properly. “Bluetooth or something.”

“It’s more fun if it’s magic, though, right?”

“Not that Rip would know how to make it.” Tamsin snickered, avoiding Ripley’s elbow by stepping around to Katida’s other side.

“You know, maybe you don’t want lunch.”

“Hey, no listen you promised.”

Katida tilted her head, gaze going distant. “Shouldn’t be too tricky to work out…”

“Dammit Bri, you’ve broken her,” Ripley said.

Briony shrugged, unrepentant. “She’s the only one I’d trust to get it right.”

“Oh. Oh wow.” Ripley and Tamsin exchanged a look. “Well. Honestly. If it’s going to be like that…”

Briony laughed and darted ahead. “Come on, they’re not going to hold that table forever.”

#

Tamsin led the way up the path, picnic basket braced against her shoulder. It was evening, the sun was on its way to setting, but it was still warm. Maybe that was just the walk up that was doing that, but she didn’t think so.

She turned to check on Katida, who was lagging slightly.

“Maybe we should have flown up here,” Katida said as she caught up.

“Hey, it’s not Arthur’s Seat.” Tamsin shifted the basket to her other arm, offering Katida her hand.

“You went for the steep side.” Katida took her hand, pulling the strap of the blanket further up her arm. “Is this for making you go to Bri’s friends’ show?”

Tamsin laughed. “Don’t tell Ripley, but that was kinda fun.” She walked at Katida’s pace, not minding the people overtaking them.

“Your secret is safe with me.”

They managed to find space on the grass facing across the city to the river, amongst other groups that had all had the same idea.

Someone was playing rock ballads from their phone, and Tamsin glared in their general direction as Katida spread out the blanket.

“Don’t start,” Katida warned her.

“They could at least have good taste if they’re going to inflict it on us,” Tamsin replied, setting the basket down in the middle of the blanket. “Not this… knock-off Eurovision wannabes.”

Someone nearby laughed and Tamsin flushed. She dropped to her knees on the blanket and shuffled to get comfortable, pushing off her shoes and setting them on her coat beside her.

Katida sat beside her, curling her legs into her side, and pulled the basket towards her. “You actually managed to keep Ripley out of this?”

“It was a hard fight, but I did it for you.” Tamsin leant over to place a palm against the knot of the fabric covering the basket. The trap charm released at her touch, and she untied the fabric.

“Oh, my hero.” Katida laughed, pulling out a sealed box of bhaji.

Tamsin searched through the basket for the scotch eggs. “Not that she tried very hard.”

“Hush, you’re ruining your reputation.”

“Oh. Oops. Yeah, she went at it real hard. Decoys and everything.

Katida laughed again, and then let out a gasp of delight as she picked a bhaji from the box. “Oh, they’re still warm!”

“Come on, babe, you have got to stop doubting my expertise in keeping things toasty.”

“I don’t!” Katida brushed crumbs from her chin. “I just didn’t expect it, that’s all.”

“Hm.” Tamsin narrowed her gaze, fighting (and failing) not to grin at Katida’s delighted face. “You’re lucky you’re so cute.”

They watched the sun go down, trading snacks and drinks and soft words.

That man did not stop playing his music, but Tamsin did her best to just tune it out.

“Ok,” she said eventually, when the sun was mostly gone and the basket was almost empty, “Maybe it’s not so bad from here.” She eyed the lights spread through the city.

“At a distance?”

“Yes.”

“Warmer than Guy Fawkes or Hogmanay,” Katida said, sitting at Tamsin’s side.

Tamsin leant back, reaching for the bottle tucked into the basket on the rug beside them. “That’s definitely helping.”

“I knew I’d bring you round.”

“That’s not what this is.”

“Isn’t it?”

“No. I was promised pyrotechnics, that’s all. Pyrotechnics need good weather.”

And the weather was good. The sky was clear of clouds and there was barely a breeze to mess with the coming show.

“Wait, will we need to move to see it properly?” Tamsin asked, squinting across in the direction of the castle. She could sort of see it from where they were, beyond the curve of the hill and a couple of monuments.

Katida glanced at her. “Only if you want to pack everything up first.”

“Then no, we do not.”

Katida laughed and shifted to lean into Tamsin. “I almost thought you were excited for something Fringe-related there.”

“Pyrotechnics, Katida.” Tamsin wrapped her arm around Katida’s shoulders. “Fire. Explosions. That’s what we’re here for. The Fringe is incidental.”

Someone had their phone tuned to the radio station that was broadcasting from the castle. Not the guy playing his ballads – he’d finally moved away, maybe to get a better view.

The sound was stressed and tinny until a nearby Techno Mage turned the patches of gorse into speakers, so it sounded as if the earth was speaking to them.

“Show off,” Tamsin said, lifting her bottle in salute to the unknown mage.

The bagpipes could be heard from the castle regardless, clear through the still night.

“So you don’t mind that, but power ballads are where you draw the line?”

“I am a witch of many contradictions.” Tamsin shrugged.

Fireworks screamed up from the castle, stopping Katida from answering as they burst across the sky.

Tamsin tugged the fabric that had been tied around the basket free with one hand, draping it awkwardly across their shoulders without looking away from the sky. “They do know how to put on a show.”

“They do it every year, I would hope they know by now.” Katida helped pull the shawl about herself, leaning her head on Tamsin’s shoulder.

“It’s almost a shame we’ll never see another one.”

“What?”

“On account of moving across the country, remember? We’re uni students now.”

Katida snorted with laughter. “Term never starts until mid-September, Tam, we’ll still be free over the summer.”

“Nope, we’re never going to see the Fringe again. This is it. We chose to leave the city, and it will be barred to us forever more.” Tamsin grinned.

Katida buried her face in Tamsin’s neck, shaking with laughter.

“You’re missing the show.”

“You’re ridiculous, you know?”

“It’s realism, sweetie. The secret they never tell you when you’re choosing your future.”

Katida pushed her over and Tamsin let out a yelp, rolling onto her back. “You know what that’ll make us next year, then?”

“Banished? Homeless? Having to go somewhere different for the holidays?”

“Tourists.” Katida leant a hand on Tamsin’s shoulder as the fireworks exploded behind her. “Which means we can do tourist things. Like the Fringe.”

Tamsin hesitated. “Ah, fuck. Can I take it back?”

“No.” Katida shifted to lie beside her, patting at the folds of her hijab so they weren’t scrunched up under her. “You spoke it into existence.”

“Rats.” Tamsin slid an arm under Katida, pulling her closer.

“You have a year to get used to the idea.”

“Or a year to make you forget.”

“Good luck.” Katida smiled.

“May the best witch win.”

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