milliways_bar | (no subject)

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William loves the Milliways' stables as they're big, most of the horses are friendly and he can always finds some space to himself. Their barn at home does what it needs to and he has a spot for hiding stuff in it, but his responsibilities are more there.

Today he's taken care of a few chores around the barn and has been introducing himself to a beautiful mare that recently arrived. Horus is exploring and William's not too concerned about him as the forge cats keeps an eye on him when they're here.

Once he's done checking on all the horses, he plans on sitting on the back porch of the Bar with a book and enjoying it feeling like Spring.

(OOC: Catch him in the stables or on the porch.)

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She opts to think he's talking about the party, though the smile she shoots him is both grateful and warm.

"Well, there's gonna be a lot of setup involved. Chairs, tables — I'll be cleanin' up one'a the pens out front so lil'uns can take pony rides. Anythin' you'd like t'help with would be appreciated."

"Wherever you need me. I can even try and bring Les in as he's pretty patient."

"That'd be nice. So long as y'promise me you'll have some fun an' not spend all your time workin'."

"I will. I'll have to make sure that Mary enjoys herself. Oh and the two of us were thinkin' that maybe you could help us with figurin' out some books to read. Cause gettin' to the point where we can't do too much more schoolin' in our worlds and don't really know where to start here. At least if you'd still want to,"

He knows she's a teacher but asking something like this still feels like it might be a lot.

"Mary?"

She smirks. William sure does have a way with women around these parts. Not that she's surprised, he is a good-looking boy.

"Oh, Miss Mary Bennet? Sure, sugar. She's a fine young woman, with a good head on her shoulders. Were y'hopin' for books I'd have my children read at school, or ones from this place?"

"Yeah, Miss Bennet, she's so polite but its easier to think of her that way. I mean she ain't that different from girls I go to school with. I don't know really, whatever you'd think would work best for us. You're the teacher,"

William would blush if he knew her thoughts because Mary's odd, she's his age but he sees her as a friend and worries about her in other ways. She's confusing but she's also not Thalia who he misses a lot.

"She comes from a different sort'a life," she smiles, shaking her head. "I'm sure underneath all the politeness there's a girl not so different from myself."

But with acres more potential.

Every time someone thinks of her as a teacher, she feels a wistful little burst of happiness.

"I suppose I am. All right, I'll draw you up a curriculum, an' leave the books with Miss Bar. Is there some place I can find the two of you?"

"We hadn't figured that just that we should ask you. I'm also tryin' to teach her to take care of herself too. Know she don't need it as much in her home but she's not like Thalia who's a fighter. Might be a way to get her to not worry as much too,"

As she worries as much as he does but about different things.

She sobers, nodding a touch.

"Them's good skills t'have. Even if she don't have a need t'call on 'em overmuch. Worryin's somethin' womenfolk like us are brought up t'do."

So much depends on raising your children to marry well and, when at all possible, acquire title. Kate's on William's side, however. She'll be glad to show Miss Mary the 19th century, just as soon as she can.

"We'll stick with books for now, then. But y'know where I am. Y'can always leave me a note."

"Alright and yeah, I mean I'm not goin' to teach her to shoot unless she wants but how to keep safe. Milliways can be dangerous. I know, there's always too much that needs to be done. Speakin' of which, can I help?"

Horus has ended up in his pocket and is now sound asleep.

"Milliways is dangerous, an' unpredictable at its best. You're doin' a good thing."

She somehow manages to not melt when she looks at the kitten in William's pocket.

"Y'can help me haul one of these buckets, if you're askin' what needs t'be done right now. I'm headed towards the trough out back with 'em."

"Good, though I'm also tryin' to get her to see that she doesn't have to be proper all the time. I don't know if that makes sense, she just gets all tangled up with bein' right and proper, it seems like it must be tirin'."

Kate chuckles.

"Downright exhaustin'. Y'might find it t'be somethin' of a challenge, sweetheart. Things are different back east; certainly in England. A lady must conduct herself as such at all times. It was similar for me when I attended school in New Orleans."

A different sort of life.

A lifetime ago.

"Milliways'll open her t'new things with time. Anythin' I can do t'help?"

"I know they are, but yeah, ain't expectin' her to change too much. I'm just hopin' she'll smile more and not worry as much. I don't know, but I'll tell you if I think of somethin',"

As he wants to help Mary enjoy life more and he's curious to see what she's willing to dare.

"It'd be good t'see Miss Mary smile."

She empties her bucket of water into the trough once they reach it, a thoughtful curve of her lips making her look pensive.

"I've made a promise t'her. Once I move my door, she's agreed t'come look at my old university. Maybe that'll help."

Maybe it will open a world of potential to her that she hasn't had the luxury to entertain.

"She told me about that, it sounded wonderful,"

It makes him feel awful but he feels jealous of Mary for that chance. He knows he'll never get to a university himself, maybe Mark will, but its a generous offer. And he'll just keep all those awful thoughts inside where they belong instead of getting in the way.

She turns to look at him, her smile stretching a bit.

"Someday I'll get you in a university, too."

And that's a promise, William Evans.

He looks down at the trough feeling foolish, he didn't realize he was that easy to read,

"You don't have to do that, Miss Barlow. It just ain't meant for me."

He ain't always easy to read, but the truth of it is he's got a mountain of potential, and despite the britches and the guns she's still a schoolteacher at heart.

"Hold your horses, now. I ain't talkin' 'bout sendin' you off someplace."

She touches his shoulder, smiling gently.

"Whether you attend or y'jus' visit, keep your mind open t'new adventures. Y'never know where the road'll take you."

His father's a quiet man and while William yells more, he learned to keep a lot of his own wishes hidden from his father. Family always has to come first and then you worry about yourself,

"Alright, sorry, its just somethin' we used to talk about sometimes when I was younger. Mark'd get better and there'd be money for schoolin'. I know it ain't the same here, but don't want to hope too much for anythin'."

Her brow creases.

"Y'got a lot of responsibility back home. Ain't nothin' wrong with that. Y'take care'a family first."

It's the way it's always been, and Kate understands that.

"But there ain't nothin' wrong with betterin' yourself, either. Explorin'. Findin' new things. Maybe then y'can teach what y'know t'your brother, an' he can enjoy the opportunities of this place through you."

"I know but Mark's goin' to be able to do more. If he can find a way to get proper schoolin', he should. I'll learn what I can here but he should be able to choose what he wants,"

William has Milliways and can learn here but Mark, Mark has more chances to find new chances.

"I'm sure he will. He's got a big brother who loves him as much as you, after all."

She's awful proud of him.

And it shows.

"I'm just doin' what I have to for him, what I'm supposed to. He's doin' better and that means he's goin' to be able to do more,"

Mark's alive and that means he can go farther.

"Y'know if there's anythin' I can do, I'm pleased t'do it. I'm sure there are some fine schools out Arizona way. An' if y'need some extra coin there's always an odd job or two about.

"Meantime, I'll be sure you an' Miss Mary have enough books between the two'a you."