Katherine "Kissin' Kate" Barlow (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ikissdhimbck) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
milliways_bar2013-03-16 08:15 pm
ikissdhimbck) wrote in milliways_bar2013-03-16 08:15 pm
Entry tags:
EP: Kate Barlow | Outside, Stables / Main Bar
It's been a long time since Beaut's had the pleasure of startling the bar with her presence. The front door admits the five-foot cowgirl and her mount, obviously on their way someplace else, depositing them smack dab in the middle of the bar.
Beaut snorts.
"Oh, come now. S'good t'be back, ain't it?"
Kate wins an ear twitch for her trouble. With a chuckle, she sets about navigating the tables and chairs — and waitrats, we mustn't forget them. She'll get Beaut resettled out in the stables and check on the stock, and once she's done there she'll find a calendar. Once she knows the date and has stopped to look for messages in the stables, at the board, or with the Bar, she'll settle in for a while.
Then again, it's such a beautiful evening out. Maybe she'll take advantage of the lingering light and give Beaut a proper ride up the mountain path.
[ooc: I'm so sorry for inundating the bar! I did try to space everything out. ~sheepish~ Post open indefinitely; catch Kate anywhere you like, she'll be making her rounds and she's in a great humor.]
Beaut snorts.
"Oh, come now. S'good t'be back, ain't it?"
Kate wins an ear twitch for her trouble. With a chuckle, she sets about navigating the tables and chairs — and waitrats, we mustn't forget them. She'll get Beaut resettled out in the stables and check on the stock, and once she's done there she'll find a calendar. Once she knows the date and has stopped to look for messages in the stables, at the board, or with the Bar, she'll settle in for a while.
Then again, it's such a beautiful evening out. Maybe she'll take advantage of the lingering light and give Beaut a proper ride up the mountain path.
[ooc: I'm so sorry for inundating the bar! I did try to space everything out. ~sheepish~ Post open indefinitely; catch Kate anywhere you like, she'll be making her rounds and she's in a great humor.]
no subject
"Lordy, that man don't sound at all like Dr. Crowe. How horrible!"
How much worse it must have made things!
She sighs, brow creased.
"I'm glad t'hear things're lookin' on the up, but it sure sounds like you've had more'n your share of tribulations. I only hope your family pulls through it relatively whole. Takin' you out dancin's a good start t'reform, though."
Attempting a smile, small and wan it may be, she gently cups Carlotta's cheek. She shakes her head, chuckling at the rest.
"I can't really judge; I know I had a temper on me when I was young myself. Well, I reckon I still do. But back then my daddy used t'call me his li'l dust devil, 'cuz I'd haul in ragin' 'bout one thing or another. I don't blame you for losin' your temper after a revelation like that. I might've done worse. However, it's good that you're growin' outta some'a your hellfire.
"Y'said Will had t'sell one'a your colts?"
no subject
She nods again. "He's borrowed from his father to buy an unbroken one to train up for profit. He's been breaking horses since he was twelve, but this one has been with an inexperienced handler so has probably picked up some bad habits."
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That isn't to say she's going to volunteer Dr. Crowe's — or any other doctor's — time, but when you've got a magical bar at your disposal you can always explore other options. And she meant it when she offered to come straighten Will out herself.
"Mm, my daddy had a colt like that once. Listen, sugar, I could get you some horses if y'wanted 'em. It jus' so happens I'm in a place where that'd be simple as pie. An' I know a thing or two 'bout breakin' 'em myself, though it sounds like that's been good for Will's state, doin' it himself."
no subject
"That's awfully sweet of you, but Will's parents don't know about the bar, and the tax man might have a few words to say about our books if horses start appearing. At the moment, it's giving him something to focus on. Part of the problem when he was on tour with me was that he wasn't performing - he'd come so late in the seasons - and didn't have enough to do but go down to the pub."
Looking up at Kate again she adds. "But we'd really appreciate your help with getting a doctor to help him. I'll pay you back, I promise. I... I have to warn you he's awfully cagey about it all. All I even know is that he was forced to do very bad things in the war or he'd have been shot for disobeying."
no subject
She nods, understanding well enough what that's like. If she didn't have her work in the stables here — which has lots of times involved her creating more work for herself than strictly necessary — she might not have come through a few bad turns. Books can be doctored, and aliases made; the Cullen-Whitlocks have taught her that much about traveling through different worlds. But she leaves the matter of their livelihood aside for now, concentrating instead on what Carlotta says as she continues.
"Don't you worry your head none, sugar; we can work out the details if an' when we find someone. I think I'll leave a note for Dr. Crowe tonight, an' see what he might say. Will's been through an awful lot, an' I think time more'n anythin' is gonna help him. Time an' patience. We'll see him through."
She draws her into another steadying hug.
no subject
She needs hugs. And a few fewer things to worry about.
"Is it foolish to keep taking a man back who has cheated?" she asks quietly.
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Spoken softly, neutral, not drawing more than the necessary attention.
Menfolk are hard on the heart.
"D'you believe that he loves you?"
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"A man who thinks you're not right doesn't know what he's missing." she says.
A sigh. "I do. I think he loves me so much that he's terrified I'll leave if he tells me the extent of his problems."
no subject
"So long as you've got love, you've got a foundation. Build on that however y'see fit."
She pulls back, expression serious.
"However, if the love fades, don't hold on to a hope. Y'both need respect an' honor t'keep it fit, or else all the love in the world can still hurt your heart."
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She well, well knows that.
"But you've got scriptural means t'leave 'im based on his indiscretions. I ain't sayin' that's the best way t'go, I'm jus' sayin' if he continues t'hurt you you're well within your rights."
no subject
"If someone gets married in a non-religious ceremony is there a way they can get out of it?"
no subject
"I ain't certain. What is more, y'come from a different world than I do. I'm more concerned 'bout how folk look at you after the fact. Ain't nobody could say y'sinned 'gainst God. Sadly, Will's the one who's done that."
no subject
But that's another one of her worries to deal with.
"As I travel part of the week without Will, people I meet assume he is on business at home, which is true. But that wouldn't hold for long."
Sigh. "It is not at that stage yet. I should worry about problems as they come."
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She hesitates briefly.
"I'm here for both of you. For good or ill."
She gives her shoulder a squeeze.
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"A few minutes ago, I thought you might be going to beat him up." she teases.
She gives Kate an appreciative look, though.
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She's deadly serious. However, after a second she smiles a little.
"I jus' don't want t'see you taken advantage of, sugar. Y'deserve better'n that. If Will can reform, that's well an' good. But I won't be scared t'give 'im what for if he calls for it."
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"I don't think we need to resort to physical violence just yet, but thank you."
[ooc: Fade here? Thanks for the thread :)]
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"You call the shots."
The stables provide a number of easy distractions and happier topics, and the two soon move on to discussing the horses, returning to feeding them sugar. Later on, after Kate's made it back inside, she leaves a note with Miss Bar.
Dear Dr. Crowe,
I don't know if you recall speaking to me
some months ago about what happened here
last winter, but I have a friend who may
be in need of your help. If willing, please
get in touch.
You may leave correspondence with Miss Bar
for me, or with the stable hands. I work
most mornings and evenings. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Miss Kate Barlow
The rest she leaves to the hands of fate.