EP: Kate Barlow | Outside, Stables / Main Bar

[ikissdhimbck]

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.]

Comments

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta hugs back.

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.

[ikissdhimbck]

"Not any more foolish than hangin' on a prayer that a man who says y'weren't never right might come back someday."

Spoken softly, neutral, not drawing more than the necessary attention.

Menfolk are hard on the heart.

"D'you believe that he loves you?"

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta squeezes her a litte harder.

"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."

[ikissdhimbck]

She strokes her hair, lips pursed.

"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."

[fiery_ring]

"I promised God to stay with him forever." Carlotta says. "Now if he breaks that first, that's one thing, and if our daughter is at risk, that's another. But most people would look down on me greatly for deserting a man broken by the war because I was less in love. Even in the circus."

[ikissdhimbck]

"I well know that, sugar."

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."

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta thinks about this for a moment.

"If someone gets married in a non-religious ceremony is there a way they can get out of it?"

[ikissdhimbck]

She shakes her head.

"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."

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta nods. So if Teja marries Pyrrha, and she does something untoward to him, it sounds like he may not be able to get out of it.

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."

[ikissdhimbck]

"That's reasonable, darlin'. All y'hafta know right now is I'm here for you, no matter what happens."

She hesitates briefly.

"I'm here for both of you. For good or ill."

She gives her shoulder a squeeze.

[fiery_ring]

Small smirk.

"A few minutes ago, I thought you might be going to beat him up." she teases.

She gives Kate an appreciative look, though.

[ikissdhimbck]

"Say the word an' I will."

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."

[fiery_ring]

Carlotta laughs.

"I don't think we need to resort to physical violence just yet, but thank you."

[ooc: Fade here? Thanks for the thread :)]

[ikissdhimbck]

She smiles crookedly.

"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.