milliways_bar | EP: Kate Barlow

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EP: Kate Barlow | Main Bar

Kate comes inside trailing clouds of dust behind her. She's been working the stables, as usual. Today was a hot one, and it didn't seem fit working the stock so long as the sun was high, so she set about cleaning and organizing instead. She takes off her hat and sets it on the Bar, wincing apologetically as dirt puffs up and settles on the lacquered surface.

"Beggin' your pardon, Miss. I'll clean it up. Meantime, could I get somethin' cold?"

A pint of peach cobbler ice cream pops up as she settles herself on a stool. She eyeballs it dubiously. How can you put a respectable cobbler in a bucket of cold ice cream? She don't believe it can be done. Naturally, she won't dismiss it out of hand without giving it a fair shake. For science, and all.

She opens a ledger and starts going over notes, scooting the pint closer. Every now and again, her hand strays to her chest, absently playing with the necklace she's wearing. It's strangely soothing.

[ooc: Open indefinitely, inside the bar or outside.]

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"Mm, y'mentioned that once before. It's always — excitin'. Havin' someone whose mind on things is similar t'yours."

Sometimes they come from the most unlikely places. You aren't looking, and suddenly you find yourself falling head over heels for the town onion salesman.

She fiddles with her pendant again.

"And is that necklace from someone whose mind is like yours? You haven't stopped playing with it for long, so it must be a gift from someone special." He's given gifts like that more than once.

She blinks, glancing down at the charm between her fingers, and laughs softly.

"I hadn't realized. Ah, no. I mean — yes, s'a gift. An' it's — special. Not sure our minds are all that similar."

She smirks, fond. It's always hard to say what's going on in Tommy's mind, but she does miss him when he's not around.

"But you and he are finding common ground, whoever he is?" This might explain why, with all their flirting, it always stayed just that. Each had an eye elsewhere, and the other could tell beyond that.

"Who said it was a he?"

She looks up at him, smiling serenely.

"Are you trying to scandalize me?" He says this with a smile, but Howard is a man of his times. Meaning that he is distinctly uncomfortable with homosexuality, though scientist enough to think that it is not a choice and not nearly as bad as moralists say.

She chuckles.

"Hardly. Not even sure I could. I only meant that I never said it was from a suitor. S'jus' from a friend, s'all."

Her hand brushes over the silver chain. If she expects Tommy to be discreet about their relationship, she must lead by example.

He isn't sure he believes that. But he knows better than to pry into Kate's life.

"It's still very nice."

He doesn't yet know her terrible luck with men. It's safer all around not to get too close.

"Thank you. I think so, as well."

"And you're not afraid you'll lose it while working?" An utterly practical question.

She dips her fingers under her collar, pulling out another chain. At the end of this one dangles a sterling silver horse pendant.

"I've been wearin' this for nearly two years now an' haven't lost it. Not t'mention other pieces along the way.

"I'd feel awful sorry if this should come off, 'course."

"Then I guess it's second nature to you.

"I'm probably thinking like a factory man. I think we told the women who worked for us during the war to leave any and all chains in the locker room, so that nothing could go wrong." More to the machines, since any chain caught in the gears would probably just snap free and not do much damage to the wearer.

She nods mild understanding. She's never been in a factory herself, but she's seen some of the machines they use nowadays — that is, in eighteen-eighty-eight.

"It'd be scarier t'get caught in a motor, for sure. All those iron teeth — mph. No, sir."

She shudders.

"I like jewelry, though. Never wore too much of it before. I try an' keep 'em under my blouse when I'm laborin'."

"We do our level best to maintain the highest standards of safety." At least for the employees. Nothing can be done about the somewhat reckless owner of the company.

"I usually leave my watch on. But even that is a bit risky. It's a good conductor."

A pause is followed by a slight quirking of an eyebrow, and a knowing grin. Kate doesn't know Howard inside and out, but his recklessness has made its mark. She doesn't bother saying anything — her expression is tease enough.

"Conductor? Don't tell me y'have lightnin' storms indoors?"

"I work with electricity from time to time. So in a sense, I guess we do." Though whether those HYDRA weapons ran on some sort of electricity remains an open question.

"It's strong enough for that li'l bitty old thing t'attract?"

She gestures at his wristwatch. Sure, she's seen clock towers burnt out from lightning storms, but coming from a time where indoor electricity is feared by so many as some kind of witchcraft, Kate assumed what they used here and in the future was perfectly safe.

"Anything made with iron or steel can draw a shock. It's a good reason to wear rubber soles."

"Good heavens. I hope you're safe."

Notice she says so despite him just having told her about their standards of safety. She trusts you about as far as she can throw you, Mr. Stark.

"Think I'll stick t'minding stables. Least that way I don't hafta worry 'bout what I'm wearin' sendin' me up in smoke."

"No, but horses have a kick, right?" He's seen plenty, but hasn't been on one since he was a kid.

She tosses him a winning smile.

"Animals like me."

And then, with a subtle shift, that winning smile turns a touch sinister.

"May not like you."

"I doubt they would. I am sure I smell of oil and not hay or apples." He is not of the horsey set.

She chuckles.

"I wouldn't forsake a good horse for your machines jus' yet. As wondrous as they can be, they can't offer you companionship, or pull you t'safety when you're knocked unconscious."

"A horse can do that?" Dogs, yes. Horses?

She makes a face at him.

"Of course. A horse is more'n jus' a tool, Howard Stark. They're a friend for life. I could be dead by now if I didn't have Beaut."

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