EP: Kate Barlow | Main Bar, Library (age spell plot)

[ikissdhimbck]

It had been a quiet day for Kate when the loud BWA-BOOOOOOOM shook the bar. She'd just settled down after her nightly chores in the stables, easing the tension out of her back in an armchair by the fire, sipping on a hot tea with bourbon in.

(It's getting close to All Hallows' Eve, and that's making her anxious.)

However, she didn't have all that long to think about the approaching holiday before she was seeing the room from an even lower vantage point, face scrunched in distaste at the liquor on her tongue. She blinked at the teacup and quickly set it down, jumped to her feet, and looked around the strange room.

" ... Daddy?"

Kate Barlow, aged twelve, was off in search of her father.

What she found instead were the libraries.


Now, far calmer, a young Kate sits amid a pile of books, occasionally sweeping cautious glances around the room. She's finding the words of Jules Verne to be a comfort at present. Clearly she slipped and bumped her head during chores, or stumbled onto a glorious vessel somewhere in deep space. She isn't quite sure what to make of it right now, but anywhere with an endless supply of science fiction can't be all that bad.


[ooc: open forever! you may find Kate in the library or the main bar. if your character wants to be in on a heist, they can take this opportunity to meet Kate. the actual heist will happen in a later post, so it's not required you tag this one (I'll update all interested parties once it's all in place). if you'd like me to send Kate round to one of your posts, just let me know!

tiny!tag: age spell plot]

Comments

[filemyclaim]

Her mama would also say she's a handful, even though she tries to be good.

Dixie's eyes widen. "You mean people can travel through space?" Cue twitterpation. She's amazed and confused at the same time.

"How much I wanna eat a big ol' whoopie pie. But I've had my snack."

And she doesn't want to be a bother to the nice people caring for her.

[ikissdhimbck]

"Perhaps! Who's to say? Mr. Jules Verne thinks they could, maybe someday."

Her smile grows a little bigger.

"That sounds scrumptious, though. If you're still hungry, why not have one?"

[filemyclaim]

"Jules Verne!? Who's he?" She starts trying to chin-up her way toward Kate, using her budding reading skills to figure out what the spines of her books say.

"'Cause Missus - Mama says I'm not allowed. It'll spoil my supper good!"

She's not exactly sure how magical!kid!filled!bar came into being out of the blue, but she's not entirely sure it's not supposed to provide a proper morality lesson for her somehow.

[ikissdhimbck]

"He's a writer, and a very good one so far as I can tell. He's written about all kinds of marvelous things!"

In the short time she's been here, she's devoured three of his tales.

"Your mama is right. However, is your mama here?"

Troublemaker, thy name is Katherine.

[filemyclaim]

"Aww! I'm just starting to learn how to put words together.

Mostly prayer books, which do not = secular funtimes to a six-year-old at all.

Dixie shakes her head, wide-eyed.

[ikissdhimbck]

"You must be pretty smart to be readin' already."

She brags on the girl, because it's always nice to feel smart when you're little. Especially if you don't often get to be with other girls your age.

"Since your mama ain't here, maybe you can go on an' spoil your dinner. Jus' this once. An' perhaps you'd like me to read to you some, too?"

[filemyclaim]

"That's what my mama says." Dixie shrugs. "I dunno, I just wanna learn as much as I can before I have to start sewing." She is atrocious at needlepoint already.

"Can you?!" Dixie's eyes brighten. "Canyoucanyou?" This is the most exciting thing to happen to her in days.

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate's nose crinkles in distaste.

"I'm not very good at needlepoint. I like readin' better myself."

It feels like vindication meeting another girl like her. Wouldn't her daddy turn pink if she could introduce them? He'd never hear the end of it.

Giggling, she nods without care of keeping demure.

"Sure! I like t'read. What kinds of stories do you like?"

[filemyclaim]

"I wish I had more time to try," she admits. "But it's harvest time back home, and I don't wanna get switched."

Dixie has never been switched.

She thinks, bites her caramel. "Fairytales. Real romantic ones."

[ikissdhimbck]

"No! They switch your legs when you don't get out an' work?"

Samuel Barlow would never lay a hand on his daughter. He's far too soft, especially when she fixes him with those big blue eyes of hers.

"All right. Come sit on my knee an' I'll read t'you 'bout Snow White and Prince Charming."

[filemyclaim]

"Just a little," she says,sounding sheepish. "They say I hafta do my fair share. If I don't do my lessons, I get one across the knuckles, but that's all."

They're not really mean people, they just need her to produce.

Dixie scrambles on up next to Kate, clambering against the seat, listening intently.

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate considers this very seriously for a moment, and nods.

"It's important you do your chores and help out. Jus' so long as they ain't being cruel to you. I think it certainly calls for a whoopie pie, though. We'll find the icebox when the story is over, all right?"

She makes room for the little girl, retrieving the right book from her stacks.

"My name's Katherine, what's yours?"

[filemyclaim]

"I try!" she says. "They're just real boring sometimes. My brain goes all over thinking about other things." She grins. "I've never had one cold before! Yes please! And my name's Myra," she adds. "Myra Symons."

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate giggles.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Myra Symons."

She cracks open the bound volume and finds the right story.

"Once upon a time ... "

[filemyclaim]

It's a really good story, too.

A beautiful one.

Dix is just beaming by the time it's over, too.

"But I always wanted to know what happens after the happily after." She admits, finishing the caramel. Then, through stuffed teeth, "do they have babies? Does the prince stay around?"

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate blinks.

"Where would he go? Off t'war?"

[filemyclaim]

Dixie frowns. "Princes don't always stay around," she says. "Sometimes, they go away, too, just like everybody else."

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate frowns.

"Did somebody leave you?"

[filemyclaim]

She frowns.

"My real mama and daddy. They died a long time ago. So long ago, I almost can't remember 'em anymore."

[ikissdhimbck]

"I'm sorry."

She's real quiet. Reaching out, she pulls Myra a little closer.

"My mama died, too. Four years ago."

[filemyclaim]

Dixie pouts thoughtfully, gives her a nod, resting her chin against the younger woman's side. "I miss 'em sometimes. I've had two more mommies since but nobody's ever been like my real mommy." Then she asks, "do you miss your mommy?"

[ikissdhimbck]

She purses her lips, a serious set to her brow. After a moment, she nods.

"Very much. She was as sweet as a spring mornin'. My daddy an' I do all right just the two of us, but he misses her, too."

[filemyclaim]

Dixie burrows firmly into Kate's side. She only really misses her own mommy when it's a very dark night and she's feeling particularly lonesome. "I'm sorry she had to go away."

She means it sincerely, too.

[ikissdhimbck]

It's strange having a little body snuggled up beside her. However, it's the good kind of strange. Kate keeps her arm around Dixie's shoulders, a touch protective even at this age.

"Thank you. I'm sorry your mama an' daddy had t'go away, too. I hope the folks who have you now are real nice."

Switching her for not working and telling her not to spoil her supper with sweets aside.

[filemyclaim]

"It's okay," says Dixie. "they really, really are, even tho they're strict."