OOM: Mineral City, 1888 -- That's why I hang my hat... -- for Rachel

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate doesn't try to draw attention to herself, but it's kind of hard to sneak through the bar leading a 15-hand pony. Beaut's not fond of hardwood, truth be told, but convenient doors to Texas aren't always to be found from the forest outside.

"Come along, sugar. Not far now an' there'll be dirt under your hooves again."

Beaut issues a dubious snort, sidestepping when a waitrat ventures a little too close. Kate swings around to steady her, arm brushing a piece of yellowed paper she's got tucked into her britches. She knocks it loose, and it flutters to the floor behind her.

"He ain't botherin' you. C'mon."

She moves a little faster. The quicker she gets Beaut outside, the better. Opening her door, she grins as Beaut's ears twitch forward in recognition, and lets her mosey out first.

"No, no. By all means, let me hold the door for you."

The two disappear.

But the yellowed map remains.


As does the door.

Comments

[ikissdhimbck]

"Oh."

She flushes.



"Oh. Well. That I can do."

Quite willingly, Kate shuts her mouth.

[theresnodoor]

"Good."

Firmly. Still glaring.

The last thing she needed was a reason to regret sneaking out of Milliways.

But she manages the rest of the buttoning in silence, reaching for her jeans. And, unfortunately, finding another problem at the end.

"Oh, man."

[ikissdhimbck]

Is it appropriate to speak? Kate isn't clear on the bounds and confines of the "bite me" contract.



Mildly:

"Somethin' the matter?"

[theresnodoor]

"Probably."

Something nudges Kate's shoulder - not a hand, but the toe of a shoe.

A pair of sneakers, actually.

"If they won't like t-shirts, these probably won't work either."

[ikissdhimbck]

"Y'know, the skirts I hauled out might cover up your feet."

She glances over her shoulder to catch Rachel's eyes.

"I ain't sure you'd fit into my dress boots, an' it'll be a few hours at least 'fore we find a cobbler."

[theresnodoor]

Ugh, the skirt will probably be as rough and coarse as the shirt. But she's a visitor.

Damn it.

Rachel nods, tucking the shoes back into her jacket and tying it up. "All right. I can go barefoot for a while."

[ikissdhimbck]

She smirks.

"Suit yourself."

She pulls out the map Rachel returned to her, unfolding it to a section with a penciled-in route. She takes note of the sun's position in the sky, and then nods once.

"Well, Rachel. Welcome t'Texas."

She smiles sharply, and nods to the saddle.

"Hop on."

[theresnodoor]

She did ask for this. Though at some point, Rachel would really love to be the one driving when she's traveling with others.

Tying the arms of her jacket into a loop, she slings it over her shoulder. There's a moment of eyeing Beaut, but Kate doesn't seem worried. Though if the horse bucks her off, there will be revenge.

Until that point, Rachel takes hold of the pommel to swing herself up.

[ikissdhimbck]

Beaut's mild, though she does her fair share of eyeing Rachel back. She flicks her ears and stamps a forefoot, but the horse-cum-teenager no longer smells quite so offensive. So, she holds steady while the two mount up.

It won't be the most comfortable ride, but Beaut won't buck her off. Probably.


The sun's declining by the time they reach the city limits, setting the traveling tents along the border afire with fading light. It's not a particularly impressive town just looking at it, but it's a good place to go for information.

And with all the travelers coming and going, it's a good place to blend in.

[theresnodoor]

Rachel is eyeing the horse a little right back. And so long as the horse stamps like that, she's not letting go of Kate.

They're both getting bucked, if she has anything to say about it.


The only town even remotely like this one that Rachel has ever seen was in miniature scale in a museum. It's odd to watch people walk around, not actors, but people. In a little hole in the wall town. In a desert.

Granted, she'd been riding on a horse for the last few hours, so it could literally be a hole and she'd still be happy to see it. Anything to get out of the saddle.

[ikissdhimbck]

"Have y'ever been outside the bar before?"

Kate leads them into town at an easy trot, taking time to coordinate their stories.

[theresnodoor]

"No, I was born there," Rachel replies in deadpan. She's watching a woman walk by leading a cow like any other woman her age might walk a dog.

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate finds nothing unusual about this.

She gives Rachel a flat look.

"I meant have y'ever been to a world other'n your own before? In case folk start askin' questions, it might do t'have a story in place."

[theresnodoor]

Rachel makes a face right back at her. "'Mind your own business' isn't a good story?"

She's been out, mostly with X. But they deliberately avoided people at the time.

[ikissdhimbck]

"Oh yeah."

Kate sighs, directing Beaut toward what looks like the local hotel.

"We're gon' be real popular."


There's a couple troughs in front of the Sanford hotel, along with posts to tie up your horses. Kate dismounts and ties Beaut's lead off, glancing down the thoroughfare. There's a general store, post office, what looks to be two churches and a school, some businesses and eateries. A saloon sits real pretty next to the hotel, and that's where she'll be aiming.

[theresnodoor]

Rachel slides off the saddle after Kate, wincing and annoyed when her foot finds a rock first thing. She brushes her hair back, looking around.

She wanted an adventure, not popularity. Sorry, Kate.

"What did you come here for anyway?" she asks after a moment, glancing at Kate with a look that may or may not be sheepish. "I don't even know where you're going."

[ikissdhimbck]

Her eyes skate to Rachel.

There's a clear moment where she isn't sure whether she should tell her the truth. You can see the wheels turning.

Eventually, she softens. Glancing at the dirt, she takes a half-step closer.

"I was told there might be some folk here who could help me out with a problem I've been havin'." Her voice drops an octave. "I'm lookin' for a posse."

[theresnodoor]

She wouldn't have reacted, honestly, until she heard that word. It's not common where she comes from, and when it is used, the definition can vary a little. Depending on the intention.

But Kate is hesitant and not wanting to share much. So Rachel shrugs and looks around again. "Okay. I'm guessing you're not going to be putting up a Help Wanted sign."

[ikissdhimbck]

She smirks.

"Not in so many words."

Pause.


"D'you trust me?"

[theresnodoor]

The words stop her entirely.





Then she lifts an eyebrow.

"Not really. But I kind of walked into this."

[ikissdhimbck]

"Then act like it."

She nods toward the saloon.



"Keep an eye on how many pieces are in the room, try an' have your back to a wall, an' no matter what I do or who I talk to, don't trust nobody."

She doesn't like bringing her along unarmed.

"Oh, an' most importantly? If anybody gives y'trouble, don't hesitate t'maul their ass."

[theresnodoor]

The suspicion, the frown, the lifted eyebrow that were all present at the start of this conversation?

They are gone in a bright sunny smile by the end of it.

"I think I might like you."

[ikissdhimbck]

Her grin goes crooked.

"Let's hope y'still feel that way by the end of the night. Y'hungry?"

At that, she leads them through the batwing doors. It's actually one of the nicer saloons Rachel could find herself in. Proper sawdust on the floor, well-stocked bar, and clientele that — while not the prettiest bunch in the world — are less seedy than some. Mineral City has a good reputation, and a booming tourist trade so long as the water is reputed as having healing powers. Hence the name of the town.

"Howdy, li'l ladies," grins the barkeep.

Kate glances at Rachel, stifling her smirk.

[theresnodoor]

She'd shook her head about food. Definitely not a priority in a brand new world.

Also, she's not very excited about the niceness of this saloon, considering she'd getting sawdust between her toes.

The barkeep's cheerful greeting gets him an even glare and not much else. Rachel turns her attention to everyone else in the place. Hoping that they're more interesting, at least.

[ikissdhimbck]

The keep, a round-faced gentleman of German descent, is taken aback. He shifts his gaze between the women, looking uncomfortable.

"What can I get you?"

"Whiskey an' a sarsaparilla," Kate smirks, not pausing to see whether or not Rachel is shooting her daggers. "An' a name. Thomas Black?"

The barkeep pours the drinks, and nods over Kate's shoulder. Three men sit at a table in the corner. There's a game of cards spread out in front of them, but their attention is unmistakably on the women.