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]

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.

[theresnodoor]

The last thing Rachel will complain about is someone not giving her alcohol. Kate's order isn't argued.

The bartender's nod, however, is followed, until Rachel is looking over her shoulder to examine the card players, blue eyes sharp.

Subtle isn't her strong point. Kate didn't say it needed to be.

[ikissdhimbck]

"Careful."

Her voice is light, though the look she gives Rachel is serious.

"They might take that as an invitation."

She knocks back her whiskey, and pushes herself from the bar.

"Be right back."

[theresnodoor]

Rachel smiles. It's not the sort of smile a few randy cowboys would appreciate, though.

"Maybe it is."

But she nods when Kate walks off. Her party, her decision. And Rachel needs to find out what 'sarsaparilla' is, too.

[ikissdhimbck]

Kate moseys on up to the men, the exchange likely more visible than it is audible. Her body language flirts at seduction, she gestures, one of the men smiles and nods — 'yes, I'm Thomas Black.'

The cowgirl casts one last glance back at Rachel before she takes a seat, getting straight on down to business.


The bartender doesn't offer much fuss over the young lady with the dour looks.

[hell2houston]

...But the cowpoke who sidles on up behind her does.

"'Nother round of whiskey, Chief."

He gives Rachel a slow once-over, smiling amiably.

"Y'loose your shoes there, miss?"

[theresnodoor]

Rachel has perched herself on a stool, bare feet dangling beneath the hem of the borrowed skirt. But she hadn't expected anyone to notice so quickly.

Which is most obvious by the way she'd already started sipping her drink before she's spoken to.

And once-over'd.

On the bright side, sarsaparilla appears to be root beer. Good call, Kate.

She finishes her sip and then says, calmly and clearly, "No."

[hell2houston]

The cowpoke speaks with an odd twang. There's a strong German community around these parts.

"Coouldn't afford 'em, then?"

He's sympathetic enough. Polite, too, if you don't count how close he gets to her.

[theresnodoor]

Because the once-over hadn't been enough of a reason not to like him.

Still facing forward, Rachel says - again, calmly, clearly, but now firmly: "No."

And takes another slow sip.

[hell2houston]

"No need t'git riled, miss. I'm oonly bein' friendly."

The tender sets three whiskey glasses down in front of him. He picks one up, in no hurry to get back to his table.

"Nothin' to be ashamed of. Jus' oone less thing t'take off at night, eh?"

[theresnodoor]

An unfortunate choice of words, that last question.

Rachel sets her glass down with a clink, eyes forward.

"No."

[hell2houston]

He laughs.

"Eh, y'got spunk. I like — "

[theresnodoor]

"No."

[hell2houston]

"Now, hold on, miss — "

[theresnodoor]

"No."

[hell2houston]

"Fiesty, ain't y' — "

[theresnodoor]

"I don't think I can use smaller words," Rachel growls, finally turning her head to glare at him, "so I'll just say this slowly and pretend you're smarter than you act.

"Go. Away."

[hell2houston]

"Now, you ain't given me a chance t'say much at all, missy."

He shakes his head, chuckling.

"I meant no offense. A pretty thing like you don't come aroound a place like this much. Can't blame a fella for a little good-natured conversation."

[theresnodoor]

"You're still talking," Rachel informs him flatly.