(Untitled)

[ikissdhimbck]

[OOM: Millitimed to the night of April 29th/day of April 30th:
This House is Not a Home.
]

It was growing late, and Kate would be heading back out to the stables soon. But before she did, she wanted to grab a bite to eat and check for any notes she might have.

As she passed the message board, she caught sight of something that made her pretty

Comments

[mechanicalswans]

Here, have a distracting demigod.

One Weyland approaching the bar nearby, the scent of forge smoke clinging to his suit as he orders a beer and, as an afterthought, some venison stew.

[ikissdhimbck]

The scent of smoke is strong as he passes by, which is the only reason why Kate looks up, watching the demigod as settles in to enjoy a meal.

If her eyebrows are arched, it's simply because she's never seen a farrier dressed quite like that before.

[mechanicalswans]

He gets that being-watched feeling, and glances up as he unfolds his napkin.

"Good evening," he says quietly.

[ikissdhimbck]

"Evenin'," she smiles, nodding respectfully. "Beggin' your pardon if I'm disturbin' your meal."

[mechanicalswans]

"Not at all," he says. "If I'm not in the mood for company, I don't often come inside. Have you had the stew here? It's very good."

[ikissdhimbck]

"Had the beef stew my first night back," she nods. "I think Miss Bar decided I needed somethin' hearty, after not eating a spell."

She inclines her chin in the direction of his suit.

"You been outside in that?"

[mechanicalswans]

"I'm partial to venison," he says. "It reminds me of home. Good hunting, there."

Not that he gets to go hunting much anymore.

"I have, yes--is that strange?"

[ikissdhimbck]

"Couldn't tell ya," she chuckles good-naturedly. "In my world, menfolk don't generally work in fancy threads like that. You smell like you've been down at the forge."

She crosses her arms and leans forward on the Bar, blue eyes bright and curious.

"Where are you from, if you don't mind me askin'?"

[mechanicalswans]

"I work there, in the forge," he nods. "I have clothes that I work in, but I change there, so everything picks up the scent of smoke. But I find it comforting."

He sips his beer. "Minnesota. Not originally, but lately. And you?"

[ikissdhimbck]

"Texas," she says with a bright smile. "Round about the year eighteen-eighty-eight. My name's Kate."

She hops off her stool nimbly, and steps closer to offer him her hand.

"Kate Barlow."

[mechanicalswans]

"A very good year, in its way," he says with a small smile, and shakes her hand. "I am Weyland. It's a pleasure to meet you."

He has a sudden feeling of nostalgia for life on the frontier. Cities feel so enclosed.

[ikissdhimbck]

"Pleasure's all mine, Weyland," she grins, stepping back once their hands part. "You from around the same time, then?"

[mechanicalswans]

"A bit later," he admits, "but I did live through it, and remember it well. I had a farm, then, up in Minnesota. A beautiful farm, but it seems everyone lives in cities now."

[ikissdhimbck]

"Is that right?" she says, likely not grasping the full weight of his words when he says 'a bit later.'

"I've never been up that way myself. Born and raised in Texas, and only ever traveled for my schoolin'. I look forward to getting out a bit more now, though."

Evidence of her fine education shines through in her voice as she speaks; despite her southern drawl, and the occasionally dropped 'g's, there is a softness to her speech that belies a hint of refinement, and a quietness in her manner that gives away good breeding.

[mechanicalswans]

"You can go a long way in any direction and still be in Texas, depending on where you live," he says. "Or so I'm told. But if you ever do get the urge to head up north, very far north--the people of Minnesota are very welcoming."

He is fond of them; that's why he keeps going back.

"Just looking for somewhere new to settle?"

[ikissdhimbck]

"Sounds about right," she chuckles amiably, before nodding her head. "I suppose you could say so. Not sure how well 'settling' is gonna work out for me, but I'm moving, for sure. I'll keep Minnesota in mind, if ever Texas decides to throw me out."

Which might be sooner rather than later.