[video]

[horseish]

[The camera shakes a bit as it turns on, revealing an extreme close-up of a blonde teenage girl bundled in a blanket. As she pulls back, a room is shown in a general state of disarray with clothes thrown over every surface.]

Just my luck I got stuck here before I grew any. I gotta find me some clothes, 'cause these?

[She holds up a tiny, child-sized pair of jeans with a raised eyebrow.]

Ain't exactly gonna cut it this time.








[ooc: Bobby is sixteen for the weekend! Have fun, City.]

Comments

[horseish]

[It's ridiculously high-tech in here. Particularly for them early twentieth century folks. But Jarvis has learned to mostly stay quiet around Bobby. There are some things it takes a while to get used to, and disembodied voices are one of them.]

I'd offer you a drink or something but it don't look like there's much in the house. Coffee?

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Yeah, coffee would be good.

[He sets down the bag of clothes on the table, already questioning whether what he bought was at all what she'd want.]

Does Bruce know you're... not a little kid anymore?

[horseish]

He ain't always around.

[She is eying the bag, but goes to put the coffee on first. And spends about five minutes remembering how the coffee maker works until JARVIS subtly turns it on for her.]

[recognize_an_opportunity]

He'll be surprised when he comes back then.

[He finally shoves the bag across the table to her.]

Here.

[She'll find a pair of jeans -- though he'd hesitated while buying them, wondering if she'd want to wear jeans, and had eventually decided that he saw enough women around the City wearing them that they were probably a safe choice -- a warm looking coat, and a pair of sneakers. None of the clothes are exactly fashionable, but they're inoffensive and fairly average.]

[horseish]

[They looks like they'll fit, which is all she cares about. Bobby's never been much for clothes as long as they're comfortable and don't get in the way.]

Thanks. I don't often get to wear trousers anymore, and it's a real pain. Lady I work for reckons they ain't appropriate or something.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Well, I guess that depends on what you do. Where do you work?

[horseish]

The farm wife next ranch over, they've got a million hands and no daughters so she pays me to come over. It's mostly cooking and drives me up the wall but there ain't no other work to be had. I think she reckons I'm some kind of charity case but I ain't gonna complain long as we got money to stay fed.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Do you have any plans to move away from there? Find a job you'd actually like?

[horseish]

I'm a girl, Meyer.

[She's folding the jeans back up now and putting them back in the bag.]

Ever since '29, there ain't been enough jobs for the men, let alone someone like me. And there's no way I'm leaving Rosie and Isabel. They got to have the chance to finish school.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[He nods. Has he mentioned lately that he's really not looking forward to everything that happens in '29?]

I know. Guess you could have kept pretending to be a guy.

[Not that that's really a serious suggestion.]

[horseish]

Believe me, it's damn tempting sometimes.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

What would you do if you could?

[horseish]

Get a job earning me more than $6 a week that don't involve spending all day standing over a stove.

She does let me take home free whiskey on Sundays from the still she got out back so it ain't all bad.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Nothing better than free whiskey. Except for maybe a job that you actually enjoy.

[horseish]

Only rich people get to do what they want all the time. Rest of us just got to put food on the table.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

I won't argue with that.

[horseish]

I'm gonna try these on. Coffee should be ready soon.

[Heading back to her bedroom now.]

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Thanks.

[He's just going to sit down awkwardly at the table and stare at the coffee pot for awhile.]

[horseish]

[They really aren't high fashion, especially with Bruce's over-sized shirt still on, but they work.]

Nice guess on the fit.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

I asked the woman in the shop for help. She was pretty sure I was buying clothes for my girlfriend.

[So basically, be really glad he's willing to go through awkwardness for you, Bobby.]

[horseish]

[Don't mind the slight look of disgust that crosses over her face at the thought. Sorry, bro.]

Thanks again. What do I owe you?

[recognize_an_opportunity]

[He pulls out the receipt and studies it, then shoves it in his pocket, shrugging.]

Return the favor sometime and we'll call it even. And no short jokes, even when you go back to being short yourself.

[horseish]

I told you I'd pay. I don't like owing nobody favors.

[recognize_an_opportunity]

Fine.

[He shows her the receipt.]

You got that much sitting around?

[horseish]

[She got her stash out when she went back into her room and counts out the cash for him. She learned a long time ago about paying off her debts.]