[ It comes out as neutral and non-judgemental as possible, because he's trying real hard not to smile or laugh again. It's just that he looks so down about it. Look at those little cat ears droop for fuck's sake. ]
Yeah, sure. Do you think there's a problem or is this a 'just in case' kinda thing?
[ Regardless of the answer he closes up the hood so he can get to the wipers, lifting them as he inspects them a little. ]
Again, it's the car manual that'll tell you what type and what size windshield wipers to get but you can just get out a tape measure and measure them yourself if you don't know. As for the type...
[ He angles the wiper slightly and just under where his finger is tapping it's possible to make out a little button. ]
...yours are clip on.
[ He demonstrates this by pushing down on the button and then pulling the wiper blade straight up from the arm holding it. Then he slides it back on until it snaps into place. ]
Wanna try?
[ He goes to hand it over to G'raha before he remembers that these things are spring-loaded and all it would take is one slip of the hand to end up with a cracked windshield. He sets the wiper down and has a look around for a rag or a towel or something. He finds nothing, and in the end he slides off his own shirt, folds it, and then sets it on the glass under the wiper. ]
[ G'raha knew that it ought to be a simple thing. He swears there's just some little lever or push to eject the piece, but they also feel so fragile at the same time. What if he pulls to hard and breaks it? Would he be able to replace the mechanical arm itself, or would his car be beyond repair? The fear is. Very real. ]
A..."just in case". Although one of mine does appear to be more worn than the other, so I assume it will need replacement soon enough when the weather turns for the worse.
[ He's trying to be prepared, mostly. Getting caught in a real storm and being unable to see on the road would be an unfortunate situation to find himself in. And though he has slept in his car out in the Fringes, he would prefer to avoid unnecessary delays.
...And, well. He wants to know. Because learning is fun.
As soon as Eliot says "yours are clip on", G'raha feels he's clearly overlooked something obvious. But he tries not to let the embarrassment show even if his ears do droop a bit. And, yes, Eliot makes it look extremely easy. Of course it's easy.
G'raha does manage to let out a bemused half-chuckle at his own expense. He rubs the back of his neck. ]
I imagined it would be something ea--
[ Why is Eliot--
Oh.
Oh.
G'raha's eyes widen. Just a bit. Just a little too far. He ought to be looking at the wiper and the very kind way Eliot has scarified his shirt for the sake of the windshield but. No one can blame him for looking at Eliot, right? he may have another shirt underneath but G'raha does have a full view of some very well-sculpted arms and it's. Not what he was prepared for.
But also what he imagined?
Not that he imagined anything! Why would he! ]
--y-yes. Yes.
[ G'raha sharply turns his attention right back to the task at hands. Hand. His own hands. Doing the things hands should do. He swallows, picking up the wiper and very, very carefully pushing down to snap it off. At first, he wasn't firm enough, but with a little more pressure--pop. ]
[ He's— look, he's not conceited or anything. It's not like he thinks the whole world wants him. He's just... aware of the effect he has on others, knows how best to use it when he's running a con, or hell, just trying to get laid.
The point is, it's kind of impossible for him to miss G'raha's reaction, okay? Eliot has a split second, as he smiles back at in the face of G'raha's mild embarrasment, to think about maybe... pushing, just a little. Get in his space. Put his hands on him. But the thing is, he likes G'raha. Thinks he's interesting. Fun to hang out with. That he's thought once or twice (or seven or eight times) about what it'd be like to have him up against any surface flat enough to hold them is kind of secondary to all that, because G'raha's closer to being a friend than he is a stranger or a business partner or a mark and Eliot hasn't quite managed to get the hang of keeping the friends side of friends with benefits going. ]
Nah, cut yourself some slack. [ He's hearing himself speak but it's like it's from a distance; it's one thing to think about it, it's another to know exactly how easily G'raha gets flustered and what he looks like when he does. Damn. ] You're only a couple of months into this anyway.
[ Well, G'raha's a lot nicer than his usual type—his usual type being people who have attempted to, if not kill, then at least maim him—so he'll probably need to just... take his time with it. ]
And it's not like this is a one time deal. You need any help later, you can just call me.
[ Still, he leaves his shirt off for now. Might as well have fun with it]
[ G'raha, for his part, thinks he's doing a banger job of keeping it together. Just like he is with his feelings towards the Warrior of Light. Very subtle, very demure, etc etc. He's got a lock on this. He can be very gentlemanly.
Which is also why he can't look at Eliot again just yet. Gods, it's been so long. The decades had certainly taken a toll on his libido as had the crystallization of his body. But now that he's been turned to his former youthfulness? Well, some things do come along with that.
How embarrassing. ]
I suppose that's true.
[ It's a quick glance he spares with a sheepish smile. The affirmation is nice and well-intended, even though G'raha does hold himself to a higher standard when it comes to learning. ]
And that is infinitely kind of you to put yourself at my disposal.
[ Ah. Phrasing.
But he isn't blind. Eliot is objectively a handsome man, that was something G'raha noticed upon their meeting. And it isn't as if his opinion on that lessened at every subsequent interaction. If anything, his willingness to learn and desire to help and explore has only heightened that attraction...
Ahem. On topic. Not on Eliot. ]
I was wondering if you have ever had to do a "jump start" before? I saw mention of it in the manual, but it seems like it is mostly if you wish to assist others?
Yeah, that's my bad. I explained the engine and straight up forgot to include the car battery in all that. [ He folds his arms as he explains, leaning a hip against the van. ] So I talked about the engine and how it moves the car, but there needs to be something that kick starts the engine, which is a little starter motor. And that is powered by the car battery.
[ He pauses for a second: does he need to explain what a battery is? Does he even know how to explain what a battery is? Let's not test that. ]
The car battery also does other things though, like power your lights and your windshield wipers— [ he flashes a quick smile here ] —but the battery recharges as you drive so it's not an issue.
You can probably see where this is going, right? If someone, for example, leaves their lights on after turning off the car then the battery goes flat— uh, runs out of charge— [ does that actually help any? MOVING ON ] —and it can't power the motor to start your engine. The jump start is someone else using their battery to help start your engine. Once it's going, your battery starts recharging and you're all good.
[ Yes. On task. Only thinking and more importantly talking about car things.
Thankfully, G'raha does know what a battery is. The inter-connectivity to it and the engine as well as the other components of the vehicle do make sense--it's the power source and, most batteries, are able to be charged. He assumes this is an electric battery as that seems to be the standard around the Diadem.
So it is good to hear that the battery recharges as you drive. That should mean it needs less maintenance, right? ]
Ah, yes, that does make sense. If the motor running is what causes the battery to charge, then it would stand to reason that you shouldn't leave your vehicle unused for any great length of time...correct?
[ G'raha makes the mistake of looking at Eliot full on again. But he can handle it. Yes. Don't make this weird, G'raha, he's just helping you out here and ogling a friend is a weird way to go about it. He forces his eyes to stay squarely on Eliot's face.
Nevermind that his tail swishes more when he does. ]
[ His smile widens—and when was the last time he smiled this much? He really should get some better friends—but this time it's mostly because G'raha's tail seems to be going a mile a minute behind him. Eliot's not an expert on Miqo'te but he can't help but think it has something to do with him. He has the brief thought of what else might make his tail go like that but cuts that off before it can really get going. Stay on task. ]
What's really gonna help you is the fact that you understand a lot of what's going on under here. [ He knocks on the hood of G'raha's van with a knuckle. ] It'll help you diagnose a lot of your problems. Or at least, stop a lot of problems before they get started. Couple more sessions and you'll be opening up your own garage.
[ There is something immensely satisfying about feeling like a star student. Eliot could just be being nice, of course, but he hasn't hesitated to explain things in detail to the questions G'raha does have.
But Eliot is smiling, so that's certainly a good sign. It makes G'raha's own smile widen in return as he nods, only to pause and let out a surprised laugh at the comment. ]
I fear that might be a bit of overconfidence in my abilities. [ But he is amused. ] But...thank you. That does mean a lot coming from you.
[ Ahem. ]
I take it that your expertise on the machines of this world aren't regulated to automotive vehicles...?
[ He has a lot of skills but they all revolve around survival. He's far too practical minded to learn how things work for the sake of it. ]
I only really know how cars work because I've ended up stranded a time or two. [ Behind enemy lines, in foreign countries, on the run etc. You get the idea. ] But something like a TV or, I don't know, a fridge, I wouldn't have a clue about.
[ That's more Hardison's thing. He only needed to look at a thing to know how it worked, and then from there it was simple enough for him to take it apart and put it back together better. A true genius. Not that Eliot would ever say that; his head's big enough already.
But G'raha's confidence in him is a pretty powerful drug, so he finds himself saying: ]
But if you've got something you want fixed, we could probably figure it out together, right?
[ There's no judgment in that, however. It simply makes sense given that Eliot seems the practical sort. It allows him to become an expert in those fields rather than dip his toes into every interesting pool he finds. (G'raha does sometimes find himself overwhelmed by choice.)
And yet, he cannot help but look a little delighted at the offer regardless. His ears do their happy little perk up and he smiles yet again. ]
I do! I've recently come into the position of something called a "typewriter". Are you familiar?
[ Along with the "photocopy machines" that he gathered with Aria, they are going to be so advanced in that little motel room. ]
Your assistance in any capacity would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Eliot. I am in your debt.
[ And he's just. Kind of happy to hang out. ]
It may not be much, but mayhaps I can partially repay you with lunch one of these days.
'Partially repay me'? [ He raises an eyebrow, smiling. ] We already got the magic lessons, remember?
[ Especially since Eliot knows approximately nothing about typewriters. Push button, letter happens, sure, but that's about it. That don't merit a lunch.
Still, maybe that's enough. G'raha's shown that he's pretty damn smart; maybe that's all he really needs to get going. ]
But hey, if you just wanna get lunch some time then that's fine. Maybe I can cook for us or something.
[ But that's not the same? Even if it kind of is. Mayhaps he was simply looking for an excuse--
Goodness, he needn't come off like that. G'raha starts to rub the back of her neck when Eliot makes up for his own fumble. He looks up again, ears perking. ]
[ There's something about G'raha's interest that makes him feel a little bashful, which is not a word anyone has ever used to describe him. Ever. There's an urge to shift or fidget or rub the back of his neck that he very deliberately doesn't give in to. Because he's not a goddamn teenaged boy. ]
Yeah, it's kind of a hobby of mine. Friend got me started on it. You know, fancy classes at a cooking school and all that. Guess I really took to it.
[ An understatement, seeing as how it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that learning to cook helped save his life. ]
Not a professional or anything but I used to cook for my friends a lot back on my star. Been missing it a little, I gotta say.
[ A hobby! Not just a skill born of necessity, which G'raha has a feeling that Eliot has collected many of those over the years. If anything, G'raha looks a little more eager and impressed as the tip of his tail starts to twitch back and forth.
Yes, G'raha enjoys eating a nice meal--something he's grown to appreciate much more now that he actively needs to eat on a regular basis once again--but to be prepared by someone whose company he enjoys and opinion he values? That is a gift indeed. ]
I have a feeling you might be underselling yourself, Eliot. But if you are truly amendable, I would be honored to try your food.
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[ It comes out as neutral and non-judgemental as possible, because he's trying real hard not to smile or laugh again. It's just that he looks so down about it. Look at those little cat ears droop for fuck's sake. ]
Yeah, sure. Do you think there's a problem or is this a 'just in case' kinda thing?
[ Regardless of the answer he closes up the hood so he can get to the wipers, lifting them as he inspects them a little. ]
Again, it's the car manual that'll tell you what type and what size windshield wipers to get but you can just get out a tape measure and measure them yourself if you don't know. As for the type...
[ He angles the wiper slightly and just under where his finger is tapping it's possible to make out a little button. ]
...yours are clip on.
[ He demonstrates this by pushing down on the button and then pulling the wiper blade straight up from the arm holding it. Then he slides it back on until it snaps into place. ]
Wanna try?
[ He goes to hand it over to G'raha before he remembers that these things are spring-loaded and all it would take is one slip of the hand to end up with a cracked windshield. He sets the wiper down and has a look around for a rag or a towel or something. He finds nothing, and in the end he slides off his own shirt, folds it, and then sets it on the glass under the wiper. ]
Okay, now you can give it a try.
no subject
A..."just in case". Although one of mine does appear to be more worn than the other, so I assume it will need replacement soon enough when the weather turns for the worse.
[ He's trying to be prepared, mostly. Getting caught in a real storm and being unable to see on the road would be an unfortunate situation to find himself in. And though he has slept in his car out in the Fringes, he would prefer to avoid unnecessary delays.
...And, well. He wants to know. Because learning is fun.
As soon as Eliot says "yours are clip on", G'raha feels he's clearly overlooked something obvious. But he tries not to let the embarrassment show even if his ears do droop a bit. And, yes, Eliot makes it look extremely easy. Of course it's easy.
G'raha does manage to let out a bemused half-chuckle at his own expense. He rubs the back of his neck. ]
I imagined it would be something ea--
[ Why is Eliot--
Oh.
Oh.
G'raha's eyes widen. Just a bit. Just a little too far. He ought to be looking at the wiper and the very kind way Eliot has scarified his shirt for the sake of the windshield but. No one can blame him for looking at Eliot, right? he may have another shirt underneath but G'raha does have a full view of some very well-sculpted arms and it's. Not what he was prepared for.
But also what he imagined?
Not that he imagined anything! Why would he! ]
--y-yes. Yes.
[ G'raha sharply turns his attention right back to the task at hands. Hand. His own hands. Doing the things hands should do. He swallows, picking up the wiper and very, very carefully pushing down to snap it off. At first, he wasn't firm enough, but with a little more pressure--pop. ]
Ah-ha. I feel a little foolish.
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The point is, it's kind of impossible for him to miss G'raha's reaction, okay? Eliot has a split second, as he smiles back at in the face of G'raha's mild embarrasment, to think about maybe... pushing, just a little. Get in his space. Put his hands on him. But the thing is, he likes G'raha. Thinks he's interesting. Fun to hang out with. That he's thought once or twice (or seven or eight times) about what it'd be like to have him up against any surface flat enough to hold them is kind of secondary to all that, because G'raha's closer to being a friend than he is a stranger or a business partner or a mark and Eliot hasn't quite managed to get the hang of keeping the friends side of friends with benefits going. ]
Nah, cut yourself some slack. [ He's hearing himself speak but it's like it's from a distance; it's one thing to think about it, it's another to know exactly how easily G'raha gets flustered and what he looks like when he does. Damn. ] You're only a couple of months into this anyway.
[ Well, G'raha's a lot nicer than his usual type—his usual type being people who have attempted to, if not kill, then at least maim him—so he'll probably need to just... take his time with it. ]
And it's not like this is a one time deal. You need any help later, you can just call me.
[ Still, he leaves his shirt off for now. Might as well have fun with it]
Got anything else you wanna go over?
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Which is also why he can't look at Eliot again just yet. Gods, it's been so long. The decades had certainly taken a toll on his libido as had the crystallization of his body. But now that he's been turned to his former youthfulness? Well, some things do come along with that.
How embarrassing. ]
I suppose that's true.
[ It's a quick glance he spares with a sheepish smile. The affirmation is nice and well-intended, even though G'raha does hold himself to a higher standard when it comes to learning. ]
And that is infinitely kind of you to put yourself at my disposal.
[ Ah. Phrasing.
But he isn't blind. Eliot is objectively a handsome man, that was something G'raha noticed upon their meeting. And it isn't as if his opinion on that lessened at every subsequent interaction. If anything, his willingness to learn and desire to help and explore has only heightened that attraction...
Ahem. On topic. Not on Eliot. ]
I was wondering if you have ever had to do a "jump start" before? I saw mention of it in the manual, but it seems like it is mostly if you wish to assist others?
no subject
Eliot puts himself firmly back on task. ]
Yeah, that's my bad. I explained the engine and straight up forgot to include the car battery in all that. [ He folds his arms as he explains, leaning a hip against the van. ] So I talked about the engine and how it moves the car, but there needs to be something that kick starts the engine, which is a little starter motor. And that is powered by the car battery.
[ He pauses for a second: does he need to explain what a battery is? Does he even know how to explain what a battery is? Let's not test that. ]
The car battery also does other things though, like power your lights and your windshield wipers— [ he flashes a quick smile here ] —but the battery recharges as you drive so it's not an issue.
You can probably see where this is going, right? If someone, for example, leaves their lights on after turning off the car then the battery goes flat— uh, runs out of charge— [ does that actually help any? MOVING ON ] —and it can't power the motor to start your engine. The jump start is someone else using their battery to help start your engine. Once it's going, your battery starts recharging and you're all good.
Any questions?
[ Don't ask him about the batteries okay. ]
no subject
Thankfully, G'raha does know what a battery is. The inter-connectivity to it and the engine as well as the other components of the vehicle do make sense--it's the power source and, most batteries, are able to be charged. He assumes this is an electric battery as that seems to be the standard around the Diadem.
So it is good to hear that the battery recharges as you drive. That should mean it needs less maintenance, right? ]
Ah, yes, that does make sense. If the motor running is what causes the battery to charge, then it would stand to reason that you shouldn't leave your vehicle unused for any great length of time...correct?
[ G'raha makes the mistake of looking at Eliot full on again. But he can handle it. Yes. Don't make this weird, G'raha, he's just helping you out here and ogling a friend is a weird way to go about it. He forces his eyes to stay squarely on Eliot's face.
Nevermind that his tail swishes more when he does. ]
Lest the battery die...?
no subject
[ His smile widens—and when was the last time he smiled this much? He really should get some better friends—but this time it's mostly because G'raha's tail seems to be going a mile a minute behind him. Eliot's not an expert on Miqo'te but he can't help but think it has something to do with him. He has the brief thought of what else might make his tail go like that but cuts that off before it can really get going. Stay on task. ]
What's really gonna help you is the fact that you understand a lot of what's going on under here. [ He knocks on the hood of G'raha's van with a knuckle. ] It'll help you diagnose a lot of your problems. Or at least, stop a lot of problems before they get started. Couple more sessions and you'll be opening up your own garage.
no subject
But Eliot is smiling, so that's certainly a good sign. It makes G'raha's own smile widen in return as he nods, only to pause and let out a surprised laugh at the comment. ]
I fear that might be a bit of overconfidence in my abilities. [ But he is amused. ] But...thank you. That does mean a lot coming from you.
[ Ahem. ]
I take it that your expertise on the machines of this world aren't regulated to automotive vehicles...?
no subject
[ He has a lot of skills but they all revolve around survival. He's far too practical minded to learn how things work for the sake of it. ]
I only really know how cars work because I've ended up stranded a time or two. [ Behind enemy lines, in foreign countries, on the run etc. You get the idea. ] But something like a TV or, I don't know, a fridge, I wouldn't have a clue about.
[ That's more Hardison's thing. He only needed to look at a thing to know how it worked, and then from there it was simple enough for him to take it apart and put it back together better. A true genius. Not that Eliot would ever say that; his head's big enough already.
But G'raha's confidence in him is a pretty powerful drug, so he finds himself saying: ]
But if you've got something you want fixed, we could probably figure it out together, right?
no subject
[ There's no judgment in that, however. It simply makes sense given that Eliot seems the practical sort. It allows him to become an expert in those fields rather than dip his toes into every interesting pool he finds. (G'raha does sometimes find himself overwhelmed by choice.)
And yet, he cannot help but look a little delighted at the offer regardless. His ears do their happy little perk up and he smiles yet again. ]
I do! I've recently come into the position of something called a "typewriter". Are you familiar?
[ Along with the "photocopy machines" that he gathered with Aria, they are going to be so advanced in that little motel room. ]
Your assistance in any capacity would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Eliot. I am in your debt.
[ And he's just. Kind of happy to hang out. ]
It may not be much, but mayhaps I can partially repay you with lunch one of these days.
no subject
[ Especially since Eliot knows approximately nothing about typewriters. Push button, letter happens, sure, but that's about it. That don't merit a lunch.
Still, maybe that's enough. G'raha's shown that he's pretty damn smart; maybe that's all he really needs to get going. ]
But hey, if you just wanna get lunch some time then that's fine. Maybe I can cook for us or something.
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[ But that's not the same? Even if it kind of is. Mayhaps he was simply looking for an excuse--
Goodness, he needn't come off like that. G'raha starts to rub the back of her neck when Eliot makes up for his own fumble. He looks up again, ears perking. ]
You can cook?
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Yeah, it's kind of a hobby of mine. Friend got me started on it. You know, fancy classes at a cooking school and all that. Guess I really took to it.
[ An understatement, seeing as how it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that learning to cook helped save his life. ]
Not a professional or anything but I used to cook for my friends a lot back on my star. Been missing it a little, I gotta say.
no subject
Yes, G'raha enjoys eating a nice meal--something he's grown to appreciate much more now that he actively needs to eat on a regular basis once again--but to be prepared by someone whose company he enjoys and opinion he values? That is a gift indeed. ]
I have a feeling you might be underselling yourself, Eliot. But if you are truly amendable, I would be honored to try your food.