[ 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.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
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.
no subject
[ 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?
no subject
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.