[ As much as G'raha wouldn't mind tinkering with his van all on his own, ultimately he knows that one wrong move could be potentially disastrous. Alisaie and Alphinaud need their singular (working) vehicle, and he does not want to have to go into further debt to make repairs. So it isn't long before he takes Eliot up on his offer to learn more about the inner workings of cars.
Of course, G'raha came prepared. He has put together his own little tool kit of pieces, although purchased with intent, that may be of value--wrenches, screwdrivers, a tire pressure gauge, jumper cables, a jack, a hammer (you never know). And, of course, numerous books, guides, and magazines he's collected over the previous weeks.
He lays them all out in the back of his van with a look of pride and hope as he watches Eliot for his reaction. ]
Is this a decent start?
[ Did he do good?? ]
Of course, G'raha came prepared. He has put together his own little tool kit of pieces, although purchased with intent, that may be of value--wrenches, screwdrivers, a tire pressure gauge, jumper cables, a jack, a hammer (you never know). And, of course, numerous books, guides, and magazines he's collected over the previous weeks.
He lays them all out in the back of his van with a look of pride and hope as he watches Eliot for his reaction. ]
Is this a decent start?
[ Did he do good?? ]
[ God, what Eliot wouldn't give to be able to pat G'raha on the head. The way his ears perk up...
(Look. He recognises that G'raha is a whole person with person thoughts and feelings but his mind keeps saying 'cat'. What he wouldn't give to be able to pet him...) ]
That's... pretty impressive, G'raha. Good job.
[ He shouldn't be so surprised; he's got first hand experience in how resourceful G'raha is and in how much he loves his research. There ain't no way they were going to go into this without him having done his homework. ]
So then maybe I should start with what you've managed to figure out.
(Look. He recognises that G'raha is a whole person with person thoughts and feelings but his mind keeps saying 'cat'. What he wouldn't give to be able to pet him...) ]
That's... pretty impressive, G'raha. Good job.
[ He shouldn't be so surprised; he's got first hand experience in how resourceful G'raha is and in how much he loves his research. There ain't no way they were going to go into this without him having done his homework. ]
So then maybe I should start with what you've managed to figure out.
[ Little does Eliot know, that cat or not, ear pets are actually very, very nice to be on the receiving end of. Too bad it's been over a century since the last time...
But said ears only wiggle happily at the approval and praise. He does want to do a good job and not put the full burden of supplying the, well, supplies when Eliot is already being generous enough to teach. From what he understands cars can be quite complicated. ]
I believe I have the basics that are covered in the manual--refueling, changing the oil when necessary. I have successfully changed and rotated all the tires as well, though I admit I'm not entirely sure how often that is required or if the van needed it. The engine itself is a bit of a mystery to me, however. And I'm not certain how much I would be able to do myself in regards to repairs to the, erm, the hull, for a lack of better term.
[ He's rambling a bit, but he's excited, okay. ]
I have it on good authority that garages around here aren't to be trusted.
[ There is a little bit of a smirk as he glances back to Eliot. ]
But said ears only wiggle happily at the approval and praise. He does want to do a good job and not put the full burden of supplying the, well, supplies when Eliot is already being generous enough to teach. From what he understands cars can be quite complicated. ]
I believe I have the basics that are covered in the manual--refueling, changing the oil when necessary. I have successfully changed and rotated all the tires as well, though I admit I'm not entirely sure how often that is required or if the van needed it. The engine itself is a bit of a mystery to me, however. And I'm not certain how much I would be able to do myself in regards to repairs to the, erm, the hull, for a lack of better term.
[ He's rambling a bit, but he's excited, okay. ]
I have it on good authority that garages around here aren't to be trusted.
[ There is a little bit of a smirk as he glances back to Eliot. ]
[ Eliot rolls his eyes at that little poke at him but it could almost be described as fond; certainly he's smiling a little about it. ]
The main body of the vehicle is just called the body.
[ Though 'hull' was a very interesting choice. More used to travel by sea or air? Eliot puts a pin in that for later. ]
But it doesn't sound like you need me all that much; you got a lot of it figured out. I'd be happy to go through the engine with you though. Pop the hood and—
[ a pause ]
So 'the hood' is the [ American? No, he's not getting into that, he's not having G'raha call it a fucking bonnet. ] name of the front compartment of the car, in case they never covered that in your manuals. Pop the hood and I'll walk you through how the engine works. I think you'll like this part.
[ nerd (affectionate) ]
The main body of the vehicle is just called the body.
[ Though 'hull' was a very interesting choice. More used to travel by sea or air? Eliot puts a pin in that for later. ]
But it doesn't sound like you need me all that much; you got a lot of it figured out. I'd be happy to go through the engine with you though. Pop the hood and—
[ a pause ]
So 'the hood' is the [ American? No, he's not getting into that, he's not having G'raha call it a fucking bonnet. ] name of the front compartment of the car, in case they never covered that in your manuals. Pop the hood and I'll walk you through how the engine works. I think you'll like this part.
[ nerd (affectionate) ]
Ah, well. That simplifies things.
[ Whoops? But knowing the proper nomenclature is important, especially if he needs to ask for assistance or as he procures parts.
Including "pop the hood". What a delightful way to describe it! And the way Eliot says it sounds so natural. G'raha's brows raise for a moment and then he smiles again. ]
Very well, I shall "pop" it.
[ Which he (correctly) guesses means to open it up. He had taken a look at it before, though it still takes him a moment to locate the latch as he feels around underneath it. Once it is "popped", he props it up with the stand, his tail swishing proudly behind him once again as he turns back to Eliot. ]
The hood has been successfully popped.
[ Phrase of the week! ]
[ Whoops? But knowing the proper nomenclature is important, especially if he needs to ask for assistance or as he procures parts.
Including "pop the hood". What a delightful way to describe it! And the way Eliot says it sounds so natural. G'raha's brows raise for a moment and then he smiles again. ]
Very well, I shall "pop" it.
[ Which he (correctly) guesses means to open it up. He had taken a look at it before, though it still takes him a moment to locate the latch as he feels around underneath it. Once it is "popped", he props it up with the stand, his tail swishing proudly behind him once again as he turns back to Eliot. ]
The hood has been successfully popped.
[ Phrase of the week! ]
just pretend this was written by someone who knows what a car is
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
retrievalist
2025-09-08 02:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Eliot has to stop for a second—hands braced against the car, head bowed a little—just to laugh a little.
(And to marvel at this man who somehow manages to be so relentlessly earnest, god help him.)
It never occurred to him a) to explain the word 'pop', or b) just how ridiculous a word it is. And now the word pop has lost all meaning to him. ]
Alright, good job.
[ He claps a hand on G'raha's shoulder in congratulations, and then leans over the open hood and gestures G'raha in close, pointing at the parts as he speaks. ]
So this is the engine. It works by combusting the fuel you put in the car inside the cylinder here. Combusting the fuel moves these pistons which turns something called a crankshaft which in turn turns the wheels and makes the vehicle go. And I just threw a whole lot of words at you so: got any questions?
(And to marvel at this man who somehow manages to be so relentlessly earnest, god help him.)
It never occurred to him a) to explain the word 'pop', or b) just how ridiculous a word it is. And now the word pop has lost all meaning to him. ]
Alright, good job.
[ He claps a hand on G'raha's shoulder in congratulations, and then leans over the open hood and gestures G'raha in close, pointing at the parts as he speaks. ]
So this is the engine. It works by combusting the fuel you put in the car inside the cylinder here. Combusting the fuel moves these pistons which turns something called a crankshaft which in turn turns the wheels and makes the vehicle go. And I just threw a whole lot of words at you so: got any questions?
[ The laugh is a good thing, right? It feels good-natured and G'raha knowingly was being a little cheesy. And he does feel accomplished with the praise and it shows in the way his tail swishes again.
But he does pay attention when the lesson starts, nodding along with the parts he knows and pausing at the new pieces of information. He was aware that it was a combustion engine, which is quite a bit different than the sort of mechanics he's used to. Using the energy of explosions rather than the ambient potential of aether is really interesting. ]
That does make sense, even if it's a mode of energy generation that is not oft seen on my star. Is the engine something that needs regular maintenance or do they tend to be fairly hardy?
But he does pay attention when the lesson starts, nodding along with the parts he knows and pausing at the new pieces of information. He was aware that it was a combustion engine, which is quite a bit different than the sort of mechanics he's used to. Using the energy of explosions rather than the ambient potential of aether is really interesting. ]
That does make sense, even if it's a mode of energy generation that is not oft seen on my star. Is the engine something that needs regular maintenance or do they tend to be fairly hardy?
[ Eliot smiles. He's sure it's probably pretty damn patronising to keep thinking like this—the American in him, he thinks—but G'raha is just so quick about it. He kinda expected to have to explain at least a couple of terms even if he'd figured that G'raha would pick up the science behind it fast enough. But no, he just nods and that's it. Time to move on. ]
Good question. Engines themselves are pretty solid, but if there is a serious issue like overheating or low oil or whatever the vehicle will tell you. What you do need to check regularly are your oil levels, oil filters, and tires. In a perfect world your van would have come with a manual and you could have used that to know when to check things like your air filters and your brakes and your transmission fluid, but I'll note down some best practices for you.
[ Wait. ]
What mode of energy generation do you use then? Is it that— [ uhhhhhh ] —aether stuff?
Good question. Engines themselves are pretty solid, but if there is a serious issue like overheating or low oil or whatever the vehicle will tell you. What you do need to check regularly are your oil levels, oil filters, and tires. In a perfect world your van would have come with a manual and you could have used that to know when to check things like your air filters and your brakes and your transmission fluid, but I'll note down some best practices for you.
[ Wait. ]
What mode of energy generation do you use then? Is it that— [ uhhhhhh ] —aether stuff?
[ Oil levels, oil filters, and tires. That does seem simple enough at least at a glance. He has successfully changed a tire now back when John Doe had blown out his on the side of the road, and even then G'raha was having to act as the "expert". A very loose term then, only following the manual he'd had on him. It certainly wasn't as easy as it initially seemed...but they got the job done. ]
That would be wonderful. Thank you, Eliot. My greatest fear is overlooking something that could have easily been avoided.
[ What if he let these oil levels go haywire and the engine exploded? That would be disastrous! How complicated would that be to fix? Or are the engines entirely unusable after the fact?
He nods to the guess, looking a little proud at the correct assumption. ]
Yes. In particular, aether crystals are essentially highly condensed and solidified forms of aether which are often used to power our machinery. Different elemental leanings of aether crystals as well can provide different effects. For example, wind crystals can be used to help a ship take flight.
[ G'raha looks back to the exposed engine, considering. ]
I do wonder what a fire crystal would do...
That would be wonderful. Thank you, Eliot. My greatest fear is overlooking something that could have easily been avoided.
[ What if he let these oil levels go haywire and the engine exploded? That would be disastrous! How complicated would that be to fix? Or are the engines entirely unusable after the fact?
He nods to the guess, looking a little proud at the correct assumption. ]
Yes. In particular, aether crystals are essentially highly condensed and solidified forms of aether which are often used to power our machinery. Different elemental leanings of aether crystals as well can provide different effects. For example, wind crystals can be used to help a ship take flight.
[ G'raha looks back to the exposed engine, considering. ]
I do wonder what a fire crystal would do...
[ Eliot also turns his attention to the engine, but all he can see is a massive explosion. ]
Please don't bring any fire crystals around your engine. I don't think that's gonna end well for anyone.
[ But listening to G'raha is saying, it sounds like they don't need to convert the energy in these aether crystals into another form before they can use it? Or maybe the crystals are the converted form?
(He went straight to the army after high school, okay, he's doing his best.)
So the crystals directly power the motion? Like a battery maybe? Eliot puts that aside for another time. ]
We don't really have the right equipment here to take a closer look at the engine, so unless you got more questions about it we can move onto the next thing on your list.
Please don't bring any fire crystals around your engine. I don't think that's gonna end well for anyone.
[ But listening to G'raha is saying, it sounds like they don't need to convert the energy in these aether crystals into another form before they can use it? Or maybe the crystals are the converted form?
(He went straight to the army after high school, okay, he's doing his best.)
So the crystals directly power the motion? Like a battery maybe? Eliot puts that aside for another time. ]
We don't really have the right equipment here to take a closer look at the engine, so unless you got more questions about it we can move onto the next thing on your list.
[ G'raha does chuckle at that. There being no fire crystals available (supposedly) the car itself will be safe. For now. ]
I shall endeavour to resist.
[ But moving on from the engine--there are plenty of things about cars that G'raha knows he's only scratching the surface of. Which leads him to his next question. ]
This...may seem a bit silly in comparison, but--
[ They were just discussing the inner workings of the mechanics that makes the entire thing run. And yet, G'raha is really struggling with something much simpler. ]
--how...does one change out the windshield wiper?
I shall endeavour to resist.
[ But moving on from the engine--there are plenty of things about cars that G'raha knows he's only scratching the surface of. Which leads him to his next question. ]
This...may seem a bit silly in comparison, but--
[ They were just discussing the inner workings of the mechanics that makes the entire thing run. And yet, G'raha is really struggling with something much simpler. ]
--how...does one change out the windshield wiper?
Ah.
[ 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.
[ 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.
[ 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. ]
Ah-ha. I feel a little foolish.
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.
[ 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]
Got anything else you wanna go over?
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?
[ 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?
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?
[ G'raha, you have no idea.
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. ]
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. ]
[ 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. ]
Lest the battery die...?
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...?
[ There have been better and worse reactions to the news about the Solar Clinic. While they're still far from finding everyone, well over half of them had returned soon after the forum message was posted. By the time he'd had a moment to breathe, Adrian had worked nearly a full 24 hour shift. Like it or not, he was going home.
He'd waved off a co-worker's offer to walk him back to his van despite the hour. It was only a few blocks. He'd never had any issues before, and it wasn't as if he couldn't defend himself... Even when someone fell into step beside him, he had been a bit too tired to startle.
You're the one who posted on the forum? The man had asked him. Tall and pale, with pointed teeth. Adrian had wondered how he would know, but nodded, concern in his expression. Then he'd met the man's eyes.
The rest of the world seemed to slip away in an instant. One second he was walking down a well-lit street, and the next he was in a dingy alley with his back to a wall, hands roughly bound. It was disorienting, to say the least. Two more vampires joined the first, fangs barred, moving in a slow half-circle like a pack of hunting dogs.
Don't move. The first one says, and he can't. Hypnosis of some sort, if he had to guess. Gods damn it. You poisoned the blood, didn't you? To get to us. And now you're covering your tracks. Confess. ]
Why in the hells would I do that? [ He's too tired for this. ] Look, I appreciate that this is a stressful situation but you are not being targeted. Most of the affected people were not vampires—
[ Collateral. The leader snarls. I know how your kind work. I can smell the stench of holy magic in you, Battle Priest.
Adrian would hardly call himself battle anything, but a knife pressed against his throat shuts him up before he can explain. This is all a mistake. A misunderstanding. The vampires seem equal parts angry and fearful of whatever a Battle Priest is and, at the moment, anger is winning out. Something about making him suffer like they've suffered. The knife moves lower down his body, and Adrian braces himself. ] I know you're afraid, but you don't have to do this—
He'd waved off a co-worker's offer to walk him back to his van despite the hour. It was only a few blocks. He'd never had any issues before, and it wasn't as if he couldn't defend himself... Even when someone fell into step beside him, he had been a bit too tired to startle.
You're the one who posted on the forum? The man had asked him. Tall and pale, with pointed teeth. Adrian had wondered how he would know, but nodded, concern in his expression. Then he'd met the man's eyes.
The rest of the world seemed to slip away in an instant. One second he was walking down a well-lit street, and the next he was in a dingy alley with his back to a wall, hands roughly bound. It was disorienting, to say the least. Two more vampires joined the first, fangs barred, moving in a slow half-circle like a pack of hunting dogs.
Don't move. The first one says, and he can't. Hypnosis of some sort, if he had to guess. Gods damn it. You poisoned the blood, didn't you? To get to us. And now you're covering your tracks. Confess. ]
Why in the hells would I do that? [ He's too tired for this. ] Look, I appreciate that this is a stressful situation but you are not being targeted. Most of the affected people were not vampires—
[ Collateral. The leader snarls. I know how your kind work. I can smell the stench of holy magic in you, Battle Priest.
Adrian would hardly call himself battle anything, but a knife pressed against his throat shuts him up before he can explain. This is all a mistake. A misunderstanding. The vampires seem equal parts angry and fearful of whatever a Battle Priest is and, at the moment, anger is winning out. Something about making him suffer like they've suffered. The knife moves lower down his body, and Adrian braces himself. ] I know you're afraid, but you don't have to do this—
Seems like you got it all figured out to me.
[ 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.
[ 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.
[ The walk back from work at night is practically routine now. Not actually routine, of course; Eliot doesn't work anything regularly or on rotation and he definitely isn't going the same route back to his apartment. No one's watching him, but that's no reason to get sloppy about it.
But a late night to early morning walk has been a staple of his life for a long time now, long before he ever got stranded here. It's nice to know that even in a world of magic and experiments and people put together in ways he'd never thought possible, some things stay the—
I know you're afraid, but you don't have to do this—
Speaking of things that stay the same. Eliot spins on his heel and immediately takes off running down the alley towards that—strangely familiar, in fact—voice, because he doesn't need to be psychic to know that something bad is about to happen, and new world or not Eliot's still the same.
He takes in the scene at a glance: someone up against the far wall, hands tied. Someone with a knife to them. Two more closing in. There's debris on the ground and trash piled up by a door and a fire escape hanging halfway down the wall, but Eliot is out of time. He scoops up a chunk of concrete as he runs in and lobs it at the head of one with the knife just as he lands knee first on another one, driving them face first into the ground. ]
It's late, I'm tired, and I haven't eaten yet. Let's make this quick.
But a late night to early morning walk has been a staple of his life for a long time now, long before he ever got stranded here. It's nice to know that even in a world of magic and experiments and people put together in ways he'd never thought possible, some things stay the—
I know you're afraid, but you don't have to do this—
Speaking of things that stay the same. Eliot spins on his heel and immediately takes off running down the alley towards that—strangely familiar, in fact—voice, because he doesn't need to be psychic to know that something bad is about to happen, and new world or not Eliot's still the same.
He takes in the scene at a glance: someone up against the far wall, hands tied. Someone with a knife to them. Two more closing in. There's debris on the ground and trash piled up by a door and a fire escape hanging halfway down the wall, but Eliot is out of time. He scoops up a chunk of concrete as he runs in and lobs it at the head of one with the knife just as he lands knee first on another one, driving them face first into the ground. ]
It's late, I'm tired, and I haven't eaten yet. Let's make this quick.
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