◊4th Ride◊ Backdated to Saturday Morning

[last_to_kneel]

773 Bunker Street and neighbors (meaning all who happen to pass by and notice)

[Varon has set up the barbecue grill with the intentions to have a little fun while he works on the car. Seeing that it hasn't been driven in a while, the gas has gone bad in it since it has a fifteen day limit before it begins to separate. He has two 5 gallon jerry cans filled with fresh fuel from the gas station and a can of ether to clean out the carburetor for priming.

His intentions are to flush the entire fuel system out, clean the plugs and hope that the seals didn't go bad. He managed to start it up once and took it to the part but the idle was way too rough to stay running for long and had to push the blasted heavy car back home.

Before he starts working on the car, he starts up the grill. While he waits for the coals to cherry, he starts his trek into the garage to get the needed tools. This is the type of work he lives for.]

Comments

[ action ]

[outlandished]

[ Early morning training never hurt anyone, right? So, Ambrosia's walking back from the park with her coat draped over her shoulders. She's thinking of getting at least something to eat, but she's not sure as to what yet.

Though, on her way home, she notices one of her students - Varon, right - working on something.

Ah, hell - it won't hurt her any. ]

Yo, mate. Looks like ye are plenty busy this mornin'.

[last_to_kneel]

Oy!

[Looking over his shoulder to see his teacher, he smiles and nods, arms laden with tools and other items for his project.]

Ah, thought I'd get some work done while the light's out. It's a big project so I gotta get all the day I can grab. I'm waitin' for the grill t' warm up for some burgers later.

[He sets the items down gently on the drive way and looks up at Ambrosia.]

You're welcome to stay if you'd like.

[If he can't use the stove, one thing he's really good at is using the grill. He can cook just about everything with it.]

[outlandished]

[ Ambrosia walks up to close the space in between them while she nods. She's good at fixing things on her ship and she's tried to make herself seem less useless in Mayfield as a whole due to the whole difference in centuries for her. ]

Fixin' this bucket of bolts can't be much different than fixin' up a ship, right? If tha' doesn't work fer ye, I can probably help with th' grill if it ain't much different than a good, ol' campfire.

[ In which she means that she's totally gonna stay because new things are fascinating to her. ]

[last_to_kneel]

It's exactly like that. Stoves make me nervous. I nearly blew the damn thing up when I was tryin' to bake. Never was good at that sort of thing.

[Picking up a wrench, he grins and motions with his hand at the chair.]

Cop a squat. Ain't no sense in lettin' a good chair go lonely. You know, I'm pretty good a fixin' just about anything that has a motor or...wait, did you say ship? Like in a galleon or a schooner? Where the hell you gonna park that thing?

[outlandished]

When I was tryin' t' make supper fer th' "family" I've got here, I made plenty o' smoke come out. Luckily I've got a couple of people who know how t' cook t' make sure we don't go starvin'.

[ You know what? She is going to go sit down while leaning forward a bit. ]

Remember th' impromptu field trip we had where we went t' me ship? It's kinda in port o' th' driveway, 'cause tha's th' only area where it's gonna fit. But, th' Mary's more of a frigate than a galleon or a schooner, mate.

[last_to_kneel]

Ha ha! Yeah, well, I hadn't seen my dad or mum cook here so I can't really tell the difference. Been doin' most of it myself. That's what happens with an independent son...sorta.

[His face brightens up just a little more.]

You know, I was more interested in the riggin' on that frigate than what she really was. Should'a paid closer attention. Funny how this place is interesting in it's own way. I'm kinda likin' the mishmash. Better than home and a lot more exciting than playin' Duel Monsters for souls.

[outlandished]

Pfft, we were lucky enough t' have good help when it came t' takin' care of those kind of tasks. Me mum never touched anythin' like what we got here in her life, nor did she when we were on me ship. Same as me pop, but he was more focused on th' crew 'n whatnot. But, I know well enough of how t' survive by meself if I'm ever stranded somewhere without me ship or th' crew.

[ A sincere smile crosses on her face. People talking well about her ship made her feel like her hard work has paid off. ]

Ye should see her when she's in her glory. All of me crew make sure tha' she's taken care of. But, maybe one of these days I could show ye what makes her shine.

[ She blinks in confusion when he mentions souls. Erm, well - that sure is A Thing. ]

...ye don't secretly work fer Davy Jones, do ye?

[last_to_kneel]

[He was already leaning over the engine to inspect the ignition cables when he hear that and laughed.]

Hardly. Though one could say that he was like that. Glad I'm away from the bastard. Hated bein' under his thumb.

[He pulls one of the cables and inspects it carefully, using a piece of masking tape to mark each one so he doesn't forget which cable goes where to prevent misfire.]

Been tryin' to get away since he bought my contract.

[outlandished]

Forced servitude, eh?

[ That sure is a look of sympathy in her eyes. She may have just gotten to know him, but hey - she's kind of fond for Varon. ]

Well, ye ain't th' only one who's glad. Bein' forced into doin' anythin' ain't my cup of rum.

[last_to_kneel]

You could say that. It was a do or die situation and I did and lived. Not too proud of it though.

[He lays out the cables carefully in their proper order then starts using the ratchet to remove the plugs.]

There's lots of things I did that I wish I didn't have to, you know?

[outlandished]

[ Hm.

A quiet lull falls while Ambrosia reflects on what she's done in the past. Of course she's had to do things she wasn't proud of so that she could survive and live for another day. Yet, she feels as if she really can't turn a blind eye to his plight here. A gentle smile crosses her face while she places her hand on his shoulder. ]

Ye did wha' ye had to 'n all, but ye know wha'? Tha' takes guts 'n it definitely ain't a pleasant thing t' do. It also shows strength 'n all tha' sappy stuff I'm sure ye don't wanna hear. It'll get better soon, I'm sure.

'N if I'm not, then... I dunno, ye can make me walk th' plank.

[last_to_kneel]

[To live another day was exactly why he did what he had to do. He was too young to die and he wasn't about to let society beat him down again. He stopped his movements for a short pause to think for a moment. Ambrosia made her point very clear and it rang a familiar tone within.

The nun that raised him said almost the exact same thing.]

Gotta have faith, right?

[outlandished]

'Course.

[ She pauses to think on something for a few seconds, making sure of how to word it correctly... ]

Tell ye wha'. How much would ye like it if I offered t' be yer mentor 'round here as long as ye want? I could show 'n tell ye how I've dealt with bein' labeled as a criminal while still bein' meself. It won't cost ye nothin'.

[last_to_kneel]

[He looks up from his work in mild shock. No one has ever offered to help him out. This could really be what he needed in a place like this especially when it comes to advice.]

You serious?

[outlandished]

Aye. I ain't tha' heartless t' turn a blind eye t' someone tha' needs help. 'N don't worry, no one can make me squeal 'bout stuff tha' ye wanna keep private between us.

[last_to_kneel]

I didn't think you ever were, I'm just not used to people helpin' me out in that way without givin' somethin' back. It's...kinda shocking.

[Now he takes a small break and leans against the car.]

Uh, just one thing. If I ask somethin', you know, 'bout girly romantic stuff, you're not gonna laugh are ya?

[outlandished]

Let's jus' say this is out of th' goodness of me otherwise blackened, treasure-huntin' heart.

[ She gives him a wink and nods. ]

'Course not. I'm sure ye'd like th' advice from me than one of th' silly drones, right?

[beamiracle]

[Lion can hear something going on in the garage, which is unusual since he hardly goes in there himself. He's surprised to find Varon in there as well as the barbeque turned on.]

Good morning, Varon-san. You're certainly busy...

[last_to_kneel]

[He's definitely in a good mood. He sets the tools down and looks up.]

Mornin', Pop. Did I wake ya?

[beamiracle]

No, not at all. I tend to get up early.

I see you're enjoying yourself with the car. You'll probably get more use out of it than I do.

[last_to_kneel]

Are ya kiddin' me? This is like a dream come true! I've always wanted to work on one of these old muscle cars. Too bad I can't take it home with me but lemme tell ya, once it's done, no one'll think twice where this bad boy belongs.

[Then it dawns on him and tilts his head.]

Ya wanna learn to drive?

[beamiracle]

Hm, well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to learn...I never had to drive at home, and I just walk everywhere here.

[last_to_kneel]

Don't worry 'bout breakin' the car. I can fix anything this thing dishes out. Gotta start somewhere, right? Walkin' in the rain's no fun either.

[beamiracle]

I guess not. Well, if you're willing to teach me, I'll be willing to learn.

[last_to_kneel]

Great. We'll get this started as soon as I finish cleanin' out the fuel system. No tellin' how gunky that is from sittin'. Drove it the other day and it's all sorts of sluggish.

[He lifts the hood and props it up to take a better look and grimaces.]

Looks like the rear main's bad too. That explains the burnin' oil. Was sorta hopin' that it was the filter gone bad. Better get that done too while I'm at it.

[He walks toward the garage to take out the jack stands then places one beside each wheel.]

She's gonna need some TLC. I think I pushed her too hard the other day.