InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "mmm mmm good"

It's Brittany, Bitch | Ερις (eristic) wrote in paxletalelogs,
@ 2010-12-02 16:05:00

Entry tags:

eris, freyja, loki

we take it day by day
Who: Charlie, Cara, & Zio
What: Charlie is fixing her bike. Cara poked the bear. Zio joined in on the fun.
Where: Parking lot of Pax.
When: November 28th, around 5ish.
Warnings: Swearing will undoubtedly be encountered, but I'll let yah know if anything else occurs.

One hand wearing a grease cloth rubbed the inner valve of some random part off of her bike - Charlie found it soothing to be working on her bike. Especially since her mind seemed to not be entirely her own these days. She was seated on the poured asphalt of Pax's parking lot in front of her motorcycle, off to the side and spread out in a semi-neat half circle. Somehow she'd been graced with a weekend day off, even if it was a Sunday. Charlie's Catholic roots were a little pleased by that, but she'd never admit it aloud. Dressed in a scuffed off-white tee that might've started out white, jeans, and her usual riding boots.

Tools to the right, a few spare rags to her left, hair tied up in a short pony tail, the woman concentrated on undoing and cleaning each piece systematically, leaving them in a particular order that reminded her of their placement on her bike. A little ways off to her right, further past the tools, was a small radio blaring Guns 'n Roses' Welcome To The Jungle. According to Charlie, one couldn't go wrong with a little GNR, but parts of the song were wearing on her a little. I wanna hear you scream.

Geez, wasn't that a little reminiscent of Halloween. Hitting a little too close to home. She was doing her best to ignore it, these teasing little thoughts in the back of her mind, instead concentrating on making sure she was tuning up her bike correctly. Oh, lovely peace and quiet, tempered just a little by her favorite music. She could go for stuff like this for the rest of her life.

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eristic
2010-12-08 10:10 pm UTC (link)

If Charlie had seen that little tableau, the bow and the curtsy (even just an implied one), no doubt she would have busted up laughing. As it was, she was just pulling back from the bike, looking over what she'd done. There were still a few bits and bobs laid out on the ground, but everything absolutely necessary for the bike to function was in its proper place. She picked up a grease rag and glanced over her shoulder as she began to wipe her hands off, eyes squinting a little as she took in both Cara and the new comer. A suit. Part of her wanted to find a way to "accidentally" put some grease on him, but another part of her didn't even care to get up. When did she get so lazy?

"Don't you two make a pair. Couple a fuckin' wedding toppers," she commented drily, feeling that if she was going to be dragged into the conversation, well, she'd do it with her usual grace and finesse. Which was to say with none. Putting a hand down on the ground, she rose to her feet - she certainly looked the odd one out, what with her casual appearance. Her hands still worked at the cloth, cleaning them just as dexterously as they'd worked on the innards of the bike. She stayed closer to her baby, leaving some distance between her and Cara and whoever this snob was. Which was totally unfair of Charlie to say, but when was she ever known for her manners?

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work_of_art
2010-12-10 07:37 pm UTC (link)

Zio laughed and shook his head. "The suit," he observed as if reading her mind. "I know. It's too late in the day to be wearing it but my appointment this evening would pretty much walk out the door if I showed up in jeans." He gave a casual shrug, aimed towards drawing Charlie further into the conversation, towards forming a tenuous bond of sympathy. "Can't even leave off the tie."

"My name's Zio," he offered. "Zio Moreno. I haven't been in the building too long myself. It's taking some getting used to." A broad, mischievous grin crossed his face. "I suggest avoiding the elevator."

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warandbeauty
2010-12-12 10:47 pm UTC (link)

Rather than have the desired effect on either of them, Charlie's speech only seemed to produce the precise opposite. For her part, Cara's expression seemed to say, See, I told you she was a chatterbug. Cara had to hand it to Zio; he, too, was accepting Charlie's lack of social skills like a champ.

"I do hope we aren't keeping you from your appointment," Cara responded with warm concern.

When he went on to mention the elevator, with a look of alarm on her face, she asked, "Why? Is there something wrong with the elevator?" She certainly hoped not; climbing so many stairs would not be an enjoyable experience in heels...although it would give her a chance to see the other floors...one at a time in the most grueling way possible.

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eristic
2010-12-13 04:22 pm UTC (link)

Ugh. People.

The guy - Zio - was perfectly graceful in his acceptance of her comment, and Cara let it roll of her back like a duck in water. Clearly this was not going to be a good day for Charlie.

She made no comment towards Zio's suit, the appearance of it simply cementing in her mind her dislike for the guy. Everyone in this building was just too goddamn nice, but at least she didn't feel a pull towards these two as she had with the cop down the hall and the scatter-brained pink-haired chick.

Instead of commenting again, she continued cleaning her hands, listening to the conversation with quiet observation.

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work_of_art
2010-12-15 07:53 am UTC (link)

"The elevator," Zio began but then he hesitated and glanced over his shoulder briefly. It was a stupid piece of machinery. That was all. Whatever happened there had been an unfortunate combination of badly maintained gears and hormones. He shook his head slightly and turned back to the ladies. "The elevator," he restated dryly, "is about as reliable as condoms to the Virgin Mary."

As if noticing the box in Cara's hand for the first time, though, he frowned. "I hope you don't have to carry that far, Cara."

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warandbeauty
2010-12-15 03:06 pm UTC (link)

Cara looked as though she didn't quite understand the reference. Although she smiled politely, even laughed softly and added, "Thank you for the warning," the full implication of the statement only really hit home a moment later. A light of understanding and humor entered her eyes, then faded to good-natured embarassment as Zio noticed the box.

"Oh, this? Only up to my apartment. I think I might risk the elevator today." She glanced towards Charlie, who was once again ignoring them. Well, there was only so much you could do. "I tried offering Charlie a few flowers to lighten the box, but I could only convince her to accept the one." If that was what you called it. "Perhaps I could convince you to accept a few on her behalf?"

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eristic
2010-12-16 05:18 pm UTC (link)

OK, yeah, that was funny; Zio's joke certainly tickled Charlie's funny bone. She tried to not let the snicker out, only half being able to suppress it, though thankfully it wasn't entirely without derisive amusement. She'd had no issues with the elevator, thankfully, but she'd heard enough about it to think that taking the stairs was always a better-case scenario. Still, walking all the way up to the seventh floor didn't seem like the best prospect.

She heard Cara's remark, not bothering to look at where the floor was still laying on the ground. Did she really look like a chick who dug flowers? No, she was damn sure she didn't. Turning her back on the two conversing, she started looking over the dash of her motorcycle, trying to look busy. Yes, yes, go away. Worst came to worst, she'd throw grease on them. She already had a bad reputation, there was no need to try and clean it up.

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work_of_art
2010-12-19 02:59 am UTC (link)

"Hm." Zio considered the box for a moment and then he glanced towards Charlie. "Somehow I don't think she's into flowers, Cara," he answered with a grin. "Some women are just more into shock springs than day lilies. It takes all kinds, right?" Reaching out, he brushed careful fingers against Cara's forearm, fleeting and impossible to argue against in its swiftness. His gaze was warm and almost as teasing. "And I don't think my potential business partner would be impressed if I brought flowers to the meeting."

Business partner, date, same difference really. Flowers were pre-date fodder, anyway.

"But if you tell me where your shop is, I'll be sure to mention it to others," he offered. "We sometimes have special events at the gallery and I'd say flowers can highlight an occasion nicely." Glancing down at his wrist, Zio grimaced to himself. It was more than a few minutes now; his appointment would be getting unbearably upset with him. He would have to move fast to avoid an actual abandonment. However...

"I'm sorry, though, ladies," Zio sighed. "I really have to run so I don't miss this but I hope to see you both again. Soon." He grinned and inclined his head in a warm nod. "Or else you can look me up. Don't worry about it if you want to come knocking."

Stepping away, he lifted a hand to wave to both before he began moving away in earnest. "D5," he called back of his shoulder cheerfully. "Don't forget!"

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warandbeauty
2010-12-22 04:55 am UTC (link)

Cara smiled, looking perfectly angelic as he made his apologies. "I understand. And I apologize for keeping you from your appointment. I'll leave you my card." Perhaps tonight yet...or perhaps a visit another day. She had to confess to some curiosity about the tower.

Once Zio had gone, Cara glanced at Charlie, who was trying so hard to remain apart from the conversation. "Have you fixed it?"

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eristic
2010-12-27 08:30 pm UTC (link)

She'd been tempted to flip them both the bird over her shoulder, but somehow held herself back. Another half an hour of work would see her bike put back together completely and then she'd go for a ride to undo any knots these two had put in her back.

"Wasn't broken," she replied, tartly. As though she'd let her baby fall into a state of disrepair! She loved this bike more than anything. "S'called maintenance." Wow, an explanation. She crouched down by the bike again, scooping up the last few parts in order to put them back on her bike. The sooner, the better.

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warandbeauty
2010-12-28 03:21 am UTC (link)

"...Right, well, it's impressive, anyway." If she could stand the thought of being covered in half as much grease and grime as Charlie, she might have taken an interest in her own car. As it was, she could only look on curiously and envy the culture that surrounded gearheads.

"It's been a pleasure, Charlie," Cara began, giving her a smile as she shifted the box in her arms to better carry it. "Let me know if you change your mind about those flowers." She would let the offer stand, even though she wasn't sure the other woman would take her up on it.

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