Who: Tom and Margaery Where: Garage where Tom works What: Car advice When: Early in the week Warnings/Rating: None Status: Complete
Margaery had passed her american driving test the previous week and was now trying to find a car. It was something she had been determined to do alone, however she was now becoming unstuck. She knew that she wanted a sleek looking green or red car, with air conditioning, a good stereo system and a ream of other things but beyond that she had no clue. Engines and the actual workings of the car had never been something she had paid much attention to.
So, instead of bothering Jon or Loras, she decided to take herself off to a garage and get the assistance of a nice young man. Which was an added bonus in her opinion.
It was Tom’s day off, but he’d stopped by to check the schedule and drop off some food for his cousin and the others. As he was leaving, he walked by a woman, and paused. Everyone was busy, he figured, and what, with it being a family owned business and all, he wasn’t likely to get in any sort of trouble for helping. At least he could chat to her until the receptionist came back from lunch.
“Hi,” he said, walking by inside. “Sorry, I actually just work here - Was there something you needed a hand with? The lads are pretty bogged down right now, so maybe I can help.”
“Oh I am sure you can” she told him sweetly, eyes checking him out not particularly subtly, “I am actually looking for advice more than anything else” she admitted, “I have recently passed my american driving test and need to purchase a car. Sadly I know very little about them”
Tom maybe blushed a bit under the look. “Ah. Buying your first car is always daunting,” he said sympathetically. “I assume you’ve already got a couple ideas in mind, yeah?” He went around the desk to pull out some catalogues they kept around the office.
“I like green or red” she told him, finding he was even cuter when he blushed, “And I obviously would like all the nice little extras like air conditioning but when it actually comes to the technical specifications I am clueless. I did not realise there were so many different types of engine” she smiled at him almost apologetically.
Tom had to laugh. “Most people don’t really,” he said, putting the books on the desk. “Is it mostly going to be for local city driving? Or are you planning on making frequent long trips?”
Margaery laughed too, glad he seemed to be nice as well as attractive. "Oh mostly local, I attend UC Irvine so it will mostly be from home to there. And then visiting friends and such"
“That opens your options a bit more, actually. I know it sounds sort of ridiculous, but I’m a big fan of hybrids. They make less impact on the environment and they’re reliable for getting around. I wouldn’t go on too many great big road trips with them, but it’ll get the job done.”
"Could you show me? They do not sound very pretty and I know its very stereotypical of me but I do want a good looking car" her eyelashes fluttered slightly as she smiled at him.
Tom cleared his throat a bit, but kept his smile on his face. “They’re nicer than you might think.” He flipped through some pages and turned it around to show her. “Ford’s always got the top ratings, but maybe they don’t look as good as you want them to. I’m sort of a fan of Toyota, or Volkswagan.” He paused, looking amused. “But it sounds to me like maybe you’re more keen on something a bit sportier.”
"I do believe I am perhaps more obvious than I had hoped" she admitted, "It is the competitor in me I am afraid, I wish to make my brother quite jealous"
“Ah, well then.” Tom closed up a couple of the catalogues. “Did you want your typical two-seater, then? BMW Z-4’s are tiny, but zippy. Completely flashy without being obnoxious. Audis are nice on the more accessible front.”
"It looks to be very long in the front" she commented as she looked at the BMW picture, it didn't seem right to her, "oh that is nice" she said pointing to a picture of an Audi g8, "I think something along those lines would give my brothers lotus a bit of competition" she grinned at Tom.
“In that case, I think the Audi is your best choice.” He laughed again, closing up the books and tucking them away again. Then Tom grabbed one of the business cards on the desk and scribbled his name down on it. “And if you ever need a hand with it, just come back and ask for Tom.”
Margaery took the card, "Thank you, I'm Margaery" she replied, "It was a pleasure meeting you Tom and thank you very much for your assistance. I am positive we will meet again"
“You too. Good luck with the buying. I hope your brother’s right jealous after he sees it,” Tom teased. “Have yourself a good one, yeah?”
“Oh I am sure he will be, I shall let you know” Margaery replied waving as she left the office, “You too” she called out over her shoulder.