Velma Kelly (jazzkiller) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2013-03-31 20:50:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, eli, velma kelly |
Who: Velma Kelly and Eli
What: Fixing a minor motorcycle problem
When: 3/30
Where: Logan's garage
Rating: PG for language
Status: complete
Since she was working with bikes more, she was wearing a pair of skinny jeans and a floral top, things that wouldn’t get caught in engines. Eli was smiling as she worked, windows closed, hair in a loose braid that wound down her back. Logan was leaving with his lady friend soon, which had made him happy. That made Eli happy.
Velma had ridden her bike to work that day, but it had made a noise she hadn’t liked when she’d pulled back into the driveway. A little research had revealed that there was probably crap in the fuel pump, and it either needed to be flushed or replaced. She’d swallow her pride and go to Logan’s; he couldn’t give her too much crap.
She was carrying the part when she stuck her head in the door. “Hello? Logan?”
Eli turned her head toward the noise. “He’s out getting things for the vacation he’s taking next week. May I help you?” She stood up and wiped her hands on her jeans.
This must be the assistant. “I’m Velma. I actually am kinda glad he isn’t here; he won’t give me crap for needing this replaced.” She handed the girl the fuel pump, smiling a little. “I’ve only had my bike for a month or so and this is either full of debris or just busted.”
This was actually something Eli could help with. She moved to sit back down crosslegged on the floor, unscrewing parts and inspecting them with nimble fingers. “I am Eli, Logan’s da - apprentice.” She bit her lip hard, playing it off as if she was working.
Velma wasn’t stupid, raising an eyebrow. “Sorry?” She couldn’t help but be curious. “It’s nice to meet you,” she said, because it was, regardless.
“It is nothing. It is nice to meet you as well. You are his female friend that he is going on holiday with, no?”
“Yes. We’re going to Japan.” She’d have to ask Logan about this girl. If she really was his daughter, it wasn’t a big deal, but the fact she’d concealed it was weird. “He’s mentioned you a little. You really help him out, is the impression I get.”
“I think of him as a father. He’s not really, which is why I stopped before I said it. I do not want to get too clingy.” She dug out some sludge from the pump, wrinkling her nose. “I found the problem?”
“Ew. I guess you did.” That made her feel a little better. She did smile a little. “I’m guessing you figured out that Logan’s a big teddy bear under all the gruff.”
“That is not obvious to people?” Eli smiled wryly, shaking her head. “I knew it when I met him.”
“It’s not obvious to some. I could tell, but honestly, it might be a female thing.” Men usually did tend to do more dick measuring. “We tend to see through male crap better, but not so much our own.” At least that was her experience.
“Especially Logan’s, he hides it so poorly.” Eli went to lubricate the pump, careful as ever.
Velma couldn’t help but smile a little. “Yeah.” She watched the girl work for a little while. “Did you have any experience with bikes before working here? You’re pretty good.”
“None at all, but I like puzzles. So I figured them out fairly quickly. Well. The bits he’ll let me work on.” She smiled as she put the pump back together. Eil was careful to avoid any sunny patches on the floor.
She couldn’t help but chuckle. “Logan? A control freak? Never.” She didn’t actually blame him for being careful; teaching someone had to be done slowly. She just liked to joke, liked to mess with him. “I hope he keeps teaching you. He’s actually a very good teacher; we met when I was looking for someone to show me more in the line of self-defense.”
“I thought he was going to have a stroke when I redesigned where things go.” Eli smiled, pointing to the tidy stacks of parts, the labeled drawers. “He is a good teacher. He’s kind in ways he doesn’t like to admit.”
“I’m glad you think so.” She’d have to talk to Logan about this, though. She didn’t want this girl getting the wrong idea, if Logan didn’t think of her like a daughter. It did make her laugh, though, the idea of Eli rearranging everything. “I’m surprised he didn’t throw you out, for fixing everything. How dare you make it more logical.” Velma grinned.
“He just growled.” Eli smiled brightly. She liked that he pretended to be so upset. It was mostly to save face, but she could tell he hadn’t minded too terribly.
“He does that a lot.” Velma sighed. “But he’s a good person. Whether he thinks so or not.” Call it a hunch.
“What, the growling? Yes, I think he thinks it’s intimidating.” Eli smiled wryly, trying not to laugh. “He’s lovely. I love him very much.”
“I - ” There was no way she could answer that. If only because she didn’t know. “He does think that,” Velma finally said. “But I’m glad you’re fond of him anyway. It’s probably good for the guy.”
“Don’t worry. I’m not one of those young girls who wants to seduce her father figures.” Eli smiled. “He speaks of you fondly, and often, just not by name. I think he’s shy. Or worried about the future.”
Velma had to laugh. “There’s enough bad porn movies out there to give people ideas.” She teased. She didn’t quite know what to say beyond that, though; she didn’t know this girl that well and Logan could come back any minute. She settled for the middle road. “I’m just really ... I like him a lot, but I’m a little worried, too. We’ll see what happens. Though I appreciate your messing with my fuel pump so I don’t have to hear his crap.”
“Of course. He teases, and likes to pretend he does not have feelings, but we know he is fibbing.” Eli winked at Velma, fitting the pump back onto the bike. “Try now?”
Velma obeyed, trying to start it. It started fine, but when she rode it back out into the parking lot, she noticed it was running better. Much better - it sounded happy and purring again, instead of like it was channeling Logan. “Perfect,” she told Eli when she rode it back in. “Sounds brand new.”
Eli smiled, moving some hair out of her eyes and leaving a smudge of grease on her cheek. “Oh, good.” She looked a bit more her age somehow when she was happy.
It was kinda cute, actually. Velma smiled. “You did good. Do you know how much I owe? I’ll pay for it, whether Logan wants to bitch or not.” Call it the principle of the thing, and it wasn’t like she couldn’t afford it.
“Nothing. I didn’t do anything but clean out some goo.” Eli shook her head.
“I’m sure he charges people for it, though.” Velma would have, frankly, but maybe she was just cutthroat.
“He may, but I do not. And he isn’t here.” Eli was standing firm.
Velma sighed. “Okay, but if he gives you any crap, send him to me.” She wasn’t about to let a young kid get growled at on her behalf.
“I’ll just kick him again.” Eli smiled brightly.
That got a laugh. “He must be fond of you if he lets you get away with sass like that.” He only let people he liked sass him. Vel was living proof. “If you want to tell him I stopped in, you can, though. Gotta let him tease if he wants.”
“Of course. I’ll let him know. I can pass on a message if you like.” Eli’s smile was a happy one.
“Feel free.” Velma waved as she got onto her bike, starting it back up and appreciating the purr. “It was nice to meet you.”
“You as well,” Eli waved back.