Examining the Heap

Who: Ash and Nic
Where: Ash's shop
When: early afternoon

So maybe she'd overstated the severity of the car she was bringing to Ash; it still ran after all. Nic didn't mind, she figured that with her efforts to tone down her aggression and all, she was entitled to be a little over the top in exchange. Swinging Caleb's car around a bend and off of 4th Street, her eyes fixed on the sign ahead advertising Ash's shop. Really, she'd lucked out with the job. How many people had a boss so cool that they could just call and demand this sort of thing? Did she, even? He hadn't called back to say no, which Nic was counting as a plus.

Slowing down and cranking the wheel, Nic grit her teeth as the car lurched a little going up the driveway's incline and into the garage. "Fucking shocks," she muttered, cutting the engine and preemptively popping the hood latch. This was going to take a while, likely her entire weekend, but on the same note? She liked hanging out with Ash, she didn't feel like she was screwing up around him like she did with Caleb, and there was never a bad time to learn more tricks of the mechanic's trade. "Gonna miss my paychecks for a few weeks, though," she muttered to herself, firing a cigarette to life and hopping out.

Ash was present and accounted for, having left one of the bay doors of the shop open in anticipation of Nic's arrival. It was warm enough in the garage itself, with the strategically-placed heaters he had around. He had the stereo cranked and was waist-deep in an engine compartment when he heard the rattling piece of junk arrive. Ambling around to the front of the car, his own cigarette tucked between his lips, he gave the young girl a grin. "Gettin' roped into bein' everybody's personal mechanic already, yeah?" he asked with a teasing lilt to his voice. Lots of people were your buddy when you knew how to do such things.

"As if," Nic countered with a sneer that turned to a grin quickly. "I volunteered for this shit, dude. I've gotta ride in this heap, so I'd prefer the seat didn't feel like a drunk priest underneath me every time we hit a pebble." Yeah, she was excited, it generally showed in little ways like her level of energy or just how colorful Nic got with her cursing. "My ass may not be much to look at, but it's mine," she went on, moving to join Ash in front of the car, "You got a lot going on today? Cuz I can just... y'know, dive into this bitch if you have actual customers to do work for."

He didn't comment on the state of her ass, pulling the hood all the way up again and putting the rod in place. He cracked his knuckles and tapped his smoke off to the side, just looking the thing over. "Not a lot going on, no," he answered distractedly, leaning in to squeeze a few hoses in a testing fashion. It needed a lot of work, he could see already. He thought it had probably been in a few accidents. "This guy a good friend of your's?" he asked, glancing over at her. It made a difference.

Nic had curled in to rest her elbows on the frame of the car, watching where Ash inspected. She already had a short list going in her mind for where to work, but he was sharp with experience, and she wanted to see what he'd find on a first pass. "Best," she answered simply, nodding a little and smirking down into the car. Nic still had her doubts about how everything else might turn out, or if she'd ever get to hear the secrets that were still unspoken, but in the worst scenario? She had a friend, and she liked that. "He helped me out when shit got weird in town," Nic eventually elaborated, looking up at Ash.

"We'll do this shit right, then," he said simply, and tucked the cancer stick in his mouth again, bending down further to get a closer look at the radiator. Just like most things, there were levels to mechanic work. One could put a temporary fix on things, to make it run well for a while, or one could completely overhaul and fix for years. Since he was going to be footing the initial parts-bill, he wanted to make sure Unnamed Best Friend Dude was worth the time and effort. "Radiator's cracked," the angel started saying in a mutter, listing things off to himself. "Needs new hoses, mostly ... gotta tighten down fans ... replace all the gaskets ... definitely an oil change, lookit this shit." He wiped a finger somewhere down by the engine block and showed it to her. It was filthy. "We'll give her a tune up, then look at the undercarriage, sure there's more work down there."

"Pretty sure some of that's my fault," Nic said, nodding in agreement, "And the heat shield's loose too, plus I know the shocks could use a look." That werewolf had been big, after all, and that much weight slamming onto the hood and going under the frame of the car couldn't have done it any favors. She stubbed her cigarette early, stepping back from the car to unzip her sweatshirt and moving to grab a pair of gloves. "Think you've got everything you'll need here? I might have to bring the car back in later, otherwise. I told my friend he'd be good by Monday or so." Not that Caleb had seemed to care, but Nic did. "And I've still got a little from last week's pay left, I'll toss it your way before I take off."

"Think you'll have to be bringing it back in, then," Ash said, looking up at her with a faint chuckle. "It's Saturday, nobody's gonna even send us parts 'til Monday. Throw it up on the rack, though, we can find out what-all we need, and do some shit with the stuff I do have here." Which wasn't going to be a whole shitload, but they could at least get some basics done on it. He backed off from the care so she could move the lift-arms into place and raise the vehicle up, going to stub his smoke out in an ashtray on the cluttered countertop. Though it would probably put his nuts at risk to say so, her enthusiasm was cute.

Ash would've needed a spare set of nuts, yes, because in that moment Nic realized that she'd assumed this would be way easier than it was. She didn't have her own car, and the school garage always had whatever they needed to work with, so she hadn't even considered trying to order parts on the weekend. The gaffe made her brow knot in consternation as Nic started bringing the lift into place under the car, muttering to herself as she did. "Well, thanks Ash," she said once she was sure that she could strain out the extra invectives, "Even just for letting me bring it in. Sure you don't want a date with my mom? I think this deserves more than cash."

"So you're gonna try and pimp out your mom again?" he asked with a laugh, hitting the button on the stereo to switch CDs. "She was cute and all, no offense, but I think I got the dating area of my life covered. That, and I'd make a lousy stepfather, I promise." He leaned against the countertop and crossed his dirty arms over his chest, watching her with an amused expression. "Don't worry about it, though, I'll work it out of you. What good is this business if you can't do some of your own work sometimes?"

He earned a flicker of a smile as Nic situated the lift, one that grew after a moment and left her chuckling. "God, I did just try to pimp my mom," she agreed with a snicker, "At least it's good to know you'll just boss me around instead." And for what Ash was saying they'd be able to do today, Nic didn't think she'd have much to work off. Now new shocks and a radiator, on the other hand, those would guarantee she'd still be working here for a while. "Ooo, the dating area's covered, hey?" Nic cooed teasingly over towards Ash, "What's his name?"

That got a deep laugh out of him. She was a bitch, but at least she was funny about it. He could definitely appreciate that. Ash pushed off the counter to walk over, pulling the switch to raise the lift, and looking at her with a crooked grin. "Joey," he said, just to see the look on her face. And hey, it was true!

Nic blinked in surprise, the smile dimming quickly and holding at an unsteady curl. Shit. So Caleb was right, she was too abrasive. The question now was whether Ash was really okay with it, or just playing nice for the moment. "Um, sorry dude," she said, shoulders bunching in a shrug, "Like, seriously? I've got no issue with gay guys or anything, I was just cracking a joke. You really don't look the type, though." Which probably wasn't a good observation to make either, leaving Nic feeling like she was just digging herself deeper.

He couldn't even try to keep a straight face through her fumbling, and kind of felt like a bastard for it, but not enough to relieve her until she was done. He had to laugh again, and shook his head, reaching out to knuckle her in the shoulder playfully. "That's 'cause I'm not. Only pussy for me, thanks. Her name's Josephine," he explained, chuckling as he brought the lift to a stop. "She goes by Joey. I couldn't resist, you walked right into it." He walked up under the car and started examining the under-pieces.

"And you walked right into this," Nic shot back, giving a slightly firmer punch at Ash's shoulder. Her anxiety bled away quickly though, the grin stretching again as Nic had to laugh at herself and how easily he'd gotten her. "Total dick move, dude. But expertly played," she complimented, shaking her head at Ash and stepping back as the car ascended. "Shit, I'd go by Joey too. Josephine sounds like someone with a barely-maintained balance between cats and Precious Moments figurines. Which, if you're putting it to her, I can assume is not the case." It was so much easier to make light of sex when it wasn't your own sex life being discussed, after all.

Ash didn't mind getting hit for it; it was likely that he deserved it. No, in fact, he knew he did. He just tossed her a grin. At least she knew now that two could play at that game. And he had a hell of a lot more experience than she had. She got a snerk out of him for the comment about Joey's name. "What makes you think I can't appreciate a good Precious Moments collection? I dunno, I more see some well-bred bitch, myself, demanding a certain amount of ice cubes in her frappachino or whatever the fuck," he commented. "No, though, she's pretty cool. You'd like her, I think." He didn't mention that he'd only put it to her, so to speak, just the once, and he'd felt kind of confused about it. He wasn't keen on the idea of discussing his inner-workings with a teenager.

She definitely wouldn't have been a very good source to discuss it with, that was for sure. "Shit, call her up sometime when we're working. We'll crack a beer or something," Nic offered, figuring Ash didn't seem like the sort to mind some underage drinking. "And now I know what to get you for Christmas, dick," she went on, smirking and moving forward to get a better look at the car's belly, "A nice little porcelain doll and a shirt that says 'I'm Powered By Hugs', it'll look good on you." Nic had a hunch that any woman Ash was dating was someone she could tolerate; the grungy older man was definitely her speed.

"I'll wear it every day if you do, bitch," he smirked, reaching up to poke at a thing or two in the guts of the car. "I'm an angel, girl, I am powered by hugs, thanks and go fuck yourself." He grinned and nudged her with an elbow. "What about you? Any tough guys gonna come around lookin' for you one day and try to fight me? I can't be kicking minors' asses now, I don't want that shit on my record." Because any guy who would hang with Nic in that sort of fashion had to fancy himself tough shit. She wasn't any girly-girl.

"Nope, no tough guys," she answered, reaching up behind one wheel to feel around for a moment. The gesture had her stretching, exposing the bruise on Nic's neck that she didn't make an effort to hide outside of time at home. "Just my friend who's letting me fuck with his car, and seriously, he's not a tough-looking guy." Of course, looking tough and being tough were different things, but Ash was asking if she was dating. And she wasn't. "You know, just in case you ever need to pop a minor? Let them hit you three times first, then it's self-defense when you hit back. State law," Nic explained, hoping to change the subject before she had to explain the particulars of herself and Caleb's... whatever it was.

He happened to glance over at the right time. Ash knew bite-marks when he saw them; he'd had enough of them himself. Both from fights -- which was always just fucked up when it happened -- and from rough sex. "Uh huh," he said in a disbelieving tone, reaching over to very lightly tap the side of her neck. Not that he was going to demand dirty details or anything; what she did with herself was her own business. "I'll keep that in mind, though. Think I can take three times." He moved to roll the oil-drum over underneath the engine compartment and reached up to unscrew the plug and let the oil drain out of it.

Nic twisted when he tapped her neck, more out of self-conscious behavior than from any pain, though the skin was still tender. "Dude," she murmured, unable to look Ash's way for a moment, "Seriously? Just a friend. We made out a few times, but he doesn't... it's not anything serious." Why did it bug her to say as much? It was serious on some level, but not good levels. Messy ones. "And for real, if I can take three hits from the kids in this town? You'd better be able to. If not..." she trailed, waving a fist mock-threateningly at Ash, "I think we'd better discuss a raise."

Ash didn't buy it. He'd hijacked people's cars to fix them for them, and it never happened unless there was money involved or it was something serious. But it obviously made her uncomfortable, so he dropped it completely. She was good with a wrench, he didn't want to seriously piss her off. "Oh, I think that's harrassment, young lady," he said, reaching up to unscrew the oil filter. He brandished it at her. "If I wasn't the boss, I could probably complain about that." He tossed the filter into the much-abused trash can and went to hunt down another one from a messy shelf off in one corner.

"If you weren't the boss, I'd tell you to wear something more revealing to work next time!" Nic called after him with a smirk, silently thankful that Ash had just moved on to the lighter subject. Nudging the catch-pan beneath the car with her foot, Nic watched the oil splatter and pool slowly with a contented sigh. Most girls couldn't stand the idea of how much nail-scrubbing a job like this would require later, but Nic? She'd just cut them short and scrub away. "Thanks for this, by the way," she went on towards Ash's back, more willing to be earnest when eye contact wasn't involved, "It's cool of you to give me the time. Hell, the job."

"Oh that can be arranged. My pasties don't like the nipple rings, but for you I'll make an exception," he called back as he sorted through boxes, chuckling. "There you are, motherfucker," Ash muttered as he found what he was looking for and straightened up, bringing it back toward the car. "No sweat, kid. You're pretty cheap labor, you seem to know your head from your ass, and you smoke decent cigarettes to bum, so we're all right." He didn't look at her as he said it, able to recognize her awkwardness dodge. He unboxed the filter instead and tossed that in the trash can. Then glanced up briefly. "And the offer still stands, if you wanna learn to shoot. Or need any help with anything."

Things weren't getting any easier for Nic, though they would've been for any other person. What was with all the offers for help? They were reassuring to hear, but they made her feel like a real bitch for acting the way she so often did. And the answer wasn't to change, either. Silly fuckers apparently like my dirty ass, she mused with a flicker of a smirk. "You, um, feel like maybe being a guinea pig in the future? I got this book? This, like, white magic shit? And I'm trying to memorize it, haven't tried any of the... can I say I feel lame just for saying the word 'spells'?" Nic asked, laughing as she stepped back to let the car finish draining. "But, like, I don't want to try them on my mom. So I need a victim for what's probably harmless."

"Oh that's right, speaking of, your mom's got a cute ass," he said, and snapped his fingers like it was something to remember. "Another reason to keep you around." Ash flashed her a grin, and was actually really encouraged by hearing that she was studying white magic. He couldn't use the stuff himself, but he knew it came in handy for some people, for sure. "Sure, magic me up, turn me into a beautiful flower, whatever you want," he said, looking pleased. It would give him something more to do, and he could definitely sit still when he had to. "But if you actually do turn me gay, I'm gonna have to dock your pay," he added, reaching up to screw the new filter in.

"I could learn to do that?" Nic asked in an awed voice, looking his way and lighting up. "For real? Tell me I could make every dickface with a letter jacket start questioning his urges. Please." She'd love it if she could, though Nic had already read the basic tenets; white magic couldn't be used to cause harm. "Even if I can't, don't go breaking my mom's heart you Mike Ness-looking mofo." And there was a little victory for Nic; a small jab of teasing without a threat of violence tacked on. She could do it! "And are you saying you can make my check smaller?" Nic added, stubbing her cigarette early and branching off to a tool cabinet she knew held bottles of fresh oil.

"The fuck? I wish I was as hot as Mike Ness," Ash snorted. "I mean ... I'm not gay." He flashed a grin at her back. "Tell her it's just for the sex, then, she's a big girl, I think she'll get it. ... but seriously, I don't think you can do that. I can't do shit with white magic, but unless there's a homo agenda in the works that I've never heard of? Don't think making people switch teams falls under their rules. I can, however, make your check smaller, yes. So keep it in line, chick." He moved closer to the wheel wells to examine the shocks some. Yeah, they'd kinda been fucked.

Flashing her middle finger at Ash briefly, Nic smirked as she stepped over and stared up with a sigh. "That boy..." she murmured, shaking her head at the thought of Caleb. And yes, she'd put some damage on his car herself, but most of this was not her fault. This was the kid getting his car checked out once in a nonexistent while. "Witness me keeping things in line," Nic went on, reaching up and straining on her tiptoes as she wormed a hand up around the wheel's strut. She scowled at what her fingers were telling her, head shaking as Nic dropped back down. "Yeah, no dirty tricks with the white stuff, it's why I'm learning it. Too much temptation to fuck with people otherwise, and then I think you might come looking for me. And unless I'm wrong, he's gonna need a new CV joint pretty soon," she added, seeming just fine with hopping between the mundane and the paranormal as topics of discussion.

Ash squinted up at where she was feeling around, and chuckled faintly. "Yeah, don't give me reason to balance your scales," he said, and it was actually less joking and more not. He meant that; he really didn't want to have to walk into work one day and make her burn herself or something. He'd had to bring karma down on people he knew before, and it wasn't ever an enjoyable experience. "The axle looks okay, though, so that's something," he added in, about the car. He was making a mental list of parts that they would likely need. "... I'll get this shit ordered first thing Monday morning, shouldn't be too long. Not like it's a Lexus or some shit." He left the area under the car and went to fetch another cigarette.

"Sounds good," Nic told him, wiping her hand clean on her sweatshirt, "I'll probably drop it off once we've got the hoses and fluids all swapped up, then bring it back when shit comes in. This dude's the only guy I still know who'll give me a ride, so I'm not looking to derail the gravy train." And really? Even spending one day flushing out the system, tightening bits and replacing others would make the car run smoother and hopefully guarantee that it'd hold out until the heavier work could be done. As she finished cleaning her hand, she gave Ash a more earnest look and a little nod. "You don't need to worry, Ash," Nic told him with a faint but determined smile, "I'm trying as hard as I can to get my shit together and keep it that way. No more punching jocks, no more drunk skateboarding into old ladies' cars, hell I'm not even sneaking out to get drunk." Which was bugging, but she'd endure. That seemed to be the common theme lately, endurance.

He looked over with an arched and amused eyebrow. "Now now ... nobody said you couldn't have any fun," he said with a short, deep laugh. "One of the greatest things in life is booze, if you ask me. Which you didn't, but hey. What am I here for but to impart the wise advice of a total bachelor loser who doesn't do a single meaningful thing with his life?" He grinned, nothing in his tone indicating bitterness. It was just a fact, and kind of a funny one, in the situation. "I'm not worried about ya, kid. Pull that heap down and we'll start fillin' it back up with the good shit."

Her thin smile stretched into a wider one with Ash's words, and Nic reached out to slug him in the arm before stepping back. "You got it boss," she told him before stepping back to the lift controls, waiting until Ash was plenty clear before starting to lower the car down again. The situation was funny, yes, but Nic needed it too. Everything else in her life was so damned confusing or straining lately, she needed to hear Ash say he wasn't worried for her. It made Nic feel good, gave her a smidgen of confidence about the path she was on. "Nothing meaningful, my nonexistant dick," she muttered defiantly without letting her smirk waver. You might look like you belong in a hardcore band? But you're a pretty good angel.