callisto + forge

[x-callisto.livejournal.com]

Forge meets the newcomer, and his new mechanic.




Somewhere in the back of his mind, Forge was aware of the concept that one was somehow expected to spend a weekend morning asleep in bed, or at least in some form of lazy relaxation. However, he'd already spent the majority of the evening breaking down and reassembling a number of different projects, and with the peculiarities of his body's neurobiology, he felt as mentally sharp as if he'd gotten a full night's rest. A plate of scrambled eggs and a tall glass of orange juice to fuel the body, and a quick dose of Red Bull for a little pep, and Forge was about his business, fully convinced that sleep cycles were for lesser beings.

Upon entering the garage, however, he was surprised to hear one of the Institute's sedans running, and noticing the hood already up and someone leaning into it, he deduced the presence of the new resident he'd heard about. "So what are you thinking?" he called over the engine noise. "Spark plugs or the timing belt?"

At first there was no reaction. A few moments later, though, Callisto straightened, running a hand through her unruly hair (seemingly unbothered by how grimy her hands were) and tipping her head towards the ground where the former lay on an oil-stained rag.

"Took the liberty," she said, with a raised eyebrow that dared him to object, sticking her hands now into the pockets of the navy boiler suit she wore, the top half rolled and tied around her waist as was the fashion, the few smudges on it only further drawing attention to the fact it was brand new.

"Very good call," Forge confirmed, walking over to the car and placing a hand against the top of the engine block. After a second, an odd look came over his face. "And you spaced them perfectly. That's very good, especially since you're not using a preset torque wrench. You've got quite an aptitude for engines, Miss...?"

"Just Callisto." The young woman pursed her lips a little, looking almost suspicious at the praise. She shrugged. "It's not an aptitude, really," she said, "I've just got an ear for them. Once you know how they ought to sound and know the basics of how the engine works stuff like this..." - she tipped her chin at the removed parts - "...is easy." She shook her head. "I'm no expert."

"Callisto," Forge repeated, musing for a moment on the name. "Ah. Nymph of Artemis, exiled after she was seduced by Zeus, then turned into a bear. From the classics. I'm Forge, and I -" he added with a smile, "am an expert. It's a refreshing change to see someone who can do more than just add oil to the engine and air to the tires. Most of the folks who have their own here do their own maintenance - that one's mine, by the way," he indicated the black RX-8 across the garage with a jerk of his head, "but the Institute's community vehicles have always been one of those 'when you've got the time, Forge' projects."

He took another look at Callisto, noting the tattoos and the rather visible scar, obviously a memento of a rather wild past. There was something else, as well. Something he couldn't quite put his finger on... "So I understand you know Ororo, huh? I keep forgetting she had a life before this place - she's been sort of a fixture as long as I've been here."

Callisto raised an eyebrow at the explanation of her name and its accompanied string of references, but didn't comment. The what with the bear and the nymph? Whatever...

She snorted at the reference to Ororo, lifting a hand out of her pocket to scratch her face idly, leaving a dark smudge across the scar over her eye. "I wouldn't say know, exactly. We... met once. A long time ago. I have no idea whether she was a 'fixture' here or not at the time." Her slim shoulders hunched a little, hands delving back, deeper into her pockets.

"Well, it's nice to come in already knowing someone," Forge replied, oblivious to any unease Callisto might have been displaying. Helps ease the culture shock a little, as does, well, having something to do. Which gives me an idea..." He stroked his chin thoughtfully for a moment while he stared at the car's engine.

"I have a lot of responsibilities around here, mechanic, security, research - if you're willing, I could use another set of hands with the vehicles around here. The basic maintenance, and if you want to learn more, you help out and in return, I'll teach you. What do you say, Callisto?" Forge asked with a grin, "want a job?"

Callisto raised an eyebrow. "Munroe didn't tell you? She already told me that. What, you think I'm fixing this up out of boredom?"

"Why not?" Forge said with a shrug. "It's what I do."

"Well, I'm here because it's about the only place that is actually in a position to employ me in a job that doesn't involve either taking my clothes off or beating people up. Or both."

"Boy, do you have tough standards," Forge quipped, smiling as he looked back into the engine. "So, want to get started on the next one? Bet you that between the two of us, we can have the basics done on at least four before lunch."

"Fallen behind on your servicing, have you?" Callisto asked, though she didn't seem to care much, turning back to the car to close the hood.

Forge just took the veiled rebuke with a smile. "I keep them running. Tune-ups are more of a leisure project. Besides, I tend to spend most of my time on... bigger things."

Callisto rolled her eyes. "That's right, there's, like, a jet-thing,right?"

That brought an offended look to Forge's face, as if someone had just slapped a puppy in front of him. "A... jet... thing..." he repeated slowly. "My dear Callisto, remind me at some point to show you that 'jet thing' and introduce you to what real mechanical power is. But first, we'll start off small. If you want to grab the plug wrench and a drip pan, I'll start checking fluid levels."

Callisto gave Forge a slightly curious look, rather thrown by such general good nature, and simple obliviousness to her abrasive behaviour, and found herself doing as she was instructed without question.

Forge just nodded to himself as he raised the hood of the next car. This could turn out to be beneficial after all, he thought.