xp_logs | Amanda and Callisto - backdated to February 26 (Reply)

Amanda takes her faithful Broomstick, battered after the rescue of Marie-Ange, to Callisto for repairs and discovers the other woman really doesn't do small talk.

The working part of the garage wasn't somewhere Amanda visited often, but as she drove her poor dented car into it, she reflected that Xavier's really was one well set up place. "Lo?" she called out as she got out of the car. "Callisto? You home?"

After a few moments of silence, there was the sound of footsteps not from deeper into the garage but from behind her. Half eaten sandwich in one hand, the other in her pocket, Callisto was clad in her usual attire (for the garage) - a ribbed tank top and overalls tied around her waist. She had a smudge of oil on one cheek.
"'Sup?"

"I need some mechanical help. Well, actually, more knocking out dents." Amanda made with the puppy eyes. "Can you help? My Broomstick got a bit banged up in New Orleans."

Callisto looked a little as though she was fighting to roll her eyes, but then, Callisto usually looked that way. "What happened to it?" she inquired lazily, walking up to the car in question and circling it, looking it up and down as she did so.

"It got used as a battering ram," Amanda replied, leaning back up against the door. "Down in New Orleans." She looked around conspiratorially. "Nico might have had to nudge a few people out of the way for me."

"Right." The skinny girl stood back, taking a bite of sandwich, chewing and swallowing before adding, "Start 'er up?"

Amanda nodded and slid behind the steering wheel, turning on the ignition. It started, thanks to Forge's original work on the engine, but it certainly wasn't running as smoothly as usual. The witch patted the dashboard affectionately. "There, there, I know. I've been 'orrible to you lately."

Callisto pursed her lips, folding her arms and tipping her head to one side. Then she nodded. "Yeah, I can fix that."

"Brilliant." Amanda's grin was relieved. "How much will I owe you?"

"Pfft." Callisto waved her hand. "Owe me a beer or something - unless you particularly want a fresh hood? Then I'll have to source the part... I was just going to hammer it out and respray - I swear you won't notice the difference."

"I saw the job you did on Gar's car - I think I'll manage with the panel beating. And I'll definitely owe you, but not just one beer. Since I'd hate to take advantage of your good nature and all." The witch's grin turned mischievous.

Callisto snorted at the idea that she could be described as 'good natured', wandering over to bend over the hood of the car, holding her ear closer to the engine as it idled.

"Seriously, thanks a lot. There's not many people I'd trust with my Broomstick, especially since I'd have to explain some of Forge's work if I took it to a regular mechanic." Amanda watched Callisto through the windshield. "How're things going with you, any way? I don't see a lot of you about."

The other woman shrugged her skinny shoulders. "Y'know. Fine," she said. "Whatever. I'm around. I just... keep out of the way, mostly."

"See, this would be the cue to tell you 's not healthy, isolating yourself and all, but yeah, that's not really my thing. Besides, if I still lived here I'd be making with the scarce myself." Amanda climbed out of the driver's seat, letting the car idle, and leaned on the roof with her elbow.

Another shrug. "Where else would I go?"

"District X? There's a lot of your people there these days." The witch gave her a thoughtful look. "Then again, I think you already know that."

Callisto's lip curled a little at this. "Pop the hood, would you?" she said, pulling a spanner out of a deep pocket.

Amanda nodded and obeyed without further word. Tact wasn't her best point, but she'd learned over the years not to push. Especially since the Jean-Paul incident with Vanessa. "So, how about that random sports team?" she said instead, innocently.

Callisto only sighed, shook her head, and, propping the hood up, promptly disappeared behind it.