Backdated: Korvus and Scott: Garage Meeting

[x-cyclops.livejournal.com]

When Scott decides to work on his car he end up with more than he bargained for.

Korvus had found himself under the Impala more often than just Sundays with Wade and this Saturday didn't seem to break that mold. He had removed the floorboards and, before working on anything else, he wanted the replacement he had prepared in place so that he would be able to mount things to it and get inside the car comfortably. With a socket set nearby, he ratcheted things into place, his left supporting the floor and pressing it tightly to the underside of the frame as he worked.

Scott yawned as he opened the door to the garage, he'd been spending a lot of time down here working on his bike and car. He found it relaxing to work on something as black and white as an engine while he assimilated back into the routines of mansion life. As he stepped through the door he heard the sound of someone else working away, as the looked around the garage he spotted one of the students half swallowed up by the car he was working on. Scott leaned back against the wall and cast an eye over the scene, "Nice ride, is it yours?"

"It was purchased by Wade. I am assisting him because of my experience in mechanics. I also suspect it is an activity he uses to give guidance to our interactions as friends." Korvus did not recognize the voice so he explained as completely as he could; he sometimes had trouble telling what information people wanted when they asked questions so casually.

"I see" Scott hedged, taken back by the reply. "That seems reasonable enough I guess." He walked over to examine the skeleton of the Impala, "So what are you doing to it? Restoring it or doing a complete rebuild?" he asked with excitement in his voice.  

"We are rebuilding it entirely. The engine compartment has been emptied and I will be doing the same with the instrumentation and accessories inside the cabin shortly. I needed to replace the floorboards for safety prior to entering the vehicle itself." Korvus thought for a moment. After his argument with Matt it occurred to him this could be an example of 'small talk' which was traditionally about sexual conquest. "When it is complete, this 'ride' should easily assist Wade in any intercourse he may care to have."

"Sounds fun" Scott enthused, "So what are you thinking of putting in here, a V-8? V-10? You're probably going to want to check the transmission and gearbox. You could probably find some nice replacement parts on the..." His voice trailed off as his brain finally caught up with his ears. "It what!" He blinked in confusion and looked down at what he could see of Korvus. "What did you just say?" Scott asked in a strangled voice?

"My suite mate is assisting me in casual conversation. He has informed me through example that casual conversation often revolves about women and, in American culture, cars are comparable to a peacock's tail feathers. Thus, when you initiated casual conversation, I took your cue to relay that this vehicle, once completed, will be a fine set of 'tail feathers' for Wade to use in order to initiate copulation." Korvus explained his reasoning fully. Scott's voice suggested that he had made a mistake.

"Well, that's true to a point; but sometimes casual conversation is just that, conversation." Scott slid down the wall till he was sitting on the floor and hid his face in his hands. "It's a nice car, and I'm sure Wade will be able to pick up plenty of chicks in it, that's just not the kind of thing you say to someone who you've just met." He looked up at Korvus, "Some people like cars because they can go fast", he clarified, "the adrenaline rush you get racing down the road at top speed, there's nothing to compare to it".

"I do not understand why you clarified in the form of a tautology." Korvus echoed under the car from his position before he slid out and sat up. "I also do not seek adrenaline produced by danger. The body is a temple to be well maintained and appreciated, not risked."

"It's a calculated risk", Scott replied examining Korvus. "I know just how good a driver I am, so I know I can handle it. Everything has some risk, it's about finding the best balance for you". He stood up and walked over to Korvus and held out his hand "I'm Scott Summers, I just arrived back from the West Coast Annex."

Korvus stood as he approached and shook Scott's hand. "I'm Korvus Rook'shir." He let the conversation about adrenaline pass; he had no reason to antagonize it. "I recently arrived from India."

Scott smiled, "So Korvus, would you like any help working on your Chevrolet?" He asked gesturing at the Impala. 

"I was only preparing it for my work with Wade tomorrow. Perhaps these is another task we can engage in to attempt to for a bond of some sort?" Korvus offered helpfully, if a bit awkwardly.

"That seems like a a good plan" Scott replied as he walked to the tool racks to pick up his tools. "So tell me Korvus, how do you feel about the Mazda RX8?" nodding at his car. "I still need to finish tuning her up, and I could really use the help."

"I am familiar with the design of the Wankel engine and I would very much enjoy working on one." Korvus assented. "I am a fan of the hydrogen fuel alternative." He added.

"Hydrogen fuels cells are the way of the future" Scott agreed as he started walking towards his car. "Although they are still some way from being truly commercially viable." He nodded towards the car, "The engine's developed a slight hiccup while I was away, so I was hoping we could get started on that first and then move on to general maintenance."

Korvus nodded, "Being able to hear the inconsistency may assist my diagnosis." He said as he moved to stand in front of the hood. "Unless you have already assessed the problem."

Scott slipped into the driver's seat, "Knock yourself out" he replied as he keyed the ignition. "I could always use a second opinion" Scott revved the engine before looking back up at Korvus, "What do you think?"

After listening intently for a moment, Korvus stepped around to the driver's window. "I believe it is excess carbon. Perhaps when you were gone someone drove it without running allowing the RPMs to reach their maximum in order to prevent the accumulation. Since we are going to replace the spark plugs when we do the 'tune up,' and you will begin driving it regularly not that you have returned, it should not be an issue."

Scott nodded, "That's what I had guessed, though it's good to get confirmation". He shut the engine off and popped the hood as he got out of the car, "Well then Korvus where do you think we should begin?" he queried gesturing at the engine.

"If we replaced the spark plugs, ran the engine at a high RPM, then brushed the excess carbon from the new plugs and replaced the air filters the end result would be everything at it's cleanest. We should only then replace the oil and it's filter." Korvus outlined.

Scott bent over his tools picking out his wrench and a packet of spark plugs, the latter of which he flourished at Korvus. "Well then, let's get started" he said as he walked over to the front on the car. "Would you care to do the honors?" he asked Korvus offering him the wrench, "With two of us working on it this shouldn't take half as long as I was afraid it would."

-----

"The Starjammers. They are the mutant pirate group that liberated me in Madripoor. They also informed me about the recent events of the time in India and the role the X-Men played. That is why I requested to learn here from Lilandra." Korvus pushed himself out from under the car, bringing the bucket of used oil with him.

"Yeah, I know the Starjammers" Scott smiled wanly at Korvus. "Good old dad," he bent down to pick up the bucket of oil. "Even while I'm away he still manages to get himself in all sorts of trouble. Still at least he's acting as a good ambassador for us,at least in between fighting a gang war in Madripoor. The Starjammer's are good people, apart from their leader; I'm not too sure about him, although I do hear he has an amazing elder son" he deadpanned.

"I spoke of the X-Men with him. He said you are important to them." Korvus opened the oil cap and prepared the first quart. "At an appropriate time in the future, after I have completed the 'New Mutant' coursework, I would like to apply for your team."

"He said that?" Scott grinned. "Go dad!" he laughed. Bending over the engine he helped Korvus pour the oil. "You wanna join the X-men? Well ok, you're old enough for it. We'd love to have you, you can help me maintain the Blackbird. Of course, that is assuming you keep up your school work and grades until you apply." he joked. "How are you finding training with the New Mutants" Scott asked, "I can't over-exaggerate the importance of the teamwork skills you're learning with them."

"It is my wish to join the X-Men but it is also my understanding that the New Mutants are my peer group and I should stay with them for the time as I acclimate. I can also develop skills there in relation to my mutation that others have already developed. I have only been aware of my mutation for a couple years and have not had time to experience my limits." Korvus topped the car's oil off and closed everything up. He accounted for each tool and rag meticulously. "I would like to apply for the X-Men after this school year and I wanted to make you aware of my intent."

Scott leaned back against the car and wiped his hands on a rag, "Well sounds like you've got it all planned out then" he smiled. "After you put your application in you need to spend some time as a trainee, getting to know the team and working out where you fit. You won't actually be put in any danger and it does take some time; applying after this school year makes sense." He grinned at Korvus, "The other trainees are going to love having someone with actual mechanical knowledge to help work on the Blackbird, at the moment they get stuck with all the grunt work. Once you're a trainee we can get you working on that, I could use the help." He grinned, "If you enjoy working on cars you're going to love the Blackbird. but let me know when you're ready to apply, or if you need someone to help you with your power training and I'll do what I can to help you out."

Korvus nodded, "I appreciate your assistance."