TAGDaniel Atthaphan NOTES N/A
Sleeves rolled up, arms slicked up in grease and oil, and a cigarette lazily hanging from the fingers of one hand, Étienne didn't exactly paint a pretty picture. Nor did he look like the proud boss of Eclipse at that very moment. Even though he'd been raised as a proud rich boy, Étienne still enjoyed getting down and dirty every now and then, especially when it was automotive related. One of the few passions he discovered later in life, he even had a pet project of his own stowed away in the back. But when any new vehicle came into Eclipse, Étienne was always there like a dirty shirt, wanting to be the first one to inspect it and pick it apart.
The car in front of him was no different. It was a shame, really; while the engine was beautiful, somehow in nearly mint condition, the rest of the vehicle didn't fair so well. It was useless as it was, and would need to be broken down further into parts before it became of any use to them. It was the main reason he had reached out to the one man that was specifically looking for an engine only; let it go to good use.
The man took another drag of his cigarette as he leaned against the work bench behind him, mindlessly gazing at the engine that sat in front of him. While normally any goods for sale would be brought to the Communal Hall — considering the Workshop was 'private' Eclipse territory — it was much easier to just have Daniel be brought to the back to inspect the engine there. Should he require any immediate disassembly, Étienne would have all the tools at his disposal already. He took yet another drag before snubbing it out on an ashtray, frowning slightly at the slicks of oil along his forearms. He was a mess and in need of a shower, but that would have to come later.
"He's here, Boss," a woman suddenly spoke out to him as she peeked around the corner, decked out in full Eclipse uniform.
“Good, bring him back here to me,” he answered, and all he saw was a nod of confirmation before she was suddenly gone, most likely to fetch Daniel from the front gates. He didn't usually deal with clients directly himself unless it was something of utmost importance, but he liked the... Self-proclaimed chemist. He was a good client at least, and Eclipse did well when doing trades with him, especially with Étienne there to oversee the transactions.
Rounding the corner of the workshop, he stepped through the door and blinked at the sudden dip in brightness compared to outside. His eyes adjusted slowly and he hefted the heavy backpack he had over his shoulders as he moved deeper into the place. He'd been here a couple of times now, and was starting to feel somewhat comfortable. He at the very least, for the time being, took Blanchard at his word and considered him trustworthy.
"How's it, Boss?" He called out, flashing the blond man a playful smile, playful was his default setting, he found it helped put those around him at ease, and almost always meant they underestimated him. If people looked at him as small and cute, they rarely saw him as a threat. Which suited him just fine. "Where do you want this stuff?" He nodded at the decent sized box he was carrying, he'd brought plenty of fun toys and essentials with him to pay for his newly acquired and highly sort engine.
"I'll show you mine if you show me your's?" He suggested with a smirk that left no question he knew how suggestive what he was saying was. He was a flirt, sue him. He always toned it down in the appropriate moments, so it did no harm to anyone.Étienne Blanchard
TAGDaniel Atthaphan NOTES N/A
While he doesn't verbally answer Daniel as he enters the normally private area of the Eclipse camp, he does tilt his head in acknowledgement with a soft grin on his face. It's an informal greeting between the two of them, and even if he isn't actually Daniel's boss, it still somehow feels right to be called by his official title — even from someone outside of the group. It was a pity really that the shorter man didn't feel comfortable enough to stay long enough to join the group... His skills as a chemist would be extremely helpful for Eclipse. But Étienne didn't beg, and their current relationship suited him fine.
His gaze drops when Daniel acknowledges the massive load he's currently carrying in his arms, and Étienne's almost impressed by the bountiful load — if it's even possible for him to be impressed — and nods towards an empty table closest to the other man.
“Right over there, we cleared a space for you,” he comments, as he finally pushes himself away from where he was standing and heads over towards Daniel. Normally every surface possible is filled with some kind of junk or other — they're a busy group — but he didn't doubt that Daniel would need an entire table dedicated to showing off whatever it was he had brought for trade. As he draws closer Étienne immediately takes in what he can see sitting at the top of the box, already pleased with what Eclipse was going to receive from this little deal.
His blue-grey eyes snap to Daniel's face as the flirtatious joke reaches his ears, and he pauses for only a moment before a sly smirk stretches across his face, just as suggestive as the words, and he replies:
“I don't think you'd be able to handle mine.” Hey, it's all harmless, right? Étienne may not be one that necessarily went out looking for sex partners every night, but he enjoyed a handsome face and a good bout of flirting just as much as anyone else. The gaze lingers before he's off and stepping back towards the engine, waving Daniel along to follow. He wasn't so concerned about what had been bought to trade, not just yet at least. Time to show the client exactly what it was they had managed to procure for him.
“Isn't she beautiful?” he questions the other man as he lays a hand out on the engine. Ah, it was such a shame it was going to be reduced to scraps... But useful scraps, at least.
Daniel chuckled as he dumped out all that he had brought with him, careful not to be too careless with anything that was fragile or volatile. He then turned and gave the other man a once over and snorted in amusement. "Honey, you have no idea what I can handle." He assured him, and it was with a confidence that would probably make most decent people blush. If there was one thing he knew about himself, it was that he'd yet to find a man who he couldn't handle. And he doubted, this relatively normal and friendly guy was gonna be the first. Not that he expected to find out, flirting was one thing, anything more was unlikely he assumed.
He moved then to the motor on offer and whistled, bending over it to get a closer look, deft hands with delicate, talented fingers touching and searching. He flicked open the covers of the spark plugs and hummed happily, it was so rare to find an engine with actual plugs still in it. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a special tool and used it to pull one of the spark plugs free and saw it looked intact still and in working order. Putting it back he almost wanted to start pulling it apart right away, but stopped himself getting carried away.
Instead he straightened up, turned to his trade partner and smiled, a full, excited smile that he didn't get to wear often. "Does it run do you know?" He asked, because if the answer was yes, he knew he really owed the man big time. A running Motor was so so rare these days.Étienne Blanchard
TAGDaniel Atthaphan NOTES N/A “Oh really?” he questions with a laugh, “I'll keep that in mind.” It didn't hurt to flirt, right? Even if the receiving party was technically a client, and an important one at that. But Étienne really didn't have any shame.
It's quick and dirty and then the flirting is over and they're down the business, just the way they always are. Étienne walked back to where he had been originally before Daniel walked in, folding his arms once more as he leaned back against the shelves. He watched in silence as the smaller man took the time to examine every part of the engine himself, his quick fingers a match for Étienne's own deftness with such things. Although he itches to light another cigarette while he waited, it wasn't exactly the best place or time to be doing such a thing, so he instead busies himself with tapping his fingers against his folded arm, giving Daniel however much time he needed.
Finally the drifter is done with his inspection, and as he turns back to the Eclipse Boss, a bright smile lights up his face — one the man's seen before, with another extremely rare find of theirs. It's a good sign, and confirmation that what he had told Daniel earlier hadn't been a lie: they really had found something he would like. Of course even if he hadn't... Étienne would have found a good use for it.
He scoffs, though it's from amusement and not annoyance.
“Did you really expect me to sell you a dead engine? I'm a man of my word, Daniel,” he laughs, not offended by the insinuation it wouldn't run. “Runs as beautiful as it looks. It's a shame, really, that the vehicle we found it in was trashed. It would have made a great vehicle to add to my garage.” It was still a shame really to be selling it off, but it would take more time and effort to get it into a working vehicle than it was to simply sell it off to someone that would have as equal use of it as Eclipse.
“If you want it, it's yours,” he pauses, with a smirk, “for the right price of course.” His eyes wander over to Daniel's hoard.
Posted 04-21-2021, 01:48 PM
Start your Engine
