video; un: sevenswans

[kroenleinia]

[As opposed to her more...domestic and at-home pursuits, Bella is actually outside during this particular network video. More than that, she's grimy, covered in grease and oil, with her hair in a messy ponytail and smudges on her face and clothes.

The reason for this becomes clear as she flips the feed to reveal her beloved '63 Chevy pick-up truck. It's...definitely seen better days, even more so because it's covered in the bloody residue from one of the blood blisters around town bursting.

Flipping the image back to her grim face, Bella looks deadly serious.] I don't know if anyone else had like...cars or bikes come with them, but if you have any experience or...any ideas on how to get blood out of an engine, that'd be great.

[Quietly, to the car:] You're not quitting on me, not after all this time...

Comments

text; un: dovahkiin

[fusrodaaaah]

Have you

Tried washing it?

text;

[kroenleinia]

I washed the outside, yeah, of course. But if I put water on the engine, it could wreck it, see.

text;

[fusrodaaaah]

Really?

But it's just water.

video | un: graham crackers (cw: mention of car accident bc Peter always has to Make It Depressing)

[possessum]

( This.... is a question that Peter absolutely wouldn't have been able to even consider, not long ago. If it was anyone other than a close friend, he probably still wouldn't be able to. And it takes him a long while.

But finally, he gathers himself up and turns on his video. It's been awhile since he talked to Bella, and he wants to make sure she's okay. )

I'm uh, not sure how to help with that, but.... are you okay?

( His heart patters patters patters, anxious. )

Did you hit something?

( He'll never forget the way the thud sounded, felt. )

video;

[kroenleinia]

-- Peter, hey. [It's been a while, though Bella has definitely periodically texted him, or received late-night high text messages which always make her laugh a little. His reaction to the car is...odd. By now Bella can recognize a token Peter Graham Anxiety Spiral, and it makes her frown a little.]

I'm fine, I -- oh. [He thinks she was in an accident, that makes sense.] No, no, it was one of the, uh...blister things? I drove too close to one and it, um. Exploded.

video; un: clearthestreet

[laruetheday]

I can get blood off metal, but uh...

[ Look, she doesn't want to say it out loud. ]

video;

[kroenleinia]

What? [It's fine! The car is definitely not on it's last legs!!] But what?

video; un: v

[mehanizovati]

[ah machinery, truly a siren call. he's never seen an automobile like that and it clearly fascinates him.] If you wouldn't mind opening the lid I may be able to offer some advice, though how much I cannot say without seeing it myself.

This is from one of the blisters? [he hopes it is, that is a lot of blood. also the player knows nothing about cars so. forgive any foolishness.]

video;

[kroenleinia]

-- oh, yeah, the hood. [Bella carefully lifts up the heavy piece of metal, grunting a little at the weight of it. The hinges creak as she does so -- this is an old truck, and everything about it is just short of falling to bits.

The engine is...also as crusty and blood-splattered as the exterior.] Yeah, one of those big gross things that the dogs don't want us to go near. I was driving and I figured I'd be fine getting closer... [Obviously she was not fine.]

audio - UN: CentaurTesticle

[alternia_strength]

... my familiarity with human combustion engines is poor. However, if I can look at the vehicle, I can probably reproduce parts as needed.

Repairing the machine will best be in the hands of other professionals. My specialty lies in other fields.

[Robotics, and blowing robotics to smitherings.]

audio

[kroenleinia]

You can? Really? [She sounds immensely relieved.] I can probably get it working again, but I'm scared there are gonna be parts that need replacing.

audio; un: doublehedgedsword

[laminae]

Dude, I didn't know your truck showed up here! That's awesome!

[Well....]

Except for the blood part. That can't be good for it.

audio;

[kroenleinia]

Yeah, it's been kinda...sitting in the garage. [She doesn't think Trench's cobblestone streets are great for the tires.]

I took it for a spin the other night and I swear I thought I was far enough away from the city, but then one of those blister things appeared out of nowhere.

Video UN: 1stStrike

[strikefirster]

Holy shit.

I'd say I'm surprised to see one of those around here but there are broads from the 20's walking around looking like teens here. So I guess weirder shit has happened.

...Fucking sucks to see her in that shape though.

I know cars but I wouldn't say I'm expert or anything. We could try stripping the engine block, clean it and put it back together.

video;

[kroenleinia]

Yeah, she's kinda vintage. [Bella is patting at the hood of the truck, fond and woeful all at once.]

...really? You'd be able to help with that? That'd be awesome.

video; un bluebird69

[venatoris]

I might be able to help. If not, I probably know someone who can.

video;

[kroenleinia]

Really? I can repay you in, uh...well, cooking, mostly. [Her other big skill!]

un: trienemybest; video

[droptheious]

[Oh hey, her truck came with her!]

I'd say we should probably strip it and clean it out. I've been trying to build one from scratch myself...an...engine, I mean. Maybe it so it can run on uh- alternate power sources.

[Like blood. ]

So if all else fails, I can manufacture a new engine for it.

video;

[kroenleinia]

[Bella gnaws at her lower lip for a moment, part of her fearful of doing anything that drastic. But then...]

Would it...help you if we did? Like, help you build one if you saw what this one looks like?

voice | un: sharpshooter

[azurestar]

Eugh, man that's nasty, don't get it on you. And I wish I could help, but I'm better at driving cars than fixing them. Sorry, Bella.

voice;

[kroenleinia]

[That gets a soft, huff of a laugh.] It's all good, don't worry. I appreciate the thought, at least? And yeah, I'm being careful. This stuff reeks.

Video | un: Stone

[bookbrawler]

...how much got in the engine? Did you try to start it after it got...y'know?

[A wave of his hand. Bloodied, blood-covered, etc.

There's a beat.]

Because there is a way to get it out, just like if it got flooded with water. All ain't lost yet. If it's only on the outside, then you're in luck, everything else is pretty much cosmetic.

video;

[kroenleinia]

Not...too much? I was driving it when the thing burst, so really it's just...whatever was on the hood and kinda dripped down. [So not a negligible amount, but not like flooded.]

It kept running long enough for me to get home, but then it all dried and congealed and now it's kinda...making horrifying noises instead of starting.

video: un; apparition

[unphase]

[Tinya looks off to the side for a moment before looking directly into the camera]

...in the other world I was in, my--my husband had a car repair shop. I hung out there a lot and he taught me a few things. Which should translate to a truck of that nature.

video:

[kroenleinia]

[Bella notes the hesitation around the word "husband", and her expression sobers a little. Then she nods, managing a small, encouraging smile.] That'd be really helpful. I'd appreciate any help.