Feb 03 19:45:08 105 PA

From Chronicles

The hanger is quiet, the first few workers arriving for work. In the corner, the old truck appears empty, unless someone looks closer and sees the figure curled up on the tailgate. Beside it, a plate and a mug are lying empty and the figure begins to stir, as the noise levels rise in the hanger.

Kid slips into the big warehouse building early as well. But unlike the last time, she's a bit more discreet about it. She plucks off her hat and earmuffs as she moves a bit off to the side. As big a place as this is, there have to be a few 'shadowy' places, which she'll linger in as she scans the area. It'll be just after she's plucked off her gloves that she spies a familiar truck. And someone moving toward the back of it. A little smile comes as she watches from afar for a few moments, stuffing her gloves into her jacket.

Caliopa scrambles down from her tailgate, grabbing her mug and moving towards the coffee machine. Her hair is tangled from the sleep, winding itself around the bands. She fills the mug with steaming liquid and turns to return to the truck. The few greetings she gets are returned with an abrupt nod of the head and no sign of a desire to stop and chat to folks.

Kid lingers in her shadowy spot, watching Caliopa quietly as she starts her daily routine. Or what Kid could easily imagine is such. With her accessories tended to and her target in sight, she decides to move in. She takes a bit of a roundabout route, so as not to be spotted too soon. Cause she wants to kinda 'pop out' from the side of the truck in a surprising manner. Either way, once she gets close enough, she'll give Cali a big grin and say, quite simply, "Hi there!"

Caliopa sets her steaming mug on the tailgate, and pulls a small box of supplies towards herself. She opens it, apparently talking to herself as she organises her breakfast things. When they are set out, she picks up the mug, and leans against the tailgate, in the manner of one settling in to have a good talk with a friend.

Kid executes her pop out just as Cali sits, coming from the right side. Though she decides to tone it down slightly. She'll wait until she's far enough along that Cali gets a sense of her in the peripheral before she gives a not quite as startling, "Hi there." Then she continues around toward the back, pausing at the corner, her hands settled into the pockets of her jacket. A casual smile is given as she considers Cali quietly.

Caliopa jumps, startled, and the coffee leaps from its mug over her hand. Cursing softly under her breath, she drops the mug onto the tailgate and shakes her hand, reaching for a cloth to wipe it. "Hi..." She glances up, dabbing her clothes with the cloth, drying the coffee. "Did you find your oil?"

Kid schools her expression into an apologetic sort of neutrality, suppressing the urge to grin. "Oh, yeah. I found a good place, thanks," she replies. "Sorry about that. People say I have a light step." She grins a little then. A pause as she looks toward the truck, then glances around the garage briefly before observing, "You're here pretty early."

Caliopa reaches for her mug, glancing into it before shaking out the last dregs of her coffee. "I live in my truck. Ain't sensible to keep a truck and live elsewhere." She reaches for the pieces of bread she set out and starts to butter them. "Glad you found somewhere. Was it expensive?"

Kid doesn't appear surprised at that revelation, shaking her head slightly as she offers, "Not really. Found a cheap little place in the Dregs. I think he was happy just to have some business." A little smirk rises at that. She adds after only a brief delay, querying, "Doesn't sound to sensible to me.. living in a truck. Can't be too comfortable. Not much room either." Again, she schools her tone. More curious than anything else, without a hint of disdain.

Caliopa glances up at the truck, and runs a hand along the tailgate affectionately. "Tis huge, how much space can I need? I got some clothes, tools, don't need more than a cupboard and a bed. Seems daft to spend out for space I won't use." She offers the plate of buttered bread to Kid, hesitantly. "Ain't sure, you hungry?"

A flicker of bemusement shows briefly at such assertions on the truck. It fades in favor of a slight smile at the offer, but she shakes her head slightly. "I stopped by Happy Burger before I came here," she says. "But thanks." She casually leans against the corner of the truck's bed and muses aloud, "Not very private, though. And a girl needs her privacy. Not too safe either." Her attention lifting then to scan the wide open space with its few people.

Caliopa glances around and lifts one shoulder lightly, before placing the plate on the tailgate and leaping up lightly beside it. She leans back, digging through one box to emerge triumphant with a comb. "Ain't nobody here but me most nights, and most visitors I get ain't interested in me nor the truck." She pats the side of the truck before dragging the bands from her hair, tangles and all. It falls near to her waist and she starts to comb it out, section by section, as if it is a nuisance. "Truck is as comfortable as I need."

A bit of consternation shows on Kid's face as Cali 'tends' to her hair. "Wait.." A hand lifted in gesture along with that firm little word. She shrugs off her bag, setting it under the corner of the tailgate. Without its weight, she nimbly hops up onto the tailgate herself and will try to pluck the comb from Cali's hand. "You have lovely hair.. I can tell, but you don't treat it very nicely." The tone almost a scold to mingle with her little frown.

The action gains Kid a blank look from Caliopa. "It ain't like it has a use or anything. It just hangs there and gets caught in things. I oughta have it cut off." She reluctantly releases the comb, sitting on the edge of the tailgate, dangling her legs. "Ain't like hair does anything useful." She repeats.

"Don't you dare," Kid replies, waggling the comb at Cali. "Hair is an important tool for any woman and requires just as much care," she scolds lightly. She settles on her knees next and slightly behind Cali, running her fingers through a bit of her hair slowly. "Split ends.. no body.." She sighs lowly at her assessment. "Girl, you've done yourself a disservice here, that's for sure." She doesn't ask, she just starts to run the comb through Cali's hair, though with a far more judicious hand that she would have.

Caliopa 's face holds complete bewilderment, and she moves to shake her head, wincing as the movement catches on the comb. "Ain't no sorta tool I'd ever use. Can't use it on a machine, it ain't use to man nor beast." She shrugs, "Gonna get it cut off here when I got settled." She indicates her neck.

Kid frowns ominously, lightly tapping Cali twice on the top of her head with the comb. "Man is just what a good head of hair is useful for," she states indignantly. "When it comes to manipulating a guy, hair is part of the whole package." She shoots a glance to the side as she says this, making sure they aren't being observed by any of the very same. Seeing that they're safe, she returns her attention to the hair, continuing to carefully comb it out. "You just hold still and let me work."

The very picture of bewildered confusion sits still as commanded. "I ain't needing to manipulate no man. If I can't get what I want by askin', I can ask someone else." She drums her fingers on the tailgate, in lieu of fiddling. "I don't see where hair comes into the picture, no where, no how."

Kid shakes her head slightly, exasperation in her expression. "Who raised you? Whoever it is, they didn't do the job right w hen it comes to the basics, that's for sure." Despite her argumentative tone, she's ever so gentle with the hair. Gripping above the knots when she works them out to reduce the tugging, working her way down with the patience of a saint. "Some day, some guy will be the only one that can get you what you want. And a good look can soften how a guy looks at you, making him easier to convince.. of whatever you want to convince him about," she states, as if that much were self evident. "How you dress, how you wear your hair, it all factors in. You're lucky, like me. You have a natural beauty to you, I can see it. That gives you a leg up right there."

Caliopa breaths out an impatient sigh, rolling her eyes. "If all I want is something I can get off some guy, it probably ain't worth wanting, and if I can't buy it off a scrapyard some place, I probably don't need it." She stays sat, however, letting Kid mess with her hair. "And I ain't sure my pa had hair to mess with, nor my ma got time to be bothered."

Kid shakes her head again. "No wonder.. Got a lot of work to do with you, girl," she sighs. But she is resolute and keeps up her work. Takes some time, as poorly cared for as this hair is. "So what do you do for fun? Obviously you don't hit the clubs. Or do much dating, I'd assume." She pauses her combing, passing her fingers through the section she's worked over already. Tolerable.. only just. She resumes, keen to get the rest of it wrangled.

Caliopa is lost in a world of confusion. No coffee and being set upon by someone intent on changing her. "Fun? I work on my machines, ain't no fun like making something work right..." The enthusiasm entering her voice and face shows her love for the machines, "I dated once, but it ain't something that turned up nothing good, so I ain't minded much to try it again neither."

"So you just gave it up, huh?" Kid shakes her head slightly. "What was so bad about it? Going to a nice place and eating nice food without paying for it. What's not to like about that? Trust me, I have my own like of machines, but a girl can't live on nuts and bolts alone."

Caliopa swings her legs, tapping her fingers impatiently. "Ain't something I found that suited me, is all. Ain't something worth the effort."

Kid sighs lowly and goes quiet for the moment. Finally finished with the combing, she sets it aside and then starts phase two. "I'm going to have to teach you how to braid your own hair. That will keep it under control without looking horrid," she states as she begins to do just that. "And it will keep it from getting too damaged." Much like her hair is, currently. "Doesn't take long to comb it out and get it braided, especially if you take better care. What do you use to wash it?"

Caliopa frowns and shakes her head, "Soap..." She mumbles, sensing already that this answer might not please the girl. "I jus' scrub it and tie it up out of the way, else it gets in the machinery and that messes it up. Cogs and all."

The heavy sigh that comes from behind Cali confirms those fears. "I'm going to bring you some stuff. And you're going to use it. Proper shampoo. Every day. That'll make it far easier to comb and it'll look a lot better." All of this said as she smoothly goes about weaving Cali's hair into a proper braid. Nothing too fancy. "Just do that and give it a simple braid and you won't have it getting in your way at all." Honestly, she'd love to do more, but she gets the sense that this girl is a long term project if ever there was one. She picks up one of the bands used to tie it back before and firmly cinches the end of the braid to keep it together. "There. That's serviceable enough, given what we have to work with," she declares.

Caliopa draws it over her shoulder to look at, her expression blank. "Braid. Right. Well, guess that ain't nothing but sensible." She doesn't look convinced. "Nothing wrong with good soap for getting the oil out of stuff. A good scrubbing with that, and you know you got clean." She reaches past Kid, pulling a small tin from the box. She opens it to show carbolic soap, well used.

"Hair is different. It needs special things to thrive and be lovely," Kid states. She shifts her self closer to the edge of the tailgate, sitting with her legs dangling beside Cali now that her task is completed. "Otherwise it looks all lifeless like yours does now. Trust me, it takes a long time to grow out hair as long as you have. Cut that off and it'll be years before you get it back again. And that'd be just sad. There's so much less one can do with short hair, rather than long hair."

Holding the soap in her lap, Cali looks completely lost in this world of feminine talk. "Why does it matter how it works? So long as it is there, and out of the way, not getting trapped in stuff." She shakes her head, "If I cut it and it is short, then it ain't getting trapped none..." She twists, returning the can to the box, securing it neatly in its prescribed home.

Kid gives Cali a little prod in the side. "You don't just cut things off anytime they get a bit inconvenient, do you? If you did, you'd find yourself missing a lot of things with no way to get them back," she states. "It matters for a lot. Like I said, a good head of hair is a powerful tool. You might not understand it now, but trust me. Here, have a feel of my hair." She slips back a hand to flip her own light braid forward. There'd be quite a difference because she takes ever so much care with her hair. "Feels nice, doesn't it? I know about these kind of things."

Caliopa hesitates before touching it, her natural inclination to avoid touching others. "I don't..." She stops, unable to think of a reason not to do it that doesn't sound weird, and puts out a hand, fingering the braid gently. Her expression changes to one of puzzlement, "Why is it soft? It ain't like mine, nor at all..."

Kid smiles and states, "Because I use good shampoos every day and take care of my hair. Doesn't take too long, really. Especially if you do it regularly. It'll look different too. Not just the color, but it has body.." She pauses, not sure that Cali would really understand that concept and adds, "It looks fuller. If I were to unwind it, that is. Yours could feel just as soft too. And look pretty nice."

Caliopa hesitates, frowning in thought before releasing the other girl's braid and jumping off the tailgate of the truck, her movements hurried and stiff. "Guess so." She grabs the plate and mug, tossing the remains of her breakfast into a bin, the plait swinging around her as she moves. "Guess I ain't sure I want that type of bloke looking at me neither. They act weird."

Kid smirks a little at that. "That's another mater," she states as she slips off of the tailgate. "Like I said, hair is just a tool for controlling guys. Most of them are pretty easy when you know how to string them along. And for those that don't get the hint, well, you just have to get a bit more physical. That's what this is for." This being the coiled whip that is snapped against the side of her bag, which she nudges with her toe.

Caliopa tosses the mug and plate into a chest in the truck, pauses for a moment and hops up on the tailgate to put them neatly into the plate and mug shaped holes in the chest. "I don't want nothing to do with men, not like that. It ain't something that works out for me." Her tone is flat, almost unfriendly.

Kid leaves off for the moment on being confrontational and moves in a bit closer to where Cali resumes her seat. "Just one date and already you're turned off on the whole thing.. couldn't have been that bad, hmm?" Her tone lighter now, with a gentle curiosity laced in. "Like I said, I got experience.. maybe I could help you."

Caliopa slams the lid on the box shut, clicking a lock in place. Her face is closed off, her movements sharp. "One man is enough to see if the thing is for you or if it ain't. It ain't." The tone suggests the topic isn't a route she wants to go down, and she hops down from the tailgate, reaching for the toolbox.

Kid takes the hint.. for now. "That's alright. Obviously you ran into the wrong sort. Been with a few like that, they sting something fierce, that's for sure." A gruff bit of understanding, but she leaves it at that. Instead, she sidles up beside Cali and bumps her, hip against hip as she asks, "If I bring you some shampoo, will you try it out? If not for the jerks out there, just to see if you like it? After all, I don't keep this mane just for the boys."

Caliopa steps back, out of touch range, discomfort in her movements. "I could trade you for some oil for your machine." She suggests, resting her hip against the truck, her fingers touching and stroking the metal of the truck. "Trade is fair. I ain't owning noone."

Kid makes a dismissive little sound and vague gesture. "You won't owe me a thing," she replies simply. "Consider fair trade that you give it an honest try for a while and not do any wicked things to that lovely head of hair you've got for a while. And maybe.. I'll show you some other stuff too if you find you like it. I could show you a lot of things, girl.. you've missed out on a lot, I can tell."

Hackles rising, Cali hops onto the tailgate, stalking into the truck. A few banging noises later she returns with a can of oil, putting it firmly on the tailgate. "I ain't being beholden, not to noone for nothing." She speaks firmly, offense in every line of her body. "And I ain't missed out, not on anything that matters none to me."

Kid takes the 'hit' easily. a real tough nut, that's for sure. But she adjusts and smiles at Cali in return. "Alright, alright. I'll accept the trade, but I really hope you don't go cutting before you really give things a shot." She picks up the can and notes, "I'll bring the stuff by later today. I have a few things to do in a bit," She eyes the can a moment, then lifts her eyes to Cali. "You should be more open minded, though. Maybe some time we could go see a few places. Ever been to the Electric Joy?"

Caliopa bends her head over her toolbox, her braid dangling down. "I ain't. I ain't been anywhere but the food place and the gun shop yet. Ain't sure it sounds likely the place I'd enjoy." She grabs a wrench from the toolbox, straightening and holding it in both hands, giving the other girl a steady look, "I ain't much one for going out to places full of folk...I tried it and it ain't worked out."

Kid nods understandably at that and grins. "Well, then the Joy would have to wait. Lotta people there, but its one of those places everyone should experience just once. But we can start small later, maybe." She grins a little and leans down to hoist up her bag, laying it on the tailgate as she starts to open it up. "And you know.. if you ever wanted to talk about things like that, I'm willing to listen. I understand you don't want to right now, but sometimes it helps to talk about things.. especially with someone who has a bit more experience."

Caliopa taps the wrench against her thigh, discomfort in every line in her body, "There ain't nothing to be saying. Nothing worth mentioning. Nothing happened." Her tones are flat, blunt. She takes a couple of steps backwards, before almost fleeing to the front of the truck, pulling open the bonnet to clamber up, her feet resting on the bumper. Faint mumblings come from under the bonnet.

Kid grins a little to herself as Cali slip around the front. Not so bad.. could b better, but not so bad. She takes her time in slipping the oilcan into her bag, making sure to secure it against something she doesn't mind getting stained, just in case. Then she closes it up and slings the bag across her back. She then moves around to the front of the truck and will say, in a tone aimed to prevent another startle, "I'm heading out now. But I'll be back tonight with some things for you to try out. I think you'll like them, really." She won't belabor or press, tugging out her winter accessories to re-attire herself as she speaks.

A noise comes from under the bonnet that might be assent or just a noise, before, slowly, a head withdraws. "Right. Thanks." The words are a little forced, as if Cali had been reminded of her manners. "If I ain't here, i'll just have gone to get food."

Kid nods her head slightly, her pompon waggling slightly atop her head. "Well, if I get here early enough, maybe we can go have a meal," she suggests idly. Not stressing it, just tossing the potential to the wind. She glances down as she pulls her gloves on and is thus ready to go. She then smiles at Cali and states, "Everyone calls me Kid, so I'll extend the same to you."

Caliopa pauses, half way back to her engine. "Cali." She says abruptly, giving the truck an irritated look, "And I guess food can't hurt." The last is begrudgingly said, almost forced.

Kid grins a little and gives a wave of hand. "Catch you later, Cali." And just like that she's off. Her hands slink into her pockets as she goes, slipping right out of the door as some well bundled fella opens it up to come inside. Ever one to take a sudden opportunity, even on such a small scale.