[ The question throws Eli for a loop, and he looks away from his ship accessing to spare Sola a glance, or a long look. Look, she's a good looking lady, and the frosty reception doesn't mean he still doesn't appreciate beauty when he sees it in front of him. At least Eli has the same to actually focus on the conversation at hand instead of getting sidetracked by attraction. ]
They didn't tell you? One of the guys on your ship knows a friend of mine... intimately.
[ Unlike some people he knows. He even does a little eyebrow raise on that last word, smirking slightly as he turns back to make sure his judgement of the ship is correct and he's not having them pay for materials only for it to call come out in the wash. ]
That friend happens to be my landlord, and after volunteering my services without asking me, did at least agree to reduce my rent for as long as it took to make up for the work I'm not being paid for.
[ Another look back at Sola. ]
I'm a nice guy, but I don't usually do my job for free.
Oh. [ sola sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose. well, there are worse ways to receive a discount on ship services she supposes. ] No, I was not informed of these relations.
[ it had been a vague offering at best, a quick hi and goodbye before jetting off to the next stop. sola doesn't roll her eyes but she does seem a little resigned to her fate, managing a crew of a few hooligans and one responsible man. ] But that was on me to obtain the exact details of the deal. I am now only grateful you agreed to those terms for your own benefit as well.
[ well, at least she has fewer reasons to be suspicious. ]
Shall I let you get to it or do you need more from me?
[ It does seem a bit difficult. All Eli has to deal with is one usually responsible friend who just happened to think with his dick this time before he decided to consult with Eli about how down he was or wasn't for this job. As it turns out, despite what Rilan thinks, Eli isn't necessarily looking for a "challenge" or "change of pace" on what he's working for as much as he's looking for money he can live off of.
As for Sola's question, Eli gives a small nod. ]
Just a small thing. I'm still gonna tell me if you're going with options one, two or three, otherwise I won't be able to do much of anything.
[ Though he's not going to fault her for being sidetracked by the knowledge of how this deal with struck, considering it seems like it's a complete surprise for her. ]
I am willing to spend the additional money on the more expensive metals.
[ don't worry, sola's done all the calculating in her head already and she's prepared to make the sacrifice for the sake of the ship. it was something she already briefly discussed with orion, though it appears that not even the captain had been aware of the intergalactic booty call either.
sigh. ]
It seems like the best option and we have come into some luck lately, [ she continues with a little nod of reassurance, more to herself than anyone else. ]
[ From the looks of the ship, the kind of damage he can see on it, and his knowledge about Rilan's company, the statement has Eli raising an eyebrow. ]
Ah? I won't ask what kind of luck then.
[ He has a feeling he knows, but he's more than happy to pretend he doesn't. Maybe it's for the best he's not being paid for this job, that way nothing can be traced to him.
Not that he hasn't taken jobs from some very shady looking drifters in the past. ]
I can head into town to try and haggle the best price for that metal if you want. There's always some in stock at least...
[ He offers Sola his very best charming grin, because look she might have criminal written all over here, but Eli's still gonna try it. ]
You're more than welcome to come with me if you want. Test it out, see if it's to your liking? The metal, I mean.
[ sola almost cracks a smile at that. he doesn't seem to bothered to be doing business with some shady types, even if one of the shady types happens to carry herself like an aristocrat even in an old flight suit. she manages to relax her posture, even folding her arms over her chest. ]
I might be able to aid you in your convincing.
[ it almost sounds entertaining. sola's lip curls in response to that grin. looks like he isn't so deterred by her wanted status either.
she has no time for such firtations but. but. well, she hasn't had much fun in quite some time. if anything, she is at least interested in seeing what he might try once they're in town. ]
[ When it comes to actual ships in the area, shady types are about all Eli sees. He mostly works on terrain vehicles of locals, but few people are rich enough to own their own crafts, and the commercial and cargo ships that come by get their servicing done on planets with a wider catalogue of mechanics to choose from.
Not that Eli isn't confident in the work that he does, just that he can understand why he and the small handful of other mechanics that live on this planet might not be the biggest draw. The vast majority of D7's population lives in the city of Islae, with a few wild outliers pockmarking the landscape here and there.
When you've got a whole planet with the majority of the population concentrated in one small (by galactic standards) city? You're not likely to want to trust anyone who chooses to settle there to know their stuff about ships. In fact, Eli might be the only mechanic that works on this planet that's technically qualified.
This is all to say that life here can be a little less than exciting, and Eli takes chances where he can get them, both with interesting jobs and interesting people. ]
I'm sure you'll definitely do a better job than I will.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
They didn't tell you? One of the guys on your ship knows a friend of mine... intimately.
[ Unlike some people he knows. He even does a little eyebrow raise on that last word, smirking slightly as he turns back to make sure his judgement of the ship is correct and he's not having them pay for materials only for it to call come out in the wash. ]
That friend happens to be my landlord, and after volunteering my services without asking me, did at least agree to reduce my rent for as long as it took to make up for the work I'm not being paid for.
[ Another look back at Sola. ]
I'm a nice guy, but I don't usually do my job for free.
no subject
[ it had been a vague offering at best, a quick hi and goodbye before jetting off to the next stop. sola doesn't roll her eyes but she does seem a little resigned to her fate, managing a crew of a few hooligans and one responsible man. ] But that was on me to obtain the exact details of the deal. I am now only grateful you agreed to those terms for your own benefit as well.
[ well, at least she has fewer reasons to be suspicious. ]
Shall I let you get to it or do you need more from me?
no subject
As for Sola's question, Eli gives a small nod. ]
Just a small thing. I'm still gonna tell me if you're going with options one, two or three, otherwise I won't be able to do much of anything.
[ Though he's not going to fault her for being sidetracked by the knowledge of how this deal with struck, considering it seems like it's a complete surprise for her. ]
no subject
[ don't worry, sola's done all the calculating in her head already and she's prepared to make the sacrifice for the sake of the ship. it was something she already briefly discussed with orion, though it appears that not even the captain had been aware of the intergalactic booty call either.
sigh. ]
It seems like the best option and we have come into some luck lately, [ she continues with a little nod of reassurance, more to herself than anyone else. ]
no subject
Ah? I won't ask what kind of luck then.
[ He has a feeling he knows, but he's more than happy to pretend he doesn't. Maybe it's for the best he's not being paid for this job, that way nothing can be traced to him.
Not that he hasn't taken jobs from some very shady looking drifters in the past. ]
I can head into town to try and haggle the best price for that metal if you want. There's always some in stock at least...
[ He offers Sola his very best charming grin, because look she might have criminal written all over here, but Eli's still gonna try it. ]
You're more than welcome to come with me if you want. Test it out, see if it's to your liking? The metal, I mean.
[ He does not. ]
no subject
I might be able to aid you in your convincing.
[ it almost sounds entertaining. sola's lip curls in response to that grin. looks like he isn't so deterred by her wanted status either.
she has no time for such firtations but. but. well, she hasn't had much fun in quite some time. if anything, she is at least interested in seeing what he might try once they're in town. ]
no subject
Not that Eli isn't confident in the work that he does, just that he can understand why he and the small handful of other mechanics that live on this planet might not be the biggest draw. The vast majority of D7's population lives in the city of Islae, with a few wild outliers pockmarking the landscape here and there.
When you've got a whole planet with the majority of the population concentrated in one small (by galactic standards) city? You're not likely to want to trust anyone who chooses to settle there to know their stuff about ships. In fact, Eli might be the only mechanic that works on this planet that's technically qualified.
This is all to say that life here can be a little less than exciting, and Eli takes chances where he can get them, both with interesting jobs and interesting people. ]
I'm sure you'll definitely do a better job than I will.