diametrically | — open post

[ Cassian wouldn't fault her for her guardedness; he would be too were the situation reversed. But this version of him on Taris is friendly and amiable - or rather, friendlier and more amiable than he is now. As jaded as the days and months have made him, that hasn't completely smothered the desire to help (even if that does admittedly come with some level of ulterior motive which, he reminds himself, is all for the Rebellion).

As it stands with Wanda, he really does have nothing to gain. She reads as an off-worlder, someone merely passing through who had fallen on some ship troubles. If there is anything to gain, it's company for a drink in a cool out of the blistering heat. His eyes flicker over towards her as she removes the scarf that covered her head. And it's attractive company at that. Cassian's gaze doesn't linger as his head turns back towards their surroundings. ]

It's hard to say without looking at the engine. I'll need to get down there.

[ At the sound of her name he turns back towards her. ]

Gavnic.

( it sounds like a name that isn't really a name, but what does wanda know about those in the other side of the galaxy? a frown pinches her expression as he tells her that he needs to check the engine.

that much makes sense, but — it won't cost her anything, will it? seeing that he has to put extra effort into this. )

Do you have your own tools?

( guess she is going to let it happen.

wanda grabs at the toolbox; it's a little light, but rocket supplied her with just about everything she would need. )

—I have this. I also want to see what you do.

( not because she has trust issues or anything. is that insulting? anyway, she adds, hurriedly, )

To learn.

[ It's more of a surprise that Wanda hasn't encountered names that don't really sound like names. After all, the galaxy is vast and complex and 'Gavnic' is purposefully common in plenty of circles (particularly) on this planet, that it wouldn't so much as cause a wrinkle of suspicion to anyone looking through paperwork for rebel activity.

That is neither here nor there though. He's part way to answering that he does have his own tools (he's taken to carrying them with him because most of the mechanics on this planet do) when she offers her own toolbox. Raising an eyebrow in amusement he reaches out for it, brushing his fingers briefly against hers before taking a hold of it as she finishes her thought. ]

Would you prefer that I use what you have? [ His lips quirk an inch higher. ] So you can learn.

( wanda feels her cheeks flush, because it sounds (and looks like, as his lips lift into a grin) like he's teasing her. she draws her hand back, crossing her arms. she also feels as if she needs to explain herself; though he is human, like her, he is from a different galaxy.

customs are different. )

Where I come from, women who get stranded and are on their own are usually taken advantage of. I'm not helpless, even if I seem like it.

( even if much of her magic is hurt by different cosmic factors at this time (or maybe, really, a blockage of her own emotional stunting). )

You're still a stranger to me, Gavnic. Though I do need... your help, and I appreciate that. ( that being said— ) I'd rather you use my tools, yeah.

[ It would be easy to tease her about the rise of colour to her cheeks but she says something else that gives him pause, sincerity peeking through the persona of the smooth-talking mechanic he'd donned. The slight lift of his lips fall into something more sincere. ]

I would never assume that. I'm sorry if it came across that way.

[ And that is perhaps one of the truest things he's said to her thus far. Or the truest depending on how short this interaction goes. The women in his life have imprinted on him, are woven into his bones like a tapestry. They come from all walks of life but that doesn't make them any less stronger, any less resilient than the last. The things he does for the rebellion, the places it takes him, they all cling to him like ghosts, reminding him of what he's come from. Who he's fighting for.

And if he's trying not to be so sentimental about it - in his line of work, he can't underestimate anyone. ]

Let's your use tools then. [ He sets to work then, propping the box open on the floor to take a look at its contents. ] Tell me what you know about the tools in here.

( her guard seems to go down the moment he apologizes, the moment she can register sincerity in his actions and tone. wanda has always been direct, and she isn't afraid to be it, even now, in space. thankfully, gavnik seems a more decent sort than most others.

wanda inhales deeply, then gets down on her haunches alongside him. he asks her to tell him what she does know about the tools, and the reality is—not much. )

I know this one is for soldering. ( she points at one of them, then continues pointing out others that she's familiar with. clearly her knowledge is there, but she lacks practice, certainly. ) I'm a quick learner, but it helps me to see when you work. I'm very visual.

( well, she certainly is a little warmer towards him now, at least. )

[ When her haunches relax, so do his. If she ever discovers he'd lied to her about his name she may very well rethink that statement about him being a decent man. In the grand scheme of things someone could lie to someone else about it's probably not so bad; and if Cassiann's being honest, it's one of the few things he's done that doesn't keep him up at night.

Each alias was merely something to be burned. It was his armour, a way to keep himself and those tied ot the Rebellion safe. The chances of him seeing Wanda again after this were slim to none because even he knew that his days on Taris were coming to a close.

It has become second nature by now for his mind to race, to always be constantly on edge and alert, coming up with plans to stay one step ahead of any inevitability. But here, at least for now, most of that quiets so he can focus on this. ]

Tell me if you want me to slow down or explain something further.

[ It doesn't take long to locate the hatch into the guts of the ship. Offering the headlamp to her and then slipping his own onto his head he hops in. It's a smaller ship and that much is reflected in the the tight fit but he manages to get in here and makes room for her to before getting to work. ]

( wanda follows his lead, with the headlamp, and joins him—all while doing her best to not get in his way as he gets to work on sorting out what's wrong with her ship. she figures that rocket would never let her be in a situation where she's completely out of luck with the ship, but it's good to have someone who seems to know what they're doing working on it.

she's definitely putting a lot of trust in him.

pressing to his side to see better, she asks a few questions, here and there, about why he's doing something or another. she has other questions, about hypotheticals, and he answers them for her, too.

it's unlikely she will ever become a mechanic, but — she's getting the gist of it.

wanda watches him working on one contraption or another, and asks, )

How'd you learn to work on ships?

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