Zane Rogers-Stark

[zane-rs]

“I don’t know many places,” Katri shrugged playfully, “Besides you asked so by that meaning you do the planning. Isn’t that how things work?”

“Pick one as we go, then. Just point to one that looks good.” Zane suggested to her. “I’m driving and paying, you get to pick. That’s how things work.” 

[zane-rs]

“No…..No it wasn’t,” Radley shook her head vigorously, “I don’t even know what Mystery Science Theatre is, so why would I be singing the theme song?”

“You don’t know what it is, but you know that there’s music in it?” 

[zane-rs]

Athena got onto her knees, sitting onto the back of her heels. She waited while the oul heated up inside the bike, asking smaller questions like “why does the oil need to heat up?” And “does this apply to all cars?” to pass the time.

“Yeah, all cars. You run it for a few minutes, get it nice and hot. Then we’re going to wait just until the oil won’t be scalding. It’ll make the whole process easier.” 

[zane-rs]

Yeah, and get gawked at? I know how it works. I’d honestly rather be that weird guy flipping out for no discernable reason than be awkwardly Not stared at. Y’know, when people stare, but try to act like they’re not? No thanks. Really, the noise was only part of the problem. The other part is that people are stupid. Most fireworks aren’t even legal around here, but that didn’t stop them. And then they wanted to know why it put Avery on edge, like the answer wasn’t glaringly obvious. I just really don’t like most holidays. They’ve all got an aspect to them that drives me up a fuckin’ wall.

“I used to hate being stared at, too, but when you’re not only a Stark but one of a different race, it’s something you get used to.” Zane replied coolly. “There are subtle headphones out there. One might think you’re just listening to music and not interested in the fireworks. A half truth.” 

[zane-rs]

Haven chuckled a bit at the rather unfortunate explanation. “That’s alright. I think I’ve resigned myself to being confused on a lot of midgardian customs. I’ll just file this one under ‘never to know’,” he joked before turning with a curious smile. “If it’s your dad’s birthday, do you do anything different? Or do you fall under the ‘getting drunk and lighting things on fire’ category?”

“Hey, you could risk reading a book.” Zane teased the other male. “You know, I used to be the getting drunk and lighting things on fire type. But, since I became legal age to drink? It’s kind of unappealing.” 

[zane-rs]

“Thank you sweet thing…” She rolled her eyes teasingly, her cheeks turning a light pink.

She walked over next to him over towards the bike, looking it over “we shall…” She waited for instruction looking up at him with a small smile.

Zane crouched down and tugged his toolbox close. “Come on down here and watch closely, I’ll show you.” He told the girl, getting started by turning the bike on to let the oil warm up a bit before he got ahead of himself. 

[zane-rs]

Hm. It usually means dealing with entirely too many people with little to no room to even breathe, or it means we invite people over and I have to fake a horrible illness to get away from everyone. Avery wasn’t averse to socializing, but being forced into close proximity with people he, at best, barely knew or, as it was in most cases, had never met tended to put him on edge.The 4th and Canada Day are, like, my worst nightmare.

“Sadly, there’s not much you can do about it. Have you thought about noise-cancelling headphones?” Zane questioned. If he hadn’t, it was worth a shot. It wouldn’t keep all of the sound out, between people cheering and fireworks going off, but it could offer a distraction. 

[zane-rs]

She smiled at him shyly and weaves her way through all the bike and car maddness in his workshop. She followed his orders, grabbing the thick gloves and slipped them on, returning to him quickly. “These ones okay?”

Zane gave her a once over. “Yeah. You look perfect.” He complimented her with a wink, hands gesturing to the bike. “Let’s get started with an oil change, shall we?” 

[zane-rs]

“I suppose I could be interested,” Katri smirked playfully.

“You can pick the place. My car is outside,” Zane offered as he wiped off the grease stains with his rag. 

[zane-rs]

“In the to distant future, next Sunday AD,” Radley softly hummed to herself while going through the stacks in the library. She didn’t think there would be anyone else but of course, there was. “When evil trapped him on the dark side of the moon - “ she turned around to see the person behind her, “That wasn’t me, I swear.”

Zane chuckled at the denial. “Oh, you’re not getting out of it that easy. That was without a doubt you,” he accused. 

[zane-rs]

Uh, no, weirdly enough, I’m not that thrilled about today. Fireworks and me don’t actually mix very well. You could read the anxiety already present, the way his leg bounced and his hands continued to fidget with Peach’s lead. He wouldn’t say he was scared of them or anything, in fact under the right circumstances he really didn’t mind them at all, but people were idiots. People have been shooting off fireworks since, like, the end of June, anyway. I don’t get why today has to be a big deal if we’re just going to do the same shit for, like, a week.

“You aren’t wrong. But, hey, there’s some perks. The barbecue is pretty great, for example. I’m not a fan of the fireworks, but that’s only because I used to be a hotshot when I was younger with bottle rockets,” Zane said with a shrug. 

[zane-rs]

Haven had to wonder why there was so many people at the park that day, all pointing looking around in wonder and excitement for something that he didn’t understand. When he’d asked the nearest person what all the hype was for, all he’d gotten in response was the date. A fact that he knew. As he looked around a bit more, he caught sight of a familiar face, and he strode forward to say hello, and hopefully get a bit more information on what in the nine realms was going on. “So.. what’s so special about the fourth of July?” he asked, tilting his head in confusion.

“Independence day? I mean, I think people mostly use the holiday to get drunk and light things on fire. They don’t really care for what it stands for. Me, though? I was mostly raised with the today being ‘dad’s birthday’.” Zane explained poorly. “I’m not so good at teaching, hence the... not a teacher occupation I’m in. Maybe you should ask someone else.” 

[zane-rs]

“let’s be real it will probably be both.” Howard said with a shrug, grinning over at his brother. “I will shout the first two rounds!” He offered, trying to convince the other Rogers-Stark. He wasn’t gonna actually say why he wanted to drink but as long as he had someone there perhaps they could try behave a little.

Zane took a slow and deep breath, head shaking at the words. “Fine, drinks. You’re driving, though.” 

[zane-rs]

She grinned happily at him, then rolled her eyes teasingly. “I won’t blow up any cars- at least not on my first day” she teased. “Oooo lets go with a bike! That sounds awfully fun to me” she smiled again at him.

“Bikes come with less parts, it’s always a good starting project.” Zane told her as he led her through the maze of cars and parts until they reached one of the bikes in the back. “Grab some gloves out of that bag by the desk.”

[zane-rs]

“I mean I need something to pass the time. Does that count?” she asked sarcastically.

“I can think of a few better ways to pass time. Lunch, for example, if you’re interested.”

[zane-rs]

“So, which idiot do I get to silently judge for not doing the basics then?” She joked, raising a brow towards him.

“I think we have client confidentiality, sorry.” Zane apologized, chuckling shortly after.

[zane-rs]

She laughed at his concern, “Well I do know quite a lot about chemical compounds and obviously the electrical side” she lifts her hands and sparks come out of them gently. Her eyes began to turn light electric blue. “And I know that wrench is a lug one and most common knowledge about tools!”

“As long as those hands don’t blow up any engines and give me a few day headache, you can help.” Zane informed her. He leaned against one of the hoods. “You want to work on a bike or car?”