Repair Order [Parsnip] Blitz

Melanie can't help the snort she lets out at the clambering of a hammer to the floor. Watching him hammer away at a joint was going to get boring at some point, but sneaking up on someone was pretty fun. She'd gotten a few of her coworkers to jump exactly the same way when they were too focused on some part or another. Hearing his greeting, she only studies him a little more. Interestedly, she speaks with a hint of amusement. "Probably. I'm from another shop. Maybe four blocks down from here."

Noticing the kart itself, she can't help but look at it interestedly. After all, this was probably for someone else, but it would be her competition coming up. Taking a look with her own eyes, she nods in understanding about the kart coming from the capitol's design. Karts weren't exactly common in the districts, but she could tell someone with a very well trained hand had been working away at this. Instead of responding, she steps forward, uncaring if she's overstepping. Running her hand against the side, she maneuvers a different joint to see it move. Only enough to get a sense of it's outer workings. "Interesting. Not surprised the Capitol is making it harder on you. Let's see what's wrong." Her voice drifts with a bit of ease as she steps back for a moment seeing the hammer and the joint.

"Pedro. Huh, rolls off the tongue well." Holding her hand out, only not in the way of a handshake, but more of a reaching of a tool. "I'm Melanie, but most people in the shop just call me Mel."

A laugh drips from her lips as she watches him realize what she was asking. Holding the hammer in her hand, she lifts it just gently, watching him for a moment. Pretty eyes and a warm presence, she didn't expect a guy like him to be working on something like this. Setting to work, she hits the joint, waiting for a second to look at her work. A gentle caress of metal to metal, she feels the joint for any imperfections in her strike, but like usual, she didn't make any this time. Almost a perfect thwack as she smiles softly. Listening to him ask her questions, she looks over to see the cup of hot cocoa.

"My boss. One of the guys lost some parts for a train. Specifically a couple of large bolts that hold the engine to the car, I know it's not as cool as building a kart, but we could be in trouble if we don't get 'em." Mel looks over to the kart and smacks the joint again. This time she sighs in relief as if a bit of frustration burned to her face. "Y'know, Capitol rules and all." Looking towards the kart, she smiles once again. Running her hand down the body, she feels at home here.

Smacking it once more, she steps back to look at her handy work. Eyes focused on the kart for a second before she looks back to Pedro. A smile on her face as her voice comes through smoothly. "As smooth as butter. There you go, Pedro. Joint all set into place." Crossing her arms and the waft of chocolate hits her nose, she continues. "It's a pretty sweet kart. Do you plan to race?"

"Hm," The wonder blooms across his face; eyes still brighter than most she's seen. "I can probably set you up with some parts. Trains, right? We have an order out back. If you write me a little letter with all the details I can go check that we've got them." It's simple procedure; a passing of words and letters for parts, but there's a friendliness she's not used to. Most shop guys where she works were assholes who liked to seem tough to one another. A boys club trying to measure up to see who's the biggest and toughest guy. It's refreshing to see someone so... normal.

"Huh. You're stronger than me... Are all your workers like that or do they just get you to do all the jobs?" A soft laugh leaves her lips as she steps forward. Eyes scanning the paper and the pen before going back to his eyes, those bright eyes. The chill of the day setting in as she reaches for the items, eyes focused on him before she smiles softly.

"No one is like me." It's simple enough as she lets it hang in the air for a fraction of a second too long before she continues. "Please, it wasn't that tough. You're probably just running on empty right now." Looking back at him, she takes his offer of hot cocoa and the letter she has to write. Gently, she lets her lips touch the rim of the cup, sipping the cocoa and feeling much warmer than before. Reaching across him, she sets the cup down after her sip and focusing on the letter. Scribbling away all the information about their shop and what they're requesting, she hears him. A smirk pulls at her lips as she stops writing and speaks very confidently now. Good competition always made her feel excited for what's to come.

"The greatest?" No longer leaning over the desk, she stands up fully to meet his eyes. "We'll see about that. You're looking at the best mechanic in Three." A flicker of amusement hits her as she lets the air hang as she continues after. "I don't plan to lose."

A simple enough exchange of words; she smiles at his sigh understanding that exhaustion. Days spent repairing a number of numerous vehicles in a day, mostly the trains and the occasional truck the peacekeepers drive. It's a difficult job for many. Most tend to lean towards the technology in Three, but she liked the complexity of machinery and the final product of something more hands on than most jobs. It's a tough industry, especially in such a male dominant industry, but she held her own against most of them. Tilting her head, she watches him head to the counter where he's cross-examining her list.

"I'd be in the same boat as you, if it weren't for the boss man asking me to come here." Letting her eyes squeeze with her smile, she continues on. "It's a great piece of work." The compliment slips out. Almost unnaturally so as she looks at the kart once more. Normally, she wouldn't be complimenting competition, but Mel always believed in supporting individuals with actual talent unlike some of the scumbags in Three. Still, she was going to beat Pedro in the race. No doubt about it. He's going to be in for a real treat when she's done with him. There's a flare of competitiveness as she smirks at him.

"Absolutely. I'm sure you'll be great competition though." A wager could be fun. Melanie had always enjoyed messing with people's heads just a tad bit. Only in a nonharmful way, anything else was just mean. "A wager, huh? How about this?" Looking to the Kart and back to him, she crosses her arms and leans back comfortably. "At the fair, whoever is faster wins. Loser owes the winner a favor. Any kind of favor within reason. Of course." It's a little juvenile, but she's always enjoyed a bit of a game. Not to mention, it'll make the race that more fun than just building the kart.