014.MPG [Video]

[white_stitches]

[The video glimpses one of the new race tracks as it pans to the right. The stars in the background seem smudged, though the explanation for that comes quickly as Amelia pulls the camera away from a glass pane. She steps away from the garage's window as she turns the camera towards herself

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[nestingdevil]

Video |
[Truth be told, Greed's never seen a race track like this before. Race tracks were for horses and jockeys - for men of desperation and big men with big money. So he's curious, more so because he has absolutely no idea what the hell Amelia is sitting next to. Cars were a luxury and they ran with loud putts and bursts of smoke and steam from where he hailed from. This? He can't make it out.]

Never seen one of those before. [He tilts his head back.] But if you know to work one of those things - [He gestures to the car with an outstretched hand.] - I'll take you up on your offer.

[nestingdevil]

HA! Nothing looks familiar here, but I think I get the gist of it. That one - [He points to one of her feet.] - makes it go, right? [He grips the frame of the car, leans his entire body inside. One may say he's invading privacy, but really he's just excited.] Very nice. Very nice.

[He straightens out, slides himself from the car.]

Let's give it a spin.

[white_stitches]

If you're sure. You'll probably do fine. [She exits the vehicle and walks around to the other side, then opens the passenger door. Aww, more exertion...Amelia climbs into the seat, awkwardly fastens her seatbelt, and adjusts the new seat.

She hopes his driving will be safe, but for some reason, it seems...unlikely.]

[nestingdevil]

[One would say women's intuition never lies. Maybe the gal should have taken its advice, should have cut and run when she could. Because Greed slides into the car, doesn't even bother with a buckle. Doesn't have those where he's from anyway.]

[He's got a grip on the wheel that turns his knuckles white. And oh boy - if she's looking at him, she'll see those eyes bulging, his lips pulling back. Teeth grinding together. He tests the gas and the car roars.]

[That's it, game over.]

[Greed rips the car out of park, plunges his foot on the gas. Tires scream, smoke plumes, and the car jerks once to the side, then skids off.]

[white_stitches]

[Amelia has had reasons in her life to react to perceived threats as quickly as possible--such as now. When the car veers and the tires screech menacingly, she does the only thing she can thing of: pull the door handle, push to tumble out--

--and be soundly defeated by drag pressure, which easily overpowers her spindly arms from moving the door. Sense returns to her when she clutches her seatbelt for dear life. It's just wild driving; she'll be alright because there's a seatbelt. Right? No, not right. The car could crash. But she hopes.]

[nestingdevil]

[Greed's aware he probably has a mortal riding shotgun, so he's careful. To a point. Jerks the wheel to avoid a wall, follows the curve of the track. He's all laughter, brutal and everlasting. He's on his own highway to Hell and he's loving every minute. He pushes the machine, grinds his boots into the gas.] Now this! THIS is what I'm talking about!

[He howls like a dog, spins the wheel under his palms, grinding the edge of it with the heel of his hand.] Do you have this where you come from? [He's yelling over the roar of the engine.]

[white_stitches]

[In the middle of locking up in a situation where she's totally at the mercy of chance, she squeaks out a response. Which goes completely unheard under the engine. Amelia realizes this, so she tries a visual gesture--a shrug. It's not so clear when her shoulders are already tightened up, but probably visible. Still, it's all she can manage until she gets used to adrenaline.]

[nestingdevil]

[Obviously, he's lost himself in this little joy ride. But her look says it all and he eases off the gas, slides the car with a move that would rival any would-be thrill seeker. He can see the smoke rising in the rear view mirror as the car jolts still. Rocks on its axis and the wheels plant solid on the pavement.] Oi, you all right?

[The engine sputters before Greed cuts it with a turn of the keys.]

[white_stitches]

[Of course she holds on until the car stops, at which point she still doesn't respond for a brief few seconds.]

Mh-hm. [She gives a rigid nod, and her tense shoulders lower.] Sorry. I-I had a little panic attack, since I didn't anticipate what you were doing. [And she looks genuinely upset about her behavior; it's getting in his way of enjoyment, after all.] Y-you can keep driving. If I expect it, it'll be easier. And, more fun for you.

[nestingdevil]

[He shakes his head, kicks open the door to his side of the car with a well-swung leg. Pops it wide apart and throws the heel out onto the pavement.] Eh. It wasn't that great anyway. [Can't really see a lady cry.] C'mon. [Gesturing with his fingers, the homunculus leaves the car. Maybe a little dejected, but he can live with it. Shoves fingers into his back pockets, palms out.]

[white_stitches]

[She watches him for several seconds, trying to decipher his body language. It's not making sense to her right now. Obliging, she slowly opens the door and undoes the seatbelt, in that order, before getting out.] Th-thank you. Coming, in a few seconds... [After closing the door, Amelia continues to lean on it, arms-first, reassuring herself with the stability of the ground. She's disinclined to follow him, but it's not long before she does so anyway, out of obligation. That's how being told what to do works.]

[nestingdevil]

[He waits for her. Hands shoved into pockets, body at a tilt.] Don't like scaring women. [He says, flatly. Greed turns his head away, eyes the sky.] Owe you for that, I guess. How about lunch? And don't worry - [Grins all around, he leans over and twists his body towards her.] - no games, just lunch. This time.

[white_stitches]

Y-you don't have to do anything for me. It's my fault for ruining this for you. [An ashamed nod, and a thought occurs.] If you're hungry, we can still go, and I'll pay the bill instead?

[nestingdevil]

Normally, I wouldn't pass on the offer. [Turn of his head, he shields his eyes with his sunglasses. Pushes them right up.] What is with you, huh? I have bigger things in mind - just because you got a little queasy on a joy ride doesn't mean you ruined anything. So knock it off with the dramatics, all right?

[white_stitches]

[Sudden reasoning failure: how do you be polite without being deferential? Amelia doesn't respond for a few tesne seconds.]

Okay. Um, are we still going?

[nestingdevil]

You bet - how about we hit up a favorite spot of yours? Only been in town a short while and I'm not on the up and up. [He turns his head, offers her a comforting smile.] Well? What do you say?