royal_musings | OPEN POST - lets do this thing

"You haven't had that thing up on a rack. Let me tell you. The underbody of it is ugly and it's going to take more work to fix that than it would to get the Impreza over there looking fly for her," he says, pointing it out nearby. "So we'll see what she thinks if I can pull the pink off tonight."

Dom laughs about that, giving her a grin. "Well, I mean, if you're in L.A., I would say that maybe you have to get part of that experience then, while you're in town. I mean, how could I deny you that. I mean, Disneyland, Universal, a race against Dom Toretto. How can you go back without it?"

Austin chuckled and took a look at the Impreza that Dom had indicated to and nodded. "I took a look at that one a couple of weeks ago. It looks solidly built." Not that he needed to tell Dom that because the man knew his craft but unneeded second (and third) opinions didn't hurt he supposed.

When she arrived, she'd hoped to run a few races in town but she hadn't fully expected to go up against Dom Toretto. Not that she wasn't going to turn that opportunity down. Hell no. Even if she lost (and that was pretty likely), she'd get a better idea of where her skills were and how much more she needed to improve. How could she turn that down?

"I'm absolutely down for that," she said with a smirk. "I didn't drive tonight so next week?" Besides, this would give her an opportunity to pay attention to the course and see how he drove.

"The engine could use some help but I know what I want to do with it. You know anything about the driver? I mean, not going to assume I can just take them, so if you've got anything, let me know."

Because he trusts in some driver's to tell him what they know about others.

Grinning when she takes him up on it, giving a nod. "Next week works. I promise I won't play nice." He glances at the Impreza. "What do you think of it?"

"Yeah, the guy is Carlos. He's all bark and no bite and has a lead foot with no real experience behind it. He's been in this for... two - three years so he's still pretty green." Which meant that he would give it as good as he got with what he had but any one who had knowledge of their car and skill could outmaneuver him without any issue. He was a decent enough kid, young and eager to learn, but like all the guys around here, thought he was a top dog.

It didn't matter where he was, Austin was always watching the other racers around him and taking in their body language and their tells. It had helped them all back home and out of instinct, he simply kept it up here as well even if he wasn't part of Dom's crew.

"I would be disappointed if you did," Les said with a laugh before turning her attention to the Impreza that they were discussing. She moved from the two guys and walked toward it, giving it a look over. "It's a car that I'd drive so I like it on that principle alone. It doesn't look like much on the outside but that can be easily fixed. Engine could definitely use some work but the body is in great shape. I would do a thorough look over the transmission." She had an issue once that became a much larger issue down the road, she didn't take the chance now no matter how it appeared on the outside. "Depending on Mia's driving style, it'd give her some good years ahead."

Dom considers that, listening intently as he looks for Carlos who has come to stand by the car, talking to someone else. He's used to new people drifting in and out, and so it's not surprising to see those he doesn't really know. Especially when he's around more these days to support others than to be there to race. Tonight though, he's definitely racing if he can get him to put up for the race.

And a part of that is because of the woman beside him. It's been a while since he's wanted to show off but he can't help himself. Even Dom Toretto falls for the lure of a pretty face sometimes and the desire to show off.

Dom follows her, just like that, chuckling at the assessment. "We've got a body and detailing shop, so the outside is fine so long as the frame and body are good. And got someone coming by in a bit to look under the hood. Though I get him on the street and it's likely to show me as much as a look."

He laughs at that. "Mia's my sister, so you can imagine how she drives," he admits. "I want something good for her. Something she can race if she wants, or just for on the street. I think this could be it."

"Doubt you'll have a problem getting him to put it up tonight," Austin said, glancing toward Carlos. He turned his attention to the two and allowed himself a little smirk. As the two moved closer to the Impreza, Austin hung back and watched the crowd around them, looking at the cars assembled, hoods up and music blaring.

Les grinned. "Then you shouldn't have a problem with that - the frame and body look to be in good shape. It's only smart to not only get someone to take a look under the hood but see how it drives. You can learn a lot from how it sounds," she agreed with a nod.

"Oh then definitely," she said with a laugh, looking at him. "If she has your know how, then she has to have something that has some speed behind it and is also street legal... if barely. It'll be a good car for her." She wasn't lying when she said it was a car she'd drive - both every day and in races.

She had to admit, if only to herself at the moment, she was really looking forward seeing him behind the wheel. You could also learn a lot about a man by how he drives.

He doesn't doubt it either, if only that he waits until there's enough of a crowd, who would turn down Dom? Others would talk about that if they weren't careful, and that would be worse than risking losing his ride.

"What? Are you insinuating that we might make barely street legal rides at my shop?" He works hard to look shocked by that, though it's hard when he keeps trying to smile. "I would almost be insulted if we weren't the masters of barely street legal," he adds with a grin.

"I figure if I don't snag it up tonight, he's likely to wreck it,' he says, giving her a nod of his head, getting her attention on the front driver's tire. "Both of the tires on this side are worn more than the other side. He's steering hard to this side, probably off the line. I'll definitely need to be on his right hand side," he says, running his hand over the worn rubber.

It was smart to wait. People did reckless things when there is a crowd and Dom was likely to get what he wanted if he waited.

Les laughed and looked at him. "I'm not sure it was so much an insinuation as much as it was flat out saying," she couldn't help but tease him. "I should know, I work at a shop back home where we specialize in just barely legal as well." His grin and the way his eyes crinkled made her smile - it was downright lethal. She was definitely attracted to this man but really, who wouldn't be?

She walked closer and knelt down, running her fingertips over the worn rubber and nodded. "You're right about that. It's only a matter of time," she agreed and took a look at the other tires. "I'd say sooner rather than later, one bad turn and he can blow the tires. He's a hazard waiting to happen."

He gasps, straightening and looking at her with the most boyish innocence that he can manage. "Well well, Ms Les, aren't you just so downright wild to say such things," he teases, breaking into a wide, boyish grin to match that look on his face.

"Then you know that all I will ever agree to is barely legal," he says with a wink. "Rule number one. Never admit to anything. You always have to make them prove it. Whether it's cops or strangers," he says, which is a slight but not an insult. He doesn't know her, but he also obviously doesn't think she's a threat.

He nods at that, liking her assessment. "You see it a lot that most look at the engine, but there's other signs that tell you more about their style, about the way they'll drive in a race. It'll give you the win more than looking at the engine. Hell, it'll give you a better advantage than even a better car."

She sent him an amused smirk. "Mr. Toretto, you have to be a little wild to thrive in an environment like this." Besides, she grew up with a bunch of guys like him so they were only partly to blame for how she turned out.

Les didn't take it personally. The only reason she was as open with him as she was, was because Austin seemed to trust the man. Otherwise, it would be a completely different situation. "I would hope so. You never admit to anything or have it on record. I learned that in high school when a girl wanted to accuse me of a prank," she agreed with a grin before turning her attention back to the car.

Les heard Austin snort behind them, "you mean that one you did do and were suspended for a week? That one?"

"No one asked you," she shot back at him with a laugh. Les filed away the additional bits of information he told her away and hummed thoughtfully. It made sense. She made those same assessments but she hadn't heard it put into words quite like that. It was nice to know that something that she already did on some level was something Dominic Toretto did. That was reaffirming.

"Speak for yourself. I'm the well mannered boy Mama Toretto raised," he teases, but he's still smiling and it's really a better time than he expected to have that night. The others were good people but Les is a lot of fun. More fun than he's had with most of the girls at this thing, the kind that throw themselves at him and just want the fame and the rep. He doesn't think she cares about that though. Not the way she's acting.

"You did i..." he says, smirking. Not asking even before Austin confirms that she had, in fact, done it.

He smirks as he leans in closer to her. "What to know something else? He's here to race, but he thinks he's going to target one of those girls he's too busy talking to rather than paying attention to us over here checking out his ride."

Les laughed then hummed playfully. "Oh I have no doubt when that works for you," she teased good natured. "But I'm sure Papa Toretto helped raised a different boy." Not that she really wanted to assume but from what she'd gathered from those who raced against him, he had truly grown up around this scene as much as Ricky and Don back home had. When Austin asked if she'd wanted to come tonight, she'd had no doubt that she would enjoy herself - simply being back in her element was enough. Having someone like Dom to talk to and bounce off of... it made the night even more enjoyable, even if it didn't go any further when she returned home. Truth was, she wasn't swayed by someone's fame or reputation - she came across enough guys like that back home. It's their actions and how they speak to others that made a difference to her. The fact that he hadn't completely dismissed her (regardless of learning she raced) like so many others do, allowed her to let down her guard just a little.

"I will neither confirm nor deny such harmful accusations to my character," Les said with a sniff but there was a teasing glint in her eye and she couldn't hold in the laughter beyond a second or two after that.

Les could feel the heat radiating off of him as he leaned in close. She pushed that thought from her mind as she looked toward where he was indicating. "Oh no doubt about that," she agreed with a laugh. "Probably thinks he'll get something for it too if he wins against one of them. It'll be like stealing candy from a baby. He truly needs to pay more attention to his surroundings." But it was lucky for Dom that he wasn't.

"Oh Girl, you have absolutely no idea," he says with a mischievous look in his eyes. "Sadly, there's still a Mia watching over me. Though let's be honest, that's a good thing," he says with a smirk. "I need her to keep me in line and on the straight and narrow."

Oh but that amuses him more than it should. Given how much she knew about what he was working on and had put a lot of say in it, she wasn't entirely keeping him behaved and on the straight and narrow. She might be pissed though if she heard him laughing about it and teasing with a stranger.

"Come on. Let's have fun," he says, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and leading her towards him. "Hey Gary. Can a man get a word with you."

Gary looks up, literally taking a double take. "Toretta. Hey. What can I do for you, Man?"

They clap and shake hands, he's still looking at Les more than Dom.

"I really must meet Mia," Les said with a laugh. Truth be told, she didn't have that many friends who were girls but she had a feeling she would have a lot in common with Mia. "I'd really like to know how she does it. I've given up all hope with the guys back home." Her tone was playful though and she knew that if they were doing something dumb they would actually listen to her.

"Don't let her fool you, she's in on everything that goes on back home," Austin interjected with a chuckle. "Les, if you're good for a minute I'm going to go talk to a guy about a race later."

Les grinned and rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah - I'll see you later," she told him before focusing on Dom again. The moment he wrapped his arm around her shoulder, she felt... there wasn't a word that readily came to mind, honestly. She liked how it felt there. She arched an eyebrow at Gary and smirked. "Racing it tonight," she asked, motioning to the Impreza with her head, her arm wrapping around Dom.

"You should. She could use meeting someone that isn't living on testosterone," he says with that same shit eating grin because it's true. She needs more women in her life. It gets hard though when there's jealousies and family members that don't want the women in their lives racing.

He laughs though at that, glancing back at Austin. "I was going to say. You seem to be doing just fine controlling these jerks," he says, and he figures it's true from the things he's seen.

Smirking at that as Gary nods. "I'm thinking about it," he says, nearly leering at Les. "You looking for a ride, Sweetie."

"No. I am," Dom says.

Gary actually goes pale. "You're looking to race tonight? Race me?"

"Honestly, so could I," Les admitted with a laugh, though she was glad to hear that he was encouraging it because that meant, at least for now, he didn't mind if she kept in contact after she went back. She wasn't delusional enough to believe that anything else would come after their race next week, despite perhaps wanting something to. At the very most, she definitely looked forward to learning all she could from this man.

She laughed and watched Austin go for a moment before looking up at him. "True," Les agreed with a laugh. They would definitely argue that she kept them just as busy if not more than they kept her busy but she thought it was equal. Of course, it wasn't all on her or thanks to her. Abby helped out too just as much.

Les rolled her eyes at the leer and watched as Gary paled at Dom's words. Oh, it was a beautiful sight. "I believe he did say as much. You up for it? Or were you only looking for an easy score?" Her tone was innocent and she tilted her head just a little. "I mean, if you won any of these... nice ladies, I'm sure, would want to celebrate with you."

"It must be horrible for you guys. Having people that care, and protecting you,' he teases, knowing that he's having a good time of it, and definitely teasing her. It's like he might talk to Mia, or even Letty once upon a time, but he's happy to have this time talking to her, playing around like this. It feels different, even if she knows who he is.

Oh but she's good though and he leans in a bit more in that arm around her, watching as Gary stammers and flushes, making a face.

"I wasn't saying anyone else is an easy score. I just... I mean, Dom doesn't race much around here."

"You're right, I don't. Except tonight. You in?"

He shifts, looking at Les like he bit into a sour candy. "You included?"

"No, she's not included," Dom says without hesitation, not even giving Les a chance. "But what should be included is the pink."

"You want to race slips? Against me? Tonight?"

Dom rolls his eyes, glad there's a crowd gathering. "Yeah, that's what I want. You in or out?"

Does he really have a choice? That shows on his face as he grumbles under his breath. "Okay. Sure. I'm in."

Les grinned. "You know, the guys have said that once or twice to me too. Normally after I get mad that they ran off a guy I may be interested in," she said with a laugh, her tone teasing though. She had gotten upset once or twice in high school but truth was, after growing up in those early years without someone looking out for her... it reminded her that there are those who care about her. It made her smile though that he felt so comfortable enough to joke and tease with her like this. She wasn't sure that was typical.

She leaned into Dom but kept her gaze on the man in front of her. She watched Austin approach out of the corner of her eye as the crowd gathered around them. Les could tell that he was amused and knew exactly what he would be telling Blake later back home. "Uh huh, sure you weren't," she said with a smirk, watching the different emotions flick over his face. Luckily for him she wasn't the one racing him, she was pretty sure she could take him if she were. She really enjoyed beating men like him on the road.

"Good, it looks like we have a great race shaking up, ladies and gentlemen," she said, her tone a little louder for the crowd around them. "I for one am looking forward to it."

"And were they right to do it? Because I truly believe most of the times that I drive away horrible people," he says, believing it. "Though, I can admit to you..." Not to Mia but to her. "That sometimes it's just jealousy. I can't imagine anyone wanting to lose you. No more than I want to lose Mia," he says, which is the God's honest truth and he knows it. For him, and sure for her boys.

He's also not thinking about how good this feels. Someone new that he's content with like this. It's definitely nothing he's known before. Certainly not this quickly and easily.

Dom laughs when she announces the race, cornering him even more, making sure that he can't find a way to back out without losing face more than losing the race would be. "You think we can be up on the line next?"

"Uhmmm. I mean, yeah? Sure?"

Les tilted her head a little as she considered the many guys they had run off. Admittedly, several of them were jerks and ultimately not worth her time but she could see that jealousy part as well with her guys. "Well I will tell you that... for many of them? Yes, they were right to drive away," She admitted with a little smile. "To be completely honest, I probably have also driven away many girls who have come into their lives because of that jealousy thing you just mentioned." Was she necessarily proud of that? Not entirely. Well, okay, not just the jealousy thing. Many of them simply wanted them for their fame or their reputation and she definitely didn't get behind that at all.

This was completely new territory for her - outside of her guys, she hadn't felt this at ease with another for a very long time. Someone who related to her on this level - not this easily at least. It felt... damn, but it felt good.

Les knew she didn't have much sway here but habits were hard to break. She could see Austin laugh out of the corner of her eye and sent him an amused smirk before turning her attention back to Gary. "Hm should we have someone hold onto the pinks in the meantime? If I have them, I might be tempted to take both cars." Les was teasing of course but she as not an unbiased party. "Or should we go on the honor system. You know, honor amongst racers, that sort of thing?"

Dom just about beams when she admits that there had been several of them run off. He truly does believe he's been doing the best for Mia all these years. Maybe he's made some mistakes, but in the end, it's all been about doing what's right for his sister. He's glad someone has done the same for Les.

He pauses at that, smirking. "Oh, I don't doubt Mia's done the same." And he wonders if Mia will manage to run off Les. He hopes not, though he's believed one thing through the years. "Maybe if you're able to run them off, it says something about them and their ability to handle being with you." He does believe if they can't handle Mia, how can they be with him?

Dom looks at Les with admiration and then tries to feign innocence. "What a great idea. I mean, you can definitely have mine. I don't see why not," he says with a grin. "What about you, Gary?"

Because yeah, he suspects the asshole might bolt if given half a chance.

If you were to ask Austin, or any number of the other guys, they always had Les' interests at heart. They didn't want to see her hurt by some guy who thought he was God's gift to woman because he owned a suped up car or a motorcycle. They wanted what was best for her and for Abby. Perhaps they erred on the side of over protective but it truly was because they cared.

Les gave him a bright grin. "I'm sure she has," she agreed with a laugh. She wasn't worried about Mia, to be completely honest. If Mia didn't like her? She'd understand, she herself didn't care for many women who came in and out of the guys' lives. "That's a good point." She paused. "It's not necessarily just jealousy. Many of them also were just there for their reputation and what fame they have in the city. That doesn't roll with me. They're good guys and I'll be damned if I let some skank traipse in their life just for five minutes of notoriety." She felt she could really relate to Mia so far and if that was the case, she was sure that Mia would likely think the same way. Luckily, Les didn't care one iota about whatever fame or reputation Dom had. She enjoyed his company so far and could honestly relate to him. It was... new.

Oh he would definitely run if given the chance but by now, most of the people who'd come to the party were gathering around them. It wasn't often these days that Dom raced but when he did, you could sure as hell bet it would be a turn out. Les watched people whisper and talk to each other, some texting friends who weren't there yet and laughed. "What do you say, Gary? Trust me with the pinks?" There was no way the man could back out of this now. It was, honestly, sometimes better to race and lose than to agree then back out of a race. Especially with someone so influential in the scene as Dom was.

She watched the other man pale and then nod, mumbling something about how screwed he was before walking around the car to the glove compartment. He walked back over and handed her the slip.

Dom can't think of the last time he's thought about Mia not chasing off some girl. If he had to think about it, it would be way back when they first met Letty. She'd not taken any of it, and in the long run she'd become a friend and a confidante, and a team mate. She's definitely a friend of theirs, and she hadn't let Mia chase her off.

He's starting to realize he doesn't want her to run off Les either.

Laughing though, Dom gives her a look. "You sure you aren't Mia," he says with a snort. "I think I've heard her say that in so many words," he admits, loving this casual talk between them while they're cornering this guy over his car. Like they don't care how he sees things or what he wants. He finds it amusing as much as he's enjoying the way the talk is going.

Dom hears that, but does his best to look innocent as he gives her shoulders a squeeze and then walks over to his car to get his. Bringing it back without prompting and handing it to her.

"So, we ready to do this?"

Les laughed at the question and shook her head. "Nah, I'm starting to think that we are very alike though," she said, giving him a grin. Was that a good thing? Did guys really want to like girls who were like their sisters? Was that a thing? That thought made her pause. Yeah, okay, she did want Dom to like her.

She took Gary's pink with a nod. The moment Dom moved away after that squeeze to her shoulders, she missed that comforting weight of his arm, and watched as he walked over to his car. Oh, she would definitely have to take a close look at that car later. She took Dom's pink with a nod then sent them a smirk. "Fantastic, I think we're ready. Let's roll."

She watched Gary stare at the two of them then shake his head. "Any last words before the race," she asked with a bright grin, looking at Dom then at Gary. "If not, then let's do this."

"Not too alike," he assures her quickly with a grin. He needs not to think that. "Some people are just raised in a certain lifestyle and it shows,' he points out, because that's all it is. He definitely isn't thinking about her like Mia, even in that short term. She's fun to talk to, and it's been a while since he's been this comfortable around someone so quickly. Almost frightening, in the best possible way.

Dom sees that look, and he can't help himself. "Hey, if you want, we can just call this off..." And as Gary perks, he continues. "And I'll just keep the car."

Gary groans, turning to head back to his car, grumbling under his breath. Dom winks at Les. "Guess we're racing then."

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