Lone Stars

Chapter 6

Hammerhead was the most intriguing sight her eyes had fallen upon for her first stop outside of Insomnia. The dry desert air, the chatting locals, smell of grease from the garage, and even the sound of sizzling cooking from the diner. Everything was being soaked into as she walked her bike up to the front of the small storefront by the gas station. The bike slowed down the closer she got after her clutch broke. She eventually turned the engine off and walked the remaining mile to Hammerhead. Deciding to keep her helmet on, she waved hello to a few locals and removed her gloves as she entered the shop. Her eyes scanned the place, lifting her visor up in search for a new clutch cable. She had half the idea just to ask the shop to fix it for her, but rather save her money and just purchase the cable and do it herself.

Lexus looked around, spotting many vehicle needs, along with what she remembered Ajax teaching her potions and elixirs. She was surprised to even find some ingredients to cook with meats labeled as 'Gighee Ham' or 'Luncheon Meat', and spices on racks. Lexus moved along, finding the shelves with repair kits, motorbike parts, and a hammerhead decal. With a grin, she picked up a decal as a small check to arrive there and found the small box of clutch cables.

The biker walked up to the counter to purchase the items, ignoring the eyebrow raising look the cashier gave her helmet. Nonetheless, he made no comment, thanked her and she walked right out with a plastic bag in hand. Though she should've told him she didn't need it, as she'd be opening the items anyway. Lexus shrugged as she approached her bike parked outside the diner, kneeling down to remove the decal. With a grin, Lexus carefully placed the decal on her back right, seeing the hammerhead logo look great on her yellow fender.

Lexus went to work on taking apart the side of the bike to access the broken clutch cord. It would take a while and delay her travel, but like she cared. All the more to enjoy Hammerhead and it's dusty dirt sights! The gust of dust did blow up now and then, she flipped her visor down to keep her mouth and eyes clear as she took the bike apart.

With her helmet on, she eventually removed her leather jacket feeling the sun beat on her shoulders and tossed it over the seat of her bike. Some muffled voices were heard and she ignored them, humming to herself. She heard a few men walk inside, mentioning someone about car repairs and needing food. Lexus had been too focused on her repairs to even notice a blond of the four man group had pointed to her out being the 'speedy wheelie' from the road. Another chuckled at how karma had hit her for that as they all wandered inside the diner.

After a while, she felt the heat becoming too much and she had just gotten access to the cable. Her stomach growled protesting to eat a late breakfast, and Lexus conceded; a nice drink and big meal would get her enough energy to finish her bike and be back on the road.

Unbeknownst to her as she entered, the four same men she had snubbed off the road were sitting at the bar discussing with the owner. Though the blonde questioned what a gil was, making her raise a brow in their direction. She approached next to the muscle head who was talking to the blondie, the dark haired one asking about what the area had.

"We can't get any food without gil, it seems." The muscle head figured, his voice deep but rich.

Lexus sneaked a peak before tugging a menu toward herself and scanning the food. Not many choices, Chili con Carne, Lieden Jambalaya, Veggie Medly Stew, or the Multi-Meat Sandwich -which was chicken tender and ham- with coffee or cold glass of water. Deciding the sandwich was light and cheaper with a glass of water would be an alright dent in her pocket.

"And how do we get this gil? I'm starving!" The blond whined, twisting on his stool left and right.

"Excuse me?" Realizing the visor was muffling her, she lifted it. "Pardon me?" She called to the dark skinned owner.