"It isn't ego," she mutters through grit teeth. She pulls the last wire into place, and the car rumbles to life. "I just don't like basements."

The way the conversation's turned has robbed her of the sense of triumph she'd usually feel, having resurrected a car. The thing's working now, and from the sound of it, it's not going great, but it's something. It would have gotten her a few miles, maybe more, before she had to try another one, or start scavenging for parts.

Well, there goes that plan. "How far's Fairyland?"