Seeking Elevation [LA6]

[Qar Offee]

Qar hadn't driven all the way up for any particular posh business. He had driven up for the up. Of course there were skyscrapers, but the Upper City was up enough for some of the streets to be above the landscape enough to provide vista and perspective, and a chance to take in the fault lines between various parts of the city and beyond.

For the rider, this was part of the preparation for the race. He had a spacial imagination of a hovering satellite, thinking of the paths ahead while driving as if he were soaring above them... in addition to fast-serving instincts, of course. So there it was, something to stare on, and ponder.

[Lassa Tenro]

A short distance away there was another observer of the city... she stared out over the town trying to assess what ‘scenery’ Dr. Novar had alluded to the previous day.

She had seen the aftereffects of what biological weapons had done to Chandrila... She did not wish to see that again on this planet. She would have to return to the office soon, but for now she tried to think through what she would have to do in the days ahead.

[Qar Offee]

Inadvertently, a familiar silhouette caught Qar's attention. He turned the engine back on and drove up, slowly, wondering what purpose had brought Lassa to that spot. Technically, it might have just been her dinner break as she could have been working nearby. But Qar had a hunch there might have been more to it than that.

"I regret to admit I don't have my stamp collection on me. I briefly had some rare racing collectible cards but sold them all." He said for a greeting.

[Lassa Tenro]

She looked over and gave a faint half-smile, “You get a good price on them?”

[Qar Offee]

"I don't know what's considered 'good price' in these parts." He looked around, shrugging. "But it was enough to pay for some tweaks to my bike."

[Lassa Tenro]

“What more can you ask for then?” She replied.

“Hear there’s a race coming up soonish. You partake in such endeavors?”

[Qar Offee]

"I do. To tell the truth, this is what I am here for." He looked at her curiously. "You're well-informed."

[Lassa Tenro]

“Just had lunch with one of the others who are looking forward to it.” She replied.

“Not a hobby of mine... but it seems there’s a bit of interest here for it.”

[Qar Offee]

"I guess some people need more than convoluted spreadsheets to get excited." He laughed.

[Lassa Tenro]

“Boring people.” She said with a smile.

“What else has a man like yourself been up to?”

[Qar Offee]

"Not much, actually. To be up to something in a place like this one would have to have orders and/or agenda. I'm here to race, and this is what I'll be paid for once I do my part." He shrugged. "We all have our secrets, but mine don't guide my actions. If anything, I'd rather they stayed in the past where they belong." He glanced at her. "I'd ask you about the same but somehow I don't believe I would get an honest answer, which is fine. I've learned to accept small blessings, like having someone to share jokes and stamps with in places I don't expect to stay long in. If that someone is a mysterious lady with quirky attitude, all the better."

He laughed shortly. "I'd like you to teach me that joy of spreadsheets. To find myself boring is a terrible thing I can't suffer."

[Lassa Tenro]

“Do I truly emanate such an aura of dishonesty?” She asked with a smile.

“I swear my intentions are good. Please don’t let me be understood.” She said it as if it was directed to herself but audibly loud enough for Qar to hear.

[Qar Offee]

"No, but I do know what good-natured, honest people can commit to out of necessity." There was something more to his statement as if that moment and those words of hers had tapped into something. But he shook his head and the smile returned, if a bit forced-upon.

"Honestly, really honestly, I couldn't think where to begin to understand a woman like you. I know precious little about you, Lassa, or your kin. And, beyond the bluster, I'm not quick to judge." He smirked. "I suspect one thing: you might be open-minded about some issues while headstrong about the others."

[Lassa Tenro]

She nodded and her face changed from one of jovial banter to one of more sincerity.

“An honest assessment.” She replied.

“Is there any interest to learn these things you don’t know?”

[Qar Offee]

"There is." He replied in similar spirit, giving her a passing glance before returning it to the panorama as if he considered longer eye-contact mistimed or too intense. "An interest in things I don't know. I don't cast my curiosity left and right, but it's there for the times it belongs to." The glint in his sky blue eyes had suggested as much.

[Lassa Tenro]

“Alright.” She replied simply before pulling out something to write on.

“This is how you can learn more.” She handed over something that had a messaging address written on it.

[Qar Offee]

He nodded and pocketed the note quickly. "When's the best time to visit that place?"

[Lassa Tenro]

“I’ve got my datapad with me most of the time.” She replied.

“When I get off work depends on the day.”

[Qar Offee]

"An evening then." He looked at her with a small smirk. "Is it where you keep your collection?"

[Lassa Tenro]

“I’ll never tell.” She said with a matching smile.

She then turned towards the Spire. “Back to work. See you when I see you.”