You walk towards the Hill Overlooking the Quarter.
Hill Overlooking the Quarter
As may be implied, this hill overlooks the Java Quarter. As it's a fairly long hill, somewhat steep in places, it may be accessed by any number of stairways and ramps and paths worn in the grass.
The plateau atop the hill seems to have been preserved as some sort of public park, as trees abound, flowers are meticulously planted in neat and fussy arrangements, and cobblestone-free walkways lead to several different areas. In one, a particularly flat area has been paved for various forms of skating, and is much in use. In another, tables with checkerboard tops have been bolted to the ground--so they won't go for a walk, of course. Along the center of the plateau, surrounded by another of those fussy flower-arrangements, a long reflecting pool holds the reversed-image of the Complex. Of course, as several families of ducks have taken up residence in said pool, the image is often distorted, but isn't that the way it should be? On the opposite side of the pool from the skating area, a brightly-colored playground beckons to children of all ages, shapes, and sizes. At the end of the pool, facing the Complex, is a massive sculpture. And, as the makers of the park realize that children have needs that sometimes strike suddenly, restrooms and water fountains are available at the far end of the plateau.
To set your room doing, try 'I'm <doing>'. +view is available.
Contents:
Kyara, at the top of the hill.
Terrence, at the top of the hill.
Obvious Exits:
Java Quarter
You walk here from the Java Quarter.
Seated at one of the many, and at this time of night decidedly empty, chess tables, Terrence has his feet propped up on the opposite chair and is toying absently with a single wooden rook, staring off into the distance.
Kyara looks a tad startled as she tops the hill. "Oh!" She glances around sheepishly. "I wasn't expecting anybody here so late."
Terrence's head turns rather slowly at the exclamation, then tilts in pleasant evaluation before a slow smile spreads over his lips. "I can pretend to be invisible?" he offers.
Kyara chuckles quietly, shaking her head. "No, that's quite alright. Am I disturbing your..." She glances toward the chess board with a blink. "Your game?"
Terrence's abundant brows lift at the question, and he glances wryly down at the board containing only the single rook in his hand before outright grinning. "Terribly," he agrees. "But I think I'm winning." He sets the rook down decisively, noting, "Check, and mate. I win. Next player?" He gestures at the seat affably. "Please...have a seat?"
Kyara laughs, sliding easily onto the indicated bench. "Thank you. I have not seen you here before, have I?"
Terrence glances up towards the sky thoughtfully as if mulling this over, then gives you another appreciative look before shaking his head. "Somehow I don't think so? I'm certain I'd remember meeting such a lovely woman."
Kyara can't help but to beam at that. "Why, thank you very much. I've never received that particular compliment before."
Terrence's brows quirk high in definite surprise as he reaches for the rook again. "Surely that can't be so," he replies in disbelief. "If not that, certainly similar compliments, then?"
Kyara shakes her head slightly. "No," she says softly, frowning a bit, "I cannot remember such."
Terrence clucks softly in dismay, shaking his head as he peers overhead again. "Now see, that's a shame. One may comment on the beauty of the stars or the soothing murmur of the leaves, and yet somehow it all is enhanced...no. Eclipsed in the presence of such lovliness."
Kyara blushes rather hard. "Sir, you do me an uncalled for kindness."
Terrence regards the chess piece with an almost wistful smile, then looks up to give a solemn nod. "My apologies, then, miss. I fear I tend to wax a little poetic in such a setting." He leans forward to hold out a hand. "I'm Terrence, by the way."
Kyara glances around with a smile. "It is lovely here, isn't..." She blinks, startled gaze turning to you as she extends her hand as well. "Terrence, then. I'm Kya. You don't happen to know... but no, you couldn't, could you?" That last is almost a mumble to herself.
Terrence clasps the smaller hand in his with a firm gentleness of a warm hand, smiling kindly. "Indeed a pleasure to meet you, Kya. I know a lot of things, actually. The curse of omniscience," he adds with a wry laugh, squeezing the hand lightly before releasing it. "You live here on Linnae?"
Kyara smiles weakly, nodding as she laces her fingers together. "Yes, I do." She nods down the hill. "In the Complex."
Terrence ahs softly, glancing towards the distant marble of said building in the distance. "An amazing place, the Complex. All the film crews, the various delegates, the military presence. It's an anthropologist's dream."
Terrence nods, for once honestly drawn out into his true love. "Oh, yeah," he supplies, eyes lighting slightly. "The interactions between the various cultures, people stiving to hold on to their ancestral values while fitting into a Galactic society, the way the military all but obliterates societal values and remolds, the negotiations of those in the Council with priorities and values so wildly different. Plus that temple that was uncovered...the element of the ancient rediscovered."
Kyara shudders at the mention of the temple, but she does note with enthusiasm, "Funny, we were talking about that earlier tonight, though not in quite that much detail. Apparently there's somebody here doing a thesis on that."
Terrence rests his fingertips over his chest as he straightens in his seat and half-bows. "At your service, milady. The temple is of interest to you?"
Kyara mmms, "Only in that some people close to me almost got killed in it. Okay, granted, I'd love to know its history."
Terrence honestly does look apologetic, reaching over to pat your hand gently. "I'm so sorry. I hope everyone made it all right," he offers, then glances overhead again. "I'd be more than willing to tell you some of what I've learned some evening. I'd offer it tonight, but I'm afraid the fresh air, the moonlight...there's a pillow and a few blankets at the hotel calling my name rather emphatically to join them. Have you ever heard a bed do that?"
Kyara nods to the first statement, murmuring, "Everybody's fine." A chuckles escapes from her. "Indeed I have, after a long shift in Security. I'd love to chat with you again, Terrence."
Terrence's brows take on a life of their own nearly at the mention of security, as he gives you a new look of frank admiration. "A policewoman?" He rises, tucking the rook in a pocket and offering his arm. "May I escort you as far as the Pavilion, my dear?"
Kyara blushes, rising to take said arm. "I only wish I could aspire to such. No, I'm on special assignment to Admiral Addison."
Terrence doesn't so much as blink an eye at that, but then doesn't realize exactly who the good Admiral is, either. He covers the small hand at his arm with his other hand gallantly, smiling down. "Either way, an admirable occupation," he decides, leading down the hill.
Terrence walks towards the Java Quarter.
Terrence has left.
You walk towards the Java Quarter.
Terrence heads towards the Massive Open Air Pavilion.
Terrence has left.
You head towards the Massive Open Air Pavilion.
Kyara notes softly, "Admirable, and hopefully honorable." She glances toward the hotel. "You're passing through, then?"
Terrence nods affably, pausing in front of the path off towards the hotel. "I'll be here a while to study the temple, though. As I said, it would be my great honor to share some of what I've found with you. Perhaps I might comm you at a later date to set up a time?"
Kyara nods with a smile. "I'd be quite honored."
Terrence finally releases Kya's arm and steps back to incline his head in a faint bow, offering another warm, if somewhat sleepy smile. "Until them, Miss Kya, may the moon light your path, though her beauty pales in envy of yours. Goodnight," he offers, and turns to head into the hotel.
Kyara blushes, offering a wave as she watches you go. "Dream well," she calls softly.
Terrence heads up the wide stairs to the Aerie Hotel Verge.
Terrence has left.
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