Public The Zenith Festival - Event on Spira

[Eaton Waters]

Keeping his head and focus in the game was something of a trick with Embers around. Not many other beings did that. What was it? Genuine interest from his part, most likely. Hence also, why he didn’t ask for some sort of brutish reward if he was going to win. There was a part of him that knew he could, but it wasn’t a guarantee, she was an unknown quantity, and not that he was always checking the stats on other racers, but it did help, compared to going in blind. Smirking, he did his best to get his brain wrapped around the current goal, the motion forward and the race.

Other possibilities, they were coming in, but futures were always in motion, according to what his witch sister said.

And he needed that focus to get the move down, just as he did, orchestrated and perfect.

Or near enough.

“Should have kept your mind in the race, blue.” He said, more in a playful way than a demeaning way as he pushed the throttle, offering one quick look back.

Embers

 

[Embers]

“Wrecker of Quiet Nights”

Embers kept the throttle buried. Not because she thought she could catch him anymore. She knew better. The gap wasn't enormous, but it was honest. Eaton had earned it through the crossover, through better focus, and through a willingness to trust both himself and the Force at precisely the right moment. She could respect that.

Oddly enough...

Knowing she probably wasn't going to reel him in let her relax. The desperate edge melted away, leaving only the joy of the ride. The Laser Nine hummed beneath her like it appreciated being allowed to simply run. Ocean wind tugged at the loose strands of hair that had escaped her tie, salt drying against her blue skin as the course stretched toward its conclusion.

The Force quieted again as they pulled farther from the intersecting racers. Only one presence stood out now. Eaton. Without the chaos of the crossing to drown him out, her thoughts wandered somewhere she hadn't expected. What happens after this? Was he simply another handsome racer she'd meet at a festival before they each disappeared into opposite hyperspace lanes? Or...

She found herself smiling. Or was this the sort of chance encounter that somehow became another race. Another job. Another excuse to cross paths. Maybe aboard his ship. Maybe aboard hers. Professional opportunities. Personal ones too. She wasn't usually the type to think that far ahead. Yet here she was.

Then his voice carried back across the wind. "Should have kept your mind in the race, blue." Embers blinked. Her attention snapped back to the present, and she caught his glance over one shoulder. A slow, amused smirk spread across her face.

"Can you blame me?" she called back. She gave an exaggerated sigh. "Seeing you in action was just too mesmerizing." The tease came easily, but there was a thread of sincerity woven through it. She'd meant it. Watching him race had been almost as enjoyable as racing him. Almost.

Her grip settled comfortably on the controls again. No frantic attempts to close the gap. No reckless dive. Just clean flying to the finish. She could lose with grace. Especially when the prize was dinner with someone she genuinely wanted to know better. Her smile softened as she watched the blue Laser Nine ahead carve another smooth line through the course. Whatever happened after today...

She hoped it wasn't the last time they found themselves on parallel courses. Whether that meant smuggling cargo through a blockade, chasing another finish line, or simply sharing a drink after making good on their wager...

The possibilities suddenly seemed far more interesting than the outcome of a single race. Still...

She wasn't about to make it too easy. Embers leaned into the final stretch with one last burst of speed, laughing as the engine answered her call. "Don't get used to seeing my front, sunshine," she shouted after him. "Next race, I'm giving you a much better view."

Embers

• Location: Zenith Festival, Spira
• Objective: Score something: a job, a ride, credits, spice…
• Outfit: Festival Attire
• Company: Eaton Waters