Fire and Ice

[Laehval tTemarr 0]

Fire and Ice

A shore leave log by

El'Riov Laehval t'Temarr

 

 

“It is gorgeous.”

 

“It is absolutely breathtaking.”

 

“It is only lava.”

 

The other members of Laehval’s tour group all turned to stare at her at the same time. Feeling eyes upon her, she glanced away from the volcanic spectacle and flushed as she stared back at the crowd. Not realizing she’d spoken aloud, she cleared her throat uneasily.

 

“I mean, it is a true marvel of elemental engineering and … and the refraction of ultraviolet through the parabolic spray of magma is something rarely seen, but… it is still… just lava. It has no practical ship system application.”

 

“Ignorant Galae engineers,” someone in the front muttered with contempt.

 

Laehval clenched her jaw as the crowd turned away, dispersing in smaller groups to carefully explore the area and take holovids to remember their trip. A blast of super-heated air struck her in the face and she huffed in annoyance. The Firefalls were beautiful in their own way, but she could only stare at them for so long before growing bored. Somehow, she’d imagined them to be more impressive. She grew even more annoyed when she checked her wrist chronometer and realized she still had another hour before the tour was over and the transport left the area.

 

“You know, most people consider touring the Firefalls of Gath Gal'thong a near-religious experience,” the male beside her commented. He arched a brow as she glanced sideways at him. “But to tell you the truth, I’ve seen them so much in the past few years that they’ve lost some of their appeal.”

 

“Isn’t the tour guide supposed to be totally and completely enamored with his job?” Laehval asked wryly.

 

“Oh, I have bigger aspirations than giving tours to the snobbishly wealthy that look down on me because my family house isn’t embroiled in imperial politics or scrambling for power like those in the Senate,” he replied with a wink. “Just don’t tell anyone.”

 

“You could always change professions.”

 

“There are few professions that do not involve some type of political struggle. I refuse to be drawn into the unceasing quest for importance.”

 

“The Galae does not tempt you?”

 

“Even the Galae is subject to the whims of the Praetor and Senate as they each pressure Galae Command to act in their respective betterment.”

 

“That is true, I suppose. We have been on many foolish missions that have only served to bring power to one faction or another. As independent as they think themselves to be, even the Tal Shiar cannot escape influence.”

 

“I am amazed that you feel the same, being a career officer.”

 

“Is it really that obvious?”

 

“Yes. You never seem to relax, even when you are relaxing. I’ve been watching you. You seem poised as though waiting to be berated or reprimanded for slacking in your duty.”

 

“Perhaps I am,” she replied dryly. “Perhaps I cannot escape it.”

 

“There is no one here to condemn you for shirking your duty,” he said as he waved a hand at the tourists. None of them seemed interested in their conversation.

 

Laehval eyed the nearest group dubiously. “There is always someone.”

 

“You really are paranoid,” he teased. “Perhaps a personal tour of the Firefalls would help you relax? The other guides can handle these self-important Rhians.”

 

Laehval glanced back to him, considering. “A tour of the lava from an apathetic guide? I think I’ll wait on the transport for it to depart. I have holovids aplenty to remind me of this trip, and computations awaiting me on the ISDs I brought.”

 

He shrugged, seemingly unaffected by her frosty attitude. “As you wish. I see I’ll be forced to handle yet another group of arrogant nobles. Enjoy your ISDs.”

 

“I shall,” she said, watching briefly as he walked away.

 

 

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The transport was settled on one of the upper levels of the cliffs, situated a safe distance away from the lava flows where the intense heat could not damage its sensors or propulsion. As she climbed aboard, the pilot glanced up from the front cabin’s holo-viewer but he quickly lost interest when he saw her heading for the back. She settled in the rear seat that she’d previously claimed and dug an ISD out of her bag, making herself comfortable as she waited for the others to return.

 

She lost herself so completely in departmental planning and propulsion upgrade specifications that she didn’t even realize the flitter had lifted off until someone plucked the ISD from her hands. Indignant, she glared at the male guide as he took the empty seat next to her, studying the string of programming characters on the screen. He turned the display sideways and then upside down as if changing positions would help him understand it. Finally giving up, he smacked the device into her waiting hand with a sigh.

 

“A bit dry for personal leave, don’t you think? Are you not supposed to be enjoying yourself?”

 

“This is what I do for enjoyment.”

 

“Then you really need to escape your ship more often.”

 

Laehval sighed. “Why, exactly, are you bothering?”

 

“Because,” he replied with a grin, “You have potential.”

 

“Potential?”

 

“Potential for enjoyment. It is there, lurking just beneath the prickly exterior that you seem content to wear.”

 

“I assure you… you are gravely mistaken. I can give you professional references if you’d like, all of whom would testify that the prickly exterior is my only personality trait.”

 

“Subordinates, no doubt, who do not know any better… or perhaps you keep everyone at a distance just to prove how detached you can be,” he guessed. “But you have no reason to maintain the façade here. No one here knows you.”

 

“Which is exactly why I am here,” she shot back. Activating her ISD with her thumb, she went back to reading the screen and totally ignoring him.

 

“Nice try,” he commented, plucking the ISD out of her fingers once again. He saved the file, switched the device off, and tossed it into her bag, pulling the case out of her reach.

 

“Do I need to contact the authorities about a harassment suit?” Annoyed, Laehval crossed her arms over her chest and glared.

 

“I would prefer that you didn’t. I’m sure I could wrangle my way out of any penalties, but that would waste valuable time that I could be spending to crack your overly-steely exterior.”

 

“Do you not have better things to do with your time?”

 

“Frankly, no. This was my last tour of the season and so I have all the time in the world to wear down your resolve.”

 

“You cannot possible imagine how stubborn I can be.” Turning away to the window, she stared out at the passing landscape.

 

“And you have no idea how much I love a challenge, Laehval t’Temarr.”

 

Her attention snapped back to him. Her eyes narrowed. “How do you know my name?”

 

“It is on your bag,” he chuckled, pointing. “That and I have access to the tour registry.”

 

“Oh,” she muttered as she turned back to the window, feeling foolish.

 

“Don’t you want to know my name?”

 

“I already know it. D’elon irMalhmenti tr’Rehu”

 

“You asked someone?”

 

“No. I have higher clearance than you do. I know the background profile of every person on this tour.”

 

“Amazing. You are that concerned about the company you keep?”

 

“Not really. I was looking for someone that owned a high-altitude flyer.”

 

“I own a high-altitude flyer!” he exclaimed.

 

“I know,” she grumbled.

 

“Ah, so in truth, you are stalking me,” he grinned wolfishly. “You intend to seduce me to get to my high-altitude flyer. Do I need to contact the authorities about a harassment suit?”

 

“You are insufferable.”

 

“And you are obstinate, but I’ll try to ignore that when you seduce me.”

 

“You are also delusional,” she retorted, glancing sidelong at him.

 

“Don’t tease me, t’Temarr. I am in an extremely fragile state.” He arched a brow as he studied her face. “Wait… was that a smirk? Did you just smile?”

 

“No, it was a grimace of pain. Your melodramatic behavior causes physical damage,” she replied as she turned away.

 

“I can see your reflection in the window. You are smiling!”

 

“Shut up before someone overhears,” she hissed.

 

“Overhears, sees, or takes a holo for evidence. Surely the universe would come to an abrupt end if anyone ever discovered you actually smiled.”

 

“I wish for that abrupt ending even now," she sighed.