A lunchtime date (EA closed Qasims home)

[Raya]

"I am not normally one for reading stories, telling stories though I am always interested in" Raya said with a nod and a smile as she moved back over to where Qasim was.

"Your grandfather was a traveller, or a how you say...scholar?"

[Qasim al-Basiri]

Qasim nodded with a small smile "Indeed he was a merchant at the end of the day like all Dhabi but his real passion was learning. Learning about new cultures and seeing new places. He had an adventurers heart. One that my father says he passed down to me." Qasim gave a chuckle and turned to exit the office closing the door and locking it before heading across the courtyard at a conversational place

While he was doing all that he said "my father was a typical Dhabi, merchant, shop owner, spent his time balancing books and tending to his store. He liked his comfortable life, he stayed home most of the time never one for adventure or travel. I do many things he did but I could never be as stationary as he was." Qasim said with an amused smile as they came to another archway that had stairs going up. He motioned her to ascend and would after her.

[Raya]

"A passion for learning is a good thing to pass down, there is much to learn outside the city. Many people, many religions. Many foods and dances and arts. I would not say I am a passion for learning, but I am Ra'Shari. We have passion for life, and everyone has a different life."

Raya looked up the stairs and nodded, almost bounding up the stairs much quicker than Qasim likely expected as she hopped up two steps at a time.

"Two floors? 3? I am thinking it's like two Ra'shari great caravans stacked on top of one another!" she said from the top of the stairs with a laugh.

[Qasim al-Basiri]

Qasim chuckled at her energy as she bounded up the stairs. The stairs actually came out to the roof or a portion of it at the top of a somewhat tower like structure a little above the second story. It was clearly some kind of viewing area, relaxation spot with more chairs, pillows, an awning and a railing around it.

When one came more toward the middle of the area or walked to the railing they would be treated to a marvelous view of the surrounding area. Much of it desert but the great river and the jungle like vegetation on its banks spread out before you. One could see for miles from up there seeing the natural beauty of the desert and also a few of the far off settlements on the horizon.

"Only two stories with rooms and spaces. This is the last place I like to show guests. The view is slightly less impressive at high noon but during sunset I believe Soraya said it was the best view in or around the Jewel." He said chuckling at the endorsement "but this is where I tend to spend most of my time, weather permitting."

[Raya]

"Wow..."

Raya moved across the roof area, a little jump leaving her balanced slightly over the edge of the railing. She had her hands over her eyes, straining to see into the distance.

"You can almost make out the camp from here. Not my caravan, she is on the other side, but the main campfire almost. I am thinking Soraya is right, it is a good view."

She hopped back down - or attempted to, tripping slightly as she did so and stumbling forward.

"Woops" she said with a laugh "I like your home."

[Qasim al-Basiri]

Seeing her stumble Qasim would reflexively reach out to catch her how much contact that entailed would depend on how much she stumbled.

Regardless he smiled "Well I am glad, I like you in my home. You add a flair to it that I enjoy." He said "There is more to is obviously but more just regular things, bedrooms, bathroom, kitchens and the like. Perhaps something to go over if you become a repeat visitor." He said with a chuckle

"We could eat up here if it is not too hot for you, or I have a dinning room that it more well shaded." He said offering her the options "and while we eat you can tell me more about you, I feel I have talked far too much about myself."

[Raya]

The hand out caught her shoulder which helped steady her.

"Thank you" she beamed a smile at him "and Ra'Shari had flare to all homes! It is Ra'shari way. I am unsure if being repeat visitor is good, but I am happy to keep visiting as long as it is not getting you into trouble or making your guards uncomfortable."

She turned back to the view, thinking for a bit, before turning back to Qasim.

"I live in the sands, it is hotter than it is now, but if sidi prefers shade I would also be fine to be shaded. It would be cooler yes?"

[Qasim al-Basiri]

Qasim scoffed slightly "My guards are suspicious and I pay them to be but they will not be uncomfortable to see a beautiful woman more often." He said with a smile

His smile twisted a bit with amuesment "You worry often about other's comfort Raya. Not so often about your own, it is a good quality but please you are a guest here I want you to feel at ease." As he finished the amuesment gave way to a genuine warmth.

"If it is fine we shall eat here." He said "it is still somewhat cool compared to the summer. I shall return with food, please make yourself comfortable." He motioned to the lounge chair and pillows under the shaded awning before departing.

[Raya]

"It is not the pretty woman part that made them uncomfortable sidi" Raya said with a shake of her head, but nodded at the offer of food eating outside.

"I shall wait here then!"

And she did...not go to the lounge chair. She went back to the railings, standing up on it again and leaning over, looking towards her camp. Counting something it seemed

"Aaeedah, Zara....is that smoke, must be Kasar...no, too far over. Raaz maybe? I can see the purple of Darcels from here, it's such a bright purple."

[Qasim al-Basiri]

Qasim returned a few minutes later carefully balancing two bowls, two pitchers and two clay cups between his arms and hands. He walked carefully to Raya "Llela would you mind?" He asked with a lightly strained voice looking to hand her one of the bowls.

In the bowl she would see cous-cous with hummus, sliced chicken fragrant with spices and a fresh salad of diced cucumber, tomato, and herbs "It was something my chef has taught me to make, I am no master yet but it is not so hard." He said happily.