From: ilinsor	Date: 07/15/2007 16:47:29

*takes his phone from his pocket and sees your name on display*

*is by now far too focused on the upcoming race to think about much else, like what he's going to say to you* *lowers his voice and is glad of the noise in the bustling street around him*

*answers calmly* And how fares my favorite manager today?

	From: azie	Date: 07/15/2007 16:49:15

Very well. And how is my favourite client?

*sighs as the car pulls out into the rush hour exodus out of Delving*

	From: ilinsor	Date: 07/15/2007 16:52:42

Never better.

*vaguely* But you know, I was thinking. *his smile evident in his tone* We ought to just call and have them engrave the trophy now. Save everyone some time.

	From: azie	Date: 07/15/2007 16:55:38

*settles into her seat* *smiles too* Oh, I like this. We are feeling confident this weekend, aren't we?

	From: ilinsor	Date: 07/15/2007 16:59:51

I should think so. You and I both know I own this track. *laughs* It's my competitors that seem to take issue with it. What can I say? Some people are just gluttons for punishment.

*conversationally* Are you in town yet?

	From: azie	Date: 07/15/2007 17:08:26

*laughs softly* I know, I know. You'd think the others would learn but if they didn't compete, it'd be less a race and more you driving around the circuit very fast on your own.

*sighs* No. Just leaving Delving. I got a little delayed with work for the Bosses and now I'm stuck in traffic.

	From: ilinsor	Date: 07/15/2007 17:15:45

*sighs theatrically* I know, I know. It's just...I hate seeing them cry. It doesn't feel very sporting.

*smirking* There's no hurry. If you're not here in time to holler at my pit crew, they'll just freeze up or make some crucial and possibly fatal error. It'll all be very dramatic.

	From: azie	Date: 07/15/2007 17:19:18

*briskly* It's not about sporting, darling. It's about winning. As you have so often told me.

*lets out a mock-groan* Oh, now. I do not need this kind of pressure. I'm not sure I could live with myself if anything too dramatic were to happen.

	From: ilinsor	Date: 07/15/2007 17:31:13

*cheekily* If I've ever said such a thing, I'm sure you were my inspiration.

But you'd be famous--more famous--and I'd still be immortal. Of course, you'd have to pick up some other high-profile client and I don't doubt Clint or Sebastian would be quite the downgrade. No pressure!

	From: azie	Date: 07/15/2007 17:36:17

*laughs, delightedly* Now, now. You mustn't blame me for every little thing we say.

*holds her phone away from her mouth as she takes a gulp of her coffee* That's it. I'm making a rule. No fatal accidents. No near-fatal accidents. If I so much as break a nail, much less you break a bone, I'm going to need some serious compensation. And maybe counselling?

	From: ilinsor	Date: 07/15/2007 17:46:51

*smiles* *sounding faintly appalled* Oh, dear. But I'd feel terribly inadequate if I didn't make you fear for my safety and your paycheck at least ten times a race.

	From: azie	Date: 07/15/2007 17:48:23

At least when you're on the racetrack, I know where you are. I worry more when I don't know where you are. *isn't really even joking that much*

	From: ilinsor	Date: 07/15/2007 17:58:01

*sighs a little* *ruefully gently* Arien, Arien. Do you really want to go through all this again?

	From: azie	Date: 07/15/2007 18:06:02

*adopts a business-like tone* No, no, of course not. It will just descend into the same old argument and contradiction and now is not the time for it. I will say that I do hope you look after yourself when I'm not there to do it. I know what you young men are like. My own neighbour is a little helpless at times. *hurriedly* Not that I'm accusing you of being helpless but you know what I mean.

	From: ilinsor	Date: 07/15/2007 18:15:32

*affects a manner that suggests he's trying to be modest and approachable even though he's really just being honest* I know you'll never believe it, but the things you don't see are incredibly boring probably not at all what you imagine. *can't resist playing up the mystery just a little* Dangerous hobbies notwithstanding.

	From: azie	Date: 07/15/2007 18:21:12

Well, you don't know what I imagine, darling, but as long as those dangerous hobbies don't extend beyond stamp-collecting, I don't have a problem.

	From: ilinsor	Date: 07/15/2007 18:27:14

One of these days when I'm completely over you I'll meet you for a drink and tell you all about them. How does that sound? *briefly goes over his race strategy in his head once more* If you don't mind the risk of mixing business with pleasure, I mean.

	From: azie	Date: 07/15/2007 18:30:36

*easily* Easy there, tiger. Don't want you to commit too much too soon. How many years have I been your manager? Definitely don't want to rush things.

	From: ilinsor	Date: 07/15/2007 18:37:21

*laughs again* Not so many years as it must have taken for that sarcasm to age so exquisitely. *teasingly* Well, if you'd rather stay in the dark, it does work well for my image, not that you'd believe me anyway. *without a trace of uncertainty* Does it, do you think?

	From: azie	Date: 07/15/2007 18:44:25

*archly* It is rather exquisite, isn't it? It doesn't work on anyone anymore, 'cept for Tilion, so thank you for noticing.

Does it, do you think?

Your image is that you have no image except for being a kick-ass racing driver. That totally works. I mean, we're not going to get any modelling endorsements for you but other than that? Yeah. Mystery works.

	From: ilinsor	Date: 07/15/2007 18:52:26

*would be pleased that you've now mentioned him twice over the course of one phone conversation if it wasn't in the context of helplessness and being the butt of your sarcastic remarks* *betraying nothing* It certainly is. Peerless, really.

we're not going to get any modelling endorsements for you

*obviously highly amused* That's just as well since I'm actually a disfigured wreck underneath the helmet.