Welcome to Stoneport

"Thank you," Astarte repeated, heading through the door.

Noct sent a text down to the garage to prepare her car, then turned to Astarte, "If you don't have a car, how did you get here today?"

"I got a taxi," Astarte replied.

Noct frowned, "I could have a car come get you, if you want."

"I really appreciate the offer," Astarte said. "But I feel like that would be a bit much. Public transport works well enough for me."

"Obviously not," Enkidu snorted. "Don't you realize how cowardly that would be?"

"There are a multitude of company cars available, if you have a license," Noct said. She hit the button for the elevator, "It really isn't an issue. As you can see, the company has quite a reach. A company car isn't really 'putting us out'. There are people below you on the payroll that actually make use of them." As the elevator pinged open, Noct walked in, "At the very least you could allow the company to cover your travel expenses."

"I guess... that would be alright, then," Astarte said, also entering the elevator. She obviously didn't really know what to say.

"Before we started watching the news I asked you what it was that you enjoyed," Noct said, "Care to answer now?"

"Do you mean generally?" Astarte asked. "Or about working?"

"Generally, or, I don't know, whichever you prefer," Noct said with a small shrug, "I'm just making conversation." She pointed to the top of the wall that showed that they were not even half-way down the building, "As you can see, it is a bit of a trip to the garage."

"Well, I suppose, I don't do a lot," Astarte made a slight shrugging motion. "I will occasionally draw, and read, and I like long walks... all pretty typical stuff... But I don't like to be idle for too long."

"Hm, so, no particular hobby?" Noct asked.

"Not really," Astarte replied. "I have gone through a few phases of collecting things, and I once decided to learn how to make my own clothes, but I never got far with any of that. And yourself? Do you have much time for hobbies?"

"Not particularly," Noct replied, "When I was a child I had a lot more free time, and I got into a bunch of things, art, dancing, things like that. Now though, I'm a bit busy with maintaining the business." She then shook her head, "Wait, that is a kind of a lie, whenever I have time, I enjoy playing games; bit geeky though."

"I think it is a good idea for you to play games," Astarte said. "Being the CEO of Night Capital, you must get quite stressed at times. Playing games could relieve that."

Noct shrugged, "It is just something I enjoy doing, have since I was a kid." Just then the elevator pinged, and the doors opened to the garage, "As far as stress goes, I think I'm actually quite alright on that front. I usually find great ways to keep myself satisfied, and relaxed."

Astarte stepped out of the elevator, "I envy that. I often find myself stressed, and I have not half as much responsibility as you."

Noct smiled, "It is easy when your workload is split between such a number of people." She then began making her way over to the car, "It is partly why I asked if you had any hobbies. You're now one of the people I'm going to lean on."

"When you put it like that, it makes me realize how different this job will be for me," Astarte said quietly. "No one has ever 'leaned' or 'relied' on me before, unless you count slobs roaring for more alcohol."

"I could do that too, if it'll put you at ease," Noct said with a small chuckle.

"Oh, no thank you," Astarte smiled. "Working for you is an extremely welcome change from the bar."

Noct snapped her fingers in mock disappointment, she then smiled again as the door was opened for her. She motioned for Astarte to get in first, "I know I keep going on about it, but I'm glad. I value the company of people I enjoy, so I was happy when you agreed to come."

Astarte entered the car, still smiling a little.

"Lets get you dropped off first," Noct said, as she sat down next to Astarte. Noct looked towards the driver, then Astarte, "Just give him the address."

Astarte gave the driver an address, feeling a little conscious of her low economic status and dingy location.