Thread: Personal Indulgences (attn: anyone) 2/22/10

Lydia walks in wearing http://www.edressme.com/fuch-sequin-n4034.html
Looking around she sees AJ. Smiling she walks over to his table. "Hello AJ."

A.J. noticed Lydia the moment she walked in. A man would have to be blind to not notice a woman with her beauty in that dress. He smiled back as she approached. He had to work hard to keep his eyes on hers as she approached but somehow he managed. He smiled a little brighter at her once she reached him and stood as a gentleman should and says, "Good evening Lydia." He pauses for a moment as he takes in her presence and resumes, "I'm very pleased to see you here tonight. Would you like to join me?"

As she accepts he moves and pulls her chair out for her. Once she is seated, and tucked under, he takes the seat adjacent to her so both of them have a view of the stage for one the show begins. He smiles at her and says, "I had hoped it would be you that showed up here tonight. I've been looking forward to a chance to catch up with you and see how you've been."

Smiling "AJ you have only seen me once. And after all these years you still remember me? You do know how to flatter a girl."

She looks to him for a moment as if trying read his mind. Then "How have you been? I have been doing well. Moving up in the world I am. I have family here. I have friends here. I hold a position in the Court here. Life is good I would say. What have you been up to?'

A.J. smiles at her. He liked how quick and to the point she could be. It was a trait that was usually far too rare amongst their kind. When he spoke his tone was genuine, "You were not easy to forget. All of those years ago, I could see the potential in you then. I was actually a bit disappointed that you never took me up on my offer to help you when you needed it. It wasn't easy to see through the layers of attitude and anger that you had back then with that gang, but I could see your potential. That was why I offered to help you back then. It really pleases me to see that you did realize your potential and have become a very well respected and influential person, like I knew you could." He pauses and smiles softly before continuing, "I'm only jealous that I wasn't able to help then."

He smiled at her, lost in her eyes a moment before saying, "I've been doing fairly well for myself since then. I've opened a few more restaurants around the country and am actually in the process of opening one here actually. The location is already going through the remodeling process. Perhaps, you would like to come in sometime when we open and have something on the house? Or, before the grand opening, you could come in for a private dinner, which I would prepare for you, myself?"

With a small laugh "I am jealous I think. You are able to see things better than me I suppose. How is it you do that?"

Frowning for a moment and looking around "I did not come back because I knew what would happen if I did. If they found out that I was caught they would hunt you down and kill you. I do thank you for the help that time."

Smiling "I grew up and moved on. It was easy really. Basterd was killed when we were captured. I had no choice but to grow up or die. I just regret he is not able to see it. I moved here and found some old friends. I was the assistant Harpy for awhile and when Alex was killed I took over. It is a fun job really."

Nodding "Yes I would like to see your new restaurant. I am glad you are doing so well."

A.J. smiles at Lydia showing the slightest hint of a certain type of interest in her, but only slightly as she asks how he sees the potential in people. After a slight pause he says in a soft tone, "Over the years I've been around, the one thing I've learned about all people is, we often are our own worst critics and can't see our own full potential."

As she frowns he reaches over and touches the top of her hand lightly and nods his head in understanding. There's a softness in his eyes as he looks her in her eyes and says, "So, you did it to protect me?" He pauses a moment and says, "I really do appreciate that Lydia. I'm glad I made somewhat of an impression on you that night, that you would feel a need to protect me. For that I thank you."

He pondered for a moment whether or not he should remove his hand from hers, but decided to leave his hand on hers until she decided to pull away. One thing that stood out to him was the word "captured". He wasn't sure what she was referring to so he asks quietly, "What do you mean by captured?"

Turning to look at him. "AJ, I have only met you the one time and while you could have turned me in you didn't. You tried to help me and I thank you for that. But I need you to understand we can be nothing more than friends."

Giving a small smile "I hope you can understand. My heart belongs to another at the moment."

Pulling her hand back gently "I hope we can be friends though"

A.J. nods with a smile and understanding. It wasn't his intention to make her uncomfortable, nor had he whole-heartedly wanted to pursue her, it was more of just testing the waters for him, but he couldn't let her know that. He speaks softly as he moves his hand to his lap, "I certainly understand that and I do want to be friends. Whoever your heart does belong to, he is a very lucky man. I hope you take no offense to my gesture as it was not meant to offend."