Thread: Recruiting (attn: Emma) 5/19/2010

"She's in the kitchen, should be out in a second." Quinn says pocketing the $100. Quinn quickly leaves and goes back to serving the patrons.

A moment later, Emma walks out of the kitchen. She spots AJ and smiles. "Hey there AJ... how's it hanging?"

A.J. smiles when he hears Emma's voice and turns to look at her. His smile turns to one of a shy variety. He says, "I wish things were going better than they have been but, I will not complain. Can I talk to you in private somewhere?"

Emma nods. "Sure. Come with me." She will lead you out to the parking lot, calling on the phone as she does. "Guillseppi, I'm ready to go." She hangs up and a moment later Tino's ghoul arrives with the limo and Emma motions for you to join her inside. "We can talk in here safely and I'll bring you back around when we're done."

Once inside, assuming you join her, "So... what's on your mind? What can I help with?"

A.J. follows her quietly, not saying a word until inside the limo. Once inside it was obvious that he didn't feel comfortable in it, but he would never make a complaint or saying anything to vocalize his discomfort. Once asked what is on his mind, a million answers jumped into his head all at once. He doesn't break eye contact with her, but in no way is he trying to intimidate her. The voice inside his head said Stick to the reason we came, this is definitely not the place to talk about anything else. He forces a smile and says, "I came to talk to you about Brazil. There is plenty of talk about it lately, and I heard something interesting and yet at the same time very unexpected about you. I heard you will not be making the trip."

Emma looks to the floor, AJ will notice her fingers flex in a small sign of annoyance and discomfort. "I want to go." She says very softly, likely quiet enough not to be heard by Guillseppi. As if confirming her desire to not let the driver hear the discussion, she closes the window between him and the two of you.

"But I can not for three reasons. The first is my duty to protect the city, the second is my duty to keep my word regarding the protection of Kirsi's children for Constantino, and the last... and largest barrier between me and Brazil is my own Justicar." She sighs.

"Xavier de Calis really fucked things up between the office of Brujah Justicar and the office of Gangrel Justicar. The politics, as I'm sure you know, aren't simple... well, I suppose they are pretty simple if you consider that the consequences for defying a Justicar's orders are pretty easy to guess at."

She shifts in her seat. "Please believe that with a sister and brother on the frontlines as well as Constantino... there is no place on this earth I would rather be than at your side. It's killing me that I can not be there."

A.J. feels a little more relaxed when she closes the center window. He had always found it difficult to talk to Emma about anything deeper than casual conversation because of his attraction to her. It was even more difficult when the ears of her lover's man was listening at the same time.

His demeanor softens when she says she wants to go. He could tell her words were sincere, by the disappointment in her eyes. Part of him wanted to reach over and comfort her, but he couldn't. Instead he sits and listens to the reasons why. He admired her passion about the situation and understood the internal struggle she was going through. He nods in agreement when she talks about the politics involved. It even made him wonder about his own standing that was bestowed upon him by the Brujah Justicar. He wondered if he would be risking it by going.

The last thing that caught his ear was when she mentioned being at his side. He knew it was meant in a certain way, but it made him feel alive all the same. He doesn't respond to what she has to say for a moment. He takes a bit of time to bring his mind to focus back on the point of why he came to her. He then says, "It is disappointing in ways that you cannot join me on the field of battle in Brazil. From what I saw the Saturday before this last Saturday, your prowess on the battlefield rivals those of the Norse Valkeries of legend. That passion and skill is something that will be sorely missed. I cannot try to convince you to go with us, given those reasons. I knew you had to have very good reasons to stay behind and I respect the hell out of that."

He frowns as he thinks about the very few that have said they would be going. He then says, "I am afraid we may not have enough good warriors to fight this battle. That is another reason I came to speak to you." He pauses a moment to think of how to word what he says next, mostly to try to avoid sounding ignorant, "As you know, I am not too familiar with religion and Gods. You however, have faith that in your God that runs deep. I guess what I came to ask of you is, for you to pray for me to return safely."

Emma absently places a hand on AJ's leg and softens a touch, knowing how fearful a thing not having a plan for the afterlife must be to a kindred. "Of course I'll pray for you AJ." She hesitates before asking, "Do you want to know the Lord AJ? Having a personal relationship with God is not so hard as you think. Sure, we Catholics make it look pretty fantastic with all the pomp and circumstance but there are a lot of Christians who believe that the Lord hears all prayers even those of men and women who are coming to Him without the benefit of a priest. I can teach you a prayer to say on the field of battle, if you like? We can pray together if you think that it would help."

A.J. closes his eyes as he puts her hand on his leg. He tries not to shivers from the tingles wash all over him. His inner monologue repeating over and over again that she isn't Caitlin. He opens his eyes and there is a softness in them that should only betray his feelings for her. He says quietly, "I do want to know the Lord, but I feel like if I begin to learn about faith now, the Lord will think it is only out of fear and a desire t....." He cuts off realizing he was about to say something that he shouldn't to her.

For an instant there is hesitation in Emma's eyes. She says nothing but then she swallows and finds her voice and kind demeanor again. "I know how hard it can be to trust another Cainite with your most ... closely guarded fears and concerns. For a lot of years I didn't trust anyone and while I didn't realize it I was suffering, alone."

There is a long pregnant pause then. "God is not a Cainite AJ. You do not have to worry about how you look to him or if he will question your motives. He knows them better than even you do. Trust that he will see the yearning that you've had, since before this time... that yearning which brought you to the Cathedral for Mass with us and that yearning to know him which has again brought you before another faithful in Christ."

Emma takes her hand back slowly, making sure not to seem offended in anyway. "I can pray with you, pray for you, even take you to a kindred who is ordained and able to recieve your confession before going into battle so you can face God with a clear conscience but, it must be you AJ ... who decides to embrace that first step and while I can walk with you ... I can not take the step for you."

"How can I help you to heal your soul and prepare for whatever may come?"