All That Jazz

[drain]

The taxi pulled up on the corner of the streets that Emily had indicated. He gave the cabbie some money, thanked him, and stepped from the cab. It wasn't as far as he thought, and it wasn't that long of a drive at all. He shut the door, and tightened the trenchcoat around him to keep from the cold breeze and rain. His eyes scanned the area around him, hoping to catch a glimpse of blue from somewhere.

[Aqua]

Noticing him from the window, Emily waved her hand, hoping he'd notice her from where he was standing.

[drain]

Aedan's eyes gazed across the streets, and finally ran across the windows around. When he finally noticed Emily, he gave her a warm smile that was the polar opposite of the current weather. He stepped into the shop with his trenchcoat pulled tight around him, but by the time he reached the table, he had it off and draped it across the back of the chair. He sat down with a shiver and gave Emily another smile. "If this weather does'na let up soon, I'm goin' t'ave frostbite soon."

[Aqua]

Emily raised a brow, but an amused smile appeared on her lips at the same time. "Do you often greet girls by complaining?" she wondered.

[drain]

Aedan arched a playful eyebrow to her, and ran fingers through his wet hair. "Only when it c'n be amusin'."

[Aqua]

"Ah okay," Emily nodded, not really knowing what else to say to that. Actually, her mind was preoccupied with other questions, and those were on the tip of her tongue but she couldn't bring herself to ask any of those, so she kept silent for a moment.

[drain]

Aedan sighed, picked up a menu, and looked over to her. She looked as though she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out. He decided to do a little conversation starting then. "So, what's good here?" He asked.

[Aqua]

"I don't really know," Emily said. The only thing she could refer to was her salad on the table in front of her. "I haven't been here before. Hot chocolate is rather fine, though... I don't suppose you are a fan of hot chocolate," she remarked.

[drain]

Aedan shrugged slightly. "I don't mind hot chocolate, especially in this weather." He said honestly, and glanced across the menu. "How long are ye' going to be here?"

[Aqua]

"I don't know," Emily said, not noticing that was the second 'I don't know' in a row. Had she noticed, it would have made her really embarrassed because of the seeming inability to phrase her words more carefully. "At least as long as it takes me to finish my lunch," she was only starting, "and I'm not in a hurry."

[drain]

Aedan nodded. "That's good to hear... How've you been? I take it the mansion wasn't to your liking...?"

[Aqua]

It wasn't easy to sum up all the reasons for her leaving the mansion, and Emily decided to simply go for the most objective one. "My parents asked me to leave," she said. "Said that it wasn't a safe place for me and all that."

[drain]

Aedan nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. He felt the guilt rise up in his chest like bile. He affected her much, which is why he still felt he needed to protect, or make up for whatever he had done to her. "That's understandable. It honestly isn't, but the protection that the X-men provide seem to be enough."

[Aqua]

"I tried arguing for a while and then decided it wasn't worth it," Emily said. "I have my own reasons to be away for a while..." like not seeing Pietro and knowing she couldn't have him. "And maybe when it all calms down, I'll give it another try. Now is not the best time...."

[drain]

Aedan slowly nodded as she spoke. "Aye, I can understand." He looked to her and gave her a warm smile. "It's really good to see you again though. How's the home life been with your parents then?"