Aedus walked down 3rd St with his hands in the pockets of his dark blue jeans, his arms cocked just right so his broad shoulders drew his plain maroon shirt tight across his chest. He flashed his bright white smile with a confident ease at random passers-by. His black hair was styled just enough to look like it hadn’t touched it all day. It was his day off and he was a bit bored, something that was easily resolved in the best city in the world. He went out his apartment door and picked a direction and walked, someone or something would catch his eye and his boredom problem would be solved.

He moved down the sidewalk and took in the sights, tourists and local’s alike heading to locations that weren’t quite here. He passed a newsstand that filled the corner with headlines from the Wall Street protest to grooming crazes that charm troops. He couldn’t see anything worth stopping for so he continued past a café and a convenience store. He made way down the sidewalk until paused by some street performers; it was an interesting mix of Jamaican pan drums, acoustic guitar and flute. He tossed a few bucks in the guitar case and turned to spot someone that he couldn’t help but think he knew from somewhere.

Today Isabel wasn't out actively seeking trouble. Instead she was wandering around around the city simply enjoying the fall atmosphere that was gradually setting in. The weather was changing rather rapidly. It seemed like the cooler temperatures had set in almost overnight and the sparse number of trees around the city were already starting to change color, lovely shades of yellow and orange starting to poke through the still mostly green leaves. Fall was her favorite season. The weather was nicer than during the summer and the winter, and she always had liked Halloween, barring the one just passed.

In her non-trouble-seeking outing, she'd wandered into a quieter part of the city where people were free to set up for street performances without worrying about their space being invaded by crowds of pedestrians. There was just enough foot traffic for them to make a decent profit without the risk of getting trampled.

That lack of pedestrian traffic was perhaps one of the reasons Isabel had ended up in that part of the city. The fewer people she had to run into, the lower her chances of the cops getting called for no reason. Most Wanted or not, she enjoyed being able to take a stroll once in a while without someone making a scene. Plus, the vendors on quiet corners tended to be a bit bolder about displaying certain pictures that she was determined to shred, should she see them. It still horrified her that the damn things were still circulating so strongly after their initial release.

Aedus smiled to himself, it was that hot model from his calendar. He turned from the odd trio of musicians and casually made his way toward her, He was already ninety percent sure it was her, but it wouldn’t hurt to get a closer look. Either way, asking if she was the gorgeous model that he recognized couldn’t hurt right. In fact hadn’t he used that before to pick up a girl…. His mind wandered to who exactly he had chatted up under the pretense that he thought she was a model. Whichever, If he didn’t remember she must not have been all that interesting. Besides His day was about to become more interesting.

She was tall, nearly as tall as he was, minus the boots she’d be a couple inches shorter. She wasn’t one of those models that looked like she hadn’t eaten in a year which was half of the reason he bought the calendar, he was impressed that she had a nice and realistic figure. She also had wonderfully long brown hair kept up in an almost ridiculously large bow, it seemed to suit her. He came alongside the suspender wearing beauty. “Excuse me Ms, but I think I recognize you from somewhere, you wouldn’t happen to be a secretary locally? No, that’s not it. Do you work in modeling? I can’t seem to put my finger on it, But I recognize your eyes.” That was good, just the right amount of smooth without coming on to strong. She did have wonderful eyes those plus a good pout on her lips and he would be putty in her hands. Note to self: don’t ever tell a woman how to control you.

A light breeze flowed through the street carrying the playful melody of the band along behind them, He should of tipped them more, anything that could offer the noise of traffic a run for its money was welcome. He looked to the woman imploringly as if still trying to figure out where he knew her from.

Isabel had just passed a group of street musicians on her way to glance over the offered selection in the vendor's cart on the corner just ahead when someone tried to catch her attention, seemingly effortlessly falling into step with her and trying to strike up a conversation. She heaved a small sigh and rolled her eyes as the young man seemed to launch into the beginning of a guessing game. Wonderful. So much for a quieter stroll.

She halted her steps not too far from the cart that had been her next destination and turned to face the young man, her hands rising to plop down onto her hips and one brow rising with her look of mild irritation. The guy must not have read many papers or watched much TV. That, or he was new around the city. Most people didn't have too much trouble recognizing her, and they certainly didn't approach her so casually.

She didn't much care for the look he was giving her, either. Like some kind of lovesick puppy or something. Almost like one of those overly sappy old romantic movies. 'Please, just tell me who you are. Tell me your name and I can die a happy man.' Ugh. All it really did was turn her off the thought of spelling out her identity for him.

"You've probably seen me on the news or something," she offered, looking away from the young man and back to the performers she'd only just passed, trying to show her disinterest in the conversation at hand. The performers were good, but she hadn't bothered to put down any money for them. She wasn't often impressed by such things after spending so much time in the city. If they wanted money, they could always pick pockets or something like she did.

The young man's comment about her eyes did snag her attention, though, despite her attempts to remain aloof from the conversation. That wasn't something she heard every day. People normally recognized her for her choice in hair accessories. Or for her figure, as much as she hated that fact. People didn't often pay attention to something like her eyes, especially after so much more of her had been unwillingly revealed.

Aedus did his best to read body language and he was catching a definite cold breeze off of this one. He figured he’d give it one more shot and step it up a bit before he lost her completely. He’d have to before she simply walked off. He subconsciously wondered if his breath were bad, no minty fresh he brushed just before he left, his cologne was subtle and he had enough deodorant on. Was it just him? Hmmm.

“On the news, that could be it, Are you a reporter? Or A meteorologist.” If she was a weathergirl then he needed to start watching TV. In the back of his mind he always thought that the woman in the calendar reminded him of a certain criminal, but where he made the connection of seeing her on the street he never connected her to the career criminal. Aedus read the bored look on her face and while he felt a bit of disappointment, he didn’t strike out quite so quick too often. He’d give up if it was what she wanted; he wasn’t one to force the issue either, nor give up too easily. He tried to catch her eye by looking directly into her chocolaty orbs. “I apologize you must have guys chatting you up a lot, if I’m bothering you just let me know. I just could swear I recognize you from somewhere. Though, if you’d like to grab a bite to eat with a complete stranger, I’d be up for that as well.” He tilted his head down and feigned being shy.

Apparently the young man couldn't take a hint. That, or he was seriously opposed to being ignored. She decided that he mustn't have been all that bright. First he couldn't even recognize who Isabel was or only vaguely managed it, and second he was clamoring for the attention of a widely known criminal, almost like a neglected puppy. He even went as far as to maneuver himself back into her line of sight. She suddenly got the feeling that he'd have crawled into her lap to get her attention if he'd gotten the chance.

She took a step back away from him, but at the same time she allowed him to regain her attention. "I don't work for the news, I'm just in it a lot," she replied, shifting her weight to one leg and removing her hands from her hips in order to cross her arms. She'd long since given up on actively following the news, but it was hard to miss her name if it popped up in the headlines or some reporter on TV mentioned it. She still heard it fairly often enough to know that the news still found her to be interesting enough to push stories about her. Most Wanteds tended to do that.

She gave an amused huff at the young man's speculation about other men 'chatting her up'. He really didn't know who it was he was speaking to. "People don't usually bother me or 'chat me up'," she said, giving a slight smirk. "It's more likely that they cross the street if they see me coming. Most people wouldn't risk giving me the time of day."

The offer of lunch caught her completely off guard. Her smirk faded into an expression of surprise with just a hint of suspicion. As she'd said, most people wouldn't pause long enough to give her the time. They certainly never entertained the idea of taking her to lunch. She hardly ever shared in such an activity even with those in the Order. The concept was almost alien to her.

"Uhm... I guess that's okay," she responded, still regarding the young man a little warily. She was growing just a little bit curious now. Plus, if something were to happen to make this little meeting go sour, she could always just up and leave to go back about her day. Not like this kid could do anything about it.

She made him think of someone that was used to getting her way, anytime, every time. The fact that he didn’t let her simply dismiss him seemed to irritate her, but then she hadn’t told him that he was bothering her either.
She didn’t work for the News, hmmm, well that was good. He didn’t have to start watching TV. Who the heck was she that she was in the News a lot? Maybe she was a reality Tv star or some sort of celebrity with a rep for being strong willed. The way she said risk giving me the time of day had him a little bit worried. Maybe she was the daughter of mobster or something. Was she dangerous? Hmmm. Head just have to roll with it
The Corners of his mouth lifted, he thought he’d lost her for sure when she crossed her arms and was pouring off attitude like a waterfall. “ I might cross to the side of the street with you on it, but away from you, I think not, but then I guess I’m not like most people.” He wasn’t like most people? Who knows, it sounded good though.
The way she reluctantly almost carefully accepted his offer made him wonder if she’d had her heart broken. He’d be careful with her, but he would be himself as well. “ Do you like Greek food Miss.” He paused. “ I’m Aedus, Aedus Teague. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He held out his hand in a formal offer of greeting and hopefully a bid to get those arms uncrossed. Besides there were studies that said the first five minutes were the best time to break the touch barrier. And if their first touch involved a kiss... well then all the better right? if she was used to being avoided then he might as well keep her on tilt. with giving her generously more attention then she received.

“There is a great Greek place just a block away.” Low lighting, good prices, a great atmosphere to get to know a lady and even better food.

Isabel might agree that this young man wasn't like most people, if the comparison was made based on how they reacted to her on the street. This young man didn't seem to have half a brain to to call his own like most people did. He couldn't even piece together the few hints she'd given him and deduce that she wasn't someone to be taken lightly. She was probably gong to have to spell it out for him at some point and then continue on her way.

"Sure," she gave in answer to his question over her taste in food. Truthfully she didn't think she'd ever had Greek food but it couldn't be all that bad. Besides, she wasn't going to go out of her way to make sure their little outing was all that great. She didn't particularly care about it enough to put in that much effort. She expected to be leaving the confused individual on his own again at some point anyhow.

"Isabel," she said simply, offering her hand after a short moment spend regarding the one he'd extended in her direction. Aedus was an odd name. She'd never heard another one like it before. It wouldn't be difficult for her to remember it, though why she'd remember it was still up in the air. She gave a gesture indicating that he should lead the way to wherever it was he had in mind for their destination.

The woman’s eyes seemed to study him, and he almost had to guess that she found him wanting. If that was true well he’d simply have to make a good impression wouldn’t he. Perhaps he was underdressed to compliment her perfectly otherwise they were a decently matched pair.

“Isabel, a pleasure.” He took her hand and turned slightly so that her fingertips were bare towards his mouth leaving the faintest kiss upon her fingers. He released her hand and answered her gesture with a motion in the direction of the restaurant. “ so , are you simply enjoying the weather today? Or are you out to make the news?”

He asked in a conversational tone. The walk would be a short one he could already see the shape of the sign sticking out in the front of the building. Across the street there was a man with a sign proclaiming they had the best gyros. He was certainly inclined to agree. He had picked the place for two reasons, it was certainly delicious and it was conveniently close, he had a feeling that he was treading on thin ice with her. or perhaps that others were always to walk on eggshells around her.

When the handshake she'd allowed the young man, Aedus, to have turned into something much less expected, Isabel all but snatched her hand away from him. The nerve! He mustn't have had any sense of self-preservation at all to pull something like that. She had to resist the urge to slap him or something and remind herself that he apparently didn't know who she was. If he tried to pull something like that again, though, she was going to retaliate. It was bad enough that her face was feeling hot all of a sudden.

"I was out enjoying the weather," she replied, keeping a bit of distance between him and herself as they set off toward their destination. She'd prefer to have the chance to see it coming if something else were to happen. Her wariness of the guy was beginning to cement on her mind. "Never know about the news, though. That kind of trouble just seems to find me." If Aedus kept up with his intrusive little actions, it certainly would find her again, and him. He could have his own feature in the newspaper. Probably in the obituaries.

Shocked but blushing, good, but not giggling either. She was not easily swayed by any means. Aedus matched Isabel’s gait. “I prefer autumn myself, the colors of the leaves alone are great, it gives the city a much needed make over. I guess the city is simply improved with a cool breeze. Hmmm, well if I catch any paparazzi following you I’ll send them on their way, if you like.” Perhaps it was due to the large bow on her head that she seemed like a present, and it was lending her overly cautious demeanor some forgiveness. She reminded him of a cat, He wasn’t showing proper deference and for that she might brandish her claws.

The pair came to the entryway of ‘It’s Greek to me’ and Aedus quickly opened the door for his companion. The host almost immediately looked nervous at the woman arrival, was he breaking into a sweat? Hmmm. “We’ll take a booth, just the two of us.” Aedus said with a bit more authority then required. He didn’t care for the peculiar look he was giving to Isabel. But then she had been giving him odd looks since he kissed her hand.

“r-r-r-right this way p-p-please.” The host stuttered and walked toward a booth away from the rest of the costumers, it Was dimly lit in the corner. “ A-A-A waitress will be right back to t-t-take your order.”He nearly ran away.

"I can take care of myself," Isabel replied, her statement rather short and clipped. Chase off the paparazzi. Pft. If anything it was the cops that would be after her. The journalists wouldn't start circling like the vultures they were until she was either caught or some bodies were left behind. The latter was more likely than the former. She'd only really been caught once, and she'd be damned if she ever let that happen again.

She allowed him to hold the door for her once they'd reached the place he'd had in mind. The humor in the name didn't escape her, but she didn't quite feel like laughing over it at the present time. She was too busy keeping her eye on the young man that had chosen to spend his time in her company for the afternoon. It was yet to be seen just how much time she'd allow him to have.

She eyed the host in a bored manner as Aedus rather firmly requested a table. She was used to getting those kinds of looks. It was people like her current companion that confused her. Even strangers could often tell there was something off-putting about her. A sort of predator-prey self-preservation instinct. Others were just dense or mistook themselves for brave.

When they were shown to a table, she took the seat that would allow her to more easily keep an eye on the door. She wasn't exactly afraid of someone coming up behind her, but it didn't hurt to be a bit cautious at times. She'd at least like to see if something was coming.

With an air of boredom she flipped through the menu that had been dropped in front of her, looking for something fast and simple like a sandwich. She could just barely hear something like arguing coming from the kitchen area. Whatever waitress had the table in their section was probably protesting her obligation to serve it. Isabel didn't particularly care. If they couldn't get service, then she could be on her way.

“I never said you couldn’t, I was just saying you wouldn’t have to.” “ he quipped back with a little bit of attitude, was that what she wanted, less sugar, more sour? He was failing pretty miserably, he rarely crashed and burned, but he had to take his lumps like everyone else, he wasn’t quite ready to give up on her. She was cute when she was angry. Was she angry? Maybe annoyed. hmmm. “The Pitas are really good here and the Greek salads as well, both have Lamb, beef, cheese and this creamy cucumber dressing stuff. The pitas are in a flatbread pocket.”
A older male walked over to the table, “May I take your drink order?” He looked like he was probably the manager from the way he dressed, apparently the waitress didn’t want to serve them, Why the heck not he wondered idly?
Ignoring the manager Aedus Inquired. “Do you drink Isabel? They have a good Red wine, even if their service is a bit off today.” He raised his eyebrow at the man at the end of the table in accusation. They normally had a friendly staff that managed a family like atmosphere. His impromptu Companion was already not fast to warm up, why the restaurant wasn’t helping at all, he did not know. Maybe the wine would lighten things up? not that he wanted her drunk either that could make things worse just as easy.

Isabel nodded absentmindedly as Aedus made a couple of recommendations for lunch while she browsed the menu. The pita pockets actually sounded pretty good, and the fell under the category of sandwich-ish, quick and easy. She'd never had cucumber dressing before, but everything else in it sounded good, so it was worth a try.

When someone other than the waitress came over, she hardy gave it a second thought. She half expected the manager, if that's what he was, to ask the pair to leave instead of taking a drink order, but to businesses money was money and some were willing to compromise to bring it in. Besides, she hadn't threatened anyone just yet. So long as she behaved, there shouldn't be too much trouble.

Folding her menu shut again, she glanced at the young man across from her when he asked about wine. "Uhm, no. I don't really drink. I haven't had the best experience with alcohol in the past," she replied, repressing a bit of a shudder at the memory of such events. It wasn't vodka, but it was still alcoholic. She'd rather not risk it. "I think I'll just have a soda."

Aedus nodded his understanding. “The trick is moderation; otherwise I think Bad experiences are inevitable. Wine is sneaky too, it makes you think that you are fine until it is too late.” He then realized that it made him sound sneaky for suggesting it and attempted to recover. ” It takes more than a glass or two thought.”
He looked to the Manager turned waiter. “ I’ll have a soda as well.”
The manager jotted it down on the miniature pad he was holding, apparently two sodas was an effort to remember. “ Would you like some more time to decide what you’d like to eat or are you ready to order?” the manager seemed slightly more at ease now that things were traveling on paths he knew, so long as mass destruction didn’t occur randomly he would count himself lucky.
“I am ready whenever the Lady is.”[/coral] Aedus replied he hadn’t yet open his menu, he already had a feeling his stomach was going to bring him here today. If wine didn’t get a chance to help him out the food certainly would.