Welcome to Gaia! ::

It was only a few months short of a year since the serial jewel heists attached to the name "Bouquet" disappeared from Camphoreon's crime reports. The former thief, now an agent for Team Rocket, couldn't help but consider the years of her life spent under the pseudonym as she proceeded towards her destination. It was a twisted sort of nostalgia, she was aware, but there was something warming about the thoughts nonetheless. It was a bit bittersweet, knowing that the cause of her lifestyle was a simple misunderstanding - or perhaps a lie - but she found it hard to regret the direction her life had taken. Look at how she had grown over those years: she had a job she believed in, a team she supported and that supported her in return, even a proper home. But that was erring a bit too close to the threshold of sentimentality, and so she discarded the thoughts with a quiet sigh. There was a task at hand.

A small bell on the cafe's door jingled as Aila passed through, sparing a glance around the establishment. Mm. She was early, but he was earlier. She first proceeded to the counter and ordered and received her beverage, a subtle click of her heels noting her procession across the floor and towards the occupied table. She rested her cup upon the table, tucked her skirt properly, and seated herself. "Long time no see," she greeted with a casual tone that might have surprised her company. Her strict adherence to formalities had dulled considerably since they had last spoken; the cold young noble from the past had become a mild 17-year-old girl over the past year.

"Oh?" She sipped at her iced coffee with a smile that could almost have been called a smirk. "I'm glad to see my work's paid off." Indeed, ever since Nyx had accused her of being stuck-up based solely on her manner of speech, Aila had researched and practiced until she become able to speak casually out of pure habit. Of course there was also the possibility that her change was inevitable, after everything that had happened. She no longer consciously sought to isolate herself, she no longer desperately clung to her ideals of nobility, she no longer pursued the revenge she had found to be empty...

Another sip from her beverage punctuated her thoughts. "She's had a lot of adjustments to make," she replied, cupping her hands around the base of the plastic container upon returning it to the table. Curiously she toyed with the realization that when she had last spoken to the man, she wouldn't have known how to define 'easy-going' or 'friend.' Well, but that was a sappy thought. "I found work a while ago, actually. Teamwork-centric work, so my mannerisms were a bit counterproductive." A small pride bloomed in her damask eyes. "That you've noticed means I've done a good job, hm?"

"Mm... That's accurate, yes." 'Worthwhile' was a good way to describe her venture. She scarcely valued any other decision in her life more than the one she had made when confronted by Nadja the summer evening so many months prior.

Cutting to the chase, then. "I was curious how your own work has been going recently," she said, continuing to beat slightly around the bush. There was a limit to what could be directly said in a public place, after all. "There's a chance my occupation would have a place for someone with your skill set, but I don't wish to be too forward."

"A bit more serious, I would say," she affirmed with a nod. "You know the sort of work that interests me." Or she assumed he did, considering she only ever came to him with requests for information regarding items that tended to disappear within a week after their meeting. "Housing and meals are provided as well as spaces for recreation. There are also numerous opportunities to put a variety of skills to the test. Never a dull moment, one would say." She leaned forward slightly, setting her elbows on the table and resting her chin on intertwined fingers. "The catch is that it's a rather large commitment. Enough of a commitment that if I explain much more, I'm afraid you may lose your right to decline," she warned.

Her own volume lowered in kind, "My, petty thievery? Well, I suppose you could call it that, compared to what I'm doing now." Indeed, compared to what she was doing now, the jewel heists of which she had been so proud seemed like pick-pocketing. "It is a fair bit larger, yes. Much more involved as well, and also quite rewarding." Especially now that she was able to work in her department proper.

"Mm, it would probably be wise to relocate," she affirmed with a gaze that indicated it was less a case of wisdom and more one of necessity. She was familiar with the feeling of having nothing to lose, even more familiar with the desire to test her own potential. If her evaluation of his reaction was accurate, then she felt she had been correct to approach him with her offer.

"You flatter me." A slight smirk accompanied her airy tone. Truthfully she had been quite proud the first time her alias appeared in the newspaper, even more so when the more paranoid and pretentious jewelers planned defensive measures with her in mind specifically. "Much of that was thanks to your information, though, so I certainly can't claim all the glory."

The offered hand was met with a mild confusion before she heard his explanation. Allowing his assistance, she replied with a cordial smile, though a certain coldness glinted in her damask eyes. She craned her neck to further close the distance, leaving a few inches as quiet breathing room. "A younger sister might be a better guise, given my stature against yours, but I'll let you make the call here." She had been researching and training with drama for much of her time with Team Rocket, and while she had never practiced her skills before an audience proper, she had at least improved to the point that she was trusted with the occasional disguised infiltration assignment. She wasn't above letting him write her script, though she retained the right to improvise.

The remainder of the distance was closed unexpectedly, and when he faced her once more he would find her expression momentarily disapproving, a steely glare daring him to try and press his luck. Her features would return to the gentle smile in short order, and she would reach to lock her hand with his, gesturing with the other, "Lead the way, then."

"Can't be helped, then," she murmured thoughtfully. Sure enough, she wouldn't have even suggested he pose as her brother if she suspected there were any chance that they would run into Leon in transit. Strange that he had sisters, though... She somehow wouldn't have expected that from him. Perhaps that was an unfair conclusion to reach, though.

Aila was indeed holding onto his permission to hurt him, saving it for a moment when she felt it would be an appropriate response. Thus far his pushes on her boundaries had been light. She had been only mildly offended and yet to feel any sense of disgrace. As it was, she was content with the prospect of having some control over his duties as his superior should he choose to enlist, and he seemed to have at least the beginnings of an intent to do so.

With a word of thanks, she exited through the opened door and waited expectantly for him to indicate the direction in which they'd be headed. Her role was that of the girl who was visiting her boyfriend's apartment for the first time, evidently.