perpetual anticipation is good for the soul but it's bad for the heart

[maxxx]

Comments

[tearhiseyesout]

Fun.

[That'll be an adventure. But they'll just keep their distance and keep eyes on him for now. No need to engage just yet.]

But at least we're not going to Boston when it's starting to veer towards winter.

[maxxx]

Yes, because what matters is the weather.

( He's cranky. He's spoiled. Shut up. )

[an_honestword]

[To get them back on track:]

I can be there the day after tomorrow. Is there anything else we need to discuss in advance?

[praevaricatio]

We're convincing Lydia - and who she's bonded to - to essentially be bait?

( He just wants everyone on the same page. )

[an_honestword]

In a manner of speaking. We're going to bring them to Kirsanov as a gift. That gets us in the door of his little fortress. Once we're inside, killing him should be easy.

[There are a number of options. He's spent years thinking of them all. Part of him loves the ideas of releasing all of his caged creatures and seeing how they turn on their master. But they have time to discuss all the nitty-gritty details.]

Unlike Hernandez and the others, he doesn't have much in terms of friends or acolytes. It's mostly just him and his monsters.

[maxxx]

That would be sad if it weren't so pathetic. And, simultaneously, your contacts ( to David ) will be going after his original body, so that when it's over, he has nothing to go back to. Their entombed failsafe.

( Sounds like everybody can break here.

A few days later, Harvey takes the train into Boston and hires a car service. He whisks Lydia Martin away, convinces her that even though she's been away, she should take a half day with him. Have that leisurely lunch and if she needs to get back to work, he will be a gentleman and understand. He chooses an upscale corner café for lunch. It's a beautiful fall day, the last vestiges of warmth clinging.

He smiles at her from behind his menu, coy, wondering if she would go so far as to do something out of character for the both of them (?) in the bathroom, but he reminds himself he doesn't know her as well - not as well as he'd like. He knows more than he lets on, it was his job, but he's getting to know Lydia the genius, not Lydia the banshee. )

[beanchaointe]

[He might be surprised. Lydia has been known to take advantage of unconventional opportunities. But since he's not asking, she'll just eye him over her menu, crossing one leg over the other as she weighs her options.]

So how long will you be in town?

[rehire]

End of the weekend. And I didn't bring any work with me.

( Hint. He is here for her and her alone, or so he thinks. )

[beanchaointe]

[She does love the sound of that. She's also mostly caught up on work from her time away running from one bizarre supernatural scenario to another, but thankfully, as CEO, she can do a lot of work remotely.

She just hopes she won't have to step away long term anytime soon.]

Good. I'm sure I'll be able to find plenty of ways to keep you occupied.

[rehire]

Plenty? That almost sounds like a challenge.

( And one he'd like to partake in. )

[beanchaointe]

It could be.

[Lydia's never really minded a good challenge. It usually ends well for her. But that's something they can discuss when they've retreated back to her apartment. Unless he's going to make a better proposition.]

If you think you can't keep up.

[rehire]

Are you questioning my stamina, Ms. Martin?

( He's close to it, unless something interrupts him. )

[beanchaointe]

Just ensuring that you're willing to rise to the occasion.

[But before they could keep that flirt train going, an interruption does arrive in the form of a very tall managing partner.

"Harvey. What a surprise. What are you doing in Boston?"]

[rehire]

Jessica.

( He should ask her the same thing. )

I'm checking in on a new friend. Our paths crossed during the electrical storm a month ago.

( Right hand and representative of the Colony, Harvey Spector, still has to keep certain things close to the vest. He assumes Jessica knows more about the magic explosion than even he lets on. But everyone holds up appearances. )

What are you doing in Beantown?

[beanchaointe]

["Jeff and I are in town for business. We always have dinner here when we're in town."

Jeff waves to Harvey from their table. His face is apologetic.

Jessica turns to Lydia with a thin smile. "Jessica Pearson."]

Lydia Martin.

[Jessica's eyebrow goes up. "I've heard of you. You work in sound energy, no?"]

I do. My offices aren't too far from here.

[rehire]

And Jessica's are in Manhattan.

( But she is here, on this corner, for business. )

Is this business need to know, or you'll give me the rundown back at Pearson Specter?

[beanchaointe]

["I won't take away from your downtime. We'll chat later." She sees the pleading look Jeff is giving her, and sighs as she steps away. "Enjoy your dinner."

Lydia watches her walk away before resting her chin in her hand, leaning in to whisper.]

This is killing the vibe slightly, isn't it?

[Trying to have a date when they know his boss is watching.]

[rehire]

What do you mean, you don't flirt egregiously in front of your investors?

( His smile widens. )

Jessica will tune us out. She's also in her own relationship. And we're both adults.

[beanchaointe]

No, not all of my investors appreciate that.

[Some do, and those are generally the ones she doesn't want seeing her that way. But if he's comfortable, then fine. It's his boss. She'll follow his lead.]

Does she make a habit of showing up in your personal time?

[Her roundabout way of asking if they're close.]

[rehire]

She would say in coincidences, and I would say when she needs me to know something.

( And insists on either pointing him in a direction, chastising him or reminding him of some hard truths.

A few feet away, thanks to his specialty, David holds the small cafe's door open for his husband who steps through, scanning for his brother in arms' connection, Rusty. )

[an_honestword]

[Rusty gives a bit of wave from the table he's perched at, with a glass of wine and halfway through his steak. He's been sitting, observing the couple from a distance (12), and Lydia at least hasn't noticed (8). She's been enjoying her company, which has worked out for Rusty.

As the husbands move to join them, he holds up a finger.]

Ezra and David, I take it? Have a seat. I'll find the waiter.

[praevaricatio]

Rusty.

( He holds the chair for his husband, before taking a seat himself. When the server approaches: )

Just coffee for me.

[an_honestword]

["Same. Thank you."

Rusty nods as he asks orders the coffee from the waitress, and once she's gone, Rusty gestures over to where the couple is sitting with his fork.]

They seem to be having a lovely time.

[Too bad they have to crash their date.]

[praevaricatio]

Let's make it lovelier, then. How are we approaching?

( Harvey's back is to them, or he'd recognize the husbands. Does Lydia? )

[beanchaointe]

[At first, no. She's having a good time on her date, so her attention isn't wandering (3). But during a pause where Harvey talks to the server about the dessert menu, her eyes do wander over and meet Ezra's across the way (20).

Yes, she recognizes him. It's hard to forget Ezra's face, given it's part of one of her more recent traumatic memories. But she also knows what's going on with the coven, and therefore it's rather concerning that he's here.

Is he here for her? Or is he here for Harvey?]