Nothing about the way that Andras made her feel was remotely close to how she'd felt before with those boys she'd thought at one silly-minded point in her life she would settle down with in some sort of happily ever after. Fight and argue with herself as she so pleased on the matter of what those feelings were, what they meant to her, and if just maybe he might feel something in turn there was no denying what it was that stirred in her heart. At first, back before through lodge, before the attack, she'd simply hoped that just maybe it was all in her imagination and that she was merely seeing things through a mistake for fascination and wonder at his kind, at the clear and undeniable fact that there was more magic in this world that she could have imagined even as a child. Before, she'd thought his words nothing more than a game that he enjoyed, that bringing that flush to her cheeks was nothing but some sort of unusual and almost cruel passtime that he reveled in. After all, if he were truly as old as he'd only just briefly suggested to her that afternoon when they'd strolled leisurely down that paved pathway through the snow-covered slopes and evergreens that led them to Somnia, surely the fae man would come across the occasional struggle to keep his mind sharp and his interests in the world around him alive and well? Immortality was something that the young woman had never thought much on, but when she might wonder what an eternal existence held she only seemed to find a melancholy emptiness. She knew she could be wrong in that assumption that a life without end would be more of a curse than a blessing, but then again Andras had had no choice in the life that he was given... right? Surely he was born fae and so knew nothing of what it might feel like to watch loved ones grow old and parish while he remained youthful... and so very handsome. All these things remained a mystery to Beylani for now, though she very much hoped that just maybe tonight she might learn at least two more things about him. In the midst of all these unknowns, she'd never dared to consider that just maybe he might care for her in a way that was more than friendship or if even it rose to that level. For all she knew, she could mean nothing more than pleasant company and that tonight was just a courtesy for something. What that something might even be, she had no idea, especially since it seemed that he only ever did things for her and she only provided him amusement as she grew bashful beneath his suggestive words and midnight tenor tones that were enough to send an invisible shiver through her. He made her heart race with nothing more than a look, shook her rising boldness with that wicked and devilish grin... Then, those hazel eyes as they would lock with her baby blues, both sultry and predatory in so many instances enough to make take seem to stop in its place, those times when she'd seen gentleness and warmth that seemed to wrap around her like a warm springtime breeze... Those boys back in Willowhaven, they were nothing compared to what Andras had unintentionally become for her. What had been meant to be nothing more than friendship had somehow grown into something more for her. That was how life usually worked though, was it?

And then, there were those moments that despite her certainty that she meant nothing to him, she would look back on those moments that found them along the way and think to herself that if he truly did not care for her even just a little, then why would he have become such a strong and frequent presence in her new world?"She is mine and you will not touch her"... Those words never left her even as she'd lost consciousness that night she'd nearly lost her life if not for him having been there, and even now they existed in every heartbeat and just in the back of her mind. Part of her tried to tell the blue-eyed blonde that what had happened that night was simply the fae man leaping to the defense of someone innocent, that it did not extend any further than that. Then there was the part of her that dared to wonder, hope almost, that just maybe she did mean something to him. That moment when she'd found herself beneath him... that moment when his lips had been a mere whisper away from her own as he pinned her there against the table... Those gentler smiles and electrifying touches, they felt like so much more than some game between the fae man and young woman. What did she know about such throws of passion, though? Nothing... She'd been kissed before, she'd felt the fleeting embraces of those boys before, but they were vastly overpowered by the touches of the fae man. He was not some boy from her school she'd met in class. No, she'd come across him in the real world beyond those protected borders of her hometown. This was what it must feel like... Yet, time and time again she found herself wondering what all this meant for him. She'd never felt so uncertain of anything before. This wasn't some light internal debate between whether she wanted chicken or fish for dinner, not some indecisive choice between a red turtleneck of black blouse. This was a battle of emotion, of wanting to know where she lay in Andras' life and what purpose she might be serving, if she meant even the smallest thing to him or absolutely nothing at all beyond some passing fancy and finding that answer harder and harder to reach. Was he as drawn to her as she was to him? Did she frequent his thoughts as often as he did her own? Why would he ever feel anything for someone like me? I'm just some human woman living on borrowed time... But then again, why would he have given me that camera? Why would he share so much with me? Why would he be taking me out to dinner tonight? It was almost agonizing how easily one side matched the other, how such an equal uncertainty to either possibility could even exist in her mind. The bolder part of her dared to think that she might have the courage to show him how he made her feel, only to be tamed by that self-doubt. Maybe I'll wait and see what he thinks of his gift... And he did say he would find me something... Maybe then, everything will be just a little clearer.

He leads her out of the department store on his arm with her clothes in the other, black heels clicking against the pavement of the sidewalk when they're met by that long limo and she finds herself surprised by this glamorous mode of transportation for only a moment before again she finds that she has to remind herself of whatAndras was. In reality she likely shouldn't have thought to expect anything less from the fae man, being High Lord and Somnia and whatever else, and so that surprise is quickly tamed. Satin words seem to read that fleeting expression that likely dances across her features as easily as he'd mentioned earlier, and as he grins down to the young woman she smiles back up at him before sliding into the opened door. He comes to sit beside her and she does not shift away from him, that boldness fastening into place as he pours the champagne into their glasses and they clink them lightly together. That same boldness has Andras nearly choking on that sip of champagne and she can't help the amusement that glittering in her baby blues, that impish smile dancing across blush-colored lips. It was another all victory and she is honestly surprised that she seemed to be growing ever more confident around the fae man now. Perhaps... No, she dismisses the idea quickly as midnight tenor tones are spoken in a slightly broken manner before he seems to clear his throat as a dark chuckle before that predatory look finds his hazel depths and his tenor tones drop almost to a growl as he warns her that she should be careful. Rather than blushing as she might have, that blooming confidence has her lifting a brow again as she dared to call his bluff."I don't know about that", she replies almost nonchalantly in her sterling voice. If he knew of those fantasies that haunted the back of Beylani's mind, she was almost certain they'd have him taken aback and hesitant. Hence why she would keep them to herself. Why make a wish on a shooting star when the chances that it would ever come to be were next to none? That was what it meant to be a fantasy world. Nothing that happened there would ever be real, but that didn't mean she had to stop letting them find her while she was home alone in that apartment for hers.

Suddenly and before she has a chance to react, he is reaching for her clothes that were nearly folded on her lap and removes them from her, quick and precise fingers snatching the white lace bra that she'd been careful to hide beneath her jeans and white lace blouse."Hey!", she exclaims as she sets down her champagne glass on the little ledge by the window and tries to retrieve it, the flush again finding her cheeks as he moves it beyond her reach, mischievous hazel eyes examining the article of clothing she'd tried to keep hidden from him, velvet smooth baritones daring to suggest that she should model such things for him. She almost doesn't realize that as she is leaning forward to try and snatch it away from him, her slender hand finds itself touching his thigh near his groin. "I don't think that'd be a wise idea, you might like it too much", she tries to tease back though it couldn't be clearer that his suggestive words have her boldness faltering. Only when she suddenly comes to fully realize the location of her hand does she lean back and reach for that glass again to take a sip and glances out the window ever so briefly in an attempt to mask the embarrassment as fair-skinned cheeks become warmer. He speaks again and baby blues look back to him then as she feels the limo come to a smooth and gradual stop, her curiosity allowing for her to collect herself once more. He pushed the door open and the cold autumn air rushes into the limo, a welcomed chill that dissolves the color of her cheeks. She takes his hand as he assists her out of the limo and takes his arm now with all the natural comfort and confidence that she hadn't had the first time he'd given her such a gentleman's gesture. She has to tilt her head back and even then her gaze softens hardly able to find the top of that building in the sky overhead. He speaks now of a restaurant at the very top and she finds herself eager to see what the city would look like from up there, walking beside him as the enter the building."Thank goodness for elevators, then", she muses light-heartedly as he keys in some code and waits for those doors to open. They enter when the elevator arrives and when it closes and begins its ascension, she leans into him almost reflexively now, baby blue eyes watching in amazement at the view as they climbed higher and higher still. How beautiful the view was promising to be just as the sun was beginning to set over the horizon! And to think that she would be seeing it all with Andras...

When they reach the very top of the building and the doors fly open, the fae man leads her out of the elevator and they are staying in the lobby of a restaurant. There were were couples seated at the tables strategically paced across the designer carpeting, each small table illuminated by a single candle amidst fine dineware. It was certainly a fancy place more than suitable feel a birthday. If anything, it almost felt like somewhere that couples would come to celebrate anniversaries or other things of that nature... His voice brings baby blue eyes back to look up at his handsome features as he speaks that last name for the first time. Andras Stein... It certainly seemed to fit. They seem guided to a small table near the window and his words reach her then, causing her to look up at him with a warm smile."It's amazing, Andras. The view is incredible", she answers radiantly as he helps her into that elegant chair and takes the chair just across the other side of the small table after removing his jacket and placing it on the back of the chair. She cannot help her gaze as it wanders over his broad shoulders and chest, the muscle showing beneath the fine fabric. She had to look out the window for a moment as she begins to feel the tingling warmth in her cheeks as the color threatened to show itself again. There she was again, remembering how he'd looked undressed... She welcomes the distraction of his words, baby blues wandering back to meet those dark hazels accompanied by a wicked grin before offering him a gentle smile in return."I truly am. This has been wonderful", she says sweetly to the fae man, the boldness settling into a calm confidence now. Before either of them can say anything further on the turnout of their not-date, the hostess returns and she sits silently as she and the fae man arrange the meal to be had, giving the woman a friendly smile before Andras has her attention moving back to rest wholly on him as he offers her a wicked grin once more, that boldness awakened in answer to those dark hazels as she gives him a coy smile."If I didn't know any better, I'd say you could read my mind. I certainly hope I'm wrong", she says daringly and then what seemed only moments later, they are brought salads and white wine. Slender fingers reach for the wine that is sweet on her tongue, setting the glass down slowly, almost contemplatively."Since I've got two questions left if I'm counting right... I want to know a little more about you. So here they are; Were you born in Somnia? And lastly... How long ago was that day?", she questions him gently as she lifts the fork and begins eating the delectable salad in front of her. She'd wanted to ask him... other things, but these seemed much safer than the true questions that had danced on the tip of her tongue in that soft pause only to recede back into the depths of her mind. It was always best to start off learning about someone with lighter things, or so she'd always thought. Besides, they would always have tomorrow when he came to take her to the lodge.