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Not a few moments after Lev had managed to post up in an area near Oberon and the other woman, he was approached by a woman who took a drink from his tray, which was normal enough but she seemed to linger for longer than normal before asking him if he wanted to dance. Usually it was much later when the stray, drunk rich witches asked him to dance. This early on was a new one. His eyes glanced over her body instinctively, she was more attractive than most of the women who made passes at him so that was a relief. After a moment of looking her over he shook his head. 

[color=c49c48]“I apologize ma’am but I am on the clock and if I was being honest would rather not get yelled at by the boss.”[/color] His thick accent was prominent as he attempted to politely refuse her offer. He was doing more than one job at the moment. He was desperate to get some dirt on anyone, and as much as he might want to, he had to refuse the woman in front of him. [color=c49c48]“Perhaps if I get a break before you take your leave I will come find you.”[/color] He risked a cheeky wink before giving her a polite bow of his head and moving to attempt to get closer to Price and the woman.

Jiang had to place a hand to her lips as she actually had to stifle a laugh that wanted to bubble up at his statement. He was certainly just as amusing as when they first met, trying to refuse her invitation in worry of her own wrath since he clearly didn’t realize he was speaking to his so-called “boss”. It was obviously an excuse which would have perfectly worked for anyone else in this room but luck seemed to be on her side for this one. She placed her empty glass back on the tray, smiling at the wink and polite bow, saying nothing as if she was accepting the rejection with flying colors. The moment he went to move however, she swiftly placed herself back into his path before taking hold of his wrist with one hand while she gracefully removed the tray from him with her other. 

Jiang took both of them in the opposite direction, gently yanking him so he had to turn around and follow or risk falling. Her enhanced strength was sometimes a blessing, making it easy to keep him along with her if he tried to resist. [COLOR=f26522]”Isn’t it a fortunate turn of events then, that I am the one that hired you this evening.”[/color], Jiang happily stated as they walked towards the dance floor, briefly pausing to pass the tray over to another waiter to handle before continuing towards their destination. She stopped once they were on the dance floor, turning to face him as her hand slid from his wrist up to his shoulder and leaned up to his ear just a breath away. [COLOR=f26522]”Consider yourself on break.”[/color], she whispered with a small smirk on her lips, tilting away so she could give him a wink just as he had done to her. 

Lev thought he had managed to get free of the women but she had placed herself squarely between him and his path, in a fluid, graceful movement that he had not predicted. She gripped his wrist and he attempted to pull backward but the woman was much stronger than he had anticipated. He had to hold back his shock as she expertly pulled him away from where he was heading and managed to not spill the drinks he was holding. Even he wasn’t skilled enough to do that and he had wielded plenty of those trays in his life.[color=c49c48] “Um, this is really not..”[/color] He didn’t even get his full sentence out before hse interrupted him, informing the young male that she was his boss. The confusion on his face was no longer hidden but it quickly morphed into a sly smirk. [color=c49c48]“Well then who would I be to deny you a dance.”[/color] He slid one hand into hers and the other onto her waist. 

It wasn’t what he had intended, but if this was the individual that had hired him, surely he could take the time to dance with her. Maybe he could get some juicy details from her. [color=c49c48] “I must say, you are impressively graceful.”[/color] He said as, in an attempt to even the playing field, he converted some of his own energy to give him a bit more strength. Attempting to seize control of the dance. His smirk was ever present as his gaze moved past the woman dancing with him to Price and the women he was speaking to, moving toward the dance floor. Perfect. He took his opportunity to attempt to steer their dance closer to the other two. 

[color=f26522]”You flatter me. I’m just glad I could impress.”[/color], Jiang answered, a playful smirk teasing her own lips while they exchanged polite banter. She felt the shift in strength under her fingertips in the way his hold on her hand subtly changed before the control of their dancing passed from her leading to him. He surprised her with that action, a flutter of excitement at the opportunity for a challenge and someone that could match her without needing to be gentle. He easily steered them through the dance floor while she got over her initial delighted surprise but she didn’t see the reason why they were venturing a large length of the dance floor until she spotted the pair. A spark of annoyance flared at the fact he was trying to still get what he wanted, whatever that may be from the pair but she was also frustrated that Oberon had asked Ash for a dance, after all the work she put in to separate her current dance partner from them. Jiang decided to wait for the next turn when the pair was to her back, taking that moment to use a bit more of her strength as the hand on his shoulder shoved forward as she forced herself to take the lead again to move them in the opposite direction. [color=f26522]”It seems that your attention is elsewhere, perhaps I should take the lead?”[/color], she questioned innocently even though she had already done just that. 

Lev wasn’t stupid. It was clear at this point this woman was intentionally steering him away from his target. His eyes narrowed a bit, eyes moving from the woman to Price and then back to the woman. [color=c49c48]”Oh no need ma’am I am an excellent dancer.”[/color] He summoned a little more strength and took the lead once more. Though this time he seemed to continue her path away from Price and his woman.  [color=c49c48]”How rude of me. I never introduced myself. Lev Vasiliev, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”[/color] It was clear she knew more than she was letting on, why else would she have pulled him away from the pair. Maybe she was a better target for the time being. He knew she would be careful not to reveal too much but he could draw his own conclusions based on what she did give him. They were both dancing around the fact that both were clearly using enhanced strength to control the situation, quite literally. He could entertain this woman for a bit. She couldn’t take up all his time could she? Oberon was easy enough to spot in a crowd. In the meantime this was entertaining enough. 

[color=f26522]”So I have noticed.”[/color], she answered, the power to lead slipping away from her without missing a beat but this time, he did not shift their direction. It seemed she finally had his attention, though she could practically see the gears turning behind those blue eyes. Jiang knew she had to be careful, play the game they had started without showing her full hand. For now, he was matching her strength but that didn’t mean it would continue and it was likely he could be stronger than her. [color=f26522]”The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Vasiliev. I should apologize as well for my lack of introduction. Lydia Cross, how do you do?”[/color], Jiang smiled, giving her alias name and preparing for anything he might throw at her. Lev was just as entertaining as the first time though it was a pity his companion from then was unknown and so far, not present. It had truly been twice as good to see them fighting but dancing and playing nice was far more enjoyable than dodging explosions. 

It seemed his theory was correct, as long as he didn’t move toward Price she didn’t attempt to take the lead from him. Fine, he could play her game. [color=c49c48]”So might I ask, what on earth made a woman of your power and beauty want to ask a lowly waiter such as myself to dance?”[/color] He pulled her a little closer and spun them in time to the music. He was glad he had taken the time to learn how to dance. Though it came in handy once in a blue moon it was still a nice skill to have. Though he would be lying if he said any other time had been nearly this entertaining. He clocked a few confused looks from the other waiters as he danced with this woman, but he was having too much fun to care. At least the night wasn’t a total bust as of now. 

She raised a brow at his question, wondering if he was really that oblivious or trying to search out her personality. Sure, she had done so to keep him away from the pair across the room but there were clear reasons why she would want to without the given situation. [color=f26522]”Is that truly how you view yourself? As lowly? I see a very attractive individual in a room full of old fat cats with too much time on their hands and trying to work their own agendas. Don’t get me wrong, there are a few here that have my respect and actually care but those are few and far between. I have no illusions about that but sometimes you have to do things you don’t enjoy for the greater good. I asked you to dance because I wanted to, simple as that.”[/color], Jiang answered as truthfully as possible. She knew that this probably looked strange to most but she really couldn’t find it in herself to care, taking a moment to just enjoy herself and be entertained because no doubt her partner would want to escape her company eventually. It would look strange to stop him for too long after all. 

He was visibly taken back by her question. Is that how he saw himself? He took a moment to think about it, but didn’t linger for too long. [color=c49c48]”Hm, well most of these fat cats, as you call them, would view someone like me as lowley, below them on the social totem pole, so to speak. Personally I think quite highly of myself.”[/color] He looked past her to the other guests of the party for a brief moment, before returning to gaze at her with a small sly smirk on his face. [color=c49c48]”I am flattered that someone of your beauty finds me attractive, but plenty of the wait staff happen to be lookers. So why me in particular? Am I really the fairest of them all?”[/color] He moved to whisper that last sentence in her ear. It was at this point that he pumped himself with just a bit more energy and shifted them back toward Oberon, testing to see if she could overpower him at this point. He was playing with her, seeing how far he could go before she was no longer able to over power him. At this point this woman was far more interesting than the rich genius. He sincerely had no more interest in him, but he wanted to see how far this woman would go. 

She brushed off his flattery, her appearance not meaning much since it really wasn’t her own and sure there were other attractive waiters but that hardly mattered. Jiang gasped softly, not expecting the whisper in her ear on the last sentence or the extra boost in strength. Their direction changed into a very familiar one but she didn’t have much more strength to give though. However, she was used to fighting those that were bigger and stronger. It wasn’t always about using brute strength against another…sometimes, it was about using your wits to overcome and outdo a stronger opponent. Her gaze locked with his in a defiant and determined look before hooked her leg behind one of his ankles to make sure he tripped due to his momentum. Jiang didn’t let him fall though, catching Lev into a dip with a sly smirk as she leaned close before whispering, [color=f26522]”If you are the fairest of them all, does that make me Prince Charming?”[/color]

Lev had not been expecting her reaction to him changing directions. His own moment was his downfall, literally. The woman had managed to get her leg around his and trip him, though she expertly caught him in a dip. His heart rate quickened when he thought he was going to hit the floor however when the initial shock of the move wore off he wore a shit eating grin on his face. [color=c49c48]”Oh, you are good. But I don’t play the damsel in distress roll.”[/color] He quickly righted himself and regained his composure, once again taking the lead. Quickly deciding to get some form of revenge for what had just happened he promptly moved to twirl her in a circle in front of him. Moving away from Price once more. [color=c49c48]“So tell me Miss, why are you so intent on keeping me away from Oberon Price? Worried I’ll steal him away from his woman with my natural good looks? Want to keep me to yourself perhaps?”[/color] He decided to let her know he knew what she was doing, while simultaneously lessening the energy he was using to give himself strength. He was now back to his resting strength. He knew like this she could easily take control back but he hoped that this gesture made her more inclined to give him a straight answer, though he doubted that was the case. 

She laughed gently at his comment, letting him take the lead once again and setting the tone of their dance. If he wanted her to twirl then she did, bending and moving like a reed in the wind. It was the least she could do for giving him such a shock. [color=f26522]”Why not both? It could also be neither. Perhaps, I know the look of a man who wishes to make a beginning with someone and simply want to give him as much of a chance to do so without prying eyes, judging ears, or interruptions. Maybe, I find your company agreeable and enjoy a good challenge that has very little to do with Mr. Price at this point.”[/color], Jiang answered in probably the most honest way she could. She felt his strength lessen, knowing she could force his hand but this time she was the one to copy his level of power instead of the other way around. [color=f26522]”I might just be waiting, to see what move you make next….”[/color], she added.