Think of a new way (AU, different situation, etc.) they could have met for the first time.
(If Aymeric had met her the first time she’d visited Camp Dragonhead…)
To say it is unusual to see an Au Ra woman in Ishgard is a massive understatement. She is more or less the very last person he’d expect to see at Camp Dragonhead, though to be fair, Haurchefant is known for befriending all sorts. He’d come as quickly as he could when he’d heard about Lord Francel’s trial, but unfortunately hadn’t been in time to put a stop to it himself- instead, it had been Haurchefant and this adventurer, this Warrior of Light. He doesn’t know what that means or implies, but he’s taken a great interest in her regardless. Anyone willing to help a son of Ishgard escape a heresy charge- especially an outsider- must be a unique sort of person indeed. The Inquisitors could well have decided to declare her a heretic as well, and this day would have had a vastly different ending.
That had, after all, been the fate of countless of her countrymen- and every time he thinks of that, a knot forms in his stomach as guilt rises in the back of his throat.
It’s brushed aside easily enough as he approaches her, however, and lifts a hand in greeting when she turns to face him- but stops in his tracks when he realizes she isn’t looking at him. She is facing his direction, certainly, and he knows she is aware of his presence, but her gaze is somewhere over his right shoulder. She is blind. His own eyes widen a bit as he takes note of this fact- how, then, has she done the things she’s said to have done? Does it not take sight to battle? He honestly does not know, but here she is, living proof that sight is merely an advantage, not a necessity. She looks somewhat scruffy, wearing a mishmash of armor that doesn’t quite seem to suit her, and from her posture he notes that she had been injured in the fight. She wears a pensive expression, as though she is not at all comfortable in her surroundings, and he truly can’t blame her for that.
“Forgive me, I did not mean to startle you,” he says, taking care to keep his tone cordial and respectful. “I merely wish to thank you for your aid on behalf of House Hailienarte- and on behalf of Ishgard as well.”
Whether she will remain or not is yet to be seen, and Aymeric is not entirely sure what to think of her yet- as it is clear that she doesn’t know what to think of him. Still, she has done a good thing for Ishgard, and so he decides to be cautiously optimistic… for the time being.
