Running is something that I've always done [open]

[controlledvariable]

Who: Steph Brown. Open
What: Training/stress relief
Where: Mog Hill, anywhere else you might wanna run into her
When: Newdi evening, after work
Notes: Feel free to run into her at any point during her evening.
Warnings: None yet.

Meditation has never really worked for Steph; she hates sitting still and when she tries, she ends up getting too distracted by all the movements she wants to make to actually relax. Running has been her form of meditation, so it's what she plans to do when she finishes work for the day and finds herself still feeling stressed out.

She heads home, changing into her work out clothes - the under layer of her Batgirl suit, a loose, long-sleeved shirt and sneakers - then goes out again. She wishes she had her iPod with her, just because it'd make it easier to tune out the city sounds, but she manages without. The thoughts that have been troubling her the last few days slip away, leaving her with nothing but the thump of her footfalls, the controlled rush of her breathing and the prickle of sweat as she pushes herself to run harder.

Her route takes her out of Mog Hill and in a loop through the nearby neighborhoods until she's back near the Valhalla Inn. Rather than going straight back to the Inn, she stops at a park close by to warm down. She stretches first, then starts going through series of kata; she doesn't get them perfect, but they help work out some of the tension. She would normally practice on bad guys, but she's too tired to risk patrolling tonight; Babs would yell at her if she got herself killed. Babs would probably yell at her for doing something like this in public, but it's not like martial arts is all that exotic, so Steph figures she can just say she learned all this at self defence class or something.

She'll be there until late, until her muscles are sore and her mind is clear, then she'll walk the rest of the way home.

Comments

[goodsoldier]

Without letting so much as a hint of his real smile into Nate's habitually sheepish one, Jason says as mildly as possibly, "Yeah, it has a lot of practical applications," and leaves it at that. He nods when Stephanie says she's new. Nate has lived here longer, so it gives him more confidence.

What he says next starts out mock solemn but ends up a bit more bitter than Nate intended. "Oh, well, welcome to Baedal, o fellow chosen one. How fortunate we are to have been ripped away from our lives so we can be stomped on by secret police."

[controlledvariable]

An eyebrow goes up, because yeah, that sounded about as bitter as Steph feels about the situation and it makes sense, but it doesn't really fit with how 'Nate' has been acting.

"Secret police, the only thing worse than actual police." She's curious now, his bitterness seemed more genuine than the awkwardness he had going on before, "I hope you haven't had any trouble with them."

[djravenfall]

"Ha. You should've seen my apartment back home, too. It was just awful. The only reason it ever got clean was because a' my roommate," she says with a bit of laugh that tapers into a bit of a sad pause. She shakes it off after a moment, though.

"Well, it's good to know there's a way back at all, right? That alone's somethin' that can give a lotta hope." She nods as if she had just presented absolute fact, looking a bit proud of herself. "That's really what I think it comes down t'. Just gotta keep hopin' for the best."

[controlledvariable]

"I had my mom to keep me in line," That might be more or less effective than a roommate. She notes the sadness, but lets Kaitlyn shake it off rather than asking about it.

Steph nods as well, smiling a little, "Well, I've always been a 'hope' sort of girl, so at least I'm in my element here. I'm sure things will sort themselves out eventually."

She's not sure if the reassurance is for herself or for Kaitlyn, but it doesn't matter all that much.

[goodsoldier]

"Me?" Jason's laugh is faintly incredulous. "I'm still here, aren't I?"

The dog tries to wander off to sniff something else, having exhausted all the possibilities in the immediate area, and Jason lets it pull until his arm is fully extended.

"But you stay here long enough, you'll probably get to know someone who won't be." He shrugs. "Not much I can do. Not interested in politics."

[djravenfall]

From the growing smile on Kait's face, it looks like Steph might be saying all the right things, at least in a manner of speaking. She nods a few times in succession. "Well, sounds like you won't have any problem by me, then. If you haven't got hope, you haven't got much else."

She takes a deep breath, her pace slowing down just a little bit; it looks like she's finally starting to get tired. "I haven't run like this in a while. Well, not for exercise, anyway. You should let me know the next time you go out t' run."

[controlledvariable]

Steph doesn't respond for a while, because she saw the post on the network, and she knew the militia was dangerous, but the way 'Nate' is talking about it makes it seem like butting heads with the militia is a death sentence.

"Jesus," it's quiet and frustrated-sounding, but she scrubs a hand over her face and tries to regain her composure, "I hope it doesn't ever come to that. It's not--"

Fair, is what she wants to say. But life isn't fair, and she's not gonna solve many problems by complaining about them. "Sorry." She's not sure what exactly the apology is for, it just feels necessary.

[controlledvariable]

Steph does't entirely agree with that; there've been plenty of times she's been completely without hope and pulled through anyway, but she just smiles.

"Sorry," it's said sheepishly, and Steph slows her pace as well, "There's a cafe nearby if you wanna stop for a drink. And I'll let you know, I could always use some company."

[djravenfall]

"What? Why?" Kaitlyn asks with a bit of confusion, tilting her head a bit as she looks at Steph. She gives a bit of an embarrassed laugh, looking down the road to see if she can spot this cafe. "No need t' apologise. You must be in really good shape, t' not be tired yet."

She stops for a moment a stretches, before trying to catch up to Steph. "Oh, that sounds good. Yeah, I think I'll stop for a drink, but don't let me interrupt your runnin' if you wanna keep on. Well, more than I already have!" She smirks, pretty confident that she hasn't been that much of an interruption.

[controlledvariable]

"I wasn't paying attention, I didn't mean to wear you out," said with a bit of a cheeky grin, and she slows her pace as well. The cafe is just a small one, noticeable by the few tables out front, "I've always liked running, helps me think."

"You weren't an interruption at all. And I could use a break as well," She's used to having to push past 'exhausted' and keep going, so sometimes she sort of loses track of when she's getting tired. "If you don't mind some company now?"

[djravenfall]

"I tend t' pull out my guitar when I need to think. That kinda thing really helps me clear my head pretty well," she remarks with a bit of a shrug. She matches Steph's pace, still having enough energy for that, and looks on ahead again until she spots the cafe.

"I never mind the company, don't worry about that," is said almost dismissively, even though it's entirely true. "I don't know what I do without some company. Probably go just plain mad, and I don't think anyone wants that!" Again she laugh, slowing her pace a bit more as she looks over at Steph. "Come on, drinks on me. What do they even serve here? I suppose getting my hopes up for a nice, cold Coke is pointless?"

[controlledvariable]

"You play guitar?" It's genuine interest; Steph used to get piano lessons when she was younger, but it's been a while since she's played properly. She's always liked music, though.

"I won't ever feel bad about bothering you, then," she's more used to being alone, but she can understand the need for company and she smiles at the offer, slowing to a walk, "Thanks. They have a 'cola' drink, but it's kind of weird tasting - a little more like root beer than Coke."

[djravenfall]

"Guitar, piano, a few other things..." Kait replies a wistfully as her hands slide back down into her pockets. "I actually just put out a CD a couple months back, but home. Just a home done kinda thing, but you could actually buy it! In stores!" Because that, apparently, is the part she's most proud of.

"Well, cola's good enough. I should probably get something a bit healthier, but... eh?" She gives a small shrug. "But, yeah. Music is- was? my job, more or less. When I could, at least. What about you?"

[controlledvariable]

"That's awesome, congrats! I'm sorry you didn't get a chance to do more of it before you got dragged here." Steph is really impressed.

"You just went for a long run, you can have a cola," She grins, she's never been into healthy food, "It sounds like a good job, you could probably find something for you here. I was a student at college, and just working at the library to pay my way."

[djravenfall]

"You think? That'd be awesome if I could find something to do here like that. I'd make being here a bit easier at least..." Kait looks thoughtful as they approach the cafe, a hand coming up to rub at her chin as she considers this.

"I never worked in a library, but I've worked in a few book stores. That was largely what I did before I started doin' the music thing most of the time." When she wasn't out being a freedom fighter, at least. She tries not to seem surprised by the fact that Steph is a college student, she should've been able to guess. "Well, that's cool. Must be nice to have a break from classes, eh? I know I hated 'em," she jokes.

[controlledvariable]

"There are plenty of bars and clubs, you could probably find somewhere to play live, if you'd wanna." She thinks that making a CD is a bit different from live performances, mostly because one involves being in front of a crowd.

"I figure libraries and book stores are fairly similar, and I've seen a few stores around the city if you wanted to look into that as well," Steph gets to the door first and opens it for Kaitlyn, gesturing with a little flourish and a smirk, "I didn't mean the classes so much as the homework, to be honest."

[djravenfall]

"Huh." Kait's not willing to say she likes the sound of this place yet, but it is beginning to sound more and more like she's at least not going to hate it here. That alone is a pretty big plus to her right now. "I'll ask about that, yeah."

Stepping into the cafe when Steph gets the door, she flashes a smile and almost literally hops in, waiting for the other woman to come in before going up to order. "College was a bore, even if I mostly did music classes. I don't blame you for that."

[controlledvariable]

"I'm not much for the bar scene myself, but I'm sure there are people on the cohort you can help out."

She follows right behind Kaitlyn, giving a slight shrug in response to the comment, "I think it's kind of a rule that people have to hate college, but my mom wanted me to go."

[djravenfall]

"Really? That's a shame. You don't really find more fun places. I mean, they can be scum holes, but the good ones are really just fantastic." She grins, moving up to the counter and taking a moment to order that cola she had been craving.

"So, what kinda stuff goes on here? I mean... besides people suddenly popping up and bars and stuff. Have you seen anythin' really neat since you got here?" As in, anything Kait should be wary of.

[controlledvariable]

"Well, I wasn't old enough to go clubbing back home, and I've never been much for alcohol," Not that clubbing and alcohol have to be done at the same time, but Steph's found they frequently do. She gets a lemonade for herself and waits until they've gotten their drinks and found a seat before answering Kait's question.

"I think the bars and clubs are the most common thing; being stuck in a strange city seems to lead to people partying," it's not a criticism, just an observation. She suspects a lot of it is a coping mechanism. "There are some really cool stores though, selling the weirdest things; magical items and alien-looking stuff. I've liked exploring those."

[djravenfall]

"Well,that's a shame. But I know it is't for everyone," Kait remarks with a small shrug. Not everyone can live her lifestyle and be happy with themselves, and she knows it. "Although it sounds like a good thing I like throwin' parties... I was thinkin' of doin' one once I got a place and got settled, if I'm here that long."

Fingers drum on her leg for a moment as she takes a sip of her drink, sighing happily as her thirst is quenched. "Wow. This place gets... stranger with everything I hear about it. I mean, the pamphlet painted an interesting picture, but it just gets more and more interesting." She pauses for a moment, scratching the side of her cheap. "So, alien and mystical stuff? So, someone like one of the people from my home wouldn't stick out?"

[controlledvariable]

"You'll fit right in then, I've been to one housewarming party already and I'm sure there've been plenty more."

"They wouldn't stick out much," Steph smiles a little and takes a sip, "They call people who aren't human Xenians, although usually it's applied to people who don't look human; everyone else just seems to blend in as best they can. They're mostly just left alone, but there seems to be a bit of tension between some humans and xenians."

[djravenfall]

"Huh."

Kaitlyn sits back in her chair as she speaks, looking a bit spellbound for a moment or two. The idea of being able to really blend in - much less not being one of the stranger things on the block - has become a bit foreign to her at this point. Chalk that up as the one thing this place really has going for it so far.

"That's pretty incredible, I'd have t' say," she remarks a bit quietly, taking a long sip of her drink. "Xenians. I'll remember that. I don't think I've seen anyone like that so far, but it's good to know." If she hadn't already read that. She might have forgotten by now. Oh well.

[controlledvariable]

Steph waits for Kaitlyn to get her head around the idea, watching her carefully as she drinks. Steph is pretty sure this is more evidence that Kaitlyn has powers.

"One of my coworkers has six arms, and there's a girl here with wings. I'm sure there are a lot more people with hidden powers and things like that."

[captaincocksure]

"Good, good." He's glad for that, and impressed that she's accomplished so much in such a short time. He's firmly of the belief that the faster you get on your own feet in this city the better off you are against it. He doesn't trust the inn's hospitality, doesn't think anyone should rely on the help and wind up indebted.

And then his smile brightens, widening to a grin. "Thanks. I gotta admit--I do it for a living and even I think it's ridiculously amazing. Unfortunately my genius engineer didn't make the trip here with me, just my chief medical officer. So building a ship to escape is a bit out of reach but at least I can be patched up properly if I make the attempt and it blows up in my face?"