2020-03-11 - A Run In The Park

Working from home has its benefits, benefits that Katherine often enjoys. She is able to telecommute and check in with the New York Office. But that's not the only benefit. She gets to have her daily morning runs in Addington Park, which happens to be beautiful. Back in the city, her workload was significantly bigger, and she wouldn't have the time to run the same way. It makes her grateful to be in town, despite the drama she'd experienced recently. But now is not the time to think about Easton. She's running to clear her head and stay fit. She has a bunch of energetic music to pump her up, including Daft Punk.

Also taking a breather from work is one Doctor Zara Thule of Addington Hospital - another building that's right on the park. No fancy jogging gear for Zara, just an old fashioned tracksuit and runners. No music either. She seems to be intent on letting nature be her soundtrack - though on a chilly Gray Harbor morning, it is only the bravest of birds making any noise. Zara stops near the carousel, jogging on the spot as she looks up at the dark clouds overhead. Snow is coming. Again.

It's not until she stops to take a break and tie her shoelace that she notices the beautiful woman who has also decided to go for a run. She decides to pause her music and just run alongside the stranger to make a bit of small talk. "Good morning," she greets her fellow runner with a smile. "I'd say nice weather today, but it looks like the clouds might say otherwise."

A momentary surprise that someone is talking to her but Zara doesn't look like she minds. Rather, she has quite the warm smile for the lovely stranger. "Good morning" she replies before nodding at the clouds above. "Let's hope it stays good until we finish our run at least." Zara is happy to resume her jog with some company, her pony tail swinging with every step. "Zara." She introduces herself with an offered hand even as they job. "You come out here often?"

"Katherine, but I prefer Kate," the brunette offers as an introduction, then she smiles and says, "This is my usual spot to run although sometimes I go to the Boardwalk too. It's beautiful there too." Kate keeps up the pace and asks, "It's quite something else, this whole small town vibe. Are you from around here?"

"Running on the beach is nice" Zara nods in agreement, "Though on my days off I like to go up into the woods." A beat. "I don't get to go to the woods much" she laughs. "I'm not from Gray Harbor but I was born in Washington state. Does that make me from around here? I only arrived in this little town a couple of months ago. Though, compared to some places I've been to, it's a metropolis. Yourself?"

"I was sent by my firm to handle an account here back in late October, but decided to stick around, pick up a new client...there's something about this place. It's a nice break from the hustle and bustle of the big city. I'm from New York City. Manhattan, specifically." Kate raises an eyebrow. "I've never gone running in the woods. Trails, I'm guessing?"

"An account? And you're from Manhattan?" Zara considers this for a moment. "I'm guessing you're either in advertising or a lawyer" she smiles, raising her eyebrows in an questioning way. "New York makes any place look like a small town." Her tone growing a little more pensive when she adds, "Yeah, there's definitely something about this place." The change of subject is appreciated. "Plenty of trails out there, Kate, and you can run them instead of walk of course. If I have the time then I'll go camping out there as well. Guess I'm as far away from a big city girl as you can get."

Kate shrugs as they continue along on the run. "I've never really been an outdoorsy kind of girl like that. I run, but it's really not the same in a big city. I definitely don't have the same experience you do. Though I would be interested in checking out the trails at some point. I'm all about embracing new experiences these days." She smiles at Zara and explains, "I'm a corporate lawyer. Business legalese, contracts, negotiations, all that fun stuff." She makes a playful face. "I love being a lawyer...but sometimes, it has its moments." She lets out an amused chuckle.

"Corporate law? I bet you meet all kinds of interesting people in that line of work. New York City is not the best place for camping but, hey, you may end up liking it." Zara looks up at the gloomy sky. "If it ever becomes Spring, I'd be happy to show you around. Embracing new experiences is a wonderful way of living. I approve...if the approval of a stranger matters." She slows to a halt, taking a few deep breaths and a mouthful of water from the bottle on her belt. "One moment" she smirks. "I mustn't be as fit as I thought I was. You have a nice style. You jogged a lot in New York? Is that safe?"

"Interesting is one way to put it." Letting out a chuckle, Kate also slows down and takes a sip from her own water bottle and explains, "It's not as terrifying as one would think. Central Park is a great place to run when I can get there, which is not as often as I would have liked. Gray Harbor's really helped me get back into running on a more regular basis." There is a pause as spring is mentioned and the offer of being shown around. "I'm pretty open minded, a little trek in the woods sounds fun."

"Don't worry, I won't try and convince you to do the whole camping thing. Jogging in the woods is a good start." Zara rummages around in her fanny pack and finds a card to hand over to Kate. "My card." A laugh at how formal that sounded. "It has my phone number on it is the point. Not trying to drum up business. Mine is the only profession that does its best to not be needed." Her card will show that she works as an emergency room doctor at Addington Hospital. "I've been to Central Park. Just a quick visit. It's nice. A bit more formalised than I'm used to." She gestures at the park around them. "Like this I guess. At least no giant cat will jump out and attack." Except that happened in this very park not too long ago.

Seeing what Zara is doing, Kate grabs her own card from her shoulder bag and offers it to Zara as she takes the doctor's card. "This is a good idea, we should definitely keep in touch." The comment about the giant cat makes Kate raise an eyebrow, then she figures Zara's just kidding, and doesn't think much of it. "Yeah, the city doesn't really feel like this place does. Parks don't really feel natural in an urban setting. I totally understand what you mean. It's why I find Gray Harbor to be a refreshing change for me."

"Careful, Kate, you may end up liking the country life so much that you never go back to New York" Zara winks as she takes the card, giving it a brief lookover before slipping it in her own bag. "Maybe next time we meet, we can sit down at some point? But, right now, I have to get back to work for my next shift." She offers her hand once more. "It was lovely to meet you, Kate. I'm sure I'll see you around here again. A running buddy would be nice."

Katherine says, "That might not bother me so much," Kate offers playfully before she considers the next request. "Tell you what, you can pick where we sit for the next meeting, and we can go from there." When Zara says she has to go for work, Kate adds, "I hope you don't end up with a busy day and that people are mostly safe." She waves at the doctor as she leaves.