Sarah huffed out a slightly visible breath as she juggled her things. Trying to keep her umbrella on her arm and her bag from falling open and accepting the cup of tea was harder than she had thought. Her green umbrella fell from it's hooked place on her arm, but the brunette ignored it as she pulled out the needed money for her coffee.

"Thanks. Sorry about all that."

"It's fine. Happens more often than you'd think," the barista smiled.

The artist smiled back and closed her purse before picking up her umbrella. Taking a quick look outside showed that the light drizzle had turned into a misty rain so there really wasn't much point in opening her umbrella again. At least not at this point. And she was late too.

Checking the traffic, Sarah waited for an opening before rushing for the park across the street. She was supposed to be meeting Nate right now, but the line for coffee had moved slower than she had planned for. New York would not be New York without idiots who couldn't live without coffee. All she had wanted was something warm for her hands. Oh well, hopefully Nate hadn't been waiting too long for her.

She tripped a little on the curb and flailed a little to keep her balance. Damn shoes and their bigger than usual soles of her shoes. But these were her rain boots and while they were a little hard to remember the size of, they were the best for days like this when the rain was a near constant thing. The fuzzy insides helped a lot too.

Taking a look ahead, she spotted Nate. It was still a little strange to see the changes four years had on him, but she was getting used to it. "Nate! Hey, sorry I'm late. You weren't waiting long were you?"

Starting over was hard, but it was much of what Nate’s life had become in 2017. He was starting over in his career as an art teacher, starting over as a legitimate member of society with no (major) secrets to keep, and starting over as a friend with Sarah. It could have been seen as an odd decision; truth be told, the two had a promising start together once, but Nate vanished before they could develop into anything serious. They could have easily both continued with their lives, being a footnote in one another’s without losing sleep over the loss.

Maybe it was the lost potential that had Nate interested in reconnecting with Sarah. She was smart and beautiful, and one of the few things he could go back to from his old life. (Rather, his pre-jail life, since he would be much better off avoiding any vestiges of his “old life.”) If he was going to start over, he wanted a fresh start with someone he knew he enjoyed the company of once upon a time.

He knew where they stood, and he was not looking to force anything, but Sarah was the kind of good presence to keep in his life if he could manage not to screw that friendship up. They agreed to take some time to take a walk through Central Park and catch up, which Nate thought had a small degree of sentimentality, considering they met at Central Park in the first place, (even if he was still with Quinn back then.) The weather turned misty, and he asked her over a text if she was still interested in meeting up. Evidently, a little rain would not deter Sarah, which was fine by Nate.

Despite the dampness, it was a surprisingly mild day temperature-wise by New York standards, so Nate stood near a lamppost, embracing the droplets of mist gathering on his face and in his hair. It was a moment for Nate to appreciate his new, shorter hairstyle, remembering how his old long hair would plaster itself to his face when the rain came.

Nate checked the clock on his phone before taking a sip of the black coffee in his paper cup. Sarah was running late, but not late enough to raise his concern. In the back of his mind, he did wonder if she would think better of meeting with him and cancel the plans, but he chose to focus on optimism for the day.

His patience and optimism were rewarded when he spotted Sarah approaching, apologizing for her tardiness. ”Not at all. Nice to see you again, Sarah,” he greeted with a warm smile. His eyes looked up at the sky and he added, ”We definitely picked a beautiful day, huh?”

"Good," she grinned. She was glad he hadn't thought she had bailed. That would not have been a good start to their day.

Taking a look around, Sarah smiled. "These are my favorite kind of days. The world just... slows down a bit, you know?"

Looking into the park, the misty rain clung to the trees and the metal of the benches she could see. She couldn't see very far into Central Park, due to the mist. But that was one of the things she loved about this weather. If you go far enough, the weather will take you completely out of the city. It was almost like being back in the forests of Washington.

Pushing some of her wet hair out of her face, she turned from the picturesque scene back to her ex-friend. "So, how've you been? Settling back in okay?" Sarah asked, suddenly nervous about how this would work. Them starting over.

Sarah wasn't afraid to admit she was still attracted to Nate. There was, however, still some hurt from before.  The artist knew she could hold a grudge pretty well.  Talking with Juliette had helped some (ignoring the comparison to daytime television), but she was still leery of how their relationship friendship would recover. But, if there was one thing she had learned after her father passed away, it was to not let those hurts fester.

While Sarah was looking into the depths of the misty park disappearing before their eyes, Nate was watching her. She was right, New York had slowed its pace, with fewer people traveling the sidewalks, and an unfamiliar sense of quiet cast over the whole city. The scope of what he could see was limited to what he kept close, and he knew that was where he wanted to keep Sarah.

Nate watched Sarah turn back to him, pulling some of the wet hair out of her face, further reminding him of the burdens his short hair was saving him from. She wanted to know what it was like for him to settle back into his life. The answer was complicated, but he had agreed to give her nothing but the truth, so he was committed to honesty.

They started walking side-by-side as Nate gathered his thoughts. ”It’s been okay, just… different.” The feeling was hard to put into words, but he would make the effort. ”Like, this city has millions of people, and obviously so few of them know what happened, but I can’t shake the feeling that when I walk around, people know what happened. I spent a long time being anonymous, so I guess not hiding anything anymore is surprisingly… vulnerable?”

Vulnerable was something new for Nate. The majority of his life, Nate protected himself from everyone and everything. Then he opened up ever so slightly to Quinn, the Mansion, and Sarah. Now, he was an open book to the world, changing the nature of his relationship with society. This was how normal people felt, but it hit Nate all at once, like someone walking into bright light after their eyes adjusted to the darkness.

”It’s been nice teaching again, though. It feels like the most normal thing I do now,” which was funny, considering his classes consisted of mutant children. ”I am still surprised how much I enjoy it. I’ve pictured myself doing so many things, but I never guessed I’d feel at home in a classroom. Hell, I didn’t even grow up with traditional schooling.”

Nate was surprised by how much he was talking; words were always his weapons, but they were more often stories and falsities. Maybe the former conman was more eager than he thought to come completely clean with someone, and Sarah was his someone.

Walking alongside her ex-friend felt a bit like deja vu. It was years between, but their beginning was similar enough to cause the feeling.

>>"...people know what happened. I spent a long time being anonymous, so I guess not hiding anything anymore is surprisingly… vulnerable?”

That... made a lot of sense actually. Smiling at Nate, Sarah knocked into his arm. "Trust is a two-way street. But I think it's much more fun when you walk it with someone else, don't you?" she asked, gesturing to the path in front of them. Both literally and figuratively.

He was being honest after all. Or at least he said he was. Sarah reminded herself that questioning his honesty would not help them at this point. Though there would probably be that little questioning voice for awhile, like she said two-way street. If she couldn't give him some trust, why should she expect any in return. Besides, she could talk to Jules about all this now so she wasn't on her own. It was really nice to have girl friend again for things like this.

She listened as Nate talked about teaching again. It was something she had admired before. On the field trip, Nate had looked good while he worked with the kids. There had been all sorts of ages and he dealt with them so easily. The children were attentive and while there had been some trouble makers, the trip had cemented her affection for the man. Hearing he was returning to teaching and enjoying it made a soft smile grace her lips.

"Not having a traditional schooling probably helps in this case. Art isn't exactly something you can teach like everything else. And a lot of those kids could probably use a little unconventional now and then," she smiled. "Anyone from our field trip still there?" she wondered.

Nate felt the light nudge of Sarah’s shoulder against his arm as they walked together. She was right; New York was a less daunting place with someone at his side. ”You’re right, it’s much better. Especially with good company,” he added, returning the nudge. It was nice—maybe even casually affectionate. This was an awkward situation, but Sarah was still an easy woman to be around. Somethings never changed.

Nate chuckled at the compliment on his teaching ability. There was nothing about the Mansion that was conventional, so maybe it was where he belonged. As for former students… ”None,” he admitted, disappointment in his tone. ”The older kids have all graduated, and the younger ones… well, mutants live complicated lives, I guess.” He was a good example.”Alice, Kaitlin, Victoria, Chase. From what I’ve seen, most of the old faces are gone.”

Taking a sip of his coffee to shake off the nostalgic melancholy, he explained, ”Not that I don’t love my new students; I do. It’s just crazy to see how much changes when you leave for four years.” Nate did his own share of changing in prison, both mentally and physically, but he was isolated and missed watching his world grow up without him.

Sarah smiled a little as Nate nudged her back. It felt good. Familiar. She hid her smile behind her tea and just enjoyed the company. Hearing that not a lot of the students the artist had met were still at the school was a little upsetting, but she knew life was unpredictable. At least they would know the school would be a safe place to land if they needed it.

>>”Not that I don’t love my new students; I do. It’s just crazy to see how much changes when you leave for four years.”

Biting her lip, she tried to make a quick decision. She knew a lot of what happened to Nate during the past four years, but it felt a little one-sided. She hadn't mentioned her dad or trip home when they had talked. Now would probably be a good time. They were trying to show trust in each other, weren't they?

"It changes fast. I was gone for a bit. Most of 2014 I think." Taking a deep breath, she prepared herself to tell this new bit of history to her... to Nate. "My dad had a stroke December 2013. Died in July. I get coming back and finding things changed." Ignoring the water building in her eyes, Sarah took a deep breath before letting it out slowly. "Took awhile to get back into New York's groove, but it's probably easier to in a city like this." She had let herself stay away from New York's active areas which in retrospect had made it hard to heal.

Up ahead she spotted one of the few park stands open in the misty weather. Looked to be a flower cart. Strange considering the season. "Strange. Do you think he has a greenhouse or something?" she asked, completely unaware of how quickly she had changed subjects.

Nate opened up to Sarah, and in return, she chose to open up to him. The Mansion was not the only place where things changed over the years; Sarah lost her father and left New York for a long while. He felt guilty, knowing his decision to turn himself in kept him from being there for Sarah when things were challenging for her. He could say he made the choice for his conscience or the greater good, but that did not change the fact that it was a selfish decision.

All he could do now was place a comforting hand on Sarah’s shoulder. ”This city has a way of helping us all move forward.” There was no shaking off a loss like the one Sarah went through, but eventually life moved forward, and New York was a city for second chances as he was well aware.

Clearly looking to move off the melancholy topics, Sarah pointed out a flower cart they were coming up on. She had a point; Winter was still in its decline, and the weather was not right for gardening yet. Despite that, there was no denying the fully stocked cart of beautiful, colorful flowers. ”That’s the only thing I can think. Or maybe it’s a mutant thing?” he guessed with a shrug. He was reaching the point where most unexplainable occurrences were more easily understandable if he assumed mutant intervention somewhere along the line.

They could have walked by the vendor, but Nate decided to stop so he could look at her wares. There was a vibrant and diverse selection, and Nate, as a jack of all trades, knew enough about them to make an informed decision. He handed over a bill that made up more than the cost of the yellow rose he pulled out of the collection.

”Here you go,” he said, offering Sarah the flower. ”Yellow roses stand for new beginnings. Approrpate, don’tya think?” He did not want to be presumptuous or cliché with a red or lavender rose, and a yellow felt more appropriate: a rose for friends and second chances. For now, that was enough.

>>”That’s the only thing I can think. Or maybe it’s a mutant thing?”

"Could be just a New York thing," she laughed. Sarah often found things that were just unique to New York.

As Nate had stopped, the brunette took a moment to look at the flowers. They were all in full bloom and there were more types than she could name. Flowers had never been an interest of hers, though she knew which ones were safe to consume and which were poisonous. She fingered a small white flower before turning back to her friend.

She blinked as Nate offered her a rose. Heat rushed to her cheeks before the rest of what he was saying made sense. New beginnings. Smiling as she took the bloom, she nodded. "Very appropriate."

"Would the lady like the white violet as well?" the vendor asked. "A good combination, yellow roses and white violets. Let's take a chance, if I remember correctly."

Now she was sure she was visibly blushing. "Thank you, but I think we'll be fine." Wanting to get away quickly, Sarah grabbed Nate's arm and began walking away. She willfully ignored the vendor's chuckles as she pulled them further along the path. "How did you know what the rose meant?" she asked Nate as she tucked the rose into her jacket, letting the stem hide away but the flower tickle her cheek.

The vendor was kind, if not a bit assumptive. Regardless of expert suggestions, Nate was not going to rush them into a decision, and Sarah waved off the suggestion of another flower, accepting the yellow rose.

Sarah was ready to make her way away from the flower stand, and she took Nate’s arm to lead the way. It was a surprisingly forward move, but he smiled and let her bring him along til they were out of earshot of the vendor.

She was still curious about how he knew what the rose meant in the first place, and Nate took the opportunity to, for better or worse, be honest. ”Well… when you used to be in my… line of work, it paid to know a bunch of little things. Fencing, wine tasting, sailing; mostly things rich people spend their time on. Knowing the meanings of flowers is a good conversation starter. Doesn’t hurt for wooing, either,” he joked, before he remembered who he was talking to and the whole point of their day. ”Not that I’m wooing.”

If he was wooing, he might be better at this. He was still feeling out the waters on “reacquainting with an old flame who knows he was once a career criminal.” Not many “Idiots Guides to” on the subject.

It wasn't that the idea was a bad one.  Dating Nate again would most likely be fun.  It was just... she wasn't sure how she felt about everything.  Well that wasn't totally true.  Sarah was pissed he had thought to make a choice for her and it stung that there was a part of him he never told her about.  It made her wonder how much he had been invested in their relationship years ago.  If he was as invested as she had been.  Those thoughts were toxic though.  She knew if she let them take root in her mind, she would never really trust Nate again.  Shaking the thoughts away, Sarah focused back on the conversation.

>>”...it paid to know a bunch of little things. Fencing, wine tasting, sailing; mostly things rich people spend their time on. Knowing the meanings of flowers is a good conversation starter. Doesn’t hurt for wooing, either. Not that I’m wooing.”

Sarah chuckled at Nate's response. ”Easy, tiger. I didn't think you were. So you know all the little things rich people know and take interest in.” That was interesting. A little bit of his past that wasn't so... gloomy. So long as she didn't think about it, it was just another talent.

Feeling a couple of actual rain drops hit her head, the brunette looked up. She couldn't see what the sky looked like because of the mist, but a few more drops landed on her face. Laughing at herself, she stopped walking. ”Hold up. Let me get my umbrella up. Looks like it's gonna start actually raining soon.” Popping open her green umbrella she set it on the shoulder closest to Nate.  Taking a sip of her warm beverage, she tried to find a new topic. ”So...”

It was refreshing to know Sarah understood he was not trying to use his conman charms to win her over. A knowledge of flowers was useful in seduction, but that was not the only reason to learn that talent. He was just being…

Okay, no, he was not just being friendly. He was definitely trying to be charming, but that was not necessarily a bad thing, right? They had been compatible in the past, and getting to know one another did not have to mean ignoring that. ”Though if I was trying to woo, just a little, I don’t think anyone would blame me,” he joked, testing the waters.

Sarah was not the only one noticing droplets. It was easier for Nate now, with his shorter hair, to notice when water was raining from the sky. Thankfully, Sarah was prepared with an umbrella, which she handed over to Nate. Even ignoring classic gender roles, it made the most sense with his height. ”Good idea. Stay close though; you know, for better coverage,” he justified, smirking.

Looking to change the topic, Sarah led with a drawn out “So,” which opened things up for Nate to ask a question he had been curious about. ”Sooo… have you told any of your friends about the mysterious art thief ex-boyfriend coming back to town?” With such a unique circumstance, he was morbidly curious how well he served as gossip fodder.

>>”Though if I was trying to woo, just a little, I don’t think anyone would blame me.”

Was he... Tilting her head, she tried to catch Nate's eye. "Oh, just a little?" she teased back with a pronounced pout. Well, if they were going back to flirty banter... At least it was something they were good at together.

At his quip to stay close, Sarah knocked her shoulder into him. Her cheeks were definitely rosy. If that was due to the cold, wind, or company, she didn't know. Returning his smirk with one of her own was easy. Felt right even.

>>”Sooo… have you told any of your friends about the mysterious art thief ex-boyfriend coming back to town?”

"A couple people know an old boyfriend is back," she admitted. "Only one of my friends know about the 'art thief' part. You might have met them actually. You guys work in the same place at least." Sarah kept her answers vague, not knowing what all Juliette would want Nate to know about her. "Though your face has made it's way to Mrs. Trust, who owns the building I live at."

The rain was being to fall in earnest now. Drop after drop hit the ground until there wasn't even a second between drops. The clouds had split open and were now showering the city. The wind was getting stronger now too.

The defense of his flirty behavior was not met with a scolding or a coffee in his face, and those were the parameters of success in this situation, he had decided. The benefit of being in a completely new situation was that he was still establishing the rules as he went along. ”I mean, it’s been four years; I do have some rust to shake off.”

Prison flirting was absolutely nothing like real world flirting, and even an expert could suffer from being out of practice. In a way, Sarah engaging him in some light flirty banter, (which based on her over-the-top pout, she was not opposed to,) was a very considerate thing for her to do as a friend.

Sarah confirmed that word of him was out to some of her friends to varying degrees, with the one who knew the most about him working at the Mansion. That was worth a raised eyebrow and a surprised smirk. ”Oh really… gossiping to my coworkers, huh?” Nate was still getting to know his colleagues, so it was likely he would be unaware of this friend of Sarah’s, even if he did know her name. Speaking of which… ”Any chance you’re going to let me know who this is, or am I going to just have to stumble into that trap myself?” The information about Nate’s criminal background was available to any Mansion teacher who took the time to inquire, but it felt potentially more dangerous knowing there was a woman somewhere in that building who knew about his dating history and was anonymous to him.

The weather was taking a quick turn for the worst, with the rain and wind both increasing with each passing second. Nate did his best to hold the umbrella steady, with a gust of wind coming by that he was sure, had he been the younger, thinner version of himself, would have lifted him clear off his feet. With the wind, Nate’s instinct was to make sure Sarah was fine and not at risk of being knocked off her feet, (which was unrealistic, but instincts were not founded on logic and common sense.) His hand claimed a spot at her waist to brace her.

A moment passed and the howling wind died just long enough to give them a short reprieve where they were only dealing with the heavy rain. ”Sorry,” he said, recognizing where his hand ended up. Nate pulled the free hand away and let it fall to his side. ”Maybe we should find shelter before the park floods,” he joked.

Looking down (to make up the foot of difference in their height,) Nate met Sarah’s dark brown eyes with his blue-grey ones. ”It’s up to you, Sarah. What do you want to do?”

"I think I'll let you sweat for a bit," she teased him. She'd ask Juliette if she was okay with it later.

The wind howled around them. As Sarah shifted her feet for a better stance, she felt Nate's hand wrapped around her waist. She instinctively leaned closer to his larger body for some protection. The rain on it's own wouldn't be that big of a problem. It was the wind making the drops feel like BB pellets that was.

>>”Sorry. Maybe we should find shelter before the park floods. It’s up to you, Sarah. What do you want to do?”

She froze up as their eyes connected. God. He was beautiful. How the hell was that fair? It wasn't and she was kind of tired fighting this.

"Uh, yeah. We should. Knowing our luck, it'll get worse." Shaking herself (and breaking eye contact) Sarah tried to focus. Not really wanting this to end, she grasped at a possibility. "I wouldn't mind getting something to eat, though."

There. She let him know she was okay with continuing this weird not-a-date thing they had going on today. If they kept going the way they were though... Well, Sarah wasn't opposed to a change.  "There should be a pizza place near here." If her mental map of where they were was right.  The mist may have her turned around.