The Conservatory Garden was on the north end of Central Park, not an area Tempest frequented often. However, the garden was well worth the trek up. It was a beautiful six acres, allowing for peaceful reflection, a nice walk, an exquisite bike ride, or a quiet chat between two people. There were few rules besides relative quiet, leashing dogs, and not picking the flowers. Devon did occasionally skip one rule: it closed at dusk. He’d come in late more than once to get some peace of mind.

It was here he was meeting a Mister Nick Hansson, an adult but a younger one who’d recently moved to the mansion. It sounded like he needed someone to talk to and Devon was happy to make Hadden’s Havens services available. Learning it was someone from the mansion, he offered his time. He’d spent the last few busily handling the craziness of Halloween and getting back to normal work… Well, it was time. He was happy to help someone again.

Dressed in simple dark denim and a black shirt, Devon may have looked slightly underdressed for the time of year though days were trending warm. Only in the last week had it truly started to feel like fall in New York. So many of the leaves of the Park had finally turned rich reds, vibrant oranges, and brilliant yellows. Occasionally a breeze would make the branches dances, sending a shower of color down. More than once that breeze came at the behest of a man walking nearby, his eyes hidden behind sunglasses. The wonder on a kid’s face when it happened was refreshing. When an adult paused to enjoy it?

Even better.

Devon casually strolled around the fountain near the center of the gardens, admiring the late season blooms that would soon be slumbering for a winter’s nap.

Nick had never been to Central Park before. However, he had scheduled to meet a man called Devon Hadden. When he first arrived at Central Park, the first thing he noticed was that the color of autumn had been fully embraced by the plant life. The leaves on the trees had turned all shades of red, yellow and brown. It was truly a beautiful sight that made him smile. The flowers that were slowly withering, weren’t as beautiful. “This should keep you guys up for a few more days” Nick said and focused some energy on the flowers. As a reaction to his movement, several of the flowers straightened and the color returned to their petals. With a smile on his face he kept admiring the park.

Nick had been told to meet Devon in the Conservatory Garden. As he walked towards the meeting place, he saw people doing all sorts of physical activity. It almost seemed like the people didn’t care about how cold it was. Nick however, did care about the cold. His mutation caused him to freeze easier, so he was wearing a coat. Thinking of everything else, Nick barely noticed that he had just entered the Conservatory Garden. He had stepped through a metal gate, and was now surrounded by bushes and beautiful flowers and trees that were all shedding leaves to prepare for the winter to come. 

Nick saw a man that fit Devon’s description walking around the fountain in the middle of the garden. “Hey, I’m Nick” he said with a smile as he walked up to Devon. “Beautiful location for a meeting, I didn’t know such a place existed”

Devon had gotten some information about Nick Hansson, including the obligatory quick social media and internet search. He recognized the younger man, though not by man years, approaching him. Of course, the blue roses growing upon him like a mantle and the bright green eyes helped.

>> “Beautiful location for a meeting, I didn’t know such a place existed”

“Hello, Nick,” Devon smiled warmly, certainly warmer than the autumn air. He offered a hand to shake as well. “I thought you might appreciate it based on the little information I have. Granted I love coming here and not many do considering it’s a bit north for most Central Park activity.” He chuckled quietly and gestured in a direction for their walk.

“How are you doing today? Feeling settled in at the mansion yet?”

Nick shook Devon’s hand with a smile. Even though he scarcely knew anything about the man, he seemed nice. He followed Devon’s gesture and started walking. “How are you doing today? Feeling settled in at the mansion yet?” Devon asked him. “I’m mostly feeling good, a little chilly. Can’t complain really, things are much better now than what they have been the last few years.” Nick’s smile faded slightly when he said this. As he shook his head, the smile came back. “How about you? You look a little cold in that shirt.”

They walked through the garden, enjoying the promise of the last warm breezes. Soon winter would overtake them, but Devon could maybe eek out a nice day or two more before the cold came down from Canada. He knew enough of meteorology and watched the forecasts closely to know the cold was on its way. What disturbed him and likely most meteorologists with far more knowledge on the subject was how drastic things could shift. The earth was sick.

As they went Nick suggested he was good enough and couldn’t complain. In Devon’s experience that often meant the person was feeling guilty for feeling the way they did. When one felt safe, lucky after a bad situation and then still struggled with those feelings the guilt could be almost as damaging. It was okay to feel however you felt and best not to let it go unaddressed. At least Nick could assert it was better than years past, but still Devon wasn’t going to simply let it slide.

Even Nick’s smile seemed a struggle.

“I’m fine, thank you,” Devon nodded, smiling gently and warmly too. “Just enough the last bit of autumnal heat on my skin,” he shrugged a shoulder. “We’ll tilt away all too soon and I don’t really get cold anyway due to my mutation. Still, thanks for asking. I’m more interested and we should be speaking of you.

“It’s okay to be not having good days or feel anxious, even sad despite how stable things might be,” Devon urged. “It’s okay to express that; it isn’t complaining, especially to me. It’s literally my job to help you talk things out and I want to help however I can,” he nodded, still smiling as he turned to find eye contact with the late teenager.

“What’s something you’d like to change or get better?”