[D3MM] Work That Dad Bod

[Cal Arcton]

It wasn't that Cal didn't own anything besides formalwear. Or outdoorwear. Just that he didn't own very much that wasn't one of those two things.

Still, he did have some casual ranching style clothing, loose, durable, and easy to move in. And so, dressed in that, he made his way to the gym Kor had set up behind Twelve Parsecs. And then, just as quickly, he made his way away from the gym. He didn't really feel up to working out with a Manka Cat alpha sitting there, judging him.

And so instead, he went for a jog. He ran, heedless of the rain, chest heaving as he went.

[Tewzada Star'Ti]

If there was one thing besides her work that Tewzada was passionate about making gains on, it was her work out routine. It wasn't always the easiest with all the traveling; There was so much sitting, temptations for quick junk food, and the various other hurdles in her way. Fortunately, Noventa City wasn't a small city, and it had more than a few gyms. Even a few that her company subsidized memberships to. For their own reasons.

So it was that she found herself with a duffel bag over her shoulder, umbrella in her other hand, walking between the press building and the nearest gym. It was close by, thankfully; Also somewhat close to that place she had breakfast yesterday. As she was about halfway there, she way someone out jogging without an umbrella.

Hm; Now there's dedication that's beyond me certainly. Jogging out in this weather.

[Cal Arcton]

In fact, Cal had somewhat underestimated just how rainy it was. Sure, his boots kept his feet dry, but it was tricky with all the mud. Pretty soon his short hair was flat against his head, and he was soaked through to the skin. Well, at least he wasn't sweating; or if he was, he couldn't tell with all the water streaming down him.

Thinking quickly, he ducked into the shelter of the nearest storefront. His hands came up to brush the water from his face and hair. It was with an expression of dismay that he looked out, and up at the rain coming from the sky.

It started to rain a bit harder. Cal sighed.

[Tewzada Star'Ti]

It was at that point an umbrella appeared, only after he was under the overhang. It'd been hard to hear the woman, let alone see her with one's hair in one's eyes.

"You look like you could use a towel. I don't suppose something small would help?"

[Cal Arcton]

For a moment, Cal blinked at the blurry figure. Something orange... his hands came up once more, brushing the rest of the water from his eyes. Finally able to see who'd come to his rescue, Cal gave the woman a friendly smile.

"It might. At this point, I'd be willing to try just about anything." Cal glanced up at the sky, smiling ruefully. "I'd swear, it wasn't raining this hard when I left. And I hadn't expected to come quite this far." He shook his head. "Well, it's not the first time I've found myself in trouble of my own making."

He started to offer his hand, then let it fall back to his side, dripping. "If you do have a towel, I'd be grateful for the chance to dry enough to shake your hand like a proper gentleman."

[Tewzada Star'Ti]

Tew grinned and reached into her duffle bag, pulling out a very fluffy blue towel, "Here you go then, sir. Good thing I was heading to the gym, so I'd have something like this with me. ...Tewzada's the name, by the way. In case you have a policy about knowing someone's name before using their towel."

Still grinning, obviously teasing. Or at least, hopefully obvious; Tew didn't think about such things too hard.

[Cal Arcton]

Cal laughed softly at that, shaking his head, scattering droplets of water. "I don't. But you're making me wonder if maybe I should." He matched her teasing with deadpan, his voice low and gravelly.

For a few moments he was silent, burying his face in the towel. That's very fluffy. He noted absently. And, once the face was done, he focused on his right arm.

After all, he still had to do the gentlemanly thing and introduce himself. "Cal Arcton." He said, offering her his hand and a smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, miss Tewzada."

[Tewzada Star'Ti]

Tew smiled and gave a nod, "Likewise. Don't suppose you're from around here, are you? New in town myself."

[Cal Arcton]

Cal smirked. "As it happens, I did most of my growing up not too far from this very spot. Left when I was twenty, but I came back. Missed the weather." His tone was dry for this last bit, even if most of the rest of him wasn't.

Stepping thoroughly back into the shelter of the storefront, Cal squeezed out Tewzada's towel. "Matter of fact, I own a bar not too for from here. Twelve Parsecs from Nowhere." He gave her another smile. "You should come by sometime. First drink's on me if you do."

[Tewzada Star'Ti]

"The Twelve Parsecs?"

Tew tiled her head curiously, "Oh I've certainly been there a few times, even with only arriving on Noventa a few days ago. It's pretty close to the apartment I'm staying in, so it seemed like a convenient place for a drink or meal."

[Cal Arcton]

"Oh yeah? Well, how about that." Cal chuckled. "Sounds like you're becoming a regular, and I didn't even notice. Some host I am." He smirked, just a touch playfully. "Although I'm pretty sure I'd have remembered you if you'd gotten a drink when I was tending bar."

Smiling genially, he offered her back her towel, now somewhat less fluffy than before. "Still, I'll make good on that free drink. Seems to me I owe you, and I'm in the habit of paying back what I owe."

[Tewzada Star'Ti]

"Careful; I'm in the habit of taking up free things myself."

A playful smirk crossed her face as she watched Cal dry off, "As to becoming a regular, I'm not so sure about that; Only been to your place three times now. Twice for a drink and once for breakfast. Which I suppose is a lot in three days, in a way. But I'm not even sure I'll be on Noventa long enough to get such a esteemed title as 'regular'."

[Cal Arcton]

"Is that a fact?" Cal grinned at her.

"Oh?" His eyebrows went up. "Just here for a visit, huh? What brought you to Noventa, if you don't mind my asking?"

He glanced out at the rain. "Seemed as though you were on the way somewhere. If you like, I'll walk you. Long as I can hold the umbrella, like a proper gentleman should." He looked at her, the smirk returning.

[Tewzada Star'Ti]

Tew thought about it for only a moment before nodding, holding out the umbrella she was holding towards Cal, "Sure, why not? There's apparently a gym down the street here; I'm lucky enough that my company pays for the membership there. I guess they don't want me jogging out in the rain, no?"

[Cal Arcton]

Smiling, Cal accepted the Umbrella, lifting it a bit higher up. "Better stand close to me. No sense in both of us ending up wet, after all." He maintained the same easy playfulness as before.

Once she'd joined him under the umbrella, Cal set off towards the gym at a leisurely pace. "So what's this company of yours, that wants to pay to keep you out of the rain?"

[Tewzada Star'Ti]

Having siddled up under the umbrella and took her towel, throwing it over her shoulder, "Galaxy Nuze incorporated; The one with the 'u' in the name. I guess they want their on camera reporters keeping fit, you know?"

[Cal Arcton]

"Galaxy Nuse Incorporated?" Cal's thoughtful frown indicated that it was familiar, but not too familiar. "I've heard of them, at least. And that's not saying nothing, as far out on the rim as we are."

He kept his leisurely pace, still holding the umbrella high. "And what're they having you do here? Not just stay in shape and report on the weather, I figure." He glanced over at her, quickly looking up and down. She did seem to be pretty fit, in fact.

[Tewzada Star'Ti]

She shook her head, "Mmm; I was originally sent here to cover a speech the planetary governor is giving due to a visit from a Republic diplomat. But they're keeping me busy with various stuff otherwise. Oh, and if you've heard of them, it's because they own a building literally three blocks away from your bar; The five story printing company with the plaza out front."

[Cal Arcton]

"Oh. Yeah." Chuckling, Cal scratched at his stubble with his free hand. "Yeah, that's probably where I've heard of it."

He shrugged. "Sometimes I forget that things are actually different since when I was a kid. I actually grew up in that bar, although it wasn't a bar at the time. That five story building was just a nerf field when I was a kid." He shook his head. "Noventa's been growing up fast, I guess."

[Tewzada Star'Ti]

"There certainly seems to be a lot of new construction on the edge of town, from what I've seen, yeah. I had always heard rumors that this area of the rim grew a lot because of refugees during the recent wars. Or maybe it's just new money; I'm no expert, I should think."

A pause in talking followed as they walked down the sidewalk before Tew chimed back in, "Anyways, I don't blame you about the building. I mean, not many normal people read newspapers in this day and age. Or need fliers or banners printed. Certainly not the kind of thing I thought much about growing up."