Welcome to Gaia! ::

The concept had been simple enough. Allow Mathias to meet and potentially talk with Vera without her feeling like a mouse backed into a corner. Again, simple. What could go wrong?

That single thought had been playing in Imara’s mind all morning as she worked had attempted and failed to get some work done. Paperwork wasn’t happening at all so she had resorted to heading downstairs and re-stocking items in their small shop as well as just over all clean up and equipment inspection. Several times a few of the regulars had asked if she was okay but most had steered clear of her clearly seeing something was on her mind. What could go wrong? A lot…

Isaac and Imara had both agreed that too much was at stake here to let emotions get the better of anyone, especially of Mathias. Vera was still a bit shaky when it came to her past from what she had been informed and her overly passionate husband might come off a bit too strong if allowed. Thus instead of meeting somewhere like one of their homes or out at a bar, they had opted to have Isaac bring her here under the pretense of training.

And Imara got to be the trainer.

Problem was the LAST time she had trained someone had been Delilah herself.

Grabbing a case of water, Imara headed back to the front desk to stock the fridge they had behind it. She just needed to…relax?
---
If Imara had been a coiled spring, Mathias was an over wound watch. He had sequesterned himself in his office, the fume hood going as he painted like a man possessed. He had spent the last two days painting actually. It was an activity that grounded him, allowed him to work through his thoughts in a way that was constructive and if the piece came out well, sometimes financially lucrative. This would not be one such piece.

Art often told you a lot about the artist. Color choice, subject choice, the style, composition and layout of a piece all tended to speak of something of the artist’s intention or mental space. Van Gogh had his blue period. Picasso invented cubism. The renaissance artists had their biblical fanart. It all said something about their culture, their world, and most importantly - their minds.

The painting was one of dark, overwhelming guilt. The subject was a man, a soldier in dark fatigues, weighed down by the burdens of that guilt. He stood alone in a barren wasteland of bleak devastation. The soldier bore a striking resemblance to the artist creating the piece, his hands stained brown with the blood of innocent and guilty lives a plenty. To the soldier’s right, an angelic figure floated, black wings of darkest night blocked her obvious nakedness, a halo of divine pure light crowned her head - and if Mathias had been wishing to make more of a statement, the portrait would have also contained a bit of gold flake - but it was unlikely this painting would survive. Like a few others he had made, it would likely be taken to a cozy cabin in the middle of the woods - and burned.

It sometimes pained him to do so. But, some of them would compromise his identity, and he couldn’t afford that. Better that they be destroyed - they remain fleeting pieces saved in his memory - outpourings of emotion and stress - therapy in their own right - before going up in flames, small pinpoints of stars in the sometimes bleak world.

The angelic figure would also be familiar to onlookers. Teal hair with a single white streak, though far longer than the actual woman she represented. She attempted to lift the soldier out of his barren scarred landscape to the promise of paradise and redemption above.

He left it at that. Stepping away to let the oils dry, taking the time to clean the brushes with his thinner and brush cleaner as he contemplated today’s meeting. Forced his heart down out of his throat. He had to be normal, and level headed today. He could not go off and immediately jump to 11. He hoped Vera was Delilah, but there was no proof. The timelines added up - but there was NO proof. She looked like her, and for all he knew sounded like her. But she was Vera now - and Delilah could just… be gone. Trauma did that. She might not remember.

Maybe it was better if she didn’t.

She had a new life - potentially a better one now. He could befriend her again - unless she was so entirely different that she couldn’t stand him - and even then, he would just grin and bear it. A part of him hoped that she would eventually return - she was the closest thing he had to a sister, really, and her disappearance had cut him far harder than he’d allowed to show.

But the guilt gnawed at him. He’d staved it off as best he could for two days - but it dug and ate at him like a cancer. Tumors of doubt on his soul. He sighed, moving to his desk after putting away his brushes, and reached into a drawer that he very seldom opened. Scooping out a well worn Rosary - a gift from a priest from many years ago. He sank down into his chair, closed his eyes, and began to pray.
---

It was half past noon when Isaac turned into the parking lot and pulled into a vacant stall. Just like before it was fairly packed but that was to be expected especially since it was the weekend and it wasn’t too uncommon for people to work out over their lunch breaks.

He understood the risks of bringing Vera at such a time. On one hand she might feel uncomfortable because there were too many people but he hoped that it would put her mind at ease seeing others absorbed in their own workouts and watching their techniques. “So Imara is going to be your trainer today. She might be a bit strict on some things but it is because safety and technique are important and neither of us want you to accidentally get hurt. Key thing is to listen to her instructions and don’t push yourself to try and impress anyone. Only you know your limit, you’ll just need to let her know.” Isaac reached over the center console and gave Vera’s hand a gentle squeeze.

“If you want I can join you two for a bit or you can just tell me to go away,” he shrugged his shoulders as if it didn’t matter either way, he would go along with whichever she felt most comfortable with. Isaac was under no illusion that the only reason Vera was here was because he proposed they could do together and hopefully overcome the fear and vulnerability she had felt last October when their home had been invaded.
---
Smiling at him, Vera returned the squeeze to her hand with a small one of her own. “I promise I won’t push myself past whatever limit my body has. I already know I can’t keep up with you anyway.” The last part was said with a joking smile crawling over her lip. Isaac had been a bit of a worry ever since they decided to come today. Though it had been mentioned ever since the break in, he hadn’t pushed her until she had shown just how much she disliked shooting guns. The feeling of it going off did not sit well with her.

Leaning over the center console, Vera placed a light, chaste kiss on Isaac’s cheek. “So don’t worry. If I end up sore, I’ll just see if anyone is willing to give me a massage.” The words were sweet though clearly she was hinting at the massage coming from him when she caught his eyes. “Come on. Let’s go before I change my mind and try to convince you to go for cake instead.”

Giving his hand a squeeze once more, Vera slipped out of her seat belt and out of the car. She had visited target the other day as through the months, work out clothes had never been TOP of the list to buy. So now, in fitted leggings and a tank, covered by a hoodie, she at least felt like she appeared to belong. Ish.

Waiting for Isaac to join her, Vera walked with a half smile on her face. Truth was she had been fine up until they had pulled into the parking lot. Seeing the place, the people coming in and out of the building, it really made her feel as if she should get back in the car. Even the women looked as if they knew far more than she. Maybe she should have pushed harder for a yoga class?

But Yoga didn’t protect you.

Taking a deep breath as Isaac opened the door, she slipped in beside him and felt her stomach drop.
---
Hearing the door buzz, Imara picked her head up from behind the counter where she had been sorting paper documents. If she had thought the picture was close to Delilah, seeing her beside Isaac, with her hair pulled back and the tense smile, Imara was pretty sure she was looking at a least a clone.

Standing up, Imara gave Isaac a friendly nod before grabbing the phone beside her and hit the buzzer for Mathias’ office. It rang once and then she clicked it off.

“So, is this the lovely lady?” Imara grinned as she leaned forward on the desk, teasing Isaac with the knowing smile. “About time you brought her to us.”
---
The phone buzzed next to him, and Mathias managed to not jump fifteen feet into the air as it let him know that downstairs Imara had just run into Vera. The buzzer didn’t get a whole lot of use most days - mostly for when whoever was on desk duty needed to let him know that someone was there to meet him for a class or they needed a little help pushing the sale of a package. Mathias was by no means a salesman, but it said something when the Gym’s owner came down to greet you personally and offer to be your trainer for a week or two.

But this wasn't a case like that. Downstairs, Vera - or Delilah - waited.

“Amen.” He murmured as he finished his 3rd Our Father and carefully put the Rosary back in it’s drawer. It was very sentimental to him, so he did what he could to keep it safe and generally out of sight.

Getting up, he dusted himself down for completely non-existent dust, and made his way to the door. He was dressed in his usual physical trainer/gym owner attire of a tight fitted t-shirt and shorts, ankle socks and his work-out shoes. He was sure he was one spray-tan and a pair of sunglasses away from being a horrible stereotype but whatever, it worked and he wasn’t about to change his style.

He slipped out the door and made his way to the stairs, even from his elevated angle above them all - he could immediately identify Vera. His heart ached, and he almost immediately turned back around, but managed to keep his cool. He would not - could not - lose it.

Reaching the floor level he gave them all his most winning “I know exactly what I’m doing” smile.

“Ah, Isaac! This must be Vera, yes?” He asked as he looked at her, feeling his heart drop through the floor, but managing (after years of practice) to keep the smile and bright mood going. “It’s nice to meet you, I’m Mathias, Mathias White, I see you’ve met my wife, Imara.” He nodded his head in her direction, offering his hand for Vera to shake. “She’ll take great care of you today, I’m sure. I’ll be stealing Isaac here for a bit of one-on-one as well, if only to hopefully finally sell him to sign on with us on a permanent basis - well - as long as you’re in town anyway.”

God he hoped Isaac never got orders to change base - at least not for a few years - Though he supposed there were ways to influence that if he poked the right people and asked the right questions. But, that wasn’t the point right now. He just had to keep it cool while Vera was around - he could fall apart later.
---

If Vera truly was Mathias’ missing cousin he really didn’t give much of an indication that she was anything more than another potential customer when he joined them downstairs. Perhaps it was his professional side taking control to make sure she felt comfortable enough to train with his wife. Either way he was a hard man to read especially since this was only the third time they had met face to face. If Isaac was a betting man though he would wager that this was a quickly crumbling facade.

To Vera he placed his hand on her back reassuringly, “Remember what I said in the car. Know your limit and drink water. If you two need anything we shouldn’t be too far.” If for some reason they couldn’t be found on the floor he was sure Imara would know to check his office since he assumed there were a few things Mathias might want to discuss once both women began their lesson.

Isaac lifted his gym bag and slung it over his shoulder. “Mind if I put this away in one of your lockers for now?” With Mathias as his training partner he knew without a doubt they would both be sweating by the time their work out was over. Which is why, for Vera’s sake, he brought an extra change of clothes.
---
The woman at the front desk had made Vera’s smile turn into an almost embarrassed grin as she let her eyes drift towards the floor for a quick glance before returning to their normal brightness. “You must be Imara.” Vera offered as she took in the teal haired woman. It wasn’t hard for her to guess why Isaac had said she ran the place, her presence was very much of a woman with power and strength. Vera honestly had to admire that. “Isaac has spoke highly of you. While I’m thrilled to put a face with the name finally, I had wished it might not have been right before I was about to embarrass myself in front of everyone.”

“Everyone has to start somewhere.” Imara offered, knocking the top of her hand on the counter as she rose back up just in time to catch her husband’s voice. Show time.

Imara’s eyes quickly shot towards Isaac’s face before she cast them over towards Mathias. She knew that look of pure professionalism. He wore it anytime she forced him in front of a crowd or at the galleries. All work and no play. It was a sold mask but every mask had a weak point.

Vera, on the other hand, only offered a smile as she extended her hand to take the offered one. “The pleasure is all mine, Mathias. Isaac speaks very highly of you both. I just hope I won’t be wasting her time.”

“You are shaking hands with the only person who can waste my time.” Imara offered with a smirk as she stepped back from the counter. “But as long as we get your heart rate up a little, I will call today a success.” Turning, Imara headed towards the back of the desk where she could slip out to join the small group. While walking, she nudged the other man who had stepped away from checking people in while she was there to return to the station.

Vera however only heard half of what Imara had said to her. Her eyes had shifted, narrowing slightly as if she was gazing at a puzzle piece that wasn’t clicking into place. The man in front of her was tugging at something, somewhere, a strange place in the back of her mind that wouldn’t clear up from the fog that now covered it.

Blinking quickly, Vera quickly released the hand she had held for far too long just as Imara rejoined them. “My apologies. I just had a strange feeling like I had seen you somewhere before.” Quickly glancing back at Isaac, Vera gave a light chuckle. “I promise I’ll stop if anything starts to feel off.”

“I won’t let her get hurt Isaac.” Imara offered once more with a sigh that said she was not amused at the idea she would let someone injure themselves on her watch. “Form is more important than how much weight or how many she can do. Besides, today…” Shifting her eyes back to Vera, Imara jerked her head sideways. “Is just a warm up. Would you rather run or bike?”

“Oh!” Vera quickly moved forward, passing the pair of men with a quick half wave back to Isaac as she followed Imara into the gym. “Bike please. I don’t have the stamina to run for long. Small sprints I was okay with but no way have I gone for a long run.”

“I hope he didn’t try to take you on a military run.” Imara smirked back at her as she headed towards one of the stationary bikes “That would turn anyone off from running. But let’s start here, just ten minutes to get some of your muscles warmed up and your heart rate working again. Have you ever used one before?”

“No…well, not that I know of.” Vera answered honestly as she watched Imara adjust the seat to what she estimated to be Vera’s size. The woman gestured to sit down by tapping the seat and Vera did. “I assume Isaac told you about…how we met?”

“If you are asking if he’s told me…put your feet on the petals and adjust the straps so they hold them in place then start to petal….” Imara quickly switched wording as she tapped several buttons on the bike setting it to manual. “But if you are asking if he’s told us about your memory then yes.”

Her tone surprised Vera. Most people started up with questions and assumptions but Imara’s voice was so made of fact that Vera couldn’t control the shocked/confused facial expression that clearly Imara caught because the woman suddenly looked taken aback then smiled with a small laugh.

“What? Forget how to petal?”

“Oh! No!” Vera quickly responded as she started up, going rather quickly. “I just…didn’t expect that reaction.”

“Slow down. This isn’t a race.” Imara corrected, pointing at the mph gage on the machine. “Just a warm up. You still need to be able to walk after this.”

“Yes ma’am.” Vera teased, putting her hands on the grips and smiling to herself even as Imara quickly scanned the room watching the others working out around them and seeing where Isaac and Mathias had snuck off to.
---
“Haha, I get that a lot actually, though usually by people who come in hoping to get into the fighting ring, I used to run the amatuer MMA circuit; and I also do a lot of art gallery showings, less now than I used to when I was in school, but I still go from time to time to showcase my works when I’ve got a set worth trying to sell,” He bowed his head to Vera, his facade - though fragile - not crumbling in what could forgivably be a hint as to weather Vera was in fact his cousin. “The feeling is mutual actually, you bear an uncanny resemblance to someone I know…”

But he left it at that and turned his attention to Isaac. “Of course, here, I’ll show you where they are,” He said, before bowing his head to both women.

“Have a good workout ladies,” He called to them as they moved past, then motioning with his head to Isaac, he moved back toward the back of the bottom floor, past one set of double doors marked Women and to another set of double doors marked Men, leading into a room that was a mix of showers, bathrooms, and fairly well equipped locker setup. “You can use any of these that don’t have a lock on them,” He motioned to the lockers. “Shouldn’t have to worry too much about your stuff - we’ve got good people here for the most part and I had cameras installed after some of our clients got attacked by a human trafficking gang nearby.”

“Did you want to try and get in the ring today, or just do some general drills?” He asked the other man. “I’d have to change if you wanted to do the former, but I’m all set for the later.”
---

“I think, for the time being, we should just go ahead and stick to drills.” At the very least it would be less of a distraction for Vera since he remembered from last time that Imara had actually been the one to encourage the two of them to spar.

“I’m going to put my bag in one of the lockers real quick.” The spare set of clothes he brought was more so for Vera’s sake than his own. Normally he would be fine waiting until he got home to shower and change but he knew, without a doubt, Mathias would work him like his drill sergeant back in basic training if given the chance. “I’ll let you pick where we start.”
---
“Alright, sounds good to me,” Mathias said with a nod, waiting for the man to put his gear away before leading him out to the floor. He guided him over to the other side of the gym, where all the free standing weights and bags were. He went ahead and set the speed bag up, getting it’s height set to the proper level for Isaac to be able to get consistent hits on it.

“Let’s go ahead and warm up a bit,” He said with a chuckle. “Go ahead and stretch it out, then start working your way up to as fast as you can on the bag.” He added with a nod as he started his stretches.

“Then we’ll move on to heavy bag, and maybe some weights if you’re feeling energetic…”

It also gave them a good view of the bikes and other exercise equipment. So he could see Imara and Vera as they worked.
---

“Sounds good, I’ll meet up with you in just a few minutes.” Isaac stepped away from the group to put their stuff away in a locker before meeting back up with Mathias.