Pao -
The gym was like a third home for him, and it only got bumped down his list because he counted the Station as his second, so no matter how full and crowded it got he could always get through his entire workout without getting bothered by any of that. Today was no exception; it was the rush that came at the end of the work day, where office workers and the like found their way to the gym to get some kind of a workout in before they had to go home and deal with whatever they had going on there.

Nate was taking a swig of his water when he caught someone getting into position to lift some weights. Even from where he was standing he could tell it looked off, and no matter how light or how heavy they were trying to lift he knew bad form could only lead to injuries. Not that it was any of his business, but his stuff was in that direction anyway so after he re-filled his bottle at the water fountain he made his way over and flopped down on the bench nearby.

"You feet aren't far enough apart," he offered while he pulled a towel and fresh shirt out of the bag. "You'll lose your balance if you don't fix that. Especially the heavier you go. Just sayin'."

Aria -
Seren was feeling drained after a long day of studying, and had decided to come to the gym for a workout. It was amazing, how much a good run could make her feel more revitalized and energetic. She'd gone for the treadmill today, instead of a run outside, because it was drizzly and miserable. After the run, she'd considered heading home... But then decided to try out some things she'd been learning from those videos Nate had linked her to.

She went over to the weights, and considered how much she usually handled in her day to day, between books and all. After testing how several of the weights felt in her hand, she thought she had a pretty good idea of what she could handle to start with, and selected a station, then began to stretch out her upper body, since she really didn't need to do that much for her runs. She took a little longer than normal, perhaps, because she wanted to be as sure as possible that she didn't get hurt by under stretched arms, then loaded up the bar. She got into the position she had seen the trainer use in the videos... Or so she thought.

And then she was startled by a masculine voice telling her she was off. She jumped, her eyes wider then perhaps normal for such a comparatively small thing, her instincts expecting anger when a man told her she was in the wrong, and turned her head.

And then her eyes widened in a different way, surprised but also pleased because she knew who it was. "Nate! Hi... They aren't? How far apart should they be?" This was a man she generally trusted, after all.

Pao -
He didn't think to look over right after he said it. Usually tidbits of advice were met with a quick "thanks" and whoever it was moved on. Whether they listened to his advice or not, he didn't really care. He did what he could, after all. Instead he slipped off his shirt and toweled off a little after setting the drenched piece of clothing into his bag. The towel followed after it, and then he slipped into the fresh shirt.

So the greeting was unexpected. He blinked as he looked in her general direction, the confusion on his fact quickly being replaced with a ghost of a smile. At the very least he did look happy to see her. "Oh, hey. And no. They should be shoulder width. Hop in place a couple times and typically where your feet land--that's shoulder width."

Aria -
The hint of a smile made her feel good, because she had come to realize he didn't smile often at humanity... Remington, sure, but fellow humans? Not so much. She gave him a warm smile, before focusing on his words, her brow furrowing as she considered them. "Hmmm like so?"

She did a few experimental hops, and then glanced at where her feet landed, then back at him curiously. "Do I have it right now? I really don't want another injury, they make my life far more difficult then I really have time to deal with." She looked at him, her eyes showing that she trusted him.

Pao -
He relaxed on the bench, taking another drink of water as she hopped and worked on her feet placement. When she finished he took a look again and nodded. "Looks better. Doesn't feel much different though, huh?" The rules were tedious, sometimes, and he was well aware of that. "It'll make a difference. Especially with keeping the injuries off."

Nate stood, then, bottle still in hand, and moved to stand a little closer. "So you watched some of those videos, huh? This the first time you try some of those workouts or nah?"

Aria -
When he said she had it right, she gave him a bright smile, pleased by his help, and glad to know she was successfully doing this right, this time. "Yeah, I can't feel the difference this time, but I trust you to tell me the truth, so I'm going to assume you know what you are talking about."

She carefully reached over and put her hands on the bar, before lifting it with care, working out the feel of it, and how the balance sat in her smaller hands. "Yeah! They've been helpful, I've used some of the things I can do at home or out and about before... But this is the first time I've tried the weightlifting at all." Once she was sure she had a grip she could control, she began to lift the bar higher.

Pao -
Smiles. He found them a rare thing in his life, whether it was him giving one or others shooting them his way for any meaningful reason. He wasn't the friendliest sort so none of that came as a surprise to him. But they were nice on occasion, he figured, and when she beamed at him his own lips curved up in a slightly more noticeable smile of his own.

"Nice. I was hopin' they'd work for you. A few guys at the station told me some of the stuff they didn't like and I never got to ask you before, so." He went quiet as she started lifting the bar, eyes making note of anything that she might need to work on in the future. So far so good, though. She seemed to be a fast learner. "Remember to keep your core tight, hips forward once you're standing up straight."

Aria -
Seren got a small glance at the way his smile grew, but was too focused on what she was doing to pay a lot of attention to it. Mostly, it got filed away in her memory as a sign of things being friendly between them. Beyond that, her attention was on the bar she was lifting, making sure she had a good grip, and that her palms weren't sweaty and making things slippery.

"I really... Don't know what.. I like or not." She said, through slow, measured breaths, not wanting to give in to her body's desire to pant with effort. This was very different from running around with a backpack on, or anything she'd done before. "Might not.. have done... Much good." She blinked at his words, and nodded, then tightened her core. Getting her hips forwards felt a little... Strange to say the least, but she managed it and kept it up.

Pao -
"Mm," he murmured, still watching her. He took a sip of water as he did, and once she was standing up straight he gave a small nod. "You'll figure out what works for you and what doesn't the more you do it," he went on to say. "Form looked good most of the way up. Keeping your core tight protects your back, so always remember that one. Hips forward is part of the whole complete range of motion thing, so also good to remember."

He set his bottle down and went to grab a bar, then stood sideways in front of her. "Same thing on your way back down," he said as he started to demonstrate. "Back straight, core tight, go at the same pace you went when you were standing up. Knees stay behind your toes, always." And he set the bar down before going back to his water bottle.

"I didn't know you went to this gym, though. I don't think I've ever seen you in here before today. Was it the weather?"

Aria -
She listened to his words about figuring it out, and have a short nod of understanding. It was like when she was figuring out how to jog and run right, and the best ways to get around safely while still getting a good run in, kind of, it sounded like. "All good to... Know." She murmured, softly.

When he moved in front of her, she blinked, and have him a grateful smile for showing her what to do. Visuals were often more effective, she had found, when it came to learning how to do physical activity. She adjusted herself with care, and began to lower herself again, following his guidance with care. She wasn't perfect, and it was clear she'd need a decent amount of practice, but she was doing alright for a beginner.

"Yeah... Running outside in... A drizzle like this... Is pretty miserable." She took another slow, deep breath, before continuing. "Membership fee is... Affordable, even when... I only use it... In unpleasant conditions."

Pao -
He chuckled before taking another drink. "Whatever works best. I kinda go between here and the little gym we got at the station. I never miss a workout if I can help it, even with my crazy schedule." Which was true enough. "Usually if I work out there though it means I'm pulling a double or some other kind of crazy extension on my hours."

The brunette sighed and took a seat again, eyes still on Seren as she did her reps. "Y'know, I finally feel like I'm paying back a little of what I owe you for your help with Remy. Not to mention the free food." He furrowed his brows a little at that, then added, "You still sure about that?"

Aria -
"Thought about the... Gym on campus. But it... There were not..." Her face went blank as she tried to figure out to explain there were the kind of jock assholes that sometimes inhabit gyms. She didn't mind jocks... Just the self entitled a*****e jocks who treated the gym like their personal playground, and acted like anyone in it had to listen to them.

Or worse.

Finally, she finished with "Less... Nice types... There." Before refocusing on her slow and steady approach to learning to lift.

His comment about paying her back had her barely controlling the urge to roll her eyes, but control it she did. "If it... Makes you feel better... Good." She blinked at the last question, though, and DID roll her eyes at him. "Of course... I'm still sure... Ya big goof."

Pao -
He snorted at the comment about "less nice types." Gyms, not just gyms on a college campus, were full of them. Thankfully this one wasn't so bad with those types, something he chalked up to good management. "Gotcha," he started, and then chuckled a little more at the "goof" comment. Nicknames or anything of the sort weren't something he was used to nor a fan of, but he was amused by this one.

"On both counts. Alright, just remember you can always change your mind. How many have you done now? You probably know about sets and reps. With this movement, since you're new, I'd go with maybe 3 sets of 10 reps a piece? More when you think you can handle it."

Aria -
Seren gave a small smile at the snort, glad her implication got through without sounding too rude. She was grateful her friend was not one of those types. It made being here and chatting with him much easier for her.

She didn't know for sure, but she felt like she could depend on Nate if one showed up and harassed her, too, when he was here. She could be wrong, but she hoped not... Having a male friend at her gym that she could trust to back her up would be wonderful.

"I won't forget..." She controlled the urge to sigh and tell him that it helped her not be lonely, too, along with helping her improve the flavors of what she made. His question made her blink, and consider, counting how many she'd done. "At five... Alright, will do that."

Pao -
His friends were few and far between, if those he counted as "friends" even really counted. Trust wasn't really much his thing either, though working at the station and doing what he did on a daily basis helped a lot. He didn't have a choice but to trust his coworkers; it was sometimes a very literal life and death thing. So he was learning. Seren was...starting to seem like she'd be someone he counted as a friend. Maybe. At the very least a good neighbor.

He was a work in progress.

"Good. Keep focus, and if you feel like you got your form wrong, like your back's doing more work than it should be, drop the bar and rest a little. I'll wait 'til you finish your first set. That okay with you?"

Aria -
She nodded at his words. "Sounds... Good to me." She wished she had a reason for him to stay longer... It was nicer, having him here, she found herself thinking. Probably nicer having a friend here in general, to be honest, but she didn't have a lot of those, and he was the only one who went to the gym that she knew of.

"Mmm. Should tell you." She took a slow breath as she began her next lift. "Gonna be moving... To a house with... Lower rent." She sighed. "Nicer neighborhood, too. All girls living... There. Not far, though! I'll still be able to... Feed you and... Watch Remmy."

Pao -
He blinked, a little surprised to find himself a little bummed out after hearing the bit of news from her. It had nothing to do with him, after all. He and Remy had been doing fine even before they met, and he'd made due with his food as well so it wasn't like he was up a creek without a paddle if she did move off to some far away neighborhood. But still.

None of it showed on his face though. He made a curious expression and said, "Oh? Well, lower rent is good. So's a nicer neighborhood. Good for you." He took another drink of his bottle, emptying it of its contents before tossing it into his bag. "When's the big move? Maybe I'll be off, if you need an extra set of hands."

Aria -
She was watching him through the corner of her eyes as she worked on her reps, trying to spot any kind of emotional response to her news. There was nothing she could read, but... She also recognized the kind of emotionless expression he wore, the kind she often wore when things were going on inside.

She nodded as he began to speak, agreeing with him. "Downside is moving away, I like having you as a neighbor. It's rare, finding one as good as you." Her tone was totally honest, making it clear she meant that she would miss having him nearby. "Date is not set, but I can text it to you once I get the official? The house was up for auction, so the new owners, parents of one of the other girls, have to finalize documents. But spare hands would be lovely... Couches are hard to move alone."

Pao -
He chuckled and gave a small shrug at the downside she listed. "Like you said, you're not goin' too far," he eventually said before closing up his bag. "And that works for me. I'd be happy to help." Just another way to return any favors she'd done for him already, though he didn't say anything out loud this time.

Nate sat back and watched her quietly for a moment, wondering how quiet his life would come to be again once she moved. Not that he would have any problems with that. He wouldn't owe anyone anything anymore, and it'd be alright. Back to normal; normal was good. "Mm," he mused to himself, then sighed. "So have you met your new roommates? Or...housemates?"

Aria -
She smiled at that as she began lowering on her last rep, and nodded. "I'll make sure... To text and all... To give you invites to food. And... You can still... Always contact me for dog... Sitting."

She settled the bar down for the moment, and straightened up. "No, haven't met anyone yet that I know of. There was a notice posted and I applied, got in. It's a slightly creepy house, actually. I mean it's huge and beautiful... There were photos on the notice... But apparently the last owners all died or vanished or something weird like that. Still." She shrugged. "House isn't responsible for that, and I'll have a full kitchen to play in. I've been told my new room is huge!"

Pao -
He nodded along as she spoke, doubtful that things would be the same as now once she had moved. He didn't say anything though, just simply nodded and, once she had done her last rep, gave her a little smile. "Nice work. Rest for a minute, then start on your next set."

He gave the seat on the bench beside him a pat, a gesture to invite her to rest there, but furrowed his brows at the description of her new home. "Nothing's gonna be perfect. I bet if we ask about our places we'll find out something weird happened there. So that's a good call. And a lucky find. You'll have people there to hang out with and taste-test your stuff, too."

Aria -
She smiled back and nodded. "Thanks, I'd never have gotten the guts to try this without those videos, so I really appreciate all the help." She took a few breaths, then a sip from her own water bottle.

When he patted the bench, she moved to sit next to him, leaning back a little to stretch her muscles nicely. "Naw, nothing in life is ever perfect, that's for sure. As long as I'm safe and comfortable, I'm doing fine. Being friends with the other ladies would be amazing, but I'll not be upset if that doesn't happen. I'll make do." His comment about other people to try her cooking had her stilling for a moment, then she gave a hesitant nod. "I guess so. I just want you to be sure you're still welcome, and my first choice of taste tester."

Pao -
As she spoke he glanced over at her, noting that they were similar in that regard. He didn't do well with sharing space so he insisted on living on his own, but the making friends part he could relate to. Mostly because it didn't happen a lot of the time. "I can relate to a lot of that," he said as he grabbed for his bag. "Keep that up and you'll be just fine. And thanks," he said, "for makin' me first choice."

At that he flashed her a smile, a tad bigger than anything he'd given anyone in his life. Mostly because in his entire life he'd never been anyone's "first choice." At least not for anything good. "Gotta go, though. Pup's probably hungry or wanting attention. Want any other tips before I go?"

Aria -
"Yeah?" Was all she said about relating to that, but she gave him a small smile of understanding, and didn't ask him for information on why or how, figuring it wasn't her business. "And of course. You're probably my first real friend out here, in my four years on the East coast. If anyone deserves it, it's you."

The smile he gave her, though, was unlike any he'd given her before and it was... Surprisingly beautiful to her, the way it lit up his face. She was internally taken aback by that, having not really bothered to think about how beautiful someone was or wasn't, in more than a cursory sense, in a long time. She put that away to deal with later, though. "I mean, tips are always welcome, but Remmy has to come first, so what you feel you can give me before you go?"

Pao -
He stood and slipped his bag on, thinking about any other tips he could give her. She mostly had the movement down, so there wasn't much more he could add to it. "I guess...mm, probably just remember to stretch out real good once you're done. Do at least 15 minutes here, and more at home if you can. It'll help with the soreness a lot."

He offered her a hand up, the smile lingering. "You're doin' good so far, so just keep it up. If you think you need help with anything else about this stuff just shoot me a text. Could even ask me to come with, if you think you really need it. I'm here a lot anyway, so chances are I'll be here when you text."

Aria -
She watched him stand, her head tilted to one side as she listened to his advice. It was pretty basic and straightforward, but still good to commit to memory. "Alright, I'll keep that in mind, Nate. Important, all of it."

She took his hand up, standing and giving his a friendly squeeze of thanks, before letting go. "Hmm that sounds really... Great, honestly. Thank you for that. Knowing I can get help in person will make me less hesitant to try new stuff, since I can't always tell I'm doing something wrong until it's too late to stop myself. Thank you, Nate. That means a lot to me." Her smile was, again, bright and beaming.

Pao -
"Sure thing," was all he said, and for the first time really appreciating that bright and beaming smile of hers. It wasn't the first time he'd seen it, but more...the first time he really noticed it. And the fact that she was pretty cute, especially in a gym outfit. But that was maybe a little bit of a bias, considering his interests. He pushed the thought aside as he shoved his hands in his pockets.

"So I'll see you when I do." He turned to walk off as soon as he said that, and then for a second turned back around. "Let me know about that move date, alright?"

Aria -
She watched him head off, with a murmured "See you!", Then turned to pick up the bar again. She was just about to lift it when he spoke, so she tilted her head to hear him, before responding over her shoulder. "I won't forget, promise! Thank you again, Nate. You're the best."