Aaron Hale

"Sounds a lot like a mentality that I used to have. But it can get kinda heavy and tiring... always expecting the worst like that," Gabe shrugged. "Things aren't always so bad."

"Used to? What changed that?" Because Aaron couldn't imagine anything managing to sway how he felt about things. It was what got him through each day, for better or worse.

"Mine says to focus on productivity this month. There's a lot of emphasis on career and yet there's still a push on finding a good work-life balance," Trin answered from memory, flipping through the pages to look for something else to read. "I actually think that's something I have a good grip on so I've been trying to think what other ways I can be productive and other things to find a balance of in my life," she added since Aaron wanted to know how she was linking it to her own life.

"That's not a dichotomy at all..." He responded drolly, unable to stop his eyes from rolling a little. "Focus on career, but no, not too much. You need to have a life too." He used his hands almost like a weighing scale for emphasis. "Do you need to be more productive? Aren't you happy with the way your life is now?"

"I'd gathered as much." Because it wasn't like he actually believed what he'd said after all. It was more just a sarcastic comment. He did seem to like throwing them out after all. "Yeah, well I suppose if the circumstances for them were different too, they'd feel similarly. Water bottle or not."

"Uh... okay then. Suit yourself," she shrugged when he passed on her offer to purchase him something to eat. "No stealing my fries though when we're in there, yeah? I'll remind you of this," Stella added playfully before shuffling up the line and ordering what she wanted from the stand. "Let's get to our seats, shall we?" she said when turning around, massive drink in one hand while she balanced an impressive portion of fries and chicken tenders in the other.

"Not that I planned to but I shouldn't be surprised you're the type to get possessive over your food." Aaron responded when he was told he wasn't to steal her food, not that she seemed particularly serious about the whole thing. Grabbing himself a soda, they headed to the area where their seats were located. "I could help you with all that but I'm enjoying the will you-wont you of if this ends up covering you."

"I suppose it could be considered a plan," he shrugged lightly at the observation from the other. "I hope so too. If not then I'll figure something out but I can't think that way until we have a definite answer."

"That's generally how I think. It might appear negative but at least I can have a solution prepared should the worst case come around." Aaron knew how it appeared to others, but it was just logic to him to be ready for anything.

"That makes sense. And I suppose by now it's second nature to you," she considered with a nod. "Glad to know I'm not the only one," Andie laughed lightly. "My social battery can only handle so much."

"Yes it is." Aaron honestly couldn't imagine his life without it. There was a definite sense of something missing when he hadn't done his usual routine or at least some version of it. He liked having that to rely on. It kept him on an even keel. "Some people handle that sort of thing better than others. I'm sure you can figure out where on that scale I fall."

"Good to know I'm being tracked?" He mused, not that he truly meant it of course. His eyes trailed down to the bottle the man was holding, recalling his sister scrawling his initials on it when she was younger. Something she'd given him as a gift when he'd first started out in Quidditch. It was a little battered with age but he'd never stopped carrying it around with him. "Yeah that's mine. I'd actually hate to lose it so thanks for that."

"Well I certainly can't leave him on his own," he replied as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I was hoping someone would come by but I guess the best next move would be to take him to a vet to get scanned for a chip."

"So you do have a plan... that's at least something." Aaron murmured more to himself than to the other male. It seemed decent enough too now that he thought about it, not that he came across many strays himself. "Hopefully they will have been responsible enough as owners to do that bare minimum."

"I'll be fine. I'm always fine," Vera insisted with a wave of her hand, but she knew she be saying something similar if their roles were reversed. Aaron wasn't wrong to remind her to take it easy. "I’ll slow down if you do– how does that sound?" she suggested with a more playful tone.

"I am going to start counting off the amount of times you use the word 'fine' during this conversation and then we'll really know just how fine you are." Aaron pointed out drolly, raising an eyebrow. "Are you trying to blackmail me now? Just how do you suggest we slow down then?"

"You're a gym rat, hmm?" she commented. "I can't imagine a worse way to spend my New Years morning," Andie admitted with a snort. "But good for you. You're far healthier than I'll ever be," she then added. "Mine? I just don't like dealing with people for longer than I need to. But it's also a nice night so I thought I'd talk the walk home instead of apparating."

"It comes with my line of work but it also clears my mind. Besides, if I get it out of the way earlier on, it means I can enjoy the rest of the day without having the thought that I have to go later on." He tried to keep his routine, and he liked it that way anyway. He did snort out in amusement at the others very honest answer. "That I can relate to, on both counts."

"Usually the person I'm with chooses." He didn't often order one just for himself. He was much more of a home cook than anything and then the food choices tended to be protein heavy and healthy. "I'm sure there are plenty of people who do that though."

🕛 - our muses run into each other after midnight

"I suppose I don't have much to linger for after the fireworks. Besides, I plan on getting an early shift in at the gym in the morning. It'll be quiet as a grave so the way I prefer it." Aaron gave in answer to her question. "What's your excuse?"

She let out a sigh when Aaron didn't fall back into the motions without making a remark. "Can my answer be both? Because I'd argue that it's a blend of the two," Vera confided when he asked why she was pushing so hard with training today.

"It can but I don't think it's necessary. They've seen you every day you've worked here. Plus you're going to do yourself an injury. And I know, this is ironic coming from me but that's probably why you should listen." Because he was the type to also go hard all the time.

"Do you always look at things in such an optimistic and positive light?" she asked sarcastically when he griped about the snacks and prices. "Look, do you want something to eat or not?" Stella asked as they shuffled closer in the line. "Because I'm happy to enjoy my tasteless and overpriced hot dog while you stay hungry if you're gonna continue whining," she mentioned half-jokingly, not really all that bothered by his complaints.

"Is that really a question?" Because Aaron felt like the answer was obvious already. "I appreciate your offer but I will pass on this occasion." He normally wouldn't have bothered but he knew he could get more and better quality if he just had the patience to wait until after the match. He could grab a bag of chips or something to tide him over in the meantime.