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Erik Samuelson:
While it wasn't his usual part of town to wander through, Erik had been to a meet and greet with local chefs at a restaurant near the park and wasn't particularly inclined to head back home just yet. Instead he headed into the lush greenery, claiming one of the paths that cut through the place and idly walking along it, taking in the scenery at a leisurely pace. The Bound was dressed neatly but casually in jeans, long-sleeved shirt and a brown leather jacket that was worn but well cared for, idly glancing at his phone to check the time before slipping it into his pocket once again.
Sabine Farber:
It had been a day. Not a bad day, or even a sort of bad day. But Sabine also couldn't really call it a good day either. Good days were days she got to feel like she'd not just helped someone, but actually made their lives better or set them on the right path. Today had just been a day of helping her clients maintain their progress. So, not bad, but not great either. And thus a touch more draining than usual. At least the weather was nice, so she'd decided to take a bit of a walk in the park. She'd changed into walking shoes but other than that was still wearing her 'comforting but also professional' clothes. Today that meant a patchwork skirt and collared shirt - not fancy, but a step above jeans and a tshirt for sure.
The other nice thing about the park was that The Unwanted One liked it too, and thus was a little quieter than usual.
Erik Samuelson:
Erik's own spectral companion was out of sight for the moment, but nonetheless the aura its presence created around the Bound was easy for Sabine to pick up on once the pair began to cross paths. His pace slowed a touch as that familiar feeling washed over him, glancing around curiously for the possible source.
Sabine Farber:
Sabine had had pretty decent situational awareness before her death, and dying and coming back had only heightened it, so when she felt something... otherworldly, it didn't take her long to pinpoint the source. Or, well, not the source itself most likely, but a fellow Bound.
"Evening," she said as the distance between them closed to an appropriate talking distance. "Enjoying the spring air?" There was a lift to the end of her sentence, one that added another question 'or are you on buisness'
Erik Samuelson:
"So far, yeah." He nodded, giving Sabine a polite smile. "Yourself?"
Sabine Farber:
She gives a slight shrug and a smile - a genuine one but with still a bit of guardedness to it. "I've always liked walking here, especially in the spring. It's a good place to decompress." She tilts her head slightly to one side as she considers him. "I don't think I've seen you around here before."
Erik Samuelson:
"Not on this side of town too often, admittedly; had a work dinner near here this evening and felt like going on a wander." After a moment he offered a hand for her to shake if she so wished. "Erik. Good to meet you."
Sabine Farber:
"Fairmount's a good place for wandering. There's certainly enough space" She takes the offered hand and shakes it. "Sabine. Same." She looks around a bit, eyes slightly unfocused. "Today's a good day too. Not a lot of... folks currently."
Erik Samuelson:
"So I noticed. I work down in the Old City and they tend to be pretty thick on the ground there." He nodded, looking around briefly before turning her way once again. "How long have you been on this side of things?"
Sabine Farber:
"They were a lot more numerous this winter, but most faded quickly," she said. "Feels like half the time you just had to convince them they're dead." There's obvious regret and sorrow in her voice. "It was... a surprise. I've only been on this side a little less than a year"
Erik Samuelson:
"Those are the harder ones to deal with, I've noticed. The lucid ones you can just talk with, but the loopers you've got to fight to get through to." He gave a knowing look, offering a quiet nod. "About two and a half years for me."
Sabine Farber:
Sabine's smile is sardonic. "Good thing I'm good at talking to people then. Only problem is when sometimes it's people I know. Knew. Whatever." She gives an amused huff. "I suppose it doesn't get easier."
Erik Samuelson:
"That does make it...interesting, yeah." Another small nod, followed by a 'so-so' rock of his hand. "Yes and no. The more you deal with them the more you pick up on the little tricks to help them along the way, but it can still be heavy at times, knowing how much of an uphill climb it can be. It's usually worth the effort, though, seeing them finally at peace before they move on to what's next for them."
Sabine Farber:
"Well," she says, "So's my day job, so at least I'm going in to this prepared." She laughs. "As prepared as you can be I guess." She pauses, gaze going distant as she thinks of something. "This may be an odd question, but are you familiar with the... other folk of the city? Non-ghosts I mean."
Erik Samuelson:
"I've met a few of them recently. Interesting bunch overall. There's a place in town that's kind of a neutral meeting spot, pretty solid food, too. Has bit of a secret squirrel entrance, though."
Sabine Farber:
"I've known... a few. Not always in good ways though, and I want to make that up to the community at large which probably means getting to know some of them. More of them"
Erik Samuelson:
"I'd recommend hitting there, then, if only to meet the locals in a place where they can't get up in arms if you've crossed paths before. Can give you where to look for the entrance before we part ways."
Sabine Farber:
"That'd be great. I know it's part of why I'm back - to make amends - and I really need to start actually trying to do that."
Erik Samuelson:
"You got it. I know there's some big stuff going on with some of them and they're looking for all the help they can get, so I imagine they'll be willing to bring you in on it, too."
Sabine Farber:
This draws another laugh from her. "There's big stuff going on with everyone everywhere these days it seems like. No matter who or what you are."
Erik Samuelson:
"Mmhmm. In this case I was advised that someone's ready to run havoc through down Below to get their way with something, and with how rough that place can be in general Lord knows it doesn't someone else messing with it."
Sabine Farber:
Her eyes go wide. "That's... that's a terrible idea! Like, I don't care how strong or whatever you think you are, that's just..." She shakes her head, at a loss for words. "Just... why?"
Erik Samuelson:
"Haven't got the full details on that yet, but it definitely will not shake out well for any of us if they succeed." He shook his head in kind. "Better to nip it in the bud before they get too far with it."
Sabine Farber:
“Of course. Any messing around with Below’s likely to affect everything, there and here.” She sighs. “Well, it will make a start. But you’ve been helping me, is there anything you need help with? Doesn’t have to be…” she waves a hand in the air to encompass their Bound-ness.
Erik Samuelson:
"Not at the moment, but if something comes up I'll definitely reach out." He took a moment to pull a slim notebook from his pocket, writing down his phone number and offering the page to her. "I may not answer right away if I'm at work, but feel free to leave a message."
Sabine Farber:
She takes the paper, folds it and slides in into an outer pocket of her purse before pulling out a black business card case and handing him a card. The card reads Sabine Farber, LSW with an number under it. “I wasn’t joking about talking to people being my day job. “
Erik Samuelson:
"No kidding." He said with a chuckle, looking the card over before pocketing it. "I talk with customers more than anything, but I'm usually in the back of the house making sure everything runs smoothly."
Sabine Farber:
That draws a smile. “Front of house? Theatre or restaurant?”
Erik Samuelson:
"Latter. I'm the head chef at Fork in the Old City currently, although I've worked in restaurants since I was a kid."
Sabine Farber:
“Ah. I could never do that sort of thing. Too high pressure”
Erik Samuelson:
"It can be, but I enjoy the challenge." He said with a smirk. "What got you into the social work, out of curiosity? Imagine that's got to be hectic at times too."
Sabine Farber:
She answers his smirk with one of her own. “I enjoy the challenge”. But then her expression softens. “I know it sounds trite, but I’ve always wanted to help people. And human psychology was fascinating enough to get me through school”
Erik Samuelson:
"Nah, not at all. I enjoy making things for others to enjoy, so I get you there." He nodded with a small smile. "I bet. I have enough fun juggling with staff personalities to make sure folks can work together without too many issues."
Sabine Farber:
“I do a little of that, but it’s usually with families or couples.” She pauses and makes a small sardonic sound. “Can’t decide if that’s easier or harder”
Erik Samuelson:
"Imagine it varies with the day." He paused as his phone let out a little chirp, pulling it to glance at it real quick before looking back to Sabine with a smirk. "Duty calls, it seems. Was good running into you, though."
Sabine Farber:
“Hopefully we can do it again sometime”
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