(Untitled)

[handswillwork]

Grant Park appears to be a popular spot today.

In the morning, Peter Burke is taking his daily run. Then, rather suddenly, he's not running anymore, but flat on his back as he hits the two-mile separation mark. He'd thought he'd had a few feet to go, but either he wasn't keeping track as well as he thought or Neal isn't where he was, because

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[gatherslight]

It is no longer raining, so Rachel isn't with her umbrella.

She's quickly crossing the street in hopes to get home before she catches another go of it, since the last thing she needs is to get sick on top of everything else. There's homework to get through and dinner to make along with the book she'd really like to finish by tonight. She's a busy, busy girl.

In her haste to get home, she nearly runs into Abby, bringing herself to an abrupt halt when she quickly notices this angel doesn't look okay.

"Sorry!" she says, backtracking and finding her footing once more. "Are--are you okay?"

[handswillwork]

Abby notices the girl before colliding and takes a quick step back, blinking
at Rachel as she's asked a direct question.

"Mostly," she answers, smiling a little through her shivers. "I'm just -- kind of lost. I can't remember where I was going," she admits with a little bit of a laugh, wrapping her arms around herself.

[gatherslight]

Rachel isn't wearing her jacket. It's draped over her arm, and she lifts it up in offer, as Abby seems to be shivering. "You want to sit down for a little bit?" Rachel asks softly, motioning to a bench nearby. She wouldn't be completely surprised if it was Calling related.

Sometimes, it always does go back to that.

[handswillwork]

She smiles when Rachel offers her jacket, pulling it on. She's already wearing multiple layers -- never leaves home without being fully covered -- but since it's all soaked, it's not doing much to help the chill.

"Thanks," she says, glancing at the bench. "I -- yeah, that sounds like a good idea. I'm alright, really," she adds quickly as she starts towards the bench, looking at Rachel. "Just kind of turned around. Thanks for the help."

[gatherslight]

"You're not going to hate me on sight if I tell you you don't... really look alright?" Rachel asks with a sort of sheepish smile in return. People that know her may think of her as something of a know-it-all, but she always has good intentions. She's grateful Abby takes the jacket, and sits next to her, not crowding over her but nearby in case anything is needed.

"I don't mind! It is the opposite of minding, really." She flashes another small smile and then mentally smacks herself upside the head. "And I totally forgot my manners. I'm Rachel, by the way."

[handswillwork]

"No, not at all," she replies with a laugh. "I know I don't, but I'm used to it. It's -- I'm sick a lot," she explains, and shrugs, hunching in on herself to try to get warm. "Comes with the Calling."

She gives Rachel a smile and a little wave as she introduces herself. "Hi, Rachel. I'm Abby."

[gatherslight]

"Well, I am not used to seeing you like this, Calling or not, so you will excuse me if I fuss. I'm a fusser," Rachel reveals with a small smile of her own. It now becomes a lot clearer to her, and she can only imagine what it must be like to deal with that kind of Calling.

"Nice to meet you, Abby. I'd never meet an angel of healing before."

[handswillwork]

She laughs a little at Rachel's words, and nods. "Fussing away, then. Far be it for me to stop a fusser from doing what they do."

She smiles. "Well, glad to be the first. Hopefully I won't do my kind too much a disservice," she says with another soft laugh. "What are you, then?"

[gatherslight]

"That's what I always say!" she says with a beaming laugh of her own. "I appreciate the permission. I'd feel bad otherwise... though it wouldn't stop the fussing. It has a life of its own, you know."

Rachel shakes her head. "You're off to a good start," she promises, and then the smile turns soft. "Angel of knowledge. I didn't turn that long ago, so I'm still...navigating through it. Though I think there's navigating no matter how long you've been an angel, huh?"

[handswillwork]

"Oh, I know, it's impossible to stop. I don't know how anyone can be cruel enough to deny you your fussing."

"I would think so," she agrees, nodding slightly. "I'm only a couple of years past turning, so I'm still working everything out myself -- but from what I've seen, it's pretty never-ending."

[gatherslight]

"You'd be surprised by how many have often tried. Failed attempts, naturally, but they have tried," Rachel says, with the softest of smirks quirking her lip to the side.

"Do you like it, though? Being an angel?" Rachel asks, and then she leans back in her chair, tucking a strand of her hair. "Sorry if that's... too personal."

[handswillwork]

"No, it's fine," she assures quickly. "I do. I love it. I love helping people, I love my Calling, even when it hurts.... I love my wings," she adds with a little laugh. "I mean, how cool is it to have wings? I was always jealous of my mother and my cousins for that before I turned sixteen. But I love what I am. It feels right. I wouldn't want to be anything else."

She studies Rachel for a moment, thoughtfully, before she asks, "Do you think you like it, so far?"

[gatherslight]

Rachel laughs along with her. She remembers her transformation, but the wings themselves... "The only thing that would make them cooler would be if we really could fly," Rachel agrees with the smallest of smiles. She grows thoughtful herself before she can answer.

"I do. I love learning. Even before I got my Calling, I loved reading and recording things. The piece that was missing finally clicked into place. Just... sometimes I can't always step away from it. From my notes or a project even if I want to. To pay attention to my friends or other things."