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"A race?" Herc asked, as if he didn't already know he'd likely win. He was practically built for speed. More so than Adam anyway, not that he was cocky, just, confident. He just tried not to show it too much around Adam.

Herc shrugs as they jog along. "I'm down." He smirked, looking over at Adam. "You sure you've stressed enough to race me?"

Adam nods in agreement. One of their usual routes. Which could mean he wouldn't have to think about the exercise.

"Wanna make it a race? First lap winner has to get the protein shakes next time?"

They begin up their initial jog, their bodies already starting to sweat in the warm day light.

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"Thank you." Herc nodded as he leaned back in his seat and smiled up at his friend. He knew he would eventually figure it all out. Hoping it would happen sooner rather than later. Especially about why he was in this town in the first place, and what exactly it was that compelled him to remain here.

He listened to her speak, holding back a dramatic sigh at the thought of being 'new to town' when he really didn't think of it that way. It truly felt like he had been here years, when in actual fact it was barely a couple of months. "I appreciate that, T, and the advice." He smiled a little wider, to show his true appreciation. "I'm sure it'll all work out."

Though he seemed to appreciate the advice, Tiana kind of wondered if Hercules' was more discouraged by the advice than inspired. Sometimes thinking about money just did that to people - Tiana could definitely attest to being stressed out of her mind whenever rent came around at the top of the month, "Anything for you, sugar," She gave a playful poke to his jaw, already making note to put in Herc's order as a free staff meal.

"Don't get so down on yourself about it, you're still so new to town," Tiana had always had her eyes set on the restaurant, yes, but on some level, she knew she would never leave while Eudora still level here. Herc might've been a little aimless in his ambitions, but at least he had a good sense of guidance that wouldn't lead him astray, no matter how long he stayed in Godscobh, "You'll find your way, I know it. If you ever run into dire straits, I gotta couch you can crash on."

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When Adam says he's not in the mood to think Herc debates asking why, but quickly remembering where his prying got him earlier on. So he pushes the thought away as quickly as it came. "Sure. Here to the park, just past that hunting lodge, and then a few laps around." He nods, gesturing towards the route.

Adam smirks and "nonchalantly" stretches to really show off. He'd never admit it, but it definitely is because of the trainer that Adam was able to cut and look as good as he does.

"I guess, yeah," is all he allows even when it's just the two of them. "You choose the route? I'm definitely not in the mood to think."

He just needs to get rid of whatever is boiling under the surface. Hopefully in a way that won't make him explode at his staff.

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"I feel ya there." Herc nodded. Though he knew his hardest day at the gym or firehouse was nothing compared to the level of work Tiana put into their shifts. They were dedicated. Probably the most truly dedicated and hard working person Herc knew in this town.

He listened to their words of wisdom. Really taking them in. He wasn't the type to spend his money too frivolously anyway, but there probably were things he could cut back on. A daily breakfast at this joint for a start, but then again, that would mean he wouldn't get to see T as often. "That's smart. Is that your way of saying you're comping this?" he gestured down to his food, jokingly of course. He would never expect a free meal from a friend.

Tiana had been so on track to get her restaurant someday, she had never really considered what she'd be doing instead of spending 99% of her day in various food service gigs. What she did know about was money troubles, and how to save money up when this town seemed hell-bent of sucking you dry.

"My work? Herc, if I stop to sit down, I think my feet would fall straight off," Only slight hyperbole, though Tiana had been coming straight from the AM shift at the bar, to now another 8 hours bussing tables. Things weren't chaotically busy, thankfully, but that didn't mean she wasn't bone tired, "That's another reason you wouldn't wanna work here. You wanna know my best advice for saving money? If you can't buy something twice, you can't buy it at all. And make friends anywhere you go who can comp you food," She adds with a wink.

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Herc's smile grew when Adam agreed. He wanted to get out for some air himself, so he was more than happy to take a run down to the park with his friend. It also meant he didn't have to worry about his clutzy self breaking something in Adam's fancy ass gym.

He stands and heads towards the door. Clocking the man as he removes his shirt. "Can see these sessions are working, huh?" He teases, unable to not comment on the man's impressive physique. Even if he was fairly built before they met, he liked to think that was some of his own work on show there.

Adam pauses, considering. It probably would be better to let off the steam.

He puts the weights back.

"Yeah. Okay. That sounds good."

He pulls off his workout shirt and wipes his face with it. Then he tucks it into his shorts as they head back to the front door.

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At this point Herc was willing to try anything, so sacrificing a little of his dignity to show off online wasn't above him at all. Just as long as he could figure out a way for nobody he actually knew in real life to ever see that stuff, he'd be more than down.

"I'll look into it. One of my clients at the gym is always posting his workouts with me online, so I'll ask him about it." He shrugged. He then began to think about her other suggestion. Ever since he started volunteering at the firehouse he had thought about the next steps there. He was plenty good enough to do the job for real, but since he didn't expect to be in town for this long, he didn't want to commit.

"Maybe." He sighed. Deciding he'd have to have a bit more of a think about what exactly he wanted to do here. "Anyway, enough about me. How's work, T?"

Truthfully, Tiana didn't spend a lot of time scrolling social media - she basically didn't ave the time to get sucked into her phone. But every so often, an ad or influencer would sound tempting enough to consider online marketing. At the end of the day though, there was really only one thing Tiana was passionate enough to do forever - cooking.

"I can see it now; Hercules Ariti with a million followers, flexing muscles and shelling out protein powder," Though she couldn't sit down while on the job, Tiana leaned on the side of Herc's booth with a casual smile. It was just slow enough in her section to take a break, so she gave Herc a playful roll of the eyes, "I guess that's really the only other thing I can think of besides like, training for the firefighter's test. But that would probably take you a month or two to prep for."

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As he watched his 'client' move onto tricep pulls he clocks his bad form right away. Again finding himself debating any sort of critique with the man. He knows he's there to help train, and help him be his best, but with Adam isn't not always so easy to find fault, or comment on it.

"Fancy some cardio?" Herc suggests, feeling it better to stop the man before he injures himself rather than try to correct him. "We could take a jog down to the park and do a few laps?"

Adam really tries not to glare or scowl, but he can't believe how easy it all seems to be for Hercules. Good job, social life, incredible strength, effortless looks. He can even take a nap without feeling like he's wasting his time.

"Ecstatic," he replies through a sarcastic smile.

He decides tricep pulls next. He's so caught up in his frustration that he doesn't realize his form is way off.

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Herc took the glass from his friend and wasted no time in taking a long swig of it. Wincing a little at the taste. Before looking back at Lorcan. Tired of the town wasn't exactly how Herc was feeling, but even if he was it wasn't like he could leave. Something always pulled him back here. No matter how far he got.

"Swap places." He laughed, taking another sip of his drink. "I feel like I would probably struggle trying to follow your routine than you would mine, Lorc."

Lorcan handed the other man a glass of whiskey with a stupid grin, already relieved that they would dull the edge off the night with good food and drinks. It was funny though, how Herc would give into alcohol on an evening like this but wouldn't touch dust. Maybe Lorcan was biased since he was so ingrained in that world, but anyone could get fucked up on their vice of choice, no matter the vice.

"You're tired of the town already, huh?" Lorcan pulled a cheap beer from his fridge as well, "Figures, but at least you've got something you can report on your taxes," Unlike Lorcan's not-so convenient under the counter method of payment. At least he paid something in taxes, better than most of the gangs, "I'm kind of feeling like I could use more of a routine, maybe we should swap places."

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Herc held a constant smile across his lips. Listening as the man told him about how he wasn't much of a lifter, he was used to training guys who had never set foot in a gym before, so he was sure he would be find helping this one out. Even if he did lift with his back.

"That's not good man." Herc laughed a little. Trying to not make it seem like he was making fun of him. He didn't want to alienate the man before he had even signed up. "As private as you want though. I even started doing home visits recently, but a few at the gym would probably be better at first.

"Oh, well, uh, that's nice of you," Hector was a little surprised that there wasn't some kind of commission or bonus to getting people to sign up. After all, most of the reason he kept his job steady was the proximity to safety and security when Hades wasn't yelling at him. Why would anyone work a job where there wasn't incentive like that?

"Oh uh, maybe like, would they be private sessions? I tend to make a fool of myself," Hector cringed, recalling falling face-first on the at-home treadmill he'd returned right after setting up, "At least when I'm new to things, I mean. I never really tried lifting anything over maybe 20 or 30 pounds, and I always lift with my back."

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"Awesome, I'll have a look" Herc nodded as he stepped towards the fridge and pulled one of the menus from the underneath a magnet. It was a rarity that Herc ate takeout. He liked to treat himself on cheat days every now and then but today he was wanting to binge a little. Especially if he was going to be drinking.

He turned his head when Lorc said he didn't strike them as the drinking type. Which was a fair assumption. People always assumed Herc was some weird health freak, which was also partly true too. Still, he was young, and liked to have fun when he could. And then they asked about work, which threw Herc off completely.

"No, no, stuff is fine I guess. Just, same old same old." He shrugged. "Gets kind of repetitive sometimes, that's all."

Internally, Lorcan was a little glad Hercules had suggested having a drink. It felt a little less like a vice when there was someone to share it with, even if it wasn't the healthiest coping mechanism, "Absolutely, if we're drinking, I'm gonna need food to not feel like shit tomorrow. There's takeout menus on the fridge," One reason Lorcan didn't drink a lot was to keep his mind sharp, but there were at least 3 reasons he could think of right now that made him want to lose that edge.

"You don't strike me as a big drinker though," Lorcan was already mixing a whiskey sour for Herc and pulling two other shot glasses out of the cupboard in a fluid motion. He certainly didn't need to be asked twice to make bad decisions for their health, "Shit at the gym not so great?"

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"I couldn't cope without an afternoon nap, Adam. It honestly makes the whole day go a lot better somehow." He said proudly. Feeling like he sounded like some old guy who needed the extra sleep, but he honestly just liked to reserve his energy sometimes.

Resisting the urge to roll his eyes once again, with Adam clearly not understanding the trainer part of this whole deal. He picked up a few extra weights and shoved them on the end of the barbell. Moving to lay under it. And placing his hands in position before effortlessly lifting it up, and down again.

"Happy?" he said looking up at the man.

Adam chuckles at Herc's surprise, glad he can still impress the guy in some way.

"Lucky you," he says with a grunt as he continues the workout. "I don't think I've napped since... honestly, can't remember."

He goes until his chest is burning with use, and then he sets the weights down next to him for a break.

"Seems you're just watching me right now, though. You going to join me?"

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Hercules couldn't help but agree. Nodding his head along with her words. He really hadn't thought as heavily about how he could make some extra cash, other than taking a few extra shifts at work, so it was nice to have somebody he could at least bounce ideas off of.

"Online?" He questioned. Surprisingly for such a young guy he wasn't so good with technology. His parents had mostly kept him off of the internet as a kid, making sure he wasn't like these kids that go around attached to their phones. He still had yet to download Tiktok either, but Herc was quite often late to all the trends and fads. "You know what, I never quite understood how money gets made from that stuff." Though at this point, it might be a good avenue to go down.

"Honey, you sound kind of dire," A sound that Tiana knew all too well in turn, since money troubles were certainly familiar to her and her family. The waitress had been working since practically middle school, chipping in for bills and groceries whenever possible. The job market really wasn't amazing in town, but Tiana liked to think that there were still legal ways to make money in town, even if those ways were a little hidden among all the other not-so legal options.

"Now I don't know a lot about this, but I've heard of some folks online making a lot of money off of like, training and advice on Tiktok or Instagram," Despite his confidence issues, Herc had just the right humility and handsomeness to be a great influencer, "Maybe you could be a trainer online too?"

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Herc let himself be led away by his friend. Glad that it wasn't too far. His morning had been pretty jam packed with dealing with clients so not having to walk too far to the building was a bonus. His joy at the short walk over didn't last long though once they were inside and Lorc explained the lift was out of service. "No worries." he huffed. As if any flight of stairs was about to defeat the fit young trainer. Still, he would have preferred the elevator.

"Honestly, I'm not picky." He shrugged, smiling as he looked around at the place. "You hungry? we could order pizza or something?" Herc suggested, never really getting much free time to hang, so he was down to make the most of it.

"Nice!" Lorcan didn't often have over company, but he was actually quite the accommodating host whenever possible. After growing up in a very restrictive house, he reveled in getting to have a place called his own. Not the biggest place, but it only took Lorcan a few blocks to lead Hercules to his humble abode. A solid one bedroom that was far enough away from the main street to have cheaper rent and no questions asked about certain herbal aromas.

"Sorry, the elevator's been broken for months. We're getting our steps in," As he led the trainer around up the stairs, Lorcan took stock of all the groceries and alcohol he'd stocked up on within the past few weeks. He wasn't a heavy drinker, but a couple evenings after the storm had seen the dealer dozing off with a nightcap to quiet his mind, "I don't think I have anything amazing, but I've got vodka and whiskey, and mixers in the fridge. Go wild."

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"A whole bottle?" Herc's eyes widened in surprise. His tone not that of judgment, but pure shock that anybody could finish a whole bottle to themselves in one sitting. He only really ever drank when he was stressed about something, or really needed to blow off steam in a situation where a good workout wasn't quite cutting it. Maybe that's why Adam sunk a whole bottle too, not that he'd talk about it if he did.

"Well I don't have any more clients left, so I guess I'll just be showing you up some more and then heading home to nap or something" He teased, not that he thought he was showing anybody up. Adam could probably match him just as easily. Maybe.

Adam rolls his shoulders, relaxing after working them hard.

"I guess. I'll either do some work from home or drink a bottle of whiskey, then pass out. We'll see where the day takes me."

He watches as Herc easily lifts the weights and puts them back. It makes an eye twitch, and he has to bite down a frustrated growl.

"And what will you do once you're no longer showing me up today?"

He tries not to sound bitter. Tries.

He grabs a different set of weights and lays down on a bench, beginning chest presses.

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"That's what I'm here for." Herc shrugged with a happy smile across his lips. Glad that the man was showing some interest in it all, and hopefully not just pretending to make Herc happy and get him to leave him alone faster. But here they were walking through the doors to the gym, and standing by the reception. Herc looked around to see if his boss was looking, knowing that if he saw the man butter up some potential new customers it would just add bonus points to his day. He wasn't anywhere to be seen though.

Still Herc was excited about having a new client on his books. So was laying on all the charm, his smile not faltering for even a moment. "No, no bonus. That's not why I do this stuff" 'It would certainly help though' he thought to himself.

"Let's book you in for a few basic training sessions maybe? and then if things go well and you're not too mad at me for working your so hard, you can maybe put a yelp review in, and give me a shout out?" he suggested, trying to think of a way this can work out for both of them.

Hector did not like working out much, but he was trying to get out of his shell and make friends more as the year came to a close. He'd joined a bowling tea, done the work to clean up the town, and now he was entering a building he'd only ever surveyed from the outside; the huge gymnasium the city council had commissioned a couple years back.

"Okay, but you're really gonna have to show me how all the machines work," Hector wasn't a weak guy by any means, but he always ended up hurting himself when trying something new. Gym machines just seemed like the equivalent to walking on a bunch of mouse traps. Hector could probably count down the seconds until he'd smash a finger or toe in something. When the dark-haired guy had greeted him, he'd instantly felt welcomed though, if a bit off put by having to sign up for a membership. He had absolutely no spine when being sold something, "I mean, yeah, I'll sign up. Do you get like, a bonus if I sign up my first time in? I wanna make sure you make commission."

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Herc wasn't entirely sure why he even suggested a bar. Most of the local ones were bad news most of the time, and hearing that his friend could only really go into Snake Eyes, didn't make Herc feel much better about his options. "Drinks at your place it is then" he nodded. He would have happily gone for coffee with Lorc, but after the shitty week at work he had, he needed something a little stronger than his usual gingerbread latte.

Herc didn't know much about this 'Oberron' fella, and did his best to stay out of that sort of business. All he knew was that the man meant a great deal to Lorc and not necessarily in any kind of good way, and as much as Herc love to help those in need, he knew there wasn't much he could really do to improve his friend's situation. j

"Well any time you need some time off from this destiny of yours, I'm happy to help, Lorc." Herc shrugged, liking to think his friends forgot their worries when he was with them, as much as they could anyway.

"You in the mood for a drink? or has the boss got you running some other errands later?"

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As much as Herc liked the constant compliments thrown his way, he still hadn't quite learnt how to accept the praise. Growing up, always getting into trouble for trying to help, even with his parents fighting his corner, it wasn't easy for Hercules to accept that he wasn't a complete screw up.

"Thanks, T. I like to think so too." He nodded, having already thought about working in retail. She wasn't the first to suggest it, and as much as he wanted to give it a real go, he still couldn't help but think he'd screw up somehow.

"Sounds kinda dire." He shrugged, not that he could be too picky "And I think my face would hurt from smiling at customers all day." He added, knowing it wasn't such a good idea to just be shooting down all Tiana's ideas. "I appreciate the help though, T. Maybe I'm only really cut out for heavy lifting and climbing up ladders all day."

"I would have all the glasses in pieces on the floor and my letter of resignation in my hand, T." Herc joked. Thinking about how much of a disaster it would be to put him in any situation where he's surrounded by breakable things. Bull in a china shop is a saying that quickly comes to mind. "Thanks for the vote of confidence though."

Herc had never bothered with a resume. Working for his parents here and there wasn't exactly experience he could put down on paper, and he's positive he only got the job at the gym based on his looks. Though maybe it was a good time to write one up. "Nope. I do not. Maybe that's for the best, huh?" He shrugged, knowing he would not be able to do the job anywhere near as good as Tiana did it.

"Thanks, T." He nodded, not quite believing he was too good for anywhere, but liking that she was trying her best to make him feel better. Her next suggestions almost causing the man to spit out his coffee. "I'm not so good with kids, so nannying is a no. Never learnt any instrument, and I practically already tutor at the gym, well, it feels like im tutoring with some of my clients."