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Aurelio Menegi:
Finding a 'working man's bar' that was still up and running without being overrun by hipsters could be a challenge at time, but those who knew where to look treated those places like the gold that they were. A quartet of artisans had meandered to just such a watering hole after a long shift, but while three of them headed off to handle their own post-shift business one had remained, the dark-haired gentleman lifting a hand to flag down the bartender and put in for another drink. Those who could see beyond the Mask would see the expertly-carved white marble that made up his wiry form, strongly contrasted by the all-black ensemble that he wore.
Jack Martingale:
Sure, Jack's a 'working man', and looks especially so today, with his well worn cargo pants and a faded t-shirt with flecks of sawdust stuck to it. He's got his leather jacket thrown over his shoulder as he ambles into the place, and gives his fellow Lost a very quick once-over before up-nodding. This definitely isn't the kind of place for lingering glances. He makes his way over to the bar, the sketchy lines of his mien shifting and flashing in and out as he moves, like a rough animation.
Aurelio Menegi:
Aurelio looked towards the open door in the mirror at first, dark eyes - or bright blue, as far as Jack was concerned - watching him for a moment before he turned to get a proper look at the other Lost and nodded in return. He even moved aside a touch to give the Darkling room at the bar if he so wished, giving the bartender a nod as they came by with his beer.
Jack Martingale:
Jack sidles up next to him and leans on the bar, grabbing the bartender for a rum and coke before they move on to serving someone else. The scent of an oncoming spring rainstorm comes with him, undercut by a sharp, coppery smell.
"Hey," he says to Aurelio after he's got his drink, and takes a sip.
Aurelio Menegi:
"Buona sera." The greeting came out smoothly, the Torrent's own presence wrapped in the low heat of a covered kiln. When he continued the English was well-colored by his native tongue, and not just in the 'we've been here for generations' way that seemed to be the trend in South Philly. "Not seen you around, I don't think."
Jack Martingale:
"Nah, I don't think our paths've crossed yet. But how long've you been around?" Jack flashes him a small smile. He shoves words together in the way only a native speaker of any given language can.
Aurelio Menegi:
"Few months." He took a pull of his drink before offering a hand, the stone strikingly cold compared to the banked heat of his mantle. "Aurelio."
Jack Martingale:
"That'd explain it," Jack nods, and shakes the offered hand. "Jack." He's got a solid grip, but he doesn't try any test of strength like some do. "What brings you to Philly, then?"
Aurelio Menegi:
"Few things...change in scenery, work. Things like that."
Jack Martingale:
"Mmm." Another nod, and he sips his drink. "What d'you do for work?" He gives Aurelio another look over, possibly to see if he can figure it out from what the man's wearing.
Aurelio Menegi:
There wasn't much of a hint from his clothing, although there were a few old burn-marks here and there on his hands if one knew what to look for. "Glassmaking." He replied with a small smile, a note of pride in his tone. "Old family tradition, picked it up again when I got back. Heard of a studio here that followed the old way of it, part of why I came here."
Jack Martingale:
"Ohh..." Jack raises an eyebrow, impressed. "S the studio as good as you heard?"
Aurelio Menegi:
"It is. The first owners came from the lines of the old Venetian makers and they kept the fires going on this side of things. Been good working there so far."
Jack Martingale:
"Venetian glass is like...a big deal, right? 'S not just regular..." he waves vaguely, "shit?"
Aurelio Menegi:
"Bigger than most, yes. The makers used to be kept within the city to prevent their secrets from getting out. Not quite so tight these days." He smiled a touch at that, taking a sip of his beer. "Was more for art than practical use, but that's not a bad thing."
Jack Martingale:
"Not bad at all, nah. Speaking as someone who's also got their hand in the the arts world."
Aurelio Menegi:
"Woodworking, I guess?" He motioned to the sawdust here and there on Jack's personage. "Do a bit of that myself, mostly for framing pieces and whatnot."
Jack Martingale:
Jack huffs out a laugh. "Not quite - I'm a stagehand. One of the scene shops in town needed a few extra hands today. Not my usual gig, I'd rather be running a light board or backstage, but I'm not one to turn down work."
Aurelio Menegi:
"Ah...fair enough." He nodded with a smirk. "Good work too, overall."
Jack Martingale:
"Yeah, I like to think so. Theater can be elitist as fuck, but...it feels like home, honestly. I dunno what else I'd even do at this point."
Aurelio Menegi:
"Know how that goes. Ego can reign, but the art is the truest proof of talent." He gave another small nod. "Part of why I went back into it; the familiarity helped."
Jack Martingale:
"Yeah, same. Were you gone long?" He finishes his drink and flags the bartender down for another one.
Aurelio Menegi:
He went quiet at that, mulling over exactly how to answer the question. "Longer than I expected."
Jack Martingale:
Jack winces in sympathy. "Time's a fuck, 'n so are They."
Aurelio Menegi:
"Agreed." He nodded firmly, downing the rest of his drink. "Still got back out, though...a better fate than some."
Jack Martingale:
"Yeah." Jack's voice is soft, and he drains half his drink. Whatever he's remembering, it's not great. "We're the lucky ones."
Aurelio Menegi:
"In some ways. Others, not so much."
Jack Martingale:
"Luckier'n the poor fucks who're still there," he clarifies.
Aurelio Menegi:
"Indeed." He gave a small nod, sitting back in his seat. "Have to be thankful for that."
Jack Martingale:
Jack downs the rest of his drink and sighs. "I should head out, don't wanna spend the whole night at a bar. Where's your studio? Next time I wanna see something pretty I might stop by."
He's talking about the glass. Right? (Jack please)
Aurelio Menegi:
"Sorry if the mood was brought down too much." He nodded quietly, smiling a touch at the attempt at flirtation. "Murano Glassworks in South Philly, few blocks from the tourist cheesesteak places. Not too hard to find."
Jack Martingale:
"Awh I'm gonna have to dodge tourists...?" He grimaces, mostly teasing.
Aurelio Menegi:
He seemed amused, rocking a hand back and forth in a 'eh' sort of manner. "If you come in from far enough east it shouldn't be a problem. They tend to stick to the flashing lights."
Jack Martingale:
"I'm bound by the whims of public transit, at the moment," he huffs. "But I'll look it up." He pulls some cash from his wallet, enough to cover his drinks and a tip, and slides it under his empty glass.
"'S nice to meet you. See you around."
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