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The good thing about night shift at a bookstore is, it's usually pretty quiet. Nevy's taking advantage of the time to do some work on a new design, their noebook splayed out on the counter while something almost like a nordic knot, but more organic, takes shape on the page. The front of the store is just as cramped as ever, and the plump medium is squeezed behind the desk to draw.
The door opens and in flutters Phaedra, a broad smile on her face. The smol woman is wearing a floral sundress, a snip of yarn tying her hair back out of her face, and a pair of sandals--with everything just a little dirty, some leaves caught in her ponytail. She also has a small purse, out of which the head of some kind of stuffed animal is peeking.
"Nevy!" A broad grin on her face as she makes her way inside.
Annie can appreciate a quiet night shift, since working at a bar means hers usually isn't. She enters a few moments after Phaedra, wearing a pair of light blue jeans, with a hoodie reading בצלם אלוהים around a rainbow magen david. "Evening, Nevermore. New person." She looks at Phaedra inquisitively.
The door jostles as a large figure tries to open it the wrong way, pauses, then opens it the correct way. He reflexively ducks his head as he enters, the large bald man over seven feet tall, is extremely broad and the backpack on his back looks ridiculously small for him. He is wearing a black, too tight t-shirt with the rainbow text ‘Free Hugs’ stretched across his expanse. “Hi… I was looking for a book “ He says to those in the front of the shop, mainly the artist behind the counter, smiling politely.
Nevy grins and gives a little wave at Annie and Phaedra as they enter. "Hey, Phae. Annie. How are y-" They hesitate as there's a brief lunar eclipse, realize that it's a man, and tense slightly. Still, the Customer Service smile serves them well. "Welcome to Book's," They say, trying to take in the newcomer but realizing after a moment there's just too much to get details all in one go. "Um... what kind of book are you looking for?"
"I'm not that new. I've been in town all my life. Well, just outside it, for most, but still!" She blinks at Annie, before looking up as Bee enters and bounding over toward him giddily. "Bee! You're here, that means I get to introduce you to Nevy! Nevy, this is Bee, he's awesome."
He waves, "Oh... Hi Phaedra... sorry... never been here before and had to take it all in... " He smiles wider as he recognizes someone. "Thanks... you're awesome Phaedra..." He turns to Nevy "Nice to meet you..." and then to Annie "Nice to meet you as well... I'm Bee El... or just Bee."
"Well, you are new to me, in any event." Annie glances at the new arrival, then blinks. "Anneliese. Nice to meet you, too." Her attention turns to Nevermore, then. "I wanted to thank you for the suggestion of that rock and roll book, last time I was here."
Nevy smiles at the introduction. "You too. A friend of Phaedra's is a friend of mine." They grin at Annie. "No problem. Did you get a chance to listen to any of the highlights?"
She smiles at Annie. "I'm Phaedra, as Nevy and Bee said. Nice to meet you?"
Another Kindred slips into the bookshop, giving a quick look around before they spot the group. It's almost enough to make them turn around and flee out the store--but then they spot Phaedra and immediately continue further inside, despite the nervousness in their eyes. Which is all that can be seen of their face, as the lower half is covered by a cloth mask that loops around their ears. Tonight it has cartoon cats on it. Otherwise wearing baggy, bland clothes with an oversized gray coat. They look a little sickly--and more than a little creepy, especially to poor Nevy.
He looks at Nevy, "This... is a nice place. Apologies if I seem taken aback, I didn't expect to see any familiar faces... I really was just looking for a book... Adoption Healing by Joe Soll... but I'm happy to see a familiar face, as always..." He smiles warmly down to Phaedra, and waves at the newcomer. "Hello."
"I did, actually. The ones by that Swedish quartet were especially interesting." Annie answers Nevy, before returning Phaedra's smile. "Almost certainly. Nevermore here has good taste in friends, I have found."
"Speaking of friends..." She detaches from Bee's orbit to move over toward Finley with a bit of a smile. "Hey. I, uh, talked to Calamity some. Things are okay, I think. Kinda wanna get all four of us back together again, at some point."
It's a good thing Nevy has a cast-iron customer service smile, 'cuz their skin is crawling now- 2 nos? Heaven forbid! "Hello! Welcome to Book's!" They look up at Bee. "No, that's... that's fine. I wasn't expecting this many people this evening either. Such is retail." They give a little smile. "Adoption Healing? would that be in psychology or self-help?"
"Hi," Finley replies to Bee and Nevy, peering up at the other Nossie in particular nervously. Their voice is soft, especially with the mask muffling it, and has a notable lisp. But their eyes soften as they focus on Phaedra, meeting her half way. "You did?" Their eyes widen with relief. "I'm... so glad. Um. We talked, too.. Getting together would be good, all of us."
"You know Calamity?" Annie sounds curious. "Should I be asking who the fourth person involved in this is?"
“Probably self-help… thanks.” He says to Nevy and notices the newcomer’s nervousness and raises a meatbrow.
Phaedra looks at Annie thoughtfully. "Uh, their name's Andy. They're pretty cool."
Nevy nods. "That's... um... 3 aisles back, two in?" They hesitate. "Or, um... close, anyway."
Finley glances past Pheadra towards Annie, blinking in surprise. "...Y-yes? I know them. They're, um, my best friend."
“Thanks… I’ll be right back… Don’t go anywhere, OK, I like meeting new folk…” He nods to Nevy and then to Annie and the rest, suddenly a bit more self-conscious of his large size as he turns sideways, scoots past the folk and down the aisle to look for the book.
"Yeah? If this is the Andy I am thinking of, I have met them a time or two myself." Annie glances from Phaedra to Finley. "Anneliese, by the way."
"I mean, how many Andys in town are them-ish?" She offers a crooked smile before glancing at Nevermore. "Are you okay?"
Nevy looks at Phaedra, their customer service smile plastered on. "I'm, uh... fine!" Their eyes, though, say 'creepy creepy augh augh augh.'
To Finley, they say "Are you looking for anything in particular today?"
"Finley," they reply to Annie with a little nod. They stick close to Phaedra's side, turning their dark gaze upon Nevy to stare. "Um--just browsing," they say in a nervous rush, but on second thought add, "Science books and comics?"
He pulls a few books from the shelves, the one he was looking for and another two on healing emotional trauma, “Ooh… good selection” he says out loud, happily before making his way back to the front.
"Possibly many, but I only know one Andy, so." Annie shrugs slightly, glancing at Nevermore. "Are you sure? I know this is probably a lot more people than usual, for a night shift at a bookstore."
Nevy nods. "Ummm... comic books are going to be upstairs, near the genre fiction. Science is going to be... aisle 5? I think 3 rows back."
She quietly puts a hand on Finley's sleeve, but her eyes linger on Nevermore. "Hey, they're alright. Bee and Finley, they're both good friends. They're alright." Her tone of voice gentle, coaxing.
Finley nods gratefully in reply to Nevy, but doesn't immediately move. A quick glance between Phaedra and the mortal--and they seem to realize that Phaedra is friends with them, brows tilting with a shift that might be more guilt than nervousness. "S-sorry," they murmur in Nevy's direction. "I can... go?"
Bee becomes aware of the tension, lowers his gaze slightly, moves a bit more slow and at more of a distance, his voice becomes softer, speech a bit slower as he puts the books on the counter, “Just these then…” His eyes express concern for Nevy and also Finley, leaving some bills on top of the books on the counter, enough to pay for them with change.
Annie looks confused more than anything, glancing between the various vampires present and Nevermore.
Nevy takes a breath. They look at Phaedra and their eyes widen slightly. "Ohhhh," They say. They offer the two nosferatu a more honest smile. "It's... it's fine. You don't need to go. I, uh... you two just... remind me of a friend of mine. Alex?" Another Nos.
Their head tilts curiously before peering sideways to Phaedra, questioningly. Then back to Nevy, nodding. "I know Alex. She's very nice."
Phaedra nods slightly, the hand on Fin's sleeve gripping gently. "I can vouch for everyone here as an alright person. Except Anneliese, who I'd still probably bet is a good person anyway."
"Oh... Alex... I know her as well... we're fam..." He beams and smiles.
"I mean, I like to think so?" Annie shrugs slightly. She still hasn't reacted to the creepy aura the two Nosferatu are giving off.
Finley glances down at Phaedra's hand on their sleeve for a second, before their own hand shifts to instead grip her's. Bee gets a curious look and a nod, before zhe looks towards Annie again. "How do you know Calamity?"
Nevy glances at the held hands, and their smile turns a little sly - though still warm. They nod to the others. "I can vouch that Annie is, in fact, awesome. Busier than all reason, but awesome."
There's a bit of a Look at Nevy's sly smile, Phaedra puffing up slightly as she squeezes Finley's hand gently. But she doesn't address that aloud. "Well, good. Then everyone's been vouched for as awesome except me. And you all can judge that for yourselfs as you'd like."
Bee turns to Annie, “Do you prefer Annie or Anneliese?” He turns to Phaedra, “I said it before and I’ll say it again.. You’re awesome, Phaedra” He smiles broadly.
"They drink at the bar I work at, occasionally." Annie shrugs again, glancing at the held hands and then to Nevy, arching an eyebrow at the medium. "Thank you." Her attention turns to Bee, then. "Annie to my friends, but, well. I have only just met you."
"You're the most awesome," Finley says in an instant, giving Phaedra an intent look. Annie's answer to their question gets a curious look, but they just nod in reply.
The Look from Phaedra draws an innocent expression. "So it's been established, everyone here is awesome. Thus Is It Spoken." The last four words are a veritable Proclamation from On High.
"And thus shall it be." She nods, then looks at Finley. "Also, if you don't know Bee yet, you oughta. He's cool, and never-ever pushy about things."
"Then Anneliese it is..." He turns to Phaedra and Nevy, "It's true... I try not to be pushy unless it's needed... I mean... in a way that's helpful..."
"Oh?" Finley peers up at Bee, far less nervous now that Phaedra has put in a good word. "It's... nice to meet you."
"Good to know." Annie says, glancing at Phaedra, before turning her attention to Nevy. "Before I forget, I wanted some more books on music history. Are they still in the same place?"
Nevy nods. "Yeah. Feel free to take a look around." Nevy looks a touch guilty. "My, uh, boss told me off for taking too long wandering in the bookshelves without watching the door, so I should stay up here."
Bee looks to Finley, “It’s nice to meet you as well… um, I’m sorry, I did not get your name…” he moves his tree-trunk sized arms around to pull off his backpack to put his books into. He glances to Anneliese, his eyes drawn to her for a moment before back to Finley.
"Do you want me to bitch your boss out for telling you not to provide the best customer service possible?" She tilts her head to one side slightly.
"O-oh--sorry. Um. Finley Adams," the Nossie replies to Bee.
Nevy raises their eyebrows. "No! Um... no, that's... that's fine." They give a lopsided smile. "You... really don't need to."
Annie nods, disappearing into the shelves for a moment.
"Don't doubt that I would--or that I could." She gives Nevy a smirk.
“Finley… yes, nice to meet you Finley.” He smiles warmly before turning to Nevy and Phaedra, “So, Nevy or Nevermore? Can I ask what you’re drawing?” He glances down at the notepad they were working on when he arrived.
"You too..." A nod to Bee, eyes creasing a little into what might be a smile behind the mask. Finley peers at Nevy's notepad as well, but then lets go of Phaedra's hand, slipping away to take a quick look in the science section.
Nevy shrugs. "Either way - I know Nevermore can be a mouthful sometimes." They glance at the notepad. "It's... a bit of a work-in-progress. A Rat King."
"Ew, rats. We used to get them on the farm when I was a kid. We kept barn cats to deal with them." She wrinkles her nose, glancing off in the direction Finley went, but stays up front for now.
“I really like the knotwork… you’ve got a good hand at it…” His eyes follow along the contours of the linework, before looking to Phaedra, “So what’s new?”
Annie returns just in time to hear Phaedra's mention of barn cats, nodding quietly. "My family had one, when I was young, but that was... a while ago."
Finley's phone goes off from in between the aisles. They pull it out to frown at, then tuck it away and head back to the front long enough to touch Phaedra's hand. "I have to go. Sorry. Um, I'll text later? Nice... to meet you all." The rest get a timid little wave before the Nossie heads for the door.
She brushes her cheek against Finley's gently, before they leave, and smiles softly. "Take care. Do text."
The cheek brush leaves Finley looking incredibly flustered as they duck out.
They smile at the compliment. "Thanks. I've got an instagram, if you like my style. And I sell prints." Shameless self-promotion achieved! They nod to Finley. "It was nice to meet you. Have a good evening." They side-eye at Phaedra and their smile widens, but they don't say anything.
"You're very welcome and well deserved! I would like to get your Instagram so I can look and maybe pick out a print or two." He smiles at Nevy, "I like to give art from local artists as gifts to some of my customers... if I feel they would like the style." He waves to Finley, "Hope to see you again!"
"Be well," Annie nods to Finley before they leave, glancing at Nevy after. "Are you working on anything new?"
She gives Bee a grin. "Nevy also made the new tarot deck I'm using--the Usher deck." She unzips her purse, pulling out a stuffed sheep and setting it down on the counter so she can pull the deck out to show off.
Nevy nods. "A few commissions for Penny Dreadful. A Rat King, for the first design." They look at the stuffed lamb and scritch it behind the ears in violation of common sense.
He claps his hands together softly, lightly and quickly in exuberance, "Oooh, I can't wait to see..." He then quickly calms himself and leans over to look trying not to loom... too much.
Annie moves closer, peering at the deck curiously as Phaedra shows it off. "Interesting. I do not know a lot about tarot, but the aesthetic is fairly compelling."
"It's a really awesome deck to read with, too. I like it a lot. But I'm biased, I like Nevy a lot too." She laughs.
"I don't even know Nevy... yet..." He smiles warmly, but not suggestively, "but I do like the directness of the design. I imagine the imagery would be helpful in doing readings..."
Nevy chuckles. "When I asked what would make a good deck, someone -" They smirk at Phaedra. "Said distinctive Aesthetic would be useful. And, well, say what you will about me, I've definitely got a distinctive aesthetic." They spread their arms to show off the sugar-skull-embroidered longcoat they wear. Distinctive indeed
Annie chuckles in turn. "It is that, yes." She glances at Phaedra, then. "What is involved in reading them?"
"You have to learn the meanings of the cards, and then shuffle the deck and lay out a spread--anywhere from one card to the whole hecking deck, in a pattern where each position has a meaning. And then interpret them to the question asked."
Admires the longcoat with a big ‘thumbs up’ to Nevy, “...and the imagery as much as the meaning is used to discern the potentials… right?” He looks to Phaedra.
Nevy nods. "And in my experience, make sure to call out the subject something fierce." They blep a bit.
"...now I am somewhat curious to see what they say about me," Annie admits, glancing at Phaedra. "I do not want to make you do work, though."
"Well, I do it for a living, so if you wanted to visit me at Penny Dreadful, or book a private appointment, then you wouldn't have to feel bad at all." She grins, and glances over at Nevy, who has taught her the fine art of shilling herself.
Bee nods, "which is a good reminder for me to look at my schedule so I can get a reading..." He looks to Nevy, "...and there is something in particular I'd love to discuss... art-wise... when your commission schedule is more open..."
Nevy raises their eyebrows. They pull put a business card which lists a website, etsy store, instagram, tumblr, and commission email. "Send me an email - I'll add you to the list. Anything particular?"
To Phaedra, they grin. "You have learned well, my young apprentice." They say in a creepy-old-emperor voice.
"Maybe I will, then. What is your schedule like?" Annie asks Phaedra. Nevy's creepy-old-emperor voice gets them a glance and a raised eyebrow.
Phaedra also completely doesn't catch Nevy's reference, and she eyes them warily before looking at Annie. "Uh, I'm kinda nocturnal these days. These nights, even. So, it's best to catch me late, if that's good for you."
“The new She-ra. Apparently it’s quite popular…” He replies to Nevy, “Can I give you each my card as well?” He digs his mitts into his backpack to pull out three black cards with big white text which reads, ‘Bee El, Professional Cuddler’ and lists a phone number and email.
Nevy hesitates. "Some time I need to get you together with a couple friends of mine to watch Star Wars," They say to Phaedra. "Or... at least, some of Star Wars."
They nod and smile at Bee El. "I've really enjoyed it - though fanart can be, uh.... a thing, when it comes to paid work." They blink at the business card, then at Bee El. "That's a thing?!"
"I work as a bartender, so I am used to staying up late, do not worry." Annie reassures Phaedra. "Would I be able to get your number, so we can arrange a time that works for the both of us?" Bee's business card gets an arched eyebrow. "I do not think I am in need of your services, but thank you anyway."
She nods at Annie. "I don't have a business card or anything, but I can give you my number, sure." She waits for Annie to pull out her phone before reciting the number.
He looks to Anneliese, "Sure thing..." He pockets the card and nods to Nevy, "Surprisingly... There are a lot of folk who lack touch and just like to have someone hold and comfort them, listen to them and let them just be for a short while. There has been a lot of negative notions about it, but it's legit and on the rise. I mean, it's a challenge only being able to do it at night, but I'm just happy to help folk who feel isolated or need help overcoming some emotional obstacles... you know?"
Nevy nods. They start to ask a question, then hesitate and nods. "It's nice to be able to do work you feel strongly about and, use it to feed yourself." Surely they mean 'buy food?' Surely?
Annie pulls out her phone on cue, taking down Phaedra's number before sending a quick message to confirm she has it right. Bee's exposition gets them a curious glance. "Why are you only able to do it at night?"
She gives Nevermore a sharp little glare, before saving Annie's number to her phone.
Bee looks down at his pack, then back to Anneliese, "Um... timing and schedules... I'm also trying to get a gym opened..." He glances to Phaedra, then back to Nevy, "I mean, I imagine selling fan art is a thing, but is it a sticky wicket if someone requests it?"
Nevy shrugs. "Partly it depends on the company whether they want to enforce copyright, but...trying to make money from other folks' IP can be... pretty dicey in general."
"Fair enough." Phaedra's glaring at Nevy gets a curious look out of Annie, before she turns her attention to the medium. "I imagine some companies are stricter than others?" Peering beneath her Mask, Bee can see that the Fairest's hair looks oddly damp, and ...are those fingers webbed?
"I mean, if they never find out about it, who does it hurt? If you don't put the print online and just do it for Bee under the table??"
Bee shakes his head, "No... it's OK Phaedra, I would never want to have anyone do something like that." He smiles, his eyes kind of focus on Anneliese's hands for a moment, almost staring, and then gives a slight shake to his head, "I just know a person who likes the genre..."
Nevy follows BL's look, confused when they don't notice anything about the hands in general, then shrugs. "I do enjoy exchanging goods and/or services for money, and with most shows I'd be glad to say 'eff the corporation.' She-ra's been putting out some fantastic LGBT+ representation, though. I do know some sites where you can get officially licensed art on them - and I'm glad to do non-licensed commissions. Including OCs, if you have them."
Annie arches an eyebrow at Bee. "Is there something wrong with my hands?" She glances at Nevy, then. "Indeed? I shall have to check it out, then."
"...is this She-ra another something I should watch, in order to catch up?" Phaedra looks between Nevy and Bee curiously.
Bee's eyes widen at Anneliese's query, "Yes... er... no... I mean... they are, like the rest of you, beautiful... wait... that came out wrong..." He takes a long deep breath, "I mean, no, there's nothing wrong with your hands... they just... reminded me of a memory of my past..." His voice lowers with a soft layer of remembered pain before turning to Phaedra and Nevy, "Honestly, I've never seen it... except for some pics I get sent..."
Nevy blinks at BL, then looks at Phaedra, smiling slightly. "It hasn't had the cultural impact some other shows have - not yet, anyway - but it's pretty well written, and the level of representation and 'Eff you' to the toxic straight white male demographic is pretty fun. Ultimately, I'd say it's up to you. I'm pretty sure you'd love it, though."
"My hands reminded you of a memory of your past." Annie is definitely suspicious, now.
Phaedra doesn't respond to Nevy, watching Bee and Annie instead, uncertainly.
Bee looks to Phaedra then back to Anneliese, stepping back slightly, "Yes... in a manner of speaking..." He takes a calming breath to refocus, "I'm not sure how much you know of trauma, but sometimes, in the most inconceivable of ways, memories can be pulled to the surface..." A brief flash of worry crosses his face.
Nevy glances around at the grounp, looking thoughtful. “Hey,” they say. “I need to do a little reshelving. If I do that, would you guys give each other disappointed looks if anyone tries to shoplift?” This would also oh-so-conveniently remove the mortal from the conversation
The changeling in the conversation definitely understands how memories can be pulled to the surface unexpectedly. "Fair enough. I am sorry for whatever trauma you suffered, then." Annie's voice is gentle, as she addresses Bee. Glancing at Nevy, she nods. "I can do that, yes."
"Nevy, maybe I oughta come with you. It's dark in the shelves all alone." Less subtle.
He offers a thankful smile to Anneliese, "Thank you... I hope you don't take offense... I'm normally not this awkward... and I would like the opportunity to talk again with you... but I do have to get these books and pick up some other things before I get home..."
Nevy glances around, then nods. "All right. It was nice to meet you, Bee."
"Not at all." Annie smiles politely. "Most nights I am working at Club Vertigo, in the Gayborhood, so you can likely find me there."
"Be safe out there, Bee. You know how it is, these nights."
A smile of recognition forms, "I have some customers out there... I will come out to visit... I promise... thanks." He turns to Nevy "A pleasure to meet you as well, Nevy. Thank you for the books, and if you ever need any heavy lifting done... I'm happy to help." He turns to Phaedra, "I will, you too." He smiles though it wasn't as broad as it was when he arrived. He slings his backpack on and heads out. (Thank you all for a fun introduction RP... I appreciate your patience and understanding with my newbness... much love and gratitude! :heart: )
Nevy waves as Bee Ell leaves, then glances at the other two. "Okay. Should I, uh, take care of the shelving now, or should I wait?" Translation: Phaedra, did you ask to join to get a moment's privacy or to give them privacy that's no longer needed?
"Uuuuh. Do you actually need to do the shelving?" Clearly a useful response, that.
Annie glances between the two of them, arching an eyebrow.
Nevy snorts. "It's not urgent, if people don't need time to talk where the kiddo can't hear."
"...you're not a kiddo. I'm pretty sure you're older than me. Pretty sure." The fact that she looks no older than maybe 23 at the far outside makes this comment seem funnier than it might otherwise.
Annie looks at Phaedra, then. "Do you mind if I ask how old you are, then?"
"Twenty-six." She grins. "And I'm sure Nevy's older than that, so they can't be the kiddo."
Nevy chuckles with a sardonic look. "Kiddo doesn't always mean youngest," They say.
"What else could it possibly mean?" Annie asks, faux-innocent.
Phaedra turns big blue eyes upon Nevy, amplifying Annie's question with her own innocent look.
Nevy glances between the two and sighs. If they want to do this ? "The one who's not a preternatural creature from a society cloaked in shadow and secrets."
Annie arches an eyebrow at Nevy, then, before turning to Phaedra. "In that case, I am with the Freehold. You?"
"Oh! Um. Well. I'm a vampire? But I really am only twenty-six. Or twenty-one for the past five years, if you prefer to count that way." She offers a tiny curtsy.
Guy makes his way into the bookstore, not accompanied by the usual roar of his bike. He moves around until he dials in on Nevy’s heartbeat, and makes his way to the others. “Talking about age?” He asks as he draws near.
Jinglingle goes the front door. "Welcome to Books!" Nevy says to the newcomer. They see who it is, give an uncertain smile, and nod. "Hello, Guy."
"More Nevy getting frustrated about us talking around stuff and pulling the curtain back," Annie admits. "Evening, Guy. Been a while."
"Guy, you've got awkward timing." She lets out a laugh.
“Awkward, how so?” He nods to everyone, looking them over for a moment.
Nevy chuckles. "We were talking about secrets, and how it's hard to talk around them."
Annie nods, glancing at Phaedra. "I assume that Bee fellow is on your side of things as well?"
A tiny nod. "He's kinda the exact opposite of me in some ways. Looks big and scary, but has no temper at all."
“Ah, secrets. That’s why it’s easy to just not talk, sometimes.”
Nevy snorts. "I've never gotten the knack for that. You may not have noticed."
"Good to know." Annie glances at Nevy. "You, verbose? There is a shock for the ages."
He chuckles, and looks over the books nearby, then to Phaedra. “How have you been? Everything well?”
Blink. "What does verbose mean?" Glancing between Nevy and Anneliese before she turns back to Guy. "I'm good. Trying to stay out of trouble, haven't done anything too stupid this week."
"'Verbose' means 'using a lot of words," Nevy says. They chuckle. "Sometimes too many words... though I try to use the right ones."
Annie looks at Phaedra. "Are you not a native speaker, or just trying to learn more vocabulary?"
“Words are difficult, yes,” he says with a nod. “Glad to hear you’re doing well, Phaedra,” he adds.
"Native speaker who never went to school. I'm trying to learn better, so I don't have to ask as often." She shrugs. "But I've got time now."
Nevy nods. "I'm happy to answer questions. I've read... probably more than I really should, so I know plenty of words." They offer a friendly smile to the vamp.
"Good luck with that, then." Annie smiles at Phaedra. "Is there any particular topic you want to learn more about?"
"...everything. My friends are helping me study for my GED, so I can take some courses at the community college, eventually. I want to know everything I can. However I can." She smiles at Annie. "I'm working on it. It's slow, but I'm working on it."
“Oh, a GED...maybe I should get one too...not sure what for, but it seems nice...oh, Phaedra, we could study together. I bet Finley would help us too...sounds fun. Sledge will call me a huge nerd, though....”
"I think you'd only need to take the test if you're wanting to do something where people will care about a high school diploma," Nevy says to Guy. "If you're wanting to go to college it could be useful. Otherwise you can probably learn all the stuff without paying for the test."
"Knowledge is valuable, though. Do not let anyone tell you otherwise." Annie glances at Guy, then back at Phaedra. "Most of my studies are not at high school level, but just being around people to bounce questions off can help, I find."
"Finley'll help. So might Rena. And Eyrgjafa. Lots of people are offering to help, really. I'm excited to work with them all. And I'd love to study with you, too, Guy." She grins. "And if Sledge calls you a nerd, I'll yell at her."
“Aw, don’t do that, I call her a dummy, it’s a...thing we do. And thanks Anneliese, I appreciate the offer.” He smiles, and it even looks real.
Nevy blinks at the name 'Sledge,' Then chuckles, shaking their head. "I still need to get used to not having the most unique name in the room."
"I mean, you probably have the most unique name in this room, at least?" Annie offers, glancing between Phaedra and Guy. "What area do Finley's talents lie in?"
"Finley does science. Zhe's a hemolo...hemetholish...blood doctor."
“If you’re counting my title...no. But Nevermore is definitely an interesting name,” he says with a nod to Nevy. “Yes, she’s a blood doctor. Knows a lot of interesting things.”
Nevermore bows. "Thank you, I take that as a compliment." They eye Phaedra. "A hematologist? Wow, that's goth as heck."
Annie chuckles at Nevy's view of the situation. "I might want to compare notes with zhem some time, then. I study medicine myself."
She gives Guy a bit of a glower. "Zhe, not she. Or they, if that's too hard for you. And yeah, it's kinda goth, and kinda awesome, and zhe's about the smartest person I know, and I like hanging out so learning about science-y stuff from zhem is the best. But so is playing video games. Or just hanging out talking."
“Hmm? Didn’t I say they?” He pauses for a moment thinking. “Oh, I misspoke. Yes, they are a lot of fun spend time with,” he says with a smile. “I’ve learned about games from them.”
Nevy gives Phaedra that grin again. "I could tell you were having fun spending time with them."
Annie arches an eyebrow at Guy, before turning to Phaedra. "Yeah? What kind of video games do you like playing so far?"
Phaedra blushes visibly, looking off to one side sheepishly to avoid Nevy's grin. "Um. Dragon Age? It's the only one I've played with zhem so far. The first night, I spent hours making a character."
He raises an eyebrow at Phaedra, then smiles. “Ah, yes, video games are like that.”
Nevy puts a hand on Phaedra's shoulder. "I'm just teasing you. You two seem to be happy, and I'm glad."
"I am not familiar with that one. What does it involve, beyond dragons?"
She sighs at the touch. "We're okay. And Dragon age is about elves and dwarves and magic and fighting for what's right and I'm playing a really awesome elf mage named Asterope and it's pretty fun, but kinda really hard, too."
“That does sound interesting. Can you also play a swordsperson?”
Nevy chuckles. "It's a video game, so I'd say... probably."
"I shall have to check it out, then. Is it one you can actually play together, or just watch someone else playing?" Annie glances at Nevy, then. "I take it a lot of them involve swordspeople?"
"You can totally play a swordperson. Any race, humans or dwarves or anything can be sword-y." She grins. "And it's one player, but you build a team with characters in the game."
“That sounds fun...I should start training with the sword again...it’s fun.”
Nevy chuckles. "You could join the SCA."
"The who now?" Annie gives Nevy a blank look.
Phaedra looks at her phone. "I've got an appointment, so I should get going. But good seeing you all?" She tucks her tarot cards away and turns toward the door.
“Be seeing you Phaedra. Be well,” he says with a smile. “Yes, what is this SCA?”
Nevy waves. "Talk to you later, Phae!" They look at Guy. "The Society for Creative Anachronism. Medieval and renaissance reenactment enthusiast group. You get everyone from people who like putting on armor and hitting people to people who're sincerely interested in maintaining the arts and knowledge of the past."
Annie nods. "Pleasure meeting you, Phaedra. I will be in touch about that reading." She glances at Nevy. "Sounds interesting. Do they just do the medieval and renaissance periods?"
“Huh. I might be interested in something like that, if it weren’t for scheduling restrictions.”
"You know... I'm not really sure? I haven't really been to a meeting since a friend dragged me to a couple in college." They shrug to Guy. "I think some of the shires have fencing practice in the evenings?"
"And the shires are?"
“I am often busy in the evenings,” he says with a chuckle.
"It's what they call the individual clubs. I... Wait" They point at the stuffed sheep on the counter. "Isn't that Phaedra's?"
"...so it is." Annie says, pulling out her phone. "I will let her know to come retrieve it."
“If I knew I’d see her soon, I’d take it, but yeah, better to let her know it’s here.” He stretches, back popping loudly, and lets out a sigh. “Any exciting plans for the evening, either of you?”
Nevy nods, picking the stuffed animal up to take a look at it. "It looks pretty well-loved." They look around. "I'm up for an exciting evening of minding the shop," Nevy says. They look at Annie. "Any response?"
"She says to tell you that she will come back for it, but probably not tonight." Annie answers, before glancing at Guy. "It is my evening off, so... not really?" She shrugs.
“Ah, well, that’s too bad. Hmm. Maybe I’ll go out and find some,” he says with a chuckle. “The night is young.”
Nevy chuckles. "Did you want a book, while you're here?"
"Or were you just looking for company to while away the hours?"
“Hmmm...either? Though I don’t read much, so. Didn’t miss it much, not being able to until recently.” He shrugs. “Also, I was trying to make polite conversation.”
Nevy chuckles. "So did you just come here to visit?" They gesture at the shelves around them. "It's a bookstore, after all."
"I think that would be the hint to buy something," Annie chuckles, placing the selection she'd gotten during her foray into the shelves on the counter. "Speaking of which."
“I came here because it felt like the place to meet people...and I wanted to check on you, Nevermore.”
Nevy chuckles. "Well, I'm not going to kick you out or force you to buy anything you don't want." They hesitate with a lopsided smile. "But my boss might, if he sees you." They chuckle and start hecking Annie out. "In any case, it's good to see you. Did you want to check anything in particular?"
Annie glances at Guy, then, handing Nevy her card when the transaction gets far enough along to need that. "Could I grab a bag for those?"
“I’m not worried about your boss,” he says without malice. “And I won’t hang around and bother you all night.”
"Absolutely!" They shake out a plastic bag, sliding in the books. They look at Guy and sigh. "I don't mean... you're not being a bother, Guy. I'm just trying to make conversation."
Annie takes the bag, glancing between Guy and Nevy.
He blinks and thinks for a moment. “Ach. Words.” He waves a hand. “Anyway, then. It’s good you are well, Nevermore. I was wondering if you had heard more about our rat problem.”
Nevy nods. "Did the information about the Ministers and all that get to you? If not... there's plenty to tell you."
Annie blinks slightly. "Rat problem?"
“Ministers, yeah. I got a neighborhood, too.” He nods to Annie. “Sprits and stuff.”
“It’s uhh, a whole thing, several people are looking into it.”
Nevy nods, glancing between the two. "There was a witness - someone who they took who got away. I've been visiting her from time to time while some... um..." They hesitate. "Friends keep an eye on her. They've been coming from Centralia. They're planning something... big." They eye Annie and give a hopefully-comforting smile. "But there's plenty of people working on the problem."
"Good to know." Annie is not going to ask more about this, because Pax wants one character per player on the Rat Host plot. She glances at Nevy. "How are your talks with Yu Jin going?"
They chuckle. "Plenty to talk about," They say. "But...mostly good."
Guy checks his phone, not getting involved in a personal conversation.
"Good to know," Annie smiles. "I have to ask you, because even if I did ask Yu Jin, they would not answer."
Nevy chuckles. "It's a professional ethics thing. I figure you probably respect that."
He raises an eyebrow as he looks at his phone, but doesn’t say anything.
"Well, yes," Annie admits. "Hence why I am not asking them." She grins at Nevy. "There is no ethical hazard in asking you, though."
Nevy chuckles. "Fair enough." They glance at Guy. "Say," They say. "When you're not being a supernaturally badass ratcatcher, what do you do for entertainment?"
“Entertainment? Petra and I watch movies, enjoy each other’s company...I like to go stargazing...I people watch sometimes too.”
"Stargazing? That must take you a fair way out of the city, to do it properly, with all the light pollution these days."
Nevy nods. "The night is always limned over with the thrice-damned refuse of our extended days," they say melodramatically.
“My eyes are more sensitive than most people’s, but yes, I have to get out of the city to properly see them all.” He shrugs. “It’s nice...relaxing.”
Annie arches an eyebrow at Nevy, chuckling quietly. "So you don't spend time socialising with those on your side of the fence, then?"
Nevy returns the raised eyebrow. "What? I like words."
He chuckles. “Nothing wrong with words.”
“I’ve been socializing more. It’s been good so far.”
"I have noticed," Annie says, tone dry. "That poetry you wrote was rather good, though, I must admit."
Nevy smiiles. "Why thank you." They chuckle. "Socializing can be fun`
“After years of...well, not really doing so, I’m relearning how to be a social creature. Petra likes to drag me out places, so that helps.”
"Fair enough," Annie says, before pausing as her phone beeps at her. Checking it, she smiles slightly. "I should be going, but it was nice talking to you, Guy, Nevy."
“Ah, I should be going as well. Thank you both, it was fun to Chat with you.”
Nevy nods. "Have a good evening! Come on back sometime." They grin at Guy. "Maybe we'll convert you into a reader."
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