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Thunderstorms come with their own noises - the tapping hiss of the rainfall on various surfaces, the occasional krakarumble of thunder, the occasional splish of a puddle.
Those sounds don't usually include drums, piano, and singing, but in this quiet side-street on this particular night, that's clearly not stopping someone. The music is slightly muffled by the swashbuckler hat which is protecting the little bluetooth speaker from the rain, but it's still audible enough for Nevy (dressed in a pair of leggings and a black T-shirt advertising one of the Halloween sequels). They're grinning beatifically while they dance with more than enough exuberance to account for their lack of training or skill.
There’s a flash of lightning, a crack of lightning, and then there’s suddenly a large black dog standing in the street. It begins to slowly walk forward, and then rain-slick fur ripples and warps, stretching into the form of a man. Guy pops a shoulder as he smiles. “Fancy meeting you here, Nevermore.” He’s wearing a pair of gym shorts, seeming perfectly comfortable in the pouring rain.
Nevy yelped when they saw the Grim (ha) figure of the black dog approaching. When the notice that it's Guy, they... mostly relax. "Oh - heh... hey, Guy. How are you?"
“Pretty good. Just out enjoying the rain...good thing I decided to wear clothes in case I ran into someone, I like to...go feral when it rains like this.”
Purposefully going out in such a downpour would likely be viewed as odd to some, but there was a certain serenity that came with it, the cleansing of the world around you that washed away the past and left you in an ever-changing moment.
It was this that had sent Asbolus out on one of his usual wanders, his steps unhurried even with the rain coming down as hard as it was. The jeans and grey t-shirt he wore were soaked through but he didn't seem to mind, simply taking in this unique view of the city as he went.
The sound of music, muffled but still enough to echo to Asbolus's ears, might well draw him to the others' conversation. Meanwhile, Nevy blinks. "Um... yeah. I think that... clothes are a good idea. Yeah."
Guy closes his eyes as the rain continues to wash over him. “I like this song, it’s a good...vibe.” He’s still smiling as he opens his eyes. “How have you been? Art going well?”
The unexpected music did indeed catch Asbolus' attention, the Darkling perking up like a hound with a new scent to chase before changing course to find the source. Upon spotting the pair he smirked and gave a nod, moving to join them in short order. "Evening..."
Nevy smiles. "It's great, yeah. And It's going pretty well - I've been a little distracted from it, lately, though." They see Asbolus and grin. "Hey, Asbo. What's cooking?" Their foot starts tapping along, unable to resist the lure of catchy happy gothickness for long.
“Ah, Asbolus, it has been some time. I hope you’re doing well.” Gives a little bow. “Lovely weather we’re having.”
"That it has, and quite well all told; hope it's the same for you both. Felt a little restless at home and decided to get out and let the rain do what it does best."
Nevy nods. "Sometimes, you just need to get out and start dancing between the raindrops, huh?" They glance at their sodden hair, turned from frizz into slump by the rain. "The raindrops are a little closer together than they were when I was little."
He laughs softly. “You’re supposed to wet in the rain, let it wash away your worries. And then there’s the lightning and the thunder...” He looks up to the sky.
"Indeed. There's a fine balance between feeling the rain and just getting wet, and far too many tend to fall on the latter side in my opinion."
Nevy chuckles. "Well, I've got a playlist queued up. You guys feel like "feeling the rain" for a bit?"
“Those were my plans for the night, so...yes, I do.”
"Much better to do so with company, I find."
Nevy grins. "I promise not to laugh at either of you if you do me the same favor." Then they bump back up the volume on the music - mostly Delta Rae, because catchy gothic and good for dancing.
Guy’s not a great dancer, but he seems to be enjoying himself as he moves to the music. “You do this often, Nevermore? Just get out in the rain?”
Nevy shrugs. "Mostly during the fun thunderstorms. Normal rain is pretty blah in comparison. How about you? Do you get out in the rain much?"
"Now and again." Asbolus replied, his own dance moves decently fluid from natural dexterity rather than trained skill. "There's a certain something that comes from how the rain hits in the city...it's hard to describe but I've always found it soothing."
“Sure. Thunderstorms are more fun, but....regular rain is nice too. It’s soothing.”
Nevy chuckles. "To each his own, I guess." They pause, breathing heavily, when the song ends. "Hoo. I need to do this more often. Or less. One of the two."
"I'd say more, personally. Good to find a way to relax every now and again." Asbolus said with a small smile, glancing upward at the grey sky for a moment. "Been working on that more lately myself."
He chuckles. "Cardio is good for you, they tell me. Makes your blood not pound so hard in your veins after a bout of dancing."
Nevy side-eyes while they take a seat on the bench next to their music-creating hat. They get a drink of water through the simple expedient of cupping their hands for a few seconds, then sipping from it. "Good for you or not, it's uncomfortable. I'm having fun at this, but I couldn't do this every day."
Asbolus moved to lean against the bench rather than taking a seat just yet, giving a little nod. "Usually is, to start. Muscles you forgot you have expressing their displeasure and whatnot."
Guy laughs as he flops into taking a seat on the wet pavement. "One of the benefits of a hard life is being in good shape when you're preserved in the Long Night. Downside is missing the pleasant feeling of a good work out."
Nevy nods. "You guys can keep moving if you want. I just... need a bit of a break." They look a touch self-conscious
"Needing one myself, so no worries." Asbolus gave Nevy a small smile, catching that look and seeing it for what it was. "I'd been walking for a spell before I came across you two."
Guy lays back on the ground. "I'm good. I'm also content to not move at all, it's...hard to explain. And sorry if I was insensitive, Nevermore, it's easy to forget that some have very different relationships with their bodies, and I'm the odd one."
Nevy shakes their head. 'It's fine, honestly. I'm... I've been... y'know, big, my whole life. I'm used to it."
"That's not something you should have to get used to, though. It's not the place of others to make you feel uncomfortable."
"Indeed. People are foolish about other people's bodies. That's always been a fault of humankind's, though 'marketing' has only made it worse." He sighs and stretches like a cat on its back. "We can talk about something else if you'd like."
Nevy gives a little smile. "So have either of the two of you been reading anything interesting?"
"A few things. Looking into starting a podcast in the Parcast vein to scratch the acting bug somewhat, so been doing some research into stories worth telling. Yourself?"
"A few old ritual texts, nothing too exciting." He shrugs. "Spooky secret stuff."
Nevy grins, leaning forward. "I found this diary, I think from back in the 19th century. The author was a medium like me. They knew so much about ghosts. And their life was so incredible. They were... basically dating a ghost!" It's hard to tell whether Nevy should have stars or hearts in their eyes, but either way, definitely some form of wingding.
They pull themselves out of their hyperenthusiasm. "A Podcast, huh? Do you have a story in mind yet?"
Cue curious look from the Darkling. "Really...that does sound fascinating." he shook his head at the question that followed, however. "A few potential ones, but nothing pinned down yet. Still working out the logistics of the whole thing as well, as far as recording and whatnot, so I've got some time yet.'
"Podcast is the...ah, audio show, right?"
Nevy nods. "There's all sorts." They take a moment to think through cultural touchstones Guy may have lived through. "Some are like old radio shows, some are more like... recorded university lectures? And some are just... a couple people talking about something they really feel strongly about."
"Indeed." Asbolus nodded in agreement. "Aiming for more of the first type, in this case."
"Ah, ok, I've heard of those things. Well, I hope it goes well for you, it sounds interesting."
Nevy nods, then grins. "If you wind up doing something horror themed, I'll subscribe gladly. And if you wind up needing artwork for the show..." They mop out their face, then blep at him. Then they look to Guy. "What sorts of stories do you like?"
"You'll be the first person i call, naturally." Asbolus grinned, looking to Guy at the question posed to the Gangrel.
"Mmm...stories? I like romances, and tales of valor, and adventure. Mostly, yeah, those."
Nevy nods. "Knightly epics and such? I could see that."
"Definitely fits." Asbolus nodded in kind. "More of a mystery sort when it comes to fiction...I like seeing how the trail is laid out and where it ends."
"Knights are fine, I guess. But that sort of thing. Lot's of romances are dumb, but there are good ones. Mysteries are fun, too, especially when the clues are well considered, and not random."
Nevy nods. "I'm absolutely not a fan of silly supernatural romance novels at all," they lie.
"Not your sort of thing at all, no..." He looked to Nevy at that, an amused smirk on his features.
"Really? Those are the fun kind of bad. Some of them are even pretty good."
Nevy chuckles. "I mean, I love Poe and Shelley and all the classics of horror, too... but sometimes you just want to read about someone's beloved coming back from the dead for sweet kisses."
Asbolus nodded with a small smile. "Fan of the Bard as I am I can't say much."
“Oh, those are fun. Better than the usual sexy vampire fair. Eternal romance is nice...no surprise I like the old vampire, young lover trope, when it’s not creepy.”
Nevy nods. "As long as the power dynamics aren't super off, I can see the appeal."
“Yeah, I’m careful about keeping things healthy in my own relationship, I don’t need to read about shitty ones.”
Nevy nods. "I mean... I get the appeal. Doesn't mean that kind of thing doesn't get... iffy, way too easily."
“Oh, I’m well aware. Helps that my girlfriend isn’t purely human, but...still. I focus on making sure she’s happy.”
Nevy grins. "That sounds like a good first step." They stand back up. "I love this song!"
He smiles and stands again. "I guess I could dance some more."
As if summoned by the very mention of dance, there's suddenly a rain-grel in a grey trenchcoat and fedora heading in the direction of the music. His glasses aren't on his face; they'd be pretty useless in this weather, but he doesn't seem to need them to make his way down the path to the pair now.
"If you feel like it! You're welcome to sit or dance or... I dunno, do backflips." They pause as the new face shows up, then tilt their head as they see who it is. "Hey - you're... um... Harry, right? No, wait... Henry!"
Guy's hearing is dampened by the rain, but he manages to still turn to see the rain-grel as he comes around the corner. "Ah, hello Henry, excellent timing. How are you?" Guy is wearing a pair of soaked gym shorts tied very securely around his waist, and nothing else, though the weather doesn't seem to bother him in the slightest.
"Better now. What's the story, evening glory?" Nevermore gets a broad grin, and Guy a respectful nod. "You mind company? It's a fine night to be alive."
For whatever value of alive we're using.
"Sure thing!" Nevy says, smiling. "We've been talking stories and dancing in the rain."
"I don't mind at all, please join us in enjoying the weather."
Henry offers Nevermore a hand, smirking. "Lemme take you for a spin then? I can't resist a chance to dance with such a beautiful partner."
Nevy giggles. "Hardly," They say, then take the offered hand. "But I'd love to dance."
Guy doesn't comment, but is happy to dance by himself, moving to the music.
Of course, once Nevermore consents, they're pulled into a fast-paced dance, where they're being twirled, held, splashed through puddles. "Nice shorts, by the way, Guy. That's, uh. Definitely a look for the weather."
"Whoop!" Nevy does their best to keep up with the dance, though they're nowhere near in that kind of shape.
"They're my concession to decency, in case I ran across someone I wanted to talk to. Which I did, so they payed off."
While Henry doesn't manhandle them, he does take a strong lead, trying to help Nevermore stay on beat. "Yeah, I follow. After all, this is one classy...uh. Not dame, tonight, huh?"
Nevy chuckles. "Good catch. Yeah, today gender's something that happens to other peoploooah!" They catch themselves, chuckling again a bit weakly. "Sorry... I'm... out of practice?"
"Ah, that's a mood, as they say." He ends his dance with a back flip that has an unusual amount of hang time. There's nothing unusually graceful about it, he just clears more air than he should be able to for how little effort he put in.
"Clearly, clearly, I ought to be taking you out to dance more often, huh? Get you in practice, so I don't end up twisting your ankle. That'd be rude of me." His gaze shifts sidelong to Guy. "...show-off."
Nevy giggles when they see the backflip. "I suppose I did suggest that," They say, then they eye Henry. "I don't know if I could do this all that often," They say. "Besides, there's way better dancers out there."
He snorts. “That wasn’t showing, if it was then you are too, Henry. And they did suggest it, it’s true.”
"There are better dancers, sure. I've got a competitive partner. But she's not half as exuberant as you are right now, having fun in the rain. Sometimes, it's not about being the very best. Sometimes it's nice to just let go of that and have a good time." He shrugs, a fluid motion that becomes part of the dance, before smirking at Guy.
Nevy blinks at that, stumbling slightly. Beneath the rainy glaze, they flush slightly. "That's... uh..."
He takes a moment to look up at the buildings near them, as if judging them.
"What? I mean...I'm sorry, hope I didn't offend you." Henry looks sheepish, then at Guy.
"Huh? No, no, I'm... It's good. I'm fine." They smile. "Dancing?"
Guy suddenly leaps about a story, up onto the wall of a nearby building, and just...stands there, parallel to the ground. His snake like features have appeared, included the unusual scales on his hands and feet that seem to allow him to grip to the wall. “There, now that’s showing off. Though normally I can jump much higher, must be the rain.”
Henry looks between Guy and Nevermore uncertainly, watching the latter's reaction carefully, growing a little tenser.
Nevy blinks at Guy, then snorts and shakes their head. "Yes, yes," they call out. "You're a great and powerful creature of the night. We're all deeply awed, of course." They glance at Henry and roll their eyes in a gesture of some people, huh?
He shrugs and walks down the wall, back to the ground. “It is what it is. It’s one of my more tasteful talents, so. All my most shocking creature of the night tricks are boring in their own way.”
"I think I've got a trick or two that might startle Guy, but, uh..." Another nervous glance at Nevermore. "...you alright with great and powerful creatures of the night?"
Nevy chuckles slightly and re-offers their hand. "Allow me to introduce myself properly. My name is Nevermore Usher. I speak to the dead."
“Yeah, be polite and don’t menace, and they’ll be alright. They know the basics, they’re on the other side of the veil.”
“Henry Moynihan. I am the dead.” He takes Nevermore’s hand, winking at them. “And exactly as much of a 1920’s gangster as I sound like,”
"I wondered. Nobody these days says "doll" nearly that much." They chuckle. "But don't worry. I know how important secrets are."
He chuckles and stretches. “Mmm...yeah, they’re all over the place in this town, kind have to learn the waltz.”
"Oh, good. I guess I do get to show off, then." Henry closes his eyes to concentrate for a moment. And his body does its own rolling shift, though in a very different way from Guy. Suddenly, he's very tan-skinned, about six inches taller, with a beakish nose. He seems to be in his mid-thirties, and his trenchcoat is fitting very differently around the chest area.
Nevy blinks at that. "Woah. I... didn't know you guys could do that. They smile. "That's pretty cool!"
Guy looks over Henry for a moment. “Interesting...is that a physical transformation, then?”
He nods at Guy. "Feel the nose if you don't believe me. And it's not a thing most of us guys can do, Nevermore. It's kind of a specialization; I'm pretty sure Guy couldn't learn to do this, like I'm sure he knows things I don't."
His voice is the same, despite the other changes he's wrought.
Nevy nods. "Well, it's still pretty neat." They chuckle. "Sometimes I wish I could do that."
“Yeah, but the unique one I’ve learned is much more boring...” he shrugs. “I should get around to learning how to empower my motorcycle.”
"Aha." He nods his understanding, then looks at Nevermore. "I'd offer to teach you, but, uh...there's a couple of downsides to that, you know?"
They blink at that. "Your... motorcycle?"
Then they eye Henry. "Uh... thanks, but I... don't know how well I'd fit in with your, uh... lifestyle?" They smile, lopsidedly, and tap one canine.
“Yeah, my special flavor of vampire is...a super biker gang. And you don’t have to dive in head first to the deathstyle, but the half step has its own drawbacks.” He sits on the ground again. “You could probably have an arrangement in case you die suddenly, though, but understandably that’s a very personal thing.”
"Probably about as well as I do." It is weird, seeing that smirk on a moderately different face. "Don't worry, I'm not going to push it. Besides, not sure our clan would actually fit you all that well, if I'm being honest."
Nevy hesitates. "How many taboos would I be breaking if I asked about that?"
“Ah, none, technically, if we use nicknames and vagaries, since you already know about us. That being said, I’d understand if you didn’t want to get into it, just in case. No pressure either way.”
"Mmm, I'm just curious if you'd have pinned me and Guy as being part of the same clan to begin with." Henry seems amused. "Clearly we're so alike."
Nevy eyes the two, then shrugs. "I don't think I've got enough information to make that kind of judgement," They say. They turn thoughtful eyes to Guy. "Just in case of what?"
“Some people would rather not know certain things. I’d say in case one of our kind takes exception to you knowing, but that seems unlikely in Philly, our community here is rather liberal.”
"Except for them snooty-ass Vics." There's a chuckle from Henry, as he adjusts his fedora. "Almost all of them still have sticks up their asses."
Nevy considers this. They wipe the water out of their face again. "I'm... incorrigibly curious. But... I know how much people care about secrets." They're clearly conflicted.
He chuckles at Henry’s joke, then nods to Nevy. “I tell you what. I believe you’re not one to over share, and what we’d be saying is nothing inherently dangerous. Anyone who would take exception wouldn’t have the support of others, most likely. You’re rather popular in the supernatural community at large.”
"If Guy's got your back, that's pretty big, too. I don't think a lot of us would be eager to butt heads with him."
"I am?" They mull over that for a moment, then shrug. "I mean... it's you guys's secrets. Do I want to know? Heckums yes. But only if you guys think it's okay."
“You flatter me, Henry,” he says with half a smile. “As for telling you, Nevy, I’m perfectly comfortable with it. You already know about our kind, and within that world we wouldn’t be saying anything secret.”
"Though as a personal favor, I'd rather you not tell any of us that I can change my face. Beside Guy, the only ones in town who know that are my family and a local member of my bloodline."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Nevermore says, deadpan. "I've never heard of a dracula who could do that kind of thing. The stories never say anything about that. Is that out of Twilight?"
He laughs. “Alright, alright. Point. We can fill in some gaps. Henry and I’s clan’s special gift is shapeshifting, and we’re known for being more primal than the others.”
"Feral, even. Some of us turn into animals. Some of us have extra senses or wall-crawling talents, or grow claws. We're also pretty hardy."
Nevy nods slowly. "Shapeshifting. Right. That... makes sense." They open their mouth, then close it again. "That joke would... probably be insensitive. But... I think I can see how that kind of thing has... filtered into the folklore."
“Don’t worry about it, we’ve probably heard worse. ‘Hound’ is one of the polite nicknames.”
"Were you about to make a comment about turning into bats?" Henry lightly nudges Nevermore.
"I was going to talk about the 'Children of the Night, such Beautiful Music they Make' in a very bad Transylvanian accent," Nevy says. "And Guy, wasn't it you who was saying earlier that just 'cuz we're used to something doesn't mean it can't still suck?"
He grins, fangs bared. “But I like the things they call me, it’s empowering. And the movies are tacky, but Dracula is one of our clan, they say, so.” He lets out a little chuckle.
"You're used to us, and we certainly suck. Blood, I mean, we suck blood." Henry laughs. "And I dunno if the Dracula thing's true, but you'd know better than me on that one."
Nevy nods. "I see. Well, that definitely makes sense for you, Guy. You're a dang mother bear. Terrifying, yet cuddly." They consider Henry, then nod slowly. "You're... more subtle about it. But you move like a hunting cat or a snake - even if you're putting it to more social purposes than people might suspect."
He snorts. “Must be getting soft...or we’re becoming friends. Hmm. What do you think, Henry? I’m thinking Serpent or Shadow for Nevermore here...””
"Shadow, I'd say. They pinned one of my animal forms without ever seeing them, I could see them doing the Knowing Things trick for fun." He winks at Nevermore. "Pygmy rattlesnake."
They nod, then glance between the two. "Serpent or Shadow?"
"Wait..." They hold up a finger. "Knowing Trick... That sounds like a friend of mine. More nicknames? Like 'Hound?'"
“Yup. More nicknames. Shadows are good at not being noticed and noticing things no one else can, I think you’d make a good night one, I mean that in the best way.” He glances up at the sky. “I should head home...snuggle Petra for a while before I take my daily dirt nap.”
"I still need to grab dinner before I head home for the night. But pass along my fondest to Petra." Henry nods, then grins at Nevermore. "Be safe on your way home. There's creepy sorts like us roaming the night."
Nevy nods. “I’ll keep my eyes open. All three of them.” They blep and carefully retrieve hat and phone. “Thanks for the information...and for dancing with me.”
“It was fun, thank you. Be safe, Nevermore, until we meet again.” He winks and walks up the building to depart.
"I was serious when I said I want to do it more." Henry tips his hat, and heads off in another direction.
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