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Jack Martingale:
A moderately sized establishment on the corner of Spruce and S 12th streets, Club Vertigo is one of the many bars in Philadelphia's Gayborhood. There's a reasonably large dance floor, a small stage for live music and/or karaoke night, and several different pride flags on the wall behind the bar proper. Of especial note, at least for the city's Changeling population, are the Fairest and Ogres who work there.
This evening, however, it's a charcoal drawn Changeling who lounges against the bar, nursing a drink and watching as the dance floor slowly fills. The weekend is clearly starting already for a lot of folx, and Jack's got a small grin sketched across his face as he takes in the rising energy in the place.
Aurelio Menegi:
A faint wash of heat accompanied the opening of the door to the club as Aurelio made his way in, dark eyes - or ice blue, to those who could see beyond the Mask - scanning the room as he entered. Spotting Jack at the bar there was a brief 'you seem familiar' look on his face before things clicked, giving the other Lost a nod as he approached the bar. "Bueno sera."
Jack Martingale:
Jack shifts at the temperature change - it can't be that warm outside, can it - but the slight furrows in his forehead clear when he sees Aurelio. He upnods at the other Changeling, and the scent of an imminent spring rainstorm rolls toward Aurelio, undercut by a metallic smell.
Given that he's in this bar, Aurelio does get a little bit of a brazen once-over from Jack, more than he'd have risked at any random dive, and he cracks a grin. "Been a while."
Aurelio Menegi:
He didn't seem to mind the once-over, smiling a touch as he claimed a spot on the rail. "It has. Doing well, I hope?"
Jack Martingale:
A shrug, and he tips his drink back to finish it, setting it on the counter after and getting the bartender's attention with ease. "Can't complain, really." He shrugs, though the sudden flicker of his mien might imply otherwise. He's not one to really be able to hide his emotions, it seems. "Can I buy you a drink?"
Aurelio Menegi:
The flicker didn't go unnoticed, one eyebrow arching up a touch. "I would not say no. Been an...interesting few days myself."
Jack Martingale:
"Yeah?" Jack gestures for him to order whatever he wants, and gets another rum and coke for himself before leaning against the bar again. "Interesting, how?"
Aurelio Menegi:
Aurelio put in for a stinger for himself, going quiet for a moment as he mulled over how best to respond in their current environs. "Went with some of the others on a foraging run that got prickly for a time. Then met someone here I knew...before." That last word was quieter than the rest, accompanied by a small shake of his head. "Threw both of us off, if you follow."
Jack Martingale:
Jack nods with a wince of sympathy. "How're you doing, after that meeting?" He genuinely seems to want to know. "Before you...got back, you mean, yeah? Not someone from before you left?"
Aurelio Menegi:
"Still a little out of sorts, in truth." He nodded at the question. "Before my return, yes."
Jack Martingale:
"That shit can be really rough, I get it." He takes a thoughtful drink. "Was it a good meeting, overall?"
Aurelio Menegi:
"It was." He claimed his drink from the bartender when it arrived, taking a drink before continuing. "We got along well after the initial wariness."
Jack Martingale:
"Good." Jack nods. "I know that...I mean, meetings like that can bring up real bad memories. Honestly, they can do that even if you got along, before, but...when there's weird power balances and shit like that it can make things stickier." There's a beat, and he takes a drink. "You uh...you're still kinda shaken up by the whole thing, though?" It's clearly an invitation for Aurelio to continue to talk about it, if he'd like.
Aurelio Menegi:
"The memory was not bad. Short and simple, but it took digging to find." Another pause at the question, followed by a small nod. "She was the first I've met since I got back."
Jack Martingale:
"Oof." He winces again. "Digging for memories is...even if it was a good one, 's still rough as hell. You can tell me to shut up if you don't wanna answer questions, but eh..." he pauses, choosing his words carefully. "How's your grip on reality, after all that?"
Aurelio Menegi:
"No worries. Better to talk than sit on, perhaps." He took another pull from his drink, his free hand rocking slightly side to side in a 'eh' sort of fashion so he didn't have to voice it.
Jack Martingale:
"You spent any time with...things that tend to help you with that? Since the meeting?" More talking around the words, and he takes another drink. He also seems a little hesitant, like bringing up the suggestion of Aurelio's Touchstone so overtly might not yield a positive reaction.
Aurelio Menegi:
"Not yet. Hope to soon, though."
Jack Martingale:
"I promise you, it'll help." He give Aurelio a smile, but his voice holds some weight. Like he's speaking from recent experience about just how much Touchstones can help. "Especially while you're still in a place where you have the...clarity of mind to get there, yourself."
Aurelio Menegi:
"Indeed. It's more in not being able to do so on a whim, if you follow."
Jack Martingale:
He nods, and drains his glass. "Hope you find time soon, for your own sake - and if you need a second set of hands, or eyes, or...whatever, and you don't mind it being the random dude you've only run into in bars, you're welcome to hit me up." Jack flashes him a grin at that. "I'll even give you my number."
Aurelio Menegi:
"As do I." He nodded quietly. "I would like that. And you should come by the workshop at some point besides. Tourists or not." The last bit he said with a bit of a smile, a nod to their last conversation.
Jack Martingale:
Jack's grin widens, and he pulls out his phone, indicating that Aurelio should do the same. "Don't get me wrong, I've thought about it - shit's just been so fucking crazy lately, haven't had much time to do shit just for me, you know?"
Aurelio Menegi:
Aurelio pulled his phone from his pocket, offering his number and readying to take Jack's in kind. "Been there. Always good to take a breath, though."
Jack Martingale:
He recites his number, and then Aurelio gets a text: Jack
"I try and catch 'em where I can. Like being here, for instance." He shrugs and orders another drink. "And...you know. Chatting up hot artists while I'm at it." A light scribbly blush drifts across his cheeks, but his words are confident enough.
Aurelio Menegi:
The Torrent took a moment to save the number once the text arrived, pocketing the phone once again in short order. He was mid-way to taking a sip from his own drink when the compliment came, pausing briefly before a small smirk crossed his features. "Your company has been welcome as well."
Jack Martingale:
"Oh good, I'd feel like an asshole otherwise." Jack chuckles. "'S my company something you wanna...continue enjoying? Somewhere that's not here?" He raises his eyebrows. The scribbly blush has faded, but he's got a small grin on his face.
Aurelio Menegi:
"Continuing to talk somewhere quieter might be better, yes." Not quite a full 'take me, I'm yours', but it's a start, no?
Jack Martingale:
"I've got...decent coffee and maybe a little bit of ice cream, if you wanna come back to my place?" He grimaces just slightly at the meagre offering.
Aurelio Menegi:
"Sounds good." He nodded, taking a moment to finish off his own drink. "Lead on."
Continues in Family Matters
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