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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. Right now, it's the Fairest on shift, polishing glasses idly as she waits for the next patron to put in an order.
Nevermore Isn’t a Changeling. They’re not much of a dancer, and their friends have conspired, for most of their life, to keep them from the karaoke stage for fear of what they might do in the throes of enthusiastically theatrical performance. But Vertigo has a nice bartender who knows how to make a damn delicious drink, and that’s enough for now. They walk in, black coat swinging, and make their way to the bar.
"Hey, Nevermore," Annie greets them with a smile. "How are you today? What can I get for you?"
Nevy sits with a smile. “Still got allspice dram back there?”
"Indeed. Another Lion's Tail, then?" She waits for confirmation before turning to fetch the relevant bottles, making the somewhat old-school drink for them.
Nevy nods with a smile. “Thanks!” They glance around to see if anyone seems interested in talking, then flip open a notepad and start working on a sketch
Having finished making the drink, Annie pours it, sliding the glass across the bar. "What are you drawing, if you do not mind my asking?"
Nevy smiles as the drink’s set in front of them. “Thanks. Oh - my next print design. It’s inspired by something a friend said.” They turn the notebook to show an anatomical human heart, with some kind of predatory animal’s head straining to burst out the membrane. Or at least, that’s what the sketchy lines look like for now.
Annie blinks at that, glancing up at Nevy. "Must be an interesting friend, then. Anyone I would know?" Hey, she's a bartender. She meets people. Right?
“Lethia?” Nevy says, shrugging. “It’s a long story, but the conversation brought up some pretty vivid imagery, and I felt like exploring that.”
"Not someone I have met, then," Annie shrugs slightly. "Fair enough, though. It certainly is vivid, though I am not sure as to what it represents."
Nevy can’t resist a theatrically dangerous smile. “Hunger,” they say. Then, more seriously, “The kind that seems to have a mind of its own, that’s just as happy to consume you, if it’s not fed.”
Annie chuckles quietly at the theatrical smile. "That tracks, from what I know of you."
Nevy chuckles and takes a sip of booze. Then they set the glass down and look at Annie with almost cartoonish affront. “Hey!”
"What?" Annie blinks at them, seeming genuinely confused.
They scowl. “I’m not that hungry all the time. It’s not...”. They shut up and hunker down in the coat, their face more ruddy than rosy.
Annie blinks again. "Oh, I apologise, Nevermore. I did not intend to hit one of your triggers, even by accident. I merely meant that it fits with your sense of the dramatic."
Nevy takes a deep breath and sighs. “No, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” They take a gulp of their drink
Annie gives them an uncertain look, but nods. "If you are sure." She pauses for a moment to serve an NPC patron, then turns back to Nevy. "What else have you been up to, since the last time we met?"
They work to try to shake themselves out of their Mood. “Meeting. Learning. Hoping. Fearing. Making connections and connecting the dots. You know, the usual. You?”
"Studying. Working. Trying to help my friends." She scowls for a moment. "Fucking pigs."
They grimace. “The Independence Mall beatings?”
"Yeah." She glances at them. "Did you know anyone who was there?"
“I had some friends who were at the protests, but I don’t know anyone who fought with the police.” They shake their head. “Still. That kind of thing... nasty.”
"Yeah." Annie repeats softly. "I am glad they are all going to be okay, though, even if it will take some time."
“It seems like there’s been some righteous hellfire fury kicked up from the whole situation at least. Hopefully it’ll cause some real change in town.”
"Hopefully." Annie grimaces slightly. "We can but do our best to fix our corner of the world."
Nevy nods. “And try to help out where we can.”
"Tzedek tzedek tirdof," Annie nods.
They tilt their head. “I’m sorry?”
"Oh, sorry. I forget not everybody grew up learning Hebrew, sometimes. Justice, justice shall ye pursue, in English."
Nevy nods. “That makes sense.”
Annie smiles slightly. "It is important to us, as a community." She shrugs. "Not that you came here for a lesson on my faith."
“It’s all right,” Nevy says. “You have me curious, now.”
"If you are sure." She smiles at them. "It means a lot to me, but I know not everyone is interested, especially these days."
Nevy smiles. “I’m interested in people’s stories. It sounds like this is an important part of yours.”
"It helped me through some of the worst parts of my life, so yes." Annie's voice is quiet. "Perhaps another time, though? I would prefer not to be constantly interrupted while telling it." She gestures at the crowds of people in the bar.
Nevy looks around, then nods. “All right.” They smile. “Oh - do you follow my Instagram?”
"I do not, no." She blinks at them. "What is it?"
Nevy pulls out a business card with insta, etsy, and redbubble info, as well as an email for commissions. “Here you go.” They preen dramatically. “Feel free to laud my unsurpassable skill.”
"Oh, I shall, have no doubt." Annie smiles at them, taking the card and tucking it into a back pocket. She chews on her lip for a moment before speaking again. "While I think about it, I did not make you too uncomfortable, when we met in the park, right?"
“Huh? Oh!” They blush slightly. “I just... wasn’t expecting it. Especially with my therapist right there. Who you’re dating.”
"That was a lot of the reason I felt it necessary to bring up, actually. I trust Yu Jin, of course, but, well. Professional ethics are a thing for them and I."
Nevy nods. “No, I get it, I get it. I just... you know. Wasn’t expecting it. You know?”
Annie nods in turn. "That is more than fair. I would like to be your friend, of course, if you are okay with that?"
“Absolutely.” Nevy smiles. “I’ll never turn down a friend. Unless, y’know, they’re an asshole or something, which you absolutely haven’t been.”
"And I have no plans to, so." She returns the smile. "Have you made many friends, since you got here?"
Nevy nods. “Yeah - not counting Mearc, who I was already friends with back in Chicago.”
"Oh, you know Mearcstapa?"
Nevy nods. “Yeah”. They tilt their head. “I really do think he knows the whole city of Philadelphia.”
"I mean, probably not? This is a very large city, after all." Annie shrugs. "We just share a community, that is all." Two communities, technically, but she isn't going to mention the other one to them.
Nevy glances up at some of the queer-inspired decor and deadpans, “which one?”
"...Two communities, technically, but."
They raise their eyebrows. “Okay, now, you have me curious.”
She blinks at them. "The one relevant for here and the one he grew up in. Even if he is not practicing, he still counts as a member of the tribe."
They blink. “He’s Jewish?”
"...You did not know that?"
They shake their head. “He never really talks about religion....” They look pensive.
"It can be hard, for a lot of people." Annie says quietly. "I have never really felt unwelcome, but I know that is not the case for everyone."
Nevermore nods. “I... think I can see that.”
"What about you, Nevermore? Is there anything you believe in?"
They tap thoughtfully on their glass. “There are things out there we can’t explain with our silly human logic. I think... there must be something out there. Is it God, or gods, or Great Cthulhu, or the Flying Spaghetti Monster? That I couldn’t tell you.”
"...the flying whatnow?"
Nevy grins. “The flying spaghetti monster. His noodly appendage guide us all.”
"...I see."
Nevy chuckles. “It’s an internet thing.” They tilt their head. “How’ve you missed that one? You’re younger than me.”
"We did not really have the internet much, where I grew up."
Nevy looks confused, but nods. “Okay. Well, look it up sometime. It’s a hoot.”
"Will do." She shrugs slightly. "In my copious free time."
Nevy chuckles. “The short version , as I understand it, is that it’s a thought experiment to show how ridiculous it is that so much of this country’s laws are inspired by religion - specifically Christianity - and people took the idea and ran far.”
"Ah, that makes sense." Annie shrugs slightly. "How is work at the bookstore going, if you do not mind my asking?"
They shrug. “It’s retail. Boredom, annoyance, or overwork. Choose one or more of the above.”
"Fair enough. I know I face that choice often, working in a bar, but." Annie shrugs in turn. "I need to pay the bills while I study somehow."
Nevy nods with commiseration. “Don’t I know the feeling. The bills don’t pay themselves.”
"If only there were no bills, our lives would be so much easier."
Nevy nods. “Amen sister.”
"Next year we will be free," Annie murmurs. "Probably longer than that, realistically, but. The work has to start somewhere."
Nevy nods. “Well, if you need a hand with anything, let me know, all right?” They smirk. “I won’t do your English lit homework for you, but....”
"Oh, I am not studying that, so you do not have to worry." She smirks back.
When Maddy comes in she's wearing a floral sundress and an honest to go circlet of actual wildflowers that match the flowers on the dress, which might possibly be exactly the opposite end of the Extra Spectrum from Nevermore. She strides across the place toward the bar with light steps.
Nevy chuckles. “Great. Well, I... uh...” the appearance of their seelie twin gives Nevy pause. “Huh. That’s... Huh.”
Annie blinks. "Ooh, I like her aesthetic." She smiles at Maddy as the other woman reaches the bar. "What can I get for you?"
"Hi! Thanks." Maddy says cheerfully. She has an accent that seems to place her as at least close to local. She hops up on a chair. "Could I get a sazerac?" Then she glances over at Nevermore, lets her bright blue eyes look her up and down without trying to hide it, and then echoes the thought. "You're like my unseelie twin for the night, huh? Love the aesthetic. That coat is a-may-zing."
Nevy can’t hold back a laugh at that. “I was just thinking something like that. Did you really weave yourself a crown of blossoms? Or was it a gift from your dearest swain?” They grin. “In either case, it is a look!”
"Sure thing," Annie says, taking a moment to prepare the drink, sliding it over to Maddy when ready.
With a laugh to echo Nevy's, Maddy reaches up to touch her crown. "I wish there was a swain out there to gift me such things, but no, I made it myself. I love the spring. It's my favorite time of year, by far." When Annie brings the drink back she reaches up to take the crown off of her head, then beckons Annie toward her with the crook of one finger and holds the crown out like she's offering to put it on Annie's head, smiling the whole while.
Nevy chuckles. “It does have its upsides. Roses, a distinct decrease in the amount of slogging through road slush...”
"I do love the Spring," Annie admits, leaning towards Maddy so the other woman can crown her.
Maddy places the crown on Annie's head like this is a genuine coronation, leans forward a little, and says in a secretive tone loud enough for Nevy to hear. "May it bring you as much luck as it brought me." Then she winks, sits back down, and picks her glass up again. "Also, it doesn't start pummeling you in the face with muggy heat like summer, either. I do like when the leaves start changing in the fall, too."
Nevy nods. “Give me a nice fall evening. Rattling leaves, gusts of chill wind, apple pie and - of course - Halloween.”
"Surprising no one, I am sure," Annie teases, before smiling at Maddy. "Thank you for the gift."
Maddy looks at Nevy, looks at Annie, and makes a gesture at the gothier customer like she's putting them on display. "See? Unseelie twin. I do like samhain, though" she says, and with her light complexion and freckles her referring to it that way may surprise nobody. "You're welcome." She takes a drink, followed by a nod and a soft and appreciative sound.
Nevy chuckles at that. "Nobody doesn't like Halloween," They say to a singsong commercial jingle. They offer Maddy as elaborate a bow as is possible from a barstool. "Nevermore Usher, at your service, oh light to my dark."
"Eh, it is okay, I guess," Annie shrugs slightly.
"Oh ho, a contentious opinion!" Maddy exclaims at Annie's disinterest. "Hold that thought." Nevy gets a beaming smile and a bow that's equal parts embellished and awkward because of the stool-top seating. "You can call me Maddy, my midnight reflection." Back around to Annie. "You're not a fan of the holiday? What parts?"
Nevy blinks. "'Okay, you guess?!'" They say in exaggerated(?) outrage. They take a pose of mixed despair and disdain. "Alas. The wonderful bartender and maker of my favorite cocktail in existence is dead to me. In nomine pat..." They catch themselves. "I mean, someone call the..." They drop the pose. "Darnit... I'm sorry. What's the proper way to mourn you?"
"Definitely not the first one," Annie says, arching an eyebrow. "The mourner's kaddish would be proper, but it doesn't count if you're not part of a minyan."
"You can't just ask someone who is dead to you how to mourn them," Maddy bursts out like Nevy did something very rude. Fortunately she's smiling, so she probably doesn't think so. She stops and studies Nevy for a second with narrowed eyes before saying, "actually, you probably do ask dead people stuff."
Nevy manages to avoid a double-take, but their answering laugh is a touch too quick. "I'm a Goth. That's part of the job description."
"What kind of stuff do you ask them, though?"
"Thought so!" Maddy asks, not showing her suspicion. Or trying not to, anyway. "I bet that it's mostly questions about the lost, secret family recipes." She looks at Nevy for confirmation.
Nevy chuckles. “Which frilly black shirt should I wear tomorrow?”
"A clean one," Annie deadpans.
Maddy laughs delightedly at that answer. "I was going to say the black one."
Nevy chuckles. “Better advice than the dead. They usually just moan and rattle chains at me.”
Annie smirks slightly. "I mean, some people are into that."
"Do the dead really have chains on them? I thought that was a weird trope, all along," Maddy responds like she's viewing Nevy as being an authority on this subject, who clearly knows what she's talking about.
Nevy drops the joking tone. "Depends on the story," They say. "That's based on a couple old stories - Rats by MR James, The Canterville Ghost by Oscar Wilde - A Christmas Carol, of course..."
"So Christian symbolism, then?"
"Why would they have chains?" Maddy asks Annie, because clearly this doesn't make any sense to her. "Were they, like... wrapped in chains and then thrown in a lake?"
"I mean, it's Victorian. I love the look of those things, but even I have to admit... yeah."
"I do not know. Ask a Christian, I guess?" Annie shrugs at Maddy. "I have never claimed to understand their theology."
Nevermore nods. "'Punishment for the sins of life,'" They say in a portentous tone.
"Oh, Christian symbolism, then," echoes Maddy of the earlier comments. To Nevy she asides, "I'm a druid, and never really got the Christian upbringing beyond just it being the cultural norm where I grew up."
"Jewish, so." Annie shrugs again, before glancing at Maddy. "I am not familiar with that tradition. What does it entail?"
Nevy blinks. "What tradition?"
"A lot of complication, in the modern world," Maddy says with a laugh. "My personal perspective on it is pretty different than a lot of the old traditions, but it involves a lot of trying to live in harmony with nature and so on." She waves a hand like she's not really interested in going into too much detail.
"A reasonable goal," Annie admits.
Nevy blinks for a couple second. "Oh, you mean Druidism - sorry, for some reason I thought you meant a tradition of chaining people up and throwing them in the lake."
"With some people, that's about the only way to get them to live in harmony with nature," Maddy deadpans in an icy voice at Nevy. The immediate smile says that maybe she doesn't mean it. Maybe? "For a little while, anyway." She finishes her sazerac and gets up from her bar stool. "I should go, but it was good to meet you both."
"Nice to meet you too, Maddy. Come back any time." Annie glances at Nevermore. "Not unless they are into that."
Nevy chuckles. They look after Maddy curiously. "That last line, about 'for a little while?' I'm wondering if she might not be the summer child she seems..."
"Maybe, maybe not. She is cute, though."
Nevy chuckles and side-eyes. "Maybe she does have a swain, after all, hmm?"
"Maybe so." Annie winks at Nevy. "Maybe I just want to hook up with her."
Nevy laughs. "You're incorrigible."
"I mean, I do prefer to be the one doing the correcting..."
Nevy blinks, then flushes beet red. "Ah."
Annie snickers softly at Nevermore's reaction. "Do not worry, I am not about to hit on you."
Nevy lightly punches the woman on the arm, making sure she's not doing anything that'll be harmed by the jostle. "You're despicable." They chuckle.
"I just like to have fun with consenting partners, what could possibly be there in that to despise?"
"Making my face even redder than usual," Nevy charges, but they're laughing as they say it.
"I plead the fifth?" Annie shrugs slightly, before grinning at Nevy. "I am either working or studying most of the time, I have to get my fun in somewhere."
"I'm sure you do," Nevy says, smirking at the other woman.
"Oh, well. The real fun I am not allowed to show you. Ethics, and whatnot. I am sure you understand."
Nevermore rolls their eyes and chuckles. "I'm sure I'm missing out."
Annie shrugs slightly. "I think so, but then I am the one having the fun, so."
Another chuckle. "Well. Right now, do you know what I want, more than anything in the world?"
"Another drink?"
Nevy grins and sets down the empty coupe glass. "You're the best bartender, you know that?"
"Oh, well, I certainly try." Annie smiles at them, preparing the second drink. "Is there a reason you like Lion's Tails in particular?"
"They're delicious. You take a sip, and there's all these... really wonderful flavors chasing themselves across your taste buds. And then you breathe out, and you get even more flavor that grows and changes, from the allspice dram."
They smirk. "Besides," They say. "A ghost introduced me to them." Ridiculous, right?
"Yeah? What was the ghost's name?" Annie finishes making the drink, sliding the new glass over to them.
"Frank." Nevy says. "Some kind of executive muckety-muck from back in the Depression. This was his favorite." They shrug one shoulder. "Normally I wouldn't have given him the time of day, but he married a Cuban woman in '32. The country club memberships he didn't lose for marrying her, he lost for getting in fights with racists who didn't like it. So... A little respect there."
"Fair enough," Annie nods. "Getting in fights with racists is not a bad pastime. Better if you are the one winning them, of course."
Nevy nods, then considers the woman thoughtfully.
Nevy considers the woman. "Have you ever seen one?"
"What, a racist or a ghost?"
"A ghost. You live in America. I don't need to ask that question."
"Fair enough." Annie considers Nevermore for a moment before continuing. "I have not, personally, but I am willing to take it on faith that you do."
Nevy nods slowly. "Most people, when they hear 'ghost,' think I'm the sort of person whose brother's neighbor's best friend's cat heard a rattling sound outside so obviously there must be ghosts."
Annie shrugs. "Well. I am hardly most people."
"Of course not," Nevy says, smiling. "You're the bartender."
"True enough." Annie shrugs again. "How long have you been talking to ghosts, Nevermore?"
Nevy shrugs. "Since I was little." They glance around, making sure nobody's listening in.
It's fairly quiet, in Vertigo. But then, it is a Tuesday.
They look back at Annie. "I was little. My Granny died when I was little." They smile. "But she stuck around to look after me."
"May her memory be a blessing," Annie says instinctively. "I am glad that she looked after you, though."
Nevy nods. "It was... really nice, most of the time. She wasn't... you know. Exactly the same, but... she was still there."
"I suppose not being quite the same makes sense." Annie admits. "Was this the one on your mother's or your father's side?"
"Mom's." They smile. "She was a great 'imaginary friend.'"
"Only not so imaginary for you, I suppose." Annie returns the smile. "Do you mind if I ask when the last time you saw her was?"
"Just before I left for college," Nevy says. The smile turns wistful and shrugs. "I went off for Freshman year, and when I got back... she was gone."
"So about the time you reached adulthood, then?"
Nevy nods. "I like to think... she decided I could take care of myself from there on."
"Makes sense, given the givens." Annie nods. "Is that what got you into the whole Goth aesthetic?"
"That was middle school. There were lots of girls who got into this sort of thing back then. I stuck with it because... I mean. You know. Talking to ghosts." They grin. "Besides. Horror and tragedy stories can get so overblown, they're hilarious. It's great."
"Fair enough." She smiles at them. "You do pull it off rather well."
A short bow. "Thank you, thank you."
"You are welcome." A brief pause, as Annie serves an NPC patron. "Is there much of a goth scene here in Philadelphia?"
They shrug. "Some. Mostly industrial and techno clubs, which... aren't really my style." They glance at their victorian-pirate-poe look and chuckle.
"I would never have guessed," Annie deadpans. "I take it here is more your style?" Beat. "Or is it just the cute bartender that keeps you coming back?" She winks at them.
Nevy snorts. "It's the drinks," Nevy says. "And the conversation," They add as an afterthought.
"Drinks and conversation are always good, and something I am more than happy to provide."
Nevy chuckles. "Well," They say. "Now you know my story."
"So I do," Annie agrees. "...do you mind if I ask what drove you to seeking therapy?"
They tilt their head. "You... did hear the entirety of the story I just told, right?"
Annie shrugs slightly. "I did not want to presume. It might have been something else."
Nevy chuckles slightly. "I was... starting to wonder if I was crazy. Hearing things nobody else hears. Besides which... I live in America. Plenty of need for therapy based on just that."
"Fair point. I know I have gotten a lot of help, seeing one." Beat. "Dating one, too, but a different sort of help."
"I imagine," Nevy says drily.
Annie arches an eyebrow at them. "What? Yu Jin has been of great assistance making sure I do not make silly mistakes for lack of sleep."
Nevy opens their mouth, then shuts it again. "Aaand that joke would've gone too far." They smile. "I'm glad you've got a good relationship."
"...I am almost curious to hear it, now, but not if it would breach your boundaries."
They shrug. "It was going to be a joke about his causing you to lose sleep. Not too much more to it, honestly."
"Oh, well. Not on nights where I have class the next morning, anyway."
Nevy nods. "Prudent."
"Indeed." Annie shrugs. "They want me to do well at my studies, so. Being able to heal people, not just listen to their woes, is important to the both of us."
Nevy nods. "Sounds like a good match."
"I am glad for your seal of approval," Annie replies wryly.
Nevy chuckles. "Just making conversation."
Annie nods. "Yes, well. You might be Yu Jin's client, not merely their friend, but that is still a connection that matters."
Nevy nods. "They're a good therapist. If they, uh... relationship as well as they therapist, I'm sure things go well."
"It has been good so far, at least." Annie sighs wistfully. "They took me out for Ethiopian a few weeks ago, which was extremely interesting."
"Ethiopian? what's that like?"
"It was... very spiced, not spicy, if that distinction makes sense to you? Having flavour, not merely hotness."
Nevermore nods. "I think I get the difference. It had heat too?"
"Some, yes, but the heat wasn't the point, as it can be with other styles."
Nevy nods. "Good. Back in Chicago I had a friend take me out for 'inferno wings.' I thought they might be exaggerating." They shake their head in rueful emphasis. "They very much were not exaggerating."
"That sounds... unpleasant." Annie shudders theatrically. "Do I know this friend?"
Nevy shakes their head. "They're back in Chicago, starting up a tattoo parlor."
"Oh, well." Annie shrugs slightly. "Are they any good as an artist?"
Nevy grins. "Any better and they'd be me." They pull out their phone and bring up an instagram showing some elaborate, geometric, almost biomechanical-looking drawings and tattoos
Annie leans in to see better. "Nice. Not the kind of thing I would ever consider getting putting on myself, but they have talent."
"Tattoos in general, or their style?"
"Their style. Tattoos in general..." Annie makes a considering noise. "If I especially liked the design, maybe."
Nevy nods. "Depending where you get them, they can hurt like a bitch. But there's an appeal in knowing there's something on your skin that you put there."
"I shall have to consider it, then." Annie shrugs. "As yet, there is nothing I can think of that would be important enough to have that permanent reminder of."
Nevy nods. "That's fair. I mean, it's something permanently on your skin. Probably a good idea to be judicious about your first."
Annie nods. "How about you, Nevermore? Is there anything you have inked onto yourself?"
Nevy nods. "A couple." They roll up one sleeve to show an eye, done in their signature linework. The pupil is a simplified version of their rose sigil, without the occult symbols that give it efficacy.
"Nice work." She sounds genuinely appreciative. "I take it the other is somewhere you cannot show me?"
They chuckle. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
"Wellll..." She pauses for dramatic effect. "Not if the answer if yes."
Nevy laughs. "I think a Goth needs to preserve a little mystery." They pull out their wallet. "Thank you for the wonderful drinks and conversation."
"You are welcome," Annie smiles at them. "Please, feel free to come back any time."
Nevy drops pay for the drinks and a healthy tip.
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