12343/City Fall: Just Friendly Neighbors

City Fall: Just Friendly Neighbors
Date of Scene:	16 October 2020
Location:	Bushwick (Mutant Town), Brooklyn
Synopsis:	Shannon, Andrea, and Nevada case out the Mutant Cultural Museum.
Cast of Characters:	Shredder, Nightingale, Rage, Barghest

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Shredder has posed:
    The drizzle is chilly, the light patters of raindrops striking the old smoke shop sign down the street from the museum. The rain gently pools at the edges of the street, trickling toward who knows what that lives beneath the streets of the mutant dominated district. Rocky, the Part-time curator of the Mutant Cultural Museum, exits Rey's Smoke Shop. Rey is known as one of the supporters of the Family publicly. He's someone that often even acts as a conduit when a mutant has a problem, and they don't know who to turn to.

    Rocky doesn't have an umbrella, but he does wear an old high school hoody with the hood up. The large man is built like a mountain, and his shoulders spike through the sweatshirt, stony spikes having pierced the ash-colored fabric. Such is the life. He glances back and forth at the intersection, waiting for traffic to pass as he makes his way toward the museum.

Nightingale has posed:
     Of late, Shannon and Andrea had been seeing a bit more eye-to-eye, and it was refreshing. So what's a girl to do when hanging out with a popstar? Why, head for the local greasy spoon, of course! Though she limps along a bit, favoring her right side, the winged teen is all smiles, extending one wing over Andrea's head like an umbrella; the raindrops roll right off of each feather, dripping onto the ground from each slightly ragged tip. She herself is in blue jeans, her favorite caramel suede boots--waterproofed, naturally--and a bronze-hued cable knit sweater. She doesn't seem to mind the fowl weather, but instead seems rather upbeat as the two make their way towards the diner.

     "I know you get spoiled by all that fancy food," she says, chuckling softly. "But seriously, you haven't lived till you've had the burgers from this place!"

Rage has posed:
"What makes you think I haven't had them?" Andrea says with an amused noise in her throat. "I don't sit in my Penthouse all day eating caviar you know. Jay is a Southern boy and Nevada." She motions to her twin brother next to her. "Is a living garbage can. I grew up on street tacos and burritos back home in San Francisco. I only treat myself when I want to give my friends an experience. Otherwise, I'm mostly tossing back Pringles and whatever I can stick in the microwave on my cheat days."

Today the popstarlet is wearing a pair of snug black jeans with tears along the thighs and knees, as well as a NYU hoodie with the hood pulled back since Shannon is using her wing to keep the water off them. She has an umbrella in her hands, but she is appeasing her friend's willingness to help.

"We had chili dogs last night, right bro?" She teases her twin.

Barghest has posed:
Nevada is warding off the water with a thick, blue plaid hoodie that's under a lighter weight black denim jacket. He doesn't seem to mind the weather as he walks along with his hands in his jacket pockets. "We do eat a lot of Poptarts and Twizzlers. Fancy food is nice to look at, but have you ever had a high class dinner where you didn't leave hungry? Grease is good for you. If it's made by someone who's a grandma, even better."

He doesn't pay much mind to Rocky or anyone else on the street. People walked on the streets, that was nothing new, especially not in New York City.

Shredder has posed:
    Rocky makes his way across the street with the light, his feet splashing in the mild puddles across the faded paint, and he skips up to the street. He pulls his hands from his pockets, striking the lock with the key fob to unlock the museum. He opens the door and sets the lock to stay open behind him, the lights flipping on and he sheds his hoody, rubbing his hand across the buzzed blond of his head. Beneath he has a longsleeved t-shirt, also pierced by his shoulder spikes, and he begins opening the museum and switching on the display lights for the afternoon.

Nightingale has posed:
     Ever since the encounter with Shredder--known simply to Shannon as Mr. Oroku--she was both curious and apprehensive about visiting the museum. Her path along the sidewalk slows as she sees the lights turned on, her smile only fading somewhat. Glancing over to Andrea and Nevada, she shrugs, shaking her head. "Hey, how am I supposed to know what you two eat? You were usually training or practicing for shows and all that!"

     Though she does chuckle, she glances back at the museum, her brows furrowing ever so slightly. "That place any good? I mean, you know..." Her voice trails off, remembering all too well Andrea's rather visceral reaction to the museum's owner the last time they had been this way.

Rage has posed:
"Well, yeah .. when I'm training for tour I have to nitpick every calorie and make sure my abs can be used to wash clothes on. But now that I'm in college and I'm not traveling, I am enjoying real food again." Andrea says with a grin as she glances over to her brother with a laugh. "But I'm still working out. I can't let Jay have the only set of sick abs in the house. He has a crazy body though because of his powers."

As they slow down at the sight of the museum, she gives a visible frown upon her face. "I don't know." She says as she folds her arms over her chest. "I do not trust the management obviously. Not after what he did to me. I've been working with Mister Worthington through X-Corp and Starlight to see what other pieces of property he may be buying up. This makes me sick knowing he's involved in our neighborhood."

Barghest has posed:
"I'm easy. I eat anything, I just like some things more than others." Nevada remarks to Shannon with a wide and toothy grin. He gives his sister a sidelong look and a tut of noise before poking his coated midsection, "Hey now, mine aren't so bad. They're just a little crooked, that's all. And I like cheeseburgers, but if I didn't pound food I'd be a shriveled bone in days." Joys of hyperactive metabolisms, the food burns off faster than it can be used to build muscle.

He follows the gaze of the girls towards the museum, and while his expressions are curious they're calmer. "People don't like roaches, but good luck getting rid of them. So long as they stay small, they're not an issue."

Shredder has posed:
    The museum is officially opened, and Rocky goes about making sure all of the aspects are clean. It's been a couple of minutes when a Japanese woman with a sleek black business suit approaches, black umbrella in her hand. She's young, only slightly older than the walking trio, but she walks with a certain air that would suggest she's much older. She enters the museum, shaking off the umbrella and closing it before she enters.

Nightingale has posed:
     "Well, that leaves us two options," Shannon remarks, keeping her voice hushed. "One, we just walk on by. Two, we scope this place out, see what he's got in there. Use the artwork to get into his head. Sort of like some sci-fi characters do." She hesitates near the entrance, at once drawn to and yet repelled by the place.

     The talk of abs, training, and hyperactive metabolisms elicits a rather pronounced eyeroll from the winged teen, and she laughs. "Yeah, okay, I hear you there. Though I don't wanna know about Jay's abs. Frak, that'd be like asking about Sam's. They're both my adoptive brothers! I mean... sorry, that's just... ewwwww!"

Rage has posed:
"Sam has decent abs, but Jay's body is a ten." Andrea says with a teasing grin to Shannon, brows waggling. "Every /inch/ of him is .." She trails off, then lets out a soft laugh before she shakes her head. "Anyways, I've already been inside. It's small. Just a bunch of artwork and other pieces of mutant history. Nothing too exciting or anything I can't learn from a Google search. If it wasn't for the fact dickhead owns it, I'd be really appreciative of it."

Taking in a deep breath, she lets it out, folding her arms over her chest. "And I don't feell safe, not after what he tried to do to me last time. I'm sure I could you know.. do my thing and tear him into pieces, but I mean more like I don't feell 'safe', safe. Rich people like that who has no issue trying to manipulate or blackmail in clear public have the resources and means to not worry about consequence."

"I know people in Hollywood like that. Powerful people in the industry with grabby hands. They get away with murder. I feel like he's one of those types."

Barghest has posed:
"At the same time, you can't let them intimidate you either." Nevada murmurs quietly as he walks, his eyes turned still towards the museum and watching the woman as she walks in. "Cowed silence is what they hope for, but sounds like you're not going down that route. Maybe I can hang around and watch it, get a feel for who comes in and out. No one questions a stray dog snoozing in an alley."

Shredder has posed:
    Inside, Rocky finishes up the opening chores, and sits down, he still has view of the door, and he pulls out his book. The Once and Future King. Magneto liked it, so...he should probably read it. That guy is pretty smart. He seems fairly normal enough, other than the spikes coming out of his shoulders. He might even seem intimidating to some, though, given that he stands 6'8" and has his obvious mutation on display. He's built like a truck as well, if girls are talking about muscles, there aren't many who can best him in that department.

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon shrugs once more, and glances towards the museum. "Well, I suppose it beats standing out here in the rain just talking about it." Chuckling, she starts towards the museum, taking a couple steps before glancing back over her shoulder at Nevada and Andrea. "You two coming in? I mean, you -are- talking to a trouble magnet. Just ask Mr. Proudstar. Or anybody back home."

Rage has posed:
Glancing over to Nevada, Andrea shrugs her shoulders upwards, then leans in to bump against him gently in a sibling manner. "Yeah, we're coming." She says as she starts after her, giving a long stretch of her body. As she passes through the door, she gives a glance over to Rocky, offering him up a big smile as she goes. Sliding her phone out of her pocket, she taps along the glass a few times to answer a quick text before tucking it in once more into her front left side. "So, here we are." She says as she presses her lips together in a thin line.

Barghest has posed:
Nevada ambles along with Andrea and Shannon, staying to the right and flank of his sister as they approach and step through the door. There's a faint bob of his head towards Rocky as they'd pass him, but his eyes don't linger too long and are turning to take in the interior of the building. "Hm. I always did kind of wonder how old mutations - at least this definition - have existed. But I guess who knows, intelligence itself could have been one. Humans are a lot different than other animals, that's for sure."

Shredder has posed:
    As he hears the entry, Rocky immediately puts down the book, standing to his feet. His shirt reads the name of the museum on it, and he offers a big smile, quite contrary to his naturally intimidating size. "Hi there! Welcome to the Mutant Cultural Museum," he chimes. "I'm Rocky. I'm happy to help you out with anything you need while you're here." He reaches out to each hand to shake it. He pauses when he sees Andrea. "You...you look a lot like Andrea Jackson," he says, a suspicious smile that someone might have when he wonders if he really is talking to a celebrity.

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon manages to stifle a giggle immediately upon shaking Rocky's hand, one wing furling around in front of her face to hide her mirth. Pale azure eyes twinkle merrily, and she glances over at Nevada. A light nudge to his ribs, a faint quirk of her eyebrows, and a small smile tells it all. But she says nothing about Andrea's identity, either to confirm or deny. "Pleasure to meet you, Rocky."

     Let the games begin.

Rage has posed:
"Hey, Rocky." Andrea says to the large man with a smile on her face. She blows some whisps of bangs away from her eyes, reaching out to take his hand. "Yes, I'm Andrea Jackson. Was just in the area with some friends and figured we would pop in to take a quick tour." There is no point in denying who she is. She is easily recognizable. "Love the spikes by the way." She says honestly to him with a grin. "It's nice to meet you." She gives a glance to Shannon and her brother, then back to him. "Slow day?"

Barghest has posed:
"Hey, man, good to meetcha." Nevada greets as he takes the offered hand shake. Anything else is just rude, after all. His is a firm grip with surprisingly strong hands for all they look lean, but nothing abnormally so. "Looks like you just opened, so guess it wouldn't be too busy yet." He comments while glancing around. Looking at the exhibits, or looking for the woman who'd come through the doors earlier? "Works for me, easier to appreciate things without a crowd."

Shredder has posed:
    "Oh?" Rocky says, "Oh yeah, Karai," he answers Nevada. "She helps with some of the paperwork around here. Good kid," he says. "But yeah, not every day we get famous folks in here." He has a slightly star struck look in his eye, one he's trying hard to hide. "Hard to say if we're slow, yeah we just opened the doors a few minutes ago. Pulling a double shift since with the rain, work's cancelled right now, and the Friday guy was sick. Not that it matters, anything you want to learn about? I'm pretty well up on all the exhibits."

Nightingale has posed:
     It was taking a little getting used to, seeing the star-struck look in people's eyes when they looked over at Andrea. It was something Shannon just didn't understand. To her, Andrea was just another normal person, who just happened to have a big job in music. So she just flashes a bemused smile, chuckles softly, and shakes her head. "Well, Rocky, to be honest, I've never been in here. So... I guess start from the beginning? Maybe learn a little about the history of this museum as well as the exhibits."

Rage has posed:
"I have been here before when you all first opened, but my two friends here haven't been. By all means, give us the grand tour if you want and strut your stuff. I hope you don't mind if I take a work call here and there between exhibits." Andrea says as she tucks some hair back behind her ear. She files the name of Karai away in the back of her mind.

Barghest has posed:
"Yeup, first time." Nevada confirms as he gestures with a hand towards their surroundings, "Heard it was a spot to stop when in town. Obviously there's not exactly a lot of museums of this type out there, yet anyway. But, that means you probably have some exclusive stuff since the venues are few and far between. Gives you a benefit of less competition for exhibition pieces."

Shredder has posed:
    "Well," Rocky offers, "This floor focuses on the origins of the mutant gene. There's a lot of things unknown, but there's indication that the gene may have existed for over a thousand years, even though it's limelight has only started to come to the surface now," Rocky takes the trio through a timeline exhibit, showcasing possible links as far back as ancient Egypt, up to the early AD, then to the middle ages and witch hunts. Stories of fairies, werewolves and vampires, linking them to possible existence of mutant genes throughout the ages. "Of course, it's not certain, some may just be legends, but some might have reality with them. After all, we have people who can fly now, who would expect that to be a true story?"
R    Rocky points to a thanks placard on the wall. "As for the history of this place, Oroku Saki - Saki is his first name, it's a Japanese thing - one of his ventures is a genetics research lab. They came across some discovery that seemed to tie closely to the nature of the gene, and ways it could cure diseases when artificially produced. During the study, some of the mutants they were working with were attacked and murdered by Friends of Humanity, and that prompted Mr. Oroku to realize just how desperate the cause was for mutants. He established a branch of his industry and a new company to help mutants get properly compensated for their skills, and has done a lot of work helping the community, even including founding this educational museum."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon presses her lips together in a thin line at the mention of Friends of Humanity, her wings ruffling and spreading out behind her in a distinct show of distaste and irritation. "I've... run into my share of their handiwork, or rather, cleaning up their mess." Her tone has gone clipped, and her words, rather acerbic. Beyond that, she says little, with only the occasional flick of her eyebrows, or rustle of her wings as they flick and settle behind her with some effort.

     The talk of the genetics lab has her lofting her brows, peering over at Rocky. Canting her head to one side, she considers him for a moment, pursing her lips just a bit. "Genetics lab? Huh. That's way over my head, and I was hoping to study medicine one day. What kind of cures was he hoping for?"

Rage has posed:
The look upon Andrea's face is unreadable. She is an actress after all. She just smiles and bobs her head as she listens to the tour, tapping away at her phone at times in her hands. She is jotting down a couple of notes in her secure app that looks very much like a text message screen.

Barghest has posed:
"Makes sense that the genes would have been around. Basic biology. A single mutation takes generations to spread through a population." See? Nevada did pay attention during his school work. Maybe he's not as lazy as he seems. "Even several different mutations would. Unless there was some outside trigger, but the potential would still need to be there."

He absently folds his hands behind his back, if only to subtly help support his spine. "History does love it's genocide. Sad that as much history is earmarked by the horrible events as it is the good ones."

Shredder has posed:
    Rocky nods to Shannon, "Yeah, I think a lot of us have. About a year ago, some crazies attacked Alison Blaire, right in that coffee shop down the street. I was standin' right there when it happened." There's a certain pride, "Saved her life, got shot and everything." He taps his gut where he was shot, though isn't so crass as to lift his shirt. "Tried to get a date out of it, ALMOST got it." There's a certain sparkle in his eye, he gives off a genuine vibe as someone who likes to help others. "Mutants, we're family, y'know, we gotta act like it. A lot of us don't got anybody but each other."

    Those who might have extrasensory perceptions might realize that another person is in the room now. Karai's entry was nigh undetectable. No sound, and contrary to her counterpart, she seems to have almost no presence at all, as if someone who could disappear from attention even as you look at her. So when she speaks from behind the group, there's almost an air of disembodiment of her voice for those who didn't notice her coming. "Rocky, you didn't ask her," she says. "I'm sure you could at least have gotten coffee if you actually asked."
    "I was going to ask her! But the cops came and all the questions," he looks back at the group, and shrugs. "Just how it goes."

Nightingale has posed:
     Shannon lets out a short, sharp laugh, shaking her head, reaching over to gingerly pat Rocky on the hand. "Ha! Sounds like you have -my- sort of luck on the dating scene. You've got my sympathy. 'Almost' only counts in horseshoes and nuclear warfare." Her smile takes on a somewhat pensive quality, and she nods slowly, lost in thought for a moment.

     "True enough. Oftentimes, all mutants have is each other... EEK!" Karai's return is greeted with a startled yelp, and the sudden, rather abrupt spread of very large, very feathery, fairly strong wings. Those standing closest to her had best be quick on the draw to duck, in order to avoid either being knocked over, with a faceful of feathers, or both!

Rage has posed:
There is a small 'sniff' from Andrea and she glances over toward Karai after she speaks. That wolf's nose is sharp and has only grew stronger after years of practice. If she had wolf ears, they would be twitching. "Well, Rocky, if you still want a chance to meet her, I can ask her for you. We just finished a tour together and so I still have her phone number. I'm sure she'd like to meet the guy who saved her life for some coffee and maybe an autograph."

The presence of the new woman doesn't startle her, though it does give her a bit of wary. She is quiet. 'Too' quiet. She studies her for a long moment before she looks back to Rocky, giving Shannon a nudge to try and move out of the way of erect wings. "Shannon, you don't have bad luck at dating. You're a hot blonde with angel wings. You literally can just roll up to any guy and tell them to bark like a dog and they'd do it. Boys are dumb for hot girls. Hot angel girls? It's a lock. You know...unless they're gay. Even then. I know a few dudes that woulda boned Madonna."

Giving a nod of her head to Nevada, she nudges his shoulder with hers before she taps away at her phone again. "But, yes. Mutants /should/ have each other's backs. Even if it means hooking a new friend up with a celebrity crush for coffee."

Barghest has posed:
There's a faint snort from Nevada at the bark like a dog comment, but he does bump his shoulder back against his sister's. Thankfully Andrea is also between him and flailing wings, though it doesn't mean he's not forced to lean away.

"Ah, Miss Kurai, yes? Good to meet you." Nevada says perfectly casual and polite-like before looking back to Rocky. "Guess it never hurts to ask, right? Worst that happens is she says no or that she's too busy and never actually schedules a time. Never gonna land the big one if you never toss some bait in the pond."

Shredder has posed:
    Rocky isn't sure how to respond for a moment, "Well..." he says, "I mean, sure, I wouldn't fight it," he laughs, scratching the back of his head like a nervous schoolboy. "Anyway, though, you didn't come to talk about my dating life." He waves it away. "Karai, these kids were just here to view the museum. Karai here is actually Mr. Oroku's granddaughter. She comes and helps out with a lot of things around here when she has time." Of course, 'kids' may be a loose term. Rocky looks to be in his thirties.

    Karai nods. "Yes, that's true," she says, a certain formality about her tone. "It's good to see the museum being appreciated. My grandfather wants nothing more than to be able to help the mutants of the world to feel safer and more secure. It's pretty terrible the way you've been treated through history, and we want to see it change. It's natural enough for mutants to fight for mutant rights, but we need more humans who are willing to fight for them as well."

Nightingale has posed:
     Granddaughter? Shannon's brows lofted, and she smiles, crossing her arms and forcing herself to relax enough to draw her wings back in. "I'd never have figured Mr. Oroku to have a granddaughter," she remarks. "May we all wear our years so lightly."

     However, a million and one questions were going through her mind, none of which bore repeating in present compoany. The churning of the gears in her mind, however, might be evidenced by the more alert, intent posture, and the appraising glance given to Karai. "In the end, we're all branches of the same family tree. I'd like to hope that coexistence is possible, somehow."

Rage has posed:
There is a small twitch on Andrea's face at the sound of Kurai being the grand-daughter. After sending off a text, her phone chimes and she glances down at it. She gives a small smile, then steps in closer to Rocky. She leans in and holds her phone up and takes a picture of them for a quick selfie, then sends it off. "Miss Blaire says to give you a hug /and/ to get your phone number. She remembers you. It's a date."

She gives a glance back towards the Asian woman, then back to her two friends again as she takes in a deep breath. "I agree. It would be nice if more humans would fight for the side of mutants with /good/ intentions because they truly do care about our people. The worst thing that can happen is people trying to take advantage of us in the process. It's one thing to tweet something, it's another to step in front of the bullet yourself." Scratching the side of her neck where a scar is seen beneath her ear, she clears her throat.

"I should get going though. Work stuff as usual. Rocky, hit me with those digits so I can get you a date with a popstar."

Barghest has posed:
"That's the rub for sure. Too often philanthropy is just capitalism with a veneer of brotherhood over it." Nevada says with a defeated sort of shrug. "But hey, if humanity can evolve physically, maybe it can evolve spiritually and mentally too. We can only hope there's a light at the long, dark tunnel of human nature."

As his sister mentions having to go, he gives a single nod of his head as he remarks, "We can always swing back later for a closer look when time allows. Maybe I'll do that myself this afternoon if you're gonna be busy."

Shredder has posed:
    There's a smirk from Karai as Andrea declares the success, and she shakes her head. "Congratulations Rocky," she says. Rocky is a little disoriented when there is such a quick turnaround, and his smile is only half present during the selfie. "Cool, wow," he says, a little surprised. He rattles his phone number off, and then adds. "Run out of time already?" he asks. "Too bad, you'll have to come back and finish it sometime."

    Karai doesn't remark back at the veiled implications of veiled deceit, but she doesn't look ruffled by it, either. "It's a shame you have to go already," she agrees. "I hope all three of you will have more opportunity later. Rocky, when you get free, I wanted to go over a couple of line items on the budget with you." She doesn't offer a farewell, not formally but turns and walks back up the steps.