15829/The Nighttime Nicks

The Nighttime Nicks
Date of Scene:	24 November 2023
Location:	East Harlem, Manhattan
Synopsis:	Another meeting of the Nick's!
Cast of Characters:	Nikki Hawkins, Phantasm (Drago)

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Nikki Hawkins has posed:
Getting from Gotham back to New York can sometimes be a chore, especially depending on when one is traveling between the two. Nikki steps off a bus that stops just outside the New Hope Shelter, shoulders her bag a bit better for comfort and then turns to head down the road to her next bus stop. It's one of those nights where she was likely better off trying to stay at Tim's place, but he had other plans come up - or so he said - which led her to needing to head back to her place.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
If there's one thing that could be argued, it's that Nick has a knack for running people at the weirdest of times. For as Nikki's turning to head her way, there's a slight bang of a door coming from an alleyway next to the shelter, soon introducing the sounds of food steps making their way to the main street. The pace slows slightly but as the pale eyes of the newcomer spots Nikki, there is pause.

"...Nikki?" Nick asks.

The rockstar, doesn't quite look like a rockstar at the moment. Hair pulled back, Nick's attire is pretty low par even by his own standards. It is truly an outfit assembled solely for comfort while doing a task of manual labor. "What are you up to?"

Nikki Hawkins has posed:
Nikki pauses in her steps as she hears a familiar voice and turns towards it, smiling as she spies Nick. "Hey Nick!" Offering this as she turns and heads closer towards him so she doesn't have to keep shouting down the street at him. "Funny running into you here. I'm actually heading home from work. Tim had some stuff come up so he wasn't able to have me over. Unfortunately the commute from Gotham to New York is a...pretty hectic one..." The woman explains, shifting her satchel on her shoulder and traveling without her robotic companion this evening. "What about you? What's Nick up to?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick nods knowingly regarding the commute between Gotham and New York. "Bit of a trek, especially if you weren't planning to make it that day." He agrees. "As for me, just finished up working the Thanksgiving dinner at New Hope. Getting ready to head home as well, actually."

The musician glances around, "...Would you like someone to walk with you?"

Nikki Hawkins has posed:
Nikki glances over towards the shelter and gives a nod of her head. "That's really nice of you to give your time and help out the shelter, Nick." Saying this much before looking down the street towards where she was walking to the next bus stop and then she looks back towards Nick. "You wouldn't mind? I dunno where you live compared to where I live..." And she rattles off some address in the Bronx - which makes sense why she's ended up in Manhattan first. "If it's out of your way, I wouldn't wanna impose..."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"I'm just glad I was able to do it without incident this year." Nick shakes his head as Nikki mentions the possibility of imposing. "A Taxi is a Taxi, no matter where it picks you up...Also I wouldn't feel right leaving you to walk this on your own this late at night."

The performer steps over to Nikki's side, glancing to the woman, giving a soft smile, "Just lead the way."

Nikki Hawkins has posed:
Nikki smiles to Nick and gives a nod of her head. "I suppose a taxi from here wouldn't be as expensive as it is from Gotham proper. And that's not to say I can't afford it, but sometimes - despite the danger - I do like walking the streets at night. Lots of interesting things to see now and again." She hasn't, aside from a couple times, fallen into her usual pattern of speaking in the third person. Possible that her speech therapy has begun to work? Who is really to say.

"Well. I appreciate it none the less." Then she shifts and begins walking in a general direction that should be towards the Bronx. "So, anything new or exicitng happening in Nick's life recently?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick is noticeably quiet after the question is posed. One wouldn't be blamed if they had thought he had simply wandered off if they weren't looking directly at him. But, he is moving alongside Nikki, thoughtful expression up on his face. "Since the last time we met, things have been comparatively quiet. It will probably pick up when it comes time to start marketing for the movie."

Nikki Hawkins has posed:
Walking alongside Nick for the moment, she listens when he finally speaks - but also takes note of the quiet he went thru before - and then smiles at the end. "Oh right. I vaugely remember you speaking about a movie you were filming. You've also got a band right? No performances in the near future for you?" A pause. "And if you manage to book something, please let me know. I'm sure it's something Tim and I could totally make a night out of." She pulls out her phone then to scroll through some messages and perhaps check an app or two. "Also, have you seen Nathaniel lately? Since the last time we ran into each other at that cafe, I haven't seen nor heard from him..."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Well..." Nick pauses, "It's a little complicated. Industrywise I'd probably be considered more of a solo musician nowadays. I play with bands and other musicians when the work calls for it, but no set group. The last band I was known for being in was Silver Round and that band hasn't been around in a long time."

He considers the other question. "Wade's been keeping things somewhat light this season with scheduling. But, next year should have more concerts. It'd be nice to make up the concerts that were cancelled awhile back."

Nick looks over to Nikki as she scrolls through her phone. "I have seen him. Nathaniel's been working on a project. You know how people get when they get into the zone. Losing track of time, forgetting that whole 'being social' thing."