16210/Heh. Ruh. See! doo doo doo do dooo...

Heh. Ruh. See! doo doo doo do dooo...
Date of Scene:	20 April 2024
Location:	New Hope Shelter, East Harlem
Synopsis:	Torture by Baby Shark, Kids Say the Darndest Things and Henri accuses Nick of heresy.
Cast of Characters:	Phantasm (Drago), Hellequin

---

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
There is a pleasant weather about the East Harlem area. It's not too hot, it's not too cold and with it being the weekend, class is not in session. However what that means is the New Hope Shelter is not all that empty during the daytime. Not just adults deal with homelessness and the mess hall is currently being used as an activities area for the collected youth residing there.

Some are seatted at the tables coloring and others are playing board games. Some have gathered off to the corner to read. And off to one side, there are a couple kids gathered near a piano where music is being played.

"Can you do Baby Shark next?" One asks.

Off to the kitchen area a voice cries out, "PLEASE DON'T!"

Hellequin has posed:
Although he hasn't been seen around New York City for a while, the French antiquarian de Fontainebleau is still alive - in part - and kicking - a lot. For those used to visit him at the antique shop, they have been greeted in by a young, although amazingly old fashioned, woman. Still, despite Henri being visibly away, his business is flourishing, always offering the best medieval antiques on this side of the Pound.

For those who /really/ know Henri - and there are a very few of them living - they would not be overly concerned by his prolonged absence. What would surprise them is to find him at the New Hope Shelter in East Harlem.

A plain, white van just arrived at the shelter and a tall man proceeds to empty its load, made of large boxes stamped with grocery brands. With someone opening the door for him, the tall man brings in two large boxes stacked on his arms. Making sure to neither drop the boxes nor kick anyone as he proceeds towards the kitchen area, the man stops at the kitchen door. As he places the boxes on a table, his features become visible to anyone around. It is Henri de Fontainebleau, delivering food to the shelter.

One of the shelter staff starts unpacking right away, as she exchanges a few words with the Frenchman.

"Do not worry, ma bonne dame," Henri says /with a smile/, "I will bring you the rest right away." A pause, more words lost in the rather noisy room, then Henri replies, "By all means, I cannot. I have a meeting at five. But thank you for the invite."

That said, Henri turns around, headed for the door to grab more boxes to bring in.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
It is true. Nick was not expecting for Henri to show up at the shelter. And as he was more engaged at the piano, his head tilts to the side as he hears the protest to the request for Baby Shark. Nick smiles to the child. "It seems I have been asked not to play that one. But... I don't think he said anything about you playing it."

He scoots to the side patting the bench, "Come on. I'll show you the notes."

He looks to the other kids, "You guys know the lyrics, right?"

"Yes!"

Hellequin has posed:
As he turns around towards the door, and now that no boxes are in the way and that he can actually look around, it only takes a moment for Henri to look around the room. With the smile on his face widening, the Frenchman's eyes stop on the group sitting at the piano.

Trying to move closer to the piano without being noticed - which isn't easy when you are as tall as he is - Henri sports a mischievous smile on his face.

Of course, he has recognized Nick Drago, one of the few he considers among his friends. Rather, one of them that is still alive. As he approaches, hoping to surprise the musician, some young heads turn his way. With a gentle gesture of his large hand, Henri invites the kids to stay silent and not give him away as he stops a few feet from the piano.

"Monsieur Drago! I would highly recommend teaching them Amazing Grace," Henri states with his low voice, "One never praises enough for the good in their life."

Did Nick sense him approaching and let him play his little game, or was the musician surprised? Either way, the Frenchman seems very pleased.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Ok, so what you're going to do is put your fingers here....Good. Now, when I tap the finger, press it down." As there's a slow pushing of keys, giving an off tempo melody it's apparent that Nick's focus is fully on the child he's teaching. "Ok. Now we pick it up to tempo and repeat it. Gi-"

Nick starts forward, spinning his head round to see who addressed him. Upon registering the familiar face, Nick blinks. "Henri?"

The piano starts playing, leading to some kids starting to sing along.

"OH COME ON!" A voice protests from the kitchen.

With the kids knowing what to do, Nick slides off from his side of the bench to step over to the Frenchman, smiling. "Henri! How're you doing? It's been a long time."

Well, maybe not to immortals but- over a year's still long, right?

Hellequin has posed:
Ah, maybe his little trick worked, and Henri's smile proves that he is happy to meet Nick. Without invitation, as if it was totally normal, the Frenchman's hand reaches for his friend's arm, obviously intend on sharing an arm shake.

"Cher Nick, you see me so happy to meet you," Henri replies, "And yes, it has been a while indeed, is it not? I was kind of busy with, hrm, stuff. Yes, stuff, a very useful, although ugly word to evade explaining in details. But what about you, pray tell, life is treating you well?"

As he speaks, the Frenchman momentarily frowns, hearing the yelling coming from the kitchen. "What do you think is happening in the kitchen? It is a women's lair, their territory, I dare not set foot in it." Still old fashioned a bit, isn't he?

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
When Henri switches to vague terminology to describe what he's been up to. Nick nods. "Ah stuff." He replies, running with it. "Stuff can be very time consuming indeed." There's a quirk of an impish grin as he continues, "As for me. Things have calmed down since some stuff that happened over a year ago. I encountered new stuff, and am currently processing some other stuff."

...

Stuff.

He turns his head to look in the direction of the kitchen. "I may have just taught the kids a song that the person in the back is tired of listening to. But, it's a good song for them to get used to the feel of the piano."

He looks back to Hellequin, "While the melody for Amazing Grace is simple enough, it's slightly more difficult than what you would give someone on their first day playing. But I do believe it is a common piece for practice books."

One of the kids who is seated nearby looks over to the two men. Crayon setting down next to her coloring work. "Are you talking about when the bad men blew up that wall?" She asks while gesturing to the outer wall of the mess hall.

Well. At least she didn't yell the question out loud.

Hellequin has posed:
Henri could suggest a variety of songs that the kids could learn, but since most would be best sung in a church, he decides to drop the topic. Gregorian chant will have to wait.

Not wanting to leave his van opened and unattended for too long, Henri reaches for his pocket as he bends forward to look a few kids in the eyes. It gets the attention of a few of them.

"Children," the Frenchman says in what he expects is a soft voice, "There is five dollars for each of you who finishes unloading the stuff in my van and bringing it to the kitchen. Make sure that all the, hrm, stuff, makes it into the kitchen, then come back to get your due."

That said, Henri, not oblivious to the young girl's statement, straightens up to look at Nick, "Trouble with bad men?" From what he can see, the wall has been repaired. "It seems that a lot happened during my absence. Should we find a quiet place to discuss, hrm, stuff?" Indeed, it would be difficult for him to disclose a lot of details about his nightly activities, especially around kids. "And I am curious to hear about you. I am curious about the new stuff you encountered."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick looks over to the girl who asked the question, brows raised. This does not have the needed effect as she looks to Nick confused, "...What? I'm not making it up you were there!"

Nick sighs, giving a nod. "No your not." He replies, before turning back to Henri. "Yes. We can catch up about stuff in one of the empty classrooms."

Giving a wave to the ever so helpful girl, makes his way to the exit of the mess hall, gesturing in the direction of the classrooms for Hellequin's behalf.

As they leave the mess hall, the developing sobs of the kitchen volunteer gets minimized by the wall blocking most of the sound.

Peeking into one room to confirm it's empty, he nods before pointing in there. "This one should do."

Hellequin has posed:
A couple kids seem to accept Henri's task, as some start running to the van to unload more boxes containing what seems to be more food destined for the kitchen. With a satisfactory nod, he then turns to his friend. "Have I known I would meet you here," Henri says as he follows his friend into the empty classroom, "I would have brought croissants and coffee. I mean, real coffee, of course."

The room is effectively empty, and since it is a weekend, should remain that way for the day. There are desks and chairs, none of them seeming sturdy enough to hold his weight. But it is all good, since Henri likes to stand anyway. Quickly looking around and noticing the absence of windows - and thus being unable to keep an eye on the sun - Henri reaches for his pocket to get his watch in hand. He then turns to Nick, grinning.

"I hate it when I lose track of time and go poof in the middle of a conversation. It does not help my social life, you know." He pauses, then continues. "I hope that the new developments that you encountered are of a positive nature," Henri says, "I would hate if anything bad happened to you."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Hopefully they finish unloading your van before you disappear then." Nick comments, being reminded of the odd....stuff regarding Henri's situation. He pauses as he considers how many kids seemed to accept that five dollars offer and reaches into his pocket to check what funds he has on hand. Just in case. Somewhat satisfied, he slides the contents back into the pockets before pulling his hand out.

"If not I'll make sure they get their funds and I'll just swing by later. At the very least you won't have to explain what happened to me."

Immediate situation addressed, he tilts his side. "...I guess I should cover the part about the wall comment first. Huh?"

Hellequin has posed:
Seeing how Nick checks his cash, Henri shakes his head slightly. From his own wallet, he swiftly extirpates a bunch of five-dollar bills, along with a hundred one. "Don't worry, I have it covered, as they say." The cash is placed on a table in front of him, as he returns to his position, leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest in a living expression of patience.

"From what the petite fille said, bad men - quite generic a description - attacked the place. This shelter is a mission that I am found of, for personal reason. Tell me who did it, and I will, hrm, handle them. Ni vu, ni connu that is, unseen, unknown. But I can guarantee you that they will never want to do it again."

The whole is said quite matter of factly, like someone used to fix situations and people. Sometimes, permanently.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Well the description works." Nick responds. "They weren't very nice people." A glance is given to the door blocking the room from the rest of the shelter, "It happened the Thanksgiving after we last ran into each other. And If you were wondering. The children weren't in the mess hall when it happened. We were doing post dinner cleanup so there were only a few of us in the room at the time the wall got blown."

He looks back to Henri, "They didn't get far. We had one of the Supers helping out that day. So the only people who got hurt were the ones breaking through the wall. But the sentiment is appreciated."

Hellequin has posed:
As he listens attentively, Henri sighs lightly. At least, no kids were hurt. Still, there is the expression of deception on his face for a moment. He'll have to find someone else to beat.

"I see," Henri finally says, "But why were they attacking in the first place? Another group of intolerant idiots, targeting kids because they are poor or mutant?"

Funny to hear the Hellequin mentioning intolerance, as he's not exactly a model of tolerance himself.

"In any case, I will keep watch on my beat." Nightly watch, that is. "I will not leave them behind."

After a moment, thinking, Henri tilts his head slightly, wondering, "Does this have any link to the new stuff you encountered?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick nods to the last question.

"They weren't targeting the residents, Henri. They were targeting me." Nick crosses his arms as he tilts his head back in recollection. "They knew I sometimes would help out here. And apparently were behind some issues that popped up at the building to ensure I'd be there that day. And yes, while me and some friends were working on how to deal with that group, it might have been what led me on the path to encounter the new stuff."

Hellequin has posed:
At the description of the events, even with lots of details left aside, the Hellequin frowns. Someone targeting Nick Drago. This cannot be.

Stepping forward, as if ready for action, Henri states, "I will not let my friends be attacked. Give me the names. I will find them. You say you captured some, there might be more. I will deal with them."

Really, it seems Henri is quite protective and willing to take action.

"Nick, I do not know you for long," Henri then states after a moment of reflection, "But to me, you seem reluctant to provide details. If a man does not want to share something, it is not honorable to force him to do so." Beat. "Unless, of course, they deserved to be tortured. Which I hope is not your case."

Then it occurs to Henri that Nick might be afraid of revealing some details, fearing that the Hellequin will consider him as a heavenly target, someone with a /Permission to kill/ printed on their back? Which prompts him to state.

"I consider you my friend, Nick Drago. You have nothing to fear from me."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick shakes his head as Henri asks for more information about the group. "While I'm not going to deny that there are likely more associated with the group that attacked here. The ones that had reason to target me are either dead or in custody of another group that has reason to keep looking. And, being both of those groups are kind of...secretive, I would rather not risk you drawing either of their attention. Or any of my friends for that matter. You have enough problems without having to deal with that."

Nicks lips set into a thin line as he glances to the side of Henri for a few moments before looking to him again at the assurance. "Either way. I passed the year mark of not getting any attacks from that group, so I think it's settled now. And... the incident did lead to me indirectly finding out about some distant relatives I didn't know about. It explains some things about me I didn't understand before...but kind of brings up some other questions."

Hellequin has posed:
With a sigh, Henri relents his questioning of the attack. Unless he tortures Nick, he's convinced that nothing more will be shared about it.

Now, did Nick mention finding information about his relatives?

"Ah, you are into genealogy now?" That is said with a hint of sarcasm, like someone considering it as useful as doing jigsaw puzzles or knitting. More seriously, Henri considers his friend for a moment. From what he recalls, the musician has some special abilities, abilities not bestowed on normal humans. Yes, mutants do have some special abilities and are humans too. Still, the Hellequin kind of always suspected that there was something even more different in Nick's case. Things mentioned here and there, but it has been a long time, and the whole isn't quite clear in Henri's memory.

"You see me curious," he finally says, "What did you find out? I have learned that mutants are the result of, hrm, genetic mutations, that is it. That are passed over generations by the parents. So you have found them in your lineage?"

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick shakes his head to the mention of geneology like it being a hobby but the added question gets a bit of a confused look as he takes a moment to think about it. "...in a way. I wasn't born with dream powers. But, it turns out the guy who pushed them on me might have been a great great...great uncle. I'm not sure how many greats are involved. But... maybe there's a blood thing associated with it?

And I'm guessing the saint spells are because of the other side of the family."

Hellequin has posed:
Over the centuries, the Hellequin has kept an eye on some specific families, not because of the blood or mutations it carried, but because of the transmission of forbidden knowledge and practices associated with sorcery and all things considered unholy. Dreams were not among those things, unless they were due to some witchery.

The mention of saints spells - which seem to revive Henri's memory somewhat - gets his full attention.

"This is still quite mysterious to me," he admits, "One ancestor pushed the dream ability on you, I find it strange, since they would have been dead eons before you were born. Now, on the other side, you received the saint spells." Henri pauses, thinking, "To me, one seems quite witchy, and the other one, quite holy. If you have their names, I can talk to my contacts. You know, some that have access to centuries old information, somewhere in Italy? They could run some research on your ancestors."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"No... he's still alive." Nick replies, "Uh. I'll put it this way. I still look the same age I was when I got the power. Chronologically speaking I'm actually in my thirties. I know it's confusing. I'm still working out how they both interact and right now I'm just speculating..."

To the mention of tracking down information on the ancestors, Nick pauses. "...Uh. So funny story. I may have also talked to one of those ancestors too...also alive."

Hellequin has posed:
For a moment, Henri de Fontainebleau doesn't react to this information of a totally heretic nature. No human - except himself, of course - can be called an ancestor and still be alive. Ergo, there must be a confusion on the meaning of ancestor.

"No human can live that long," Henri states, frowning, "Great great great great, whatever, uncle cannot be alive. If you talked to them, then they are not human. Maybe they are demons." The possibilities are quite limited. "That, or it is the action of evil deeds. Sorcery, magic."

But something isn't right. Nick mentioned the saint spells, which would not fall within the different evil practices such as magic or sorcery. Then, after consideration, Henri comes to a conclusion.

"Then does it mean that one of you ancestors is a great magician or necromancer, and another one was a saint? Because, the only person that old and still alive - although partly - is me. And I am quite positive that I did not father any children."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"Henri. You are not the only immortal walking this earth." Nick points out, matter of factly, "You are not the first one I met, nor the last....oddly enough I'm noticing a pattern with historical related work fields with you guys. But. There are humans who live long periods of time. It's just. Something happens to make it such I wouldn't call the one a great magician... But maybe...touched?"

By all means, let's not discuss the what.

"...And yes. A saint."

Hellequin has posed:
Henri shakes his head, trying to understand. There is a lot of information, and no details accompanying it. It starts to feel like Nick is playing with him. And what about other immortals? Then, this /related work fields/? Could there be another poor soul stuck in the same situation as his?

"Are you saying that there is another of my kind, tasked with punishing the evil doers and sending them to Hell?" The Hellequin seems quite surprised, "Because if you are referring to Saint-Germain, I can confirm that he was a fraud, as you say."

And then, Henri frowns, starting to visibly look annoyed - or it is upset - , as he leaves the wall against which is was leaning and starts toward the door. "I sense that you do not want to say more. Maybe you do not trust me, and I cannot blame you. But since there might be another of my kind, I will make inquiries about it. I will find the answers, no matter how long it takes, I have plenty of time."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick shakes his head. "Not exactly like you. But people who just don't die or have to die under extremely specific circumstances that is hard to do. . I meant like antiques dealers, history professors, museum curators...that type of thing."

He pauses, "...And not Saint Germain. It's just...

He frowns, seing Henri's expression. "I don't know if I'm supposed to say the name. But. During the rescue- Heloise mistook me for him."

Hellequin has posed:
Well, yes, that gives pause to the Hellequin. It has been a time since they all went back to return with Heloise. Who did she confuse Nick for? Saint Nicholas? Naw, Henri would recall it if she mixed him with Santa Claus. Then, Saint Michael?

Henri stops in his tracks, turning to face Nick.

"If I recall, she thought you were saint Michael. Which, must I remind, has never been a human. Angels, archangels and even seraphim are usually called saint, but they are celestial saints."

This makes absolutely no sense. Then again, he himself, Hellequin, makes absolutely no sense.

"Are you telling me that you are descendant of an angel?"

Yes, said totally matter of factly, as if it was totally normal. Yes indeed, the Hellequin should be the last to be surprised of such a possibility. With his medieval background, angels and demons fornicating with humans was common knowledge!

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
As Henri was moving to the door, Nick's frown deepens. For one who can write saint spells, he does seem to have trouble with words at times. to the point he managed to upset a friend.

Granted a friend who at their first meeting was trying to figure out if Nick was in need of being killed. But... Nick doesn't really have much to set his standards on.

When Henri spins back round, the musician feels a need to move a foot back in response. He does stop himself from taking another as Hellequin breaks down the response.

The conversation has been a bit of a dance. More steered by Nick's uncertainty on how to even broach the topic in the proper way and the general communication barrier that centuries can bring about. The questions were numerous, varied, and open ended which led to a lot of vague truths and confusion as the answers provided collided with the wrong questions. But when the question comes up in such a way that there's no way to possibly answer it wrong without intent. There is but one thing to do.

Nick nods. "...I guess I am."

Hellequin has posed:
The Hellequin stands there, silent, staring at Nick. His friend's reaction to his movements is intriguing, didn't he mention that he should not fear him? Henri shakes this idea out of his mind, and focused on the revelation. Even back in his time, some people were sick in their head, seeing unreal things, believing non-existent facts. Many of them ended up begging to survive and, for the less lucky ones, tied to the stake. Is Nick sick in his head?

"This is absolute heresy," Henri finally states calmly in order to not scare his friend, while avoiding mentioning the possible sickness of his mind.

"Again, I think I myself am some sort of heresy in people's mind. Yet, I do exist. So, I am willing to wait for your proof and you will pardon me if I require one to fully believe what you say. Besides, if Saint-Michel gave you a gift of saints spell, I would be quite surprised that he also gave you the other gift, which seems to be totally non-angelic. I am afraid that you might have fell under the dark spell of a necromancer. I will help you." Beat. "And not by killing you, of course."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Hey, just because someone's a little off doesn't mean they're lying.

As Henri responds, Nick shakes his head. "I shouldn't be surprised by this..." He admits, "And I never said he gave me the dream abilities. I never said that he gave me the saints spells. I just said that it would help explain why I have them at all...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have thought to have brought it up with you at all."

He frowns. "But...being that I can't unring that bell. If you really want confirmation, You could try asking one angel who is currently vacationing in the city."

He pauses, "Club Lux. He tends to greet every newcomer. Just, keep in mind what you learned way back... may not have been the full story."

Hellequin has posed:
"I did not mean to offend you, Nick," Henri says, stepping back and glancing at his watch, noticing that he will soon have to depart, either on his feet or otherwise. "You have to admit that, even if I believe in godly interventions into this world, many over the centuries were lead to believe in falsities."

Nodding to Nick, the Hellequin heads for the door.

"Rest assured that I will not cause any trouble, and make sure to be there in time, so I do not have to cut short any conversation." Meaning, going poof at sunset. "You would be surprised as how I possess a different view on my role now. As they say, ce que femme veut, Dieu veut. What a woman wants, God wants. And said woman is planning on kicking my ethereal balls if I cause any undue trouble." The last said with a grin as the Hellequin steps out. "Take care, my friend."