17974/Just another Day in New York

Just another Day in New York
Date of Scene:	16 May 2024
Location:	Shaw Studios
Synopsis:	Caleb seeks out Mike to tell him about his vampiric encounter in Gotham. Plans to bring this to the attention of others are formed.
Cast of Characters:	Michael Hannigan, Caleb Dykstra

---

Michael Hannigan has posed:
As far as New York is concerned. Today is a pretty good day. No explosions, no terrorist attacks, no riots-

Well at least not near the studio. One of the biggest benefits and weaknesses to the city is that the sheer amount of stuff going on leads to a number of people not getting the memo on important stuff going on elsewhere because they are busy focused on important things going on closer to where they are.

And what is Mike's important stuff for the day?

Well it's a conga line of him being booked under his lesser known name to provide background support for other performers music. Yes that is correct. Just because the Nick Drago name is not on the album, doesn't mean that Mike wasn't somehow involved with the album.

Case in point, Mike is exiting out of one of the larger session rooms where an orchestral group was playing- violin case in hand as he starts to move towards the grand staircase that leads up to the offices.

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
And who does he find waiting on his way to the grand staircase?

Why, it's Caleb, who's here with a sketchpad frantically drawing stuff - stuff with purpose, not just something he'd be sketching for its own sake.

No, this youngster is visibly worried, and you can se as he raises his head, as if looking for someone.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
As Caleb comes into view, the musician's steps slow. A questioning glance is given to Caleb once the student's eyes lift up. Mike's hand lifts to followup with a wave, confirming that he did see the student.

Hmm. This is becoming a pattern.

Non musicians sketching furiously in the waiting area while looking around for someone. Yep. Something's up.

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
"Hey, Mike", he says. "I think I found out why people are disappearing in Gotham." He nods repeatedly, "How do vampires sound to you?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike tilts his head to the basic summary. Head turning, he glances over to the temp guard at the front desk and then nods towards the steps leading upstairs. "We'll grab an office." Not even waiting to make sure Caleb's following, Mike and violin case make their way up to the stairs, moving towards Wade Shaw's office.

After confirming he office to be empty, Mike waves the younger man in.

As far as offices in New York businesses are concerned, it's more than enough. There's enough room for a desk arrangement that more or less forms a 'U' shape around an office chair with the primary access to the desk and the window situated behind it to the left side of the office (facing the window)

To the side closest to the door, a futon is set up in seat mode, facing the desk.

The desk is pretty minimalistic in terms of coverings. Wherever Wade may be, he likely has his laptop with him because the laptop lock sits vacant. Save for that, there's a phone and a photo of five people standing together. Four men of similar age. Wade seeming quite a bit younger in the photo while Mike looks the same in it. The fifth man appears older.

Mike moves in to the office, taking the seat behind the desk. "You can close the door."

It is odd. While one could understand the topic causing for a need to move from a more public setting. Not a word beyond relocating was uttered in response tot he topic.

"You can close the door."

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
As Caleb does so, he starts. "Sheila's birthday is coming up, which means the day of my mother's death is coming up as well." He sighs, "I risked a journey to Gotham's Cemetary to check in what state her grave was. An incognito trip, if you know what I mean." Boy does he feel stupid after saying this.

"So the fact is, two guys recognized me and followed into the Cemetery", he scratches his head. "I mean, they weren't the brightest tools in the shed, and I caught onto them..."

"And then, that's when hell breaks loose. One of them gets pulled into a mausuleum, three others come in their bat forms - huge, by the way -, and I make a run for it. That's when I see another one coming for me."

A dramatic pause.

"Now, you know by now this isn't my first rodeo, so I always come prepared." He pulls a pellet from his pocket, "It explodes spraying Holy water, which I got as a favor to a local Priest... Doesn't matter the details." He proceeds, "Now, I got one bat creature down, face melting off, and I spot three more watching me from the top of the trees", he pulls out a flash grenade casing. "Emits a loud bang and UV, my mod. I threw it, they fled."

Another pause.

"And then, /she/ shows up."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike looks to the pellet pulled from Caleb's pocket while he explains what it does. A brow ifting. "Just- How OFTEN do you carry holy water on your person?"

Michael Hannigan. Asking the important questions.

And then he rewinds a bit. Vampires in Gotham Cemetary...Which means-

You went to Gotham's Cemetary... in the dark. By yourself.

A hand lifts up, fingertips rubbing at Mike's temples.

Just IGNORE the fact he had the intention of going to the same place in June for the anniversary of his mom's death.

Gotham City: Ruining children's birthdays with the death of loved ones since establishment.

Guess he'll have to make it a day trip instead.

"Ok so who is 'She'?"

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
"Since I discovered vampires in my criminal days and got saved", he answers, "coupled with the fact I met this vampire girl during last year's Oktoberfest who got a little too close for comfort, and I had Sheila with me."

"But yes. By myself", he shrugs, "Isn't the land supposed to be holy ground, or something?" But regardless of excuses, he feels pretty stupid still.
"She didn't bother giving me a name, but trust me, you'll know her if you see her. Red eyes, red hair, strips of fabric in patterns that seemed somehow glued to her skin, leaving just about nothing to the imagination."

He sighs, "They all worshipped her as their queen, or something. And she had taken an interest in me." A shrug, "Or she could just've been counting my calories, I dunno. That, and take me into her troupe - which is why I suspect disappearances are at an all-time high."

Now comes the warning, "She boasted about how I couldn't stop her - and believe me, did I try -, and yet, she let me go. Dunno why, maybe she found the exercise amusing - but she did say that things would soon change for 'our kind'."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"You're thinking of graveyards." Mike corrects. The chair gives a slight squeak as he tilts back slightly, "Graveyards are on church grounds. Cemeteries are not." He brings up an arm, exposing the scar on the underside of his right forearm while he uses the thumb of the attached hand to act as a prop for his chin. The knuckle of his curled pointer finger brushes upon the underside of his lip.

"I've encountered vampires before as well." Mike admits, "Like humans you have the type that try to work with others. Managing their needs in the least intrusive way possible. And then you got others that prefer chaos and power. I've met more of the former than the latter. Sounds like you've had a run in with the latter."

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
"Yeah, no shit", Caleb comments. Pulling a broken sword out of concealment, he shows it to Mike. "Titanium core, silver plated. Might as well just scrap it for parts." He pulls another weapon, a broken pistol, "Shot magnesium flare bullets at her; if these were to connect, they would burn at 2000 Celsius; she seemed surprised by that, but she blinked right out of my line of sight."

He shakes his head, trying to cope with the fact. "It felt like I was fighting a big one." He closes his eyes, "I could've been turned... I..." He takes his hands up to his head, panic set in his eyes. "I'd might've gone straight to Sheila, or my dad..."

Reason.

"I have to warn Dr. Morrigan. If there are kids at school who're vampires, she could try to lure them, or coerce them." He summarizes, "Happy Harbor could be in danger."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike nods to the response. "...Just felt the need to remind that responses of this nature..." He nods to the broken sword. Frowning a bit to the presence of it. The gun more so. "Aren't going to always be the right one."

He doesn't bring up the nature of the weapons being brought into the studio. The general sigh being expressive enough. "But. I'll save it on whatever lectures would probably be appropriate at the time about bringing in weapons to the studio. You are very lucky Larry is out today. Otherwise you'd have been kicked to the curb showing up like this."

Ok maybe a little lecture. Because he sure as hell doesn't like having to get people fired.

As Caleb processes how the situation could have gone wrong, Mike listens quietly. Getting up from his seat, the rocker adjusts his positioning so that he is closer to eye level with Caleb. Once the mention of Dr. Morrigan is made, Mike breaks his silence once more. "Yes. She should be made aware of this." He agrees. "Also Stadler." He adds in. "...come to think of it I know a few people to probably advise of this."

"So in a general recap, what we have is some type of vampire queen. Red eyes, Red hair, at the time of encounter seemed more dressed for Sturgis than a formal dinner party. Was spotted in Gotham Cemetary and was talking about how things would change soon for their kind. General villain speech of how you can't stop her and..." Mike pauses, "was there any evil laugh? Most of them tend to throw that in for some reason."

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
Caleb tries to describe in summary, "You really, really, really, /really/ can't miss her. Picture a show girl entering the pole dance stage, just wearing basically red panties and tattos to match. Exotic beauty, I'll give her that much, but I think she'll be visiting my nightmares instead of my dreams."

There's a pause when he says that. He looks at Mike, and ponders again what he just said. Mike has appeared in a dream before, where he turned into a bird; he turns into a bird in real life...

(Really, there's no fourth wall break, Deadpool - we can't compete with you!)

"You mean the people from the other day, with the Anubis dude?" He adds, "If you think they got some insight on this, could you please introduce me? Because, dude... I feel it in my bones, this is not the last time I've set my eyes upon her. She's either gonna find me, or her kind will."

"She let me go, saying that humanity's time was coming to its swansong, and that they'll soon be giving the orders. And that I'd live to fight another day, with that thought in my head." He reasons, "Now, going out on a limb here... But you think she was trying to extend me an invitation to join her side, with that talk?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike looks to Caleb as he furthers describes the attire. "...I can tell that you've never been to Sturgis. " He responds, giving a wry smile. The smile stays as Caleb looks to him after the dream comment. The head tilts to the side as Caleb mentions people at the other gravesite incident. "Well, not the ones that were doing the digging but- something similar to the ones who showed up that night. But, considering your knack for ending up in these situations, it might be necessary to arrange for a meeting or two of sorts. Rick will be a necessity. Mo as well if you're thinking they might come after the school to get to you."

Caleb's question doesn't get immediately answered. Instead Mike glances to the ceiling for a few moments, considering the information. "It seems more like she was giving you a speech she REALLY wanted to give. And those aren't as fun when the audience isn't able to spread the news afterwards. For all we know, you might be playing into her hands by having you tell me this stuff because I'm somewhat obligated to pass this information along now. But...if your gut feeling is telling you that you're in danger, then, best we make sure you're covered."

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
"A meeting or two?", Caleb seems surprised at this. "Just one or two isn't gonna cut it. I mean, who else am I going to tell...?" And quickly, a list forms in his head, "I'm warning the League, the Avengers, S.H.I.E.L.D..." Yeah, he remembers the card Coulson gave him, put the guy on speed dial.

"Whomever else...?" He bumps a fist into his hand, "Yeah, that vamp kid... I mean, we got off to a rough start, but she claims to be the 'Duchess of Westchester', or something. She's got her own list of frends, some of them mutants..."

He nods, "Yeah, I got the long list to call."

"In the meantime", he shows his sketches. "I got a few ideas, I need to get to the workshop."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike raises a brow at Caleb's response to his offer of help. "Do you want my help or not?" He asks, giving a sigh, "Do you know how many groups have people with overlapping memberships? If we get the guest list right we can easily cover those groups you mentioned in a couple of meetings without you running around like a chicken missing their head."

He glances to the sketches being shown and shakes his head.

Damn it. Is this how Wade feels around him?

"I get you're wired but banging around like a pinball is not going to do much of anything except make a lot of noise and give you a fucking headache. So...Just sit down. Put the sketchbook down and take five minutes to just breathe."

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
Caleb ponders, "I've no idea. It's not like I'm a member of the superhero community, or anything."

He explains his reasoning, "I think I told you there was that golden android that went on a rampage, Amazo it's name was. As soon as I figured out he copied abilities, I gunned straight for its eyes, or scanners, whatever you want to call them. Stuck two swords right in the eyes, that even served as lightning rods to take it down." He takes that seat. "It's only after the fighting ended that I learned that everyone on site had been psychically linked to formulate a battle plan."

He says this with annoyance, "Seriously? I mean, /seriously/?? There I am, giving my all, doing what I hoped to be a good strategy, maybe one that could benefit sharing, and /I/'m the one guy - yes, the one guy - in the dark, when you got a heavy-hitting telepath on the field??"

He concludes with a shrug, "I've no idea if my warnings will pass even if I notify each and everyone individually, much less if simply talking to one person who'd be in all?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Hearing the story, Mike gives a knowing nod. "Yeah I hate it when that happens." He admits. "Different groups have different communication methods. I can't really offer much feedback on that scenario because I wasn't there. I don't know what you did in attempts to coordinate with others or the nature of the linked one's abilities. It could very well be that the ability only works with those they're familiar with. Those who have worked with them before."

Mike smiles, "As for your message getting across. Well- I don't go around advertising this but considering your knack for showing up at the worst times, I can at least let you know you managed to reach one already. And once we arrange the first meeting we'll likely cover the rest of the groups you mentioned."

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
"A-fucking-men!" He wonders, "I wonder if Batman and his group of vigilantes is aware of this?"

His face goes grim, almost losing color, "And what if they came across her already...? She could've turned them, or the very least some of them."

He takes a deep breath, imagining the odds, "When people go missing, they're the first to jump right in and find out what's wrong..."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"If this is happening in Gotham, they most likely know already." Mike replies, "But...we can reach out to make sure they're aware. Cross memberships after all." Mike gestures to the seat in front of the desk. "Now. Let's take five. Sit. Breathe. And then after that we can go over the details."