19578/Dazzler's New Years Rockin' Eve

Dazzler's New Years Rockin' Eve
Date of Scene:	31 December 2024
Location:	Apple Park: Salem Center
Synopsis:	Alison hosts a concert in Apple Park while people enjoy roller skating, food, and friends. Ryan Seacrest says hello on the Jumbo Tron and everybody watches THE BALL drop.
Cast of Characters:	Alison Blaire, Carol Ferris, Mary Jane Watson, Hal Jordan, Rogue, Lois Lane, Michael Hannigan, Doreen Green, Kate Bishop, Conan, Longshot, Ororo Munroe, Jamie Madrox, Betsy Braddock, Caleb Dykstra, Jubilation Lee, Quentin Quire, Remy LeBeau, Tabitha Smith, Emma Frost, Wade Wilson

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Alison Blaire has posed:
Welcome to Apple Park! The night is alive with activity as Dazzler fans, roller skating fans and party people all pile in for a good time on New Years Eve! The park has a huge RINK for roller skating, with lights high above and heaters blowing across, it's actually warm tonight and the rain has stopped. How nice!

Security is TIGHT. Black suited badasses and city police are watching the event closely. The event staff take tickets as everyone comes in and the ROLLER SKATE staff and check-out girls open booths to hand out roller skates. They also hand out lil fliers to remind everyone about the special FOOD, DRINKS, overpriced MERCH and other stuff available to do throughout the park. The park has roller skating rinks and jumbo monitors everwhere! Whoa!

Roller skating across the main stage, DAZZLER appears with her dance team in front of a huge jumbo tron which have giant speakers on either side. A funky upbeat music starts playing and the ladies start dancing! Oh yeah! The Jumbo Tron comes alive with a picture of the broadcast from Times Square and a camera pans across where Ryan Seacrest waves, standing with the other hosts. The picture switches to Apple Park, where a mysterious drone pans across the crowd there too.

"We're LIVE from Times Square! And Apple Park! Hey Dazzler, has the party started yet?" Ryan Seacrest says over top of the music. He grins. The Jumbo Tron picture cuts to show cute shots of the people in Apple Park and Times Square.
"Let's go Apple Park!" Dazzler says into her microphone, "The party just started, and we've got all kinds of fun happenin right now! Yeah! We've got food, we've got roller skating, we've got music! Hey Ryan, I just wanted to sneak in a little announcement about something awesome we've got coming soon!"

Carol Ferris has posed:
Apple Park is alive with New Year's Eve energy, transformed into a sprawling festival of light, sound, and celebration. The vast skating rink, typically a winter haven for ice skaters, glows with heated pathways and shimmering lights, its polished surface reflecting the colorful beams of strobes from nearby stages. Around the park, smaller rinks have been set up as well, allowing for separate, less crowded spaces for couples, newbie skaters, and smaller children to enjoy the event without the chaos.

Strings of lights hang like glittering stars above the rink, swaying gently in the cool breeze, and strategically placed black lights -- a staple of any good skate -- bring the colors of people's clothing to vibrant life.

Dazzler's stage is the heartbeat of the event, positioned prominently with towering speakers flanking her team of dancers. Vendors dot the park's walking paths, their carts spilling the scents of hot cocoa, pretzels, and churros into the air, while skate rental booths hum with activity as latecomers pick up skates or promotional fliers for food and merchandise.

It's against this lively backdrop that the sky above shimmers with an unusual brilliance -- a spiraling double helix of violet and green light, cutting through the night like twin comets. The glowing streaks twist and dance together, a perfect harmony of energy and motion, as they arc downward toward the main rink. Star Sapphire and Green Lantern arrive in style, their energy constructs gleaming as they land lightly on the polished rink, seamlessly transitioning into crafted skates of glowing emerald and radiant violet.

For a heartbeat, skaters falter, staring with wide-eyed curiosity. Then, as it becomes clear that the pair isn't here for battle, the mood relaxes, curiosity giving way to laughter and cheer. Star Sapphire glides backward effortlessly, the violet light of her uniform reflecting off the rink's surface. But it isn't her usual costume.

There's no plunging neckline to her navel, tonight. No thigh-high boots. Tonight, she's in a much more family-friendly, sparkling violet skater dress, long-sleeved and high-necked with a flippy skirt that swishes around her thighs. Skin-tone tights and pristine white skates complete the look, and only the pattern of gems on the dress is reminiscent of the classic deep-'V' cut-out of her normal costume.

She catches Green Lantern's hands as they begin to circle the space, their movements fluid and practiced, a synchronized rhythm that seems to come naturally.

The world around them continues to thrum with activity. Music, laughter, and chatter fill the air as skaters dart and spin around the rink. Sapphire, skating backward with a casual grace, casts a glance up at her green counterpart, her violet eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Think we snuck in without anyone noticing?" she teases, her tone light and easy.

The rhetorical question lingers as a group of kids nearby cheers, one of them shouting, "Go Lanterns!"

With a small laugh, she twirls once, her violet skates flaring brighter in a playful display before catching Hal's hands again. For tonight, or at least for this moment, there's no battle to fight, no galaxy to save -- just the shared glow of love and willpower in a celebration that feels refreshingly human.

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
She's done some roller derby, which is probably close enough to the skillset of ice skating there's not that big of an issue. Mary Jane is darting along the ice, wobbling just a little mor ethan is necessary as she tries to get used to balancing this way. It's a little tricky for her - sliding across the ice at a leisurely pace and trying to keep going straight is more difficult than she had thought. Well, first time for everything! She's pretty sure that her friends are out and about. She's enjoying a New Years Eve out on her own having sent texts to her friends and a talk with Aunt Anna.

Going around and watching someone else do a twirl and an olympic level pirouette, Mary Jane would look on over with a bit of jealousy and sigh, idly thinking oO(Showoff). Not that she wouldn't be doing the same if she could manage it - well if it were in a proper place to showcase.

Then as she's going along a pair of speed skaters suddenly rush past her - whomever they are, darting in and out of passerby in a high speed, chaotic game of tag that has Mary Jane scrambling to get out of the way. She goes to try and yell over at the pair as they go to vanish into the swarms of people having fun, even as her 'other' persona thinks stabby thoughts of kicking a leg out and letting the thin blade.. Mary Jane reproaches her, noting that it's not sharp enough to do that and they're in a public area.

Inner discussion over, but not irritated, Mary Jane goes to sway along, taking a few moments to get used to balancing herself once more, looking up and over into the sky at the fireworks and the lightshow going on.

Definitely hope that the coming year has a bit less stress than this one.

Hal Jordan has posed:
Admittedly, this is not the prototypical date night. And certainly not the way that a high powered CEO and her test pilot boyfriend might be expected to spend New Year's Eve.

Some of that surely comes from the fact that instead of Carol Ferris and Hal Jordan being out on the two for the night, it is Green Lantern and Star Sapphire instead. And while the two might be interchangeable enough in their eyes, they frequently make a point of not letting their two worlds collide.

The duties of a Lantern, of a Sapphire, can be rather overwhelming. He's an intergalactic cop, patrolling one not inconsiderably part of the galaxy, insuring that it remains safe. She's the freaking Queen of the Zamarons and a Protector of Love. So yeah, suffice to say that they have responsibility piled up high even on the best of days.

Which maybe might be why that it is only appropriate that their alter egos get the chance to blow off a little steam tonight. Tomorrow they will have the looming threat of Galactus and his Heralds to worry about. Tomorrow they will have the fact that Sinestro has returned, this time wielding the Yellow light of Fear as a potent new weapon. A potential threat? Or an ally against the Devourer of Worlds? Tomorrow he will have the Justice League's continued dual with their opposite, the Injustice League. Tomorrow she will have all the duties that Ferris Aircraft can pile on.

Maybe tonight they deserve a little fun.

Like her, Hal drops out of the sky, that streak of green practically impossible to separate out from the violet one at his side. Suitably merged to the point that where one begins and the other ends is nearly impossible to discern. At least until they touch down into the very heart of Apple Park.

"I think if you wanted a low key entrance, maybe the glowing green and purple attire was the wrong choice," comes Hal's wry counter to Carol, the ring around his finger flaring for just a moment as emerald roller skates cover his feet and he wobbles just a little as he finds his balance.

No sleek or modern rollerblades here, these are clunky, glorious 1970s roller skates at their finest.

Now if only he had the same level of skill to match. Though it would seem that maybe Carol has the capability to get them both through without any embarassing spills.

"Interesting pick for how you wanted to spend New Year's Eve," he adds, glancing around the huge roller rink overflowing with people enjoying themselves, the festive buzz in the air, mixed with a certain undeniable anticipation for the star of the show to take the stage. "Just remember to go easy on me Pretty Lady. Roller rinks were never my thing. I'm not used to the whole wheels on my feet thing," he protests, a playful glint in his eye.

One would think, given that he can soar through outer space that he will find a way to manage going around in circles on an improvised rink.

Rogue has posed:
Being that Apple Park was literally just down the highway a minute's drive from Xavier's School, it wasn't a big surprise that a lot of Xavier's School students wanted to come to this tonight, mainly the older classmen. Rogue had helped make a few arrangements to see it through, to let the older High School students come to the park and enjoy the festive roller skating atmosphere, and the music of one of their own.

Having arived in her muscle car, the southern Belle was dressed in a warm suede leather jacket, with a furry collar, blue jeans and gloves on her hands. Her wild two-toned hair was loose around her shoulders, with long wavy curls of dark chestnut hair, and white bangs of a snow-shade hue framing her face.

She currently stands beside the roller rink, watching over some of the school's students, as they settled in to the night, waiting for midnight to roll in, pun intended.

Rogue, cradling a cup of hot apple cider, was sipping it, as the cool wind cast locks of her white hair across her face.

Lois Lane has posed:
Lois Lane is in fact, not skating. She has a set of skates next to her, but she is seated on a bench, readily taking notes for the event. No, she is not supposed to be reporting on it. Cat Grant got that assignment. But like every good reporter, she is a creature of habit and before she attempts to have fun, she wants to make sure she gets something of a story down.

Dressed in a black skirt with leggings that come up to her knees, her top is that of a ribbed pink sweater. As Star Sapphire and Green Lantern launch into their light show and Dazzler accompanies them, she flips her recording device around to snap a few pictures, wondering if she should have brought Jimmy with her since she couldn't get a hold of Clark. He probably has a good reason, he always does.

Her hair piled into a high bun, her violet eyes are watching the events unfolding - but not actively taking a part in it.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Along with the flash upon the stage, there are several sparkles amongst the attendance as stars mingle in amongst the guests.

Amongst the number is one Nick Drago. Rockstar. Actor. Annnd former drummer for Silver Round. And alongside him a slightly taller blonde man carrying a clipboard.

Wade Shaw sighs as he glances around. "How did I get roped into this again?"

Nick smiles, "I asked. Nicely. And apparently you didn't like how I was doing that so you just volunteered. Who am I to refuse such a generous offer?"

The former bassist of Silver Round turned recording studio and label owner rolls his eyes. "Could have taken the Dubai offer. But nooooo..."%

Doreen Green has posed:
"Wheeeee!" is the call of of Doreen this evening as she rolls about the rink on a pair of rented rollerblades. Turns out having the porportional agility and sense of balance of a squirrel is really good for skating. The heightened spacial awareness is also helpful for not running into other people. Or smacking them with her tail. She's dressed for the evening in a simple long-sleeve shirt and tights under a skirt, very 'casual' in comparison to her heroic outfits, but the everpresent bomber jacket with the acorn logo on the back and the squirrel eared headband make her easy to spot. I mean, if the four feet of fluff trailing behind her was somehow not enough.

Fortunately her squirrels aren't getting underfoot. Rather Tippy-Toe and Monkey Joe are sitting on one of the tree branches munching on pieces of nut log, while Gadget Gregg is farther out on another branch with a minicam to get a few shots of Doreen skating about for her social media platforms.

Kate Bishop has posed:
Kate Bishop totally made it to the concert, way more fun that the Times Square event.

Benefits of being rich. You can totally afford the really good tickets. And knowing people who know people who can actually get them.

Which is how there's a dark haired young woman in purple corduroy pants and a blue denim jacket jacket with a neon pink Dazzler hoodie underneath. Some comfy sneakers in white modern inline skates let her move freely while she can. The biggest hindrance to mobility is getting through the crowds. Thankfully or sadly depending on your point of view, she had to leave her Hawkeye stuff in the trunk of her car. The purple beetle parked next to a very beat up old Mitsubishi Delica van from the 1990's in black, yellow, and rust. You can fit so many more mutant kids in that thing than a muscle car. And a hover conversion means parking is way more of a snap when you can just lift and land anywhere. The driver of the van likely doing something bombastically exciting. Like keeping an eye on all her friends psychically. Off and on the stage.

At least as people start piling in Kate can probably lift er feet off the ground and not fall from gravity being a harsh mistress.

Conan has posed:
What a night! And this time Conan learned of and obtained a ticket ahead of time. He's much less likely to have to battle gangsters at this event! The ancient warrior has found his way to where he's obtained the wheeled boots everyone is gliding around in. Having worn ridiculous things in the past, he watches someone nearby put their boots on before mimicking them.

Properly attired for the venue, the mighty barbarian rises to his feet and promptly loses his balance, falling backwards on his ass, "By Crom! These boots are not easily mastered." Getting back to his feet, he keeps his knees bent more to help him maintain balance. For a big guy, he's quite graceful, and soon he's even propelling himself under his own power across the roller rink.

As some sort of gods or heroes start a beautiful show in the sky the barbarian is occasionally bumped by other skaters and he lets out a hearty laugh as he's nearly knocked off his feet by a collision with a trio of children chasing each other. As he recovers from another near fall Conan's eyes widen slightly and his nostrils flare as he detects a familiar figure: Red Sonja. And apparently she's enjoying the wheel boots, too.

His destination changes towards his old acquaintance. As he glides awkwardly towards her he calls out in Hyrkanian, a language dead for over ten thousand years, "She-Devil! I have not seen you since you dealt with Kulan Gath. I would celebrate this new year with an old sometimes comrade."

Longshot has posed:
Longshot Likes Parties. It is incredibly convenient that he was dropped in New York around the time of year when Parties are plentiful. All is well in the world for him, as usual, and with no expectation that that could ever change, tonight is simply another in a long line of pleasant things that happen to him.

It's hard to not walk around pleased with existence when the universe is as nice to you as it is to Longshot.

Tonight he has abandoned his usual leather get-up in favor of Dazzler-merch with the addition of a long black jacket as protection against the chill. It's neat and flowy! And weirdly Dazzler merch has his star on it! All the more reason to love it! Longshot doesn't know if he can skate and hasn't yet put it to the test, instead his attention seems mostly on the game booths tucked among the merch and food. He doesn't know how many versions there are and this is his first opportunity to see carnival-style game booths and as he watches, this looks like great fun!

The temptation to Play one of the games versus to head toward the main staging area for the Music, it's a quiet war. Maybe there is a booth close enough to the stage with a game that would still allow music enjoyment? Maybe split the difference and go see if he can skate? Putting wheels on one's feet and running around Looks incredibly fun as well. Too many choices!

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Ororo Munroe, goddess of weather, mistress of the elements, grader of papers.

And, it seems, party-goer and at least partial chaperone of mutant students. She's also got a pair of skates, just in case the urge to take to the rink grabs her, laces tied together to let them hang over her right shoulder, white leather not quite blending into the cream turtleneck she wears, both contrasted by black sensible slacks. Perhaps not as flashy as she'd usually go for if she was truly focused on skating... but this is a holiday party, not a figure skating competition.

Plus, if it was a competition, wild mane of white hair would be braided, lest she blind herself temporarily during a double axel. And so instead she holds a paper cup of cocoa, sipping, eyes lifting to watch the showy arrival of those who /did/ decide to put a little razzmatazz in their entrances. Bright blue eyes are steady, focused but relaxed, not quite so careless if she were not here keeping at least a partial eye on the students.

And if she hadn't just dealt with a mutant girl in trouble a few days ago. But cocoa is doing a fine job easing those slight edges of concern.

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Her attention is turned over towards Rogue and the children with her wearing Xavier's hoodies, and Mary Jane goes to head towards them while resting her feet a bit, "Hey there, good to see kids out enjoying themselves. And you a teacher or a volunteer?" She thought Xavier's was a prep school with a very good reputation, even if there was more than a bit to it..

Right as a familiar language snaps her attention around over, and her expression goes hard as steel as she goes, "Excuse me." Then her attention is over on the approaching barbarian. Her expression turns to steel as she goes to call out to him in the same language - one dead for eons that perhaps a dozen still living in the world knew without the aid of magic, and even then precious few of those.

"Cimmerian. The streets have not yet run with blood nor is it dripping off you. Has age tempered you?" Has he gone soft like she has? All of Sonja's memories of Conan are there. But they are fuzzy. Legends. Parts of a story tens of eons ago. Myths of another age. Recollections most vivid, the particulars of which had become passing in endless blasts of fury and frenzy in her mind over the eons spent sleeping.

"And not enough to celebrate here with." Her tone is softer in the old language - much softer likely than the barbarian has encountered. Sonja, even looking young, seemed to have aged. There was wariness in her form now as a default - but the perpetual state of near bloodlust and frenzy that had defined much of their acquaintance seemed to have lost it's anchor on her.

Alison Blaire has posed:
"Something awesome?" Ryan Seacrest asks Dazzler, "Everybody's looking forward to a great New Year! And this awesome thing you've got planned, no doubt!"

"That's right Ryan, we've got a brand new TV show planned called "Last Band on Earth" where everybody's going to get a chance to show their musical talent! It's gonna be great! We're taking auditions soon!"

"I'm sure everybody will be there to audition for that chance. That sounds fun, Dazzler. And over here, everybody's gonna see the ball come down and kick off a great New Year very soon! Just a little bit of time left!"

Dazzler is dressed in her super blue, super cute outfit for a change in style. She skates with dances while the Jumbo Tron shows Times Square the the BALL, "We hear you Ryan! Everybody's with you! Hey why aren't you roller skating!? Haha! Let's...go for it!" she says her little catch-phrase. She steps forward and raises her hands up into the air, causing some sparkle glitter pyro to go off above. Woo! What a neat trick that is.

She starts to sing "Skate all Night!", a roller skating song some Dazzler fans might know (cause it's played at every budget skating rink and dance club).

Let your spirit flow!
Just lend an ear
Skate skate your way, we'll take you there!
It's such a thrill, skating all
Like a champ, the shadows fall,
With our friends, the music's tight!
It's okay, the feeling's right!
Skate all night!

Jamie Madrox has posed:
"Yeah man, it's a real corn dog. What kind of question is that?"

"But like, is it made with real corn? Because I've got a glutose allergy."

One of the many vendor carts dotting the walking path has chosen to make its selection of proffered goods extremely obvious. Not only does the cart say 'Corn Dogs' in large, corn-dog-colored letters, but it also has multiple pictures of corn dogs all over the cart's vinyl wrap. The telltale scent of corn dogs wafts through the air in the general vicinity of the cart, as a fresh batch of the breaded treats is set into the fryer. All fairly obvious indicators.

But by far the best clue is the attire of the man who tends the corn dog cart. For he is dressed in a large foam costume that looks very much like a corn dog with a large bite mark at it's top, from which protrudes the head of one Jamie Madrox, wearing a pink watch cap that makes him look very much like a hot dog that has recently been separated from his breading.

This corn dog-attired man, who by now we know to be Jamie Madrox, is in the middle of debate with a gentleman who seems confused by the menu options. Despite there being only two options: Corn Dogs, and Sodas.

"I think you mean a gluten allergy?" Madrox offers helpfully. "But I don't think that corn dogs have gluten. I'm not really a doctor though. So... probably don't risk it, huh bud?"

The customer continues staring, still pondering his options.

"No... not gluten. I can eat gluten just fine. It's one of the parts of corn that I can't have. Like the stuff inside the kernel? You know what I'm talking about?"

For a moment, Jamie just stares at the man, then shrugs his shoulders nearly imperceptibly inside of his corn dog costume.

"What, like the endosperm?"

The man snaps his fingers, and points at Jamie excitedly.

"Yeah! That's the stuff I'm allergic to."

Betsy Braddock has posed:
Betsy Braddock, part-time heiress, part-time X-Man, full-time psychic ninja, comes up from behind Storm, a wry smile on her lips as she has a pair of purple (of course) rollerblades hanging from her arm. Her purple hair is actually tied back in a ponytail at the moment, the end of it bouncing against the back of her purple turtleneck sweater. She's just wearing jeans, but still somehow managing to move almost silently in them as she grins at Ororo.

"You look like you need a break, 'ro." Her eyes dance a little bit, as she tilts her head towards the weather witch, lips curving into a wry smile, "Ready to do some skating when your cocoa is done?"

Lois Lane has posed:
Settled on her bench as the concert starts, Lois continues to make her notes. One foot taps along with the beat of the music. She has been a fan of Alison's for a bit, even more so after listening to her music when preparing to interview her.

She continues talking into her phone as Ororo starts to pass by her, but she suddenly stops and frowns at the device. "Accessorize." she says to the phone. And a moment later.

"Not accessories. Accessorize."

She sighs as she moves to type it in herself. "Try the new technology, Lois. It'll make your job easier, Lois."

The reporter sticks out her tongue for a moment. "That's what I think, Perry."

Rogue has posed:
Having Storm with her for the watching of the children, was a delight for Rogue. There were few teachers that she could rely on to have things in order more than that of Ororo, and since she was electing not to do the party thing herself tonight... which is to say heavy drinking at some debaucherous watering hole, she was eager to just have a fun night without the headaches in the morning. Was Rogue growing up? Or did she do that years ago, and she was just realizing it now? This party was family friendly, right? Ryan Seacrest was involved, it has to be!

After enjoying a sip of her cider, Rogue looked over to Storm, and offered her a playful grin, as she leaned over against the white haired beauty. "Come on, Stormah. I know you are a rockin' roller skater. Strap them on, and get out there. I'll hold your drink." She chided the woman, always trying to get people to jump out of a comfort zone, and in to something a little more crazy.

With MJ approaching them, Rogue tried to search her memory quickly of the face, but she couldn't place if she knew her or not, instead she just grinned her way. "Yeah, well... When you got a whole house full'a kids, sometimes ya gotta let them out to breathe, or they start to mold. Hope you're havin' a good New Years." She says, choosing not to say the woman's name, because she doesn't know what her name is, and she doesn't want to use the wrong name. That'd just be rude, right?

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
Caleb is sitting on a bench, taking in the mood of the event. For the moment, he's content to watching, hoodie over his head. He notices a TV camera filiming and capturing his face for a couple seconds, and he discreetely covers it by reaching for a drink. Camera shy, or any other reason - whatever the case, he's not much into them.

He looks around, searching for some familiar faces as he sips the hot cocoa that warms his hands and throat...

Kate Bishop has posed:
So maybe hover skating might not actually happen, but Kate isn't too worried about being squished. The woman is enough of a jock that skating is easy enough. Give her some room and she could probably improv a passable routine. But there isn't so she just does laps. Maybe with a little extra tumbling of arms over and over each other since bouncing hips isn't exactly safe for anyone.

But at least she does occasionally slow down, helping people that look a bit too wobbly when they get too far from the outer edge of the rink.

Hero complexes kick in in all kinds of ways.

Meanwhile amidst some of the Xavier kids. It looks like there's a donkey with them. That they managed to get into a Dazzler merch hoodie.

The fashion stylings of Jerome Badonk Smith. The X-Donk.

Doreen Green has posed:
From their treetop perch the squirrely observers are the ones that notice a familiar face passing by. Tippy-Toe reachs over with a forepaw to nudge Monkey Joe, chittering and pointing in the direction. Monkey Joe looks, squeaks back, and takes off his tophat to pull an acorn out of it. Which he holds over to Tippy, who grabs in her paws and chucks at Doreen's head.

But that peripheral vision sees it coming and Doreen is deft handed enough to snatch it out of the air. Then give a frown (as much as Squirrel Girl ever frowns) up at them. "I told you not to throw things at people this time!" This time? Don't ask. Besides it's forgotten when both squirrels point towards the venue.

Doreen turns around, and her bright expression returns when she sees who they're gesturing at. "Oh!" She starts to skate towards that side of the rink, raising a hand to have happily. "HEY, LONGSHOT! .. excuse me... OVER HERE!"

Carol Ferris has posed:
Star Sapphire's laughter joins in with the rest of the crowd at Green Lantern's remark about their attire, those violet eyes sparkling in amusement.

"Fair enough," she muses. "But we're both so busy... I wanted a chance to have some _fun_ with you. And what better way than to go _roller skating_ outdoors in the middle of winter? Besides.. indulge me, and I'm sure I can arrange for there to be some Top Gun in your future."

There's a devilishly playful curl to her lips, sticking close and holding on to his hands as she continues to skate backwards on glowing violet wheels. It's amusing, even to her, to see the great Green Lantern actually struggling at something, and the affection in her gaze practically makes her whole violet aura glow a little brighter.

"If it helps, I can put some wings on your skates..."

A couple more kids skate right past them, offering encouraging thumbs up.

Conan has posed:
"I told the Woman of Wonder I would be gentle with these civilized people," Conan explains, his use of the ancient dialect smooth and effortless unlike the skill of skating. "Very few have died by my hand here, as the custom of warriors in this place is to maim and cripple their enemies." There's a solid nod of his head.

That's when he follows Sonja's gaze to see the people she's conversing with and lifts a hand in a wave as he greets them in English, "Conan of Cimmeria..." Hey! There's the Storm Goddess he met before! "It is good to see you here! A Goddess who helps her people!"

Longshot has posed:
The choice will finally be made as Longshot watches someone win a stuffed animal and immediately give it to a cheering toddler. It's a game AND there are prizes. Longshot doesn't much care about prizes, but there a sudden influx of children with matching sweaters, probably children with matching sweaters deserve toys, right?

Longshot's decision comes with a relief that the near-by booths do seem to not have as horrible lines as they might have-BUT! That's his name!

Longshot looks around in surprise, taking a moment to find the source of the hollering and is delighted to see his buddy Doreen!!! Longshot is quick to get to the edge of the ring, waving excitedly.

"Doreen!!! It's been a while! Hey! You have the wheels on your feet! How's the wheel-feet thing going? I haven't tried yet!!!" The wave will be extended to the visible squirrels once she's closer, then Longshot will lean over the rail and point down to the skates, "What's the word for the wheel shoes? I know I saw it somewhere in the ad, but I don't remember what it was!"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
As Nick and Wade come near the Corndog man, the duo pause in their walk to somewhat listen to the exchange. Brows raise as the man describes the inside of a piece of corn to Madrox leading to the two musicians to glance to each other.

"Well, Dubai doesn't have this." Nick comments to the elder man.

"At least not in English." Wade comments, "...so less entertaining." Eyes look over to the clipboard before he moves over to the vendor's station.

Nick's glance lingers upon Jamie's attire for a few moments before looking to the other guy. "...When in doubt, err on the side of caution." Nick comments to the guy. "You'll enjoy the evening much longer that way."

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Ninjas. Sneaky sneaky ninjas. Usually when they're suddenly just /there/ behind people, there's either a nearly silent sound of a blade, or their target shrieking in terror.

But Ororo's too cool for that. (But not too cool for school. As evidenced by her job.). Or, perhaps, it's that this particular ninja and her had been texting?

She /is/ almost distracted by Lois Lane, intrepid reporter (Who Ororo would gasp at the presence of if she didn't have a cup of cocoa to instead take a sip of to prevent herself from giving up how much of a fan she is of the last bastion of quality print media) ....or from laughing, however softly and charmingly at Ms. Lane's struggle with technology.

She glances over her shoulder as Betsy's falling in beside her, eyes giving a half hearted roll as she murmurs out, "Oh please. The students know to behave...." She blinks and then snorts softly.

"Oh. Yes. A recreation break. Of course. That makes far more sense. I had been considering it. If nothing else I was going to appreciate the lake back at the mansion... if only to not put the skates back without using them."

Jubilation Lee has posed:
Jubilation Lee glides into the party with an effortless grace, slipping through a crowd that seems to part for her without meaning to. Like many of her kind, Jubilee radiates a magnetism that can, at times, draw eyes, hearts, and whispers. Her skin, impossibly smooth and pale, catches the light just enough to remind everyone that she's not quite normal and there might be something darker, something otherworldly that lingers in her wake.

Though the movies can sometimes present vampires in very dour outfits, Jubilation has draped herself in color. She wears a black crop-top t-shirt splashed with blue and pink pastels, screen printed with the words BRING ON THE NIGHT peeking out from under an obnoxiously neon yellow jacket, retro-styled with large lapels bedazzled with what must be 37 individual pieces of flair. She wears a pair of cut-off daisy duke shorts over black tights that disappear into a pair of well-loved pink roller blades.

Normally, a vampire might revel in a night like this, eager to find some healthy-looking snack to take away, but Jubilee has come with a date: her one-year-old son, Shogo Lee, sporting his own teeny-tiny pair of skates that should probably be illegal, cradled in her arms. There's no one else she'd want to spend New Years Eve with, but a girl needs conversation.

"Sup..." Jubilee tells Rogue juuuuust as she rolls to a perfect stop at her side.

"I see Tabby brought the donkey."

See and smell.

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would nod over at Conan, her expression going soft, "The Amazon.. Something so twisted. A kind goddess that wants to help others." Crom was the kindest, the most stoic of the gods of old. Openly caring not for the mortal world and doing nothing to help nor hinder. In the wretched past the two came from, that was the best that could be wished for.

She would turn over to Storm, Betsy, and Rogue, switching back to English over now. "You're all with the school?" Her pointing over at the hoodies the kids going about had been wearing. "ANd you own Sion, right? YOur club is great." She would smile over at Betsy. "Been there a couple times." Her body language would shift from the wary readiness of a few moments ago to a posture far more relaxed.

Betsy Braddock has posed:
Betsy grins, "Well, if you're worried about falling, I'm pretty sure I can keep you upright, Ororo. I was a pretty good skater even before getting a lifetime of ninja training imprinted into my brain." She winks at Ororo, and if she's concerned that Lois might overhear... she doesn't seem to show it.

Or else she's confident that Lois might be having too many issues with her phone's alleged "AI" to reliably record whatever Betsy might be saying. Regardless, she flashes a slight grin in Lois' direction, before turning her attention back to Ororo after a cursory scan of the skating rink. Just making sure there's nothing to worry about tonight, since... well, it is a world that hates and fears them, after all.

Hal Jordan has posed:
Busy is a little bit of an understatement.

And really Hal doesn't particularly mind the excuse to be out like this. For one, his uniform and the subtle green glow that surrounds him -- and can protect him from the vacuum of space -- is a little warmer then his customary bomber flight jacket and jeans would be on this evening. And while he might appreciate her normal Sapphire apparel, the chance for her to show off in equal comfort is no bad thing.

"Hey, the night's young. But you know me, I'll never say no to a little Top Gun," he agrees, smile quirking over his lips, tugging the corners of his mouth upward at her playful gambit.

"Besides, you're not wrong. This is definitely a nice change of pace," he admits, glancing around at the crowds, flicking a salute to the pair that skates on by and flashing a grin while his other hand remains firmly in Carol's grasp.

He's not really speeding along, but he has yet to fall on his backside either, nor does he feel the need to stick close to the ring of boards surrounding the rink, apparently trusting that his date can keep him upright.

Or maybe relying on the fact that if his feet do shoot out from beneath him, he can at least conjure a big, fluffy pile of pillows beneath him before the inevitable hard landing.

Sometimes it's good to be a Green Lantern. Though admittedly that is probably not the use the Guardians ever intended a Power Ring to be put towards.

But they're little blue trolls, so of course they'll disapprove of anything remotely fun.

"Wings you say..." he murmurs, and sure enough, a pair of green ones sprout from the sides of each of those old fashion roller skates. "You have a devious mind Ferris. I knew there was a reason I liked you so much..."

Among others.

Doreen Green has posed:
Doreen Green comes to a stop at the edge of the rink so she can lean forward a bit to give Longshot a hug. "Good to see you again! If I'd known you where here I would of found you sooner. But that would of needed you to know I was here, to let know you where here, and that wasn't how it went.... Anyways!"

After all that she stands back a bit and looks down. "The ones like this are called rollerblades, because the wheels are in a row like the shape of a blade. The others," she points at someone passing wearing the more classic four wheels at the corners type, "are called roller skates." Then she looks back to Longshot. "I take it you've never actually been skating before? We might have to fix tha--"

She stops, turning her head a bit as something else her attention for a moment. A squirrel squirreling as bad as a dog does at seeing a squirrel. "--Is that a donkey? In a hoodie?"

Jamie Madrox has posed:
"Can you just take the corn part off? That seems like the safest way to go about it."

Sighing, Jamie Madrox takes one of the corn dogs off of the roller tray that keeps it warm, and peels off the breading with his fingers. Handing the hot dog on a stick to his customer, Madrox looks as if he has died a bit inside. But the guy is holding up the line, so... decisions have to be made.

"That'll be $12.48 sir..."

The customer takes the stick, looks at it, and then back at Madrox, confusion on his face.

"What, it's still the same price? There's no corn on it!"

Trying his best to maintain his professionalism, Jamie takes the hot dog back, holding it by the stick. Using this as a prop, he points with it in the general direction of... elsewhere.

"You're banned for life from Madrox's Corn Dog and Soda Emporium, dude."

Several minutes later, Madrox's Corn Dog and Soda Emporium gets a lengthy one star review on Gripe.

Quentin Quire has posed:
Quentin snuck in with the rest of the crowd from Xaviers, but certainly didn't do so in a school hoodie, that's for sure. He's pulled a black knit cap down over his ears to shield his head from the wintry air, his (KO) insignia stitched into the hat but pulled to the side, resting over one temple rather than over his brow. He's also thrown on a heavy winter coat over his stylish black-and-pink silkk vest and white dress shirt. But the coat is Cyclops-blue-and-yellow, so maybe he's a bit off on his game tonight. Or just doesn't care. Either way he's milling through the party-slash-concert .

Lois Lane has posed:
If Lois heard what Betsy said, she has been in the reporting business long enough to know when not to hear certain things. Or at least put them away for future reference. Her attention instead turns to the two women and a wonder of what regime they must go through to look how they do. We won't talk about Lois' preparation, but as a near 40 year old, it's quite a bit.

"Heading out on the floor?" she asks the pair. "I was planning on taking a spin around it myself, but I haven't done a lot of skating since... well, it's been a while." she admits with an amused smile. "Not that I meant to interrupt your moment."

But she is putting away her phone and finally focusing on taking off her kitten heels to slip on the skates.

Remy LeBeau has posed:
    "Mais la!"

    A thick Cajun accent cuts through the din momentarily as Remy pushes through the crowd towards Rogue and her amassing group of friends and well-wishers. He's wearing dark sunglasses despite the evening, wrapped up against the cold in a long brown coat the hangs down past his knees. On his hands are some fingerless gloves, and his auburn hair catches the wind.

    "Dis a hell of a party, sha," the Cajun speaks into Rogue's ear as he steps up behind her, peering at the cider she is sipping before producing a stainless steel flask from his coat and upending a little of it into her cup, "Save dis."

    "'Ey, Fang-Bebe," he says to Jubilation, his grin all teeth.

Alison Blaire has posed:
Dazzler and her dance team continue to skate back and forth across the stage to the upbeat music. She waves to people down in front across the skating rink who zoom by like Doreen and Conan and MJ and some of the others. The rink runs almost up to the stage so it's a really good view if skaters can get that far. Dazzler sings the second verse of "Skate all Night!" which is just as upbeat and repetitive as the first. The speakers ring out with the most family-friendly music and fun evah, to answer Rogue's question.

The event staff clean up after the donkey and try to encourage the nearby live animals to stay off the skate rink. Gotta keep some sanity somehow.

"And we've got a huge crowd this year in Times Square. We're elbow to elbow over here. I'm on the side of the street and I can't tell where the crowd stops," Ryan Seacrest reports from the Jumbo Tron.

"Hello ma'am, having a good time?" Seacrest asks a woman on the street.
"Yeah! This is so much fun! Let's go! Is Dazzler singing?" the woman asks.
"I think so, yes!" Ryan Seacrest smiles and chuckles, which is a cue to cut the picture back Apple Park and Dazzler singing/dancing, "Let's go LIVE to Apple Park! Check it out, we've got drones."

Ryan Seacrest's camera drone zips around cutely, high above the main skating rink, catching a picture of the people skating for the Jumbo Tron.

Kate Bishop has posed:
Jerome mostly keeps to the kids from the Xavier school. Easy enough when they all bribe him with carrots. The donkey's mom is somewhere. Probably backstage. But she clearly trusts the X-Donk to keep his charges safe.

Kate Bishop though skates about. Doing her laps, even making the sort of face one makes when trying to impress a very small child as she passes Jubilee and Shogo on her travels.

It's brief, but the kid seems safe. Not every vampire mom wants to kill their kid. Like Kate's for example.

The Squirrels get X-Donk's attention. And a bray that might almost get drowned out by the music and the cheering crowds that came to see Alison on stage and not the emotional support burrow.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
As the man protests the lack of change in the price. Wade draws in a deep breath and slowly lets it out.

Nick is a little less professional about it as he starts laughing. Which... probably won't help with that review later.

Nick shakes his head, looking over to Jamie. "In retrospect, maybe it would have been better to tell him the price before pulling off the outer layer."

Rogue has posed:
rogue was lowering her cup of hot cider down from her lips, when Jubilee appeared beside her. She hadn't seen the donkey when the question was asked, but it only took her a second to notice him, once she was looking. She parted her lips, and huffed out a short laugh, steamy breath leaving her mouth. She looked back to Jubilee, and raised a gloved finger to wiggle it at Shogo. "Looks like it. Hopefully that goes over well..." She quietly says, before her eyes go to the arriving Remy.

Rogue hooks a arm around his, holding on to his elbow, as she stands beside the roller rink, and offers him a vague smirk. "It's better than the Times Square thing, though... I always feel obligated t'go to Times Square, just incase they need some muscle on-hand, should somethin' bad happen. Hopefullly other supes have that handled, though, and Mighty Woman can take a year off."

Rogue saw one of the many Jamies ever around Salem Center, and she offered him a wave, and a big smile. "He was the Mall Santa this year. It was kinda adorable, in that Billy Bob Thornton way."

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Ororo lifts one eyebrow archly, full lips pressing into a thin, serious line... definitely. Serious. She is not making that face to avoid laughing. "A goddess does not need help to avoid falling on her posterior."

Eyebrows perk as Lois Lane chimes in, lips forming a little smile. "Well, it would appear so! I'm sure it is like... riding a bike, yes?"

She bites her lower lip almost pensively, eyes drifting down to her skates, then to the rink and back. "Yes yes. I'm sure you'll find yourself adapting quite easily, Ms. Lane. It is, after all, surely less daring than some of your reports have been. Also, if we fall over, I'm personally hoping Ms. Blaire's performance will make everyone forget...!"

Oh snap, that's right, Ororo just outright said she knows who Lois is!

Longshot has posed:
"Lucky you found me then! Thanks!" The hug is returned immediately with a laugh, Longshot nodding along with the logic without thought until the question conflicts with his very limited prior knowledge set, "I thought the blade-shoes were Skates? Like with actual blades, not with wheels, I saw those in christmas movies! Can they both be skates and then, I guess 'skating'? Roller skating verses Blade Skating? Rink skating? No I haven't! I was hoping to try-"

His attention will be pulled to the donkey with a cool sweater and nod, "I don't know what a donkey is, but there are a lot of kids with that sweater around actually! I don't know that it's for, maybe they are a team! Or very good friends!" As the X-Donk brays, Longshot jumps back and laughs, "WOW! That's so cool!" The kid will be waved at.

Attention is a fleeting thing in most of Longshot's existence and as the main stage becomes exciting, he's looking away again, "LOOK! Dazzler!!! Doreen!!! We have to go-Or hey, there are games in the booths too! And I've never skated on blades or wheels! There's so much to do, I want to do it all!"

Betsy Braddock has posed:
Betsy laughs at Ororo's Very Serious Expression, "Darling, we have /simply/ got to get you to read more mythology." She winks at Ororo, looking positively unfazed by the expression, but perhaps she knows better. Or else she figures she can Ninja out of the way...

But then she looks back at Lois, and gives her a friendly grin, "Well, if you need a bit of a hand, you can stay fairly close to us, at least for the start? I'm fairly well versed in it, but I don't mind being a bit of a shepherd for some that are a bit new." She glances back at Ororo and gives her a warmer smile as she changes her fashionable black boots for the purple and gold rollerblades.

Carol Ferris has posed:
"...Of course, since they have wings now, falling technically counts as a crash on your record..." Star Sapphire bites her lip, no doubt baiting the pilot.

See? Even the Queen of the Zamarons can relax and have a little fun... some of the time.

When that camera angle changes on the jumbo-tron, and the drone that's hovering overhead tracks with it, Carol's eyes lift up towards it. She spins smoothly to tuck herself in against Hal's side, pulling his arm around her waist as she does, and raises her free hand up to wave at the camera.

"Smile pretty, Jordan. Our fun evening out is doubling as PR."

...because she can only have fun _some_ of the time. It's not easy for her to turn off the part of her brain that stays in 'corporate executive' mode. Even when she's using those skills on behalf of her 'superhero' identity.

Jamie Madrox has posed:
Having failed to procure a corn-free corn dog from Madrox's Corn Dog and Soda Emporium, an irate customer puts the finishing touches on his one star review. "Where does he get off calling a corn dog cart an EMPORIUM anyway!"

Enter.

As the review posts, the man feels a sense of vindication, knowing that he has saved others from experiencing the sort of trauma that he has just endured. And to really rub salt into Madrox's nearly-fatal metaphorical wound, he selects a nearby competitor!

Yes, this will show him. He'll spend his hard-earned $12.48 at the hot cocoa stand. It's a much more festive choice anyway, no doubt.

After standing in line for nearly four minutes, the customer gets to the front of the line, and stares at the menu. This time there is once again only two options:

Cocoa w/Marshmallows: $17.99
Cocoa w/o Marshmallows: $18.99

Staring with his mouth open, the customer looks at the guy who is in the process of mixing up a new batch of cocoa. He looks suspiciously familiar, but can't quite place him.

"Is there high-fructose corn syrup in your cocoa mix? Because I'm allergic to endosperm."

The cart's proprietor looks at the customer, seeming a bit taken aback by the question. His warm green sweater has a name tag pinned to the chest which reads 'Jamie Madrox.'

"Uh... pretty sure the cocoa mix is like... ninety percent high fructose corn syrup. That's why it's so cheap, bud."

Tapping his chin, the customer thinks for a moment.

"Can I get it half with marshmallows, and half without?"

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
There's a lot of unique folks from Xavier's here. Mary Jane goes to watch over at them all talking together and gives a wave, "Hey." Then stares a bit over at the Donkey and chuckles. "And here I am, making an ass of myself.." That's mused rather softly as she blinks in surprise at Lois. That's someone she definitely knows. Probably from osmosis and Jameson complaining and Peter hearing and Peter relaying it during one of his portrayals of JJJ for posterity and late night study sessions.

"This is all really lovely." She would do a twirl as the songs would keep on going on and she would look to Conan softly. "And it's nice here. In this time." That's once more in the old language. Sonja had gone quiet.

Jubilation Lee has posed:
Jubilation looks up and returns Remy's toothy grin with a fangy one of her own. She either forgot how to hide them or just plainly doesn't care to. Normal, everyday people have a way of not seeing details that would make them question their confidence that monsters aren't real.

Jubilee reaches up and gently places her palm against one of Remy's cheeks. "Allo, dahling!" she replies in an outrageously bad British accent. Trying to do a Cajun one is out of the question.

She makes a point to wipe her hand on her jacket before returning it to Shogo. Don't want to get any LeBeau on him, after all. That's hard to get out.

"Oh, wow, really? Jamie was Santa?" Jubilee asks Rogue, both eyebrows hiked up a bit. The shifting of her facial muscles causes her sunglasses to fall out of her hair and over her eyes. "...I'm sorry I missed that..." It really sounds like she means it, too, as her attention briefly shifts to the baby in her arms -- the one who didn't get to meet Santa this year.

Kate Bishop earns a moment of Jubilation's attention -- dagger eyes from behind her dark Ray Bans -- but it only lasts a moment. The vampire, a natural predator, can feel herself getting assessed. It's not long before she reaches out to point at Dazzler going by with her skate team. "Look, Shogo!" she cheers.

Doreen Green has posed:
When she gets a better look Doreen notices the Xavier's branding on some of the kids' hoodies, who appear to be with the donkey... so is the donkey a mutant too? Or just a mascot? A mutant that turned into a donkey like Pinnochio does? Or... actually let's not think too hard about it.

Instead she turns back to Longshot again. "Exactly. It's skating but on wheels, that's why it's called roller skating. And these are in a row, like the blade on an ice skate, so they're roller blades."

All that out of the way, and getting the feeling she better keep her friend on some kind of track or he's just going to wander the whole night, grabs his arm and starts pulling him towards where the skates can be rented. "Com'n, we can skate while listening to the performance! That's what they normally due, but not often you get to do it to a live show and not recordings."

Remy LeBeau has posed:
    "Used to love de Times Square t'ing," Remy tells Rogue, the corner of his mouth quirking into a corner, "But dat's 'cause everyone walkin' 'round tres blesse with dere pockets fulla cash. Obviously, dat ain't dis Cajun's style anymore."

    He takes a sip from his flask, tipping his glasses down to peer over the top of them with a pair of black and red beetle eyes. He's looking across the way at Jerome, one finely-shaped eyebrow curving with curiosity.

    "Bringin' a donkey to a party," he mutters, brushing the back of his hand across the scruff at his chin, "All she missin' is de straw chapeau an' overalls."

    "Wanna get saoul, Draculette?" he asks Jubilee, waving the flask of liquor in her direction, "Not de rouge you're used to, but it's enough for any buveur."

Lois Lane has posed:
"I guess you already know me." Lois looks amused, after all, if anyone follows the news, they probably do know her. But just in case and in order to get names to go with faces, she offers, "Lois Lane. Thank you for the offer, I definetly will take some time with you both to make sure I still remember how to get my wheels beneath me." she says cheerfully.

Walking on her skates to keep up with the mutant pair, she arches a brow at the pair, more curious than accusatory. Nothing needs to be said, to be honest, instead, she's just going to take this moment to just enjoy the moment.

After all, she's not supposed to be a reporter tonight.

Alison Blaire has posed:
Somebody mysterious speeds by with the power of super speed and knocks over one of the drink stands. Liquid spills everywhere. One of the security drones pans over to see what's going on but the speedy intruders have moved out of sight to somewhere else in the park. Not too far away, a burger stand is toppled over and the girl host is thrown off her feet.

"Disruption at stand 13 and 15," a mysterious security drone broadcasts over the security feed, "Speed powers may have been used. No picture of assailant. Drone 2 and 4 moving to cover stands on west side." Anybody with access could get this text over their phone. A text is sent to those in the know. There seems to be some prep for any sescurity contingency and the drones loom over the food/drinks area.

Dazzler comes to the middle of the stage, "Yeah, let's go! Hey Apple Park, you having a good time?" she asks rhetorically cause DUH, yes. She points at Doreen and Longshot with a smile as they skate by, probably thinking they look super cute together.

The music changes to ANOTHER upbeat bubble-gum pop song. Dazzler doesn't sing her loving, longing, or risque songs, instead sticking to her boring hits about rockin', skatin', and fun music. She skate skates, singing, "Skate skate, with your friends! Skate skate, til the end!" she says, which is about as risque as it gets tonight.

"Yep, we're back in Times Square," Ryan Seacrest reports, "Yes, we're very close now. Do we have a Ball Drop song? Make sure you're in the right spot soon! These people over here aren't losing their spots, I can tell." he says and interviews some more people on the street.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Wade hurms as he writes something down on the clipboard before looking over to the Rockstar. "... Were you planning to get something here?"

Nick glances over. "...No I was thinking about getting some hot coc-"

Nick's voice trails off as pale eyes glance over to the direction of that vendor to find that guy hanging out there. "...Maybe later."

Hal Jordan has posed:
There's always a catch.

Glancing down at the glow green roller skates that now cover his feet -- complete with wings that slowly flap in place -- Hal manages to coax a suitably distraught look onto his features, ruined only by the hint of a sly smile that threatens to pop on through. "Wait, what? No..." he trails off. "Do you have any idea of the kinda of insurance premiums you already have to pay for me every time I go up in the air? I can't really afford to have any more of my salary clawed back because of my problematic safety record," he says, with a little smirk.

THen, whether it is a glorious coincidence, or just a case of absolutely perfect timing he gives another little wobble, one foot trying to go left, the other right and Hal Jordan, for just a moment, is in serious danger of performing an impromptu splits.

Feet scamper madly and he practically claws and the violet-clad woman beside him before he pulls himself straight, managing to save some semblance of dignity. Kinda. "I didn't nearly fall. You nearly fell," he says, smile no longer entirely concealed.

Instead he slips an arm around her, turning his gaze upward towards the drone overhead when indicated, one brow arching above the green mask that covers his eyes. "Wait, you're not getting paid an appearance fee or something tonight, are you? Is that why we're in costume? Should I expect to see Star Sapphire and Green Lantern action figures, brought to the public by Ferris Aircraft any day now?" he asks lightly.

Conan has posed:
"This time is quite strange, but the peasants eat and drink like kings!" Conan tells Sonja as he watches the crowd. "There are battles to fight here and competitions to win. I think I will like this place." Then he gestures towards Alison on stage, "And the music is unlike anything I've ever heard!" He switches into English, "Many people here are just as wicked as I've known, but there have been good people."

He skates back and forth a bit like a tiger pacing on wheels, "I should get us drinks!" He'll gesture towards the small crowd, "Who shall drink with me?"

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
Caleb Dykstra gets up from his seat after finishing his drink, and he walks towards the rink. He removes from his pockets a pair of roller blade adaptors which he straps on to the soles of his boots, and - tadaa, instant rollerblades! You don't even have to change shoes!

He begins skating, eventually coming to the group gathering of people he happens to have come across, even if just once or twice - Betsy, Ororo, Gambit, Jubes...

He offers a friendly wave, "Greetings. And a a Happy New Year."

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Ororo's eyes narrow, blue irises glinting as she murmurs out dryly, "I do not need to read more mythology, Betsy. I /am/ mythology." She manages to hold that serious expression for a solid three seconds before she lets out a terribly undignified breath that fades into low, purring laughter.

She sighs out and shakes her head in rueful regret at her own foolishness, before she offers a wink to Lois, "Ah, it's lovely to meet you. I'd say I know /of/ you. A pleasure, Ms. Lane. I'm Ororo Munroe, I teach at the Xavier institute, it's..."

She glances around, "Well, I don't think you can quite see it from here. But perhaps you could visit sometime to discover our educational programs and see what the institute is about."

And then Ororo's going along with Betsy and Lois towards the rink. And secretly really hoping if she /does/ fall that Alison's stage show is impressive enough to ensure the students forget.

Quentin Quire has posed:
As the burger stand goes flying, Quentin is left standing in a line that now goes nowhere, another in a crowd of disappointed "Awwwwwwwwwwwwws" from the people as security drones hover overhead and security guys on the ground move to clean up the mess.

"Man, hope Jamie's still getting paid by the head for this..." Quentin mutters to himself as he notices how many dupes are working this thing. As that line disperses, Quentin pulls his cap down a bit further over his ears, successfully moving the logo from one temple to the other, before stepping back into the crowd to see if he can get closer to the stage. Because why not, right?

Rogue has posed:
Rogue looked over at Remy and Jubilee, a large grin showing on her features, as she shook her head at something the two of them had said. To Jubilee, the Belle upnodded at her. "Take Shogo over to see Jamie. Maybe he'll get the boy a late Christmas present? I think he's hittin' up all the entry level jobs around town, probably rakin' a cool million outta all them minimum wage gigs combined... Kinda f'ing brilliant, if ya think about it."

With the cold wind blowing some of Rogue's white bangs across her face, she looked back toward the High School kids with the donkey, and shook her head softly. "Is Tabitha even here tonight? This party seems a bit too tame for her... Did the kids bring Jerry without askin' anyone? That'll be a paddlin' if so..."

She drew in a breath, and brushed her tendrils of stark white hair from her face, before she looked over at Gambit and offered her cup for him to spike with whatever was in his flask.

Mary Jane Watson has posed:
Mary Jane Watson would laugh at Conan, speaking in Symkarian now, the language most familiar to her. "Yes, it is not bad. The world has changed. It has gotten better." Her tone indicative that their's never would. "It is good to have adventure and battles and challenges. There have been enough horrors. Most of which are best left forgotten in the past."

The Hyborean era. A time of scars, wars, of the worst of humanity. Where no outposts of civilization survived long. A time where barely even relics remained. Her eyes would shift as if looking into a fire. A time best left forgotten.

Longshot has posed:
Longshot's excited indecision is back, everything looks, is and surely will be Great. Everything Must Be Tried. Looks like there are even new food options over there somewhere! Thank goodness there is a Squirrel Girl here to save Longshot from needing to make choices or fail to make choices. At the suggestion, he will immediately agree, allowing himself to be dragged off, nodding, "Okay! That sounds great! Yes! That!"

Skate rental has shoes in his size! Will be rented and with some difficulty will be put on while chattering, "How've you been!? I met a spider-person recently and a robot!!! AND I play saxophone now! Also, I haven't gotten to ask anyone, is Die Hard a Christmas Movie? I really enjoyed it, but definitely had some different stuff than the other movies I've been watching. Same theme, but more guns, you know?"

Attention, still fleeting will notice the very large form that is Conan as soon as Longshot has actually made it onto the rink, pointing, "Hey Doreen! That's Conan over there! He's not from Earth either!"

DAZZLER ACKNOWLEDGED THEM!!! Longshot could die on the spot and will hug Doreen instead, waving enthusiastically at Dazzler!

Betsy Braddock has posed:
Betsy doesn't seem to skate so much as /glide/ on her skates as she smiles easily at Ororo, "Sure thing, 'Ro." She winks at her fellow mutant, then looks over at Lois, nodding her head, "Elizabeth Braddock." Which is definitely a name that earned its money the old fashioned way.

Namely, inheriting it.

Though the fact that she /is/ British Old Money doesn't quite explain how she's quite so nimble on her rollerblades, even as she's staying close to Ororo to make sure that her skating partner doesn't lose any dignity points in front of the other students. Though, she is also keeping a close eye on the time...

Tabitha Smith has posed:
The furor with the concession stand attracts a blonde girl. Amazingly wearing overalls in the dungaree bib and brace style. And also more like cutoffs. Thankfully for those legs, Tabby is also wearing some nice warm white stockings while she hobbles about on skates while on surfaces not meant for roller skates.

It's kind of awkward really. The upper half wearing a cropped Dazzler Hoodie, missing the hood, and part of the lower half so midriff almost shows under the bib of her dungaree cutoffs.

While security might be helping with the mess. Tabby is pinching her nose and frowning to herself. "Stupid ass psychic noise. Of course everyone loves Dazzler." Clearly she's not thought some of her plans through.

Maybe next time.

At least her boy Jerome is having fun. Thankfully no one decided to try and put him in skates. It's fifty fifty on either he's crash and take people out. Or show everybody up.

Doreen Green has posed:
Doreen Green takes it a little easier this time, just so she can be close in case Longshot needs some help. Though for the first time, he's doing okay, he'll probably get the hang of it (or the meta luck we don't know about will kick in). "You'll have the hang of it in no time." She encourages. "I've been good! It's been reasonably calm for the holidays for once... Oh, which spider-person? I know several of them... A few robots too, when I think about it..."

She looks where Longshot is waving. She sees the big guy skating, and sees someone with him that she knows, and waves to. "Hi MJ! Hi MJ's friend Conan!"

"OF COURSE!" was her reply to the proverbial having fun question, and waves back to Dazzler on stage before getting hugged by Longshot. Now they can balance on each other.

And probably do look 'cute' together, but she's not thinking like that.

Meanwhile Tippy-Toe covers her widdle snoot with her forepaws while Monkey Joe reachs over to cover her ears, acting like whatever X-Don said in Donkey was something foul. While Gadget Gregg snaps a few photos of it all.

Jamie Madrox has posed:
Tending his hot cocoa stand with the patience of a saint and the holiday cheer of a mortgage lender, Jamie dispenses one half marshmallow/half not marshmallow hot cocoa. As the math for such a calculation is far too complicated for anyone to reasonably do, he errs on the side of caution and charges full price for both.

The confused customer is left to wonder how a single hot cocoa ended up costing $36.98, plus a tip. A few hours from now, a lengthy one star review will be posted about Madrox's Hot Cocoa Manor on Gripe.

But though he's clearly having as much fun as humanly possible tending his small business, Jaime gets a bit distracted when he finally sees people that he knows. And waving at him, no less. Waving back, his face brightens a bit, and he holds up a single finger in front of the next customer in line.

"Hold on there bud, I'm going on break."

Madrox's features distort, and he suddenly splits in two, causing a gasp from the customer. The newly-doubled Madri turn to face each other, and then play a quick game of rock paper scissors.

They both pick rock.

"Dammit!" They both say in unison.

Once again they play. This time they each pick paper.

"Dammit!" They both say in unison.

One more game. This time they both pick rock again.

"Screw it. You stay here."

One was slightly faster than the other, and by the Rules of Madrox, this means the slowpoke has to do the menial labor while the other Madrox takes off his nametag and leaves the stand.

The customer orders extra marshmallows.

The Jamie who is now on break looks around, and realizes that he's lost sight of the People That He Knows.

"Dammit."

Lois Lane has posed:
Lois is more than aware of the school off in the distance and the stories that surround it. She has yet to visit it herself, and when Ororo offers the invitation, the reporter offers a warm smile. "I would be honored to have you show me around the school and speak to you about it." she admits with warm zeal. "And I would be curious to learn how you are mythology. Not that I doubt it. After all, we have Gods of Thunder and Mischief running about, I think we should have some lovely goddesses about as well."

Her attention flits to Betsy as she starts to skate. She's rusty, so she's not gliding, but it is a lot like learning to ride a bicycle. "And it as a pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Braddock. Do you work with Miss Munroe as well?" she asks curiously as she sticks close to the pair.

Jubilation Lee has posed:
"The millionaire elite of the name-tagged hourly workers..." Jubilee muses, nodding along with Rogue's suggestion that Jamie might be raking in a healthy fortune by working all of the minimum wage jobs in town.

"I should text him sometime," she announces, jokingly playing the part of a gold digger out for the Madrox fortune.

The humor fades as Jubilation watches Caleb Dykstra's approach, tensing a little as he nears. She turns towards Rogue, pressing Shogo into her arms without warning. There's a chance that this guy is packing heat and getting Shogo away from any wooden stakes aimed for her chest is a top priority.

But, all he's packing are well-wishes for the new year. Jubilee blinks her eyes a couple of times, relaxes, and folds her arms across her chest.

"Oh, uh, you too," she replies, sounding sincere about it, in fact. Of course, she wouldn't be Jubilee without some snark on the way. "You're not so bad on those skates, Mr. Van Helsing."

Remy's question demands all of Jubilee's mental capacity. She stares up at the Cajun. "... Saoul....?" she repeats, trying her best to make sense of what he's asking her. The whiff of alcohol from the flask clears it right up. She shakes her head, groaning a little. "That won't work," she complains. Still, Jubilee drags her fingertips against her pale, cold chin. "...Though, you could drink it and then I can..." she explains, voice trailing off as she glances over at one of the forgotten areas between some booths. Is she joking?

"Not in front of Rogue!" she announces, pointing her finger up at Remy's smiling face. "...And not in front of Shogo!" She points her other index finger, leaving it lingering near the Cajun's face.

Yeah, she's joking.

Alison Blaire has posed:
Alison Blaire says, "Are you guys ready to bring in the New Year?!" Dazzler asks. More sparkle glitter pops go off as she points here and there into the air.

There aren't any more security disruptions but the clean-up crew is hard at work. They give a coupon to those nearby such as Quentin Quire and Jamie Madrox. The mass of people could hide anything really and the drones can only do so much.

Speaking of drones, Ryan Seacrest's camera drone zoooooms over the Apple Park crowd of people and the skate rink, showing them on the Jumbo Tron, then the picture switches back to Times Square and the BALL.

"I'm back in front of the BALL, you guys. Can you feel the New Year? Can you feel the good vibes? Yep, they're here already. All these people here right now. I'm elbow to elbow with good vibes!" Ryan Seacrest reports in a sappy way, "Alright everybody, I think we're ready for a countdown! Watch out! One minute left! Get in your spots!""

Carol Ferris has posed:
Though there's a moment of tension, of sincerely making sure she wasn't needed to make sure her fella didn't take a dive on the skate rink, it ebbs as soon as Green Lantern gets his arm around her. Laughter bubbles up, free and light and clear, as Hal finishes his cartoon-character-on-ice dance and seems to settle again.

"How do you not know how to skate?! We're definitely doing this again... I couldn't live with you going from sector to sector with such an obvious weakness. It's like not knowing how to swim!"

Then, of course, the accusations come... which she should have expected. Maybe she did expect them, because manages a feigned hurt expression, her hand coming up to her chest.

"Me?! Aren't you the one with the exorbitant insurance premium? Smile for the camera, Highball, and help us pay for that last F-35..."

She rolls those violet eyes, though, when she dips her head towards his shoulder.

"We could face Galactus any day. It's good for people to see that we love it here just as much as everyone else. That this is our home, too."

So maybe it was on her mind. At least a little.

"Come on! You're saved from skating. The countdown is about to start, and I want a kiss... _over_ the rink."

Emma Frost has posed:
And going to join the Xavier's contingent is everyone's (least) favorite blonde as Emma Frost heads towards the gaggle of children and faculty members out and about. She would head towards Rogue, "Lovely festivities. Maybe if we're lucky the coming year won't be quite as destabilizing as the last one has been." What Emma says in public are not what Emma personally thinks. Things will get worse and likely keep on going downwards. A nod is given in the direction of the other familiar telepaths in the area. And a smirk given towards Lois as Emma goes to let out a sigh at Tabitha and Jubilee in passing.

"And what a cavalcade we do have here. Hopefully with a pleasant ending to it all." New year, new president, Alison breaking it in as Ryan Seacrest starts to lead them all in countdown.

And Emma, being the eternal pessimist she is.. Just sits and waits and doesn't join the chant, just in case another thing comes down to hit them while they're at it.

Remy LeBeau has posed:
    "Laissez les bons temps rouler, sha!" Remy shouts back to Dazzler on the stage when she asks if they're having fun, snaking his arm out from Rogue's only to wrap his arm around her shoulders and draw her close. He's graceful about it, bringing his cheek close to hers without actually touching.

    "Look at de grand etalon over dere," he gestures towards Conan with his flask and murmuring in Rogue's ear, "Don't get 'em fache, bele."

    The Cajun turns slightly to try and peer through the crowd at the commotion by the drink stand.

    "Gettin' couyon already."

    He turns back in time for Jubilee to suggest how she could enjoy the alochol, shaking his head and waggling a finger at her.

    "Mais non, sha. Dis Cajun's days of gettin' bitten by a femme dat ain't da bele are long an' gone."

Quentin Quire has posed:
Wading his way through the mob, Quentin ends up on the railing surrounding skate rink, opposite the stage. Folding one arm over the rail, the other coming up with his own little flask of something something to keep warm as the crowd jostles about, fighting for a prominent position the next time the drone swings by for a crowd shot before cutting back to the BALL in Times Square.

Tabitha Smith has posed:
While whatever conversation Monkey Joe and Tippy Toe have with Jerome. To their ears, while the donkey is friendly and joking. He's positively foulmouthed. Good thing it's lost in translation to human ears.

Tabby's failed attempts at watching out for overzealous fans just gets a groan. At least nobody is blaming her for any destruction. the stand would probably be on fire if it was her.

But once she's past that moment she's back to trying to do some rounds, maybe enjoy some loud noises that are hitting her ears and not her brains.

Longshot has posed:
"Ghost-Spider! And the robot's name was Cliff! He said I'm from TV Land! Which is really exciting! OH! And there is this bar for super villains! Do you want to help me set up a support group for them? They really weren't that bad and I was kind of imposing." Longshot's first few steps are unsure, when it's clear this is not a 'take steps' sort of thing, he will manage some movement correctly. Hug and support from Doreen will encourage more confidence, oblivious to the assumptions that such actions seem to bring to onlookers. Longshot is also not thinking about any of this, like that.

This skating thing those? This isn't so hard.

This is Fun!

It would seem Longshot is fully able to skate! Another skill collected without any effort on his part and is certainly not fair, but being loved by the universe is nice like that! Perhaps this is a skill somewhere from the life that is not remembered, perhaps Longshot is just lucky. As it is, he is enjoying himself immensely, playing around with how many cool moves he can do before he crashes into the wall. The answer seems to be: quite a lot, and he less of crashes into the wall as meets it gently and spins to beam at Doreen.

"You're right! This is great! Parties should have these far, far more often! Is this something that can be done outside of parties?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Nick and Wade (Shaw) watch from a small distance away the disaster that is the hot cocoa patron.

"Did he just?"

Nick nods, "That he did."

"Even you're not that cheap."

"...Frugal. I'm Frugal."

"Tomato Tomahto."

"Either way that guy's not trying to save money. He's just being a dick."

Rogue has posed:
Rogue pulled her cup back to take a sip from it again, the cold wind rolling across her again, yet more of her white bangs sent flying around her face, making her mutter as she was trying to enjoy the hot cider. she looked up just in time to receive Shogo from Jubilee, her arm having to leave Remy's to cradle the young babe up against her chest, as she held him with ease, the kid weighing literally nothing to her afterall. she watched the exchange between Jubilee and Caleb, and offered a soft smile. "Happy New Year." rogue quietly said, before Remy's interaction with Jubilee's proposal had her openly laughing, a bubbling laugh that was more melodic and extended than Rogue has really laughed in a long time, maybe ever to most ears around her.

She shook her head right to left, and smiled at the two of them. "You two make a deal, an' I won't bat an eyelash at it. Jubes needs to get a little light on her feet afterall. But, hey, if you don't take her up on it, maybe..." She nodded to Caleb. "Maybe he's up for bein' her Pizza Boy tonight." She teased, a wicked grin touching her dusky red hued lips, as she looked to Shogo, and leaned down to whisper some little baby-talk words to the boy.

When Remy indicated Conan, her eyes went to the large man, and she couldn't help but widen her eyelids at the sight of him. "Stallion indeed... Saddle up." She said, casting a grin back to Gambit after uttering that little jest.

Hal Jordan has posed:
That's... pretty fair actually.

Admittedly, the last plane he crashed wasn't really his fault. He wasn't being reckless or completely ignoring the rules of engagement to prove a point, or any of the other various stunts that have left him walking away from near misses in the recent past. But the fact is that Ferris Aircraft still had the ruins of a very expensive jet fighter to deal with and to pay for.

Maybe his likeness rights are about the least that he owes her. If for no other reason that there probably isn't anyone else in the entire world that would still employ him as a test pilot. Nevermind understand the fact that he occasionally -- okay, all the time -- has to run off and deal with one crisis or another instead of doing his job.

"Mmmm, you make a pretty good argument actually. And since I'd really rather like to keep flying..." Hal flashes those pearly whites upwards towards the drone camera overhead, arm tightening a little around her though that seems more driven by personal preference now then any desperate need to steady himself, that early bout of balance issues seemingly dealt with for the moment.

When his lack of skill in the rollerskating department is brought up, Hal has the good graces to smile ruefully. "You'd be surprised how infrequently it comes up. Either in the Air Force or as an intergalactic cop. But since I'm not in the habit of turning down dates with you..." he adds slyly.

Then those emeral roller skates on his feet vanish and he instead floats a few inches off the ground, offering a hand to his date fotr the evening as that one minute countdown is announced. "You got it Sapphire. No place I'd rather be," he murmrus.

Seems like a pretty good way to ring in the NEw Year to him.

Wade Wilson has posed:
Wade Wilson rolls in, adjusting his black toque with exaggerated precision, tugging it down just a little more to cover the mess of what little hair he has. His navy blue fleece pullover gets a quick tug, but it's mostly to avoid the wind that's making his eyes water. "Why the hell is everyone roller blading in December?" he mutters to no one in particular. "It's New York! You've got all this glorious ice, why waste it?" Effortlessly doing a pirouette, "Seriously, it can't all be used to keep Cyclops's personality from thawing."

After a dramatic spin, Wade easily stops with a grin, looking pleased with his performance. He taps the side of his head, as if remembering some important detail, and then stretches like he's just completed a marathon. "Can't all that ice be used for something more practical? Like, I don't know, highballs? Get it together, New York." With a sly look, he pushes off again, gliding smoothly, but his eyes dart around to see who's watching. "I'd bet my secret stash of chimichangas nobody's gonna take me seriously on these things."

Alison Blaire has posed:
"New Year comin! Music hummin'!" Dazzler sings as she finishes her song, and the stage at Apple Park grows quiet as Ryan Seacrest announces the COUNTDOWN. The Jumbo Tron zooms in on the BALL. Yes, THE BALL is coming down and everyone is watching it closely. Dazzler smiles. She points to people in the crowd. She points to the Jumbo Tron, which shows Times Square.

"TEN ...... NINE ......EIGHT..."

A clock on top of a Times Square building clickclickclicks loudly as the countdown continues.

"SEVEN ...... SIX..... FIVE....."

Oh the drama. The clock is TICKING DOWN.

"FOUR....THREE.....TWO........ONE........"

"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Huge Dazzler lights and Dazzler sparklers go up in the air above Apple Park. Whistle whistle! The Jumbo Tron shows huge pyro go off above Times Square. Whistle whistle Bam bam. Whoa!

Doreen Green has posed:
Goodnatured but foul-mouthed. So fits right in with parts of New York. Not that anyone will ever know what the actual conversation going on is since Doreen isn't nearby to translate the squirrel side of it. And probably for the best that way.

"Ghost-Spider is really awesome," Doreen replies. "Don't know any Cliff robots, but she did introduce me to another vigilante going by the name Pathfinder." She laughs. "Yeah, there's indoor skate rinks. And parks. And... oh, it's time for the countdown to midnight!"

She brakes to a stop, using her tail around Longshot to get him to stop as well so they can watch the fireworks and the big ball drop!"

Emma Frost has posed:
And there goes the count. THings are exploding. Flashes are going off. Emma Frost's mind is sweeping the area, searching for possibilities of hostility. A New Year's gathering in such a public, open area, so many people, so many celebrities..

The clock counting down will only bring the inevitability of danger right as it goes off. And there's that moment, those final ten seconds..

The ball drops, the champagne corks pop (for those who have them).. And there is just the loud cheers of people embracing one another, cheering, and enjoying themselves.

Emma Frost's lips quirk up in a very, very small smile at being wrong for once.

"It appears that at least it's not starting off so bad."

Quentin Quire has posed:
Quentin is part of the crowd caught on the Jumbotron cheering in the New Year, lifting his flask in celebration. He's not dead, so that makes it a good start to the new year. As the crowd celebrates in its normal fashion, Quentin extricates himself from the mob and moves to rejoin the group from Xaviers. "Hey hey, happy new year, folks!"

Ororo Munroe has posed:
Ororo's no gliding, impossibly sleek ninja with perfect reflexes, but she's also not trying to win any speed contests, her skating is strictly leisurely, careful... and partly focused on making sure she's not involved in Lois Lane breaking a leg.

And when the countdown begins? Well, she can slow down even further, letting the holiday cheer, the shouts along with the countdown, all build towards the dawning of a new day.

And gosh, wouldn't you know it? There's a tradition coming up with rapid momentum. Midnight and all.

And while she might not have the reflexes of a ninja, when 'ONE!' is fading, she strikes! Moving swiftly to lean in, spin Betsy to face her, and deliver a kiss! Tradition fulfilled!

But Ororo Munroe is an overachiever. And she can't let Lois Lane slip and fall in an attempt to find someone on the ice!

Which is why it is entirely appropriate that somewhere between 'NEW' and 'YEAR' she strikes once more and bestows a more swift, precise peck to the corner of the reporters mouth!

"It's bad luck if you don't get a kiss? Right? ...Wait, am I mixing that up with mistletoe?"

Tabitha Smith has posed:
While well behaved, Jerome can't make a single bray without something involving an expletive is his Mexican accented Donkey language. It is broken up though when the countdown to New Years hits and gets himself plenty of human hugs and pets from the Xavier kids.

Meanwhile his human mom counts down with everyone else and once she joins the yells of "HAPPY NEW YEAR!" she sends up some of her own mutant powered pyrotechnics up into the sky as high as her range allows.

At least security might have been warned about her. Lots of loud fireballs BOOM away working in time with a lot of everything else that goes on.

Remy LeBeau has posed:
    "I'm Patton's duck," Remy says with a roll of his shoulders, eyes flitting between Rogue and Jubilee over the top of his dark glasses before settling back on the vampire, "If there ain't another pretendu willin' to share dere chauvin, maybe you come find Gambit. I'm de genereux X-Man."

    As the countdown starts, Remy turns his attention towards Dazzler and the other host who is far less handsome than he is. He's been enjoying the music, and he's in high spirits enough to join in and count down along with the rest of the crowd.

    When it reaches the end, he takes the chance that Rogue has her powers on lock for at least a moment. He leans past cute little Shogo to plant a kiss on the Belle's lips, glasses pushed up into his hair to keep from getting in the way as he does. He doesn't immediately return them, instead taking a long draw from his flask and shouting towards the stage.

    "Play Jolie Blon!"

Carol Ferris has posed:
Star Sapphire's smile curls warmly, violet eyes shifting to the side as she peeks up at Green Lantern from his shoulder. "Well, you won't have to worry about that as long as I have any say in the matter..."

It's the comment about dates that gets him a playful nudge in the shoulder, just as he's floating up into the air, and then her own hand lifts to set in his.

Like his, her skates vanish as she rises up to hover in the air, transformed to violet angle boots, and though it gives the appearance that he's actually hoisting her up with him, there's no effort required.

They rise together into the air over the skating rink, their violet and emerald glows mingling again as she slips easily up against his front, gazing up at him. And though they hover over the crowd like a glowing disco ball, she seems to have eyes only for him.

Five... Four... Three...

Higher and higher, they rise into the air, as Star Sapphire's arms slider over Green Lantern's shoulders.

... Two... One...

And as the countdown reaches the end, as the sparklers go off in bursts of color, alarms and sirens all ringing in the New Year, Star Sapphire slides higher in Green Lantern's arms, smiling as she presses a kiss to his lips.

Joined together, that violet light shines even brighter around her, glowing like a star fueled by the power of her love.

Longshot has posed:
Longshot will have to seek out skating when not at parties!

"No, but it's okay I live with Pathfin-Wait, ya, it's fine, we totally know each other!" Secret Identities are So Difficult. But this is Doreen and the event is loud, so the slip-up is probably fine. Worry will not occur thanks to the great new event that is happening!

It's a real shame that there isn't New Years Movies to educate Longshot on any of this, but it can be enjoyed regardless with an unparalleled delight and cheering when other people cheer. New York should throw parties like this all the time! FIREWORKS! More cheering! EVEN MORE FIREWORKS! People glowing and FLYING! WOW!

Everything is great and nothing can possibly be wrong in the world right now!

Betsy Braddock has posed:
Betsy looks back at Ororo, and for once, the ninja gets surprised by the sudden attack! Though, well, she doesn't seem to mind the kiss as she grins wryly, though she looks over at Lois. And then she leans over and gives Lois a peck on the other side of Lois' mouth, "Happy New Year."

Then, she turns towards Ororo, and gives the weather goddess a wry look, "I don't know if it's bad luck or not, but probably best not to take chances." And with that, she skates right up to Ororo again, and delivers a kiss of her own, letting that one linger as she keeps that sly grin even during the kiss.

Emma Frost has posed:
Emma Frost would go to watch up at the fireworks, and go to send quietly over to Betsy in a subtle way to hopefully not be noticed by the others enjoying themselves <<I'm not picking up anything here, darling. I take it the same with you?>> Emma's facade for once was lowering itself on down. A good evening. For those few minutes, the New Year was starting off rather brightly.

With all of those fireworks, all of that joy, all of the children racing about.

Jubilation Lee has posed:
Jubilation's fangy grin fades as she hears Remy explain that the only one who's biting him nowanights is none other than the Belle herself. Her expression settles on blank astonishment, just for a moment, and her smile comes right back, even larger, brighter, and sharper than before.

"Oh, /really/!" Jubilee questions, egging them on with no shortage of glee. "Oh really!" She reaches out and takes both of Shogo's tiny hands and waggles them up and down.

"Did you hear that, little man?" she asks the baby. He heard it but, as a one-year-old, doesn't understand or care.

Jubilee leans in, inserting herself in the space between Remy and Rogue. "Oh, really!" she repeats, directing her smile at Rogue this time.

Of course, Jubilee's predator senses picked up Emma Frost's sigh, pinpointing it with relative ease. Even in the middle of this social madness, Jubilee takes a moment to bend forward, sticking her body in Emma's direction, and lets out a loud "UGH!" using a bit of pointless air she kept in her dead lungs just for an occasion like this. Just in case she'd need to properly express her loathing for someone in just the right way.

With that handled, Jubilation redirects her attention back to Rogue and Remy and Shogo. "Aw, no, no, no," she answers, shaking her head at Rogue and Remy's apparent willingness for him to go off into a dark corner with her. "Nope, nope, nope. Not now! Your neck is off-limits now, mister!" Jubilee announces with some obvious glee.

In one single twirl, Jubilation reclaims Shogo from Rogue's arms, smiles at Quentin as she turns back around. "Hi, Q," she greets, before tilting Shogo back a little so he can see the jumbotron announce the start of 2025.

"Happy new year, little man!" Jubilee coos before leaning in and planting an obnoxious mommy kiss on the baby's cheeks.

Alison Blaire has posed:
Dazzler tries to wave to her far off friend Tabitha way way far off in the crowd. She thinks she spotted this Tabitha a ways over there because she's wearing that Dazzler merch she told her about. She squints. Maybe that's Remy wearing a Dazzler shirt. Huh. Can't tell.

Dazzler looks back to the crowd after being distracted for a sec and kisses into the mic, "MAH! To everybody! Happy New Year!" she says. She hugs some of her staff cause she's super nice. She hugs some of the dancers behind her. She hugs the guitarist cause she loves that instrument.

The music picks up again with funky beats of Dazzler's fav song the OUTER SPACE FUNK. The instrumental version cause Dazzler is busy hugging and being super nice.

Wade Wilson has posed:
Wade watches the clock tick down, tapping his fingers against his side like he's waiting for a punchline that's not coming. When the ball finally drops, he looks up at the fireworks with a mock sigh. "Well, well, well. Who knew people actually like light explosives on New Year's Eve? Everyone makes faces when I blow up things, except everyone's way more drunk tonight, and dressed for a red carpet. But hey, at least it's not as bad as my last date night."

He rolls around in a circle, scanning the crowd. "Everyone's singing, kissing, and probably regretting their choices already, but at least they've got the 'New Year, New Me' thing going for them. Me? I'm just here for the chimichangas and the inevitable disaster that always follows my presence."

He glances at the fireworks in the crowd, seeing everyone locking lips like they're in a rom-com. "And look at that shiny moment. Everybody's kissing, except for me. Classic! I mean, really, who needs a kiss when you've got blades, sarcasm, and a year full of questionable decisions ahead, right?" He pauses for effect, his face deadpan. "It's fine, it's fine, I'm not bitter. I'll just hang out with my reflection in a puddle and pretend I'm making out with someone equally as fabulous."

Lois Lane has posed:
As the countdown ends, Lois was quite content to go kissless. She doesn't know many people here, and there's someone in Metropolis... yeah. Let's try getting blood out of turnips, that would go better. So when Ororo moves to kiss Betsy, she's more than content to let the pair of them meet up.

What she did not expect was for Ororo to stop her, turn her about and take a kiss from the corner of her mouth. She grins at that, her cheeks darkening with the faintest shades of red. Apparently the reporter was caught by surprise - which is a hard thing to do.

She also did not expect that Betsy to steal a kiss from the other side of her mouth. She returns both kisses, and then skates back slightly as Betsy returns to Ororo. Perhaps realizing that she should give them the moment, she smiles slightly. "Happy New Year to you both." she says, before moving to gently skate and sway to Outer Space Funk.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
As people start to do their kisses, Wade (Shaw) scribbles down something on the clipboard, seemingly ignoring the countdown.

Nick looks over to the hot cocoa kiosk, waiting for Mr. half marshmallow, half no marshmallow, extra marshmallows to leave.

"How long do you think the vendors will remain open after the countdown?"

Wade arcs an eyebrow, "...You're working the event and you don't know?"

"Well there's the written time and the actual time."

"Oh well if you're going based off of patience wearing thin, you better get in line for the cocoa now. Because that guy is going to take most if not all of it."

Rogue has posed:
Rogue is smiling at Quentin, and waving one of Shogo's hands at Emma, before the countdown began, and her lips idly moved to the beat of the numbers, though she didn't actually audibly say the words. She glanced back to Jubilee, and showed her a large smirk, knowing full well what the former Duchess was getting at. "Don't cause drama. I know it is part of your contract, but try an' cut us some New Year slack." She said, before she looked back to Quentin, and gave him a grin. "How ya feeling? Still fresh for the new year?" She asked, before she caught Remy's presence beside her, just as the countdown reached its final numbers.

She did allow her mind to shift in to the dangerous mode of trying to contain her mutation, a price that she would pay dearly for later tonight... in the form of intense headaches, but she had a secret redheaded weapon back home who was a very good anti-headache medicine.

With her defenses up, at least for a small time, Rogue allowed Remy to kiss her for the New Year, and she leaned up to return it.

When they finished, she handed the baby back to Jubilee, and smirked at her again. "Don't do the drama thing. I'll pay you a minimum wage, unless Jamie comes over and puts in a resume first."

Doreen Green has posed:
"Oh, you two know each other, that's great!" The brief near slip-up is okay, because Doreen knows that other thing but wasn't bringing it up because she didn't know he did. And now isn't the time to elaborate on other details.

Got the big show to watch. "ONE... HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Being just friends Doreen just hugs Longshot again, her tail curled around behind him... and probably helping the both of them stand still on skates to watch. It's still probably cute to anyone else though.

Hal Jordan has posed:
There are advantages to being a Green Lantern -- or a Star Sapphire as the case might be.

So too, apaprently, are their advantages to dating the boss. Like the fact that he manages to keep his job despite a pretty spotty attendance record. He certainly hasn't forgotten the fact that she has gone to bat for him with the Board when he is certain that there are more then a few people at Ferris Aircraft who would prefer that he wasn't in the picture.

"I guess you can count me pretty luckly that you do have a say," he agrees wryly.

Tomorrow they might have to deal with the Devourer of Worlds and his Heralds. He might be summoned across the Sector to deal with some crisis. She might get pulled into some major corporate issue. They might struggle to find time for one another. For a day. A week. A few weks.

But tonight they have each other and eyes for no one else.

Like her, Hal hardly pays the slightest attention to the crowds below, the cries joining the countdown more then enough to let them know when the time is just right.

Green and violet trails follow in their wake, like stars cutting through the sky, the respective glows increasing around them both. And bathed in those bright auras of emotional spectrum energy, Hal's arms slip around her as well.

"Happy New Year Carol," he murmurs, well above the crowd now and anyone that might overhead. "May this one be even better then the last."

Then his lips are on hers, that kiss joined and the pair of star-crossed lovers ring in the New Year in the perfect fashion.

Quentin Quire has posed:
Someone wolfwhistles at Ororo giving both Betsy and Lois a new years kiss. It certainly wasn't Quentin, he wasn't even over there yet.

He does, however, give Rogue a grin and a nod, "Still fresh, still looking young enough to get carded." he puts a little bit of a whine to his tone as he lifts the brow of his knit cap far enough up to reveal a very short mohawk still growing in, before yanking it back down over his still mostly bald pate. "You guys couldn't have found one that didn't look like it was fifteen?"

Emma Frost has posed:
A light frown is given at the light pulse of Rogue's headache coming out, but Emma takes the moment to smile back and give a wave returning over to Shogo before she watches the pair of Lanterns embrace up in the sky. Ahh, young love. To have and to hold.

And she looks up to the horizon, and can only quietly murmur, "And all is quiet on the Western Front." But it will never stay that way. But for these few moments..

Tabitha Smith has posed:
The wolf whistle may have been Tabitha. She always was an enabler. Though it might have also just been one of her explosions hitting a higher pitch. At least she's not exploding anything low to the ground.

And with all that plasma, she might also be a nice source of ambient heat roaming through the crowds.

Doesn't help her when she's immune to her own powers but at least no one around her is in any danger of freezing.

Wade Wilson has posed:
Wade watches the couples all around him, swapping kisses like it's an Olympic sport, and he can't help but roll his eyes. "Ah, yes, nothing says 'I'm ready for a new year' like swapping saliva with the nearest warm body," he mutters under his breath. He looks down at his rollerblades, as if they're the root of all his problems. "Maybe it's the skates. Yeah, that's probably it. Gotta be, right? It clashes with my outfit."

Remy LeBeau has posed:
    Remy is wearing gloves, making it no issue to run his palm across the top of Rogue's head and through her hair. He still hasn't returned his glasses to his face, looking mildly apologetic. If not for the headache he's caused, then potential drama with those rooting for her and Jean. He murmurs something lowly, just to her, in French before turning back to the party in general.

    "You can say what you want 'bout me, doe," he says to Jubilee, rolling his shoulders in a shrug, "Dey already t'ink de worsta me."

Ororo Munroe has posed:
In the wake of the celebration, Ororo favors Betsy with another deadpan look fading into a wry grin as she murmurs out. "Yes, well, most people's idea of bad luck is being constantly under a rain cloud, or being struck by lightning. And so /I/, naturally, do not have to worry. Luck is beneath my august personage's concern."

She pauses for just a moment. "That was, of course, a joke. The last thing I need is my own hubris leading to me getting an awful class schedule for the next semester..."

She perks her eyebrows up and hums out, "But, seeing as I'm out of cocoa and we're past midnight, it's been quite awhile since we've had a chat. Too long. Clearly, we are due for tea, and perhaps some small sandwiches to reconnect."

And, because they're friends, Ororo does not drag Betsy off the rink towards reconnecting. That's clearly just energetic guiding she's doing.

Jubilation Lee has posed:
Jubilation curls her lips inward, trying her absolute best to contain these big emotions she's feeling. She nods her head, flicking her hand dismissively across the air a couple of times to really sell the idea.

"Yeah, yeah, sure, sure," she tries, agreeing to keep the drama to a minimum.

But then Rogue and Remy kiss right in front of her.

Jubilation stares for what seems like an eternity, stupefied in stunned silence. She opens her mouth, hesitates, closes it, opens, closes. Eventually, she manages a little coughing sound, but it's not technically speech.

Finally, words form.

"....I...I gotta go," she mumbles desperately, turning to skate away as quickly as she can, muttering something about Shogo's bedtime but, really, it's because there's no way she's going to be able to keep herself quiet if she stays.

Jubilee's path takes her past Wade, as it happens. She rolls to a halt, hesitates again, shrugs, and then leans up to plant a chaste kiss onto his cheek if he'll let her..

"Happy new year, Wade," Jubilation tells him before skating away to put Shogo to bed.

Happy New Year!

Carol Ferris has posed:
That kiss lingers as Star Sapphire and Green Lantern spin slowly through the sky, those streams of violet and emerald light trailing after them like a phoenix's tail feathers. And when it finally breaks, Carol's violet eyes open once more to gaze up at him.

"Happy New Year, Hal," she murmurs, the warm optimism shining in her smile. "It will be. It's already off to a good start."

That smile grows as she slips her hands down his arms, catching his fingers and slipping them together.

"What do you say we go home, turn on Top Gun, and see what else the new year has in store?"

Higher and higher they swirl together, until their light is a fading glimmer in the sky, their entangled streams of energy more reminiscent of the tail of a comet than anything else.

Wade Wilson has posed:
Wade blinked in surprise as Jubilee skated up to him, leaned up, and planted a quick, chaste kiss on his exposed cheek, her lips barely brushing his skin, before wishing him a happy New Year. His hand instinctively reached up to touch the spot where her lips had been. He stared after her, still processing the brief but unexpected moment.

"Happy New Year, Jubes!" he called after her, shaking his head with a grin as she already began skating away. He glanced around and then muttered, "Well, looks like I just caught a case of yellow fever. Someone get me a shot of tequila and a band-aid, stat."

Rogue has posed:
The festive cheer, the comradery that was strong within the singing, cheering, fireworks (Tabi's bombs) and otherwise, it was a very inspirational moment, as any good New Years celebration should be. Rogue retrieved her almost empty cup of spiked cider, and smiled toward Quentin. "It's comin' in nice." She said of his hair, before she noticed another familiar face on the rink, not too far away. "Happy New Year, Wade!" Rogue called out, waving her free hand at the one and only Dead of Pools.

She watched Jubilee skate off, and a smirk touched her lips, a shake of her head given. "I swear, that girl was raised on Dawson's Creek, or whatever sappy teen dramas that used to exist, and I love her for it." She said, to whomever was still standing close enough to hear her.

Her green eyes went back over and up to Remy's reds, and she tugged on his elbow again. "Come on, I need a new drink." She told the Cajun.

Quentin Quire has posed:
"Seems like a pretty natural reaction to me." Quentin comments. "...I mean, I threw up in my mouth a little..." he teases the Belle and the Cajun as he takes a nip from his flask. "I'm gonna go find a bar with a bouncer that's got bad eyesight. See y'all in the morning!"

Alison Blaire has posed:
Dazzler returns to singing out one of the verses for the Outer Space Funk while the music continues, and lets the instrumental version continue, then it finishes up. The bassist looks at her and smiles cause that's his fav too. Alison turns to those behind her, "Thanks you guys," she tells them. She leaves the stage.

The Jumbo Tron has huge letters: HAPPY NEW YEAR

Remy LeBeau has posed:
    Remy watches Jubilee depart, waving with one free hand as she does. When happy new years are wished to Deadpool, he lifts two fingers to his temple to fire off a mock salute in the direction of the Merc With A Mouth.

    Then his attention turns back to Rogue, and he grins at the prospect of getting a drink. His flask was running a little empty.

    "Jus' promise me if she plans to deep fry my brain," Gambit tells her, squeezing her shoulder with the hand wrapped around them, "You tell me first, hein? Gimme a head start."

Betsy Braddock has posed:
Betsy smiles, "Well, it /has/ been a while since we've had a chance to talk, Ororo. I wouldn't mind an opportunity to catch up." She arches a brow back towards the weather goddess, and her smile grows just a bit as she lets out a chuckle.

"And tea and sandwiches? You know exactly how to coerce a nice British girl like myself. Lead on." With that, she tucks her arm neatly into the crook of Ororo's elbow, as the pair look quite content to skate off into the sunset. Metaphorically speaking of course, since it's after midnight and all...

Longshot has posed:
"Man, I wish I could fly, that's so cool." Longshot is not lucky enough for that thankfully! The hug is returned easily, Longshot will drape an arm around Doreen's shoulders and beam at the visible squirrels before his attention returns to the show.

As the fireworks start to come to a close, he'll pull away, pointing towards the booths, "Games now? Also, food? I bet there's a bunch of kids that we could get a bunch of stuffed animals for."

Lois Lane has posed:
With Ororo and Betsy heading off, Lois finishes her little lap and then she makes to sit on the bench and change out of her skates and back into her heels. She stretches up to watch Carol and Hal head off and with a small puff of breath, she shakes her head and turns her attention to her phone and a text she sends.

'Happy New Year, Clark'.

She'll figure out a way to spend the rest of the night.

Doreen Green has posed:
Doreen Green nods, and kicks off to start skating them back towards the edge of the rink. "Yeah! The night is still young, plenty of time for food and emptying out prize bins!" she replies with a laugh, remembering the night in the bar arcade and Longshot cleaning out the claw game.