16432/Rockefeller Skating +1 Alien

Rockefeller Skating +1 Alien
Date of Scene:	28 November 2023
Location:	Rockefeller Center
Synopsis:	Essix goes to Rockefeller center to witness some of the holiday spirit and while there meets a few new faces.
Cast of Characters:	Essix, Emma Frost, Detective Chimp, Joan Wright

---

Essix has posed:
Rockefeller Plaza in winter is a wonderous place of holiday magic, ice skating, shopping and of course hot cider and cocoa. Although the massive Christmas tree has been set into its place, the official lighting ceremony has yet to take place. Holiday music fills the ears from a large speaker system, at present a version of Jingle Bell Rock playing.

On the ice are numerous adults and children going round and round, some showing off fancy skills, many falling down with laughter. In the air if the feeling of coldness and fun. Two young adults stand ready to rent out ice skates, another two are offering holiday treats with the beverages, and there are a few wandering the plaza selling hand knitted scarves with matching hats.

Standing at the railing of the ice is a smallish woman in not quite winter clothing, excitingly bouncing in place and watching the skaters. She has on jeans and boots, a long sleeved shirt in black and a bright blue hoodie, but little else. A good look at her face reveals that there is something not quite right about it. Some might suspect Crouzon Syndrome as the cause for the deformations of her eyes and ears, but a more knowledgable individual would instantly know it wasn't that. Whatever the cause, the face is off.

Emma Frost has posed:
Why is Emma Frost here? Certainly not for the holiday spirit. For Emma Frost, Christmas is a time of crass commercialism and consumerism. Where her stock portfolio goes up, where much of retail's income and profit for the year comes in, and where she sees if things trend positively for the bottom line. It has her in good spirits and indulgent. It's a lovely time of year ot be rich..

And to become richer. That's what life is all about. Emma Frost is walking along in a fuzzy mink coat and hat, and appears quite content.

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp is here following someone. He gets the normal looks but it is New York, where you see many an odd thing. He stops and buys a scarf and hat from the ones selling it as well as a few snacks that go into his pocket. Then he switches out his trusty deerstalker for the holiday themed hat. He prefers his hat, but with this one from a distance someone may just think he is a kid or little person. He heads to the wall to watch over the skaters.

Joan Wright has posed:
Although the tree is not lit up, the lights that provide the proper illumination to the center is enough to indicate that the tree this year is going to look very pretty once lit up. Joan is not of the ice skating crowd at this moment but she is bundled up, sitting off to the side, watching the skaters. There's a notable whisp of steam coming from her hands but there's a simple explanation for that which doesn't fall on her mutant status. Hidden behind the gloved hands is a cup holding some hot cocoa.

Beside Joan a little pink and blue roomba-ish bot hovers, Upon part of the surface of the device, some white removable decals seem to dot along the color scheme. Seems this little bot has gotten into the festive spirit already.

Joan was not making an effort to reach out to meet people. She was quite cozy. And the lined hood was doing a good job discouraging people from talking to her with it hiding her face with ease.

Now, If only Bailey was a bit more cooperative. Once Detective Chimp was spoted, the little bot lifted up it's manipulators in gleeful expression before zooting towards him.

"Bailey! Wait!"

Essix has posed:
Experiencing the "holiday spirit" is something new for Essix this year. Last year she spent the holiday season she was still trying to figure out the entirety of the human race, so had spent it as local birds watching. This year was different because she now has friends, and a mentor! Life was looking up.

She would have been content to watch the skaters on the ice for hours, learning the way their bodies moved on the slick surface, but something else grabbed her attention. It was the dressed Chimpanzee, attempting to blend in, in a rather lovely looking stocking cap. She had seen this particular primate in the zoo, but never once had she seen one walking around in public, or for that matter, dressed.

"Simply amazing!" she squeaks loudly and all but runs toward the unsuspecting Detective Chimp.

Emma Frost has posed:
Normally Emma's deft on her feet, but due to the total lack of Essix having any sort of actual mental signature to her, Emma doesn't quite have that level of warning she normally does from herpassive scanning. As Essix goes to bump over into her, the blonde turns about and looks testy.

"DO watch where you're going." She manages to mostly suppress the snideness in her tone from it's usual depth. She is out in public and there are people with cameras. Stupid populated areas.

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp may not have psychic powers, but he does have enhanced senses, and he is sorta known for noticing things. So he hears someone heading his way. He puts a hand to where his flask is, and then his wallet making sure both are there but not going to the wallet first. He turns just a bit to get a look at what's coming his way in a reflective surface, making sure it is not a demon with an Axe, or the pissed off spouse of an ex-client. Seeing it seems to be a normal person, he acts like he has not noticed her, except for the soft sigh. He then notices the little roomba heading towards him and raises a brow at it.

Joan Wright has posed:
As Bailey comes up to the detective, she comes to a quick stop. Kord Industries did not skimp when it came to the agility of this particular bot which is likely a good thing. No one wants to end up getting headbutted by a bot. No matter how cutely attired it might be.

Bailey lifts up a manipulator and waves to Detective Chimp with it, giving off an excited beep.

The bundled up Joan comes up soon after although admittedly the steps slowed once she saw the bot stopped. "Sorry. She can be like that at times." Joan apologizes as she gets over to the Chimp, glancing down to him, smiling, "I'm Joan."

Essix has posed:
The bump brings Essix to a stop for a moment to stare at Emma, such a beautiful human woman. "I do apologize for making physical contact with you, Miss," she states with a slight bow of her head, then she is forced to tear her eyes off the woman to head back toward and over to the Chimp.

The second she is in range of Detective Chimp her right hand is thrust out and she very cheerfully says very quickly... probably way too quickly, "Pleased to meet you, I am Essix and would very much like to get to know you! Such a nice suit you are wearing, did you make it yourself? Did you purchase the hat and scarf from the vendor?"

Emma Frost has posed:
Detective Chimp is passively known by Emma - even if not from in person. Emma herself maintains a neutral bordering on irritated expression over at Essix. "Just remember it for next time." The faint traces of 'or the next person won't be so nice as I' is put very subtly in her facial expressions, which may be easily missed (by everyone but the genius detective, at least). Oh yes, Essix is oneof those types (to Emma).

And there's Joan over with the floating Roomba. Which hopefully isn't accompanied by a sudden apparition of Brainiac possessing it. Then again, that might make this seasonal spectacle entertaining.

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp looks between one woman, and then the other. He frowns ever so slightly looks like he won't be getting any pics of the person he was following tonight. He looks to the offered hand and shakes it before introducing himself to both the ladies and the bot. "You can call me DC, and yes I am a chimp, and yes I can talk. No I am not here for some nefarious reason, just getting out of Gotham for a bit." He fibs a little, he does not have a nefarious reason but he does have the following the guy reason for being here.

Joan Wright has posed:
There's a beep coming from one of Joan's exterior coat pockets. Eyes glancing down, she moves one hand from the hot chocolate and reaches in to tug it out. Pressing a side button and looking to it for a few moments, there's the blip of the screen displaying some text. There's a slight nod before she taps the button once more and slides it back into her pocket.

The Damage Control employee looks over to Detective Chimp. "Bailey says she likes your scarf."

Well. Mystery solved on why Bailey came over here at least.

"I have spent a bit of time over in Gotham.

Seeing the others gathered around, Joan looks to Essix and then over to Emma. "Good evening, Miss Frost."

A glance is given to Essix once more, "And...Essix?"

Essix has posed:
The hand shake returned is quite vigorous from excitement, and also probably lasts a little longer than a normal handshake would. "It is very nice to meet you DC, very nice in deed!" she exclaims, then finally let's go of his hand. "I can assume from your reaction that you are used to people being quite upset by your being a chimpanzee, I personally find it very exciting! Would you like another talking chimpanzee to help draw some attention away from you? It must be very tiring to always have to defend your right to exist, so very tiring." Given how fast she is talking, and the fact that she is bouncing on the balls of her feet, exciting was key.

It is now that she notices the little flying Roomba and her eyes dart to follow it's movements for a moment. "Drone! I have only seen one other close up, and it looked nothing like this one! DC, is this your drone?"

Finally Joan is noticed as well, each new thing causing her excitement to grow, "Oh! That is your drone then? Did you build it yourself?" Manners Essix! She extends her hand to Joan then, "Yes, I am Essix, very pleased to meet you!"

Now having a name to put to the woman she ran into, Essix offers her hand to Miss Frost once Joan has either shaken it, or not, but she gives her time to decide before it goes toward Emma.

"I will make certain to watch where I am going from now on Miss Frost, thank you for your kindness in accepting my apology."

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp looks over and a brow raises a bit to this and says "A second Chimp?" He seems to find this a but unusual. "I take it you can change your shape Miss Essex?" He looks over to the robot and says "Thanks, yea I bought the hat and the scraf for that couple over there." He points to them He lets Joan speak to Essix about the "drone."

Joan Wright has posed:
As the hand is shoved her way, Joan looks to it before accepting it, giving it a shake. "No I didn't. Bailey was created by Ted. You could say she kind of ...bonded to me a little." The question to how long to shake the hand is quickly answered as Essix's hand sails out of hers to be extended towards Emma.

To the reveal to where the scarf was bought, Bailey shoots up in the air a bit to turn to the indicated person. The bot zooms off in that direction.

Joan's brows raise as she looks to the departing bot. "...Bailey-"

Essix has posed:
By way of answering Detective Chimp, Essix merely shows him. Her mentor had told her that it was her choice when and where to reveal her abilities, and warned her it could have adverse reactions from humans, but what she could do was a part of who she was... she had to do it.

The human form turns to an aqua viscous liquid in the shape of a human that then melts down to become a chimpanzee, then solidifies again. The form is a perfect match, including the texture of the fur on her body. Like DC, she is dressed, in fact she is wearing the exact same thing she was minus the boots.

"In your English language, I am called a Changeling," she explains, now being a second talking chimp. Her change did draw attention from a few passing humans, and a couple took pictures, but Essix doesn't seem to care.

"Changeling, shape changer, these words do not truly explain what I am, or what I am capable of, but they are the closest in English to explain it. Cambiante, altaghyir, Huan shengleng, changeant, Wechselbalg, none of these languages truly define me."

Turning her eyes to look at Bailey again, she shifts them to Joan, "Who is Ted? Would he be willing to make me a drone like that? It would be an interesting form of transportation."

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp nods a bit to this and says "What would you call it in your language?" He asks her. He does not ask where she is from. With the way she changed and what she said, he has a pretty good idea she is probably from elsewhere. He looks over at the Drone and says "You can tell her, she can have my hat if she wants it." He nods to the droid.

Joan Wright has posed:
The architect watches the woman shift forms before her. A brow arching she says little to the form change. The explanation provided gets a slight nod. "A shape shifter." Joan surmises, more or less repeating DC's assessment from earlier.

Joan's phone beeps again to which she glances in Bailey's direction. She fishes the phone out again, while listening to the inquiry about the bot. "Ted Kord. And while Kord Industries does make bots that can be purchased, Bailey's kind of a special case scenario. So, a bot just like her? Likely not."

DC's offer of the hat causes for Joan to shake her head. "Oh no. That's a lovely offer but I'm not about to let you get cold over that. Also hats are a bit problematic to her design. But if she finds something of the vendor's within reason, I will probably get it. "

There's a pause as she looks to the message, looks back over to the excited bot that is demonstrating a blue and pink set of mittens.

Well... at least mittens don't run the risk of blocking the air intake vents. "I have to go. " Joan admits in a semi apology. "It looks like I have another purchase to make." She looks over to DC and Essix, smiling to them both. "Enjoy your evening."

Phone slipping back into her pocket, Joan starts to head over towards the vendor.

Essix has posed:
Reaching into the pocket of the now smaller hoodie, Essix removes a twenty dollar bill and she exclaims merrily, "I will buy her a hat!" then waves the money toward Bailey.

She hasn't forgotten DC's question, so even as she is waving the twenty she looks back to him and says, "We do not have a language that is verbally spoken. We communicate with each other through touch and sharing of electrical impulses. Learning to speak the English language was very exciting for me, and opened the ability to communicate with humans. I have since learned Spanish, and it seems to be another prominent language in the United States."

Hearing Joan's explanation of how a hat wouldn't work for Bailey, she slips the money back into her pocket, then immediately offers the hand to Joan. "It was very nice to meet you. I hope that we have a chance to speak again, so you can tell me who Ted is and why he built a drone! Be safe out there!"

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp watches the woman heading out. He hmms and nods his head a bit to this and says "Non spoken languages can be a bit hard." He admits. He hmmms and says "So may I ask what brings you here, your the second changing alien I have met but the other was more mechanical in nature."

Essix has posed:
Standing up a little taller, a smile spreads across Essix's chimpanzee face and her eyes focus on DC. "I am an explorer," she begins. "My entire purpose is to learn everything I can about this planet. I am meant to learn about the plants, animals life, humans, cultures, societies and everything in between. To return home, I will have had to learn a great number of things, and I am excited about each and everything out there yet to be learned."

She gestures toward the stand where they are selling hot cider and cocoa, "Would you like something to drink? I have finally finished my lessons on the old barter system and how now these pieces of paper are used to purchase things one might need. May I buy you a cocoa?"

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp hmmms and says "Well, I would rather have a coffee, if they have it but sure. " He nods a bit and says "Well so you know, I am not a normal chimp, pretty much mostly a one of a kind kind of deal."

Essix has posed:
"Cream and sugar?" Essix asks first, then steps over to get the coffee for him the way he wants it... yes, she even seems excited to be using money to purchase something. The young man behind the counter seems taken aback by a talking chimpanzee buying coffee, but she has money so he just gets it with wide, surprised eyes the whole time.

Once she has the coffee in hand, she returns and offers it to him. "I will admit being both surprised and thrilled over meeting a talking chimpanzee," she says with another smile. Thankfully, she is no longer talking at Mach speeds. "It must be both marvelous being one of a kind, but likely also a little lonely. I hope that you are not lonely, I have heard that sadness and depression result from loneliness and I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp looks to her, and says "I have some friends, so I am usually not to lonely. " He pulls his flask out from his jacket, and pours something from it into the cup. "It has led to me meeting some interesting people."

Essix has posed:
Stepping back to ensure he has his personal space, Essix finally takes note of the people moving around them. Some are staring, one runs into a pole from not looking where he is going, and others are just looking and moving on like they saw nothing.

"Oh good!" she declares. "I have a friend. I also have a mentor. I am hoping to gain more friends, but my mentor has told me my cheerfulness is sometimes too much for humans."

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp smirks a bit and says "Well depending on who ya talk to, it might be a bit much. But if they can tell it is the whole learning and such some will understand it at least." He offers and looks to one of the people and says "Hey did ya see that." Pointing into the air as if someone flew or swung by." He whispers "that should distract them some."

Essix has posed:
Essix looks back to DC with a sheepish grin. When he pointed, she had looked. Apparently she was still gullible enough to fall for the simple childish prank of 'what's that?'.

"I am still quite young, perhaps that also explains my cheeriness about things," she explains. "I emerged almost two years ago."

Now that a few people are actually looking in the direction pointed at, trying to figure out what they were looking for, others began looking as well which seems to change the number of humans looking toward the pair of chimps.

"You said that you were from Gotham, have you been there long?" she then asks, finally appearing to ignore the humans. "I presently reside in Gotham as well, but like to travel to all the cities that the Hyperloop has access to."

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp hmms and says "A couple decades, but Ah am originally from Africa with a few stops along the way." He explains, and says "So, if I may ask, what do you do in Gotham?"

Essix has posed:
"My mentor lives there," Essix states proudly. "I am learning how to be what humans call a 'hero'. My people have a strong sense of justice, and since emerging I have seen so many hateful, hurtful, and mean people breaking human laws. I feel obligated to assist in maintaining a safe world for humans of this planet."

Folding her arms lightly across her chest, mostly so they will stop twitching with the urge to do something with them that is an invasion of personal space. "I will be on this planet for a very, very long time. It seems only right that while I am here learning all that I can, that I should help where I can to make it a better place for its natural inhabitants." There is a pause here, a very slight frown touching her lips. "Even if the natural inhabitants who call themselves human are killing the planet." The smile comes back into place. "It is merely another thing to learn about."

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp nods, and says "Well they make some progress in some ways and steps back in others. As for hurtful hateful people it is gotham they have a lot of folks there that present that image, but there are a lot of decent caring folks to."

Essix has posed:
Essix smiles even more broadly, an expression that is not entirely natural for a chimpanzee but she doesn't seem to care about being perfectly accurate right now. "My mentor is very kind, and he is very generous. I would still be wandering the cities as various animals, observing humans from a distance, and wishing I could do more to stop humans from hurting other humans." She sighs wistfully, clearly happy to not be on the streets any more.

"I committed a horrible, horrible mistake when I met him however, one that I will /never/ repeat. I have now learned about the importance of keeping secrets and maintaining personal space. These are both very new concepts to me."

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp 's brow raises a bit in questioning but he does not ask "If you ever need a job I might be able to help ya out with some on occasion, if your ok following people."

Essix has posed:
Instantly Essix is bouncing on the balls of her feet again. Pulling from her pocket a small cell phone, she turns it on and offers it to him. Her number is on the screen for him to copy, along with a new contact tab for him to add his number.

"I would very much like to help with jobs!" She says excitedly, once again speaking a little too fast. "I have never had a job, it would be something new, and I am told by my mentor and Balm that I am excellent at following instructions."

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp takes the phone and says "Balm, a girl with pink hair, I have met her a few times. Do you know what a stakeout is?" He asks her.

Essix has posed:
For a moment Essix looks as if she is staring off into space, but the movement of her eyes and the serious expression on her face are indication that she is thinking.

"Officers of the law perform a stakeout," she begins, almost as if reciting words from a script. "Usually this task is undertaken to watch a suspect of a crime for indications of actions that may incriminate them of that crime."

Focusing back on his face the smile returns, "Is that correct?"

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp says, "Well it is not always cops, private investigators do as well. It is what I do, what actually brought me out here tonight. With your abilities, I think you could watch and follow someone without them noticing your there. I have to do it abit more distance than some do."

Essix has posed:
Essix listens intently. This is new information he has, about private investigators. Her research and reading regarding the laws of Gotham, New York, Metropolis, New Jersey and other cities on the eastern seaboard has mentioned P.I.'s, and now she knew one.

"Oh yes," she nodded emphatically. "I can take any shape or form, living and non-living. When I need to be unseen, there are numerous forms that get ignored by humans for the most part. Birds are of course the best, as they can fly above someone moving place to place. If this is helpful to you, I am more than willing to assist."

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp nods, and says "I will call you, when I need some help and pay you a decent wage. If your interested I can teach you more about being a PI, you might have the same issue I have though. Not being a citizen can make being paid difficult at times.

Essix has posed:
Essix frowns, eyes growing sad. "That is one aspect to this planet I simply cannot understand," she says quietly. "You are all here, together on this planet, and yet they have created invisible lines that say this country, or state. Add to this the different beings, some from other planets like myself, and we are not allowed to be citizens."

After a soft sigh, she straightens her back again. "We must address this issue some day. All beings who exist on this planet should have the same rights, even if it is only in the country they reside."

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp says, "Well, maybe one day, but I aint sure. I have seen a decent amount of progress made some places, but some not so much." He admits to this "My case is a bit special though, the whole Chimps not normally considered as people.""

Essix has posed:
"It should be based on sentients, not on appearance," Essix states matter-a-factly with a firm nod. "You are clearly a highly intelligent being, how you look should not matter."

Taking her phone back she tucks it back into her pocket. "I must now ask if it is alright to tell my mentor about meeting you and possibly working for you. I ask to ensure your privacy and secrecy, these things are very important. If you do not with me to tell him, I will not, and I will not tell anyone else either."

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp nods a bit and says "Well, I have an open office in Gotham, so it is not really a secret thing. and as I was asking I think I know Balm." He offers.

Essix has posed:
"Balm is a very good friend, and she is so kind," Essix nods with a bright grin. "We have worked together against a criminal organization, and rescuing someone who was taken. How did you meet Balm? Have you worked with her, or have you only met her?"

"I do not consider myself as needing to be a secret," she then says. "So I do not mind if you speak of me and my abilities to others. I am capable of escaping most any situation, so should someone with to do me harm, you need not worry."

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp says, "We have worked together on dealing with some off things. She seems to find herself into some odd situations." He offers in explanation"

Essix has posed:
Essix nods again, then tucks her hands into the pockets of the hoodie. "I am very glad that I met you Detective Chimp, and I very much look forward to working for you." She pauses, canting her head.

"May I ask why it is that you call yourself by a title and species, rather than an actual name?"

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp says, "Well, most people can't say my actual name, and then I do have a name I tell friends, but if you know Balm, you probably know about magic, and in magic names have power.""

Essix has posed:
Essix hmmms softly with a nod, "Magic is still relatively new to me. I do not understand it, but I understand that some things, even names, have to remain secret... especially if they have power, as you say."

"I have no real name, Essix is merely a chosen word for me to respond to. My people do not use names, but as I needed something to be called by, it was required."

"I have enjoyed meeting you, and look forward to another chance to speak with you. For now however, it is getting late and I need to return to my bucket." Just as she had when Joan left, she offers her hand again.

Detective Chimp has posed:
Detective Chimp nods and will shake the hand. He nods a bit and says "Well take it easy and make sure you keep safe on your way home."

Essix has posed:
With another nod, she states, "I will be safe, you as well DC.!" then Essix's form goes aqua again. Melting down into the form of a large pigeon of grey and brown, looking exactly like the bird she mimics. Most New York pigeons are smaller in size, but clearly she has chosen to imitate a well fed one. Where the phone and money went in the process of her change is not obvious, neither can be see.

Taking a few hops across the cement, she spreads her wings and lifts up into the air. Flapping to catch the wind current and lift higher into the sky, it is only a matter of second before she is out of sight.