16450/Light up Gotham 2023

Light up Gotham 2023
Date of Scene:	30 November 2023
Location:	Cathedral Square - Founders Island
Synopsis:	A Gotham Light-Up Night event gathering donations for the Gotham Children's Works and the shelters run by the Thomas and Martha Wayne foundation. Bart brings Zoo Jackets and snacks. Nick Drago gets to boast about three Gotham City bands on the Christmas Hope Volume 4, Phoebe scarfs Essix and gives her a normalish name because really, Essix isn't normal enough.
Cast of Characters:	Phoebe Beacon, Essix, Bart Allen, Michael Hannigan

---

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Christmas is a-coming, the geese are getting fat -- put a little penny in the old man's hat.

    If you don't have a penny a hay-penny will do, and if you don't have a hay-penny then God Bless You o/`

    Carols are wafting through the air at Light Up Night in Gotham City. Vendors are selling ornaments and old-world Santas. There's a Santa's House set up with lines of chilly kids and tired looking parents, most of it funded for charity working for the Children's Works of Gotham City -- one of Phoebe Wayne's own pet charities, along with the Fireman Orphan's fund -- which Phoebe herself benefitted from.

    She was dressed in a pink jacket, with warm gloves on that help hide bandages on her left wrist and hand, along with black pants and knee-high boots. Her pink coif tonight was braided in waves and pinned perfectly, and she's sporting a pair of black earmuffs as she pauses to awkwardly shake hands with people.

    "Thank you for coming out, we appreciate the support. Hey! Colonel, thank you for coming out -- it really means a lot ot the Children's Works --..."

    The whole of the area is laden with vanilla and cinnamon smells, between German Apple Strudel and pretzels with sweeet fillings, roasted and candied nuts.

    One of the Wayne charity booths is taking donations of gently used jackets, mittens, and hats.

Essix has posed:
A new holiday experience! Essix was more excited than the Energizer Bunny to learn about another tradition held at this time of the year. Last Christmas she had still been drifting from city to city as one animal or another, just observing humans in their natural habitat. This year she was attempting to learn everything she could in the span of a month.

Standing with Phoebe in a human shape, she wore something that almost looked like it would keep a human warm. She wore a pair of denim jeans with boots on her feet, a turtleneck sweater and a jean jacket. On her head was a fluffy holiday themed stocking hat that matched the scarf around her neck.

"Thank you for coming!" she repeated Phoebe's words with far more energy than Phoebe used, and speaking far more faster.

Bart Allen has posed:
Bart Allen has been working a lot, and when he heard about the tree lighting and charity drive. He talked to the people at work about it, and now Bart is walking up looking like a bundle of jackets with the Gotham zoo logo on them with legs. He has a little hole through them to see where he is walking but is having to waver to keep some from falling off the pile.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
With the cold of the air, it is not surprising that the musician has bundled up a bit. The long coat Nick wears goes down to his knees but instead of popping the collar up to block more of the wind, the performer has donned a blue scarf that is covering any chill that decides to go for the neck. The hands are also protected in nice warm gloves. The ears are being warmed with a winter headband and to top it off he's wearing shorts.

...

No. Not really. But that made you read it again, didn't you?

He's wearing pants. Nice warm, lined pants to lock in the heat. And he's currently wandering around on a quest to track down something warm to drink. It was only a matter of time before Nick spotted the three are gathering.

"I should be used to this by now. But man is it cold out."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "I should be used to it too, but *man* is it cold out." Phoebe comments with a smile to Nick, reaching out to shake his hand.

    "I can't remember Nick, have you met my goooooooo--" she pauses, looking to Essix "...od cousin, Essss..sa? From the Wayne side. Adopted cousin." she explains awkwardly, "Ess, this is my friend Nick. He's a performer and sometimes helps me out with publicity items --" she pauses, and makes a face -- "Lemmie go help Bart with those jackets--"

    And she hops to, jumping over a display of metal trees, she goes to help Bart contain the jackets!

    "Hey Bart! The Zoo getting rid of old stock? Everyone's gonna look like they work with you this winter!" she gives a grin.

Essix has posed:
As she is introduced, Essix excitedly sticks her hand out toward Nick. "Hello I am Ess..sa, very nice to meet you Nick the performer. What do you perform?"

She was about to ask Phoebe why she was a goooooo--od cousin, what a cousin actually was, and why she was now Ess...sa, but the woman had gone to help Bart, so she kept her attention on Nick... poor Nick.

"It is very kind of you to help out Phoebe, she is a wonderful person and always doing so much good for others," she continues, speaking far more quickly than might be needed. "I am learning to be as good and helpful as her."

Bart Allen has posed:
Bart Allen smiles and says "Ah noticed we had a bunch of them in the back, they are from a campaign last year, that they aint doing this year, so thought it would be a food thing to help people out and also gives the zoo good press and a tax break." Yes Bart has learned a bit about how to talk people into things. "Hows things going?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Glove meets glove as Nick returns the gesture to Phoebe. The rockstar smile out in full force as Phoebe starts to introduce him to someone nearby. Seeing Essix, he tilts his head slightly as he tries to filter through possible run ins that didn't involve him wearing a mask. "Esssa?" Nick repeats, making sure to include all the extra 's' sounds from the introduction. "I'm not much help either." Nick admits, "Maybe at the graduation party?"

And then he finds himself alone with Essix with the extended hand. He reaches his hand over to shake her hand.

"It depends on what I'm being booked to perform" Nick answers, "But in general music and acting."

Once his hand is freed, he lowers it, smile still in place. "And yes, Phoebe is a great person. I'm glad to have her as a friend."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "Nice, nice. Well, these look super warm. I'm sure everyone will be thankful for them when they're handed out." Phoebe replies to Bart, helping to hup the coats onto the counter for the volunteers to sort, who look at the pile with wide eyes.

    She's returning back to Nick and 'Essa' quickly, stopping to grab a couple of long pretzels.

    One she offers to Nick, one she offers to Essa.

    "Hey, sorry Essa. Had to help my friend Bart." she gives a small smile, and she rubs the back of her head a moment, her earmuffs tilting a bit.

    "Lies and slander. I'm a horrible person."

Essix has posed:
Essix shakes Nick's hand vigorously, for too long, then finally releases him. The entire time there is a huge grin on her deformed face, and the cheeriness shows through in her voice.

"Music and acting," she repeats as she commits it to memory. "Do you mean acting like the people on the television are doing? Living pretend lives as pretend people?" There is a one second pause. "What kind of music? Do you sing? What instruments do you play?"

Poor, poor Nick. Phoebe should never have left him alone with Essss..sa.

Essix turns her attention to Phoebe as she returns. "You are not a horrible person!" Yes, she was still working on sarcasm and joking, but there was something more important to deal with. Stepping closer to Phoebe she leans over and asks her in a whisper why Esss..sa and what a cousin was.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Essix's questions cause for Nick to pause, "Yes. Acting like on TV and in the movies. The music depends on what I'm being booked to play. Yes I do sing. And...." There's another pause, not to remember the answer but more to put them in some type of order. Although, he doesn't specify the type. "Drums, piano, guitar, violin... Basically percussive and string instruments."

When Phoebe comes back to protest the compliment, Nick chuckles as Phoebe protests the comment. "And I shall continue with such until you eventually admit it. Is the drive doing well?"

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Phoebe leans back over: "Cousin is someone you're related to but not closely. Essa is a good codename. Like how Dick and I have codenames. Yours just goes in a different direction. I'll explain it better later." she states to Essa from behind the pretzel, and then straightens up to reply to Nick.

    "There's a lot of money changing hands going into the charities. A lot of jackets and mittens donated. Most of the ones sized for kids are going to be funneled into the Children's Works and the grown-up ones to the food banks and shelters. THere were probably close to forty jackets in Bart's arms." Phoebe breathes out.

    "It may seem like a lot, but there is.... there are a lot of homeless out there who need warm stuff. And homes. Y'know. I don't forget that part."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Nick nods to the reminder to the sheer amount of homeless. "Yes, it is a big issue." He agrees, "I hope the sales from Holiday Hope helps a bit. We got a few Gotham based groups on the roster for making volume 4."

He looks to the recently acquired pretzel, seemingly taking more advantage of it's warmth than the actual taste of the product. "So we were able to open up the list of shelter beneficiaries to a few in Gotham as well."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "I'm glad. I mean, obviously they get tons of help and funding through the Thomas and Martha Wayne Foundation but it's so hard out there. I remember going to the camps--" she trails off a moment, and she frowns, and rubs the back of her head.

    "Any Gotham bands send samples this year for your holiday sampler?"

Bart Allen has posed:
Bart Allen comes walking over having taken time to grab some snacks and drinks. He has brought enough for probably six or eight people, not sure who all is hanging with Phoebe. There is also the fact he may count himself as three or four people when it comes to snacks "Hey I brought some snacks."

Essix has posed:
Essa takes time to consider what both Nick and Phoebe answered. It was sometimes very confusing and difficult to understand the intricacies of humans. She understand the concept of code names, Phoebe had one, Dick had one, and many of the heroes seemed to have one. She hadn't though she really needed one because Essix was a code name to begin with.

Since Phoebe said she would explain it later, she switched to thinking about what Nick said. That was a lot of instruments to play, and many had nothing in common with how they were played... but the piano, that interested the little alien a lot.

"Could you teach me to play the piano?!" she suddenly blurts out, rejoining the humans in their conversation. "Oh, and I do not have money to donate, but I will always offer my time."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Well, not quite." Nick replies, "They came over to record at Shaw Studios. Wade comps the studio for songs going towards the album so more money goes to the shelters." He glances towards the stage area, "As far as Gotham based groups we got, Eyehateclowns, Purely Insane, and Shyprecked."

Essix's demand causes for Nick to look over to her. "Well, I don't normally give lessons." He gently trods upon the ice of the conversation, "But-"

Nick pauses, as he comes to a general realization, "...Wait. Don't you go to Happy Harbor?"

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "Hold up, you got Eyehateclowns, Purely Insane, AND Shyprecked?! All on the same -- okay ah, I'm going to have to buy like, six copies for Tim since he loves Eyehateclownws and I'm pretty much Shyprecked's biggest fan." Phoebe turns her earmuffs inside-out, and shows that it has the band's Broken Mast insignia.

    Phoebe bluescreens a moment. She turns to Essix.

    "You go to Happy Harbor?" she asks, mildly incredulous.

    "Oh hey! Nice, Bart, gimmie a pretzel I gave my two to them." she states to Bart's arrival and plucks a giant pretzel.

Bart Allen has posed:
Bart Allen nods, and says "I went to Happy Harbor, and my cousin went there as well. It is a pretty good school. Things have changed a bit I have heard but I try to stop by for things alumni are supposed to go to."

Essix has posed:
Essix's smiles start to grow bigger as Nick almost says yes, then she blinks a few times at the sudden change and question. Once it sinks in what he asked, she starts nodding her head energetically.

"Oh yes I do!" she exclaims. "Mr. Wayne enrolled me at the Happy Harbor High School to obtain a human education from the American grade of ninth, Freshman, to the grade of twelve, a Senior. He believes that it will assist me in my education of interactions and socializations with people."

The big smile returned to her face as she looked to Phoebe and continued, "Presently I go three days a week to the Happy Harbor High School, and once I have adjusted to how human schools work, I will attend five days a week."

Now that Bart was closer, and she had answered the questions, she stepped over and extended her hand toward him. "Hello! I am Essss..sa, very nice to meet you!" comes her enthusiastic greeting. "I do not require snacks, but you are very considerate to have brought them."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"If you want to buy six copies, I'm not going to stop you." Nick responds, "That's more money for charity. Also more entries for you to get tickets to the thank you party that those involved with the album go to." Or she could just buy the more expensive tickets.

Hearing Bart's endorsement for the school. Nick nods, "It is a good school. I still act as a Liaison between the school and Shaw Studios for the work study program. Actually a few of the students there got some behind the scenes field trips during the production of The Count of Monte Cristo. Some even got to experience being an extra for the film."

Nick oddly does not fixate on the 'human' talk. Almost like he's used to the idea.

He looks back to Essix, "Well, as I was going to say I don't normally give lessons. But- I have been known to give pointers. And because of the relationship the studio has with the school, we do have access to a range of musicians who DO normally give lessons to those of varying skill levels. It wouldn't be hard to make arrangements for lessons if you're willing to put in the time and focus for it."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Phoebe just sort of, puts a hand to her mouth.

    "Essix..." she whispers gently, and then she just rubs the back of her neck, looking out over the group.

    "Of course you're all involved with that school. I get invited to come down every so often. Dr. MacIntyre doesn't see me as much as she used to." she gives a small smile.

Bart Allen has posed:
Bart Allen nods and says "It is a pretty good school, no questions asked. Makes life interesting." He does shake the hand that was offered to him, and says "Glad you meet you Essssa, I would offer to help, but I only play guitar." He offers in explanation. He will munch one of the pretzels as well.

Essix has posed:
"The guitar is the second instrument of choice," Essix states with a nod to Bart. "I will make an attempt to learn it next, then perhaps you may offer me pointers?"

The news from Nick causes her to pirouette once, forget the social rules regarding personal space and dart over to hug the man. "I dedicate myself to all suck tasks, and offer my full attention and focus," she conveys with sheer delight, the hugging continuing too long. Just as one might wonder why this woman was holding Nick hostage, she remembers the social rules regarding personal space and springs back with a sheepish expression on her face.

That expression changes to confusion as she looks to Phoebe, her head canting to the right as she tries to understand why the woman is upset. It's obvious to the alien she did nothing wrong, but she isn't sure what, so she inches her way back over to stand by Phoebe and offers a very quiet, "Sorry." though if it is meant for Phoebe or Nick isn't clear.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Essix is a bit too quick and soon Nick finds himself entangled in the arms of the student being hugged. There's a general flash of light coming off to the side, causing for the musician to turn his head quickly to see a cameraman walking over to another booth.

Wonder how that one turns out.

Nick looks over to Phoebe as she makes comment about the principal being scarce. "Yes, Dr. MacIntyre's been a bit... busy over the past year." Nick confirms, "But there's good staff that stepped in when she's not available."

Nick glances to Essix curiously as she's still attached but then looks over to Bart. "Hey if you want to help out with the school with guitar lessons, I'd say go for it. There's going to be varying levels of skill and that's probably one of the more popular choices for students."

When Essix releaes him, he takes a deep breath. A brow raises as he glances around and then reaches into his phone to pull out his work phone. "...I probably should head back to the stage. Tessa and Blue are probably wondering where I am."

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    "You're all right, Ess, but remember what we talked about with consent, right? You gotta ask before hugging." she gives a small, friendly correction, still blinking away the camera flash.

    "Oh, no, ah... in my earlier days we had an... incidental trip. Long story." she explains briefly, giving a wave of one gloved hand before she gives a nod.

    "Yeah, say hey to your group for me. We'll be watching once we get through Yet Another Group of Rich People." Phoebe rolls her eyes, and then she draws out a bright and colorful scarf. It has shimmery teal threads drawn through warm blues and greens of alpaca fibre, and then she loops it around Essix's neck.

    "Just in case you're getting cold. I thought it reminded me of your dress." she gives a smile to Essix.

    ... only to realize that Ess is definitely more 'adopted niece' ... in a round about way.

    "Also, Bart, I've got to get you to meet Potato. Idu's little brother."

Bart Allen has posed:
Bart Allen 's brow raises a bit and says "Well, you know I am always up to meeting friends and family of yours or Idu." He offers with a smile, and says to Nick "I will think about it, I would have to work it in my schedule but maybe able to do it. I learned a bit of an odd way though an immersion process you could say.

Essix has posed:
Essix offers Nick a eager wave as he prepares to depart along with a cheerful, "It was nice to meet you! Sorry about hugging you without asking! Have a good day!" the wave continuing the entire time.

As Phoebe puts the scarf around her neck her eyes go wide and she reaches to feel the material. "Oh so pretty! It is very similar to the gala dress, thank you Phoebe!" She twitches in place, then starts to vibrate as she hurriedly adds, "May I hug you?"

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Phoebe grins at Bart. "Ah... Potato I suspect might be a little deaf and a little blind. Eats real good though." she grins and gives a small grin to Bart before she turns to Essix.

    Who is... visibly... vibrating.

    And she stiffens a moment, and then she gives a nod.

    "ALl right, but gently!"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Will do." Nick replies, "I'll swing by after. I think Blue's wife wants to go out with the group for dinner. You should meet her."

Another nod is given to the trio before he rushes off, pretzel and all.

Essix has posed:
The hug is quick. Essix steps in, wraps her arms around Phoebe without actually squeezing at all... just arms around her. There is the span of time of the count one-Mississppi, two-Mississppi, three-Mississppi and she lets go.

"This is is very special, Phoebe, thank you so very much," she says softly, clearly touched.

"I remember Idu," she continues. "I do not remember Potato. How can a Potato be deaf and blind, it is an edible tuber vegetable."

Bart Allen has posed:
Bart Allen looks down at his watch and says "Speaking of time, I need to go handle a few things. It you need me give me a call ok?"

Phoebe Beacon has posed:
    Phoebe actually wraps her arms around Essix as well. "Take care, Bart." Phoebe gives a slightly wrapped wave to the speedster. "Enjoy your snacks!"

    And she smiles as Essix releases her, and she gives a nod.

    "Potato is another dog. His full name is Chimkin Snuggets and Smashed Potato. So Potato for short." she smiles, and then reaches to loop her arm with Essix.

    "Let's go watch Nick perform. Have you been introduced to mint hot chocolate yet? If you haven't, you are in for a treat."