16542/The Sider, the Witch and the Wardrobe

The Sider, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Date of Scene:	11 December 2023
Location:	Midtown
Synopsis:	No description
Cast of Characters:	Kaine Parker, Olivia Gaudin

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Kaine Parker has posed:
The last show for the day has called the curtain. All of the de-stressing, costuming changing and make up scrubbing is done. Elphaba is gone, Olivia Gaudin is out in the world. It's late, and she decides to walk. Taking a turn down an alleyway, that's normally pretty safe, is anything but.

She doesn't notice it right away, but it's when three people get in front of their path. One has a baseball bat. Behind her she'll hear a "CLICK!" as a switch blade come free. It's in the hands of one of two people behind them.

"Where ya going pretty thing?" one asks and the group is jut moving closer to her. All moving toward her like predators.

They get -extremely- close. The collective masss of them blocking her view from each side. That's why she misses the first thing to happen. What she sees is the two attackers from behind suddenly get pulled away. She may be too scared to hear their cries, too focused on the trio in front. Luckily whatever happened has stopped them. It may give a reprieve, enough for Olivia to gain her senses.

Suddenly a streak of red either flew or leaped over her. Then her first clue ass to what's happening appears. A webline snakes out to one of her attackers and pulls him into the air. Landing in front of her is a figure in a lot of red. They rise up and extend both hands. There's a "THNK!" sound. A stet of two screams.

"Are you o-," the figure turned t face her, clearly of the spider-family. He's wearing a black mask with red eyes. However, that may not be the only part of him red right now.

The gaze goes down, then up behind. Maybe even two steps back. Olivia may need a moment to realize this, but she has seen these motions. She's given them to others, but has she ever received them?

"Elphaba?" they ask, clearly recognizing Olivia out of costume. She has done interviews, pictures, other events out of the make-up. But the people that aren't directors, photographers, etc. recognizing her have to real theater fans. Or fans of her. Or both!

"What's a broadway beauty star-," they stammer a little, "Broadway movie star," they try to recover, "Doing here?"

"I've seen the show." Blood Spider admits. "Twice. Seats were never great, but I could clearly see who stole the show."

Breath in and out, Blood has seen many things, met many people, but being around someone he holds in reverence is new. The chest rises and falls a little bit, "Are you okay?" he asks the original question he meant to ask.

Inwardly he cursed himself a little. Blood has seen terrible things. He's done worse things. He's calm. Cool. Collected. Where the Hell is this coming from?! You can take the Uncle Ben out of the clone, but you can't take the Parker out of them.

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    She's been scolded many a time for playing with kids in back alleys. Olivia is also regularly told she's got issues with focus. But that's not fair nor true. At least not in the way others think. The problem is that she's too focused. Just not on her surroundings. There's just so much on her mind tonight. Another difficult conversation with her father, for one. Then something her brother innocently said really set her off, too.

    So it is that her feet go where they always do during the day. Just at night. She honestly was about to sing. It clears her head. But just as she was about to settle on the right song, she is interrupted. Immediately she is terrified. Terrified to the point of tears. Context is needed to understand. It's just this is the second time in the past week where she's got herself in this kind of situation!

    She freezes up, and by the time she reaches for her pepper spray, it's far too late. There's a confusing, scary press of bodies around her. It seems like they want a lot more than just her wallet.

    When the men are taken from behind, she stumbles suddenly backwards. She's barely able to avoid falling flat on her back. She's not wearing her highest of heels, but it's not like she can move well even with the modest ones she has on.

    Suddenly, though, webs, a blur of action, and stillness in the dark. Not calm by any means, but a moment of strange clarity comes over her.

    She's been rescued. She's safe.

    In her current state of shock and weird clarity of thought, Olivia focuses her attention on her savior.

    "Yes, I play Elphaba." A pause. A breath. Another. She's not dreaming. Recognition for her comes more slowly. First is the recognition in his eyes. It's not just the usual super hero fare. She's seen that look before. Yet there's something different, too. Something she does not understand.

    "I'm.. I'm okay." She looks down at her top, which someone found time to tear open. She clutches it shut and blushes. "You are a hero. I saw you in the news. It was... it was China Town."

    A brief pause.

    "You'll get the best seat in the house, next time. I mean. You already saw the show twice. So if you want." Now she's the nervous fangirl!

Kaine Parker has posed:
The head will look away from the open top. Did he get a glimpse? Maybe. It's something he'd try not look at one the brain registers everything.

"You don't have to do that. I'm not in this for rewards," Blood tries to turn it down. "I mean those are great. Expensive, you don't want to waste them on me, right?" he asks and looks upward.

"IF you don't mind rollercoasters, I can get you where you want to go," Blood Spider offers. "This way you're safe and your modesty is preserved," he says softly.

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    "I want to, though," Olivia replies softly. "And, it's not a reward. It's more hoping that I can actually do something nice for someone who just saved me. I... they were..." She shivers. It's hard to talk about the might have happened things. This one is even worse than the last.

    "You'd honestly be doing me a favor, in a way."

    The offer of getting where she wants to go is an interesting one. Being as she is, she views it in her own way, which is to say more broadly than he ever could have intended.

    She looks into his eyes, still wiping at her own with the back of her left hand. Olivia is lucky that her cosmetics aren't running all over her cheeks. "You know, you are right. I mean, you might be right. One never knows just what kind of bumps, fits, and leaps lie on the way to where we are wanting to go. I would like it. I mean, if you could take me back home. I've got a condo not too far away. We can use the balcony."

Kaine Parker has posed:
"And they didn't. Heck, if I would have known it was you, I probably would have kicked them harder," Blood admits. He's a little rougher with the criminals. He'll gesture to the alleyway ahead of her, behind him, the two that ran are cocooned together thanks to a web ball. "The others are similarly bound. You call the police when we get back to your place they won't hurt anyone for a while," Blood adds.

"A favor? A favor how? Why do you want a favor like that?" Blood asks as he's not sure how this is a favor. Like he doesn't see all of the puzzle pieces and how the two connect just yet.

"Do you invite every hero into your home or just the lucky ones?" Blood asks and she can hear his sudden grin in his voice.

A nod comes from him. "When you're ready. You'll have to press close." And he waits so he can wrap an arm around Olivia.

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    "Oh. Right. Call the police. Of course. Paperwork and statements and all that kind of thing." Exactly what she did not do in Gotham. She feels a bit bad about that, looking back. But this time she'll have to do better. Eventually. These guys aren't going to get far tonight. She vaguely recalls something about spider silk being strong as steel. In the context of heroes, that is.

    "Well, it's just that I kind of always have tickets for each show, and other than my family, nobody ever has used them. You see, I thought it'd be fun to save a pair at the will call counter. For any hero, really. But nobody ever shows up. Cause, well, they have something to do. So if you did show up, I would know someone who actually enjoys the show would get to use them."

    Another of her hesitations. She presses against him then. She can't help but notice that he feels very... solid. Strong. Lean. Powerful. Did she put her hand on his stomach? She pulls it away. That was really rude! Mental scolding is going on there.

    But he asked something. "Hah, honestly, hm. Well, you are the first one I've invited like this!" She laughs nervously. "It occurs to me I didn't exactly clean up today." She wonders just what clothes she set where before going to bed.

Kaine Parker has posed:
Feeling Olivia press against. He pauses at the hand. "Careful or I'm going to misread those hands," Blood says honestly and he will pull her a little tighter against him. "I'm there for the star. Not her things," he adds then jumps upward. He'll go between the alleyway walls. Suddenly, the pair are on the roof. He's running while carrying her. She'll need to wrap around him to stay with him. Then he leaps off the building and she can feel the rush of the wind. As they leap, but Olivia hears a "thwp!" and feels the pull of the web. He'll take eeach direction. Before long they're at her balcony.

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    Olivia isn't sure how to answer that! Other than to make sure she doesn't do it again. She does her best to hold on in the most appropriate way possible. She'll stick to shoulders. And honestly, his strength is doing all the real work, anyway. There is some thought. Not her things? Here for the star? Olivia is trying to figure out what it means exactly.

    Despite this, she enjoys the view as they go. At least as much as she can. "This is amazing!" she whispers faintly.

    And then, far too soon, they are on her balcony. The door is locked, of course, but with the punch of a code she has it open.

    She doesn't go in yet, though. The young woman turns her back to the door and looks at Blood. "I want to kinda... start this correctly. I'm Olivia." She offers a hand. "You can call me Liv, if you like. My friends do that." There is a clear sense that she's trying to navigate this particular heroic... situation. The last time, it was very clear. He told her what to do, took her to a station, and was done with her. Pictures weren't even allowed!

Kaine Parker has posed:
If Olivia only knew what he meant. A simple: I'm here for you not your things.

"I agree," Blood says, but doesn't let on if he's talking about the ride, company or both. Blood watchees her for a moment. He'll look to her, "I thought I was going through your balcony?" and he will extend a hand. "Blood Spider. You can call me Blood or 'B.' if you want. One day, you might call me somethng better," he offerss as a way to meet Olivia halfway.

When he take sher hand, he'll bow wth it, "Charmed." Then he will mimic kissing her hand. "Not sure if you'd want that kind of actual greeting.

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    "Is it okay for you to come inside? I mean, I am not suggesting anything strange. Just a chance to talk a bit." It's funny, in all her studies of super heroess she never found a common protocol and all the fangirl fantasies never really got past the balcony scene she finds herself in now.

    "It's so weird. I'm sorry. It's just that I'm not entirely sure what to do in this kind of situation. You at least saved my virtue tonight. Probably my life. You prevented something horrific happening to me, that is." Olivia realizes, after that, she's not sure what she wants to do or say. Or at least, she's not settled on /one/ thing to do or say. Beyond getting him invited inside. And getting him inside her condo.

    "But I know this much. I'd like you to come in. I mean you are probably patroling and all that and I'm sorry but if you have time..."

    Now she's back in familiar territory, making a fool of herself and sounding like an awkward, wayward girl.

Kaine Parker has posed:
Blood looks at her and then he nods. "You sure you want a fan to see your things?" he asks and then looks at her for a moment. His gaze goes forward as he tries to step inside. "I'll take the tour," he says knowing that Olivia is in control. "I'll always have time for you."

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    Olivia perks up immediately. Success! Mentally she is giving herself a high-five. Also mentally she's stressed that she's not going to be very impressive to him. But regardless, she leads the way in.

    First of all, fears aside, her place is incredibly tidy. Self-deprecation is her artform. The place is mostly spotless. There are, scandal of scandals, a few bits of clothing draped over an arm of the couch in her living room, and some dishes in the sink that she needs to clean.

    The place is almost wallpapered though, in memorabilia for all the shows she's been in, all the way back to her first credited appearance. Some of it is actually pretty cool! Well, for Broadway nerds. She has pictures of herself with everyone who ever played Elphaba at the Gershwin. That obviously took some doing to arrange!

    "So, you can tell I love music," she says. She calls for her 'alexa' equivalent to go into 'evening mode' which instantly turns on some lights and plays music. It's an impressive sound system that works across all the rooms.

    She briefly shows her bed, vaguely indicates a guest bedroom (it exists, but it's really plain!), but her real energy is saved for two spots. First, her third bedroom, which is a sound proofed miniature recording studio, complete with a piano, keyboards, and several violins. The other highlight is the kitchen. There's a scent of cookies in the air. A very discerning nose could detect chocolate, oatmeal, and coconut. Of course, a casual glance reveals jars of each of those, too.

    "You know, other than my friends at the show and my parents, you are the first guest I've had! So you get the grand tour, to see the work behind the magic, and all that kind of thing."

    She does have other things. A yoga mat, a small set of free weights, and a bedroom full of super hero items. Including the newest copies of publishes super hero visual guides. A nerd has got to keep up!

    "So... that's my place," she says at last. She laughs nervously over it. "I know it's... kind of what you probably guessed. But I figured you might like to see it! And of course, you are welcome whenever! I'm alone here all the time at nights. Unless I go home to Metropolis, which I better not do for a while."

Kaine Parker has posed:
"It's good to remember where you came from and see how far you've come,' he will look over her past work. Some of it he's -heard- of. But that's it. Just hard of.

Hearing Alexa play various songs. He'll give a nod to the selection.

A pause at the music room. "You'll have to play something for me. Maybe link me to you original stuff," says softly. A show he hasn't looked into it, but Blood is very interested.

He'll look at the kitchen, "Oatmeal cookies?" he asks. The coconut is not smelled, but he will give a nod. "I don't mind oatmeal chocolate chip."

Then the guest room set up. Then the stop at her bedroom. A brow raises under the mask. A superman photo here. A superman article there. Superman clippings here. There. Everywhere. "Should I be jealous of Superman?" he asks her openly. Then the hero goes back to her, "I can always take you back home quick so you can spend more time out there,' he offers and then looks about the bedroom again. "Nice. Yoga set up."

"I do like to see it. And I can visit more often if you want," Blood offers.

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    "Well, you can always have my cookies, Mr. Blood." Olivia isn't sure, but in retrospect, she thinks that means something different than what it literally means. "And I'll make sure to put chocolate chips in with the oatmeal... or I could make some right now. I'm pretty fast at it. I'd have a dozen out of the oven in less than 25 minutes!"

    It sounds amazing, she hopes, but it's really not that hard. Plus she has some dough chiling the fridge already. It'd be easy to throw in some chocolate chips at this point.

    "Jealous? Oh. Hahah! I'm so sorry. I just followed him since I was a kid. You know, I was a metropolis girl up until college. So he was the go-to hero for fans. Plus my father always liked him." She will eventually lead the way to the living room. She settles onto her couch and offers, "Please, sit if you like! And feel free to ask about anything."

    In the living room, with time to take it all in, there's a kind of chronology to it. Sure, some is out of order, but for the most part, it tells the story of her life, one bit at a time. Here and there, those candids with stars are punctuated with pictures of family. The final, crown jewel of her life pre-Wicked, is a mannequin on which her Nini "can can" outfit is hung. After that, it's fresh posters and playbills with her name on them. And that is where it ends.

    "So... question. Can we have a picture together, or is that not allowed?" she asks. She's hopeful. Very hopeful.

Kaine Parker has posed:
"What do you mean? Do you mean the sweet treat or the dirty treat?" Blood asks as he is making sure she means one particular way.

A nod comes from as he moves to sit onto the couch. He looks at her for a moment. Blood stares at the outfit.

"I'm sad I missed that show," and that's all he will say.

"How do you want me to pose?" Blood asks as he is unsure how to do this. No one really asks -him- to take a photo. "You tell me what to do?"

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    "Oh, the sweet kind. I should warn you, I'm... more the sweet type than anything else. Of course, in time, you know, with the right person." She is explaining this to a super hero, fully dressed in his costume, on her couch, in a very yuppy condo building. Life is weird.

    "Oh, you never got to see Moulin Rouge? Maybe we can go sometime. They have such a great cast right now. Everyone on that one could get top billing on half the shows on Broadway. Just not mine!" She laughs nervously, "I mean Glinda. Obviously. She's really, really experienced and as popular as can be. With all the musical and acting chops to deserve it. You know... I'll share a secret with you."

    She moves close for the photo. "Oh, just be near me, like we were on the web! And act natural. I imagine you need to keep secrets, but as much as possible, I'd like to know who you are a person. I don't want you to pretend or anything like that. I do enough pretend."

    She lifts up her phone for the selfie with a smile. Looking at the screen, she's amazed. She's... really going to get a picture with him! And then it's snapped. Unless he stops her, anyway.

    "I won't post it anywhere. Unless you really want me to! I don't want to cause any trouble."

    Then she remembers. "The secret. They only let me be Elphaba because the producer got the Glinda he wanted. I'm an economy Elphaba, really! A risk, cause I brought no following. Though it seems people do like me quite a bit, and Glinda thinks I'm a slam dunk to hold this role as long as I want it."

Kaine Parker has posed:
"I think you missed my point about the costume. I would love to see it with you. IF you don't mind my company," he says and then looks at her. "What's the gimmick?" he asks curiously as he s staring curiosu what it is.

Then he moves near her. "You can put your hand on my stomach agan if you want," he says even if it may not be needed. He did like the hand searching around. He does try to prod that.

"I trust you," and then later on the secret pushes forward.

"You are the Elphaba that paid off in spades. The movie with the low budget that smashed it out of the park. Don't sell yourself short," he says to her firmly. He looks back to her. "I mean it Olivia."

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    "I would like to go with you, certainly." Olivia looks him over. "It might cause some commotion, but you know, I'm up for it. It'd be fun to cause a bit of a stir that isn't focused just on me. Or..." She is shy now. "You know, the man behind the mask, too, is welcome. No pressure. I understand that you are trying to stay safe and protect your family with the secret identity thing. I can't imagine how stressful it must be for you, though. Or how difficult it is, to have this huge part of your life that you can't share with people."

    The mention of touching him again gets her blushing. Like pure crimson. "Wow, I..." She almost does it! But then her good sense kicks in and her mother's voice scolds her thoroughly in her imagination.

    "Is it too hot in here?" she asks faintly. A pause and she adds breathlessly, "And I trust you, too."

    Then all his compliments. So many, so appreciated, and his words play across her self-doubts in this lovely chord of purest validation. "You are very kind to me. It's hard to believe sometimes. I try to stay grateful, but without the fans I don't think I'd have the energy some nights. There's this very loud minority that tell me every flaw. And then even the people that love me say things that just.. they mean well, they do!" She's defensive of her family, obviously. Though she's only defending them against herself.

    "My father thinks I should move back to Metropolis and commute here. He got me an apartment. He tells me it's too dangerous and I'm not ready to live on my own."

Kaine Parker has posed:
"We can figure it out." Blood knows she's in more danger with Blood Spider than Kaine Parker. Still, he's not leaping int that waters just yet. Althogh, he is tempted.

"I liked it," Blood admits and then he looks at her. "Did you like it?" he asks when she talks about heat. A brow will raise under the mask.

"You should keep at your career. You're making a solid name for yourself. Give it timee and you'll be getting a lot of cash for doing the same thng," he says and then chuckles a bit about safety. "You're safe now, aren't you?"

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    "I am safe! I've got..." She grins suddenly and laughs, "Why I have my own personal hero! Who knows where I live and came in and will no doubt someday eat my baking. Right?"

    Without knowing exactly what she is doing, Olivia is navigating this uncertain situation. Gentle probing to see what might work and what does not.

    "And yeah, honestly, like you said, I do like it. I'm just not accustomed to it, I suppose." She's getting more confident. More comfortable. The shock is wearing off, and she's starting to envision the man behind that mask.

    "And what about your career? I've always wondered, because, well, nobody is paying for your costume, your time, the training and all that kind of thing. How does it work? Do you have to do all this, then go punch a time card somewhere and work yet more every day?"

    The music, it seems, is quite the list. While a lot of it is tame fare (quite a few musical numbers and some rather safe and trendy pop), the next song up is... heavy metal? And she shows no reaction to it. Certainly she shows no surprise that this is getting played.