16736/Countdown to 2024

Countdown to 2024
Date of Scene:	01 January 2024
Location:	Times Square
Synopsis:	The ball drops for 2024 New Year. Do people get their kisses?
Cast of Characters:	Nikolas Kamarov, Lois Lane, Gwendolyn Poole, Singularity, Audra Meridian, Caleb Dykstra

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Nikolas Kamarov has posed:
Times Square. Every boy and girl in America has seen the ball drop from times square at one time or another. They have seen Richard Clerk never age then suddenly get replaced my Rian Oceancrest. Lucky are those who get to attend the festivities in person. It is literally a sea of people, regardless of the weather, people pack Times Square like sardines.

This year is the sky's are free of clouds, and if the city did not pollute the sky above, it would be a night of millions of stars, but instead the stars are the lights of Times Square itself. A cloudless sky, however, means the city is cold. Breath easily seen, and even with how packed the square is, the wind still bites.

Nikolas, has never seen this. He grew up in Siberia. He has not seen such a spectacle and the Russian man with silvery long hair stands by himself in the crowd taking in the spectacle of things. He wears a pea coat over a simple form fitting sweater with a pair of slacks. His hands are in his pocket and jacket open seemingly not feeling the effects of the cold evening. Dipping his hand into his jacket pocket he brings a simple silver flask to his lips to take a sip of something, probably alcoholic. It warms the feet and the soul!

Lois Lane has posed:
Lois Lane isn't that far from home. The past couple of years, she has been in Metropolis, perhaps hoping to catch a sight of Superman, but alas, that has never panned out. On the urgings of a few friends, she made her way to Times Square, where she was supposed to meet them.

The problem is, Times Square is huuuge and there is an ocean of people about. Checking her phone to see if there are any texts, she grumbles osmething under her breath, before she literally walks into Nikolas with a bit of a bump.

"oh my gosh, I am so sorry!" she says, looking alittle flustered as she adjusts her own peacoat with the sweater dress fitted underneath.

Nikolas Kamarov has posed:
"Nyet," Comes the reply from the Russian as he is literally ran into turn quickly his hand instinctually comes up to steady her on just above the hip. Even through the pea coat, his hand is warm to the touch even though he doesn't wear any gloves. "Don't worry about it. It's a lucky day when a beautiful woman runs into me." He looks down at the smaller woman and flashes a smile briefly.

The flirty smile shifts as there's a dawn of recognition in his eyes and that smile shifts to more of a smirk. "Ah. You are that reporter from that paper. The one who writes about Superman all the time." Maybe not all the time. But enough, likely. Perhaps she won't recognize him. In civilian dress his hair is looser, not like in battle dress where it's pulled tighter.

His strong hang lingers a moment longer then necessary upon her hip before he slides it off, eithout any shame or embarrassment that he had touched her hip. "You aren't at some fancy party? I would have thought a famous woman such as herself would be dancing the night away rubbing elbows to heros and celebrities."

Lois Lane has posed:
Alas, there's no bit of recognition on her part for the white haired gentleman in front of her. Surely, someone who can't tell the difference with Clark and Superman from a simple change of glasses wouldn't recognize someone with long white hair versus tied back white hair. It's hard to be a Lois.

When he helps steady her, her brows raise a little as she pffts and shakes her head, a silly little smile on her features. "I'm sure you say that to all us American woman." she replies cheekily before nodding.

"That would be me, but I'm more than just the Daily Planet." she also does freelance writing for other publications! "I'm hard /famous/." she says with emphasis on that word. "But I wanted to watch Ariana Grande or whoever was playing this year."

Gwendolyn Poole has posed:
New Year's Eve. Another year in this world. A better world. She spent last year's Eve on a job, and spent the following days recovering from a bullet wound, and not a hangover. Gwen plans for this year to be different. The gremlin has gone fancy for the event. Why earn all that cash doing dirty work if you can't enjoy it on things other then weaponry?

A warm, white all-around cape, clipped at her collar with a pink stone, is worn over a matching, long-sleeved top, a black skirt, tights and tall, black boots. It's a killer look for her, even if being all dressed-up makes the merc quite uncomfortable. She moves through the crowd a by awkwardly, bumping people left and right due to the sheer size of the massive, massive crowd. Muttered apologies to some, glared daggers at others.

Of course, just in case, the girl has a pistol strapped to her lower back, hidden under the cape and all. But, she doubts she'll need it.

Singularity has posed:
The last couple of times that New Years had visited this world, Singularity has observed it from afar. Not from wanting to join in, but she's always been busy or otherwise occupied with things. But tonight, she didn't want to miss it for the world! And she is well on her way to observe, feeling out the mass of different psionic feedbacks that travel about her so easily. While none of them are those the most familiar to her, the ones that are there are more than enough for Sing's attention.

Nikolas will /feel/ her arrival first. A pull of the cosmic threads that unravel and are folded so easily around the young woman.

To everyone else, a moment later, there's a small orb that appears. Light blue in color, Caleb has seen it before. It spins and expands before from the midsts of it...

                                    *POP*                                    

The young woman, cut directly from the universe appears, cheerful, bright and nearly bouncing up and down in mid-air in excitement as she appears /above/ Lois and Nikolas and waves down excitedly. "Hello!" she greets warmly, "Has the countdown started yet??"

Audra Meridian has posed:
Audra Meridian has seen the Times Square ball drop dozens of times, but only ever on TV or digital replays. But some stroke of luck has her in New York at the right time to end this year with a proper viewing in person and she's not going to pass up the chance.

If she can get through the crowd to get close enough to see. She'd almost wish she'd come in her alter-ego so she could hover overhead, but that would draw too much attention... And the weather was relatively too nice to need to keep Windrose in reserve.

Whereas Audra herself didn't mind the cold all that much as she nudged her way through the crowd. It was mostly adapting her usual stormchaser attire (and some thermal control rigged inside the jacket where no one will notice) with an appropriately festive scarf and bomber hat to keep her head and neck warm.

Nikolas Kamarov has posed:
The Russian isn't Winter right now. He's just Nikolas enjoying the sounds and experiences of the American tradition of Times Square. "You are famous if I know about you," Nikolas says with a deep laugh and broad smile. He sweeps his hand wide and motioning much further down the line. "If you want to see the performers you'll have to wade through that. Otherwise it's just the speakers." There's likely speakers so those who didn't get there at crack ass early can listen if not see.

"If you want can make a hole for you." Depending on the person, that could be a literal hole. But he obviously doesn't mean that. "I.."

Whatever he is about to say is cut off when his eyes snaps towards the point where SIngularity pops through. It's a fraction of a moment and his whole demeanor shifts, stepping just slightly forward putting the human behind him and whatever is coming through.

When it's Singularity it takes him several moments to relax. "Nyet. Still time yet," he calls up towards the woman. "Though you might want to come down, people are staring up your universe."

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
Normally, the Dykstras aren't much for doing crowds, but tonight it's different. Caleb's dad, Preston, backed up by the youngest sibling, Sheila, managed to convince Caleb that this year things would be different - or at least, here's hoping. So, he's about, along with his family; his dad has a champagne bottle ready to open, that's been kept cool during the cold winter night. Caleb, is nodding when addressed, but he looks about and about every now and then.

He doesn't do crowds well - considering he's fought something like, five of them along the year already. Long story.

"Come on, this will be different", Sheila says.

"Oh here's hoping...!", he says, "Just a while back, I was fighting every zombie in the book in Central Park along with a few more people. I could use the peace and quiet."

"Son, it's the one time, okay?", his dad says.

"Again, here's hoping...!"

Lois Lane has posed:
There are thousands staring upwards. It's not everyday people see a blue orb popping and turning into the silhouette of a young woman, a living anthropomorphic universe.

Lois Lane is one of those people as whatever she was going to say to Nikolas is forgotten as she mutters softly, "So pretty." It is entrancing in some ways, before she snaps out of her reverie and then looks towards the mass of people and nosescrunches.

"I think it depends on the performer. This place has a pretty good view of the ball." she says, pointing upwards.

Gwendolyn Poole has posed:
Gwens has a purse on under her cape, of course. She withdraws a bottle of water filled with a pink liquid that smells strongly of Vodka. She takes a few gulps, wincing at it, and then glances about the crowd again. She...doesn't have any friends to attend this with, and feels alone in the big crowd. But, Singularity appears and she blinks a few times. She shoves and shoulders her way through the crowd, and thus over to Nikolas, Lois and the floating galaxy.

"Hey! Hi! Remember me? I saw you at Rockefeller the other day!" One hand raised to wave at her, the other holding her water bottle.

Singularity has posed:
Having arrived in time, Singularity seems completely oblivious to the cameras and faces turned towards her. And whatever ... staring up her universe is. "Oh, good!" she says, her voice mixed with the sound of her universe, a bright, tingling sound, as if the light within her has it's own song. The void of space could be scary, but she makes it less so?

Floating down at Nikolas' request, she greets the pair, "Hello. I am Singularity." comes her cheerful introduction, but she notices Nikolas' stance and waves her hands. "No no, not fight! Am friend!" That offered quickly, she doesn't want a hole punched into herself!

Then there's someone else approaching her, and Gwendolyn gets a curious look and then she beams a bright smile that shows off the white insides of her mouth and makes little crinckles on the corner of her eyes. "At the skating! Yes! Hello. That did not go well. Glad to see you again! The coat is cute!"

Audra Meridian has posed:
"Excuse me, excuse me..." Audra is still trying to make her way within the crowd when the flicker appears overhead, then takes a humanoid form. The phrase 'My god it's full of stars...' comes to mind for some reason. Probably all the sci-fi she watched when younger.

But this she has to see, and shifts her direction less to navigating the crowd and more towards where the starry form manifested. "That's a cool look, is this some part of a pre-show?!" She's not sure why else someone would show up like that. It's cosmic looking. Maybe a take on the new years' anthropomorphisms that isn't a creepy old man or an almost as creepy big eyed baby...

Nikolas Kamarov has posed:
Nikolas Kamarov tilts his head to Miss Universe, relaxing a bit and shifting away from Lois to allow her to be apart of the grouping that is slowly forming. He looks at the young woman and tilts his head. "If I thought you a threat, we would not be talking." He says with a smile, his light blue eyes not smiling with his lips. Cold. Hard. Serious.

He looks towards Lois and nods his head. "I do not know who is performing. I just wanted to experience this for myself. 40 plus years on this planet, and I have not seen such crowds as this."

"Ah!" He slaps his forehead, and shakes it with a laugh. "Nikolas Kamarov."

Gwendolyn Poole has posed:
The blonde grins and does a twirl for Singularity, making the cape twirl with her. "Well, thank yooooou. I'd compliment your outfit, but I think you're naked. Either way, -nice-."

She takes another pull from the water bottle, her expression revealing the strong taste. She's trying to catch up to the masses! She glances at Audra when she hears that and shakes her head. "Nah! It's superhero stuff," Gwen explains, as if that makes it all make sense. She catches that tone from Nikolas and glances his way. She's used to hard-types, and she rolls her eyes a bit before taking another swig of her drink.

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
Caleb notices the appearance of Singularity, and he points his family towards her. "Guys, look. Known face, two o'clock", and they make their approach.

Sheila's the one to announce herself, "Heya, Singularity!"

The two men are not far behind her and they wave. Caleb goes first, "Singularity", he looks about for other familiar faces, and spots Gwen, to whom he offers a wave. "...Gwen, right?"

It's Preston that's surprised, since he's looking at a whole universe given human form, "Well... Now I've seen it all...!"

Singularity has posed:
When Audra makes her way over, Singularity shakes her head. "I am a singularity." See, the name matches the look, though when Gwen makes her observation, there's a light, melodious giggle. "I do not see the need for clothes. They are silly." That deep commentary on the state of the clothing market shared, she offers a wave towards Caleb when he is making Dykstra clan is making their way over.

Then there's a giggle, light and airy as she floats back just a little to try to avoid bumping anyone. "You can still compliment." That is a tease to Gwendolyn as the little universe turns her attention to the big bright lights of the NYE ball. "Did not want to miss this!" she admits quietly.

Lois Lane has posed:
Oh finally, there's a name attached to the flowing white hair. "Nice to meet you, Nikolas. Remind me to ask you later for your hair routine. It's fabulous." Lois replies with just a tinge of jealously, before looking at the people that seem to recognize the walking, talking, universe.

It'snot like she's completely out of her depth, but she's mostly out of her depth. Instead, she just looks towards the grouping and all the others that are approaching, before she glances back towards the universe.

"Lois Lane." she offers as introduction, before glancing upwards. "It's five minutes to midnight. Does everyone have someone to kiss at midnight?"

Gwendolyn Poole has posed:
She glances towards Caleb and offers a grin. "Hey! It was...uh...Carlos, right?," she asks before taking another long swig, the bottle past half-way. Her cheeks are pink now, too, and not because of the cold.

"Clothes ARE silly, but people get SO hung up on it," Gwen replies to Singularity. "I mean, I don't have stars instead of nips, but you know what I mean." She looks to Lois, then, and the younger girl SQUINTS at her. She walks over until she's pretty much in her personal bubble.

"Oh, shit! You're Lois Lane!," she exclaims, like the name means a lot to her. "NO WAY! YOU'RE AWESOME!"

She pauses, then, at the kiss question and looks flustered. "N-no."

Nikolas Kamarov has posed:
A universe gives off energy. Stuff that most can't see or feel. However, Nikolas feels it and for a moment he just studies Singularity as he absorbs the energy to store it. "Woah." He says suddenly stumbling back a little. The ammount of energy and the rate it is too much for him to take on so he stops to trying to bank enegry for later. He shakes his head almost in a daze, and turns to look at Lois. "Sorry? Hair? Your hair is lovely."

He purses his lips and looks at Auda. "Clothes keep you from frost bite. I do not recommend going through that." The Russian says with a shake of his head.

"What kiss?" Niko asks curiously looking to sudden grouping of all the people, Lois specifically.

Singularity has posed:
When Gwendolyn calls out for Lois and points her out, Singularity looks over to her. "Oh! Friend Kara has mentioned you!" she offers brightly. Before there is the talk of kisses. The young universe's cheeks seem to form small little nebulas of red that may approximate a blush and she gives a shake of her head.

"I did not realize you needed to have someone to kiss. Why?" she asks curiously. "I have not had a kiss in the past. Nothing bad will happen?" She has to ask, just to make sure!

Audra Meridian has posed:
Actually Gwen's explaination of 'superhero stuff' does make a lot of sense, since it's to someone that does indeed know the 'superhero stuff' but for the night is keeping it on down-low civilian identities. Which means she has to play a little dumb. "I see, I see. Good to know there's some of them around keeping an eye on things."

Then she hears a very well-known name, being a Metropolis resident and all. But her response is less bombastic than Gwen's. "Wow, Ms. Lane is here. The event will have front page coverage for sure." Followed by a soft snicker. "Not everyone comes out for the midnight kisses."

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
"I'm Caleb Dykstra, by the way." He points to his family, "My kid sister, Sheila, and my dad, Preston."

"Miss Lane", Caleb says, "Read some of your articles. Very good, gripping writing." He looks about, "Covering New Year's Eve, or really just for the celebration?"

To Gwen, "Nope, not Carlos." He doesn't even look latino, nor does antone of his family.

To Singularity, "Well, some clothes might be silly, or fashions for that matter, but they would halp you blend into a crowd..." He adds, "Because, you know, Doctor Manhattaning it... Brings about a lot of attention, and inquiring members of authority..." He shrugs, "Just saying."

Back to Lois, he says, "I got kisses and hugs when it comes to family."

Lois Lane has posed:
Oh goodness! Perhaps her reputation precedes her, or something. "Oh thank you." Lois replies, "I just do what I can." Because underneath that damsel in distress is an investigative journalist who desperate wants her Pulitzer.

Peering towards Nikolas, she quirks a brow, "Are you alright?" she wonders. "And a kiss at midnight." she tells him before looking over to Singularity as well. "I don't think anything bad will happen if you dont get a kiss, but if you do, it's good luck for the year?" Even then, she doesn't sound completely sure of that, and as more introductions are made she grins. "A pleasure to meet you all. And I'm..." and she pats down her peacoat.

Glancing around furtively, "Would you like to come join me closer to the stage after the ball drops?" And she brings out a press pass. It's good to be Lois.

Gwendolyn Poole has posed:
"Yeeeeeeeeeeah. Besides, naked heroes tend to mainly be played for laughs. Or it's hentai," offers Gwen easily. "Both are great, but not for a long term series."

Gwen, clearly tipsy at this point, squints at Caleb. "Not Carlos. Caleb. Hm. You looks like a Carlos." He, in fact, does not. She glances to SIngularity, then, and taps her chin. "Well, if you wanna find out, I could lay one on you when the ball drops. No pressure, though..."

She glances to Lois, curious if she meant the dude she's with, or everyone in the little, gathering group. She looks to Audra, then. "Oh, there are always heroes about. This world is chock-full of 'em."

Audra Meridian has posed:
Audra Meridian raises a brow at the continuing discussion of Singularity's clothing and lack of it. "Honestly, if she doesn't say anything I don't think most people would realize it's not a costume, I think she's safe. Not like she's... y'know," general hand gesture, "shameless or anything in what she's showing." Trying to keep it nice and tactical.

Oh, right, doing introductions now. She ahems softly into a fist. "Audra Meredian." The name might ring a bell to people that follow meteological or other weather related things, but she's not holding her breath on that. Definitely not as recognized as the celebirty in their midst.

She does briefly side-eye at Gwendolyn at saying 'this world' instead of 'the world'... but the questionable context is completely forgotten when Lois pulls out her pass and offers it's use. "That would be right awesome of you Ms Lane."

Nikolas Kamarov has posed:
"I am fine," Nikolas says waving a hand to to Lois. "I am not a young man any more sometimes the chill gets to me." Bold face lie, but how do you explain you tried to bank some background energy and it was going to be too much. Probably going to need to go for a run to work off the excess.

"Luck?" he taps his chin looking over at Lois. "That is a very curious reason to kiss at midnight. "In Siberia the brave will dive into a lake to plant the yolka." He purses his lips, "Had more then a few friends fail or lose limbs." He says this like it's no big deal.

He glances at Lois before he looks down towards the stage yards and yards away. More then a two football fields worth. He seems to be analyzing it all. "Fastest way is to fly." He mutters, "We push through likely to start a fight." He sighs, "How many of this lot can you carry, Singularity?"

Singularity has posed:
Audra is exactly right. Yes, she's made of stars. But really, she's only filled in her face, her hands, the shape of her hair. Most of the rest of it makes it look like she's wearing a star-colored skinsuit. Nothing shameless there.

When she's offered a kiss, she glances over at Gwen. She's cute and all, but, she shakes her head. "I think I will be okay!" she offers apologetically. But she is catching on to what Gwen is saying. "This world? You are not from here either??" she asks brightly, optimistically, really. "I watched this universe form, watched it's battles and was excited to be here, so here I am!" she explains. Not that Gwen probably doesn't already know her backstory.

The offer of the press pass is noticed, but she shakes her head. "I think I am in the way." she admits. More people near to them are watching her instead of the ball drop, which is what she's here for. "I may go watch up there!" she points straight up.

Lois Lane has posed:
Now if this was real life, it would most certainly be only the dude she met here, but, since there is a gathered group of PCs, then obviously the invite for that specified group. See, Lois can be meta too.

She motions towards the small gathering and raises her brows at the mention of flying, "Oh, well, I mean, uh..." And she squints at the white haired man, "Wait, you can fly?"

In Lois brain that just added +1 on his rating; like a good suit adds +1, the ability to fly is also +1.

"There are a good bunch of aliens in Metropolis, like Superman and his family." she explains, "And here in New York, you can't run into someone at random without them being some sort of hero."

"Except for me, I'm just a reporter."

Gwendolyn Poole has posed:
Singularity's question makes her blush and stammer a bit, flailing. It cause some alcohol to splash, and she brings it to her lips to drain the bottle. She coughs into her hands a few times. "I...uh...I...whatdoyoumean?!"

She doesn't really seem to register the rejection, at least, more focusing on being called-out like that. She moves to follow the group towards the stage, tucking the bottle back into her purse. She isn't -wasted-, but she's tipsy and leaning towards drunk now. "You're not just a reporter," she says to Lois. "You're -the- reporter! Like, when I think reporter lady, I think LOIS LANE!"

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
"Uhm, 'this' world?", Caleb asks to Gwen. His interest on how she phrases it is peeked.

He turns his attention to Lois, and he nods, "If at all possible..." His family agrees; Sheila, in particular is happy. Then, when she says the part about heroes, he scoffs, "...Yeah. Even when you don't want to be, you have to somehow be..."

"Caleb, you've saved...", Sheila starts.

She's cut off, "Not now, sis."

Preston rests a hand on her shoulder, reassuringly. And she steams a little, holding her words back.

Nikolas Kamarov has posed:
"Not unless there is a jet." Nikolas says all to quick trying to back track from suggesting that he maybe able to fly. "Just saying if Singularity could carry everyone, we'd be there quick." He shrugs his shoulders and looks to Lois. At least he's dressed sharply?

He looks at the group, "If you want to come, stick close to me as possible. I'll clear us away through the crowd." Apparently a decision was made. The military leader has a task. Get from point a to point b. Now all that is left is to execute.

Slipping his hand into Lois's he turns and bellows loudly, "Make way!" His voice booms his Russian accent deepening and becoming thicker. Like a man well practiced in clearing the way through a crowd, he doesn't look back to see who's following. He gave warning to the group, now he's bellowing to move aside and bodily pushing people all to easy to the side as he clears a path towards the stage to get the view offered by Lois's passes.

Audra Meridian has posed:
Audra Meridian reachs over to give Gwendolyn a helpful pat on the back when she coughs. Doesn't ask about what's really in the bottle, even if it's obvious it's not just water. That's not any of her business.

Then the big Ruskie decides he's going to just make way for them. Between him and Lios' pass, shouldn't be a problem. "Com'n, we don't want to miss the show." She gives Gwendolyn a little tug to help guide her along with the group to follow. Don't want her bitsy of tipsy getting lost in the crowd and into trouble.

Well, more trouble than what is probably normal for the girl.

Lois Lane has posed:
So it seems, even sentient universes have heard of her. That brings a HUUUUGE smile upon Ms. Lane's lips as she bows her head in appreciation at Singularity. "And I am a reporter. There's a lot of reporters, but I am pretty good, if I do say so myself."

Before she can continue that thought, there's a Russian man leading her through the sea of people in Times Square. Looking up at the clock, she hrmms, "Try to hurry! Only a few minutes until midnight!" she says, "Then the good shows will start."

Singularity has posed:
There's a shocked Pikachu look as Nikolas points Singularity out. "Yes!" she says eagerly. "There is plenty of room inside me! Could carry all!" There's a bright smile offered. Noone ever VOLUNTEERS. It's always 'eww, inside her?'

"Or!" she says, and makes a small portal over her head, when it snaps and opens, on the other side, there's a bright sunny beach in Australia, where it is nowhere as cold. "I could take you here. Or across universe. I know of beaches with great views of the universe!"

Gwendolyn Poole has posed:
Gwen grins at the back-pat. She eyes Caleb's inquiry on 'this world and shrugs. "...Slip of the tongue!"

She is soon with the others, and she glances upward at the portal before she shakes her head with a grin. "Pass. Portals make me nauseaus."

The tipsy girl leans against the side of the stage, glancingt about at the others, her cheeks as pink now as the ends of her hair.

Nikolas Kamarov has posed:
Hurry she says. Nikolas, glances briefly back at her and flashes a grin at her his light blue eyes twinkling in the light before his grin fades and he becomes serious at the task at hand. People part at the bellowing and the usual New York hospitality is yelled out. Cover your ears kids it is not PG 13.

His looking back causes him to see Singularity opening portals to sunny beaches with hot male and female models seemingly for miles. "Just open a portal a few feet in front of me!" He snaps out as he continues pushing forward, take to much time to back track.

Onward he moves. He could easily sweep Lois off her feet and make the leap to towards the stage, but he's just Nikolas. A man with presence enough to clear a path through the crowd at Times Square.

Audra Meridian has posed:
Audra Meridian ooohs, both her scientific and personal curiousity perked by the display of thinking with portals. "That is a really neat trick!" There's probably some scientific folding of space time involved but that's a bit out of her field of sciences, so she's just admiring it for the ability that it can be done.

Singularity has posed:
Focus, Singularity! Nikolas' words snap her attention, and the young universe rises off the ground. As she watches him try to guide Lois to the front, she focuses and...

In front of Nikolas, a small portal opens and expands, as her white eyes glow brightly. Becoming person size, the other side snaps into being, an empty area of the stage where the ball is being dropped.

"Oh-kay!" she offers cheerfully, more than happy to create a spot for the group to get to.

To Audra, there's a bright smile. "It is. I can give you a more personal demonstration sometime. If you wish!" she offers warmly, but as soon as the others are on stage, she's heading up to watch things from above.

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
"Then, by your definition, Ms. Lane, even you would be a reporter. Your writing is quite bold, like when you wrote about the criminal underground network. That's... cast-iron courage right there, lemme tall you." And he knows it - his former working for the mob, he got wind of the article. If it were Gotham, someone would've dumped her in the river by now.

He looks at Singularity, and he frowns, "...Inside you?" Confused, much? Yeah, that's him.

He looks back to Gwen, "Then, what did you mean to say, if your tongue hadn't slipped?"

Gwendolyn Poole has posed:
"Our...world...," Gwen lies, and badly.

She glances around at all the people, the girl suddenly feeling anxiousness build in her. Mabye it's the alcohol, or the noise, or whatever, but Gwen shuts up for the moment. She can be boisterous and extroverted in the right circumstances, but other times just remind her of Home, and that's when she starts getting a bit anxious.

Lois Lane has posed:
"Get your head out of the gutter." Lois calls to Caleb, as she clearly sees the look of confusion. Then, her attention is on Singularity opening the portal and then the tall not-Winter that continues to move her through the crowd. The VIP area where people like Al Roker and others isn't too far away anymore, and as they get closer, the gates are moved by security.

She's Lois Lane. Of course, they would recognize her.

"Come on!" she says, waving the group along as it's almost midnight and the main show is about to start.

Audra Meridian has posed:
Audra Meridian fingerpoints at Sing. "That'd be great to see sometime." Then hops after Lois and Nikolas before the portal closes so they can get the really good view thanks to Lane's famous reporter clout. This is turning out to be one really interesting new years to be sure!

Nikolas Kamarov has posed:
One moment there is a wall of people parting, and the next a portal appears. He could feel it start to form well before it actually did so he slowed his pace just enough to time its opening so that the group that is following slips into it's opening appearing at the other side and the stage at large. Much to the shock of security and those who have passes there. More then one let out the a scream of shock.

Letting go of Lois's hand he turns to usher those coming through the portal and pushing back those who see it as an oppurtunity to get a free ride. "Nyet," he warns even shoving one large behemouth of a man back through the portal. The man oddly stumbles with such a light push.

He spots Singularity floating and gives her a respectful nod of his head and a simple salute of thanks. He turns to Lois and winks. "Quick enough, Miss Lane?"

Singularity has posed:
Once those with access are allowed through, Singularity closes the portal up. It blips out of existance in a twinkle of periwinkle light, and then the tinyverse rises into the air to get above everything. Sure, there may be other flying heroes up there, but Singularity might be the only one that appears as a small mass of shining stars against the night sky.

Lois Lane has posed:
Once people are through the portal, it seems that it's perfect timing. Ryan Seacrest goes on the mainstage with camera and crew as it sweeps across the crowd, including the press area. Hey, if they wave, they might be on tv!

It seems the ball is about to drop in a minute or two.

Glancing towards the white haired Russian, she can't help but offer him a little smile and a waggle of her brows, "I think I'll have to travel this way from now on."

Then, the countdown truly begins in earnest. 10.. 9... 8... 7... 6...

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
Caleb and his family go through the portal before this one closes, and follow Lois to the area.

The young man's attention remains mostly on Gwen, who has now gone silent, "Uh-huh..." He knows how to spot a lie when he sees one.

He looks to the people gathered, "Okay, so new years resolutions, hope they're all planned and done!"

Audra Meridian has posed:
Audra Meridian huhs softly as Gwendolyn does a near 180 in behavoir. But seeing as she was drinking more than water from that bottle, maybe not such a big surprise.

Other interesting things to pay attention to. "Oh, we made it in the good view just in time." She scoots over a little so Caleb and his family have room to get in. "Best New Years by far!"

Nikolas Kamarov has posed:
It's a world class view. From the earth. Maybe next year the view can be high above but for now it's here on the ground in the reporter area that the group get's to view the ball drop. As they find a spot to watch, aided by Lois's reporter cred, Nikolas takes a step behind Lois his gaze flitting up to the ball. He mouths something, probably counting down from 20. In Russian.

When it hits 10 and all eyes are truly upwards and the crowd is counting and so focused upon the ball. He steps away from Lois and shoot up from the sky. A small kid sees it and gasps. Pulling on his parents leg and he's properly rebuffed and told to watch the ball.

Zoom. No kisses for Nikolas.

Caleb Dykstra has posed:
The Dykstras watch the countdown in antecipation.

They hug each other, tightly-knit as they are. All the ordeals they went through, escaping the Gotham mob, surviving ninjas sent after them, surviving attacks by aliens, by M.O.D.O.K., among others...

(Read the comics, Gwen!)

Against all odds, they survived for another year.

But, in Caleb's mind, the thought lingers... For how long?