17320/Special Delivery - A Bit of Home

Special Delivery - A Bit of Home
Date of Scene:	02 March 2024
Location:	Gershwin Theater
Synopsis:	Minoke brings Olivia a very special gift and becomes an honorary Green Witch of Oz along the way!
Cast of Characters:	Olivia Gaudin, Minoke

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Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    Musicals need a lot of things. Lights, makeup, actors, stagehands, and definitely a lot of costume work. Part of this is jewelry. Even beyond the costumes, though, there are some among the cast who have a special place in their hearts for memories of home. Ever since Liv was a child, her father brought her to the same jewelry store to spoil her with little gifts.

    No dear old dad has never quite gotten comfortable with her living in New York. He was far more relaxed when she was across the sea! But he expresses missing her in sweet ways just as often as in trying ones. In this case, it means that he has asked for custom jewelry for his daughter. And he wants it delivered right to her, backstage, on an important evening. And he pays well. The gift? Earrings. Golden with clusters of emeralds and diamonds. There is a sense of magic in their design. Very fitting for a woman who plays Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West.

    She is backstage now, the show only just ended. It's rather late for a delivery, admittedly, but this is exactly when it was meant to arrive. Liv is in her dressing room, fully dressed and green as can be.

Minoke has posed:
Minoke rode a bus for the first time to make this special delivery - the client paid a premium to get the items delivered directly to a theater. The bus handled her weight well, though someone bumped into her and bounced off. She has been trying to mask the green color of her skin but it just doesn't work well. Anyway, all sorts of strange-looking beings are around. So, a green-skinned woman with pink hair enters the theater shown on the map, holding a small box in one hand and a clipboard in the other, right after a bunch of people just leave... maybe a show just ended?. She looks around after all the paying clients vacate, taking everything in - the third eye on her forehead seems to focus on everything. All the hustle and bustle is confusing her a bit. She finds someone who appears to work there. "I am looking for Olivia Gaudin... I have a delivery for her?" She sounds uncertain.

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    So the thing about Liv is, she is kind of a fan of super heroes. And part of that includes giving free tickets to them. She has a list of names, but the theater is just... they are not going to review it. It's so long. But in this case, it makes Minoke's life easier. She is guided backstage by an usher, rather than bothered with questions.

    Another thing about Liv is that she does not stay backstage for long. This is great for Minoke, because just before they actually go back into the web of corridors that are backstage at the Gershwin, she emerges. Right in front of them, in fact! How odd! How lucky! How she was just listening for her name and heard it.

    "Ms. Gaudin, you have a delivery, it seems." The usher sounds a bit doubtful, and he doesn't leave until he gets a nod and a gentle wave off. "Thank you, Mr. Regent! You are most kind." Yes, she knows all their names, all their families, and more. She talks a lot.

    This leaves her to direct her attention at Minoke. "Hi, I'm Olivia! You can call me Liv, though. All my friends do." A hand is offered.

Minoke has posed:
Minoke nods as she extends a hand and oh so gently holds Liv's hand. "I would be honored if I could be considered a friend. My name is Minoke. I work at RockLove Jewelry and I have a delivery for you." She opens the box to show you. "I made these myself to your exact specifications. I am very good with metal in general." She hmmmmms softly, then squints. "You are green..." she muses in surprise. "But you appear to be human?" She sounds VERY puzzled. "Maybe you're related to the one known as the Hulk or She-Hulk?" She doesn't seem to get it.

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    Olivia is positively delighted. "Oh wow! He always remembers these things." She doesn't hesitate for a moment. She accepts the gift and she's putting them on. "You made these? Oh my goodness, thank you so much!" Her phone is out and she's already got the camera up. "Can you join me for a selfie? It'd be so fun to have you in the picture!"

    She laugh softly at the mention of her being green. "Green I am, Minoke. Eight times a week I shed my identity as Olivia Gaudin and get to portray Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West! Up there on the stage. Have you heard of our musical?" She makes no assumptions. With her ability to sense densities, heart beats, etc., it is rather clear to her that this is a special person she is speaking with.

Minoke has posed:
Minoke blinks. "Ohhhhhhhh. It's paint." She nods slowly. "Sorry. I have not seen a musical. I am... new to the area.' She smiles shyly. "And... the smartphone devices most people use don't work well for me. I should get a television in my studio apartment.' She shrugs. "So, you play the villain in this show?"

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    Olivia smiles and snaps the selfie. "You have never seen one?" She sounds shocked. "If I give you tickets will you come back? I'd love to perform for you!" It's just how she is. But then there is that question.

    "Well, hm. I hate to spoil it! But let us say that most people think I'm the bad guy going in. I would like to hear your opinion of my character after you have seen it."

    She has this smile that just doesn't stop. Her joy is impossible to miss. This is what she has always wanted to do and it's obvious.

    "Would you mind walking with me a bit? There is this thing I do for the children. They know to wait for me at the top of a certain staircase for pictures and hugs."

Minoke has posed:
Minoke smiles softly. "Very well. It might be a story well-known to the locals, but I just am not familiar with all the cultural hallmarks. Looking them up seems boring..." She shrugs. "I have to be careful with hugs... I sometimes do not know my own strength..."

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    "I can tell you are different," says Olivia. "It's okay, though. Lots of us are different. It's not how we are made that matters. It's what we decide to do with ourselves. What we value."

    She will lead Minoke out to the not very secret meeting spot. And once they arrive, it is clear that it is not very secret. There are at least a dozen young girls here, and many more adults loitering in the area, as well.

    Almost immediately, a bright young voice says, "Miss Elphaba! You have such pretty earrings!"

    Liv laughs in delight, turning to look at Minoke and gestures politely to her. "They are lovely, and she made them for me!" This gets a lot of attention for Minoke, of course. The same girl from before walks right up to her, "You make earrings for witches?" It is clear that she thinks this is the coolest thing ever. Which, for a... maybe six year old child... is totally true.

Minoke has posed:
Minoke glances between Liv and the small child, her eyes wide. They aren't afraid of her - even some adults don't like talkingto her just because of her looks, but this tiny person seems to like her. She kneels down to the girl's eye level. "I can make jewelry for anyone with a good heart. Even a 'witch' can be a good person." She ponders softly as she pulls out a spoon out of her pocket. "What is your favoite animal or shape? I could make you earrings right now..." It's just a regular spoon, but that doesn't matter. "I have a special talent with metal." Her simple thinking is that if she can do good, and make people happy, she will be accepted. She watches as she folds the spoon into her hand and holds it there, waiting an answer. She glances at Liv, for reassurance.

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    Liv isn't exactly sure what kind of person Minoke is. Not meaning good or bad, but more like alien, human, magic, all those things. Seeing that look, though, she moves over to rest a hand on Minoke's shoulder. She smiles back and nods at her.

    The child looks thoughtful, then it comes to her. "Can you make a monkey? But, with wings. Like in the show!" Olivia laughs softly. "There are flying monkeys in the musical," she explains.

    Her attention settles on whatever wonder that Minoke is going to perform. Another child, this a young boy, ventures close next. "Are all green people here magical?" he asks curiously.

Minoke has posed:
Minoke just ponders. She knows what a monkey is. A green flash comes from her hand as she opens it to reveal two small earrings shaped like flying monkeys, a wire coming out of the top of them for pierced ears. "I hope they will do. I have yet to see the show so I am only guessing what they look like..." She glances at the boy. "Magic?" she asks softly. "Well... in a way I suppose I am." She was about to explain, but realizes that these children would not understand. Besides, any technology too advanced to be unerstood might as well be magic - there is a saying she heard about that.

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    The little girl is very excited by her earrings. "These are so great! Thank you so much!" And Minoke with get a warm little hug from the child. Olivia is pleased that Minoke is rolling with the magic thing. She's handling the children well. Meanwhile, parents are taking pictures. Liv settles herself on a seat by Minoke and start working her way through the pictures, the little conversations, and the hugs. So many hugs! Clearly she is no villain to these kids.

    There are very earnest questions she has to handle, too, which can be very tricky actually. "Why was the wizard so mean to you?" Liv smiles gently and tilts her head, looking thoughtful. "Well, I think he was so very disappointed that I didn't want to work with him and he couldn't deal with it very well. When we make mistakes, it is very hard to accept it and apologize. Do you know what I mean?"

    But it seems that Minoke is also getting questions of her own. "How do you know Elphaba? Do you make earrings all the time? Does your magic make other things? Does water melt you, too?" The last one is a weird question without context!

Minoke has posed:
Minoke smiles. "I actually work at a jewelry store - it's how I make a living. And my... 'magic'... can shape metal into anything I want." She then blinks. "Water?" she asks blankly. It must be something from the show that she knows nothing about. "Well... water and I don't exactly get along. We have agreed not to meet again." She hopes that makes any sense.

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    That answer seems to satisfy the children. They conclude immediately, "She's a witch, too. Green skin! She has magic. And she doesn't do well with water." Which is why, in short order, Olivia is with Minoke and they are surrounded by children who want to get pictures with the witches. Their friends will be so amazed to see /two/ witches!

    Eventually, though, things do wind down and Olivia and Minoke are alone. Yes, there are many, many hugs given along the way. All the while, Liv is keeping an eye on Minoke to make sure she is alright.

    "You handled that so well! The kids really loved it." She laughs softly, "Now there will be stories of a mysterious second witch of Oz who makes jewelry. This would be great for your shop, I bet. I know I'm going to tell people where I got my earrings."

Minoke has posed:
Minoke just blinks as all the children left. "That was strange but enjoyable. When they asked me if I was magic, I remembered the saying I heard: 'Any sufficiently advanced technology that cannot be understood might as well be magic.' I think I am paraphrasing but... to them, I might as well be magic. Maybe even to you." She shrugs. "You don't seem surprised that I can take a spoon and change it into earrings on the spot... maybe you really are a 'witch'? Or are aware of things? I know, it's obvious that I'm not from around here but..." She trails off, not really sure what is going on. "I am just far from home... and I don't know how to get back."

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    "I have some special gifts that have nothing to do with witchcraft," admits Olivia. "But yes, what you do might as well be magic to me. I was never all that great in the sciences, honestly. And I can tell you are special." That is how she puts it. As a mutant who does not admit to what she is publically, she keeps it all very high level.

    The explanation from Minoke is a concerning one for Olivia. She gives her a worried look. "Are you okay? Do you have a place to stay that is safe? You are in Metropolis, I can help you. My father bought me a condo there. I never use it." She's serious. Totally serious.

    "Where is home?" she asks more gently. "I don't have any spaceship or anything, but well, there are plenty who do."

Minoke has posed:
Minoke nods. "I have secured a studio apartment. Apparently being able to manipulate gold into fine jewelry pays very well. I have very few needs. Electricity and... a bathtub for... I sometimes actually do melt when I sleep..." She blushes bright green. "My ship crash-landed when I arrived. Mr. Tony Stark helped me when I arrived. But so far it has eluded his efforts to repair. And I do not know, but I am told I have a resemblance to the supervaillain Brainiac."

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    "Well that is great! You are doing very well. I can't imagine how hard it would be to arrive in this place from far away. And then you immediately get a job, get yourself a place to stay. Wow, and melt? That sounds like it would be problematic." Olivia grins. "Are you sure you aren't a witch? We are reputed to have considerable melting issues, after all."

    Then that last bit comes through. "Well, resemblance doesn't matter. You are your own person, Minoke. Don't let that kind of thing weigh on you. Ultimately you define yourself by your choices, your actions. And wow, you met Tony Stark? That's amazing!"

Minoke has posed:
Minoke nods. "And Green Lantern." She smiles softly. "I... from what I remember, I am supposed to learn about a culture. I'm supposed to be able to blend better but... it's not working. I am... damaged." She just sighs softly. "I am... just..." She trails off. "I do not know how to explain it." She glances at you. "You are... 'special'... too, are you not?"

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    "I'll tell you what," says Liv. "Let's get to my dressing room. It's a lot more private. Better for these kind of conversations. And by now, most of the cast it gone, so we can be more open." The pictures and meeting the kids did take quite a while. Most of the cast just want to check out and get home. Only Liv is this into the crowd. The thrill of being Elphaba has not worn off. Hopefully it never will.

    If Minoke agrees, Liv will lead her backstage. It's a lot of turns and twists. There are huge murals that span entire sections of the backstage, created by previous actors. There are signatures on the walls, plaques showing everyone who came before in each of the roles, and many things besides. Liv pauses to gently brush her fingers over two of those names. The originals. Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. There's obvious reverance in that gesture.

    "Sorry, this is a winding path. It's kind of a ritual for me, I guess. Minoke, I've always wanted to stand where I am. I never want to take it for granted." She looks at Minoke for a while, curious.

    "I don't see anything damaged about you."

Minoke has posed:
Minoke just watches - remembering the route. Memorization is one of her specialities. She glances at the two names that Olivia obviously respects. It goes without saying that they are special to her. She then sighs softly at that. "Thank you but... I was not being metaphorical. I... ummm... suffered an injury while traveling here. I have memory loss and... other issues. I'm supposed to be able to blend in better but... it just doesn't work. The closest analogy would be... traumatic brain injury, I suppose."

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    "Well, then it is good you have made many friends," she says softly. "And I hope that the damage heals in time. Losing your memories must be very difficult. How are you coping?" The path is not much farther and then they are in her dressing room.

    It's nice, but not terribly flashy. A few comfortable chairs, a place to do her makeup (and remove it), and a couple pictures of a handsome firefighter that are mingled amidst family pictures. Most prominently featured in those is a small blonde girl.

    "Here we go. Peace and quiet!" She grins and immediately doffs her wig, which is then set carefully on a wig stand. This also reveals her natural blonde hair and, since she's sharing, a.. blow hole.

Minoke has posed:
Minoke nods slowly as she watches you. She declines to comment at the anatomical oddities; what right does she have to say such a thing. "Would you mind if I recharged a bit?" she asks, raising a hand as prongs rose out of the back of her hand that look like a standard power receptacle. "It's been a long day and I could use a boost."

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    "Oh by all means." She will settle in a chair and start getting her makeup off. It's... a process. She keeps talking as she goes from green to her normal, paler white skin tone.

    "I am a bit special," she explains, returning to an earlier topic. "I'm a mutant. I only figured that out recently, though. It took me two concussions and a literal splitting headache to get there." One does not develop a blow hole without some discomfort!

    "So I know at least a bit of what you might run into on Earth. But you are far from home and you have lost your memories. Is there anything you recall, or is it taking away everything right now?"

Minoke has posed:
Minoke sighs softly as she puts the back of her hand against the power outlet on the wall and sighs softly as she hums softly. "I am far from home... but I know I am supposed to learn about this place. I am an android myself. Or... whatever terms are used these days. 'Robot' in this language seems a bit too..." She trails off. "Like I am not a person."

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    "So you are, like all living things, a machine. But I use hydrocarbons and you seem to use quite a bit of metal," is Olivia's explanation. It's said casually enough. She is no scientist, but she's heard this description before. She keeps on working away. Most of her face is clean now.

    "The ears. God the ears are such a nightmare. Minoke, I'm never really clean of green paint," she explains. She's still smiling, though. She's somehow /happy/ about this nightmare bit of her dream role.

    "So let's just say you are a person with a different physical construction. But ultimately, you are Minoke. My new friend! And honorary second green witch of Oz! Also the official jeweler of Oz." She laughs again. She does a lot of that.

    "How often do you need to charge?"

Minoke has posed:
Minoke smiles softly. "Well... the problem is that the power grid in this world only allows so much utilization without damaging the local infrastructure so... I tend to charge overnight. I like to top off eveyr now and then too." She shrugs. "You understand me so well - thank you. Few have treated me wtih kindness."

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    "Unfortunately, even with so much wondrous variety, people can be very cruel to those who are different. Especially when they have gifts that are difficult to understand." Olivia has largely avoided trouble.

    "But in that situation, you are not alone. I have kept my status to myself, because we had problems in the past. I would never want to put our people in danger."

    She finally reaches a state of reasonable cleanliness. At which point she has to get out of her dress. It's nothing scandalous. She always wears a modest slip under it. She has to protect the garment from her skin, honestly. In no time, she's in a proper skirt and a turtleneck sweater. "Are you able to get back to Metropolis tonight, or do you need a place to crash for the evening? I have a guest room, and well, you seem like a pretty sweet kid. I don't want you to get yourself hurt or stranded."

Minoke has posed:
Minoke just smiles softly. "That would be great. I spent so much time here that I don't think the bus back is available. A normal vehicle cannot carry me well." She reaches a hand out to squeeze your shoulder gently as you did to her. "We 'special' beings have to support each other."

Olivia Gaudin has posed:
    Olivia nods to Minoke, "Indeed we do!" The way is not far, even on foot. Liv's condo is really nice. And there is a freight elevator that can accomodate them quite comfortably.

    "Feel free to use whatever power you need," Liv says gently. "Oh, and if you want to we can hang out all night. I don't actually go unconscious to sleep." Either way, Liv will be a good host, and make sure her new friend is kept comfortable and gets home safely the next day. Oh, and the earrings? They are going on social media immediately!