17380/Unintended Consequences-A cultural display

Unintended Consequences-A cultural display
Date of Scene:	16 March 2024
Location:	The Gotham Art Museum
Synopsis:	The Exhibit is a success; except for exposing the fact that an alien flower is alive and well and ready to create chaos.
Cast of Characters:	Alfred Pennyworth, Talia al Ghul, Blue GhostEyes, Conner Kent, Isra Kosimar, Kenesha
Tinyplot:	The Monocaine Conspiracy

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Alfred Pennyworth has posed:
Alfred is ecstatic to be here. A few months ago, Kara gave him a crystal with Kryptonian cultural data. Tim Drake helped him unlock it. Using connections from the Wayne foundation, he arranged for a temporary exhibit as an Artist conception with rendered 3-D printing of sculpture, art, wxerpts from literature, music and educational files. What he did not know is how widely the Gotham Museum would publicize the event, which was arranged psuedo anonymously.

Alfred is dressed to the nines, in a new non Butler tuxedo and red power bow tie. He moves with the audience, lost in a wonderland of crystals, alien hues and random samplings of the most powerful cultural elements tens of thousands of years has to offer.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul is wearing a formal black dress. Not of the 'little tight' version, but a formal gown the likes of which one would take to a charity gala. But also not too showy. She's here to take in things and to learn. With whom her son is romantically engaged with, it behooves her to learn as much about their culture as she can. Most of her experiences have been focused on the opposite end of the spectrum for polite society. TOnight she's here to learn,d iscover.. And perhpas to meet some of her son's significant other's family.
    Currently she's looking along the crystals, and some of the displays. And has a phone in front of her with the Kryptonian language upon it as she slowl yworks her way through translating it.

Blue GhostEyes has posed:
Having been spending half the week in Gotham and half at home in the Bronx of late, Blue has decided she needs to get to know this city better. In one of her explorations she came across a flier for this museum exhibit. The Shoshone women is curious about this alien culture and decided to see more. She's dressed simply but beautifully in a white dress with spaghetti stap sleeves that ties around her neck and exposes muscular shoulders and a tanned skin back. Her dark hair is flowing free and white lace up sandals cover her feet. She's otherwise devoid of make up or jewelry. The bodice of the dress hugs her skin tight and the skirt flares out in folds and swirls.

Blue pauses in the entrance and then strides forward confidently. After locating the display, she quickly loses herself in the history of another culture from another world. So many questions! "Something new. Totally and utterly new.." She whispers with awe. At her age, new had been hard to find until recent years and she savores any newness she comes across in whatever form it takes. Perhaps living in Gotham half of the week isn't going to be so bad. Not that it truly could anyways, with her Teddy being here.

Conner Kent has posed:
Technically Conner is here to write an article for the ESU newspage, but that is mostly because he volunteered. After all he is an 'expert' in Kryptonian culture, since he has been in Kandor (now New Krypton) a few times and can even understand the language. Mostly.

Okay, maybe an 'expert' is a... er, bit of a stretch. But he is curious about what has the Gotham Museum has managed to find out about Krypton, and surprised it is so much. He also took seriously the event and left his leather jacket home. Instead he is wearing a suit. Casual business one, no tie, and no glasses. Almost no one would recognize him without the leather jacket, anyway.

Alfred Pennyworth has posed:
The entire place is a love letter to the popular hero, though ironically, there is nothing about the House of El. This is primarily because as curated by a human, the presentation of what is fascinating and interesting shows the metiuclous eye of Alfred, filtered by artists and some of the best curators in the region. Despite the multiple layers involved, he built a check for accuracy into the process. The thing is, it also shows elements of Kryptonian culture tens of thousands of years old, which creates a fugue of the familiar with furniture made of alien wood with stunningly gorgeous crystal, to intimate and passionate sculpture that highlights the emotions and real lifes, heroic and profane that existed in history; a symphonic but beueteous assault on the senses in whic thre is frankly too much detail for the eye to take in the first time. As it is, the details have details, with footnotes in kryptonian from commentors translated into English, showing one culture, and the thoughts and interpretations of a totally different one, that seems almost discordant, but such care on the presentation has been taken, and the wealth of data and material is so rich that its as if every Earth museum in the world had a sampling of its absolutely best and most interesting material. The tones from the audience are hushed awe as they move from area to area.

Isra Kosimar has posed:
Doctor Isra Kosimar was here as an observer. The curator of the Jewish Museum had been excited to hear about this exhibit and it is good to support the works of other museums in all honestly. The dark haired woman is dressed in a rather well tailored, but simple scarlet colored dress this evening. Her assistant has attended with her and they are talking quietly about some of the things. Isra was always excited to learn more about other cultures, especially ones not of Earth.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would glance over at Alfred while she would approach over. "I'm not remotely familiar with the language, but is it tonal in nature?" SHe would inquire while glancing over the display of crystals. Tonal in the sense that pitch was extremely important, in that narrow range when it came to vocalization, like many asian languages. She would look thoughtful while glancing about the displays, taking in the English explanation of the Kryptonian things.

Kenesha has posed:
Kenesha arrives in style, enjoying the frantic attempts to determine who she is before the confusion over why an archaeologist is coming to an exhibit about Kryptonian culture. She enjoys the small stir it causes. She looks like she's encased in liquid gold, the shimmer of the gown such that is seems to flow and move with her every step. Matching heels and clutch go with the dress, pearls and sapphires adorning her wrist, neck, and ears. They look quite old!

Once inside, she wanders the exhibit with the others, looking at everything available, almost as if she's analyzing or trying to match it to some memory or bit of knowledge. Which isn't to say that she doesn't greatly enjoy it, as well! But she also has a separate agenda here. One that has her looking among the patrons as much as the exhibit. Ah! There...

She approaches her quarry carefully, quietly.. or at least as quietly as one can in heels. Which is surprisingly quiet if you know how to walk! Stepping up behind Alfred, on his right as she admires a sculpture, murmuring, "You never cease to amaze, Alfred. Even after all this time."

Alfred Pennyworth has posed:
Alfred Pennyworth nods to Talia, "I mean, I'm not exactly an expert or an archeologist but from what I can tell, while the digital language is tonal; which is how their crystals work, the spoken word is more phonetic which a high range of vowels like Hawaian, but you know I didnt even think to invite a linguist to study the material. There was just so...MUCH of it, I wasnt sure what to pick and choose and at the end of the day focused more on preventing harm by mention of hypertech or weapons etc.

He smiles at Kenesha, "Kenesha! Its been...decades...this is Talia, an indirect but significant influence from events that made this evening possible. I certainly can't claim much for this," He doesnt even ask how she knew that he had a hand in this. "How are you? Talia, in case you haven't met her, Kenesha." He smiles widely.

Blue GhostEyes has posed:
Blue's wandering brings her closer to Alfred and Talia and she briefly pauses her studying of the exhibit to look them over. Piercing two-toned eyes, glaciel blue and ebony black stare intently for a moment before her attention is recaptured by the art work. She reads about how old some pieces are, the span of history these works come from and sighs softly. So very much older than her. Even the memories and knowledge she carries of the time before her first birth are younger. Mostly anyway and she has no proof like this to show and say hey! This is what we were like back then. This is how we lived. How very different and simpler things were on this world during those times.

She wonders why the Kryptonians appear so human like if they are from another planet. Who would she ask and would they tell her the truth if they knew it?

Blue tilts her head slightly, listening to Alfred's explanation without giving much sign of it. The human is responsible for all of this? How interesting. More interesting is the new arrival and Blue can't help but look askance however briefly. A scent she has never come across.

Isra Kosimar has posed:
Isra speaks quietly with her assistant as they approach one of the pieces on display. The archaeologist casting a look over things. She gives a smile as others join them and tries not to block anyones view of the display.

Conner Kent has posed:
Conner doesn't know how so much about Krypton culture has gotten to the Gotham Museum either. He is also surprised by the lack of technology and science stuff, which most Kryptonians find so important (and are so proud about it). But of course he has to suspect one of his relatives is behind it.

Which makes him look around for familiar faces. Nope.

He still sends a text asking around, using his battered Starkphone.

Alfred Pennyworth has posed:
A few people dont believe it, but they are vastly in the minority. A few others actually understand the significants of a culture that was soaring the stars before any recorded (publicly known) human written document; its humbling. A very small few understand it and frown about the whole thing, upset at the simmering push back of the starport an aliens in general.

But the vast majority of people are grateful for the experience. The crowd flows well simply because of the exceptional planning and multiple entry and exit points. Since nothing is an ACTUAL alien artifact, they focused entirely on presentation and awe; which means that security is not an issue. Some people wander around and look at the obscure corners of the exhisbit, some focusing on just one of the awe inspiring visual arts or sculptures, staring at the detail and nothing else. A few, mainly the artists, mourn the loss of the subtle touches that, while lovingly recreated, are not the same as the real hing, and chisels, brush strokes or alien technologies originally used to create the items is simply not able ot be recreated easily by humans; but for most, it is enough and then some..

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would fold her hands over behind her back and go to listen and watch, turning her attention over. As Alfred goes 'in decades' she would look very curiously over. "Yes, I suppose that crystals need to be quite exact.." SHe would murmur over. "Or maybe they're more biologically keyed?" Given how advanced Kryptonians were, from her ever so nonexistant understnading, whom had to say that it was on any level humans could grasp?

Kenesha has posed:
"A pleasure, Talia. You've done some excellent work in seeing this exhibit come to fruition." Kenesha offers a smiles towards Talia, dipping her head in greeting. She glances back to Alfred and chuckles, "I know we intended to keep in touch more but.. as always, life intervenes. Still, you've aged very well. And I'm doing quite well. Sad to say that I didn't know about this sooner or I would have offered my own expertise." She lifts a shrug and chuckles, "But, such is life. I've been in South America quite a lot recently, and over into Egypt briefly.. it's been a busy year already."

She looks to Talia, "I haven't been able to study it as in-depth as I would like, but what I've heard suggests that there are tonal qualities to the spoken language, perhaps as a means to infer gender, or perhaps even a means of contraction or slang. Again, I would have to do a more comprehensive study, but that would track with how some of the Kryptonian words are structured. It would be very interesting to find out. I could, of course, be completely off-track."

Blue GhostEyes has posed:
After a time Blue reluctantly pulls her attention from the current display she's found to be fascinating and turns to watch the crowds, taking in their reactions. Hopefully this will be here awhile and she can come back, maybe bring Ted. Though she's not sure he'd like this sort of thing. Keen ears pick up the bits of grumbling over the aliens and the mentions of the star port and the Shoshone woman rolls her unusal eyes.

"If only they knew.." She mutters to herself. Humans have never been the only intelligent species inhabiting the earth, nevermind the universe. She wonders if they'll ever outgrow their smallmindedness. Only, this exhibit is proof that some clearly have. Most people, Blue notes, are in awe and greatly enjoying themselves. She relaxes and turns back towards the group she was loosely following. She spares a quick look at a group of people who are staring around and scoffing. Her brows furrow until she picks up enough words to decipher they think it's all a bunch of fake nonsense. "Too stupid to live, those people." She immediately dismisses them and wanders closer, staring hard at a crystal and remembering ancient times when such things were used for a very different purpose by a much less evolved set of people.

Alfred Pennyworth has posed:
Alfred Pennyworth says, "To clarify, her son's girlfriend helped...but her patronage this evening is still appreciative." He winks to KEnesha and listens, "It...my time did slip by didnt it? And you do get around as I recall." He nods and says, "Its all so different and fascinating...I thoght people deserved a window....wh....excuse me a moment"

He heads over to one of the minor parts of the exhbiit, that no one else is paying attention to, a tapestry with a flower, and he's staring at it...horrified, speechless.

Isra Kosimar has posed:
Isra gives a look into her clutch and there is a bit of an odd look at a text message that she receives, followed by a bright smile to her assistant, "It's nothing. Someone texting about an order I made." she whispers to her. Ordering axes, totally normal things! She does look around to see if she knows anyone. She was sure that one of her brothers were here given their love of culture in general. She gives a look back to Hannah to ask her how she is doing with things after a few moments.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would nod at Kenesha, "Of course. I'm very glad that the.. Survivors of their race have shared so much. I can't even begin to imagine something so painful.." There's sorrow in her voice. A mix of honest and acted. Mostly played up as acted.

Because she could imagine such a thing.

Then she goes to watch Alfred disengage lightly over andgoes to frown at him as she picks up his body language escalating, and goes to quietly maneuver after him unless waved off. She deferred to the true lord of the Manor.

Blue GhostEyes has posed:
Frowning at the change in the man's scent.. didn't someone call him Alfred? Blue turns and moves towards him. She steps up to where she can see his expression and hesitates before reaching out and touching his arm. "Are you alright?" She asks softly as she tilts her head to study the tapestry and attempt to figure out what has upset the man. He is old enough to be considered an Elder by her standards and worthy of respect and care unless or until proven otherwise.

It's no longer easy or even possible to follow all of the old ways these days but in this one area she is unyielding. For all she looks to be in her twenties Blue is not the young woman she seems. Her eyes flash towards Talia briefly. She doesn't need to imagine. She saw the entirety of the First Nations die away, unable to prevent it and barely able to slow it, aside from a brief moment here and there.

Conner Kent has posed:
A few people don't believe Krypton was real? Maybe they don't believe Superman is real either. Oh well, maybe they believe the Earth is flat, too. Wait, it is Gotham, of course some people here believe the Earth is flat. And the moon is made of cheese.

(It is not, he checked).

Then again... these are just captures of the original art. It is like going through an art book for a glance of an artwork that no longer exist. After a second consideration, he deletes the message he was about to send. Then goes to ask for a guide about the person or persons that organized the event.

Alfred Pennyworth has posed:
Alfred Pennyworth looks to Talia, haunt and then to Blue GhostEyes, "I was so careful...but I never would have expected THIS to be here...." he is shocked, stunned even. Mounrful that something so positive has turned so wrong and he looks around to see who else has seen it. He can't shut it down, he can't take it back. At first, no one would understand why he is so upset, and he can't even act like it. He waves his hand and whispers to Talia but no doubt Kenesha and Blue can hear. Anyone with a secret knoweldge of the past would understand.

He quietly whispers, "Monocaine."

The Kryptonian name is something else; Fireflower, but it mentions its perniciously tough life cycle, and how it was engineered to be even more destructive. One of the few elements of actual kryptonian sceince as a simple footnote, talking about how the tapestry shows that it has a half life of decades in the root even if burned...

Monocaine, the source of the infamous and almost mythical invisible man. And burned all over the planet by a gentleman's agreement by every participant of WWI. Thoguht extinct, this not only implies that it is out there somewhere....but potenitally in mass amounts.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
It takes her a moment to recognize what it is. THen her eyes go wide as she realizes it, translates it in her mind.. How did it survive? Much less why someone is so -daring- to advertise it? And how did someone manage to hide it surviving for a century? This is something that even her father was in on the agreement behind, in his own way no doubt. It was something even he felt wasn't worth the bother of going against - even with as much as he handsomely profited from that era and advanced his cause. She would quickly look over her shoulder at the others.

She takes a breath, and theng oes to start sweeping every single part of the place. Trying to get some idea as to if there were any clues as to who might have left out such a thing. Such a taunt.

Isra Kosimar has posed:
Isra looks around with a bit of unease when something is noticed. The dark haired woman is not getting in the middle of things, but she does give a look to Alfred, "Should we act like this is business as usual or should we move people towards other viewing areas?" she asks in her lightly accented tone.

Blue GhostEyes has posed:
Blue stares at the flower. It takes her longer than the others. She was alive then but it was a different life. A different time and the memories are jumbled, broken, misplaced or missing altogether in many cases. Slowly she puts it together and then hisses softly, gently squeezing Alfred's arm.

If any bit of this remains.. her path is clear. "I am Blue Ghosteyes. If you need help with this matter I am at your service." She inclines her head respectfully. Her voice was soft and she was careful not to mention what exactly she was offering her help with. She does remove her hand, pulls a card from a folder in her dress and offer it to Alfred. There is a phone number and website and the words C.E. Investigations printed in a simple font.

Kenesha has posed:
"...I don't have to imagine.." Kenesha's response is as quiet as Talia's, though for different reasons, and very much not acted up at all.

She clears her throat as Talia heads towards Alfred, drawing in and letting out a slow breath before turning to approach what is now a trio. Pausing at the word whispered, eyes widening. Moving quickly now, Kenesha finds the nearest museum worker and murmurs that they need the curator, an exhibit is being displayed that was not supposed to be there and it needs to be removed. Then she's moving to Alfred and urging him to turn away from the tapestry, murmuring that they'll want museum security to show the security footage of anyone that came near the exhibit, even if it doesn't look like anyone at all was near it until Alfred approached.

Looking to Talia, she murmurs, "This exhibit needs to be shut off and taken away. Examined. Preferably soon, and with something that can pick up different visual ranges." To Blue she offers a quick, fleeting smile of greeting while letting Alfred respond.

Alfred Pennyworth has posed:
Alfred Pennyworth says, "It was me. It wasnt someone else...I am to blame for this fiasco. But we do need to look to see everyone who has seen this in the security footage and pray that the right person hasnt..." he nods as the curator is hesitant to just remove part of the exhibit. But the hubris, to think that he could filter this himself for anything harmful...and a simple flower...

A simple flower that could kill thousands....millions...

He had hoped to not draw attentoin to it but that wasnt possible, and now that a cloth is put over the harmless exhibit ore people are curious.

The curator, taking a queue, initiates a series of live performances planned for later in the evening to draw attention away, and it mostly works.

Alfred is not a happy person right now.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would nod over at Kenesha in agreement. Resisting the urge to swear under her breath in Arabic. Now was not the time to lash out in anger. This was just another way to kill individuals en masse. An older one.. But still one of many. Giving a slow nod over at Kenesha. "Yes, but there's not going to be much of use. Either they'll be sabotaged or telegraphed." Someone wanted to make a point about this. To display it to those that knew what it was. As a taunt.

So either there would be nothing at all to go upon or they very well could find a mimeographed card with directions.

Blue GhostEyes has posed:
Able to read Alfred's distress Blue doesn't resist her urge to comfort the man and follows as Kenesha leads him away. Again she wonders at the other woman's scent but that is all she does. Keeping what you are a secret is not easy if you go around asking stupid questions like "What the hell are you?" It also invites the return question. So Blue smiles back, just as fleeting.

"No. Not your fault, Sir. You did an amazing thing here. A wonderous thing. To have seen the things here tonight, I will remember for a very long time indeed." Hopefully anyway. "We'll find out how this happened." Blue does her best to soothe. The coyote within her perks up and silently stalks her mind. Always eager for the hunt, the kill. This might bring opportunity for the kind of hunt Blue rarely indulges in these days and her otherself is pleased. Not at what they face of course, but at the hunt and the likely conclusion to it to come. Failure is not an option.

Isra Kosimar has posed:
Isra makes an executive decision, "Hannah, could you stay here for a moment while I make a few calls?" she tells her assistant. "I'm Doctor Isra Kosimar, it's nice to meet you all." she offers. "I'm going to see if I can get the curator called and this taken down for some maintenance or something. Hopefully it won't upset things too much." the woman states. Then she is off to call in the curator and exhibits team to see if they can get this removed from the public and into safer climes!

Conner Kent has posed:
Or... Conner has just to hear it. Better than going through the museum bureaucracy. And now... what?

Was that a real Krytonian flower? How did it make it here all the way from Krypton and before it exploded? And why is it dangerous? It seems something to tell Tim. Except it might be a Kryptonian problem. Which means he is kind of the responsible part here.

"Excuse me," he starts, appearing behind the group of folks that seem to know what is going on. "If that flower was part of the exhibit... how did it make it here from a planet that was destroyed decades ago?"

Kenesha has posed:
Kenesha offers a quick smile to Talia, "Good. If it's sabotaged, I can help trace that. If it's choreographed, we can still learn something about them. I would rather either of those than seeing nothing at all."

Leaning in, she murmurs softly into Alfred's ear and squeezes his shoulder gently, turning her head towards Conner, "Given that it was on Earth prior to Krypton's destruction, I would suggest that either Kryptonians have visited the planet before Superman's arrival.. or an adjacent species also has the flower and brought it with them. There's a number of options, even coming down to.. the plant growing on both planets independently of one another." She lifts a shrug, it's hard to tell at this point!

Nodding to Isra for her timely intervention, Kenesha smile, "Yes, please, thank you."

Alfred Pennyworth has posed:
The mass effort to get staff to remove the troubled exhibit pay off and a large thick crimson drapes are thrown over it. Most of the visitors are pithed by the performance on the other side of the museum though a few are curious about what is being taken away and has drawn a crowd but remarkably no one manages to take a picture of it with their phone to make it viral.

He says, "It....this is directly from the crystal. Nothing was altered. At least I dont think so. I dont understand how they are linked. But I intend to find out. It must be put right. And..."

He sighs and face palms, "So much to do...but thank you all for your kind words. Thank you for your aid...I...should go.

Talia al Ghul has posed:
Talia al Ghul would glance over at Alfred and take a breath. "Forgive me.. But you need someone to watch after you. Please, let me aid you and help you get some tea and something to relax. You've wathced over my son, it's the least that I can do." Her tone is gentle and affectionate. Trying to make it clear that she's just offering, not insisting. But she's surprised greatly to see him in such shock and she feels it's for the best to be tended to.

Blue GhostEyes has posed:
Blue immediately places herself infront of Alfred and takes up a protective stance, blocking him from Conner's view as much as possible. "I don't know what you're talking about. You must be mistaken." She lies with the ease of one who's done it a million times. The woman has no idea who Conner is but isn't pleased he noticed the issue with the tapestry. Then a blast from the ac sends his scent to her and she blinks. Well, okay then but still.

The Shosone only relaxes and moves aside, giving Alfred an apologetic smile and Conner an intrigued glance once Kenesha answers. He must be trustworthy then. If she seems a bit on edge, sifting through her shattered mind in public is not one of her favorite things to do and the last thing in the world she'd expected to find and remember was that plant. "Call me anytime. I will offer whatever assistance I can." Blue smiles gently at Alfred. He has her card. She hopes he takes her up on it.

Blue notices the attention the removal of the display is drawing. A distraction is what is needed. Something make them forget that display. The Shosone steps away and quickly casts a minor illusion to hide herself until she reaches a spot no one is looking. Moments later an usually colored coyote, missing any russet or brown shades in its fur and larger than any wolf rampages through the musuem with a wide grin, nipping gently and herding people towards the doors before disappearing altogether.

Conner Kent has posed:
"There was at least one Kryptonian on Earth in the 30s last century," offers Conner. He frowns when Blue stands on his way, but since the old man seems to distraught, he decides he will investigate this issue from another angle.

"Okay, fine," he mutters, stepping away. This is not going to go to the ESU webpage yet. But he will investigate, journalist-like. Oh, and ask Tim for advice.

Isra Kosimar has posed:
Isra is helping with the curator for the moment, because that was something she was used to. Extinct flowers coming back? Not so much. But she ran into an Asgardian and didn't realize it, so she's batting 1000 this weekend! When there is a coyote that start running through the exhibit the woman gives a bit of a confused look and then goes to grab Hannah, "I'm going home to watch the sexy smith on Youtbue. Go home and see your husband." she tells her.

Kenesha has posed:
Kenesha looks torn for a moment, glancing between Alfred and Conner, then reaching out to snag Conner's arm. She looks at him, "Jor-El was on Earth during World War Two. The Earth eradicated Monocaine during World War 1's completion. It was here long before he was, and gone from here decades before he arrived. This wasn't Krypton's fault.. not.. not directly, anyways." She glances around and speaks in halting, ancient, ANCIENT Kryptonian, <<There are other possibilities.>>

Stepping back, she releases his arm and turns back to Alfred with an offered, "I'd like to come along. Alfred and I go.. very far back, I'd like to help if I can." Her eyes turn towards Alfred, "If you'll allow it, of course."

Alfred Pennyworth has posed:
Alfred Pennyworth says, "Its not Krypton's fault...its mine...It was thought dead and who knows what madman is going to resurrect it...Any price...we need to do anything we can to stop it...its insanity in liquid form...." he sighs and is faint, despite his otehrwise fitness for his age and lets Talia and Kenesha help him leave....

"Whatever...it takes"