18290/Nobody Knows You When You

Nobody Knows You When You
Date of Scene:	12 June 2024
Location:	Greenwich Village
Synopsis:	Kiden delivers some supplies to homeless friends, and finds 'Anthony' living behind a dumpster, an arm injured.
Cast of Characters:	Kiden Nixon, Steve Rogers

---

Kiden Nixon has posed:
While Kiden might have an apartment (shared) and a job and a better life now, she's never forgotten the people that helped get her through the rough times. There are regular trips made to different homeless communities, tent cities, and groups so she can give them food, hygiene items, money for the subway or laundromat. It isn't enough, but for a few of them, it might be enough to get them what they need to get out. For the rest, it might be enough to keep them alive.

She's in a ratty Mets ballcap, a dark camisole under an oversized white tanktop silkscreened with a picture of the Empire State Building, a pair of shredded up skinny jeans, and some Converse high tops that have seen better days. She's got a big military style duffel bag (likely bought from a surplus store) being hauled crossbody that has supplies in it, and a few takeout bags that hold meals from a local deli.

Stopping in at one of the tent cities that's currently pitched up in a small convocation of alleys in Greenwich, she greets some of the people with a smile and hug, uncaring for how they look or smell. Passing out sandwiches, bottles of water, sunscreen, etc. Catching up with others, seeing who's still out there, if anyone's disappeared or might need more immediate help.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Adrian has been out on the streets for awhile. The older man's hair has turned white, his beard salt and pepper. But mostly salt. His pension disappeared when a corrupt Wall Street investor's pyramid scheme was exposed, a scheme that the pension had bought into heavily. And then expenses wiped out everything else he had left within a few years.

But he's nice, at least once you get to know him. Adrian can be a little rough around the edges until then. But then Kiden has likely smoothed those rough edges, at least where she's concerned.

"You're back. Girl, you get out of here and you don't know better than to not return?" he says, though he accepts the offered hug and returns it. "What've you got there? Any hotdogs? Haven't had a good hotdog in awhile," he says, licking his lips at the sight of the take out bags.

Kiden Nixon has posed:
Grinning as she gives Adrian a hug, "Hey, you guys saw me through some really rough years. Least I can do is help out a bit." She peeks through two different plastic bags before coming up with a container to hand over to him with a wink, "Fully loaded. They even use Nathan's, so you're in for a good hot dog. There's also a small side salad and a bottle of water. Oh! And here's an orange. Try to keep that vitamin C up, yeah?"

She glances around at the others, handing out sandwiches and hotdogs, bottles of water. Little travel bags prepacked with hygiene products. Adrian gets three rolls of quarters, "Make sure everyone gets a couple?" And a few 30 day subway pass cards, "To share around as needed." She glances around again, then back to him with a smile, "How's everyone doing? Anyone get out of the life? Anyone new that might need a little extra pick-me-up?"

Steve Rogers has posed:
People gather around as Kiden spreads a little joy to people who can definitely use some. People go back with the bounty she's provided, sitting to eat or stow something she's given them away somewhere they hope will be safe.

Adrian opens up the thin cardboard container inside and holds the Nathan's dog up to his nose to inhale the sent. "Oh that takes me back," he says. "Bless you, Kiden." He takes a bite, chewing it slowly as he savors the taste.

"Haven't seen Elle around in awhile. Or Rockstar Mike," he says, the latter referring to a guy who always wears old concert t-shirts he picks up at Goodwill. "Don't know they got out though," he says.

Another man seated nearby says, "What about the quiet one?" and gives a little nod with his head off towards a dumpster down at the end of the alley.

"Oh yeah," Adrian says, turning to look back that way. "Someone settled in behind the dumpster. Using the lid as a roof. Didn't see him arrive. Just he was there one morning. Hasn't really said much to anyone," Adrian murmurs thoughtfully.

"You could see if he needs some help. Be careful though, not really sure what his deal is," Adrian says.

The space isn't all that big, between the back of the dumpster and the alley wall. Enough for someone to fit in though. The smell probably isn't the best, but the metal lid would keep rain off, what doesn't run down the wall at least.

Kiden Nixon has posed:
Happily handing out food and helpful items, Kiden turns that smile to Adrian and gives a nod, "Anytime Adrian." There's a good feeling from at least bringing a little light to people that are stuck in the shadows, but there's always more that she wants to do.

"Elle and Rockstar Mike. Okay. I'll ask around, make sure they're still safe at least. If I hear anything, I'll let you know. Fingers crossed they got out." It's more likely that one or the other left the city for greener pastures, or that they got picked up for some charge, but Kiden remains hopeful!

Mention of a new guy has her looking towards the dumpster and giving a slow nod. "Alright. Well, I'll go see if I can get him to open up a little. People need to stick together and have each others' backs out here. He'll be better off if he sticks with you guys." Aidrian's caution has her smiling and giving his elbow a light squeeze, "I'll be careful."

Heading over towards the dumpster, Kiden thinks to herself that sometimes being on the small side is better. She can crouch down and duckwalk her way in there without touching either the dumpster or the wall. "Hey, hello? My name's Kiden. I'm just handing out some meals and helpful stuff. I hear you're new around here... mind if I cop a squat and we can have some lunch?" Kiden flashes a quick smile as she pulls a to-go container from one of the bags, "I've got a really nice ham and cheese on rye here, mustard, lettuce, tomato... there's some chicken soup if you don't think you're up for solids... some water.. some fruit... anything sound good to you?"

Steve Rogers has posed:
It doesn't take long for Kiden's eyes to adjust to the dark. It's not pitch black, just dimly lit. At the back, sitting against the wall is a man bundled up in an old tattered long coat. He has a raggedy skull cap on. About two weeks worth of dark colored beard covers his chin and jawline, extending down his neck as if it hasn't been cleaned up in that time.

The man keeps his head down, peering up at Kiden with little flitting glances. He's kind of big too, Kiden might decide despite the coat covering him pretty much.

The smell of the dumpster definitely isn't going to help anyone's sense of hunger. Though it's not all that much worse than some of the homeless people who haven't showered in a long time. The man starts to shake his head, and then pauses. "The sandwich, sounds good. And some fruit. If you don't mind," he says, his voice low pitched and a little gruff sounding.

Kiden Nixon has posed:
"Sandwich, fruit, and water. Everyone gets water. Especially a big guy like you. Summers out here can be brutal. Stay hydrated." Kiden grins at him even as she pulls out the container with the sandwich, laying a banana and orange on top, then pulling a larger bottle of water out to hand over to him. "So. Just putting this out there. I used to be homeless myself, running from a gang, running from anti-mutant assholes. So like, I got out by the grace of friends and a huge amount of luck. If there's anything I can do to help..."

While he gets the food sorted, she rifles through the duffel bag, pulling out a travel hygiene bag, a small laundry bag that has some individual laundry soap packets, a roll of quarters, and a 30 day prepaid subway card. Everything gets tucked into the laundry bag and set on the ground near his feet. She'll then pull out a water bottle of her own and takes a swallow of it, comfortably crouched there behind the dumpster, ignoring the smell and just letting him acclimate and eat.

"Oh, and if you need anything, we can talk about it. If I can get it for you, I'd be happy to. I know it seems like everything sucks right now, and maybe it does.. but it can get better." Kiden offers another smile before falling quiet.

Steve Rogers has posed:
The man reaches out to take the offered food, offering a soft-sounding, "Thank you." He only uses one arm to get the meal, and Kiden might notice that the other arm of the coat is just hanging empty. Assuming he has a left arm it's inside the coat but not through the sleeve.

He wipes his hand on his pants leg. Which given how dirty the old brown denim is, might not have helped in terms of cleanliness. But it doesn't stop him from opening up the sandwich and taking a bite of it. It's pretty clear from his reaction that he hasn't eaten in awhile.

He still keeps his face down for the most part, just peering up at the young woman with little glances. "Nice of you. Doing this," he says, motioning slightly with the hand holding the sandwich. "What's your name?" he asks Kiden.

Kiden Nixon has posed:
"Just giving back to the people that got me through the tough times," she responds with a smile. Taking a swallow from her water bottle, she nods, "Kiden Nixon. No relation to the former president." She offers a hand out to him until she notices only one arm seems functional. Pulling the hand back, she nods to where his left arm would be, "You need anything for that? Antibiotics, or like... there's a clinic in Bushwick, very no-tell and confidential. You don't even have to give your name."

Seeing the state of the grime on him, she cants her head to the side and dives back into the duffel bag, coming up with a package of Dude Wipes. Setting them on the ground in front of him with a smile, "In case you want to do a quick cleanup. Not a shower replacement, but it'll clena the important parts."

Steve Rogers has posed:
The man doesn't show any response to the comment about the former president. He takes another bite of the sandwich, swallowing it before responding. "It'll be ok. Just needs awhile," he says. There's movement under the coat as if he has his arm resting against his body there.

He does take one of the wipes to wipe his hand off. "Not a lot of people would come back out like this. Not after they got away," he says before taking another bite.

After that bite is done, he adds. "Anthony. Thanks for this, Kiden."

Kiden Nixon has posed:
Kiden gives a nod, "Alright. Well, if you need anything, peroxide, bandages, whatever... just let Adrian know and he'll reach out to me. Adrian's the older gent with the hair that's more salt than pepper. He seems kinda grim, but he's a good man."

Leaving the wipes on the ground for him, she lifts a shrug, "These guys were my family for five years. They kept me alive, they kept me safe. This is the very least of what I can do for them." Kiden starts making sure everything that's in the duffel is packed up, the food is settled in the plastic bags.

She smiles at him, "Nice to meet you Anthony. I left you a little care package there, think of it as a 'welcome to the area' gift bag. I'll be back around in a few days with food. Watch out for them and they'll watch out for you." Nodding, she starts backing her way out from under the dumpster and heads off, pausing by Adrian to let him know the guy under the dumpster is okay and to let her know if he needs anything since his arm seems to be hurt and healing.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Steve Rogers watches the young woman crawl back out of the small space and head back off to check on the others. "Hmm," he murmurs to himself, giving a little approving nod about Kiden.

The sandwich is the first he's eaten in two days. Steve rests his head back against the wall he's leaning against, letting out a sigh. The worst of the pain from his injuries is passing, his body healing much faster than a normal person. Before long, it'll be time to begin looking into what he found in the government lab weeks ago. But not quite yet. He needs a little more time to heal.