7924/Some Days You Just Can't Get Rid Of A Rock

Some Days You Just Can't Get Rid Of A Rock
Date of Scene:	22 September 2021
Location:	Financial District
Synopsis:	An encounter with random people on Broad Street reveals disillusioning facts to RUBY, and after some time, directions to a hotel are given to KA'SHIRA, courtesy of local megateacher ALBERT and his astute space-pupil, GREG. To think, that the cats are neither cats, nor fat.
Cast of Characters:	Ruby Lasertrava, Albert Rothstein, Greg Rollins, Ka'shira Raptorethi, Blake Riviere

---

Ruby Lasertrava has posed:
A woman in a slightly glowing suit of... clothing walks up the stairs from the Broad Street subway station. She is holding something in the palm of one hand that isn't easily made out. Her other hand has a glittering ring of some kind of purple metal on it, which she seems to be in rapt conversation with.

"I don't understand why you thought this was the ideal place for me to come to to get a simple metal exchange going on," Ruby Lasertrava says to the ring: "This is just a... street. I suppose the architecture is nice enough, in a plain way," she continues, craning her head and looking around.

"But I don't see a single bulk transport anywhere near here, and we're far from the harbor. Is there a geological assessment center or something? Meteor miner outlet? I don't think they even have meteor miners here," Ruby continues, even as the ring, seemingly without some kind of will, makes a brief but impressive purple FLASH towards --

A blank building. (Wordlessly, the technology of the Zamarons assesses... scans... and rules that the PARALLAX DIRECT EXECUTION office is... a false alarm.)

"Hm," says Ruby, rubbing her chin as she looks around. While New York City is used to weirdos, the flash of purple light, albeit harmless, has caused some crowd murmurs. People are taking photos, or doing other things with their phones. Ruby seems to have not twigged to this crowd behavior.

"Let's see... ah, a public map, that's going to be more useful than going by signs," Ruby concludes, marching towards a public street information map with a click click click on the pavement. She pauses partway there -- "/Ahh/, that little STATUE! It's just... standing there, though. Isn't that peculiar?"

<<Planetary cultures are diverse in their expressions,>> the ring comments to her, indifferently.

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein is often considered one of the weirdos, specially when he is in this part of town, but it seems he needed to see to some business with one of the institutions here. So after parking his car a few blocks away in one of the parking garages, the big man is walking up the street. He is not in his usual attire though. A suit that with his size had to be custom made for him. He pulls a bit at the neck of the shirt and the tie, but tries to resist removing the tie. His hair is pulled back into a ponytail, the shaved sides bright in the sunlight.

Greg Rollins has posed:
High above, there is a brief flash of silver with a blue, sparkling trail behind it. The silvery suit is worn by a teenager of all things. An alien teenager, but a teenager no less. That has the young man simply flying around to take in the sights, and to avoid the obvious headache of hearing a lot of freaking minds as he takes in some of the sights of the city.

Gex Rol, known on Earth as Greg Rollins and in some circles (just his head, really) as Astro-Knight, is doing a fly by whenever his suit's in-built computer registers the purple light below. Banking his flight, the alien teenager circles wide around the city block.

<< Drifter, what was that? >> He says over his internal coms. After a moment there is a reply in a completely alien language that has the teenager shaking his head, << Right... I so need to setup a communications with the school or something. Moving in to take a look. >>

After that, the teen slows himself to a more gentle glide before dropping to a rooftop and looking over the edge. His eyes start to scan the streets below, keeping his helmet closed just in case. Who knows what purple light means on Earth, right!?

Ka'shira Raptorethi has posed:
     Ka'shira happened to be in the financial district, mostly by chance. More to the point, she was lost. She turned around in place, standing on a street corner and trying to get her bearings. With a grunt of frustration, she dug into her designer bag to withdraw a bejeweled cell phone. She muttered to herself something having to do with primitive technology.
     At the flashes of purple, followed shortly after by purple, the tall young woman glanced up from her phone. Ka'shira glanced along the street and noticed the growing crowd. Perhaps one of them might be able to give her directions. With hologram firmly in place, she headed that way.

Blake Riviere has posed:
In a world of aliens, superheroes and divine champions...where were the classic 'monsters?'

In Blake's case? Hidden in plain sight. Wrapped in her usual 'goth cute' flair that might almost seem a little too on the nose, the darkhaired young woman was making her way down the street, destination unknown but quickly redirected with that flash of violet light.

"How curious..."

Ruby Lasertrava has posed:
The flash of purple light can easily be glimpsed by those who take to the air. But it seems like it was just a bright purple flash. Maybe artists. Yeah, artists. That's the ticket!

Ruby reaches the map of the area and peers at it meaningfully for some time. She taps her cheek with one index finger, an energetic little tattoo as she contemplates. Then her eyes widen. "No way," she says to herself. "Is this actually... oh, could it be?"

The index finger rests on her chin. "I have to know." After this her eyes turn out round the crowd. There is one face that stands out.

"Excuse me! Excuse me, sir," Ruby calls towards the enormous man coming down the street. She is addressing Albert, looking upwards towards him with a dawning sort of smile. "Excuse me, I wanted to know if - you could help me, you see I'm trying to find a couple of places that I need to visit and --"

Having gotten within normal talking range, Ruby's voice lowers quietly. "Are you from the empire? Actually, forget I said anything. I have to ask this one first. I saw that sign there, this is -- actually Wall Street, right? *THE* Wall Street? Or at least very near it."

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein looks over to the woman when he realizes she is calling out to him. His brow raises a bit but he walks over to meet her. At the question about the Empire, his brow raises a bit. He did not wear the white plastic armor out again did he? No he is actually looking stylish. He looks to the ladies outfit and ponders if he should tell her the truth, but he nods "Yes, pretty much this is Wall Street yea, something I can help you with?" He asks figuring it might be good to make sure she aint up to no good.

Greg Rollins has posed:
Greg, being the curious type, happens to spot... the PE/Autoshop teacher? << Huh. Mr. Rothstein is here. >>

A reply is shot back to him, and Greg sighs, << Drifter, stop looking for threats like that. >>

Spreading his wings, Greg launches from the rooftop near-silently and soars across to another closer to where Albert and Ruby are. He is wearing a bright silver alien tech suit, though, despite how streamlined it looks.

Once over there, he looks down again, visor automatically zooming in on Albert and Ruby from above. He's at least not going for hearing them.

Something something privacy standards something something.

How he misses home at times like this.

Ka'shira Raptorethi has posed:
     As Ka'shira neared, she noticed the street map. Well, that was certainly helpful and convenient. The couture-clad young woman sidled up to the map, using a fingertip to try and trace her route. If only she had not abandoned the 'taxi' she'd taken earlier. Still, there were better ways to risk her life, than in a cab.
    As she studied the map, she glanced over her shoulder absently. Catching sight of Albert, she looked up, and up. "By Sharra's grace..." She muttered to herself. He was tall.

Ruby Lasertrava has posed:
"Well that's wonderful," Ruby answers Albert, even as she briefly glances skyward-- but Greg's motion is too quick and she does not spot him.

Back to Albert. "Because on the one hand I have some important economic materials I need to liquidate for American dollars, but on the *other* hand, while I'm here, I know there's something I've heard a lot about that I finally want to be able to see."

Ruby's voice lowers. She leans in slightly, and a smile sneaks across her face, even as she glances over towards the woman on the slightly-other side of Albert, all but winking at her. "Tell me," she says, "are the cats still here? Are they still..."

"Fat?"

Blake Riviere has posed:
Tall folk, exciteable people, all in all not the strangest thing one might see in New York.

The scent however, was another thing. Blake had every intention of moving on, likely seeking out a little cafe and settling in for some lazy lounging, but those inhuman senses quite easily picked up the scent of...well, something inhuman.

It was more than enough to get her staring.

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein starts to tell her that they had made a movie now that the play is no longer on Broadway but as she adds the rest. He hmmms a bit softly to him, and says "Your not from around here are you?" He will ask her, and says "I'm Albert, and perhaps if you can tell me a bit more about what your looking to do here, I maybe able to help. Depending on what your wanting to trade for cash, some other places maybe a lot better to check out. Also the amount your looking to trade. It can be difficult for those new to the ..." He glances at her outfit "Area, and I will help if I can."

Greg Rollins has posed:
Getting a better look, Gex sighs and frowns. Then he says, << Psychic shields off. >> He's glad he was at least starting to crouch down. Because he's hit with a lot of thoughts. Wincing a bit, he takes a few breathes to calm himself, raising his visor so he has direct line of sight towards Albert and Ruby. He focuses on Albert to be sure before trying to contact the larger man via his racial telepathy.

At least he knows it's a possible friendly. Hopefully, but well... he's really, really probably not supposed to be out here on a school night but sleep after a good flight is better than having someone else's dreams intrude.

Ka'shira Raptorethi has posed:
     Ka'shira's gaze shifted from the rather tall, moving mountain of a man, to the amaranthine-garbed woman on his other side. A sculpted brow lofts at the mention of cats. She needs to get more acustomed to Earth colloquilisms.
    "I'm sorry, was that to me?" She asks Ruby. Ka'shira's tone was polite enough though her accent was posh, and European in a generic sort of way. Of course, to anyone familar with the Empire would recognize some of those stilted tones. Eyes shift from the pair to some of the others that are gathering closer.

Ruby Lasertrava has posed:
"No, I'm not," Ruby answers Albert, "but I'm hoping to start a therapy practice here, and to do that I need money! At least, I'm given to understand that's the case, so tell me if I'm wrong on that one."

Ruby brings up her other hand then and unfolds a cheap towel which was wrapped rather tightly around... something. It looks like it was heavy, and Ruby tells Albert, "As for what I'm looking to trade, that's straightforward. See?" Enough of the cloth is moved aside that Albert and Ka'shira alike can see the warm shining glint of -

"Gold," Ruby says. "I found it on the trip." The gold is in a lump that looks something like a sausage, with some grit on it. If it was a sausage, part of it was already sliced off. "Now I know there are places that claim to buy gold, and people will take it, but I can tell that it's at a really unfavorable rate. I had to give this part here, see - almost thirty of your grams, excuse me, our grams - just to get a ticket on the Graydog and a couple of meals."

Ruby then beams at Ka'shira. "Oh, yes. Yes, I did. Did you ever hear of the cats? I heard about them quite a bit, but they seemed like they must be legendary. Still, fat animals are adorable! And they're supposed to live around here. I suppose they're fed."

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein hmms a bit and ponders for a moment about bringing out his phone and introducing Ruby to the interest as it may keep her busy for a while. "Well selling gold has a lot of things about it. Taking it here there going to ask a lot of questions on where you got it. It maybe better to sell small hunks of it, finding a place that aint going to cheat you." The big man is pondering how to best handle this. He is pretty sure, the woman is from space, another dimension or some hidden civilization. "And this Empire is?"

Greg Rollins has posed:
Greg decides to at least send a warning to his teacher through the telepathy, ~ Hey, Mr. Rothstein. It's Greg. That woman in front of you is from well... basically a galactic police force of sorts. Sorry for mind speaking so suddenly, but I was out for a flight and saw the glow thing. ~

After announcing it, Greg hops off the rooftop and hovers down to near the two. He's not exactly subtle at all. Silver suit, blue light particles behind him. "Greetings, miss. I would say welcome to Earth, but I am a visitor as well in a way."

Yep. Definitely alien tech. On an alien teenager.

Ka'shira Raptorethi has posed:
     Brown eyes fix on Ruby. "I have no idea what you are refering to." Ka'shira replied honestly. "It terms of cats. Also being new to the...continent, I have no idea where you might do an exchange. That looks like it might be in a very raw state, I would think a jewelry more than a bank." She tipped her head towards Albert, as the big man gave sound advice. However, it was his mention of 'empire' that really grabbed her attention.
     As the silver suited teenager joins their little cluster she looked on with so note of curiosity. Well, she really hadn't needed to be so focused on hiding her own identity it seemed, "I'm sorry, do any of you know of a decent hotel? I am definitely in the wrong district."

Ruby Lasertrava has posed:
Albert makes Ruby nod along. "I suppose that makes sense... but I'll need an initial quantity just to get situated... I can't just get by on my own forever, after all, and I understand you're not supposed to build your own dwelling."

Then Albert asks a pertinent question. Ruby's tongue pokes against the inside of one of her cheeks as she glances to the side, as if caught out. "Oh...! Did I say 'the Empire'? I meant, 'the Empire State'! You know, New York. Since you look, ah, you look very... New York City. I'm being rude, please, let me introduce myself. I'm Ruby, and..."

Greg descends.

Innocent of what Greg sent by the speech of thought, Ruby asks Greg the completely normal and innocent question of, "oh, are you with the police?" while putting a hand on her hip that also manages to completely conceal her precious gold lump.

("I thought about that," Ruby says to Ka'shira, "but I'd have to MAKE it and everything and that's such a hassle, and I have absolutely NO idea what people would like around here.")

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein looks between the two ladies, and Greg. "No, he is not the police, but someone who does try to protect the innocents when he can, even when he might be breaking curfew." He adds softly. He seems to think about it for a moment, and says "I happen to know a few other people who were new arrivals, and you may need a bit more help than money. If you want to rent a place normally you need identification ." He hmms and says "You may be able to find some places to stay in some of the less... reputable areas." He looks to her, and says "If your here to actually help folks, I am sure, some others would be willing to help you."

Greg Rollins has posed:
Greg nods, then looks a bit embarassed about the curfew thing, looking at Albert. "Hey, I couldn't sleep and flying helps me relax. Not my fault that some of those tests were so frustrating."

A shrug is given, then the teen looks at Ruby, "Um... but yeah, I could probably put you in contact with some people, maybe? Otherwise, the big guy here's got the right idea. No ID means a lot of places won't rent or otherwise to you unless you head for the equivalent of the slums."

He eyes Ruby, "So which Empire are you really talking about? Because seriously, we had trouble with one bad enough out here."

Ka'shira Raptorethi has posed:
     Confused by Ruby's response, it took her a moment to reply, "Oh, no I meant to sell it in the raw form. I would think a jewler more likely willing to smelt it, than a bank but I am unfamilar with the monetary exchange practices of this, state."
    She smiles pleasantly at Albert, as she is inclluded in the blancing. "Good evening. I can't speak of this other young lady, bt for myself, I do have I.D. I'm definitely looking for a reputeable hotel." She glances aside to Ruby. "I'm also told, if you are visiting fromm," gace drops to the glowing outfit. "Afar, S.H.I.E.L.D. is a good group to check in with, ig you haven't already."
     Her expression changes as Greg mentions trouble with an Empire Coupled with the student statusm it only takes her a moment for things to fall into place. "Ah, you must attend Xavier's.." She muses.

Ruby Lasertrava has posed:
Ruby answers Albert, first. "That's a relief," with a smile, and then more seriously, "That's a good point, and I'll have to look into it. I don't mind living in a place that's got a bad reputation as long as the place itself is comfortable enough, really."

"Though I do have identification, in a manner of speaking," Ruby muses, glancing at the ring on her finger. (The ring has no opinion.)

Looking towards Greg, she says, "I'd certainly enjoy that, although you seem concerned about these 'slums', if you don't mind me reading into your tone of voice. Are you worried I'm going to come to harm in that place? Places."

Towards Ka'shira, she looks for a moment. "SHIELD. You mean like the shields on a ship? Or is this a particular name for a thing? Wait, wait -- Hold on, is that a SUPER HERO group?" Her eyes widen slightly.

Back towards Greg, her arms fold loosely. (She must have put the gold into a pocket because she's not holding it any more. Where is there a pocket on this ridiculous outfit?) "And, mm, well..." Her voice lowers, "You're probably thinking of THAT one, just now; Shi'ar. I'm not /of/ that Empire, but I was born on a planet in that Empire, if you understand me here. Though my family are mostly from this planet, originally! It's very funny. That's most of why I'm here!"

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein 's brow will raise as a name he has not heard before is mentioned. He looks over to Ruby and says I would possibly suggest Bushwich as it is a lot of people with powers, and your differences may not be noticed as easily there as else where." He will let the kid and the lady answer their questions right now, as he is more interested in what might be said than what he has to add.

Greg Rollins has posed:
The statement of his attending Xavier's has him looking at Ka'shira and blinking. An honest confused look on his face. "Xavier's? No, ma'am. I go to an entirely different school. But the Shi'ar did kinda cause a lot of trouble?"

Sighing, he looks to Ruby. "More like someone else coming to harm. I'm not from this planet either. And I'm glad to hear it. Last thing I want to do is start a fight with someone from a Corps."

Greg shrugs, "I guess you could say I'm just someone who likes the planet and is trying to hide out until the Aakon are kicked out. If ever. Stupid yellow..." The teen looks frustrated over that one a little. "In any case, I suppose I should be getting back home." He looks to Albert, "See you in class tomorrow? And I am seriously going to get that fission drive working next time."

Ka'shira Raptorethi has posed:
     Ka'Shira could only shrug at Ruby. "I've only just heard of them myself. My understanding is, they are some sort of global authority, or what passes for such." Brows knit as the glowing, energetic woman mentions the Shi'ar empire.
     As Greg answers her, she shook her head. "I hadn't yet arrived. I've only heard a small portion of what happened." She seemed a bit astonished.

Ruby Lasertrava has posed:
"Bushwick! Which way is that from here? Is there a landmark I should look for?" Ruby asks Albert.

To Greg, Ruby blinks several times. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear about the Aakon. Tell me more about that later if we run across each other. And let me tell you that if you or your peers have any issues, I'm always going to be glad to listen. Alright?"

Half-turn around, the fission-drive issue making total sense to her. "Oh, intriguing. Is it the one with Superman in it? OH YES, and you were looking for a hotel, too! Oh my goodness. You have money, right? Hold on." She holds her hands close to her mouth, as if speaking to the ring.

Nothing seems to be happening right away.

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein looks over to Greg and says "If you blow up the lab, your going to have to rebuild it, and make sure you don't try turning it on till after normal school hours." He will put a hand on Greg's shoulder, and says "Make sure ya on time for class, and you being out aint going to be an issue." He then looks over to the ladies, and names a few hotels, telling about what money range they are in. And then giving Ruby directions towards Bushwich "I could give you a ride there if you need it. The tall man is well dressed today, talking to one well dressed lady, one teen in space armor and one lady in a white and pink spandex type outfit.

Greg Rollins has posed:
Greg gives a thumbs up towards Albert, "Not a problem. See you tomorrow." He gives a nod towards the two ladies. "Ladies."

Then he lifts up into the air, arms coming down and then up as some sort of wings appear under his arms. His visor comes down automatically before he flies straight up, circles once, then takes off towards the east roughly.

Ka'shira Raptorethi has posed:
     Ka'Shira shakes her head at Ruby, "Honestly, I have no idea who the members are, it was just suggested to me, that I introduce myself to this S.H.I.E.l.D." The question about money has her pause a moment. "Yes, I have local currency and I.D. I was on way to a very nice hotel, but I decided it was safer to try and walk, than take a Taxi." At the moment, she and the others stand in front of a street map.
    She listens as Albert provides more information about Hotels. "Perhaps the Plaza, or perhaps Four Seasons... Hopefully, they don't require a reservation." She nods to Greg before the young man takes his leave, and flies off into the New York skyline.

Ruby Lasertrava has posed:
"Goodbye!" Ruby says to Greg, and then tells Albert, "Oh, I'll make my way there after I see the fat cats, don't worry about me. It's across the water, right?"

Back to Kashira. Ruby puts a hand on her hip. "Those sound like very basic names, but maybe that's minimalism. I think you should get up there and see for yourself. That one's just a couple of 'blocks' away, right?" Ruby actually is just guessing wildly. While she can read the map, she's not quite sure which way it's oriented. "Was the taxi driver putting you in danger?"

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein nods a bit and says "The fat cats you heard about on wall street, were not real cats, they were ment people who have a lot of money and don't care as much about others as much as they do themselves. If your wanting to see fat cats your best bet is to look on the Internet, once you get access to it.

Ka'shira Raptorethi has posed:
     Ka'shira glances at Ruby. "I'm used to traveling at rather fast speeds, but even I felt the taxi driver was taking unnecessary risks. Perhaps I am just accustomed to being in the pilot's chair. If you are a thrill seeker though, try one of the city taxis."
     As Albert finally clarified about the 'fat cats' Ka'shira 'ahhed' aloud. "Oh yes, I see. I need to familiarize myself with local colloquialisms it seems."

Ruby Lasertrava has posed:
"Oh," Ruby says, visibly disillusioned. "I'll look into this Internet thing, too, once I've had things squared away."

"I appreciate your advice, though I didn't catch your names?" Ruby asks, looking back and forth. "But, I understand if you're eager to keep your privacy."

Albert Rothstein has posed:
Albert Rothstein says, "Albert Rothstein, and if you end up in Bushwich you might see me about as have some friends who live in the area. Also so ya know a bit better SHIELD is a organization that's goal is to protect this country and the rest of the world, from threats, be it internal or external. But they are the most experienced with those from other worlds outside some of the hero groups."

Ka'shira Raptorethi has posed:
     Ka'shira holds up her bedazzled cell phone. "I believe these communicators access the Earth Internet." She looked down at the phone before slipping it back in her handbag. She then held out one of her hands to the other woman, "My apologies, Ka'shira Raptorethi." The stiff handshake is likewise offered to Albert.
     She nods at his information about S.H.E.I.L.D. "Yes, this is more or less what I was told."

Ruby Lasertrava has posed:
"Oo," Ruby says, at the phone.

Ruby shakes hands, with vigor and a slightly incorrect grip. "It's great to meet both of you, Albert, Ka'shira," (yeah she nails the pronunciation) "but I ought to get going. And I'm glad to hear that this place has protectors like that!" She smiles afterwards, but it seems almost -- dizzy, somehow, even if she doesn't seem to mean much by it.

"So long!" Ruby then calls, turning to walk south, towards the water.