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July 31st, 2008

The Damaged Do-Gooder

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Braid
Central Park - Manhattan

         Central Park is an oasis of green in the middle of New York City with over 800 acres of scenic views, playgrounds and ponds. It's a great place to take a break from the busy city, as there are bike and jogging trails, athletic fields, and even a boathouse. The recently restored Wollman Rink is the top choice skating environment. Bethesda Fountain is located by the Mall and near the lake, while the Water Conservatory also make its mark in the vicinity. The most esteemed place of interest though, usually is none other than the Belvedere Castle.
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The night air is slightly sticky tonight after a particularly warm and humid day. A few people are out for an evening jog, but most city dwellers have left this natural oasis for the evening to avoid some of the shiftier characters who were rumored to come out of the woodwork once the sun sets. There is a faint clanking noise approaching from the north. The sound is being produced by a rather gargantuan woman wearing metal tipped boots. This woman is the infamous Hildegarde VonReginleif, perhaps recognized from recent events in the news, perhaps not. The woman is, after all, cleverly disguised in a head scarf and dark glasses. No one will be able to determine of this nearly nine foot tall woman with her hair and face covered. She should probably remove those glasses, however, seeing as it is too dark out to be safely wearing them.

Simon walks about the park, a black eye and a bloody lip on his face after having got into a fight with a street gang and ran. He groans a bit and he wipes some blood off of his lip with a wince. He isn't even watching where he was going, thinking people could see him beat up and probably step aside, or at least hope they would step aside. "Damn it...Well at least I got that gang off of that kid..." He murmurs to himself, spitting blood into the grass. Overall, a very roughed up teen.


Hilde sighs as she continues on her way, barely watching where she is going. She hears a bit of mumbling and looks down, removing her sunglasses to look at a rather disheveled looking boy who is approaching her current location. She stops and narrows her eyes at him. He looks as though she has perhaps been mugged and decides that perhaps she can offer assistance, though what she does not immediately think about. She clears her throat and speaks in a deep voice with a strong German accent. "Excuse me, mine kinder. Are you harmed?" She hopes that he does not recognize her and flee in terror, but if he does, then at least he's healthy enough to move quickly.

Simon looks at the voice, and up and up. "Whoa...Wow you look great!" He says with a smile then flinches cause it made his busted lip stretch. "Sorry. I am harmed. Did my good deed for the day, so I am reveling in it." He says, black eye easily seen, clothes ripped. "I am a little hurt, but nothing some rest cant handle." He says, rubbing his ribs.

Hilde looks a bit taken aback as she is told that she looks 'great'. She looks around in a mildly confused manner, as though this is perhaps not something she expects to hear. She nods and squats down slightly, bringing herself more to face level with the boy. "Oh? Were you attacked? In zees park?" She narrows her eyes and stands again, scanning their surroundings quickly, but not noticing anyone suspicious right now. She stops down once more and looks critically at the boy's eye. "Are you certain that you are alright? You perhaps should do the speaking with the officers of policing."

Simon looks to her and shakes his head. "Nah, a few streets out of the park." Simon explains and chuckles a bit. "Well if something is broken, I can always go to a friend of mine, he is a doctor." He explains although he coughs away from her for a moment and shakes his head. "Nah, I don't want to go to the police...They wont help me." He says with a chuckle, wiping blood off of his lip. He looks her over and raises an eyebrow. "Hmm...I swear I saw you before somewhere..." He just shrugs. "Anyway, I hope I am not bothering you."



Hilde still gives the boy an incriminating look. "If you are certain that you have not any ruptured organs, then Hilde will not force you into the doctor's right now." She nods and gives a weak smile when she hears that he knows a doctor himself. "Especially if you are intending to do the visiting of the doctor soon yourself." She looks slightly nervous and covers her mouth a little. "Oh me? No. I am not on the news ever, so it is likely that you do not know Hilde." Clever cover up. Hilde is clearly a master of disguise.

 Simon nods. "Oh...So your not that famous German singer who was a mutant?" Simon says with a shrug. "Dont matter. I just wish I could have helped her...Could always use another friend." Simon says, already having a wild guess that this is perhaps that person. He looks about for a moment, noticing not many people about. "So why are you out so late, miss?"



Hilde nods contentedly as she realizes that she has been able to cleverly fool the boy into thinking that she is indeed just a normal every day person, then she frowns a bit as he mentions that he would have liked to help her. She sighs and lowers her head slightly. "As to why Hilde is out in the park, it is true that I am the opera singer and mutant Hilde. Hilde is sorry for lying, but many persons here are not friendly. Hilde needed to get out of hotel, but the only place Hilde can go and still hide is large park in night times." She shakes her head. "And it is nice that you would have helped Hilde, but other boy who helped Hilde almost was shot by police." She is silent for a moment before looking back at the boy. "Why are you out late? it seems less safe for you...And perhaps you know this already from your wounds."

"I was coming back from home. I was walking along New York City and saw a bunch of thugs giving a kid a hard time. I intervened and got the crap beat out of me. I managed to lose them...Thanks to my own gifts." He says. "My gifts makes me hard to get shot at. In fact my gifts can also make you very hard to notice." He says, referring to his abilities as gifts. "Thats why I would have liked to help you, because no one else will." Simon says with a friendly smile as he watches the woman. "Being a mutant isn't no different then simply being gifted..." He says comfortingly.

Hilde listens intently to Simon's story and nodding at the appropriate moments. "Ah, so you were helping poor person who was in need of the helping." She nods. "This was good of you to do." She quirks an eyebrow when he describes his 'gifts'. "Ah, so you too are a mutant?" She puts her hands on her hips and tilts her head to the side, perhaps a bit comical considering how large she is. "Hilde has met many in this city. Well...More than Hilde would expect." Actually he is only the second mutant who has 'come out' to Hilde, but still, that seems like a lot to her. "She laughs slightly. "Hilde is glad to hear that you can make yourself be not shooted by bullets, but it is difficult to make Hilde not noticed. Hilde is, after all, very large."

Simon nods and chuckles at how she puts her hands on her hips. "I wouldnt mind being publically known as a mutant, but I wont bow down to the law when the only thing I have done was born different." Simon says and watches her. "I produce a liquid out of my sweat glands, a cold silver liquid. When it hardens around me or those I touch, it renders them and myself completely invisible to the naked eye." He explains softly, making sure to talk softly so no one else would hear. "Would that make you not noticed?" He says with a playful smile to the large woman. "And being large isnt that bad, You look like you can handle yourself and still look good." He says encouragingly.

Hilde nods as the boy talks about the law. The woman wonders what her own government will do or say to her should she ever decide to return home to Germany, but she voices not this concern at the moment. "Ah, making Hilde not visible might make her slightly less visible...Though Hilde is still lound." She shrugs and picks up a foot before putting it down to demonstrate the heavy clanking. She blushes slightly as the boy compliments her. "Why thank you, Hilde does try to fit in. It is just...Difficult."

"Don't let other people tell you any differently, but you have every right to live how you please, regardless of what others think. Mutant or human, we are still the same. We breathe the same air, and bleed when hurt and cry when saddened." Simon goes to pat her arm. "The stuff also muffles sound and hides scent, as well as having no odor of itself and is cold so even under infrared I am invisible." He explains to the woman. "Although it may make your footsteps quieter, I am not sure it will completely muffle them. One way to find out is to try but I don't want to cause trouble." Simon says with a smile to her. "I want to help but there is so much prejudice about...I don't know what to do."


Hilde smiles sadly as the boy speaks. "For one who is young, you nderstand very much." She nods to him. "And Hilde has no need to hide at the moment. If people truly are troubled by Hilde, then she would not want to be around them anyway." She shrugs. "And if they really wanted to hurt Hilde, it probably would not be so easy for them." She nods again. "But you seem to do well...Other than having beatings happen to you." She frowns slightly and ponders for a moment.
Triggered.

"It don't hurt too much. Just some rest and I will be good as new I think." Simon says with a chuckle. "Should of probably went invisible and attacked but didn't think of that. Anyway if there is anything I can do to help you, I will help you. I want to help others who are gifted like myself, there is too much prejudice and hate for those who are different."


Hilde ponders momentarily what the boy is saying. She shakes her head. "Perhaps helping the boy while unseen would have made you not be injured, but doing so might also make the hooligans run to the police to announce a mutant attack, it could have ended badly either way." She sighs. "And perhaps it is good to help others like yourself." She thinks about this for a moment and nods again. "Hilde would also like to do this. Hilde is already known to be a mutant, so if I see anyone who is being bothered for who they are, Hilde can help without needing to worry about people finding out mine secret."

"I don't mind people knowing my secret, just imagine. Invisible spies, police force, I fear the government may lock me away to produce more of the chemical I produce. Anyway If I can have some way to get in touch with you, I would gladly keep in touch. Got to try and find a place to stay now that I am out of school." Simon says with a nervous chuckle.

Hilde nods to the boy. "Yes, the government may be interested in your abilities..." Luckily Hilde was a foreign citizen, so it is unlikely the government will approach her for any reason other than to deport her. She frowns at the boy. Her expression turns to one of joy as she hears that he would like to have a way of getting a hold of her. "Yes, Hilde has cell phone." She nods. "Also, Hilde is staying in hotel over there." She points toward midtown and then looks back to the boy. "Oh? Are you done with...College?"

"No just basic schooling. Cant afford College." Simon says with a chuckle. "Well can I have your number? I may know a few places to stay in the city, and I don't want to bother others for a place to stay. I like to earn what I keep, and if I cant earn it, I will give it to others." He says, explaining his beliefs.

Hilde pulls out a small cell phone from her skirt pocket and exchanges number with the boy. She smiles at him once more. "You are quite the young Robin Hood, and I am glad to have met you, but Hilde is afraid that it is getting too late to be out for her. Please do be careful returning the rest of the way home." She looks behind her and heads off in the direction from which she came, waving back to the boy as she leaves.


July 25th, 2008

Press Conference Peril!

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Stress
Theatre Foyer - Broadway Majestic Theatre


         The foyer of the Broadway Majestic Theatre is grand and beautiful. The staircase sweeps upward stops at a landing before splitting into two and wrapping around the room to meet at the second floor balcony. The ceiling is decorated with ornate chandeliers and hanging lights, which cast reflections upon the glimmering mirrored walls. The entrance is made up of glass doors with various advertisements upon them.

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The room has been set up for a press conference. A few chairs have been set up at the base of the staircase, and there is a small podium on the first landing of the staircase. Behind the podium are two small columns with potted plants atop them. Along the edges of the room are a few tables with punch and a few small orderves which Hildegarde has paid for personally. She is currently on the second floor balcony, speaking with a few men in suits and occasionally glancing down at the growing crowd. She looks up at an ornate clock hanging on the wall and frowns. She will have to begin soon. She smiles at the men near her and begins down the staircase toward the podium.


 The crowd consists mainly of reporters and a few photographers. Many of them are shuffling papers or checking video equipment currently, a few seem a bit anxious. A couple of stations have been set up for quite some time and are currently interviewing a group of protestors located near the west side of the room. Security had attempted to remove the protestors earlier, but Miss VonReginleif had come down personally to announce that she would like them to be present. She had stated that they were entitled to their opinions, and that hopefully if they were present she may be able to change a few of their minds.

 This seems not to have done much so far, as none of the protestors have yet put down their signs calling for Hilde to leave the country or be removed from the show. When asked why he feels that Hilde should leave the United States, one protestor answers, "I believe that Miss VonReginleif has deceived the American people by keeping her powers hidden. Why does she feel she needs to hide? She claims she is not dangerous, but that tape tells me otherwise." The protestors behind the boy give a collective cheer, receiving a few frowns from the east side of the room, where a few non-protestors have collected.

 In the east, there is a group standing around and discussing quietly amongst themselves. Most seem disinterested with the protestors, while a few glance over occasionally and offer a frown or two. Among the group is a boy of about 15. He is wearing a black hoodie and a pair of tattered jeans. His shoulder-length curly hair seems a bit unkempt, and pokes out from under his hood. He is currently drinking a cup of punch, his golden eyes glinting menacingly at the protestors across the room, though no one seems to have noticed quite yet.


 Right outside of the entrance are several news vans. A few armed police officers are also present, though Hilde was displeased to hear of their presence earlier. After reading up on a few other public events involving mutant issues, the owner of the theatre had decided that the extra security might be a good idea.

Wesley slips in, looking about the room for a moment before heading towards the less rowdy looking east side, though he keeps a careful eye on the west end of the room as he does so. He looks much like he always does, hair combed a little neater as it sticks up above the crowd, turning this way and that as he somewhat nervously checks out the other attendee's state of dress, comparing it to his own. This stops once he spots the kid in the hoodie, sighing with relief that at least he's not the only one before heading towards the snack table
.

Hildegarde is wearing a black dress and metal heels currently, her hair tied back in a double bun. She steps up to the podium and clears her throat, waiting for the crowd to quiet down before starting off. Her voice is distinctly German, and deeper than one might expect from the woman. "Hello friends. Thank you for coming this evening. I have called this press conference for two reasons. The first is to clear up any misconception that I am ashamed of or attempting to hide my status as a mutant. Many of my friends and family are aware of my mutation and are perfectly fine with it. I did not announce it to the general public because I feel that it is not something that I need to announce. It is not something that should define me as an individual, and so there was no reason to make unnecessary commotion about it." She pauses for a moment to look out over the crowd. "The second reason I have called this conference is to answer any questions anyone may have, or to clarify anything that I have said which may be unclear to the anyone." She nods to the crowd. "I will take questions now, if anyone has any."

A few hands and microphones shoot up immediately. Hilde points to a dark haired woman in a red suit who asks "Do you have any idea where that tape came from? And if so, do you intend to take legal action against the individual who released it?"

 The protestors quiet down for a few moments as Hilde speaks, afterward, one of them shouts out at the woman "You WERE hiding it! Quit deceiving the public!" Quite a few of them nod in agreement, though their numbers seem not that large. There are about a half-dozen of them present currently, and they all appear to be of college age. The shouting garners a few warning glances from the news crowd, a few cameras turning their way.


 The boy in the hoodie is also frowning at the group...still. Why must they always do this? Always interfering with things they dont understand. He crushes his empty punch cup and drops it on the floor, turning back to the giant woman to see her reaction.

Wesley listens to Hilde speak, nodding in approval, shooting a quick glance towards the protestors, rolling his eyes at them before turning back to Hilde.

Hilde shakes her head as the question is asked. "Hilde knows exactly where that tape came from. I suspect that it was mine sister Elke, since it was Elkes car...I...was..." She slows down and looks at the protestors as they begin to shout. She sighs and holds out a hand to them. "If you wish to ask a question, please wait your turn. I will try to answer as many questions as I can, but things will go much easier if you are patient, mine kinder." She shakes her head. "Hilde already has explained why Hilde did not announce her mutation if you would like further clarification, please wait." She looks back to the news reporter and smiles. "I am sorry. I do not intend to take legal action against family, but I will need to be discussing this thing with her soon, I think." She seems to slip in and out of her speech patterns, as though a few answers were rehearsed.

Hilde points to the next hand, this time it is a man in a blue suit. "Miss Voneginleif, what are your thoughts on being possibly removed from the book of records as the tallest woman? There is word that you may be added as simply the tallest mutant. A few are saying that this classifies mutants as a separate species than humans, your thoughts?"


 A few of the protestors seem taken aback by Hildes response to them. Apparently they werent actually expecting her to respond to them. "Kinder? You think you can just brush us off because were younger than you? And yes, you SHOULD be taken out of the book. You are, after all, NOT human."

 The boy in the black hoodie grins smugly at Hildes response to the protestors, but his grim visage is again returned to him as they begin to yell once more. They shout that she is not human and the boy appears visable enraged. Clearly someone should take them out of the room. He looks back to Hilde, as if pleading with her to do something about them.


 One of the guards has taken notice of the protesters and moves toward the group.

Wesley rolls his eyes again, this time at the use of kinder, but frowns over towards the protestors at that 'not human' line. "Oi!" he calls out, New York accent shining through. "She said wait your turn! Raise your hand or something, didn't you ever go to school?" Bravado only being worth so much, he crouches a little after the shout, trying to hide amongst the shorter individuals, edging towards one of the taller reporters.


Hilde stops speaking for a moment and clutches the podium before her. She breathes heavily a couple times, appearing moderately upset at what the protestors are yelling. She spots the guard heading toward them and holds up her hand to stop him. "No, they have just as much right to be here as anyone." She hears the voice of Wesley ring out and scans the crowd, spotting the familiar face and smiling, offering a nod of appreciation. The woman holds up a finger and looks toward the protestors once more. "But I must tell you once more that I will not tolerate you yelling out over the other guests of this hall." She shakes her head. "And Hilde would like for you to know that this comment is hurtful. Hilde did not ask to be this way, and Hilde would prefer that you keep your harsh thoughts to yourself." She looks back to the crowd and takes a few breaths to calm herself. The crowd is mostly quiet, looking over at the protestors. Hilde speaks tentatively. "Hilde has no opinion on this matter. If Hilde is to be removed from the book, so be it. It makes little difference to me. As for the status of mutants and humans within the book..." She shakes her head. "That is not a matter in which I am an expert. I should certainly hope that I am not classified as non-human, but that is not for me to decide." She points out to the crowd..."You."

The reporters look to the left as Hilde points. She is pointing to one of the protestors who has just raised her hand. A girl of about twenty in an orange t-shirt and jeans. "If you, yourself admit to not knowing whether or not you should be classified as human, then why do you feel that you should have the same rights as us?" The girl holds up her hand. "That might have come out wrong...What I mean is why didn't you register as a mutant when you first came to this country. Your...um...disorder seems to me like it could be dangerous. Don't you think that it is your responsibility to tell the government what you can do?"


 The boy in the hoodie glares at the girl, catching her attempt to play off her insults as miscommunications. He starts toward the girl with a look of rage on his face, his golden eyes glinting slightly. His left hand appears to be glowing slightly, though no one seems yet to have noticed. this is probably because he is behind the majority of the crowd, and everyone is focusing intently on Hilde and the protestors.

Wesley frowns as well, looking for all the world like he's about to shoot off another remark, but seems to think better of it, just sitting in his spot near the back of the reporters, listening to see how Hilde responds.


Hilde frowns at the girl, having expected an insulting and redundant question, but she wanted to show them that she was willing to listen to them if they at least attempted to act like civilized individuals. She sighs and leans down slightly. "Hilde did not feel it necessary because Hilde does not use her gift inappropriately. Also, Hilde is not an American citizen, and as such have a certain amount of autonomy when it comes to such laws. Also, if Hilde is not mistaken, this law of registering powers is not official yet, correct? It is more something that...is..." From Hildes vantage point above the rest of the room, something catches her eye. There is a poorly dressed boy with a glowing hand walking determinedly toward the girl in the orange shirt. Hildes face is one of complete confusion before she realizes that this is probably very bad. "Hey, you...Stop where you are." She points at the boy in black, but he seems to ignore her.

The reporters are looking back and forth between Hilde and the group of protestors. A few of them seem quite relieved for some reason. Perhaps in the past they had been in similar situations which may not have ended so well. And then Hilde calls their attention to the boy in the back, the room turns and looks around, only a few close enough to actually see the boy as he glances quickly at Hilde and continues on his way.

 The protestors seem a little edgy, theyre not used to people being so civilised toward them when they are so outwardly rude. They frown and whisper amongst themselves until Hilde calls out, then they too look in the direction of the boy, noting the glowing and backing up slightly. They hadn't expected someone from the crowd to retaliate poorly.


 The boy ignores Hilde for a while but looks up quickly as she continues to call out to him. He calls back to her. "You don't know what youre talkin about lady. These kids aren't going to listen to you unless you give them a REASON to listen. With that he holds up his left arm and takes aim at the girl in orange, who look a bit frightened at this point. "It is NOT a disorder...it is a GIFT!" And with that he unleashes a beam of golden light at the crowd of protestors. A few begin to jump out of the way, but the others are likely to be hit with a concussive force equal to that of being hit with a fifty pound object.

 A couple more cops entered the room when Hilde yelled out, but they are too far from the kid and a few of them are still looking around trying to figure out what exactly is going on.

Wesley turns, spotting the boy, eyes wide, then he blasts the crowd and he curses loudly, crouching down and darting across the room towards him. Reaching out in an attempt to catch him by the back of the pants. "And you're a bully," he calls out, hoping nobody's getting a clear look at his face.


Hildegarde's eyes go wide as the child unleashes an energy blast into the crowd. She yells and points, though few are likely to understand her since she has defaulted into German. One or two people in the crowd turn to look at her as she screams incoherently in an enraged manner. Anyone who could understand her would hear "What are you DOING! This is NOT the way to solve anything. you will only make things worse!" And then a few select curses.

 The news cameras turn to the scene unfolding as the child blasts into the protestors. Most of the cameras are too slow and just catch the end of the scene. Most of the news crews scatter, a few of them scream. They have seen this before and arent about to stick around to see how things are going to turn out.

 The blast glances the shoulder of the girl in orange, knocking her back against one of the walls. It should have hit her full on, what had happened? She looks around a bit dazed as a couple of her fellow protestors run to her aid.

 The boy unleashes his blast at the group and then staggers slightly. Someone has grabbed a hold of his pant-leg. He turns slightly as he trips, his blast going slightly to the left and hitting about half of the glass dorrs and a part of one of the mirrored walls. The glass shatters and elicits a few more screams, though no one seems to be in the general vicinity of any of the glass-fall. The boy turns and glares down at Wesley. "What are you doin' ya little vermin!" Little? Wesley must be at least a good foot taller than this boy. The boy's hand begins to glow faintly as he glares at Wes.


Wesley chuckles once. "Cute," he says, one hand reaching out to grip the boy by the wrist, his surprisingly strong arm (and he looks pretty strong to start with) retching it up towards the ceiling as his other hand goes to jerk the boy's hood down over his face. "People like you give mutants a bad name, you know that?"

Hilde yells out and covers her face as the glass falls, even though she is probably the farthest person from any of the destruction. She looks down and sees Wesley lifting up the boy and decides that maybe it is time for her to take things into her own hands. She straightens herself up and pushes the podium out of her way. She starts down the stairs into the panicking crowd. "Everyone please, become calm." She strolls toward the two boys, but seems a bit hindered by the crowd. Her tall form can be seen wading trough them slowly toward the two.

 Many of the news crews are beginning to spill our into the street, running through where the doors used to be. A few of them on the far end of the room stick around to continue filming. One or two crews are trying to collect busted cameras that were damaged when the crowd began to surge backward.

 The protestors seem to have decided that it is time to leave and begin edging around behind the two boys. The girl in orange seems to have recovered slightly, though she is still clutching her shoulder and appears to have cut her forehead when the glass broke.

 The boy makes a grunting noise as he is lifted upward and is beginning to say something nasty to Wesley as his hoodie is pulled down. His hand unleashes another blast upward, though it isnt nearly as strong as the first. It manages to his a chandelier and causes it to spin slightly, though nothing appears to break or fall. The boy begins kicking. "Put me down!"

 One of the officers nearby looks between the crowd and the boys. What should he do? He pulls out a gun and points it in the general direction of the two. Aiming at the boy in the hoodie and shaking slightly.

Wesley turns to the girl in orange. "Hey, you okay?" he asks with obvious concern, only to be distracted when a none-too-steady cop starts pointing a gun towards him. "Hey! What are you doing?" he asks. "Don't you have a taser or something?" He looks to the boy. "Stop acting like a jackass and I might, and stop shooting up, are you stupid? You bring a chandelier down, I'm blocking with you, just so you know."

"Achtung!" Hilde is yelling something and waving her arms, but the second blast has sent the crowd reeling. She is looking between the cop with the gun and Wesley. The cop looks as though he's going to shoot, but there is no way Hilde will be able to reach either party in time. She looks around quickly and spies another small podium next to her. She frowns and looks back to the scene. She grabs the podium and hefts it above her head, spilling papers all over the floor. A few people still near the woman yell out in surprise and alarm as she does this, ducking down. Hilde holds the podium with one arm and throws it as one may toss a football, right at the cop with the gun. As she does so, she yells out "DUCK!" Which everyone already was doing. Hilde intends not to actually hit the cop, but hopefully the commotion will distract him enough that he will stop pointing his gun at the boys.

 The media personnel continue to leave the theatre, though a few are deterred by the gun. Some begin running into the performance hall through a few doorways at the base of the stairs. The remainder duck as Hilde throws furniture too near them. One of them yells out as his camera is knocked to the ground by the careening podium.

 The girl in orange is the last of the protesters out of the room. She looks back to Wesley and offers him a weak smile. "Thanks." She manages to croak out before she, too notices the gun. She turns and runs out the open door.

 The boy continues to kick and yell. "Stupid jerk! You dont know what you're doing. She totally deserved it!" He stops kicking for a moment. "Use me to block what?" He cant see currently, and is unaware of the gun.

 The cop looks a bit nervous and fumbles with something on his belt. Yes, he did have a tazer, but he doesn't think he wants to get close enough to the boys to use it. As he hears another collective crowd scream he looks up and notices that Hilde has tossed something at him. He attempts to sidestep but miscalculates and puts himself further into the path of the furniature, getting hit in the left side and falling backward.

Wesley winces as the cop goes down, turning to look over at Hilde. "Hey, chill!" he says. He raises his voice. "Alright, everyone just /calm down!/" He turns to the boy in his hands, lifting him farther off the ground. "Yes I do. I'm stopping you from doing something stupid." He turns back to the cop. "You alright?" he asks, glancing back and forth between the boy occupying his hands and the fallen officer.

Hilde brings her hands to her mouth as the cop goes down. "Oh my! I am sorry!" She really hadn't intended to knock the cop down, just startle him a bit. She looks back to Wesley and hurries over to him. "I am sorry, but Hilde is not going to stand by and let her friends get shot." She turns and walks over to the downed officer, moving aside the podium and leaning down, picking him up and brushing him off. "Hilde is sorry. Hilde did not mean to hit you. Are you ok?" She looks at him with concern.

 The remaining crowd, which is rather small, seems to stop running around and screaming now. Everything seems to have calmed for the moment. A few of them point their cameras at Hilde as she picks up the officer.


 The boy makes an "Erf" noise as he is lifted higher. "What the hell? Put me down, you freak!" He shakes his head and manages to regain his vision by flinging back his hoodie. He looks a bit surprised to see that most everyone has gone, and grins a bit smugly at the spot where the protestors were. "Hope I got her good."

 The downed officer shakes his head a bit as the giant woman lifts him up. He just looks at her as she stares at him and then he looks down at himself. nothing seems broken but he'll have a few nasty bruises in the morning. The other officers run over and look from Hilde to the boy in the hoodie, as if trying to decide what to do. The struck officer shakes his head and says "I'm fine. Go get that kid and...Um...Handcuff him I guess." Handcuffs might not be the best choice, but it's all he can think of at the moment. A couple officers approach the two boys as the others stay around Hilde. She has since crouched down to further check to make sure that she has not crushed the officer.

"She walked out of here, you stupid idiot. I know that's probably a new trick for you, but you had those kids leaving here feeling perfectly justified in everything they ever thought bad about mutants," Wesley says through gritted teeth. "And freak is an /ugly/ word." He sets the boy down, turning to the officers. "I'd appreciate it if you didn't take my name or anything like that, and, unless that chandelier's tougher than it looks, I think his powers take a bit to charge," he explains, hand the boy off.

Hilde stands to her full height again and looks back toward the crowd, beckoning to a man in a black suit who some may recognise from the news as her agent. She turns back to the officers and nods down at them. "I again apologize and did not intend to hit you. I simply feared that you were perhaps not fully in control of your weapon." As her agent approaches Hilde turns to him. "I need you to contact major news stations. I do not care what they say about me..." She points at Wesley. "Make sure he does not show up on news, yes?"  She turns back to Wesley. "Thank you, mine friend. You may have prevented something terrible from happening." She looks past him at the boy and puts her hands on her hips, tapping a metal heel in annoyance. "And YOU! What do you think you were doing? Why do you do these things? Thuis gives reason for people to protest us. Do you not know this?"

 The news crews are recollecting their bits of equipment. It would appear that few cameras have actually survived the ordeal, and Hilde's agent is currently talking with a few of the camera owners now.

 The boy just glares at Wesley, his golden eyes gleaming. "What do you know? You don't know what it's like." He struggles slightly as he is handcuffed, but he does not release any further energies. Apparently he really does need to recharge his powers before he can use them again. He glares at Hilde. "Geez, not even a thank you, figures."


 One of the officer near Wesley nods. "Don't worry, we saw it all. Although we'd appreciate some sort of contact information in case we need to pull him into trial..." The officer shakes his head. "Never mind, I think we have enough witnesses, actually." A couple of the officers take the boy away to a car outside. The others stand around Hilde. "Im afraid we're going to have to ask you to...Come downtown." They look up at her as she stands again. Handcuffs will probably be less useful on her than on the boy.

Wesley frowns at the boy. "I could have torn you in half. I know exactly what it's like. I just don't let my powers do the thinking," he says sternly. At the officer's request of Hilde, he looks between the two. He reaches up, patting Hilde's upper arm solemnly. "I should get home," he says, glancing to the boy. "And you're lucky I didn't hang you from that chandelier by the back of your pants, because if /anyone/ deserves the wedgie from hell right now, it's you, dummy."

Hilde smiles down at Wesley. "Thank you again, friend. If you need anything please see John." She nods up toward her agent, who seems to be writing a few checks currently. "I will probably be busy for a while, but Hilde is not hard to find. Please come see Hilde sometime?" She turns back to the officers and frowns down at one of them who seems to be fumbling with handcuffs. She holds up a hand. "Hilde assures you that will not be necessary. Also, I do not think they will fit on Hilde." She nods and follows one of the officers outside, explaining as she goes that she cannot exactly fit inside of a normal police car.

 The remaining officers scatter into the crowd to take information and statements from a few of the remaining media personnel.


 Hilde's agent spots Hilde as she exits the hall and runs to catch up to her, stopping near Wesley and quickly handing him a card. "Thank you my boy, and I can assure you that you do not have to worry about showing up on the news any time soon. If you need anything just call that number." He darts off out the door.

July 21st, 2008

A Walk in the Park

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Braid
Central Park - Manhattan

         Central Park is an oasis of green in the middle of New York City with over 800 acres of scenic views, playgrounds and ponds. It's a great place to take a break from the busy city, as there are bike and jogging trails, athletic fields, and even a boathouse. The recently restored Wollman Rink is the top choice skating environment. Bethesda Fountain is located by the Mall and near the lake, while the Water Conservatory also make its mark in the vicinity. The most esteemed place of interest though, usually is none other than the Belvedere Castle.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

The park is not terribly crowded, since it's starting to get late. A few joggers and dog walkers here and there, but other than that there isn't much going on. One person, in particular, is just walking to clear her head. Hildegarde has been holed up inside her hotel room all week, or at least since Elke leaked out that tape. She sighs and walks slowly down the sidewalk, her boots clanging heavily as she does so. Hilde is currently 'in disguise', wearing a head scarf and sunglasses. She hopes no one will recognize her, but she IS nearly nine feet tall.

Far shorter, which is rather impressive, given his own rather considerable (if not unusual) height, Wesley walks across the park, taking a short cut to the greyhound station, checking his watch as he leisurely strolls along. Recognizing her or not, Hilde's huge, and does manage to draw the boy's attention as he draws close. He looks over, and then up. And then up some more, and then he just stares.

Hilde stops moving and looks down at the boy, frowning. She assumes that he recognizes her from the news and that he's going to make some horrible anti-mutant crack. "Um....Hello tiny kinder, can I help you?" Her voice is deep and distinctly German.

"I'm 18!" Wesley retorts quickly. "And I'm not tiny you're just..." He blinks a little bit. "Does the name Hippolyta mean anything to you?" he asks, in what could be a joke if it wasn't full of awe at the sheer size of the woman.


Hilde frowns at the boy. "Achteen is still a kinder...And yes. I know who Hippolyta was. i was properly...Oh." She realizes the boy is probably making fun of her size and frowns. "Hilde cannot help if she is large. Hilde did not chose to be." She taps her foot on the ground with mild annoyance. The metal rings out loudly.

Wesley blinks at that, eyes going wide as he looks for a source of the metal. "And what do you mean you were properly what?" He looks back up at her, squinting a bit. "W-wait, Hilde.... Hildegard?" he wonders.

Hilde frowns again and sighs, removing her sunglasses. Not like they were doing much good since it is currently night. "Oh curses. Mine disguise did not work." She speaks in a completely serious tone, as if she actually thought she would be able to hide her identity with a scarf and glasses. She waves her hands a bit. "Yes I am Hildegarde, the magnificent freak."

"Was watching the news with my girlfriend, saw the thing about you," Wesley says. He looks her over. "Well, you're the one that slipped into third person," he points out, offering a hand. "Wesley."


Hilde shakes her head. "Hilde always refers to Hilde as Hilde. It is the way that Hilde speaks...in English, anyway." She looks down at the offered hand with a mild look of shock. She shakes his hand, looking as though she is trying to be gentle, but her grip may still seem a bit strong. "I am Hildegarde...But yes you know that. Are you not going to run away or tell me I am a bad person?"

"For being tall?" Wesley wonders. "I'd have to be pretty bad myself, then." He looks up at her, considering the height difference for a moment. "Though maybe not /quite/ as bad," he says with a grin.


Hilde quirks an eyebrow and peers down at the boy. She crouches down a bit to be more at eye level. "For just being tall? You have not seen the recent news then...Um yes. Some people do not like tall people?" She tries to play it off as maybe there IS no new news about her. "Be bad because you do not like...tall people? Yes. That would be odd Hilde supposes."

"Well because I'm tall too, though," he looks at the crouching woman, "not nearly as tall." He tilts his head slightly. "Or did you mean the mutant thing?" he asks with a smile.

Hilde frowns at the boy. He doesn't look tall to HER, but she is very tall. Her frown turns again into confusion as the boy mentions her mutation. "Actually yes, that was that which Hilde was speaking about. Many people do not like women who can pick up cars. They think it is not good." She sighs.

Wesley shrugs. "So you're a freakishly tall Opera singer who happens to be able to lift cars. Big deal." He looks up at her. "I'm a former light weight ex-high school football star who could probably lift an entire offensive line."

Hilde smiles a little. "I am happy you do not find Hilde scary for being so strong." She ponders for a moment. "In Futball there is no...Oh, you mean American futball...And if you can lift many peoples, then you are also a..." She looks around to make sure no one's close by. "You also are a mutant?"

"Yeah. Hence the 'ex,'" Wesley answers with some chagrin.

Hilde nods. "Oh, so they made you no longer play the football because they did not like that you could lift the players?" She nods. "Hilde is hoping that the opera will not make her to not be a singer because of this incident...But they seem to be alright with it." She smiles a little. "Well, mine producer knew before that I am mutant. Hilde needs special travel accomidations."

Wesley seems to be holding back a crack at that. "Well, it's not like you have super singing powers, or voice-based mind control you're just... rough on the costume department."


Hilde nods. "This is true. Mine ability does not make Hilde better at singing than anyone else. Hilde is just able to lift many things." She grins. "And yes, the costume department gets annoyed with ilde, but all of mine costumes have real metal and leather...And Hilde gets to keep them all. That is good."

Wesley blinks a bit at that. "Is that where the clanging was coming from earlier?"


Hilde smirks and nods, standing up all the way and lifting a foot. "Hilde must have metal on her boots, otherwise Hilde will crucsh her boots by walking." She nods. "Hilde is...Heavy." Like 1000 pounds heavy.

Wesley looks at the boots. "Wow. Course, at your size, I guess that's not that weird. You look pretty good. For an amazon that could probably make me go squish by tripping on me," he says, the last bit all strung together.


Hilde chuckles. "More than you know. it would be like stomping on a catsup packet. Hilde is...More heavy than you would think. Even by Hilde's size." She nods. "But if you can lift many persons, maybe Hilde would not make you die like tiny insect by stepping on you...Not that Hilde would WANT to step on you, Herr Wesley."

"Thanks," Wesley says with a bit of an odd look on his face. "So... where's that press conference of yours?"

Hilde smiles. "You would like to come and see Hilde speak?" She nods. "It is Friday, at the theatre. Hilde will be speaking at 8:30 in the lobby. It would be nice if you were to come." She nods. "But Hilde is worried that maybe there will be protestors. Hilde has gotten not nice phone calls today."

"I'm pretty sturdy," Wesley says with a smile. "And you look like you are too. And yeah, I liked some of the stuff you said in the interview I saw on the news."

Hilde smiles. "I am glad that you liked it. Hilde does not like when people hate for no reason, and Hilde has seen it all too often." She frowns slightly. "But they always end up being the people in power, those who make the most noise about these things."

Wesley nods. "It was nice seeing you, I'll see you Friday, but, for now, I gotta go catch a bus back home." He gives a wave, leaving the rather large woman to her own devices. "Oh, and you might want to get out of the park before it gets dark!"

Hilde waves back to the boy. "Ok, I will see you on Friday." She smiles. "And Hilde can lift cars, Hilde thinks that Hilde can handle herself. But the hotel is close, soon Hilde shall return home."

June 18th, 2008

Lost in the Park

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Face
Central Park - Manhattan

         Central Park is an oasis of green in the middle of New York City with over 800 acres of scenic views, playgrounds and ponds. It's a great place to take a break from the busy city, as there are bike and jogging trails, athletic fields, and even a boathouse. The recently restored Wollman Rink is the top choice skating environment. Bethesda Fountain is located by the Mall and near the lake, while the Water Conservatory also make its mark in the vicinity. The most esteemed place of interest though, usually is none other than the Belvedere Castle.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

A towering form lumbers down one of the sidewalks in the park, causing a steady "Clang, Clang, Clang" as it walks. This giant form is Hildegarde, walking through the park and looking slightly confused. She stops and taps one of her metal-soled shoes on the ground for a few moments while looking around. She mutters in something that may be German before sighing heavily. She had entered this park about two hours ago and seems to have gotten all turned around since then. She frowns and looks around some more, looking for anyone in sight...of which she sees none.

But it's pretty hard to be entirely alone in New York City, even at this hour of night. From the bushes there comes an ominous rustle... but then it's just a little waif that comes bounding out of the leaves a moment later, cradling a very large bottle of booze to her side, which is hampering her fleeing a bit. Still, whatever was giving chase seems to have lost her in the bushes, so she pauses to catch her breath. And nearly jumps out of her skin at the sight and sound of that behemoth on the path. "Fucking hell," Grey mutters none too softly, as she now lopes down the grass towards the pavement herself.

Hilde narrows her eyes as she hears the rustling and spins to face the sound, her tent of a skirt twirling as she turns. She notices the very tiny child and calls out. "You there, from vat are you running?" Her voice is quite deep and distinctly German. Hilde looks past the bushes from which the girl had run, easilly seeing overtop. "There is no one behind you." She looks back down to the girl and frowns. "And really, leetle girl, you should not be so harsh with vords."

"Nothing then, I guess," Grey replies logically. Obviously she's running from nothing if there's nothing chasing her. What she /thought/ she was running from, she doesn't share, just staring way, way, way up at the very tall woman. "Yeah? Fuck that noise," she comments, apparently not seeing any reason to actually listen to the Amazon any more than she listens to anyone else. "I'd ask who you're calling little, but I guess coming from you, that's pretty much everyone." No point not stating the obvious here.

Hilde shakes her head and bends down to be face level with the girl. "Young kinder should not be so harsh with tongue." She shakes her head and notices the bottle. "And young kinder should not be so careless with expensive drinks." Apparently the fact that Grey is underage is lost to the woman. "So...Could you do Hilde a big favour? Hilde is lost. I cannot find opera house." She stands straight again and looks around, towering over the girl.

"This young kinder is gonna do whatever the hell she pleases, without input from giant stranger," Grey replies helpfully, giving a faux-earnest nod as Hilde bends to meet her on her level. She hefts the drink up a little higher, holding it protectively. "And who's being careless? It ain't broken, is it?" But despite all her arguing and being difficult, she doesn't immediately rule out the idea of a favour. Instead, she considers the matter for a moment, looking up at the woman thoughtfully. "For five bucks, I'll show you the way out," she offers, ever the entrepreneur.

Hilde makes a deep rumbling noise that may be a laugh. "You Americans and your money." She shakes her head and bends down, removing a small wallet from inside of her boot. She doesn't exactly have pockets, so why not the boot? She opens it up and pulls out a rather large wad of cash before pulling out a five and putting her wallet back. She holds the bill about four feet above the girl's head. "Ok leetle girl. We have deal."

Grey looks way up at the bill, clearly considering for a moment trying to jump for it, before deciding that she has at least too much dignity for that. Mostly because it won't work anyway. "What, they don't have money in Brobdingnag?" she guesses to be difficult. "Okay, so, give me the money first and then I'll show you. Not like I'm gonna be able to run off on you, right? But how am I suppose to know you're not just gonna step on me or something when we get to the gate?"

Hildegarde frowns at the child. "What is this place of which you speak? No. I mean yes...Er...We have money in Germany, yes." She has never read Gulliver's Travels. "Fine, I give you money, but if you run away I will..." She says something in German...Probably because she can't think of any threats. If Grey should understand German, she'd hear Hilde saying "Be really sad." She hands down the bill to the girl. Hilde would not step on the girl. Grey's organs would shoot out of her like toothpaste from a tube, and that would make Hilde sad.

Grey doesn't know enough German to interpret that as anything but a threat, not that she exactly quails under it. But once she's pocketed her money after checking to make sure it's real and American, she seems committed to her task. Besides, if she does run across the proprietor who was chasing her earlier, who better to have on her side but the giant? "Nothing. It's from a book," she explains to the reference, this thought of an ally making her a little less eager to make fun of the woman's size - at least not to her face, not right now. "C'mon then. I don't really know the opera house, but there's a gate just up here and a subway. You can probably figure it out from there." With that, she starts off along the sidewalk, though she veers off on a little path through the trees before too long. "So you're, like, that chick from the paper, right?" she makes conversation as they go.

The woman frowns a bit. Hilde hates subways. She's always afraid of getting stuck underground. "Well if I can escape park, I can call Taxi. And hunch up and be miserable inside." As Hilde follows the girl her boots continue to clang loudly. Maybe it's just a German thing...Having metal shoes. The woman nods in response to Grey's question, ducking under a low branch. "Da. I am Hildegarde VonReginleif...I vas in paper for my show coming up...But if I cannot find theatre, then I will be in paper for being missing I think."

"Fuck, no. They'll probably blame me for kidnapping you and then it'll be this whole big thing with the cops again," Grey says with a weary sigh, as she leads them back out of the footpath and onto another proper sidewalk that cuts across the park in another direction. "You know what's /near/ the opera house? I'm pretty good at the city and stuff. Just, y'know, not a lotta opera." She glances down at her ensemble as if this should make it obvious how little she takes in the opera. Pretty Woman she's not.

Hilde looks down at the girl and laughs. "You? Kidnap Hilde? I think they would not believe that. " The girl hardly comes up to Hilde's navel. "What it's near? Is Broadway. You not know Broadway? Is Metropolitan Opera House." She looks down at the girl when she says she doesn't like opera and frowns again. "Yes, you do not look like opera type. What do you listen to? The screaming of dieing cats?"

"There isn't much they won't try and blame me for," Grey replies, not directly addressing whether or not she actually could kidnap the much bigger and stronger woman. "Broadway? Yeah, fuck, I know Broadway. Good place to hang out and hit people up for money. With all their pretty dresses and jewels and stuff, they feel like assholes if they say no to a starving kid." She continues pressing on towards the gate. "I listen to all sorts of stuff, man. Just, y'know, not the boring stuff."

Hilde nods and quirks a brow. The child certainly does not LOOK to be starving. And she is in a city, so it is unlikely that she would not be able to find something in a dumpster if she really were hungry. Regardless, Hilde feels no need to give the girl any further money. "So you think Die Walkure is boring? Do you know how many people die in that opera? Or in many operas? They are filled with war and death, but it is 'boring' to leetle insect child." She shakes her head. "Your 'good stuff' probably is not even music."

"They don't even speak English. What the hell good is that? And who really sings a whole long song before they die anyway? If it was me, I'd take that time to kill as many people as I could, rather than spend an hour singing about it," Grey says with a sage nod. "And it is too music. Lemme guess. You don't listen to anything /but/ opera. I guess being part of it must make you boring too. It'd probably blow your mind or something if you heard something that actually didn't suck. Anyway, so look, there's the gate there. I think Broadway is ... maybe four blocks over? Five?"

Hilde stops and looks in the direction the girl is pointing. She nods. "Yes, this looks familiar, thank you, kinder." She smiles "And I do listen to Opera, yes. Also classical music. But I also like to listen to Rammstein once in a while." She looks in the direction of the theatre again. "Thank you again, and be careful in park. Not everyone is so friendly as Hilde." Right...Because Hilde totally didn't just call the girl a tiny insect...

"Woah, jump back," Grey mutters sarcastically, a little less concerned about playing nice now that they're coming to a parting of ways. "Don't get too crazy with that wide array of music." But she gives a nod, hanging back at the gates as Hilde checks out the area. "I can take care of myself, geez. I wasn't the one who got lost in here." No, but she was the one getting chased. "Whatever. Catch you later, or ... not." She shrugs and then slips back into the park.

Hilde wanders down the street, getting a few looks from vagrant hobos as she clangs past.

June 17th, 2008

German Coffee Break

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Surf and Sip Cyber Cafe - West Village - Manhattan

                                   "Welcome!                                  
                   Please set up your account and place your                  
                       order at the counter. Thank you!"                      

The pleasant-looking sign on the corkboard in the front of the cafe takes the guess-work out of one's visit here. At a nearby counter made of wood and painted black and silver for a more 'high-tech' appearance, computer-registers are set up for staff to set up 'net accounts quickly while customers peruse the menu board behind it: a large whiteboard with the day's specials jotted across it in various colors. A swinging door behind the counter presumably leads into the kitchen.

Staff here are known to be friendly and approachable, as well as quite capable in the kitchen and knowledgeable with the hardware here. Beyond the counter, two-man booths and a long counter with stools stretch along the one side of the cafe, designed for laptop hook-ups -- either LAN or wireless. The other half is arranged with long tables burdened with the latest technology in desktop computing. Signs in plastic holders sit between each of the stations indicating that printing services are available for ten cents per page, available at the order counter.

_____________________________________________________________________________________


It is a nice quiet morning and people are looking for the lifeblood that shall sustain them, namely, cacao. Amoung those people out to get an early start is Hugo, the communist. He sits in a chair comforatably sipping his coffee while leafing through a newspaper with interest, picking out the stories that catch his eye as he whistles a small tune, badly out of pitch mind you.

The door to the shop opens and a towering behemoth of a woman steps inside, having to bend over to get through the door. She easily stands over eight feet tall when she straightens up, adjusting her sunglasses a bit and trying to look inconspicuous. This is, of course, rather impossible as the woman steps forward to the counter. The cashier stares at the woman open-mouthed for a moment as she looks over at the menu. "Um...I shall be having ze...Four large coffee and maybe...Five bagel? Yes." Her voice is quite deep and distinctly German. The woman looks around quickly, attempting to find a place to sit while her order is filled. Hilde may seem familiar to a few of the patrons in the shop. She was just in the arts section of the newspaper this morning. A German operatist who had come to America to perform in a Broadway play.

Attrition raises his brow as the large woman steps in... and then he goes back to his paper and blinks, hmm well he will be dammed. In a casual gesture he kicks the chair across from him out, giving her room to sit as he gives a small nod and gesture towards the woman, inviting her over.

Hilde notices the gesture from Attrition and nods a thanks to him. She pays for the large quantity of food and carries it over to the table and sits her items down before smiling at the boy. "Ah, thank you very much. You are quite kind." She eyes her chair incredulously for a moment, deciding it looks strong enough to hold her. She sits down gently, wincing a bit as the chair groans under her weight. It should hold if she doesn't move around too much. She opens one coffee and takes a large sip, making a distasteful face. "Oof...Zey call zis coffee?"

Attrition gives a small chuckle. "Well it sure isn't columbian coffee at that... personaly I think its just dirt from behind the store." he says before he leans foward to hold out his hand. "Hugo.. pleasure to meet someone of your reputation."

Hilde frowns at the coffee. "Zey cannot serve dirt...Zat would be not good for business. No?" No. If it is dirt, it's not TERRIBLE dirt. She looks over at the boy's hand and reaches out her own. She appears to be attempting to shake very gently, but her grip may seem a bit strong. "Oh, Hugo? You know of me?" Se eyes the paper. "Oh my. What a terrible picture of me they have found." The photo is of her dressed as a Valkyrie from her role in Die Walkure. "Yes, I am Hilde."

Attrition gives a small nod to her before he smiles. "Well it is a honor.. even if, and forgive me for this, I have never much been a fan of Wagner." Aww.. he even says it with a V instead of a W.. what a good cultured coomie. "But I was joking about the dirt, its not dirt, just cheep bad coffee. But it keeps you awake." he says with a nods, lucky for him he was wearing a glove so it muffles the cracking noises as she gives him that strong iron maiden handshake.

Hilde frowns down at his hand as she notices it was gloved. It's not especially polite in most countries to shake with a glove on. But Hilde is in America. And when in America, drink awful coffee. So she does. "Ah, ok. I vorried for a moment about finding vorms." She smiles. "And it is ok. I do not hate you. Vagner is an acquired taste." She nods, "Most is not in English, also. So many non-Germans do not like." She takes a large bite out of a bagel...actually the bite is about half of the bagel. She swallows it rather quickly. "In fact, many only know Vagner from tiny cartoon rabbit dressed like woman."

Attrition gives a deep loud laugh as he hears this before he nods. "Ah yes Bugs... got me into Opera actualy if you can belive it..but personaly if you are talking Operatic germans... I like Mozart better. Much more playfull. The Ring seemed a little serious but the music is beutifull if taken in one hour dosages."

Hilde nods and chuckles a bit. "Ah yes. Mozart is quite popular, but I like ze story of Die Walkure. You know, I actually won ze International Mozart Competition when I was out of school for ze first year." She nods. "But like I said, I like ze story of Die Walkure. Mine family line can be traced to lineages of Viking...So is like I am in play about old relatives." Hilde nods again and devours the other half of her second bagel, washing it down with the remainder of her first cup of coffee.

Attrition gives her a small smile before he nods. "Well I am sure you are quite good in it.. sadly, opera is only for the rich in this city but if the show is good enough, I can pick up a tape of it in the library." he says with a nod before he takes a small casual sip out of his own coffee.. noting her voracious appetite with pleasant curiosity.

Hilde shakes her head and waves her hand dismissively. "Only for ze rich? Zis iz nonsense.." She shakes her head again. "Opera should be for all peoples to enjoy." She opens her second coffee and downs about a third of it at an alarming rate before leaning in. "I tell you what. Once we are opened to public, stop by theatre and tell them you are friend Frau VonReginleif. I make sure you get a seat." She nods. "Is uncommon in zis city for people to be so friendly as to offer seat to giant woman." She nods again. "I have been here three days, and already I can tell zis." Indeed, some of the people in the shop are still staring at her with an odd sort of curiosity.

Attrition gives a small nod. "Well thank you, I will make sure to go. And I agree.. when it was written, most opera was for the masses and now the rich have convinced the masses they will not understand opera. I mean, who cares about the language, its the passion and story that count. But I will be sure to go Grau Vonreginleif.. and its no problem, mother taught me never to force a woman to stand while you can offer her a seat."

Hilde smiles at Hugo. "Ah yes. You understand well, mine friend. If only more were like you. Zey are all too distracted by unclothed womens in ze music tellev." She nods again. "And your mozer has done quite well, then, to have raised you so." Granted, even while seated, Hilde still looks as though she is standing.

Attrition gives a small laugh. "Well now.. I won't pretend to be above the music telivision as well.. and thank you. I will tell her." he says with his charming devlish smile. He leans foward slightly. "So.. why did you decide to come to America? If I may be so rude as to pry."

The woman consumes another bagel and a half in the time it takes Attrition to speak. Hildegarde waves a hand dismissively. "Ah no, I vas offered position as Schwertleite in Die Walkure for America. I have been all over Europe but not here until now. I vanted to visit zis country, and to be on ze Broadway is also exciting to me. It should be different experience, I should think."

Attrition gives a small nod before he chuckles. "Just.. trust me.. avoid the subways. I find the god-dammed things cramped." he says before he does actualy blush. "Ah sorry, pardon my french." he says, seems he is making an effort to supress his uncultured instincts in the precence of this larger then life celeb.

Hilde cocks an eyebrow. "Ah, but I speak French...And you did not speak French...I do not think." She ponders for a moment. Deffinately English. "Ze subway is a bit scary for me. I think I am perhaps too big for it. And I really do not like to be underground if I can help it." She downs an entire coffee, seemingly unfazed by his swearing.

Attrition smirks. "It is slang for excuse my bad language." he says with a nod before he smirks. "Only English and Spanish for me... but yeah its scary for me too.. so don't worry." he says with a nod.

Hilde stops drinking for a moment. "Really? Zat is an odd saying. Excuse mine French..." She tries it out and shakes her head. "I do not know. It seems odd to me. I do not know if mine colleagues will understand." Granted, now all of her colleagues are American, so they should. Hilde just assumes them to be unfamiliar with the same things as she. Why? Who knows.

Attrition gives a small chuckle. "I am sure there is a nice stupid american reason behind it..but its out there." he says before she folds up his newspaper. "Well now you can use it if you accidently curse in front of someone you aren't supposed to."

Hilde laughs. "Oh my no. When Hilde swears, it is usually in German, no? I mean...Most people do not think to curse, it just happens. So when I curse, I curse in native tongue." She takes a long draught of coffee and a bite of bagel. "I mean, it's easier zat way, too. Less people here speak German, So I offend less of them."

Attrition gives a small laugh. "Well if you want to.. you go ahead and curse up a storm.. people don't usualy worry about offending other people here. Hell, its usualy the general point behind cursing them out."

Hilde laughs a bit. "Oh I usually curse at myself more zan I do ozer people. Always hitting my head on things and tripping over tiny leetle objects and zat." Granted, for Hilde a 'little' object might be a table or sofa. She shakes her head. "I do not think I could become angry to point of yelling at person."

Attrition gives a small wrinkle of his nose and guilty look down. "I hope you keep that Hilde.. its honorable of you. Well, I must be off.. can't loiter in here with their paper all day, but it was very much a pleasure meeting you."

Hilde nods. "Danke, Herr Ugo. I am happy to have met you." She nods. "And do not forget, tell ze opera house zat you know Frau Hilde and I vill make sure you get a good seat for play." She smiles at the boy. "Take care, yes?"

Attrition gives a small smile and her gives a small bow. "Thank you Ms Hilde... I will be sure to see it, now I just need to find myself a suit and I should be fine."

Hilde nods. "Yes, a suit would probably be good. I look forward to seeing you again." She reaches for the paper he left, planning to read what they had written about her as she devours the rest of her food.
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