12987/An Overdue Introduction

An Overdue Introduction
Date of Scene:	06 October 2022
Location:	Behind the Library - Happy Harbor High School
Synopsis:	A magical creature finally works up the courage to introduce himself to Shazam!
Cast of Characters:	Billy Batson, Tawky Tawny

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Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson found out the hard way, one does not bring their cell phone to the Moon. Not that craptastic piece of junk he used anyway. However, he was saving for a new, better phone and nearly having enough. With the job delivering for a local pharmacy and some ad revenue from his pod cast he made it. In his hidden place, the Fortress of Behind the Library he was counting the money he'd made and looking optimistic.

Fortunately, Sunny usually split paying for dates with him. He pondered using that #hashtagforheroes app but one does not invoke the power of the gods to go on the take. Next thing you know -he'd be appearing at kids' birthdays and letting the little monsters hit hm on the head with stuff for a buck a pop.

Yes... he had enough to take her to the movies. No popcorn.

Tawky Tawny has posed:
There is a rustling in the trees beyond the stone retaining wall. It might be taken for the wind in the leaves, but then it's followed up by a snapping of twigs and a soft, "Oops," of a deep baritone voice. And perhaps an even softer, "this is so hard with shoes." Then an awkward pause.

A very awkward pause.

Then, tentatively, the voice calls out, "Someone back here?" A head and shoulders pokes up above the wall. A heavyset black man, face streaked with dirt and leaves tangled in his dreadlocks. It looks like he's wearing a sweatshirt even more well-worn than the usual foster kid hand me downs. His bright green eyes sweep over the boy and then fix hopefully on the money being counted out. "Hey, uh... spare a buck, kid? I haven't eaten in two days."

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson did come from the streets. At the first 'oops' the movie money vanished in a way to make Mercury proud. However, the guy was making noise, which is a non-hostile move. He didn't want to surprise or frighten anyone. So probably not a mugging.

Plus he picked someone pure of heart to put the bite on. Lucky him. Also Billy could spot a crook a mile off having been one to survive.

"Tell you what; there's a food truck up the street. Come with me and I'll buy you whatever you want." He'd hit a matinee with Sunny to feed this guy. He was not going to just let him buy booze or drugs. He does get his feet under him, ready to run.

Tawky Tawny has posed:
The man's face breaks into a wide grin. "Oh man, that'd be great." He begins to clamber up and over the wall. "Thanks, Billy!"

It takes him half a second to realize his mistake, and he freezes uncertainly halfway over. "Uh, I mean..." he's clearly trying to think up a lie to explain how he knows the kid's name but isn't very good at it.

"Okay, don't freak out," he starts over, pressing his palm into his forehead in a very clear expression of embarrassment. "I... okay, yeah, I know who you are but I swear it's not creepy." A beat. "Or... maybe it's a little creepy, but I swear I won't eat- I mean, I don't wanna hurt you or anything. Not that I could, right?" he laughs nervously, forces himself to stop, and then takes a deep breath as he swings his other leg over the wall and makes himself sit still.

"Let's start over. See, I had this great idea where I was gonna test you by askin' for money when you clearly need it for something else. That's usually how I'd start. But, I don't really need to do that with you, do I?"

Is he already on drugs, perhaps?

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson doesn't run -yet. He fixes the big man with a stare and asks pointblank, "Are you a wizard?" The last guy who was this weird was, he wants to say. However, that'd be giving too much away. The question 'are you a wizard/' could be a ploy to distract the big man. Or it could be an honest question. When you're the Champion of Magic, you meet all kinds, on or off the clock.

Tawky Tawny has posed:
The man reaches up to rub the back of his neck. "No. I'm not. I /was/ the wizard's assistant, but... but then he died. You know? Because I wasn't there. I mean, yeah he SENT me off to track down that caterpillar but then that Sivana guy showed up and I shoulda been there to help, and-" he is coming dangerously close to blubbering, and halts himself with another deep breath.

"I'm sorry. I shoulda introduced myself to you a long time ago. But you seemed okay and I didn't wanna bother you and then it just got MORE awkward... Hey, do you mind if I change to my real shape? Wearing this human disguise is like your clothes are three sizes too small. Especially the shoes." He kicks his heels lightly against the wall in their tattered sneakers.

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson raises an eyebrow. No one says they'e a wizard's assistant. His wizard was dead. "Sure go ahead. I can understand that." He understood it even better lately. He liked being Billy around Sunny, and being Shazam around Indestructibelle. this was despite the fact she was super powered all the time. "Tell me everything."

Tawky Tawny has posed:
Tawny doesn't say any magic words. He just kind of... shimmers, and there's a little swirl of wind and faintly, as if far off, a rumble of thunder. As if his magic draws from the same source as the Champion's.

And then there's a great big tiger-man sitting on the wall in the homeless man's place. He lets out a low rumbling noise deep in his throat as he stretches and shakes his arms out. "Oh! Boy, that feels better," he exclaims in a more cheerful tone. He stretches his legs out in front of him and wriggles his toes in pleasure. The old sneakers are gone. The rest of the tattered outfit is gone too, but he's still /dressed/, of course. He's not some naked barbarian. Now he's wearing a shirt and tie, sleeves rolled up to the elbows, and a pair of khaki slacks. They aren't exactly tailored, probably off the rack from a Big and Tall store and the closest thing he could find to a fit.

"...Hi," he says again, as if this is a brand new meeting. "My name's Tawny. Tawky Tawny. MISTER Tawky Tawny, if you wanna be all formal, but you can call me whatever combination of those you like. I'm a magic tiger." As if Billy couldn't see that.

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson says, "Shazam! I'm back on the clock. Did you still want something to eat?" He finishes the sentence after the lightning fades. He has a feel for magic. He recognizes the source, similar to his and Freddy's. That's a relief. He checks out. Shazam gets up and takes a few bills from his bag. "Do you still want a sandwich or something, Mr. Tawny? I figure, with me around, people won't be too scared of you. In fact... you could probably just say you were a metahuman." He extends a hand to the tiger.

Tawky Tawny has posed:
"Um... really?" Tawny asks uncertainly. "I mean, I wasn't lying about not eating for two days but us magical creatures don't really NEED to eat... it just kinda stinks, feeling hungry..." he trails off.

"So you're... not mad at me? For the not being there, and the hiding..." Disbelievingly he holds out his hand to accept the gesture, and slowly, a new grin begins to spread across his face. It is much toothier but no less genuine. "Oh boy, that's a relief. Hey, if there's ever anything I can do to help you out, you just let me know, okay? I figure we're kinda on the same team, right?"

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson shakes the paw hand vigorously. "Hey, I made plenty of mistakes dealing with Dr. Sivana. He killed a bunch of people. We do the best we can. Maybe the Wizard made some mistakes too, not taking that creep too seriously. I... wait... there was a lot of stuff the Wizard didn't get a chance to tell me, about myself, and about the Station, the Rock of Eternity. If you can clear things up that'd be great."

Tawky Tawny has posed:
Tawny nods enthusiastically. "Oh, yeah! I mean, I didn't understand it all myself, not like he did, but I was helping him out for a few years before the - well, you know. Sometimes he'd tell me stuff. I think he was kinda lonely, with all the other wizards gone, you know? I think that's partly why he kept me around." Clearly he could talk on this subject at length, now that the awkward shyness is taken care of. His name would seem to be appropriate.

"Oh, but you've got Champion stuff to do. Don't let me keep you from that. And, uh..." one could almost swear that's a bit of mischief pulling at his muzzle as he winks a bright green eye. "maybe some stuff with that pretty girl too, huh? She sure looks a nice lady."

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson blushes a bit. "All right, Mr. Tawny. that's getting a little too close for comfort. And she is. Here's that money, anyway. Get yourself something if you like. Otherwise... I guess I can find you at the Station now? Maybe I'll try to round up the rest of the Shazamily and we can have pizza and a long talk. Oh." Shazam tilts his head hearing police sirens in the distance. "I should see if they need help. Nice meeting you, Mr. Tawny. I'll see you soon!" With that he leaps into the air and keeps right on going, picking up speed.