13378/The Family Benz

The Family Benz
Date of Scene:	17 November 2022
Location:	Mercy's Garage
Synopsis:	A 1955 Bentley comes to Mercy Thompson's New York garage.
Cast of Characters:	Mercy Thompson, Zatanna Zatara

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Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Late afternoon for Mercy at her shop. Today was a bit of a slow day and she has a car she's working on. One of her regulars that came in for some new brakes but she has the part on back order unexpectedly. As such she's being nice and giving them a free check up on their radiator and anti-freeze system for the coming winter months. She is leaning over the cloth she has on the fronter to check the hoses. From the office there's a smell of gingerbread that was baked recently. While still open, and cars in the lot nearby, the place is empty save for two souls. One being Mercy the other being her cat that's perched on the stair railing watching the world from her throne on high.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Twice in a week keeping up with the family's assets has brought Zatanna to New York. Out of sight, Z walks through a sizzling line of purple light into the slanting light of the afternoon sun and New York City. After a glance around her, she heads toward Mercy's garage.

The autumn air carries a hint of lubricant, fallen leaves...and ginger bread. The magician smiles at the latter. Mercy's reputation for baking is almost as renown as her mechanical wizardry.

"Hello," she calls as she heads through the side door to the garage. "Mercy?"

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy pauses when she feels a small tickle at the edge of her senses as Zee arrives. But then gets back to work until she hears her door opening at the office. "Just a second," is called out as she stands up and reaches for a cloth to start wiping at her hands. Mercy's braided hair has swung over one shoulder as she steps to where Zatanna is. The voice and scent isn't one she knows. "How can I help you?" She is dressed in coveralls right now over her normal jeans and basic tee shirt.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Only the gifted will sense the magic in her blood. Nothing makes the homo magi stand out from other New Yorkers. Well-dressed in the designer clothes she favors when off stage, the raven-haired woman wears a black tailored jacket and wide-legged pants over a silk blouse the color of her sapphire eyes.

Still standing in the doorway, "Hi. We haven't met but a friend told me that you're a mechanic that can handle older, European cars? Is that right?"

Hand extended she walks over to the woman, "I'm Zatanna Zatara and I have a car that needs looking at - a 1955 Bentley. I can bring it around at your convenience."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    She has always had a way to sense magic when it's around her, but usually it has to be active in some way or a place that it was worked. "German cars as a rule but that's me. I work on classics. The VW mechanic named Mercedes." She doesn't offer a hand and has to smile at the name. "You were always last in roll call. I've heard your name before. Not gotten to see a show or anything." She looks to the lot to see if the car is there. "What do you need doing to it. I don't work on Bentley's so much. But if it is just basic stuff I can always do my best." Mercy gets to the spot behind the counter as they talk, "Feel free to have a cookie."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zee lowers her hand, and nods, smiling slightly, "Good to know, I have a Benz, too, but it's running well." Her eyebrows furrow and lips purse as she turns in place, keeping Mercy in her sight before she replies, "I don't know? It won't jumpstart. I can't get it to turn over. It might be something quite simple but the mechanic I used to see is no longer in business."

With a wry nod, "I'll admit to some laziness. I could have taken it overseas but preferred someone reputable closer to home."

She sniffs, "So, that is what I was smelling. Don't mind if I do." She picks up a cookie between two perfectly manicured fingers and takes a bite.A smile spreads over her lips before she has finished chewing.

"Divine. Did you make these? If you are half the mechanic that you are a baker then I'm in good hands."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy holds up her hand, "I doubt you want grease on your hands. Sorry occupational hazard. Wasn't trying to be rude." She looks apologetic for not explaining it sooner. "Your Benz I can probably keep purring and happy for fifty years baring major mishap," said with clear confidence. There's a bit of a frown at the jumpstart. "Does it click-click-click-click when you turn to key or does it do nothing? If you describe the sounds or lack of I maybe can help. Guessing you Uber rode over. I can drive you to your car and try to start it. I got a friends that drive tow trucks and know the good ones that won't rob you blind."
    They are home made, none of that factory perfection, but they're also pretty tasty and done with real fresh ginger and other ingredients. "Thanks. Yeah I did make them. I baked a house for a shelter that was full of cookies. Kept the extra batter for here. I got a pretty sharp nose. Helps with baking."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Oh, that's quite alright. And you're right, always the last to be called if things are flowing alphabetically. By the way, I think the person that recommended you is a mutual friend. Diana Prince." She smiles almost apologetically at the name with a self-effacing shrug.

"Oh. Huh. I guess if it clicked it would be a battery problem, right? But not a sound. I tried to fix it myself but I'm not always good with mechanical things."

With headshake,"Ah, no, didn't Uber but I can get her here without a problem." She neglects to narrate the scene of her standing in the sub-dimensional garage, throwing spells at the Bentley in frustration.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Ah yeah! She came in with her car. That was a real bit of luck with her giving my little garage a try. Helped with me getting some more self defense training for myself." She doesn't seem to mind getting a referral.
    She nods her head, "Rapid clicking is often a battery or alternator problem. IF it's totally dead that can be starter, or something more." She nods to the lot and says, "If you get her here. I am sure I can push her into a bay and we can get a look. Even if I can't fix it I can point you to someone fair and good. I was just fiddling on a regular's car some while hoping vainly their parts will arrive."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
Zatanna looks over Mercy's shoulder, nodding thoughtfully, "I can get it into the bay, if that would help?"

Mercy's reputation is not only for her deft hand with cars but that is something that only a select few know. Even if Diana hadn't cued her in, Zatanna has a nose not only for cookies but for magic. Unconsciously, she cocks her head to the side, still momentarily lost in thought She quickly recovers herself, and looks intently at the woman, "I could bring it pretty quickly if you don't mind magic."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy looks a bit dubious and unsure what Zee is offering but nods. "Sure thing. If you think you can do it and not be a problem." Then the M-word gets said. She nods her head, "You're welcome to try. But I um... sometimes make spells go a bit odd. If you're willing to risk it, and won't hurt the building then we can give it ago."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
The magician takes any type of disclaimer concerning magic seriously. She nods several times, one side of her mouth downturned in thought. Her eyes make a quick inspection of the garage then come back to Mercy.

"You and someone else I know. Do you hex the building, too? Or is it only when you're present?" Thoughtfully, she finger combs a lock of hair behind her ear.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Seems to be me. When I'm near magic and especially if it is aimed at me. It gets.... wonky." She motions to the office and says, "I can stay off in a corner or away. It doesn't always happen either. It just sort of happens around me." She will shake her head with a helpless shrug. "Just part of the weirdness that is me."

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Like I said, some people are just like that. You are not alone, some people just have that knack. It probably is something that protects you. A built in ward of sorts," she tenders. Zee doesn't go further though the mystery behind Mercy's ability to turn magic 'wonky' intrigues her.

"Maybe you could stand outside if I bring it now. Or I could call ahead and bring it tomorrow. I'd hate to wreck something."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Oh I know where it comes from. That's my father's blood in me." Mercy has a little grin and seems happy to not elaborate on it just now. She laughs and says, "kicking me out of my own shop to do a spell huh? We can go and give it a try." She shrugs a bit and will see about get outside to see what it is Zatanna can do and how it will go. Hoping things don't go super badly.

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Your father's blood. That's interesting. I wonder if I know of him or if my father did," she speculates aloud then waves her hand in a let's get going gesture.

"Well, then. Shall we?"

Cookie in hand, Zee leaves the counter and walks further into the garage to examine the bay. "I don't always need to see where I'm going. But, if I'm porting something, it helps to see where its landing." Nibbling the cookie, she inspects the bay and then steps back to study the room.

"This shouldn't pose much of a problem. Give me the word and we will put you outside while I bring it in."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy stays out by the car baby as she lets Zatanna do her magic and see about getting the car into the place. She seems to have heard what was said just find however. "My father is passed. So I hope it was 'knew' if anything at all." She smiles and will get ready to see about looking over the car. "You got a number I can call you at for later?"

Zatanna Zatara has posed:
"Absolutely," Zee replies, and fishes out a perfectly mundane iPhone from her pocket. "Don't use it much." She presses a button and reads a Gotham area code and number to her. "There. Give me a sec. Just wait outside, please."

Once Mercy has gone outside, she gives a quiet command,

".yab eht ot yeltneB arataZ"

Zee can see her reflection mirrored in the highly polished dark blue finish of the car that appears - a classic 1955 R-Type Continental Bentley. It's stretched out form swoops in curves, framing the running board along its side and finishing in the shiny flat grill topped with the Bentley winged ornament in sparkling chrome.

Zee gives the bender a pat and calls, "Mercy, it's here. And all yours."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy whistles as she steps into the bay and admits, "Glad it went well. I'll give her a real look over and let you know. Maybe it will be easy and something I can fix. I'll call and let you know." She will nod to the office and says, "I'll need the keys and to do some paperwork. Not that I'm likely to forget your name or what you just did. Feel free to grab a cookie before you go." With that she will see about getting to work.