14796/Jam Session

Jam Session
Date of Scene:	27 April 2023
Location:	Vasquez Home
Synopsis:	Marie and Billy jam!
Cast of Characters:	Billy Batson, Marie-Ange Colbert

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Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson has one class on Thursdays being a senior. He finished it, went home and was left with several hours before work. SO for the first time in a few days he pulls out his well used recorder. He's been playing it since Angelica Jones gifted it. He puts the music sheets out on his bed/mattress, looks it over and then attempts The Magic Flute.

He carries the tune. He catches a few times, but not badly. After the first page of sheet music he's fully into it and ignoring the rest of the world. Maybe he can hire out for parties? Clinker note! Not yet. It's a fierce source of pride that he -Billy is doing this without the aid of Old Testament Kings and older heroes and old as time gods. He starts playing with greater fluency.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Sometimes, Marie follows fate. Sometimes she lets it lead her a little more blindly. Today was one of the latter. She'd actually been on her way to a local park to practice her violin among nature when she just happened to pass the Vasquez house, and just happened to hear music coming from within -- no, next door? There's an arched eyebrow from Marie, who stops to listen. Closing her eyes and letting the melody take her. Being a music major, she's coming to appreciate all sorts of instrumental work, and even expanding her own repetoire slightly from the violin, but these are things that come with time.

She's currently opted for a mixture of formal and artsy attire; white silk blouse worn untucked with a black, lacy string tie around her collor, black, knee-length skirt and matching flats. Her instrument of choice is slung across her back in a somewhat weathered case, proof of considerable use over the years.

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson finishes. Phew. Angelica made it look easy. "I wish you good things, wherever life takes you Angel," he says solemnly. Then he stretches and goes to the door to get some fresh air to replace what he just used. Yes definitely some air is called for. He pads across his studio room and yanks his door open, still holding that precious recorder. And...

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
After the music stopped, Marie decided she wanted to try and find out who was /playing/ it. Fortunately, she knew someone who lived in that house, so she wasn't hesitant at all about going up the stairs towards Billy's apartment, about to knock on the door when...

"Billy!"

It comes out as a surprised gasp. Is this how people feel when she shows up already holding the thing they need? ... can Billy see the future, too? Or maybe he just saw her outside. She's not sure. Give her a moment to recover from the surprise. She's usually the one doing that to others!

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson makes a squeaky sound, quite inappropriate to the Defender of Humanity. he takes defending this particular example of humanity very seriously. His experiences as Shazam serve him and the ginger haired Mutant well. Billy may not hav the Speed f Mercury but he's a quick fellow. He grabs Marie by the arms. His precious recorder clattering on the landing as he makes sure his sister in law for all practical purposes does not fall over the railing or down the stairs. Not missing a beat he segues int a far more gentle hug, whispering, "Didn't even need you know who for this save." Then he lets go to check on his recorder. "D'oh!"

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie can definitely feel the sense of relief rushing through her when she's caught, rather than barreling backwards to... what would've most likely been a very nasty fall. "Merci, Billy!" she tells him, flashing a bright smile and even leaning in to offer a quick peck on his cheek. "Your reflexes are like a cat's, and speaking as one who knows cats, that is high pra--" Then he's looking down, and she's looking down, and covers her mouth.

"Oh no!" she says after a moment, frowning. "Is it all right?"

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson straightens up and plays a quick scale. He smiles. "It seems fine. I would hate for anything to happen to this. It was a gift. He looks over Marie's shoulder, standing on tip toes a bit due to being n socks. "Hey a fiddle! Oh right, a music major. D'uh. Come on in. What brings you around?" He stands to the side and waves her in.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie, too, looks relieved when Billy proves that the recorder's fine. She knows how crushed she'd be if something happened to her violin -- one of the few happy memories the girl has of France -- even if Emma would probably just buy her a new one if she asked. "A fiddle?" She blinks, and then realizes.. "Oh! You mean my violin." She giggles a bit, "Oui, I am a music major... but I have played it..." she thinks back. "...since I was younger than your sister Darla." She nods, then moves to step in through the apartment door as invited, letting herself relax a little. "I was actually on my way to play in the park... but when I was passing by, I heard music and stopped to listen." A little grin as she motions to the recorder. "I think I know who the artist is, now."

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson erms patting the recorder. "Let's keep this between you, Mary and me. The others will tease me no end. At least wait till I can play The Magic Flute better. Then I dare them to tease me. I took this up thee years ago. I'm noty as good as my friend was... she could bring tears to your eyes. I... se was my first real love I think. Julie was my crush, but I told her that."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"Of course, Billy. Your secrets are safe with me." Marie's grateful that he included Mary on the secret loop. Of all the people it's hard to keep secrets from, she's the top of the list. "Love... can make one do a lot of strange and wonderful things. Before Mary and I started... becoming serious, I had never played video games before." She's not /good/ at them yet, but she enjoys them. "...if you would like, I could probably help you some with your practice? I've developed an ear for these things, over the years..."

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson sits on the bed and moves the music sheets to make room for Marie. "Uhm, how about, "Hallelujah'? I know that by heart. I like post modern stuff. Victor says I have an old soul. He's sort of right. I have the mentors of Shazam's powers knocking around in my head. They can be a little rough at times but, they enjoy the recorder and are actually very encouraging. I was surprised."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie moves to take a seat herself -- though before she does, removes the case from her back to rest it on her lap. Like the porcelain doll of a girl herself, the way that she sets about removing the violin from its case, then setting the case aside. "I can do that, oui." she confirms with a smile. "My musical tastes... Jenny always hated them. Like when she had 'Build me up, Buttercup' in her head for an entire week." Marie can't help but giggle a bit at that. She, herself, would not have objected to such an affliction.

"That's good that they enjoy your music... it's important to have an appreciative audience. I play for Mary, sometimes, and sometimes for my fellow students..." she explains, bringing the violin up to her chin to prepare. "I will follow your lead, as soon as you are ready."

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson tunes up so to speak. He plays a snatch of a tune the shepherds of Arcadia played to honor Zeus on warm summer nights full of stars. Then he begins to play. 'Hallelujah' is a tougher song to sing than play and it is one of his favorites, old soul that he is. He tries not to let his nervousness show. He never really played in front of anyone but Angelica."

"And even when it all went wrong//I'll stand before the Lord of Song//With nothing on my lips but Hallelujah!!" Applause from Zeus and Herc. The rest are a tough crowd. Achilles preferred Staind.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie follows along in turn; she's a well-practiced hand when it comes to the violin, and could probably play with an orchestra if she gave it a real effort -- maybe not /first/ chair, but she'd at least be competitive for a second chair position! As she plays, her eyes slowly start to close and her lips curve into a bright smile.

Music has been an escape for Marie for a long time. It lets her get away from the worries that she has in the world... express her emotions in ways that she can't with, well, anyone but Mary.

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson stops playing, just trailing off. He's looking at Marie entranced. <<What happened, Billy lad?>> Zeus inquires. <<Shhh,>> Solomon councils. <<He is thinking of another fire hair.>> <<Foolish, what is done is done. He has Sunny, as lovely and as powerful as the Sun.>> Achilles says, <<You never forget your first love... my Briseus... Hercule's Deinera... Solomon's Queen.>>

Billy finally says, "I need to stop a minute. I'm glad I made you smile. You look like an angel... you just reminded me of anther angel I knew -Angelica. And of course she was a ginger and of course you're named 'angel' Fate doesn't screw around."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie doesn't stop right away; lost in the rhapsody that is music. Very much content and in the moment -- until she realizes that Billy's no longer playing. That's when she, too, brings her playing to a graceful conclusion. Violin is lowered back into her lap, and green eyes open to turn towards Billy.

"It is fine.... take your time. Music can be quite powerful." Marie replies, cheeks getting rosy at the compliments. "Angelica?" she echoes, considering for a moment. Why does that name sound familiar... "...her last name did not happen to be 'Jones', did it?"

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson is fairly gob smacked. "J-Jones. Yes. She could almost be your little sister niceness personified. Green eyes and long red hair... at least when I knew her. Is she all right? She had some problems when she left. Where did you meet her?" His eyes beg for the truth.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"I never did," Marie replies honestly, shaking her head. "...but my best friend knew her. Apparantly she went to my high school shortly after we had graduated, and Jenny had gone back to visit friends." Her tone's apologetic, lips curving slightly downwards as she reaches out a hand to try and rest consolingly on Billy's shoulder. "She came back to the apartment we had rented together to tell me the school had gotten a 'replacement Marie'. Looked and acted very much like me.

"I do not think she goes there anymore, but I could certainly ask the next time I am back, if you would like? See if any of my friends knows where she went?" It's certainly worth a shot.

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson puts his hand on Marie's cheek and just nods. "You guys have your secrets. I can respect that. She was the first person to learn I was Shazam aside from my family. It was after I rescued her from bullies as Shazam and Billy. We were hugging annnnnd I became Billy to show her what she was dealing with finally. She doctored my face after the Juggernaut got through with me in our first fight... she made me grow up a little."

He gets a haunted look, "Now don't get me wrong... I think the world of Sunny. We have something special. But this was my first... special. I... am telling you a lot of stuff no one knows. Did Mary ever tell you what it feels like when the lightning hits you... like getting a deep massage while puppies lick your face..." Rambling.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie nods slowly -- she's not going to divulge exactly what kinds of secrets she's privvy to; her own, she doesn't care nearly as much about. But the school, her friends? Yeah, those secrets she's not going to share as much as she wouldn't tell others thatt Billy is Shazam. It's just not her way.

"Secrets are... difficult." Marie admits, frowning a bit. "Mary was the second... well, 'stranger' that I told about my abilities, and I did it because I thought she would be unsafe being around me. Because my feelings for her... they were undeniable, but I was not about to put her in harm's way." It was back when Brainiac was threatening to absorb all mutants. The memory of those times makes Marie shiver a bit.

Refocusing herself, she forces herself to smile. "A first love is always special, Billy. You will always remember your first love... a part of her will always be with you. Sometimes, it will just be as a memory. Something to take comfort in when times are difficult." Then Marie smiles a bit brighter. "Sometimes, a reunion down the road is fate's plan. Learning to live in, and enjoy the present is a lesson that has been difficult for me to learn," Since she can see the future. "but it was an important one. You are aware that now is the /second/ time that Mary and I have dated, oui?" They had dated before, and went their seperate ways after awhile. Given that Billy didn't realize Mary was a lesbian, though... he might not be aware.

The explanation about what the lightning does, though? She can't help but giggle at that. "I... ah.. never asked, but I think I will now. I had worried it was painful and would not wish for her to transform if it was..."

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson says, "Nah. It feels great. It's like you're still you but... better? I'd let you try it but I think I reached my limit on empowering people. Six letters, six Champions. I think t has to do with the Babylonians. We use the Greco-Roman gods but... I think we're way older. It explains why demons and monsters didn't wipe out mankind. We were here. Champion doesn't mean you get a medal or win a prize. It means you help people. I'm not bragging when I call myself that or the sibs. But you seem to understand words have power..."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie laughs softly, shaking her head. "Non, monsieur. I believe the power that you, and Mary, and F-- wait." She stops dead in her tracks, staring for a moment. "/Six/ Champions?" She knew of three. She'd seen three. She's very confused at the moment.... but shakes it off. "I believe in fate. It was your fates to become Champions, to stand guard against the threats that would wipe us from very existence. I can /see/ it in you, Billy. Mary and Freddy too. Your hearts... they are where they should be. You do what you must." Then pointing to herself. "Me? I am meant to be a servant. I act as fate herself desires, and she lends me her power in turn. I may not be..." she tries to puff herself up to look larger and more intimidating. It kind of looks silly, instead. "...like you, but my /responsibilities/ are not as great, either." If she only knew the half of it...

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson hugs Marie. "Oh we're all servants. We serve according to the gifts we're given. We each have our jobs. No you are not intimidating. But intimidating is too common. You are enchanting. Much better and I'm sure Fate put you with my sister and all of us for a reason. You're a counselor, a seer. You give warnings. You can help us prevent things from turning bad. You are very important. As far as I'm concerned, you're family."