15849/Supply Run...again

Supply Run...again
Date of Scene:	13 September 2023
Location:	Candle, Booke and Belle
Synopsis:	Billy and Mike swing by Nettie's shop in time to get Nettie out of a tight spot. Drinks are had and secrets shared.
Cast of Characters:	Michael Hannigan, Nettie Crowe, Billy Batson
Tinyplot:	The Count of Monte Cristo

---

Michael Hannigan has posed:
One would think that after filming and recording has wrapped up that things would slow down. Not so. Such is the peril of the months of marketing for lead up to the release of The Count of Monte Cristo. So, when Mike has a bit of free time to himself, he's not going around as his stage persona but the much easier to blend in, Mike Hannigan.

And where does Mike go in his free time? Apparently today, it is the Candle, Booke and Belle.

The door chimes open, announcing the entertainer's entry to the quiet shop. His long hair has been tamed back, secured into a ponytail. A ballcap covers the top of his head to obscure some of his face, and the backpack worn is helping to conceal the length of the previously mentioned ponytail.

A few steps in, he comes to a stop and glances around. The shop seems...quiet.

Hmm. Did Mike come during a meal break?

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    CRASH! Clatter! Rattle and quibber, Nettie comes tear-assing out of one of the other rooms with a large, plastic cauldron affixed to her head, blindly grasping about.

    "Welcome to the Candle, Booke and Belle -- one -- moment -- please -- CORVAX! Fetch one of the lads this thing isn't coming *off*." she wails from inside the plastic Halloween decoration, which begins to flash purple and cackle with a 'HAPPY HALLOWEEN! AEEEEE HE EE HEE HEE HEEEEEEEEE!'

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson had a fairly successful day recording Batson on the Town (Billy on the Street was taken, TL;DR his sibs knew and wathced the kerfuffly he is certain!), In this case he had the segment earmarked for the question: what super has the best costume. Of course he started the intervies in Time Square and all the faux supers looking to sell rights to a selfie with them chimed in, then got loud. then it was a whole thing. Police were called and Billy demonstrated he could in fact call on the Speed of Mercury. He had a ton of fun video to show. He left a message for Irie and headed over to Nettie's shop to show his raw feed to Belinda and see whether her hair had settled down after some hijinks with Shazam.

Except someone is in his way. "Excu... oh hai Mr. Hannigan. I didn't expect you here."

"What the f... or crying out loud, hold still I'll get it off you Miss Nettie." He puts his hands on the cauldron trying not to touch Nettie flesh. He looks at the cauldron to see what it is stuck on. Don't laugh. Don't... okay let that chuckle be it.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Hearing a familiar voice behind him. Mike turns his head, smiling as Billy greets him. "Hey Billy. How's the show doing?" However, the topic is somewhat forgotten with Nettie's entrance into the room.

As chaos rings out, Mike ends up relaxing a bit. Ah yes. That's more like the store he knows. Turning to the source of noise, the musician tilts his head to the side to observe the store owner. "No rush, Nettie I can wait until you get this resolved."

Biting his lip to suppress the laughter he steps closer to observe the cauldron. The laugher of the kettle isn't helping matters and it shows as there's a slight betrayal of amusement to Mike's voice. "How stuck on is it?" He soon catches a case of the chuckles as the cauldron eggs him on.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "Har. Har. Laugh it up duckies..." Nettie begins, and she gives a small sigh, her shoulders going slack.

    "If it wasn't happening to me I'd probably be strugglin' to not laugh as well."

    "EEEEEE HEEE HEE HEEEE -- HAAPPY HALLOWEEEN!"

    "Oh, shut it you overpriced plastic wreck of a --" Nettie growls at the plastic cauldron, and then motions.

    "It's caught on my ear and one of my noses." pause "Scratch that, reverse it. It stinks in here. All I can smell is a Wal-Mart and that just smells like giving up."

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson tries to look up into the cauldron which require leaning way down to the petite Graywitch. Then he shrugs and says, "Hang on sorry about this..." He picks her up0 and seats her on the counter to see better. "Sorry, you're vertically challenged. Ah... that earring is the problem. He tries to work it off and... earlobe... finger on earlobe. Billy gives a shudder. He swallows hard then the earring comes free and the cauldron is lifted. He sits down heavily, breathing deeply.

"Moira."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike tilts his head down, bringing a hand up to his mouth as he works to suppress the chortles. Being that she doesn't seem in danger, he steps aside to let Billy have a go at the plastic cauldron.

As the laughter dies away and Nettie's head is freed. He looks to the store owner, grinning. "Ok, as good a job as you did to make the cauldron helmet work, this a much better look for you."

He glances to the decoration, "Just HOW did you get that on your head like that?"

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    Nettie is lifted. She does not like this, and one can just envision the Wet Cat expression she's making under the plastic cauldron as she's placed on her own tea counter. She tilts her head a moment, until the cauldron starts cackling again, and then she winces a bit as Billy reaches under the black plastic soup kettle (it cackles again), and he has to touch her skin in order to get it off. Billy would get just a glimpse of his death (Radiation POisoning. Gasping for breath as your insides begin to liquify and poison you, unable to shout the magic word that would give him at least a chance as he reaches for the way out) --

    And with a pop! It's off. It's just Nettie, wearing earrings that have large foam skulls on them, and her nose is red from being squished inside of that cauldron. She rubs her nose, and gives a soft, though heart-felt "Sorry" to Billy, with an added in: "They're not real promises. Just possibilities. Remember that, lad." she murmurs, and then brings both gloved hands up to rub at her nose.

    "I was getting a box of candles from last year's Samhain vigil and the dumb thing fell over on me, popped on and refused to let go."

Billy Batson has posed:
No. I denny this, Billy thinks. This is the result of a demon's curse and you do not listen to demons. Besides, he is still a teen and teenagers are immortal. You doubt this? Look at Archie. The fear fades to a nagging uncertainty. Don't listen to demons and don't bet against Hades. Orpheus learned that. "I'm fine. The Burke brothers scared me worse than that."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike arches a brow at the explanation. "Well then." He comments, stepping over to take the cauldron. "Seems to me that when you put that in storage again, it should go on a bottom shelf." He moves the cauldron to the side of the counter furthest from Nettie. Just in case she wants to put on a repeat performance.

Mike looks over to Billy, "...The Burke brothers?"

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson nods. The color is already returning to his cheeks. Shazam has the Courage of Achilles but Billy is not exactly a slouch. "Two goons who gave me trouble back in Philly. Could I get something to drink, please and no problem, entirely my fault. I just didn't want you to tear your ear and I'd do it again." Belinda, Freddy, Steve and I are so going to break that curse. He smiles at Nettie. Good thing she can't read minds.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "I didn't even recall I owned this." Nettie states.

    "EEE HEE HE HE--"

    Nettie opens the battery pack and removes the batteries.

    "Hush now." she states to the cauldron, and then looks to Billy.
R    "Need to have a chat about it, Billy lad?" she asks, and she continues to sit on her tea bar.

    "Eh, wouldn't be the first time somethin' mine's been torn off. There were certain things that were quite fashionable in the late Victorian era, especially where I was livin' in India." she explains, and she spins on her rear end to step behind the counter.

    "Chocolate milk I found has been quite handy at dispellin' the remainder of the curse."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
To the explanation, Mike gives a nod. "Ah, bullies. I think pretty much everyone's encountered their version of the Burke Brothers growing up." He glances over to Nettie as she seems to want to doublecheck on Billy after the Cauldron incident. He gets a sense that he missed something but leaves it be.

Watching the cauldron get silenced, he glances to the batteries to see what brand they are.

Keeps going and going...

Once the discussion turns to shop related things he smiles. "I was thinking about getting some more of that tea I tried when I came in feeling a bit ...green in the gills."

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson rubs his eyes and suddenly looks tired. Dealing with demons, whether kicking their butts or parlaying is tiring. "Hey Mr. Hannigan, got any comments on 'Theme of the Crime starting back up? I heard you made like they would need to kill and zombify you to get you back on there. And yeah, I'm asking on the record."

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    A glass bottle of chocolate milk is set in front of Billy, while Nettie works to bring her steam kettles up to temperature.

    "Everyone's dealt with bullies, doesn't make it easier. Used to be you could just go off them in the schoolyard with a couple friends. Now-a-days they just suspend the lot for 'fighting' instead of getting to the root of the problem... probably the bully's parents." Nettie's nose wrinkles. "Or economics. That class drove me batty in Oxford."

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson takes a sip of the choco-milk and finds it helps. He makes a note to stock some at the Rock. "I had no friends except Freddy. He wasn't a lot of help in a fight. These guys mostly ran the school. Any teacher trying to correct them got harrassed by their folks who were pretty rich. I really want to slap the jerk who says, bullies are cowards and really scared. These guys had six inches on Freddy and me. What to be scared of? I'll tell you, turning your back on me when I got hold of Freddy's crutch. I gave them a beating and when they showed signs of regrouping I ran out of there. I ditched them in the subway. That was the day it all changed."

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "I didn't attend school, other than when I treated myself to a study at Oxford, that's about it. Couple stints in community college to keep up with technology." Mettie recalls, and she sets a cup of tea in front of Michael, and then sits down herself.

    "Aye, that's the day the Wizard chose you then?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Some just did it because they knew no one would do anything about it." Mike comments, "Well, until it got to where it couldn't be ignored anymore. Didn't really start making friends until after leaving school. So," Mike glances over to Billy, "You've one upped me there, Billy."

Mike's head tilts to the question. "Well, I just finished with my part in the making of The Count of Monte Cristo so I've been a bit busy with the promotions of that movie. Plus I'm working on another album. But, regarding that series, the write off happened after I had already left the show. I don't recall them showing a body in that episode so..." He shrugs. "...There are some people I wouldn't mind working with again. So if there's something to work with, we'll see."

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson does a small head tilt towards Mike, his eyes plainly asking Nettie if he can tell this in front of the man. Generally he was pretty open around other supers... wait... "Does ANYONE come in this store that isn't JLD?"he asks the Greywitch. Mr. Hannigan, Nick Drago, rockstar and mystical warrior? Heck who'd take him for Shazam, let alone pure of heart?

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Well, yes. There are instances where non-JLD come in the store." Mike answers, glancing around. "Just....not at this moment."

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "Loads of normal people come in to buy costume jewelery and tea. BRuce Wayne's been here once. He's definitely not JLD." she considers a moment. "One of the Kent boys."

Billy Batson has posed:
Billy Batson nods and say, "Oh ok then. A wizard gave me great power and with it came... great frustration. Let's leave it at that for now. I could show you but I've damaged Nettie's roof enough. I met Bruce Wayne's son and he's a ... nut is what he is."

"Anyway, I need to get to editing this stuff and see if Irie needs a driving lesson." He will not start a lesson as Shazam, he swore that.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Hearing the explanation for the origin of Billy's powers, the musician gives a nod. "That's a pretty nice story." Mike responds, "I got mine in a bar. And... good luck with Irie's driving lessons. Do your best to avoid any speeding tickets."

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "And no canoodling until you can properly drive a stick shift!" Nettie calls out as Billy retreats, just in time for him not to be able to answer with the closing door.

    And Nettie looks a little happy, and theng ives a soft siiiigh.

    "Kids these days have courtship so easy." she mutters, and digs out her flask.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike watches as Billy heads out. Seeming a bit curious. The sigh causes for him to look over to Nettie. "So JLD huh? ... Just HOW many members do we have now?" Mike should really check the memos more.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "Eh. Enough to cover some of the bases. Not as many active and popping in as I'd like, but I would imagine they'd show if we needed them." Nettie replies quietly, and she stretches her fingers, and then gives a shrug as she swings her flask up.

    "Imagine that, poppnig into the HQ of the Justice League Dark and there being members of the Justice League Dark there."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Yes. Imagine that." Mike leans against the counter. "Some of them might not have gotten the change of address notice." Mike quips. "Probably have a few members still wondering why their key is no longer working."

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "I sent out a general missive to every phone number and crystal ball I had. If they haven't thought to check here, that's on them." Nettie remarks quietly. "A good number were quite cross when Kinney, Pezzini and I determined it wasn't worth it to continuously fight elder gods for that damned castle. Half convinced that's what drove the previous leadership to their unique forms of madness."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"It seems so long ago." The performer admits. "But I do remember the strange looks I got from Chas when I was relaying the conversation I had with Nyarla-" He pauses, remembering the rule regarding the name. "-Nyarcat."

Mike sighs, "...I have to admit it was convenient for me since I travel a lot. But, a part of me was wondering why we were having so many people traipsing about the Astral plane like that. My only real regret about it no longer being there is that I miss the piano."

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "But Mike, we have a haunted jukebox." Nettie states dryly.

    And on cue, the 1950's era Jukebox whirrs to life, and immediately begins to play 'Do You Love Me (Now that I can dance)', acid green coloration and yellow glass lighting up happily.

    "See?"

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike gives a slight pout. "But I can't teach it new stuff."

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "It picks up new music on the regular." Nettie explains, "It was playing German Tekknomusic the other day."

    And then she adds, dryly "My son was quite shocked."

    And she chews on that phrase for a moment. "Still odd to think of that."

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike looks over to the jukebox giving it an assessing look. "Nettie...It's close. But it's not the same. With a piano you're directly interacting. Playing the song yourself for the first time. I mean sure, it played the song numerous times every time it was introduced to a new song. But you were teaching it something."

He pauses as he looks to the Jukebox. Shaking his head, "Anyways, back to the tea thing. Do you have any more of that blend from when I was body swapped with the Hulk?"

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "It's been sitting in front of you for about five minutes, getting cold." Nettie points out with amusement.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
Mike blinks, tilting his head down to look to the cup. "Oh!" He shakes his head, "I must be more tired than I thought. I didn't even see you do that." With the threat of the drink getting cold, he lifts up the drink to sip the drink.

Mike. JLD material. Hah.

Nettie Crowe has posed:
    "Magic." Nettie replies, wiggling her gloved fingers in actual amusement.

Michael Hannigan has posed:
"Indeed." Mike agrees. "Although Billy's trick was better. He pulled a Nettie out of a Cauldron."