16595/'Tis The Season For Shopping

'Tis The Season For Shopping
Date of Scene:	16 December 2023
Location:	Monkey Heaven Records
Synopsis:	Albums purchased, plans made, and feelings heard.
Cast of Characters:	Marie-Ange Colbert, Mary Bromfield

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Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Christmas wasn't always a happy time for Marie-Ange Colbert. While the people in her life have always valued the holiday, for a majority of her life they haven't valued /her./

That's changed in recent years, though. She's found friends and family alike that have brought the magic back to the season of giving, and as someone who's naturally a generous person? When Mary mentioned wanting to do some shopping she very quickly volunteered to join the effort, suggesting a variety of places along the way that reflect her more recent upbringing; some fancier places that she'd gone with Miss Frost, trendy places that she'd visited with Jenny or Jubilee... but when it came to music, she knew exactly where to go.

"Bonjour, Monsieur Schwarz!" she greeted the owner of the shop with her normally sunny disposition as she led the way inside. She's frequented the store since her earliest days in America, before her 'fame', so it's easier to be a little more outgoing here. Plus, with Mary around? She feels far more fearless, even if her beloved is a very mortal marvel, for the time being.

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary has been... surprisingly alright with not having the power of Shazam, at least for the time being. While Billy was busy setting up the trials that would let her prove her own worthiness, she had been taking time with both the streaming as well as Marie. Which is definitely not a downside.

And Mary has always been a huge fan of Christmas, loving both buying gifts and seeing all the decorations and just being in the spirit of things. So when Marie suggested going Christmas shopping, Mary immediately freed up her admittedly-not-busy schedule to do that. And so here she was with Marie, holding her hand and looking around with a smile, "Wow, I don't think I've ever heard of this place before."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"They have /everything!/" Marie excitedly assures Mary; not entirely true, but as far as she's concerned they do! "...and if they are sold out of something, Monsieur Schwarz can order it." A simplified version of what actually happens, but it makes sense to the French girl. "When Jenny and I were but small girls," Teenagers, "she told me of it. Though, for some strange reason she did not come along with me very often..."

That's because Marie developed a taste for the music of the 50's and 60's. ...which absolutely drove Roulette insane, at least at the time.

"So! Who should we look for first, mm?" she asks, gazing lovingly at the brunette.

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary grins, "Well, Eugene has been feeling a bit of a disco phase. I'm trying not to judge him too harshly for it, but see if we have some classic LPs here." She chuckles, "Is this the place you've been getting all those old rock albums that I read about in history classes?" She winks at Marie, teasing just a bit... because unlike Jenny, she does like the classics.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"Ah! Oui, disco. Monsieur Travola, la foudre de Grece!" Marie's not normally the leader-type, but navigator is a role she can play well enough. Tugging gently on Mary's hand to guide her through the store -- simple enough to do for one who's been here many times! The teasing results in a small fit of giggles. "Oh, Mary... we are lucky they sell them here, or I should be forced to be a villainess, robbing museums of their musical treasures, non?"

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary laughs, "Well, you would look pretty good in black..." She chuckles softly, "But no spoilers about your Christmas present, I made sure to hide it where you won't find it." She grins, "So actually, Grease would be /fantastic/ for him. I know Darla is on a big Daft Punk kick lately, so we can take care of her here too I think."

She looks a little sheepish, "Admittedly I just go with streaming or music stored on the computer, because... well, I can't actually hear that much of a difference." She says that very quietly, lest some puritans of music take offense.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
The compliment draws a blush; though only a mild one. "I shall keep that in mind, oui?" she replies softly, even puncuating the statement with a tiny wink. "...and as I said, I will not use the cards to peer into /our/ future, so they will give me no hints of this either." A solemn nod. She takes that very seriously! On the subject of Grease? Well. When it's specifically pointed out it doesn't take her long to dig out the motion picture soundtrack, and then she's on her way to lead to the next musical target.

"You are wise to speak softly, such heresy would almost certainly bring punishment upon you!" Marie replies, keeping her own tone a little hushed; she's definitely the type who can tell the difference in sound quality. But this is the woman who has a soundproofed room to practice her instruments in...

...and whose name is buried in the credits on an album /in this very store!/

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary smiles and follows along, "Well, I mean, I know better than to anger the spirits. Talking to gods on a regular basis and all that." She chuckles, "I'm pretty sure Apollo is going to yell at me a lot for that crack at some point, anyway."

She then leans in and kisses Marie on the cheek, "And I like to think I'm a good motivator to keep you from cheating." She sighs contentedly, letting the Christmas spirit flow through her.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"Let us see... Daft Punk... they ascended in the nineties, so... here!" There are, of course, quite a few selections to choose from in that regard. While she lets Mary peruse, she turns her attention a little more focused upon the other girl, pursing her lips in thought for a moment before finally speaking up.

"Do... do you miss it, mon amour? The voices, I mean. They no longer speak to you, oui?" she asks, some concern creeping into her tone. Mary's seemed to be handling it well, but, well, Marie's a worrier by nature. Though, she does smile a bit at the kiss and the words that follow, "A very good motivator, oui. The one who I would defy fate herself for."

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary hrms, "I do. I mean, they aren't speaking to me right now. But I just feel..." She pauses, "I mean, I love Billy like the little brother he is, but it just felt like the power was a loaner. It was never mine." She considers, "And I want to earn what I'm given. I know Billy says I'm worthy but... am I? I need to know for sure." She sounds resolute in that, at least.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
This time it's Marie's time to kiss Mary; a gentle press of her lips to the slightly shorter girl's forehead. "You know what I would say if you asked me, but I freely admit to being biased, oui?" she replies with a twinkle in her eye. "I can understand wishing to earn your power, though. It is perhaps the most vital reason why I began physical training... to have something that I earned, rather than something that was simply meant to be mine."

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Nary smiles, "I know, it sounds silly, but... I just always wonder if I've earned this. And this way, succeed or fail, I'll know." She slides her arms around Marie, "I'm just so lucky to have you in my life, regardless. I love you, Marie."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
Marie, in turn, wraps her arms comfortably around Mary. Giving her a warm, silent hug for several moments before answering. "Non, cherie. You have me in your life because you are a wonderful, caring person who makes me feel like I could walk upon the very clouds themselves. You earned my undying affection, much as I am quite certain you will earn back the gifts you are accustomed to." she assures Mary in a serious tone, before giving her a soft kiss on the lips. She might -- by her own vow -- not be able to see how the trials will turn out... but she's still going to be Mary's biggest cheerleader en route to them.

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary mmms and looks up at Marie, "Honestly, I don't know if I could manage this without you. You just mean so much to me, just by caring the way that you do. And hey, maybe we'll be walking on the clouds again sooner rather than later." Since, well, as Thunderbolt that's always on the table for a date night. "But, I suppose we should get back to the shopping. In a bit." And then she kisses Marie back lightly, just enjoying the moment.

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"I think you could," Marie admits, resting her head against Mary's forehead. "...but you will never need to." she adds with a happy sigh. It's really no wonder that she feels the way she does when Mary's around, as the Philly girl has a way of saying things that makes Marie want to believe... even when they're positive things about herself. "Oui, probably. We should figure out plans for the holidays too, oui? I know the school is having their annual party -- you are of course invited -- ...but I sure there are other events to attend, too. With your family, and our... ah... friends..." A covert way of indicating the super teams they run with, like the Titans and Justice League Dark.

Mary Bromfield has posed:
Mary nods, "I'll need to see, but you're definitely invited to come with me to any parties, for sure. I wouldn't want to be with anyone else. But yeah, I know the Vasquezes are going to have something on Christmas Eve, and you definitely need to come to that with me. And then I'll check about some of the other parties, but we should definitely sit down and work out the schedule. And I really want to meet more of your classmates."

Marie-Ange Colbert has posed:
"Oh, I wouldn't miss that for the world." Marie replies, her eyes twinkling. Family's a very important thing to the redhead, and she's definitely grateful that Mary's likes her, and her own (found) family likes Mary. "Oui, working on a schedule so that we do not miss the things we need to attend to will be most important... but first? We must finish shopping!" ...and with that, it's back into the records to select just the right Daft Punk record for Darla.