7630/Identity Crisis

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Identity Crisis
Date of Scene: 31 August 2021
Location: Central Plaza - Happy Harbor High School
Synopsis: Damian needs answers and gets them, and more questions.
Cast of Characters: Billy Batson, Bando George, Damian Wayne




Billy Batson has posed:
There is some consternation in the Central plaza as Shazam is occupying a table. The World's Mightiest Mortal is sitting at a table and reading an issue of People. Occasionally stopping to check messages on a phone.

The few people who do approach him get a personable smile and sure he'll autograph a book or pose for a selfie. Free no less. Pay it forward and buy a first responder a donut or something.

Even so, most of the students stay away. Some make remarks about the scene he caused at Big Belly Burger with Xiomara and Madison. There's a couple of mean laughs. A few point figures. One girl openly asks, "What is that creep doing here?" (Note see scene 7446)

Bando George has posed:
    Bando enters the courtyard. He had to bring a bag lunch today. Last of the month, budget is used up. Ugh. But then everything changes. Wait, is that Shazam? Wasn't there something that happened with him? No matter, Bando is friend to all!

    He carries his Dr. Pepper in one hand, his bag in the other. "You're Shazam!" he exclaims. "I heard about what you did, was that made up or is it real?" Always the best way to start a conversation. He walks over to him without the slightest hesitation, having no idea that it's really Billy.

Damian Wayne has posed:
     Where there is a Shazam, there would be a Damian nearby. At least, far enough away to at least not make it seem like he was watching Big Red.

  Damian was dressed in the school polo, and black slacks, very smart for a young man of his age. He was posted up at a table by himself, reading a tablet but catching glances at Shazam on his own table.

  There was something about the kid that made people just stay away from him. He seemed to have an air of leave me alone about him.

  But that George kid went up to him...time to observe, and see what was going on.

Billy Batson has posed:
Shazam closes his magazine and slips the flip phone into his belt. He keeps his voice level. "I didn't do anything except try to see if your classmate was hurt and leave before that Xiomara girl started something likely to destroy the restaurant and result in a lot of trauma counselors being called. If that Big Belly Burger scene is what you meant." Shazam squints a little trying to guess Bando's intentions. Is /he/ trying to start something? Also there's that itching at the back of his neck. He looks around behind him quickly then turns back to Bando.

Bando George has posed:
    "Ohhhh!" Bando takes the explanation at face value. "She can be kinda intense," he nods, reaching out to pat Shazam on the shoulder reassuringly, and...well, without permission. "She's nice. Well, she's not nice, but she seems to be trying really hard to be a good person. She just needs a little grace, you know?" he says. "Some people have trouble interacting, and we just gotta be a little understanding." He nods as if he is really a very sage advisor.

    "Like over there, that guy," He nods at Damian. "I don't even know his name. He's always kinda sitting by himself when I see him. But he probably just needs help making friends, right?" A lightbulb goes across his face. "Oh, we should do that. If people think bad stuff, just make new friends, talk to them. Mom always says that communication is key." And just like that, he seems to have decided that there will be a three way conversation. "Hey, hey guy," he calls over to Damian. "Come join us." That vibe Damian gives off? Well, it's effect seems to be limited on Bando.

Damian Wayne has posed:
     Damian kept reading his article on his tablet. The sixteen year old then hears himself being called 'guy' and looks up from his tablet, as if he didn't know he was being called to.

  Removing his right hand from the tablet, he points to his chest, as if to ask 'Me?'. When the inevitable affirmative comes from the other youth, Damian relents and starts to approach, before he jjoins the pair. "Umm. Hello."

Billy Batson has posed:
Shazam waves. What is it with this guy? He met him at the pool. Then suddenly twice in as many days? What was he even doing at Mike Hannigan's? Something was off, but even the Wisdom of Solomon needed more to work with. Then again, if he was his stalker, if he even had one, he wouldn't be just sitting in plain view. Right. Shazam waves to him like he sees him for the first time.

Bando George has posed:
    "Hey," Bando greets Damian's arrival. "We saw you sitting over there by yourself, so thought we'd invite you over. Sucks sitting all alone. I'm Bando. I think I've seen you before, but we never really have /met/, you know?" He puts down his Dr. Pepper and offers a hand to shake. "This is Shazam, but I figure the big cool outfit gives that away. By the way, Shazam, where did you get your costume? I need one, my last one got absolutely shredded, and wearing a ski mask gives people the wrong image."

Damian Wayne has posed:
     Play it cool, Damian. When the hand is offered, he gives it a shake, practiced, very professional. "I'm Damian Wayne." As in Bruce Wayne, Gotham City's most famous family. He doesn't say it, but he was definitely not the type to go unnoticed around the school. While many of the students had powers, Damian has never shown any signs of having any, he was just a normal student going to a pestigious school that just so happened to have many meta students. "Hello, Shazam. I-what are you doing around a high school anyway? You don't seem the type to get left back a grade...or three." It was an awkward attempt at a joke, seems the billionaire-playboy's son is a little...dry.

Billy Batson has posed:
Shazam nods. "This was sort of like those drag queens going to libraries to read stories to little kids, to show they're just people/whether you get them or not. After the incident in the restaurant I figured I'd chill here for a bit and show people I'm not about to rip up a tree or throw lightning at them. It's not working. And I can't help you with a costume, Bando. This is a perk of the job."

"You're Bruce Wayne's son. I saw your dad at that Museum madness a couple months ago, along with Giant-Man, Cap and Iron Man. there's also an article about you in here. They call you the Ice Prince," he says to Damian.

Bando George has posed:
    Bruce Wayne's son? Bando apparently missed that. "Wait, what? Like, the millionaire Bruce Wayne?" he asks. "And you have ice powers? That's sick. Yeah, I just started doing superhero stuff, but costumes are hard, y'know? I'm friends with Ms. Marvel, Ghost Spider, we go out and patrol together. We even stopped a bank robbery!" See, he's a real hero, he's made it to bank robberies!

    "So Damian, don't worry, I wont' treat you different because you got a famous dad," he assures. "That'd probably be hard," he announces, flip flopping conversation topics back and forth. "Have you been going here long? I just started this semester."

Damian Wayne has posed:
     "B." Damian mentions, not in a boasting way, he was just being correct. "Billionaire." Damian's pale green eyes look back to both as they mention the article. "No, they call me Ice Prince because I don't allow them to interview me for every whim they want."

  "Besides, if you believe everything you see in articles, they called you a menace for the fight with Juggernaut." Damian adds, looking to Shazam with a little side eye. "So I guess we are even."

  "But...Shazam...why here?" He asks, looking to Shazam's eyes. "You chose the school to do community outreach?" Damian then turned to Bando, looking to the other teen and nodded. "Thanks, and...I am just normal. My Father thought it would be good for me to meet others my age, and he's a little invested in Happy Harbor's program...so he sends me here."

Billy Batson has posed:
Shazam pokes the table with his finger to emphasize his words. "I behaved like a menace fighting Juggy. I'll own it. I'm not retiring like some screech owls demanded. I did community service, I cleaned up after myself. I did that and it was forgotten almost at once. This thing in the burger shack just seems to get bigger and bigger. Because I waves at a high school girl. I wave to people. So Mr. Wayne, I get your position on media, especially social media. I'm here because a lot of the people who witnessed that non-event go to school here. I figured let them see I'm not a creep. Did they see where I hang out with Fire a lot? I don't think I'm hurting for female companionship. I mean we're just friends. Fire is great! Bando, if you ever get a chance to team up with Fire, take it. For an older lady, she's amazing... I mean she's just amazing."

Bando George has posed:
    "Hey, we all make mistakes," Bando defends Shazam. "When I first was learning about my powers, I accidentally turned my neighbor's cat blue. She's still blue, last I heard, and I'm not sure how to fix it." He does look a little remorseful. "But it's okay, it's not dying or anything," he adds suddenly, holding his hands out lest someone think he's an animal abuser.

    "But you're a grown man, probably shouldn't just start waving to girls our age," he advises. "People do get the wrong idea about that stuff. Starfire? Like, the supermodel? She's...pretty cool," he admits, trying to think of ways to remain appropriate. Just guys? Yes, but Bando tries to keep his mouth in check anyway. "I think she's a little too old for me, though, and I'm abstinent. I'll just take your word for it." Wow he really is a creep, suggesting that a teen boy do THAT with an adult woman? Wait, how did he mean that statement?

Damian Wayne has posed:
     "Okay then." Damian says, raising his thumb up to give approval. "I was just saying, the media sucks. And I am not the only one who knows it." Older lady? Fire can't be much older than Shazam is, right? Red light right there, it's time for Damian to thread another string to the Billy Batson bieng Shazam pin.

  "Technically it was dying." Damian offers, a wry smile appearing on his face. "So, Shazam, I will say I don't think you're a creep. Or that you're a menace. For the record."

Billy Batson has posed:
Shazam slaps his hand down on the table. The table survives but may be unconscious s to speak. "First of all, I am talking about Beatriz Bonilla da Costa, superhero of Brazil, member of the defunct Global Guardians and the Justice League, not Starfire of the Titans... who seems very nice. Second when I say team up I mean superhero work. She's very respectful of young-er guys like us. She taught me a lot about heroing. We saved the Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty together. She's like an auntie if anything."

Shazam checks his phone. Dang, swimming class! "Uhm. I have a... meeting with my peers in ten. It was nice meeting you guys. I hope I cleared the air with you Bando. I need to go." He steps back and is gone -a blur arcing upward and out of sight. A moment later lightning flashes... behind the library.

Bando George has posed:
    Bando's eyes go wide when Shazam suddenly slaps the table, and shrinks a little as it's explained. "Oh." he says, having less vocabulary suddenly. He glances at Damian, and back to Shazam. When Shazam checks his phone and declares his need to exit, he responds with a simple "Okay. Good to meet you." He watches as the hero launches into the air.

    He's quiet for a moment, then looks at Damian. "He...seemed stressed," he observes.

Damian Wayne has posed:
     Damian glances at the phone again, when it is pulled out of the tights. "Okay then, Shazam, see you later."

  Damian waits until Big Red is gone and well away from them before turning to Bando. "Yep." Is all he says before tapping on he tablet in his hands. "I have class in ten minutes. Nice to meet you." He offers, before clasping shut the tablet's folio. and heading towards the natatorium, a little curious about how he would fare on the team. Not at all to confirm if Billyis in attendance.