Open RP

[aka_shazam]

Dude, check this out!

[He makes zaps of lightning fly from his fingertips.]

What? You think I should have moved on from this? No, I am never getting over having super powers. Duh. How can I not have fun with this?!

Comments

[partsthewaves]

[From a distance Arthur had been watching the commotion for a while. He was dressed in regular civilian clothing not wearing any of his Aquaman gear. He didn't want to drawl any attention and wasn't in the mood for it. He had been in the area when he saw all the crazy lightning displays and wanted to investigate what was causing them. He knew it wasn't natural. Now he found the source and to say he wasn't impressed showed.

Who was this clown dressed in those bright garish colors? Someone else pretending to be some kind of super hero because that was a thing now? He frowned and warily decided to approach the stranger.]

There's a difference between having fun and being responsible for your powers. That is called being an idiot and attracting the wrong crowd.

[aka_shazam]

[His lightning show had drawn a little crowd, as always. Seems he even had a jar down for tips. The man approaching now was so big.... Billy had to think twice to remember he was also big and buff now. He even puffed out his lightning emblazoned chest and stood straighter.]

I'm responsible.

When I have to be. Today's just... not that day, OK?

[A little childishly defensive there.]

[partsthewaves]

[That earned an eye roll and a look of boredom on his face. He merely crossed his arms in annoyance.]

Somehow I doubt that, kid. It looks more like you're trying to earn money instead with your little parlor tricks. What are you trying to be anyway?

[aka_shazam]

Hey, I'm a superhero, all right? And I'm not a kid. I'm, like, thirty or... late... late twenties... Old. Not a kid. Nope.

[He may be protesting too much about that.]

I'm Captain... Thunder... something... Look, I haven't settled on a name yet but I got powers.

[He wiggled his fingers and they sparked with flashy mini-bolts of lightning.]

[partsthewaves]

How old you really means nothing to me, but it's all about how you act. You're acting like a kid and it's clear you don't have a clue of what you're doing or how to utilize your powers.

This type of idiocy is only going to give you the wrong people.

[It was clear he needed guidance, but Arthur wasn't so sure if he wanted to be that person.]

[aka_shazam]

What? And you think you're some sort of superhero expert with your.... beard and your... muscles?

[He was clearly searching for words.]

[partsthewaves]

That isn't going to gain you allies.

[At the comment, Arthur reached over and grabbed Billy's right arm and pulled him away from the growing crowd. He spoke in a low gruff tone that only the two of them can hear.]

I'm only going to tell you this once and only once. You're being watched by both sides. You're not making a great appearance and you're coming off as a comical joke barely skating by.

I get you're new to this whole thing, but you're not being careful and you're exploiting yourself the wrong way.

They can easily manipulate you into controlling you into doing things you don't want to do.

Or you can grow-up and figure out what it is you want to do with this gift of yours. It's your choice. Most of us do it to protect the ones we love. It's never about ourselves.

[aka_shazam]

Hey--!

[He protests at being pulled away but he does listen, if reluctantly. He did get help and advice from others and he had protected his family - but this stranger didn't need to know about that. He begrudged that he was being told off for having a bit of fun on the side. Still... what was this talk about...?]

They? Who's they? What if you're one of them, huh?

Why should I trust you?

[He actually has heard of many superheros that exist in his world, including Aquaman, but he doesn't know inside information about secret identities - so has no idea who Arthur is.]

[partsthewaves]

I'm sure you can figure out who the wrong type would be.

[At least Arthur hoped he could. He was hoping that Billy was smart enough to figure that out, but he could also be wrong. Warily, Arthur released his grip of Billy's arm.]

People on land know me as the Aquaman. I had been passing through when I saw your little display.

[aka_shazam]

[Blink. Blinkblinkblink.]

Aquaman. Aquaman? You mean the guy who can talk to fish and Freddy said you can lead fish armies? That Aquaman?

[partsthewaves]

[That comment earned a sucker punch to the stomach.]

Rule number one we do not joke around with my abilities. You want to do one more crack on that I'll send you the piranhas.

[aka_shazam]

Ow. Hey.

You... you can hit me.

[OK, that was a good sign this guy did have superpowers. He then put his hands up in surrender.]

Look, I'm not joking. I tried talking to a goldfish and... nothing! You've got skills, man.

[partsthewaves]

[The comment earned a deadpan expression from Arthur. He wasn't about to respond to the comment.

At least he managed to talk some sense into Billy even if it was only a little bit.]

So you can shoot lightening and take a lot of hits.

[aka_shazam]

Yeah. And other stuff - like run really fast. Like a flash! And I'm bulletproof

And I can fly! Just like Superman.

[Well, not exactly like Superman but that's what he's aspiring for in that department. He's getting there.]

[partsthewaves]

Fine. Prove it. Let's see how hard you can hit me.

[Arthur challenge and he stood poised for the punch.]

[aka_shazam]

... I don't want to hit you. You're not a super-villain.

[He fidgets a bit.]

[partsthewaves]

I want to see how strong you are that you keep boasting about. Otherwise it's just empty words.

Hit me.

[aka_shazam]

Uh, OK, man if you insist...

[He takes a deep breath, eyeing Arthur for a moment - then takes a hard swing at the man's broad chest. It may be a surprisingly strong punch, worthy of a superhero.]

[partsthewaves]

[Arthur braced himself for the punch, and found himself extremely surprise by the impact. He was shoved a few feet back and he felt the wind knocked out of him. It took him a few seconds to recover from it. He wore an expression of surprise. So the kid wasn't boasting after all.]

Not bad, kid. Not many could have done that.

[aka_shazam]

[He lets out a startled laugh when Arthur is pushed back then recovers to dramatically sober.]

See? So you shouldn't mess with me. I'm here to protect people.

[And put on light shows.]

[partsthewaves]

That's where I wouldn't get too cocky. I would learn to be more subtle and not so.....flashy.

All I can say is good luck. Who knows I might stop by again to see how things are going.

[Arthur straightened out his jacket and gave a nod in Billy's direction. He then turned to head back into the streets.]

[aka_shazam]

Hey. Hey, wait!

[Billy follows him.]

So can you really... talk to fish?

[partsthewaves]

Do you really want to be fed to the piranhas? I can easily arrange that.

[Arthur retorted as he continued to walk and showing no signs of stopping.]

[aka_shazam]

Why is that such a bad question? Can't you command fish?

[He keeps up easily in this superhero form. If he was in kid form, he may have had to hurry along faster but like this it's easy.]

[partsthewaves]

I command the entire ocean. Many can come to my aide if I request it. It's merely the fact that's all people seem to focus on is that I can "talk" to fish. When there's more to it.

There's a dinner down the street if you're interested in sitting down to eat something. We can talk more then, but only if you loose the costume and refer to me as Arthur.