(2014-10-13) That Old Magic (Switcheroo)
That Old Magic
Summary: Abra Kadabra puts on a show, is foiled by Witchblade (Power Woman in Sara's body) with some help from Black Lightning
Date: (2014-10-13)
Related: http://ageofheroesmux.wikidot.com/log:2014-10-06-switcheroo:power-woman-and-witchblade-part-1
NPCs: Abra Kadabra
Scene Runner: Black Lightning.
Social/Plot: plot
Players:
power-woman..black-lightning..

Its that time of the year, various German restaurants, German Societies, and community centers are putting up pavilions, setting out long tables, and bringing in tuba bands to play polkas while attracting the denizens of New York to come and enjoy the fine selection of beers as Oktoberfest is under way. Many started in September, some wait until October itself. The local community around Battery Park has waited, but it’s been going on and continues to do so. There is a mix of clouds in the sky, and following an early morning quick, cold fall sprinkle, the air is warming up while the ground stays wet with some puddles. These puddles being a good gathering place for trash that moves along the street, sticking to the water. But overall, it’s a clean fun atmosphere.

Few drinkers at this time of day, though some have started already. More presently its to enjoy the musical and festival atmosphere, curiously at this time of day, there is a gathering near an off-center stage/second stage. Away from the Windmill itself, this stage has its back to the ocean. There seems to be an illusionist performing and all of his tricks gathering a light round of applause. What makes it curious is that he demands payment for his services, with a magician’s hat at the front of the stage. He isn’t demanding money, but rather, precious items from the audience – like watches and necklaces and the like. He does a trick, they all applaud then he suggests the show will go on until he is paid for his amazing abilities. What is hard to see is that he also has a device he is using to hypnotize the audience to keep them there.

Jefferson Peirce is an individual in the area, not at the magic show yet, but walking around with a smile on his face, enjoying the atmosphere. In fall clothes, warm and casual, he’s finally taken a day to himself. Federal Holiday means his school is out for the day and its not an in-service day. Likewise, he’s not doing Outsiders work either. A day all to himself, hearing the applause, he turns curiously from a hundred meters away or so to turn and look.

For her part, 'Sara Pezzini' is on hand because any gathering of a crowd is a potential for problems, especially if alcohol is present. The NYPD presence here is most often of the uniformed and visible variety, but some few plain clothes officers and junior detectives move about as well, keeping an eye on things. Kara Zor-L is still doing her best to adapt to her new circumstances; since she is stuck in Sara's body, she is trying to live up to Sara's obligations, just as the other woman is doing her best to live up to Kara's Kryptonian boot steps. She looks like the typical New Yorker, in jeans and a leather jacket, strolling through the crowd. But something is drawing her slowly in her spiraling path towards that illusionist's show. She isn't sure what, yet. But Sara said to trust these instincts, so she's trying.

No one would mistake the man in the leiderhosen with the large mustache and the voluminous gut for a superhero. Which, of course, is the way that J'onn prefers it. He manages to be slightly outrageous and yet blend in utterly, like a clown at the circus. Alcohol has no effect on him, so he's free to guzzle beer as he sees fit as he makes his way around.

Oktoberfest strikes J'onn as almost a strange part of German culture, incongruous with the serious minded, efficient and even grim character of its people. A way to let off steam, perhaps. Harvests were once the only things that gave humans joy and a surcease to lives of constant labor. This would appear to be a leftover of that particular period. Intoxicants would certainly make it more tolerable, especially with that terrible oompa music going. Even tempered as he is, even J'onn feels a certain temptation to twist the brass around the player's head.

He finds himself making his way towards the magician's booth, his advanced senses picking up the strange frequencies of the hypnotic machine…and, somewhere inside the fat German man-strudel he appears to be, the Manhunter from Mars pricks up his ears and begins to apply his rigorous intellect to the problem at hand.

The show must go on, as the man does another dazzling trick, which is nice, but the entire crowd applauds as he holds up his wand, almost point it at them. "Thank you, yes, yes, please hold your applause until the end of the show." Said with a smarmy attitude suggesting his ego is eating it up and he wants more applause. A couple at the back of the crowd turn to try and leave, but he waves a white gloved hand at them, “Please, a volunteer from the audience, you ma’am will do fine.” And the lay turns to follow the suggestion, heading for the stage. She didn’t volunteer she just goes on up.

Jefferson Peirce sees some of this and watches from a distance at first, as the woman goes up on stage and the man pushes a button on his wand, it changes into a hand curtain that he puts in front of the woman, says a few magic works, “Abra Kadabra, presto change!” There is some smoke, the curtain drops, he’s but holding his wand and the lady looks like a life size puppet, it’s a good illusion, no one can see the strings. “Dance for us my dear,” grins the magician, she starts to move, “What’s happening to me.” She sound startled, J’onn might be able to notice the trance is off of her in this form. The magician turns to her husband, “A fine display, perhaps you may show your appreciation with that fine watch you are wearing sir?” He tips the wand towards the hat to collect valuables.

The magician is in a garish outfit, long cap, long collar tips that swirl, point white shoes even, a long mustache, white gloves.

Instincts she doesn't fully understand guide 'Sara' to the outskirts of the crowd, watching the display. She notices that some of the patter and crowd interaction is off; this man isn't nearly the showman their respones would imply. Were she in her natural form, Kara could likely suss all of this out very quickly. But as a normal human woman, augmented only by the Witchblade's curious instincts, it will take her longer to find something to pin her suspicious to. As it is, however, she is paying attention. That the show is garnering private property, not money, is not the way it should be going. She starts moving forward, looking at things more closely, as she interrogates the other presence abutted to her mind. . o O (Alright, you. I may not be Sara, but this isn't right. What's going on? Is this magic, here? She said you exist to deal with magic out of balance.) she queries, pushing her luck to see what she can get from the sulky, bitter artifact.

Noticing the woman being puppetted - while looking like a puppet version of the woman, that she's calling out sets off some bells and whistles for Jefferson the same. No one seems to be harmed just yet though, other than those giving valuable possessions to the hat. Though as the woman puppet dances at the gesture of his wand, the puppet shakes her head, "No, please stop."

That is when nearby guards and cops decide its been enough. Even if its a puppet trick, its not being too funny. "Show's over," says one. The magician replies, "Or just begun." He turns the wand towards nearby authorities figures and seems to bring them under hypnosis with his machine. A few people turn to go if they can, "No one leaves, until the show is over." The hynotized cops pull weapons and move to stop people from leaving the crowd, "Hand over your valuable and we'll be done here."

Jefferson doesn't carry a mask with him, but he can't stand by while this happens. He looks for a place to at least put his jacket aside so its not ruined for the moment, a sort of quick change meaning to move in, but taking that pause to not have everyone see him sort of becoming Black Lightning.

When the woman on stage starts aksing for things to stop, 'Sara' has to move in. She's supposed to be NYPD, and she has a heroine's instincts. She has to help. But as she moves in, jostling through the crowd as she makes her way to the stage, the magician makes his move. 'Sara' shakes her head, eyes dimming as the hypnosis reaches out, trying to control her completely normal, human mind. But then there is a flash within her eyes, and the dimming ebbs away, the bracelet on her wrist expanding outwards along her arm, becoming a bracer of organically-shaped metal.

The brunette detective tugs her sleeve down over the bracer, and leaps up onto the stage as she pulls out her sidearm from her shoulder holster, leveling it at the magician in a firm two-handed stance. "Drop it and let them go, mister. This stopped being a 'show' a while back, and I'm not playing." Her badge may not be out, but her attitude is clear: these people are her duty, and she will protect them.

"Well, officer, you've got me," says the magician, "Abra Kadabra." Holding up his hands, the dancing woman seems to move as if to block the gun, or become a shield. Not so much moving around stage but a magic trick where someone is in one location and lifting a curtain, they show up half way across the stage. "No," says the woman as a puppet not wanting to be in the middle of any of this. The magician does try to hypnotize Kara/Sara but his machines don't seem to help him, it could be a side effect of the body switch with at least one positive spin.

Then Black Lightning, minus a mask and in street clothes, is flying up from the spot he left his jacket, flashing to hover over the people, seeing what is happening on stage. "Listen to the officer, the gig is up," he says.

Abra Kadabra, grins, his mustache curling up some at the idea, hands still up towards Kara/Sara, he says, "Says the fool." The wand rotates towards Black Lightning, a flash, and he seems to convert to puppet looking as well, but still flashing with electricity, giving the magician one metahuman to control.

Whatever powers Sara's body gives Kara, one thing is certain, the man is using the wand to accomplish all this and might be the key to stopping this tirade.

Kara Zor-L would never dream of using a gun, but right now Kara isn't Kara; she's Sara, and she has to do what Sara would do. She had hoped confronting this charlatan with the gun and an official stance would be enough, but clearly not. Now, she just can't pull the trigger, not the least of which because suddenly the poor puppet woman has been moved to a point in the way of her shot. But she has to do something.

If at all successful, the brunette woman completes her twist in a leap /over/ the other woman towards Abra, as a razor-tipped tendril of organic-seeming metal shoots out from beneath her coat sleeve, aimed at the hand holding the wand.

"What the," responds Black Lightning (BL) as his body is taken over by the hynosis of Abra Kadabra, yet his mind if free to think. "No, you can't," he is saying as the Magician focuses figuring out how to make BL fly and move around. He doesn't have enough time to figure out how to shoot lighting, but BL already has a light forcefield up for safety, at about normal bullet level.

This takes his attention away from the woman puppet, whom Kara/Sara easily leg sweeps and sends her toppling. Not completely like a puppet as if its an illusion for the others, but its her real body beneath that mask. She slumps over for the moment as Kara/Sara unlashes the metal fromher sleeve.

Even as Lightning is starting to fly down to the stage, as if to engage with Sara somehow, Abra doesn't think Sara is going to respond like she does or so soon. The hand his hit and the wand drops. "You fool," he hisses, forgetting the Lightning puppet wich simply falls down much like the woman puppet did, and he moves to go after his wand which is skittering across the stage, partialy propelled by his hand racting to the metal tendril that shoot at his hand. Being caught in the tendril though, Kara/Sara may have more control over him than he does, without his wand.

Kara is still experimenting, but the actions of the Witchblade are those of millenia's experience; it knows what it can do, even though the Kryptonian woman trapped in its host's human body does not. With furious intent, it is prepared to do grievous bodily harm, but Kara's will is adamant, and it has become all too well acquainted with Sara's own resistances to its urge for 'final solutions'. Compelled, it merely snares its razor-tipped metal tendril around Abra's wrist and pulls, reeling him in against his own attempt to pursue the wand. Kara has to plant Sara's heels firmly as she tries to haul in her 'catch of the day'; mere Kryptonian will cannot be used to hold herself in place. "Surrender, or I may let it tear you apart." she growls, annoyed.

Abra Kadabra doesn't know the internal struggle Kara is facing with the Witchblade that is part of being in Sara's body. He does know his hand is being cut and hurt by the tendril and, as it stands, without the technology in the wand, he currenly has little else he can do.

Even now around him, the guards are coming too, along with police officers present for Oktoberfest. People that left items are realizing they should go get them back, recalling what happened while hypnotized by Abra Kadabra. The puppet woman looks herself again and is moving to get off the stage and return to her spouse. Black Lightning is standing up, slightly foggy. He sees that Sara has a tendril on him, but is asking for surrender, so he stays quiet.

"Fine, you win, no appreciation for true magic," true stage magic at least it would seem. The fight leaves his body. Kara/Sara can get to his wand, or someone else can, "Don't let it kill me," he says, slightly shaking, even while trying not to show it.

For her part, 'Sara Pezzini' is on hand because any gathering of a crowd is a potential for problems, especially if alcohol is present. The NYPD presence here is most often of the uniformed and visible variety, but some few plain clothes officers and junior detectives move about as well, keeping an eye on things. Kara Zor-L is still doing her best to adapt to her new circumstances; since she is stuck in Sara's body, she is trying to live up to Sara's obligations, just as the other woman is doing her best to live up to Kara's Kryptonian boot steps. She looks like the typical New Yorker, in jeans and a leather jacket, strolling through the crowd. But something is drawing her slowly in her spiraling path towards that illusionist's show. She isn't sure what, yet. But Sara said to trust these instincts, so she's trying.

Instincts she doesn't fully understand guide 'Sara' to the outskirts of the crowd, watching the display. She notices that some of the patter and crowd interaction is off; this man isn't nearly the showman their respones would imply. Were she in her natural form, Kara could likely suss all of this out very quickly. But as a normal human woman, augmented only by the Witchblade's curious instincts, it will take her longer to find something to pin her suspicious to. As it is, however, she is paying attention. That the show is garnering private property, not money, is not the way it should be going. She starts moving forward, looking at things more closely, as she interrogates the other presence abutted to her mind. . o O (Alright, you. I may not be Sara, but this isn't right. What's going on? Is this magic, here? She said you exist to deal with magic out of balance.) she queries, pushing her luck to see what she can get from the sulky, bitter artifact.

When the woman on stage starts aksing for things to stop, 'Sara' has to move in. She's supposed to be NYPD, and she has a heroine's instincts. She has to help. But as she moves in, jostling through the crowd as she makes her way to the stage, the magician makes his move. 'Sara' shakes her head, eyes dimming as the hypnosis reaches out, trying to control her completely normal, human mind. But then there is a flash within her eyes, and the dimming ebbs away, the bracelet on her wrist expanding outwards along her arm, becoming a bracer of organically-shaped metal.

The brunette detective tugs her sleeve down over the bracer, and leaps up onto the stage as she pulls out her sidearm from her shoulder holster, leveling it at the magician in a firm two-handed stance. "Drop it and let them go, mister. This stopped being a 'show' a while back, and I'm not playing." Her badge may not be out, but her attitude is clear: these people are her duty, and she will protect them.

Power Woman says, “Well, officer, you've got me," says the magician, "Abra Kadabra." Holding up his hands, the dancing woman seems to move as if to block the gun, or become a shield. Not so much moving around stage but a magic trick where someone is in one location and lifting a curtain, they show up half way across the stage. "No," says the woman as a puppet not wanting to be in the middle of any of this. The magician does try to hypnotize Kara/Sara but his machines don't seem to help him, it could be a side effect of the body switch with at least one positive spin.”

Kara Zor-L would never dream of using a gun, but right now Kara isn't Kara; she's Sara, and she has to do what Sara would do. She had hoped confronting this charlatan with the gun and an official stance would be enough, but clearly not. Now, she just can't pull the trigger, not the least of which because suddenly the poor puppet woman has been moved to a point in the way of her shot. But she has to do something.

If at all successful, the brunette woman completes her twist in a leap /over/ the other woman towards Abra, as a razor-tipped tendril of organic-seeming metal shoots out from beneath her coat sleeve, aimed at the hand holding the wand.

Power Woman says, “What the!" responds Black Lightning (BL) as his body is taken over by the hynosis of Abra Kadabra, yet his mind is free to think. "No, you can't," he is saying as the Magician focuses figuring out how to make BL fly and move around. He doesn't have enough time to figure out how to shoot lighting, but BL already has a light forcefield up for safety, at about normal bullet level.”

Kara is still experimenting, but the actions of the Witchblade are those of millenia's experience; it knows what it can do, even though the Kryptonian woman trapped in its host's human body does not. With furious intent, it is prepared to do grievous bodily harm, but Kara's will is adamant, and it has become all too well acquainted with Sara's own resistances to its urge for 'final solutions'. Compelled, it merely snares its razor-tipped metal tendril around Abra's wrist and pulls, reeling him in against his own attempt to pursue the wand. Kara has to plant Sara's heels firmly as she tries to haul in her 'catch of the day'; mere Kryptonian will cannot be used to hold herself in place. "Surrender, or I may let it tear you apart." she growls, annoyed.

Miranda warning offered, she slaps cuffs on Abra, and then double-checks them, before retracting the tendril from around his wrist. "Today, I don't let it tear you apart. Today, you go to jail for trying to manipulate and steal from these good people. You are now under arrest by the New York Police Department, Detective Second-Grade Sara Pezzini." She turns to the other officers, and hands him over. "Do /not/ let him out of your sight, and check those cuffs repeatedly. He has used slight of hand several times, so I don't trust him not to have a key stashed on him. Make sure they strip search him thoroughly before putting him in holding."

That said and done, 'Sara' approaches Black Lightning, nodding towards him as questioning begins for all of the bystanders. "Hi. Black Lightning, I presume?" she queries, hoping she has guessed correctly, as she offers Sara's hand to the masked but not uniformed hero.

As the people come too, some glad the police stepped in, Abra does exercise that right to remain silent. Snarling perhaps, his long mustache twitching a little. Offended perhaps that his genius has been thusly foiled. He'll ponder lawyers later, as otehr officers take him off. They make sure to get the wand for evidence, even if the technology will be hard to decipher unless someone like Stark is brought in.

Pausing when Sara approaches him, curious, but finding a smile at his lips, curious to be recognized, even if he's had some exposure of late. "Yes, Black Lighting. Sorry, I tried to help but he seemed to stop me." Or hynotize him. "Glad you were here and took charge, Detective." He didn't see the badge, wouldn't know if she's a regular officer or detective so much, but knows she's law enforcement at least.

'Sara' does pull out the badge, at least, to let Black Lightning see it, and she shakes his hand. "You tried, and kept his attention on you long enough for me to make my move. I appreciate it. Thankfully, no one got hurt today, and the perp will pay the price. Sorry this had to interrupt what I'm sure was originally a nice, calm day off for you." She's clearly taking in the lack of uniform with understanding. "Since we can't confirm your identity in any legal sense, and since we have plenty of other witnesses, if you'd like to leave rather than making a statement, no one here will stop you. You have my word."

"Thank you detective, that would be appreciated," responds Black Lightning, "Even with enough witnesses, I could leave a contact for you, would hate to deny my duties as a citizen just the same." Looking down at his own clothes, its what he had, he can't deny it, and probably the sooner he get's back the better, even if just to get his jacket and leave. "It wasn't ruined, I enjoyed enough of the atmosphere until this show. More glad to help if I can." His voice sincere, still thankful that she is allowing him the opportunity to go. He has a mask on but, still without the suit feels out of place for him.

"Sure. If you don't mind, I'd be a fool not to accept." 'Sara' offers, with a nod to Lightning. "You have a good day, Sir. Thank you again for your help today." She remembers to get out one of Sara's cards and offers it to the tall black hero, while accepting his contact info in turn.

Taking the card, looking at her name, Black Lightning nods, "I'll take it, just an interruption, but glad I could help one of the city's own." Own public servant protectors. Cards exchanged, "I'll leave you to this work." The paperwork that also comes with being a public servant. With a flash of blue, he hovers, then streaks towards hit jacket first, to retreive it then, away, off towards the Bronx.

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