Suzi nodded frequently as Missy, the famous Miss Teen, spoke her mind. Suzi's own experiences with giving help and advice to two particularly special people she'd called 'sisters' had made her understand perfectly.
It was hard to be a teenage girl in any situation. But coping with it far from one's family, while also dealing with super-powers, and the responsibilities of being a 'hero' was just too much for many young girls.
While Hero Corps tried hard to be a nurturing training ground for young heroes and heroines, it really wasn't equipped to give emotional support to the increasing numbers of teenage supers that were appearing.
Hearing Miss Teen's idea made her picture a kind of open access support group. A place where you could find people who'd listen easily, like sisters, and simply be there when a girl needed advice, or simply needed someone to talk to who'd listen with patience and understanding.
Suzi had memories of young girls who'd gotten pregnant, and could all too easily imagine how many additional complications there could be if such a girl (or her boyfriend) were a mutant, worrying about how that might affect any child.
"Missy, you have my support on this absolutely. I think it is a wonderful idea" Suzi said, smiling warmly. "I had the chance to help a couple of brave young girls in exactly the way you mean. Not only did it help them, but it helped me too, really gave me something positive when I needed it"
Suzi paused for a moment, sipping her drink thoughtfully until she reached a decision.
"There's something I have to tell you though, Missy" she began. "I've been told there's a very high risk that I won't live very long. No, no, don't be upset, honey. I'm finding that the life I have is very sweet, and if it is to be short, it is still a life I expected to have ended a year ago."
"The point is," Suzi continued, "that it means I can't be too central or irreplaceable in this. You have my support without question, but it must be you that is the leading figure, dear."
In her mind, Suzi was already thinking of some of the young heroines that could be approached as the first core members. Rachel was certainly one, but also Cassidy and Burnie...
"How about we start something immediately by having a regular drop-in place, like Monday evenings in Pocket D?" Suzi suggested.
http://www.savecoh.com/
Missy mulled over what Suzi had said about the possibility of her not being around much longer. She sensed she didnt want to talk about it, so she filed it under later.
Thanks, Suzi, said Missy. I knew you were the right person to come with this. Will you spread the word in Pocket D, tell everyone whos interested to call in on Monday evening?
Missy paused as she stood in the window frame. Im so excited about this. It will be so cool for girls like Cass and Rachel to know they have somewhere to turn if they need it. She turned, held eye contact. Its good to know theres someone there you can turn to when you need to. Then she thrust herself into the night.
Missy knew that Pocket D was the ideal place for the first drop in, but she had an idea to spread the word faster and wider. She surged through the city until she arrived in Kings Row. Her old neighbourhood. It seemed so long ago. Before the pageant. Before her powers manifested in the glare of the media. Before Miss Teen. And now she was helping Britanic transform the slums. It was like a dream.
She hovered past an apartment building. Saw the shadow of a figure cast on the drapes by the light from a computer screen.
Missy knocked on the door of apartment 203. A bleary-eyed woman in her forties, obviously not to thrilled at just being woken up, opened the door.
What do you want? She blinked, taking a closer look at Missy. Wait dont I know you?
Missy pointed at the official Miss Teen 2007 calendar in the womans hallway. Possibly. Im usually in pink spandex punching a supervillain.
Oh, replied the woman. Youll be wanting to see Lucy, shes been very upset you
Thanks, Mrs Norton, said Missy as stepped into the apartment and headed for Lucys room.
Just five more minutes, mom, said Lucy after Missy had tapped on her door. I just need to finish this article about Miss Teens retirement for the website.
Missy eased open the door. Reports of my retirement have been exaggerated.
Lucy was sitting in her pink wheelchair that was adorned with Miss Teen stickers and had her signature across the back. She turned from the computer screen. Missy, she said, not quite as excitedly as the first time they had met after Missy agreed to be interviewed for missteenrocks.com. Oh, are you here because you want me to close down the site?
Missy sat on Lucys bed, picking up a stuffed toy for comfort. When she saw her own face in cotton looking back at her she put the doll back down. Of course not, Lucy, its your website, you keep doing it as long as you like.
But theyll be no updates for the latest news now that youve retired, said Lucy.
Babe, I havent retired. Ive just given up the whole celebrity trip. Although Im starting to find out that celebrity isnt something you get to opt out of. But Im still out there fighting the good fight; theyll be plenty for your site. Its just I need to find out for myself what Miss Teen stands for and its not endorsement deals and merchandise. She looked around Lucys room, where every product she had put her name to was displayed still in its original packaging, from Teen Dream perfume to the Miss Teen foot stomp action possible figure. Although some of it was good stuff.
Oh yeah, its great. Moms bought me 12 crates of Miss Teen Bubblegum Soda before it goes off sale.
Anyway, Lucy, said Missy, wondering whether to advise her not to drink it too often. There may not be any more Miss Teen merchandise, but you have me. And Im hoping you can help me.
Me, help you? said Lucy. She looked down. Im sure there are lots of people who would be better. You dont have to feel bad because
I dont feel bad, said Missy. She looked at the scar on Lucys leg from her latest operation, feeling guilty that her own flesh hadnt been bruised, cut, or even marked, in almost two years. I want your help, because youre the only person I know that can do it. She stepped behind Lucy, turning her wheelchair back towards the computer. I need someone who can think like a teenage girl. Check! And who knows how to make me a shiny new website.
@Romanov
Nadja Romanov, Lily Pink, Little Death - The Cadre
Estoque, Bastinado, Spidermonkey, Chic Doyle - The Militia
Miss Teen, Dead Reckoner, Dee Dee Diablo, Kaneko
((OOC: Three days have now passed since Missy and Suzis conversation. The word is out that the first informal drop-in and getting to know each other session will take place in Pocket D on Monday evening. Flyers have also got the message out and direct people to a website.
Please feel free to post messages in this thread as if you were posting on the website. If you are a young heroine, describe how your first days as a hero have been, or if you are a more mature heroine offer advice based on your experience. Requests for support can also be made, which may lead to storylines involving characters who may not have met through normal circumstances))
IC: The young heroine sat at the terminal in the Steel Canyon internet café. She had been in Paragon City just a week, and was already nursing bruised ribs and a swollen lip from an encounter with some Hellion thugs. The café patrons didnt give a girl in a mask a second glance, but she knew that her mum and dad would freak if they knew where she was at night. She looked at the flyer and entered the address for the Super Support Sisters site:
Welcome to the Super Support Sisters site. If you have found your way to this site you are probably a heroine who may one day be in need of help, support or guidance, or maybe you feel you have knowledge, life experience or skills to help someone just beginning to fight the good fight.
There are no commitments to registering with the Girls of the Triple S. But if you ever need someone to listen you can be assured that someone will be there - whether you need help with a task that seems overwhelming, need advice, or just want someone to talk to or hang out with a gal pal who understands.
Hope to see you in Pocket D on Monday!
Missy Winters
(Miss Teen)
@Romanov
Nadja Romanov, Lily Pink, Little Death - The Cadre
Estoque, Bastinado, Spidermonkey, Chic Doyle - The Militia
Miss Teen, Dead Reckoner, Dee Dee Diablo, Kaneko
Jessica sat at her desk, looking over the website and pondering her reply when her boss came in.
"Miss Stoneberg, when your break is up, could I see you in my office for a moment?"
"Of course Mr Richards, and it's Mrs now... for nearly 5 months now"
Mr Richards stood there for a moment and tried to think of a polite way of backing up his position, looking around for insporation perhaps and noticed Jessica's screen.
"What's that? Super Support Sisters? An other one of those support groups for those ... socalled 'superiors'? Why are you browsing that on work computers?"
"Mr Richards, I'm on my break, I'm not using the computers for unlawful or distasteful things. I'll see you when my break is done, alright?" Jessica said with a sharp edge in her voice as she did her best to keep her emotions out of it.
Mr Richards nodded and turned, heading for his own office.
Jessica sat there for a moment to ponder this latest anti-metahuman response of her boss. If she didn't enjoy her work so much...
Ah well, it wouldn't be mentioned at the meeting, so just an other friction moment.
Jessica looked at the screen and started to type her response to the site:
--------------
Nice site you have here, Miss Teen. Great initiative!
Funny how this ties in with the simplest and best advice I can give in general:
"Don't be afraid to ask for help or advice"
Hope to see you on Monday.
Jessica
The Grav Mistress
Archmage with MAGI
Task Force Commander for the Peregrine Defence
Lecturer at Paragon University
-----------------
As she read her reply over, she felt again that she was showboasting with putting some of her highest relefant accomplishments under her name. Still... it might show that the support is genuine and with those who have 'been there, done that'... even if Jess didn't become a hero until her 24th...
She submitted her response and got up to get a short walk about before heading to Mr Richards about what ever he wanted to talk to her about.
@ShadowGhost & @Ghostie
The Grav Mistress, Mistress of Gravity
If you have nothing useful to say, you have two choices: Say something useless or stay quiet.
Marina sat in the one deacent chair that the Watchmen had, and stared at the screen of the laptop in front of her. It was on the page for this new Support Sisters thing that Suzi had mentioned the other day. Already there had been a couple of responses to it, and it wasn't even a week old!
She rested her chin on her hands and siged. Why exactly was she looking at this site? Her mind was made up already. She knew the score, and besides, no-one said that heroics were easy. No-one had said anything. Not even given her the chance to decide for herfelf if she wanted to be empowered, or take the mantle of "hero" on, however reluctantly at first. No, these powers had been thrust apon her and, at the time, it seemed the right thing to do.
She leaned back in the chair and ran a hand through her short green hair. No. Definatly not for her. It's a good prinicple, and she was sure plenty of young heroines would benefit from it, but she was no role-model. The last thing she wanted was to hae two or three impressionable young heroines following her around and trying to learn the tricks of the trade from her. The'd probably get themselves killed, or worse.
She sighed.
What had Miss Teen said? That she didn't have to be on of the supporters, but be one of the supported? No, that's not going to work either. She could pictre the scene now - she and some uberpowerful heroine that everyone knew, and who is unbelievebly close to bringing down the Family, or someone, are in Pocked D. She starts feeling unwell. Flash of light. Pocket D is sealed off for the next 80 years for being an irradiated zone, and all those bright young hopefulls and experienced fighters alike are ruduced to piles of ash.
No. Nothing like that could help her. Not now. And she could do nothing posative for them. Even the Watchmen investigations were slowing down. Just like in the old days, there was only one person Marina could depend on. And that was Marina.
Closing the webpage, she started to search around to the net for Necrotech. Maybe thay still had some walking toasters left....
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for you nice words about the wbsite, but most of the credit should go to my webmistress Lucy Norton.
You didn't tell me you worked at Paragon U! What I wouldn't give for a personal tutor that understood that it's perfectly reasonable to ask for an extension on a paper when you've been up all night battling supervillains.
Glad you coming along tomorrow (Monday), you're just the type of hero I was hoping would take on a "big sister" role.
We should start about 8ish.
Oh, and in other news, I can now confirm there will be Chinese food.
@Romanov
Nadja Romanov, Lily Pink, Little Death - The Cadre
Estoque, Bastinado, Spidermonkey, Chic Doyle - The Militia
Miss Teen, Dead Reckoner, Dee Dee Diablo, Kaneko
Super Support Sisters
Hey,
Thanks to all the heroes (and one villain) who turned out to the first ever meet of the Super Support Sisters. I hope you think being a Girl of the Triple S can help you or that you can be there for someone else trying to make sense of being a teenage gal with big powers and responsibilities in this City.
The first meeting was attended by me (obviously), White Vampyr, Grac Mistress. Ferlina, Bay State Ranger, Pin Pointer, Dr Upton and Winged Doom.
We decided that one thing the Triple S could start off with is a regular study session. This would help us to help each other, as well as get some more study tips from brainiacs like Jessica, and maybe ease the burden of studies on our already hectic lives. Any girls who has dropped out of school (they must have missed my after school special on the importance of education. Well I guess there is no after school for them
hmmm) can also come along and well try and help you exercise that noggin.
These sessions will be held at my moms apartment in Founders Falls. FYI - she makes yummy snacks!
So, please add your take on the first meeting and the Sisters in general. Add some piccies if you have them, my webmistress Lucy would love to see them (she has one of Grav Mistress as her screensaver now - lucky Im not the jealous type!)
Laters,
Missy Winters
@Romanov
Nadja Romanov, Lily Pink, Little Death - The Cadre
Estoque, Bastinado, Spidermonkey, Chic Doyle - The Militia
Miss Teen, Dead Reckoner, Dee Dee Diablo, Kaneko
Missy welcoming the cool, cleansing air of Founders Falls after her night in Pocket D.
She had been in clubs for personal appearances before, but this was the first time she had been a paying customer. Problems like being threatened by trolls or proposition by thugs were usually something she could solve with a swift bout of super strength powered fisticuffs, but Pocket D was a totally different game.
But that wasnt concerning her as much as her feelings after meeting a young heroine called Bay State Ranger. Cassidy reminded Missy so much of the girl she had been two years ago. Wearing the red, white and blue - treating every fight as an adventure. Missy thought back to those times. Despite making so many friends, and being guided by great heroes such as ARGOT and Swamp Monster, she remembers sometimes feeling scared.
Scared and alone. She wondered what the Miss Teen she had become would have said to that 16-year-old rookie hero.
Missy broke from her thoughts as she approached Sentinel Tower. The window of the penthouse was open like Suzi had promised. But she turned her back to the glass (in case anything R rated was taking place within) and gave it a gentle tap.
Suzi welcomed her inside. There was something comforting about being in her presence, although she was definitely the type of girl Missys mom had warned her not to mix with.
Suzi was a good listener, and sensing Missy had something on her mind, she poured herself a gin and sat down.
It started a few days ago, said Missy. A girl called Rachel called me on my cell, I dont even how she got my number, although Ive had to change it a few times when its been leaked on the internet. She was at the Rikti crash site. Somebody had sent her there to arrest 30 of those monsters to get some piece of information they needed. She sounded older on the phone, but when I saw her well, Im not even sure if she was in her teens.
Since Ive rejected the part of my like that was all about promoting Miss Teen the brand, Ive seen so many of these young girls out there fighting the good fight. Rachel, Cassidy, so many more.
When my powers first showed themselves, in front of the citys media at that dumb pageant, I said these words that Ive heard played back so many times.
She made air quotes and recited her own words: Moments ago I faced prejudice for being what I am, and I have seen men armed with might and weapons trying to take something not theirs by right. Well, from now, the title Miss Teen stands for something because it stands against that. Laters.
She paused. Well, to my shame Miss Teen came to stand for Miss Teen, and I want to put that right. I want Miss Teen to stand for every young girl with powers shes struggling to understand or control, whos making her own stand in this city.
Thats why Ive come to you, Suzi. Lots of these young girls look up to you. They see you as a big sister. Mix it up with my experiences as a hero and a teenager, we could be there for these girls.
She shrugged, signalling that her little speech was over.
@Romanov
Nadja Romanov, Lily Pink, Little Death - The Cadre
Estoque, Bastinado, Spidermonkey, Chic Doyle - The Militia
Miss Teen, Dead Reckoner, Dee Dee Diablo, Kaneko