Natsu

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

Mary Sue Sullivan

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Location: The Gym
Skills: The Power Of Friendship, Stealth
First Day Fit

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This was a patently silly idea. that wa swhat Mary Sue was tuck with as she tried to steel her nerves enough to make her able to do do this. She wanted to be a hero, yes, but she still was plagued with what felt like endless amounts of ucnertainty. She didn't even know how to show something like this off. Was she to try to make some kind of dream-esque landscape, and fool the likes of the heroes she idolized? Of course not. The best she could think to muster was a fog, something she could hide in. If she could sell her powers around deception or obfuscation, perhaps she could hone her body to be a weapon that depended on that. She didn't like it, but she truly didn't have anything better she thought she could do.

The scene of her audition was simple, an open stage covered with golems det to try their best to detect her, with her standing in the center ready to disapear. She was fairly confident she could make a dense enough fog that would make her borderline unnoticable. A bit of her father's sort of analysis crept into her, telling her that the larger the particle she made, the harder it would be for it to be seen through. All she needed to focus on was making them stick around in the air and be dense as hell. She'd done a fair amount of private practice with her powers, so she really thought she could manage this.

With a silent look towards the judges, Mary sue closed her eyes, and all around her on the stage materialized the densest cloud of faintly glowing flecks of golden light. Discerning out individual specks would have been borderline impossible for all but the most keen eyed, but they were there; this was not some solid cloud of light, but a confluence of tens of thousands of particles. Dropping to the ground, Mary Sue was intent on putting distance betweem herself and the puppets that were now set to look for her. very proud of herself, she navigated around the stage with a kind of smoothness and dexterity that she didn't know she was capable of.

She positioned herself behind the first golem, ready to take them down silently and knock them out, only for her to realize very quickly that something was terribly wrong. The sounds of coughing were filling the stage, and the figure in front of her had buckled to its own knees. With a kind of shock, she quickly dismissed her own fog, and saw faint specks of blood sputtering out of the mouth of her target. A look of shock and fear crossed her face, as she hurried to try to see what had happened. Turning the doll over, she noticed flecks of her fog still in its mouth, and her eyes grew wide. There was something she fundamenntally didn't understand here, but clearly her illusions were far more solid than she'd believed so far. Unsure of what to do, she looked up t the judges, frozen. She didn't want these things to suffer, but they also... weren't people? She didn't know what to do, but she shook her head, and quickly realized that, whatever she'd done, it was likely because their lungs were all still filled with her sand. She closed her eyes, and focused on whatever was still keeping her power up, and shut it down completely. "I..." she stammered out, horror flat on her face as the scene around her, "Had no idea tha that would happen."

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

Mary Sue Sullivan

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Location: Stark Hall, room 401 -> Lobby
Skills: N/A
First Day Fit

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It might be Mary Sue's increasingly fallin gopinion of Ardere, but it was har dnot to see anything she said to Teddy as some kind of paperthin attempt to flirt with the first boy she met. She didn't know why she was suddenly this judgemental of anoyhter person, but it was absolutely at the forefront of her mind to pick at all the tiny things about her new roommate that she didn't like. This is something that made her feel terrible, as if her internal critic was just looking for somebody else to latch onto soince she was resolved to not attack herself too much. It was unplesant, and she wanted to be better than that.

Following after Teddy, Mary Sue watched the space around them, trying to learn what she could. Surely it'd be somehting she'd pick up on later, the layout of this place, and all the particularities about where things were and where people hung out, but right now she was still in awe. compared to her homelife, this was all just... so different. She loved it, and wanted to soak herself in it, but already there were things to do and people to meet, downtime might not be something she had in spades. Taking a moment to look over at Ardere, Mary Sue started, "Well actually, plenty of other countries get visited by aliens. There was a major attack on Cardiff just twenty or so years ago." She ws saying it to try to be helpful, but she realized it may just seem like she was correcting her for the sake of correcting her, and turned sheepish shortly after.

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

Mary Sue Sullivan

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Location: Stark Hall, room 401
Skills: N/A
First Day Fit

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Mary Sue cringed internally at Ardere's response. She wasn't asking her... not that Mary Sue didn't care about her roommate, she didn't want to be immediately turned off to her, but it was hard to not be at least have things be awkward. She would find a way to fix this, even if it meant being a bit of a doormat. She just wished that she and the person she ended up living with had a little bit of chemistry, but if this was how it was, she really could only meet the universe where it was. Clenching her teeth, she forced herself to focus on Teddy.

"A Kree ship? That's awesome! Let's go!" She said, obviously enthused. She thought her parents had mentioned that they'd run into them a few times, but she really didn't know specifics. She pointedly kept herself from trying to explain her powers, not only because she really didn't fully understand them herself, but also because she really didn't think they were much to be proud of. She hoped they'd be something useful and impressive one day, but she was currently operating under the assumption that if she wanted to get where everyone else already was, she'd need to work twice as hard.

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

Mary Sue Sullivan

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Location: Stark Hall, room 401
Skills: N/A
First Day Fit

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Mary Sue turned her head, and held in a wince at the first bit of strictly positive social interation that she'd gotten from somebody her own age was based partially in the fact that this person seemed to know of her dad. "Yeah, he's my dad!" She said, with a smile, not wanting to scare the boy off. Mary Sue had... mixed feelings on other speedsters; it really was something growing up with a dad who could never be more than a few minutes away from you, and she felt a bit of unease at the thought that, even now, her dad could just... appear. She didn't htink he would or anything, but it made a sense of privacy something that she really didn't have.

"Are you a speedster too?" She asked, turning her head, and silently hoping the answer was no. She did want things to go well, and even if he was, it wasn't like she was going to break off any potential relationship they could have, but she'd be lying if she she said that it wouldn't be hard to make a connection with him. At the idea of a spaceship club, Mary Sue's eyes widened, and she said, "Yes please? Where's it from?" She was excited. She'd heard a bit about different kinds of aliens from her dad, but she'd never actually seen a ship before, and it sounded wildly interesting.

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

Mary Sue Sullivan

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Location: Stark Hall, room 401
Skills: N/A
First Day Fit

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Mary Sue was less than enthralled about the way this conversation has gone. Sure, she was getting first pick of the bed, which hopefully meant that her new roommate would be pleasant on the whole, but now she had to make a choice, bed on the left or right side. She had to make an active effort not to overthink it, but went with the bed on the right, furthest from the door. Her hope was that the further she was from the hall, the easier it would be to sleep at night. Awkwardly, she set her stuff down beside it, not wanting to necessarily unpack in the moment now. Instead, she sat gently on the bed, and turned her head at the question of spells.

Like... Magic? No, that wasn't at all in Mary Sue's wheelhouse at all, and she shook her head. "No, is that your thing? Magic has always sounded really cool, I'd love to hear about it." A lot of what went through her head was wanting to give her roommate a thing she liked to talk about. That, and, Mary Sue was worried about questions about herself. She... still felt lesser, and didn't want to advertise her power because of that. Mary Sue held off a look at Ardere as she addressed Teddy, and just gave a small wave, saying "I'm Mary Sue, it's nice to meet you Teddy." She said politely.

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

Mary Sue Sullivan

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Location: The Carnival: Outside Agatha's booth. -> Stark Hall, room 401
Skills: N/A
First Day Fit

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Mary Sue was slightly put off by the lack of verbal response from her walking companion, and held back a frown at her recent failure to properly start up a relationship with somebody. Maybe talking just wasn't this person's thing? She could understand that, but most of the time people engaged in some form of communication, unless they were totally antisocial. Maybe she was, but Mary Sue was more likely to pin any social difficulties on herself. That way, there was actually something she could do about the situation, rather than assuming that something was a lost cause for no reason other than bad luck.

Her heart dropped a bit when they both arrived at the same room, not only because she wouldn't be given the time to herself that she needed, but also it seemed that she was already on the wrong foot with her roommate. Screaming at herself internally, she gripped onto the wording Ardere used. It felt so... Detached, like she wouldn't be living there, but staying there. Those things were different in Mary Sue's head; one was impersonal, and one was an experience. Mary Sue nodded weakly and just said "Um... Yeah. Ardere." She let her words hang there, having no idea how she should proceed with any form of conversation.

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

Mary Sue Sullivan

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Location: The Carnival: Outside Agatha's booth.
Skills: N/A
First Day Fit

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Mary Sue barely has a moment to get a word out before Dorian had run off inside the tent. She supposed, in retrospect, that was a bit obvious given she was waiting in line, that this might not be the best place to try to make friends. She just nodded as he walked off, quietly muttering something along the lines of being happy to have met him. At this moment, she was still feeling overwhelmed, and didn't know if she wanted to keep pushing herself. She was actually thinking that getting herself some time to see her dorm and be away from other people might be useful, or at least let her process what Agatha had told her.

Seeing the girl who'd just left the tent was on her way back to the dorms, she made a compromise with herself and said, "Oh, I was actually going to head there myself, mind if I join you?" She really didn't want to impose, but if she was looking for time to herself, she'd have plenty of that once she was actually in her room. Keeping pace quietly behind her, she didn't say much, instead giving her space to talk to her if she wanted. She'd been introducing herself first a lot today, and giving other people a chance to do it might make things easier for herself.

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

Mary Sue Sullivan

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Location: The Carnival: Inside Agatha's Booth -> Outside Agatha's booth.
Skills: N/A
First Day Fit

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Stepping out of the tent, Mary Sue felt more comfortable with herself. She still had all the nervous jitters a kid might have with her first day of school, but besides that, she didn't feel fear about being incompetent, or a failure, she just felt like her. Cracking her knuckles in her hands, she breathed a sigh of relief, and looked back at the tent, only to realize a boy had started talking to her. Quickly realizing this was an oppurtunity to get to know somebody and have them *not* be instantly scared of her, her brain instantly started formulating a response.

Smiling at him, she looked down at the compact and said, "I know, right? I love it so much." Affirming observations and mimicing social behaviors was a way that she knew tended to build bonds. Maybe it was dorky or weird to think of it like that, but it was the sort of thinking she felt like she could handle. Looking the boy up and down, she said, "My name is Mary Sue, what's yours? And... what's been going wrong? Today's been rough over here too." She gave him a smile, and hoped that she could start forging some real connections here. She... didn't wanna be alone? Getting to know people would help with that a lot.

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

Mary Sue Sullivan

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Location: The Carnival: Inside Agatha's Booth
Skills: N/A
First Day Fit

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The tent flap shut behind Mary Sue as she stumbled inside, giving her privacy from the outside world. The inside of the tent was clearly much bigger than the outside, and far more magical. Candles and tarot cards and runes and crystals floated through the air, all seemingly under the control of the elderly witch seated at a small circular table. A panther rubbed its face up on Mary Sue's legs, before letting out what could only be described as a comforting purr.

"Oh, my dear, you are exactly where you ought to be," Agatha said, her voice gentle and withered. She rose to her feet and removed her purple shawl from her shoulders, and draped them around Mary Sue's. "Sit and tell me all about it. Let me know what Agatha Harkness can do to help, child."

Mary Sue had failed to properly take in her surroundings when she had first entered, and thus was shocked by the TARDIS of a booth. The panther rudding against her htough, gave her pause, and grounded her to where she was. This place was so astronomically different than the outside that she felt herself calming almost instantly, let things had almost reset. As the shawl was draped over her, she found herself drawing deep breaths, and though she was shaky, she was decidely safe.

Her head was throbbing and her eyes were wet, but even then, she kenw who was in front of her, and that was a very old, very badass witch. This was, almost inarguably, one of the safest places she could be right now. Nodding mutely, she found herself sitting across from Agatha. "I just... I feel wrong? I don't know. I want to be here, and I want to leave things better than I left them, but I don't... know how to play the hand I've been dealt." She looked at the woman across from her, who, from everything she knew, had steeped in greatness. "How... can I do that? Every thing I've done today has gone terribly. I ripped my top, I think I put the fear of the gods into a girl, and I... lost my nerve. Everything is too much, Miss Harkness." Her voice clipped a bit at the end, and her eyes averted themselved to the table in front of her, as she realized another mistake she'd made, and quickly muttered out, "My name is Mary Sue Sullivan, by the way, and... thank you for letting me escape to here."

Agatha nodded, as a tea kettle floated on over and poured out two cups of tea - both of them chamomile. "Drink up, child, it'll steady your nerves," Agatha offered. She had found over her long life that there were few problems made worse by tea - and many that could be improved. She paused for a moment, intentionally so. Mary Sue reminded her of a fragile little doe - she wanted to take things slow. "The first day in any new place is always the hardest - particularly for a young girl with the weight of destiny and ancestry on her shoulders, Mary Sue," Agatha then said.

"I see great things in your future - but none of it shines brighter than the girl I see in front of me now. I may not be able to set everything right, but as for the top," Agatha snapped her fingers, and the top began to mend itself, until it was brand new. "I can at least do that much."

Mary Sue gently took the tea in front of her, and sipped away at it, listening as Agatha spoke. Those words, Ancestry and Destiny make her pay attention. "Children of SHIELD Agents can't be rare here." She said carefully, looking down into her cup. It had to be true, she supposed. This was the premier school for heroes, and SHIELD was great and all, her parent saved the planet plenty, but compared to Avengers? They were small potatoes. That could just be her biases though, or her need to look down on herself.

As her top was healed, Mary Sue couldn't help but keep herself from smiling. "You're... very kind, and I appreciate you taking me in here." She said, taking a brief look at the fabric of her clothes. There were sparks of curiousity in her, what was seen of her future, or how much of Miss Harknesses powers were real or just show. "I just... feel weak I guess. What would you do, if you were me? In a new place, with amazing people, and wanting to make a difference? How do I... do that?" she asked, hoping that the witch might have some experience that could be relevant to this situation.

"No, if you were to throw your cup out of the tent, I would guess you would hit at least five agent-lings," Agatha agreed. "But that does not make you any less special or important, Mary Sue." She then paused, listening to Mary Sue's questions. Her intuition was guiding her, and while otherwise she might've just given straight advice, Agatha had a feeling that Mary Sue needed to hear advice from within herself. Tarot cards not only predicted the future, but held up a mirror to oneself, allowing hidden and mysterious things to come to light.

Agatha felt compelled to draw six cards, each card fluttering down in front of her, and resembling a certain concept - concepts that were deeply embedded in Mary Sue's ancestry. Space, reality, power, mind, time, and soul. The Devil Reversed, the Wheel of Fortune, the Hanged One, Four of Pentacles Reversed, Three of Pentacles, and Two of Wands Reversed. Agatha hesitated, the candlelight in the tent flickering. If she had not felt the weight of destiny on Mary Sue's shoulders before, she did now. "In this reading, each of these cards represents an important concept that makes up our universe," Agatha began softly.

"The space that you inhabit, the reality you experience, the power you wield, your state of mind, the flow of time, and your immortal soul. I see that you are your own greatest obstacle right now, my dear, chaining yourself and preventing yourself from evolving. You are at a new beginning, a bright new turning point, and in it you can find new perspective, should you pause and surrender to this change. In your mind, I sense a great deal of fear and conflict, an urge to protect yourself. You are entering a new phase of your life, one of learning and collaboration - of friendship - but in your soul... You are afraid of the unknown. That is your greatest challenge, your greatest weakness."

"You must learn to let go of that fear, Mary Sue, or it will ruin you," Agatha warned seriously. "Do not deny yourself your power."

Mary Sue's eyes flitted down to the cards before her as they were drawn before her. She could almost hear how her father might of reacted to this in his head, thinking not much of divination or any purported magics. He was the type of dismiss it out of hand, to insist that there was some deeper, scientific method that could be applied to any system to understand it. She wasn't that though, she felt something deep here. One of the oldest witches alive was giving her insight into herself and that mattered, She shuddered at the words she spoke, and closed her eyes, trying to sort through the complicated emotions.

"I-" She started, before stopping herself. She was about to get defensive, to bite back against the words being said to her, but instead, she opened her eyes, nodded and said, "I understand. I will try." That was all she could promise. The unknown shadowed all she did, she found any bit of uncertainty so paralyzing, she knew she couldn't just... stop overthinking things. But she could make incremental progress, maybe. "I... don't know how I'm going to do it, but, you're right. And I promise I'll do something and... " her voice softened, almost to a quiet whisper, "Thank you."

"You have everything you need inside of you," Agatha said softly. She stared at Mary Sue, considering what she could bestow upon her to give her some confidence, something to help her guide herself through the treacherous waters ahead. The idea that came to her was perhaps unusual, something unique, something that she hoped Mary Sue would make the most of. Agatha's hand reached into thin air, as if grabbing something, and a moment later she had what looked like a shiny pink makeup compact, with a moon symbol detailed onto it. Agatha then tapped it once and it floated over to Mary Sue.

"This mirror shows the truth of things - I hope you use it well," Agatha offered. "Every magical girl needs a talisman."

Mary Sue watched as the compact was snatched out of the air, allowing herself to feel thrill at the minor display of magic. She gently took it, and stored it away in her pocket. "Thank you. Thank you so much." She said, her cheeks blushing red at being called a magical girl. With that, she rose to leave, and said, "I'll um. If you're ever back around the academy and want to get tea, I'd love to see you again." It felt a little silly to branch that to the great Agatha Harkness, but she still did, a part of her hoping she'd be interested in such a thing.

Avengers Academy: Junior Year 💥

Mary Sue Sullivan

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Location: The Carnival: Agatha's Booth -> Inside Agatha's Booth
Skills: N/A
First Day Fit

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Mary Sue's smile quickly fell away form her face at the sight of the apparition. "I- I um-" She started to say, her voice faltering. She was holding back tears as, without much thought, she quickly turned and ran away. She didn't know what that was, or if it was on purpose, or if it was real, but none of that particularly mattered to the young Sullivan. She was hurt; just hearing those words were caustic to any sense of confidence she might have had. Right now? She had no idea what she was even doing here. She wasn't cut out for this, not to be a hero, not to be anything.

Breaking from the crowd in the most obvious way possible, Mary Sue found herself, without much consideration, stumbling into Agatha's tent. With almost a flinch at the awkwardness of the situation, she looked at the witch, and forced out. "I-i-" sputtering on her own words, "I'm sorry I didn't mean to come in here I'm sorry it's just today is hard and I shouldn't be here and I can't do this and I'm sorry." She said, a bit more quickly than even she herself could process. One part of her wanted to leave and head backj out, and not impose on literally anybody right now, but she honestly couldn't force herself to move, feeling stuck in place, and shivering with fear, self loathing, and doubt.