U n d e r P r e s s u r e

"Oh my, I wasn't expecting company...is everything alright, Dear?"

"I guess...I can't really say for sure..."

"Why is that, Dear? Sit down, please, there's no need to be so formal,"

"Oh, sorry. I was just trying to get my thoughts straight,"

"No, no, I understand...you look very stressed. I'm not used to seeing you so indecisive,"

"Tell me about it. I don't feel like myself at all,"

"Well...why don't you try to tell me about it?"

"You're sure you don't mind? I'll leave if you don't have time for me..."

"Of course I have time for you! You know you girls are more than welcome to see me any time you'd like,"

"Alright...I appreciate it. I'd have gone to the Professor first but...well he's been very busy lately,"

"Oh, I imagine! Doesn't he have a convention coming up shortly?"

"Yeah..."

"I'm sorry, please, start wherever you'd like,"

"You see...that's the problem. I don't know what happened. I just woke up one morning and everything felt wrong..."

"Oh dear...that's a very serious problem. Why didn't you tell anyone?"

"I'm telling you now..."

"Well yes...but how long ago was it you started feeling this way?"

"...A week or two at the most,"

"You should have told someone...but I'm very honored you felt you could talk to me about this. I know how hard it is for you to be vulnerable,"

"I'm...I'm not vulnerable...am I? I guess you're right,"

"Just tell me what you can, Sweetie. I'll see if I can help,"

"Alright....just...everything feels wrong. I sleep more than I used to...hey! What's so funny?"

"Oh I'm so sorry! I was just reminiscing...you were always the hardest student to wake up from nap time,"

"...I'm sorry..."

"It's just fine, Dear! Oh, it was cute. Don't be ashamed,"

"Okay...if you say so..."

"So you're sleeping later...are you sleeping well?"

"Not really...I still feel tired all the time,"

"Well...what about school? How are you doing?"

"I'm doing great! I'm the top of my class!"

"I'm very proud of you! I wouldn't expect any less from you!"

"Thank you...school is fine...but sometimes my mind wanders...especially when..."

"When what?"

"Well...after we get a call from the Mayor...or whenever we stop a monster...I just start wondering about things..."

"Would you mind sharing them?"

"...Will you promise not to tell anyone?"

"I promise...you can trust me,"

"I know...it's just...I shouldn't be having thoughts like these..."

"Like what?"

"I've just been wondering...are we accomplishing anything? Every day there's more criminals...more monsters...more supervillains...it just seems like everything we've done is useless,"

"Don't think like that...you've done more good for this world than anyone could ever keep track of. Why, just think of how many times you saved the entire world!"

"Saved from what? The bad guy of the day? Then it's just rinse and repeat the next day...what are we really fighting for?"

"..."

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean it was...maybe it is useless...it's so hopeless,"

"Maybe it feels...like it is a fight you can't win. But if you give up, how will you ever know?"

"What about all the people who get hurt when we fight?"

"What about all the people you've saved? Think of how many people owe their lives to you...they love you girls. Townsville loves you girls, and I'm sure the world loves you too. I know that I do..."

"...I just wish there was someway to really save them...someway to stop the rain instead of just pushing it back another day..."

"...If anyone can figure it out, I'm sure you can. You were always my best student,"

"...Thank you...I'll...I'll think of something."

"I know you will,"

"...It's getting late, I should go home before the Professor gets worried,"

"Alright, be safe. And remember,"

"Yes?"

"You can always talk to me about anything...I'll believe in you no matter what,"

"...Thank you, that means a lot...good bye,"

"Good bye, Sweetie. Take care,"