"Missy, your friends are here!"

"One minute!" Missy shouted from her bedroom, There were some finishing touches she had to make in front of her mirror before heading out. Makeup she felt was a bit too much trouble, but Minako had taught her how to apply lotion and moisturizer. It kept her skin smooth and soft looking, which was probably the point.

After her face was done, she stood up and presented herself in the mirror. The dress was almost exactly what Missy had wanted with a few added touches that somehow made it look even better. She now had violet ruffles hanging on the back of her arms that acted like pseudo sleeves to be paired with the dress. Parian had even somehow incorporated a sort of holster pocket on the left side of her dress so that she could still carry and draw her Evoker as needed.

That was just. *Chef's Kiss.* Like wow. And then finally with those dainty fingerless gloves Parian provided her. Well with those on, Missy looked pretty and ready to rumble.

Parian really understood Cape fashion. Missy was looking forward to seeing her designs become world famous. Definitely have more outfits made by her in the future if she could afford it.

Missy left her room and walked down the stairs with grace. Everyone in the living room just stared at her as she came down. Their attention was something that Missy took with pride.

"Wow. Missy. That's uh… wow," Dinah said eloquently. Her dress was a conservative pinkish red with short sleeves covering her shoulders.

"It's so pretty!" Clara said. She wore a surprisingly white dress that had likely been provided by Dinah. It looked good on her but wasn't anyone afraid of her making a mess on it?

"Parian certainly does good work," Missy's mother commented. "I might commission her to make more of our clothes now that we're moving up in Medhall."

"None of that has been decided yet," Missy's father replied. "But yes Missy, you're beautiful."

"Thanks," Missy replied without much emotion before joining her friends.

Dinah stood up and fussed all over but found very little to correct. "What the hell Missy. If you knew how to dress up then why didn't you do it before!? Even just a little moisturizer or lotion before you head to school!"

Missy shrugged. "Too much trouble. Didn't feel like it. Today's different."

"Well at least I know you can do it then." The way Dinah was looking at her made Missy feel a bit uncomfortable. "My Uncle wants me to invite you to his fundraiser and now I know you can dress up."

Oh wow. How to say hell no to her friend without getting her mad?

"Why don't we get through this party first?" Clara asked cheerfully as she grabbed Dinah's arm and led her outside. She turned around briefly giving Missy a thumbs up.

Yea. Clara was a good friend.

Missy followed and sat in the back seat of her father's car with Clara. Dinah of course was sitting in her family's much fancier vehicle, a car that Missy's father closely followed as he drove. It wasn't a long trip to the gala and as they got closer it became very apparent that the car Missy was in was kind of a clunker compared to all the expensive and nice-looking ones that they were starting to drive alongside. Honestly, her father's car looked very out of place and even the parking valet looked doubtful as they drove into the parking area. Granted Missy didn't mind much, but it looked like her mother certainly did.

"Are you sure you're at the right place?" the man asked, almost condescendingly.

Missy's mother practically threw their invitation in the man's face. "We are."

The Valet looked at the invitations before turning his head and locking his eyes on Missy before drifting down to her holstered Evoker. After that he couldn't be any more helpful and polite.

As they made their way into the building and towards the elevators, Missy couldn't help but observe the people around them. Rich and affluent, and it showed with their dresses, suits, and jewelry. They held themselves like they owned everything, which they probably did in this city.

Of course, observation was a two-way street and many of them gazed at Missy in turn. They focused on her dress and then on the Evoker she held in her dress. It was something that Missy carried with confidence as she finally made it to the elevator.

One quick ride with a few other guests and suddenly they were at the top floor, just short of the roof. A guard awaited them next to a red rope that he quickly moved to the side once the invitations were presented. And just like that Missy, her friends, and her parents were now at one of the biggest galas in Brockton Bay.

Her eyes of course immediately focused on the food.

Before she could make it to those cakes and sweet, tasty heaven though, Missy had to deal with the man approaching her.

"Thank you for the invitation Mr. Anders," Missy's mother greeted the CEO.

"It was my pleasure," Mr. Anders replied. "I see that your daughter is quite enraptured by the sights?"

"It's her first time at a gala like this. I apologize for any issues she might have."

Issues? Of the five people in their group the two adults were the ones most likely to make the most trouble at this party!

"No need for that," Mr. Anders replied. "In fact Missy I'm quite impressed with how well you've dressed. Where did you get that dress made?"

"Parian," Missy replied.

"Ah. The newest Cape on the fashion scene. She's certainly… making a splash. I believe there are two other guests here wearing her designs."

If they were it wouldn't be that hard to find them, not that Missy was going to look for them. "I'll keep an eye out for them. Thank you for the invitation."

"You're welcome. And have fun at the party."

Missy finally took that as permission to politely walk away and then immediately picked up speed once she had a clear path to the cake table. One plate piled to the absolute brim later and Missy was standing next to a table she had taken for herself, absolutely gorging herself on cake. Prettily of course, she made sure to eat like a lady despite the sheer volume she was consuming. Couldn't make a mess of her new dress after all.

"Of course you immediately went for the food," Dinah said as she approached, though she also had her one giant plate of food that apparently she and Clara both ate off of.

"mmmIt guawd," Missy replied with her lips closed and a mouth full.

"At least your parents are networking for you."

Well it was mostly just Missy's mother who just interjecting herself into every group that she could. Her father had quickly given up or simply never had the desire to follow the woman and was now simply making small talk with a few other men over some drinks.

Missy swallowed. "You think I can sneak a glass of wine?"

"Missy. No-"

"Probably," Clara replied as she casually sipped her glass of juice. "I actually drank a little one time."

"Really? What was it like?" Missy asked as Dinah gaped at the girl.

"It tasted funny. Not very good." Clara winced as she swirled her glass. "And also made me feel weird and dizzy. Didn't like it all. Juice is better"

"Ah... Probably skip it then," Missy replied. Maybe when she was older.

Dinah was now looking at Clara carefully, as if she was working out a complex puzzle. "Did you just trick-"

The song playing at the gala changed and Clara suddenly perked up.

"Ooh they're playing my favorite song," Clara shoved their shared plate onto Missy's table before grabbing Dinah by the arm. "Cmon let's dance!"

"B-but Clara, we're both girls!" Dinah replied as she was dragged away by the arm.

"So?" Clara asked before they made it to the dance floor and just started twirling Dinah around. It didn't take for both of them to get really into it and it looked like they were having a lot of fun, even if a few people there were giving them some funny stares. That was probably because of Clara trying to throw Dinah across the dance floor.

Missy just went back to eating her cake and also sneaking a few things off their plate. The chicken wings they had grabbed were really tasty and a good accompaniment as she just enjoyed the ambience of the party. The music was loud but not too loud and the same thing applied to the people too. Honestly they all looked like they were making sure they looked good rather than having fun, which kinda defeated the purpose of a party didn't it?

Then again that was probably how rich people partied. Kinda lame.

"Having fun there brat?"

Missy dropped her fork and turned toward the familiar voice. "Tammi?"

"Yep." Tammi was there, wearing a nice dress and looking like she didn't want to be here.

"What are you doing here?" Missy asked.

"My family knows the Big Boss. I didn't tell you?"

"No!?" That was news!

"Oh… well now you know."

Tammi just stood there next to Missy without doing much. It made her feel a bit awkward.

"Uh… cake?" Missy offered the older girl.

"I'm good."

"Okay then… enjoying the party?"

Tammi let out a deep breath. "All the same. Bunch of spoiled rich stickups to schmooze up to."

Accurate but Missy wasn't too comfortable saying that out loud around all those schmoozes. "At least the food's good."

"Sure. Anyway," Tammi suddenly reached over and grabbed a boy around her age that had been hiding off to the side. "This is Theo. He's the big guy's son."

"Wait what!?"

"Good luck with him." Tammi then walked away. "Try not to shoot him with your gun!"

"Tammi. What the h-," Missy tossed a glance at the older boy who really didn't look like he wanted to be there. "H. What the… H."

"You don't have to watch your language around me," Theo replied. "I know they kind of forced me on you."

"No its fine. Just caught by surprise," Missy replied. "Soooo you're Mr. Ander's son?"

"Max's yes," the boy replied. He was… skittish. Really wasn't looking her in the eyes.

"That's… cool."

"I'm sorry."

"For what."

"That you're stuck with me."

"No its fine. You're cool," Missy assured him. He was a bit shy, pudgy, and perhaps a bit self-deprecating but at least he wasn't acting like a creep or anything. Honestly, she preferred him over any of those Cape Groupies that tried to get her to take a photo or hang out with them anytime she was out in public. "What's it like being… Max's son?"

"He's… demanding. Expects a lot of me."

"Well as long as you're trying-"

"It won't be enough and… I don't want to do what he does and I'm never good enough anyway."

"Being a CEO. Yea I can sort of understand. Seems kinda stressful working all the time and having to host all these parties. But you got money right?" Missy waved her hand toward where the night sky could be seen. "You can go out there. Do whatever you want. Not a lot of people have that opportunity."

"I don't think he'll let me."

"Oh…"

"Sorry. I'm not good company. I'll try not to bother you"

You know what. Fuck being polite. Just straight to the point to this kid.

Missy set her food down and give the boy the sternest look she could muster. "Look. Stop apologizing so much. It's annoying. If you want to be good company then stop putting yourself down, it's making me feel bad too."

Theo went wide-eyed with shock and uncertainty. "Sor-"

"Tut-tut!" Missy snapped her finger in front of his. "Now. What do you like to do?"

"I… like to play games?"

"What sorta games?"

"RPGs."

"Which ones?"

"Final Fantasy X."

"Wait there's an X? I thought it stopped at like 7!?" That whole company had to shut its door ever since Leviathan sunk Kyushu. It was a miracle that her parents still had an old PlayStation so that she could play VII.

"It was an import from Aleph."

"Luucky," Missy said out of pure genuine jealousy. "That must've cost so much money."

"Well. CEO's son," Theo replied with a growing smirk on his face.

"Does that play on the PlayStation too?" Missy asked desperately. Maybe she could start being nicer to him? Suck up a little if she had to?

"PlayStation 2." Theo's smirk was now very apparent as he held two fingers in front of her.

"Oh fuck you," Missy teased as she elbowed him lightly. "You gotta let me borrow it. Please." She gave him her best puppy dog eyes. Apart from Minako they were highly effective on people, even Shinji had fallen to them in the past.

"Are your eyes dry? Do you need something?" Theo asked.

"Damn it. That usually works." Missy stopped with the puppy eyes.

"But yea sure. Text me your address sometime. I'll mail it to you."

They quickly took out their phones and exchanged contact information. After that they just talked about their shared hobby. There was a lot you could talk about with video games in general, especially when it turns out that they shared similar tastes. None of those baby games that her mom tried to give her.

No!

RPGs! Fighting Games! Cape Games! Those were games for real men!... and girl.

It was fun talking with him.. Even shared a few jokes at their parent's expense because their parents kinda sucked, turns out.

Theo let out a sigh after he finished chuckling at a joke of hers. "You know my dad kinda forced me to talk to you."

"Yea I kinda figured. Either him, my mom, or both."

"Your mom's been forcing you into all of this?" he asked

"Yeah, it's annoying. Never asks me what I want," she replied.

"Preach to the choir," Theo replied.

A familiar song started playing.

"Your dad tell you to ask me for a dance?" Missy asked

"Yes actually... I don't dance."

"Alright then," Missy held out a hand. "Follow my lead."

Theo stared at it for a second or two before reluctantly taking it. "What do you mean-"

She gently tugged and led him to the dance floor where a lot of people had started to gather. Even Dinah and Clara were still there, both smiling at each other. Their arms touching, as they danced and swayed slowly to the gentle music.

"You know how to dance?" Theo asked, his eyes wide as Missy gently led him despite the disparity in their weights, height, and age. It was something she was used to practicing with the other much better looking Theo.

"I had practice with a good friend," Missy replied as she did a pirouette on her foot and quickly turned Theo around. "Taught me how to lead and follow. You actually have the same name as him."

"I do?"

"Yep."

"Very different though. But that's fine. You're you."

It was a nice slow dance. One that gave Missy the time to slowly work the nerves off of Theo until he was able to, well not confidently, but comfortably follow along with her.

Step after step. Slight adjustments to aid Theo when he messed up a little.

It was interesting dancing with someone new and in front of an actual audience. But the audience didn't matter much in the end. Missy just focused on her partner, ignoring the people watching them and only paid attention to those who shared the dance floor with her/ so that they wouldn't run into them.

When the song ended they curtsied to each other to applause of a few of the guests that had been watching.

"Well that was fun," Missy said as she and Theo stepped off the dance floor. She noticed Dinah and Clara had finally finished with their dancing and were just hanging out with each other to the side. Probably just best to leave those two alone. "What do you think, Theo?"

"It was cool," Theo admitted. "Never thought I could actually dance without falling on someone."

"That would hurt."

"Are you calling me fat?"

"… uh." Missy realized she had just made an oopsie.

Theo frowned at her for a few seconds before suddenly lowering his head and breaking out into a laugh. "Sorry just fucking with you. The look on your face."

"Scion damn it," Missy shook her head, a grin on her face. "Anyway, gonna go get some fresh air. You wanna come?"

"Nah I'm good. Have to talk with some other people," Theo replied.

"Alright." Missy waved him off. "See you then."

"Missy about my dad…"

She paused and turned around. "Yea?"

"…Don't let him push you around alright?"

"Wasn't planning to. Thanks for the advice though," Missy replied cheerfully before walking away.

As she did so she noticed Theo's father walk up to the boy and say something that was lost in the crowd. Max actually looked pleased but Theo looked ashamed about something. Was dancing with her really that embarrassing? Well, sorry it wasn't like he could lead, she had to take command or they would have embarrassed themselves.

"Did you enjoy your dance Missy?" Missy's mother intercepted her before she could make it to the open balcony.

"It was okay," Missy replied.

"Max's son is a rather sweet boy isn't he?"

"I mean he's shy… but not a creep." He was fun once he stopped being so nervous but honestly if she were to date someone, she would've preferred a person with a bit more confidence… And also taller.

"Well Theo seemed to enjoy the dance and Max seemed a bit pleased too. Maybe we could schedule a meet up with you two again?"

"Isn't Missy too young for that?" Missy's father asked.

To hang out with a… friend? Yea friend. But yea Missy wasn't too young for that. She hung out with Dinah and Clara all the time, how was this different?

"I'm thinking about her future," Missy's mother replied. "With the right people and proper connections-"

"Maybe ask her what she wants before you decide everything for her?" Missy's father argued.

"She knows what she wants. I'm letting her know it's a good idea."

"Have you actually explained anything to her? Because you she really doesn't understand these sort of things-"

"Yes I have. Now why don't you leave me alone while I raise my daughter!"

"She's my daughter too!"

Missy just walked away as their voices began to rise and capture the attention of those around them. She honestly should've expected this from them at this point. Thankfully no one else stopped her as she got to the balcony and finally breathed in some fresh air. Well, as fresh as you were going to get in Brockton Bay. Still, it was a private place away from the hubbub, the only other person there was a very muscular man. One look at his face told her that he probably wasn't a guest at this party, or at least a regular one. Probably one of their guards or something?

"What?" the man suddenly turned to her, having noticed her staring.

"Sorry just uh-"

"You looking at my face?"

"Well it's just that you looked… tougher than most of the people there," Missy replied.

"Should be toughest. Head of Security. Name's Brad."

"Oh. Nice to meet you Brad."

"Hmph." The man stared at her Evoker. "You strong?"

Probably a weird question if he wasn't the Head of Security. "Getting stronger."

"Good. Need to be tough to last in the Bay."

"Amen to that," Missy replied. "You know you're the first person that didn't think I was just a kid playing Hero."

"They're idiots. You ain't playing. Can tell in the news, you're fighting for real."

"Yep!"

"Not well. Shouldn't have got your ass kicked by Circus."

Missy quickly deflated. "You saw that?"

"Mall security cameras. Closed circuit. Doesn't get round too much unless you know someone."

Well at least that meant few people actually saw her ass getting beat in. She was about to ask him the details of how he got that footage when Tammi suddenly reappeared.

"Yo. Didn't know you were a dancer," Tammi said to Missy. She paused briefly once she noticed Brad standing nearby.

"Learned from a friend," Missy replied. "Bit of a wierdo, but cool."

"Weirder than Capes? Or Clara?" Tammi asked as she sidestepped and created as much distance as she could from the man. When he didn't react she continued forward until she was next to Missy.

"Oh yea. You two should meet sometime. It'll be funny."

"Maybe don't warn the girl you're about to prank," Tammi replied. "So heard you're working at Medhall."

"They're still talking about it." Missy said as she crossed her arms on the glass railing and leaned against it so that she could look down at the city from above. It was actually kinda pretty, if a bit cluttered and noisy. "Hoping it's just a few hours a week or something. Don't have enough time already."

"Watcha doing?" Tammi asked as she leaned her back against the railing.

"Being a Hero. Patrolling on streets. Helping people."

"Want to get into more fights?" Brad asked. "That why you avoided the PRT Brat Squad?"

"It's not just that, though yea it does help. If I'm in Wards I'm just stifling myself. I need room to grow and meet people. I'm stronger through… the bonds I make."

"Your bonds?" Tammi asked. "How do your powers work?"

Well, since it was Tammi asking.

"I know it sounds cliché, but I actually do get stronger meeting people and getting to know them," Missy explained. "Getting closer, getting to know more about them, that's how I get new Personas and how they get stronger. I'm not that strong if I was just on my own."

"… Your powers are weird," Tammi commented.

Missy chuckled. "They kinda are but I wouldn't give them up for anything. But yea I need to explore." She raised a hand to the night sky. The starless black sky. "Expand my horizons. Meet and get to know all sorts of people. Limiting most of my days to just the PRT, hospitals, or Medhall would just stunt me."

"If you want to help and fight… I got some unofficial work," Brad informed her. "Stuff I know about, but can't get involved with officially, ya know?"

"What sorta work?" Missy asked.

"Know the location of a couple of Druggies and their labs. Some trash, just some bottomless pieces of shit. Could help a lot of… good people getting rid of them."

Missy tilted her head. "Beat them up. Call the cops? PRT?"

"Nah. Cops don't do shit here. Probably just let them out on bail and PRT's too occupied. Just call my boys. They'll come quick for pick up and even give you a little cash for your service."

"This doesn't seem legal."

"Well I guess no point working with a Pussy."

"Fuck you," Missy bit back. "Don't know what your people will do to them. If you got the info, I'll go rough some criminals up but I will call the Cops or the PRT. Don't give me anything that will get me arrested either."

After going to Jack's shelter she realized that there were some things she couldn't do if she stuck with the Cops or the PRT alone. If Brad really did have good info, well she would take advantage of that opportunity.

"Heh," Brad shook his head. "Last thing you gotta worry bout with me."

"So uh- Tammi," Missy turned to her friend. "About what he and I just talked about."

"My lips are sealed."

"Thank you!" Missy quickly gave her number to Brad. "Well see you guys. Going to go see if I can find Vicky and her boyfriend. Mess with them a little."

She stepped back into the party only to be stopped by several guests who wanted to speak with her. Some of them about her Evoker, others about her work as a Hero, and others just curious about where she got her dress.

Missy suppressed a sigh. This was going to be a long night.