Pebbles Go Bam Bam
Background
Steph's a Paragon native, growing up in one of the suburbs. They suffered some of the effects of the Rikti invasions, but it's not something Steph has detailed memories of. For her, it was growing up, taking the bus to school, learning to check for Hamidon notices before playing in the park and learning how to get by without a purse. She had a pretty good Heroes Barbie collection and grew up knowing that, if she wanted, she'd be able to fly or teleport or jump wherever she wanted, if she wanted, like kids anywhere else think of having a cool car once they get their license.
Getting powers
The summer before her senior year in High School, she and some friends went on a camping trip. Steph went because her friend would not stop talking about how cool this comet would be. At least one of her friends was planning to meet up with some guy. Steph's first boyfriend had moved away at the end of junior year - his parents had had enough of Paragon's "weirdness" - which is probably what let her parents let her go. That and the pair of heroes that made the park their home.
The comet was cool enough, she supposed. But for her, the stars literally did align. She happened to be at the right place, right time. A late night swim with her friends, then resting on some old rocks and looking up. She felt herself twist slightly, and remembers the stars looking slightly weird, then hearing her friends call for her - apparently she had just not *been* there for a few minutes, and hadn't responded for a little while more.
The park's guardians had responded as well, having felt something happen. They could tell Stephanie was ... more, now, but not how exactly. It didn't seem like a threat, but they kept a close eye on the girls for the rest of the camping trip, and arranged for her to see some people on her return to the city.
Well, I'm already in Paragon...
MAGI had gotten the request, and met Steph and her parents on her return. They'd confirmed a 'magical event' happened (to which Steph replied "I told you there weren't any boys there.") Further investigation revealed the coincidental nature of where she had been for the few seconds it took to become "elementally empowered."
She found her senior year filled with extra classes on magic fundamentals and more in depth "hero basics," as well as investigation into (and just plain practice with) her blossoming new abilities. Honestly, she found the magic portion interesting, even fun, even if she couldn't "cast a spell." She could, however, manipulate and form rock and earth.
Steph was already registered as an arcane-powered meta after "the camping incident." After she graduated and talked to her parents, though, she decided she wanted to take the next step. Another year of training and she registered as a hero. She could, after all, put her powers to good use. Plus it gave her time to decide what she wanted to go to college for...
About the name
"Yeah, I know. I get asked about the name all the time." *laughs.* "After reading some books and getting a little training here and there for controlling what I could do, I decided I should register as a hero. But I could *not* think of a name, so I put down something that just amused me and figured I'd come back to it later. While I was working at the coffee shop the next day, mom decided to be helpful, turn in the paperwork and pay the fee for my license as a surprise to me. So here I am. I know I can change it... but it brings a smile to peoples' faces, too. Besides, I already have the red hair."
Friends, allies, enemies
She's fairly new at this, but seems to have started easing in with a decent crowd.
That Witch Was, aside from owning a useful bookstore, has also been a decent mentor for her.
Spots TechBunn was a bit of a surprise. Calling out for some help, she got a somewhat shy, large, talking rabbit... who not only was a big help on the mission, but whom she found she loved talking to and felt really comfortable around. They've hit it off really fast, and she's just exceptionally happy about that.
IC quotes and comments
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