Calliope

[Shockwasp]

[floatr][/floatr]Calliope - Lady of Green and Gold

[groove]23137876[/groove]

[goto=20Q]Interview for Freedom City Crier (20Q)[/goto]

Interview for Freedom City Crier (20Q)[anchor]20Q[/anchor]

The following is the transcript of an interview conducted by Tricia Walt of the Freedom City Crier, a local newspaper concerned mainly with the going-ons of Southside, and the Boardwalk. Calliope was spotted busting a couple of thugs who were "convincing" a local business owner to pay protection money. As they were being escorted away by Freedom City police, one of them nursing a broken arm, Ms. Walt pulled the heroine aside, hoping for a scoop on an up-and-coming hero.

TW: "Hi, Tricia Walt, Freedom City Crier. Do you have a few moments for an interview?"

C: "Wha-? Oh! Um..." [glances at her wrist, as though expecting a watch, then looks around] "Sure, I suppose I can spare a few minutes. What did you want to know?"

TW: "Thank you, I know you must be very busy, I'll make this quick. Can you introduce yourself to any of our readers who might not know who you are?"

C: "Oh, of course. I'm Kri- ah, I mean Calliope, the Lady of Green and Gold."

TW: "That's quite a name, any special meaning behind it?"

C: "Calliope was the Greek muse of heroic epics. It seemed like a fitting title, considering my- ah, actually, I probably shouldn't say any more than that."

TW: "Oh, Greek mythology. Were you born in Greece, then? A golden child from the foot of Mount Olympus?"

C: "I'm flattered, but no. I was born in Freedom City, actually, lived in Southside all my life."

TW: "So this is your home then, too? After seeing what you did to those thugs, I'm glad you're on our side."

C: [laughs nervously] "I grew up here, saw things like that every day, it seems like. I guess I kind of let my anger get the better of me a little bit."

TW: "I'm sure they'll have plenty of time to heal in prison. What are your powers, then, miss Calliope? I didn't see you-"

C: "Oh, um..." [emberassed] "I don't really have any powers, per se. I mean, I've got my armor, and I've had martial arts training, and Mom always used to say that I was stubborn enough to make the tides stop if I wanted them to, but nothing that really qualifies me as 'super'."

TW: "What made you decide to become a 'super' hero, then? Just got fed up with seeing thugs and criminals taking over the streets?"

C: "No, it- I mean, um, yes, of course, I don't like seeing these criminals here, but it was actually the second Grue invasion that made me decide to put on a cape. My life was saved by a 'powerless' hero, and I decided that if he could put himself at risk like that to save me, it would be the least I could do to follow in his footsteps."

TW: "That's very noble of you."

C: "Thank you, but it's nothing special."

TW: "That was six years ago, though. I don't thi-"

C: "I-" [realizes she interrupted TW] "Oh, I'm sorry."

TW: "No, it's fine, go ahead."

C: "Well, actually, I tried to go out and fight right away, but I was just a kid- a teenager in a Halloween costume. I tried to fight an Omnidroid, but... next thing I remember is waking up in a hospital bed six months later."

TW: "Sounds like you're lucky to be alive. So, then you spent the next six years preparing?"

C: [after a long pause] "...basically."

TW: "Alright. You mentioned you were a teenager the first time you tried to go heroing. How did your parents respond?"

C: "They were cross at me for a long time. [laughs] I don't think Dad let me leave the house by myself for at least a year."

TW: "Do they know what you're doing now?"

C: "They do. They're concerned, of course, but they raised me to stand up for what I believe in, and they know I'm better-prepared this time around."

TW: "So, you mentioned your family. Anyone else who knows the face behind the mask? A boyfriend, perhaps?"

C: "No, I- I haven't really had time for dating. Between this, and my jo-" [covers her hand with her mouth] "Keep forgetting not to talk about that stuff."

TW: "Your secret identity is important to you, then?"

C: [nods] "Very. If I were to make the wrong enemies, and someone found out who my family was..." [quietly] "...I don't think I'd be able to forgive myself is something happened to them."

TW: [changing the subject] "What is your ultimate goal as a hero?"

C: [brightening up] "...that's a pretty difficult question, really. I guess, I'd like to see the mob lose their grip on Southside. It'd mean a lot to me for these streets to be safe again."

TW: "That would be nice, wouldn't it? Do you think it's possible, though? They've got a pretty strong grip, especially in the Boardwalk."

C: "I doubt I could do something like that by myself, if that's what you mean, though I'm happy knowing I'm helping at least a little bit."

TW: "Is there anything you're afraid of? Phobias, I mean. Like spiders, or heights?"

C: "Spiders... never really bothered me. Heights, though... yeah, that's a different story. I'm terrified of heights. Planes, tall buildings, doesn't matter. I'm much more comfortable with both feet firmly on the ground."

TW: "Ahm, let's see... No, asked that already... Oh, here we go! What are your greatest strength, and greatest weakness?"

C: "My greatest weakness? I'm not sure I should be announcing something like that in public, but I think it's probably how reckless I can be. My greatest strength, though? ...I don't know." [laughs] "Does stubbornness count?"

TW: "Sure." [checks her watch] "Oof, we should probably wrap this up. Is there anything else you'd like to add? A parting word? Some advice, maybe?"

C: [thinks for a moment, then nods] "Don't ever let anyone tell you not to do what's right, or convince you to do something you know is wrong."

TW: "Well, thank you for your time, Calliope, I'm sure we'll be seeing you again soon."

OOC Questions

How would you describe your character's mental and emotional state? Cal is incredibly self-critical. She still blames herself for her initial failure six years ago, and she's terrified she'll repeat it.

How spiritual is your hero? Does your hero follow a religious tradition? Cal was raised Protestant, though it was never a major focus. 'Christmas and Easter Christians', as the phrase goes. Currently, she's probably best described as a Deist.

Is there anything interesting about your hero that people might not know? Cal's concept changed very little during her development. The most drastic changes I made were deciding not to focus on Grappling quite so much, and making her personality a bit less Zoey and a bit more Captain America.

If you could give one piece of advice to your hero, what would it be? Don't be so hard on yourself. It's fine to make mistakes, as long as you learn for them. If you keep trying to be perfect, you're going to burn yourself out.