[i]"Dara darada~ Dara dadada~ ♫"[/i] Lorelei was bobbing her head to the tune playing in her headphones. Her playlist was full of songs from her favorite anime, especially the sweet and upbeat ones that can make a grown man make a cutesy pose and make peace signs with his fingers. Her hero outfit was just as subjectively, and visually, loud and colorful like her music taste. It was like she splashed all the pastel shades of the rainbow on her outfit; it was impossible [i]not[/i] to look at her. A couple of girls would snicker while pointing at her, probably telling each other how gaudy and ugly Lorie's get-up was, but it was clear that what others thought of her was none of Lorie's concern at all.

She twirled her staff expertly as she spun, hopped, and lightly danced around while going down the sidewalks of Paragon City. People weren't sure if she was a street performer, a cosplayer, a heroine, or possibly all of the above. [i]"Da ra dadada, darada~ ♫"[/i] She posed and made a finger heart at a younger girl staring at her, and the girl brightened and did a finger heart right back at Lorie too. She put her star goggles up and looked at the girl with an impressed smile. "Nice outfit, sis. Love what you did with your hair." Lorie complimented the girl as she put her goggles back on and skipped away, much to the delight of the little girl and her mom. 

It took Lorie half an hour of travelling to get to Atlas Park from her folk's place. She left home while her parents were doing their usual morning routine which contained enough cardio to potentially outrun a horde of zombies for months. She's been enjoying her music since her train ride and walking to the town hall using her device that contained over thousands of minutes' worth of songs. As she got closer though, she regrettably had to shut her music off just so she could talk with whoever's there already.

As she walked, she reflected on all the choices in her life that lead her to this moment. Would her parents be disappointed when they learned she walked back? Even if they did accept her decision, could she forgive herself from backing down from an opportunity that others would die to have? She could go back to the safety and comfort of her own room, away from people judging and mocking her. Even when she was busy enjoying her tunes, she could still feel their judgmental stares of the people she walked passed by. They'll be more critical of Lorelei now that she's a hero; they'll criticize every action and decision she will make and didn't make. She should've thought of the responsibilities and the repercussions of her heroism before taking part in the Exam, but she's already here anyway.

Lorelei took a deep breath and exhaled softly. Whenever she felt panic clouding her mind, her family and the communities she became a part of were the ones who give her strength. They were there for her when no one else did. They loved her for her true unapologetic self. The world was a better place with them in it and by becoming a hero, she could do whatever it took to protect them and others from harm. 

"Magica Lady Melina, give me strength..." Lorie said, remembering the gentle smile and heroic-ness of her anime idol. "Okay then, let's get done with this." With a more hardened resolve, she took the turn and walked towards the town hall where she could already see a group of people her age donning their own superhero costumes. Lorie took her goggles down and nodded at them in acknowledgment as she approached them. "You guys passed the Exam too? That's cool. Name's Starshine." She said while leaning against her staff, her bright and colorful costume contrasting her passive facial expression and voice.