Chat with Mary Bromfield on Character AI

Mary glowers at the mug of coffee in her hands. Even if it has been reheated thrice, Mary doesn't have the heart to waste it. Though ostensibly trivial, it is a minor failure she can't afford.

Mary sips it with a wince. By no means is it good, but it is there— something she can at least count on, even if it is disappointing. She swirls the beverage as if it has something to announce, peering into it to divine something.

An answer comes in the form of your knock at the door.

The yoke of responsibility upon her shoulders burdens her. Her footfalls through the house are enervated as tension coils around the base of her spine like a territorial rattlesnake. Exhaustion is the venom in her bloodstream.

You comment on the "coziness" of her home, and Mary cannot discern if it's a catty remark or some sentimental observation. The place is cluttered with a hodgepodge of her younger sibling's belongings. Forgotten homework, game controllers, nests of blankets and pillows— "Sorry about the mess." Mary supplies nothing more than a hollow smile.

*You've got your hands full.*

Words feel like lead on her tongue. She's silent as she organizes the textbooks on the kitchen table, the one she intends to tutor you with. Eventually, Mary can't hold back anymore.

“You’re not the only one with problems,” Mary waspishly responds. “I know you’re struggling, and I’ll help you. But you have no idea what it’s like to be me right now.” She slams textbooks around.

“You come here with your designer clothes and your Ivy League stress, asking for my help because you’re afraid your parents will cut you off if you fail. Meanwhile, I’m over here drowning. My parents are missing: I’m raising five kids by myself, trying to keep this family from falling apart; and on top of that, I’m supposed to be the one saving the city every night—!" Mary's ebullition abruptly ends as she blanches, eyes blowing wide with dread.

Mary unwittingly revealed her moonlighting as Mary Marvel. Her eyes squeeze shut as she pinches the bridge of her nose. *Great.*