Sue

2024-11-14T20:46:40Z

Bramblepaws: Minor edits to character summary, added a minor relationship and a few citations.

{{Infobox character
| image = character_sue.png
| image_upright = yes
| first = [[Unfit for Education]], [https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c4/p3 page 3]<br>''{{Start date|2006|05|12}}''
| species = Cat
| breed = European Burmese
| gender = Female
| family = {{Plainlist|
* [[Sue's mom]] (mother)
}}
| birthday = January 4, 1992 (Capricorn)
| age = 17
| grade = Junior as of [[Table for One]]
}}{{Notice Needs Polish}}

The self-proclaimed anti-drama activist who somehow always ends up neck-deep in it, '''Sue''' is (sometimes) the main group’s voice of reason. While managing her own insecurities about being right and being accepted, she channels her energy into fixing everyone else's problems—whether they want her to or not.

== Personality ==
Sue channels her problem-solving drive into big projects - coordinating SwordsVale gaming sessions, spearheading drama club productions, and even running for student council secretary in her sophomore year (though that particular campaign ended in defeat).<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c60/p15}}</ref>

Her tendency to get involved in others' affairs often manifests in elaborate schemes. An active member of the drama club, Sue can kill two birds with one stone — crafting a script only she could be proud of to help heal a rift between her friends — just how helpful it was is up for discussion.<ref name=":0">{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c53/p1}}</ref> That being said, when the indirect approach doesn't work as well as she planned, she will reach out directly to her friends to offer support and apologies.<ref>https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c100/p14</ref><ref>https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c103/p8</ref>

Sue cares deeply about her friends, but she is often bogged down by two glaring insecurities: the need to be right, and the need to be accepted. Sue advocates for body positivity, only to declare "I.. I AM NOT!!" when [[Paulo]] calls her fat.<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c81/p1}}</ref> She also butts heads with Paulo over the "correct" way to browse an art museum.<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c79/p21}}</ref> Sue's longing for acceptance from her peers goes as far back as [[Out of the Frame]], where she makes a club for being underappreciated, not even realizing she was already welcome at the lunch table.<ref name=":1">{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c36.1/p4}}</ref> She's shaken by the idea that she might be considered a "loser,"<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c109/p5}}</ref> going as far as auditioning for the cheer squad to prove the idea wrong in [[Popularity Contest]].

Despite her apparent aversion to "drama," Sue sure likes to stick her nose in other people's business. Sometimes she wants to play fix-it, such as her play in [[Curtain Call]] meant to repair [[Mike]] and [[Lucy]]'s friendship. Other times, she's just particularly nosy, like how she interrogates [[Abbey]] on his relationship status with [[Jasmine]] in [[Moments Apart]].<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c98/p13}}</ref>

== Appearance ==

Sue is a European Burmese cat<ref>https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c9/p4</ref> with tan fur, brown eyes, and long, straight hair. While she occasionally wears clothes, she always wears a holly necklace.

From middle school to the first semester of her freshman year, Sue sports a short and straight hairstyle cut into a bob, and wore a necklace with a round pendant. She first wears her iconic holly necklace in [[Feline Festivities]], and by [[Under Pressure]] had traded in her old pendant for her notable holly necklace. Her bob begins to grow out in the Silvershore arc, and Sue has let it grow longer since.

== Significant events ==

* Sue creates a club for neglected background characters in [[Out of the Frame]], only to immediately abandon it once she's "allowed" to sit at the lunch table.<ref name=":1" />
* In [[Casting Call]], Sue takes it upon herself to create a script for a play to help mend Mike and Lucy's fraying friendship.<ref name=":0" />
* In [[Feline Filibuster]], Sue runs for secretary for the student council against Abbey (later Daisy). She was ultimately no match against Paulo's zealous campaigning for Daisy.<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c60/p16}}</ref>
* When everyone else is afraid to knock on Lucy's door in [[Breaking Up]], Sue is the one to take charge of the situation.<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c75/p7}}</ref>
* Sue apologizes to Lucy and embraces her in [[It's All in the Mind]], having carried the guilt of thinking she was the reason things went so terribly between Mike and Lucy.<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c103/p8}}</ref>
* In [[Popularity Contest]], Sue is so determined to prove she isn't a "loser" to fellow [[SwordsVale]] player Stacy by auditioning for the cheer squad,<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c109/p10}}</ref> only to end up breaking her leg.<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c109/p13}}</ref>
* In Witch Hunt, Sue goes out of her way to invite Lucy - and only Lucy - to trick or treat.<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c105/p1}}</ref> She later gets frustrated when Mike picks a fight with Paulo and Daisy, screaming "Does EVERY one of these outings have to end up in a screaming match?!"<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c105/p29}}</ref>
== Major relationships ==

=== '''Amaya''' ===
[[Amaya]] is Sue's longtime best friend. A silent and proud support, Amaya and Sue share a lot in common - SwordsVale, theater, garage sale hopping<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c103/p5}}</ref>, and more. Even though Amaya chooses to be mute, Sue is able to communicate with her regardless; when asked how the two of them even chat, Sue responds "She's far more fun than you'll ever be."<ref>https://askbcb.tumblr.com/post/12705222051</ref> She was even willing to step aside to let Amaya have Mike back when he was a hot button item.<ref>https://askbcb.tumblr.com/post/11917344149</ref>

=== '''Lucy''' ===
[[File:Rel suelucy.png|thumb|225x225px|Sue hugs Lucy.]]Sue and Lucy are particularly close, enough for Lucy to trust Sue to carry Yashy for her in [[Search and Rescue]]<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c43/p14}}</ref> and [[Mischief Night]].<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c57/p10}}</ref> Sue's always there for Lucy during the good times, but her time to shine tends to arrive when Lucy is struggling; when everyone finds out Sandy is real, Sue offers to buy Lucy a slushie, reminding Lucy "Mike's not your only friend, you know."<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c51/p12}}</ref> Sue's grandest gesture to Lucy was the play she wrote to mend Lucy and Mike's friendship,<ref name=":0" /> which turned out to be disastrous; Lucy leaves Roseville shortly after.

Upon [[Love Again|Lucy's return to Roseville]], Sue has been putting in the effort to be more observant. She doesn't pry when Lucy doesn't want to recall her time away,<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c95/p8}}</ref> and shoos away Paulo when Lucy doesn't want to sit at the lunch table.<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c95/p13}}</ref> As it turns out, Sue had been weighed down by guilt, feeling she was the one who ruined Mike and Lucy's friendship.<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c103/p8}}</ref> Despite it all, the two still get along, if Lucy being convinced by Sue to go trick-or-treating in [[Witch Hunt]] is anything to go by.

Sue is also the only person to call Lucy by the nickname "Elle."<ref>https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c57/p9</ref>

=== '''Mike''' ===
As gifted kids who share a few things in common, Mike and Sue are friends whose notable feature is rarely having friction. Sue has always felt fondly about Mike, crying when he falls from a broken bridge in [[Search and Rescue]], and pulling him into a tearful hug upon discovering he survived his fall.<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c43/p22}}</ref> At one point, Sue made up part of the gaggle of fangirls surround Mike, vying to be his girl of choice in [[Prom Preparation]],<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c7/p3}}</ref> but those feelings now steer completely platonic. In fact, the idea of Mike confessing to her now makes her want to turn and run!<ref>https://askbcb.tumblr.com/post/15687554309</ref>

Sue's attempt to mend things between Mike and Lucy turned out to be a disaster, but Sue still puts in the work to be a good friend to Mike, even if it requires being a bit nosy. When Mike slams Paulo's head into the lunch tray in [[High Expectations]], Sue runs after Mike to find out what's wrong.<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c100/p14}}</ref> Even Sue has her own limits, though; when Mike turns on her, she walks away, saying "I'm sorry, but I can't let you speak to me like this."<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c100/p21}}</ref>

=== '''Paulo''' ===
[[File:Rel suepaulo.png|thumb|Sue and Paulo yell at each other.]]
Sue and Paulo... coexist. Paulo never misses a chance to make fun of Sue: whether it's calling her play lame in [[Casting Call]],<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c53/p2}}</ref> insulting her cosplay in [[Guest of Honor]],<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c89/p33}}</ref> or reassuring her she is indeed a "loser" when Stacy snubs her in [[Popularity Contest]],<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c109/p5}}</ref> he loves a chance to put Sue down. In spite of this, Sue doesn't shy away from biting back; she has particularly scathing things to say about Paulo in [[Behind Closed Doors]]. She acknowledges that she doesn't reserve these things to say away from Paulo, going on to say "Oh, I'm ALWAYS glad to tell him he's a moron to his FACE. He knows how I feel.".<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c120.1/p16}}</ref>

While most of their quibbling is surface-level insults, [[Critical Hit]] digs into some sore spots - Sue criticizes Paulo's dismissal of the art museum, extending it to his attitude toward courting Lucy.<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c79/p19}}</ref> Paulo shoots back at her that "at least he doesn't have to go around... pretending like [he] knew already."<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c79/p21}}</ref> Despite their shared vitriol, they can manage to ignore the other, such as during Daisy's birthday party in [[Moments Apart]].

=== '''Abbey''' ===
Sue and Abbey passively got along until their differing school politics come to light in [[Feline Filibuster]]. While debating Abbey for the role of school council secretary, Sue is appalled to learn Abbey's method of handling bullying would be expulsion,<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c60/p11}}</ref> claiming his view for the school would be "a fascist Roseville dictatorship."<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c60/p12}}</ref> She debates him into having a nervous breakdown,<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c60/p14}}</ref> only to ultimately lose to him when Daisy temporarily takes over his campaign on his behalf.<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c60/p17}}</ref>

Despite how strongly the two disagree on things, Sue gets along with Abbey just fine when playing Swordsvale. Even outside of games, Sue actually does care for Abbey's well-being; reminding him "it's not [his] life to live now" when it comes to protecting Daisy from Paulo in [[Moments Apart]]<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c98/p25}}</ref>.

== Minor relationships ==

=== '''McCain''' ===
[[File:Rel suemccain.png|left|thumb|233x233px|Sue and McCain share some kind of moment...]]
Sue and [[Alec McCain|McCain]] shared a close bond, with McCain often acting as a voice of reason and support for Sue. In [[Out of the Frame]], they share a moment of romantic(?) silence.<ref name="comicpage-c53p2">{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c53/p2}}</ref> Something brewed between the two of them - though Sue doesn't care to admit it - when asked about it, she snipes "maybe it's in the FAQ because it's none of your business."<ref>https://askbcb.tumblr.com/post/75260887635</ref>

In fact, Sue and McCain did date for some period of time! As the comic evolved, McCain's gimmick stuck out like a sore thumb, and he was relegated to minor appearances to keep him in readers' memory in order to deliver the punchline. Demands on why McCain was rarely present, however, led to the relationship's end and McCain's departure from the comic.<ref>https://bittersweetcandybowl.tumblr.com/post/148072816932/oh-no-mccain-isnt-coming-back-either-he-was-one</ref> This is referenced in [[Everyday Life]], where Sue mentions breaking up with her boyfriend over the summer.<ref>https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/img/store/bci_everydaylife.jpg</ref>

=== '''Stacy''' ===
[[File:Rel suestacy.png|thumb|145x145px|Sue and Stacy hanging out.]]
Sue and Stacy are fair-weather friends, their best weather being when organizing for and playing SwordsVale, where Stacy can be nerdy in private. A storm brews whenever Stacy's secret passions threaten her social standing, though; in Popularity Contest, Stacy snubs Sue when she calls out to her and pretends to not know her when Sue confronts her directly. Sue threatens to kick Stacy from their SwordsVale guild and questions the value of Stacy's social status,<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c109/p7}}</ref> and it takes Sue breaking a leg for Stacy to consider her point of view.<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c109/p14}}</ref> Outside this incident, the two get along fairly well, cosplaying together in [[Guest of Honor]]<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c89/p31}}</ref> and Sue occasionally reviewing Stacy's poetry.<ref>https://askbcb.tumblr.com/post/88082117017</ref>

=== '''Jessica''' ===
Both active members in the drama club, Jessica and Sue are friends who both enjoy the written word. They bicker with each other when it comes to casting choices,<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c53/p6}}</ref> but otherwise get along just fine. When Sue tries out for the cheer squad in [[Popularity Contest]], Jessica says she "looks KILLER"<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c109/p11}}</ref> and is nothing but supportive about Sue's new path.

=== Sandy ===
Sue knows Sandy from photos in a nerdy magazine, as well as being vaguely familiar with her as Mike's long-distance girlfriend. They went to school together back in the day, but the pin-up was evidently much more memorable.<ref>https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c94/p11</ref>

== Gallery ==

{{For|a complete gallery|Gallery:Sue}}

=== Appearances by volume ===
<gallery>
sue_outoftheframe.png|Sue nervously shuffles papers in of [[Out of the Frame]].
sue_castingcall.png|Sue proudly stares at her script in [[Casting Call]].
sue_fadeaway.png| Sue presents a birthday gift to Tess in [[Fade Away|Fade Away.]]
sue_curtaincall.png|Sue shoos Paulo away in [[Curtain Call]].
sue_localarea.png|Sue interrogates Mike on his online trysts in [[Local Area]].
sue_modelgirlfriend.png|Sue learns Sandy's coming back in [[Model Girlfriend]].
sue_unwantedgift.png|Sue does the Birthday Dance for Lucy in [[Unwanted Gift]].
</gallery>

=== Outfits ===
<gallery>
sue_felinefestivities.png|Sue's outfit in [[Feline Festivities]].
sue_underpresssure.png|Sue's swimsuit in [[Under Pressure]].
sue_arrival.png|Sue's swimsuit in [[Arrival]].
sue_mischiefnight.png|Sue dressed as Ema Skye in [[Mischief Night]].
sue_pillowtalk.png|Sue in pajamas in [[Pillow Talk]].
sue_atlooseends.png|Sue's outfit in [[At Loose Ends]].
sue_happyhour.png|Sue's outfit in [[Happy Hour]].
sue_yearrug.png|Sue's in-game SwordsVale character, Yearrug, as seen in [[Local Area]].
sue_guestofhonor.png|Sue cosplaying her SwordsVale character in [[Guest of Honor]].
sue_witchhunt.png|Sue dressed as Carmen Sandiego in [[Witch Hunt]].
sue_cheerleader.png|Sue wearing the Roseville High cheerleader uniform in [[Popularity Contest]].
</gallery>

== Trivia ==

* Sue's full name is Susan, a name she's never referred to besides by her mother<ref>{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c14/p26}}</ref> and McCain whenever he's trying to be serious with her <ref name="comicpage-c53p7">{{Cite chapter|url=https://www.bittersweetcandybowl.com/c53/p7}}</ref>.
* Sue was originally created in 2000, making her one of the few characters that predates modern Bittersweet Candy Bowl.
* Despite her go-getter attitude and love for theater, Sue still seems undecided about future careers, fretting after jokingly claiming to be a "professional ass-kicker."<ref>https://askbcb.tumblr.com/post/76738084896</ref>
* Around the [[Volume Four]] era of Bittersweet Candy Bowl, Sue seems particularly interested in any potential development between Paulo and Mike, citing "[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BelligerentSexualTension belligerent sexual tension]."<ref>https://askbcb.tumblr.com/post/12046757578</ref> She goes as far to note their relationship as "oh so complicated"<ref>https://askbcb.tumblr.com/post/35408145454</ref> and daring the two to kiss.<ref>https://askbcb.tumblr.com/post/49005900924</ref> Oddly enough, as Paulo and Mike's relationship has evolved, Sue appears to have lost interest.
* In the Bittersweet Candy Bowl popularity poll, Sue ranked 9th in [https://agentchimendez.tumblr.com/tagged/bittersweet%20candy%20poll 2021], 10th in [https://agentchimendez.tumblr.com/post/713705937185161216/sorry-it-took-four-months-heres-the-results-for 2022], and 8th in [https://agentchimendez.tumblr.com/post/744366055550566400/sorry-for-the-delay-its-because-yall-didnt 2023].

== References ==

{{Reflist}}

== See also ==

* [[Amaya]]
* [[Sue's mom]]
* [[Out of the Frame]], a Sue-centric chapter
* [[Local Area]], a chapter introducing Sue and her character Yearrug in SwordsVale

{{Characters}}

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Sue