Natalie Matteson

 is a law student and legal go-between for Breakthrough.

Personality
Sees things through the lenses of her profession. Is interested by her new job. Tries to make sure everyone is keeping to the rules.

She considers her own stress response patterns atypical, worrying over ordinary things and yet very calm in the face of danger. In the face of deadly danger, she considers regretting not acting to protect others a worse fate than death or maiming. She'd thought capes were cool and imagined getting powers since she was a kid. In her imaginings, it was the critical defining moments that stuck with her, good or bad, and she was disconcerted after the interview at the way time just kept flowing, continuous. Kind of like Chris.

Family
Natalie is a lawyer in defiance to her mother's wishes.

Carol Dallon
Carol is Natalie's mentor and considers the younger women to be exceptional. Natalie admired Carol's cultivated confidence and talent.

Breakthrough
Had a rocky start with the group. Disproving of the team's actions often especially during the early undercover operation.

She defended Kenzie in the face of armed attackers including getting stabbed for the kids sake. She has become accepted by the group.

Tony
Her "sex buddy", not boyfriend: Natalie no wanting want to 'ruin' what they had. Found him intimidating and very attractive. She spent some time recuperating with him, even bringing him around to meet Carol, her mentor, and Carol's husband.

Appearance
Natalie is five foot two inches, shorter than average and squat. She keeps her hair shorter than normal and wears large glasses.

Victoria wasn't impressed with how Natalie dresses, even though she dresses well but respected her abilities regardless.

Abilities
Smart and knows her work, and is able to keep an exceptionally cool head in dangerous circumstances. A fact recognized by lawyer much senior to her.

Equipment
Briefcase, wherein lurk all the deadly instruments of her craft.

Background
Unknown but likely normal and sane. Thought capes were pretty cool, and imagined getting powers and being a hero.

Gold Morning
Survived, when many didn't.

Early-Ward
Was matched with Victoria and her new team by Carol, her mentor.

Had a hand with the groups infiltration scheme, which she was largely skeptical about.

Helped plan the Mathers compound assault, namely the legal side of things.

Post-Fallen fall
Was at the interrogation for one of the people who helped sabotage the portals.

Defended Kenzie from an attempted kidnapping. Later recuperated in a hospital where she had to endure the ministrations of her extended family.

After being released she was swept up in Team Breakthrough usurpation by Goddess and was shanghaied into becoming a "witness" for the event.

She was able to work out a plan that freed her team with the Help of Ratcatcher. She was in the group when they opened discussions with Mayor Jeanne Wynn, but she kept silent throughout the negotiation; not noticeably participating.

Post-Goddess' Takeover
Was recuperating with a friend, it is unknown what two healthy adults could possibly do together, especially after one survived a high adrenaline near death experience. Though one can speculate. Victoria sent her a thank you gift through Carol.

Natalie was noticeably absent for a time but kept working for the group through text and similar devices.

She was back to work a week later in time to hear about Chris.

Post-Time Bubble Pop
She started attending banishment procedures of uncontainable parahumans.

Natalie joined the delegation of Breakthrough and Wardens to Earth Shin, where she was questioned by local authorities in private. Later in the week she returned to Shin alongside Kamil Armstrong to recover Breakthrough from Shin's prison.

Post-Attack on Teacher
She was participating in outlining new laws for parahumans.

Natalie met with Victoria and Kenzie and drove them to Rachel Lindt's ranch. During the scene with Heartbroken there she was mildly assaulted by Juliette Vasil.

She was present in the moment when Breakthrough entered The Shardspace. Seeing as every parahuman in the room was pulled in alongside them, she called Defiant.

The Ice Breaks
Natalie visited her team at the field camp, and inspired Antares to push for regular humans being involved with The Shardspace.

She was present when Rain and Patrol officers entered The Shardspace.

Natalie met Victoria in their old HQ before the parahuman plague took a hold. She was tasked with informing the City's refugees of their part in the final stages of the plan to counter Titan Fortuna. Lookout re-routed Presley' call to her.

Trivia

 * Natalie is derived from a Latin phrase essentially meaning Christmas Day.
 * Matteson by contrast is a boring name meaning "Son of Matthew", with Matthew itself meaning "Gift of God".
 * Probably a fan of the Bet versions of Pact and Twig.