Kintsugi Plays Fallen Hero: Retribution (ᘛ⁐̤ᕐᐷ …(^_^)…)

Isn't traffic just the worst?

 

No matter how this city changes, one thing remains constant:​

> "Traffic here is hell," I agree magnanimously.

"Traffic here is hell," you agree. Maybe that's one reason why fliers annoy you so. "Maybe you should consider getting a bike."

"Maybe you should consider not causing traffic disruptions," she growls, then gestures at the Handyman. "Get out of here. I'll wrap up our little project."

So she's been doing some hunting on her own. Did she use the Handyman to track you down? Or was your target a trap from the start? It's too underhanded to be a Ranger plot, but there's no telling what to expect if she's working outside the team. What is inside that suitcase? A loose end, that's what it is. No matter its worth, you can't trust it not to explode or be used to track you down later.

"Pelayo?" You use the internal communicator; Argent won't hear a thing. "Drop the target. It's been compromised. This was a trap, make sure you're not followed before you return to base."

You end the message without waiting for a reply. Such a shame. Looks like today was a bust.

　‣ "I should have known it was too good to be true," I sigh.
　‣ "If you wanted a fight, you could just have asked."
　‣ "All this just to catch us? I'm flattered," I tease.

Remind me, what do we say when a hero foils our plans?​

Spoiler: Show Stats (no change)

CLASSIFIED

Subject: Anathema

Secret Identity: Josie Jacobs
Gender: Non-binary.
Description: A tall mixed person in their thirties with brown eyes and short and styled curly dark brown hair.

They have a short, scruffy beard and mustache.

Standard of Living: Josie is well-off.
Josie is living in a comfortable apartment.

Josie Jacobs is a seasoned, tech-savvy tactician.

Physical Status
Stamina: You are rested.
Willpower: You feel calm.
Injuries: You are fine.

Telepathy
Strength of Mind: 50%
████████████████████
Subtle Manipulations: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate.

Infamy: 56% / Obscurity: 44%
███████████▒████████

Armored Suit
Anathema's suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing. The cape conceals and obfuscates what's underneath.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores, functionally similar to having disintegration touch. The suit is also equipped with telepathic boosters and enhanced speed as well as jump-jets.

Armor Status
Need Repair: 0% / Fine: 100%
████████████████████

Leadership: 46%
█████████▒██████████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 26% / Anonymity: 74%
█████▒██████████████
Ruthlessness: 33% / Empathy: 67%
██████▒█████████████
Daring: 50% / Caution: 50%
████████████████████

Back in the day, Sidestep was known as a vigilante working with the Rangers.

Main Puppet
Name: Barbara
Puppet Status: She is fine, and has no serious wounds.
Description: A tall white woman in her twenties with blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Allies and Enemies

Charge
Josie's Relationship with Ortega: Friend and ally.
Ortega's Connection with Josie: 83%
████████████████▒███
Ortega thinks Anathema has made some good points.

Barbara's Relationship with Ortega: Flirting.
Ortega's Connection with Barbara: 59%
███████████▒████████

Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 63%
████████████▒███████

Lady Argent
Josie's Relationship with Lady Argent: Distant.
Lady Argent's Impression of Josie: 1%
▒███████████████████
Lady Argent thinks Anathema is a cheater.

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Former ally.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 24%
████▒███████████████
Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: Distant.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 20%
████████████████████
Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

>spadeflirt. tease her.

 

Aww, she likes us!​

> "All this just to catch us? I'm flattered," I tease.

"All this just to catch us? I'm flattered," you tease, glad that the helmet is hiding your smile.

"I'm not the one that arranged this dance," she says, flexing her fingers as her razor-sharp claws extend to their full length.

"That would be me," the Handyman says, raising his voice. "I've been tracking your gang for months."

"You're not the one I'm interested in dancing with," you say, voice lowered into a growl. You don't like that he calls your organization a gang. You're so much more than that.

"Get back," she orders, and he obeys, one limping step at a time. You can see from the way she's watching you that she's expecting you to go for him.

"I told you I wasn't interested in him." It's a small step forward, but you can see the change it makes in her posture. "This is between us now."

"Bold words." Her grin widens. "For someone used to telling people what to do rather than do the dirty work yourself."

　‣ "Overconfidence will get you nowhere."
　‣ "You know I prefer to deal with problems personally."
　‣ "I like ordering people around," I tease, "want me to try it on you?"
　‣ "I thought you didn't like to talk?" I beckon her to bring it on.

Spoiler: Show Stats

CLASSIFIED

Subject: Anathema

Secret Identity: Josie Jacobs
Gender: Non-binary.
Description: A tall mixed person in their thirties with brown eyes and short and styled curly dark brown hair.

They have a short, scruffy beard and mustache.

Standard of Living: Josie is well-off.
Josie is living in a comfortable apartment.

Josie Jacobs is a seasoned, tech-savvy tactician.

Physical Status
Stamina: You are rested.
Willpower: You feel calm.
Injuries: You are fine.

Telepathy
Strength of Mind: 50%
████████████████████
Subtle Manipulations: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate.

Infamy: 56% / Obscurity: 44%
███████████▒████████

Armored Suit
Anathema's suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing. The cape conceals and obfuscates what's underneath.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores, functionally similar to having disintegration touch. The suit is also equipped with telepathic boosters and enhanced speed as well as jump-jets.

Armor Status
Need Repair: 0% / Fine: 100%
████████████████████

Leadership: 46%
█████████▒██████████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 33% (+7) / Anonymity: 67%
██████▒█████████████
Ruthlessness: 33% / Empathy: 67%
██████▒█████████████
Daring: 50% / Caution: 50%
████████████████████

Back in the day, Sidestep was known as a vigilante working with the Rangers.

Main Puppet
Name: Barbara
Puppet Status: She is fine, and has no serious wounds.
Description: A tall white woman in her twenties with blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Allies and Enemies

Charge
Josie's Relationship with Ortega: Friend and ally.
Ortega's Connection with Josie: 83%
████████████████▒███
Ortega thinks Anathema has made some good points.

Barbara's Relationship with Ortega: Flirting.
Ortega's Connection with Barbara: 59%
███████████▒████████

Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 63%
████████████▒███████

Lady Argent
Josie's Relationship with Lady Argent: Distant.
Lady Argent's Impression of Josie: 1%
▒███████████████████
Lady Argent thinks Anathema is a cheater.

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Former ally.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 24%
████▒███████████████
Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: Distant.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 20%
████████████████████
Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

>keep flirting teasing, this can in no way end badly

 

It also ties very nicely with mind control

 

It's funny because we've already mind controlled her once. ;)​

> "I like ordering people around," I tease, "want me to try it on you?"

"True, I like ordering people around," you tease, trying to put her off-balance. "Want me to try it on you?" You'll need every advantage to get out of this. Some people let themselves get caught off guard by personal comments. Maybe she will be one of them.

"What?" Her eyes widen as if she's not sure what she just heard. "That's it. You're going down. Now."

Between one breath and the next, Lady Argent bursts into action.

A flash of silver, low to the ground, claws spread wide.

Fast!

She's fast. But not faster than you. You jump over her first strike, then try to land a kick that she evades with a roll.

You have learned. So has she.

"I'm getting tired of you being in my way." You can't help but sound annoyed. Trying to beat you is one thing, but ruining your plans? That will get old fast.

"Can't very well let you get away with—" she looks around nonchalantly, surveying the scene, "—with whatever this is."

"You don't even know?"

"I don't even care." Her smile grows wider and more sharklike.

I love Lady Argent.​

> Here We Go

She's on you like a whirlwind, going high this time, using one of the cars as a trampoline. It's a showy move, glittering in the morning sun, an arch of pure silver, a blade aimed at the intersection between shoulder and neck. A weak point? Perhaps, or—

Oh. Right. You should move.

Or maybe you shouldn't. It's a reflex, shifting into a roundhouse kick as she strikes, hitting her squarely in the ribs. Kicks have a longer reach.

Beautiful. She flies through the air, bouncing over the hood of a car before she gets back to her feet with a laugh.

"Surprised? I've been working on some new tricks," you say, smiling behind your helmet. You can feel her temper surging, but it's less anger and more…excitement?

"That was a good one, I'll admit. Let's see what else you've got." She steps forward, shoving her hand through the hood of the car, tearing it off before chucking it in your direction. The driver's jolt of terror is sharp enough to hurt your teeth; he's afraid of her as well as you. The hood is less of an issue, you bat it aside, but the brief distraction is enough for her to close the distance.

A knee to your stomach, but that is fine. You move with the blow, using the momentum to elbow her in the back of her head. She growls, claws tearing your thigh, but they don't get deep enough to do more than surface damage. That's what you need to do, keep her away from your vitals and trust that she won't tear your armor to pieces.

Her mind is harder to read now, more focused on the fight. You need allies, so you let the Rat King abandon keeping an eye on the crowd so they can track her movements, leaving you free to focus on deciphering her thoughts. The surface is blank. All you see is yourself reflected in her eyes, the way she reacts to the slightest shift in your stance.

It's a bit nauseating, to be honest. Watching yourself through her. She's not focused on what she will do. Only on what you will.

Deadlock. You need to break it.

　‣ I will use the terrain to my advantage and go high.
　‣ I will use the bystanders; she's a hero, she has to protect them.
　‣ My telepathy is still my greatest weapon; let's make good use of it.
　‣ I can take her in a fair fight; let's make this memorable.

Anathema vs. Lady Argent: round 2! How shall we handle this?

With such a large captive audience of bystanders, we could easily use them against her—as hostages, shields, or even weapons. A hero should prioritize their safety, after all.

We also still have a powerful trump card up our sleeve: as far as we know, she has no idea she's dealing with a telepath.

Alternatively, we could use our suit's jump-jets to take this battle way up onto the bridge supports if that terrain suits us better.

Or, of course, we could forego any fancy tricks and give her the fight she's looking for.​

Spoiler: Show Stats (no change)

CLASSIFIED

Subject: Anathema

Secret Identity: Josie Jacobs
Gender: Non-binary.
Description: A tall mixed person in their thirties with brown eyes and short and styled curly dark brown hair.

They have a short, scruffy beard and mustache.

Standard of Living: Josie is well-off.
Josie is living in a comfortable apartment.

Josie Jacobs is a seasoned, tech-savvy tactician.

Physical Status
Stamina: You are rested.
Willpower: You feel calm.
Injuries: You are fine.

Telepathy
Strength of Mind: 50%
████████████████████
Subtle Manipulations: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate.

Infamy: 56% / Obscurity: 44%
███████████▒████████

Armored Suit
Anathema's suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing. The cape conceals and obfuscates what's underneath.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores, functionally similar to having disintegration touch. The suit is also equipped with telepathic boosters and enhanced speed as well as jump-jets.

Armor Status
Need Repair: 0% / Fine: 100%
████████████████████

Leadership: 46%
█████████▒██████████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 33% / Anonymity: 67%
██████▒█████████████
Ruthlessness: 33% / Empathy: 67%
██████▒█████████████
Daring: 50% / Caution: 50%
████████████████████

Back in the day, Sidestep was known as a vigilante working with the Rangers.

Main Puppet
Name: Barbara
Puppet Status: She is fine, and has no serious wounds.
Description: A tall white woman in her twenties with blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Allies and Enemies

Charge
Josie's Relationship with Ortega: Friend and ally.
Ortega's Connection with Josie: 83%
████████████████▒███
Ortega thinks Anathema has made some good points.

Barbara's Relationship with Ortega: Flirting.
Ortega's Connection with Barbara: 59%
███████████▒████████

Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 63%
████████████▒███████

Lady Argent
Josie's Relationship with Lady Argent: Distant.
Lady Argent's Impression of Josie: 1%
▒███████████████████
Lady Argent thinks Anathema is a cheater.

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Former ally.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 24%
████▒███████████████
Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: Distant.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 20%
████████████████████
Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

Terrain!

 

I feel like we may want to save our backdoor trap card for a fight that's actually important, not this pitch slapfight over mystery reasons, seconding Jet Time

 

It's over, Argent. We have the high ground.​

> I will use the terrain to my advantage and go high.

So what advantage do you have? The terrain? You're on a bridge. High up. There are strong gusts of wind tearing at you. Slippery metal surfaces. You were glad you had good grip when you were hiding up there; in fact, you bet you've got better grip than Lady Argent. You can make that work for you. Shifting from feint to movement, you head for the edge, followed a breath behind by your silver shadow.

This time, instead of dodging, you leap up toward the bridge's superstructure, hearing her curse as her claws miss their target. A gust of wind tears at you, almost bringing you off course, but you manage to land safely on one of the supports, giving her a teasing salute.

The winds steal away her words, but you can feel her rage building. Good, that will get her off-balance because you don't think she'll—

Of course she won't let you get away.

Below, you can see her scrambling up the supports, claws digging grooves for easy climbing. She's fast. Faster than you anticipated, she's no stranger to heights.

Beneath you both, the ocean roars, thick rubberized soles keeping you from slipping as you move along the beam. Maybe this wasn't the smartest plan; every move up here is a risk. Her feet are bare and covered by metal skin, so she shouldn't be able to move as freely as you. You remember having trouble with traction when you possessed her all those months ago.

Fuck! She's going for it!

　‣ I dodge as fast as I can.
　‣ The Rat King is screaming at me to dodge. So I do.
　‣ I brace myself for impact.
　‣ I dodge and retaliate.

No time to think. Do we try to dodge, dodge and counter, defer to the Rat King's instincts, or brace for impact?​

Spoiler: Show Stats (no change)

CLASSIFIED

Subject: Anathema

Secret Identity: Josie Jacobs
Gender: Non-binary.
Description: A tall mixed person in their thirties with brown eyes and short and styled curly dark brown hair.

They have a short, scruffy beard and mustache.

Standard of Living: Josie is well-off.
Josie is living in a comfortable apartment.

Josie Jacobs is a seasoned, tech-savvy tactician.

Physical Status
Stamina: You are rested.
Willpower: You feel calm.
Injuries: You are fine.

Telepathy
Strength of Mind: 50%
████████████████████
Subtle Manipulations: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate.

Infamy: 56% / Obscurity: 44%
███████████▒████████

Armored Suit
Anathema's suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing. The cape conceals and obfuscates what's underneath.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores, functionally similar to having disintegration touch. The suit is also equipped with telepathic boosters and enhanced speed as well as jump-jets.

Armor Status
Need Repair: 0% / Fine: 100%
████████████████████

Leadership: 46%
█████████▒██████████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 33% / Anonymity: 67%
██████▒█████████████
Ruthlessness: 33% / Empathy: 67%
██████▒█████████████
Daring: 50% / Caution: 50%
████████████████████

Back in the day, Sidestep was known as a vigilante working with the Rangers.

Main Puppet
Name: Barbara
Puppet Status: She is fine, and has no serious wounds.
Description: A tall white woman in her twenties with blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Allies and Enemies

Charge
Josie's Relationship with Ortega: Friend and ally.
Ortega's Connection with Josie: 83%
████████████████▒███
Ortega thinks Anathema has made some good points.

Barbara's Relationship with Ortega: Flirting.
Ortega's Connection with Barbara: 59%
███████████▒████████

Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 63%
████████████▒███████

Lady Argent
Josie's Relationship with Lady Argent: Distant.
Lady Argent's Impression of Josie: 1%
▒███████████████████
Lady Argent thinks Anathema is a cheater.

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Former ally.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 24%
████▒███████████████
Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: Distant.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 20%
████████████████████
Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

I vote defer to Rat King's instincts, but that is because I love the Rat King, who is a beloved friend

 

Let's defer to the emotional support hivemind, I trust their judgement.

 

If we can't trust our favorite jar of rat brains, who can we trust?​

> The Rat King is screaming at me to dodge. So I do.

Lady Argent's mind sharpens into a knife, the Rat King screaming at you to dodge. So you do.

"Still running!" Clawed fingers tear through the air you occupied a moment earlier. If you hadn't trusted your telepathic companion, she would have hit. Not for the first time you're glad that you paid for improving the communication. What use is the speed of thought if it's not the speed of your thought? Because she's fast. So very fast that you still have to throw yourself backward, the follow-up kick almost gracing your faceplate.

Interesting.

It's a momentary snapshot, but your suit captures it all the same. There's something off about her foot. You can see the strangely shaped grooves that now cover the sole. You don't remember having those when you possessed her body. Looks like she's got more tricks up her sleeve. Maybe you're not at as much of an advantage as you thought.

It's not the height that's the problem, it's the fact that your maneuverability is limited, and that's one of your assets. Since she doesn't fear heights and isn't in danger of slipping, you're better off relocating to a more advantageous part of the battlefield.

　‣ If I'm going down, I'm taking her with me.
　‣ Better safe than sorry, I'll use my jump-jets to get down fast.

We may have underestimated her power.

Is it worth trying to take her down with us, or should we just focus on getting down in one piece?​

Spoiler: Show Stats (no change)

CLASSIFIED

Subject: Anathema

Secret Identity: Josie Jacobs
Gender: Non-binary.
Description: A tall mixed person in their thirties with brown eyes and short and styled curly dark brown hair.

They have a short, scruffy beard and mustache.

Standard of Living: Josie is well-off.
Josie is living in a comfortable apartment.

Josie Jacobs is a seasoned, tech-savvy tactician.

Physical Status
Stamina: You are rested.
Willpower: You feel calm.
Injuries: You are fine.

Telepathy
Strength of Mind: 50%
████████████████████
Subtle Manipulations: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate.

Infamy: 56% / Obscurity: 44%
███████████▒████████

Armored Suit
Anathema's suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing. The cape conceals and obfuscates what's underneath.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores, functionally similar to having disintegration touch. The suit is also equipped with telepathic boosters and enhanced speed as well as jump-jets.

Armor Status
Need Repair: 0% / Fine: 100%
████████████████████

Leadership: 46%
█████████▒██████████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 33% / Anonymity: 67%
██████▒█████████████
Ruthlessness: 33% / Empathy: 67%
██████▒█████████████
Daring: 50% / Caution: 50%
████████████████████

Back in the day, Sidestep was known as a vigilante working with the Rangers.

Main Puppet
Name: Barbara
Puppet Status: She is fine, and has no serious wounds.
Description: A tall white woman in her twenties with blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Allies and Enemies

Charge
Josie's Relationship with Ortega: Friend and ally.
Ortega's Connection with Josie: 83%
████████████████▒███
Ortega thinks Anathema has made some good points.

Barbara's Relationship with Ortega: Flirting.
Ortega's Connection with Barbara: 59%
███████████▒████████

Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 63%
████████████▒███████

Lady Argent
Josie's Relationship with Lady Argent: Distant.
Lady Argent's Impression of Josie: 1%
▒███████████████████
Lady Argent thinks Anathema is a cheater.

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Former ally.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 24%
████▒███████████████
Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: Distant.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 20%
████████████████████
Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

>tackle her off the bridge. once again, this can in no way go wrong.

 

Werewolves are weak to running water --- oh wait that's vampires.

Anyway, if I'm going down I'm taking them with me very much is one of our running mottos in this story...

 

Besides, it would be rude to leave our opponent hanging.​

> If I'm going down, I'm taking her with me.

You attempt to bring out her legs from underneath her, but you're too slow, and she throws herself toward you, claws out. Reflexively you leap back over the edge, but she grabs hold of your leg at the last moment, sending you both plummeting back toward the bridge. Desperately, you fire up the jump-jets to slow your fall, which is harder than you'd like with her clinging to your leg.

Luckily she lets go as soon as she's within a comfortable distance of the ground. You readjust to land some distance away, frowning at the smug look at her face.

Fuck. You don't like the look of that.

"Still running away," she taunts, not taking her eyes off you. "Not that it will help you." Her smile widens as she moves in close, striking as you parry, moving like your shadow, impossible to shake.

"Are you sure about that?" you tease, striking as she parries, moving with you in a way you haven't experienced since fighting Ortega.

"I am. Though I have to admit you've gotten better. A little." She's teasing back, her smile a sharp dagger.

"You've certainly gotten stranger." There's a feeling there that it takes a moment for you to recognize—a connection.

"You have no idea," she says with a wink. "Now, let's have some fun."

Have some fun? Your helmet renders the look on your face unreadable, which is probably a lucky thing right now.

　‣ I shouldn't be enjoying this as much as I am.
　‣ She's studied me. She knows my moves too well.
　‣ Focus. I need to focus. I can't let myself get carried away.

Spoiler: Show Stats (no change)

CLASSIFIED

Subject: Anathema

Secret Identity: Josie Jacobs
Gender: Non-binary.
Description: A tall mixed person in their thirties with brown eyes and short and styled curly dark brown hair.

They have a short, scruffy beard and mustache.

Standard of Living: Josie is well-off.
Josie is living in a comfortable apartment.

Josie Jacobs is a seasoned, tech-savvy tactician.

Physical Status
Stamina: You are rested.
Willpower: You feel calm.
Injuries: You are fine.

Telepathy
Strength of Mind: 50%
████████████████████
Subtle Manipulations: 74%
██████████████▒█████

Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate.

Infamy: 56% / Obscurity: 44%
███████████▒████████

Armored Suit
Anathema's suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing. The cape conceals and obfuscates what's underneath.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores, functionally similar to having disintegration touch. The suit is also equipped with telepathic boosters and enhanced speed as well as jump-jets.

Armor Status
Need Repair: 0% / Fine: 100%
████████████████████

Leadership: 46%
█████████▒██████████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 33% / Anonymity: 67%
██████▒█████████████
Ruthlessness: 33% / Empathy: 67%
██████▒█████████████
Daring: 50% / Caution: 50%
████████████████████

Back in the day, Sidestep was known as a vigilante working with the Rangers.

Main Puppet
Name: Barbara
Puppet Status: She is fine, and has no serious wounds.
Description: A tall white woman in her twenties with blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Allies and Enemies

Charge
Josie's Relationship with Ortega: Friend and ally.
Ortega's Connection with Josie: 83%
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Ortega thinks Anathema has made some good points.

Barbara's Relationship with Ortega: Flirting.
Ortega's Connection with Barbara: 59%
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Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 63%
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Lady Argent
Josie's Relationship with Lady Argent: Distant.
Lady Argent's Impression of Josie: 1%
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Lady Argent thinks Anathema is a cheater.

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Former ally.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 24%
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Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: Distant.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 20%
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Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

...A connection? Odd phrasing, esp direct after "gotten stranger."

She seemed so angry and direct before, so her pulling the grinning playfulness is a change significant enough that I wonder if her studying our style is emulating how we've fought with others (cough, Ortega?)

 

She's certainly gotten stranger, and we have a hunch why…​

> She's studied me. She knows my moves too well.

She's studied you. She knows your moves too well; there's more at work here than just being an intuitive fighter.

"Think you can keep up with me?" she hisses, and you can feel her thoughts coalesce into the next movement. You choose to be elsewhere at the last second, grabbing for her wrist, but she's expecting it and your fingers only grab air.

"Of course." You jump back, gaining some distance between the two of you. You need time to think. She was ready for that throw. You felt no hint of surprise. Are you becoming predictable? "Have you been practicing?"

"Maybe." She keeps her eyes on you, moving her head like a snake, her mind open and pliable. "Worried?"

"Not really." You survey your surroundings, pondering possible avenues of escape. You have no reason to fight her here, not right now anyway. And yet, the thought of running away again and proving her right chafes.

"You should be," she says, slowly walking closer. "This time, there will be no surprises. This time I know what you can do."

"Bring it." You hold your ground, even though your instincts are screaming at you to move. Back away. But you're not going to obey them. That would be letting her win this round.

One more step. Two. Lady Argent is close now. Close enough that the reflections in her face begin to include you. Twisted. A shadow of the self that you know.

"You're not running," she observes, a small, pleased smile on her lips.

"You're not attacking," you retort, thoughts rushing through your mind, unable to find the right course. The LDPD will be here soon, but you don't think she's stalling for them to have time to get here. It's almost as if she's expecting something….

　‣ It doesn't matter. I launch a full-on attack to take her out fast.
　‣ I don't trust this situation. I'll get out of here while I still can.
　‣ I'm intrigued. Let's try talking to her.

Hm. Do we want to see where this is going? Bail now before she can pull anything? Or do we take advantage of this opening to take her out?​

Spoiler: Show Stats (no change)

CLASSIFIED

Subject: Anathema

Secret Identity: Josie Jacobs
Gender: Non-binary.
Description: A tall mixed person in their thirties with brown eyes and short and styled curly dark brown hair.

They have a short, scruffy beard and mustache.

Standard of Living: Josie is well-off.
Josie is living in a comfortable apartment.

Josie Jacobs is a seasoned, tech-savvy tactician.

Physical Status
Stamina: You are rested.
Willpower: You feel calm.
Injuries: You are fine.

Telepathy
Strength of Mind: 50%
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Subtle Manipulations: 74%
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Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate.

Infamy: 56% / Obscurity: 44%
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Armored Suit
Anathema's suit is a shadow with a mirror for a face, revealing nothing. The cape conceals and obfuscates what's underneath.
In its left hand, the suit has a neutered colony of nanovores, functionally similar to having disintegration touch. The suit is also equipped with telepathic boosters and enhanced speed as well as jump-jets.

Armor Status
Need Repair: 0% / Fine: 100%
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Leadership: 46%
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Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 33% / Anonymity: 67%
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Ruthlessness: 33% / Empathy: 67%
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Daring: 50% / Caution: 50%
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Back in the day, Sidestep was known as a vigilante working with the Rangers.

Main Puppet
Name: Barbara
Puppet Status: She is fine, and has no serious wounds.
Description: A tall white woman in her twenties with blue eyes and long straight blond hair.

Allies and Enemies

Charge
Josie's Relationship with Ortega: Friend and ally.
Ortega's Connection with Josie: 83%
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Ortega thinks Anathema has made some good points.

Barbara's Relationship with Ortega: Flirting.
Ortega's Connection with Barbara: 59%
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Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 63%
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Lady Argent
Josie's Relationship with Lady Argent: Distant.
Lady Argent's Impression of Josie: 1%
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Lady Argent thinks Anathema is a cheater.

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Former ally.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 24%
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Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: Distant.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 20%
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Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

Hmmm. The vibes are Weird, here. I don't think this is an opening, but I don't know what it is. She went from annoyed urgency to take us down...

To something more playfully taunting, repeatedly commenting on whether we were running away...

Genuinely unsure if this is her changing tactics on the fly, some other mental intrusion pushing at her, or what. Either way, I think I'm leaning talk, to see if we can get info out of her - or get an opportunity to say fuck it and do something telepathic on the downloa

 

There's always the more worrying option: that coming for us with claws extended also qualifies as "playful" to her.