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

I'm feeling 2, step back because proximity. We've already been backing away from her in the elevator, gives more impression of civilian than someone still actively in regular combat, and doesn't come across as getting up in her face - just as someone trying to stand their ground about an ideal.

 

personal space??​

> I take a step back, uncomfortable with physical closeness.

She's up in your face, too close, too fast, and your instincts take over as you take a quick step back. You're uncomfortable with people being in your face on the best of days, and she's no exception.

She doesn't follow, giving you a small amount of space to call your own, but her eyes won't leave your face. You cross your arms and stare back, forcing your thoughts into calmness. She's not a threat. Not here. Even if she feels like one. It's a ridiculous picture; you're so much taller than her, and yet she's the one that makes you back down.

This scene is so enhanced by Argent being a full foot shorter than Josie.​

"I could have you thrown out, you know." She breaks the silence first, and maybe it's the smallest of peace offerings.

"That's not hard to do," you say, uncrossing your arms to seem less defensive. "But the smart thing would be to hear me out."

"Fine." Her sigh is loud, but her stance relaxes. Now she looks bored rather than threatened. "What do you want?"

　‣ "Why are you giving Herald a hard time?"
　‣ "Are you okay?"
　‣ "For us not to be enemies."

Oh. Right. I guess we should give a reason for following her?​

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.

Their sense of style is androgynous, secondhand streetwear, with many piercings in their ears, nose, and tongue. 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: 46% / Obscurity: 54%
█████████▒██████████

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: 55%
████████████████████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 21% / Anonymity: 79%
████▒███████████████
Ruthlessness: 33% / Empathy: 67%
██████▒█████████████
Daring: 41% / Caution: 59%
████████▒███████████

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: Eternally 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 respects Anathema's abilities.
Lady Argent's Interest in Anathema: 43%
████████▒███████████

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: 28%
█████▒██████████████

Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

... Option 1? "I thought whatever this is was between us, stop hazing the baby hero" is an interesting angle. Doesn't quite come out and SAY it, but sure doesn't de-escalate

 

Come on, Argent, what's Herald ever done to you? Besides eat those @#!& crackers, I mean.​

> "Why are you giving Herald a hard time?"

"Why are you giving Herald a hard time?" You don't look back over your shoulder, and your words are quiet enough not to be overheard. There's really no reason why the way she acts toward him should bother you, but somehow it does. On levels you are not quite ready to deal with yet.

"Why do you care?" She's relaxed now as if she's taken your measure and found you wanting. You're not sure how you feel about that.

　‣ "I've been the new kid; I don't like bullies."
　‣ "You're part of the same team. Act like it."
　‣ "Who says I do? Maybe I'm just curious."

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.

Their sense of style is androgynous, secondhand streetwear, with many piercings in their ears, nose, and tongue. 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: 46% / Obscurity: 54%
█████████▒██████████

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: 55%
████████████████████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 21% / Anonymity: 79%
████▒███████████████
Ruthlessness: 33% / Empathy: 67%
██████▒█████████████
Daring: 41% / Caution: 59%
████████▒███████████

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: Eternally 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 respects Anathema's abilities.
Lady Argent's Interest in Anathema: 43%
████████▒███████████

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: 35% (+7)
████████████████████

Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

>fuck bullies, up to and including the government and gov-sanctioned heroes. and our ex boss(es)

 

Love dropping hints about that already

 

Obviously we're too innocent to have an agenda, but if we DID…​

> "I've been the new kid; I don't like bullies."

"I've been the new kid once," you say, shrugging. "I don't like seeing people bullied." That part is true; you've always been too conscious of power dynamics in relationships.

"Is that what you think this is?" Lady Argent looks quietly amused by your accusation.

"It's certainly what it looks like from here. At least wait until he's back on active duty; no need to kick him when he's down."

"Really?"

"Are you saying that I'm wrong?"

"Just that you're here as a guest. You don't know half as much as you think you do."

"Fine, I'll accept that. But that doesn't change what I see."

"Noted. Now quit following me."

"Have a nice day," you say with an insincere smile. Lady Argent just groans, then she turns around and walks away.

This time you don't follow. Instead, you smile quietly to yourself as you walk back to the elevator.

"Did it go well?" There's a nervous smile on Herald's face as you return.

…aaand he's still here. At least we got a brief break from the awkwardness.​

"Not really," you say, sighing in relief as the doors close. Honestly though, in what world would a meeting between Argent and you go well?

"She's not easy to get along with."

"Unlike most other heroes I've met." You can't help the cynical drawl, but luckily he doesn't seem to pick it up.

"I don't know what's been going on with her lately." The elevator makes its final stop, and Herald walks out ahead of you, heavy steps. Is the floating tied to his mood? If so, it's turned dark.

"Trouble at work?" you ask lightly, looking around. You've been up here before; this is the base's social area.

"Maybe. Things have been tense since Anathema showed up."

"That always happens when a new villain pops up. You'll figure it out." You give Herald a light clap on the shoulder, correctly reading that this is just what he needs. Normally you don't like physical contact, but if it will get Herald off your back, it's worth it. There's nothing more you can learn from him; if he stays much longer, you're going to get a headache.

"I know," his smile is sudden and shy, and he opens the door to the kitchen, gesturing for you to go inside. "I'll tell them to let Ortega know when she comes in. It won't be long."

　‣ "You're not keeping watch over me?"
　‣ "Is it alright if I raid your fridge?"
　‣ "Thank you," I give him a smile and walk inside.

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.

Their sense of style is androgynous, secondhand streetwear, with many piercings in their ears, nose, and tongue. 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: 46% / Obscurity: 54%
█████████▒██████████

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: 55%
████████████████████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 21% / Anonymity: 79%
████▒███████████████
Ruthlessness: 33% / Empathy: 67%
██████▒█████████████
Daring: 41% / Caution: 59%
████████▒███████████

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: Eternally 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 respects Anathema's abilities.
Lady Argent's Interest in Anathema: 43%
████████▒███████████

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: 35%
████████████████████

Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

Snack snack snack /McDonald's meme voice


Also see what people are eating lately? Probably won't be useful intel, but knowledge is power and all that

 

I love how well this thread knows its priorities.​

> "Is it alright if I raid your fridge?"

"Is it alright if I raid your fridge?"

"Sure, help yourself. I need to get going. Rehab." His smile is sheepish, and you can see how much he wants to wait with you. Flattering and exhausting.

"Then get going. I'll manage." More rehab? Maybe you hurt him more than you originally thought.

"Just stay away from the stuff marked Argent. She's…" He breaks off, unsure how to finish that sentence.

"I will," you assure, then turn around and walk into the kitchen.

Sighing to yourself, you take a look around. You've been in here a few times, enough to drive home the differences between the new base and the old one. Unwanted memories you try to bury, things are different now, of course this place would be too. In some ways, it makes things easier.

The kitchen is small, but still has all the amenities needed for government employees. Not that you are interested in anything but the coffee machine. Some things never change. Others do, and you try to ignore them, but your mind won't cooperate. It's nearly automatic; tracking your surroundings is a survival mechanism that's not always good for your mental health. Everything here looks newer, shiny, and somewhat impersonal, as if there were a company in charge of designing break rooms for all the Ranger teams. Perhaps there is.

You don't care as long as you get a decent cup of coffee. As decent as you can get from a machine…

Looking around for a clean cup, you find plenty, though they are all new and branded with the Rangers' logo. There's no trace of the old ones, chipped and personal, and in Ortega's case, the one that you gave her. Did someone throw them out when they moved?

You didn't expect to care. Or to get hurt by it. Your face twitches in a mirthless grimace. It feels like a lifetime ago. Longer.

Perhaps it is a testament to how deep you had sunk into the painful mire of memories that it takes you a few seconds to notice Steel in the doorway, watching you. Frowning.

"Want a cup?" You gesture with your mug, exaggerating your familiarity with the room just to deepen his frown and dispel your own gloom. It works.

He has no idea who's standing right in front of him. Anathema. You're doing your best not to smirk.

"Nobody told me you were coming." Steel's frown evens out, but there is still a touch of irritation as he crosses his arms. "What's the emergency?"

　‣ "Waiting for Ortega." It's not a lie.
　‣ "If you don't want me to come here, ban me."
　‣ "Just dropping by. How are you?" He moves…wrong.

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.

Their sense of style is androgynous, secondhand streetwear, with many piercings in their ears, nose, and tongue. 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: 46% / Obscurity: 54%
█████████▒██████████

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: 55%
████████████████████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 21% / Anonymity: 79%
████▒███████████████
Ruthlessness: 33% / Empathy: 67%
██████▒█████████████
Daring: 41% / Caution: 59%
████████▒███████████

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: Eternally 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 respects Anathema's abilities.
Lady Argent's Interest in Anathema: 43%
████████▒███████████

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: 35%
████████████████████

Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

>throw ortega under the bus. she wants us to come by so bad, she can run interference with steel.

 

Come to think of it. She's already somewhat listening to Anathema - "has made some good points" and all

If she gets more openly sympathetic to Anathema, and we mess with the Rangers in ways that are due to her letting us in...

whoof, that will be interpreted by angry characters as if she'd been helping us a long time :')

 

...so, in other words

everything we do really is Ortega's fault?

 

[ gif of many overlaid :thinking: emoji ]

Come to think of it....


At the very least, I'm sure our long term enemies will say so, if my thought comes to pass!

 

Don't worry, Steel, it's Ortega's fault again.​

> "Waiting for Ortega." It's not a lie.

"Waiting for Ortega," you say, quite honestly.

"That figures." You can see Steel's shoulders relax, and he steps inside, heading for the fridge. "I'm not sure I like giving you open access to the facilities like this."

"Access like what? To your pantry?" You sit down at the table, making yourself a smaller, nonthreatening target. Not that it matters, Steel nearly matches you in height since his latest modifications. You doubt that he's intimidated by you physically. "Afraid that I'm going to raid your fridge? Or sell the secret that someone's not been doing the dishes?"

"That's no secret. That's Herald." This time the sigh is audible, and the frown is aimed at the stack of dirty dishes piled in the sink. Someone has eaten dinner recently. Messily.

"I like that you can still make a joke."

"It wasn't a joke." Steel gives you a look that, for once, is closer to neutral. Are you an ally in his fight against sloppiness?

"Huh," you say, wondering whether you should take this chance to connect. It couldn't hurt trying to break some of the ice between you.

　‣ "I would have figured Argent for sure."
　‣ "I could have put money on it being Ortega."
　‣ "Good job trying to shift the blame," I joke.

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.

Their sense of style is androgynous, secondhand streetwear, with many piercings in their ears, nose, and tongue. 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: 46% / Obscurity: 54%
█████████▒██████████

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: 55%
████████████████████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 21% / Anonymity: 79%
████▒███████████████
Ruthlessness: 33% / Empathy: 67%
██████▒█████████████
Daring: 41% / Caution: 59%
████████▒███████████

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: Eternally 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 respects Anathema's abilities.
Lady Argent's Interest in Anathema: 43%
████████▒███████████

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Former ally.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 27% (+3)
█████▒██████████████

Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: Distant.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 35%
████████████████████

Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

>Ortega, again. Not on good enough terms with Steel to prod him, and Argent wasn't around when we were buddy-buddy with the rangers to know her habits.

 

I want to see what kind of housemate Argent is. Does she even eat?

 

We consider not blaming something on Ortega for a change, but think better of it:​

> "I could have put money on it being Ortega."

"I could have put money on it being Ortega." You smirk; ribbing Ortega was the one thing you and Steel shared back in the day.

"She's innocent. Of this." Steel adds the last words with enough hesitation that you can't help the smirk widening into a proper smile.

"Do I dare to ask what she's done now?" It has to be something; you don't need to read his mind to see that.

"It doesn't matter, it's not…" The words drift off as he looks at you oddly.

"What?"

"Maybe I have been a bit unfair to you." He speaks the words slowly, reluctantly. But he's sincere; you don't get the feeling he's trying to deceive you.

"Maybe?" you ask, one eyebrow raised to underline your point.

"I just don't like mysteries." Turning his back to you, he opens the fridge, grabbing a squeeze bottle. He briefly checks the date before turning back to face you.

"I think you make me seem more mysterious than I really am." What is in that bottle? Something nutritious and horrible tasting if you're reading the look on his face correctly as he takes a pull. "I mean, if you compare me to Lady Argent, I—"

"I didn't say I was comfortable with her either," he interrupts, sitting down at the table across from you. The chair protests under his considerable weight, but the furniture here is built for his use.

　‣ "Remember when you broke the mayor's chair?"
　‣ "Hah! I was right; you don't trust her."
　‣ "Have you considered that you're a bit paranoid?"

Evidently our years of experience with Steel are telling us to handle this delicately. :P​

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.

Their sense of style is androgynous, secondhand streetwear, with many piercings in their ears, nose, and tongue. 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: 46% / Obscurity: 54%
█████████▒██████████

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: 55%
████████████████████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 21% / Anonymity: 79%
████▒███████████████
Ruthlessness: 33% / Empathy: 67%
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Daring: 41% / Caution: 59%
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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: Eternally 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 respects Anathema's abilities.
Lady Argent's Interest in Anathema: 43%
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Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Former ally.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 27%
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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: 35%
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Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

I want to hear about him breaking mayoral property

 

If we had a nickel for every time Steel wrecked a politician's stuff...​

> "Remember when you broke the mayor's chair?"

"Remember when you fell through the chair at the mayor's old office?"

"I've been trying to forget that," Steel says, suppressing a groan. "Thank you so much for reminding me."

"I aim to please." You empty your cup with a wink.

"This feels all too familiar." He takes another pull from the bottle, followed by another grimace.

"Yes," you agree.

"Maybe every team will have a troublemaker." His thoughts still circle Argent, buzzards trying to judge the shape on the ground. Dead or alive? An issue that is real or invented? An opening it would be a shame not to take.

"Are you mad at Argent or at yourself?" You keep your tone neutral. "I know they tried to keep it out of the papers, but you were involved in that terror bombing, right? The politician's place?" You don't namedrop Lou Carter, but you can feel his wince. "Running around on your own doesn't sound like you."

"You're not wrong," he admits, and that's a first. "The mayor asked me to play bodyguard for a night. She learned that there might be an attempt on his life."

"Huh." You can't help the surprised look on your face; you didn't expect him to share it this easily. Probably because there's been enough speculation already. "You're not a bodyguard."

"The circumstances were…complicated." There it is, the evasiveness you're so used to. "And I didn't expect Anathema to show up."

"So, did you ever figure out who blew up the place?"

"Anathema." There's certainty in his voice, anger in his mind. He'll get them eventually. Is that why he was so annoyed with Argent? That she didn't involve him, and once more you managed to slip away?

　‣ "Do you want any help?"
　‣ "You'll come through," I say. "The Rangers always get their man."
　‣ "Glad I'm out of the business," I chuckle.

*whistles innocently*​

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.

Their sense of style is androgynous, secondhand streetwear, with many piercings in their ears, nose, and tongue. 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: 51% (+5) / Obscurity: 49%
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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: 55%
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Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 21% / Anonymity: 79%
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Ruthlessness: 33% / Empathy: 67%
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Daring: 41% / Caution: 59%
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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: Eternally 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 respects Anathema's abilities.
Lady Argent's Interest in Anathema: 43%
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Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Former ally.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 30% (+3)
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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: 35%
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Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

We're SO retired. Super retired.