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

>glad we're done teehee ;3c

 

a note to the audience: while I am, of course, a skilled professional who would never overlook something so obvious as the Infamy increase triggered by Steel blaming the explosion on Anathema

in the hypothetical circumstance that I had done so, that error would now be fixed.

 

Must suck to still be a hero. Can't relate.​

> "Glad I'm out of the business," I chuckle.

"Glad I'm out of the business," you chuckle. "I don't miss the headache of dealing with things like this."

"I know what you mean." Chen's sigh is heartfelt.

For a moment or two, there is silence between you. Not a comfortable silence by any means, but a neutral one. No aggression, at least none aimed at you.

An opportunity?

"Listen…" You hesitate briefly, for show more than anything. If you're going to have any hope of him lowering his guard, you have to play this right. "What is it really that bothers you so much about me?"

"Do you want a list or something?"

"That would be nice; why not start from the top?" you suggest, amicably.

"You're a telepath." Steel doesn't even have to think before answering, and it's not like you didn't suspect that had something to do with it.

"I was." You look straight into his eyes and will him to believe you. "That's not the case anymore."

"I know you told us that." He doesn't quite accuse you of lying, but it's close.

"Chen…" You press your fingers to the bridge of your nose as if to ward off a headache. "I don't know how to better explain this. Heartbreak messed me up. I can't read your mind anymore." The headache doesn't disappear; he is still there when you open your eyes.

"So you say." He has crossed his arms, and from the look on his face, you imagine he's probably thinking really hard about something he wants you to pick up. Just to prove a point.

　‣ I'm curious, I'll try to browse his mind.
　‣ I'll change the subject for now.

Should we take a very discreet look at what he's actually thinking? Or just steer away from this line of discussion?​

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: 51% / Obscurity: 49%
██████████▒█████████

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: 30%
████████████████████

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

 

"I'm not a mind reader!" reads your mind

 

Very curious how this line of convo goes if we'd admitted and helped* Argent back when

 

Spoiler: Alternate path spoilers

Well...

So less "ffs I'm not a telepath anymore," more "ffs telepathy doesn't mean automatically invading the minds of everyone around you."

 

I have no idea why Chen would accuse us of something like that. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯​

> I'm curious, I'll try to browse his mind.

"Nothing I say is going to change your mind, is it?" You brush the gentlest mental fingers over the surroundings, trying to feel if there's something here, if it's a trap.

"Doubtful," Steel replies, and you can feel his resentment.

"I don't need you to trust me." You get up to make yourself another cup, but in reality, you just need to move. Need to turn your back to him, avoid his gaze. You don't need him to trust you, but you need to know what's going on. Need. So much of your life has always been focused on that word, not enough on what you want. That's never really been an option until now. As you wait for the machine to churn out another cup, you focus on the angry thoughts of Steel behind you, finding…

Huh. Not anger. You stare at the slowly filling cup, leaning into Steel's mind behind you, finding suspicion, yes, but also regret. Mostly regret.

"I don't distrust you," he admits since you've gone silent. "You're allowed to be here." He feels guilty. Guilty over how he's been treating you, but also over how things turned out.

"I'm glad I'm not seen as a danger to the team." You're not quite sure how to deal with this information, so you grab your cup and turn around with a neutral smile. "Though maybe not everyone agrees with you." You glance over toward the door. "Lady Argent really gives me the creeps. She's dangerous."

"Stop." Steel holds up a hand, giving you a stern look. Did you go too far? Attacking people in the team is always a big no-no, but surely he knows she's a loose cannon? Pushing his buttons might reveal something, or it might blow up in your face.

　‣ I apologize; I'm here to build bridges, not burn them.
　‣ I said nothing wrong; if he can't take it, it's his fault.

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: 51% / Obscurity: 49%
██████████▒█████████

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: 46% (+5) / Caution: 54%
█████████▒██████████

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: 30%
████████████████████

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

 

This visit wasn't about digging wedges between Argent and the rest, so maybe play nice (to get in better position for sticking more wedges in later?)

 

> I apologize; I'm here to build bridges, not burn them.

"Sorry," you say, just in case. You're here to build bridges, not burn them. "I'm not here to complain about Argent. It's not my place; I get that. I just hope you know what you're doing."

"So do I. I'm just confused why you would care." Steel's frown has softened, though.

"Because I don't want the Rangers to fall apart, and from the look of things, you are in trouble."

"You're not wrong." There's a growing wrinkle on his forehead. "It's become worse than I thought if even you can spot it."

"I never joined the Rangers," you say with a sigh. "But you can't say we didn't work well together as a team."

"I know," he admits, with an honesty that surprises you. "I wish you would have."

"What? Joined?" Did you misunderstand him?

"Yes."

"I wouldn't submit myself to the background checks. You know that."

"Reason two on my list," Steel says in an even tone. You wonder how long the list is.

"Not everyone is in good standing with the US government," you say, somehow managing to keep a straight face. It's getting harder and harder. "That doesn't mean that they're bad guys."

"But it does mean that they are untrustworthy."

"They might have enemies." That slips out before you can stop it, the bitterness too much for you to choke it back. Enemies. That's one way of putting it. But, strangely enough, Steel doesn't reply right away. Instead, an uneasy silence descends between you.

You can see that he's on the verge of asking more. There's a softness to his thoughts that you've rarely felt. It's as if he's actually listening to what you are saying without preconceptions.

　‣ "Anyway, Ortega sure is running late…."
　‣ "What?" I ask, staring him down in a challenge.
　‣ "I'm not going to tell you what happened," I say quickly.

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: 51% / Obscurity: 49%
██████████▒█████████

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: 46% / Caution: 54%
█████████▒██████████

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: 33% (+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

 

I was on the fence and checked our stats to see how bold Josie is, but a 46/54 split really is not helping. Coinflip between >Ortega is the root of all evil Ranger Interactions and >WHAT YOU WANNA SAY MF?

 

Coin flip says... option 2. Ortega escapes the blame for once.​

> "What?" I ask, staring him down in a challenge.

"What?" you ask, staring him down in a challenge.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Steel's voice is cautiously soft. Not something you're used to from him.

"With you? No." You cross your arms.

"I hope you're talking about it with someone."

"Why don't you ask Ortega?"

"I did," he admits with a sigh. "She told me it was none of my business."

"Huh." That does sound like Ortega.

"And to ask you myself if I really wanted to know." His gaze is steady, but you don't flinch.

"Like that's ever going to happen," you say with a dismissive snort.

"Me asking or you answering?"

"The latter." You keep your eyes trained on him. "I know you. You've always been too nosy."

"I told her this would happen." The look on his face is something akin to regret. "That you wouldn't believe I actually want to know."

　‣ "I believe you want to find out if I'm a threat."
　‣ "But why do you want to know? That's the question here."
　‣ "I'm…sorry," I say after a moment's hesitation.

What are we supposed to say to that?​

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: 51% / Obscurity: 49%
██████████▒█████████

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: 46% / Caution: 54%
█████████▒██████████

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: 33%
██████▒█████████████

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

 

>Why do you care now?

 

> "But why do you want to know? That's the question here."

"But why do you want to know? That's the question here."

"Josie…" Steel sighs deeply, giving you a long, thoughtful look. "Is it really that hard to believe I'm asking because I actually want to know?"

"You're missing the point. Again." You don't look away; instead, you glare at him. "Why do you want to know?"

"Because…" He takes a deep breath, his gaze flickering down. "I feel bad about how I've been treating you." Are you actually staring Steel down? That would be a first.

"You should." It is probably not the most diplomatic of answers, so you add, "What changed?" to soften it.

"Time, I suppose. There's not many still active from back then."

"Not many still alive, you mean." You look away because that hits you a little harder than you thought.

There should be a reply there, but it doesn't come. Instead, you turn back to find Steel looking at you with an odd expression. Not one you're used to seeing on his face.

"What is it?" Your question is hesitant; this feels too much like reaching into a dark hole only to have your hand bitten.

"I went looking for you."

Looking for you… It takes a moment for you to add things up. Is he talking about the aftermath of the Heartbreak incident? Is that it?

"I thought they told you I was dead?" You phrase it like a question because you're on thin ice here. You can feel it creaking beneath you.

"They did." He looks just as nervous as you feel. "And I know I should have believed them, but I had a bad feeling about the whole thing. Something wasn't adding up. They told me it was residual trauma from whatever the hell Heartbreak was."

　‣ "A nightmare. Not something I like to think about."
　‣ "A telepath," you explain. "A very powerful and crazy one."
　‣ "An experiment. At least that's my guess."

Ah yes: the day both Anathema and Sidestep died, and the source of our least favorite nightmares. What the hell was that?​

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: 51% / Obscurity: 49%
██████████▒█████████

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: 46% / Caution: 54%
█████████▒██████████

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: 33%
██████▒█████████████

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

 

I wonder whether the telepath answer could lead to Steel under the impression that the powerful crazy telepath implanted a mental block in us so hard that we can't telepathy anymore. Let him feel confident in the source of our powers again while still potentially believing our lies.....

 

It was a very powerful telepath, Steel. Much more powerful than us. Powerful enough to permanently mess us up, even!

…Unfortunately, none of that is even a lie.​

> "A telepath," you explain. "A very powerful and crazy one."

"A telepath," you say, offering explanations when none were asked for. You realize that you have no idea what Steel and the rest of the team were told about what really went down. Was it anything even close to the truth? "A very powerful and crazy one."

"I know. I felt it…." He taps the side of his head. "The shields nearly burned out. Started flickering in and out. It nearly got me."

"Like it did Anathema." You can't suppress the shiver.

"And you." He leans a little closer. "Ortega told me you jumped through the window."

"I did. Only luck I didn't die."

"Luck and a well-placed ambulance." There's a frown on his face. "I thought that all emergency personnel had been ordered to retreat beyond the perimeter. So once I had recovered, I went looking."

"And did you find anything?"

"Not you."

"But you found something." That's evident from the look on his face.

"Enough that I stopped looking." He looks away; you can see that he's closing himself off again, one lock at a time.

　‣ "That doesn't sound like you," I tease.
　‣ "Why?" I ask with honest curiosity.
　‣ "Don't you want to find out what messed up the Rangers?" I accuse.

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: 51% / Obscurity: 49%
██████████▒█████████

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: 46% / Caution: 54%
█████████▒██████████

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: 43% (+10)
████████▒███████████

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

 

>Steel? Backing off? Times have changed. (tease him)

 

> "That doesn't sound like you," I tease.

"That doesn't sound like you," you tease. "Since when did you abandon a loose end?"

"I haven't abandoned anything. But other things needed to take priority back then, like the team." Steel's evading. You know it. So does he.

"Bullshit." You've raised your voice again. "There's something you're not telling me."

"There's a lot of things I'm not telling you." He gets to his feet, giving you a challenging look. "If you want to know, you can always read my mind."

"You're such an asshole; you know I can't." You need to keep up the act, play up the hurt on your face. "Stop rubbing things in."

"I'll tell Ortega you're here if I run into her." His face is unreadable, as always.

You don't thank him as he leaves; you just glare after him in silence.

Well that was productive.​

 

> You Settle In To Wait

It doesn't take as long as you feared. A few minutes after Steel stomped out, you look up to see Ortega sauntering in, an amused look on her face.

"So I'm not going to ask what you said." She pulls open the fridge. The door hides her face, so you're not sure if that was meant to be a dig or not.

"Good." You get up, shifting positions. Ortega is hard to read as it is; you need her face. "Chen is overreacting, as always."

"Sure," she says, finally giving up on finding what she was looking for with an audible sigh. She closes the door, then turns around to lean against it. "That sounds like him."

"Are you going to give me crap about it?" You cross your arms, staring her down.

"Perish the thought." A quick little grin. "That's between the two of you. What are you doing here anyway? Don't tell me you're the one that needs help this time?"

"Was looking for you, actually." You smile politely as you keep your arms crossed.

"Here to call in the favors we owe you?" The wink takes the edge off what you assume is a joke.

"Don't be absurd. I haven't been helping you because I want something in return." That's a lie, not that she will notice. You are already getting what you want, access to the Rangers, and the ability to infiltrate them and use whatever you learn against them.

"Sorry, didn't mean to be rude."

"You never do." Your sigh is filled with exasperation, and it makes her smile like always. "Do you have a minute?"

"Of course. You know I always have time for you."

"Somewhere a little more private than this, please."

"Sure, someone has raided the fridge anyway." She gives it a good stare. "Probably Angie."

"Doesn't your budget cover snacks?"

"Very funny. And yes, it does, but I don't think they were prepared for her appetite." The laugh is more fond than irritated. "Come on, I know just the place to be undisturbed."

　‣ "Lead the way," I say with a smile.
　‣ "Should I be worried?" I ask, giving her a stern look.
　‣ "Of course you do," I sigh.
　‣ This is why I use the puppet to spy on her.

what do you think, class, are we hyped to visit ortega's secret lair​

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: 51% / Obscurity: 49%
██████████▒█████████

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: 46% / Caution: 54%
█████████▒██████████

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: 43%
████████▒███████████

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

 

I mean listen why have the puppet be flirting with her if not to then spy on her

 

> This is why I use the puppet to spy on her.

This is why you use your puppet to spy on Ortega. Too dangerous in person. Too easy to get to you.

Too many fond memories.

It's easier as Barbara. There is no rapport, not in the same way. You can think clearly instead of getting wrapped up in guilt and old memories.

The perfect spy.

Following her in silence, you climb two sets of utility stairs, which makes you realize that Ortega has the slightest trace of a limp. It's not much, and if you didn't know her, you wouldn't have spotted it. Interesting. It's not an injury you remember causing or reading about. You ponder bringing it up as you walk through an unfamiliar corridor but decide not to. You might need a good distracting argument if this discussion goes wrong. Especially with the way she keeps glancing back at you as if she's afraid you'll vanish into thin air again.

Ortega…

You grit your teeth and keep staring at her back. There's that feeling again, crawling out from behind your heart, poisoning your thoughts.

This is her fault. If she hadn't cared about you. Befriended you. Made you think you could have something you can't. Be somebody you aren't.

You wouldn't be hurting half as badly if she had never bungled into your life. If your paths had never crossed. You never would have been caught again. Never would have to suffer through…

Never would have to…

It's an oddly painful feeling you can't really put into words, half memories of shimmering scalpels and the deep, deep dark. It's a feeling that makes you want to strike back, tear her apart for what was done to you. Revenge…that would feel good, right?

　‣ What will feel good is finishing the job.
　‣ It will. It really will.
　‣ Will it? Lately, I've been having doubts.

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: 51% / Obscurity: 49%
██████████▒█████████

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: 46% / Caution: 54%
█████████▒██████████

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. Josie is using Barbara as a spy.
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: 43%
████████▒███████████

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