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

>beat up the boy. it's the excuse we gave the receptionist, don't get caught in such an easy lie.

 

But enough talk. Have at you!​

> "You look like you could use a workout right now?"

"You look like you could use a workout right now?" The words slip out of your mouth before you have time to think about them. "I know how reporters can be. You want to get out of this place?"

"I could use that. Blowing off some steam." Herald shakes his head, the smile dropping for the briefest moment. "It's never fun being interviewed."

"Why not say no?" Probably being too nice. That sounds like Herald.

"It's my job. Someone's got to do it." The smile is sunny, but you can still read the tension in his stance. "But that's beside the point. The usual rooftop?"

"Let's get out of here." His affection makes him easy to manipulate, and once you get him out of the Rangers' HQ, you can let yourself use your full powers to ferret out what he knows. Maybe plant a few seeds. Twist him to your ends. It's easier to do that in a fight when he's focused on other things.

With the adrenaline pumping.

You let your thoughts run free as you leave the building; hopefully, by the time you've reached your destination, they will have settled down into normalcy.

This is just Herald. He can't hurt you.

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, with no significant wounds.

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

Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate. They are a known killer.
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: 5% / Fine: 95%
████████████████████

Leadership: 63%
████████████▒███████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 34% / Anonymity: 66%
██████▒█████████████
Ruthlessness: 40% / Empathy: 60%
████████████████████
Daring: 63% / Caution: 37%
████████████▒███████

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: 78%
███████████████▒████

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: 63%
████████████▒███████

Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 66%
█████████████▒██████

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: 60%
████████████████████

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Friendly.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 72%
██████████████▒█████

Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: He seems nice.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 67% (+3)
█████████████▒██████

Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

> Here Goes Nothing

Friday.

The world turns, then turns again, the motion enough to make you dizzy. Around you, everything shifts and moves, plans, places, people, faster, faster, until you're unsure whether you can keep up.

You need to slow down. You can't outrun things forever, so despite your misgivings, you don't cancel dinner. Get it over with. Taking one evening off isn't a crime.

And if it was, you've done worse.

Villainous work-life balance campaigns are such an underrated crime reduction strategy.​

So you leave your puppet in bed, sleeping her dreamless sleep as you prepare to dress up. The thought makes your face twitch, and the mirror turns it into a snarl until you turn away. It's just dinner. Dinner with Herald.

Safe.

A good time to give yourself a break. Enjoy some time off. You would never admit it out loud, but you like spending time with Daniel. It's exhausting on occasion, you need to keep your mental shields up, but he's got no sharp edges. You can relax.

You've been going back and forth whether this is wise or another in a long line of stupid mistakes. Dinner means a public place. Not normally to your liking, but Daniel wants to keep out of the limelight when he can. Unlike Ortega. And unlike Ortega, there's no baggage there. No painful memories. No need for caution.

Because you can read his mind.

You've used that gift sparingly, it's a breach of privacy you're not entirely comfortable with. Not that you need to, he tends to broadcast his intentions strongly enough that you have to block them.

Not that he knows you still have powers. You can see the pity in his eyes when he doesn't think you're looking.

Good. That should allay some suspicions. All you need to do is keep things straight so you don't accidentally react to things he's only thought about. He might think the best of you, but you don't need to leave any clues.

Don't need to make him think you've been lying. Even though you have. So much.

Fuck, deceiving him like this makes you feel…

　‣ Awkward.
　‣ Conflicted.
　‣ Pleased.
　‣ Guilty.

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, with no significant wounds.

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

Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate. They are a known killer.
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: 5% / Fine: 95%
████████████████████

Leadership: 63%
████████████▒███████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 34% / Anonymity: 66%
██████▒█████████████
Ruthlessness: 40% / Empathy: 60%
████████████████████
Daring: 63% / Caution: 37%
████████████▒███████

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: 78%
███████████████▒████

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: 63%
████████████▒███████

Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 66%
█████████████▒██████

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: 60%
████████████████████

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Friendly.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 72%
██████████████▒█████

Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: He seems nice.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 67%
█████████████▒██████

Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

.........We value other's privacy? I guess we feel conflicted, since the narration tells us so.

 

truly, we contain multitudes.

well, that or we have a high enough Empathy stat to at least feel sheepish about not valuing it :P

 

Reviews are… mixed.​

> Conflicted.

It makes you feel conflicted. Part of you feels as if you are betraying something. Maybe him. Maybe yourself. Even though no promises were made. The other part is proud that you've managed to pull this deception off.

You're a hero in Daniel's eyes; that's not in question. It makes you feel like a fraud. That's also not in question.

Fuck.

You're supposed to be a villain, not have a conscience.

"Josie, over here!" An excited voice. Butterfly thoughts. Since you made sure to tell Daniel he wasn't flying you to dinner, you've taken a cab to the address he gave you. He doesn't own a car, can't even drive. He admitted as much, and you suppose that there's not much use for one when you can fly.

You teased him all the same.

It's a nice neighborhood, not an affluent one, but down-to-earth, the place where people put down roots and remember their neighbors. The kind of place where you could never live. Too much of a risk. So is this. You should have said no, but now you are here, with no chance of escape. You gather your resentment around you like a shroud, quickly walking over. You don't want to look too eager, though you suppose that everything you do is exciting to him.

"I'm on time," you say defensively because you checked your watch. No way are you going to be Ortega.

"I'm early," he assures you. "No traffic in the air." Did he fly here in civilian clothes? He must have. You can imagine it, looking casually at ease. Everything he does looks easy, like how he's dressed, nice and sharp without being formal enough for a suit, fashionable without being ostentatious.

You, on the other hand…

　‣ I'm wearing my best dress.
　‣ I wear what I usually do, not changing anything for him.
　‣ I dressed up, not much, just to be presentable.
　‣ I'm wearing a smart suit that makes me fit in anywhere.

Presentability is, you may recall, our dump stat. Usually. Are we suitable for polite company right now?​

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, with no significant wounds.

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

Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate. They are a known killer.
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: 5% / Fine: 95%
████████████████████

Leadership: 63%
████████████▒███████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 34% / Anonymity: 66%
██████▒█████████████
Ruthlessness: 40% / Empathy: 60%
████████████████████
Daring: 63% / Caution: 37%
████████████▒███████

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: 78%
███████████████▒████

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: 63%
████████████▒███████

Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 66%
█████████████▒██████

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: 60%
████████████████████

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Friendly.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 72%
██████████████▒█████

Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: He seems nice.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 67%
█████████████▒██████

Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

(If we object on principle to further aesthetic decisions, it's probably not too late to throw ourselves on the mercy of the random number god.)

 

I think slightly more dressy than normal.

 

By our standards, this is downright fancy.​

> I dressed up, not much, just to be presentable.

You dressed up tonight, not much, just to make sure people wouldn't stare at you.

You could be anybody out enjoying a nice dinner, and that's enough for you. Annoyingly enough, you can pick up Daniel's approval.

"Come on, let's go inside. People are staring." You look at the sign, but it tells you nothing. Patelʹnya? Doesn't quite look Russian, but you're not sure. It's a restaurant, that's enough.

"Of course." Daniel gets his mind back on task, following you through the door. He feels shorter now that he's walking and not floating. You're used to him at eye level.

"Where are we?" you ask, looking around as you enter the restaurant. It's small and cozy, the painted stucco walls and wooden beams light-years from the places Ortega sometimes brought you to. It has the feel of a family place, the kind of warm and welcoming space you try to avoid. A place like this has regulars. People that can and will remember. Remember you. All of a sudden, you feel a whole lot less comfortable with your decision to accept.

"Don't worry." Daniel's hand is warm against the small of your back as he pushes you forward. You stiffen, but the hand moves away before you can voice a complaint. "Nobody will care. Or take pictures or talk to the media." He believes it, but you still scan the surrounding minds by reflex. Curious, sure, but not overly so. They know him. Trust him. There's a hint of protectiveness to them.

Interesting.

　‣ "So, do you eat here often?" I ask.
　‣ "I'll take your word for it," I lie.
　‣ "I thought you'd pick something more upscale," I tease.
　‣ "As long as the food is good, I suppose…."

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, with no significant wounds.

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

Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate. They are a known killer.
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: 5% / Fine: 95%
████████████████████

Leadership: 63%
████████████▒███████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 34% / Anonymity: 66%
██████▒█████████████
Ruthlessness: 40% / Empathy: 60%
████████████████████
Daring: 63% / Caution: 37%
████████████▒███████

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: 78%
███████████████▒████

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: 63%
████████████▒███████

Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 66%
█████████████▒██████

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: 60%
████████████████████

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Friendly.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 72%
██████████████▒█████

Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: He seems nice.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 67%
█████████████▒██████

Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

I like how the "I'm here for the food" response doesn't indicate how honest it is :P

 

...wait, sorry, I only just realized—was that was a vote and not just a comment? I am a space cadet sometimes.

 

It was mostly amusement with a side of "so, IS it a truth/lie IC?" for me

 

It's a good question! :|a Then again, you guys are the ones playing Josie… do you think they'd lie about being in it for the food?

 

Ha! I am surprised sometimes by the things we get to decide vs the things the narration clarifies or continues into that our decisions hadn't hinted at. I assume it'd be a half-joke half-sincere thing, since so far the fishing for info approach hasn't been reflected in the prompts

 

I am in favor of "just here for the food"

 

☐ Truth
☐ Lie
☑ Food​

> "As long as the food is good, I suppose…."

"As long as the food is good, I suppose…." It's a reflex; never turn down free food. Things have changed for you, but some lessons never fade.

"It is," he lights up in another smile. "You'll see, their chef is pretty much the best."

Daniel pulls out the chair for you, and you sit down gingerly, trying to keep a straight face. You were not prepared for that. He's had problems pinning you down in the past, how to act around you. How polite to be. Looks like he's as flustered by his act as you are confused. Good, then you both can ignore it together.

Thankfully the server appears and distracts you both. You take the chance to scan the room as he exchanges a few words with Herald before presenting you both with the menu with a big, companionable smile.

Daniel's known here, that much is clear, and little by little, you sink back in your cautious cocoon, relaxing your shields enough to get a feel for the room. People have stopped paying attention now, gone back to their own meals, their own discussions. He's not a stranger here, not someone to be gawked at or gossiped about.

And apparently, that now includes you.

You scan the menu, listening to his suggestions before ordering. It's strange how much easier conversation flows than with Ortega. You don't have to make an effort to read Daniel's mind to catch the cues, fill in with questions where needed, or break a silence that has gone on for too long. It's relaxing in a way you hadn't planned for; you can't be blindsided into something you weren't prepared for.

>

"So, what's your secret?" You finally broach the subject once the food has arrived. Everybody's reactions have been more laid-back than you feared. "I can see how people treat you. I don't think that's just residual fame." Not starstruck enough.

"I saved the owner's daughter," he admits with the softest laugh, looking around. "And a few of the other people in here."

"What happened?" You take a bite; the food is delicious. No matter what happens tonight, at least there's that.

"There was a hostage situation." He actually has the gall to look embarrassed about the whole thing. As if being a hero was something he was trying to avoid tonight. Sucks to be him; it's not like he can turn off that part of himself. Not like you. "I managed to clear it up before the LDPD arrived. Nobody was killed."

"And if the LDPD had got involved, chances are that wouldn't have been the case." They are notoriously trigger-happy when less-important people are involved.

"Shoot first, ask questions later, especially with powered perps." Daniel shakes his head, and you can feel his unease. Like Steel, he's not fond of the police force in this city. Another thing to remember, what made him feel like that? Nothing is revealed in his surface thoughts, and you have no time to dig deeper.

"How did you take him down?" you ask instead, wondering what tactics he would have used on his own. Probably rammed him, maybe picked him up. He's got a limited power set with his flight. If he had been smart, he would have carried a gun.

"Talked him down," he admits with a soft laugh. "He was a mess."

"Huh." You blink.

"What?" Daniel blinks back, not a wink, just shared confusion.

　‣ "I never realized how much of a hero you are," I muse.
　‣ "That doesn't sound like a Rangers' thing," I say pointedly.
　‣ "I didn't know you were that good with your mouth," I tease.

Our three possible responses to Daniel, apparently: not-sure-if-compliments about heroism, piercing commentary on heroism, and terrible not-sure-if-serious flirt lines.​

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, with no significant wounds.

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

Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate. They are a known killer.
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: 5% / Fine: 95%
████████████████████

Leadership: 63%
████████████▒███████

Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 34% / Anonymity: 66%
██████▒█████████████
Ruthlessness: 40% / Empathy: 60%
████████████████████
Daring: 63% / Caution: 37%
████████████▒███████

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: 78%
███████████████▒████

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: 63%
████████████▒███████

Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 66%
█████████████▒██████

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: 60%
████████████████████

Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Friendly.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 72%
██████████████▒█████

Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: He seems nice.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 67%
█████████████▒██████

Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

>beef with the rangers? beef with the rangers. we sure got shot at while being an accessory ranger, is this a tactic change or an opportunity to nonfatally nudge him off their path?

 

> "That doesn't sound like a Rangers' thing," I say pointedly.

"That doesn't sound like a Rangers' thing," you say pointedly.

"What do you mean?" Daniel frowns.

"I bet the media didn't even show up. No flashy fights, no cameras, no headlines."

"No," he admits, scratching his head. "I mean…it…," he hesitates, and you catch a stray thought and a rising blush and can't stop yourself from poking.

"Don't tell me you let him go," you groan.

"He was a mess!" Daniel protests, blushing. "He needed money and panicked."

"Did you give him money too?" You know he did, you saw it in his mind, and he's too pure, and that almost makes you angry. "I can't believe anyone can be that much of a hero."

"I'm just trying to do my best. I owe it to—" He breaks off, face gone placid, mind pulling in on itself like a threatened turtle.

"Are you…okay?" you ask because you should, but you know he's not. You can feel it.

"Yeah." Daniel straightens up, looking down at his half-eaten dinner as if he's just lost his appetite. "Just haven't thought about him for a while."

"Who?" The "him" has a weight to it you don't like. This is sharing, like normal people do. Not something you usually indulge in.

"My brother," he admits with a sigh. He drags his fork through the food, making distracted patterns. You keep eating; this really is delicious. "We decided to get boosted together. Become heroes."

　‣ "Become dead, more like it." Nicer than getting himself killed.
　‣ "Why would you want to do that?" I ask incredulously.
　‣ "I'm sorry," I say, reaching out to touch his hand.

Oh.

(…At least the food is good?)​

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, with no significant wounds.

Telepathy
Strength of Mind: 50%
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Subtle Manipulations: 74%
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Anathema
Anathema runs a criminal syndicate. They are a known killer.
Infamy: 51% / 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: 5% / Fine: 95%
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Leadership: 63%
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Psychological Profile
Arrogance: 34% / Anonymity: 66%
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Ruthlessness: 40% / Empathy: 60%
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Daring: 63% / Caution: 37%
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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: 78%
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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: 63%
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Dr. Mortum
Barbara's Relationship with Dr. Mortum: friend.
Mortum's Connection with Barbara: 66%
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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: 60%
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Marshal Steel
Josie's Relationship with Steel: Friendly.
Steel's Connection with Josie: 72%
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Marshal Steel thinks Anathema needs to be brought in.

Herald
Josie's Relationship with Herald: He seems nice.
Herald's Connection with Josie: 67%
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Herald thinks Anathema is a villain.

Other Characters

 

Entertained by our choices looking like "scoff at his grief" or "touch him," with two flavors of scoffing available. We really don't know what to do with people sharing besides reject it or go through tv-like motions, huh?

(I'm undecided, but leaning very slightly to #2 - maybe he'll go "what?? but you went vigilante, wasn't it the same for you??")

 

My favorite part is Josie unironically calling option 1 the "nicer" way to put it. We are the best at tact.