It is hot as hell over here, though looking at the rest of the world it still feels like we are getting off easy. Still, have been helping my best friend move for three weeks and he has a library the size of an actual library and the new flat is on the third floor no elevator. So much carrying, and all the books are still not there. Guess this counts as getting back in shape, even though I spent a lot of vacation time doing it. In other good news I have repathed the entire first part of Revelations, and will be able to fuse the paths a lot sooner than I feared, all with the addition of some new scenes. The timeline might be a little wonky, but I'll make it work. It will make work a LOT easier going forward, currently working on tying in the "betrayed and sedated by Mortum" path into things. Interesting conversations.
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Late, but I hope things continue to go well/get better for your Mom!!
It is finally starting to look up. Had a chat with her a couple of days ago where she managed to stay on the phone for fifty minutes! Yes. She has been exhausted. The nausea is gone, and the weight loss has stopped, now we just have to see if she can manage to get some weight back, because she needs that. Still don't know if they got everything, hopefully the tests this autumn will be good. But yeah, it's been a lot rougher post-op recovery than she hoped, even though the doctors warned her it would take time.
In the variations of the m!Sidestep/Julia/Argent scene at the Rangers HQ where Julia isn't/hasn't been out as bi, could Sidestep have picked up on any hints/signs-in-hindsight of Ortega's bisexuality over the years enough to make an educated guess? Or was that fully just a cold read on both of them?
I am going to have a discussion about Ortega's bi-ness in game I'm hoping, so Sidestep would get options to pick choices there.
Would pastflirting!Sidesteps have had more/less opportunities to gain insight into things like that (who and what Ortega is into), or about the same as any other Sidestep?
I would say about the same as any other Sidestep, the one that would have less would be the work colleagues past option choice.
Julia says she thought she'd made Argent uncomfortable with her early flirting--did Ortega think she just came on too strongly, or did she assume it was more to do with her bisexuality?
I think Ortega at first thought it was being hit on by a woman that was the issue for Argent, but quickly realized it was touch and closeness from everyone.
Did it have any affect on her and Argent's early friendship vs Ricardo's?
No.
After the reveal why does Mortum still refer to Sidestep by their puppets name?
It's a reflex. Mortum is trying to stop, but sometimes the discussion feels like they are talking to the puppet, so things slip out. In game I am using as a way to show that Mortum, sometimes just subcionsciously, has accepted that they are the same individual.
What exactly did Mortum tell their friend Dr. Halabi about the puppet if they are in a romantic relationship?
Just general things. Mortum talked to Halabi not because they love gossip (not about themselves) but because they felt a bit nervous getting in that deeply. Mortum is not good at close relationships, and considering Dr. Halabi's own issues with intimacy it makes sense that they would have talked about these things.
How fitting/safe is LD viewed for people who wish to grow a family in it, or for kids in general as an environment [it being quite filled with superheroes and villains, having potential for collateral damage etc.] Based on how some cities are build to encourage such population growth by designing specific designated spaces like parks, squares and neighborhood designs, as opposed to more sci-fi dystopian cities perhaps.
I think Los Diablos has a reputation as a dangerous city, especially in comparison with Seattle, which is considered the safest city in the west coast. However, like with all cities, there are many safe places within it, and some of the riskier ones are not as risky as advertised. It's still traffic and pollution that kills the most people. But yeah, nobody moves to Los Diablos because they imagine it is a safe place to start a family, but many locals are quite angry at the way their city is painted as a hellhole.
How's visually the advertising aspect of the city? e.g. Does it feature a times square kind of setting? Is it restricted or does it present a bit of a visual pollution
Oh there is a massive amount of advertising. I see it as a Times Square or Tokyo situation where the names, colors and lights became a constant background noise that the locals doesn't even notice, but which can overwhelm visitors. Of course this is only in the desirable locations, in other parts of the city it's homemade signs, posters, lots of wall murals and paintings, and graffiti. No laws but property laws, go wild!
What about the balance between corporation buildings and citizens living spaces [apartments] and individual houses? Does one overshadow the other, in a way?
It depends on the neighborhood. There are no real zoning laws, so you can have businesses, even industries, in the middle of living spaces. I would say that there is a larger proportion of apartments in the central parts, and around company properties. Rent-seeking is an industry as well, and it's not uncommon for housing companies to buy up old neighborhoods and gentrify them with large apartment buildings (rent or own), and lots of shops and businesses on the lower floors for more income. There are a lot fewer small single family houses than there is in today's LA, but they do exists around the rim. However, they tend to be the first ones to go up in a fire. Of course the villas of the rich still exist, they can pay for their safety. Most of the time...
LA seems to be considered a megacity. Since fewer population has been mentioned in previous Q&As', how does LD compare generally?
I would say Los Diablos is not considered a megacity. Just a large city. I see megacities as those cities where the sprawl connects them everywhere, and other cities have been swallowed up. Like the LA Sprawl. I would say that both Seattle and San Francisco are bigger than Los Diablos both when it comes to population and urban sprawl.
Also regarding LA, would you say homelessness is still at large and pretty apparent in LD?
Yes and no. The thing is, there's no law against homelessness. And at least until recently there was a very sliding scale between people living on the street, in a tent, in a shack, or having taken over a ruined building and refurbished it. There was a larger building supply than people, and while the places might rely on local generators and improvised running water, in many instances they provided a roof over people's head even if you didn't have a deed of ownership or paid rent to anyone. During the last few years, many of these areas have started getting bought up (you bribe the people to leave without a fight essentially) and torn down to be rebuilt into proper buildings you can buy or rent. This will lead to more homelessness, as these essentially 'free' buildings will become few and farther between. Some neighborhoods of 'occupiers' have lived there for decades by now and arranged their own societies, they tend to be equipped to fight any company takeovers, and even get proper paperwork from the city council that they now own their buildings if they are deemed to add to the city economy. Things will get ugly once the population catches up to the building footprint...
When Sidestep runs into Ortega at the diner in the first book, what would have happened if Sidestep pretended they didn’t know who Ortega was? Would that have made things easier or more difficult in regard to their plan to stay off the Rangers radar, or would that make Ortega even more clingy?
It would not have caused Ortega to give up yeah, it might have backfired with stalking or attempts to investigate this amnesia.
i know it's likely for player's sake, but in the beginning of book 2 when you are given the option to change your villain name: I know Step can make people forget things, but does Ortega remember the original name? Do they notice that everyone else seems to have switched villain name and the only one who knows is them? Just curious if it's something that's tracked!
Nope. Not tracked. It is just another case of "the artist previously known as Prince". I think many Villains change their names early on, as they try them out. This is for the player's sake. No need to replay if you want a new name.
In a previous QnA, Sidestep was said to have an "aware" mind, which helped them stay present and sane (by some definitions of the word) throughout everything they've been through. Is that something that will always help Sidestep, or are there limits to it? For example, if Sidestep were to lose control and become heartbreak 2.0, would that "awareness" eventually bring them back to a state of cognition and eventually help them regain control?
Yeah. It might. There's probably a point when Sidestep can be pushed too far to recover, but we haven't reached that yet.
How would Ortegas father react upon meeting Sidestep if he were still alive or how about finding out about their relationship?
Instant dislike.
Would the goat hate Ortegas father? Potentially take a dump in his shoes? How about rat king?
I don't think either of them would have any instant dislike. Snowball might be annoyed depending on his actions, but I don't think they'd clash.
If Sidestep were to take the boost drug again would he live if so what other power would he develop? Would it be one involved in telepathy or a whole different one?
Impossible to say!
How would Sidestep handle himself in a fight against the strongest person in the FH universe?
Hmmm. Physically, no chance. However, telepathically... they'd stand a good chance.
In the FH universe is there such a power as Power Replication or Power Theft?
The closest thing would be Dave, who can borrow powers from animals. Or Shroud who can suck energy and memories from people and boosts. But so far there are no known classic power stealing/replicators when it comes to boosted powers.
Do psychologists for villains exist?
I would think there are people who fulfill that role, though they might call themselves things like "Image Consultants" or "Personal Brand Advisors" or "personal assistants" because the stigma would be huge. But they would fulfill some of the roles, helping people to deal with who they are and why. Not in order to "fix" anything though, but to help them balance their work and life.
After you finish the FH books what other project are you going to do next? Are you going to write any other interactive books in the superhero genre?
No idea! If I think about that now, I might get too interested in it. I have so many ideas in my drawer, but which one? No idea.
Will we ever meet another "mind blind" character in the books?
Yes.
General speaking which one is more terrifying/intimidating, a Tactical Sidestep or a Fighter Sidestep? I know opinions might vary but if we consider idk the aftermath of a big fight (bar style) ... ?
I don't see that as being the deal breaker. Both are just means to an end.
Malin in your opinion if present Sidestep where to fight all of the ROs individually without any mercy ( idk let's say they got brainwashed, reset to "fabric" and told to kill them), who would be an easy fight, who would be a bit of a struggle, and who would be almost impossible?
Oh that is SPOILERS. Not gonna give you any clues.
Per pure curiosity, if Sidestep is "soft" towards animals in the sense of seeing them with only appreciation and respect, do the animals feel this and respond back? For example ROs noticing that animals tend to be more affectionate and trusting with Sidestep than others or Tia Elena's animals approaching Step quickly whenever they go to visit them.
Yes. Yes they would.
I notice that after the therapist visit when we get to choose between staying with Ortega or part ways, when we choose to part ways and go with Chen for some reason we loose Ortega relationship points but funny enough, we dont loose points if we choose to meet with Mortum after swapping bodies. We just get a small raise in suspicion. So let's be honest... Ortega was stalking us, weren't they ?
I mean that is certainly a way to interpret those stat changes....
Does Chen relates more to Anathema now that he is playing as intermediate with Ortega's and Step's bullshit ?
Yes. Oh yes.
Who among the crew is the best hand to hand combatant? What are each of their fighting styles and preferred martial arts?
I would say that Ward is the best fighter. Not in a particular style, this is more a potluck of useful moves. If anything I would say that the base style is boxing based, the main weapons being the cybernetic arm. Pelayo is the second best, he's got military training. So classic marine utilitarian stuff, probably also used to knife fighting. ZaZa is alright at it, knows how to throw a punch in a barfight, but he's a shooter through and through. Nehal would run like hell, and possibly stab someone in the leg with a stiletto.
If you were to rank every cast member from best hand to hand combatant to worse how would you rank them? Would Armadillo beat Skyraider?
I prefer to leave that to spoilers, otherwise I will write myself into a corner when eventually they comes to blows!
What martial arts are regenes and cuckooes taught?
Whatever works for them and their powers. Jiu Jutsu is a useful base for many things.
We know Chen's favorite food is congee, Charge’s is mole, Argent’s is Alfredo, and Herald’s is roast beef sandwiches. But what about the rest of the cast? What are the favorite foods of Bo, Rosie, the crew, Armadillo, Dove, and Skyraider? How about Elena and Marcia?
That's a lot of food. Uuuuhmmm. I have no notes for any of that, but let's see. I see Sky-Raider as being a big BBQ guy, especially ribs with smokey honey and maple syrup glaze. Dove I would say Paella, there's probably a restaurant nearby where she lives that serves the best stuff, even if the saffron is probably fake. Armadillo likes freshly baked bread with butter. Bo is a burger guy, would pay extra for real beef and it needs bacon and cheese on it too. Rosie loves deep-fried tacos. Elena's is mole, there's a reason why Ortega also started to love that. And Marcia's is Watergate salad. Yes, you asked.
If Marcia and Elena met when they were younger would they be friends? If Marcia ever came to meet Ortegas father what would she think of him?
Hmm I don't think they'd have been friends. Elena was a very driven girl, all her friends were in the gymnastic circles, and let's be fair, that is not Marcia.
Cloning is advanced enough to be able to replace mods with new flesh, and it is possible to transplant a human brain into a machine. Are there any ancient or terminally ill rich people who have or plan to transplant their brain into a new young healthy body?
Oh you bet. The problem is that so far whole brain transplants have not really worked very well. Nobody who tried it have lived beyond a year, regardless of whether it is in an artificial body, or a clone-grown one. Things just start going wrong, both physically but especially mentally.
So we know Ortega can jokingly call us a mother hen but what do they honestly feel about Step becoming way more protective after coming back? Specially with Ortega?
Oh Ortega loves that. Absolutely. Going to whine and tease about it, but that is made with love.
Will Sidestep be able to get vengeance on who shoot them down in the car scene? If yes would be possible to take vengeance for hurting us and hurting Ortega?
It will be a possibility yes! All you need to figure out is who... and why.
Considering how similar Sidestep & Argent are personality wise. Does Argent ever consider that Ortega wanted to date her just because of this, to fill Step void? ( i love my girl but I violent today )
That is a thought that will have crossed Argent's mind once Sidestep has come back and she has got to know them. Ortega's got a type, huh.
I'm giggling and shit while writing this one but let's say for some glorious reason, somebody assumed Sidestep and ROs relationship is of fiancees. Ignoring Sidestep homicide attempt, how would the ROs process that they gave that appearance? (Begging that you can answer this one)
Ortega would run with that shit for a laugh, while holding back Sidestep from committing murder. Daniel would painstakingly correct the mistake while sneaking peeks on Sidestep to see if this is a good idea? Chen would just groan, correct, and move on with his day. Argent would start arguing with Sidestep why they are so mad instead of flattered, isn't she good enough? She should be the one being mad. Dr. Mortum would ask why they made that assumption. Vera would play along and see if she could gain something from it. Ben would just laugh and say he should be that lucky.
If younger (25/27) Ortega and present Ortega were with Step in the same room what would each think? Not asking for a scenario don't worry haha, just they mind process
I wish I could say there is a difference, but when it comes to Sidestep Ortega is still a fool.
How would old ortega reply to 20 year old ortega on why they were interested in sidestep?
Go for it!
Moreover why would ortegas father disapprove of sidestep in general and how does he view regenes? Does he view them as people or more machine?
Sidestep's attitude would be more of a problem than the regene part. He never had much interaction with regenes.
When the casino showdown happens, Shroud can be up on stage fighting Argent 1 on 1. Then out of nowhere, this armored, newcomer nobody marches on stage and passionately demands Shroud's death. What's going through Shroud's mind in that moment? Do her thoughts change depending on if a telepath tried probing her mind a short while ago, or if Ace was the one that scouted the casino?
Spoilers!
Speaking of Shroud, will they be relegated to a background/villain type character? Or will we, as Sidestep, have a chance to talk and bond with them? Perhaps so far as to share a kinship with them, similar to the one Sidestep and Anathema shared, over their very similar experiences.
Shroud has a role in the story, it's not a major one, so we will see how much interaction we get. Not sure yet.
Is there a possibility of putting discord & patreon questions on different group, when answering the questions? I've noticed a couplr of times quite spoilerish questions that reveal stuff that ai haven't at least seen in patreon
Hmmm. I don't think the discord has access to anything that's not on the patreon (except one minor thing which I will not let slip into questions)? Of course that depends on which step of patreon you have, the lore and the demo has more info than the base level. And people on the discord tends to drag up and talk about the most obscure details. But I am planning to separate new demo questions in the future.
When herald shivered when feeling for his center of gravity, was he really bothered by touch or was it Sidestep projecting onto him? If so, is it because of his crush?
Oh the latter, absolutely.
Once you've figured out how each Impostor is determined, will they be chosen at the end of Retribution or the start of Revelations? If it's at the end of Retribution, will the epilogue be updated, or will all Impostors start off the same and then differentiate at the start of Revelations?
I had planned to separate at the start of revelations, but now you gave me an idea that maybe it would be cooler to adjust the endings... thank you!
You mentioned before that Armadillo's thoughts on the current Rangers is that Argent is the only dangerous one. What would be their thoughts on the past Rangers (Anathema, Sentinel, Sunstream, Hood)?
Sentinel and Anathema are scary. Hood looks friend shaped. Sunstream who?
If Ortega wasn't immune to telepathy due to their epilepsy, what would their psychic defenses be like? Would HG be able to thread them?
We will never know!
What does the villain community think of rob criminal? Is it something that is commonly done?
It is absolutely breaking the unwritten rules, but you know how it is, there's always that one asshole.
Not sure if this was asked before (Patreon search is ass), but was re-reading Smoke and Mirrors, and wondered: is Iris still Five Pennies (acolyte? cult member?) after the gala? Also, what was Five Pennies reaction to the different debuts? How badly did each of the debuts mess up his plans?
Iris is still involved, absolutely. As to how Five Pennies plans got messed up... that is spoilers!
How old was Sentinel when he retired after heartbreak?
Sentinel doesn't want to reveal his age to me.
If you have a good relationship with Chen and especially if you’re romancing him, does Ortega notice how Sidestep and Chen’s relationship has changed? If so, does Ortega prod them/tease them about it? Or do they keep their distance because this was something they maybe thought wasn’t possible, and don’t want to mess it up?
This is something Ortega will be very cautious (and possibly slightly jealous) of. No teasing. No comments. Not until it Sidestep is open with what is going on.
I was rereading An Awkward Conversation when I had a thought. If Step ends up tackled through the window by Blaze, does this mean that Chen automatically knows that Step (or villain!Step ig if suspicion isn’t high enough or reveal/exposed doesn’t happen) is in possession of the Rat King in book 3? Would this come up in the long-time coming talk they need to have?
I don't think so. I'm not sure Blaze knows exactly who or what reached out to him there.
On a similar note, is there going to be a conversation between Step and Chen about Step’s lack of action when Blaze tackled him?
It might come up in scenarios where Sidestep's lack of care for their own life comes up.
If you choose to slam Chen with a telepathic wave during the Carter mission, how does this increase his suspicion? Does Sidestep's telepathy have a certain "feel" to it that Chen sort of recognises? Kind of like how you'd recognise someone's voice, but with telepathy instead? Or was there some thought leakage of Sidestep's memories/thoughts to Chen's mind that he picked up? Or was this maybe a tactic Sidestep used back in the day?
I would say that it is not either of these things. It is a deduction thing. Not many telepaths left in LD. Sidestep returns. A new villain turns out to be telepathic. Just another point of suspicion.
If Ortega realises they have a crush on Sidestep, but Step’s pursuing someone else, will there be a conversation about Ortega’s unrequited feelings between them? Would the discussion include Step’s sexuality if we picked gay/straight and Ortega doesn’t align with that?
I am torn about this. We will see if Ortega brings it up, or decides to just sit in their feelings. It's an awkward thing to talk about, we'll see if someone dares to do so.
the thief path feels more low-stakes than hero hunter, mob boss and anarchists. those have grand ambitions while thief is mostly self contained. is this something inherent in the path?
Yeah. That is the point of it. Sometimes you just want to get out of the plots and try to rebuild your life. Of course the plots are still there, and not so easy to escape.
In the 4.2 demo, you have the option "No talking, I just want to rob the place. That would be hilarious." but you're still taken to the hg kitchen ambush in the end. why is it not possible to have no contact with hg and just sneakily rob them?
Because I wanted as much content as possible for everyone in the demo. While cutting a path shorter in a long game is less obvious (like breaking in early auction and pulling it off perfectly), it is not as suitable in a demo because it would give very little bang for the buck. Like some other paths, that will be added later.
Is there going to be a difference between a Sidestep that revealed their were the villain in the car and a Sidestep that were 'caught' after the crash?
In some parts, yes, but not a major one. It is tracked, and characters will react to it.
Does Ortega tease Sidestep is they grow a mustache? Especially if Sidestep made fun of his before?
It feels like a thing Ortega would do.
If Sidestep was stuck inside Mortum's gun, would they still be able to read people's mind outside/possibly possess the puppet before going mad?
No.
Possibly spoilers, but in the epilogue if the villain is a known telepath, Regina keep tabs on them. Does it have anything to do with the disappearance of telepaths, or a possible clue to find Sidestep?
EHehehehehe. Let us all hope it is the former and not the latter.
Will there be an ending where Sidestep continues to be a villain ?
Oh yes.
You mentioned that Daniel's type is complicated and problematic people. What is wrong with him?
His upbringing, and an unisually optimistic case of "I can fix them."
You also mentioned that Daniel gets with someone else if the player doesn't romance him. Is he the only RO that that happens with?
I wouldn't say that it is certain. He might. The same goes for some other RO's. I haven't decided anything for sure, this is something I will discover as I write. It won't be a major part of the book, just some background vibes that Sidestep might or might not pick up on. I think the only exception is Ortega and Chen, which Sidestep rigtht now has the option to actively try to push together.
In the epilogue scene where Daniel visits Step at Ortega's apartment, they have a conversation about Danny being hurt that Step didn't pick his apartment to recover at. When Step is explaining why they did it, Daniel notices a strange insistence in their words. Then immediately after, he feels "overwhelming relief," understands why Step made that choice, and moves on. Was Step using their telepathy on him then?
No. This was Daniel justifying things to himself and calming down.
Hey any newborn Regene tried to inform their handlers about the secret language and culture of the older Regenes? How did it go for the Farm Handlers? How did it go for the rest of the Regenes?
No. Re-genes are not inducted into the culture and language until they have stabilized enough to be trusted. It's a shared secret, and they are not about to let it slip. This is why Re-Genes who are deemed too compromised (like new ones, ones who are very close to their handlers, cuckoos) are generally not taught it. Sidestep had the advantage of being telepathic, and eventually more trusted, but they're not fluent in the way some others are. Always on the outside, even among their peers.
Was Herald disappointed to learn Step was actually just a telepath and not a super martial arts master?
A little bit, yeah. But he would never admit it.
How many potatoes and watermelons do I have to boostrap together with wires and batteries before Argent can sense it with technopathy? How loud would the potato-melon-puter's wails of agony be?
Look. I am sitting here a hot summer day just having finished eating some watermelon. Now I feel bad. Should I feel bad? This is nightmare fuel on the level of the Catastrofiend. I am not sure what potato/watermelon cyber monster would become but than you for putting that in my nightmares. I suppose it's like 'how much blood do I need to forge a sword from the iron in it' but oh boy, now you have me thinking about potato sentience and it is way too hot for that.
Does Dr. Halabi's clinic have specialized equipment for operating on more durable, Boosted flesh? Or do they improvised with modified power tools?
They have specialized equipment, but sometimes they need to improvise regardless. She once had to perform an emergency amputation with an abrasive water-jet cutter. It worked surprisingly well, so she is working on adapting one for medical use.
Will there be opportunities for Argent to scar Sidestep in neutral(like they play-fought a little too hard) or positive (like Sidestep gets hurt trying to help her control the nanos) scenarios?
Not sure yet! I will see what feels right for the scene. I wasn't sure she was going to be that bloodthirsty at the hospital until I started to write and was 'oh shit'.
How do Jake's senses act when he's phasing? Does he still "see" when he's in a solid wall? Can he "touch" handholds inside to move upward? Does he "hear" things as muffled?
What happens if Jake turns on his phasing while he's submerged in water, the water fills in the space where he was, and then he turns off his phasing?
Can Shroud drain Jake by touching the space where he's phased out of? Like her hand goes through his chest, drained or not drained?
Alright. Let's try to get some clarity here. When Jake is phasing, he doesn't 'see' or 'hear' as much as 'sense'. While his brain translates it as 'hearing' and 'touching' what he actually picks up on are vibrations in the material. This is close enough to hearing, of course, but it is picked up with the entire body instead of just the eardrums. Jake sees it as being able to hear things, but he avoids phasing through thick substances for this reason. He's afraid of getting lost, because he has no sense of gravity either. So short, controlled phasing, through walls, people and the like. He can move freely up and down, sinking down into the ground, or up in the sky. It feels like swimming to him, which is another reason he is afraid of becoming disoriented.
If Jake phases in water, it will flow in to fill the space where he was. While he generally avoid becoming solid while in anything but air, it can be done. But he needs to do the shift REALLY fast, from phasing to extremely dense. Otherwise he risks getting badly hurt. It's like catching a knife thrown at you. Water is easier, if he does it there and mistimes it the repercussions won't be too bad. Regardless of the material, the addition of a new solid inside will cause it to crack and explode outwards with force. Shroud might be able to drain Jake while phased... once again it is a boost vs boost situation, and those are always tricky to judge fairly.
Do nanovores set off metal detectors? I’m curious if Argent actually reads as metal for devices looking for such (assuming she isn’t telling them what to do).
No, she sets them off herself. This is a misdirection. She wants to be seen as made of metal.
is it possible to get the “hg intervention” if you’re wealthy but have shit presentation?
Haha I don't know if it would be better or worse to have looking like that be a choice or a victim of circumstance. HG would be appalled, of course. Maybe recommend a personal shopper. Even if Sidestep hates stores (who doesn't) a good personal shopper will fix that.
Is Argent's fake birthday in the system deliberately around the time the Nanosurge happened (mid-late july)?
Yes. She didn't pick the exact day, but a little afterwards. It might have seemed suspicious otherwise.
Has Vera ever tried to grow wings in her human form? Could she achieve this through a TBR?
No and no.
Does halabi break the doctor stereotypes and have actually legible handwriting? and if not, who has the worse one– dr. mortum, or dr. halabi?
You know what? I think she has neat handwriting. She strikes me as the type.
You mentioned in the latest qna that dr halabi prefers herald because hes nice and polite, does that mean she gets asshole treatment from ortega? if so, whats the worst experience shes had with them?
Ortega is a bad patient. Come on, we all know that. They might be charming and flirty and funny, but getting them to stay in bed, follow medical recommendations, or take their meds on time? A proper nightmare.
if every time the ROs used their powers/armor they had a magical girl sequence, could you list them from “oh god please no” to “this is a drastic improvement”
Oh god please no: Chen
I can live with this: Ortega, Daniel
Has this awakened something in me? Ben, Vera, Mortum
This is a drastic improvement: Argent
does Chen notice Sidestep’s deconditioning of Spoon via telepathy? /is/ Chen perceptive enough to pick up on changes in Spoon’s behaviour, or is that Step’s paranoia talking?
Sidestep's paranoia talking.
Could a poly with Mortum and Sky-Raider be possible?
I don't think so, they both went no in my brain the moment I read it.
Have they ever considered eachother romantically or sexually, or has their relationship remained solely platonic? Friends with benefits?
I don't think there's any sexual/romantic chemistry between them. It feels solidly friendship.
Is Dove fully monogamous
As far as she knows. Like with everything else, there's no guarantee some characters won't change a bit as I write and explore them more. But so far she feels that way.
What was HG’s second oldest brother like?
Hmmm. I haven't developed him much yet, but I can see him being the one who had to deal with HG the most, due to being slightly closer in age, and the oldest brother being very busy. He feels like a generally nice dude for a violent criminal.
What did Joe do on the west coast as a villain before he retired to his bar?
Combination of robber/bruiser, using his own bodies as henchmen. Wouldn't have to worry about getting them shot or arrested, he could just decommission them as long as the original got away. The reason he retired was that he was starting to see his duplicates as actual people/siblings/versions of himself. This made using them like that feel bad.
How long has he been running the bar?
Hmm. I would say since Sidestep was active as a vigilante at least.
Snowball seems to have a pretty good vibes detector, what'd she do to Shroud if they ever met?
~BOOOOM~
Rereading the Mortum POV Truth Hurts story and I noticed you said the inner monologue is translated from French - does Mortum normally think in French as opposed to Haitian Creole or English then?
Mortum has issues with their heritage. They spent a lot of their older childhood/youth trying to polish off all traces of who they were as a child, and that included not using the haitian creole they grew up with and trying to become more 'cosmopolitan' and cleaning up their French. Living it. I would say that these days Dr. Mortum thinks in English as much as in French.
How did the Pacific theater of WW2 end?
Still working that out!
How are cuckoos taught to change their appearance and/or use makeup?
As part of infiltration training, same way they learn culture and proper behaviour for whatever roles they need. This is hands-on, not given via the chip.
Are all Re-Genes taught to resist torture/interrogation, or just the cuckoos, since blugenes are considered androids and wouldn't be considered useful to interrogate?
Everyone are taught a bit, but it is more of a focus for Cuckoos and other units used to infiltrate.
How does learning to resist interrogation work for a Re-Gene? Does that include resisting telepathic intrusion?
Not going to go into detail as it can be a bit gruesome, but it also includes resistance to telepathy and ways to shut down your own thoughts to next to uselessness.
In Re-Gene language, are 'allowed' and 'yes' seperate words, or the same?
Different words. Allowed is more personal and pleasant, yes indicates a lot of different things depending on the context.
Is the "never volunteer for anything" saying at the Farm that Sidestep mentions in Chapter 3 something they picked up from the Farm staff, or other Re-Genes?
Farm staff. Re-Genes don't get the option to volunteer, they are ordered.
Do you have a date for Mortum's coming out day (that they celebrate as a birthday)?
Not yet.
What was Mortum's birth family's name?
Moise.
Can we know Argent's actual birthday (not the fake one used in the Mitchell entry, or the Rangers records)?
I haven't come up with it yet!
In a past convo, you said that chen is super slow burn in regards to romance until he 'decides what he wants.' what does chen imagine when/what goes though his head in the process of deciding what he wants in regards to another person in the lens of potential romance? Is it something like what envisioning a future together would be like, connecting dots about his own reactions to them, something etc. else?
I think it has a lot to do with predictability and safety (hah, Sidestep, right?) in general. He wants to understand what the other person is about. Once he feels like he has a good grip on that, he can start seeing them in other ways too. Note, this is different from finding someone hot. That can happen long before that, but Chen separates that part from romance quite a bit. And yeah, Chen has had plenty of one-night (or several nights) stands that didn't involve romance. Just mutual interest and want.
I can’t recall where exactly (maybe Mitchel’s file on Ashfall?) but you’ve said that Ashfall was gunning for the role of Marshall in SF. Is there a possibility in either books 3 or 4 that the situation in LD gets dire enough (say… some Rangers decide to go AWOL completely out of the blue) that some SF Ranger members are temporarily sent to LD to keep the peace, and that Ashfall may be among them/leading them?
I mean.... sure would be a shame if he didn't showed up eventually, right? Considering that San Francisco already has several tie-ins in the plot already.
With all the pollution in the atmosphere, do flyers have higher rates of respiratory issues than the rest of the population?
I wouldn't say higher rates, considering that the pollution is equally bad (sometimes worse) at ground level. Everyone lives in the atmosphere.
Out of universe/meta question: what is Re-Gene language based on/inspired by? Does it incorporate military hand signals (if modified)?
I based it in part on the "knock" jail language of Sweden, back in the days of the early 1900's when solitary confinement in your cell without being allowed to see others was popular. Since the purpose was to speak in secret when you weren't allowed contact by the jailers, I expanded it to touch and gesture as well. It's got nothing to do with military hand signals, that is a thing that Re-Genes are also taught for easy communication with handlers and supporting forces. https://sv.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knackspr%C3%A5ket
In Re-Gene language, is emphasis indicated by how strong or forceful the gesture is, or how much of the hand is involved? (For example, a single digit, versus two? A palm vs a fist?) A combination of the two?
I would say emphasis is made by repetition. Since most gestures have to be small and unobtrusive, making them larger wouldn't work. So repeating the gesture rapidly would convey urgency or emphasis. There are also gestures that convey mood/intensity, a bit like emojis. You add those to change the tone of the other gestures.
Does Mortum's telekinesis work on themselves? Could they stop themselves from falling a short distance if they were leaning too far back in a chair?
So far, no.
Could or does the Farm use mosquitoes to collect DNA samples for their ReGenes?
Nope.
Clarifying something, can Re-Genes communicate openly (as in, not with their own Re-Gene language), though still monitored with others during communal meals, unlike other situations?
Yes. They can talk in their free time, but that's not private, so they tend to keep it to utilitarian things.
IIRC all the ROs are multilingual but what language do they prefer to use in private?
Speaking as a multilingual myself, that really varies a lot. I use both English and Swedish, or a mix of them. I can imagine that's the same for the RO's. If two people both know several languages, some automatically fit certain circumstances better, even between sentences.
Which armor style does Armadillo & the HG trio like the most?
Armadillo: Terrifying. HG: Mysterious. Jake: Imposing. Nocturne: Terrifying.
What sports are popular in FEZ? & since the ocean became hazardous & the beaches were badly damaged did anything replace water sports like swimming in terms of accessibility?
Soccer. Needs a ball and a flat surface. Both baseball and basket also remain popular for the same reasons. Motorsport and racing is popular, both cars, motorcycles and bikes.
Are the colleges in the FEZ respected outside of the FEZ or are they all seen as lesser?
It varies. But it is a bit like "really? why did you ove -there-?" They might also be seen as a bit suspicious, like people living in the bad side of town.
What do the citizens of San Francisco think of Pyroclast? What are his fans like?
Huh. You know what? I have not thought about that. I need to think for a bit, so I will leave that for now. I know some things, but those are spoilerish.
Is there a lot of gossip & real or imagined drama going on with the SF Rangers?
LOTS.
Has any other city considered getting their own superteam like the Guardians?
Yeah. I think some probably have. Just hasn't come up in the story.
Given gender affirming surgery is super expensive, how did Mortum afford it? I'm assuming being an academic researcher didn't pay well enough, so was it only when they went into the private sector they were able to afford it? Or was it only when they went into villainy?
It came in steps. The first steps (hormones and presentation) weren't too expensive, those they took while in academia (and suffered the fallout). The full transition with all the bells and whistles were started with military money (Mortum was a contractor for a while there) and finished with Villain loot. I would say it took about a decade unto Mortum had fully become who they wanted to be.
What are the opinions of Re-Genes that remain with the Farm of their kin that manage to escape (not just Sidestep, but all escapees, both blue and cuckoo)? Are they happy for them? Resentful for them succeeding, or attempting to begin with because of their disloyalty to the Farm and the Re-Genes there? Dubious about their escaped kin's ability to survive?
It is extremely personal and varies a lot. Anything from resentment, a vague envy, pity and everything in between.
Are nanovores primarily carbon based if they usually subsist on organic things (carbon-molecule based) and convert that into more nanovores?
That is correct!
There's been a question of if Sidestep's nanovores could eat Argent's, but could Sidestep's nanovores, in theory, cannibalize themselves, since they're inorganic? There has to be a mechanism that makes them recognize themselves, but if it was hacked?
It would theoretically be possible to disable the 'identify friend or foe' signal and have then eat themselves I suppose.
Does Mortum have cameras throughout the lab, including the inner part, or are they too paranoid to have that accidentally hacked? Or they're confident enough in their security systems for that not to happen?
Mortum only has cameras monitoring the outside, and certain experiment areas. You never know.
What about their bedroom?
Hell no!
What do Mortum and Halabi like and appreciate about each other as friends?
Intellectual curiosity and rigor. Being able to argue without becoming enemies. Easy to relax around.
Has Mortum accidentally used their telekinesis in their sleep and knocked things over with it?
Not that they know.
Does Ljungstrand define braindeath in the functional death of the conscious or subconscious portions of the brain? Mortum and Halabi opinions too pls, for science
Hehehe oh that is such spoilers for Ljungstrand. Both Halabi and Mortum goes by our standard definitions today.
During the auction, if Step sticks around to watch what will happen they can accidentally brush against Shroud’s mind with their telepathy. Since Shroud is a tactile-telepath, did she actually notice Step’s telepathy or was she completely unaware of them?
Spoilers like hell.
Why did Shroud flee the fight between herself, Argent and Sidestep? Was it simply because she was outnumbered and didn’t like the odds, or did she recognise that Step was another regene like herself?
Outnumbered. Shroud is not good against more than one opponent, especially when one of them wears armor. Touch-based fighting is limited like that.
Does Spoon know any tricks?
Begging! Jokes aside, Chen is trying to teach him the basic. Like shake, roll over, bark on command and so on.
Do the energy requirements of telepathy increase the stronger the telepath gets?
Not generally. It might for some, but in general the efficiency also increases.
When things are easier for a stronger telepath, do they use less energy than weaker ones where it's more strain?
Oh yes!
How energy intensive is possessing people/body hopping? Both on the possessor and the possessee?
The most energy intensive things Sidestep can do. It exhausts both bodies, that is in part the reason why it often ends with throwing up. Like running a marathon, the body rebels.
How often does Argent use her technopathy against villains and their suits? If she does use it, is she annoyed that she can't influence Sidestep's armor because of the Ratking? Is she curious about why she can't talk to it like she can talk to other tech?
She tries to avoid it if at all possible. First off, the nanovores needs ALL her focus in a fight. She's busy manipulating herself, she can't afford to spread her focus. She hasn't tried to influence Sidestep's armor yet, but she is aware there is a 'control lock' on it. But whether that is a security system or internal AI she doesn't know. Once she realizes it is a living thing, she is delighted.
In the 4.2 demo (thief path, rob HG), you mentioned that Hollow Ground and Nocturne don’t have anything work-related at home (no computers, no documents, etc). Do they have an office somewhere? Or Sidestep wasn't thorough enough in their search? Could you tell me more about what a typical workday looks like for them (their routines, schedule, etc)?
They have several offices, and indeed, they do have one in their home. Sidestep just didn't find it, it is well hidden for liability reasons. Their home is supposed to be innocent. I have no idea about their routines yet, but I do know HG sleeps in and does most of their work in the evening. Nocturne is the one with the office-worker routine.
Weird question, but are there any openly trans or non-binary staff at the Farm? (diversity win, the unethical organisation growing soldiers from harvested genetic material respects gender nonconformity!)
I think so. Gender identity is no hindrance to science-crimes-against-nature.
If there are, are the non-binary staff exclusively working with the bluegenes to not "confuse" the cuckoos? Or in general having no gender nonconformity around the cuckoos?
That sounds wise. Though the cuckoos should know that was is allowed for the handlers is not for them.
If the necessary neuron data was entered into their AI chip, could sidestep see shrimp colors, or does the AI chip only replicate memories? Can the chip replace functions in the brain lost to damage? How advanced could this AI chip be used in the medical field and does it see any use in that way?
The eyes are what enables shrimp colors, the AI chip could not do that. It mostly replicates memory, but theoretically it could be used to support a damaged brain. I think there probably have been experiments with that in the medical field, like using it to support things like memory loss in dementia and the like. There was a lot of experimentation with it to search for eternal life for the rich and powerful. It's not a perfect solution, partly because it does nothing to bodlily ailments, partly because it is incredibly difficult to repair if anything goes wrong once it is in.
You’ve said in an old Q&A that Ortega would have Step’s number saved under some form of nickname they had for them. What about for the other Rangers with their phone number? What sort of name would Chen, Daniel, and Argent have Step saved under assuming they had their number?
Chen would have "Sidestep" back in the day, these days it would be their initials. Daniel would have a nickname, or first name. Argent would have something truly embarrasing like "cutiepatootie" or "scaredycat". And yes she would make sure that Sidestep would see it eventually.
Do you have any thoughts about what Ljungstrand looks like?
Brown hair, kinda tall and skinny, and receding hairline is all I've got.
Is there any area in Los Diablos that’s considered particularly bad/good? Like Hell’s Kitchen in Marvel New York or the sui mention Suicide Slum in Metropolis?
Yes, but they are not detailed yet! It will happen!
Were there any other areas that were considered for the location of The Farm or was the SD always set on having it in Nevada?
Always Nevada.
We know there are corporate heroes & the thief route mentions the existence of corporate death squads but are there full scale corporate armies like what’s common in the cyberpunk genre?
Now see, that is a VERY interesting question. I don't think that is allowed under the charter.
Is the Nobel Peace Prize still a thing? If so what does Mortum think of it?
Oh yes. And they want one!
If Sidestep can make a third Mario brother joke about Ric's stache, that implies that Nintendo, a Japanese company, was able to enter the American markets post-Big One and become well-known enough to become part of the pop culture. I have to ask, given you've said about FHR's world being less globalized with less communication/interaction between countries (which the video game industry development somewhat relies on) and internet only becoming less privatized far more recently, was this an oversight?
Cartridge gaming needs no internet! Most of the gaming I ever did never needed an internet at all. Back when the whole gaming thing started in the eighties and nineties things were not as globalized as they were today, so I think it still works. That being said, I did not even consider that when I wrote the funny comment. The thing with pop-culture jokes is that you can't really replace them with what would be this world's logical alternative because that would mean half a page explaining the joke and that is bad. So some things needs to be fudged for easy writing.
does lady argent have a poor diet out of necessity because that is the only way for her to meet her caloric needs, or does she have a poor diet whose consequences are limited by the nanovores?
Many reasons. Partly it is because of caloric needs. Partly because she has a sweet tooth and doesn't have to worry about her weight. Which is magic.
If the Rangers PR team cracks down on leaks of Rangers civilian names in the media, how was Luis' deadname able to be spread about in the papers? Did this incident predate the Rangers formation?
The thing with cracking down on leaks means that the leaks still happen. They are just better at mopping them up afterwards. It did not predate the Rangers' formation.
If you successfully navigate HG's mindscape, why does this close a gate? Did it give Step a sense of control over their telepathy, and provide a sense of stability needed for the gate to close? Or was HG involved somehow?
Spoilers.
Does Argent ever include gloves as part of her wardrobe since they wouldn’t look out of place in her usual choice of clothes & would help a little IRT the touching issue?
Yes, she loves that when she's feeling fancy.
what are all the ROs favourite terms of endearments to be called by a potential partner?
I have NO idea. And since they will be able to be determined in game for many, that one will be their favorite. That being said, at this point Ortega sees 'idiot' and 'asshole' as terms of endearment.
Do Zephyr’s powers affect their health or their rate of ageing in any way when they’re actively using them?
It does affect their body quiet a bit, but it's touch and go whether the wrinkles fome from that or from being a surfer dude (gn) who spent way too much time in the sun since an early age.
Since the Sullivans are (probably) rich enough to afford it, were Josh and Daniel vat grown pregnancies?
No. Au naturel.
When did Mortum get into cars and racing?
After coming to Los Diablos and landing a job to modify a car for a villain. Got hooked.
Who do the rangers fare best against when sparring each other? Who do they fare worse against?
Ortega: Best is Argent, worst is Chen. Chen: Best is Daniel, worst is Argent. Argent: Best is Chen, worst is Daniel. Daniel: Best is Argent, worst is Chen.
When revealing you're true identity to Mortum they mention you were on the list of possible candidates for being the villain. Is there anyone else on that list we have heard of in game or other lore?
I have no idea!
Do feathers sometimes get stuck in Vera's mouth or hair between phasing? Any cute/funny/unglamorous perks with her shifting?
Nothing gets stuck. But she often ends up with really, really messy hair.
Does Vera like egg chairs/nest-shaped beds, and does she have a favorite type of seed? (Is she addicted to sunflower seeds and does she like them salted or unsalted)
I think pecan nuts is her favorite. Salted sunflower seeds is pretty neat too. And she is more of a percher than one who likes to be enveloped by furniture.
Is Vera more comfortable in her human form or her pigeon form?
Human.
Is her pigeon form pied or wild-type in coloration? Is she an average rock pigeon or is her bird form a specific breed of pigeon?
I see her as mostly wild-type, but there are some white touches around the eyes which could be read as glasses, so she might count as pied. She is an average rock pigeon, nothing fancy.
Does Ortega worry about Step if they're a rubbish villain? One that gets beat up by the Rangers, gets tagged by the handyman and doesn't do too hot against Blaze?
Ahahaha oh hell, yes they would. And Sidestep would be mortified if they knew.
Would Ortega prefer a relatively harmless Sidestep that works for HG or a harmful independent one?
Apples or oranges? Both. Both is good.
When did Vera and her family move from Mexico to Los Diablos?
Vera was a baby, so it was a long time ago.
Did she begin doing crime before or after she was boosted?
After.
How big is the Saleh family? Does Vera have any siblings?
It is big! I haven't decided how big yet. But she has several siblings and a few cousins.
Has she ever nearly drowned?
No.
Are her goggles Dr. Mortum tech?
Oh yes.
Will you stick to the chapter[x] naming system for the scenes or change it for Revelations with all the branching happening?
I will stick with the chapter x I think.
How smug would Dove be about stealing Herald's partner (going from flystep to dovestep)?
Very very smug.
Have you read Worm?
No? Is that a comic or a book?
What would The Villains consider their biggest achievement in their careers? What about the most embarrassing event?
Hmmm. I think Dr. Mortum would see their successfully built lab and retirement as their biggest achievement, finally getting what they wanted! Dove would say that stealing some very juicy blackmail material on a company executive to make him reconsider a big construction project that would have destroyed her neighborhood was her biggest achievement (though not the hardest heist). Sky-Raider stole his current main armor, which was an experimental vtol/submersible variant which is his pride and joy, it was cool even before Mortum's modifications and very dangerous to get hold of. HG's is spoilery as hell, Nocturne's is the elimination of any major villain organization competition in Los Diablos, and Jake is punching his fist straight through King Crab's armor. King Crab did not survive the experience.
If Regina met The Rangers or Villains in a neutral context would she feel any sort of kinship/notice similarities with any of them?
No. The idea is laughable.
Does Elena consider Snowball more or a pet, a security measure, or both?
At this point, Elena considers Snowball a friend.
Obviously Elena knows Step is alive in the innocent staying at the ranch ending but what about innocent and staying with Ortega? Or any other Ranger? Does she know in any of the guilty endings?
It will brought up in game, if it hasn't been mentioned, she does not know yet.
Would Elena ever put Snowball in a sweater/costume? Would Snowball allow it?
Elena would not even think of trying.
Does anyone ever talk back to Sky-Raider in pirate speak?
I can imagine that will happen now and then. He likes doing it to be theatric.
Assuming they had one, what was Arde's role in their combat unit at the Farm? Have they ever been deployed outside the US?
Basically tank/assault. Engaging the strongest target and trying to pun them down, absorb the damage.
Was Arde ever a part of or considered for the Special Directive?
Yes.
Did Ortega and their parents more or less stay in the Midwest while they were growing up?
Ortega's dad was stationed there a lot. However he kept his family away from the midwest, most families were not stationed there due to the dangers with ash and the generally abysmal surroundings. So Elena and Ortega was living at various bases in the south.
Did Vernon meet the current Hollow Ground, or only their brother, the original Hollow Ground? Or both?
Both.
Would Mortum be able to make some tricked out mobility aids (for Sidestep, or Ortega)?
Oh absolutely.
Could we have some more basic Re-Gene language signs, if you've got any more that you've decided on?
I don't have any new ones yet!
Was the Rat King a proof of concept for or at least related to Project Methusalem? Or the Core?
It was related, yes.
How long had the Rat King been with Psychopathor by the time of the 2009 fight with Ortega and Sidestep?
I would say a few years, I haven't decided exactly. Like one or two.
Would someone who is getting boosted who was completely, 100% sure that they would survive, and had the capability to maintain that thought through the entire process, be more likely to survive because they stayed calm?
Yes.
How long has Leo been active as Handyman the vigilante?
I would say about five years or so.
Hero hunter Steps notice the way he moves and evades is familiar; are some of them Owl's moves? Or Sidestep's own, back in the day?
Definitely some of Owl's moves. They have been training.
What's his ethnicity?
He would check african american on forms.
What was his childhood like?
Hmmm. I would say it was a pretty good one. His dad worked as an EMT nurse and his mother drove an ambulance, so he was brought up with an idea that helping people were good. Also a bit of an adrenaline junkie, so probably got banged up a lot.
How did he come into vigilantism and working with tech?
Ran into some vigilantes as a kid, his dad helped provide medical care to some of them on the side. Saw what they did and imprinted badly. This was what he wanted to do now! The tech side was because he was no way stupid enough to try boosting himself, so he scavenged/built his equipment, upgrading as he went.
Is he a Los Diablos native?
Yes.
Dove has met both him and Owl, are they part of the same autonomous community?
No. But they run in similar circles.
was physical touch HG’s love language before they got boosted, or just after?
Always.
A few months back you said Owl likes biking, both the pedal and the motorcycle kind, so, does she still get to do that with adapted bikes these days?
Oh yes. She has some modified.
Does the waterplant base have a mosquito problem or was all the water already gone so it couldn’t stagnate & attract them?
I would say there is a bit of a mosquito problem. The sedimentation basins are still outside, so they partly refill every time it rains.
could the core run Doom?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wAo54DHDY0
Had Mortum talked with more of their peers in the trans community and had support with the trauma of the transphobia they faced when they came out, would they have been inclined to be less gender conforming (potentially less binary) and/or openly trans?
Most likely, but not entirely sure. Dr. Mortum's instincts from early on has been on conforming to expectations. Hide their childhood to pretend to come from better circumstances. Switch to a more acceptable language/accent. Adopt lots of flashy signifies to make sure people perceive them the right way. Like the lab coat affectation and the glasses. Dr. Mortum wants to control the perception people have of them to the fullest. It is only rarely they let their hair down, so to speak, and allow people to see them tired, rumpled or badly dressed. Sidestep as the puppet saw a lot of private things they just don't share.
In the guilty crash ending, what ultimately lead Chen to tell Ortega about the photos when he could have still kept it a secret and pretended Step being a re-gene was a surprise?
Chen had been wanting to tell Ortega for a long time. He's felt very guilty over it. This was a good excuse.
Were the disappearances of the telepaths in the city covered up with car accidents or other means?
Many means.
What was Ortega’s sponsored hero costume like & were they the type of sponsored hero that did standard heroing or were they only defending company interests?
It was for a maker of extreme sport clothes/goods, so it was very much just doing what they were already doing. Like having a Nike sponsorship as an athlete.
If Ortega's dad were still alive, are there ways you could see him having a major impact on the story? On Ortega?
I could see in book four, yes.
2nd dadtega q, would he immediately snitch to the special directive against his wife and kid's wishes if ranchstuck step came to heal at the house and he saw the tattoos?
Ortega would say that he would have.
If each of the Rangers had to setup a storefront as a cover for an operation, what kinds of stores would they open?
Chen: Pawnshop. Ortega: Fitness store. Argent: Bakery. Daniel: Corner store.
What does Pyroclast think of Owl?
Brave, stubborn, efficient, retired.
How offended would Ortega be if they found out they weren’t Sidestep’s rival & who would they be the most offended about losing the spot to? Would it be worse if Sidestep was their nemesis?
Oh you know Ortega would be livid in either case! But it would be especially bad if Sidestep was Ortega's nemesis. It wouldn't be a mutual rivalry, what a snub!
Since Step can lose an eye at the end of retribution, is there a possibility that they could lose other body parts in future books?
Yeah. Not saying more.
from all the ros (vera & ben inc.), who's mostly likely (not you, ortega, we know you) to least likely to use seduction as a valid tactic?
Oh boy. This is a little bit spoilery ennit? But I think Ortega is the only one who is likely to use it. One might see Argent as using a similar thing with her fight-banter, but she is really just having fun. She's not aiming to gain any advantages with it.
Building off this question, would Chen be above using seduction as a tactic against a romanced!Step?
Yes. He would never do that. Ever.