Glad to hear that.
Also slightly jealous.
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I think what the god queen of this universe means…is that Steel is probably gonna be tortured in book three if we romance them kek
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I am just glad that you found it fun to write. I am looking forward to the MC’s further interaction with Steel in the future books. =)
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Roughly in the middle of the game, yet still considerably far.
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Don’t be cruel and set the steel bar too high now… 
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So in my first play-through of the game, I used my older twin brother, Christopher, as the puppet and dated Dr. Mortum as him… I’m very happy with the direction that my game went in. I expect great things to happen in book 2. Which brings me to my next question: What would happen if the MC saw the puppet’s memories in Book 2, and/or what if the Puppet woke up?
Summary
Also in my playthrough the puppet had to kiss Dr Mortum, which was… Interesting! 
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Wow. Does your brother know about this?
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Canon, IMO. When Mama Ortega kicks off her sandal you better look out.
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Mama Ortega moonlights as the most successful Marshall on the West Coast: La Chancla.
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I finished the game…And it is almost two o’clock in the morning…
Now that I have finished it I can understand perfectly why some of you prefer Lady A over Ortega. Though I do believe I still prefer Ortega, I see the allure in Lady A as well.
I will come back later with my various theories and ideas. Though, maybe I should first read the forum, before I repeat what has already been said a dozen times…
It is a fantastic game! I loved the epilogue as well, gives one something to look forward to. More to explore and more to want to understand.
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In addition of Lady Argent and Ortega… you should have a look of possibility with our sidekick as well, although he/she won’t be an RO, but you could start a fanfic about them 
Personally , i think the sidekick is in a peculiar situation … he/she is not as powerful and intelligent as Argent and Ortega, but seems the most loyal among all ROs… I am still curious of Ortega’s reaction when she find out about us, and Ortega is a hero/heroine … they will do the “right” thing, but the sidekick seems to be someone who had been force into a situation in their struggle to survive , sort of like Harley Quinn ??
and while Ortega is more faithful to original MC, Sidekick is more faithful to puppet , another thing is if Sidekick continue to help us, both factions will know about them eventually… so our sidekick actually in a more dangerous situation , for a ruthless MC…the sidekick is deadman/deadwoman walking already when the MC abandon them 
If you play a more compassionate MC, the relationship with the sidekick is actually cosy when we save them from the ReGene
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Heh, at first, I had no idea to who you referred with ‘sidekick’, but at some point, I realized you were talking about Rosie/Boris. Right, or am I mistaken?
If I am correct then:
Yes, the sidekick does indeed not strike me as a very clever person. Though that does not mean that I do not appreciate them. I quite like their honesty and simplicity. It can make one a trustworthy mercenary if treated righteously.
Ortega will undoubtedly do what is right, in every given situation. Not hesitating a second to put the MC in jail…sigh…
As for Lady A, she seems more of a risk for the Rangers, in my opinion. Perhaps she is even slightly unstable? As in, that she can get too worked up, therefore end up seeing red and going on a rampage against the MC? Shredding their every limb from their romp? In the sewer she fantasizes about doing it, or so I have read.
But if either of them are loyal… It depends on the person/cause I think. And, indeed, mayhap the sidekick would be the most loyal of all of them. Though I believe only when the MC treats them with respect and care. The sidekick may not be the smartest walking around in Joes, but they have a good functioning survival instinct, otherwise, they would not have been able to keep their head from being shot to pieces. Right, or do you think otherwise?
Harley Quinn, that is a good one. I had not realized until now, but the MC (or at least my MC) feels kind of similar to Harley. With the horrific past, forced into certain situations, self-hate and -doubt. Though mayhap the sidekick is best compared to Harley, since the MC is different for every player.
Your words make me wonder… How do you feel regarding the Puppet? And your Puppets interactions with other characters?
I feel the need to mention that I only have experience with Rosie, though I doubt that Boris’ path will be any different other than the way he comments on certain scenarios. In some ways, they are not ‘important enough’ to have completely different paths. At least, that is how I interpreted it.
Eric, my friend, you have no idea how I would like to write some fanfiction for this wonderful tale. But the uncertainty/vagueness regarding the MC’s youth and their likely horrible experiences on the Farm keeps me from typing anything (at least for now), I prefer to know a bit more when it is obvious that the storyteller has the intention to reveal more about it.
However, mayhap I should just let that hesitation go and write something that does not have anything to do with ‘the farm’.
Actually, is there any fanfiction written for this story yet? I would love to read some.
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Well there is this one:
And this one(not really FHR related but still a good read):
There are prob few more but i coundn’t find em
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Lord…I cry every time
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Yeah my dear friend , i was referring for Rosie/Boris
and i agree with you, Rosie didn’t strike me as very clever person as well… and she seems to like to mix with her friends without a sense of urgency , drinking in the bar and gambling at casino etc… with her new found wealth ( paid by my MC ), potentially she will expose herself even more … perhaps my MC shouldn’t had drag her deeper into this mess, but genuinely i kind of pity about her life struggle , not earning enough with her dangerous works … especially after watching her facing danger alone, so i thought to take her in and well …at least i can keep an eye on her while paying her for what she deserve …
I have no doubt Argent will do that 
but she is too vulnerable with psychic attack, i can’t help it to save her from drowning in the sewer
The puppet …hmmmm, in my self righteous ego…i consider myself doing him a favour, to give him a “life”, but i didn’t bother to alter my personality between my original MC and Puppet…so i act like the same old MC even in the body of puppet there were warning in the game that i shouldn’t invoke suspicion by acting too resemblance to my old MC, but that was exactly what i want and hope that Ortega will get suspicious but , she never even suspect anything even though i screw myself multiple times…Lol this also including i purposely leave a trace inside Argent’s mind for her to track me …i will be disappointed if they are all incompetent to trace me 
Well…i agree with you on that , if you are planning to write a fanfic that include the MC’s past memory …you will face difficulty at least for the time beings , however i think there is enough idea to write something that only involve the present but not the past ( concerning about the actions and current status of the MC’s endeavour ) … I have always imagine how would it be if Harley Quinn is Batman’s sidekick instead ? That is actually how i view my MC , a much darker Batman with a calm vengeful mind, just like Batman…i won’t give in to petty violence …just doing enough to put down my opponents ( as was my choices ) , Rosie seems to be the less crazy version of Harley but with the same unsuspected naivety of Harley ( who constantly being manipulated by Joker and treated badly) …perhaps she could be treated fairer if she follows Batman instead ?
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@malinryden Dare I ask if we get any book 2 flirting or at least the chance to make steel blush ? I figure probably not ,but I’ve gotta ask.
Also for those of you who don’t follow Malin on tumblr, she recently posted an excert between Steel and MC.
For those who don’t have access to tumblr due to your country not allowing it. I supplied the excert here as well.
Summary
WIP outtake below (in stage 2, raw, no spell checking, some code):
*label kitchen
The kitchen might be small, but it still got all the amenities needed for government employees. Not that you are interested in anything but the coffee machine, but it’s still interesting to see how much things had changed since their last headquarter. Everything was newer now, shiny and somewhat impersonal, as if there was a company in charge of designing breakrooms for all the Ranger teams. Perhaps there is.
You don’t care as long as you get a decent cup of coffee.
The cups are impersonal as well, there’s no trace of the old ones, chipped and personal, and in Ortega’s case, one that you had given ${him}. Did someone throw them out when they moved?
You didn’t expect to care. Or to get hurt by it.
It feels like a lifetime ago. Longer. Perhaps it is a testament to how deep you had slipped in the painful mire of memories that it takes you a few seconds to notice Steel in the doorway, watching you. Frowning.
“Want a cup?” You gesture with your coffee, exaggerating your familiarity with the room just to deepen his frown and dispel your own gloom. It works.
“What you are doing here?” Steel keeps frowning, hovering on the doorstep as if he’s afraid you’re going to steal something. You smile a little at the thought, today your intentions are pure.
“Waiting for Ortega,” you say, quite honestly, as you drop a couple of cubes of sugar in the coffee.
“That figures.” You can see Steel’s shoulders relax, and after a moment of hesitation he steps inside, heading for the fridge. “I still don’t like that you’ve been given access like this.”
“Access like what? To your pantry?” You sit down at the table, making yourself a smaller, non-threatening target. Not that it matters, Steel is taller than you since his latest modifications. You doubt that he’s intimidated by you physically. He should be. “Afraid that I’m going to steal some cookies to go with the coffee? Or sell the secret that someone’s not been doing the dishes?”
“That’s no secret. That’s Herald.” This time the sigh is audible, and the frown is aimed at the pile of dirty dishes piled in the sink. Someone had eaten dinner recently. Messily.
“I like that you can still make a joke.”
“It wasn’t a joke.” Steel gives you a look, that for once is closer to neutral. Are you an ally in his fight against sloppiness?
“Huh,” you say, wondering whether you should take this chance to connect. It couldn’t hurt trying to break some of the ice between you.
*fake_choice
#“I would have figured Argent for sure.”
"I would have figured Argent for sure.“
"Not Ortega?”
"I’ve met ${his} mom, remember? Dishes gets done in that household.“ You can’t help but smile at the memory. Another life. Another world. Did you use to be happy once?
"Hmm…” You’re not sure what kind of look Steel is giving you, but it’s different from the ones you usually get.
#“I could have put money on it being Ortega.”
"I could have put money on it being Ortega.“ You smirk a little, ribbing Ortega was the one thing you and Steel shared back in the day.
”$!{he}’s innocent. For once.“ Steel adds the last words with enough hesitation that you can’t help the smirk widening into a proper smile.
"Do I dare to ask what he’s done now?” It has to be something, you don’t need to read his mind to see that.
"It doesn’t matter, it’s not…“ the words drift off as he looks at you oddly.
#"Good job trying to shift the blame,” I joke.
"Good job trying to shift the blame,“ you joke. "Is Herald the closest thing you have to an intern?”
"That’s not…“ it takes a moment for Steel to catch up, but when he does the sigh is heavy enough to be audible. "You were joking. Of course.”
"Of course,“ you say, sipping your coffee, the picture of innocence. "I know you’re too neat to tolerate a mess.”
"It’s simply easier to clean it right away,“ he says, looking a little awkward.
"You don’t need to explain yourself, you know? It’s not a moral failing to do the dishes.” You can’t help but smile at the look on his face.
"Hmm…“ You’re not sure what kind of look that is, but it’s different from the ones you usually see carved on Steel’s scarred face.
"What?”
“Maybe I have been a bit unfair to you.” He speaks the words slowly, reluctantly. But he means them, you don’t get the feeling he’s trying to deceive you.
“Maybe?” you ask, one eyebrow raised to underline your point.
“I just don’t like mysteries.” Turning his back to you, he finally opens the fridge, grabbing an unmarked squeeze bottle.
“I think you’re making me seem more mysterious than I really am.” What is in that bottle? Something nutritious and horribly tasting if you’re reading the look on his face as he takes a pull. “I mean if you compare me to Lady Argent, I…”
“I didn’t say I was at ease with her either,” he interrupts, sitting down at the table across from you. The chair protests a bit under his considerable weight, but the furniture here is built for his use.
*fake_choice
#“Remember when you fell through that chair at the Mayor’s old office?”
"Remember when you fell through the chair at the Mayor’s old office?“
"I’ve been trying to forget that,” he says, suppressing a groan. “Thank you so much for reminding me.”
"I aim to please.“ You finish your coffee with a wink.
#"Hah! I was right, you don’t trust her. I recognize your dour looks.”
"Hah! I was right. I recognize your dour looks by now, I’ve seen enough of them.“
"That’s not something to be proud of.”
"For either of us, I should say.“ You finish your coffee with a wink.
#"Have you considered that maybe it’s not us, maybe it’s you being a bit paranoid?”
"Have you considered that maybe it’s not us, maybe it’s you being a bit paranoid?“
"Being paranoid is my job.”
"Only if you’re right.“ You finish your coffee with a wink.
"This feels all too familiar…” He takes another pull from the bottle, followed by another grimace.
For a moment or two, there is silence between you. Not a comfortable silence by any means, but a neutral one. No aggression, at least none aimed at you.
An opportunity?
“Listen…” you hesitate briefly, for show as much as anything. If you’re going to have any hope of him lowering his guard you have to play this right. “What is it really that bothers you so much about me?”
“Do you want a list?”
“Start at the top then,” you suggests, amicably.
“You’re a telepath.” Steel doesn’t even have to think before answering, and it’s not like you didn’t suspect that had something to do with it.
“I am.” You look straight into his eyes and smile. “Are you afraid I’m going to read your mind?”
“I have assumed that you already are.”
“Chen…” you press your fingers to the bridge of your nose as if to ward off a headache. “It doesn’t work that way.” The headache doesn’t disappear, Steel is still there when you open your eyes.
“So you say.” He has crossed his arms, and from the look on his face you imagine he’s probably thinking really hard about something he wants you to pick up. Just to prove a point.
*fake_choice
#I’m curious, I’ll try to browse his mind,
"Nothing I say am going to change your mind, is it?“ You brush the gentlest mental fingers over the surroundings, trying to feel if there’s something here, if it’s a trap.
*if subterfuge > 70
You sense nothing.
"Doubtful,” Steel replies, and you can feel his resentment.
"I don’t need for you to trust me.“ You turn your back to him, ostensibly waiting for the machine to churn out another cup. Instead you focus on the angry thoughts of Steel behind you, finding…
Huh. Not anger. You stare at the slowly filling cup, leaning into Steels mind behind you, finding suspicion, yes, but also regret. Mostly regret.
"I don’t distrust you,” he admits since you’ve gone silent. “You’re allowed to be here.” He’s guilty. Guilty over how he’s been treating you, but also over how things turned out.
"I’m glad I’m not seen as a danger to the team,“ you’re not quite sure how to deal with this information, so you grab your cup and turn around with a neutral smile. "Though maybe you are a danger to me. Helping Lady Argent like that… she could have killed me. $!{wear}, she nearly did. She’s dangerous.”
#I’ll get some more coffee and change the subject.
"Nothing I say am going to change your mind, is it?“
"Doubtful.”
"I don’t need for you to trust me.“ You have your back turned, waiting for the machine to churn out a new cup. "Just to tolerate me.”
"I am,“ he admits. "You’re here.”
"I’m glad I’m not seen as a danger to the team,“ you turn with the cup and a smile. "Though maybe you are a danger to me. Helping Lady Argent like that… she could have killed me. $!{wear}, she nearly did. She’s dangerous.”
#I’ll try to explain how it works.
"You don’t understand,“ you start, and since Steel doesn’t interrupt, you continue. "Just imagine that you were inviting me to your apartment. Just because I walk through the door doesn’t mean that I will run around and tear open every closet and open every drawer. A telepathic intrusion is not something that just happens, it requires work, and is dangerous.”
"You are still seeing my apartment.“ A stone might have budged, he does not.
"Is that so bad? I mean I can see how it could be, if you had something to hide in there and never wanted anyone to see.”
"It’s not like that.“
"I know it’s not. My point is, my telepathy isn’t telling me anything that a conversation with you over coffee would. Reading someone’s intention is not that different from reading someone’s body language.”
"You can do a lot more than that.“
"I’m not Locus, I’m nowhere near Alpha level. Helping Argent like that… she could have killed me. $!{wear}, she nearly did. She’s dangerous.”
“Stop.” Steel holds up a hand, giving you a stern look. Did you go too far?
*fake_choice
#I’ve had enough playing nice, I’ll get up and leave.
INSULT AND WALK OUT, TO NEXT SCENE WITH ORTEGA
#I apologize, I’m here to build bridges, not break them.
“Sorry” you say, just in case. You’re here to build bridges, not break them. “I’m not here to complain about Argent. In fact, I gave her a talk about teamwork earlier.”
"That’s unlikely.“ It doesn’t look like he believes you.
"I never joined the Rangers,” you say with a sigh. “But you can’t say we didn’t work well together.”
#I said nothing wrong, if he can’t take it, it’s his fault.
"You know I’m right,“ you say with a shrug. You can’t win with Steel, but maybe you can drive a wedge into the team. "She’s a wild card.”
"Unlike you?“ He looks almost amused at the concern.
"I never joined the Rangers,” you say with a sigh. “But that doesn’t mean I want you to fall apart.”
“I know” he admits, with an honesty that surprises you. “I wish you would have.”
“What? Joined?”
“Yes.”
“I wouldn’t submit myself to their background checks. You know that.”
“Reason two on my list.”
“Not everyone is in good standing with the US government, that doesn’t mean that they’re bad guys.”
“But it does mean that they are untrustworthy.”
“Or have enemies.”
You can see that he’s on the verge of asking more. There’s a softness to his thoughts that you’ve rarely felt, as if he’s actually listening to what you are saying without preconceptions. The question is, what are you going to do about it?
11 Likes
It was a great read! I am looking forward to more interaction between the MC and Steel.
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Sparks will fly. Figuratively and literally. 
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Can’t wait for my Mc to fight Steel, for while I believe the fight with Argent was a test of skill and speed…I think the fight with Steel with be simply, who’s suit of armor is better
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Are you that sure? Steel has years of expierience too, more than both Ortega or the MC as far as I remember. I would argue he is much less prone to make mistakes the MC could exploit as for example Argent (who is not used to lose and quite aggressive) or Ortega (we don’t call them charge based on their mods). Add his suit and the fact that it seems much more personalized as common and that Steel knows his armor’s limits in and out (just think about the epilouge and how Steel claims to know it better than the mechanics), while MC still has to get some training with their own suit I’m not sure if it’s that simple.
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