Their reunion from Ortega’s POV (from patreon) is a trip. Poor Ortega 100% believes they’re hallucinating once again but they go along with it because they just want the time with their friend. Even Argent tells them that if they’re tripping out again she’s not gonna be able to bail them out so better be ready to get ground like her. Makes it look like Sidestep is the functional one and it’s not even close.
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The first time I read that scene I was so paranoid like no way Ortega is here by chance and I was genuinely confused but that pov put so many things into perspective. I’ve never been the same after reading it.
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Is there a story on Patreon about the first time Ortega and Step met or it was left for us to imagine it? I’ve always been curious to know how it happened.
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Nope and Malin has said that will always be mostly (Think a few vague things were said about it) headcanon
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So was wondering something and what better way to ask than a Poll.
Is living with Guilt enough of a punishement?
- Depend, what did you do?
- Yes. If someone feel guilty, and wretched…that’s good enough for me.
- Nope. Don’t care. I’m in giving payback! An eye for an eye!
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voters
Which bring me to the main course: Do you forgive Steel for hiding the Truth?
And this is spoiler territory, so beware:
Steel found Autopsy pictures of your body. The damage done was horrific. Enough that he believed you dead.
Homewhever, that also mean he believed that Ortega wouldn’t accept that. He made the choice to never reveal said truth to Ortega. Sentancing the MC to years of torture, and sentencing ortega to live with Survival Guilt (Believing you died because they made a bad call).
Will you forgive Steel?
- Yes. He couldn’t have known. He did what he though was the right thing to do in a bad situation.
- No way in hell! It wasn’t his call to make!
- Doesn’t matter to me, I’ll kill him regardless of that.
- I love him so yeah…don’t judge!
- I’m undecided…for now.
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voters
Oy Vey! You guys are killing me here lol Ignore the ‘What did you do’ Sheesh lol
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Depends on the villain. The first one is angry at the government, at the heroes, at the whole world, so it’s hard for me to imagine him forgiving.
The second one - what happened, happened and there is no point in going back to it - what matters is the present. Steel will be removed if he becomes too much of a pain in the ass
Third…they’ll probably forgive Steel. Not that it’ll change things. This Sidestep will carry out their plan even if they end up killing themselves or being killed.
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Will you forgive Steel?
Yes. My MC understands why Steel did it, and since nothing can change what happened, he was more interested in finding out why Steel let him know that (and what else he was hiding). Overall, it’s more likely that he’ll try to get Steel’s help in taking down the SD rather than killing him for what he did (there are also feelings involved, which complicates things a bit)
My second Step will also forgive him (although it will take some time, and he won’t be as calm about it as my main)
My third one will not (but they won’t kill him because of it either - just try to forget that they ever considered him a friend)
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I picked undecided because I have multiple Steps, some more forgiving than others.
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Multiple Steps, each having various reactions.
Cyrus: Doesn’t care anymore. Not in the forgiven sense exactly; he’s just too tired to be angry. Can’t change the past.
Cynthia: She will never forgive him.
Chris: It cuts. Deep. She understands, but she’d be lying if it wasn’t a sore spot.
Aiden: Doesn’t care; they were planning to kill him anyway after playing him like a fiddle.
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I picked undecided for my main Step because while he doesn’t exactly forgive Steel for what he did, he does think there will be plenty of opportunities for him to make up for what he did coming up soon
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I asked the question because I’m like the poll show, I’m undecided.
On one hand he (Steel) say he did his research from the wheelchair, and I’m guessing he couldn’t just run off and look for the MC. Fine, but he sat on the damn information for 7 fucking years!!!
@malinryden Do you take request? Cause I got 2 for you:
1- I wanna see the conversation that almost went to blow between Steel and Ortega.
2- I want a bigger confrontation with Steel and him sitting on his ass on said information.
Pretty please? 
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It’s available on patreon if you wanna check it out.
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Too poor for Patreon alas…
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When you’re in a better place financially, you should sign up. Some real gems on there.
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Did anyone manage to get Herald’s help to leave the hospital even when you broke his knee in the first book? (In the ending where Step is outed as the villain)
Looking at the code I don’t think it’s possible - and my tentatives didn’t work out - but there’s flavour text about him limping in the scene where he helps you, so maybe I missed a stat check.
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I don’t think this should be possible? 
If you beat him badly, you will make him afraid of Villainstep. He wouldn’t help someone who scared him xd
Well…Theoretically, there is a way…
First, you name yourself Sidestep.
Second, you break his leg.
Third, in Retribution you have to fight and impale Captain Blaze on a flagpole while having below 60 infamy.
Fourth, either go talk to Chen in dog park after therapy/dream or go on a date with Argent, these are the only two occasions you have to choose to repent and stop killing.
Fifth, romance Herald.
Sixth, car crash as MC and wake up in hospital revealed as villain.
Hope this helps!
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Let my deranged Heraldmancers Steps dream a bit lol
Thank you! I was already planning to make a new villain called Sidestep, so even better
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I’ve always wanted to make a poll, and I think it’s time for it to finally happen because I’m curious to know your opinion on something.
Introducing to you… The Great Ortega Beard Off!
Let’s settle which Ricardo Ortega is the best:
- Clean-shaven Ortega
- Moustached Ortega
- Bearded Ortega
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voters
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If Ortega is too handsome he’d be too powerful. He needs the mustache to limit his power.
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