July questions are answered (Patreon)

In Ortega's office, their conspiracy board seems a bit... incomplete. Did Ortega run by their office to clean it up before fetching Sidestep in the kitchen? Is Sidestep's (villain or civilian) picture on it usually? 

Yes, in certain paths, they certainly did that. If Ortega is suspicious enough, there might indeed have been a familiar picture.

How was Dynamate recruited into the Rangers?

After helping put down a prison break and the resulting hostage situation. There were enough people putting in a good word that he was released under Ranger supervision.

Are we ever gonna meet, the Crack? Or have we already? 👀

Perhaps. I am still pondering.

Entirely serious question, Sidestep casually mentions Argent's multi-spectrum vision... can Angie see shrimp colours? (Or any colours not visible to the human eye?)

Yes, she's more like insects, she can see more than usual, especially in the ultraviolet spectrum.

Will Ortega get a age discussion with Sidestep like Danny did? I can only imagine it'll probably be worse since we tease Ortega about their age all the time are they going to get payback on Step? Or will it be more like "damn I really am old"

It will probably come up early in book three, yeah. Not sure how it's gonna turn out, it's hard to know until I write them. Ortega is slippery like that.

Will Mortum and Argent in poly route have bonding moment over their experience with Sidestep using their telepathy to screw them over?  (Romancing Mortum through puppet and taking over Argent body) 

It is very likely. They have more shared experiences than they might expect.

OKAY... would it ever be possible to see the Sidestep Gun again in-game... and possibly use it for newfound villainy purposes...

Yes. It will appear in book three.

Did HG’s distrust for The Void carry over to Arsenaux after The Void’s death, or is Arsenaux irrelevant to them?

Arsenaux is also a risk. Not as big, but HG doesn't want them anywhere near Los Diablos. People of faith, no matter the source, are dangerous and hard to manipulate.

And could Arsenaux and Lord Ember be working together / at least scratch each other’s back when needed or is that not at all on the table?

You'll have to find out in the story. It's a little like putting two betta fish in the same aquarium. 

Have we encountered any of Norma Lee's other aliases (or real name) in game? 

No.

Did Daniel take the boost drug knowingly and willingly?

That's debatable.

How does Pyroclast’s powers work during strong winds? You know, storms and winds are frequent in San Francisco. And rain? Can particles move when wet? 

In the past, Ashfall used to have issues with wind, but over the years he managed to keep himself more together. However, he can't spread himself too thinly then, and takes more of a solid, ashy shape. He spent a lot of time with Sentinel practicing that. Rain is more interesting. In the past, rain tended to ground him, make his constituent particles too heavy to move. But, at this point he has overcome that drawback. There are two ways he can deal with it. The first one is to be able to move while wet. That turns him into a muddy, cement-like liquid. A bit like a small lahar, or mud-man. Can only glide along the ground then though, no floating. The latest development is for him to simply increase his internal temperature enough that the water turns to steam. This makes his Pyroclast form even more dangerous.

Does owl know sidestep is back? If so who told her and how did she react?

Yes, she does. Ortega told her. As for her reaction... I think it is safe to say she was mostly worried that Ortega would get messed up again.

What were the circumstances of pyroclast’s boost level up to alpha?

While I haven't settled on a specific incident where it was first used in active combat, this happened because of Pyroclast's hard work. It was intentional, focused, and he took more than a few personal risks to push himself to his limits.

Does Pyroclast’s dust-brain feel different than his brain when his powers are off? And did he find out about Sidestep’s powers quicker than the others because of them still working on him while his own were active?

Pyroclast's brain does feel different in his transformed state. It's a lot harder to read and communicate with, the thoughts are faster and more scattered. The different is a bit like reading a book by strobing disco lights instead of in normal daylight. And yes, Ashfall was indeed the first to suspect what was really going on with Sidestep's powers.

Could Sentinel team up with Pyroclast to increase the range/effectiveness of his powers or for a tasty little combo?

Yes, but at the time Pyroclast ran with the Rangers, he wasn't as powerful. Then it was mostly helpful to speed up movement. What they could to together now would be nasty, but they haven't worked together in years.

Is Pyroclast close to his family?

Ashfall is friendly with his family, no particular traumas there.

What did Pyroclast's family think of him getting boosted and becoming a vigilante/hero?

I think they probably thought it was a bad decision to get boosted, but since it worked out, they're relieved.

How did Ashfall's vigilante debut go?

His vigilante debut was uneventful but successful, he did a lot of low-key night time work since he didn't want to be caught on camera at the start.

Does Ashfall wear a mask or helmet when he's working, or is he bare-faced like Ortega, Daniel, and Argent?

He doesn't wear a mask or a helmet, and his identity is pretty much an open secret, much like Ortega's.

What would Pyroclast say is the toughest fight he's been in?

The toughest fight would have been the assault on the Void compound (he'd rather not remember that).

Pyroclast's met Argent, right? What's their relationship like?

I think he and Argent are a bit like two alpha cats circling each other. No fight yet, but that's only because they each have their own territory.

May we have a colour scheme for the dusty man?

Greyish black undersuit, very thin and smooth, not armored like a skinsuit. Big boots, and a long, armored coat in dark gray with red inner lining. (Red is the team color for the San Francisco Rangers)

I loved that Ashfall piece from last week. I hadn't thought about the drawbacks to his powers. Poor guy. Since he spent a portion of his vigilante career running around naked did he have a costume? If he did what was it like? Have the Rangers and Sidestep seen him naked?

For the costume, see the question below. But yes, the Rangers and Sidestep has seen him naked, at least in passing.

Does Ashfall's streaking days effect his Pyroclast's hero career? 

Nope, that is ignored and forgotten!

Ashfall acted like he assumed Ortega disliked him? Did they?

Nope. 

Okay this one is probably unanswerable by my sci-fi textile brain is thrumming so I’ll ask: HOW DOES PYROCLAST’S SUIT WORK WITH HIS ABILITIES?

Back when he was Ashfall, that was a big problem. He would leave his clothes behind when he transformed, which meant that once he did so, he would be reluctant to turn back until he could do it in private. One of the reasons he was a vigilante and never went corporate. However, as he gained more experience and contacts (and with unofficial Rangers funding), he had a special suit made. It is basically made of his own "ash", spun into carbon-silicate fibers and made into a thin suit. The color is a plain grayish-black. While it's protecting well against heat, it has none of the normal skinsuit perks, and Pyroclast wears heavy boots and a long, armored coat in Ranger colors over it. This, and other items he's carrying or wearing, drops to the ground like normal when he transforms. But at least now he doesn't have to be naked while he turns back.

When Pyroclast is in his dust-state, are the particles still considered organic, or could Sidestep's nanovores..?

The particles are a mixture of carbon and silicon. The nanovores wouldn't be interested other than as a last resort. Not solid enough for them to get a good grip. And these days, the internal heat would fry them.

What kind of information on regenes is available to a high security clearance?  How are regenes referred to in that context (eg tools/weapons/beings etc)?

Basically they are referred to advanced weapon systems, much like the rare military artificial intelligence or robots. They are classified in the same way, with semi-independent robot drones at the bottom, and military analyst AI's at the top. The Re-Genes are in the middle. 

Did mortum have prior experience with nanovores, given their ease for them to reprogram the little monsters?

Yes.

In the Heartbreak sequence, they mention Heartbreak's id getting trapped... Could Sidestep's HB scar be a remnant of HB's id? If yes, does Sidestep leave behind something similar (remnants of their id as telepathic scars) when they possess someone for a longer time or through telepathic struggle? (the puppet, Argent...) 

It is possible. What is a mental scar anyway? PTSD? A bad memory? Permanent damage? Something more? It won't be the same answer for every Sidestep, and all the scars are different.

As for Sidestep leaving something behind... well, what is the nature of memories? Everything you experience leave a mark in your mind, whether fleeting or permanent. A memory. A change. By possessing someone, you change their mind temporarily, and there are traces left behind. Footsteps perhaps. But are they footsteps on the beach, to be washed away the nest time a wave moves in? Or in soft sand, lasting longer, but erased by wind and time? Or in cement, preserved forever in a distorted form as they harden? It will vary. In general, Sidestep is good at sweeping away the footsteps as they leave, they want no trace left behind. But there are exceptions to that, mostly in cases where there was no time, or, in Sidestep's view, no need.

What do you draw inspiration from on the topic of telepathy? (Any piece fiction or non fiction to recommend? Any branch/concept of psychoanalysis or neuroscience that tickles you especially?) 

Oh. I don't think there is one thing in particular, it's been an interest of mine for years, and I've picked up tiny things from everywhere. It has a lot to do with my interest in consciousness in general, and what it actually is. Near death experiences, memories, quantum physics, psychic phenomena, reincarnation and the like. It is a massive subject, and looking through my notes, I think I might need to do a post solely about this eventually. 

How often does Ortega's generator give out? 

These days? Never. But at times it needs to be shut down for maintenance.

Just because it's been a while since anyone's asked and sometimes things change... What's Argent's ethnicity? 😌

Not telling yet.

May I use my ill-gotten but incredibly-large gains to take Argent out on a nice date to a rented-out place where she can dress up and have fun and not have to worry about people looking at her [like a sideshow]? 

Play your cards right, and you certainly can. 

Could Sidestep possess a Regene?

Yes, that should not be an issue.

What do the rangers think of the movie portrayal of sidestep?

Ortega is amused, and thinks it's no big thing. Herald is a bit annoyed at most of them, they are not even close to the truth. Argent thinks that Sidestep tends to be the director's self-insert most of the time, and Chen tries to avoid watching them.

How big is LD these days, in terms of area or just population? Have any notable parts of old Los Angeles (Hollywood, Beverly Hills etc) taken on new uses or become their own smaller towns or suburbs, or vanished entirely off the map? 

The population of Los Diablos is notoriously hard to count. There is no central registry of citizens, and people come and go as they please. It has been estimated to hold about a million people, which is a third of what it had in 1982 when the Big One struck. 

In general, the notable parts still remain. While the city was devastated, massive destruction did not follow neighborhood borders. Everything close to the ocean looks very little like the old days, and while there still is a Long Beach, anybody who knew Los Angeles would see it as a sliver of it's former glory. Santa Monica got hit hard, and thePacific Palisades is mostly buried by lahars. The area around Venice Beach and the Marina has been hollowed out into a deep bay, and it is across this ravaged landscape that the bride at the start of Retribution has been built, to reconnect the former 405. Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and all the other areas climbing the hills suffered greatly from mudslides once the ash had settled and the rains began, but by that time, most people had left. The fires gutted many buildings as well. 

I would say that rather than having parts wiped out entirely, Los Diablos has grown less dense than Los Angeles was. Newly built areas are mixed with refurbished old ones, and inhabited ruins. The rivers now run free, and are avoided, as they still occasionally flood. 

Did sidestep ever spar with steel back in the day? If so, how did they match up? (fighter/tactician wise) 

Yes, they did. I think Steel was more eager for that than Sidestep, who always got the feeling that there was something else going on there than just sparring. Fighter or Tactician wouldn't have changed much, but daring or cautious would have. The cautions Sidesteps let Steel win, it just felt safer that way.

I think it was mentioned that back in the days Chen and Step used to play chess together. Who was winning? Was there a score? Or it is free for headcanons/interpretations?

At least the tactician Sidesteps did, they were the ones with the patience for it. Whoever used to win is up to headcanons.

What exactly did Anathema get tested on by the "research team"? Did the scientists collect samples? Were the results of those tests only used for their stated purpose, or were they kept / sold / redirected elsewhere? 

Mostly to test control/effect of the acid in order to develop countermeasures, and also helping testing out weird and dangerous shit because Themmy was invulnerable. Anathema did suspect that they were testing the limits of their invulnerability rather than whatever excuse they had, but they let that slide.

Did Mortum build the Nanosurge's emitters? What were the emitters' purpose, exactly? Where are they now?

Spoilers.

Back in the day, was sidestep ever taken prisoner and ortega had to save their bacon for once? 

Oh yes. 

What was the Green Sky’s goal in capturing Ortega? Ransom? To send a message? Or was there something else going on?

Well, Ortega was worthy of making the attempt to become superhuman. In short, they wanted to try boosting Ortega.

will we hear more about these other heroes/vigilantes from the ashfall post? had they worked with the rangers before?

Maybe. Who knows who I have use for later? I think most of them were at least familiar with the Rangers.

Did Ashfall beat Ortega in their fight by choking them out in ash form?

Good guess. Ortega saw that as cheating.

What did the rat king think of that first night being with step? The night with the HB nightmare?

Cautious. Hidden. Don't move. Don't breathe. Also: Worry.

So… Pyroclast is Armenian then?

He is of Armenian heritage, yes. But he was born in the US.

Now that I know he’s a short king, may I get an eye and hair colour for character designing purposes?

Hazel eyes and brown hair.

And are my in-laws safe in Seattle? How’re modded/tech crime rates doing up there?

Seattle is probably the safest city in the Free Western Territories. It's the seat of many of the big companies/tech firms, and close enough to Canada to almost be a part of it. People who make trouble are invited to leave fast.

Which Rangers team would you say currently ranks the highest as far as powers and actual synchronicity goes? I mean other than Dave, the obvious number one 😌

Probably the Seattle one.

Completely self-indulgent but... if Sidestep is helping the Rangers and manages to turn one of them to their cause, will we have the opportunity to still "work with the Rangers" and gather-information / sabotage some Rangers missions from the inside, with the help of our new found ally? 

You will have to see!

Has Arsenaux ever collaborated with the Farm?

No.

What were Daniel's fly-learning years (months?) like? Did it involve a lot of falling and trying again, or was it pretty smooth sailing? Did it differ from Sentinel's experience? And what gives him the most difficulty today?

Danny had a ridiculously easy time compared to Sentinel. No crashes. Not many bruises. The biggest issue was control, speed and not hover every time he gets nervous. He's still working on the last one...

Just curious: if Sidestep, at their Alpha-but-nearly-higher-level of telepathy were to pull a silly little HB 2.0… how bad a situation are we looking at here? Would we be able to compound that with the nanovores in our possession? Would the government consider the Nanosurge solution of taking out the west? Would the Rat King even let us get that far or would they attempt to stop us first? Will I have to fight the girls, too?!

I will just leave this here, without an answer, but as food for thoughts and nightmares for everybody else.

Have we already met whoever has gotten their hands on the Heartbreak incident recording in-game? What format is it—just video, or are you planning to do an array of recordings (like radio, voicemails, etc?) 

It is a mixture of media, and that is all I am going to say.

How's the tap/ground water sitch in LD?  Are there problems with contamination? Old/failing infrastructure? 

The water is not good. Most households have a water filter. While it is not subject to as much drought as today, it is very reliant on snowfall and the rivers. The biggest problem is the ash. Several sediment dams have been built to help keep the water clean, but it's still an issue. While there is a waterplant that services central Los Diablos, many of the outlying areas have bad water. Some of them have pooled their resources and manages their own communal water purification plants, which has made their quality of life much better. A desalination plant has been under construction for years, but it has proven to be much more complicated than planned. It keeps breaking down.

There are also problems with leaking pipes, so much water gets lost, and occasionally sewer water during floods and heavy rains. Water is currently the biggest issue for continuing growth.

Sooo... why is Vernon's photo actually on Ortega's conspiracy board? ""To remind me not to be an idiot again."" sounds a bit like an excuse... does Ortega think Vernon is connected to HG still, or something else?

Look. Don't you think you should ask Ortega that? I'm sure they'd make a joke and distract.

is currency different in the FEZ than regular USD? different exchange rate like versus CAD, or maybe a new currency altogether?

There are actually several currencies common in Los Diablos. For cash, US Dollars and Mexican Pesos are widely accepted. Credit cards can be issued in both. Canadian dollars are also common up north, in both Seattle and Portland. The exchange rate is different than in the regular US, as it is not controlled as much my the federal Reserve.

There is also Dark Script, or DS for short. A blockchain-based counter-currency, it's heavily encrypted and not dependent on outside authorities. It's what most criminals prefer when the sums start to grow beyond what might comfortably fit in a bag. The exchange rate is not the best, but sometimes it is worth it to keep your secrets. It is also commonly used by companies wishing to keep transactions off the record.

There are discussions to issue a new currency common to the free western territories. It is planned within the next few years.

You’ve told us HG’s opinion of the Void (a massive threat and needed to be removed at any cost), but what was the Void’s opinion of HG?

Irrelevant.

Was HG involved in the Crack’s killing of the last mayor?  How long ago was that?

The murder happened in 2017, and as far as anybody knows, HG was not involved.

Please excuse my suspicious little mind, but might part of the reason the guardians were formed by the current mayor be to give the LD political powers that be their own pet heroes while also removing their dealings from any ranger jurisdiction?

That is certainly how it was sold to the city council.

What kind of corporate gigs did Herald hold/companies did he work for before joining the rangers?  What were his favourite/least favourite of them?

There were two corporate gigs. The first one was for a high-end courier company, and he was allowed to keep using his Kestrel vigilante name because it fit the theme. He wasn't one of the regular couriers, but rather handled the high-end cases with a great risk of being intercepted or attacked. He actually liked this job, it made him feel useful, and since it meant he was out in the city a lot of the time he felt he had the opportunity to do some good on occasion. He made some friends as well, but the company went bankrupt in the end. After that, he was picked up by a car company to be the face of their flagship sports car; Kinetik. While the pay was better, he quickly grew dissatisfied with his position. He felt like there wasn't really anything for him to do other than being representative. While he was very good at that, he took every chance he got to do actual hero work, and if the offer from the Rangers hadn't come, it is likely he would have quit in time.

What kind of testing does a regene go through after decanting for their boost to be discovered and analyse how it works?

It starts with a standardized regimen to figure out any sort of immunities/resistance to various types of damage. This also serves to see if there are other reflexive reactions to pain, or to being trapped or in danger. In short, the goal of the testing is to goad/provoke instinctual reactions, and danger and pain are great motivators. A part of this is to put the untrained Re-Gene in fights with others, to get some adrenaline going. This is all done with great caution, since boosted powers can be dangerous and unpredictable.

If this gives no results, the next step is a series of psychic tests, and if these also are fruitless, the Re-Gene is flagged as potentially useless. They are kept around for a month or so, often used as collateral in various tests/fights, and if there is still nothing after that, they are recycled.

What level boost would step have been classified as before the nanosurge?

A low level Gamma boost. Possibly even Delta.

Anathema mentions the (?rangers?) research team paying boosts to research their powers, how often does that happen?  Are there particular types of boosts that they’re interested in?  Are there samples such as dna taken?  Are research results available to other government research departments/contractors (anonymised or otherwise)?

It happens now and then with the weirder boosts. Samples are taken, and at times, if permission is given, they are used tor government research programs. It is in everybody's best interest to know as much as possible about boosted biology, and this program has given rise to many scientific advancements.

Are the rangers themselves expected to submit to testing as part of their contracts?

It is not mandatory, but many take the opportunity to explore their powers further. 

The higher ups keep a lot of information away from the Rangers. Do they have any suspicions about what the ranger team might be up to on their respective missions they try to keep hidden (such as Ortega’s HG investigations)? Would they intervene if they did? 

I am sure some people might be suspicious, but in general, as long as people do their job, it's not an issue. Being a Ranger comes with a certain amount of freedom.

Speaking of Los Diablos, the higher ups, etc—are fights ever orchestrated? Are there behind the scenes dealings to give the rangers people to go up against for image management? Do the people involved ever play both sides?

Sounds like politics to me.

And could we meet any of the individuals in charge at some point?

Most likely, at least in certain paths.

Did the Rangers as an organisation ever become aware of step’s actual boost?

Ortega did their best to keep it out of the official records.

After they hit 40, will we be able to call Ortega "Mr" or "Mrs Charge" to show respect to our elders?

Ahahaha only once, and you'd better run fast!

Does reality TV of any kind exist in LD? Has any of the characters participated in it?

I think reality TV is a bit more complicated with the privacy laws regarding unsolicited video/photography. It exists, but it's less reality and more like wrestling. Semi-scripted. None of the main characters have taken part in it.

did danny ever have to deal with mysteriously chapped lips while "dating" argent or did they not play that way for the press?

They did, occasionally, and Danny certainly would have noticed something wasn't cool. So he'd avoid pressing the issue.

Just how many illegal modifications does Bo's car have?

It's Los Diablos, most of them are not technically banned ;).

I just need to know. Is Sidestep mad about Mortum just reheating pizza in the microwave (which is fine for me) or did Mortum buy frozen pizza and MAKE IT IN THE MICROWAVE ???(in which case they are a monster) 

Both. Those little portion pizzas in the microwave is a staple snack for Mortum.

Can I babysit Spoon? (With adult supervision if necessary. 🙄)

Probably. A lot of people have baysat Spoon, Chen is a busy man and he doesn't like leaving Spoon alone for too long.

On a worst-to-least-bad scale, how are the ROs going to take learning about Step's bodysnatching habits? (revealed Argent and Mortum included, since it feels like accepting the One Incident they each know of maybe be one thing but the dozens or hundreds of others might be another?)

I am honestly not sure. I need to write those confessions/confrontations before I know for sure. When I write dialogue and arguments I don't really go in knowing the end result, or where I want it to go. I go in with knowing where they both start, and where they will end up depends on how the talk progresses. It's the same with writing in general, I like to discover things as I go along. Sometimes people I think will feel very strongly about one thing, turns out to see it another way due to other past experiences. That's what I love about writing, exploring people and the world. It's not planned beforehand.

Are there hidden members of the Cult of the Green Sky working at the Special Directive? 

No.

Did Mortum keep any of the nanovores that Sidestep stole from the Rangers?

I think both you and I know that is very likely.

What are Dave's powers? 

Hmmm. It's a bit complicated to describe. Dave calls himself an "Echo". He can mimic various lifeforms around him. He doesn't actually change his physical shape much (if you know him well, you can see hints of what he's echoing), but he can use their "special abilities". If he's echoing a bird, he can fly. A coyote might give him sense of smell and running endurance, ants and insects strength and armor, and so on. There's a limit to the distance he can echo, and how long he can keep the powers after the source disappears. 

A side effect of this is that he is aware of the general lifeforms in his surroundings. This is one of the reasons why he's a loner and sticks to the desert, he can get very overwhelmed in more densely populated areas. He's content hanging out with Jackrabbit and their dog, an Afghan hound called Leo.

Since post-HB!Step telepathically projects bad vibes, what was Rat King's first impression of them?

Wary, but also curious since they hadn't been able to communicate that deeply with someone before. Also, Sidestep's bad vibes are mostly towards people, not as much animals.

Please, could you share more about Jackrabbit (gender, pronounce, how are they competing with modded and boosted villans, anything you'd like to share really). 

Jackrabbit is an unmodded/unboosted woman in her forties. She competes with gear and planning, and by being smart enough not to get into fights where she doesn't have the odds on her side. She's an excellent mechanic, driver and pilot and cook. I see her as a cross between Dolly Parton and Tank Girl, make of that what you wish.

How common are unmodded and nonboosted heroes/vigilates/villains? So far we know about Jackrabbit, Dr Mortum and Handyman. 

It's not that uncommon when it comes to lower stakes vigilantes and villains. You can be as powerful with gear as with boosts, at least to a point.

What is Rat King's Ljungstrand classification?

They would be: 1-5-6. Though one might argue that there should be a 2 in there, at least for receiving. Things gets complicated for non-human boosts.

We know Locus's telepathy is more word-based, while Sidestep's is more visual. How does it feel to read Locus's mind for Sidestep? What does her mindscape feel / look like, and does her type of telepathy bleed into Sidestep's impression of her mind?

You will have to wait to find out

How does Ortega fantasize their “first” meeting with Hollow Ground and the way they could avenge Hood?

Probably various version of gangster movie showdowns, it varies a lot. Ortega likes to daydream.

Is there anyone (villain or otherwise) in LD that Steel would get rid of (kill) if given the opportunity? What is Steel’s stance on preemptive justice?

Oh yes. But I'm not going to name names (though the Catastrofiend would be on that list). Steel can see the advantage of preemptive justice, but does not indulge very often.

Does the rat king focus their five lil brains on one thing at a time or are they able to track and detect separate targets/threats? 

They can do both!

What kind of pyrokinetic is lord francis ember?

Classic one. He can generate and project fire. Think flamethrower.

Who's the hottest, Ember or Blaze?

Blaze is the hottest in both ways.

How did the Catastrofiend get it's name? Did it pick it or was it given by the media? 

It is unclear, but it wasn't the media. It was its callsign from the early days, when it was a hired killer, before it had changed quite so... drastically.

When did the Farm try to wipe Step? Shortly after surgery and raiding Step's mind so when Step woke up they could start over right away or did Step do something that made them say "yep, we're done. Time to start over"? And how did they react when they realized Step was still Step?

This is mostly spoilers, but I will say that the first attempt was done shortly after surgery and oh boy, it did not go as expected.

So we know they were present for it, but what were Ashfall and Sentinel’s opinions about Sidestep stopping the Nanosurge? Did they see it on any footage or in person while the swarm was being idly held? 

Both of them were thoroughly impressed. Neither of them would have predicted Sidestep to be able to do that, though Sentinel later claimed not to be surprised. It might even be true. Sentinel saw it on footage, they were busy adjusting wind patterns. Ashfall saw it in person.

And as a member who frequently interacts with Sidestep’s telepathy during use of his own powers, how did Ashfall feel about the after-effects on Sidestep’s telepathy? Did Side’s powers feel any differently to him? Did he pick up any residual alien/crawling sensations? Anything change in their telepathic interactions once Step healed?

Nothing that he noticed, except that Sidestep understood him a lot more clearly, and at greater range. 

Did any of the Rangers and their associates feel any residual effects of the Nanosurge on Sidestep’s telepathic interactions with them? Especially while their shields were fried and mind still mending?

Not exactly. The biggest effect was that Sidestep needed to withdraw from people for a while, and was a lot more wary about crowds. In the immediate aftermath, both Sidestep and Ortega spent some time at Elena's ranch. At the time she did not yet live there full time, so after giving the caretaker some time off, they had the place to themselves. Sidestep was too raw and open to be around people.

Is their a specific mind feel from the aftermath of the Nanosurge event or is that more for us to head canon via our Sidesteps?

Feel free to headcanon!

The Boys featured a telepath trapping people into a loop of their own personal nightmares, so... Here goes. If Sidestep did something like that, what nightmare would the main characters be trapped in?

Argent would be in the water, getting torn apart. Herald would be on fire, trying desperately to put it out. Chen would be trapped under a building, slowly suffocating. Ortega would... good luck getting into that brain ;)

Since Ortega is immune, Sidestep’s info is a bit flip-floppy about what Ortega knows and does not know about telepathy. What does Ortega think an A or B level telepath can do? Have they furthered their knowledge about telepathy after HB? Are they aware that abilities like Sidestep has even exist, or would they be surprised by some of them, or their scale / scope? What’s their grasp on Sidestep’s abilities, and does that change drastically depending on the path? And finally, has Ortega looked into weaponising their static brain instead of just using it as passive defense? 

Oh boy, this is slightly spoilery since Ortega's not entirely talkative about these things. It is fair to assume that at this point, Ortega has researched this as much as they are able. They might be surprised by some of the more esoteric things Sidestep can do, but at this point Ortega has seen a lot of weird shit. 

Speaking of, is Ortega’s static “slippery” for Sidestep, or could they make use of it even if they can’t breach it? For example, against an enemy telepath, could Sidestep redirect Ortega’s static to blanket themself and other minds around them against the external threat?

Ortega's static is not something that's easily manipulated. It is possible that it might be used in desperate hail-Mary situations, but that's not come up yet. Dampeners are a lot easier to handle...

What was the purpose of Ortega’s mods originally?

It was a military project, but if Ortega knows more, they ain't telling.

Ashfall and Sidestep debuted the same year; did they ever have any run-ins with each other before formally being introduced? Did they meet through the Rangers?

It's up to headcanon, I have no opinion on either.

Did danny and argent ever have any run ins before joining the 

No.

What happened during horse riding that made Ortega laugh at Ashfall?  Was step there for this incident too?

Yes, the Rangers were there, as were Sidestep. It was during a visit to Elena's Ranch, everybody was having a riding/camping/team bonding experience and a gust of wind spooked Ashfall's horse with painfull results.

under what circumstances did anathema join the rangers? was there a specific event that prompted it? Were they invited by someone, or did they seek someone out to join?

Anathema was brought into the Rangers by Marshal Hood, but neither of them spoke about how they met, or the circumstances. Unusually enough, Anathema did not have a career as a vigilante before joining the Rangers, but their powers were impressive enough to allow them in anyway.

have there been times chen has worked outside the law in the past for the sake of those close to him while part of the rangers? if so, why? what was it about those circumstances that pushed him that far?

I would say no, but ONLY because being in the Rangers (especially as Marshal) allows him a lot of leeway to bend the law rather than outright break it.

asides from going to the bar and spending time with spoon, what else does chen do to unwind? 

He likes going out and spend time at cafes and bars, talking to people not involved in the hero business.

do the guardians have a set uniform/colour scheme they adhere to? 

No. They each have their own individual uniform, but they all have the Guardian symbol in it somewhere, a bit like a patch.

Did sunstream have a particular type of mission she liked doing best? (like helping regular people out or taking down the real notorious villains) 

She was actually surprisingly good at straight up battle against the bad guys. She liked taking down the worst of the worst.

How did Ortega’s parents meet and fall in love?

They met when Enrique was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Elena lived in Ciudad Juárez at the time, and often crossed the border to go to the cool clubs. They met at a party with mutual friends, and got along well enough for dating to be a thing

From one of the previous Q&A, Sentinel apparently didn’t think a Chargestep romance would last. Why is that? In a similar vein, in what way(s) did Ashfall think Ortega would hurt Sidestep? Did his beliefs make the fight that he had with Ortega after Heartbreak more volatile?

Sentinel was of the opinion that Ortega was a heartbreaker, who wouldn't really stick with anybody in the long run. And an inter-team romance (as it was), was a bad idea. Ashfall agreed. I don't think that had much to do with the fight post-Heartbreak, but it sure didn't help.

If the Sullivan family (especially Daniel) discovered that a Re-Gene was made from their DNA, would they consider adopting them? (To help control the situation before the media finds out if nothing else?) Or would they be too freaked out by their existence to even consider them as family? What would Daniel think of having a boosted little sibling enslaved by the Farm, possibly rejected by the rest of his family?

I think the Sullivan family would be upset and angry at the invasion of privacy. I don't think they would consider Re-Genes to be related to them, rather it would be upsetting that their genetic material was stolen without their permission. Daniel might see things differently, he'd definitely see them as family.

Building on that question, what would Argent and Daniel be like as older siblings?

Oh we are all lucky Argent is a younger sister. But if she was an older one, she'd probably be the type to say never to borrow her clothes (but will pretend not to notice), and who would scare away friends/boyfriends/girlfriends who she got bad vibes from. Daniel would probably be a little too nice and easy to manipulate, taking the blame for things that weren't his fault.

Why are Re-Genes age accelerated to 14 when they’re born? Does it have anything to do with federal laws surrounding crimes against kids 13 and under?

It is more of a matter that the greatest success of the boosting process comes if it is applied during puberty. An approximate physical age of 13-15  at decanting (it varies, and is hard to measure) is suitable both for a good boost result, and to still keep mental plasticity for chipping, training and indoctrination. An average physical age of 14 at decanting, and an average of two years of out of tank training means that they are a good age to start being used in the field. The Farm cares nothing for federal law, and they don't consider Re-Genes to be children. Rather they see them as weapon systems.

Is Mitchell happy with the life he has now?

It's alright. He's got no big complaints.

Can we have a Mitchell file on Mitchell himself?

Hahaha. No.

How would Ashfall and Sentinel react to a reunited, committed Chargestep romance that’s actually healthy, happy, and stable? Did they have any bets on if either Ortega or Step could actually keep a relationship like this, given their individual issues?

Surprised but happy! Ashfall would still be deeply suspicious, but it would wear off in time. Sentinel os more of a romantic like that. I don't think either of them would have made that bet, since both of them would have betted it wouldn't last.

Would the Rangers be interested in a power swap scenario with Sidestep’s telepathy? Or even experience what Step’s telepathy is like for a day?

A hard no for everyone except Ortega, and possibly, possibly Daniel.

Are there any treatments for psychic ailments, both for psychics and any psychic afflicted victims?

Yes, there are. In fact there used to be a therapist specialized in those things, but he closed up shop a few years back.

How would people react if Charge got married? What about Tia Elena? Did she ever think the day would come? 

Oh no, Los Diablos most sought after bachelor/bachelorette finally taken off the market! The media would be on that one for weeks. I think everybody on the team/their friends would be very happy for Charge. Also, a few has most likely lost some bets on that never happening...

What kinds of jealous are the ROs in general? 

I personally have trouble understanding jealousy, let alone write it, so I probably wont touch too hard on that. Just like religion, it's something I have a hard time relating to personally, so it feels fairer not to make it a major point of the story.

Would the ROs consider projecting/using their own thoughts to (playfully) mess with Step? I remember you saying that Daniel would at least use it from time for fun, seeing it as another weird, nice couple thing.

Danny 100% once he realizes how much Step picks up. Argent might, but a lot more judiciously applied. Chen probably not. That is for private time. Ortega wishes...

In addition to that, would they consider doing something in a similar vein in sex? I know Steel was thinking some things that made Step blush… I kind of want to go down that line of exploration.

There, I think the order would be Chen, Daniel, Argent and Ortega misses out as usual. It might very well be explored in game.

How would the ROs deal with a sentimental, affectionate, romantic Drunk!Step that sincerely confesses some heartfelt feelings about them and their relationship? 

Herald would think it's sweet, Argent would make fun but turn into a blushing, protesting mess, and Chen would take it with dignity and make sure they drink some water. Ortega would probably be just as drunk.

If Ortega grows a beard, what do the Rangers (Ortega included) think of it?

I think they all agree it makes him look a lot more mature than he is.

If a Regene is created and has a disability what happens to them? What if its something minor like needing glasses or food allergies? What about something that develops later like mental illness or diabetes? What would happen to them? 

If it is easily dealt with, it will be. Glasses, allergies and the like are easily accounted for and not seen as a big issue. Mental illness is treated with medication, or various telepathic treatments the Farm has developed. Diabetes, likewise, is treatable and not an issue. As long as they can fulfill their role, it won't matter if their upkeep is a bit more complicated or expensive. 

What would have happened if President Ross had gotten to deploy the national guard in the FEZ? 

Probably civil war.

Could Pyroclast turn isolated parts of his body into ash? If not, is it possible for him to accomplish that? 

No, it is all or nothing so far.

Has Pyroclast tried to do combo attacks with his heat and ash manipulation? 

Yes, hence the name. Add water for steam and it becomes truly nasty.

Will we have a choice to decide how close we were to Pyroclast? 

Yes, you will be able to decide the details later

In the Heartbreak incident, some people believe Ortega made the wrong call. What call would Sentinel, Steel, and Pyroclast have made in that same situation, without the knowledge of what would happen to Anathema + Sidestep + almost Steel? 

Steel would have made the same call. He probably would not have brought Sidestep, but he understands the reasons, and didn't argue. He doesn't blame Ortega for his decisions. Pyroclast would not have sent in a full team. He would have sent a scout first, probably Anathema since they could survive it, and kept in touch by radio. Sentinel would have destroyed the building first, taking out anything in it. The civilians were most likely already dead. Yep, Sentinel was active during the rougher days, Hood was always the soft one.

How would it affect HG’s and Jake’s relationship if Nocturne was killed? 

Badly. Depending on circumstances, it might either fall apart completely, or perhaps, grow closer.

What was Spoon’s old name before Steel renamed him? 

Comet.

What’re the effects of having a high fan club value? 

Gonna be some fun things in book three. Mostly small text variations, like many of the hidden stats, I start building them before they come into full use.

What’s the relationship like between Blaze and Zephyr in general? What do they think of each other, honestly? 

Bit of a rivalry. Zephyr thinks they should have been the leader.

What’s Blaze’s and Zephyr’s reasons for becoming heroes?

A combination of wanting to be the best that they could be, a lust for fame and popularity, and because they like excitement. They are more similar than they'd like to admit.

How did you first conceive and write the Rangers? How long did it take for them to become a character you felt satisfied with, as well as their dynamics with others? What was your process in fleshing them out? 

Wow. I love this question. Okay, The Rangers basically were born in two of my old, unfinished books. Argent and Herald were part of the book I based Fallen Hero on (different world tho), and at the time I wanted the new guy, who was trusting and could easily be beaten up, and the dangerous fighter, who you would be slightly scared of. Ortega and Chen came from another book (as did Los Diablos), and were brought in to replace the two members of the Ranger team I weren't happy with. Chen replaced Porphyry (who I reused elsewhere), who never really did much in the book. He was originally the suspicious one, who wasn't easily fooled or approved of shenanigans. The straight man (ironically). Ortega replaces the Marshal, who I now tend to call surfer-Rick. Yes, a blonde California asshole.

When I create character, I always start with an archetype that is easy for the reader to identify. Argent is the sharp, sexy, pointy hunter. Herald is the sweet newbie with a heart of gold. Steel is the military drill-sergeant. Ortega is the open, charming daredevil. Then, when I start writing them, I start to figure out where they start to chafe. The different archetype to provide contrast. Argent is a tech-nerd. Herald is very observant and analytical. Steel is a soft dog-dad. Ortega is clever and secretive. Now we have two dimensional characters who can interact in new ways, and every interaction brings out new sides to them. It is at this point that the hidden core of the characters pops out, the final piece of the puzzle to make them three dimensional. 

For me, when the characters finally coalesced into a fully realized hole was the argument in the park in Rebirth for Ortega, which made me realize that there was a vicious, angry and hurt side to Ortega too that they kept hiding. It was the pastel and cupcakes in Retribution for Argent, and the softer side filled with longing for a life it showed me. For Herald it was actually a scene that has not appeared in the game yet, but which has been talked through with people. And for Steel it was thinking more about what it actually would mean to be as heavily modded as he is, which humanized him.

My process for fleshing characters out is to write them. Have them talk to each other. To other people. A lot of the time this happens in my head, especially as I am driving. I am a very dialog driven creator when it comes to people. That's why so many of the questions I am asked here are so hard to answer, I often haven't even considered them until that moment. Sometimes the answer comes quick and fills in empty holes in the character which is great, at other times I draw a blank and leaves it to headcanon.

How would the ROs deal with a Step that’s completely oblivious to any and all romantic come-ons that they may make towards them, seeing it as normal bonding interactions? (E.g. Flirting, compliments, literally asking them out directly, being affectionate.) What would they do with this, if they suspect Step might have a romantic interest in them as well? 

Oh boy. There are certain Sidesteps (certainly not named T*bi) who are exactly that. And trust me, the RO in question is frustrated. I am not sure exactly what shenanigans will be needed to break the ice, but in order from most direct to trying to be clever, here are the RO's: Dr. Mortum - Herald - Argent - Steel - Ortega. Yes, Ortega is placed last because they tend to want to make a production of it, and are hindered by their own overly friendly demeanor and flirty reputation. 

Boosts have craving. What does Herald Crave? What does Ashfall/Pyroclast crave? What happens to Sidestep if they go a long time without carbs or sugar?

Herald eats a lot more meat than he's comfortable with. Ashfall has cravings for kaolin clay, which he eats regularly. Sidestep gets tired, headaches, has issues with focus and lack of shields. In game terms, their telepathy levels would drop.

What kinds of problems are the Rangers known for causing for their PR staff?

Argent is known for walking out of things without warning. Ortega is known for going off-script. Chen and Herald are well behaved.

Will we be able to choose how long Sidestep has worked for the Farm? How they lived their life after they escaped before they became Sidestep?

Not how long, that part of the background is set. How they lived their life before they became Sidestep is up to headcanon though. Go wild! I won't touch that.

Theoretically, if Argent was completely human and became a modded hero, what sort of mods would she choose to take? 

OOOooh. Stabby weapons. Armor interface. Drones! Sensory enhancements. 

Is it possible for us to get some more short stories on the Rangers’s pasts? E.g. Chen with Soo, Daniel and Joshua, Argent when she decided to leave her family, Ortega telling Tia Elena about their decision to sign on with the Rangers, etc? 

Once I have submitted the game I will do NOTHING BUT WRITE COOL SHIT! I miss it so much. Editing is hell.

What’re some of the weirdest boosts that the Rangers have ever come across? 

Oooh. Ashfall is pretty weird. There's a guy that's basically a living slime, but he escaped into the harbor and was never seen again. They don't even know his name. There was a villain called Mr. Astair, whose only power was that he could make people step when he did. Synchronized dance fighting. There was also The Skinless Man, whose actual boost powers were basically armor and strength, but his skin was see-through so he looked horrible and was really gross to fight. Yes, he fought naked. There was also a a vigilante, a young girl called Nest, who could control insects. She's still active as the protector of one of the small communities on the outskirts of Los Diablos.

What’s Porphyry’s gender identity? I think I might’ve gotten some things confused. 

Porphyry goes by he/they. They fluctuate along the agender/nonbinary spectrum, but started out as male. 

You answered that villains would be incredulous that Sidestep turned villain… what about the heroes? How would they react that Step had turned to the dark side? 

Owl wouldn't be surprised, but mostly everyone else would.

How old are each of the Guardians? 

I have NO idea yet.

Would any of the cast be interested in boosted/modded/powered competitions? Similar to the training and tests found in My Hero Academia? (E.g. Testing your mantle in simulated battlefields, scenarios, experimenting and finding out new applications for your powers, winning over fellow competitors and rivals, etc.) 

I have not read that comic, but I think both Ortega and Ashfall would be competitive as hell in those circumstances. Argent would see it as a waste of time, and Herald would be a bit hesitant. Steel would do it if ordered, but not of his own free will.

What’s Mia’s opinion of Psychopathor, especially considering he gave her a job? How would she react to somebody finally killing him? 

She is torn. He's obviously a criminal, a murderer and a villain. But he's also not as bad as some law-abiding people she's met. She would be sad if he was dead, but she wouldn't be surprised. She has no illusions that she's safe from him though.

How big of a threat is Locus without her telepathy?

Not much. She's more dependent on it than Sidestep.

How did Sentinel feel about leaving his life as a Ranger behind and getting to live bit more normal life with his wife? 

Relief? A hint of regret? It was a big change at first, but now he's adapted and couldn't see it any other way.

What is it about aquariums and aquascaping that HG loves so much?

(I love it. HG got that part from me.) It's just pretty and soothing. HG saw one of those big aquariums as a kid in a restaurant their dad took him to celebrate something, and it made a deep impression as something fancy and impressive.

In one of the Q&A’s it was mentioned Nocturne, Mortum, and Steel have hard time getting to know people/letting people close. What is it for each of them that makes it hard for them to get to know people or let them close (if their reasons vary in any way)?

Nocturne had a lot of mental hangups and issues. She was deeply troubled, and close to agoraphobic. 

Dr. Mortum on the other hand, has issues with trust. Let people get too close and they will stab you in the back. They learned this the hard way.

Steel just takes time to get to know. He's not someone to open up quickly, and has the drawback of looking and sounding more inhospitable than he is.

What would Dr. Mortum have done with Void’s powers if they could have weaponized it? Would they have tried to use it with their teleportation gun somehow?

Spoilers.

What is the theme of the Rangers, Dr. Mortum's, and/or HG trio's character arcs?

Hmmm. While this would normally be a question I would love to talk about for ages, it is also rather spoilery. You see, these people don't have one arc. It is affected by the choices in game. Take Ortega for example, the arc can be one of corruption, of redeeming an old friend, of finally letting go of the past or a dozen other things. The arcs can be benevolent, and they can be tragedies. It all depends on your choices.

Is there anything the Rangers, Dr. Mortum, and/or HG trio are insecure about? 

Ortega: Their age. Steel: Their mods. Argent: Their self-control. Herald: Their abilities. Dr. Mortum: Their judgment. HG: Their defenses. Nocturne: Herself. Jake: His position.

How soon after Catastrofiend’s first appearance did HG arrange a meeting with Catastrofiend? 

Soon after. It was a lot easier to talk with it back then.

What was Locus’s motivation for deciding to become a vigilante/hero?  How did she feel about joining the world of heroes and villains? 

She had powers, she felt she had a duty to use them to help people. She was a hit nervous and thrilled.

Did HB have their own HB scar? 

Oh yes.

In the telepathy lore post, Dr. Ljungstrand’s notes talks about “two halves. Two pathways. Competing and completing” and how "it/we were never whole”, has he managed to find a way to connect the two halves/pathways, if that was even his intention? 

Hehehehehe. I should probably get into that one day.

Has there been any particular mission among the current Rangers team where they’ve disagreed how to go forward with the mission? How do they deal with any disagreements that come up?

A lot. The Marshal decides for good or bad. Yes, Ortega pulled rank repeatedly, but so do Chen.

How well would the Rangers say they work as a team? 

Not as well as they should. Bits of the team do, though. Both Ortega and Argent are a good team, as is Ortega and Steel.

Given Sidestep's variability, what would you say are the core things that make up Sidestep? The stuff that has to be there to still be Sidestep. How do you keep these things in mind when you write there branching off points?

I don't need to keep them in mind, they are always there in my head. Has been from the start. What I do need to focus on though is HOW Sidestep chooses to deal with those traits. That is where the branching occurs and I can distill it into distinct paths to cut down on variability. The things I see as the core concepts of Sidestep are the following:

• Telepathic ignorance, thinking you know everything just because you can read minds.
• Layers of trauma, the deeper you go, the more things pop out. Repressing is a valid option.
• Issues with understanding how people work and a feeling of isolation from society. Very bitter, feeling mistreated by life.
• A skewed view of what actions are moral/just/permitted because of the way they were raised. Monkey see, monkey do.
• A barely suppressed core of intense emotions they try not to poke. A mixture of anger, frustration, need for justice, freedom and revenge. 

If the Rangers could get into a fight with anyone, no consequences win or lose, who would it be and why?

Oh that would probably be an intra-Ranger fight. Los Diablos vs San Francisco teams!

Could Telepathy be used to cut someone off from their senses or use of their limbs? Could Sidestep do that temporarily or permanently? 

Temporarily, yes. Permanently is doubtful, but with the way Sidestep is growing, who knows?

Could telepathy cut off someone's connection to their mods? 

Yes.

I have a messed up question. Are there any LD Rangers fans working at the Farm? 

Probably.

Working with Vigilantes is one thing, but have the Rangers ever had to team up with a Villain to take down a even bigger threat or achieve some other common goal? If so, does the public know about it or did it  happen in secret?

It has happened on occasion, but it is all kept very secret. Not something you'd want out there. And no, I have no occasion in my head right now, but it is likely.

Okay,  I gotta know: is Ortega still turned on by danger? Or is that past behind them? If they still are, what are the chances of them being into a badass non-murder Step?  

A leopard doesn't shed it's spots. Ortega is still the same when it comes to that. I bet the chances are pretty high...

We know that Argent has the impression of a fighter/streetwise Step, but what about Herald? Did he think the same as her, or did he pick up on Sidestep actually being a tech savvy/tactician hero if things were different? 

Herald has probably judged Sidestep pretty accurately there, he's more perceptive than Argent.

How old were Jake and Nocturne when they took the boost drug? 

Jake was sixteen, Nocturne was in her mid- to late twenties. Not entirely sure of the timeline yet.

If Mortum was boosted, what can you see them having for powers? 

What makes you sure they aren't?

Would Mortum resort to unsavoury/underhanded tactics if a living subject of interest (say, an interesting telepath) refused to let them conduct experiments on them, if their research needed the person in question instead of samples and case studies of their powers? 

Dr. Mortum is a villain. Never forget that.

This may be dark, but I have to ask. Will there be a choice for Step to commit suicide if it’s not in a crisis situation? 

Attempt, probably.

what did the heartbreak event look/feel to anathema? anything at all you can share rn? :)

Oh that is spoilers.

How many words do you estimate book 3 will be?

I am afraid to make a guess. Shorter than this one, this was nuts.

What kind of houses did the Rangers live in as kids? Did Herald’s family live in a mansion?? 

Ortega: In a classic one floor house, not extravagant, but solidly middle-class.

Argent: In a refurbished flat in a rather nice independent community.

Chen: In a slightly too cramped apartment in Queens, New York.

Herald: In a historic mansion in Brookline, Boston.

What’re the Rangers’ opinions on the police/LDPD?

A necessary evil, neither of them are too fond of them, their encounters often ends up in conflicting jurisdictions. But at this point in time, they think they do a decent job. That might change...

Would Sidestep’s Ljungstrand telepathic classification number (abilities development, etc) have gone through any changes between decantation and where they are now?

And if yes, which Events (nanosurge, HB, experimentation, etc.?) unlocked which abilities? 

They would have changed massively, and all of those events mentioned would have changed and unlocked new abilities.

So... Emberstorm... What was Lord Francis Ember up to before his glow up? Was he operating in LD or were the rangers on a mission in SF for sidestep to have fought him?

Emberstorm operated out of Los Diablos, and at the time he was basically an ambitious bank robber and worked on building his own organization. In a way, it's not unlike the situation that a Sidestep on the Boss path is in during Retribution.

How would Lord Ember react to an infamous, respected villain absolutely losing it over his one-sided grudge against Pyroclast, struggling not to laugh whenever they even think of him? Embarrassed? Angry? Would he get pissed off if they made jokes about it- especially to his face? 

Oh Lord Ember would be livid, he's sensitive about his reputation and dignity. It would be all the emotions above.

In addition to that, what would Hollow Ground think of the whole thing? Both of Ember’s grudge and Villain’s (slightly) mocking hysterics? 

Probably faintly amused, keeping a straight face, but remembering every detail for later retelling. Would definetly try to be the adult one.