#graham bates

[hardtochews]

DANNY YOU NEED TO LOCK IN graham’s gonna make you regret not stretching properly!!!

[hardtochews]

Question for your steps if you're still accepting them, for any or all of them. What's their favorite memory? c:

100% still accepting them!! Had to really think for this question, thank you :}

• Graham's (they/he)— It's a toss up between two memories.

1) There's the first time they ate something sweet (sugar vice moment!!), which they ended up naming themself after. Post-first Farm escape, hiding out in one of the worse areas of LD: ended up getting a pack of cinnamon-sugar graham crackers in a trade they made with some fellow homeless, & ate them afterwards. It was an emotionally layered/complicated moment since thinking about what they've "missed out on" due to being a Regene really upsets them. But ultimately the sheer surprise and delight won out and really stuck with him. I think on the official wiki there's also mention somewhere of Step having canonically cried in public when eating a greasy burger and fries for the very first time? :')

2) Then there's the memory of Nazar/Pyroclast teaching Step how to dance while out clubbing (which I think is also on the wiki page for Step). Both memories were really happy & formative moments for Graham.

• Kris (she/her)— Maybe not the very first Rangers hangout she got dragged along to, but one of the next few. Was super hesitant at first until Julia persuaded her to go again, and she ended up having a GREAT time playing poker. She was banned from playing afterwards because she got too excited competitive, but she really started feeling comfortable around the others & like she was a part of something at that point. She stole a single poker chip as a memento, which Julia found among her things when cleaning out her apartment post-HB.

• Margot (they/them)— They have a strong memory left from their AI chip, and is aware it's not "theirs" but remembers it often all the same: quietly sitting on a porch swing somewhere in the rural Midwest, pre-Big One. Both watching and listening to the wind rustle through the tallgrass all while being rocked by it in the swing. It was very mesmerizing and soothing. They're still unsure whether repeatedly recalling that memory was where they learned to dissociate as a way to decompress or not. But the memory definitely contributes to their smoking vice in some unexplainable way.

I don't think I know Cameron and Erin well enough to answer this one for them, so I may have to come back to this after their actual playthrus :)

[hardtochews]

it hadn't even occurred to me how graham initially keeping their hair short post-HB and getting facial piercings in book 2 probably makes them look so much more like hollow ground compared to their longhaired, babyfaced sidestep days...... what kind of complex do you guys think that gives ortega

[hardtochews]

>>play a thief!sidestep with anger motivation

>>consequently can never decide whether their villain name should be vandal or vitriol

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Hi there, would love to hear more about your steps please!! So questions 31, 10 and 33 for Graham please! <3

Cannot believe I forgot and let this sit in my askbox for so long omg, forgive me!!! Digging to find the original askgame took me a hot minute but here we are!

31. If they could have any pet, what would it be?

Graham secretly adores animals, and will always make an effort to at least get along with all of them, even though he still finds large dogs discomforting to be around. They're the type to immediately gravitate to whatever pet is at a house party and spend more time with it than the other guests. Very little real preference, even though I do think they'd be especially delighted by a day-gecko. But whether it was a household pet belonging to a partner and/or a pet of their own, they would put SO much time and energy into making sure whatever animals they live with are happy & properly taken care of. Very likely would spend a lot of time volunteering at some kind of local wildlife rehab center if they survive post-canon.

10. How many pillows do they sleep with?

Countless! Listen, they spend so much time bedridden from their migraines that it may as well be high-quality time spent with a good amount of cushion. Pillows aren't just for one's head but are to be tucked under sore necks and shoulders after spending hours hunched over their work, or the odd knee acting up, etc. etc. There is also an equally innumerable number of blankets— they like to practically almost burrow inside a very large pile of them and their pillows. Ideally, you can't see them when they sleep and they can't see you. They're the biggest blanket hog you've ever met but that usually isn't a problem since they're also secretly a huge cuddler. It's your fault if you choose to share a bed with him.

33. What's their favorite room in their home (if they have one)?

Honestly his entire apartment is his favorite due to all the adjustments he's made to help prevent/recover from his migraines and accommodate all the demanding sensory needs. It's a nigh sacred space at that point. Full blackout curtains for every window if needed, and low, warmly lit lamps and sconces scattered throughout. Soundblocking material on any walls shared with their neighbors. On the days where all the curtains are drawn, it feels a bit like you're in a cave with torches lol. But if genuinely forced to pick one single room, Graham would go for their living room. It's nice to have a large, open space where they don't need to be on their guard. And they adore their double-papasan couch; it was a rare splurge-purchase, and they've taken some great naps on that thing.

[hardtochews]

Heyy 💦 and 😍 for Kris and Graham please! :3

An EXCELLENT question selection thank you!! I still have a previous ask from you sitting in my inbox that I completely forgot about, that one's next!!

💦 : Is your OC’s attractiveness based on looks or a more intangible aura?

Graham (they/he): Mix of both, and that mix varies depending on the day/how he's feeling. Baseline pretty decent-looking, maybe a 6 or 7 looks-wise. But when the cuckoo training has been turned on, they're at their most attractive. The put-upon charisma is deadly. Body language, voice, smile, etc. etc. all systems go— people who knew Norma Jean have talked about how she could just suddenly embody the celebrity persona of Marilyn Monroe instantly, becoming an entirely different yet deeply charming, attractive person within a few seconds. It's just like that. A bit surreal to witness. There's a complete 10 in front of you, and how did you never notice this about them until now?

Kris (she/her): Entirely looks (for now)! She's truly awkward yet sweet on the inside, but for safety reasons often telepathically manipulates her aura to keep people away. Intimidating, like seeing a real supermodel in public. Wow, she's probably busy, you shouldn't bother her...

😍 : What does your OC find irresistible in others?

Kris can't say no to someone who is always super open/earnest and direct. They say what they mean and mean what they say— telepathically these people feel very refreshing and safe to be around. She's also deeply envious of those traits, wishing she could be that way herself, so if someone like that happens to actually like her, she's very pleased. Danny seeking her out was like an apology gift box wrapped in ribbon from the universe.

As for Graham, they are a total sucker for 1) casual physical affection, and 2) when someone makes them feel special/deliberately considered without it being a big spectacle of some kind. Danny being a gentleman and casually pulling out their chair for them during the dinner date, plus Ortega being super skilled at making someone feel like they're the only person who matters when talking to them... whew, way to make Graham's resolve weaken a bit. He's gotten very skilled at hiding his reactions as time goes on (secret crush route!) but in the early Sidestep-era days, baby was struuuuuggling not to visibly fluster and fall apart on the regular. Oh no, this person is paying you SPECIAL attention, oh no... somehow, miraculously, you don't hate it... this could be bad... oh no... (0.01% actual resistance)

[hardtochews]

15 for graham, 23 for kris and 30 for margot for the soft asks? c:

This was so fun, I loved these questions!!! Thanks again :3

• Graham — What (kind or specific) outfit do they feel most comfortable with?

Well, really the tattoos are keeping him from living his best life as nearly a wholeass nudist LMAO. Sensory issues that have only intensified over the years now make it so that most clothing irritates the shit out of him. They DREAM of the day where they finally don't have to wear a shirt outside, or when they can wear shorts instead of full-length pants... barely anything sits on the skin right anymore unless the fabric is super light/thin, and they often feel hyper-aware of how their clothing is touching them. Anything with super synthetic fabric, or anything that is super tight/form-fitting, can go straight to the burn pile.

The ideal outfit for when they are obligated to wear something would be some cotton/linen harem or dropcrotch pants, or shorts maybe, with a light duster of some kind/a button-up worn as a jacket. NO actual shirt or socks if he can help it!!

• Kris— Do they like having their hair played with?

If it's not currently styled, or is at least very loosely styled, then yes! But if she's clearly put in a lot of effort into how she's wearing her hair that day, she'd be mildly annoyed by your decision to touch it. Don't mess it up please; she spent so much time on it! And good hairspray is expensive!! (It's already enough that she has to deal with helmet hair after wearing the suit...)

• Margot— What's their favorite animal?

Pangolins/anteaters. Margot finds the long tongue that they use to eat bugs especially silly and delightful. Blehhhh 👅