Jun 2, 2025
I often think about Sidestep back at the Farm, waiting day by day for Ortega to show up. Counting each setting sun and rising moon and patiently waiting. Because Ortega’s always had their back — even if they’re always just a bit late, what’s a third-act climax without a bit of suspense? Will they? Won’t they?
But it’s not one of those action films the two of them so frequently loved to poke fun at, and Sidestep is taken apart and put back together more times than they can count and Ortega still hasn’t arrived. And finally they realise that nobody is coming for them. And the worst part is that it’s entirely true.
#aether.txt#I used to think sidestep poking fun at ortega being late all the time was just lighthearted jab#but I’m pretty sure they’ll resent them for it until the day they die#Ortega saved them every time except for when it actually mattered#I think sidestep would have preferred dying to psychopathor or even the void than going to back to the Farm#replaying rebirth and getting to the diner meeting hold soooooo much more weight after retribution#HORRIBLEEEEE#fhr
