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Steris Appreciation Thread


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Sure, Steris is a bit stiff, but she's actually kinda nice.  She has a lovable sort of awkwardness. She tries, possibly too hard, to live up to expectations of others and carry the burdens of her family.
 

“You are what you choose to be, Waxillium,” she said. “As for these people here, and choices made by House Yomen, I did not make these rules. Nor do I approve of them; many are inconvenient. But it is the society in which we live. Therefore, I make of myself something that can survive in this environment.”

 

 

WeiryWriter was nice enough to transcribe a reading Brandon did of a rough, preliminary version of the prologue to Shadows of Self.

I figure I should write one of these things, the book read, To tell my side, not the side the historians will tell for me.  I doubt they’ll get it right.  I don’t know if I’d like them to anyhow.  Wax tapped the book with the end of his pencil and then scribbled out a note to himself on a separate page.

"I’m thinking of inviting the Borris Brothers to the wedding,” Steris said from the couch opposite the one Wax sat on.

He grunted, still reading.  I know Sazed doesn’t approve of what I’ve done, the book continued, but what did he expect me to do, knowing what I know?

“The Borris Brothers,” Steris considered, “They’re acquaintances of yours, aren’t they?”

“I shot their father,” Wax said, not looking up, ”Twice.”

I couldn’t let it die.  It’s not right.  Hemalurgy is good now I figure.  Sazed is both sides now. Right?  Ruin isn’t around anymore.

“Are they likely to try to kill you?” Steris asked.

“Borris Junior swore to drink my blood,” Wax said, “Borris the third, and yes he’s the brother of Junior... Don’t ask, swore to-- What was it?  Eat my toes?  He’s not a very clever man.”

We can use it, we should, shouldn’t we? the book read.

“I’ll just put them on the list then,” Steris said.

Wax sighed.  Looking up from the book, “You’re going to invite my mortal enemies to our wedding?”

“We have to invite someone,” Steris said.  She sat with her blonde hair up in a bun, stacks of paper for the wedding arrangements settled around her like subjects at court.  Her blue flowery dress was fashionable without being the least bit daring and her prim hat clung to her hair so tightly it might as well have been nailed in place.

“I’m sure there are better choices for invitation than people who want me dead,” Wax said, “I hear family members are traditional.”

“As a point of fact,” Steris said, “I believe your remaining family members actually do want you dead.”

She had him there.  “Well yours don’t.  Not that I’ve heard anyways.  If you need to fill out our wedding party, invite more of them.”

“I’ve invited all of my family as would be proper,” Steris said, “and all of my acquaintances that merit the regard.”  She reached to the side, taking out a piece of paper.  “You however, have only given me two names of people to invite.  Wayne and a women named Ranette.  Who you specifically noted wouldn’t try to shoot you at your own wedding. Probably.”

“It’s very unlikely,” Wax agreed, “she hasn’t tried to kill me in years.  Not seriously at least.”  Steris sighed, setting the sheet aside.  “Steris,” Wax said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be flippant.  Ranette will be fine.  We joke about her but she’s a good friend.  She won’t ruin the wedding, I promise.”

“Then who will?”

“Excuse me?”

“I’ve known you for the better part of a year now Lord Waxillium,” Steris said, “I can accept you for who you are.  But I’m under no illusions.  Something will happen at our wedding.  A villain will burst in guns firing, we’ll discover explosives at the altar, or someone will show up without an explanation  to assassinate you.  It will happen, I’m merely trying to prepare for it.”

“You’re serious, aren’t you?” Wax said, smiling, “You’re actually thinking of inviting one of my enemies so you can plan for a disruption.”

“I’ve sorted them by threat level and ease of access,” Steris said.

“Wait,” Wax said, rising and walking over.  He leaned down next to her, looking over her shoulder at the papers.  Each sheet contained a detailed biography. “Abe Danton.  The Dasher Boys.  Russ.  Rick Stranger? I forgot about him.  Where did you get these?”

“Your exploits are a matter of public record,” Steris said, “One which is increasingly of interest to people.”

“How long did you spend on this?” Wax asked, flipping through the pages in the stack.

“I wanted to be thorough.  This sort of thing helps me think.  Besides, I wanted to know what you had spent your life doing.”

That was actually kind of sweet, in a bizarre, Steris sort of way.

 

In complete honesty, it might just be that I like tsundere characters.  Although we haven't seen much dere from her, mostly just tsun, which is within acceptable limits.

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Well, Steris *is* nice, and one of the easier to understand people in the series :) Smart, too. Reminds me of myself, when I was younger, only better. I protest her being classified as tsundere, though. So far she didn't demonstrate any hostility and traits associated with "tsun"  whatsoever.

Edited by Satsuoni
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Tsuns don't have to be hostile and violent, cold and aloof work just fine.  I'm actually a little bit annoyed at all the overly violent tsuns.  Not as much as some people though.  You know, the people who constantly complain about Louise (Zero no Tsukaima, which I never finished) and Mikoto (To Aru Majutsu, which I'm up to date on, and To Aru Railgun, which I am not).

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Perhaps my perception on what it means to be tsundere has been tainted, but Steris isn't "hurtful" enough to really qualify for it. She just does her thing in a very matter-of-fact, straightforward way; she isn't particularly distant, she's just so happens to not be where you are.

Edited by Kurkistan
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Recall that "Harmony" is still, for all intents and purposes, Sazed. He hasn't been messed with by his Shards' Intents yet, and won't be for quite awhile. His personality might have changed due to his godlike perspective, but not through anything (more) unnatural.

So beyond thoughts I've touched on before that "Harmony" is more productive than truly balanced (so perhaps disposed against end-negative magics), Sazed might have some slight moral or prejudicial issues with using Hemalurgy, what with his past experiences with it and its soul-ripping/twisting and mild murder.

Edited by Kurkistan
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@CN She doesn't even seem to be aloof, per se. Just... logical. I mean, if you have autobiography, what better way to tell about yourself? I don't have one, and have to suppress the desire to tell everything every time I am asked that stupid question, recognizing it as social faux pas (the desire, that is). If you went to the trouble of getting one, however, referring to it is only right and proper on the occasion.

 

Neither is she "dere", at any moment I can think of. Her personality seems, in fact, remarkably stable even in highly stressful situations (yes, I remember the aroused part).

Edited by Satsuoni
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Totally OT, but anybody wondering why Harmony, a shard of balance, is against using hemalurgy?

 

Harmony.

Hemalurgy, it is called, because of the connection to blood. It is not a coincidence, I believe, that death is always involved in the transfer of powers via Hemalurgy. Marsh once described it as a "messy" process. Not the adjective I would have chosen. It's not disturbing enough.

 

Hemalurgy is a power about which I wish I knew far less. To Ruin, power must have an inordinately high cost—using it must be attractive, yet must sow chaos and destruction in its very implementation. In concept, it is a very simple art. A parasitic one. Without other people to steal from, Hemalurgy would be useless.

 

For all that it disgusts me, I cannot help but be impressed by Hemalurgy as an art.

 

He finds it disturbing, parasitic, chaotic, destructive, yet impressive.

 

His dislike of it is clear. Hemalurgy is not a power of balance in most cases. It is a way to unbalance things.

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Marsh knows as well as we do that TLR, within only a few hours of holding a Sliver of Preservation and a few whisperings of Ruin, was able to create three different races using Hemalurgy, one of which was actually benign with very little in the way of mental damage. I imagine that, if anything, Marsh is asking about making a new race. I mean, Sazed brought back the Kandra, and uses the earrings, so he clearly is willing to make some comprimises where the system is concerned. Granted, those were probably existing spikes, but the fact that he used them is something. Unless there are afterlife consequences. I see no problem with spiking the dying or the criminal in order to create a Kandra or something else of century-long design.

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There were literally over a million koloss spikes lying around right after the ascension.

 

I believe I mentioned that. By now they're probably hemalurgically useless, but it does make me wonder: Did Sazed make anything new while they were still good? If not, why not?

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Probably not enough to make a Kandra, and the quote seems to imply an aversion to Hemalurgy in general. Sazed seems to be against "Saving it", whatever Marsh saved. So the real question is, did he use Hemalurgy to store personality, or did he spike it to give pewter? (And if the latter, was it a used one or a new one?).

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What I'm interested in is why Marsh gave Wax a book about Hemalurgy right after he got involved with his uncle. Could they be breeding not to have an army of allomancers, but to sacrifice the babies for Hemalurgic spikes? 

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Steris is not a tsundere. Tsundere's will belligerently and vehemently abuse you before making sweet love to you. Steris just shows indifference and exasperation towards Wax, which is nothing indicative of tsun-tsun. If you want a true tsundere character have a look at Taiga from Toradora, or Revy from Black Lagoon. Hell, I imagine even Ranette could turn out to be one if she takes Wayne up on his googly eyes, she certainly likes shooting people from what we've heard, especially Wax and Wayne.

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@Lyrebon, I don't think a tsundere has to be hostile, cold works just fine for the label.  Also, Ranette is a lesbian.  Also, you could argue that Rock is just as much a tsundere as Revy is.  It might be why their relationship seems to progress so slowly. 

 

Alloy of Law end of book scene, Spoiler tagged for space.

“You did,” she said, face impassive. “Assuming you still wish to proceed with our nuptials.”

“It wouldn’t matter either way. Besides, I thought we weren’t to that point yet. We haven’t even announced that we are seeing one another.”

“Yes, though I believe we can now amend our previous timetable. You see, a dramatic rescue such as you have effected will be expected to create an outpouring of my emotions. What once might have been a scandal will instead be viewed as romantic. We could plausibly announce an engagement next week and have it be accepted in high society without concern or comment.”

“That’s good, I suppose.”

“Yes. Shall I proceed with our contract, then?”

“You don’t mind that I’ve returned to the miscreant ways of my past?”

“I rather think that I would soon be dead if you had not,” Steris said. “I am not in a position to complain.”

“I intend to continue,” Waxillium warned. “Not every day, patrolling a beat or anything like that. But I’ve received a forbearance—and an offer—to be involved in constabulary business in the city. I plan to take on the occasional problem that needs extra attention.”

“Every gentleman needs a hobby,” she said evenly. “And, considering the self-indulgences of some men I’ve known, this wouldn’t be problematic by comparison.” She leaned forward. “In short, my lord, I see you for what you are. The two of us, we are beyond the points in our lives where expecting the other to change would be realistic. I will accept this about you if you will accept me. I am not without my faults, as my previous three suitors chose to explain to me—at length—in written communication.”

“I hadn’t realized.”

“It is not an issue worthy of your attention, really,” she said. “Though I did think that you’d have realized I did not come to this potential union without—no offense—a measure of desperation.”

“I understand.”

Steris hesitated; then a bit of her coldness seemed to depart. Some of her control, her steely will, fell away. She looked tired, suddenly. Worn. Though behind that mask, he saw something that might have been affection for him. She clasped her hands before her. “I am not … good with people, Lord Waxillium. I realize it. I must stress, however, that you have my thanks for what you have done. I speak it from the depths of all that I am. Thank you.”

Even the book describes her as being "cold" up until that last paragraph.  And if you wanted summarize that whole exchange and make it more tsundere-like:

Steris: "Let's get engaged now, it wouldn't be a big deal anymore since you saved me and stuff, not that we have to, if you don't want to...?"

 

Despite all this, I still think it's possible that Steris won't end up with Wax and that Marasi will instead, but I don't want that to happen.  I'm still going with my statement from way back when Alloy of Law sample chapters came out and say that Marasi would be a good match for Wayne.  Then Way and Wayne would literally be brothers (in law).

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I always kinda felt what she says there at the end - particularly the "You see, a dramatic rescue such as you have effected will be expected to create an outpouring of my emotions" part - was Steris actually feeling that outpouring of emotions.  But being Steris, she distances herself from it.   I think she genuinely has a mega hero crush on Wax, at this point, and just hides it.

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  • 3 years later...

I know this is an old thread, but I have only read "Alloy of Law" (from the second series) and I don't want to find spoilers.

I just finished "The Alloy of Law" and was just wondering if anyone liked Steris as much as I did.

I mean, it's not that I don't like the other characters, or Marasi. I just happened to like Steris a lot, and I really would like to see more of her.

She is very cold and under control (most of the time, now we know she can be aroused), but she is also intelligent (she gives a very good briefing to Wax when they enter the wedding reception) and actually nice. She has a lovely beautiful younger half-sister, and she takes her everywhere where her new fiancé is going to be, because she knows said lovely sister admires the man! Despite having been dumped about three times.

I know Marasi is charming too, but as for marriage material, at the end of the book, when Wax was wondering why he had chosen Steris instead of Marasi... And I thought "well, first of all, because Steris is a catch as a wife, and secondly, because with Steris you can also be with Marasi!"

I also think that she's very capable of feeling, both arousal and romance, and I really, really ended up wishing things to work right between her and Wax. Yes, Marasi is more beautiful, and younger, and also very interesting. But I find Steris also very intelligent, and I actually find her social awkwardness quite endearing.

In short, I ship Wax + Steris. However, I have noting against Wax + Steris + Marasi. After all, Wax has permission already, and if Steris could feel jealousy she wouldn't have made the social bluff of bringing Marasi to meet her husband-to-be.

I guess Brandon could have taken the easy way and made Steris completely dislikable, so Marasi would shine beside her. I like how he made Steris, a secondary character and secondary love interest (well a non-love interest at all) actually intelligent, nice, apparently good-hearted, and in her own way, "adorkable". I loved how she was able to break her social conditioning and in the end she changed "OK, you like going out on adventures... great". It feels she's letting herself loose, and I liked that a lot. She was changed (very naturally) by her ordeal. So she learns from her mistakes and is not a complete square-head, just so socially inept that she tries to compensate with logic and planification.

I hope to see more of her, and if I can see more of her letting her hair down I'll be very happy.

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Thank you, I will! I'm waiting because I'm scared of beginning a trilogy and then not getting the rest of the books soon enough... I read the first Mistborn trilogy at once. Imagine what would have been needing to stop just after the end of "Well of Ascension" :(:(:(

Still, I want to keep on reading, so I'll take the risk and trust Sanderson's work ethics. At the rate he publishes, it doesn't seem it'll take a lot of time for us to have the books. :-)  Thanks for the answer!

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4 minutes ago, Kingsdaughter613 said:

It'll probably be a 2018 release for TLM.

Couldn't Brandon work on this in between drafts on SA 3? These are shorter, easier books perhaps 2017 is still possible? He wrote Shadows of self and Bands of Morning swiftly last year...

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