villainy commenced [[1x1 w/ the-nug-king & hexspecs!]]

[the-nug-king]

"Yes. They said... some things about me having value. All right. Ignore any feelings of friendship you have towards me. Do you really think my life is worth more than his, and all the knowledge he is able to impart, and the things he will be able to invent? He was a renowned scholar and inventor, and one of the best teachers I've had."

[grey matter]

"I have little idea on how to do that but I can try... objectively... depending on the world you're coming from... uh, as awkward as it is to say it, the fact that you're a clone with variations from the one who gave your DNA is very worthy, and it'd seem like this is the sort of thing you study when the subject is alive because there are lots more mental than physical differences. Besides... all knowledge can be recorded and rediscovered eventually... but never in the exact same way. There will be variables... but yours seem quite valuable. And his... hm... have probably already been recorded. Is that satisfactory?"

[the-nug-king]

"Hmm. I hadn't considered that point of view. That's true. So I suppose... no. No. I don't think I'll actually be satisfied until someone tells me that my life has no value, and I am nothing. It's... always been easier to be nothing. If I am a person with value, that makes the way Maedryn treated me horrifying, and something I didn't deserve, and something that hurts me. It's better to be a tool, without any feelings, that doesn't object to being discarded when people wish it. Does that make sense?"

[grey matter]

"It does in a sense and... uh... well, in a cosmic sense, we're basically nothing, but that's not really a person telling you... and also, that'd make us all equal on nothingness, so I suppose it doesn't matter too much... but, um... is there anything inside you that doesn't want to be nothing? Like... anything at all?"

[the-nug-king]

"...Yes. Um. I'm sorry it's... difficult to focus. What should I ask you next?"

[grey matter]

"...Anything you feel like could help either of us. Any ideas what I should ask next?"

[the-nug-king]

"I suppose something similar. Although I think I have some... feelings... to process for the moment. So. Exactly what kind of advice do you need about Lazarus? Not that I'll necessarily be able to help."

[grey matter]

"I don't even know where to begin! I haven't been in a relationship like that before and I suddenly am and I am happy about it but very overwhelmed and very confused. Like... where do I even begin? Do I just do the same things as we used to but now with... romantic tension? Is there even romantic tension if we're aware of it? That's mostly rhetorical, but you can answer that if you wish."

[the-nug-king]

"I think continuing with what you used to do is a good start. I might also suggest kissing. And I think there can very much be romantic tension while you're aware of it. What do you want to do?"

[grey matter]

"In general or in relation to Lazarus? Well... something. I think that's where I'm shambling toward at the moment... I've got my plants almost ready... not to mention decent hopes for whatever this next year has to offer now that I've got you and Lazarus as... actually relationships that aren't 'vaguely defined rivals' and 'people who met in a hallway.' Do you have anything you want to do? Just in general?"