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

[grey matter]

"...well, for one, there's the dealings of the will..." Lucas said. "My parents did not know of my planned... uh... uprising. They probably mentioned me in there... and it has the potential to be useful. Not to mention the fact that my sisters and I... may be united in the state of relief. Is that unwise of me?"

-
"...Forgive my potentially horrible groveling skills. Ahem... O, great Cazenar Vampyroteuthilda, your... name is really fun to say over and over again. And... eh, hold on, I don't think I can properly grovel with my scarf in the way, I don't want it getting dirty if I'm supposed to be on the floor... which, with groveling's meaning... I think I probably should be?" He started folding his scarf up and tucked it under his left arm before waiting for a response.

[the-nug-king]

"I think you should be prepared for trouble, when you go. But that's good advice for all situations. I don't know your sisters, or how they'll react. Be aware that it might go badly, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have any hope at all. How do you feel about my plan to stabilise some of Inamonth?"

*
"Oh, this is excellent, good work, minion! Yes, on the floor, and tell me how amazing I am!"

[grey matter]

"It sounds good to me, but I suppose Lazarus is in charge of that... He'd probably go for it though, he loves Inamonth in spite of how... weird it is. What do you have planned, anyways?"

-

"Hmm..." he sat down on the floor, not even kneeling or anything, just sitting. By his logic, this would fit the definition just fine. "You... make a very good entrance! And... no, that's redundant... um... You give... decent compliments! Even though I have no knowledge about your rivalry, I am sure it is a great one!"

[the-nug-king]

"Narrative building blocks. They won't change what fundamentally makes Inamonth Inamonth, but they should fill in any plot holes and stop things becoming too nonsensical. Does that sound all right?"

*
Cazenar gave a dreamy sigh. "It is the greatest rivalry ever known. I would go to the ends of the earth to destroy him... Right, enough grovelling! Time to announce my triumphant return to the rest of the school, minion!"

[grey matter]

"That sounds... ideal! I'm almost certain Lazarus would agree to that... of what poems of his are fiction... they've got some nice world building. Are you letting him decide those?"

-

Lazarus got up and put his scarf back on. "That rivalry sounds... quite ideal!" He wanted to argue against the point of it being the greatest... his rivalry was much better in his opinion, but he needn't say that now. He gave his scarf a confident swish to make sure it stayed on just right. "So, what are we doing? Splitting up? Just going in somewhere and announcing? What's the plot?"

[the-nug-king]

"Well, obviously I'll need some input from the residents. Hmm. Is there anything else bothering you? Other than your family situation?"

*
"You can walk ahead of me, announcing my presence. And taking my bag!" He gestured to the large suitcase next to him. If we head towards the Great Hall, I'm sure Aurion will end up hearing about my return, and then come and challenge me."

[grey matter]

"...I have this weird feeling about Lazarus- n-not the normal weird ones, mind you! The ones where you have the suspicious feeling someone's up to something, y'know? I have no clue why I am thinking about that, but I am. Maybe it's because he asked me for those potatoes...? No, no, probably not that. Uh- sorry. Just thinking aloud. Is there anything you want to talk about."

-

"Uh, do you mind if I put your suitcase into... argh, can't remember the proper term for it, but... hammerspace? That'd make it easier for the both of us... especially considering I'll be rolling. If we're trying to draw attention, than it's best for me to be rolling. And, finally... do you mind me watching your duel, if that's what you're having? I wouldn't try to get involved, of course, rivalries are sacred, but... I could use some new ideas and strategies for my own rivalry." He picked up the suitcase, waiting for Cazenar's response.

[the-nug-king]

"Hmm. I'm afraid I can't really help with Lazarus, but I will point out, you are in a relationship based on trying to duel and one-up each other. You should be probably be prepared for some ridiculous kind of competition. I... I am content to keep talking about what will help you. Oh! And I want to thank you for the binder. It's incredible. I'm wearing it now, and I was able to work out with it on, and safely... I really don't know how to thank you. Oh, and in future, feel free to discuss... such things in front of Lazarus. As for my question I have been wondering... I do not have many friends, I was wondering what kind of... life details you consider it socially appropriate for friends to share with one another? I have no wish to hide things from you but I am aware that I am often not the most open of individuals."

*

"Oh, yes, excellent!" Cazenar beamed. "I've tried my best with it, but it really can be unsightly, my minion will look far better rolling along without lugging a suitcase behind him! It is him, isn't it? You never said. Make sure you roll dramatically! How are you managing the rolling? Can it work with heels? And as for you watching... that depends on the kind of duel my dear nemesis would prefer. If it turns out to be the public, building-destroying kind, I shall be sorely displeased if you don't watch. If it's to be a more private affair, I couldn't possibly allow him to be put off by your presence."

[grey matter]

"Oh, you're very welcome! If you know anyone who might want one, feel free to direct them to me. I'm absolutely willing to make more. And, that's good to know. For me, it's more... I don't usually tell them until there's some trust or a scenario that requires me to reveal it. As for general life details, whatever you feel is appropriate is fine... It varies from person to person, I suppose. There are certain things I'd share with you but not Lazarus, and things I'd share with Lazarus but not you... but in general... hm. I don't have many friends either, I don't know how good I'll be at thinking about this in other, more theoretical contexts. I mean... we already have secrets between us, so I think we're on a level of... closer friends? I don't know if it'd be 'best' or not, but I... like being open with you? I... I'm not sure how to answer the question. Do you want examples or... something with more aim?"

-

Lazarus tucked the suitcase under his scarf. "Should be secure in there... and yes, it's him, is it that for you as well? Oh, and these are, well, heelyboots. Jackboot heelys, if you've heard of heelys. They're just wheels in the bottom of the shoe. And... I have no idea if it would work with heels, I'd have to ask my cousin. She's the one who adapted them for boots... and I can understand that, on the dueling thing. Some duels simply must be kept private, I agree! You know, I think I could get used to this whole minion thing! We have quite a lot in common, seemingly..." he said, preparing to dramatically roll. "Oh, and trust me, I know how to dramatically roll! I'll just have to make sure I don't fall over while going backwards. Otherwise... I'd have to... try to fall with style, or something."

[[GAH I HAD AN IDEA OF LAZARUS MAKING A FEW BATCHES OF A DISH (IN THIS CASE CURRY) AND WANTING TO TEST IT ON SOMEONE BEFORE TESTING IT ON LUCAS SO HE MIGHT TRY ASKING CAZ AAAAANDUALZHSOAK FRIENDSHIP/MINIONSHIP/WHATEVER THE HECK THIS IS]]

[the-nug-king]

Three nodded. "Well, you actually know most of my secrets, anyway. Which is useful. I've been wondering if I should be more open with Aurion about certain things, but I think he'd struggle with that as much as I would. And Val is... complicated. Examples may help. And there is... last time we played this game, and I asked you about whether I should tell DarkBoard something they already knew... do you, uh... do you have any idea what that was?"

*

"Mmm, I am very much a man, yes. Please do ask your cousin. Oh, and the heels are extendable, if that makes a difference." He suddenly seemed to grow several inches. "Perfect for looming! And towering over my nemesis! Now! Roll, my minion!"

((They are Good! Cazenar is a vampire so non-blood food is weird for him and he won't actually be able to give helpful feedback at all, but he'll still totally try the curry if Lazarus wants, and then give Incredibly Unhelpful feedback. Probably also if Lazarus doesn't want.))