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

[grey matter]

"I would care for it. Now, do you mind if I ask the first question, or would you like to?"

[the-nug-king]

"Go ahead."

[grey matter]

"Do you consider us friends? I really need a better term in my head than 'affiliates.'"

[the-nug-king]

They hesitated, drawing a symbol onto the wall and prompting an access panel to emerge."That's a good question. It makes me want to tell the full truth." They started fiddling with the panel. "I don't consider us friends. I've managed to not consider us anything more than temporary allies. Because I am currently terrified and trying not to admit that I care about any more people than I have to, because if I admit to myself that I care about people, I have to worry even more than I currently am about the danger they're in from Maedryn." They sighed. "How do you feel about that answer?"

[grey matter]

"...Reasonable, considering the situation. Maybe, when this is all over... we can be friends on both sides. I'd try to convey to you how I consider us at least friends, but I think you already know how I feel. So, whenever you're ready for friendship, we can be friends." He smiled slightly. "Okay, well, what do you have to ask me?"

[the-nug-king]

"Thank you. For my question, why... What did I do to earn the loyalty you've shown me?"

[grey matter]

"Friendship...? I dunno, it's just kinda... natural, for me, really. It wasn't necessarily earned, and you don't really have to do much to keep it, and it... I don't know how to put it, but you just being around to talk... your general tolerance of me... the fact that in these last day we've somehow gone through so much together already... And the fact that we have quite a few things in common? I mean, that's a perfect set-up for me having a friendship with you. Not to mention there are some- some- I don't know how to put it here but there are some other things too," Lucas said. "Is that a suitable answer? I know, kind of a weakness to be so loyal to a fellow villain-esque, but it's what it's. Wait, er- It is what it is."

[the-nug-king]

"All right. Personally, I don't see loyalty as a weakness. But I could be wrong. Your question."

[grey matter]

"Would you leave the Academy if you could?"

[the-nug-king]

"Never. I have no desire to abandon DarkBoard. Do you think I should kill Maedryn?"