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

[the-nug-king]

"Continue to serve DarkBoard, and Professor Ulik. And to not want things for myself. Do you consider me a tool or a person?"

[grey matter]

"A person. I don't even know how I could see you as a tool... Why do you ask?"

[the-nug-king]

"Because despite my best efforts, I may be starting to consider myself a person too. It's quite terrifying. How would you feel if you killed your parents?"

[grey matter]

"Wonderful question. I still feel horrific amounts of obligation toward them but it's nudging itself away. I'm pretty sure I'd inherit a decent amount of the estate, considering my sisters have their own things going on... I might end up with the mansion if they have their own property and don't want it, which seems about right... I mean, I'm trying to pinpoint how it'd feel, since I've... hm. Somewhere from indifference to wishing it could've gone differently but it didn't to general emotion pain to relief in having nothing else to explain to them, ever. Oh, and actually killing them would seem... quite difficult. Now, I have no clue how much my sisters resent or care about my parents... but if I think back to the times they were in the house... my eldest sister only ever really worked when she was around, and the other was also pushed quite hard... but I think they at least treated her the best out of us three. But best doesn't mean good. It's almost as if our age-roles were swapped... hm. It might bring us back together in an awkward way if I killed them, but... if all goes well, it'd be nice not to be so estranged. Perhaps if I could... plan it with them, but... again, I have little memory of them being around me. They were too busy. Sorry for going on a tangent... um... how are you feeling at the moment with all that's happened so far?"

[the-nug-king]

Three nodded. "Not... not good. I mean, I'm desperately relieved I've been able to protect people from her. I'd always make the same decision if I was there again. She tried to hurt DarkBoard and I wanted her dead for it. And, well. Maybe it's best that she can't hurt me either, any more. But I miss her. Desperately. I still care about her, and I keep remembering the good times. And... I think it was such a waste. She could have been incredible. She was a hero once, you know. She defended her galaxy and was renowned for it. She thought she could do more as a villain. But she was so clever, and so passionate... she could have done anything if she'd put her mind to it. I wish things had gone another way." They sighed. "I think you should speak to your sisters, in any case. What are they doing now? Did they go to the Academy?"

[grey matter]

"Well, I think most of their teachings came directly from my parents, but if I remember right... they're alumni... Ashley, the eldest, is some kinda... CEO of an evil corporation, though I haven't been keeping up with what they do. I think Juniper is freelance... a lot of heists and whatnot, particularly artifacts and art... I think they had other things they wanted to do as well... But here we are." Lucas sighed. "Do you think this'd risk too much? Talking to them?"

[the-nug-king]

"Well. I don't think you should start off with "Hello, would you like to help kill our parents?" But you could... at least reach out and see how they are. If you wanted. If it goes badly, you don't have to continue. What are you most worried will happen, if you speak to them?"

[grey matter]

"...well... One, I'm worried we'll all be too distant and awkward to have a decent conversation. Two, I'm scared they'll be too on the side of our parents. Three... Ugh, I dread coming out to them. I don't need them to use it as ammunition if the conversation turns sour. But, I need to eventually if we're going to have a decent relationship... I've got to tell them eventually because I just... I can't go on like that. Four... I don't want to make things worse between us. Nothingness is better than anger between us, considering they're quite... threatening, mostly Ashley. She's practically got an army... but no risk reaps no reward, I guess, but too much risk can topple the whole reward tower... Um..." He hesitated for a moment, realizing this topic was also something of a fresh wound for Three. "Do you have... anyone you consider family, other than Maedryn?"

[the-nug-king]

"Well, you will be protected at the Academy, if it comes to that. I have no other family, to my knowledge. Maedryn never mentioned any family, and I have no interest in seeking them out, if they exist. I have other people I would rather spend time with. Are you scared by how much Lazarus might care about you?"

[grey matter]

"...Yes. I don't know how much he does. It could risk multiple things and could bring disaster if he ends up caring about me too much... or if I manage to care about him too much, somehow. But... y'know... it is nice having him around. Do you think it'll be mostly smooth - er, as smooth as it can get - sailing from here?"