Prompt: Your character meets their world's most notorious villain. Will they become allies or archenemies?------
Stella leaned back into her chair, her eyes looking into the distance as she thought. Despite her furrowed brow, her small, almost smug smile did not leave her face. “Hmm... well, I guess it really depends.”
Hugo, sitting across from her, raised a brow. He had good (if not a bit stiff) posture, with his arms crossed in front of his chest and his back pressed against the back of the chair.
“While I can’t condone their actions,” she continued, leaning forward to rest her elbows on the table, “if they really, truly, desperately needed someone to talk to, I would definitely hear them out.”
Hugo frowned, but said nothing.
“In my opinion, everyone deserves to have someone to lend them an ear. You never know, just having a friend to talk to can change someone’s entire worldview.”
“…That’s true, but it would feel wrong to team up with a villain.”
Stella shook her head. “No, no, no; I’m not
teaming up with them to ‘take over the world’ or whatever,” she replied in a poor imitation of a well-known fairytale villain's voice, forming air quotes with her fingers. “I’m just saying that I think everyone deserves to be listened to.”
“…Even villains.” Hugo said.
“Even villains,” Stella echoes with a nod. “After all, leaving someone to struggle on their own would almost make
you the villain, would it not?”
After a pause, Hugo nodded. “You’re right. Sometimes it’s hard, but you’re right.”
“Of course I am,” she teased, her small smile now a cheerful grin. “Aren’t I always right?”
Hugo couldn’t help but smile back. “Of course you are.”