BK   hey.

BK   you know viktorias busy today, right?

He jumps to a standing position, wielding a remote as if it's a sword. You feel your heartbeat quicken, and you pray to the gods that he's just bluffing.

PL   >-E-eh?!-<

PL   >-Stay out of my way, civilian!-<

PL   >-I have important villainous matters to attend to-<

You give a sideways glance into the bag. If it's something that needs to be assembled in the open like this, it'll be a pain to take care of. So, diplomacy it is.

BK   oh, im sure.

BK   very evil.

PL   >-Yes-<

BK   but im serious. i saw her go out of town.

BK   she wont be back until at least tomorrow. i heard.

BK   some kind of business trip.

PL   >-What?!-<

PL   >-As if! Shed never miss any of my brilliance, not \once\-<

You stifle your laughter with your most serious face.

BK   im sorry, villain i have no particular relation with.

BK   i wont stop you from trying.

BK   but i think itd be a waste of effort and resources.

BK   those supers... they have those important meetings they cant get out of, you know?

Fortunately, your tone seems persuasive enough. He bristles, then visibly deflates, groaning into his palm.

PL   >-Curses, of course shed pick such an inopportune time-<

PL   >-Doesnt she know what a pain it is?-<

PL   >-Gathering materials, sneaking away from...-<

You feel compelled to correct him - that it's him who is the bigger inconvenience - but you hold your tongue.

PL   >-Drat. Whats the point?-<

PL   >-Ill save all this for tomorrow, then-<

PL   >-Maybe devote more time to-<

PL   >-...-<

PL   >-Wait a hexasecond-<

He shoots you a suspicious glare.

PL   >-Why would a random civilian approach me-<

PL   >-And try to \convince\ me out of my schemes?-<

PL   >-Unless-<

PL   >-Youre in cahoots with the supers?-<

BK   m-me?

BK   im just getting groceries.

BK   i had no idea id be, um, seeing a villain on the streets today.

Honesty seems to help, as his glare lessens. But he's still on guard.

PL   >-Fair enough-<

PL   >-But that doesnt mean you can be trusted-<

PL   >-After all, \you\ saw exactly what contraptions I have on hand-<

PL   >-You could rat me out!-<

PL   >-The supers, the police... who knows who you could go to?-<

He's reaching into his bag, and you swallow.

BK   i wouldnt do that.

BK   im just on my way home.

PL   >-And how do I know that for \sure?!\-<

BK   because...

BK   ...

BK   because i promise.

You set aside your bag and take your pinky out.

BK   pinky promise.

BK   honor system.

PL   >-...-<

You never knew he was capable of staying silent for so long. He gives you such a strange look that your apprehension is morphing into embarassment.

BK   okay, maybe that was too corny.

BK   i couldnt think of anything else. this is what id do with my -

PL   >-What is that?-<

BK   huh?

BK   this?

You bend your pinky helpfully.

BK   the smallest finger.

BK   now, you take your pinky out and loop it against -

PL   >-Dont patronize me! I know what youre referring to-<

BK   oh.

BK   sorry. of course you do.

He nods, narrowing his eyes in thought.

PL   >-Yes, Pinkys Promise-<

PL   >-Certainly a product of a great Lord Pinky-<

PL   >-But this is the first I’m hearing about it adhering to such a system-<

PL   >-It must be truly medieval, perhaps of old nobility?-<

BK   adhering to...

PL   >-If you know anything about me, civilian, you know that Im a being of infinite knowledge-<

PL   >-So, once I put my mind to it, I can figure out what this blasted-<

BK   you dont know about the honor system?

He frowns, ego wounded.

PL   >-Of course I know it!-<

PL   >-Are you asking to get wrapped around a telephone pole, civilian?-<

BK   okay.

BK   then, what is it?

PL   >-Eh-<

PL   >-Well...-<

PL   >-It sounds like a binding contract-<

PL   >-Surely, youre trying to entrap me, civilian!-<

BK   no, the honor system is when you follow your moral compass.

BK   like how breaking a pinky promise is wrong. so you can trust me to do as i say.

PL   >-Trust you-<

BK   yes. ill keep my word.

PL   >-Your sincerity is palpable-<

PL   >-So, you are a strong proponent of this \system\-<

You nod with conviction. Even if you've been misleading him about certain things, you focus your performance on what you truly believe.

BK   nothing is earned without honor.

PL   >-So, you arent deceiving me?-<

BK   i...

BK   i promise that im putting convenience in mind, over everything.

BK   and that includes yours.

PL   >-I see-<

It's odd, seeing him be so civil and understanding. Does Viktoria's presence just make him worse? That's a frightening thought. But what's more frightening is this seemingly normal person in front of you, simply trying to grasp a concept that most children are taught naturally. You wonder if all he needs is...

PL   >-Follow-up question-<

BK   huh?

BK   id rather not tell you my name - thatd complicate things -

PL   >-I care not for your identity, civilian-<

PL   >-Even if you have been most cooperative-<

PL   >-What I mean is-<

PL   >-What is a \moral compass?\-<

Your hand, which has been raised with pinky extended this whole time, lowers back down to your side.

BK   maybe this is a conversation for another time.