BK   hey.

BK   you know viktorias busy today, right?

He jumps to a standing position and thrusts the remote forward like a sword. Your heartbeat quickens. If the gods are truly merciful, he's merely bluffing.

PL   >-Who do you think youre talking to?-<

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.

BK   villainous matters?

PL   >-Yes-<

BK   i can see that.

BK   very evil.

PL   >-Frighteningly so-<

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

BK   she wont be back until at least tomorrow. some kind of business trip.

BK   thats what i heard.

PL   >-As if! That cant be right-<

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

You stifle your laughter with a cough.

BK   im sorry, mr villain.

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

BK   even their greatest enemies would have to wait a bit.

PL   >-...-<

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

BK   dont you?

He bristles, then deflates, groaning into his palm.

PL   >-Curses, curses!-<

PL   >-Of course shed pick such an inopportune time-<

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

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

You want to correct him - that it's he 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 the logistics-<

PL   >-Sharpen up the-<

PL   >-...-<

PL   >-Wait a hexasecond-<

His eyes narrow at you.

PL   >-Why would a random civilian-<

PL   >-Approach me with no fear in their eyes-<

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

BK   ...

BK   you know, insurance gets really expensive whenever you -

PL   >-Unless...!-<

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

BK   m-me?

BK   with heroes? thats a stretch.

PL   >-Is that really true?-<

BK   im doing civilian things. im out doing chores.

BK   its all a coincidence.

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

You helpfully lift your groceries. Honesty lessens his glare, but he's still on guard.

PL   >-Hmm-<

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?-<

PL   >-Its all aligning too well...-<

He's reaching into his bag.

BK   im just on my way home.

BK   i wont tell anyone what i saw.

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

BK   because i...

BK   because i promise?

PL   >-You what?-<

You set aside your bag and take your pinky out.

BK   honor system.

BK   here. i pinky swear.

PL   >-...-<

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

BK   maybe that was too much.

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

PL   >-What is that?-<

BK   huh?

BK   this?

You bend your pinky helpfully.

BK   the smallest finger.

PL   >-What are you doing with it?-<

BK   you take your pinky out and loop it against -

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

BK   oh.

BK   right. of course you do.

He nods, squinting his eyes in thought.

PL   >-Yes, Pinkys Promise-<

PL   >-Certainly a product of a great lord or master-<

BK   what?

PL   >-But this is the first Im 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?-<

BK   ...

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   not at all.

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

BK   the honor system is when you follow your moral compass.

BK   like how breaking a pinky promise is wrong.

BK   so, with this, you can trust me to do as i say.

PL   >-Trust you-<

BK   yes. ill keep my word.

BK   i swear that this entire thing will be kept between us.

PL   >-You seem to be a strong proponent of this \system\-<

BK   nothing is earned without honor.

He's pacing around you, looking you up and down. Assessing you.

PL   >-You truly 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 make him worse? That's a frightening thought. However, what's more frightening is this seemingly normal person in front of you, struggling on a concept that most children are taught naturally. You wonder if all he needs is...

PL   >-Follow-up question-<

BK   huh?

BK   do you need my credentials?

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

PL   >-You are just like any of the burnished simpletons here-<

BK   ...

PL   >-What I mean is-<

PL   >-And I ask only out of clarification, not out of ignorance-<

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.