THE MOMENT
"Now, why do I feel like that might be a fib?" Glory Snow smiled at the young girl with blonde hair and brown eyes as she set down a steaming cup of hot chocolate. The girl sat on a tall barstool at the serving counter in Glory's bakery. The floors were black and white checkerboard style, with green leather booths, along with wooden tables and chairs. It was a bright Saturday afternoon, and the downtown area outside looked moderately busy with all sorts of pedestrians flowing in different directions. A few had come and gone in the short time the girl was there, and she felt comfortable enough to open up to Glory. There were almost a dozen patrons in the bakery, including humans, elves, and dwarves.
"I know it is," 23 nodded with a defeated sigh. "But, I don't know why it is. I WANT to be a villain, but it's just so hard to rank up right now." Her shoulders drooped while she idly stirred the drink. The fluffy mountain of whipped cream was slowly spinning and dissolving while she watched. "...everyone's a villain right now, and it's hard to get the points. I'm just not good enough..." It was rare that 23 allowed herself to feel a bit of pity, but not unheard of. It tended to happen when she was the one putting the most pressure on herself.
"Mmmnope, that's twice," Glory Snow shook her head. Her green curls bobbed with the motion while her emerald eyes sparkled. "I still insist you're lying, and I won't allow a third one in my business," she added with a subtle, stern edge. "One look at you...," she smiled at the girl, who didn't look much older than 10. "...and I knew you had the potential to be the most dangerous villain this side of the multiverse." While Glory was talking, a young boy walked in and sat on the last stool at the end of the counter. He was only three empty seats away from 23, and the girl noted something odd.
Glory Snow was known as a 'Gloria'. It was easy enough to find a version of her across the multiverse, and they were very typically friendly and wise. 23 had sought out Gloria s for advice and general company lots of times, and she more or less assumed she knew her. Yet, Glory Snow actually finished her conversation despite the new, young boy sitting at the counter. He didn't look destitute by any means, but he had a certain raggedy pride about him. His buttoned-up black shirt looked closer to warm grey with the cuffs and collar fraying. His pants didn't quite reach his ankles and were held together by an assortment of simple, but delicate repairs. His entire persona clearly stated that he did not need help to show up in the world. But the details, like high-end expensive thread, also hinted that it would be respectfully accepted and appreciated. And yet, as 23 took all that in, Glory kept talking to her.
"Do you need to...," 23 subtly tilted her head at the dark-haired boy. Glory Snow smiled, shook her head, then nodded at the entrance. 23 turned to see a group of adventurers walk in. Two in armor, one in leather, and the fourth in robes; all of them older than the boy and her.
"Hey, Glory!" some of them waved, and Glory waved back at them while the robed adventurer approached the boy. The adventurer was a woman with blonde hair, and she wore blue, wizardly robes with two thick tomes chained to her waist and a pointy blue and gold hat.
"I know the truth!" she pointed a finger directly at the boy. "I know why you never use your magic!"
"NO! YOU'RE WRONG!" the boy yelled at the top of his voice, without disturbing any of the patrons, then dashed out of the diner with the group following him.
"Bye, Glory!" they waved.
"Oh," 23 giggled and shook her head. "I didn't even notice," she said. "Wow, maybe I'm really not..." It was more of an idle thought connecting concepts than a meaningful rumination, but Glory interrupted her before the idea was fully spoken.
"OOOOORRrr," Glory grinned as she held the word until she was sure she had 23's attention. "You're just doing it wrong. That's my bet anyway," she added. "What's your ACTUAL goal?" she asked.
"To be a villain!" 23 answered. But, Glory shook her head. "If that were true, you've already accomplished that. But, all you do is whine about your low rank," she winked to maintain the friendliness and continued. "So, which is it? Do you want to get to the top of the leaderboard to impress your dad, or do you want to be a villain?"
"I'm... trying to get to the top of the multiversal villain leaderboard...," 23 said.
"And so is everyone else," Glory nodded. "That's the problem, isn't it?"
"Yes!" 23 nodded.
"They're all playing the same game; 'Be a villain, destroy things'. The ranks are jammed up because EVERYONE is trying to take the evil path right now," Glory said. "They're all trying to get to the top to be considered one of the best villains ever, like your dad," she giggled. "But YOU are only trying to get to the top. The elevator's jammed, and the stairs are slower, but you can reach the top in your own way. 'Villain' has a lot of connotations, and you're probably holding on to too many of them. But, if you think about it, really. What does it take to be a villain?"
"Doing villainous things," 23 replied instantly, and Glory laughed again.
"Well, of course," she said. "But, you don't have to stick to the tired villainous acts that haven't been helping you. Let's take our mutual friend here," she gestured at the empty seat where the boy sat. "This is an established world of magic, and yet, because of his situation, he's always asked why he never uses his magic. He lies and claims to be born incapable of using it, but the scripted truth is so much worse, depending on the Class doing the quest. It's interesting how the Class determines the quest progression," Glory smiled and met 23's eyes. "It's almost like rules are arbitrary," she said.
23's eyes shot wide. How could she have missed that? She grinned at Glory, full of appreciation.
"...and Villains break rules....,"