[ There's plenty to say. Plenty to think about too. Gorgug doesn't give him a direct answer at all, because none of it makes sense as to why things were different with Fabian. The only implication there is Gorgug's own question - do you like me? - but even that one doesn't make sense. Of course Fabian likes Gorgug. Of course Gorgug likes Fabian. They're friends. They've been fighting side by side for years now. Fabian would trust Gorgug with his very life.

But the same goes for Riz when it comes to both of them. And yet Gorgug had absolutely decimated Riz. Fabian doesn't think he's ever seen the other like that before in all the years of knowing him.

...

He doesn't know. Fabian can't think of what it could be. Sure, there had been the spar, but-- that feels so long ago at this point, and it hadn't meant anything, had it? It had just been Gorgug going too far because of the state he was in and immediately regretting it once he realized what he was doing.

It didn't mean anything. Even if there may be some complicated feelings left behind Fabian, those can't have anything to do with this.

Maybe it's just dumb luck, he decides. Gorgug doesn't seem fully in charge of his own mind right now, some words reading more like him, some of it reading more like whatever is controlling him. Maybe Fabian got lucky.

And shouldn't be using that? The fact that he got lucky so far. The fact Gorgug let him come here. If he'd waste this chance to help the other, he'd be an outright idiot.

So he steps closer. ]

We can stay together, Gorgug. [ That's the easy part. That's the natural part. As long as they're a party, they stick together. ] But not like this.

[ Despite what Fabian is saying, he keeps moving closer, seemingly unafraid. All the way until she's standing next to where Gorgug is sitting. ]

We can destroy this place together, if you want to. But you know I can't let you hurt the people in it. Especially not our friends.