Nahki Wells was just finishing his game of table tennis against Tommy Conway as we waited for him to emerge for his press conference ahead of Wednesday's trip to Norwich.
"I just slapped him in the game and that's standard procedure between me and him everyday," Wells joked with a beaming smile just hours after his strike partner was crowned the Championship Young Player of the Month for a prolific August.
It's probably the only rivalry the pair have after building up a really close friendship with each other over the last 12 months - a partnership built from the bench and playing for the Under-23s last season. Two players whose appearances in the youth side were for two very different reasons.
Conway was looking to impress to force his way into the senior reckoning while Wells wanted to maintain his match fitness as he awaited his opportunity in Nigel Pearson's plans. That patience was finally rewarded in the Carabao Cup victory against Coventry earlier in the season when Conway fired in a brace and Wells added two assists in the 4-1 victory.
Since then, the duo haven't looked back and are the driving force in cementing the club's reputation as one of the most lethal attacking units in the Championship. At the age of 32, Wells has had his fair share of strike partners down the years during his time with Huddersfield and Queens Park Rangers but he admits this one is up there with the best due to his close bond with Conway.
He said: "In the past, I don't think I've had really, really good friendships off the pitch with people who I played well with.
"For example James Hanson, James Vaughan and Jordan Hugill, I did very well with all three of those and I wouldn't say I had a particularly very good friendship off the pitch (with them) so I wouldn't say it has to be the case but it definitely does make it a lot easier when you can sit down and have time to talk about what we can and can't do and what we need to do together.
"It's just the understanding where we know we need to work hard and gel as a partnership and flourish to perform our best. It's weird because I have played in this partnership before in the U23s four or five times last season.
"I know it's only the U23s but I was able to create chances for Tommy and he'd score goals in those games. Something about that connection just worked. If I had to hit the hail on the head with something I'd say it's what the hard work does to the side and the balance it brings us.
"If you look through the majority of the good things we're able to do as a team it's probably come from one of us being pests or not giving up with something. Challenging players twice our side and chasing down things, it's going to have a knock-on effect and that's been what I believe is the most important pedigree for what has helped us do so well."
The two players are at different ends of their careers. Conway is 12 years his junior and is living the dream as he enjoys his breakthrough campaign.
Last week he was rewarded with a call-up to the Scotland Under-21 side for the first time while Wells has been there and done it playing across four divisions, reaching the play-offs twice and earning 24 caps for Bermuda.
Wells knows the importance of staying grounded and says he'll be the one to ensure Conway maintains his level of performance in the team.
"In football, it's about taking that opportunity," he added. "He got given it against Coventry and played really well alongside myself that day. It's probably a fixture that changed a lot for both of us that day. That was the catalyst of what's given us the opportunity now.
"Things come at you fast, success comes quickly. He's fully deserving of all the praise and accolades he's got over the last six weeks or so. It's good to see him flourish and he'll keep his head down and stay grounded. It's important for us as senior players to help but he's hungry for success and that's what is important.
"I'll probably be the first one to tell him (not to get ahead of himself). Obviously, success breeds growth but he's well grounded and I think he knows success comes from hard work and that's a platform to do well and I think as long as he continues, the sky is the limit."
On a more personal note, Wells has been rewarded for his patience following a hugely frustrating campaign last time around. His four league goals already betters his tally last season and he's just two league starts away from equalling his previous total.
It's evident Wells is loving his football at the moment and he admits it's probably the most enjoyable brand of football he's played during his entire career.
He added: "It is very difficult when you aren't getting opportunities and I think sometimes some opportunities are easier than others.
"Sometimes you need luck, a bit of fortune. I got given a few opportunities last season and I wasn't able to take them like I was able to get take them this year.
"I wouldn't say I was unprepared or wasn't ready mentally, sometimes it just doesn't happy for you. Luckily for myself and TC (Conway) when we were given that chance it just happened and we were able to make something of it and I think that's just given us that platform to really evolve and continue to play and perform. We know each other well on and off the pitch and that makes it easier.
"It's one of the best sides and periods in my footballing career that I've enjoyed playing in. We're a really well-balanced team at the moment and that gives us as forwards the platform to be free and creative and make things happen.
"This season it's a lot easier, last season I might have got a chance once every two or three games and now I feel like I'll get a chance in each half of football and when you're in a good place physically and mentally then you can back yourself to take it and that's what I'm doing right now.
"I feel like if one falls to me I'll take it and it's the place where you want."
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