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4 > Video > Heart

[...There is something wrong with his body.]

[Saix really doesn't want to admit it, because that would make Axel right, but it's simply fact that he realizes once he's back in his own body instead of stuck in Axel's. It reminded him of what it felt like to be Isa a little bit, and it also reminded him of how it had felt when he had first joined the Organization. How he is now is... different. It's the Darkness. It feels thicker, like a heavy fog. He knows he's done some horrible things in the name of his goal, but never cared because the end justified the means. Still, this almost feels like too much.]

[Saix spends the day trying to convince himself that he's just letting himself fall into the same delusional trap that Axel has, but in the end, he has to know.]

[So you'll be seeing this guy on the SFC today, looking as calm and apathetic as ever.]

I'm curious, but are there any in Vatheon who are knowledgeable in the spiritual heart of a person? Perhaps the better, more general word would be 'soul'.

[A body, a mind, and a 'heart'- that's what makes a person, isn't it? But take away the 'heart', have it be lost to Heartless, and you're left with a body and a mind. A Nobody...]

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[ Barry sat back in his own chair, crossing his legs with a practiced ease and placing his hands over one knee. ]

Let's start by you showing me what you think a smile is.

[For the first time, Saix looks something that isn't dry or stoic. Instead, he looks just a bit awkward at the request.]

Ah... [It's actually really hard for him to fake this sort of thing. After a moment, he tries to remember what it was like to, briefly, be able to feel again. He manages to laugh then, didn't he? So Saix tries, although it's still bordering a bit too much on the smirking side of the spectrum.]

[ Barry chuckled. ]

It's a fair attempt, but to really smile in a way that will get people to trust you you need to believe, if only for a moment, that they are the most precious and important thing in the world.

Perhaps if I show you this difference?

[ Barry imitated Saix smile perfectly. ] That is what you did. This. [ He changed the expression to a much softer smile, both corners of his mouth going up just the smallest bit. ] Is more what you want to do.

[Sorry, what, he's a bit too busy stiffening up in alarm when he sees his own image smiling back at him. What the hell. He gets over it, after a second, scowling perhaps just a bit.]

A bit of warning would have been appreciated.

[ Barry laughed. The sound had to be odd coming from Saix own image. At least Barry had been nice enough to leave his own voice rather that mimicking Saix tone as well. ]

Forgive me.

Would you like me to show you again?

[Barry, never do that again. The laughing thing. No. Bad.]

I'm simply not sure how to get my mouth to do that.

We'll start slowly. Raise the corner of one side of your mouth. You can do that already, it's called a smirk.

Thank you, I didn't know.

[Whoops, just a hint of sarcasm there. Just a dash. Still, he does know how to do that- you don't become a decent douchebag if you don't have good smirks, you know.]

[ Barry was smirking himself now, he liked a little bite. It wasn't fun otherwise. ]

Then keep that corner up and do the same to the other side. Surely you can manage that~

[He's being mocked, isn't he? Saix might have lost his heart, but he still has his pride. Perhaps it's that current addition to his mood that has his next attempt at a smile coming out a bit more... devious than a smile should be.]

[Listen, he wasn't joking when he said he had issues with this]

[ Barry laughed lightly. He changed back into his normal visage, the disguise falling away as if it had never been there at all. ]

My with a face like that you'd have my attention.

But...I don't think that will work for having other's trust you. You look more like you're plotting something nefarious.

[ Barry reached out to touch Saix cheeks. ]

Relax, just a little.

[It's some sort of relief to not see his reflection anymore, but that ease promptly disappears when Barry touches him. He's never cared for someone touching his face... He tenses up, just slightly.]

Never been one to relax..

[The corners of his lips turn down a bit.]

No no, you're heading back to a frown now.

[ He pulled his hand away and leaned back. ]

And why are you so stiff? There's nothing here to hurt you, you know.

[ Barry could only assume something had. The scar on Saix face was far too clean cut to have been an accident. Of course Barry himself was quite dangerous, but he wasn't going to advertise that. ]

I'm not often touched, that's all.

[A lie and a truth, really. Hardly anyone touches him these days without the intent to harm, which is fine to him. It's part of his job. Of course, honestly his face and ears are just sensitive... He doesn't much care for other people touching them.]

Let me try again, then.

[This time, it's definitely lost some of its deviousness, but he looks just a bit too stiff and awkward...]

A bit better. With practice, that one may pass. It just has to become natural to you.

[ Barry smiled easily then. It took almost nothing to do it. ]

Relax your face and do it again.

[This is getting silly, although Saix may just be biased because... smiling is weird and also strangely hard after all these years. Bluh.]

Allow me a moment, then.

[Relaxing seems to be the key here... He takes the cup of tea that was quietly offered to him when he first entered.]

You seem like you're used to faking emotions.

In my line of work it's necessary.

You fake emotions to survive and get people to trust you.

It's always worked.

[ Except in the one case where it's mattered most, but then those emotions were not really faked so much as badly interpreted. ]

Just what is your line of work, if I may ask?

[Unconsciously, he leans forward just slightly- a habit of his when he has interest in a conversation.]

Would you like to see first hand?

[ That was a dangerous question, and one that might have Saix bolting out of the room. ]

...I'd prefer a simple explanation.

[Barry don't make him regret this more than he already is.]

You're no fun.

[ Barry leaned back in his chair. ]

I'm a con artist of sorts. I get people to trust me and give me what I want.

I've been told that many times before.

[Saix is alright with being the killjoy, thanks.]

It's an interesting choice of.. occupation.

When the rewards are as great as they are, it's the only occupation.

[ Barry shrugged. ]

It's not something I really need to do, more of a pleasurable thing really. Life's more fun that way.

I see. All the more interesting.

[He drinks in some of his tea, focusing on how the warmth slides down in his throat. It helps, a little bit.]

When's the last time you had fun, Saix?

[ Barry had to admit he'd hadn't had as much fun here as he had back home, but perhaps one day that would fix itself. ]

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