Fear is not an emotion that usually comes up for Xehanort, attached almost wholly to his near-death at the request of Ansem and the assault just before it from strangers and ones he had considered friends. People had disappeared yesterday, he'd kept an eye out for anything that could have explained where they went or revealed their locations and now--
And now anxiety chews at the corner of his mind like restless, starving rats.
It is forced down, by degrees, as he sways in place a little, eyes slitted closed. He is in control, of himself if nothing else, he will not simply submit to primitive terrors of the unknown! He will not, even with the tromp of ominous footsteps crashing closer, even with the door hissing open and being presented with heavily armored strangers.
He looks perfectly calm, utterly unruffled. It is a lie.
As an explanation is unfurled, it is weighed in silence for a long twenty seconds or so. He folds his hands behind his back, the very image of false calm and certainty. He can't tell if they're even there, his sense of darkness, his own or anyone else's, is terribly skewed. Is this another illusion? "On the conditions that any information gained in the exercise is shared, with myself if no-one else."
Science is happening, for one reason or another, and he is not a participant any longer. "We are, as I'm sure you're aware, unconsenting participants in whatever our voidcraft is up to. Any information, even the results of tests on behalf of this 'ministry', is sure to be more than we have been given until now. Once we have an accord, you will have my full cooperation and assistance, including further tests if required."
The fear hasn't faded. But he will be in command of it, he must.
There's potential science here. He cannot lose that chance!
no subject
And now anxiety chews at the corner of his mind like restless, starving rats.
It is forced down, by degrees, as he sways in place a little, eyes slitted closed. He is in control, of himself if nothing else, he will not simply submit to primitive terrors of the unknown! He will not, even with the tromp of ominous footsteps crashing closer, even with the door hissing open and being presented with heavily armored strangers.
He looks perfectly calm, utterly unruffled. It is a lie.
As an explanation is unfurled, it is weighed in silence for a long twenty seconds or so. He folds his hands behind his back, the very image of false calm and certainty. He can't tell if they're even there, his sense of darkness, his own or anyone else's, is terribly skewed. Is this another illusion? "On the conditions that any information gained in the exercise is shared, with myself if no-one else."
Science is happening, for one reason or another, and he is not a participant any longer. "We are, as I'm sure you're aware, unconsenting participants in whatever our voidcraft is up to. Any information, even the results of tests on behalf of this 'ministry', is sure to be more than we have been given until now. Once we have an accord, you will have my full cooperation and assistance, including further tests if required."
The fear hasn't faded. But he will be in command of it, he must.
There's potential science here. He cannot lose that chance!