Fake It

[Ashton]

Nox's arm wasn't forceful he just held out his arm to stop him. The man with him left and didn't say a word to him.  Ashton had seen him around the house talking to Nox and the kids. He'd been there that night Jaxen had cornered him too. Though he'd snuck off somewhere before the night got exciting.  He had been there the next morning though.

Nox didn't look right. His fake arm didn't feel the same either. He had gotten a new one and this was the first time he'd put it on it seemed.  Ashton looked at Nox who tried to urge him back into the warmth of Kallisti.

"I can't go back in there right now."

Nox nodded and turned on his heel. "Let's go have a coffee then."

Ashton shrugged and followed Nox through the streets.  Though Nox tried to slow and let him catch up but he always slowed to stay a step behind.

Nox stopped and rolled his eyes. "You aren't my peon or slave or lesser. You either walk with me or we just end this now."

Ashton turned around before Nox grabbed his arm. "Okay. Not the words to use to someone who's gonna take them literally."  He didn't seem angry or sad or happy or concerned. He didn't seem anything.

"Just walk at my side. Please."  Nox added though there was no added warmth. "I need to talk with you and I don't want to do it out in the fucking cold."

Ashton sighed and nodded.  He didn't follow Nox, but the other man lead on in silence. He wasn't happy nor sad or even boastful he'd gotten his way. He just walked in silence.

[Nox]

Nox didn't ask why Ashton couldn't go back inside. Probably had to do with why Elyse lost it again. And Ashton wasn't very good with confrontation to begin with which he made the mistake of adding to with the devil may care attitude he had going on. Caring was going to be difficult. People mattered to Nox and he didn't want to hurt them anymore than already necessary.

He wasn't sorry so he didn't apologize he just asked polietly which seemed to work.

Ashton was happy to walk in silence -- or to afraid to say anything. Not that he could do anything. Well he wasn't completley helpless he could break his neck and kill him still if he really wanted to. It wouldn't be difficult. But there was no reason to, and not something he wanted to do either. He like Ashton. Even after he kidnapped, tortured and fed him to monsters. He was a good kid.

Nox opened the door to the cafe and let Ashton to the counter. "Get whatever you want. Nox didn't say anything to the barrista standing behind the counter she was already busy making his large black coffee. He was a regular here.

Ashton ordered "Just a pepperment hot chocolate." Nox would remember the order for the future. He knew everyone's order at Kallisti and could order a round without missing anyone.

Nox lead Ashton over to a table by the window and unzipped his jacket letting both him and Lily breathe a little. It was hot and stuffy in the big puffy jacket that kept them both warm. Nox warmed his hands on the coffee cup and took a sip before he looked across the table at Ashton.

"So your voice can trigger emotions and commands over a recording?"

[Ashton]

Ashton didn't much like coffee, but he had thought to try some. Though not here. Not when there were so many choices, he'd go with what he liked and it was Christmas time after all.

They sat down near the window and Nox unzipped his coat to reveal the tiny thing that was Lily. Ashton wasn't sure he went anywhere without the little baby strapped to his chest. Maybe that was something he should ask about. Lily was asleep pressed against his chest, she seemed content with him. Like most of the family -- he was comforting and even Ashton thought so -- most of the time. Sometimes he was darn right scary.

The question didn't surprise him, but Nox seemed eager to hear the answer. Though the expression on his face never changed. "Yeah. I set it down away from me and Anna and Elyse were compelled to the sound of the recording."

"Was that your intent?"

Ashton smiled. "Yeah. Why? What did you have in mind?" Ashton wondered if it was the same thing he'd been thinking. The thing that had set Elyse off in the long run had come from his next thought.

[Nox]

Nox gave Ashton a wry smile as he answered the question. "Do you think you could record feelings?" Nox asked. Though he didn't elaborate while Ashton thought on it.

"Probably, like what exactly?"

"Like content and happy, sad, angry, joy, pissed off. Ya know, simple emotions that we all feel everyday."

"Yeah, why though?"

And that was the million dollar question. "It's been a matter of hours and I'm already tired of people asking if I'm okay. They sense something is wrong and they want to fix it. If they see through the mask it's going to drive me down into the rabbit hole I won't be able to dig myself out of. I want you to record basic emotions that I can listen to. To fake the emotion better since I can't apparently do it well enough."