Demon Tears (BIX)

[bix]

Changes
In Him

She turned. In her seat. It swiveled. On the stand. There was a few tins. That she had. to the side. Of her desk. Filled with. Several kinds. Of tea. But peppermint. Was her favorite. It was the one. That soothed her. And the one. That refreshed. Her mind. Making it ready. For the rest. Of the day. Knowing. That even when. She got off. She had other things. She had to do. Her homework. Among one. And more practicing. Of the arts. For another. Still though. It was her favorite. She opened the tin. The fresh scent. Of peppermint. Filling her senses. As she got out a scoop. One for each cup. Placing the strainers. Over the tea cups. It was. A very proper. Way to brew tea. Taught to her. By the woman. That owned the shop.

As she asked her question. She put the tin up. Only to look over at him. To see him. Much changed. Much changed indeed. From the boy. Who had walked in. His eyes. Were confident. And clear. His hair. Was held back from. HIs face. And she had to admit. His face. Was attractive. And his eyes. Were beautiful. She paused. In her movements. This was not. The same man. She had. Been talking to. Not the one. That had entered. The store. At his answer. She grinned. A slight quirk. Of her lip. Making them grin. Gently.

"It seems, I am asking you."

So there were two. Much like Liberty. Liberty however. Never came out. It would take. A certain person. To get Liberty out. The world. Dealt with Bix. And Bix alone. When someone earned her trust. Which no one had as of yet. They might. Meet Liberty. Sometimes she wished. She was brave enough. To be Liberty again. But she had not. Been that girl. In years. Not since wounds. Had been caused. Inside and out. Before though. She could elaborate. The door was. Kicked in. By the three. The ones. That bothered her. Often. A bag. Was thrown. On her desk. Scattering books. Not his books. Her own. And some papers. Narrowly. Missing the tea cups. Dog food. Spilled over her desk. From slits in the bag.

"KIBBLES AND BIX!!!" the kids screamed. Laughing. Their footsteps. Could be heard. retreating. Bix sighed. Her eyes closed. And she tried. Not to think. About what had just been done. In front of. Someone she. Happened to like.

"Sorry, I am, clean this, I will." she whispered. As she rose. Moving to the closet. That was. To the side. Togather the broom. So that. She could clean up. The mess.

[Pine]

Before Pine could reply he heard the door open and watched a bag hit the table and almost literally explode into a million little doggy treats. Pine could hear boys yelling kibbles and bits. In a different situation he might have found this funny but these kids had just ruined his tea time moment. The only thing going through Pine's mind was one simple little question. 'What would the British do?'

~Kick some ass!!!~

~I agree~

~Do whatcha want, just make it quick~

Pine watched Bix's eyes close as she tried to deal with what just happened. Pine grabbed the bag and bolted out the door. There was no way these kids were getting away for such an action. The kids saw Pine and started running and he gave chase. Catching the leader was NOT the intention, the intention was to make sure this never happened again. It didn't take long for Pine to catch the slower of the boys.

Pine came right beside the boy and slammed him into a wall. The kid hit the wall and then hit the ground. Pine stopped running and picked the kid up by his ear. The kid came up quick but not quite quick enough to keep the skin from being ripped. As the kid cried Pine shoved the bag of treats in his mouth.

"Your mouth is too small for all these little treats boy Here let me help you swallow." Pine slid into his fighting stance and hit the kid with an uppercut elbow knocking him out and breaking his jaw. Pine then turned to the other kids that were just standing there looking at the brutal end to their deeds.

"If I ever catch you little bitches bothering that girl or around this store again what happened to your friend will be a mercy understood?!"

With that Pine turned around and walked the long block back to the store where the girl and his tea waited. He opened the door and walked in to see Bix still cleaning up the mess.

"Yeah...So...They won't be bothering you again."

[bix]

Vengence
Savior

Bix watched. As her company. Rose. And opened the door. After grabbing. The bag. He rushed down. The sidewalk. She knew. That he had. To come back. Afterall. He had left. His unpurchased. Books there. On her desk. She watched. As the door closed. The chime. Jingling loudly. She hated them. Bix was not prone. To intense. Inner emotions. She had long. Since blocked them. From interfering. With her life. But these boys. They made her feel. But it was not something. YOu wanted a witch to feel. Hatred. Could go far. Fueling many things. Horrible spells. And a great power. Behind them. With curses. Too. Things that could be effecting. The boys. For the rest of their lives. In fact. As he left her. Standing there. With the broom. In her hand. She felt. A curse. In her veins ready. For the boys.

Picking up. Some of the paper. Debris. From the bag. That he had. Taken with him. She opened. Her top drawer. And pulled out. A fresh blade. And sliced. Across her index finger. Of her left hand. Moving aside some. Of the food. She drew. A pentogram. With her own blood. Feeling the pain. Tingle up. Her arm and register. In her mind. But she fought. Back the feeling. To pull her hand away. And completed. The pentogram. Closing her eyes. She whispered. The curse. To herself. And to the powers. That listened. Placing the paper. Within the flame. That was of the candle. In the center. Of the pentogram. She let the fire. Consume it. And she grinned. Opening her eyes. They would pay now. Bix moved. Grabbed a small towel. And wiped. Her blood. From the desk. Before resuming. Her cleaning. Her focus. On getting the pieces. Into the trash. Where they belonged. She hoped. He would come back. They had. Been having. A good conversation. And she wanted. To know more of him. And to get to spend. More time with him. Without making it. So very obvious.

The chime. Went off again. But as she looked up. This time. It was Pine. Saying they. Would no longer. Bother her. Oh.. she knew that. But it was nice. That he had ... protected her. She had not. Really needed it. But it was a sweet. And unexpected guesture. A blush. Ran up her pale neck. And to her cheeks. A simple nod. She gave to him.

"My thanks, you have." she said gently.

Picking up. The dust pan. As the tea kettle. Went off. She dumped. The kibbles. In the bin. Before she moved past him. Locking the door. So that no one else. Could come in. Turning the sign. so that it read closed. Not open. She came back. To the desk. And sat. Taking the kettle. She poured them both. Tea. Letting the water. Steep the leaves. And drain. Through the metal grate. And into tea below. Once done. She took both strainers. Emptying the contents. Into the bin. Before tossing. The dirty leftovers. To the sink.

"Sugar." she said simply. Pointing to a small. Blue ceramic dish. On the desk.

"Question, you still have yet, to answer." she reminded. Ready. To jump right back. Into where. They had left off.

[Pine]

Pine watched the girl turn three shades of red when he mentioned the boys would never bother her again. A small laugh greeted her thank you. It wasn't a funny laugh but more of a nervous one. The sword was not used to being thanked for anything. It was one thing to save someone who saved your ass several times and another to be thanked for saving someone you owe nothing too.

"Don't mention it...It was-" Pine stopped laughing as he bent his elbow to scratch his head. The sweatshirt felt wet and the elbow sore. Looking down at his arm he used his good hand to touch the shirt. Upon bringing it away he looked down to see blood.

A toothy smile appeared on his face at the pure pleasure of his realization. It seemed when he hit the boys chin he cut his elbow. Pine unzipped his sweater and inspected the now dripping wound. It wasn't large but the location meant it was painful and would bleed a good deal. Taking the sweater he put it over the wound to keep the blood from continuing to drip on the floor. It seemed even negative actions done for the good of someone merited negative rewards. Pine could not help but break out laughing.

"The Irony of it all...Do a good thing in a bad way and get punished. It seems I can never win. You wouldn't happen to have a first aid kit would you?"

[bix]

Injuries
Fresh Blood

She looked up. From her spot. As he rose his elbow. And her eyes. Flashed. For a moment. With worry. She looked. Over at him. and rose. Before he. Could even ask. For help. She had already. Opened. The drawer at the credenza. And she looked over. Watching him. As he tried. To staunch. The blood flow. The shirt. he wore. Was a color. Much more. To her liking. Though the blood. Was coming. At a decent. Flow. She came. Over to him. Motioning for him. to sit again.

"Take care of it, I shall."

She knelt down. She took his arm. Gently. In her hands. And she opened the box. With one. Laying the box. In his lap. She got out. Some sterile gauze. And wiped the blood. From the area. Setting the tissues. To the side. She reached into the box. For the. Peroxide. and wet. A cotton ball with it. Moving her fingers. To the gash. She gently. Began to clean it. With the disinfecting solution. Getting out. Some cream. She applied it. with a Q-tip. Blowing on the wound. Gently. She looked up at him. Accidentally. Catching his eyes. Blushing. Just a bit. As she tore. Her eyes away. And put. Butterfly. Bandaids. On the wound. To close it. Before putting. a larger bandage. Over that. Before she closed. The box. Rising herself. UP gently. She moved. Back over to. The chair. She inhabited. And took. Her seat.

"Shall we, try, conversation, once more?"

[Pine]

~Awwww look she's all ready to play nurse for you. Isn't that just so cute~ The little voice taunted the sword.

~Begone pest. Remember you live simply because I allow it.~ The sword replied and quieted the voice instantly.

As he tried to stop the bleeding, even before he was ready to ask for help Bix she came over with the first aid kit. Pine obeyed her motion for him to sit in the chair and patiently waited for her to dress his wound. It felt strange to have someone bandage his wounds. Members of his old gang generally took care of their own wounds. Unless it was in a hard to reach place you generally were left on your own. The tough took care of themselves when they could and only relied on others when they no longer could operate on their own.

She bent down and began to take care of his wound. He took his free hand and moved his hair out of his eyes, holding it up with he free hand so he could watch. His eyes took in everything she was doing from the the initial cleaning of the wound to the application of disinfectants. Pine squirmed as she blew on the wound. He couldn't understand why she did that. It was something a mother did to a child. It showed general concern and caring that you wouldn't give to a stranger. When she looked up her eyes met his and she instantly turned red for the third time since they met. Her eyes tore away from his and it spiked Pine's interest. She finished cleaning the wound and bandaged it before putting the kit away.

As she moved Pine's eyes continued to follow her. They never left the strange girl even for a second. As she took her seat she inquired again about him.

"I, the one you talk to, was born on and raised on the other side of the city." Pine replied to her original question. The question that was asked before they were so rudely interrupted.

"Humor me. Is Bix your real name or a nickname?" He asked curiously.

"My name is actually Pine...well Pinefresh...Pine for short. Parents were hippies you see. Are you in the same boat or do you have another name you choose to hide?"

[bix]

Conversation
Interests Grow

Finally. It seemed. That they could actually. Have their conversation. Something. They had been trying. To do. For so very long. Well it. Wasn't that long. But it seemed. They had been. Interupted. By several things. And now. They were finally. Getting to where. They would. Be able to actually. Talk and perhaps. Get to know. One another. It seemed. He was messing. With her style. Of speech. Using it. against her. Her hand. Came up gently. Cupping the side. Of her neck, and she leaned. Into it. Letting it. support the weight. Of her head. It seemed. So normal. A move. For someone. so strange. She listened. As he told her. He was born. And raised. On the other side. Of the city. That they lived in. Right now.

"I see." she answered.

It seemed though. That he had. His own question. He wondered if Bix was her name. Or if it was. Instead. A nickname. She nodded. It was an adequate question. One that few people. Surprisingly asked. She looked at him. Taking a sip of her tea. Letting the sweet. LIquid. Filter down her throat. Before she would. Give him an answer. But before she even could. He went on. To remind her. That his name was Pine. As though she had. Forgotten. Pine. Like the tree. He had told her. When they. Were down the book isle. She nodded. But he went on. To further explain. That his name. Was actually. PIne fresh.

"Air freshener?" she inquired.

Perhaps it was Pine. Like the tree. Scented air. Freshener. It was cute. Weird. But cute. It seemed. It was her turn. To explain her own name.

"MOther, hippie she is. Named her children. The three. After, feelings. Patriotic feelings. Liberty, my name is. Like it, I do not really. Became a different person, I have. Bix I adopted, for myself."

She looked over at him. He was handsome. And she was. Enjoying. To get to know him. Getting to. Learn about him. She picked up her tea cup. Once more. Not going into. Her brother's names. It wasn't important. Perhaps. If they. Got to know each. Other better. She would go into. That.

"Hide your eyes, why do you?" she asked curiously.

[Pine]

"Yeah like the air freshener." Pine replied almost hesitantly.

It was bad enough your shortened name was that of a tree but to have a full name like that...Was murder. Most of his teachers spared him by just shortening his name down to Pine on the attendance but his History teacher was not so nice. She was the only one that made him get up in front of the class and give his first and last names in full. The woman was a bitch, of that there was no doubt. What was Pine going to do about it? Simple, find her car, put sugar in the gas tank and graffiti her windows. He was going to be sure that the consequences matched the actions. Only his punishment for her was far more discrete than her insult.

Bix or should it be Liberty explained her name. Her mother was the very patriotic type. Liberty after the Lady Liberty. Pine could almost picture the girl standing there with the crown on, torch to the sky, and the code book in her hand. The thought made the voice and the shield burst out laughing. How could they not? It was quite the entertaining picture.

Then came the hard question, why cover his eyes. It wasn't a hard question, just one Pine never really liked to answer. It was never good to admit weakness but he supposed this girl had no one to tell. So he decided he would tell her and put her on the spot at the same time.

"Probably the same reason you talk like Yoda. To hide something. A guard. A way to protect yourself. Anything that prevents someone from seeing something you do not want them to see."

[bix]

Touche'
Tables Turned

He seemed. To take a moment. To think. Of answering. Or not. But she was unworried. She did not. have anyone to tell. Bix had no friends. and no one. wanted Bix. As a friend. She tended. To piss people off. with her speech. And mannerisms. More than. Anything else. But she was not. Looking for. A connection. Though perhaps. Liberty was. There were times. It seemed. Bix. And Liberty. Were two. Different seperate people. More and more. Now lately. As she grew older. And as she began. To realize. That there were differences. There were times. She felt torn. In two. Trying to connect. With someone. While her other. Side wanted. To pull away. Even further. Bix believed. That she. Was all Liberty. Really needed. But Liberty. Inside. Craved more. Bix had kept the girl. Down and quiet. For so long. But it seemed. right now. Liberty was fighting. For control. Fighting. To connect. With someone. That had to be. Amazing. IN his own right.

He mentioned. That he hid. His eyes. For the same reason. That she spoke weird. For the same reason. That she was. Like she was. To hide something. Not just something. But to hide. Her true self. Bix's eyes. Widened. She had not. Expected that. As an answer. She had truly. Been seen. Straight through. But Bix. And PIne alike. Had many. Simularities. It seemed. Many things. In common. That she thought. Would certainly. Give them something. To begin. To grow on. A foundation. Perhaps. For something more. Than conversation. Bix. Visibly. Fidgeted. Her fingers. Finding one another. In front of her. And her eyes. Looking down. Away from him. For a moment. why was it. That he saw through her. so easily. Others. Seemed to think. She did this. Only to make. Others angry. But he. He saw straight through her. To the heart. Of what was going on. In the one. That was called Bix. Hiding something. She certainly was. And she knew. What it was. It was herself. She was hiding herself. From the world. From the eyes of others. She would not. Be another. Vulnerable girl. She refused.

"I..." she began. "you... the... " she bit. Her lower lip. For a moment. Unsure. Of what to say. She was completely. Caught off guard. By this revelation. She had not. Expected. For him. to see right. Through her that way.

Bix. Took. A breath. In and out. For a moment. Recollecting herself. Her nails. Of her left hand. Dug. Into the palm. Of her hand. Cutting the flesh. Creating. A small punctures. Of blood. To help. Bring her back. To reality. To help her. Relocate. Her calm.

"Hide you do, from pain. From realization. Betrayal, believe I." she said. Trying, to effect him. Right back. The way. That he had. Affected her. "Attractive you are, need to hide, I see not."

[Pine]

Pine's words seemed to hit home with the girl. Bix's actions only indicated what Pine believed to be true. In fact his reply was 50% bluff and 50% truth. In a way they were both hiding something, that much Pine could tell, as to what she was hiding he did not know. Whatever it was it caught the entity known as Bix off guard. Her eyes widened and it took Pine every ounce of his restraint to keep from smiling at his own handiwork.

Bix seemed to be a part of the girl named Liberty, what Pine didn't know was their relationship. Pine had the sword and the shield, both worked together to keep Pine running. One for confrontation and one for living everyday mundane life. They were both conscious of the others actions and if a bad action was made stepped in to remedy it. The question was, did Liberty have the same contract with Bix? If not then it meant Bix was the controlling entity and it was never good to have a controlling entity if there was more than one entity.

Pine watched the struggle unfold right in front of him passively. He watched the girls eyes go wide and her fingers begin to fidget. He watched her try to speak but nothing coherent came out. It seemed that her two entities were waring for control, the question was who would win?

~Is she worth it?~ The voice asked the shield.

~No.~ The shield replied almost emotionless as it watched on.

~Then what is the purpose for this?~ The voice asked as it became transfixed on what was going on.

~Fun. Interesting is fun and this girl is really interesting.~ The sword replied instead of the shield.

In fact, the sword was greatly enjoying watching the collected girl lose control. The sword enjoyed it even more as she bled to regain her composure. Upon doing so it was clear by her words Bix was still in control. The boy was disappointed, he was hoping Liberty would have come out to play this time.

"You're right about two of them." Pine began and leaned a little closer across the table. "I'll give you pain, but I'm a masochist so it isn't that bad. I'll also give you betrayal." He continued before allowing a small smile to cross his face. "This realization you speak of I don't understand. It's true I'm decent looking and so are you. All be it your pretty skinny. So what realization do you seek? What do you need closure from?"

[bix]

Realization
&& Truth

Her eyes watched. As he leaned closer. And she. Did not lean away. But was propelled. To stay where she was. For the moment. She was curious. Just what. Went through his mind. Though he seemed. To enjoy. Her discomfort. In the thoughts. Of her. And the fact. That she hid herself. He was right. Though no one. Had ever been able. To see that about her. They saw. What they wanted to see. And not. What was. Infront of them. But she found. That was common. Around the world. That no one. Really cared. About what. The person was. Going through. Instead. Just how. It was affecting them. At the moment. Her eyes. Watched him. As he admitted pain. But she had not. meant physical pain. But inner pain. Because she felt. That Inner pain. Was a great. Deal worse than outter. Outter pain. It faded faster. Healed quicker. And the scras. Were not usually. So deep. Inner pain. She found. Was the opposite.

The fact. That he agreed. To betrayal. She understood. He said. he did not know. She looked. At him. When he mentioned. That realization. Wasn't something. He understood. She shrugged. Her all. Too slender shoulders. She cared not. If he understood. He would one day. She was a fair bit. More advanced than most. While she still hid. Herself for the most. Part. She was not stupid,. She knew why she hid. And she knew. What her realization. Was. And how she. Still was not yet. Ready to deal. With it. When he asked her. What it was. She was hiding from. What her own. Realization was. Her problems. What it ws. That she sought. Closure from. Bix leaned closer. So that they. Were only inches away. Her body. Leaning forward. So that she. Was looking right. Into his eyes.

"Cruel place, this world is. Understand, people do not. Strange, they think me. Judge quickly, they do. Bix, unusual is." she whispered. Bix's eyes softened, and emotion, true emotion showed for a moment.

"Betrayal, is what I hide from most." she confessed, before her eyes flashed back to the ones. That he had known. Since walking. Through the door. Her first. And only. Normal phrase. She did not. move back. Her eyes, which had shifted. Away. For a moment. Returned to his. Waiting. to see. His reaction

[Pine]

Pine was hoping for another socked expression. He wanted to see the girl squirm again, he wasn't going to be so lucky. Instead his challenge was met with control. His eyes did not register the dissatisfaction but merely watched as the girl came closer. Her face was now only a few inches away and Pine began to feel uneasy again. He always felt uneasy when others got close in any way that was not meant to cause harm. In a fight getting close with the enemy was expected. Pine liked to be up close and personal as he beat on his opponent, it brought him a sick sense of pleasure. He wanted to see fully the pain in the eyes of his enemy, he wanted to smell the sweat and hear the ragged breathing. The realization their body showed as they learned they made the wrong choice, the fear that replaced the pain. He wanted them to suffer the way he suffered every day of his life.

Still this girl was too close for his comfort but he would hold his ground until she finished talking. Her eyes met his and the uneasiness registered in his blue/green eyes. She told him how people judged and hated Bix before looking away. Pine breathed a mental sigh of relief as she did so. The closeness he could barely tolerate but the intimacy he couldn't. Her eyes shot back up to his as she spoke like a normal person. Bix seemed to have allowed Liberty out to play and what she confessed brought the uneasiness flooding back. This time it was to a point where Pine was forced to look away and sit back. He could not meet eyes that held so much pained emotion. They reminded Pine too much of his own. He hated what his eyes betrayed which is why he hid them.

He picked up the cup and it took a swig of the tea. The warm liquid calmed his nerves and allowed him to think straight. He made sure his hair was fully in front of his eyes as he spoke.

"You dislike what people think of you Bix... Yet what do people think of Liberty? You like the stuttering person that walked in the door are not the originals. The person sitting in front of you now is the original violent creature this body has dealt with. Yet myself and my counterpart are able to co-exist in some form of harmony. You however seem to take control. You keep down the real person, why?"

[bix]

Shock
&& Anger

Bix eyes went cold. Very cold. When he went back. Telling her. That Bix. Was taking over. Taking control. She was shocked. That he saw it that way. Even though. It was true. He was far more. Perceptive. Than she had. Originally thought. That. Pissed her off. Even more. Because she. Had thought. He was safe. Liberty. Was even. Trusting him. That stupid. Little bitch. Too trusting. She needed Bix. Because she would. Instead. ONly get hurt. More and more. Libery. Was an idiot. She was the kind of girl. That would smile. And laugh. And flirt. And be open. With everyone. She would be open. And hurt herself. Too damn trusting. It was how. She got stabbed. How she was. An outcast. How Bix had. Been born. And that was why. Bix would stay.

"Business, of yours, it is not. Say you, that your entities, the same being, they are. But not true. Some. Prominent than others. Why then, let the shy, walk forward. While you, hide. You hide. Liberty. Handle the world, she cannot."

Bix said. Anger. Was rising in her. And she had. NOthing more to say. On the matter. Less. She lose. Her civility. And that. Was something. Bix did her best. To keep. As much as possible. That was. What Bix was. Calm. Collected. Civil. and yet short. Bix watched him. Her eyes. Curious about what. He was going to do. She knew. Why she was. The way she was. And she knew. Why Liberty. Was in the back. And Bix was. In the front. Her eyes watching him. Liberty. Was in her mind. Trying to get out. Trying to make a stand. To speak. To Pine. to tell him. That she was not. As weak. As Bix made her seem. Bix was her sheild. The one. That took the abuse. The one that. Was disconnected. From life. So that she. Was not so hurt. Not so injured. In Liberty's mind. Bix was. Her protector. Not her supressor.

SHUT UP!

Liberty felt. As though. Silence. Was her best idea. Unless. Pine said something. That made her feel. That made her fight. Liberty felt. That it was easier. Not to even try. Not to make him. Uncomfortable. She wanted. To get to know him. She wanted. To connect. She wanted so. Many things.

"Likes you, she does, you know." Bix said. Before. She could stop herself. Bix liked him too. But it was Liberty. That controled. Many things. One of which. Was attraction. This had never. Come up before. But Bix felt. Liberty's attraction. And therefore. It became her own.

[Pine]

It seems Pine had made Bix angry. If not angry her words proved that the entity was on the defensive big time. Like a cornered animal she was lashing out at Pine any way she could think of doing. Right now she was trying to accuse the sword of hiding. Pine let out a grin and let her continue to rant. Her last sentence was pretty entertaining, claiming that her real self could not handle the world.

"I'm not hiding." Pine replied simply. "I just prefer to sit and watch. Up until a year ago...well around a year ago that little stuttering shield never existed. In fact there was only me. The problem with me is that I have spent 90% of my life fighting and making trouble, kinda like I am now. The other entity is more the people person so unless there is a problem or an argument I see no reason to intervene. Most people just take him as friendly and reserved. That prevents most fights from ever occurring and those that do bring me out and end quickly. I see no reason for damage to be caused to this body because part of me is unable to communicate properly with society. So to remedy this there are two of me. You say your other part cannot handle the world? Is that because you let her out and she proved it? Or because you're just afraid of what will happen to you if she does?"

Pine sat there and listened as Bix put him on the spot. She chose to let him know her feelings..well, Liberty's feelings. What might have looked like Pine adjusting himself in his chair was actually uneasiness starting to build. He did not understand the reasoning behind her words. Why should the girl like him? Right now he was just having fun fighting with an entity and causing a mind chaos. Why feel anything toward him but hate? This was a troubling belief for the original Pine who did not understand what was going on. Still he could bluff his way around this.

"D-doesn't surprise me. I know she exists and acknowledge it. You...You however wish she just sat there quietly and do whatever you want don't you? I think you are the weaker of the pair, just bullying your way to complete control. If this isn't true why not let the girl out?"

[bix]

Interest
&&Humor

He said. He was not hiding. But then. Went on. to contradict. Himself. Because he was. Hiding. Instead. Of letting the world. See him. As he was. The rough and tumble. Man that lacked. All social skills needed. That was. Apparently. The real man. The one that. Had control of the body. But he had 'decided'. It seemed. That he needed. Something. A bit more soft. To connect to. The world. Around him. Which seemed. Was the opposite. Of what. Liberty had done. She had created. Bix. To distance herself. From the world. And from the pain. And judgement. That came with it. Bix watched. Studying him. Curiously. As he told her. Of these things. And then wondered. Out loud. Of course. For he was. Quite opinionated. At times. If she. Decided that Liberty. Could not handle the world. Or if. She had let. The girl. The sweet shy one. Come out. And prove. That she was. Unable to handle it.

"Protection, is my job." Bix explained simply.

As though the answer. In itself. Made all the sense. In the world. And it did. To Bix anyway. The girl. Had been hurt. And wounded. By those. That one should. Be able to trust. The most. And had the scars. To prove it. But not only that. But she was incapable. Of leaving. The all too. Abusive environment. She was incapable. Because here. Things were mighty. Expensive. And her job. Payed not enough. To go out. On her own. Getting an apartment. And the ability. To support herself. Nor. Was she old enough. For that to actually. Be legal. So while she. Had been hurt. Severely. To have it constantly. Rained down on her. Day in. And day out. She had retreated. Within herself. And stayed there. Allowing the face. Of Bix. To show through. To the world. Allowing for a barrier. To be set. In place. Between her. And the world.

He was shocked. He shifted in his chair. But she did not fail. To notice. The seemingly. Nervous way he did. It could be. That he was. Merely tired. Of sitting. That way. And chose another. But if Bix. had to bet. She would bet. It was not that. However. She kept her opinions. To herself. As he began. To speak again. Saying that he. Acknowleged. That Liberty existed. In the back of Bix's current mind. But she, Bix, wished. The girl would remain there. Letting this entity. Take the world. And the life. That had been gifted. To Liberty at birth. And do as she pleased. Remaining. In control. Going as far. As to call her weak. For being. In control. A bully in her own mind. He challenged her then. To let Liberty out. To see. What would happen. Bix pursed her lips. For a moment. If she let Liberty out. It would mean that. He was wrong. But in the same token. Show that she. Was insecure in herself. That she felt. As though. She had to prove. That she was not. The bully. But instead. Sharing the mind. With a willing partner.

"Liberty, makes you uncomfortable, she does. Notice I did, when moments ago, here she was. You pulled back. Believe I, you, cannot deal, with one Liberty." Bix said honestly. Watching him. wondering. Where he was going. With this whole challenge.

...let me out...

The voice was small. Shy. And a bit unsure. But it seemed. That Liberty. Wanted to really. meet this boy. Face to face. There was a difference. Between watching something. and really experiencing it. Liberty begged. To come out. But Bix knew. She would only. End up hurt. The shy one. The stuttering one. Was safe for Liberty. But this one. The confident. Arrogant bastard. In front of her. Was not safe. He would hurt her. Ask too many questions. And make the girl. Doubt herself anymore.

..I want to meet him..

Bix rolled her eyes. It was the only. Emotion. That Bix had shown. Since Pine had. Come into the store. She was exasperated. Liberty would pout. If she didn't come out. And if she did. She would pout. With the asshole. Hurt her. Like all the others. Bix and Liberty. Were just too strange. No one really. Understood them. But then again. Perhaps Pine would. He seemed. to understand. The need to hide. One's true self. And show something. Completely different. To the world at large. Lifting her hand. She closed her eyes. And placed her forehead. In her palm. For a moment. A certain. Softeness. Seemed to take over. The facial features. That had once. Been hardened. By Bix herself. As the eyes opened. They were slow to do so. The light catching. Her dark lashed. Before her soft. Blue eyes. Which were so different from Bix's. That held actual emotion. And feeling. Looked up. Moving from the hand. And looking. Into his eyes. Into Pine's eyes.

"You really, wished to meet me?" she asked. Curiosity in her voice, her eyes, and yet her hands were clasped. In front of her. Shyly. She didn't know him. Not just yet. But she wanted to. She wanted to know. Everything. and anything. Perhaps it was. The beginning of. an obsession. But perhaps. It was just that. Liberty. Had never really. Felt attracted. To another before. Until today. When the shy boy. Came into her shop. And turned. Into the confident one. Before her.