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Riku got the strange impression that Pride was almost... nervous at the idea of approaching the Emperor.

Well that's just silly.

"The reason to dwell is a four letter word spelled P A I N, thank you very much." Riku stuffed his hands into his pockets, fingers curling immediately around the blindfold in his right pocket. He was tempted to pull it out, even to put it on, but he had the odd sensation that it would be almost disrespectful to face the Emperor that way.

"Who is this guy anyway? Is he all powerful or what? Omniscient? Something? What makes him so amazing that he can control seven of the most powerful Heartless?"

Riku's mouth dropped open. The king of Kingdom Hearts... there WAS such a thing? Odd... "If he's the king... why do you keep calling me the prince...?"

And then... the eerie sensation he was being watched. His face paled two or three shades as he turned slowly around to look into the eyes of the most regal man he'd ever seen.

Under ordinary circumstances, when a man comes into contact with a king, he might bow his head, or fall to his knees and cry something along the lines of "Your majesty." Riku did none of these things.

"...hoshit."

Riku, famous (or perhaps infamous) for always having a crack to make, was finding words were failing him for perhaps the first time in his life. He gaped at the King, shocked that not only did he know the blindfold was in his pocket, but part of the reason he kept it, even now.

He gave his brain a mental kick, trying to reposition his thought process, and remembered why he was here.

"What do you want from me? You can't honestly think I'll believe that you would help me for nothing. Just what is the price for your offer?"

He was slightly scared by Pride's own evident terror, but if he couldn't do this, what was the point of bothering?

Riku blinked. "Th-that's it? All you want is the blindfold and you'll get rid of-- my curse?"

Well damn! That wasn't a price at all! He pulled the blindfold out of his pocket, and started to take a step toward the King.

Wait.

"What's the catch?" he asked, turning partially away from him as though he was preparing to run away. "What else is there? What aren't you telling me?"

Riku slammed into the floor, seeing vaguely a purplish glowing object drifing toward the ceiling... that was odd...

Oh my god...

He looked up into Xeryim's face, into cold eyes that ignored him, vainly trying to push himself up to lean on his elbows.

"I... I trusted you," he gasped, looking at the King as a chilling emptiness spread through his body. Was this what the Nobodies had felt like all the time? No wonder they had been so desperate to get their hearts back. He felt... cold.

And anger. Xemnas had said he felt nothing at all. How was it he still felt emotions?

"What have you done to me?"

He had seen it all. Everything. Sloth was not one to allow anyone to pull something over him, even if it was the King himself. So he had watched from the shadows, eyes glinting with a mixture of things. He wouldn't necessarily call them emotions, but it was a start. This new Princeling was going to be annoying. The Heartless could tell.

As the King and his newly crowned Prince walked by, Sloth sneered, arms crossed, at this Xeryim character. One would not be thrown out of his seat by this kid. Stepping out of the swirling darkness, he ignored Pride and walked straight to Riku, who was left behind looking very angry and very confused.

"Lessgo." He drawled lazily, taking the teen by the arm and starting to lead him towards the containment chambers. Sloth almost felt bad for the kid, because he still had his life ahead of him. Well, maybe not so much anymore.

Now he was just another "casualty" to add to the list.

Pride merely observed everything as it occurred. The Emperor and the Prince left through the same door he and the boy had previously come through. Xeryim… what was going to happen now that he was around? Surely he was more than a replacement for Greed…

"Pride! PRIDE! Help me- you can't let them- You have to help me!"

The Heartless frowned and merely glowered at the boy. He was so noisy. What did he expect Pride to do? Disobey the Emperor’s wishes and rescue him?

“Tch.” The Heartless turned his head, refusing to look at Riku. He honestly could not tell how he felt. He didn’t exactly feel sympathy for him but he was not overzealous that he was being locked away. Nevertheless, he continued speaking. “I suggest you be quiet, boy, and do as you’re told.”

Rising to his feet, Pride made his way out through a doorway opposite where Riku was being taken away. “I’ll be going to rest, Sloth.” He explained as he disappeared behind another curtain draped over the doorway.

If Sloth had a heart to speak of, he was pretty sure he would sympathize with the young, broken down teenager. However, all he felt was a sort of numbness towards the silver-haired boy's display. Glaring in the direction in which Pride exited, the Heartless pulled Riku to his feet, grip lessened. He led on in silence, focused on getting out of earshot. The robed Heartless turned a corner, eyes squinting against the sudden white that filled his vision. They were close to the containment chambers. After a few long strides and some turns later, Sloth stopped short of the cell he was to deposit Riku into. Turning his head to look at the boy, he narrowed his eyes, face placid but still questioning.

"....Why'd you do it?"