At her words, Keith imposed immeasurable composure onto himself. Steely wasn't even the right word, titanium was much closer. His body and mind were back under his complete control and any sign of emotion was locked up, deep, deep inside of him where she wouldn't be able to hurt him. His muscles became rigid and tense, his joints creaking and popping under the strain. Keith looked down at his free hand, he noticed that his feeling was entirely gone. "Good" He thought to himself. The more she spoke, the more she helped create a monolithic golem, an immovable object, unable to be hurt and unable to lose this game. His face was like stone as she finished. Keith knew what he had to do, and as much as it would hurt, he just reminded himself that pain was temporary, and soon he would prove without a doubt that he would do anything for Alex, even if it meant breaking her. That thought would have made him cringe a moment ago, but not any more, This was Keith 2.5, will power incarnate, composure personified, and love reborn.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00BF00">"How long do you really think you can ke-"</span>"SILENCE! I WILL HEAR NO MORE OF YOUR WORDS! I BANISH YOU FROM MY MIND!" And with that, Keith isolated and then demolished his own self-hate. With his last weakness removed, he listened to Erika finish talking. He etched the words in his mind "Why are you doing this?" A permanent reminder of Alex, and why he was doing what he was doing. When he spoke again, it was the grating metal, but something deeper, more profound, more intent. "Understood. Sleep well, friend."