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Recently, Lexie had been receiving numerous calls from SCP - Containment Breach, requesting her presence to fill in for interviews and to meet SCPs she hadn't encountered before. Though she usually declined, she decided to accept the latest request to get it over with.
Now, she found herself about to enter the meeting room to interact with a new SCP and fulfill her role as an interviewer. Lexie had been authorized to speak to SCP-035 and was briefed about its tendencies to lure people with its words into helping it escape.
"Why, hello, my dear," SCP-035 chimed in a cheerful tone as Lexie entered the room, immediately recognizing her.
"My, my, what do we have here? The infamous Lexie Woods," he remarked. Lexie remained unfazed.
"Well, don't just stand there. Staring is rude, don't you know?" SCP-035 let out a low, echoey chortle as the guards prepared the table and chairs.
"Let's start the interview," Lexie said, ignoring his comment once the table and chairs were ready. She had her notepad and a list of questions provided by the scientists.
"Very well, I see," SCP-035 replied with a nod, already knowing where this was going. He sat on the chair across from her while Lexie took her seat on the other side.
As soon as they settled down, the observers started the interview. "I believe you know me by first glance, no?" Lexie asked.
"Ah, yes, and the same goes for you, right?" SCP-035 replied, earning a nod from Lexie.
"However, this isn't a personal interview," Lexie stated, making it clear that this was a professional procedure.
"Ah, of course, my dear," SCP-035 said, feigning disappointment.
"Now, let's get started." Lexie began the interview, asking the questions provided to her by the scientists. SCP-035 answered almost all of them, but in between his responses were sly comments aimed to get a reaction, but Lexie remained stoic.
"Hm, it's no wonder why they picked her as my interviewer," SCP-035 thought to himself during the interview. "Feisty. I like it," he remarked inwardly.
Lexie went through all the questions as diligently as possible. Throughout the interview, many scientists observed the proceeding from outside the room, waiting for anything abnormal that could happen.
"My, my, you're quite the diligent little interviewer, aren't you?" SCP-035 spoke after a few minutes of silence. He was amused, yet Lexie stayed unfazed.
"I know what you're trying to do," Lexie answered firmly, her eyes focused on his porcelain face. However, behind her eyes, there was a flicker of recognition and a hint of curiosity, which SCP-035 picked up swiftly. He leaned forward, a smirk on the corners of his lips.
"Oh, my dear, you've got quite the sharp mind," he remarked, studying her expression for a reaction. The observers watched the interaction closely, sensing something was unusual, but continued to leave Lexie be for now, knowing she could handle the situation.
"And you are trying to get a reaction from me," Lexie pointed out, seeing through his attempt to provoke. SCP-035 chuckled, clearly amused by this. He shifted in his seat and leaned even closer, narrowing his gaze towards her.
"Just like your dear sister, Haruko," SCP-035 remarked. "But unlike you, she at least entertained me enough. What a shame this charming SCP is already taken."
"Back to the subject, 035," Lexie replied firmly.
"Okay, okay, go on," he conceded with a slight chuckle.
Lexie resumed the interview, with SCP-035 answering questions more often than not, but occasionally slipping in sly comments. He still tried to break her calm and collected demeanor through provocative remarks, but Lexie continued to ignore them, much to his frustration. The observers still closely monitored SCP-035's attitude towards her, realizing how different he was compared to the other SCPs and other interviewers he interacted with.
"You're a tough one to crack, I see," SCP-035 stated, unable to hide his annoyance. He leaned back and crossed his arms, tapping his fingers on the table.
"Are you not even the slightest bit enticed by my charm?" He asked, tilting his head, and letting out a scoff.
"No, I've met several like you before," Lexie replied honestly, her calm demeanor remaining intact. She shifted her notepad and sat up straighter.
"You're not the first SCP I've encountered with the same manipulative tactics," she stated.
SCP-035's smirk faded, and he scowled at her response.
"Oh, really? So, I'm just one of many? Just another SCP to be analyzed, I suppose?" He said, his tone turning bitter. It was a blow to his ego.
Lexie maintained her stern expression, realizing he was not happy that he couldn't get a reaction.
"In terms of personality and behavioral tendencies, yes, you are," Lexie explained. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm here to perform the interview, not to be swayed by your manipulative words, 035. I've seen it all."
SCP-035's scowl deepened, clearly not accustomed to being told off but managing a look of annoyance nonetheless. He tapped his fingers on the table in frustration.
"You're quite the stubborn one, aren't you, darling?" he said with a hint of irritation. "Most would have succumbed to my words by now, but you resist."
"Is that how you usually get your way, hm? Making people fall for your charming persona?" Lexie inquired, her voice still unwavering. The observers noted how SCP-035, who was known for his manipulative tactics, hadn't been able to affect her.
"Of course," SCP-035 responded as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I can make anyone do anything I desire just by being charming. That's the secret behind my successes," he stated with evident pride, his smirk returning.
Lexie raised an eyebrow, a rare expression for her, as she remarked, "It's quite odd and rare to see you being cocky rather than your usual charming self."
SCP-035's smirk faded once again, realizing the truth in her statement. He was used to manipulating and getting his way through flattery and persuasion, but when it came to her, it was not working.
"Well, you're a unique case," he admitted, trying to mask his annoyance. "Most would be swooned by me by now."
"My mind is not as weak as the other people you've encountered," Lexie stated firmly. Her stern demeanor was like a wall that SCP couldn't get past.
"I don't fall for cheap flattery and charming words. As an interviewer, I've been trained to keep a balanced mind despite the SCP I'm facing." she added.
"But I suppose it's partly my fault for not mentioning it," she suddenly admitted, then continued, "No grief. No manipulations. If we continue these interview sessions, that will be the understanding. I assumed you were aware, considering how many interviews you've had."
SCP-035's expression remained neutral, listening to her stern words with a hint of annoyance. He crossed his arms and leaned back.
"You make it sound like a challenge, my dear," he replied, his voice a mixture of mockery and irritation.
"No manipulations. No tricks. Just cold, honest truth, hm?" SCP-035 considered it, not pleased at being denied his usual way of getting his way.
"You can be yourself, just be honest and respectful to the interviewer," she retorted, much to his annoyance.
"Huh, you truly are someone who deserves to be called hard to get," he remarked.
Lexie noted how different SCP-035's behavior had become since the beginning of the interview due to her resistance to his manipulative tactics. Before, he was charming and witty. But that persona seemed to have faded away and was replaced by irritation and mockery. However, she still felt a sliver of recognition towards him, but pushed it aside to focus on the task at hand.
"I'm only here to do the interview and keep your mind in check, SCP-035. Nothing more," she commented firmly.
SCP-035 let out a scoff, clearly unhappy with the boundaries she had set.
"Is that so? Just here to perform your little interview? No fun at all, I see." he remarked mockingly.
"You are a tough one to crack, darling." he leaned back in the chair and crossed his arms, a slight pout on his lips.
Lexie didn't react to his mocking comments and maintained her usual cold demeanor.
"That shall be our terms then," she stated. "Are you finished with your little tantrum now? Are you ready to continue the interview?" she asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
SCP-035 took a moment to observe her, seeing how her stern demeanor and icy blue eyes remained unfazed by his mockery and irritation. He leaned back, a mischievous smirk on his lips, and chuckled.
"Yes, yes, my dear. I'm done with my little tantrum," he said, feigning a smile. "Let's continue this oh-so-lovely interview, shall we?"
"Finally," Lexie stated in an almost inaudible mutter and cleared her throat.
"Alright, let's continue," she said in a louder tone. After reading the next set of questions on her notepad, she proceeded to ask the questions. SCP-035 answered most of them, but still tried to slip in a few mocking comments and sly remarks, knowing that it wouldn't work.
Lexie continued to stay unfazed and stoic.
SCP-035 leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms while tapping his fingers on his arm. Every unanswered question and lack of reaction from Lexie started to annoy him again.
"You really do have a tough skin, don't you?" He spoke, his voice filled with sarcasm. "I've yet to see you react to my words in the slightest."
"And if I decided to promise you to find you a partner for you to possess regardless of boy or girl—" Lexie began but was interrupted by the host who runs the interview.
"Make no promises, Miss Wo—" Again, cut off by the sound of Lexie's fist on the table, startling the humans in the observing room while SCP-035 looked quite surprised at the sudden display of Lexie's almost cracking demeanor.
"I'm the interviewer and I'm questioning him, watch your tongue or else there will be blood on your pretty white coat, human," she shot back as she retracted her fist and rested it on the table.
"Back to what I'm saying," Lexie began as she turned her focus back on SCP-035.
All the humans in the observation room who were monitoring the interview were surprised at the sudden eruption from the usually cold and strict Lexie. SCP-035 was also taken aback by her response, having not expected such a reaction from her. He leaned back in the chair, his smirk replaced with a slight frown.
"Easy there, my darling," SCP-035 remarked with a hint of sarcasm in his voice, still trying to regain his composure. "No need for bloodshed in such a beautiful morning."
"Afternoon, for your information," she replied, casting a death glare at the host in the observing room for interrupting her earlier.
"And to what I was about to say before the interruption: if I decided to promise you to find you a partner for you to possess, regardless of boy or girl, will you finally answer my questions and help me get things over with?"
SCP-035 raised an eyebrow, surprised at the offer. He was not expecting this to be part of the interview.
"Very well, darling. You got me," he agreed with a sly smile. "If you promise to find me a lovely host for me to possess, I'll cooperate fully and answer your questions."
Lexie raised an eyebrow, skeptical at that agreement, but nodded.
"Alright then, a deal is a deal," she said, scribbling something on her notepad. "You cooperate, you get a partner for you to possess."
"Now, can we finally continue the interview?"
SCP-035 smirked, satisfied with the deal they had made. He gestured toward her with his hand, indicating for her to proceed.
"By all means, my dear. Continue with your questions."
As the interview continued, it surprisingly progressed rather smoothly and positively. Towards the end, Lexie rose from her chair while SCP-035 leaned back with a smug expression on his masked face.
"Remember the deal we made, Lexie," he said as she headed towards the door. She sighed and nodded, "Don't worry. I'll find someone who isn't of this mortal world, someone who can withstand your abilities and, well, your damn attitude."
SCP-035 chuckled, amused by her remark.
"Good luck, darling. I have high standards. Though I have a feeling you'd be able to satisfy those standards just fine," he replied, his tone dripping with mockery and charm.
Lexie shot the mask a cold look, which seemed to shut it up for a moment.
"Don't test my patience, SCP-035," she warned, her voice stern and unwavering.
"Now, I've got work to do. I'll be back at some point with the candidate I have in mind," she added, heading towards the door.
"Until then, behave yourself," she said before exiting the interview room and closing the door.
SCP-035 chuckled to himself as she left the room, admiring her sharp tongue and strict demeanor.
"Looks like she got some fire in her too. How amusing," he muttered to himself.
He leaned back in the chair, folding his hands behind his head. As he sat in the room, he thought about their deal, and it had to chuckle a bit, thinking of what the person Lexie was planning bring to him was like.