Silver’s Face

It seems that the other people at the school have difficulty telling when Silver is or isn’t smiling. 

Ortho says that Silver’s enjoyment doesn’t show on his face, but during the White Rabbit Fes event “his vital signs are definitely fluctuating.”

In an attempt to help the group promote cronuts and drinks to help Deuce’s mother, Silver frightens children by “sprinting up to them all stone-faced, and then barely saying anything.” (Silver: “Another one’s run away. Everyone sure is in a hurry here.”)

During Fairy Gala Vil says that Silver “is so indifferent that he lacks depth.”

Vil has another issue with Silver’s ability (or lack thereof) to control his facial expressions in a vignette where he tries to get Silver to act in a scene for the Film Research Club.

Vil says he is astounded by Silver’s lack of talent, asking if he is just a scarecrow with an attractive face.

Grim also comments on how it is hard to tell what Silver is thinking and when Silver apologizes to Crewel during a class Crewel asks if he is sincere, saying, “You don’t look remorseful to me.”

Silver’s dorm vignette is based around his inability to portray his emotions through his facial expressions, with students in his class gossiping about how they can never tell if he is angry or happy. Silver overhears them talking about how they are not sure if he even has emotions, how unapproachable he is, and how he is “kinda exhausting to deal with.”

Silver is shocked by how is inexpressiveness has been burdening those around him and enlists Kalim (who brings Jamil) in helping him learn how to be more expressive with his face.

They try to get him to express his feelings of anxiousness and uncertainty, which he fails to do. (Kalim: “I thought you hadn’t started yet. Ah hah hah, your expression hasn’t changed at all!”)

Silver suspects that he is “bad at dynamic expressions” because he hasn’t trained his facial muscles enough so he tries forcing a smile by using his fingers, but his cheeks begin to cramp. 

While trying to learn how to make facial expressions that are able to portray his emotions Sebek appears and, upon understanding the situation, invites Silver to train with him the school’s courtyard, saying, “You need not engage in any absurd facial exercises, because that’s not what you actually need.”

Their practice fights attract a crowd that includes the gossiping students from Silver’s class, who are surprised to see Silver smile as he compliments Sebek on his progress: “I’m kind of stunned at how loud and emphatic he is with that freshman. I thought he was all cool and aloof!”

The students overhear Lilia and Malleus discussing Silver, with Lilia observing that Silver’s smile must come from how pleased he is that Sebek is showing so much growth. Malleus follows with, “Silver has always been so empathetic, sharing in others’ joys and sorrows.” 

Lilia says that he conceals powerful emotions beneath his poker face but Malleus says, “I wouldn’t say he actively conceals them, per se. I suspect he simply doesn’t betray much emotion.”

Silver’s classmates are surprised by the thought that Silver actually does have feelings, telling him later that they never knew he was so cool.

Sebek explains this was all a part of his plan: “I figured if people saw you training, they’d never be able to call you expressionless.”