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<span class="mu-r">--</span>
<span class="mu-i">Urk!</span> A sudden painful pinch on your forehead, what?
...? Tepid heat spreads out of your heart, a slow yet consistent progress that soon starts to touch your belly and envelop your shoulder.
Your father is speaking, what's he saying?
''...cleric Rikard...blessed to...kindred Rey.''
There's a strange fog in your head, it's hot, difficult to pay attention. Is this love? Did you get thunderstruck out of nowhere? <span class="mu-i">Shouldn't it feel good?</span>
''My travels...land of Living sun...dangers is...blessed by your worry...''
Coherence doesn't reach your lips, for some reason, your dad moves to grab his hand. A simple handshake? Dad always put some value in politeness.
<span class="mu-r">BAD TOUCH</span>
You grab your father's hand before he can touch this strange elven man. Fire is hot so you don't touch it; this same <span class="mu-s">instinct</span> pierced through the tepid sludge of your consciousness.
Your body feels hot; no sweat hints at your discomfort, and your breathing is measured. <span class="mu-s">Something</span> <span class="mu-g">deeply</span> <span class="mu-r">primal</span> <span class="mu-i">is</span> <span class="mu-b">screaming</span> inside <span class="mu-s">y</span><span class="mu-g">o</span><span class="mu-r">u</span>.
''Rey?'' Thank the gods you love your father and he loves you. He doesn't shake you off.
This man's <span class="mu-r">Armin</span> is becoming <span class="mu-r">red</span>. With a polite smile on his face, he remains at this handshake <span class="mu-r">BAD TOUCH</span> distance.
''Dearest <span class="mu-r">sacrifice</span>, full glad am I<span class="mu-b">we</span> to witness your <span class="mu-g">rebirth.</span> One half of <span class="mu-r">H</span><span class="mu-g">e</span><span class="mu-b">r</span> oath is fulfilled...what a cruel theater you're walking into.'' <span class="mu-i">Gentle, familiar voice</span>
Your father's movements have slowed to less than a crawl. Everything but him <span class="mu-r">Armin</span> and yourself is almost motionless. A leaf has been falling for five minutes.
''<span class="mu-i">I <span class="mu-s">know</span> you</span>'' You <span class="mu-r">not</span>
<span class="mu-r">--</span>
''Rey? What's wrong?''
<span class="mu-i">!?</span> A painful jolt on your forehead chases away the mind fog keeping your mind sedated. One quick look around reveals nothing in particular, you're with your father, walking this rather creepy road leading into the baron manorial residence.
''Wasn't there someone here?'' Why do you ask this? <span class="mu-s">Nobody is here</span>. When did you grab your father hand?
''I didn't see anyone.'' Your dad is worried, his good mood has evaporated, replaced with hardened resolve.
''Ah, sorry.'' You let go. ''I must have been daydreaming, thinking about that ghost boy a little too much...''
It feels like you've forgotten the last few minutes. You were walking up the hill then here you are, in the middle of the road with your dad?
