Quoted By:
>Have a panic attack.
It's her, undoubtedly. She looks almost exactly the same as you remember, but...
You thought you were prepared to face her, to rescue her, but your mind spins with confusion. Does she still love you? Does she remember you? Of course she does - you came all this way just for her, she will be happy you've braved Barovia and brought her back - these thoughts are baseless fears. But how will you speak to her? How has she changed in these past years? How have YOU chagned?
You realize your hands feel tingly, and you feel light headed. Somehow you are more nervous than you had been fighting monsters and surpassing insurmountable challenges to find her.
Fighting hyperventilation, you decide the best way to approach this is to just step out and greet Ezmerelda and... and Joannus. Little do you know, this will not turn out to be a good idea.
Trembling, you leave the tent. You probably look so weak - but that's okay, your sister will take care of you, this is what you came here for. For her love and guidance, to bring it back, since your parents would not.
Step by step, you approach the two women. Your ghastly appearance must startle them, because Ezmerelda stands up suddenly and instinctively reaches for the axe on her belt, before realizing it's you and promptly rushing over to steady you.
You turn your gaze to the woman next to her. To Joannus. She's scanning you, her eyes searching you for recognition. Then she says something... but you don't hear it.
Your vision starts to recede. Ezmerelda helps you lower down to the damp grass next to the fire. "Easy, now," she says. "You should have stayed in bed. Clearly you are still wounded."
Your sister rushes to your aid too, but you can tell by her face that she doesn't know it's you. She can't.
"Joannus," you say, with quick breaths, your heart pounding from panic. She looks at you blankly, concern over her face. "I came... I came to- to..."
"Let's get her some water," she says to Ezmerelda, picking up a waterskin by her side and bringing it to your mouth. This is the worst reunion ever. Why can't you do anything right? You spend ten years braving the dangers of Faerûn, but now that you're here, something doesn't feel right.
"You came to do what?" your sister asks, with a calm, forced intensity. Her accent has a hint of Barovian. "I saved you. Tell me why I needed to do that. Who are you?"
The world is reduced to a point, and once again, you lose consciousness... again!!
(cont.)
