[center][h1][u][i][b]NPC[/b]s[/i][/u][/h1][/center][center][h3][i][b]S[/b]omewhere in [b]C[/b]entral [b]P[/b]aris | [b]A[/b]pril 14, 2012 (09:27 [b]AM[/b])[/i][/h3][/center]
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SxC9xpF0KE][sub]♫ Shadow Hearts OST - Profile[/sub][/url]

	`That haunted laughter... I [i]knew[/i] it...` Dietfried thought to himself, already knowing the answer without Conrad speaking.

	From the moment the old man had seen this young member of his homeland appear on the street, Dietfried had been almost certain that he was right on the mark; however, it was entirely possible that he was just being paranoid. It would not have been the first time that someone claimed he was delusional, so he always tried to confirm his suspicions before acting upon them -- it was the only way to avoid simply being written off as just a madman again. There could have been any number of reasons why the young man named Conrad would rush into this alleyway, seemingly 'on the run from something'. Nevertheless, the expression on his face at the moment was a similar sort of tormented as the expression that always carried itself in Dietfried's eyes. That, and it was all too perfectly timed for what he was [i]certain[/i] was coming.

	After the young man's laughing had settled down, Dietfried could tell that Conrad had a wall of mixed emotions going through his mind. As collected as he seemed, Conrad was clearly conflicted and had powerful reserves of emotion hidden within him. Dietfried was far too old and experienced not to notice that. Even so, all of his experience would not be able to prepare him for the feelings and thoughts that went through his mind as Conrad finally replied by showing him that abomination of an envelope. Before Conrad had even spoken afterwards, the expression on the old man's face had already gone considerably paler. He might have suspected that it was true, and even been certain of it, but somehow he was still not prepared to [i]see[/i] that invitation with his own eyes.

	`Do [i]I[/i] have one...?` Dietfried thought at the question for a moment, trying to control the shakes in his hand that slightly made his walking stick wobble ever momentarily.

	The expression on his face changed slightly, becoming more haunted than he already looked - if that was even possible, considering how he already looked normally - and he turned sideways as the walking stick clicked against the ground in response to him adjusting himself. Did he speak? Should he even try to tell this young man the truth? Would he even believe him? Surely, with what Dietfried now knew for certain Conrad had been experiencing over the last few months, his words would not sound so insane. Even if it was a difficult reality to accept, it was better than saying nothing... surely. He contemplated for a few moments, his head slightly facing down.

	"No... I [i]don't[/i] have one -- not [i]anymore[/i] at least..." the old man said in his usual deep tone, raising his head again to look at the street in front of him, "'Konrad', was it...? Listen to me~"

[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J9P4_fUvlQ][sub]♫ Guilty Gear Xrd Revelator OST - Mysterious Story [/sub][/url]

	Dietfried's next words never came though, as his eyes widened at the sight that was now before him. The expression on his face, which Conrad would be able to at least partly see from the current angle, was utterly [i]horrified[/i]. It was as though the old man's entire life had flashed before his eyes in that single moment and he was looking at the very gates of Hell itself. There was no way to truly describe the despair that was in his eyes.

	If Conrad turned to face what was seemingly spooking the old man, he would find himself seeing nothing at all. Was the old man a schizophrenic or something? That would probably have been the first assumption that most people in this era would have made; in fact, he may have damn well been condemned as insane on the spot. There was nothing to indicate that the old man was actually seeing something, for Conrad could see nothing at all. The only thing that might have felt a bit off was that there was a certain... 'feeling' in the space around the two men presently. It was virtually impossible to pinpoint specifically, but... what was the best was to describe it -- a familiar feeling perhaps? Throughout most people's lives, somewhere in their time on this planet they got a strange feeling lingering in the back of their heads that 'something'... or 'someone'... was [i]watching[/i] them, even though there was no logical reason to feel that way. It was an almost universal human experience. The only thing that was different right now was that feeling was stronger than usual. Nothing beyond that gave any indication as to why this old man was so afraid.

	Slowly, the old man's facial expression changed, until Dietfried had seemingly lost all the will to engage in whatever conversation he was about to try and start with Conrad. The hopeless look in his eyes was certain now that there was no way to avoid what was coming. If that was the case, then he had no choice but to face this destiny head on. Placing his free hand against his chest for a moment, as if to check his heart and make sure his health was in order, Dietfried turned away and started leaving. After a few paces, he stopped. He never turned around to face Conrad, but rather he stood there silently.

	"One more question..." the old man said, "Was there an 'escort point' included in the letter...? [i]Where[/i] is it...?"