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Your thoughts wander, once more, to carnage, death, and piles of bodies. Flashes of your memories imply that you were a conqueror, a serial killer, a mass murderer whose victims weren't counted in the single-, double-, or even triple-digits. A true scion of bloodthirsty conquest. The smoke of the fire begins to waft into your direction, and your eyes begin to water. Is it due to the smoke, the memories, or the lack of guilt you feel when considering them?
You don't feel pride. That's not quite right, though you know your "butler" would expect you to feel joy, pride, and possibly sexual excitement at the thought of your past killings. There's no shame or guilt, either, though. You want to feel something - anything - but you don't. What's wrong with you? What's broken, deep inside of you - in your brain, or your heart, or your soul - that makes you the way that you are?
Why is it that, when you tell your companions of your urges, when you try to open up to them, to get them to understand, they just tell you it's normal to feel these things? You know it isn't. It can't be. You want to be good. You strive to do good things, to bring peace and happiness to the world around you, on your bath to Baldur's Gate, but the urges deep within you strive to be let out, strive to be let loose, strive to let you be a murderer.
A hand on your shoulder draws you out of your conflicted reverie. "You alright there, friend? You've been staring at the fire for some time. I'm not sure you've even blinked."
You glance up at the bulky elf. "Yes, I'm alright. Just lost in my thoughts, I suppose. How are you faring?"
"Quite well, now that we've figured out most of the mess surrounding Thaniel. There's hope for us to end this scourge of darkness, and it's all thanks to you, my dear friend. Every expectation of you, no matter how lofty, you've exceeded. I am fortunate, indeed, to call you a friend."
You feel a sly smile begin to quirk at your lips. "Only a friend, then, Halsin?"
He blanches, a blank look painting its way across his features. "Well, I mean...It's been some time since I've thought of anything beyond friendship with, well, anyone. But I...I wouldn't be averse to the thought, I should think."
And that's it - your relationship has deepened, of that you are certain. To what end, of course, you aren't certain, just yet. But isn't that half the fun? Finding out?
