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That's... that's none of his business.

He might cry later.

His upbringing, education, and other conditions outside of his control have made him who he is today... have patience.

Beneath his self-deprecating exterior there is something genuine -- sensitive, loving, hopeful.

This still carries some weight with him.

No smug self-satisfaction here -- just pride.

A psychologist would probably call this a side effect of being the object of violent loathing from birth.

He can't help her. He's tried.

Shit, he really has tried everything.

The fantasy of the eternal studio-hang is more vivid in his mind than any actual 'production' that might occur there.

Glimmer of hope. Maybe she's been doing alright without you. Maybe she's figured herself out.

Karolina's never told him that Tempo was your asset, too.

He's genuinely proud of what he and Karolina are able to accomplish here.

One of the few people he can call anything close to a friend.

Sure, you could use that as an excuse for your ignorance. Or you could just admit that the Hershel of five years ago was somehow even more self-centred than the Hershel of today.

A scab across his heart he can't quite stop picking.

Nearly two decades gone, and he's still making his home in a cinema: a love that's never died.

Artificial, canned laughter.

The comparison to his sire is inevitable. He's resigned himself completely to the umbilical tie -- a noose, a lifeline.

Probably thinks you're a strip-o-gram.

In his tone there's a spark of excitement not sufficiently smothered by anger.

Eszti wasn't just trying to hurt you -- she was telling the truth.

He finds his girlfriend's dark past equal parts enraging and intriguing.

Your vanities are not so different.

Genuine appreciation for the old man's resilience, tinged with something like resentment.

Impressed and terrified by the lengths you'll go to to get what you want.

He is 100% stealing the imagery of his beloved's freakouts to use in a music video some day.

Fear, hope -- and jealousy.

So far, his curiosity hasn't got the better of him. Not if would mean hurting her.

He wants you to tell him that it's not bullshit. He wants it to be real.

They took everything from her. Flesh, family. The safety of her own mind.

And yet... The one they all covet, valuable not despite its flaws, but because of them.

The reigniting of a custom you'd feared lost forever.

This moment, it's important to him. A re-kindling, maybe -- finding warmth among ashes grown cold.

'Did she just abandon us?'

Open up to Ramses.

Tell him it's true. Make him understand.

Don't let this get ugly. Not after what he told you about Vespar.

Are you really going to do this to him?

He's amused, but a part of him is hurt.

You feel the warmth of shared blood and smokes, in the aftermath. Heartbeats humming in tandem; every small, defiant smile its own flag.

To redeem the failures of your past.

Not exactly how you would be best described.

Very you, in other words.

You may have his permission, but he probably didn't intend to extend his hospitality to you showing up in the middle of the night.

A tinge of mourning in his voice.

But that's Tonio... the building manager.

He is surprisingly jovial compared to when you first met him...

1,054 skill checks - ZERO PARADES field manual - Page 14 of 22