[ he hesitates, before picking up the handkerchief and dabs it at his eyes. the feeling of embarrassment is setting in, but it's nothing compared to the hollow feeling of reliving it all over again. ]

I was... away, on a mission. A favor for a friend. But then a Distortion appeared in our district in the form of a Pianist that-- that played music. Blasted the most beautiful, dissonant music that... that killed virtually everyone in the surrounding area. Including my wife and our unborn child.

[ he sounds hollow, but talking about it does make him feel better. kind of. it helps that daan is patient. you sure you're not a shrink, doc? ]