[The spell fades as Daan closes his hand and his eye closes. It's not new. Daan has told that story what feels like a hundred times now, in various details, but never lying. He thinks of Elise -- beautiful Elise, bold Elise -- who found fascinating, amusement, and entertainment in the tales. Baron von Dutch found interest, as it fed his obsession with the occult.

Vergilius reacted with anger and horror. Kaveh reacts with sympathy and kindness. It does offer, yet again, another perspective on Daan's life in the von Dutch household. What is the truth? What was he convinced of? How desperate was Daan to be loved back then? Is that why he's constantly taken aback when he receives it in this city?]

...I appreciate your sympathy. I do.

[Which is a stark difference between Roland and him. Roland is never a fan of it -- empathy or sympathy. Daan is taken off guard, but he doesn't dislike it.]

I guess that's why I was fine with becoming a doctor. ...To give what I was denied. A helping hand, when I never got one. For all that's worth, anyway.