“I had heard the rumors.” The masked was startled by the man’s elderly voice. “But I could not believe them before I witnessed you with my own old eyes.” He chuckled nervously as the creature faced him directly still silent. “How many years has it been?” No answer. The man’s expression saddened even more than it already was, his wrinkles deepened, and his eyes stared hopelessly into the shadowy holes that dimmed a soft crimson. “I-I want to apologize, Yu—.”