''Before we go, there's something I wanted to discuss with you, sir Aryel.''

''The end of my knighthood dispelled my deserving of "sir," milady.'' One hand firmly grasped the leather reinforcement of his glaive and the other rested on the handle of his sword; he remained relaxed in his posture. ''Is it a sensitive topic?'' Gosh, even the air blowing on his face makes my heart race a bit. Keep your focus, Rey.
''Yes.'' You glanced around the small plaza. All the lingering Mamonos had returned to their business, and the guys at the gates were making a point of ignoring your group. ''Here will be fine. I didn’t want to risk getting overheard inside a teahouse.''

''Alas, all the eateries have closed.'' Aryel nodded, looking slightly uncomfortable. ''I cannot promise to be an open book, but I swear to be faithful in answering anything you want.''
''It concerns Olin, Augustine’s son.'' A brief wave of surprise destabilized him, quickly overshadowed by glaring anger; his expression sharpened into pointed aggression directed at you. Shigeko silently stepped next to you.
''My father opened a connection into our dearest Mother Web, and his spirit manifested in my home a few days ago, so I made it my duty to help him. We expect him to regain consciousness today or tomorrow.'' Gods above, this guy has an intense expression. ''And I’ve discovered several worrying things...'' Explaining everything you’d learned about the young boy took a handful of minutes—your discovery about his circumstances and today’s meeting with the priest, though you kept yourself sparse on details about all the patients in his basement.

''I haven’t seen him yet,'' Shigeko commented after you finished your explanation. ''But Rey and her parents are good, strong, honest souls. They have my trust.''
There was no trace of politeness on the handsome young man’s face anymore; his piercing eyes looked at you and the tall blue woman with aggressive intensity, but he remained controlled.
''I’ve never been able to make up my mind about Belmont. He always struck me as a lazy asshole placed here by nepotism. He made excuses for failing the Last Bells? To think Augustine never said a word about this...'' He shook his head, grabbing his glaive with both hands. ''...it’s a sensitive topic, alright. The little lad died last month; the wound feels raw.''

''Ghosts mainly communicate through emotions when affecting souls on a superficial level. The more I know about him before his manifestation, the better placed I’d be to understand his message and maybe even share memories.'' Here came the make-or-break of this blossoming friendship. ''People often saw you two together before his untimely accident. Please do—''
''Foul play.'' Aryel smacked the ground with the blunt end of his polearm. ''I know it in my soul that someone pushed him off that tower.''