NPCAs soon as you exit the crowd and find yourselves alone, you realise that something is wrong with Heinrix. His face is fixed in its usual expression of grim inscrutability, but something — his tightly clenched jaw or the slight creasing around his eyes — reveals the change in him. When he begins to speak, his voice thrums with tension.
NPC"We don't have much time, [Name]. I brought you here, away from prying eyes, because I have something very important to tell you." He breaks off, looking past you — whether suspicious of being observed or simply choosing his next words, you cannot say. You see his jaw muscles ticking in his cheeks, and the corner of his mouth twitches uncontrollably.
YOU"What has so alarmed you?"
NPCYou see a flash of pure malice in his eyes. "Lord Captain, you are agitated too, I see. Where are all your spiteful barbs and comments now? Why the strange concern for my state of mind?" After a moment, the spectre of humour vanishes from the Interrogator's face. "Sorry. That's not important right now."
NPCHeinrix exhales and looks directly at you for the first time in this conversation. His expression is strange, tormented. "Listen to me. Tonight, something very important is going to happen. Steel yourself and be prepared. Do not do anything foolish — I beg you. Bear in mind that you are not being threatened with anything right now. Remember that. I give you my word."
YOU"Be prepared? For what?"
NPCHeinrix lets out a strained sigh. "I swear on the Golden Throne and all that is holy, [Name]... I cannot reveal everything without contravening prohibitions and vows that are far more important than you or I. There are lines I cannot cross."
NPC"And yet, despite all that, I knew I had to give you fair warning — if you can call it that. Let them charge me with whatever they want later — I had to make you aware that there is no genuine threat to your life. Because..." He hesitates, his confusion about what he wants to say and what he must not say finally getting the better of him.
YOU[Kiss Heinrix] "Enough handwringing."
NPCThe Interrogator freezes in shock — and a moment later surges forward. His hands slide to your waist and the back of your head and he drags you against him, gripping you tight, not giving you the slightest chance to slip away. Heinrix responds to your kiss as though he has been waiting for this moment for a very, very long time. The world around you stops.
NPCAfter an eternity, Heinrix, gasping, pulls back ever so slightly — you can still feel his breath on your lips. He vacillates for another moment, and then lets out a shaky breath. "No. This isn't right." He takes a step backward, his hands gripping your shoulders. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have—"
YOU[Pull Heinrix toward you] "No. No, don't go."
NPCThe Interrogator smiles caustically and gently removes your hands. "You don't understand... not yet, at least. I had to stop. I'm sorry. You... You'll see why."
NPCHeinrix takes another step backward and casts one last look at you before turning away. "You should return to your guests. The absence of the Rogue Trader will definitely be noted." He says nothing for a few seconds. "Until next time."
end of branch
YOU[Reach for Heinrix] "It's not as if you chose this..."
NPCHeinrix stares at you, at your lips, like a man possessed — and at the last moment, gently stops you. "No. I had to stop. I... I'm sorry. You'll see why."
NPCHeinrix takes another step backward and casts one last look at you before turning away. "You should return to your guests. The absence of the Rogue Trader will definitely be noted." He says nothing for a few seconds. "Until next time."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Step back] "You're right. We should not have done that."
NPCHeinrix takes another step backward and casts one last look at you before turning away. "You should return to your guests. The absence of the Rogue Trader will definitely be noted." He says nothing for a few seconds. "Until next time."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Take Heinrix's hand] "I understand. Thank you for the warning."
NPCHeinrix squeezes your hand in both of his. "Thank you, [Name]."
NPCHeinrix looks around once more. "You should go back. The Rogue Trader's absence will not go unnoticed. Until next time."
end of branch
YOU"I have heard more than enough. I shall keep your words in mind."
NPCHeinrix releases a breath, as if a staggering weight has been lifted from his shoulders. "Thank you. That is all I want."
NPCHeinrix looks around once more. "You should go back. The Rogue Trader's absence will not go unnoticed. Until next time."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You're a coward, do you know that? Why did you drag me here if you weren't going to say anything of substance?"
NPCHeinrix's face turns to stone. "You may be right. But I have said more than enough already, Lord Captain. I hope you will reflect on my words."
NPCHeinrix looks around once more. "You should go back. The Rogue Trader's absence will not go unnoticed. Until next time."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are scaring me."
NPC"No. Don't be afraid. Fear is your worst ally. You will be fine."
YOU"Be prepared? For what?"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"You are scaring me."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Heinrix, you are talking in riddles. Explain exactly what you mean or I shall turn around and leave."
NPC"No, wait!" Heinrix grabs your hand and immediately releases it. "I'm sorry. I hadn't finished."
NPCHeinrix lets out a strained sigh. "I swear on the Golden Throne and all that is holy, [Name]... I cannot reveal everything without contravening prohibitions and vows that are far more important than you or I. There are lines I cannot cross."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"Heinrix, you are talking in riddles. Explain exactly what you mean or I shall turn around and leave."continues where this line first appears above
NPCHeinrix's face twists into a strained smile as he continues to look past you. "I am trying to choose the right words for what I intend to say to you. Give me a second."
NPCHeinrix exhales and looks directly at you for the first time in this conversation. His expression is strange, tormented. "Listen to me. Tonight, something very important is going to happen. Steel yourself and be prepared. Do not do anything foolish — I beg you. Bear in mind that you are not being threatened with anything right now. Remember that. I give you my word."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"It's funny — as soon as we find ourselves alone, you lose the power of speech."
NPCHeinrix shoots you a scorching look. "Can we do without your jokes just this once? This is not a laughing matter." He falls silent, pinching the bridge of his nose.
NPCHeinrix exhales and looks directly at you for the first time in this conversation. His expression is strange, tormented. "Listen to me. Tonight, something very important is going to happen. Steel yourself and be prepared. Do not do anything foolish — I beg you. Bear in mind that you are not being threatened with anything right now. Remember that. I give you my word."continues where this line first appears above
NPCHeinrix's face twists into a strained smile as he continues to look past you. "I am trying to choose the right words for what I intend to say to you. Give me a second."continues where this line first appears above
YOU[Remain silent]
NPCHeinrix exhales and looks directly at you for the first time in this conversation. His expression is strange, tormented. "Listen to me. Tonight, something very important is going to happen. Steel yourself and be prepared. Do not do anything foolish — I beg you. Bear in mind that you are not being threatened with anything right now. Remember that. I give you my word."continues where this line first appears above