[[Kariya grows silent, absently stroking Sayuri's head as he thinks. When he first arrived in Johto, he was reluctant to tell anyone his name, much less why he....well, is how he is. But there's something about this newcomer that makes him feel....comfortable.

It can't hurt to open up a little...perhaps it will make the burden easier.]]

...it would take me quite a time to explain the entirety of it...but I was born into a very cruel, power-hungry family, part of a cruel, power-hungry society. Some of the things I've seen...no person deserves to see such things, much less experience them.

I fled my family and was disowned, cast out...but I was happy. But then...circumstances required my return to my home town. Such circumstances also.....well. The reason I was so sick...

[[...he's clearly hesitating; he's said too much already.

....hasn't he?]]

...was because of the...magic my family specialises in. I don't expect you to believe me, but it is true.

[[Finished, Kariya closes his eyes. It sounds ludicrous enough to him; what on earth is Zulf going to think?]]