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But back then, all I had were sleepless nights.

Because I finally came to know fear.

I was afraid...

The best choice I could make at the time was to have you leave, to go far away from Kjerag.

Even if we couldn't see each other again, even if I couldn't be by your side anymore.

For I knew the two of you could live a normal and peaceful life somewhere at least...

Instead of running into any strange accidents somewhere I couldn't see—or even right under my nose.

So I wouldn't be left with just an 'accident'...

...You...

That's the story of me and Tatyana.

Rosalind, I owe you and your mother too much. I, Arctosz, will never deny this.

The warrior's weapon falls onto the snow with a muffled sound.

Arctosz takes out his poleaxe, and throws it at his daughter's feet.

Under the sun, it reflects both faces of father and daughter on its blade like a mirror.

Resent me, blame me, I deserve it all.

Berate me, or even strike me with this axe. I won't dodge.

But, then... can you give me another chance, Rosalind?

I... don't mean to make this difficult for you!

I just wanted you to know I still love you both. I did then and I always will.

My feelings towards you and your mother have never changed.

So...

If you're willing, Rosalind—

Could you... call me father, just once?

Call you... father?

I...

Rosalind...

Go to hell! In your dreams!!

R-Rosalind?!

So you talked yourself in circles for a whole day, just for that?!

HUH?!

Didn't want to make things difficult for me? You even threw down your rotten axe, because you're so sure I wouldn't use it to cut you open, huh?

No, that's not what I...!

I don't care what you meant!

It sounds so neat, convincing your family to let you marry, being forced to make us leave.

Hah. You think I'm dumb?

All I can think of hearing your story is how Mamochka dealt with it all.

You left her all alone in a hostile environment for so many years, and she even raised a kid for you.

She willingly put herself in danger, even with her life on the line! But you're telling me in the end all she could do was leave??

Have you ever considered why she, an Ursine, had to endure being treated like that in your Kjerag?!

I...

My mamochka loved to go on adventures, she liked to try new things, she liked to explore anywhere she could. She could never stay in one place for too long.

She loved making friends, loved shopping, loved to eat all sorts of food.

Could your Kjerag from twenty years ago even satisfy any of that?

Do you care about any of those things at all?!

Why does it sound like you're the only character in your story, with nothing else?!

You said she's passionate, that she's frank, but I couldn't tell you were talking about Tatyana Yevgenyevna Larina at all!

You're happy as long as you have your wife and daughter by your side?

Hah...

I'm blown away that you actually had the guts to say that!

Tatyana...

It was me, it was my...

It's too late for tears.

Do you know what life in Ursus was like for us?

Living peaceful lives somewhere? That's enough for you?

Bullshit!

Do you know just how many people were talking behind our backs when Mamochka was raising me on her own?

You couldn't.

I grew up without a papa. Do you know how 'popular' fatherless kids are at school?

You were bullied?! They dared—?!

Save it.

No one dared bully me.

But listen, it had nothing to do with you. It was thanks to my fists. Even General Zima helped me more than you ever did.

Ever since I was small, I knew I had to rely on myself because I didn't have a papa. I knew I had to count on my fists to shut up those cowards who only knew how to use their mouths.

Do you know how many fights I got into growing up? Haha, how could you even?!

Rosalind...! I—

You don't have to speak. It's pointless anyway.

I just wanted to tell you, I don't care whether you were compelled by circumstance, or were trying to bear whatever burdens you had.

Since you were missing from our lives for over a decade, there's no need for you to step up now.

My papa failed to show up back when I still wanted one.

And now, I don't need one anymore.

You're still hoping I'll forgive you?

Still hoping to use me as a bridge to reconnect with my mamochka, and have her forgive you too?

Dream on!

No! I wouldn't dare make such an unreasonable demand!

But I, I just want to do something for you...

...No, hold on.

Rosalind, what did you just say? Have your mother forgive me?

But isn't she... isn't your mother dead?!

You're cursing her too?!

Who told you she was dead? HUH?!

But didn't you say, you brought her remains back here, and you've been using past tense...?

Right, 'remains'...

...'Remains'?

Uh, hold up, let me check.

...Uh, I mean, what was it, I brought back a <i>token</i> of hers.

Man, the Kjerag language is hard as hell. I know my pronunciation's a little off, and the tenses might be hard, but is it <i>that</i> bad...?

Tatyana is still alive? I-Is she doing well?

Super well. She just broke her leg in a fall right before our trip. That's why I'm here on my own.

But what happened in Chernobog a few years ago... Hmph, forget it. You wouldn't understand, even if I told you.

I'll keep it short. I ran into some trouble a few years ago, and Mamochka ran straight into a Catastrophe to find me... I was pretty lucky to get rescued by Rhodes Island, but she contracted Oripathy.

How could that...?

So, where do you live now? Rhodes Island...? Right, they can treat Oripathy! So are you two staying with them now? Are they treating you well?

I know the Doctor there! Right, right, I'll get in contact right away!

Give me a break. You can't possibly know the Doctor better than I do.

Whatever, we'll pick this back up later. Another word and I'll lose my temper again.

What's important now is to find our way out of here, and it's no good to let that Victorian run around either, right?

Actually, I came up with an idea and was going to tell you about it, but you interrupted me.

What? How do we get out?

Over there.

You stand on that spot.