[ When his head lifts, a metal mask is covering the lower half of his face. How and where it came from -- it doesn't matter. It never has. It is still his face. He is covered with wounds, but those wounds slowly take the literal shape of mouths. Mouths with teeth. They close into wide smiles, like before, but this time, the "lips" purse, closing the injuries.

A look of panic screams its way into his eyes as he stands. The way Daud is kneeling, the feeling that chills and freezes his heart. No! Neither one can leave just yet! Not for that but for that! ]

Such a thing .. such a thing! [ He stumbles closer, walking less in jerky-sudden movements. Moving less like a creature that merely inhabits the body of a man. His eyes fix on Xu Shu before fixing on Daud. Concern etches itself in his gaze. ]

The curse still is upon him. I must get closer to be able to break it. I must. [ A truth and a lie. A lie and a truth. If I explain outright what it is I plan to do, Daud, you will not trust me. Such a thing... it's understandable. Even so, then I must deceive. I must even though ... it will not breed trust between us.. Yet he feels if he takes the time to explain now that it will waste time.

For each step he stumbles forward, the ghost fire bursts and evaporates in the air. The miasma swirling on the ground cumulates and is absorbed into the "monk." His anxiety rises as he repeats himself, louder, clearer! ] I have to draw closer! Please let me draw closer.