No Turning Back

Chapter Twelve: A Heady Past Pt. 4

Richtofen sat back in his chair with a smirk as the man continued to glare at him. The crowd quietly watched the spectacle with tense anticipation - before the man finally spoke.

"I am just curious about vone zhing, Herr Gernsberg", the man began - with slight irritation in his voice. He continued to glare at Richtofen as Mr Gernsberg nodded in concedement; giving him the green light to begin his impromptu interrogation.

"Vhen jou began jour illustrious career... jou chose not to go by jour real name. Und vhy exactly vas zhat?" The man sang his query with a dangerous tone - taking Richtofen by surprise at his directness.

"Und of all zhe names jou could have chosen jou decided to use zhe 'von Rohr' family name, ja? I am just soooo interested as to vhy jou chose MY family's good name?!" The man exclaimed as the pitch of his voice crescendoed. His eyes were manic and unhinged as he eagerly awaited Richtofen's response.

"I zhink jou of all people should know", Richtofen responded cooly - causing the man's manic expression to wither to befuddlment. He paused and looked down as if in deep thought before his eyes lifted back up to Richtofen. It was as if being slapped in the face as the realisation then hit him.

"Nein! How could she just leave like zhat?!" The man cried out as the others had no idea what he was talking about.

"Ve have much to discuss", Richtofen whispered for only the man to hear.

Once he finally regained his composure; both men exited the room without a word. The man and Richtofen then sat down on the sofas in the adjacent room. Richtofen was the first to speak.

"I always suspected it vas jou", he said confidently.

"She just left vone day. Zhere vasn't even a letter... no explanation..." The man stuttered as he was still overwhelmed with shock. Then, suddenly, his expression darkened as he leaned across the coffee table at Richtofen - causing him to jerk back.

"I have vatched jou climb zhe ranks of the Republic. Jou knew using my family's name vould catch my eye, no?" The man asked with ragged breath. Richtofen felt a little uncomfortable with the man's rapidly changeable demeanour but nodded quietly.

"JOU! Jou vanted to get to ME!?" The man yelled.

"Vell, ja... but I also vasn't too keen on zhe whole living in poverty zhing", Richtofen responded in his usual humorously sarcastic manner. The man suddenly sat back with a grin.

"Oooh! Jou even have my sense of humour!" The man retorted with a beaming grin.

"Ja, und zhe resemblance is uncanny. I'm sure jou shee it too..." Richtofen chimed in.

"Ja, but even more so zhan mere resemblance," the man replied as Richtofen chuckled. The laughing quickly stopped once Richtofen noticed the man's piercing manic gaze. Then, suddenly, his demenour darkened again.

"Not many vould have been able to pull off vhat jou have done, jou know..." the man began as he looked at Richtofen with sinister eyes.

"But zhen again, zhey don't have my superior genes!" The man giggled with excitement before becoming serious again.

"I had Otto invite jou here tonight as I zhought confronting jou vas long overdue. I knew jou couldn't pass up such a prestigious opportunity!" The man explained.