John sat on the balcony of Anderson's workshop. It was rather far from the rest of Neo Aurora City, but looking at the faraway lights was nice, especially at night when they were more prominent. He started to long for it, remembering the layout of the city. He started from his old police department, making his way down the streets until he could see the apartments his friends lived in, his old house, the bar in which he started this journey, and his loft, a few miles away from all of those. He hated living so close to his old house because all the things that happened there angered him to no end- but, wait.

Suddenly, Dorien sat beside him, red plastic cup in hand.

"Can't sleep? Me neither. Wanna talk?", he asked. "Hm? Oh, uh, no thanks.", John responded, slightly taken off guard by Dorien's question. "You sure?", Dorien asked again. John looked off into the distance, at the city lights again. "I- uh... sure. I'll talk.", he said, turning back to Dorien. He smiled in return, taking a drink from the cup he held. "Well, I'm sure you have many questions. I would too if I were in your place. Is there anything you want to know?". John pondered, but it took him some time as his mind was filled with numerous swirling questions, like milk blending into coffee. Like, how did Ripley and Dorien meet? Why does Mimi wear a mask, and why does John trust these people so much? He trusted Ripley more than Dorien, but everyone else seemed to feel the same way. 

"Uh... what's the deal between Mimi and Ripley?", John asked softly. Considering Ripley's reaction to just hearing Mimi's name, he felt like he was on thin ice even mentioning it.  Dorien hummed, head tilting like some bird.

"Mimi used to run a brothel. She recruited Ripley and put her in some... very bad situations. I could go deeper into that, but quite frankly, I don't want to, and I don't think my little crow would want me to either.".

John shrugged. "Never have been one for hookers.". Dorien chuckled, moving some strands of his jet-black hair out of his face. "Clearly, considering how you treated Mimi.". John's eyes widened slightly. "W-well, shit. I wasn't rude, was I?".

"No, not from what I've heard. It's just that you essentially called her a pervert. It was quite funny, in all honesty.". "From what you've heard?", John asked confusedly. "It was only me and her in that room.". Dorien smirked, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "I have my sources.", he said. John bit his lip and nodded. "Right, I'm not diving deeper into that.". "That's probably for the best. Now, do you have any more questions?". John shook his head, looking off to the city lights and sighing. "Damn... how did I get myself into this?". Dorien sighed, taking another sip from his cup. "I do apologize for bringing you along with me so quickly... we haven't even properly introduced ourselves to each other, now have we?".

John shrugged. "Eh, I don't care either way. I've never really been one for formality.". Dorien nodded in agreement before continuing to speak. "Yes, but I am. My name is Dorien Xander... and you are John Doe, correct?". "Well, yeah." John chuckled. "Really hit the nail on the head with that one, didn't you?". Dorien shrugged, smiling softly and taking another sip from his cup. "Now, if you don't have any more questions-". "Actually, I, uh... I do have one more.", John interrupted. Dorien nodded, his eyes sparkling curiously. "Go ahead.". "Why does Mimi wear a mask? And did you guys actually... you know...?".

Dorien bit his lip, responding "Yes, we did. And about her attire, she wears it to stand out. Normally, she has blonde hair and slightly more olive-toned skin, with an abundance of freckles. And blue eyes, but you already knew that.", he chuckled. "It's quite a sight to see her when she's about to go to bed since she always takes off her wig, mask, dress, everything. She's in her natural state... unfortunately, she usually locks herself in her room when she's in more casual attire, so I doubt you'll get to see her like that any time soon.". John nodded, "Well, that's a lot of information I didn't really need.". "What? You asked, after all.", Dorien chuckled.

Opening his mouth to speak again, Dorien paused and seemed slightly panicked. "I-I'm sorry, John, I need to leave you for the night. Sweet dreams.". "What- Dorien!", John called out confusedly, but it was too late. Dorien had fled the scene, and it seemed he would get no further answers to any of his other questions... for now, at least. Shrugging it off, he stared back at the city lights.

Dorien ran to the bathroom, staring at the mirror, focusing on his reflection. He panted, shaking his head as his vision flashed black. "No, no! Not now, not again, not-!", he cried out. This was in vain, as he felt something was wrong, and before he could react further, he leaned over the sink, coughing up some strange, vile black liquid. It had a slightly watery consistency; not as viscous as blood, but still thicker than water. He stared at it in horror, grabbing a tissue and wiping it from his lips. Grabbing his cup, he chugged some of the liquid, trying to shake the feeling of impending dread that experience gave him.

He sighed after chugging what was left of his drink and decided to run the water in the sink, cleaning up the strange goop he coughed up. He bit his lip nervously, not knowing what to do. This had been happening for a long time, but he couldn't let anyone know. Not John, not Lucas, and especially not Ripley.

Not his little crow.

God knows she would bust her ass trying to find any way to help him, and the stress would probably end up killing her in the end. Poor girl. At this point, Dorien came up with a solution that would most definitely serve him well, for now at least. The plan was; tell no one what just happened.