[They were harrowing events at the time, but he's more detached from that now. Now that he knows what he is, it's easier to be more like that, instead of what he was. What happened then may as well have happened to someone else- some of it quite literally. Though it's not always easy to keep it that way.]

It's usually a tower, I think. The White Spire is. There's more of them... or there were.

The Rite of Tranquility isn't removing magic. It's... [Describing the Tranquil is difficult, when they can't feel.] It takes away more than that. It locks away every part of you that lets you touch the Fade. Tranquil can't use magic, or dream, or feel anything at all. No more fear, despair, or loneliness... or joy, or desire.

[He'd thought that didn't sound so bad, once upon a time.]

[Akechi's second question hits a sore spot, one he usually tries to forget. The bitterness leaks into his voice.]

No. I don't remember which one did it, or I think I would have.

[Even if he remembered more, his memories from that time aren't all clear. As he was then, he's sure he would have killed whoever personally left Cole there. Now... he tries not to think about it. It doesn't help to think about it.]