Kei felt tears push forwards as her blood started to stain his clothes, he dug his claws into his neck and let the blood push forward Nova's eyes slowly opened and she looked at the blood, trying to sit up to get it but being too weak
the Demon roared and droped Nova, running at Amoi Kei ran to Nova, "Nova? Nova?!"
once Kei reached the ally he froze stiff as a look of horror reached his face as he watched blood drip from Nova's arm, "Nova...?" the Demon looked up and growled
the demon picked up Nova in its mouth and bit down hard, waking her up for a brief moment and making her scream in pain Kei's eyes widened when he heard the scream and he bolted downstairs Nova fell unconcious again as blood driped down her arm while the wound in her shoulder and stomach started to stain her clothes, thankfully she had a good amount of blood or she would have been dead by now
Natsuki hugged her younger sister, wincing a little from her back, maybe i should have stayed home while my wound was still healing, it isnt fully healed...... Syn walked with her the king and queen bowed, "and what is it that you want to talk about?" the king asked
Rikku followed
Natsuki smiled, "maaaybe." she said Syn nodded, "yes, come in please." the king said
Nova strayed into an ally and sighed before turning back around just to stop dead and see a Demon, her hand flew to the spot where her gun was but gasped when she couldnt find it on her, the Demon growled and ran at her, she tried to run back but another Demon had snuck behind her, Kei's ears perked straight up both of their claws had found their way through her body, one through the shoulder and the other through the stomach. she yelped in pain and sneered, grabbing the hand of the one in front of her and prying it out before smashing it into a wall, the other wapped her on the head and next thing she knew she felt blood streaming down her head as she fell to the ground
Syn nodded and yawned a little before moaning, "i have a headache" she muttered to herself Natsuki rummaged through her drawers and looked for her mask
Natsuki smiled and held up a finger to her mouth before skipping down the hall and up the stairs, into he room Tadami looked completely confused Syn watched her, "by the way, how are you feeling lately?"
*comes from behind a tree* i'm just scared is all >_< plus ive been helping my dad on smg xD
Natsuki turned and smiled with her eyes closed, "hello Kimiko." she said holding back a cough Tadami blinked again Syn looked at June
"excuse me, are you looking for someone?" Tadami asked Natsuki shook her head, "no, not anymore." Tadami blinked Syn nodded and sat down
"sure," Rikku said
Natsuki saw Tadami and smiled widely, Tadami looked at Natsuki Syn nodded with a slight, but real, smile, which it was rare to see her smile anyways, "yeah"
Natsuki slowly opened the door to the castle, Tadami had looked been on his way out, looking at Natuski, or 'Anya', as she walked in slowly "followed you, more boredom then anything though," Syn said
curious on whether this is double posting..... but this is one of the chapters that i had a little trouble on typing, AND it has a little surprise at the end ~|Chapter Fourteen|~ A Deadly Disease and a Great Battle I walked through the town with my hands in my pockets. I sighed as people from the island mingled with the townspeople like they were friends from the start. Miko and Myou had been introduced to some of the kids here and Melissa had found herself a few new admirers. I stepped out of the way as one of the little kids from the island ran passed me, running away from a little kid that lived here that now had the role of ‘it’. I watched them run away from each other and started walking again, slowly making my way to the city limits. “Hey Bailey!†Christie shouted She smiled and ran up to me, “Hey Bai, whatcha up to?†she asked I looked up at her, “Hey Chris… nothing much, mostly trying to keep my distance from Cloud. If he sees me or the ship he’s gonna flip.†She chuckled a little, “Yeah, that sounds like Cloud.†she laughed I smiled at her; she looked at me and saw both the cut on my neck and the bandage, “Oh ouch, what happened?†I laughed nervously and rubbed the back of my head “Long story,†Christie smiled as she walked out of the town with me. I sighed as I looked ahead, seeing a sword sticking out of the ground. I smiled a little, seeing a wolf sitting next to it, staring towards us. So Zack WAS here. Christie stopped; I looked back at her, “What’s wrong?†I asked Christie stared at Zack and frowned “Are we really going over there? For one thing a wolf is there, for another… its such a sad spot…†I smiled and turned back around, walking over to Zack. He smiled and stood up, jumping up and pouncing on me, “Bailey!†Chris shouted She reached a hand for me but stared when I laughed and got knocked down by him, “Zack†I laughed Christie stiffened when she heard what I called him. She looked down, “So you named a wolf after Zack?...... I’m surprised that you would even name anything after him…. Wouldn’t it be too sad?....†she said Zack sighed and walked over, sitting down in front of her. She swallowed and stared at him, I knew she was wondering if he would go mad and try and attack her “So you would be too sad to hear my name again Chris?†he asked Christie’s eye twitched as she starred at Zack, “d-did he just talk?.....†I laughed and nodded, “Don’t you recognize the voice though?†I asked Christie looked at me and then looked down at the wolf turned man. He smiled “Yeah Christina, don’t you recognize me?†he asked Christie’s eyes widened, “Z-Zack….†I smiled and Zack bowed sort of, “Been a while huh?†Christie blinked and fell over, “y-you’re a wolf!†She laughed hysterically Zack and I laughed. I walked over to Christie and looked at her, smirking. She looked up at e and cocked her head then stared at the ground and smirked. I helped her up and we both looked at Zack. He blinked. We smiled at each other and jumped on Zack. Hugging him around the neck “Yikes!†he shouted We all laughed and I smiled. I was just like when Chris and I were younger, and yet it was different. It was still Zack, and we glomp attacked him like we used to, but Zack was different… very different. I sighed and looked down. I wonder if Zack will ever be the same?...... I was jolted from my thoughts when Zack nudged the arm with the bandages on it. “What’s this?†he asked I grabbed my arm, “Oh this? It’ nothing. Just a small cut… that’s all…. No need to worry.†I said I looked down and moved my arm a bit behind me. Zack was about to say something but he stood up and backed away to his old sword, staring at the motorcycle that was coming our way. I looked back and stood up quickly, looking at my brother as he stopped a bit away from Christie and I, his back facing us. He got off his bike and turned to us, looking at Chris and I before spotting the wolf. He narrowed his eyes. I looked back to see Zack back up a little and turn to his left to leave. I ran over and grabbed his scruff. “Oh no you don’t. You knew that you would have to face him sooner or later. You can’t go Zack… Cloud misses you.†I said Cloud frowned, “Bailey, what did you call him?†he asked I sighed and pulled Zack over to him. Zack looked up at Cloud with his ears folded back. I looked at Cloud. “Hey Cloud…. Remember me?†Zack asked Cloud stiffened, looking down at Zack. “No… it- can’t be…….†He muttered, Zack smiled a little, “Well… it is…†Cloud fell to his knees, looking at Zack. Zack blinked in surprise as my brother hugged him. I smiled a little and walked over to them, I put an arm on my brother’s trembling shoulder. He looked up at me and slowly let go of Zack’s neck. He looked down. “You’re really different…. But- as long as you’re back… that makes it alright.†He said Zack smiled. I backed up as Cloud stood up, smiling like he did all the time a long time ago. I looked down and sighed, “Guys, you know how I don’t really look like I know things until like a minute after you mention it…..†I asked They looked at me and looked up, nodding. “Well… there are only some things I remember…. If it means anything, I don’t even remember if I knew how to fight before I came to the islands… heck I didn’t even remember my birthday…..†Chris laughed a little. Cloud and Zack looked at me. “Ok, so…. We just have to help you remember.†Christie said I looked up at her and smiled a little, “I guess,†I chuckled I stiffened as a pain went through my arm. I clutched at my arm and backed up a bit more. The other three looked at me in concern. “Bailey?.... you alright?†Christie asked I looked at them and nodded. Why was it acting up now? Of all times it had to act up now. “I’m fine. My arm just hurts a little. That’s all.†I said “Bailey!†I frowned at the ground, “Bailey answer me!†I heard Sora say I put my finger on the button that tuned me in to my communicator. “Sora what’s wrong? Did something happen?†I asked I heard him sigh in relief “No. Not yet. But there IS going to be something wrong. There are heartless coming towards the city from the east. There is already a bunch in the great maw. Yuffie and the others are on their way down to try and stop them but; I think you guys should come down too.†He said My eyes narrowed, “I’m on my way. Cloud and Christie are gonna come too, if Leon is worrying then tell him it’s fine, we’ll be there in a sec.†I said. The others looked at me as I walked over to Cloud’s bike. I looked on it and found a button that I was happy Cloud didn’t get rid of. “Bailey what’s going on?†Zack asked I looked at them with a serious look. “Heartless are going to get into the town. The others are on their way to try and stop them. Sora said that we need to help. Chris, you and Zack are traveling together. I’ll see you guys on the eastern side outside the gate.†I said Christie and Zack tilted their heads and Cloud nodded to me. I pushed the button quickly before jumping on the bike and up in the air as my hoverboard shot up and caught me. Once my back foot touched the back of it, it shot towards the town. I looked down to see some of the people in the town running to get inside. I got to the eastern outskirt of the town and frowned when I saw heartless already just outside the broken wall. Tifa was trying to ward them off with Yuffie by her side. I looked to the left and threw my summoned blade and destroyed a heartless that was about to get Cid. He turned and held up a finger and I smiled in return. I looked up and frowned a bit when I saw a red blur a little further off. I looked closer and heard a gunshot. Vincent’s here?! I frowned and jumped down on top of a morning star that was about to body slam Aerith. I summoned my blade back to my hand and stabbed the morning star through its head. “Ah, thanks Bailey†Aerith said I nodded and jumped off, swiping at the heartless. Aerith ran over to Yuffie when she was running out of energy. Leon spotted me as he fought a few surveillance bots. “Where is Christie?†he shouted, cutting away a heartless. I smirked as I turned around and saw Zack and Christie. Close behind them was Cloud. “Right on time.†I said. Cloud went and helped Leon. Christie jumped off Zack and landed next to me. Zack ran over and destroyed a heartless that was about to attack Aerith. He looked at her and slowly a warm smile spread across her face. Some heartless circled around us; we looked at each other and nodded. We grabbed each others elbows as she summoned her blades. I swiped away some heartless and brought Christie around, letting her cut down the other sides heartless. I gasped as some white things started to attack along with the heartless. Some sort of dancer ones ‘ice skated’ over to us and circled around us, “Heartless?†I asked, “No, Nobodies,†Christie said I frowned and thought back to when I had first heard of the prophecy. I had to fight some white creatures then too. I quickly got out my old keychain and clipped it on, changing Double Team back to Daylight’s Way. I tugged at the chain, making it longer. I held onto the chain and swung the blade next to me, “Chris, Helicopter,†I said, She looked at me and nodded. She knocked away some nobodies as they tried to get close as I swung the blade high over our heads. Once they regained themselves the nobodies all thrust towards us, “Jump!†I shouted Once I lowered the chain Christie jumped over it. The blade slashed all of the nobodies and they disappeared. Christie landed next to me and sighed, looking at me, “Bai watch out!†she said, I blinked and looked behind me just to get grabbed by Yazoo, Daylight’s Way falling out of my hand. Chris moved to get me but a mixture of Nobodies and heartless moved around her. I growled and bit Yazoo’s shoulder. He hissed in pain and was forced to drop me. I tumbled on the ground and quickly stood up, summoning my blade back to my hand. Yazoo looked at me once he landed on the ground, “Please Bailey, I mean no harm, I was actually trying to keep you from getting hurt by the Heartless and Nobodies that Kadaj has sent. To show you that he misses you so.†I growled at Yazoo, “There will be a world of hurt for you, Loz, and Kadaj. I don’t care if you are Riku’s older brothers. You threaten him you die.†Yazoo chuckled. “Such big talk coming from a person who has not yet remembered how to fully fight.†He mocked I bit my lip and stepped back, making him laugh a little more. “but fear not Bailey, once Kadaj has you once again then there will be no reason for fight, for he and Maleficent are making a deal as we speak.†I growled and ran at Yazoo; he quickly pulls out his gun and deflected a strike that I threw at him, he grabbed my blade and pulled me close, to him, trying to get a hit in. I brought one hand away from my blade and hit him in his shoulder to try and get him away, my eyes widen /.\./.\./.\./.\./.\ “again.†a boy said. I huffed, trying to catch my breath “But Sensei, I’m really tired, and I can’t hit you in the right spot.†I moaned I was about 11; me and Chris were supposed to choose the subject we wanted. I chose the fighting subject with Braig as a teacher, Christie chose the medical and science subject with Ienzo as a teacher. She was the one with a quiet teacher and less active subject. While I was stupid enough to take the loudest teacher and the most active, not to mention complex and tiring subject that a kid can take. But I was tired of being weak, I know I was just a kid, but I wanted to help Cloud when he went off on a mission with Leon, I wanted to know that when I got older I could help protect him. “That isn’t an excuse. If you quit then you’ll never get anywhere. Plus if you quit when you’re tired, then you will not be able to keep going in a fight that you have become breathless in. now, come at me again. And strike the pressure point in my shoulder.†Braig sensei said I swallowed thickly and nodded, taking a breath and getting back into my fighting stance. He readied his staff and I ran at him. I dodged a blow from his staff and flipped around, he jabbed his staff forward and I used this chance to grab it. Once I did I pulled it out and made him fall towards me. Now strike him in his pressure point. I made my hand stiff and jabbed it into his left shoulder in the soft spot between the two bones. We remained there for what seemed like three hours before his arm fell limp. My eyes lit up and I smiled, he smiled down at me and we stepped away from each other. I clasped my hands together and bowed, breathing hard but smiling as wide as possibly human. He held up his movable hand and bowed back, smiling as he did, he stood up straight “You gave me a good student Mrs. Strife.†I stood up and blinked, looking behind me to see my mom and Cloud, “Mommy! Nii-sama!†I shouted with delight “Goodness Bailey! You look like you were beaten to shreds!†Mother said in concern I giggled and smiled as I closed my eyes, “Yeah! It was rough, but fun!†I said Braig smiled at me and looked up at my mom, “She will be an excellent fighter one day, she has a strong will. I’m sure that anyone who crosses her path will be one scared guy.†He laughed I giggled and smiled widely again. I jumped onto Cloud and he yelped but managed to stay standing, “Just like Nii-sama!†I said happily Cloud smiled at me, /.\./.\./.\./.\./.\ Yazoo winced and put a tag on me then swiped at me with his gun. I gasped as my blade disappeared without me dismissing it and flipped away. “That seal will prevent you from summoning your blade. And you can’t remove it yourself. You must have a mage do so.†Yazoo grunted. I growled and darted after him. Jumping up when he tried to shoot my leg and shifting my weight in the air and flipping around when he tried to shoot me again. I landed on the ground in front of him and hit his gun into the air with my palm. He narrowed his eyes and jumped away when I stabbed at the air with my hand where his stomach was. I could tell he noticed the sudden change in attack style. /.\./.\Cloud’s side/.\./.\ Cloud looked over to Christie and noticed she was alone. Where had Bailey gone?.... “Cloud!†He turned and swiped away a heartless before seeing Sora and Riku. Kairi going to help Aerith and try what Aerith had taught her. “Where is Bailey?†Sora asked Cloud opened his mouth to talk but was stopped when Christie pointed out where Bailey was. Leon noticed Christie and looked up along with Cloud, Sora, and Riku. Cloud’s Leon’s and Christie’s eyes all widened when they saw Bailey striking Yazoo’s pressure points in his arm, rendering it useless. “She’s actually using that style…†Leon said Cloud smiled, “She must have remembered.†He said Christie smiled widely. Sora and Riku blinked at each other then flipped around and destroyed heartless that were about to attack them. /.\./.\./.\./.\ I punched Yazoo hard in the stomach, making him fly back, “It doesn’t really matter if I can’t use my blade. I can still pound you without it.†I said I got into my fighting stance but winced and grabbed my arm, stumbling back against a rock. “Why now?...†I muttered Yazoo stood up and looked at me. I looked at my arm and removed my hand; sighing. I growled and stood up, running at Yazoo again. He chuckled and dodged me for a few seconds then grabbed the knot on the bandage. My eyes widened as he swung me around and waited for the bandage to rip. I was sent into the rock once the bandage ripped and I moaned. The bandage slipped off and Yazoo narrowed his eyes. “Bailey!†Christie called He looked down to see that most of the heartless were gone and there were no more coming. “Well, it looks like there are no more Heartless or Nobodies for your friends to get caught up in. and that is my cue to leave. I hope I didn’t hurt you too much Bailey, my sincere apologies if I did.†He said Yazoo bowed and then backed up, jumping off of the cliff and landing on his motorcycle. He rode off and I sneered in his direction. Christie, Cloud, Zack, Riku, and Sora all ran over to me while the others took care of the remainder of the Heartless and Nobodies. I quickly grabbed my arm and put it sort of behind me. Hoping they wouldn’t see. “Bailey, you ok?†Christie asked I got a sort of annoyed look, “Yes, hearing a crack coming from my back is a good thing.†I said sarcastically Christie gave a sort of fake smile. “Sorry,†I tried to sit up but I couldn’t move. Christie used a potion on me. I nodded my thanks to her but stayed sitting down. I took a deep breath and looked up, “Ugh, I hate those guys, Riku how did you get jerks as brothers?†I asked “Hey, I didn’t even know that they were my brothers until a few days ago. Heck I didn’t even know them at all.†He said I winced as my arm felt like it was being torn up by a heartless’ claws. I held in my pain and tightened my grip on my arm. Christie saw the bandage on the ground and picked it up, “Your bandage came off; you want me to rewrap your arm for you?†I swallowed thickly and shook my head, “No. I don’t need you to wrap it. I can wrap it myself…†I said. Christie frowned and Cloud looked at me, “Bailey, it’s kind of hard to wrap your own arm by yourself, what’s wrong.†I looked away. Cursing my arm in my head. “Nothing is wrong… I’m just a little annoyed with Kadaj right now….†Cloud took the bandage from Christie and walked to me, kneeling down. I scooted away from him. Looking down and praying that he wouldn’t see. Cloud frowned and grabbed my arm. “What are you hiding your arm fo-†I looked away as he stared at my arm. He, Zack, and Christie starred wide eyed at the scar on my arm that was from the Geostigma. “Bailey…. Y-your arm… this is I took my arm out of Cloud’s grip and covered my arm, looking away. “I didn’t want you to worry…†I felt their saddened eyes look at me. Then looked up and saw how confused Sora and Riku were. “I don’t get it, it just looks like a bruise to me, it will go away in time, I don’t see what you’re all worried about.†Sora said, “Yeah, it can’t be that bad.†Riku said I looked down at the ground with a mixture of emotions showing on my face. Cloud looked at the ground, a sort of angry expression on his face. Zack wasn’t saying anything either. “You wouldn’t understand. On your islands there isn’t such a disease.†I looked up to see Vincent. He looked down at me. I swallowed and looked away. For some reason I can never look him in the eyes when something is wrong. “It’s a disease?†Sora asked Vincent nodded, “And a deadly one at that. People with what we call Geostigma; get black scars that look sort of like bruises on their bodies. Wherever the scar is the victim has to go through massive pain in that area. Later on, the Disease can draw too much energy from the body; sometimes enough to keep the victim from moving, forcing them to spend their time in a bed or wheelchair. Eventually, the person’s immune system will wear down and the victim will die.†Riku and Sora starred wide eyed at Vincent then looked at me when I spoke up “Sheesh you don’t have to make it sound so awful.†I said, Riku looked down and tightened his fists. Sora got a look of anger and worry on his face, “Why didn’t you tell us? Maybe we could have figured out a way to keep it from happening.†I sighed and my expression was sort of blank and normal. “It’s no use, there isn’t a cure. This disease has been around for generations.†I said, “Dad had Geostigma and it couldn’t be helped. He died from it because no one could find a cure.†Sora frowned and clenched his fists, “How can you talk about it without even a hint of pain or sadness in your voice? Our father died from this disease and now you have it. Do you really want to die?†he asked, his voice trembling with sadness, I stood up and let my arms hang to my side, “If I’m lucky I will die… then maybe Riku will be able to live…†I muttered Everyone starred at me as I walked passed them. Riku scowled at the ground and looked away. A blank expression wouldn’t leave my face as I slid down the side of the cliff. Christie ran after me, “Bailey!†she shouted I felt tears form in my eyes but blinked them away. I saw my hoverboard and started to go over to it. Christie growled and ran after me, “Bailey wait up!†she shouted I closed my eyes tightly and shook my head “Leave me alone!†I shouted I ran for my hoverboard and picked it up, turning it on and jumping on. Christie grabbed my ankle and kept me from moving. I looked down at her and frowned sadly. She looked up at me and gently pulled at my ankle, telling me to come down. I looked away then looked at her again and jumped off the hoverboard. She put her hands on my shoulders and gave a reassuring smile. I couldn’t stop myself from letting some tears pass. “Bai, it’s all right. It just surprised us, that’s all. It doesn’t mean you should run away from us. Everyone here, Aerith, Cloud, Vincent, Leon, me, even Sora and of course Riku, we’re all your family. So of course we’ll worry about you.†Chris said, Tears flowed down my face and I looked down, “Gomen….†Christie smiled and shook her head, hugging me, “No need for apology.†I blankly looked forwards, tears streaming down my face. I slightly smiled to break the blank expression. “You always did act like a sister to me….†I muttered Chris and I stepped away and smiled at each other. /.\./.\./.\./.\ Everyone that didn’t already know about my Geostigma took it pretty hard. The girls tried to ignore it after the fact and the guys, especially Leon, kept bugging me about it; asking me if I would be ok and telling me that maybe I should stay home from now on to rest, try and get rid of the disease. Cloud disappeared, which I wasn’t really surprised with him. Vincent had disappeared too. Didn’t really know why or where. I helped Cid fix up the ship and Zack watched me. Riku had locked himself in the computer room with Ansem’s computer. Every time I tried and asked him something he wouldn’t answer… it made me feel even worse then I already was. Sora had been sitting on the other side of the hanger watching me; from time to time I looked back at him as I would come out from under the ship to fix something. It was really silent and very awkward for a while before Sora spoke out “Hey Bailey, I have a question,†I looked at him then back at the ship and continued to work, “What’s that?†He looked at me, “How come you didn’t tell anyone?†he asked “Well, I didn’t exactly know about it right away… only just after Morgana was gone did I notice the mark….†I said He frowned, “But that doesn’t answer my question, why didn’t you tell us?†I sighed, “Because it isn’t exactly something you want to talk about†“But if you did tell us you could have-†I glared at him “Sora you’re being impossible!†I said He frowned and looked down as I put a nut in my mouth since I had a lack of space to put it, a bolt in one hand and a wrench in the other. “Sorry…..†he muttered sadly I stopped working and kept my hand on a bot as the hand with my wrench fell to my side; I stared at the ground, “Sora…†I said, He looked at me as I was about to talk, but then at Vincent when he walked over, I looked at him, “What’s up Vincent?†I asked Vincent looked at me with warm eyes and a very slight, but real, smile. “After your announcement to everyone I went to look something up in the library and found a way to get Zack to his normal form.†I nearly swallowed the nut that I held in my mouth and dropped the wrench, except I didn’t drop it in a good spot because I ended up jumping up and down holding my foot. Zack had frozen up and Sora looked majorly confused. I stared at Vincent after having put my foot don and straightening myself, taking the nut out of my mouth. “y-you really know how?! He can change back?! He can be human?!†/.\./.\./.\./.\./.\./.\./.\./.\ ~|next time on Destiny and the Unforeseen|~ ~|Bailey: "i can't believe it! Zack is going back to normal!"|~ symbols were writen everywhere on the floor, ~|Christie: "we have to do something once the spell is done."|~ a bright light enveloped Zack and a feirce wind passed by all of us ~| both: "GLOMP ATTACK!!!"|~ next time: 'a friend returns' ~|remember to come back~!|~
Syn ha secretly followed June after having seen her on her way to the castle, she leaned on the wall as she put her hands in her pockets, "so this is where you hang out when nobody can find you," she said Natsuki had reached Destiny kingdom, when she stepped foot on the dock and smiled and walked up the path, towards the castle, just a peek at Tadami and Kimi.... i want to see them again she thought and coughed again
ooc: well, this thread is dead besides you guys and im gonna try and get all the other people back on, bic: Natsuki walked down the hall of oblivion castle and sighed, i wonder if i can see the others again... she thought and started to cough a little, she walked out of the castle and down the main street and to the dock, her coughing starting to worsen, once she got to the dock she noticed that there werent too many people there, she couughed once more and her hand flew to her mouth to catch the blood from her mouth, she swallowed thickly and hid her hand from anyone, ive been pushing myself too hard, if i keep thisup my wound is sure to open up again.... she thought and boarded the boat, hiding her hand as she did
meh, my luck is getting even better *sarcastic* the person who is trying to fix my ac said that he wont get the part he needs until friday, so me and my family are staying at a hotel until he fixes it T^T I WANT MY HOUSE BACK!!!!!! and also, unless my dad lets me bring the laptop to the hotel im not gonna be able to talk to you guys for a while,
