Shioh heard the cat's meow and knelt down in front of it, looking it in the eyes for a few seconds.
"Do you know how to get to the hot dogs, kitty?" she asked it.
After 'Mr. Dune' and his associates had departed the casino, they might've perceived the slight audible pop as an object that had just materialized out of teleport pushed the air it had displaced aside in a miniscule amount of time.
Acid strode back into the casino, still in the process of getting his shirt back on, and fiddling with the left sleeve, which had inverted itself.
"Hey." he greeted the mismatched duo once more, "So, what'd I miss?"
"Oh, nothing much." Hotaka's shoulders rose and fell, summing up what had happened, "That arrow lad strikes me as more unstable than a bowl of nitroglycerine. Oh, and the MIB division departed as well."
"Huh." the reptilian turned toward the exit to get a look, finally reverting the sleeve back to its normal shape and being able to drape the shirt over his back and shoulders again, "Guess I must've missed 'em. Well-"
"What is that?" Hotaka inquired in the manner that generally accompanied the raising of an eyebrow, though with the hat there, no one could be sure.
His fingers reached for the end of Acid's shirt, but the reptilian quickly whirled about, wanting to know, "What is what? I don't see anything."
"Oh really?" the towering man intensified his query, moving to circle him, "well, then you won't mind me taking a look, will-"
"Yes, I would." Acid interrupted, moving with the robed fellow that now circled him like a hungry shark, "What is this suddenly? You trying to invade my personal space?"
"Yes." Hotaka nodded to Henteko, "Now."
The towering man quickly grasped the reptilian's arms, giving his compatriot the few moments he needed to lift the shirt and take a look at Acid's back. He immediately released the fabric again, utterly startled by the large gash that ran from left shoulder to right waist.
"I thought so." Hotaka concluded as he released his grip, placing two fingers down the grumbling Acid's neck by the mentioned shoulder, "Is that...blood? Aren't you supposed to be on vacation? I would've expected better of you. What have you been doing, Robert?"
"Hey, that happened beforehand." Acid crossed his arms with a huff, eyeing the floor, "I was sparring with Vyachslav, and I got careless. That's all there is to it. Really."
Hotaka shook his head with a sigh, taking a deep breath, "You...theres something wrong with you. Vyachslav is what...ten times your size? I know he's faster than you too. So he's larger, stronger, faster, and you know you cant beat him. Why do you even-"
"Because if I don't practice with a superior opponent, I won't get any better." the reptilian preempted the completion of the question, "Besides, you know he holds back. Like I said, I got careless, that's all. I'm not a masochist, nor do I have any psychological problems aside from excessive paranoia, and you know that."
"I suppose...still though, that...you know what? I give up." Hotaka admitted, "You're going to keep doing this despite what anyone tells you anyway."
Acid merely grinned toothily.
"He does have a point." Henteko mentioned, "If I'd only kept to opponents around my level of competence, where would it have gotten me?"
"Okay, okay." the towering fellow threw his hands up, "I can see when I'm outnumbered. I admit defeat. Now shall we find something to divert us?"
"Like what?" the others smiled simultaneously, causing Hotaka's arms to drop like limp noodles.
"Don't think I can't see where this is going." he murmured, taking a look about, "Well, everyone else seems to be heading off downstairs, so let's see what's so interesting down there."
Acid and Henteko nodded at this, and the three proceeded to follow Miranda and Danny as well...
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
At that moment, Gunner suddenly appeared on scene, overhearing talk of an arena fight. "Well, if Joe Normal here isn't up for a brawl, I'm certainly game."
Already he was twirling a pistol in anticipation, the trigger skillfully going around his finger without discharging a single round.
"And if it's a two on two, I suppose the beautiful lady won't have any qualms taking me."
For Famine, Silk, Harry, and Gray Masque, Gunner certainly must've looked sorely misplaced here. He wore plain khaki shorts and a white T-shirt, with a pair of flip-flops completing the tourist ensemble. His hair was long and untidy, and almost everything about him gave off the vibe of an obnoxious tourist. However, his eyes gave away his entire demeanor. He had, since entering the casino, shed his sunglasses, revaling cold, hard eyes that showed years of death. The man was a killer, anyone in this business could see that.
"So, are we ready, then?"
(OOC: I just had a thought: what do the crew and security personnel think of all these fights and fire alarms?)
((They find it sexy.))
((...What? They do.))
((Yes, I know I have to reply. Lemme just finish some stuffz and I'll get right on it.))
[ QUOTE ]
"Well give him credit normal regular joe." Grey Masque chuckled to Famine. "He's probably one of those willpower heroes-or a martial artist. Swordsman. Ninja. It isn't really fair to call any of those metas now, is it? I myself, am not a meta, as an example."
[/ QUOTE ]
Well, I guess Im the only Meta then? Looking over at Harry, you sure you dont wanna fight with me? Itll be fun I swear!
[ QUOTE ]
At that moment, Gunner suddenly appeared on scene, overhearing talk of an arena fight. "Well, if Joe Normal here isn't up for a brawl, I'm certainly game."
Already he was twirling a pistol in anticipation, the trigger skillfully going around his finger without discharging a single round.
"And if it's a two on two, I suppose the beautiful lady won't have any qualms taking me."
[/ QUOTE ]
Well I guess if you dont want to Harry
you can just cheer me on Silk turns her head towards the bar with very little hesitation yells towards the bartender, Hey, Orchid, Ive got a two on two cookin. Suit and specs versus me and trigger-happy Silk begins to slip off her top as she moves toward the bar, you still have my clothes back there right? She hops over the bar effortlessly and ducks to grab a pile of garments, you boys stretch a bit, Ive gotta powder my nose Silk enters a small door behind the counter.
[ QUOTE ]
David looked at the two ladies, "Hey now, no fighting, you two are friends." He said jokingly with a smirk on his face. "So what game first. Ladies choice."
[/ QUOTE ]
The two say almost simultaneously, Blackjack!
As they walk towards the table, Gabriella silently looks over at Odette motioning towards the ladies room.
You know what? Gabriella says with wide-eyes, I need to use the ladies room. Odette you wouldnt mind coming with me would you? David, well be right back ok please start without us
Gabriella pretty much grabs Odette and rushes her off to the restroom. They talk quickly right by the restroom door.
What the Hell Aria! Odette says to Gabriella
What is the point of this
and whats with the bad fake name?
Screw you, Odette was my moms name
Answer the questions, I still outrank you! Gabriella takes a slightly more intimidating pose.
Whatever, cant we just have fun too?
No, we may have damaged the ship, but unless we take advantage of the time, its useless
Silk already took care of the engineer; the professor has the security room ((vein lady)), and all thats left is to retrieve what we came here for
so were ahead of schedule
Why the hell would we stall the ship if it was that simple Mireille?!
Dont call me that! Its Odette remember! And why cant we just sink this tub
Because this tub belongs to our leader and that would be a considerable loss
Fine
can we at least have fun with our date before we kill him?
Fine but remember, we meet later tonight down below for extraction
When did you get all serious? Youre the one that charmed the poor sucker with your stupid song
Just drop it! Were going back out we can have our fun but just remember we cant be late
The two women put their happy faces back on and exit the restroom area, looking for David.
David's super hearing alerted him that something was amiss, he couldn't make out what they were saying only the tone of the conversation and it was nothing good. He decided he would have to be a little more alert of his surroundings. As Odette and Gabriella walked back to him he waved them over the the Black Jack table, "So is everything okay?" He asked with some uncertainty behind his voice.
[ QUOTE ]
Well, I guess Im the only Meta then? Looking over at Harry, you sure you dont wanna fight with me? Itll be fun I swear!
[/ QUOTE ]
Harry's gentleman-ly streak flared up at the most inopportune times. Sighing in defeat he opened his mouth to tell Silk that'd he'd give it a try.
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
"And if it's a two on two, I suppose the beautiful lady won't have any qualms taking me."
[/ QUOTE ]
Well I guess if you dont want to Harry
you can just cheer me on
[/ QUOTE ]
Absolution!!
At the very brink, he'd once again managed to secure his own a**. Of course, the 'manliness' rating he'd built up would take a severe hit, but he'd overcome such obstacles before.
He wished Silk good luck and grabbed himself a seat nearby with a good view. Harry looked down at the three men who would be going into the ring with Silk.
He just had a hard time understanding why everyone seemed so eager for a scrap. He didn't question Silk's desire to be in the fight; she was a woman and Harry didn't understand MOST of the things women did. He'd stopped trying to long ago. The others though... it was just that, they were on a CRUISE SHIP. Didn't they have anything better to do?
Then again, it was very rare that Harry got to travel in anything even approaching 'luxury', so maybe he was just being a dense hick about it. Naturally Bugg would give him hell for squeezing out of the match, but he didn't care. No spending the night covered in band-aids for HIM. He'd had enough of that in recent months.
And of course, he'd almost immediately been labeled as a Hero. Not that he minded all that much, it was just that it seemed to happen all the time. Probably because he didn't walk about with that vague air of superiority that most freelancers tended to develop.
Hmmm, maybe he should try that. Harry sat up straighter in his seat and attempted to adopt an 'air of superiority'. This pretty much consisted of him pointing his nose upward as though he were sniffing at some aroma. However, he felt ridiculous and was getting dizzy from looking down his nose, so he gave up and slouched back down in his chair.
A clank was heard. Then another. And yet another. The sound of metal on metal resonated throughout the cool hall-way as Jake descended down a flight of stairs, looking around his surroundings with a sense of boredom accented with a twinge of annoyance. He already has his blast goggles on, thermal vision included. Against the cold metal, any living thing would stand out.
The sound of metal on metal was being caused by his new footwear, which one could describe as a casual version of the Jet Boots every technological meta seemed to be using. They provided much more comfort than their counter-parts, for which the young teen was grateful. His casual T-Shirt was still there, as were his jeans, but each now had a leather jacket covering it, the top half covering his torso and the coat-tail, his legs.
He stepped down onto the floor, instinctively reaching a hand in his pocket and feeling for his teleportation disks. He'd find the box and eliminate any threat in his way, no question.
[ QUOTE ]
Shioh heard the cat's meow and knelt down in front of it, looking it in the eyes for a few seconds.
"Do you know how to get to the hot dogs, kitty?" she asked it.
[/ QUOTE ]
Answering with a quiet meow, the white feline immediately trotted back down the hall. It scurried up a flight of stairs then squeezed through a pair of doors that were cracked open. Then there, the luau was in full force just below the balcony the cat was now perched on.
Shioh followed the cat and entered the room where the luau was being held. When she entered the room her eyes went wide.
"WOW!!!!" she exclaimed as she dashed as fast as she could to where the hot dogs were cooking.
[ QUOTE ]
David's super hearing alerted him that something was amiss, he couldn't make out what they were saying only the tone of the conversation and it was nothing good. He decided he would have to be a little more alert of his surroundings. As Odette and Gabriella walked back to him he waved them over the the Black Jack table, "So is everything okay?" He asked with some uncertainty behind his voice.
[/ QUOTE ]
Yes
Odette looked distant, Im sorry I havent been totally honest with you, Gabriella was getting mad at me because I
never mind
Odette! Gabriella says with crossed arms
Ok!...She was mad because I was going to use my illusions to make you win without telling you
Im sorry, I was just having such a fun time and I didnt want anything to ruin it.Odette looks at David with puppy-dog eyes and Gabriellas demeanor becomes softer. I hope this doesnt ruin your opinion of me
its just that, you are probably the first person that Gabriella and I have been able to hang out with besides the cracked-out staff
Its really sad but true, Im always on stage and Odette works in one of the salons
..and the staff really is cracked-out I swear Gabriella shrugs her shoulders a bit.
So what do you say? Can we continue with our evening?
[ QUOTE ]
Hmmm, maybe he should try that. Harry sat up straighter in his seat and attempted to adopt an 'air of superiority'. This pretty much consisted of him pointing his nose upward as though he were sniffing at some aroma. However, he felt ridiculous and was getting dizzy from looking down his nose, so he gave up and slouched back down in his chair.
[/ QUOTE ]
Oh look at you? Trying to look all superior-like Silks Returns from around the bar wearing asymmetrical, short, Chinese gown with embroidery and thigh-high silk stockings. A thin elegant loop of fabric hangs close to each leg fastened by a coin design on her hips. She fastens her lovely leather quiver to her back and draws her bow that looks like it is made with a combination of jade and rosewood.
So
what do you think of the Fallen Lotus Silks loose black hair now hangs effortlessly around her shoulders as she smiles at him.
((its a costume Ive always dreamed of for my archer ^_^))
"So." Grey, not gray, Masque said. "When do we start?"
***
'A strange place this vessel is. Strange echoing voices from below in the deep. Celestial cries from the howling aether as it whips above meadows of shifting crystal. Deep, booming commands of the fearsome ones in the limitless space of the sky.
And then there is this place, like a blight. An infection...a scar. A wound in this otherwise beautiful place.
I like it.
And what would this place be without the minds that inhabit it? Zealots. Heretics. Fools. Lords. Oh, how I do love this place and everything in it. Especially the people. How fair they are, with their fighting, their threatening and schemes, their backstabbing and deception...And their ignorance.
How sad that it all must-wait. What is that?'
***
[ QUOTE ]
"Don't think I can't see where this is going." he murmured, taking a look about, "Well, everyone else seems to be heading off downstairs, so let's see what's so interesting down there."
Acid and Henteko nodded at this, and the three proceeded to follow Miranda and Danny as well...
[/ QUOTE ]
As the odd trio followed Miranda and Danny, a waiter walked past them. He gave them-especially Acid-an extremely odd look. One of confusion. He kept on walking, not stopping or bothering them otherwise. Just another crew member, not used to the exotic nature of the cruise.
***
Jake heard light footsteps running AWAY from his location. Possibly a guard or just somebody he'd scared witless, thanks to the huge racket he'd made with his boots.
While Shioh was getting her hotdogs, the cat was sitting infront of the long buffet table, at the section with the fish and sushi. It eagerly licked its wiskers as its tail curiously coiled in the air.
"Hot." Famine stated simply to Silk, bringing up the lower half of a ballistics faceguard to project his chin and mouth, thereby completing his combat preparations.
"Yeah I'm with Grey here, let's do this, LET'S DO THIS!" He yelled, getting pumped up.
[ QUOTE ]
Oh look at you? Trying to look all superior-like
[/ QUOTE ]
"Eh, it just doesn't work for some people," Harry shrugged, running a hand through his dreadlocks. "I always feel like such a tool when I try to get all high and mighty."
[ QUOTE ]
So
what do you think of the Fallen Lotus
[/ QUOTE ]
Harry gave a low whistle as he looked the outfit over.
"VERY nice," he said, nodding in appreciation. "And here I was thinkin' you were just another pretty face off on a cruise. 'Fallen Lotus', huh? Has a nice ring to it. Always liked lotuses."
"...and of course the Protector goes and pops his ultra-mode, but by that time I'd already clocked him with the mace pretty well." Acid went on with the story as the three headed downstairs, "So he's trying to claw me, all jittery and stuff, and I just can't help myself and go GLaDOS on the guy."
"I start coughing and hacking, and stammer to him, 'neurotoxin...so deadly...' and the I break from a choke into the most demented laugh I could manage with that super-squeezy helmet on. Well, get this: apparently Taylor thinks I really managed to poison myself or something, because he starts contemplating how with all that conditioning, we should be able to take a bath in the stuff."
"Strangely enough, that fits absolutely perfectly, and so I say, 'Oh, I can. I can put it on cereal, rub it right into my eyes. Honestly, it's not deadly at all...to me.' and turn to the PP again to go, 'You, on the other hand, are doing to find its deadliness a lot. Less. Funny.' Second later, he just falls over."
Hotaka shook his head once more, warning a smile most wide, while Henteko just snickered uncontrollably, especially enjoying the mental imagery.
"Very well, that was a good one." the towering man conceded as they entered the nightclub, "Hm, this seems quaint. Is that an arena over there?"
"Sure looks like it." Henteko remarked, still more interested in the tale the reptilian had just told than anything else, "So how do you even fit in that thing? I mean...muah? I just can't wrap my head around that. And was there really deadly neurotoxin on there?"
"Trust me, you don't wanna know." Acid waved the first question off with a lightly frightened expression, "Let's just say I'm very flexible. And of course not. Just paralyzing. But it is a neurotoxin. Really effective too."
"Huh." the man nodded in consideration, "I'll have to try that sometime. By the way, what was up with that guy giving you the stink eye?"
"Eh," the reptilian shrugged, "Don't worry about it. So, I take it you'll want to slug around some?"
"Not especially." Hotaka admitted, as did Henteko with a nonverbal gesture of indifference, "Might be fun to watch, though."
"Hm..." Acid tilted his head for a moment, "I dunno. Never had much for watching stuff, especially fights. Hell, only time I'm into that's when mating season comes around, and then I'd rather be a participant than an observer."
Henteko couldn't help but chuckle again, "Okay, but one can also learn a great deal by observing."
"Very good." Hotaka remarked proudly, "Looks like you're not as unreachable as I thought after all. Well...do you just want to stay here while we head back up to the casino then?"
"Sure." the man gave a nod, and with that he was off, "I'll see you two in a few then."
Collecting one another, Acid and Hotaka ascended the steps once again, the reptilian seeking out the Blackjack table like a bloodhound. He arrived just in time to catch the tail of the fabricated conversation with David, snatching the backrest of a chair and spinning it about on one leg.
"Cracked-out's definitely the word choice I'd use there." he smiled toothily at the three, placing himself in the seat he'd turned about due to its solid backrest, "Or at least, now I would. Yalls don't mind if I join ya, hm...?"
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
[ QUOTE ]
"Hot." Famine stated simply to Silk, bringing up the lower half of a ballistics faceguard to project his chin and mouth, thereby completing his combat preparations.
"Yeah I'm with Grey here, let's do this, LET'S DO THIS!" He yelled, getting pumped up.
[/ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Harry gave a low whistle as he looked the outfit over.
"VERY nice," he said, nodding in appreciation. "And here I was thinkin' you were just another pretty face off on a cruise. 'Fallen Lotus', huh? Has a nice ring to it. Always liked lotuses."
[/ QUOTE ]
Thank you boys Silk tilts her head to the bar and yells,Orchid! Open up the cage will ya? Were goin crazy with anticipation The side of the cage opens and Even before the door is half open silk jump into the cage and land with a bit of flourish. You boys coming in or am I just going to stand here and wait?
[ QUOTE ]
Yes
Odette looked distant, Im sorry I havent been totally honest with you, Gabriella was getting mad at me because I
never mind
Odette! Gabriella says with crossed arms
Ok!...She was mad because I was going to use my illusions to make you win without telling you
Im sorry, I was just having such a fun time and I didnt want anything to ruin it.Odette looks at David with puppy-dog eyes and Gabriellas demeanor becomes softer. I hope this doesnt ruin your opinion of me
its just that, you are probably the first person that Gabriella and I have been able to hang out with besides the cracked-out staff
Its really sad but true, Im always on stage and Odette works in one of the salons
..and the staff really is cracked-out I swear Gabriella shrugs her shoulders a bit.
So what do you say? Can we continue with our evening?
[/ QUOTE ]
David didn't trust what the two had told him, but he had nothing else to go on at this point. "Sure, it's fine ladies. Lets go on ahead to the tables." He said cheerfully. I definitely heard one word in there a name..., but I'll have to find out what this means later on. Hopefully it's nothing
((Oh, same difference, Bwerp.))
Gunner stepped in much more calmly than one may have supposed he would, his mind already satisfied that it would be getting a fight. Stopping the rotation of his pistol, he held it with both hands and shot at each of the four corners of the top barrier, hitting each one straight in its welding. He grinned, and soon dissolved the gun and materialized what seemed to be a katana, which he used to deliver a two-handed slash to a random barrel, slicing the thing in two equal halves. The man knew how to utilize weaponry.
"My partner and I are ready whenever you gentlemen are." He stated, smiling a smile that could be discerned as either cocky or demented, depending on the viewer's perspective.
-----
Jake wasn't deaf to the sound of fleeing steps, and, rather than adopting a gung-ho approach to things, decided to simply follow at the same slow pace, hoping the catch who or whatever it was in a sense of security, with varying levels of truth to it depending on the target.
[ QUOTE ]
David didn't trust what the two had told him, but he had nothing else to go on at this point. "Sure, it's fine ladies. Lets go on ahead to the tables." He said cheerfully. I definitely heard one word in there a name..., but I'll have to find out what this means later on. Hopefully it's nothing
[/ QUOTE ]
"What a relief!" Odette leans a little closer to David
"David lets get you a drink for being such a good sport" Gabriella waves a bartender down, "what can we get you"
After the first few winning hands, Odette says slightly shocked, "wow, you weren't kidding about that luck thing!...i swear i'm not doing a thing"
[ QUOTE ]
Gunner stepped in much more calmly than one may have supposed he would, his mind already satisfied that it would be getting a fight. Stopping the rotation of his pistol, he held it with both hands and shot at each of the four corners of the top barrier, hitting each one straight in its welding. He grinned, and soon dissolved the gun and materialized what seemed to be a katana, which he used to deliver a two-handed slash to a random barrel, slicing the thing in two equal halves. The man knew how to utilize weaponry.
"My partner and I are ready whenever you gentlemen are." He stated, smiling a smile that could be discerned as either cocky or demented, depending on the viewer's perspective.
[/ QUOTE ]
Speaking in low tones gunner, "i'm gonna need you for the stuff up close. i can dodge like a pro and i know a few very painful holds but i'm much more effective at a distance, k" Silk takes this opportunity to look up at the observation deck and give Harry a quick wink. Then she turns to make sure her arrows are in order.
Famine was in to the arena just seconds after Lotus and Gunner.
"Oh damn. I was hoping I'd get to try this."
The mercenary lifted a tricked out orange communicator (An increasingly common theme) and tapped out a long string of commands. With the characteristic blue flash of the standard Paragon/Rogue Isles teleport, a sort of Jetpack was suddenly attached to his back. The nozzles were wide and there seemed to be only limited control systems. It appeared to be more of a 'jumpjet' than anything.
"What to use, what to use." Famine asked himself, stroking his faceguard in mock consideration.
"AH YES." He exclaimed, drawing the TMP....And another TMP.
"Because sometimes, accuracy and practicality just doesn't matter." He announced to himself.
"..."
"ANYWAY! Let's DO THIS!"
((The jump-jets he has are basically like what the Zone Troopers get in Command and Conquer three. No in-flight control, big plume of smoke when he jumps, but the jump is fast and forceful. I guess you could say it gives him superjump.))
((EDIT: Yeah I suddenly realized that he's almost exactly like a Terran Reaper now. So sue me.))
Grey Masque stepped calmly into the cage. He sidled up to Famine and spoke quietly.
"The girl looks like one of those support types that impede empower or weaken. I'll go ahead and get her if you take the katana jocky."
He turned to the team at the other side of the cage, and uttered two words.
"LET'S RUMBLE."
***
The footsteps Jake was following suddenly stopped, and rather conveniently since they had led Jake through a tiny maze of corridors to a hallway with only the one door leading into a darkened room. The doorway had obviously been closed and locked tighter than a drum a few hours ago, but the edges of the doorway looked like somebody had gone to town on it with a welding torch and the door itself was no longer connected to the frame. It was gone. Whoever he was chasing couldn't be anywhere else except inside that room, that at least, was certain.
"Aiight, I get the hint." Acid murmured dejectedly as he left his seat again. David, Gabriella, and Odette seemed to be practically making a point out of ignoring him, flaunting smiles and good nature to one another right in front of the reptilian, as if he didn't even exist.
Geez...talk about speciesists. Like they don't look weird to me.
"Hm?" Hotaka remarked as he arrived with a handful of chips, puzzled that Acid had left the table, "I thought we were going to gamble some?"
"Eh, humans." the reptilian sighed with a shrug, the towering man nodding in understanding. He knew well of what Acid spoke...
--------------------
"Hello." Kaze Henteko greeted Harry with a curt wave as he approached the man's table, the 'average tourist's' smile most warm and casual. The seats here had a good view of the arena, and he certainly didn't want to pass up the opportunity, "Is this seat taken?"
"If I had Force powers, vacuum or not my cape/clothes/hair would always be blowing in the Dramatic Wind." - Tenzhi
Characters
[ QUOTE ]
Hey! Wait David The two women speak simultaneously and then shoot each other a look
((right out of a crappy romance comedy))
They run to David and hook their arms under his as he moves to the table.
[/ QUOTE ]
David looked at the two ladies, "Hey now, no fighting, you two are friends." He said jokingly with a smirk on his face. "So what game first. Ladies choice."