'What the hell….?' I thought, running an exasperated hand through my hair. One minute I am enjoying a festival, the next I'm suddenly in this vast landscape that kinda looked a lot like a desert wasteland with a large wall to one side towering above me. Looking up, I could kinda see little antlike dots moving rapidly back and forth, so I took an educated guess and figured people were up there. From the sounds of people rushing towards my area, I also figured some of them were coming towards me. Something told me they weren't going to be friendly, which was kinda reinforced when a decent sized group of large imposing men suddenly stopped in front of me, all of them armed with swords and other like weapons. Haven't they ever heard of guns?
"Who are you?" The largest and most imposing of the group boomed at me, actually making me step back. Reflexivly, the ears on top of my head shifted back, not from fear but more of defiance. I didn't speak, and only glared back.
"She looks almost like us, yet look at her structure, her fur! Something is far too off!"
"Her structure and fur? Look at those ears on top of her head! They certainly are feline like, but to have them that far up, and so big?"
"Heh, just a child, what could she possibley do?"
"Those stripes… perhaps she is a relative of the tiger clan?"
I started to grow in anger at the surrounding voices, how they thought my acute ears couldn't hear them whispering about my disguisting appearance. Not that they looked any better, they were more feline than me! And their bulging muscles! How do they expect to be able to jump nimbly in battle and avoid attacks when their muscles make them so heavy that it was a wonder they could even get to me as fast as they did. Then again, I had been wandering around this wall for about an hour…
"Who are you." The largest one demanded this time, his voice booming so loud it drowned out all other sound and made my ears ring. I grasped them tightly, my eyes watering from the pain. It took a few seconds for my hearing to come back.
"Why should I tell you?" I asked, my voice coming out so soft I wonderd if they heard me. I heard a few of them snicker and make fun of my weak voice, which made my ears flatten again. The big guy raised an eye brow at me, his hand suddenly shooting out like a viper and raising me into the air by the back of my festival shirt. I cried out indignantly, kicking my legs towards him. I landed a blow on his arm, only to curse and hold my pained foot. What was his arm made out of? Iron? I could hear the other cat people laughing at me now.
"Who. Are. You?" He asked again. I kept my ears flattened and glared at him. To humiliated, I decided against telling him. Why does he need to know, after all? I was just thinking how he resembled that cat called a bobcat when I was suddenly tied up and walking in the center of the group, blinking and looking around as I was roughly shoved through the streets of a rather large city filled with more of the furries that put my furriness to shame.
"What the….?" I got smacked over the head by Mr. Bobcat when he noticed I was speaking, shutting me up and earning another glare from me. Looking around, since it was all I really could do without getting smacked, I noticed that everyone there were cat people. A few had tails and weren't dressed all that nice, and the majority that I saw didn't have tails were dressed rather well. Every now and then I saw some furries that looked a lot like dogs and rodents of various species. I also noticed that those that weren't cat-like furries weren't dressed quite as well, and seemed to be treated rather poorly.
A sudden commotion up ahead alerted my groups attention, and my ears pricked up to hear what was going on. From the shouting I could hear, it seemed like some kind of 'dog' had been caught stealing. A group of them suddenly bolted in all directions, two coming at my group. They got rather shocked expressions when they saw us, though and quickly tried to diverge into alleyways. Sadly for them, some of the steroid-using cats in my group decided to grab them. Gladly for me, I decided to use the distraction and started running like hell, using most of my abilities to jump higher and higher until I was on the rooftops and running as fast as I could and praying I didn't trip. With my hands tied behind my back, it wouldn't end well.
I stopped to catch my breath and looked behind me to see no one following me, but I wasn't stupid enough to think I was in the clear. Getting out of this city was probably my best bet for freedom and probably safety. Getting caught now would most likely end with me in the slammer, so I looked around to see which area of town would give me the best chances of concealment until I could escape.
Some of the buildings in one area looked a lot less nice then the rest in town, and some even looked completely run down. The ghetto area, like all towns. Best places to hide from authorities since everyone there hated them, worst place to go if you couldn't fight. Any other area in this weird furry city would probably end with me getting arrested, so I decided that the ghetto was my best bet for now. I glanced over the side of the building, looking down in the alleyway. It was empty, but I didn't want to risk the chance of getting caught in narrow passageways, expecially if there was nothing for me to jump on. I kept going on the rooftops and started trying to worm my wrists out of the ropes they were tied with.
I was right on the ghetto being more run down, and I wasn't all that surprised to see all of the non-cats living there. There were a few cats, all tailed, and acting superior. These were few and far between however. I still decided to avoid them. Felines = bad for now, though I hated those stereotypes. It was why I had such a hard time trusting people back where I lived for the longest time.
I slinked down into one of the alleyways that smelled rather horrible and tried vainly to get my hands free. The ghetto wasn't a place to run around with your hands tied, so I needed to get them free quick. I heard a commotion outside the alleyway, and my natural curiosuity got the better of me. I peaked around the corner, my ears pricked for sound. A group of tailed cats were menacing a frail looking older dog furry, his fur matted and dirty with grime. A dog pup of the same species was behind him, crying and trying to get as small as possible.
"You're payment is due old man!"
"Yeah, pay up!"
"I told you, you all ready took the payment yesterday!" the old dog wailed out, his voice cracking from what I suspected to be pain. He was holding his ribs rather hard, and I wondered if maybe the cats had kicked him. My ears flattened as I watched the group of cats start laughing.
"You're payment is due today!" The leader of the group hissed, kicking at the dog. The pup cried out, crying so hard I didn't think he could see anymore.
"Leave my grandpa alone!" He barked, trying to be brave. My heart warmed at it, but went a little cold when I saw the glares from the cats. I doubted they would stop at just glaring, expecially if they were kicking his downed grandfather. My ears flattened, and I let out a low growl that formed into a hiss. I cut it off as the group looked towards where I was but I had ducked back in the alleyway, furiously trying to work my hands free. I just couldn't stand back and let an old man and his child grandson be attacked like that! Sadly, my hands weren't freed, and with a strike of fear in my heart I realized that two of the cats came to the alleyway. I tried to dart away, but was grabbed and dragged out in full view of the other cronies in the group.
"Nyehe! It's a female!"
"She's kinda cute."
"A real freaky one though…"
Again, with the insults! I know I look freaky, I went my entire life being a freak! Looks like even furries wont accept me. Oh well. I glared up at the leader of these dweebs. He seemed amused at my defiance and lack of fear, even though I was fearful of my situation.
"Well, well, well. A little female kitten. Thinking you can play hero?" He asked. I smirked.
"I'm no kitten." I said. He laughed, as did the rest of the group. I could see the dogs cringing and looking at me with fearful pity.
"That might be true. I've never seen a cat like you before!" He said. I glared at him, a hiss starting in my throat that I quenched quickly. They seemed to be rather taken in their own amusement, so they didn't notice until it was too late when I slammed my feet into the leaders face, causing the one that was holding me to drop me and the leader to step back, hands flying to his now bleeding and possibly broken nose. I hissed and jumped away so I was now in front of the two dogs, working my hands as furiously as I could to get them free. I flinched when I felt large and shaking hands on my hands, working the ropes until they went slack and I was free. I looked back, smiling greatfully at the old dog before jumping up above the other cats who now rushed to catch me.
I slammed my foot into the head of one, grabbing onto the shoulder of another and jumping up onto the cloth rafter of a building. I stuck my tongue out, laughing immaturely at them.
"Can't catch me! Can't catch me!" I said in the most childish voice I could manage, enraging them enough that they chased after me in a murderous and blinded rage as I raced down the streets, looking for any place I could that I could ditch them in. When I realized they were gaining and I didn't have anywhere to run to, I started to panic. I was fast, but with their bulk I knew I wouldn't win in a fight. I had to get away, and fast.
I ducked into an alleyway, leaping through the trash and hoping to find cover. I turned another corner and dove into a rather horrid smelling pile of God only knows what and prayed they wouldn't think to look in it. I froze when I heard them stop near me, cursing and looking around wildly, poking around in the trash to see if I had hidden myself. None of them could stand the smell of the trash I was in however, so they didn't look there and soon they raced down the alleyway, figuring I had kept running and had just ducked around another corner. I waited cautiously for some time before poking my head out, looking and hearing for any trace of them. I didn't, and pulled myself out of the pile of trash, crinckling my nose at the revolting smell that clung to me and my now ruined festival clothes.
I gingerly poked around the corner into the main street. All of the furries had gone back to their business, and I didn't see those cronies and their leader anywhere. I didn't want to take any chances of being caught again, and looked around the alleyway for something to hide my appearance under. I grabbed a ratted and torn in a lot of places, but it was wearable and I put it on. Sadly, it smelled almost as bad as the trash I had hidden in, but perhaps it would hide me better.
I walked out into the slums again, keeping the cloak around me and my ears flattened to hide as much of my appearance as possible. No one even glanced at me as I walked along, trying to get closer to the wall looming in the distance. I looked around as I walked, trying to gain some knowledge about this place without having to speak to anyone. The only things I really knew so far was that I was in the ghetto, cat furries seemed to be the top species, there were two kinds of cats that were either tailed or not tailed, and that I was almost arrested for some reason I couldn't fathom. I was also hungry, but that I could ignore with the smell on me. Eating anything now would make me vomit, that I was pretty sure about.
A sudden commotion behind me made me look, and my heart slammed when I saw the recognizable cat people and Mr. Bobcat from earlier. They seemed to be asking around, roughly calling out to the various furries around.
"She is only this tall, a girl with a strange appearance."
"Cat-like, but strange, covered in stripes!"
"Her ears are closer to her head, and she has a tail."
They were looking for me! I started to make my getaway, trying to be inconspicuous but also quick to get away. Sadly, Mr. Bobcat spotted me and called me out.
"You there! Cloaked one! I need to ask you something!" He boomed out again, his voice so impossibly loud. I shivered and turned around, greatful that the hood kept my face hidden when I kept my head down. I bowed slightly, trying to appear like the average dweller of this place. I heard some of the cats comment on how disguisting I smelt, which was good for me, since it meant they wouldn't recognize my scent if they could smell scents.
"I am looking for a young female cat that was spotted in the area. She is small and striped. Oddly appearance wearing strange clothes. She has ears that are large and on top of her head and a tail that she had kept wrapped around her waist. Have you seen her?" He boomed. I shook my head, staying silent, but this didn't seem to please Mr. Bobcat.
"I asked you if you saw her!" He shouted at me, somehow being even louder than before. I cringed, by ears twitching with pain. I shook my head more vigorously, hoping they'd just walk away, but Mr. Bobcat grabbed my shoulder, shaking me and making my hood fall. I stared wide eyed as he leered down at me triumphantly.
"Now, time to go to prison, you little wretch!" He sneered at me. My heart slammed in my chest, but I glared at him, kicking out at his shins. He yelled out in pain when I decided to aim for something higher, letting me go so I could dart off again. I discarded the now useless cloak and ran through alleyways to try and escape from the steroid-cat furries chasing me, but they were smarter than the goons from before and were able to keep me in their sights most of the time. I looked ahead for any kind of open building or something that I could duck into and hide in when I noticed someone waving at me. It was the young pup from earlier! He pointed to an open doorway next to him and darted inside. Deciding the dog pup was better then the cats, I ducked inside as well.
I was quickly grabbed by strong hands and thrusted into a small cuboard, a scraping sound following that and the doors being so firmly shut I couldn't see outside. I heard someone sigh outside the cuboard doors, and I realized they had put a chair in front of it, and someone was sitting there. I heard a loud scuffling then shouting from the Steroid-Cats and Mr. Bobcat. I was about to press my ear to the cuboard door when someone grabbed me, one hand on my mouth, the other around my waist and pulled me out of the cuboard and against a rather strong feeling body as a sliding door was closed in front of me, closing me off from the cuboard and dampening the sounds from the house.
My heart thudded in my ears as I waited, hearing the cats rummage for me through the house and even heard them open the now empty cuboard. I could feel the heartbeat of the person, or rather the furry, holding me. It was rhythmic and normal paced, and slowly it began to ease my anxiety despite the sounds of the cats that were only kept from finding me due to a single thin sheet of wood.
I was like that for a good fifteen minutes before the noise died down and the cats left the building. The person holding me kept a tight grip on me for half an hour when the sudden boom of the cat's return sounded, and they searched the house again. This time they were there for a good twenty minutes before they finally left. My body was getting cramped, but even after the noise died down again the furry holding me wouldn't let me go. We waited again, this time for an hour, before there was a soft knock on the sliding door in front of us and the hand holding my mouth let go and slid it back open. I was greeted to the sight of the little pup from early, holding his hand out for me to take.
I was pulled out into the house by his small and gentle hand and was greeted by warm canine eyes that were all around me. I counted six members of the family total, all the same kind of canine. The two youngest were the little male canine and what I figured was his little sister. What I assumed was the mother was making something in a pot at a rather primitive kitchen in the corner, tasting the soup with a wooden spoon. The grandfather was being tended to by what I assumed to be the father of the family, the tall dog's shoulder's broad and muscular despite his gentle hands working bandages and what I assumed were healing tonics on his older counterpart.
I turned around to see the final member of the family, possibly the oldest son of the family. His body looked strong, but not as muscular of the father. All of their fur was dark brown with lighter brown fur starting under their long chins and going under their clothes along with dots above their eyes of the same color. Their long floppy ears hung down their heads ant onto their chests and if they had been properly groomed they would have been rather beautiful and majestic dogs. I was trying to remember the breed when the old one spoke out to me.
"Miss… Miss, please… come here." He wheezed out. He sounded pained and when I complied and walked up to him I noticed he looked even more haggared and weak then when he was in the streets when I had helped him out.
"I wanted to… thank you for… helping my grandson and I… to escape…" He said. His eyes were so kind and greatful as they gazed into mine that I wanted to cry because of it. I nodded my head, smiling kindly at him.
"I should thank you and your family for helping me. I suppose that this makes us even." I said, gently laying my hand on his shoulder. The father looked at me like he wanted to say something, but he didn't and continued tending to the old dog. The old dog smiled at me, his weak hand covering my own.
"You saved two lives…. My own and… more importantly… my young grand…son… I could never…. Thank you enough…. For that…. The cats seem to… dislike you greatly…. Though I cannot fathom… as to why…. Still, so long as…. I live you will always… find a place to rest…. And be safe… with us…" He wheezed, shutting his eyes. I choked back a sob when I realized the old man was going to die real soon, much sooner than anyone in the room was voicing and sooner than the old man seemed to realize. I nodded my head, kneeling by his bedside and taking his weak hand in both of mine.
"Thank you." I said, smiling warmly at him. His smile widened before he slipped off into sleep with the father still tending to his battered body and I holding his hand
X
I yawned, lifting my head from the bed and realizing I had fallen asleep why holding the old dog's hand. My body was cramping from sleeping there on my knees and I realized someone had put a thin but warm blanket as I had slept. I didn't even remember falling asleep, but as I looked around I noticed some white light seeping in through the window and realized it was early morning. I looked around the small house and saw the two children and mother sleeping on the floor nearby on the floor with a blanket over them. I didn't see the eldest son or the father, so I assumed they must have stepped out for a little while.
I yawned again, using a hand to cover my mouth and then stood up and stretched, feeling my back pop satisfyingly. I looked around, wondering just what I should do with myself that morning. I sniffed my clothes and decided it was best to find a place to take a bath. Sadly, after about ten mintues, I found this primitive place did not have a shower or bathtub… or running water. I sighed in defeat, wondering how long I was gunna have to smell like the trash when the father and eldest son walked in, each holding some wood and looking like they had just had a pretty good workout.
"Oh, good, you're up. Salukis, go start on breakfast." The father said. Salukis nodded, smiling at me before heading to the primitive kitchen and began making what I assumed breakfast. It was then that I realized that I had fallen asleep before dinner and was very hungry. The father set some of the firewood down near the hearth and came up to me, holding out his hand for me to shake. When I did I noticed his grip was quite firm and his fur was surprisingly soft.
"My name is Salutis. You have met my youngest son, Salu, my daughter Sala, my eldest son, Salukis, my wife Saluri, and my father, Saluko. I am eternally greatful to you for saving my family." He said kindly to me. I looked up at him with confusion.
"I only helped out Saluko and Salu. I don't remember…"
"When the guards came they caught those heathens Rega and his gang haggling another family and arrested them. If they hadn't been looking for you, those wretched cats would have harassed us for money. For that, I am thankful to you." He explained. I could feel my face heat up in emberessment. I stroked my hair and pulled on it.
"Th-thank you…. Err… Salutis… I uhh…. Thank you for letting me stay here." I said, looking away. He laughed at my discomfort then sniffed and wrinkled his nose. I noticed the two kids and Saluri waking up as he glanced around and sniffed some more before his eyes rested on me again.
"Saluri, can you take our guest to the bath? She could also really use a change of clothing…" Salutis said. I was sure I blushed enough to show through the thin fur on my face by that. I knew I smelt bad, but I was hoping he wouldn't point it out. Saluri smiled as she got up, helping her two kids out of the bed and rolling it up before leading me out of the house and behind it. I was surprised to see a new small building, built with solid wood and inside to have an indentation in the floor that looked like a rather large bath or small pool shape to it. She pulled on a lever and water streamed through a hole in the roof.
"The floor has heated rocks underneath that will heat the water. The water comes from a river system that flows around the city and is channeled through pipes to here. It is pretty much the only thing the cats in the city give us for free." She explained, helping me out of the soiled festival clothes I was wearing. I saw her look at them oddly, obviously wondering if she should just throw them out or keep them.
"I don't need to keep them." I said, a little akward about standing in front of her wearing absolutely nothing. She nodded, tossing the soiled garments out the door to a place I have no idea before she removed her own clothes as well. She nodded when I tried the water and slipped in before she did the same. The little girl, Sala, joined us a few moments later, bursting in with an excited but irritated squeal saying her mother forgot her. Saluri laughed it off and helped wash her little daughter off. I scrubbed my arms and chest, hoping the smell would come off but it didn't seem to be working until Saluri and Sala passed me some pleasant smelling soap-stuff.
We left the bath well washed and happy soon after. Saluri had given me an old outfit of hers that was quite loose on me, but she promised to make adjustments to it later.
"It is actually quite odd, since it is a canine outfit for our kind. Since you seem related to the cats, you may get quite a few stares wearing our clothes." She said when we were eating breakfast with the family. The grandfather, Saluko, was even well enough to join us at a table in the center of the room. I was ravenous, but there wasn't much to eat so I settled only for one serving of food.
"I don't mind. Stares have been something I have gotten used to. Besides, I am very greatful to you for sheltering me, feeding me, and even bathing and clothing me. I promise to take good care of these clothes." I promised, running a hand along the shirt. It looked more like a dress, and the sides were split up to a certain point that if the versions everyone else was wearing were to go by, it was supposed to end at my waist. The trousers were very loose, and the boots they gave me allowed my toes out so that if I needed to climb I could use my nails on my feet with ease.
"Well, at least you aren't a conceited bitch like most female cats." Salukis said, finishing his meal and drinking some water from a cup. My ears flattened, and his father scolded him but I shook my head.
"I am no cat, though I know my appearance looks like one." I said. It wasn't like I was lying. Kinda.
"You certainly look odd for one of the cats. What sub-species of cat are you? Some sort of tiger?" Salu asked excitedly. I smiled at him.
"Sadly, no. I am a… crossbreed of a kind of cat… and something… else…" I said, trailing off. I didn't like talking about this, and Saluri, bless her heart, caught on and stopped Salu and Sala from asking more questions.
"Where are you from, miss….?" Salutis asked, his voice trailing off when he realized that I had never introduced myself to them. I smiled kindly at them all.
"I was given the name Sapphire." I said. Salutis and Saluri exchanged glances, but Sala and Salu were obvlivious and I coudnt see Saluko or Salukis's reactions.
"Given? It is a nice name though!" Salu asked, smiling brightly. I nodded to him, smiling more myself.
"Yes. I wasn't given a name at birth like most creatures… I was given the name by someone I care deeply for. Sadly, he is…. He isn't in this world anymore." I said, glancing down at the table and my empty plate. I hate it when people assume I am an orphan because of that, but it was the only explanation I could give without being an utter lie or making them think I am nuts. The family looked at me sadly, before Salutis cleared his throat loudly.
"Well, Sapphire, I am going to see a friend of mine later. Jeroma said he had a gift for us, and I need to get some food for the family. Care to join?" Salutis asked. Salukis looked a little off put, like he had wanted to go along instead. I nodded my head.
"I would be very much appreciative, Salutis. Could Salukis come as well?" I asked. Salutis looked over at his eldest son before nodding to me.
"If it makes you feel more secure, little one." He said, reaching over and patting me on the head. For once, I didn't mind it that someone patted me on the head. I felt oddly warm.
X
"This is the city of Thundera, ruled by the king, Claudus. It was founded by the Thundercats, and is still ruled by their decendents." Salutis explained as we walked through the streets. I had a hood up above my clothes to keep my appearance hidden, so I people didn't bother us and I wasn't recognized by anyone.
"Claudus… King… Thundera… City… Third Earth… I think I get it." I said, running through the information in my head. Salutis nodded, holding my hand like a father leading his child. I liked it, so I didn't pull away as we walked along. Salukis nodded again, walking just a bit faster. We all wanted to get to his friend's place and back to the safety of their dwelling quickly, and I knew it was because of me. They didn't want unnessisary trouble that was brought about because of me.
"The cats claim to be superior to all, and have been oppressing all other races…. They are… I don't like them." I said, glancing around. I didn't see many cats in these slums, but there were a few and I didn't like them any more than the others I had met. Salutis gave my hand a reassuring squeeze as he hurried along, ducking us into a building when we came to it. Inside were all manner of devices I had never seen before but many of them looked robotic. I even saw what looked similar to a mechanical bear claw on one end. Salutis released my hand and greeted an old dog warmly, so I guessed he was Jeroma.
"Ah, and who is this? Certainly not Sala!" The old dog laughed heartily. I smiled, looking up slightly but keeping my head down so he could only see my mouth.
"This is Sapphire, a young one that is staying with me for a little while. Now, you mentioned you had a gift for me?" Salutis asked. Jeroma nodded, walking to a room farther in. I stayed behind while Salutis and Salukis followed him. I looked around some of the mechanics, but I had been told not to touch anything so I refrained from my desire to. Suddenly, two more furries came into the room from outside, two cats.
"Ah! Is Jeroma here? I'm looking for him." The male cat said. He looked quite like a lion, and although he had a kind face and eyes, I couldn't help but feel distrustful. I didn't answer, and took a step back.
"Hey, we aren't here to do anything wrong, he just said he got some new stock and I wanted to see it!" The male lion said. The female cat who resembled a cheetah placed her paw on his shoulder, smiling at him.
"The child is obviously uncomfortable. Let's wait for him to come out." She said. Her voice was rather soothing, and the lion nodded in agreement, finding a place for him and his companion to sit. A small cat like creature walked over to me, sniffing at the cloak Saluri let me wear. I took another step back, giving out a hiss so it would leave me alone. Sadly, the cat-thing persisted, and suddenly it had crawled up my body and was on my shoulder. I gripped my cloak, trying to keep it down as the infuriating thing kept trying to pull my hood away.
"Snarf! Leave them alone!" I heard the lion say in irritation. He walked up and grabbed the cat thing, Snarf, off my shoulder. He smiled at me apologetically, his kind eyes finding mine.
"Wow! You have pretty eyes, like jewels!" He said, trying to get a better look. I hissed loudly, backing away even farther and pulling my hood down to hide my face. I bumped into a table and heard things fall along with the sound of something glass breaking. I was starting to feel a little sick with grief over it when Salutis, Salukis, and Jeroma came back in the room, asking questions and worrying about the sound. I was suddenly picked up by Salukis, hearing him growl something at the lion, before Jeroma asked us to leave.
"Sorry! I really didn't mean to make you mad!" I heard the lion shout as we left. I wasn't hearing to much, however. I felt sick over whatever I had broke. I kept glancing up at Salukis and over at Salutis, but neither was looking at me the entire walk back. After Salukis had placed me back down in their home, Saluri came over and checked me for any cuts or injuries from the broken glass, but I was injury free.
"I really… I really didn't mean… to break anything…" I said, starting to cry. Saluris blinked at me, before giving me a warm and motherly smile.
"We aren't upset, Sapphire. We were just worried!" She said. I nodded my head, but I was still crying. Saluris pulled me into her arms and held me while I cried, letting me soak her shirt and sob until I finally fell asleep.
I woke up to the sounds of screaming, and being carried by someone.
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The first chapter! I purposefully left Sapphire's appearance and backstory a mystery. It will be revealed eventually, though. Yes, she has cat like parts, if you pay enough attention, you should have a pretty good idea of what she looks like, but she'll most likely get a good description next chapter.
I dunno yet if she'll join the Thundercats yet, or what the main pairing will be.
We'll see.