Disclaimer: I no own, you no sue.
/*/**/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/ Malovolence's Waltz Chapter 1: Visitation
/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/ Author's Note: Aloha all.OKay, I've started over on a new account. A new rep and a clean sheet (ignoring the ink blots ^_^).
Okay, this story takes place approximately five years after the events of the game. So, Zidane and Garnet are 21, Vivi is 13 and Eiko is 11, so yippee. Spoilers ahead, so drive slowly. I'm ignoring the fact that in the end of the game, Vivi has six sons. I'm making him have one son, who will make his entrance by the next chapter. It's going to be fun, I actually have this entire story plotted out, so there shouldn't be any awkward lack of updates. Probably once every week, so please don't get angry. Okay, I'll stop talking now.
~NeoNaoNeo
/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/ "Zidane, I don't think this was such a good idea." Garnet said reproachfully, laying her hands on a very round stomach, the throne's heir resting in her womb. Zidane handed over control of the rickety airship to Steiner and walked across the deck, his boots causing the floor boards to shift and creak loudly.
"What's wrong?' Zidane asked sincerely, coming behind Garnet and resting a hand on her shoulder.
"I just don't think it's a wise idea for me to be travelling this close to the due date, besides I..." her sentence was interupted by Zidane's lips. He drew away and placed a gloved finger on her mouth.
"Shhh...you worry too much Dagger." Zidane whispered, using the pet name she had gotten on their journey. "You're not due for another week, relax. Besides, stress isn't good for the baby."
Garnet sighed and sweetly returned Zidane's kiss, quietly and innocently. She walked around her husband and peered over the edge of the airship, watching the ocean speed on below. The warm, salty wind whipped her hair around her face, drawing it out of the tight ponytail it was constrained in most of the time. The sun was tried its hardest to warm the world below, but its efforts were triffled by a number of heavy and depressing rain clouds, slowly making their way across the sky. The birds, depressed by the lack of thermals, labored to take part in the art of flying, their wings beating the warm, but dead, air.
Zidane sighed and hooked his arms around Garnet's waist and began planting several kisses along the girl's delicate neck. He noticed she still looked upset. "Come on Garnet." he pleaded, reverting back to using her real name, "I know you've been itching to see Eiko and visit Madain Sari. PLus, I've wanted to see how Mikoto was holding out, *kiss* and Vivi wanted to see how everyone in the Black Mage Village was."
"I know... but why couldn't it have waited?" Garnet said stubbornly. "I'm not feeling very well."
"You'll feel better soon. I'm sure of it." Zidane shrugged. He noticed the offended look on Dagger's face and chuckled sheepishly. "Have you seen Vivi or Eiko?"
"Not lately." she huffed and leaned against the banister of the airship deck. "I'd check down below if I were you."
"Alright. Be right back," he said and gave Garnet a peck on the cheek. He silently added, "My canary."
She giggled and waved as he began walking toward the stairwell that led below the deck. He looked about the dark and dingy storeroom that was located beneath the deck. "Eiko? Vivi? You two down there?"
Eiko bounded up to Zidane, looking slightly aggitated. "Yeah, we're here. Can I go up on deck now?" she asked. "I'm tired of being stuck down here with that baby!"
"What do you mean?"
Eiko gave an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes. "I mean Vivi's being a little wuss and won't come up on deck, but he doesn't want me to leave him alone down here."
"Go ahead Eiko, I'll keep the little guy company." he said, ruffling Eiko's hair as she ran past him on the steps. He took another look around the dank store room and noticed the small mage sitting on top of a crate, his legs drawn up close to him.
"Hey there Vivi." Zidane said as he stepped gently down the steps. Vivi snapped to attention.
"Hi Zidane," he replied, looking to Zidane.
"What's wrong?" Zidane asked, pulling up a crate.
"It's just that," Vivi started, "I've felt so lonely after we went our seperate ways."
"You know you can visit us anytime you want to." Zidane said and gave Vivi a small pat on the shoulder.
"But that's the depressing part." Vivi sighed. "Because I know when I get home, I'm going to be all alone again. It's just really sad. No one's snoring or shifting in their bed or getting up... I'm sorry, I must sound really confusing right now..."
"Nah, it's not you that's talking." Zidane chuckled and leaned back on the crate. Vivi gave him a perplexed look. "It's the hormones, trust me. The teenage years ain't nothin' but depression, mood swings and sex drives."
Vivi couldn't help but laugh at this over-simplified synopsis of his years to come. "I can't say I know what that's like. I'm sure you'll find a solution to your problem. You always do." Zidane finished, trying to offer some comfort.
"Thanks." Vivi said.
The airship jerked suddenly, throwing Vivi and Zidane from their seats. The steam engine whined slightly and continued laboring away. Vivi stood up, pulled a small shard of glass from his arm and covered the wound area with his hand. He looked about and noticed how the ground was littered with the broken glass pieces of a window pane and burnt splinters of wood from a shattered window right above him. Even the frame was knocked out, which occured as curious to the mage. He shook himself from a medley of questions and looked up to Zidane.
"What happned?"
"I think we stopped." Zidane said and pulled a crate up to the wall and looked out the window. "Hey, we're at the Black Mage Village."
"I can't wait to see everyone!" Vivi exclaimed as he bounded off toward the exit. Zidane scratched the back of his head, shrugged and looked up when he heard the door leading up to the deck creak open. Garnet slowly made her way down the steps, Eiko coming in second and Steiner leading up the rear. When Garnet finally got off the last step, Eiko ran around her and chased after Vivi through the exit. Garnet smiled at Zidane and took his hand. Steiner went ahead of the two and held open the door. */*/*/*/*/*/*/*/
Vivi walked through the woods leading to the hidden village, humming happily. Sunlight filtered dimly through the leaves, lighting the dark path of the woods.
"Wait up!" Eiko shouted as she ran down the path, panting. Vivi stopped and turned around nonchalantly. "Why couldn't you wait for us?"
Vivi adjusted his hat shyly. "Sorry, I just wanted to see everyone."
"Hmph," Eiko grunted, turning around and crossed her arms. "Zidane wants to see his friends too, but you don't see him running ahead without us."
"I said I was sorry." Vivi said and looked down at the ground.
"Well, okay." Eiko huffed. "But next time you had better wait for us. You know how many monsters there are around here."
Vivi nodded as Zidane, Garnet and Steiner walked up. "Hey, why didn't you two love birds wait up?" was Zidane's first comment.
Eiko and Vivi both turned red, although for Eiko, it was impossible to tell if her blushing was from anger or embarassment. "What's that supposed to mean!?" she shot back, putting her hands on her hips, Eiko's usual defensive stance.
"Calm down Eiko," Zidane said. "I didn't mean anything by it, honest."
Eiko didn't reply as she began walking toward the hidden village, her nose turned up in the air. Zidane shrugged, shook his head and turned to Vivi. "I don't get what you see in her."
Vivi froze up and turned to Zidane. "I-I don't like her l-like her!" Vivi asserted, the tint of red very evident on his blank face. "We're j-just friends."
"I thought you were over your stuttering problem." Zidane said with a grin.
"Leave him alone Zidane." Garnet said, rolling her eyes. "You can be so immature."
Zidane turned around and began talking to Garnet. The black mage sighed and began walking again toward the clearing where the village was located.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/
He looked up to the sky above the village, the weather taking a turn for the worse as clouds continued gathering in the sky, grey and heavy with rain. Vivi shivered and looked around the village. It seemed so empty and desolate, a few genomes were out, but there wasn't a black mage in sight. He began walking toward the cemetery, noticing Mr. 288 wasn't at his usual post at the entrance. The size of the cemetery and number of headstones had increased drastically since he last visited, about two years ago. He shook his head in disbelief. Mr. 49, Mr.756, Mr. 23, Mr. 889....the list went on and on. He was relieved when he didn't see Mr. 288's name on a headstone, but curiousity still gripped him. "What had caused so many deaths in such a short period of time? His thoughts were interupted by a soft and polite voice.
"What brings you here Vivi?" Mr. 288 asked. Vivi jumped at the sound of his voice.
"Just visiting to see how everyone was." he replied. Vivi remembered his question and gave the cemetery another glance. "What happened?"
"Time," Mr. 288 said in a sorrowful tone.
"They all just stopped?" Vivi asked, feeling sick and confused. Mr. 288 gave a short nervous chuckle at his unconscious use of the word 'stopped'.
"I'm afraid so." he said. He quickly changed the subject. "I'm glad to see you again before I joined them."
"Don't talk like that!" Vivi snapped.
"I have a favor to ask of you." Mr. 288 uttered, looking at the ground as he wryed his sleeves nervously.
"What?" Vivi sniffled. (awwww....)
"You remember how black mages are created?"
Vivi arched an eyebrow. "Yes."
"Well, I am somewhat ashamed we had to resort to this, but....our numbers are dwindling quickly." Mr. 288 sighed, still looking at the ground. Vivi had never seen Mr. 288 act this way. "We've found a way to..." He fumbled to find the right words. "To reproduce." he finally blurted out, filling up an awkward silence with an even more awkward content. "It's similar to the technique that was used at the mill in Dali, but it's nearly impossible to do without someone with very powerful black magic."
Mr. 288 began walking out of the cemetery, leaving Vivi speechless. He followed Mr. 288 as he left. The elder mage continued walking, wordlessly. "Mr. 288?" Vivi asked, but got no response. He continued following Mr.288, even after he walked into the friendly atmosphere of the Black Cat Synthesis shop, a type B mage sweeping up the floor. He looked up to Vivi.
"Vivi! You came to visit!" Mr. 734 greeted and looked to Mr 288. "Didn't you have something to give him?"
"Yes," Mr. 288 said and walked behind the counter. "Come here Vivi." The small mage complied. Mr. 288 then pulled an egg from behind the counter and held it up so Vivi could have a decent look at it. The shell looked as though it was stitched together from pastel pink and creamy white leather, the seams clear, obvious and ragged. Vivi stumbled to find words that expressed his disbelief. "I-is that...?" was all he could manage.
"Yes, it's a mist egg." Mr. 288 answered. It was much smaller than the ones Vivi saw at Dali, when he first discovered his orgin. He looked to Mr. 288, still confused. "We were able to make three of them from the remaining Mist at the Iifa Tree. This is the last one."
"What do you mean 'last one'?" Vivi was finally able to force out.
"The first egg was, unfortunately, a failed experiment." he replied gravely. "The second one, we used a different technique and...well, ask Mr. 734."
The other mage nodded vigorously. "It worked, me, Mr. 288, Lanolin and Tira worked together, it was real hard though, but we still managed to pull it off."
Vivi gave Mr. 288 an uneasy leer. "What do you need me for?" he demanded quietly. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Vivi shut his eyes a moment and exhaled. Mr. 288 picked up on Vivi's mood and wried his sleeves.
"You see, it wasn't a complete success either. Paella, God rest her soul, died...after a year." Mr. 288 explained. He gave a depressed sigh and continued. "So we figure that the child will have the same supposed lifespan as its parents."
Vivi bit his lip and turned away, watching Mr. 734 sweep up around the shop. "I see." was his only response. Vivi tried to convince himself that it wasn't the same thing Kuja had done, but something about the whole thing seemed inherently awry. But why? He would have usually been happy to learn he could be a parent, but not like this. Just creating another being, for what purpose? He thought a moment about it. To replenish our numbers, he supposed. Humans did the same thing, although their purpose was long forgotten. It was just their way of having children, just like everyone else. It still felt awkward and unnatural. Mr. 288 noticed Vivi's expression of deep thought.
"If you don't want to, no one is forcing you little one," Mr. 288 coaxed. Vivi sighed and shook his head. If he said no, would he be letting Mr. 288 and 734 down? He thought so.
"Alright," Vivi murmured. He got a sudden sinking feeling in his stomach.
"Are you sure?" Mr. 288 asked, concerned.
Vivi nodded.
Mr. 288 smiled. "Thank you."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/
Whoo, chapter one is completed. I hope you'll drop off a review on your way out (heh, don't ask me why I'm talking like we're all in a room). I've already written a part of chapter 2 and trust me, it gets more fun from here on out. Oh, for those of you who tell me I've written Vivi out of character for the last half of this chapter, I know. But wouldn't you be slightly confused and angry if someone asked you to do something you thought was wrong and they knew it, but you couldn't say no? Okay, I'm done.
/*/**/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/ Malovolence's Waltz Chapter 1: Visitation
/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/ Author's Note: Aloha all.OKay, I've started over on a new account. A new rep and a clean sheet (ignoring the ink blots ^_^).
Okay, this story takes place approximately five years after the events of the game. So, Zidane and Garnet are 21, Vivi is 13 and Eiko is 11, so yippee. Spoilers ahead, so drive slowly. I'm ignoring the fact that in the end of the game, Vivi has six sons. I'm making him have one son, who will make his entrance by the next chapter. It's going to be fun, I actually have this entire story plotted out, so there shouldn't be any awkward lack of updates. Probably once every week, so please don't get angry. Okay, I'll stop talking now.
~NeoNaoNeo
/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/ "Zidane, I don't think this was such a good idea." Garnet said reproachfully, laying her hands on a very round stomach, the throne's heir resting in her womb. Zidane handed over control of the rickety airship to Steiner and walked across the deck, his boots causing the floor boards to shift and creak loudly.
"What's wrong?' Zidane asked sincerely, coming behind Garnet and resting a hand on her shoulder.
"I just don't think it's a wise idea for me to be travelling this close to the due date, besides I..." her sentence was interupted by Zidane's lips. He drew away and placed a gloved finger on her mouth.
"Shhh...you worry too much Dagger." Zidane whispered, using the pet name she had gotten on their journey. "You're not due for another week, relax. Besides, stress isn't good for the baby."
Garnet sighed and sweetly returned Zidane's kiss, quietly and innocently. She walked around her husband and peered over the edge of the airship, watching the ocean speed on below. The warm, salty wind whipped her hair around her face, drawing it out of the tight ponytail it was constrained in most of the time. The sun was tried its hardest to warm the world below, but its efforts were triffled by a number of heavy and depressing rain clouds, slowly making their way across the sky. The birds, depressed by the lack of thermals, labored to take part in the art of flying, their wings beating the warm, but dead, air.
Zidane sighed and hooked his arms around Garnet's waist and began planting several kisses along the girl's delicate neck. He noticed she still looked upset. "Come on Garnet." he pleaded, reverting back to using her real name, "I know you've been itching to see Eiko and visit Madain Sari. PLus, I've wanted to see how Mikoto was holding out, *kiss* and Vivi wanted to see how everyone in the Black Mage Village was."
"I know... but why couldn't it have waited?" Garnet said stubbornly. "I'm not feeling very well."
"You'll feel better soon. I'm sure of it." Zidane shrugged. He noticed the offended look on Dagger's face and chuckled sheepishly. "Have you seen Vivi or Eiko?"
"Not lately." she huffed and leaned against the banister of the airship deck. "I'd check down below if I were you."
"Alright. Be right back," he said and gave Garnet a peck on the cheek. He silently added, "My canary."
She giggled and waved as he began walking toward the stairwell that led below the deck. He looked about the dark and dingy storeroom that was located beneath the deck. "Eiko? Vivi? You two down there?"
Eiko bounded up to Zidane, looking slightly aggitated. "Yeah, we're here. Can I go up on deck now?" she asked. "I'm tired of being stuck down here with that baby!"
"What do you mean?"
Eiko gave an exasperated sigh and rolled her eyes. "I mean Vivi's being a little wuss and won't come up on deck, but he doesn't want me to leave him alone down here."
"Go ahead Eiko, I'll keep the little guy company." he said, ruffling Eiko's hair as she ran past him on the steps. He took another look around the dank store room and noticed the small mage sitting on top of a crate, his legs drawn up close to him.
"Hey there Vivi." Zidane said as he stepped gently down the steps. Vivi snapped to attention.
"Hi Zidane," he replied, looking to Zidane.
"What's wrong?" Zidane asked, pulling up a crate.
"It's just that," Vivi started, "I've felt so lonely after we went our seperate ways."
"You know you can visit us anytime you want to." Zidane said and gave Vivi a small pat on the shoulder.
"But that's the depressing part." Vivi sighed. "Because I know when I get home, I'm going to be all alone again. It's just really sad. No one's snoring or shifting in their bed or getting up... I'm sorry, I must sound really confusing right now..."
"Nah, it's not you that's talking." Zidane chuckled and leaned back on the crate. Vivi gave him a perplexed look. "It's the hormones, trust me. The teenage years ain't nothin' but depression, mood swings and sex drives."
Vivi couldn't help but laugh at this over-simplified synopsis of his years to come. "I can't say I know what that's like. I'm sure you'll find a solution to your problem. You always do." Zidane finished, trying to offer some comfort.
"Thanks." Vivi said.
The airship jerked suddenly, throwing Vivi and Zidane from their seats. The steam engine whined slightly and continued laboring away. Vivi stood up, pulled a small shard of glass from his arm and covered the wound area with his hand. He looked about and noticed how the ground was littered with the broken glass pieces of a window pane and burnt splinters of wood from a shattered window right above him. Even the frame was knocked out, which occured as curious to the mage. He shook himself from a medley of questions and looked up to Zidane.
"What happned?"
"I think we stopped." Zidane said and pulled a crate up to the wall and looked out the window. "Hey, we're at the Black Mage Village."
"I can't wait to see everyone!" Vivi exclaimed as he bounded off toward the exit. Zidane scratched the back of his head, shrugged and looked up when he heard the door leading up to the deck creak open. Garnet slowly made her way down the steps, Eiko coming in second and Steiner leading up the rear. When Garnet finally got off the last step, Eiko ran around her and chased after Vivi through the exit. Garnet smiled at Zidane and took his hand. Steiner went ahead of the two and held open the door. */*/*/*/*/*/*/*/
Vivi walked through the woods leading to the hidden village, humming happily. Sunlight filtered dimly through the leaves, lighting the dark path of the woods.
"Wait up!" Eiko shouted as she ran down the path, panting. Vivi stopped and turned around nonchalantly. "Why couldn't you wait for us?"
Vivi adjusted his hat shyly. "Sorry, I just wanted to see everyone."
"Hmph," Eiko grunted, turning around and crossed her arms. "Zidane wants to see his friends too, but you don't see him running ahead without us."
"I said I was sorry." Vivi said and looked down at the ground.
"Well, okay." Eiko huffed. "But next time you had better wait for us. You know how many monsters there are around here."
Vivi nodded as Zidane, Garnet and Steiner walked up. "Hey, why didn't you two love birds wait up?" was Zidane's first comment.
Eiko and Vivi both turned red, although for Eiko, it was impossible to tell if her blushing was from anger or embarassment. "What's that supposed to mean!?" she shot back, putting her hands on her hips, Eiko's usual defensive stance.
"Calm down Eiko," Zidane said. "I didn't mean anything by it, honest."
Eiko didn't reply as she began walking toward the hidden village, her nose turned up in the air. Zidane shrugged, shook his head and turned to Vivi. "I don't get what you see in her."
Vivi froze up and turned to Zidane. "I-I don't like her l-like her!" Vivi asserted, the tint of red very evident on his blank face. "We're j-just friends."
"I thought you were over your stuttering problem." Zidane said with a grin.
"Leave him alone Zidane." Garnet said, rolling her eyes. "You can be so immature."
Zidane turned around and began talking to Garnet. The black mage sighed and began walking again toward the clearing where the village was located.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/
He looked up to the sky above the village, the weather taking a turn for the worse as clouds continued gathering in the sky, grey and heavy with rain. Vivi shivered and looked around the village. It seemed so empty and desolate, a few genomes were out, but there wasn't a black mage in sight. He began walking toward the cemetery, noticing Mr. 288 wasn't at his usual post at the entrance. The size of the cemetery and number of headstones had increased drastically since he last visited, about two years ago. He shook his head in disbelief. Mr. 49, Mr.756, Mr. 23, Mr. 889....the list went on and on. He was relieved when he didn't see Mr. 288's name on a headstone, but curiousity still gripped him. "What had caused so many deaths in such a short period of time? His thoughts were interupted by a soft and polite voice.
"What brings you here Vivi?" Mr. 288 asked. Vivi jumped at the sound of his voice.
"Just visiting to see how everyone was." he replied. Vivi remembered his question and gave the cemetery another glance. "What happened?"
"Time," Mr. 288 said in a sorrowful tone.
"They all just stopped?" Vivi asked, feeling sick and confused. Mr. 288 gave a short nervous chuckle at his unconscious use of the word 'stopped'.
"I'm afraid so." he said. He quickly changed the subject. "I'm glad to see you again before I joined them."
"Don't talk like that!" Vivi snapped.
"I have a favor to ask of you." Mr. 288 uttered, looking at the ground as he wryed his sleeves nervously.
"What?" Vivi sniffled. (awwww....)
"You remember how black mages are created?"
Vivi arched an eyebrow. "Yes."
"Well, I am somewhat ashamed we had to resort to this, but....our numbers are dwindling quickly." Mr. 288 sighed, still looking at the ground. Vivi had never seen Mr. 288 act this way. "We've found a way to..." He fumbled to find the right words. "To reproduce." he finally blurted out, filling up an awkward silence with an even more awkward content. "It's similar to the technique that was used at the mill in Dali, but it's nearly impossible to do without someone with very powerful black magic."
Mr. 288 began walking out of the cemetery, leaving Vivi speechless. He followed Mr. 288 as he left. The elder mage continued walking, wordlessly. "Mr. 288?" Vivi asked, but got no response. He continued following Mr.288, even after he walked into the friendly atmosphere of the Black Cat Synthesis shop, a type B mage sweeping up the floor. He looked up to Vivi.
"Vivi! You came to visit!" Mr. 734 greeted and looked to Mr 288. "Didn't you have something to give him?"
"Yes," Mr. 288 said and walked behind the counter. "Come here Vivi." The small mage complied. Mr. 288 then pulled an egg from behind the counter and held it up so Vivi could have a decent look at it. The shell looked as though it was stitched together from pastel pink and creamy white leather, the seams clear, obvious and ragged. Vivi stumbled to find words that expressed his disbelief. "I-is that...?" was all he could manage.
"Yes, it's a mist egg." Mr. 288 answered. It was much smaller than the ones Vivi saw at Dali, when he first discovered his orgin. He looked to Mr. 288, still confused. "We were able to make three of them from the remaining Mist at the Iifa Tree. This is the last one."
"What do you mean 'last one'?" Vivi was finally able to force out.
"The first egg was, unfortunately, a failed experiment." he replied gravely. "The second one, we used a different technique and...well, ask Mr. 734."
The other mage nodded vigorously. "It worked, me, Mr. 288, Lanolin and Tira worked together, it was real hard though, but we still managed to pull it off."
Vivi gave Mr. 288 an uneasy leer. "What do you need me for?" he demanded quietly. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Vivi shut his eyes a moment and exhaled. Mr. 288 picked up on Vivi's mood and wried his sleeves.
"You see, it wasn't a complete success either. Paella, God rest her soul, died...after a year." Mr. 288 explained. He gave a depressed sigh and continued. "So we figure that the child will have the same supposed lifespan as its parents."
Vivi bit his lip and turned away, watching Mr. 734 sweep up around the shop. "I see." was his only response. Vivi tried to convince himself that it wasn't the same thing Kuja had done, but something about the whole thing seemed inherently awry. But why? He would have usually been happy to learn he could be a parent, but not like this. Just creating another being, for what purpose? He thought a moment about it. To replenish our numbers, he supposed. Humans did the same thing, although their purpose was long forgotten. It was just their way of having children, just like everyone else. It still felt awkward and unnatural. Mr. 288 noticed Vivi's expression of deep thought.
"If you don't want to, no one is forcing you little one," Mr. 288 coaxed. Vivi sighed and shook his head. If he said no, would he be letting Mr. 288 and 734 down? He thought so.
"Alright," Vivi murmured. He got a sudden sinking feeling in his stomach.
"Are you sure?" Mr. 288 asked, concerned.
Vivi nodded.
Mr. 288 smiled. "Thank you."
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/
Whoo, chapter one is completed. I hope you'll drop off a review on your way out (heh, don't ask me why I'm talking like we're all in a room). I've already written a part of chapter 2 and trust me, it gets more fun from here on out. Oh, for those of you who tell me I've written Vivi out of character for the last half of this chapter, I know. But wouldn't you be slightly confused and angry if someone asked you to do something you thought was wrong and they knew it, but you couldn't say no? Okay, I'm done.
