A/N: Yay, after far too much time the sequel to "Of Blood and Magic" is here! If you haven't read that one yet, you probably want to do that first. Where "Of Blood and Magic" took place during the events of Goblet of Fire, this will be taking place during Order of the Phoenix. Enjoy!
Of Blood and Deceit
Chapter 1: Errands
Cacophony was the only word Tevelle could find to describe her surroundings. Overwhelming noise, scent, color, and movement clashed and melded, tangling her senses. Worst of all was the discordant beating of thousands of hearts, all of which signaled prey. Beside her Xeven was a quiet spot amongst the chaos. She latched onto him mentally, hoping that some of his calm would transfer. It was all she could do not to latch onto him physically as well.
"Control," Xeven ordered silently.
The beast in her continued to rage, but it was manageable now.
"I hate cities. Why are we here again?" Tevelle knew she was whining, but she did not really care.
"We have an appointment at the Ministry of Magic." Xeven explained. He must have been annoyed at answering the same question for the tenth time, but none of that showed in the tone of his projected thoughts. He offered no further explanation, and several questions ago, Tevelle had reluctantly accepted that he probably wouldn't elaborate.
"How do the Solitaries who decide to live in cities stand it?"
"Unaffiliated is the proper term," Xeven corrected her, "Very few who choose to live outside of a Coven are truly solitary. To answer your question, they would not be living amongst the humans if they did not possess the control necessary in an environment such as this."
Tevelle shook her head.
It was very possible that one day, once she no longer needed Xeven's guidance, Tevelle would spend a century or so as an Unaffiliated. It was not uncommon; the vast majority of vampires would spend at least some time outside the protective structure and stability that the Coven provided. After all, living with the same group of people for centuries at a time could try anyone's patience. Both the danger and the lure lay in becoming completely self-sufficient and self-reliant. Those who chose to live amongst humans, either magical or muggle, found jobs and those who opted to live amongst non-humans needed to provide for themselves in a slightly more direct way.
Yes, Tevelle could definitely see spending a century or two with a herd of unicorns or perhaps a dragon.
"This is it," Xeven stated aloud.
Tevelle blinked. Had she really been so focused on using her rambling thoughts to block out the crowd? If Xeven asked what route they had taken since the street corner with that odd crack in the pavement, Tevelle could not have answered him. She hoped he wouldn't sense her thoughts and ask that. It would be just like Xeven to use this as a test.
"A phone box." Tevelle said instead, mildly confused.
"Correct, but it is also the visitor's entrance to the Ministry of Magic here in London," explained Xeven.
Casually, he ushered her into the rather derelict red phone box before stepping in himself and closing the door. Luckily Xeven, though tall, was slim. That and Tevelle's moderate stature were enough to ensure they fit comfortably, if rather snugly, into the small space.
"If you could hold the receiver please… thank you. I believe the necessary digits are six-two-four-four-and-two."
Tevelle did not startle when a cool female voice spoke from the air around them. Her slight jump had been because the receiver was slipping from her fingers, not surprise. Tevelle very carefully avoided looking at Xeven. No doubt he was laughing at her silently. It was not her fault that her nerves were frayed from the walk.
"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business."
"Xeven Derkesthai and Tevelle Nightshade. " Xeven ignored the receiver and spoke to the empty air. "We are here to contest a recent piece of legislature that is contrary to our interests."
"Thank you. Visitors, please take the badge and attach it to the front of your robes."
The voice continued to speak as Tevelle reached for the two pins that had rattled out of the coin return chute. She handed Xeven his before taking a closer look at the one she held.
"Tevelle Nightshade," It said, "Protest."
Neither of them wore robes; that would have been silly walking through muggle London. Xeven pinned his badge to the upper portion of his dress shirt, and Tevelle fastened hers to a slightly higher corresponding location on her blouse.
"Visitors to the Ministry, you are required to submit to a search and present your wand for registration at the security desk, which is located at the far end of the Atrium."
Tevelle bit out a growl as the lift began to descend. Vampires, especially young ones, were very possessive of their things.
"Do not fret, Little Bat, I will take care of it." Xeven assured her.
"The Ministry of Magic wishes you a pleasant day."
"Pleasant is not quite the word I would use," Tevelle griped as the door opened to let them out of the telephone box. Or was it a lift?
The Atrium was impressive; she had to admit, though in her opinion a bit on the gaudier side. Gleaming dark wooden floors and walls were accented by gold. Gilded and ornate fireplaces lined several walls.
"I have always felt the peacock blue a bit much, myself," Xeven remarked, gesturing to the ceiling.
"The writing is pretty though, shiny."
Xeven let out an exaggerated sigh, "There are times I believe you are more niffler than vampire."
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?"
Xeven merely favored her with an indulgent smile before striding across the Atrium floor.
Tevelle hurried to catch up, not quite trusting herself in the bustle.
"Humans sure are arrogant, aren't they," commented Tevelle as they passed by the decorative fountain depicting a rather distorted view of wizards and their relation to non-humans. She read the sign next to it. "All proceeds from the fountain of magical brethren will be given to St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. Well at least it's for a good cause."
Xeven regarded the fountain for a moment, his face impassive.
"The more times I look at it, the more it troubles me. " He finally said, his tone laces with displeasure.
He turned suddenly, visibly dismissing the fountain from his thoughts. They made their way to Security. It was a short walk. For some reason, no one wanted to step in Xeven's way.
The security guard on duty eyed them lazily as they approached. His eyes settled on Xeven's visitor badge, and the response was immediate. He shot up, standing rigidly on his feet. He looked like he couldn't decide between his job and fleeing.
"Xeven Derkesthai! I mean Mr. Derkes- I mean my lord- I mean-"
Tevelle had nearly forgotten the effect Xeven could have on the Wizarding public. As the oldest living vampire and the ambassador to Wizarding kind, Xeven was a well-known figure. Though Xeven was always polite, the first reaction that greeted him was almost always fear.
"Calm yourself, young man." Xeven held up a hand placating when it appeared the human was close to hyperventilating.
The guard froze.
"We are merely another pair of visitors, Mr…"
"Munch, Eric Munch. And I don't have to do a security check, just go on through."
"Well, Eric, I thank you for the offer, but it would not do for you to face disciplinary action for such a simple breach in protocol. Perform your duty as you normally would. I only ask that you allow me to handle my apprentice's wand for the registration. She is still young and on edge from the crowd."
Eric nodded, still visibly nervous.
Xeven was calm and collected as Eric approached him with a long golden rod. Tevelle was not so calm and Eric's nervousness didn't help.
"Hold," Xeven ordered her silently.
The process was over far quicker than it should have been, but Tevelle did not complain.
"May I borrow your wand?" Xeven asked silently.
Tevelle clamped down the urge to deny him and did as requested.
"I am not currently carrying a wand." Xeven explained as he placed Tevelle's onto the tray of the scale-like instrument. Several painfully lengthy moments later the device produced a slip of parchment. Quicker than the eye could follow, Xeven snatched up Tevelle's wand and handed it back to her. She felt muscles relax that she had not even realized were tense.
"That's all," Eric said in a rush. "Thank you for your cooperation, Have a good day." He finished with a clumsy, anxious bow.
Xeven nodded his head in acknowledgement, and Tevelle followed his example. The two politely ignored the man collapsing limply in the chair behind the desk as they walked away.
The lift was empty by the time they reached it, and as the grate slid closed, Tevelle let out a small sigh of relief.
"Department of Mysteries, please," Xeven ordered the lift before continuing at a slightly lower volume. "With luck, the trial the Wizengamot has gathered for will have a short delay. The court generally meets twenty or so minutes before the set time of a trial. Those twenty minutes should be sufficient, but an additional five or so would not go amiss should the Wizengamot be feeling particularly argumentative. "
"They don't know we have an appointment, do they." It was not a question.
Xeven favored her with a not-quite smile. "No, they do not."
"Why not?"
"We would not want the humans to become complacent, now, would we?"
Tevelle felt her own smirk growing. "Of course not." This would be fun.
"Department of Mysteries," the cool automated voice announced.
Tevelle followed as Xeven ignored a lone black door at the end of the hallway and swept down a flight of stairs to the left. Xeven showed no hesitation as they walked at a fast clip down this new, dungeon-like hall, bypassing several doors.
When Xeven halted, it was so sudden Tevelle nearly collided with his back.
"Courtroom Ten," he explained.
Tevelle looked at the heavy, iron bound door curiously. Xeven had mentioned a trial. Who would have done something serious enough to be tried down here? Judging by the dust on the door, this courtroom was not often utilized, not recently at least.
Tevelle turned her head to ask, but the query died on her tongue. Xeven rested a palm on the wood and gave what appeared to be a gentle shove. BANG!
The door burst open, colliding with the wall, and bouncing back. Both Tevelle and Xeven were nearly to the center of the room before the door completely rebounded, slamming shut behind them.
"Was all the drama really necessary? I think you almost gave a couple of them heart attacks. That one near the back nearly fell out of his seat, and the two talking tripped over their chairs."
"We have limited time. I wished to impress upon them the seriousness of this matter."
"If I might have a moment of your time?" Xeven spoke aloud, addressing the Wizengamot. Hurriedly, the last few members took their seats and attempted to appear less flustered.
"I suppose..." Cornelius Fudge, still red-faced with fright, stuttered.
"If you could explain what this intrusion is about," A female voice Tevelle did not recognize interrupted. The voice was cloyingly sweet,
The Minister of Magic visibly relaxed, nodding towards the woman to his right. Fudge leaned back, his face obscured now by shadow. A human would have had difficulty making out his features, but shadow and darkness was a vampire's playground. Tevelle's eyes could easily trace the worry lines that creased his brow and the fearful set to his shoulders.
"Forgive me, but this intrusion was necessary to gain the full attention of the Wizengamot with any sort of expediency. " Xeven's tone made it quite clear that he in no way required anyone's forgiveness for his actions. His tone remained cold as he continued, "I have come here before you to contest a recent piece of legislature that you yourself, Dolores Umbridge, have recently put into action."
"And what might that be?" Umbridge was simpering now, her crocodile grin widening.
"Subsection 42.C recently added to the Guidelines for the Treatment of Non-Wizard Part-Humans. It requires registration of part-humans such as werewolves and vampires amongst others. It further requires any who wish to attend Hogwarts to obtain unanimous approval of the Governing Board of Hogwarts as well as the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures Beast Division. Not only does this make it unfeasible for someone such as my apprentice to become a student, but to do so without facing the prejudice of her peers would be impossible."
Stunned, Tevelle did her best to keep her face expressionless. "You mean I can't go back to school?" The silent words she sent towards Xeven were plaintive. Tevelle didn't know how to feel about that. It should have made her happy to have an escape from dealing with annoying human teenagers, but instead the swoop of feeling in her gut was the opposite. Tevelle hadn't realized how much she had missed learning alongside others. As the only current young vampire in the Coven, all of her lessons had been private ones out of necessity, not preference.
"Hush, Little Bat. That is why we are here, to ensure your return to complete your schooling. "
"I see nothing wrong with that," Umbridge continued to speak, oblivious of the silent conversation, "Vampires, especially young ones, have been known to be dangerous. This is a matter of safety."
"I highly doubt safety is your primary concern," Xeven's voice was dangerously mild, "Not the safety of the human students, and certainly not the safety of the part-human ones."
Umbridge suddenly flushed red with rage, a nearly false rage if her heartbeat was anything to go by. "You dare accuse me! I'll have you know, I-"
At Xeven's stare, she choked on her words and fell silent.
"Regardless, I suggest," they way the word was spoken, Xeven might as well have said 'order' or 'demand', "Subsection 42.C be repealed. Not only are you outside your authority regarding Hogwarts School, but you are also violating paragraph twelve of the same Guidelines. "
"I feel that I know the laws as well as you," the witch tried to regain control of the situation. Xeven fixed her with a mildly condescending look.
"Unless you were present while Minister of Magic Grogan Stump and I first drafted them in 1811, I do not believe you do. "
Tevelle fought down a laugh.
Umbridge gaped at him. Xeven took the opportunity her stupor provided and turned Fudge. "I grow quite weary of your Senior Undersecretary's insubordination. Also, if I am not mistaken, the time is currently one minute until eight o'clock. I trust you will consider this matter carefully over the next few days and reach a favorable conclusion." Xeven did not wait for a response before nodding his head politely at the assemblage and turning purposefully on his heel. Tevelle followed in his wake.
Just before they exited, Xeven turned once again.
"You can expect my annual monetary donation to the Ministry to be delayed. Transferring sums of money such as that can be tricky. You understand how it is."
"Did you just bribe them?" Tevelle asked silently moments later once they were in the hallway.
"Not in so many words. I simply make it a habit to donate a portion of my spare funds each year to the Ministry of Magic. It prevents them from forgetting whom they deal with."
"So you threaten the Minister with withholding pocket change."
"A fair amount of pocket change, yes."
Tevelle was still chuckling with amusement when she very nearly walked straight into a rather flustered Arthur Weasley and a terrified Harry Potter.
"That's the door there, Harry. I can't go in with you, but I'll wait here." Arthur was saying.
Harry, oblivious to anything else, gulped and pushed the door open. When it closed after him, Tevelle spoke.
"What did he do to get a hearing down here?"
Arthur, having just noticed the two vampires, gave a little jump in surprise at her words.
"Tevelle! Xeven! I didn't see you there!" Arthur exclaimed, clearly nervous. He gave them a small smile, to make it clear his nerves had nothing to do with either of them.
"Of all the people to run into; I wasn't expecting to see you here." Arthur continued.
Xeven favored him with a small upturn of his lips that was not quite a smile. "We were simply taking advantage of the full Wizengamot convening at one time in order to make our feelings on certain matters known."
"Oh, right! I had heard about that new Part-Human legislature. Nasty business that; a friend of mine is also affected, though luckily he completed his schooling some time ago."
"Yes, though with luck it will be repealed soon."
Arthur laughed at Xeven's dry tone. "I doubt luck has anything to do with it. Fudge is scared stiff of you!"
Instead of acknowledging that last comment, Xeven prompted an abrupt change in subject. "What brings you here? The courtrooms are ways outside of your usual domain. "
This had Arthur shifting his stance, showing his agitation. "Escorting Harry to his hearing. Underage magic in the presence of muggles. At least that's what he's charged with. Harry's said he was attacked by Dementors and defended himself. I for one believe him."
"Dementors?" Tevelle allowed herself to speak up for the first time. "It's kind of far from Azkaban isn't it?"
"Quite." Xeven supplied, his tone troubled.
"Yeah," Arthur shivered uncomfortably, "Either way it's a mess. I'm not sure why they're using the old courtrooms for such a simple case. And the full Court you said?"
Xeven nodded his confirmation.
"Well, I won't keep you." Arthur said after a moment. "Oh! If you're in town tomorrow night, would you like to come by for dinner? Molly and I are having a bit of a get together with some friends, and we'd be delighted if you could join."
"That sounds delightful," Xeven responded, "And a fine way to conclude our visit."
"Splendid! See you then."
As they took their leave, Tevelle mulled over what had just occurred. To the best of her knowledge, they had no reason to stay in the city any longer than this afternoon. Though considering I didn't know why we were here in the first place, I'm not sure why I'm surprised, thought Tevelle wryly.
Instead of taking visitor's exit to leave the Ministry as Tevelle had expected, Xeven led Tevelle over to the fireplaces reserved for the outgoing floo.
"As we are staying in London a day longer than I had planned, it would be prudent to reserve a couple of rooms at the Leaky Cauldron before they are all booked." Xeven explained.
Tevelle nodded, taking a pinch of floo powder that Xeven offered her. Xeven gestured for her to precede him, and once the flames were the desired green, Tevelle stepped into the fire.
"Leaky Cauldron." Tevelle announced.
One of the things that always drove home how much she had changed since her human life was traveling by floo. As a human, it had been a disorienting experience. The turns and twists just slow enough to feel, but fast enough that she had barely registered them before she was off to the next. The different grates of the floo network as well flickered by at such as speed that she knew they were there, but there was no way she could make out anything but color.
As a vampire, the experience was completely different. The pace at which she traveled through the network was almost sluggish, with leisurely turns. Each stop along the way was clear, no longer a blur of color, but defined shapes. She need only take a step and find herself in someone's office or sitting room. It was almost like the lift she had ridden earlier that morning in the Ministry.
Tevelle felt herself slowing, and as the Leaky Cauldron's bar spiraled into view, she stepped forward. Her foot landed just as the fireplace she stood in completely solidified. Another step carried her fully into the bar.
Moments later, Xeven came striding out of the grate as casually as if he had walked through the door instead. A few patrons looked up at the unusually graceful entrance by floo, but as the hour was early, their curiosity did not carry them further than that.
"You have some soot on your nose." Xeven told Tevelle silently.
Blushing, Tevelle scrubbed at the offending dirt. "And you are impeccable as always," she grumbled good-naturedly in return.
"Xeven!" Tom the barkeep, who had just emerged from the back, greeted them, "What can I do for you today?"
"We would like lodging for the night, if possible."
"Two rooms it is, let me get your keys." Seconds later, Tom had slapped two keys onto the counter with a soft chime. "Rooms Twenty and Twenty One. They're the first two up the stairs. I figured you would want some space away from any of the other guests." Tom chuckled. "Not that I'm doubting your control, but sometimes it's nice to relax. Why make more work for yourself, when it can be avoided?"
Tevelle smiled, silently grateful for his words.
"Thank you," Xeven said, fishing coins out of his belt pouch while Tevelle picked up the two keys.
"Anything else I can get for you two?"
"Not at the moment, thank you." Xeven nodded, collected his change, and ushered Tevelle towards the back alley that lead into Diagon Alley.
"We didn't bring any bags." Tevelle observed, only just noticing.
"No matter. I had hoped to be invited to an Order meeting, but had not planned for it." Xeven said silently, before continuing aloud for the benefit of any listening. "Aria has been informed of our change of plans, and will be sending our overnight bags presently."
"Order? You mean that Order of the Phoenix? But we were just invited to dinner." Tevelle responded, projecting her thoughts so that Xeven could hear. Aloud, she said, "That's convenient."
"It was an invitation to dinner. An invitation from one we know is an Order member to a dinner with unnamed 'friends' of said Order member. I was also expecting such an offer. As I thought, our presence was an opportunity to form an alliance they dare not pass up."
"Alright then."
"Until our things arrive, I have some errands to run. You may accompany me if you wish."
"That might be best. There are still too many people around."
Xeven merely inclined his head in acknowledgement before tapping the necessary bricks to open the entrance to Diagon Alley.
The street was bustling, despite the morning hour, and Tevelle felt suddenly crowded.
"Easy," Xeven ordered after Tevelle stepped on his heels for the third time.
"Sorry," Tevelle jumped a little, carefully positioning herself at Xeven's right.
They were nearly even with Gringotts when Xeven took an abrupt turn towards the left. Tevelle scrambled to keep up.
The two vampires studiously ignored the odd looks they were getting for their diversion into Knockturn Alley.
Tevelle could feel her muscles relax. The crowd was behind her now, and the immediate vicinity was clear. A few wizards scrambled about, cloaked and hooded. The shady figures that would ordinarily be lurking in the shadows to accost the unwary, were very carefully avoiding the very real predators in their midst. Xeven strode purposefully towards a rather shabby shop front with books haphazardly stacked and visible from the storefront window.
The dust made Tevelle sneeze, but contrary to what the front would indicate, the bookstore was incredibly organized within. If the counter was dimly lit, the shelves themselves were illuminated so that the titles were clear to read even from a distance. There was a soft chime as the door slid shut behind them.
"Feel free to wander while I pay for the books I ordered." Xeven said.
Tevelle did not need telling twice. When the time came for them to leave, Xeven found her firmly ensconced on the floor in a back corner with a large tome propped on her knees.
"Come, we have several more stops to make."
Reluctantly, Tevelle pulled herself out of a riveting first-hand account from the first Goblin war.
"Can I buy this?"
Xeven reached out a hand for the tome and, obligingly, Tevelle handed it to him. Balancing a bundle of books with one hand, Xeven balanced Tevelle's selection so that it fell open to the title page with the other.
" 'Tales from the Battlefield: An Accounting of the Goblin Wars by Baroug the Bleak'," Xeven read aloud. He closed the large book with a gentle snap. "Yes. This will supplement my copy of an account written by Virmas the Vicious nicely."
" Virmas the Vicious, I recognize that name. That was the Goblin general Baroug was fighting."
"Correct. The two generals oft found themselves across the battlefield from each other during the First Goblin Wars in the fourteenth century." Xeven pinned her with a contemplative look. "Keep in mind, that it is always best to gain an understanding of both sides of a conflict. One perspective will never reflect a situation in its entirety. I was unable to determine from just the cover page, but is this copy in the original language, or has it been translated?"
"Both actually, I think. There was English on one side of the page and what looks like Gobbledegook on the other."
"Excellent."
"Are you going to regale me with advice about how things are always lost in translation also?"
Xeven kept his voice neutral as he responded dryly, "I believe you have just done so for me."
Rolling her eyes, Tevelle took her book back from Xeven so he could reach for the necessary funds.
"You could have just as easily paid for this with your allowance." Xeven commented silently as he handed several Galleons over to the cashier. Aloud, he thanked the man.
"But why would I want to use my own money when you're right here?" Tevelle teased, smiling smugly.
Xeven merely shook his head with quiet amusement.
They walked for a short while down the nearly deserted street until the cobbles wandered off in two different directions.
"Perhaps it would be more expedient if we were to split up for the remainder. The crowd is quite thin; you will handle yourself easily." Xeven announced, grinding to a halt.
Tevelle gulped nervously. "Alright?" True, there were barely any pedestrians about and down this particular street the humans were far more adept at recognizing and avoiding vampire kind. Still, as frayed as Tevelle's nerves had been, it would be quite stressful to wander on her own.
Xeven was clearly not going to accept anything but an affirmative answer, however.
"I will visit the apothecary for the potion supplies. You will stop by the garden shop to find some flesh-eating slug repellant. Aria has been complaining of the vermin destroying her vegetable patch again."
"Umm. Okay?"
"The Devil's Snare should be down on the left." Xeven instructed, and giving Tevelle a nod, he set off along the right sidewalk with purposeful strides.
Blinking owlishly, Tevelle began searching for the garden shop with a quiet sigh.
"Devil's Snare…. Devil's Snare… De- ah! Here we go."
Similar to the bookstore, the gardening store was deceptively dilapidated on the exterior of the building, but clean and orderly inside. The clerk was nowhere in sight, so Tevelle decided to look around for the slug repellant.
An advertisement poster on the wall caught her attention."Snargaluff Tree: why it makes the perfect guard dog" was scrawled in bold lettering underneath the fantastical image of a snarling tree. Below the poster was a stack of books with the same title. A similar display stood closer to the counter. This one proclaiming "Grow your own Wolfsbane: Ten easy steps to growing your very own aconite patch".
"Interesting, but not flesh-eating slug repellant," she griped.
"May I help you?" A voice behind Tevelle chirped.
Startled, Tevelle spun on her heel. She had been so focused on ignoring the heartbeats around her, that she completely missed this one approaching.
The voice and heartbeat belonged to a wisened old crone, fitting of every hedge witch stereotype Tevelle had ever heard. Something about the smoothness of the witch's movement and the lightness of her steps, however, gave the impression the appearance was one affected for customers.
"Um, I'm looking for flesh-eating slug repellant?"
"Are you positive of that? You sound unsure."
"Yes, I'm sure. Do you have any?"
"You're in luck. I just restocked a fresh batch. Stay right there dear, I will
be right back."
Tevelle shook her head at the woman. There were not many humans
capable or gutsy enough to fluster a vampire, even a young one such as herself. Wandering over to the counter, Tevelle reached out to leaf through a few pamphlets scattered over one side of the relatively clear surface.
"Hellebore, the magical farmer's friend" one said, a rather cuddly looking plant swaying on the cover page. And beside it, with the image of a geranium snarling at the competing advertisement, "Fanged Geranium nothing but gums? A Toots, Shoots 'n' Roots Special".
"Here you go, love." The shopkeeper said, bustling in from the back
room. "That'll be one galleon and two sickles. Would you like an extra six pound bag of fast-grow mulch for just another three sickles? It's a steal."
"No, thank you, just the repellant." Tevelle pulled out the appropriate coins.
"Positive?"
"Yes, thank you."
The witch shrugged, returning the change. "Suit yourself."
Eager to catch up with Xeven, Tevelle tucked the coins away, snatched up the surprisingly heavy jar of pest repellant, and practically ran out the door.
With any luck Xeven would be finished his errands and they could find some food.
A/N: Thanks for reading. Updates are going to be rather slow due to school. I'm in my last year of undergrad and am currently working on my senior thesis. I will do my best to have longer chapters to make up for it though. Please review! I like to know what people think.