Again I would like to thank everyone for the reviews, faves and follows :-) it helps me and keeps me motivated. This chapter, a little bit of the main plot will be revealed. Also take note of the timeline overlap between Tigress' arrival in Mongolia, and Po's departure.
Isn't it only make sense that she paid him a visit during those time?
Best friends are people who made your problems, their problems. Just so that you don't have to go through that alone.
-Unknown-
A few weeks later went past without anything worth mentioning. Tigress series of strange nightmares were soon forgotten and were pushed aside by more training and short missions. Until a few week later, a rather interesting message came to Jade Palace.
"Tigress…."
"You call me, Master?"
"Ah yes," her Master invited her to sit.
"I have received a message...," he paused. His face uncharacteristically gripped by a slight edge of unease, as he continued, "This request came from a former, short-term pupils of mine."
The message was plain and straightforward. It was merely asking for unequivocal assistance to some minor disturbance by a group of bandits in Darkhan, the north of Shanxi province, a Mongolian collateral area. Tigress ears perked up at the mention of the named location.
"W-was that… close to Datong?" Tigress asked gingerly.
"Darkhan is about six days journey from Datong into Mongolia because of the natural barrier. You will have to go around the mountain in Datong towards Jin Chang… but yes, you may have to go through Datong." Master Shifu pulled the annotated map from the same canister that bearing a strange seal as he pointed out the exact location.
The letter specifically came from a man Tigress never heard before, Lord Ganzorig.
"A former pupil here in Jade Palace?" She sounded almost unconvinced.
"Yes, Tigress, he had trained here for three years with Tai Lung. Albeit the brevity, he has proven himself to be an exemplary student, showing real talent, adherence, and discipline to the art. Following his father's footstep, he is now a recognized merchant and the member of councilors for the King of Mongol."
The mention of King of Mongol naturally flicked a switch in her mind. How she could forget, the creature that had separated her from the love of her life.
Discerning her facial expression, Shifu could almost guess what Tigress was thinking. "As far as I know, Lord Ganzorig and his father are both a respectable, noble man. But yes, still...I want you to be vigilant," the red panda advised judiciously.
"So, what has his request have anything to do with me?" She arched her brows questionably.
"In his letter, he had mentioned you in particular as the sole bearer of the responsibility," Shifu unrolled the parchment as he spoke."The assignment would include spying on a group of felines fugitives, deep in the heart of Mongolia, thus having you as their kind would impose a greater benefit to the task."
Ever since the war concluded in a civil manner, the bridge of relationship between the squabbling party had been, to a certain extent, restored to a much desirable degree. The flow of trading and migration between the border seemed to be much more relaxed and casual in equal measures.
Confiding her thoughts, Tigress interpreted this as an excellent opportunity to pull herself to finally moved on with her life; returning the strong, tough and withstanding individual that everyone once knew. She had been named for her unwavering resilience, to weather any form of trials, and to dedicate her life to others in unending servitude. She reasoned, by going on the mission alone, she would inevitably, learn to fend herself again and remember how things used to be before Po came into her life, and ultimately finding the antidote of her grief. By no means she planned to forget Po, but rather to serve every living memory of him into something bittersweet than resounding sorrow.
"However, Tigress… I can't let you go alone," almost as if he could decipher her mind, Shifu articulated his concern,"...take one of the five with you."
"Please Master, I will do fine." Tigress implored irritably. Not just she needed this solo mission to bridge herself restoring her independence―a crazy plan to visit Po in the Mongolian Palace cultivated in her mind too, but she wanted to do this in ultimate secrecy.
"But what if anything happens to you?" Shifu answered gently but entirely firm. He almost could see the line of defense forming in the tiger's mind, and the rift had become unavoidable.
However, Tigress dismissed her Master's voice that was clogged with concern. "Nothing will happen to me Master, I've been to many solo missions before―some even far more dangerous than this one." Tigress quipped with a sharp eloquence, causing the series of lecture died prematurely on her Master's lips.
Dang, she was right. What else should I say? Because I have a bad inkling about this? Because I am worried about my little girl safety? For goodness sake Shifu, she is 32 years old! She'd been a warrior all her life, and you can't let her go on a trivial mission over some petty burglary?
"I know…. But this is different Tigress. This mission is far away in the foreign land. The journey itself is going to take you weeks to get there." He lamely attempted to reason with her and defying her rebuttal. "You can't speak the language...and―"
"Forgive me Master, but neither of the four could speak Mongol Khel as well," she interjected obstinately,"...besides, it is just a petty robbery, nothing serious."
The sound of irritation in her voice stopped him cold. Shifu huffed, lines of worry dug deep into his skin. How he wished Tigress would stop antagonizing his decision without him having to explain them logically, but heck, it was him who raised her to be such strong-willed, opinionated and unfettered maiden. After a lot of negotiation and coercing back and forth, the Grand Master heavily agreed to let Tigress ventured for the mission unaccompanied.
Little did she knew, her decision to take the solo mission would change her world…. forever.
6 months later, in the heart of Mongolia.
Kaidu Naranbataar, a young yak, sat on his royal throne for the first time in his life. He was wearing his Mongolian royal deel (traditional Mongol robes), made with the finest silk and intricately embroidered golden thread running through it. Last week, his uncle, the King of Mongolia who had faithfully ruled the nation for two decades, was pronounced dead in the Highland onslaught after involved in the deadly brawl with the rebel from the northern Dansai. There was hardly any time to mourn. The nation needed their leader, and since the king bore no son, he was hastily ordained as their new king.
That night, Po came over to offer his condolences. His escort took him to Kaidu's new residence in the east wing of the palace, where the King used to live.
"Hi, Bud-" Po found a figure sitting behind a mountain of scrolls. He barely could recognize the young yak with his new headdress and outfit that signified his new role. "I mean….er… Highness….," the panda awkwardly chuckled as he rectified his mistake.
"Butt-Highness?" Kaidu snickered on the way Po addressed him, "That's not a bad title than the usual honorific….for a change." After being so casual around the yak for years, the appellative of calling him 'Your Highness' sounded weird rolling out of Po's tongue.
"Hey, sorry about your uncle," the panda said gloomily.
Kaidu just shrugged, "That's okay, Po. I know this day would come, it's just… I haven't expected it to come this quick. Besides, I disagree with some of his brutal ideology."
"At least he didn't butcher his captive alive," the panda joked, pointing his finger at himself and grinning animatedly.
Kaidu studied his best friend. How could a creature be so positive, jovial and kind? His deceased uncle had done despicable, horrid things to the panda―separating him from his family, his parents, his home, robbed him of his freedom, his career… and the woman of his life―yet, Po still able to find a positive thing he could commend.
All his life, Kaidu knew his uncle was a ruthless, despotic ruler that hailed the leadership ideology such as 'it was better to be feared than loved.' He reigned the country with such depravity, uniting many tribes and small kingdom around him with insufferable oppression, force, and brutality. Those who dared to forbid to his plea would find their life on the edge of the sword or strip from basic food, clothing, and shelter. Subsequently, they would be left to perish slowly―starved, sick or froze to their death. But all soon would change―Kaidu promised to himself once he became their king.
"Look, if you need me… you know where I am," Po placed his paw on the yak's shoulder with sympathy. Kaidu felt his eyes warmed, and his vision blurred, not because he was grieving for his uncle, but because he was touched by Po's caring act.
"Thanks, Po," he stated, voice slightly quivered with shaky resolve.
A month later. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
In the silence of the night, surrounded by exhaustive furniture and opulence setting of King's office, a single figure perched wearily behind his massive, intricately carved mahogany bureau. Kaidu rubbed his exhausted face, sighing with tired yet relief sigh that his work for the day had arrived at a merciful finality.
Never I would guess being a king could be this tiring and scary at the same time.
Undoubtedly, it had been such a busy month. Even though throughout his life, Kaidu had been prepared to hold the throne, it was still a steep learning curve and a lot of adjustment he had to do.
The young king had purposed in his heart to restore justice and peace in Mongolia back to the day his father's reign―whereby the kingdom was a lot smaller but respected by its citizen and neighboring allies alike. It's only during his uncle's reign that Mongolian―for selected few―had enjoyed the taste of power, dominion and riches on the expense of others. On the back of his mind, Kaidu knew, he would face a lot of resistance to bring reformation into the kingdom.
A knock on the door was heard, Kaidu exasperatedly answered, "Yes, do come in."
"Your Highness… I have a message for you," Lord Batbayar, a canine, one of his senior minister, bent down as he presented a scroll from his paws.
Kaidu impatiently opened the parchment and scanned through its content.
Darn it, another looting! He folded back the parchment and threw it uncaringly, while his mouth was filled with an offensive syntax of curses and insult.
"We need to deal this Demon Claw as soon as possible Your Highness," the canine commented, which in turn amplifying Kaidu's annoyance. His mind was already occupied with all assortment of political agenda; rules to be revised, dealings to be secured, and countless treaty to be read and signed… and now...this?
"I KNOW…!" He roared, unintentionally channeling his boiling frustration and making his minister cowered back in fear. He briskly regained his vigor and composed himself. "Pardon me―it's been a long day."
"Understandably so, Your Highness," the canine answered him diplomatically. He stared at the young king with sympathetic eyes.
"That deceitful Demon Claw and the Zhangs had been doing this for years! Viciously targeting many of my ministers and counselors," Kaidu shifted his sight to the large painting of his late father, letting anger and desperation bled through his thoughts.
Forgive me, Father. He muttered in remorse. I promised I wouldn't fail you.
"According to my observation, his primary target regularly is the Dorji clan's member," his minister highlighted his view.
Kaidu nodded haltingly as he hummed an agreement, "Ah yes, I heard they had a squabble years ago… about the previous leader of the Zhangs that was keen to seize the throne―fortunately, was revealed by Lord Ganbaatar of Dorji clan."
"Yes, Your Honor and your uncle sent his troops to decimate the Zhang clan. Unfortunately, a handful had run away and became fugitive since" the canine explicated further. Frankly speaking, Kaidu didn't understand why his uncle felt the need to murder the entire clan when he convinced only one of them was a traitor. There was hardly any evidence on the rest of the Zhangs involvement to the ploy.
"The Zhangs burnt down the Dorji's Fortress a few years ago, leaving Lord Ganzorig as the sole survivor. I believe this was a form of revenge, Shire." The canine added tentatively.
Kaidu pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, acknowledging he couldn't do anything more."Yes, keep an eye on them. So far I noticed, besides looting for valuables, they have never hurt anyone else."
"Your decision is my command, Shire."
"Good… next week, summon Ganzorig and a few of his extended clan. I will need to discuss this matter with him." Kaidu waved his hand dismissing his minister.
"Very well Your Honour…" His minister bowed as he made an exit.
Desperately trying to keep his consciousness intact from falling into slumber, he flicked his sight to the view outside his window. The night was left only a few hours away before the dawn, and his usual bedtime had long gone overdue. The constellation seemed to be the only creatures holding their soiree until this uncivil hour of the twilight. It's no wonder his body screamed for rest. However, in a moment of repose, his mind trailed to a particular panda that he had not seen for almost two weeks.
Dragon Warrior named Po, was a giant panda that his uncle had held as his captive and serve as a wager of their peace treaty with China. Allegedly, China had broken their political martial arrangement, falling short of giving Empress Xiaxue's hand in marriage to King Duwa of Mongolia. Enraged and feeling humiliated, his spiteful uncle had opted for physical violence and proclaiming a state of war against its neighbor.
To avoid both kingdoms destroyed in the conflict, the panda―whom people of China regarded as the best, formidable warrior―had voluntarily surrendered himself as a war endowment―a peace offering for both nations to finally shake their hand in truce. According to Po, the marital engagement between Kaidu's uncle and the Empress of China was tailored by one of China's traitor to undermine the sovereignty of the Empress of China in exchange with Mongolian supremacy. Hence, it was Dragon Warrior's duty to stop such occurrence from happening, even when it had put him in such predicament.
At first, Kaidu… like everyone else, raised his brows incredulously at the remark by their Army General Nabuhai, that the panda was most ferocious and powerful warrior in China.
A panda? Seriously? But Kaidu was judicious enough to not quickly planted his unfair prejudice of the panda appearance impairing his merit as an illustrious warrior, and he was glad to be proven wrong.
Breaking the ice between the captive and the captor was the easy part, the panda hardly had any mental bigotry at all towards him, in fact towards anyone. They both took no time tinkering around the parameter to validate their frienemy (friend-enemy) relationship and to find something that works for both of them. Both of them seemed to come in immediate agreement, that they had nothing to lose by giving it a go.
By the time they had spent a few months together, everything had fallen into place. And once again fate took a strange twist of making two enemies…. the best of friends.
After three years knowing the panda, Kaidu was much familiar with Po's pathetic joke, his jovial grin, and his passion for food and his encyclopedic knowledge of kung fu. He was much loved by others in the palace, from the cooks, chamberlains… to the ministers and army generals. He was one of those people that had personality impossible to hate, especially if he sauntered in front of them with a cauldron that smell could make people ravenously forgetting table manner did exist.
But there were moments, when he captured the panda's somber side―he sometimes spent a moment in reclusion, contemplatively sitting by the burning ember outside eastern garden that overlooked the jagged mountain ridges, which separating Mongolia and China. He was silently brooding into distant past, remembering those nostalgic moments that he treasured deeply in his heart and soul. Although he was physically here, his mind was clearly elsewhere.
He missed home.
His home…. Where all his family once were, the people who immensely loved him, the people who knew him as Po Ping, the people who deeply grieved him when he left. The panda pondered, far beyond those snowy peaks―whether his family was missing him, whether they were all well… Whether they think he was tortured or as good as dead and would never return. But most of all, he brood over Tigress―whether the feline was still heartbroken, whether she had moved on, whether she would look up the same stars as him, casting their wishes that one day fate would be kind enough to reunite them again.
Holding to that awareness in mind, even when his eyes and mind begging for mercy from sleeping depravity, Kaidu purposely strode to the panda's quarter to deliver a much important decision that he had made.
Yes, I must tell Po the good news. He felt a moment of thrilling ecstasy on the mental depiction of how delighted the panda would be to hear what he was just about to deliver.
However, there was one more hurdle.
Ah yes…. Altansanrai… Just the thought of dealing with her potent fury was enough to make his fatigue returned with a plaguing vengeance. But he figured out he would deal with that some other time.
"Po… opened the door. It's me." Reaching the door while rubbing his sleepy eyes, the panda in his night robe welcomed his presence.
"Uh….Kaidu… what bring―" Realizing his ornate royal deels, Po quickly reminded Kaidu newly appointed position. He hastily knelt down, nearly slammed himself to the floor on the process, saluted him reverentially yet clumsily. "Your Highness…."
Kaidu chuckled while impeding Po's movement quickly, "Po… when no one around… please… drop that formality nonsense. I don't like over embellished honorifics." He returned, almost pleading.
The panda grinned at his friend remark. "C'mon in Buddy. Uhm... Wanna have some dumpling?" He invited him to sit and pushed the bowl of fresh delicacies while throwing some into his mouth and unceremoniously swallowed them with a loud gulping sound. This kind of far from expected behavior coming from an outstanding hero was inviting the yak amusement, he didn't mind Po's lack of courtesy and his ignorance to show some respect, he knew Po didn't mean to show any defiance.
"Po…. I had news for you." He sat next to him, placing his hoof on Po's shoulder, still wearing a meaningful smile while watching his friend rigorously chewing the food in an uncouth manner.
The panda raised his brows."You found a bride?" He barged innocently.
"W-what?" Kaidu frowned incredulously.
"Well, I overheard General Nabuhai was talking to you about your matchmaking ceremony. A King will need a Queen, so… since you are at the prime age to get married, may as well go on with it, right?"
"Yeah right, those crazy bunch thinking picking a bride is like picking bananas," Kaidu scoffed with a satirical metaphor, his smile was tight and humorless.
"You are the King, the most powerful man in Mongolia, of course, all girls will go bananas for you." Po remarked with critical eyes, "So how is it? Anyone you fancy?"
"No… not really. They are all so―"
"Ugly? Fat?" Po offered. Kaidu laughed at Po's spontaneous (and ridiculous) answer. He waved his hoof and made a face."How do I say this in a polite manner?...hm… Shallow? Prudish? Boring?" He sounded like questioning himself for lacking the better word.
"You should introduce me to a female panda, who knows that may interest me," the yak grinning delightedly with a cheery tune.
"You won't like someone ugly and fat...like me," Po chided.
"I am sure the girls who are interested in you never think of fluffiness as disadvantages, right?" Kaidu ribbed, poking Po's robust torso.
"What kind of woman are you interested anyway?"
"I would imagine her to be intelligent and brave… but not necessarily a warrior. A sort of a lady that would have an aptitude and interest around mundane bureaucratic matters. She also needs to be cool-headed, proficient with the law of the land and owns ingenuity to handle political disagreement with finesse. While being witty and decisive would be an added bonus." Kaidu eloquently riposted.
"Geez, that was… one very long list. However, Altan ticked all those boxes right?" Po grinned, congratulating himself for such tactful answer.
Kaidu laughed,"No, certainly not the cool-headed bit. Besides, I am not a cat fetish like you, Po." Kaidu ridiculed harmlessly. "But anyway… I digress, I am not here to talk about my bride... " He briskly deviated the topics back into the very reason he was here.
"I want to offer you…. your freedom…." He paused. He waited until their eyes connected and stated seriously yet caringly to make sure Po understood every word he said. "I want you to go home Po…. to China, to your family."
"My...w-what?" The panda nearly choked on his dumpling that Kaidu had to hammer his hand hard against Po's back. His emerald eyes glistened with tears of joy, reflecting morass of emotion which conflicted his skeptic mind. He never thought that day would ever come.
"It's not that I hate you, Buddy… " The yak boisterous laughed breaking the pregnant silence."... or maybe I did―all these trousers getting tight real quick after you arrived here. At this rate, I'll be out of shape before even finding a bride." He bantered.
"But I have not done training my students here," Po spluttered, which sounded more like illogical, made-up excuses.
"Po… you can come again here to teach, right after you sort out your life…. We are not going anywhere anytime soon," his friend answered patiently with a gentle tune.
Contrasting sentiment erupted again on the panda's face as he listened to his friend's words. Undoubtedly, Po was keen to go home, but that would mean he had to say goodbye to the others, especially to Kaidu, his best and most trustworthy companion. The panda had relied on him a lot to keep his sanity intact for the past three years of separation with his loved ones.
Understanding his dilemma, Kaidu assuaged his distressed by saying, "Po… we will still be friends, visit each other, write to each other… don't forget, distance means a little...when someone means so much." He chuckled,"...besides, I won't let you do those stupid things alone. You've taught that life is too short to be serious all the time. So, if you can't laugh at yourself, call me! And I'll laugh at you."
Po smiled as his mind drifted in memory of numerous weird conversation they both had, in which, if anyone had heard them, undoubtedly, they would end up in a mental hospital.
Both best friends ended the night with a big tenacious hug, as the yak letting the panda's tears drenched his new deel.
"Kaidu… thank you." Between repressed sobs, his words drowned in a touch of gratitude and happiness.
The yak lips gently curved into a smile. Nothing felt better than doing something for your best friend.
Three days later, early in the morning, when the first ray of golden ray licked the sky. Po was ready for the biggest journey of his life.
Even when he knew it would be weeks before he met all the people that he loved, that wasn't enough to stop him from feeling giddy at the prospect of meeting them. Frankly speaking, Po had never thought this day would ever come. When he surrendered himself as the appeasement of war, he portrayed himself to be exiled forever and spending the rest of his mortal life in foreign land.
Po wore his robe and his straw hat, the very same outfit he wore when King Duwa took him as a captive. Kaidu paid him a tight embrace before bidding him his final farewell.
"Po… have a safe journey. How I wish this would never happen to you―to waste your years in foreign land, and how I wish our path crossed in a much more civil way." Kaidu uttered with deep regret. "Please send my regards to the Grand Master and your fathers. Tell them that the Jade Palace family are welcomed in my palace anytime." The yak watched the panda's eyes filled with a fantastical combination of excitement and trepidation.
"Hey, I never regret the fact that we met, even though it was a bit… unconventional." Po replied while an intense exchanged of emotion passed between them.
"Oh yes, and one more thing…" the yak lowered his voice," the first thing you need to do when you arrive, is to marry your fiancee, Tigress―not many woman would wait this long." He placed his hoof on the panda's shoulder, "...and you are so lucky to have her."
His words evoked the mental embodiment of the striped feline he'd been thinking the most, day in day out. She was only women that could strangle him in a narcotic state of undying fanatical admiration. Yes finally, he and Tigress could be together… nothing would go between them anymore. He felt the adrenaline surged through his body, his heart fluttered full of excitement, while his arms embraced the yak generously.
"Kaidu...thank you for being such an awesome friend."
Later on that day.
"Princess Altansarnai is here Your Highness," one of the servants announced.
"Yes, tell her to come in."
The guards opened the door to let the lioness glide with grace into the room.
"I take it you have something important to discuss," she prompted in an undisciplined fashion. Altansarnai was aware Po had already left, providing the Dragon Teacher was absent from his usual post this morning. She immediately concluded that Kaidu had purposefully hidden something from her. She glared at her adoptive brother with distrust and accusation.
"Yes," Kaidu cleared his throat, preparing his mental on the upcoming vehement rage that could sear him alive. He waved his hoof to dismissed the rest of sentries and servants to give them some space and privacy.
"Altan, I have decided to extricate Po as our war captive…. And I have commanded him to return home to China." He verbally expounded his action.
She blinked. Kaidu could see the cogs and wheel turning in her head; her cerulean orbs alternately narrowed as she glowered. He thought that she would explode in infuriating insult, condemning his selfish decision, but instead, she laughed contemptuously.
All his life, Kaidu knew Altainsarnai wasn't a capricious person, in contrast, she was very calculative, predictable and logical. Thus, her inexplicable and unexplainable behavior naturally invited the yak inquisitiveness to prod further.
"I have to say that isn't the reaction I am expecting from you," he expressed honestly, while his mind running all possible speculation of various scenario. Did Altan intentionally plan a dirty mischief? Would she cross the line and dishonoring her pledge as a warrior to abide her conduct with honor and integrity? Well, Kaidu had no experience on how powerful covetousness could be, especially those coming from a jealous woman―which in turn killing any room for rationality. He quickly stomped out his paranoia and decided to do the guesswork without provoking the lioness directly.
"Neither do I, but I knew something that you don't," she shot smoothly, a mysterious smile curled on her lips.
There was only one reason why she was pleased Po returned to China. Simply because she knew―Po would not meet the love of his life back home.
Why?
Because Tigress was here, in Mongolia. A few months ago―that striped feline paid their palace a surprise visit. On that wistful night, the lioness vividly remembered how she projected years of repulsion, animosity, and envy towards the striped feline who she finally met in flesh and fur for the first time. Of course, the lioness knew Tigress' real intention was none other than to find her panda, probably merely to quench the thirst of her broken soul.
And that stupid sap thinks she could singlehandedly outwit and infiltrate a palace with an army of thousand rhino, yak, and ox?
But undeniably, those unlucky few that had challenged the tiger master in direct combat, and tasting the fatality of her ambush, could testify that the striped feline was far than capable to counter the attacks, even to kill all her opponents that night. But of course Altansarnai with her excellent dexterity knew this too. Therefore she chose to opt for battling the tigress mind before confronting her physically with her fist.
The lioness reminisced the stormy expression in her amber eyes when she heard the fabricated news that her panda was already dead―that her visit was futile and much too late. Behind the fortitude of her steel like forbearance, the evident of anguish and brokenness was too hard to ignore, and the insufferable news clearly had annihilated the tiger desire to fight.
"W-What? What did you do to him?" Altansarnai reminisced how Tigress' voice dropped, and her body shivered in wrecking spasm.
Serve you right, Master Tigress. The lioness sneered mentally. But the string of rumination was rudely interrupted by her brother questions.
"You know something that I don't?" Kaidu repeated her rhetoric, "...and what is that?" he inquired offhandedly, pressing for an answer.
His sister crossed her arms tightly to show her defiance."I am not telling," she replied, modulating her voice with a mixture of victorious tone punctuated with a cryptical message. After witnessing her brother perplexed expression, the lioness lips pursed into a sated smile. Her despicable pursuit of putting away the striped feline as far away as possible from the panda might just receive a boost, expedited from the most unexpected person, her brother.
This game apparently had become more interesting sooner than I thought, and all thanks to you, Brother.
Right, as you might have noticed, Tigress left for her mission in Darkhan 6 month before Po returned home. She sneaked into the palace to meet him. However, Altansarnai prevented such reunion from happening. The detail of the undertaking will be explicated on Tigress' memoir. And about Altansarnai, she wasn't a bad person, but in this bit of the story, she was strangled with intense jealousy, hence pushing her to craft such despicable action.
Next chapter, Po will be returning home.
Hope everyone still enjoys the story :-) R&R.
