Disclaimer: I copy all the disclaimers from the previous chapter and happily paste it here in my imagination. ^^ I do own the idea to make this plot however. At least I know when something is mine.
… … …
Chapter 20: Conversations with Manny (Part Three)
"What time was the meeting gonna start again?"
Rapunzel and Eugene, after enjoying spending the morning with the Duke and Duchess of Strabald touring the small kingdom, made a short stop near a local arts and crafts store before returning to the castle. They made sure to appear as a lowly peasant couple after deciding that their regal clothes attracted unnecessary reverend attention. They bought a few commoner clothes along the way, as the couple had this strange habit of going in disguise as commoners even in Corona. The duke had found their behavior playful and crafty while the duchess had merely found it amusing.
The older couple had gone back earlier than they did as Rapunzel took her time admiring the prints and paintings on display while Eugene patiently waited. From the door of the shop, very close to the counter where a somber old man manned accounts, Eugene gazed upon her dotingly while a smile played across his handsome face.
His eyes fell on the spot where life silently grew inside of his beautiful wife as she perused the shelves of art merchandise in the small store. Eugene's mind began to wander on thoughts of earlier that morning, when the magical snow child, by some strange force of nature or what not, had presumably communed with the unborn babe. He imagined the boy's eyes, probably just like his mother's, winking up on them in brilliant green the soonest he goes out into the world. But Eugene predicted he would certainly grow up to be in every way like him (and Eugene was positive that he would) not only in appearance, but in manner as well.
It was disturbingly strange though, how Snowflake had given the child a name. And stranger still, that the baby could communicate with her at all. He also took note that Snowflake mentioned that the child would have golden hair… meaning the essence of Rapunzel's powers hadn't entirely left her like they believed. If that were the case, the boy would most certainly have Rapunzel's lost powers… meaning the child would be more special. He just hoped that the hair wouldn't have to grow as fast as Rapunzel's so that they wouldn't have to cut it for being too girlishly long…
It was a mystery how Snowflake managed to do it. To talk to the baby like he was already thinking for himself… like an adult. The baby, according to the child, had even claimed to call himself Ray… and Eugene had approved fondly of the name although he had been deciding between Flynn Jr. or Richard for quite some time then…
It was strange…. Even for a man who had been married to someone once having magical golden hair, it was still all too strange for him. It led Eugene to assume that maybe Snowflake wasn't the one who talked to the baby… but the other way around.
"Earth to Eugene," Rapunzel called out, planting her hands on her slender hips with a playful smile on her face.
The ex-thief snapped out of his trance, "Uh, what did you say?"
The brunette princess giggled. "I asked you when the meeting was starting. Remember that one of the reasons we are here is for the Union Meeting right?"
"Oh that, yeah we're expected to return after lunch…" Eugene groaned. "And your dad said we should represent Corona…right. That old man's been throwing a lot of errands at us a lot these days huh?"
Rapunzel smiled, "Well you needed a little practice with conversing with other royal people did you not?"
"Heh, well I am a pretty pleasing personality." Eugene grinned as he waggled his brows and leaned against the counter top behind him. "And I'd like to emphasize on the pretty."
Rapunzel pouted her lips in amusement while she placed the sets of flat and round brushes and oil paints she wanted to buy against the counter. The sight of her lips made the man's throat dry and he had to keep his self-control intact just to avoid kissing his wife senseless in front of the lowly cashier man.
"That would be about 3000 krones, ma'am."
After making her purchase, Rapunzel turned to her husband and smiled sweetly. "I'm pretty sure the Union's gonna be talking about important stuff, especially with the countries expected to embrace globalization for the next year."
"I'm not even sure if our resources can handle it," Eugene groaned, taking the bag of supplies from her hand as they exited the shop together. "I mean sure, Corona is a big enough and rich enough kingdom, but the kingdoms in the Union are waaaaaay behind schedule on the modernization department. I don't think our resources could handle a snap-adaption"
"It can't be all that bad," Rapunzel answered sunnily. "I'm not saying we're to jump into the western bandwagon instantly…. Just that I agree with Elsa that we need to expose ourselves to the modern world sometime soon…"
"That's the thing," Eugene said as he escorted her back to their carriage from across the street. Their escorts made no subtle hints on bowing slightly before them, acknowledging their nobility. "I'm not saying exposure is a bad idea… and we really do need to get out of all this medieval rut. But is the world ready for people like us? Note that Arendelle and Corona aren't the only kingdoms in the Union with encounters with all the magical mumbo jumbo."
"Hmmm… yeah, like the kingdom in Scotland… Dun Broch was it? I believe they had a historical account on a prince cursed into becoming a bear or something?" Rapunzel wondered.
"And Berk from further up north which was rumored to be a dwelling place for dragons during the time of the Vikings. Some say those same dragons from the old time serve as the kingdom's sentinels," Eugene shuddered. "I know people said they were only rumors, but meeting you and your relatives has left me wondering that all those rumors are most likely true. And now there's this Jack Frost guy who actually turns out to be real. And there's also Snowflake, an old legend turned real. I mean… almost all kingdoms spanning the Union have a touch of magic in them, and any man who believes in all those science-y stuff will be utterly mind blown."
"The outsider princess from Andalusia, the mermaid turned human queen from down south…" Eugene went on. "The Arendelle Snow Queen… The Winter Spirit… The Snow Maiden…" He paused and sent a lingering gaze on Rapunzel's stomach. "Our baby… don't you think the world seems more unprepared for us than we are unprepared for the world? There are a lot of things the people could do. Some might stand back in awe… while others could do what Gothel did… or worse…"
"I think you're overthinking things Eugene," Rapunzel commented. She paused in thought, and then relented, "Although you do have a point."
"That's why I think the Union has to consider setting some boundaries on how much exposure they would want for the world to see. Cause personally, I don't think the world is ready for it." Eugene stopped his rant when a cold breeze passed by them, prompting him to half-push his wife inside the carriage because of the cold. "And they are certainly not ready for the Snow Queen's wrath should they put they're meddlesome science-y noses on her and her powers." The man groaned. "Why do I always have to listen to your father?"
The princess giggled. Even in Eugene's dislike for the cold, he was very much willing to do whatever her father, the King of Corona, wants, even as far as representing him for the meeting in Arendelle. Ever since he had been pardoned for his crimes and allowed to court Rapunzel, Eugene has taken an even deeper reverence for the King and the feeling was reciprocated mutually. In fact, the King secretly approved for Rapunzel's husband as his successor. Eugene's wit and cunning and ridiculous talent for reading people's intentions and behavior (a skill he mastered in his years of deceptive thievery) had earned the advising council's approval, and most likely about five years from now, Eugene would rise to the throne as Corona's next ruler.
All of this unknown to Eugene Fitzherbert himself. But Rapunzel decided to keep her mouth shut for now.
… … …
Jack Frost and Snowflake flew past the skies riding on a cold gust of wind. The child loved the overwhelming speed and feel of wind that whipped against her face and hair, and Jack had to be careful, keeping an eye out for his back. The girl had this tendency to let go of her hold on Jack's hoodie, letting herself fall from his back every once in a while, and Jack had to fight several heart attacks as he repeatedly sped down to catch her. Snowflake thought it was funny how Jack seemed all flustered and nervous whenever she fell. But Jack was only letting his protectiveness take over, and he had promised Elsa and Anna that he would take good care of her after all.
"How many times do I have to tell you to hold on?" Jack asked her. His voice was meant to be stern and angry, but the tone didn't really touch his eyes. If anything, he actually admired the child's wild spirit and sense of adventure and danger.
The child giggled giddily in his arms. "But sky diving is fun Papa!"
"Yeah, but it's dangerous for someone who can't fly," Jack pointed out. "And that someone is you, kiddo,"
The child pouted, "No fair."
Jack laughed. "Looks like I won't be carrying you piggy back anymore since you have a tendency to let go so much." He adjusted his hold on her until he was carrying the child bridal style. The child automatically wound her arms around his neck, but only loosely, as the winds calmed around them.
"That's okay, Papa will catch me!" Snowflake replied enthusiastically, tendrils of hair retreating to the side of her face.
Jack's expression turned serious, "What if I'm not there to catch you Snowflake? What would your mother think?"
Jack didn't mean to say it out loud. And he didn't even know where the question had come from… but his statement had managed to silence the giggling child, making her stare back at the Winter Spirit with a still, blank horror that made both their bodies freeze. The shock was soon replaced by sadness, and an ancientness that Jack hadn't recognized on her before… almost like the ancientness he could compare to a certain spectral spirit….
"I'm sorry Papa," the girl whispered, her lip trembling as she choked the words out. She circled her small arms around Jack's neck and buried her face against the crook of it. Jack stroked her thick silvery locks tenderly as he felt a lump in his throat strangle him. The last thing he wanted to do was to make her feel bad.
"No… Papa's the one who's sorry. Don't worry about it." Jack pulled out of her embrace for a moment to stare at her and smile. "Just… try not to fall too much okay?"
The child nodded happily as brightness touched her eyes.
Jack looked around and noticed that they had actually wandered somewhere near above the Barrier Reef… That could only mean that they were close to Sydney Australia…. And if they were in Australia, then that meant…
"Hmm… maybe I should take you to the Easter Bunny first…"
… … … …
It was a peaceful day within The Warren, with the cherry blossoms in full bloom despite the winter season, and the Candy Rivers ever flowing with rich and smooth colors rimming small patches of green, blues, and reds. Giant Stone Eggs covered in lush green moss trotted around the verdant hills, checking on the tulips and blooms that sprouted chocolate filled eggs in preparation for the next few month's Easter celebration. The lotus afloat the ponds lazily drifted, leaving ripples of liquid and light across the waters. There seemed to be no night for the magical cave, forever depicting the serenity and brightness of the spring season. And the light and peace was enough motivation for everyone residing the Warren to fulfill their obligations smoothly and perfectly—
"What? You got to be kidding me mate! We already finished painting the first batch and you tell me you painted 'em white?"
Or so E. Aster Bunnymund thought.
Santa's elf (the one who fell on the stream of candy paint during preparations for last Easter) nodded proudly while clutching the brush to his chest in salute. North had lend him to Bunny as compensation for borrowing his time to help him making the bracelets for Jack. Of course the Pooka was more than willing to accept the extra help, since Easter would immediately follow Christmas, New Year and Valentines fairly soon. And he was behind 1000 eggs on schedule so an extra pair of hands seemed a good bargain.
Bunny was starting to regret accepting the help though. Turns out the reason why he was behind 1000 was because all those eggs had apparently been painted white.
The elf answered with a sheepish jingle.
"Oh don't you do that cookie bribe thing you do with North whenever you mess up, mate! Cause it ain't workin' on me!"
Another jingle.
"Of course you need to paint 'em again. In fact how could one midget be able to paint a whole thousand in just three hours?" the rabbit argued. "And remember to soak 'em in the candy river, mate! We don't want food poisoning on the eggs for the next year."
Jingle.
"You see, THAT is the reason why the Tooth Fairy always comes here for inspection." Bunny groaned, slapping a paw against his forehead and dragged it down against his face. "You Christmas-y elves just don't get it do ya?"
The elf nodded vigorously, then shook his head.
"Look, all you have to do is guide all em googies to the candy river. And don't use the white paints…" Bunny thought for a moment. "Or the brown ones… cause… reasons."
The elf gave him a puzzled look.
"Just do your job you little mug." The Pooka said finally. "And make sure you hide em sweets from Tooth, or we'll all suffer the lecture."
At the sound of the Tooth Fairy's name, the elf scampered away in fearful obedience.
Bunny worried over springing up another argument with the Tooth Fairy after around fifty or so kids for every continent suffered tooth aches during Easter Sunday. That day, the Guardian of Memories had promised to come by for an inspection of the treats Bunny was preparing for Easter, and the Pooka wasn't very thrilled with the idea of another guardian messing with his work.
Nevertheless, he'd rather face a blow to his rabbit-y pride than the wrath that was the Tooth Fairy.
WOOSH!
Suddenly, a cool breeze entered the Warren through its North Eastern tunnels. A deep and a high pitched laughter echoed over the spring-themed sanctuary in loud harmony, and flurries of perfectly shaped snowflakes flaked all over the wide spaces, even coating some of the trees and hills inside the big burrow. The Warrior eggs tilted against one another in silent inquiry while Bunny narrowed his eyes and readied his paws over his back in reach for his boomerangs.
The winter spirit came to make fun of him again.
"What does this bloody show pony want now?" he muttered to himself as he hopped towards the front of the cave.
Just then, Jack Frost shot out of one of the tunnels, laughing like his usual self. His hair looked messier than usual, and his blue hoodie appeared to have more frost in them. It was not an uncommon sight to see Jack looking like a windswept buffoon… The only thing that was different about him was that he was carrying a little girl on his back—
"WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE, MATE?"
Jack's and Snowflake's laughter died the soonest they saw the Easter Bunny stare wide eyed and agape at them. Of course, this was understandably unexpected since the winter spirit failed to give the guardian of hope some notice or warning of his visit.
The little eggs scattered and scuttled away, hiding beneath and between cracks in the mossed rocks and grounds, with some settling behind the large stone warrior eggs. The warrior eggs had at least enough sense to know that Jack and the little girl with him were not enemies the moment they realized who it was.
"What, that's all the warm welcome you can give my daughter?" Jack laughed sheepishly as he set his daughter down. In Bunny's shock, he could not take note of the frost that crawled across the grass once the little girl's bare feet touched the ground.
"Why did you bring a little girl inside the Warren, mate?!" The Easter Bunny panicked. "Have you forgotten guardian protocol mate?!"
"There was a protocol for that?" Jack smiled sheepishly while he hid his hands inside his jacket pocket.
"THE SEMINAR MATE?! Ha, stop actin' like a kindie, mate. I'm serious!"
Jack laughed, freeing a hand to ruffle the girl's hair. "North was right. Bunny really is always nervous."
"Strewth, I've every right to be nervous mate! Easter's coming in a few months and you take little kiddo there for a tour?" the Pooka argued. "You know what happened last time you brought Sophie 'ere?"
"Last week?"
"SHE PAINTED THE EGGS WITH UNICORNS AND RAINBOWS!" the rabbit exclaimed. "WITH HER NAME SIGNED ON EVERY ONE OF EM!"
"Relax Bunny," Jack rolled his eyes.
"You brought a mortal to the Warren Jack! We can't keep asking Sandy to knock em out with dream sand again, you old guppy—"
"My daughter is no ordinary mortal, Bunny."
Three seconds of quietness passed. In between the tension and silence, Bunny was met by a pair of big blue eyes that looked up to him in awe. The Pooka's jaw fell slack in shock and realization, enhanced more so when the child had broken into a cocky half grin… a grin that was up to no good.
A grin just like Jack Frost's.
"Crikey," was all the rabbit could say.
The little girl answered with a giggle.
"No bloody way, mate…" the Pooka went on. "Is that… who I think it is?"
Jack grinned proudly at his daughter, "The one and only."
Consciously, the Pooka made slow careful steps toward the child, almost afraid that such a beautiful little creature would be frightened away by his movements. The child may have the devious air about her like her father's, but there was some magnetic pull in her eyes that left the rabbit from down-under completely speechless. Even the warrior eggs seemed to fall into mystical silence as if to reverently acknowledge the child's presence.
Snowflake turned to her father, her soft, textured hair whipping softly in time with her movements. "Papa, who is the kangaroo?"
The rabbit's left eye twitched. "A'right. You told the ankle biter that I was a roo didn't you, mate?"
Jack fought breaking into loud laughter at Snowflake's innocent question. It was most likely that Bunny would accuse him of telling the girl he was a kangaroo, although he never did.
"This is E. Aster Bunnymund, kiddo. Also known as the Easter Bunny." He told Snowflake, and then turning to Bunny, "Bunny, meet my daughter Snowflake. The Child of Winter Solstice."
Bunny bent down to meet the girl's eyes at eye-level. She looked at him expectantly, with arms shyly folded behind her back, and her toes wriggling in anticipation. The rabbit half-smiled, a little mystified that her mannerisms oddly reminded him of someone…
"Hey there, mate." Bunnymund greeted, extending a hand out towards the beautiful little girl.
The girl giggled and surprised the Pooka by tackling him into a hug. It unsettled the Guardian of Hope at first, but then slowly Bunnymund felt a familiar warmth in his chest as the feeling of returning the girl's embrace covered him in an eerily sentimental glow.
The embrace somehow felt… familiar.
Aster is so fluffy Papa!
"Bunny is so fluffy Papa!" the girl said excitedly when she turned to Jack.
"Ey, you told her to say that didn't you mate?" Bunny accused playfully.
Jack shrugged. "Nuh-uh. I'm not the type of dad who wants her girl to grow up sarcastic. But she is a natural."
Bunnymund glared at him, but quickly changed his expression when the girl smiled up at him cheekily.
"Why don't you go ahead and play with Bunny's "googies" for a little while?" Jack suggested with a smile.
Without a word, Snowflake excitedly ran ahead towards the hills and chased the unpainted eggs to her hearts content. Bunny almost looked pale when he saw how she almost stepped on an egg, and how he thought she had frozen another with her powers. It was no surprise that the girl had snow magic since she was Jack Frost's child… but then again, he also remembered that this child was no ordinary one through Jack's story. And there were a lot of mysteries surrounding her and how she had come to be…
"So whatcha been up to?" Jack asked as he hovered towards a stone egg and perched comfortably on it.
"Just painting my first batch of googies for next Easter." Bunny shrugged. "Tooth'll be coming over later for another sugar inspection."
"Ah," Jack hummed. "She's been pretty strict-er with the candies these days isn't she?"
"Especially with the chocolate." Bunnymund muttered. "Right after those kids suffering from toothaches last Easter… well, post-Easter since we kinda got into that fight with Pitch, I couldn't really blame her."
The Winter Spirit snickered. "Well, you weren't entirely to blame. Ever since the Wonka's candy business skyrocketed, the cavity victim count had considerable increase this year."
Bunny chuckled. "But lollies aside… what do you plan on doing with the kid?"
Jack blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"You did mention that the little tyke's made of snow and all." Bunny said matter-of-factly. "And you did mention that she was just like that child from the Russian Folktale and all."
"Yeah…" Jack murmured. He felt an uncomfortable lump in his throat… almost as if he didn't like where this conversation was heading.
"So… what are you guys plannin' to do when spring comes?"
Jack froze. He hadn't thought of it. It never even crossed his mind… but Bunny had a point.
"Elsa has Snow powers." Jack said. "She can keep her frozen all year long. And we're not even so sure if she is like the Child of Winter."
"But you made her the same way the couple did in the story," Bunny answered.
"With magic." Jack stated firmly.
Bunny sighed. "I know mate. But I'm only saying…. What if she is like the girl in the story? I reckon you and Elsa yourselves can't explain how your powers might have done it." Bunnymund paused a moment. "In fact, I'm a little curious about this mortal Elsa and the origin of her powers. We're kindah hopin' Manny would fill us in on what's going on soon."
At the mention of Manny, Jack remembered his earlier trip back to Arendelle, and how he had heard the Man in the Moon speak to him after so long… not to mention—
"I saw him."
Bunny raised a brow.
"I mean…" Jack paused, trying to construct his words carefully as he could. "While I was flying back to Arendelle hours ago, I kind of heard The Man in the Moon talk to me."
Bunny's ears perked up at this as he hopped closer to listen, "What did he say?"
"He said uh… 'Time is running… use it wisely'." Jack murmured. "That's it."
The Guardian of Hope fell silent for a short while as he allowed Manny's words through Jack's lips sink in. Slowly, Jack had caught on, dread pooling in the pit of his stomach.
Time is running out? What did Manny mean?
Jack did the first thing he thought in mind: he set the thought aside.
"And another thing… I saw Night—"
The both of them stopped talking when Snowflake began hugging the rabbit's leg. The child's cold body made the Bunny shudder violently, but he was sane enough to not kick the girl out of reflex.
"Papa I wanna play with Bunny? Can I go play with him? Can I? Can I? Can I? Please Papa, please?"
Jack floated towards her and crouched. "Woah kiddo, slow down! Bunny seems pretty busy today. We only came to say hi."
"What?" Snowflake pouted. "But no fair. I wanna stay longer."
Bunnymund shook his head to get his bearings back. He also dismissed the thought of Manny's foreboding words… It was not the first time that he had heard of that same phrase. It happened a century not too long ago… when Bunny thought that he had gravely failed his role as a Guardian of Hope.
What did Manny mean?
"Bunny."
"What?"
"You're busy, right?"
Yes, he was busy, and he preferred to do his work in solace. But the girl seemed like a welcome sight, and even Jack Frost felt like a more preferable company than North's elf. He didn't want another screw up, and Bunny was too organized for anyone to be a screw up.
"Nah its fine Jack. You and the little angel can help me with the painting if you want. Just like what we did last year." The Pooka grinned as he stood up.
Jack raised a brow. To be honest with himself, he wanted to get the girl to North as soon as possible because of all the questions they had about the child. But then again, this was Bunnymund at his best, and his daughter wanted to spend time with him longer. "You sure?"
"No drama." The Pooka grinned.
"What happened last year Papa?" the girl asked him curiously.
"Ah, story time." Jack grinned. "This'll be exciting."
… … …
Elsa and Anna had returned to the castle in no time just moments before the start of the Union Meeting. The sisters had separated to don more formal appearances as they were about to face a number of nobles and royalties. Elsa had changed into her all famous coronation dress: a dress she had chosen not to wear in a long time since it brought back painful memories. But the past was already in the past, and for some reason, she had seen it fit to wear something that reminded the assembly that she was not just a twenty two year old queen, but a powerful young ruler.
Since the start of the debate regarding the issue of embracing globalization, most of the more traditional rulers had looked upon her like an inexperienced child. Women leaders were never given much credit, with the exception of Queen Eleanor of Dun Broch and from centuries back. And partly was because most of them, though they try to be discreet about it, want her hand in marriage for power and international security. A Snow Queen for an ally would prove to be a most valuable asset.
But of course, principle would always override the men's selfish desires. So they resolved that Elsa's marriage to a family member of one of the representatives to the Union would grant them general security… and Radcliffe was the preferred candidate. He was the man the whole body had unanimously agreed upon to be Elsa's soul mate.
Elsa had thought that she approved of Radcliffe too, as he seemed every bit the ideal man…. But after that kiss with Jack, her thoughts and feelings had begun scattering all over the place. Standing in front of her full view mirror, she took several deep breaths and contemplated on what she was planning to do.
She had already sensed that everyone in the Union approved of Radcliffe.
And she already considered Radcliffe a friend though she had only just met him.
And Radcliffe Falconer was a kind, handsome, young gentleman.
But…
Elsa wasn't so sure anymore.
"Conceal it… don't feel it…." She took a deep breath. "Oh you got to be kidding me."
Toc-toc-toc…
"My lady," a servant girl called from the door.
Elsa walked gingerly towards the door and opened it. The servant girl greeted her with a curtsey and offered a silver tray with a card on top of it. She took the piece of paper and read the scribble that said it was a message from the man whom the Union favored himself.
"Talk about the devil," Elsa muttered.
Elsa began reading it and was a little disgruntled to find to read what she saw. Though she had not known the man long, but she knew by the conscious and slanted scribble of the words that the message was gravely urgent.
Elsa, meet me at the garden before the meeting starts. I have something important to say,
Your friend,
Radcliffe
Now what could be so important that he had to say it before the meeting?
…. … …
A/N: I am so sorry that I took this long to update.
In truth I had gone through a lot of personal stuff during my uncalled-for hiatus. I'm not the type to share a sob story, but I'm glad to say that I am okay now. And of course, as a college senior, I had a lot of stuff on my plate. I believe that I have kept reminding everyone since the first chapters that there will come a time that I would be updating less. I thank those who appreciate my efforts that in spite of my busy schedule, I still find time to write for your reading pleasure. So I really appreciate those who respect my absence by not questioning about it. All of us have real life commitments that are far more important than this fandom. But regardless, I am truly sorry for disappearing for more than two weeks.
I'd like to apologize too to some people who I promised I would read their fics. Especially to DeadRich18. Man you are a talented writer and with all honesty I loved your BioShock and Frozen crossover even though I've never played that game before. ^^ So guys, if you're ever a fan of steam punk, be sure to read DeadRich18's. ^^ I haven't finished reading Papa's Snowflake yet, but for sure it is an entertaining read.
I would also like to thank Story Hunter. I already uploaded her sketches on my Deviant Art account with credits to her. Find me in DA as Valkyriefreia and you'll see what the characters look like. To peanutbutterandgarlicgirl for her cute fanarts of my OCs ^^ I did not upload her fanarts because I need her permission to do so, hehe. So…
Thank you so much everyone. To Puteri Tina and Tarako too for being such dears… I wish I could thank each and every one of you.
Ok so here's the news. I might or might not update next week. I am very sorry. We have our final defense set for first week of October. Like I said… prioritizing.
Ciao!
p.s. I will never abandon this story. That is a promise.