The followers were dismissed soon after, but not before Voldemort instructed Ry to cruciatus Mrs. Malfoy. Draco tried to step in her way before he was thrown aside. To her credit she took the punishment with as much dignity as you can while rolling on the ground in pain. Draco was allowed to help her from the ground when the punishment was finished. As he left the room with his mother in his arms, he was reminded what else would happen should he fail. Ry was soon the last one standing in the room as she surveyed her broken kingdom. Once it had been great and filled with power. Now she looked at the crumbling ruins around her and wondered what could have been. Had she remained in Britain with her daughter could she have continued his work? Not likely. Tom had a much grander plan than she ever cared for. Power was what drew Victoriana, but she was content with her own bloody hands.
If Tom had not died, he probably would have stayed only for the anonymity it brought her. Le Couteau had been born under his reign and died along with him. She was thrilled to find out what mission she would be sent on. She was sure Tom felt her magic mingling with their daughter's. He would be sending her to test her resolve, and she needed to break off some of the rust built up on her knives.
Ry lay on her bed staring up at the ceiling as one of Tom's followers lay naked and asleep next to her. It had been three days since she last saw her "father" and she was beginning to become impatient with his decision to keep her locked away. He tried to appease her with men but it only sated the lust she had to go into the world. When she had truly been Victoriana her job had been as a sort of police. Tom knew there was no containing her, but there was a way to handle her. Some days she would just be released into the world with a knife in both hands and a grin on her face. In many cases the victims were strategic. Maybe the muggle head of police in the area was related to a witch or wizard who was being troublesome. Maybe he had a beloved niece who herself had a child with their own children. Those children would be put onto her list of dead. The fear and grief would travel through the family in waves until it reached the issue and they knew what would come next. When her need was more direct the wand would be used, but she reveled in the times Le Couteau could be released.
Hearing a pop Ry turned to face the house elf cowering in the corner. He was finally sending for her. Not bothering with the heap of flesh asleep next to her; she rolled her naked body out of bed and threw on a dressing robe.
"my...milady...milord would like to sppppeak with you."
"Yes yes...I will be down in a moment. Tell him if he wanted me down quicker he should have not sent such a supple young man to my bed."
The elf squeaked in astonishment at her boldness, but before she could pop out of the room Ry stopped her.
"Tell him exactly that do you hear me? Exactly what I just said."
She saw the elf begin to tear up and start to respond before she waved it away. If that didn't make Tom's blood boil she didn't know what would. Walking to the mirror Ry examined herself. A healthy after sex glow was bubbling from her skin while her hair was mussed in a glorious fashion. After using a brush to tame the unruliness slightly she slipped into a black gown hanging on a hook in her room and stomped out. The elf from her room lay still in the corner as she entered his chambers.
"Did you really need to kill the messenger father?"
"Well I couldn't exactly kill the sender now could I Ry?"
"Are we developing a soft spot for your dear daughter Tom?"
Voldemort sneered at her before snapping back.
"I have a mission I need you on Aryanna. Do not begin to think I would hesitate to kill you the moment you are no longer useful."
"Good, because hesitating would get you killed yourself. Raise your wand to me and expect a fight. I will not bow like my aunt or scrape the ground like the rest of your cult."
"That's exactly why I chose your mother to bare my seed child. Her inability to fold."
Ry stared him down before cackling at the ridiculousness of his statement.
"You wed and bed a woman who held no loyalty to you aside from the power you could give her?"
"I found a bloodline who would give me a powerful heir. Your mother would have been put down had she not delivered."
Growling at the statement she raised her wand.
"Just because she was called a Bitch doesn't make her a dog. Unlike you Bastard."
They were both in a dueling stance by this point, but a cough from the other side of the room brought them out of the fight about to begin. Voldemort cast a quick but pointless binding curse at the unruly teen before returning to his throne. Deflecting it easy she straightened and returned her wand to her sleeve.
"Do you want to be put back in your room? Or are you ready to hear the task I have in hand for you?"
Ry rolled her eyes at his statement. The teenage hormones coursing through her body made for some interesting reactions. She was much more controlled when she was Victoriana.
"I need a muggle family taken care of. They have two children who are in Hogwarts."
"What do you wish of them?"
"I do not care as long as they are dealt with. The children will be home for the winter break. I want them to tell the tale of my reach."
Ry bowed her head and pointed at three of his cloaked followers. One of them being a child himself. 7th year in Slytherin. She believed his name was Zander. Zander had yet to take the dark mark and tonight would decide his fate. Pleading was heard from his mother as they were leaving the hallway surrounding the chamber. She was begging Zander's father not to let him go. Their only boy, she cried, but there was nothing to be done. He promised her he would keep him safe and Zander stiffened at the touch of the younger witch.
"Walk with me."
"Yes Mistress."
"Now you are the only of your line?"
"I have a few cousins, but..."
"But they are half-bloods?"
"Yes Milady."
"So, the last of the pure blood line ends with you?"
The boy merely nodded.
"Do you fear death Zander?"
He chose not to answer this question, but non-verbal answers were almost louder. She smiled up at him as he stood half a foot taller.
"Good because those who do not fear death become mad. Bellatrix does not fear death. Did you know that Zander?"
The boy shook his head as her nails scrapped lightly against the skin on his arm. She could feel the fear coursing through his body and it rejuvenated her. They were finally joined by the older death eaters at the edge of the complex. Zander apparated her to the point agreed upon near the end of the muggle street. Their cloaks billowed in the light breeze, but the masks upon their faces did not allow for them to feel it's bitter sting. Snow piled all around them with only a strip of concrete visible for vehicles and people. Night was slowly descending on their path as they strode towards the destination. Zander's father threw a few wards around the hovel as the stepped onto the porch. It was evident he was worried about his son being found by the police or the Aurors should they be seen or heard. Ry rolled her eyes just as the third death eater blasted in the door.
"Hello Mikkelsen's! Your savior is here!"
Ry strode through the hole grinning menacingly as she spread her arms widely. The children began to scream as the parents bolted off the couch they were cuddled on. Ry put her fingers to her mouth motioning them to be silent.
"Now now no need for such dramatics. I'm only here to kill you. Crying will not be of any help to you."
They could not see her but she recognized them. The oldest was a Ravenclaw in her year, something with a V, and the youngest was a second year in Hufflepuff. She saw the second-year cling to his older sister for dear life.
"Please don't! We will give you whatever you want!"
The third death eater raised his wand at the father.
"You think you have anything we could possibly want Muggle? Well anything other than your lives?"
Just as expected the man ushered his children and wife behind him. Men were always so predictable. Voldemort wanted them dead and that was what his followers intended for them to do, but Ry had her own way of doing things.
"Take the children upstairs and wait for my instruction."
Motioning to Zander's father who tried to protest, but knew it wise not to fight. She needed Zander under her thumb and with his father in the room he would look to him not her. With the children gone the third death eater began to cast a spell but she gestured for him to lower his wand.
"No magic. Not yet. Tie them up."
While confused, he did as she ordered while Zander followed her to the kitchen.
"This will have to do. Not enough tools to work with honestly."
Ry sighed as she picked up the kitchen knife. She could see his skin paling under the mask. They would remove them only when necessary while out doing his bidding so Ry had learned to read faces without them whole. Zander knew what was coming and he was petrified. He only wanted his father and mother.
"Come Zander darling, we have work to do."
The Slytherin followed her into the living room where the parents were tied up with muggle rope.
"Well this looks perfect."
"Why you wanted muggle rope who knows..."
Smirking at the masked follower she rolled her tongue over her lips lightly.
"Binding magic is too strict. Rope allows for them to wriggle; maybe even wriggle free."
"Why..."
"For the struggle...who wants this to be easy?"
Running the thin chef's knife in her hand across the father's scruff face she left a thin line cut into his cheek. She could tell he was holding back a scream so not to frighten his family. Making another cut along his collar bone she continued moving the knife down his body until she reached his groin and he finally spoke.
"Why are you doing this? If you don't want anything from us why do this?"
His breath was shaky and she felt the fear rolling off his tongue. She leaned in and whispered into his ear for only him to hear.
"Because I can...because I want too...because you can't stop me..."
Ry drove the tip of her knife into the outer flesh of his thigh. She knew from practice the inner thigh held the most important vein and if she struck it her fun would be over quickly. A scream leapt from his lips but he pressed them shut as soon as it reached her ears. He was going to be a fighter. Ry spent the next hour placing strategic cuts into the man and woman. Just enough to bring them to the brink of collapsing. She knew they were losing blood fast and it would be a matter of time before her fun came to a halt. Turning to the boy next to her she finally spoke to a fellow human. His skin was almost clear it was so pale. Ry was quite proud of him for not passing out. The third follower had muttered something about checking on Zander's father no more than 20 minutes in, and had still not come back. So, either these children were a handful or he couldn't stomach the blood. Too be honest most couldn't.
"Would you like a go Zander?"
He shook his head forcing his dry tongue over his cracked lips.
"Aww...why not? Does this not look fun?"
He tried to speak but his mouth only opened and closed. Ry turned to face him forcing the bloody knife into his partially open palm.
"Come dearie let me show you how it's done."
She pulled forcefully on his unmoving body so his arm was outstretched in front of the woman. The knife touched her shoulder and Ry pushed his arm until the tip pierced the skin. Her whimper was all it took before Zander dropped his hold on the knife.
"No... please don't make me...please..."
His voice came out as a whisper so she barely heard it.
"Finally he speaks. Why don't you want to do this? I thought you hated muggles."
"I...I...I..."
"You don't do you? Hate muggles."
Zander began to cry silently and Ry watched the tears fall under the mask to his lips
"Then why are you joining his army?"
"I... I have too..."
"Fear is a good reason to do something Zander, but this is not something you can fight. If you want to stay alive, keep your family alive, you will need to kill for him Zander. If you don't he will kill you."
"I can't"
His voice never raised above a whisper; the words just slipping from his lips. Ry whisked their masks off so he could see her face, and she his. Taking a bloody hand, she touched his young cheek turning his face to look at her. Their eyes met as Ry drove the knife deep into the woman's chest stopping her heart instantly. Zander snapped his eyes shut not wanting to watch the life leave her eyes.
"Look at me Zander. Watch what killing does to you. Because if you follow Tom Riddle blindly this is what it will do to you."
Taking a deep breath Zander peaked at her, but she timed it perfectly as their eyes locked again her knife drove into the man. His death was slower as the last few breaths gurgled from his lungs. This time Zander kept his eyes locked on Ry's watching how the death did nothing to her. He had seen the thrill in her eyes when she was torturing the couple, but their death was neither a pleasure or anguish to her. It was just death.
"If you follow anything blindly you will lose the power you once had Zander. Remember that. When we get back you will pledge yourself to me. You will take the mark, but you will not blindly follow."
"Yes Mistress."
"Good boy."
She smiled up at him as he couldn't break eye contact. Ry knew what she did to men. Not just the vela in her, but the raw power she welds. Now that her power was mixed with the strength of her daughter's magic it was intoxicating. Walking away she ran her hands under the water faucet in the kitchen to rinse the loose blood off. As she washed two small children screamed from in the living room. They had brought them down to witness their parents murder.
"Boy! Where is your mask?! They will be able to recognize you!"
"No need to get worked up dear. Auntie Ry is here to fix it."
Ry walked into the room and the elder child recognized her immediately.
"Aryanna?! How...how could you?"
"How could I what? Kill a muggle? Strange I figured being a Slytherin would have been a giveaway."
The two began to cry expecting the worst.
"We have to kill them now! We can't risk them telling the authorities who they saw!"
"Calm down!"
Ry screamed over the sobbing children and the frantic father.
"Now! You will take them to the muggle store near the end of the street where they will be shopping. Be sure to dress them properly. We don't need anyone looking too deep into this."
"What?! How will that help?! They will still remember you AND my son!"
Ry stepped up to the children and placed her wand at the tip of the youngest temple.
"Forget."
The child slumped into his sister's arms as she began to scream. Ry repeated the procedure with the oldest until they both were slumped into the follower's arms.
"What did you do?!"
Ry shrugged as she started untying the parents.
"Made them forget."
"Our mission was to have them tell the world!"
She tutted her tongue at him as she drug the parents to the stairs and levitated them. The follower dropped the children to the floor and followed Ry up the stairs.
"Well we can't well have them telling people who did it exactly. We will make it look like a freak fire. Now help me get them undressed and into bed. They will have sent their children to the store so they could have some "alone" time with each other. One thing led to another and while they were in the throws a rapid-fire spread. Now for the girls I have implanted the memory of leaving home. They will be awake soon so take them to the store like I told you. I will take care of the rest."
Ry had done this a few times before when the authorities were getting a little too close to her location. She could have her fun and then make it look like an accident. With the stage set she took to the stairs and wiped the blood from the floor with scouring magic before removing the wards on the house. One after another the outlets in the walls exploded causing yellow and red flames to spread quickly through the living room and up the stairs. She stood there feeling the heat lap at her skin until the burning sensation began to settle in, she finally stepped out the door to the petrified Zander. He apparated them back to the headquarters before dropping to his knees and retching. He was lucky his father had not returned because it was an embarrassing sight for a man.
"Feel better?"
"No."
"Good."
Ry took his hand and led him to the steps just as they heard the familiar double pop of his father and the follower. The doors to the inner chamber flew open as she reached them.
"I told you what I wanted from those children."
Shrugging again she continued to stride into the room with Zander in tow.
"Can you not follow one simple instruction?"
"Your instruction was stupid. Plus, it's not my fault they brought them down too soon. I hate wearing that mask."
"So, you are blaming my followers now?"
"No, I'm blaming your incompetence."
Zander tensed under her fingers.
"My incompetence child? I believe you are the one who failed to follow a simple task."
"Simple is an understatement. You sent me to a house with a child from my class. You wanted me to fail from the beginning. She would have recognized something about me; be it my walk, voice, or even my wand. I did what I had too."
Voldemort sneered at her knowing she was correct.
"If you want me dead just try and kill me yourself. I would love to see you try."
"Leave my sight!"
"Gladly! But I have business to attend to first."
Ry turned to Zander and lifted her wand. The man knew what she wanted and pushed his sleeve out of the way. His father and mother both tried to object, but they were stopped by a raised hand; Zander's hand. He vowed while keeping eye contact with the blonde before the searing pain passed through his body. Ry pressed a chaste kiss on his cheek before whispering.
"Do not follow blindly."
Draco stood at the door to her chambers waiting for her to return. He had heard about the family, and what she was supposed to do. Not knowing the mood she would be in, the conversation in his head was trying to convince him to leave. Leave before she sees him. It was too late, the drop-dead gorgeous blonde came strolling around the corner. He could see the slick darkened color around her sleeves and he gulped.
"Why hello handsome what do I owe this pleasure?"
Ry purred at Draco reaching out to touch his shoulder. She felt him shudder under her touch and she smirked.
"I just came to see how your first mission went."
Barring her fangs Ry snarled causing him to jump.
"You came to check if I was going to be a weeping puddle. What would you say if I told you I loved every minute Draco? That I revel in the way a blade feels tearing into skin? Would you still want to see how I was doing? You seem to forget who I am Mr. Malfoy."
Draco hung his head in the knowledge he had done just that. Not to see her weak, but to be there for her if she was going to need it. He flinched as her cold fingers grazed his cheek.
"Come in, I could use the...company."
Ry stepped into her room pushing her door open with a hard shove. Draco turned to follow her and found she was already shedding her blood-soaked gown. He watched slack jawed as the black material slipped from her shoulders and down her perfectly creamy back. It caught around round hips before she pushed it down with a slight wiggle. Draco felt his man hood harden as he watched her ass jiggle slightly with each step. When they had last been together most of their clothes stayed on since they were outdoors. Now he would get to see all she had, and it brought a groan to his throat. Ry climbed onto the edge of her bed leaving her ass in the air to taunt Draco. He jolted forward as his erection pressed against the seam of his pants. Delicately Draco traced her smooth ass as she wiggled it in his face. His view was absolute perfection as he slipped his middle and ring finger into her already slick folds. Ry moaned and pressed her hands forward into the bed to keep her body where she wanted it. His fingers slipped in and out slowly as he watched and listen to her enjoy his playing. He was warming her up for the show, but it seemed she was ready to skip the foreplay.
"Fuck me, Draco..."
Purring as she looked back around her shoulder and bit her lip slightly. Draco's hands were quickly attacking his belt and pants to get them off. Soon his erection was full and pointed straight at her moist pussy. One quick stoke and he was buried deep inside of her. Ry cried out in pleasure as she rocked her hips back against him, rotating them just a little. As he pulled out and slammed in once again his hand reached around her stomach and up until it found breast. Pounding into her repetitively he began to roll her nipple in his fingers. The action of both caused her to scream in pleasure, and he felt her tighten around him. Draco kept at his motions, switching hands from time to time, until he could feel Ry's legs begin to wiggle.
"How bout we switch positions Ry?"
He heard her whimper and took it as a yes. Soon she was on her back and he was in her again. He had her many ways as she came for him many times. Finally, he pushed into her hard and spilled his seed. Draco collapsed beside her panting as she ran her fingers through his hair.
"Much better than an astronomy tower."
Draco laughed in astonishment at her proclamation, but she was right. Ry stood claiming to need a shower, but he followed her in having her a few more times in the bathroom. Twice in the shower.
Ry sauntered into the throne room at Voldemort's summons. She had taken her time coming down of course, relishing in the look of impatient displeasure he was giving her. She had been slowly undermining his authority over the last few weeks. She was easily bored and sitting in the headquarters was the epitome of boredom. Severus had taken her to one meeting with the order earlier on in her stay but has refused to take her to anymore. It was not a productive meeting on either side. Ry spent most of the evening playing with a glass dagger while the twins glared their own "daggers" at her. Molly and Remus tried to keep the meeting on track but Ry never paid them much mind.
Severus decided until the tensions cooled it would probably be best if she stayed away. Tom questioned it at first, but Severus pointed out she was supposed to be a heart broken teen, not a vengeful witch. This had made both Ry and Tom cackle. Now all of her entertainment consisted of the men sent to placate her, and the few missions she was allowed to be sent on. While he didn't want to admit it; Tom knew her missions were the most successful, but they were also the deadliest. Which was why they were sparse and far between. Too many bodies left too much of a trail, and while Ry had always been careful it still drew too much attention. While most of his followers were brutal, they still had some heart. A few handfuls of course were just as insane, like Bellatrix and Rudolfus. The difference between Bella and her was the drive. Bella was loyal to a fault. Everything she did was to please Baldy. It had been that way since the beginning. It was the exact reason she hated Ry and why Tom didn't choose her . The reason Ry was having an easy time planting seed of distrust was because of the type of loyalty he had cultivated. Most of his followers were still with him only out of fear, and while fear can keep an army it does not lead to trustful soldiers. When you follow someone out of fear and not belief in their cause, you can be easily swayed.
Ry had an easy start on corrupting Tom's leadership. His plan to undermine her with the first mission had been a bad one. Ry not only was able to have her fun but she proved he was threatened by her. She also had an in with the new generation. Most followed him because it was all they knew. It was how they were raised. With the younger crowd you had to be more delicate. They grew up in a more mixed world. Better likelihood was they would turn on their parents out of spite. Ry had begun the whispers by bringing a younger recruit on each mission.
Draco had been brought on her second mission after a well worded and heated argument with Tom destroyed the bathroom tile in her room. She insisted he be present. That he needed to learn. Tom argued that he stays at school and finish his task. They did not have long. Ry could see the crazed look in his eyes. Dumbledore was getting close. The next month they were due to infiltrate the school.
Ry strode into the meeting room, cloak billowing behind.
"You're late"
Ry placed a hand over her heart and sighed.
"You noticed. I was beginning to believe you had forgotten about me Tom."
His eyes flared, but he was slowly learning that even though she never won he lost more by being the first to fire. Each time it made him look week and temperamental. Ry took her customary spot beside him and pulled out her glass daggers. The daggers had been a gift to the original Ry by Tom. They were a strong folded glass stained with red streaks through the design. He had them laid with gem stones on the pummel, but she had them replaced with a simple steel brace. The stones hindered her grip.
"Lucius."
The timid white-haired man stepped forward grasping at his "walking cane" a little more tightly.
"My Lord"
Lucius bowed deeply but did not acknowledge Ry. Normally this would bother her and quickly them, but the Malfoy house was fading quickly and she gave them barely a passing glance. Draco was the exception. That boy had power hidden within and she enjoyed it.
"I have yet to hear from your son Draco. Am I going to be disappointed?"
Lucius gulped audibly.
"Of course not, my Lord. I heard he is ready for the invasion. We are prepared for the raid next month. We will take the castle."
"I'm glad to hear it, because the plan has changed. Dumbledore is on the move with Potter. They are after something very...valuable...to the final movement on the wizarding world."
Ry snorted with indignance, but Tom just shot her a glare before continuing.
"We attack tonight. My daughter will lead the charge with Bellatrix as second in command."
Ry smirked at her "aunt" in defiance. She would always be second in command when Ry was there to play. Tom never trusted her sanity. Bella would kill Potter before he ever got a chance.
"Prepare yourselves. We leave at dusk."
Ry stepped through the double doors of the cabinet to reveal a room crammed with objects of no significant value. There was a stack of books and a pile of broken furniture in another. Draco was frozen in fear as she stepped through. Her long blonde hair perched on her head in a tight ponytail and her smirk felt like it reached from ear to ear. Draco learned from their mission together that the hairstyle came with knives. Her power emanated in waves as she breathed in the room. The last time Draco had seen her this drunk-on power she had been disemboweling a muggle whose daughter worked at the ministry. He had stood up better to the bloody scene than the others, but it still struck fear deep in his soul.
Bella and the rest of the infiltration team followed quickly behind Ry into the corridor. It had been a while for most of them, but the familiarity of the school almost made Ry smile. A small faction split off to terrorize the school while Ry and Draco led the others to the apparition spot. A familiar passage called to Ry and she waved them onwards. Dumbledore would go down without a fight. He knew this would be coming the moment he found the locket. Before they had gone to her last meeting Snape made her swear an unbreakable vow. This was the real reason Severus wouldn't let her return. It would be too suspicious if she couldn't relay any of the vital information. The only reasons she agreed was so she could keep Ary compliant by reminding her of Georges hatred. So, it was a win win. She never had to go back to those ridiculous meetings and Ary was permanently subdued. Ry walked along the halls listening to shrieks of frightened students bounce of the walls.
Meandering her way upward she found the side stair that lead to the clocktower. Voices began floating down to her and she heard the shrill laughter of Bella over everyone. A crouched figure stood watching the action unfold wand at the ready. He tensed as Ry placed a hand over his mouth, her own wand in his neck.
"Don't move Potter. Would hate to scar your pretty little face more."
"Should have known you were be here Ry. You seem to follow chaos."
"Chaos follows me boy. Remember that."
He tried to struggle away but the hand now gripping his throat squeezed tighter.
"I wouldn't try anything Potter. It's inevitable that..."
Severus finally completed his promise to Narcissa. Ry watched as the life drained from Dumbledore's eyes. His lifeless body falling backwards off the platform. Harry wrenched from her grasp, scrambling up the small flight of stairs, wand pointed at Severus.
"HE TRUSTED YOU! YOU WERE HIS FRIEND!"
Ry stepped into the room behind him looking dangerously at Bella. Her wand was pointed at Harry.
"He's not yours Bellatrix."
She growled at Ry but lowered her wand at the Blondes gaze. Harry was cast aside by Severus behind her while Bella shot the Dark Mark into the sky. Ry's bracelet hummed excitedly telling her reinforcements had arrived. The Distraction party had been found out. The order was here. Meaning he was here. Ry headed towards the designated meet point as the sounds of footsteps clattered toward her. The distraction team came around the corner shooting spells over their shoulder. She stood with the door open wand at the ready. They couldn't risk having anyone captured, they were too close to their goal. As they reached the room the order finally came into view. Ry cast a disarming spell towards the group but they deflected it easily.
George threw the first spell her direction and while it was a simple jinx it made Ry feel a little pained as she threw up her own block. Apparently, the mind did not have completely control over the heart yet. The door slammed closed behind her as the order caught up.
"You were right Ry. Dumbledore knew we were coming. He lowered the wards for the order."
Ry shook her head with a smirk.
"No, the wards fall until a new head master takes control. I'm going for a drink."
With a pop she was gone as she apparated into Muggle London. She couldn't go to her normal spots because they would be looking for her there. Ry didn't technically have any problems with muggles/ They just were less than wizards in every way. Close to the ally she had apparated into was a club with loud music. Removing her robe, she revealed her standard short dress and spiked heels. The doorman looked her up and down as she disregarded the line at the door. Flashing a dashing smile and gesturing for her to enter. The club was crowded and loud allowing her to slip through barely noticed. As she found into an empty barstool, she caught the eye of a red head boy in a group of young men. His hair was flopped to one side and he gave her a wicked smirk. He gestured to the bartender to bring her a drink. Tonight, was going to be fun.
