Chapter XVII: Illusive Council
Richard Loch - Homebase, Ordel
It used to be peaceful here, once. Even if it seemed an eternity ago for him, a distant memory best forgotten.
Loch unleashed a tired rustle as he glared out of the window, his eyesight watching over the fertile fields of the Heartland. He had to confess, they became a passion project of a sort over the last years. Sure, there was nothing that would've stopped him from ordering the construction of tens of dozens of industrial facilities, not unlike those found in Stone Town's industrial sector. It would have certainly been easier if he had to be honest. Richard lost count of how many nights of sleep he lost trying to preserve their natural beauty while also fulfilling the Empire's demanding quotas. Hard work - but he got there in the end.
Now, he couldn't even begin to count how many construction sites were erected in the distance, Milton's work no doubt. He huffed in frustration as his mind shifted to Ordel's ruling administrator. The Empire finally got the puppet they wanted for such a long time, he darkly mused. Every day, the landscape of Ordel turned more into some sort of twisted perversion, Loch's personal achievements stepped into the ground and all of it in the name of eradicating his legacy while also sucking up to Palpatine.
I should have executed that bastard when I had the chance.
Yet not all was lost. Though the last year had been chaotic, it seemed as if someone out there was still looking out for him, even if he perhaps hasn't deserved it. After the explosion in the mountains, Richard knew that the Empire would be coming - and they would be coming with haste. He was also vividly aware of what sort of ass-licker Milton was. There was no doubt in Richard's mind that he'd betray him the very second Imperial boots hit the ground.
So he ran. And then he met them.
He never thought that he'd be trusting a Jedi, out of all things.
Yes, Cere might have told her version of events but if there was something Richard had learned ever since stepping into politics then it was that truth would always be found somewhere between two different perspectives. He didn't doubt that the Jedi weren't the traitors Palpatine made them out to be - yet he also questioned Cere's version of the perfect, flawless Jedi Order she liked to preach.
Still, he shouldn't be too hard on her. It was strange to meet a woman with as much compassion as her. As an Imperial, Richard knew that Cere had enough reasons to mistrust him. He certainly would've if he was in her steps. Yet she accepted him and more importantly, lent her aid in bringing Ordel's resistance up a notch.
Never thought I'd ever help to lead a resistance. Oh, Sarah, I could really use your council, my love.
If someone could call their small rag-tag band of allies a resistance. Yet for the sake of his own sanity, he didn't ponder that much on it.
''Eh, meeting in five minutes. Be there, alright?''
Loch choked at the interruption. He didn't even catch Tapal coming, a fact the Lasat was creepily good at.
''Never heard of knocking, Relor?'' he lifted his hands and groaned ''don't answer that. I'll be there.''
''Knocking people's lights out, if that counts'' Tapal answered followed by a quaint giggle.
As the Lasat left him alone with his thoughts, Richard glanced at the mirror, trying to gauge whether he looked acceptable enough or not. To no surprise at all, he didn't.
Living in hiding does that, I'd presume.
Not like it mattered anymore. Well dressed or not, the Empire would gun him down without hesitation if they'd catch him. Quietly, Loch deliberated whether he'd at least get the honor of a firing squad or if they'd just shoot him on the spot and throw him into some ditch somewhere in the forest. Usual thoughts a man of his age had, he admitted sarcastically.
''Healthy mind, healthy body. Heh, my ass.''
Trying to banish such dark thoughts, he tried to at least pretend to be something akin to fearless as he strolled downstairs towards their meeting room if only that description wouldn't be so severely overblown. It was one of the many guest rooms down in the basement they cleared out, nothing more. Although everyone at Homebase knew that they couldn't be choosey, sometimes he wondered if that was his legacy on Ordel: plotting and scheming in some dusty basement he himself didn't even own.
How the mighty have fallen wouldn't even begin to describe his predicament.
''You look dashing Richard. Do tell me your secrets.''
''Greez.'' he greeted the Lateron with a neutral and reserved voice.
He knew that the man suffered, perhaps more than anyone else this side of the city walls. Loosing not only part of his crew but also the ship that was his home for many years did that to somebody. Still, unlike his other companions, Richard couldn't be bothered with the fake smiles everyone summoned as he was around them. Greez lashed out - frequently so. Cere. Merrin. Even Tapal - everyone and everything that dared to cross his path if his mood wasn't agreeable enough found themselves to be a victim at some point.
Yet it appeared as if Greez soon learned that such childish attempts at enraging him were fruitless against the former politician. At this point, Loch wouldn't be surprised if Greez appreciated the directness granted by him when the two of them spoke to each other.
It remembered him of his 'friends', back when his wife died. All those smiles that would've cost a fortune of acting classes, all that fake pity directed at him either in order not to upset him or even to further their own political agendas. It was sickening. He wouldn't add to that misery if he could help it, that much was certain.
They walked inside the meeting room together, nobody daring to chat with the other.
He let Greez walk in first, trying not to gauge his eyes out at Cere's overzealous friendliness when she greeted them.
''Richard. Greez. We've been waiting for you. We're just about ready to start.'' exclaimed Cere followed by a half-smile directed at Greez.
''Yeah, right.'' Greez merely scoffed in return as he waltzed over to his seat.
Well, this is off to a great start.
The meeting room wasn't anything to be proud of. A couple of old monitors were hanged onto a nearby wall followed by an old table that was planted in the middle of the room. Add to that the semi-broken lights that started to flicker in the most inopportune times and it wasn't a rarity that Richard's mind would wander to the thoughts of his old office and all the luxuries it brought with it.
He let his eyes wander through the group before he sat next to Tapal. On his right was Merrin, the strange woman that didn't seem to whisper more than two or three words as long as he was in her vicinity. He didn't have many thoughts when it came to her: she was mysterious and secretive - and there was no need for him to investigate. Though he was sort of fascinated by the tattoos and markings that decorated her skin, there wasn't much to add when it came to her. She was cold and direct - which basically described half of the other Imperials he worked with over the years. Though Richard made sure that he would never exclaim such comparisons directly towards her. At the end of the day, he'd still like to keep his head.
That brought him to Tapal, his left-hand neighbor. The Lasat surprised him, for better or worse. There was a certain degree of cunning hiding behind those eyes of his, cunning he didn't dare to show in front of the group. And although he had no idea if Cere could 'feel' - or whatever her secretive monk order thought her - those ingenious thoughts roaming through the former mercenary's head, Richard had no problems when it came to reading the man's body langue. Those subtle signs when someone desperately wished to add something to the conversation, only for their words to imprisoned within their own mouths. He wasn't different when he got started in politics, back when he was still spared from the signs of stress and age. And given to the fact that one couldn't really get a word in between the direct ''Nightsister'', a literal Jedi and a semi-depressive pilot, he wasn't surprised when it came to the man's reserved nature. The more important question, however, was what actually lead Tapal here. He overheard Merrin sharing similar thoughts to Cere before and he had to agree: in the end, he was still a mercenary, even if he didn't consider himself one. Normally, that wouldn't be much of a problem for him to deal with - but Relor wasn't just a gun for hire. He was a smart gun for hire. That made him both highly useful and potentially dangerous. Probably both.
Not to mention the occasional glances shared between him and Cere. But who was he to judge?
Richard felt as if he had thought enough of Greez for today. Everyone knew about his state of mind, there wasn't much to add. As long as he was confined to the base it shouldn't be a problem, lest the morale of the others began to suffer under it. If that happened, Richard had no idea at all how they would proceed. He just hoped that Cere had prepared for this eventuality.
That left Cere - their secret weapon. It was almost uncanny how much she reminded him of his late wife. Not in a way like his sister in law, Katherine, where the similarities between her and Sarah were mostly on a visual level, of course. No, it was her spirit that reminded him of her. That same fiery compassion that could move mountains, if it wasn't suppressed by layers and layers of sadness and self-inflicted doubt. Cere too suffered under the deaths of her former crewmates, even if she didn't show it in the same way as Greez or Merrin. It was that constant drive to take responsibility for everyone and everything added with the dullness of her voice that gave her away, at least for Richard. Still, she functioned competently under stress. A miracle in itself, everything considered.
He just hoped that she'd pull through it. For all of their sakes.
''Rights, let's begin.'' Cere said ere she launched a data disk out of her jacket, placing it on the table in front of her.
Crude business, Richard had to admit. They spend a lot of money, time, and most importantly favors to get a hold of this.
''I've started to crack the first layers of security. It's ... though. Whatever we'll find on it, it's important to the Empire. Very.''
''Perhaps.'' Merrin stated rather coldly, folding her arms as she put her elbows on the table. ''which doesn't change the fact that until we know what the Empire is doing on Ordel, we sit idly by. I can't tolerate that, Cere.''
Cere was about to say something until Greez lifted his voice.
''Oh, come on, kid. Don't you remember all of those times where we sat in the kitchen of the Mantis and drank Caf for ages? It's basically the same thing. Drink and have fun while Cal saved the day ... you know, back when he had a ship. And Cal.''
Oh crap.
Merrin gasped in obvious irritation, digging her nails into the wood of the table with enough force that Richard feared that they'd soon have to get a replacement for it. Seeing how quickly worry spread through Cere's face, he unleashed a quick and violent cough ere he too raised his voice, silencing the others with immediate effect.
''Perhaps. Yet it is time we need. We've wasted ... well, almost every conceivable resource in getting this disk. We need to find our strength before we act again.''
His voice carried authority, the same kind of authority that ensured that he was the sole soul to speak. Though Greez and Merrin exchanged heated glares between them, peace returned to the dusty room once more, a fact that brought him one of Cere's grateful nods he came to appreciative over time.
''No to mention that we need to be prepared for the next time our revolutionaries in Stone Town act up. Don't want to be unprepared when the Empire sweeps the entire planet.'' Relor added quickly.
And then there was that. Some would consider themselves blessed to know that not one, but two groups of insurgents were fighting against the Empire at the same time. Those people were fools, Richard believed grimly. Although the two of them shared the same goals, their approach to those matters was vastly more radical in their core. Terrorism, murder of pro-Empire civilians, recorded acts of violence and sabotage - the list goes on. Radicalized young people believing that they can change the galaxy one blaster at a time, a story as old as time. What they didn't realize was that they played directly into the Empire's hands. Every foolish act of terror served only to put public opinion against both them and his own group. It also gave the Empire amble opportunity to further their grasp on the planet. And if one or two peaceful anti-imperial citizens disappeared during every lockdown? Well, Loch assumed that that was just the cherry on the cake for the Empire.
''And then there's that.'' Richard nodded his head along with Tapal's words ''which means that I'll have to reach out again, claiming the few remaining favors I still have left to get us more resources.''
The stronger the Empire grew on Ordel, the weaker grew Richard's influence. Though he didn't like to admit it, he believed that he wouldn't be able to keep this up for long. Eventually, there were no favors to spend anymore, which would sever their lifeline when it came to intelligence and other hard to get by resources.
That would mean that the Empire had won - permanently.
''Don't worry. I'll be able to crack through the disk's security in time. I just need to ... ''
The beeping of one of the monitors silenced Cere in the middle of her sentence. She closed her eyes and sighed, glancing from it to Richard before she opened her mouth again.
''It's one of your people. Apparently the Empire brought some more soldiers into Stone Town. Got us some pictures, too.''
The picture was projected onto the screen, making Cere, Merrin, and Greez gasp in an instance. Confused, Richard raised a brow and threw his eyesight over to Tapal, whose only response was to shrug with his shoulders.
''What am I looking at, Cere? Some sort of special forces?''
The screen presented Imperial soldiers dressed in jet black armor, following a Pau'an around like a dog would his master. And although he deemed the alien's presence to be slightly weird, it wasn't unheard of the Empire utilizing alien in several official capacities. He himself had sanctioned many trade routes with other, primarily non-human, planets, to give an example. Why were they so shellshocked all out of sudden?
''That's ... those are ... Force, those are Purge Troopers.''
What the hell is a Purge Trooper?
''A what?'' questioned Relor with uncertainness besieging his words.
''Jedi killers.'' affirmed Merrin with disgust.
That made him gasp as well. Has Cere been exposed? Has she, perhaps, used her lightsaber and someone got wind of it? Were there any recordings of her mysterious powers? Above all else, did they know that she was here right now? Hundred similar questions haunted his thoughts while his companions started to descend into vocal madness.
''What have you done, Cere?!'' screamed Greez in a frenzied way.
''But ... do they know that you ... Ashla be damned, we need to run, Cere!'' quivered Relor with obvious worry.
''And so it ends. Let's take them down with us.'' added Merrin matter of factly above anything else.
There were more words exchanged between all of them, one more emotional than the other. It didn't stop until Cere ushered another sentence that hushed the room immediately, conjuring of an aura of dismay that made his breath freeze in his lungs.
''That's an Inquisitor leading them. There's an Inquisitor on Ordel.''
''And what in the name of creation is that?'' Richard asked whilst his head started to ache under stress.
''An Inquisitor is a Force user under the banner of the Empire, tasked with hunting and killing all Jedi survivors.'' Merrin explained, her coldness now replaced with evident fury.
Shit.
''Cere ... what now? Are they hunting you? Have you - have we been exposed?''
''I don't know.''
Nobody dared to speak. It was as if the room was turned into a cold grave with silence as death's only companion.
''We need a plan. Now.''
Relor was the first to speak, his fingers nervously tapping up and down on the table.
Cere grabbed the disk and put it back in her jacket. She dragged her hands up into her face and swung her head, huffing and groaning almost every second. It were moments like these where Richard hated knowing how to read the bodies of his allies like that. Though she did a remarkable job under the circumstances, Loch saw how her hands shivered slightly as her irregular breathing made her chest rise and fall. Cere was panicked, that much was obvious.
Shit. Shit!
''We need to run. Wipe everything and run. Go deeper into the forest, collect our wits and manage to get off-world.''
He had to give Merrin credit. She spoke with a level of resolve that even he wouldn't have had the power to conjure up right now.
''What about Stone Town?'' inquired Greez as he looked at Cere with defeat already written in his face.
As Cere made no motion to answer, it was Richard that answered the Lateron's question.
''We can't save Stone Town if we can't save ourselves.''
Even if it pains me to say it. What am I doing, Sarah? This can't be right.
Yet he knew his words to be true. There wasn't a resistance without them. If they'd all fall, they might as well give Ordel over to the Empire personally.
And he swore on the grave of his wife that he wouldn't do that. He wouldn't let his daughters grow up under such circumstances. He owed that to them as much as he owed that to every family on Ordel. Though he was far from a tyrant, it were his decisions that laid the groundwork for the Empire's current efficiency. Richard couldn't give up, he just couldn't.
''You're a right.'' admitted Cere as she removed her hands from her face, revealing her watery eyes to her companions ''download everything you can, wipe everything you can't. Anyone that finds Homebase will just find an abandoned homestead instead.''
Cere lowered her head and clenched her fists.
''Greez, help Relor with the data wipe. Merrin, I want you to deal with ... damn it, everything that could give away that we were ever here. Richard, I need to talk to you in private.''
They all sprang into action almost immediately, save for Richard that remained in his seat, massaging his temples as he mentally prepared himself for the chaos of the next couple of hours. Cere sauntered over towards him, her shoulders lowered and her expression shallow. She planted herself on the chair next to him and closed her eyes, pausing a couple of seconds before she uttered in hushed whispers:
''We all knew that this was an eventually. I just didn't believe an Inquisitor would show up.''
''Are those ... Inquisitors really that bad?''
''They are. I told you about Trilla, yes? My former apprentice?''
''You've mentioned her from time to time, together with Cal. Why?''
''She ... she was an Inquisitor. Force, you should have seen her, Richard. So much ... so much hatred. So much suffering. Like a fire that consumes everything in its path. They won't stop coming after us now. They will never stop.''
Loch's expression softened somewhat at that. Though he knew that Cere's relationship with her former pupil was strained, he had no idea that she was a member of those elusive Jedi hunters. He couldn't even begin to imagine how much that had to hurt for a Jedi, especially someone of such goodhearted compassion like she was.
''I'm sorry, Cere.''
He felt like a fool saying those words, as if he was trapped in some cliche teenage holovid. But what else was he supposed to say? He truly felt sorry for the Jedi. The Empire has taken and twisted someone dear to her, a fate that was repeated both on Ordel and in the galaxy countless times. And he would regret every single one instance - and the role he played in it.
''As am I. There are many words I still wanted to say. To Greez. Merrin. Relor. You. But we both know that that won't be a possibility now.''
A tear slid down her cheek as a deep sob escaped her lips.
''It doesn't matter. Everything is as the Force wills it. Richard, what I ask of you now I can't ask of anyone else here.''
Richard put one of his hands onto her shoulder and nodded slowly.
''You'll lead the others as far away from here as possible. You'll tell them that .. '' another sob, another crack in her voice ''that I'll be right behind you.''
''You won't?''
His heart ached as he muttered those words.
''No. The Inquisitor ... I will face him. Alone. If I fall ... ''
She pulled the data disk out of her jacket and handed it over to Richard.
''If I di - become one with the Force ... that's it. Case closed for the Empire. You'll be save.''
He wanted to argue that this was madness. That there was another way, a secret that had yet eluded them until now. And yet, he couldn't. Just as he couldn't save Stone Town, he couldn't save Cere.
''Maybe you'll win?''
''Maybe. I like that thought.'' she remarked, faking a smirk as her teary eyes looked into his own ''thank you, Richard. For everything you have done for us.''
''No. Thank you.''
Thank you for everything, Cere. Because I feel like I've done nothing.
''Go now. Make sure that everything gets wiped.''
And so he did. Taking one last look at the woman that has done so much for his planet, he bolted out of the door and began to look for the others.
Masana - Ordel, the Remains of the Mantis
To say that she felt uneasy around Second Sister would be the understatement of the century.
It wasn't the fact that she watched Masana like a warden would watch a prisoner. No, she got used to that during their first couple of hours together. It also didn't bother her much that she knew what she was capable of should the need arise - hell, she trained often enough with her to know that.
What made her spirit waver was their shared past.
It was a past written in blood and death. A story of unspeakable crimes and cruelty, a cruelty they not only inflicted but fell victim to as well. The torture. The humiliation. All of the corpses, both innocent and not. Those lines of thoughts followed her ever since, even if they were more subconscious than not. But after everything that has happened, especially her duty to destroy the ruins - seeing Second Sister was like seeing her own past. Though she certainly felt in a better state than during her time within the dark ranks of the Inquisitorius, seeing her waltzing around the ship's outside like an animal that was ready to pounce onto anything it saw made some memories resurface Masana would have rather forgotten.
She knew that it wasn't going to be easy, the voice said so. All it could do for her was providing her another chance in finding the Light - the struggle was hers to master. Watching how the former Inquisitor seemed to be so constantly alerted - no, so constantly paranoid made her stomach twist. She wasn't different back then, was she?
Which was why Masana couldn't have been more thankful for Cal.
He was serenity, calamity. Peace. All things she so desperately could use right now.
It was decided that they'd rest until nightfall until they start the search for the mysterious house Cal saw through the Force. That would not only give her enough time to collect all of the supplies that still remained within the hull of the Mantis, it would also give both Cal and Second Sister enough time to say their goodbyes to the ship and ensure that their wounds were fully healed.
''You have grown since the last time I saw you. Eh ... in the Force, I mean.''
Grunting at her own poor choice of words, she was relieved as Cal merely chuckled heartily, pulling his knees to his chest before he smiled in her direction.
''Yeah. A lot of things have happened since the last time we saw each other. Enough time for internal reflection. Turns out I'm not as unwise as I originally thought.''
Thinking about their last meeting certainly wasn't high on her list of priorities. She was a monster back then, trapped in a prison of her own making. Even thinking about it made her shiver somewhat.
''I'll say.'' she let her eyesight wander from him outside to Second Sister ''will she be alright?''
''Eventually. Though I can understand her reaction, even if I disapprove. If someone would walk up to my face and tell me that I basically missed one year of my life, I'd ask for another drink.''
Been there done that.
''I get it. And for 'normal' people, that wouldn't be a problem. I hate to break it you, but ... for galactic fuck-ups like us? Such thoughts can become very dangerous very quickly.''
Fear leads to the Dark Side. It leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Head leads to suffering. Master Yoda's words still rang true. The Dark Side was like a drug - at first, you're convinced that you're doing the right thing. Eventually, however, you stop caring. What was another kill compared to power, after all? She didn't wish such a fate on anyone. Living a life without hope is cruelty at best.
''I know.'' admitted Cal with a defeated sigh.
She didn't wish to ponder further, however. It wasn't her place to judge.
''So, what's the plan, Kestis. We find your old master and your crew and then we'll blow this temple sky-high?''
''Cere ... isn't my master. Spiritual guide would probably be a more fitting title. But yes, that's the plan. We regroup and hope that nothing too crazy has happened in the last year.''
''If they don't have the same reaction as Second Sister out there. I did do ... unspeakable things to you and your people.''
To think that slightly more than one year ago, she stepped foot on Bracca and watched how Second Sister executed one of Cal's friends without remorse, only to make a point. And the worst about it wasn't that she just stood there and watched: the worst was that she enjoyed the fear Second Sister created. Like an addict she savored every piece of misery that she managed to pick up through the Force.
Fuck me. What have I done?
'' - illa, by the way.''
Being shaken awake by Cal's words, she rocked her facial horns towards him and regarded him with visible confusion.
''Sorry, what did you say?''
''Her name is Trilla.''
Trilla. A beautiful name she had to admit. Even if it only served to show how twisted the Empire truly was. There they were, two agents of the Empire, killing and murdering at their master's orders. And yet, through all that carnage, they didn't even know each other's names.
Masana lowered her head in quiet understanding. Trilla wasn't Second Sister anymore, just like Masana wasn't Ninth Sister anymore. Freed of the Dark Side, they were once more individuals, beings capable of independent thought. And yet that also meant that they now had to face the terrors of their crimes. How could anyone even try to grow beyond such destruction?
They remained silent for the next couple of minutes, both of them being lost in their own thoughts respectively. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw how Cal tilted his head towards her lightsaber, admiring it with evident curiosity.
''Your blade. It's white. I've never seen anything like that.''
She grabbed the grip or her crescent lightsaber and lifted it slightly into the air. A year ago, this was the weapon of a murderer. Now, it shall be a weapon of justice if she had anything to say about it.
''Yeah, really weird shit. That voice, from the temple? She showed me how to do that. What do you know about kyber crystals?''
''The usual, at least what they told us during the Gathering. You don't pick it, it picks you and so on.''
''That's right. Thing is, both Trilla and I ... well, the red color our blades have? It's a result of something we call 'bleeding'. You take a normal kyber crystal and ... subjugate it to your anger and hatred, basically. Twist its nature.''
Cal shuddered slightly at that.
''Amazingly enough, though - you can actually reverse that. The result is this.''
With a quick flip of her thumb, one end of her lightsaber sprang to life, bathing the interior the Mantis in a moon-like white.
''It's beautiful, Masana. And fitting. I can see the parallels between you and it.''
As quickly as it appeared, the blade disappeared into nothingness again.
''You mean my charming looks, yeah?''
As Cal's mouth started to twitch, it was her time to chuckle.
''Nah, I get what you mean. Don't worry.''
He too started to laugh, putting one hand on his belly as his lips were pulled into a huge grin. He was about to say something as Trilla rushed in, her un-ignited lightsaber held at the ready.
''Is everything alright, Cal? I swear I heard the sound of an igniting lightsaber.''
Trilla's eyes wandered over to Masana where she gifted her nothing short of contempt.
''Yeah, I'm alright. Why don't you join us, though?'' Cal said in an inviting tone that would put every other Jedi she has ever met to shame.
''I'll pass.'' she stated coldly, her eyes still locked onto her own.
''Eh, tell you what'' Masana grabbed her saber and walked over to Trilla - her every step as slow as possible, hopefully signaling her that she meant no harm in her sudden approach ''I'll take first watch. I know that ... all of this can't be easy, seeing your ship like that. I'll give you some time to say goodbye.''
''That's nice of you, Masana. Thank you. But you don't have t - ''
Just as Cal was about to finish, Masana elevated her hands again, shushing the young Jedi dead in his tracks.
''It's okay.''
Trying her best to get out of Trilla's hair as fast as she could, Masana walked further away from the loading ramp of the Mantis. The two certainly had enough to talk about, they didn't need her presence to complicate things further right now. A lost year, the fate of their crew, their ship, and even her own existence were more than enough on their plates. If it meant spending some time outside, so be it. At least here, she had some peace of mind.
And she was safely out of Trilla's proximity. That was a bonus.
AN: Helluh everybody from this side of the Earth up to the outer reaches of the galaxy!
I've decided that Tuesday is a good day to update the story regularly, with the odd chapter thrown in between if I'm bored.
I hope you all stay healthy during such tiring times.
Bvadams: Oh thank you! Though I can' remember what happened in chapter 24 (yeah, I know. Don't judge!) it was probably cool! Or so I hope.
jtscores: if you'd only know what is planned :O Thanks for reading!
Guest#1: Thanks, I'm trying! Hope you have an amazing time and stay healthy!