Chapter LXI
And so, within a few days, Barry, November and Riley started their journey to the castle.
Barry was balancing on his Empoleon's back as it bumped through the ocean waves, chomping down after each white crest, the boy's legs braced to its sides and his face alight with the same zeal Nova loved to see; it was the same face he had when he was riding her Staraptor, or sweeping onto the shores after their Canalave legionary fight.
Meanwhile, Nova was in the water, two arms wrapped around her Gastrodon as it bounced along, slapping the waves gently with each fall. The rest of her Pokémon, for once, had decided to squeeze into the Pokéballs, save for Bailey who was flying low, talons brushing against the ocean as Sir Riley held onto his back.
The knight had actually offered to swap and let her glide on the Staraptor while he drifted through the green-blue waves, but Nova had refused. The waters were so clear that she could see the shoals of Finneon and Magikarp darting around her ankles, and the chill of wet clothes against her skin was almost a relief against the battering heat.
"We're so bloody close!" Barry was calling back, laughing as the wind howled along with his voice. "I can smell it!"
Nova glanced over at him. "What does it smell like?"
"It smells like a Skunktank's rump—oh, wait, that's you."
She pressed her face against her Gastrodon, so Owl could feel her smile and snort with her. Though he tried not to show it, Nova could still feel Barry's hurt – for the way she had fought him, the way she had hidden the truth from him. It was almost like a wall between them, not quite tall enough to block him away, but enough to make it impossible to reach out.
So, with a sigh, Nova turned up to Riley.
"You've been in the castle," she pointed out. "What does it smell like?"
His frowned slightly. "It depends. The library smells like books, the arena smells like bloody fire, the kitchens smell like Skunktank—"
"See?" Barry cut in, urging his Empoleon to cut back in speed, an arch of water spraying over his companions. "I told you!"
Wiping the water from her eyes, Nova arched her brow. "Why does it smell like Skunktank?"
"Aaron," Riley answered simply. "He roams around with one sometimes in the kitchens."
"Is he the chef?"
"Nay. He tests the queen's food for poison. He knows all about them and how to make antidotes," Riley explained, before shaking his head. "He's bloody amazing – he earned his spot in the castle by topping his classes in Celestic and gaining Cynthia's respect."
"That is pretty impressive."
"Aye. Pity he's a bastard, though."
Barry scoffed at that. "The best ones usually are."
If it had been a taunt towards Nova, she ignored it. Instead, she gestured for Owl to move closer to Bailey, and with a soft voice, asked, "How's Clefable?"
Riley took a sharp breath. "How did you know about that?"
"I have a Darkrai in my shadow. What don't I know?"
"…ah, yes, drag the humble shadow into this…"
But Riley wasn't smiling.
He just gestured over at a small island towards the north, where there was nothing more than a cluster of rocks along sand.
"Let's stop there," he told them. "We need to talk."
The island was nothing but a small beach, but it had enough – space for them to stretch out and sleep, a rockpool that was deep enough to bathe in, and enough wood for Tric to start a fire as the sun set. The grey rocks around them were splashed with yellow from growing lichen, and Nova stretched out on the white sand, the siennas of wrack-weeds and violets of mussel-beds muted from the burning red of flames.
"So," she finally said as Barry leaned against the rock beside her, their Pokémon curled up around them. "What exactly are we walking into?"
Riley shrugged, sighing as he sat across from them. "I have no idea. News is spreading that Cynthia is alive and well in the castle, but only those in the castle know that's a lie. And us, of course."
"But the people in the castle don't know that we know."
"Aye. So my guess is that they will try to trick both of you. They will make Barry spar someone in private, and have them act as Queen Cynthia. So, when you lose, nothing will change."
Barry cocked his head to his side. "And what if I win? Do I take the throne?"
"I don't think they'll let you win."
"Barry is a strong fighter," Nova cut in. "He can beat anyone."
Riley hesitated, before saying, "Aye, but I don't think they would let him."
It took Nova a moment to understand what he meant.
"They'll cheat?" she asked.
"Aye."
Barry scowled at that. "That's not bloody right. They should be fighting fairer than a young maiden's bosom."
Both of his friends winced at that.
"And you're not taking your throne yourself," Nova said to Riley, "because they won't allow you, and have threatened to hurt your Clefable if you spread the truth."
"My sister's Clefable, aye."
Nova felt Barry mutter a curse, and she, herself, felt a sharp tug in her heart.
Those bastards were keeping his dead sister's Pokémon and holding it hostage.
Stinking arseholes. The whole lot of them.
"We'll save Clefable," Nova said softly, reaching out to hold Riley's hand. "Don't you worry."
"Don't say that, Nova," Barry said with a snort. "You're worrying him more."
"How?"
"You usually make a bigger mess than the mess you try to fix."
Nova whirled around to scowl at him. "I thought I cleaned up that Bibarel blood pretty bloody well!"
"You were asleep for a whole bloody week! You sure as hell weren't scrubbing those floors."
"Oh, I'm talking about that blood that was all over you and Riley's rump when I had to save yer arses—"
It was warming to hear Riley laugh at the two of them, to see those blue eyes finally light up. For a moment, those lines of stress seemed to melt away, and it was a wonder she hadn't seen them before; hadn't this man been a king throughout her whole journey? Those moments in Jubilife, looking at the art on the walls? Those moments back in Sandgem, where he threw her into the sand with a flick of a sword?
All along, he had been the fiancé of the queen.
She hadn't realised that she was tugging him closer until she felt Barry stiffen.
"I'm going to stop both of ye right there," he quickly said. "It's already hard enough sitting with you two on an island. I can't see ye, but I can only imagine what horrid things might happen if ye guys get any closer."
Nova scrunched up her face. "What are ye going on about? How much ale have you drunk since we've gotten here?"
Ignoring her questions completely, Barry set his head back against his hands.
"It's happened before," he said. "I was sitting between two lovers and I have no idea what's going on because I can't bloody see, and only when it starts to smell funny do I realise something is going on."
"It's… happened before?"
"Aye. Remember when I told ye about that lass who was me third lover?"
Nova and Riley exchanged a glance as she said, "The one who you nearly slept with until her husband walked in and kicked your arse?"
"Aye. Well, the next time she invited me, her husband came in again but she hid me under the bed so I didn't get me arse kicked, but the things they did—"
"How the bleeding hell are you the mind both young and old?" Nova suddenly cut in.
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"
But Nova could barely answer – she was throwing her head back and laughing at the thought of Barry, sprawled beneath some poor woman's bed. "Barry, you can be dumb as bloody stone."
"Oi!" he hissed, the slightest of smiles hidden beneath his hand. "Riley, will ye bonk her on the head for me?"
Riley raised his hands in surrender. "I'm not touching the bloody will of steel."
"Heart of gold, my arse. If yer heart was made of gold, you'd talk to her about her foul behaviour—"
"Foul?" Nova repeated. "Who the hell are you calling foul?"
"…there is only one 'her' here, nova…"
"Shut up."
"…i'll consider it…"
It was Darkrai's voice that made the two boys stop snapping at one another. Instead, Riley stared at her thoughtfully, shaking his head in wonder.
"I still can't believe you're Byron's daughter," he admitted.
Nova snorted. "Not handsome enough, am I?"
"Nay, it's just that…" He faltered for a second, glancing down at his hands. "Bryson was like a father to me, November. I know you may not have been fond of him, but really, he was a kind man. He looked after me. He made time to spar with me, he would sneak me sweetmeats beneath the table when I was younger, and…"
He trailed off, his eyes elsewhere, his voice caught. Nova reached for his hand again, squeezed it tight. He smiled.
"Isn't it strange to think that, had things gone differently, you and I would have grown up together?" he asked her. "Isn't that a funny thought?"
"Terrifying," Barry answered before Nova had the chance to open her mouth. "Trust me, Riley, you do not wanna grow up with her."
Nova's jaw fell. "I brought you food!"
"Aye, and not all of it was actual food!"
As she laughed, she felt Riley's gaze on her again. Felt that slight heat creep up to her cheeks as she saw that affection, as if he marvelled in her smile, as if she was more than just some filthy girl whose clothes were drenched in salt water.
"Byron inspired me to be the man I am today," he told her. "I'm very grateful for him."
Nova thought about that for a while, drawing her hand back to her chest.
"I dunno who inspired me," she said. "I think me mother did a bit, because, well, she can be bloody wicked when she wants to be."
"Beautiful, too," Barry chimed in.
Nova swatted at his arm. "That's me mother you're talking about. Show her some respect."
"I just called her beautiful!"
"Aye, but she's me mother."
Barry rubbed his temples. "And to think I was about to call you my inspiration."
"…What?"
"…what?..."
The boy grinned. "You heard me."
"Funny joke."
"Not a joke. I mean it."
Now Riley was interested. He leaned forwards, his face glinting in the fire. "How so?"
"I mean, there's a reason I used to want to marry Nova when we were wee kids," Barry said, shrugging. "And, no, Nova, it wasn't just because I was bloody blind."
"Aye?" Riley said. Nova glared at him.
"Aye," Barry continued. "I think what I always liked was that, even when we were small, when she wanted something, she made sure she got it."
Nova rolled her eyes. "Sounds like a stubborn arse to me."
"Aye, but…" Barry had to pause for a second, his whole face crumpled as he searched for words, and Nova wondered once again if there had been ale in his canteen instead of water. "You've got a good heart, November. When ye care for someone, you really care. You'd move bloody, what, mountains for them."
"Barry—"
"You know how impatient she can be, right Riley?" Barry quickly said. When Riley hummed in response, he then added, "Well, this impatient lass spent so many years of her life sitting me down and teaching me about colours. And leaving twigs in the ground just so I could explore Twinleaf on my own – and even then, I knew half the time, she was watching me."
"Barry…"
Barry cut her off with a raise of his hand. He was rambling now – his words slightly slurred, his eyes shining. "Aye, she can be bloody stupid. Everywhere she goes, something bad happens right in front of her or right behind her. But I'd never leave her side. Because she'd never leave mine."
There was a long silence, only interrupted by the sweeping hiss of the waves.
Then came the sob.
"Nova?" Riley called out softly.
She wiped the tears from her eyes with her knuckles, instantly jumping onto her feet.
"I really want a bath."
Then, she turned on her heel and left.
Nova stepped into the water, deep as twilight in the night, and started uncoiling the bandages around her arms. There were only a few cuts from the rounds of sparring, but they still stung against the salt water, and constantly needed cleaning out.
Besides, her eyes still felt swollen red from crying.
Arceus, what was happening to her? Why had she gotten so worked up? Bloody hell, it wasn't like Barry was tearing her to shreds – he was saying nice things.
Still, she choked back another sob as she pressed her wounds into the water. Let the pain spiral up her arm.
The castle seemed even more dangerous now – especially if they were worried about Barry finding out about Queen Cynthia's disappearance and telling people. If they just turned away right now, they would be safe. Unhurt. Even Riley wouldn't have to worry.
But how long would they keep up the lie? How long would Sinnoh be living under a dead ruler? How long would they all be living a lie?
And what sorts of other horrors could those people in the castle pull off, if they were so bloody stubborn about admitting a simple truth?
Only a few minutes later, she heard steps and found Riley moving towards her, concern in his gaze.
"You and Barry had a good time together?" she called out to him, hoping her voice echoed loud enough to reach Barry.
"It wasn't anything intimate."
From beyond the tall stones, they both heard Barry yell out, "It was a little intimate!"
"It wasn't."
"I had some feelings—"
"Not now, Barry."
Nova laughed as Riley made a face and moved towards her, taking off his boots and placing them beside hers before moving into the water himself.
"You seemed a bit upset," he said.
"Not upset. Just…"
"Can't take someone saying nice things about you?"
She sighed. "Something like that."
For a moment, he just watched her face, waiting for her to say something more. When she didn't, he drew her towards him with a small yank, drawing the small jar of ointment from his other hand and gesturing at her wounds. She let him cup water and wash it over her skin, let him dress the wounds, and even let him touch his lips to her temple.
"Didn't you promise Barry that you weren't going to do anything funny while he was stuck here with us?" she asked him as his warm breath stirred the hair by her ear.
"I'm not going to kiss you."
"Oh."
"I needed to wash off, too."
He pulled his shirt over his head, and as the collar caught for a moment, Nova just stared, all too aware of the fact that they were close to being alone. And, bloody hell, the way he looked – the scars and tattoos mapping his skin, the flat stomach and narrow hips, the way his dark hair shook when the shirt finally pulled free—
There was a strange sinking feeling in her stomach. Because it wasn't possible that he was hers, that they could be together, because bloody hell, he wasn't the sort of person some ordinary lass got to be near or touch.
Then, he looked up at her, hand on his belt, and gave her that familiar and crooked smile. Offered a hand.
When she moved in towards him, he caught hold of her hips and pulled them through the water. And she just stared more – heat coiling in her stomach, eyeing the sleek wet lines of his neck and shoulders, the water droplets caught in his eyelashes.
She tried to lean in, but he held a hand up between them.
"I'm not kissing you, Nova."
"You're a bloody tease."
"I wanted to talk."
"I can kiss you, though, right?"
He opened his mouth to protest, but she leaned in too quick, wounding her arms around his neck and nipping gently at his bottom lip. It had the effect she had bargained for; his hands tightened around her waist, and he gave the slightest of groans.
"Nova…" He pushed her away again, eyes narrowed. "You're avoiding talking."
"Haven't we done enough talking?"
"Nay."
He pulled her closer, his voice lowering to a whisper.
"Barry was right," he said. "You have a big bloody heart, and that's why we need to talk about what's going to happen before we go into the castle."
"Shouldn't we also talk to Barry, then?"
"We will. But I need you to listen to me."
"What makes you think I won't?"
He gave her a bemused glance. "Like he said – when you care for someone, you would move mountains for them. And burn nations for them, too. That castle is currently threatening three things you love, and—"
"Like what?"
"The first is Barry."
"Well, aye, brilliant work, really using that sharp mind—"
"The second is myself."
She didn't bother making a response to that one. Not with him so dangerously close to her.
"And the third being Sinnoh."
"Sinnoh?" Nova repeated, incredulous. "I don't give a damn abut Sinnoh."
His brows shot up. "Then why did you try so hard to stop Cyrus?"
"To protect us." She flicked her finger back and forth between them. "To protect us from—"
"Even though you knew we'd probably meet again if you'd worked with him? Even though you could have given yourself any life you wanted, almost?"
She just stared, dumbfounded.
"Admit it, Nova. For all the shit it's given you, you love this place. You loved being a gladiator – I saw it in your eyes. There was that fire."
"It was the bloody Chimchar's tail!"
He laughed, reaching out to place his hand against her cheek. "I know you care. And that's why I want you to just…"
"Aye, I won't get too much in the way. Or set the castle on fire."
He arched a single brow.
"And I won't flood it, either. Happy?"
"Aye," he answered. "And what did you have in mind?"
"Who said I had anything in mind?"
This time, his other brow shot up.
"Fine, fine, I'll tell you. I'll tell Barry. Just…"
"Just?"
"Do you want to be king?"
"Me?"
"Aye. You."
"I thought you wanted Barry to be king."
She shrugged. "Barry doesn't want it. And, besides, you make a fine king yourself."
She felt his grip loosen as he thought about it.
"I guess I don't mind," he finally said. "If it means living up to my promise with Cynthia, I would be honoured to do it. But I know you don't really—"
"You know I wouldn't wed you if you were the king of Sinnoh."
"Aye."
And that was stopping him? Nova almost shook the man by the shoulders.
"Well," she said. "What if I told ye that I wouldn't mind?"
"What?"
"Aye, it'd be shit, that's for sure. But I think I would hate it less than sitting from the side and watching you fall in love with someone else."
He scoffed. "You know that won't happen."
"But then I'd have to watch you wed someone you don't even like, and that'd be even worse."
When he finally understood what she was saying – what she was trying to say, he stepped back, mouth agape.
"Let me…" He trailed off, his eyes wide. "Can I kiss you?"
"Fucking finally."
The fire was out, but they lay awake, the three of them lying side by side and staring up at the stars.
"So, here's my idea," Nova whispered. "We know Cynthia isn't there. But those in the castle don't know that we know."
On one side of her, Riley nodded. On the other, Barry yawned.
"They're going to try tricking you, Barry," she continued. "Or killing you. Either way, they won't let you become king, but they also will want you to keep thinking Cynthia is alive and well."
"So?" Barry mumbled.
"So, we pretend we don't know that she's probably dead."
"Why?"
She turned her head to face him. "If we keep up the charade and make them think you're excited to challenge Cynthia, we can buy time. And while you're buying time and pretending to train for your battle against her, I can go find and save Riley's Clefable. Then, we get out of the castle and spread the word that Cynthia is dead. Then, Sinnoh revolts."
"…that last part sounds especially simple…"
"And then the people in the damned castle are forced to give up the throne to Riley. Done."
There was a short beat as Barry thought about this.
"So, the plan is just to tell Sinnoh the truth?"
"Aye."
"Which we can't do until Riley's Clefable is safe?"
"Aye."
He gave a low whistle. "That's a lot easier that I thought it would be. All I have to do is pretend to kiss some man's arse and call him Cynthia."
"Aye."
Nova turned her head towards Riley, searching his gaze for approval. The knight only huffed.
"No tricks?" he asked.
She smiled.
"None at all."
They spent another two days reaching the castle – one day to reach the island closest to it and stay the night, and a whole day to scale the cliffs on either end of a gushing waterfall. And just beyond the waterfall, made of thin rose towers, tall walls and silver stone, was the Castle of Sinnoh.
It was like entering a different world as Nova pushed past the huge metal doors, Barry and Riley by her side, all of her Pokémon striding just behind her.
It didn't smell like Skunktank at all – it smelt like flowers. Like pastries. Like perfume.
And it was so clean.
Lamps hung from the columns, flooding the room with light, washing over the marble stone, the high ceilings, and all the porcelain sculptures along the halls. They followed Riley towards the throne hall, where the dark blue rug ran from the throne to the doors, where winged banners made off lace hung from the walls, where the stained windows had coloured panes that made shapes of Pokémon – a Bastidon in armour, an Alakazam with a helmet, a Drapion with poison dripping from its claws.
Even the curtains, made of velvet blue, were adorned with golden leaves and linings, though Nova couldn't imagine why it was even necessary.
All this gold. All these jewels. They could be used for more worthy things – building homes in Twinleaf, supporting the healers, making more places where children could learn.
Then, Nova's eyes found the throne.
Arceus, it was made of onyx, covered in elaborate crests with diamonds encrusted on the slim ears. She hadn't even realised that thrones would be stacked with pillows, and these ones matched the curtains – velvet blue, golden fringes.
She knew that the four standing beside the throne probably had nothing to do with all the money that had gone into a simple chair. Still, as she faced them, three men and an older woman, she found herself scowling.
"Sir Riley," the woman said, her withered face stretched into a warm smile. "You've arrived."
Riley stood in the centre of his companions, gesturing towards the blond boy beside him. "I've brought the winner of the Gladiator Games, Barry of Twinleaf."
The old woman bent her head down slightly, a nod of respect. "Pleased to meet you, Barry."
"Nice to meet you too, Queen Cynthia!"
Nova exchanged a small smile with Rhys, who was right beside her, as Barry gave a rather dramatic bow.
"That's not Queen Cynthia," Riley explained, though Nova caught the hint of amusement in his eyes. "That's Baroness Bertha."
Now it was Nova's turn to freeze. Even her Pokémon seemed completely baffled, with Leila chattering something into Bailey's ears.
The gladiator stared at the old woman carefully.
This was the Baroness who had been helping her throughout her journey? They sounded similar, with that husky croak, but she was so damned polite compared to the way she had been before. Was it because they were in the castle?
And why wasn't she hiding her face behind that cloak?
"This is Lucian," Riley was saying, pointing over to the man in the long coat with the glasses. "He is Queen Cynthia's chief advisor." Then, his finger moved over to the man with the green hair, who was smiling the widest. "This is Aaron, who I told you about, and then…" Though his voice was as smooth as ever, Nova heard the touch of irritation as Riley's finger landed on Flint. "That's Flint, who you've all met."
"And where's Cynthia?" Nova quickly piped up.
She felt all four of those from the castle stare at her. In particular, the purple-haired one named Lucian, who seems to be analysing her with his gaze, watching her carefully. Like he was expecting her to say more.
When she said nothing, he smiled coolly.
"She's currently not feeling very well," he said. "She is resting in her chambers."
The lie was told so well that Nova almost wanted to tell him that, bloody hell, she knew, she knew, just so she could wipe that placid smile from his face.
Instead, she just nodded. "I wish her a quick recovery."
"Wait, so when do I fight her?" Barry asked.
They all, once again, glanced over at Lucian. Nova felt Darkrai chuckle at that, and she herself nearly rolled her eyes.
Chief advisor, aye. But it looked like he was the only who could tell the lies.
"Well, she'll need time to recover," Lucian said.
"We can take you for a tour around the castle, though," Aaron added. "There are even rooms prepared for you."
Lucian nodded. "Aye. And, with it, comes a request from Cynthia."
"A request?" Barry repeated.
"Aye, you see, it's quite unheard of to have a blind gladiator enter the castle, you see," the purple-haired man explained. "You are our first, I believe."
"Bloody well I am."
"So she is a bit sceptical. She wants us to test your abilities, you see."
Barry scowled. "I have eight legionary crystals!"
"And they could be stolen."
"He wouldn't steal," Riley cut in. "I was his patron, as you know. I saw him train. He earned those."
"He fought bloody hard for them," Nova muttered beneath her own breath.
Lucian had heard her, though. And he gave her that smile that made her want to rip into him.
"Then I suppose he can fight again, can't he?" he pointed out.
No one, not even Nova, could argue with that.
"You'll fight each of us in our own trial," Aaron began to explain. "We'll call it the Elite Trial. And if you can defeat all four of us, then we will know you are worthy enough to face off our queen and perhaps become our next king. You will have plenty of time in between to train and rest."
Nova smiled at that, felt her Pokémon inch closer.
That was good. That was what she needed – time. While Barry was 'training', she would be able to find the Clefable and—
"And you, miss," Bertha suddenly said, eyes on Nova. "We believe you're a gladiator, too?"
Nova nearly snorted.
This old woman knew she was a gladiator. She'd watched some of her matches, bloody hell.
"Aye," she said. "And you look even older now that I can see your face, old crone."
Flint's brows shot up, and he finally cleared his throat.
"You two know each other?" he asked.
"Aye," Nova answered. "Bertha, here, was the one who gave me my armour. She made me sell all of me shitty old one to save a Bidoof."
Bertha's eyes were wide open, and even Aaron's face had paled.
"You will address her as Baroness Bertha," Lucian said. Soft, but firm.
"And please pardon your language," Bertha added.
Nova laughed at that. "Don't be ridiculous. You used to swear all the time for me. Remember? Fuck Queen Cynthia?"
It went so silent that Nova could hear Riley's sharp breath.
All eyes were on her. Glaring, if not looking utterly horrified.
"We will not tolerate such shameful language towards our queen," Bertha hissed. "Especially my granddaughter."
Nova flinched at the bite in her voice, the genuine fury.
"But Bertha…"
"November, was it?"
"You know my name—"
Bertha frowned, her head tilted to one side. "Miss November, I have never met you in my life."
What?
Nova felt her head racing.
"But we did meet," she insisted. "In Jubilife, we spoke… And we met again in Eterna, and you even let me in your bloody house in Celestic!"
But the old woman only shook her head.
"I have never seen your face in my life, lass."
And the way she said it, the slight bewilderment in her eyes, the way her lips pursed—
Nova knew it.
The woman was telling the truth.
So who had that old crone been?
Who?
"Either way," Lucian said, his own gaze darting from Nova to Bertha and back again to the gladiator. "We have an offer for you, as well."
"Aye?"
He nodded, ignoring Riley's pointed stare. "You can fight the trials, too, November. With your friend."
She almost spat a no at him. There was no time for the bloody trials. She needed to find the Clefable and—
"You are Duke Rowan's granddaughter, after all," Lucian said. "We want to see what you're capable of."
Nova stepped back slightly, her head spinning.
She wanted to say no. Desperately. She wanted to reach over to Baroness Bertha and shake the living wits out of her.
But she felt Riley looking at her. Heard Barry's shallow breathing.
And she sighed and ducked her head.
"It would be an honour," she said.
Aaron clapped his hands together. "Great! As for now, we shall escort you to your rooms. We can tour you around the castle tomorrow, and even begin my part of the trial then. For now, please rest – you must be so exhausted."
Nova felt like she was dreaming as he held his arm out for her, and began to drag her away, down a passage, Barry just at her heel. Just as she passed by the wooden doors, those dancing shadows, she turned her head behind her, watching as Bertha's face shrunk away into the dark.
If that was the real Bertha, who had the fake one been?
Who?
And why?
Elite Four officially starting now, woo! And Happy Holidays to everyone! Let's kickstart 2021 with a bang, aye?
