Chapter 12
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The limo approached the location of the gala, a museum, in record time. It would seem that the limo driver did not intend on having Sirius in his precious vehicle any longer than necessary. Upon their arrival the limo driver opened the door for the couple and their dog. Sirius leaped out first. Next Remus emerged and then offered his hand to Cassiopeia.
She gladly accepted it and then allowed Remus to lead her towards the entrance of the Native American Museum owned by Gabriel's corporation. Sirius marched along at their heels. Soon he found some canines and decided to look as least conspicuous as possible and mingled with them.
Gabriel greeted the two new arrivals. "The guest of honor has arrived!" He embraced the woman in a fierce fatherly hug.
"That's funny. First you didn't want me to come and now I'm the guest of honor?"
"All I am guilty of is that I feared for your safety. Now come, there are many people already here. You have been the topic of some discussion amongst many of the guests."
"Is Luther here?" Remus questioned.
Gabriel turned serious. "I'm afraid so. However it should be fine as long as either you or I are in Cassi's presence."
"I don't understand. If you know he is trouble, why is he allowed to attend?" Remus pondered.
"It is simple. I can not opening show my hostility towards him. There is a delicate balance between the two tribes. If he and I were to publicly proclaim our hatred of one another then civil war would result in the decimation of our species."
During the interlude between Remus and Gabriel, Cassi discretely snuck away. She saw a face in the crowd that she was anxious to greet.
"I see. You're going to have to explain to me what Cassiopeia has to do with all this. By the way, where is she?" Remus began to scour the crowds with a sense of urgency.
That's when he saw her speaking with someone he did not expect to see. The face was very familiar. Surely, it couldn't be whom he thought it was though.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Belle: Who could it be? Who could it be??? ~Sirius: Damn it woman. Stop introducing characters and turn me into a man already! ~Belle: You're no fun!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Remus calmly left Gabriel to approach Cassiopeia and her new friend. They were standing near a display of various spears and arrow heads. The face of the young man nagged upon the edge of familiarity. He knew this person from Hogwarts.
"I can't believe you are here! What are you doing here?" Cassiopeia exclaimed while hugging the arrival.
"I had called your house the other day. Once again, I misplaced your apartment number. Anyways, your dad told me about this gala and said you were being honored. He thought it would be a great surprise if I showed up. So he called Gabriel and then I was invited." Oliver Wood smiled at his old mentor.
That is when Remus reached the two. He was confused. Why in the world would Oliver Wood be at this gala? He most certainly was not a werewolf. There was no way he could be connected to Cassiopeia.
"Exactly how do you two know each other?"
"Professor Lupin! I wasn't aware that you would be here as well."
"Professor? You mean you went to Hogwarts too? You're a wizard?" Cassiopeia whispered harshly. Oliver nodded. "I wonder who else I know that is a wizard."
Remus swallowed thickly. It really wasn't his place to tell her about her dog really being his best friend. His best friend, who happens to be a wizard. He really didn't need to be the one to tell her that.
"So how do you two know each other?" Remus asked a second time.
"You know how important Quidditch is to me. The summer after my fifth year at Hogwarts I went to a muggle soccer camp to improve my goalie skills. Cassi was my camp counselor. We've kept in touch ever since; she has extensive knowledge about different goalie maneuvers." Oliver smiled fondly at his old counselor.
"Never had I met a more dedicated camper. Only what is this Quidditch?"
"Let's save that for another time." Remus spoke as Oliver opened his mouth to begin a long tirade about the glories of Quidditch.
"Yeah, I have to get back to my date now. She mostly speaks French, so she is mostly likely very anxious right now. I'll see you later tonight though." Oliver became lost in the crowd once again.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Around seven-thirty Gabriel stood upon a stage as the guests gathered around him. He announced this year's achievements of the corporation, new members of the family (aka pact), and the coming year's goals.
During Gabriel's speech the attention of one very important werewolf was directed elsewhere.
"I do not understand it. I haven't been able to sense her for nearly four months now. It's almost as if our bond has been severed." Luther was talking with Lucius Malfoy.
The werewolf leader was anxious. Tonight he wore a midnight blue Armenti suit with silver shirt. He looked stunning. If one didn't consider his cruel heart he might even be considered handsome. His neatly cut blond hair and blue eyes gave him a deceitful innocent element to his appearance.
"I don't understand. What's so important about that particular muggle. Just get another one if she's so much trouble." Malfoy was perplexed with this wolf's obsession.
"You wouldn't understand. It's complicated."
A few moments of silence pass.
"I know for certain she is here tonight, but I can not locate her. I do not understand." Just after Luther voiced this last thought the melodies of a waltz filled the air. That's when he noticed a certain pair of werewolves on the dance floor.
Luther breaks into a smile that caught Malfoy off guard. He then motioned for Malfoy and Bellatrix to hear him. He pointed out the two dancers.
"Break them up."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After the announcements the guests began to crowd the dance floor. Remus looked a bit nervous. The familiar music of the waltz began.
"Would you care to dance?"
"Certainly," Cassi agreed. Remus then proceeded to dance the waltz to the best of his ability. It was going well considering the fact that he didn't know what he was doing.
"One, two, three, and one, two, three, and one, two, three," Remus quietly chanted in a personal mantra.
"Remus?"
"Hmmm?"
"Do you know what you are doing?"
"Why? Am I messing up?" He stopped dancing as his counting was interrupted. Cassiopeia grinned at his childlike behavior. But she didn't get a chance to respond because of an interruption.
"Excuse me, Cassiopeia I presume?" A man with long, white hair and a sinister expression had approached the couple. A mysterious woman with long, dark hair lurked in the shadows.
"Yes, who are you might I ask?"
"I am Lucius Malfoy. I was wondering if I might have this dance."
Cassi looked to Lupin for some silent advice but he was distracted. His gaze was fixed to the mystery woman in the shadows.
"Alright then," she agreed.
This was the most nerve wracking experience for Cassi. This man was creepy. He obviously didn't want to dance with her. He was acting like she was a hot frying pan that he was trying to avoid touching. She kept looking back at Remus, but still he was in that trance staring at that woman.
That's when she saw Luther approach. She became paralyzed with fear. "I don't know what he sees in a filthy mud-blood like yourself." Malfoy sneared in her ear.
Suddenly, salvation in the form of young red haired man came.
"Excuse me, but I'm butting in." The red haired man forcefully shoved Lucius and wisked Cassi away.
"Thank you so much! Who are you?"
"I'm a friend of Remus. My name is Charlie and that woman over there with the platinum blond hair is Tonks." Charlie spun Cassi a great distance away from the angry Luther and closer to Remus and Tonks.
"Bellatrix, really, don't you think you can at least let the man say something?" Tonks addressed the woman lurking in the shadows. The woman's concentration momentarily flickered and her chanting lost it's effect upon Remus.
Quickly he pulled out his wand and cried "Petrificus Totalus." He shook his head, Belletrix must be losing her touch. But that's when he noticed that she had vanished.
"Where did she go?" Charlie asked as he and Cassi met the other two.
"I'm not sure. Where are Malfoy and that other man?" Remus inquired.
"Luther and he have also disappeared." Cassiopeia replied. Remus looked at her with obvious worry in his eyes.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't break out of the paralysis I was in. She cast the spell while I was distracted." Remus apologized.
"It's okay. I think we better find Gabriel. There's no telling what Luther while try next." Cassiopeia told the others.
They saw Gabriel standing near the exit. The ensemble approached him with extreme caution. Nothing was going to catch them off guard this time. Gabriel noticed their advancement and smiled invitingly.
"Gabriel! He's here! I'm afraid! I don't know what he may try to do!" Cassiopeia threw herself at her mentor. He patted her gently on the head.
"Come with me. We'll go a secret way so that he can't track us."
"Alright. We're all going." Remus replied.
"No, I'm afraid that will draw too much attention. Douglas and I shall escort her out. I need you three to keep a guard upon the activities in here. Make sure Luther's mangy werewolves don't try anything." Another werewolf stood to Gabriel's left and together they began to lead Cassi outside.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Did that seem strange to you?" Remus asked the other two Order members.
"You're the one that knows Gabriel. You tell us." Charlie answered.
Just then Gabriel stood back up on the podium for one last final announcement.
"I almost forgot to mention this, but there will be a new exhibit added to the museum next month. The feature will be about lycanthropy lore." Loud applause met this proclamation as it was obvious that most of the audience was composed of lycanthropes.
"Wait, how can Gabriel be up there and with Cassiopeia at the same time?" Tonks asked.
"How could we forget we are dealing with wizards and werewolves? I hadn't even thought about the use of potions!" Remus wanted to hit his head but there were other more important matters to attend.
That's when the screaming began. Apparently Malfoy and Lestrange were not the only Death Eaters in attendance. Petrified muggles and werewolves littered the floor. Apparently, the use of the three most heinous curses were being avoided for the time being.
The members of the Order rushed to the midst of the chaos with wands ready and tongues flying.
"Expelliarmus!"
"Stupefy!"
"Accio watch!"
"Accio watch? What's wrong with you?"
"I need to know what time it is!"
However the Death Eaters were only a diversion.
The former students of Hogwarts, including Oliver and his date, began to work against this flow of chaos. Gabriel and some of his men also began in a battle amongst werewolves.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sirius had been standing vigilance near the front doors for some time. He sensed a great disturbance and awaited an upcoming battle. He noticed Gabriel and another werewolf escorting Cassi outside of the museum. He followed closely.
Once hidden in the shadows the disguise of the two apparent allies wavered. The look of fear that began to take over Cassi's face startled Sirius. One of the men, the one that was previously Gabriel, held a rag over her mouth and nose. Presumably a knockout gas was beginning to take effect.
He tossed the now limp woman over his left shoulder and began running towards a white van that waited in the drive. Another person slid open the back door and after throwing in Cassi they slammed the door shut. Luckily the van's engine stalled thus giving Sirius enough time to jump through the window of the van and shattering it.
The second man that had escorted Cassi angrily pulled open the door. The accomplice inside the back had already been knocked unconscious by one angry big black dog. Sirius took the opportunity of the open door to pull Cassi out of the van quickly with an unnatural strength.
She had regained a sliver of consciousness and had clutched onto his back and rode him in a sloppy horse-like fashion. Sirius then raced for the nearby woods. He found a cave but the hot pursuit of angry men followed him.
He deposited the woman on the cave floor and stood over her. He would protect her with his life if need be from these vagabonds. The three proved a great deal of work to fend off. He still was unsure of the whereabouts of the driver.
For hours Sirius used teeth and claws to slash at the would-be kidnappers.
No way was Sirius Black going to lose something precious to him.
He didn't notice that dawn approached.
The driver suddenly appeared. He had a fierce club in his hand. Thankfully these attackers were all werewolves, or else they may have had guns. However werewolves fear accidental shootings so avoid guns. And since they were not wizards the only force to deal with was that of brute strength.
"Look here mutt. I don't have time for you. I suggest you give me what I came for so that I can go home to my boss and get a big hefty award for my present." The club started to fall. It would have hit the dog in the skull and most likely rendered him unconscious.
At the precise moment that the club began to fall the first rays of morning sun light graced the sky with their presence. At that corresponding moment in time Sirius Black morphed into his human form.
The ferocious wolfish dog transformed into an angry athletic man. This man caught the club with his right hand with inhuman strength. He yanked the club from the henchman's hand and snapped it across his knee. Then he pulled out his wand and cast a petrifying spell on all of the assailants.
After the immediate danger was gone he looked down upon the woman whom he stood over. She gazed at him with dazed vision. He smiled at her, hoping that the imminent screams wouldn't cause permanent damage.
Never in his wildest dreams did he expect the words that came out from her mouth the moments prior to her temporary coma.
"I sure am glad I didn't have you fixed."
After spending four months trapped as her dog, he definitely did not expect those words. He picked her up and carried her bridal style outside of the cave. He walked in the direction of the museum where he believed he had heard the other members of the Order.
He was not looking forward to all the explaining he was going to have to do.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
TBC
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The limo approached the location of the gala, a museum, in record time. It would seem that the limo driver did not intend on having Sirius in his precious vehicle any longer than necessary. Upon their arrival the limo driver opened the door for the couple and their dog. Sirius leaped out first. Next Remus emerged and then offered his hand to Cassiopeia.
She gladly accepted it and then allowed Remus to lead her towards the entrance of the Native American Museum owned by Gabriel's corporation. Sirius marched along at their heels. Soon he found some canines and decided to look as least conspicuous as possible and mingled with them.
Gabriel greeted the two new arrivals. "The guest of honor has arrived!" He embraced the woman in a fierce fatherly hug.
"That's funny. First you didn't want me to come and now I'm the guest of honor?"
"All I am guilty of is that I feared for your safety. Now come, there are many people already here. You have been the topic of some discussion amongst many of the guests."
"Is Luther here?" Remus questioned.
Gabriel turned serious. "I'm afraid so. However it should be fine as long as either you or I are in Cassi's presence."
"I don't understand. If you know he is trouble, why is he allowed to attend?" Remus pondered.
"It is simple. I can not opening show my hostility towards him. There is a delicate balance between the two tribes. If he and I were to publicly proclaim our hatred of one another then civil war would result in the decimation of our species."
During the interlude between Remus and Gabriel, Cassi discretely snuck away. She saw a face in the crowd that she was anxious to greet.
"I see. You're going to have to explain to me what Cassiopeia has to do with all this. By the way, where is she?" Remus began to scour the crowds with a sense of urgency.
That's when he saw her speaking with someone he did not expect to see. The face was very familiar. Surely, it couldn't be whom he thought it was though.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
~Belle: Who could it be? Who could it be??? ~Sirius: Damn it woman. Stop introducing characters and turn me into a man already! ~Belle: You're no fun!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Remus calmly left Gabriel to approach Cassiopeia and her new friend. They were standing near a display of various spears and arrow heads. The face of the young man nagged upon the edge of familiarity. He knew this person from Hogwarts.
"I can't believe you are here! What are you doing here?" Cassiopeia exclaimed while hugging the arrival.
"I had called your house the other day. Once again, I misplaced your apartment number. Anyways, your dad told me about this gala and said you were being honored. He thought it would be a great surprise if I showed up. So he called Gabriel and then I was invited." Oliver Wood smiled at his old mentor.
That is when Remus reached the two. He was confused. Why in the world would Oliver Wood be at this gala? He most certainly was not a werewolf. There was no way he could be connected to Cassiopeia.
"Exactly how do you two know each other?"
"Professor Lupin! I wasn't aware that you would be here as well."
"Professor? You mean you went to Hogwarts too? You're a wizard?" Cassiopeia whispered harshly. Oliver nodded. "I wonder who else I know that is a wizard."
Remus swallowed thickly. It really wasn't his place to tell her about her dog really being his best friend. His best friend, who happens to be a wizard. He really didn't need to be the one to tell her that.
"So how do you two know each other?" Remus asked a second time.
"You know how important Quidditch is to me. The summer after my fifth year at Hogwarts I went to a muggle soccer camp to improve my goalie skills. Cassi was my camp counselor. We've kept in touch ever since; she has extensive knowledge about different goalie maneuvers." Oliver smiled fondly at his old counselor.
"Never had I met a more dedicated camper. Only what is this Quidditch?"
"Let's save that for another time." Remus spoke as Oliver opened his mouth to begin a long tirade about the glories of Quidditch.
"Yeah, I have to get back to my date now. She mostly speaks French, so she is mostly likely very anxious right now. I'll see you later tonight though." Oliver became lost in the crowd once again.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Around seven-thirty Gabriel stood upon a stage as the guests gathered around him. He announced this year's achievements of the corporation, new members of the family (aka pact), and the coming year's goals.
During Gabriel's speech the attention of one very important werewolf was directed elsewhere.
"I do not understand it. I haven't been able to sense her for nearly four months now. It's almost as if our bond has been severed." Luther was talking with Lucius Malfoy.
The werewolf leader was anxious. Tonight he wore a midnight blue Armenti suit with silver shirt. He looked stunning. If one didn't consider his cruel heart he might even be considered handsome. His neatly cut blond hair and blue eyes gave him a deceitful innocent element to his appearance.
"I don't understand. What's so important about that particular muggle. Just get another one if she's so much trouble." Malfoy was perplexed with this wolf's obsession.
"You wouldn't understand. It's complicated."
A few moments of silence pass.
"I know for certain she is here tonight, but I can not locate her. I do not understand." Just after Luther voiced this last thought the melodies of a waltz filled the air. That's when he noticed a certain pair of werewolves on the dance floor.
Luther breaks into a smile that caught Malfoy off guard. He then motioned for Malfoy and Bellatrix to hear him. He pointed out the two dancers.
"Break them up."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
After the announcements the guests began to crowd the dance floor. Remus looked a bit nervous. The familiar music of the waltz began.
"Would you care to dance?"
"Certainly," Cassi agreed. Remus then proceeded to dance the waltz to the best of his ability. It was going well considering the fact that he didn't know what he was doing.
"One, two, three, and one, two, three, and one, two, three," Remus quietly chanted in a personal mantra.
"Remus?"
"Hmmm?"
"Do you know what you are doing?"
"Why? Am I messing up?" He stopped dancing as his counting was interrupted. Cassiopeia grinned at his childlike behavior. But she didn't get a chance to respond because of an interruption.
"Excuse me, Cassiopeia I presume?" A man with long, white hair and a sinister expression had approached the couple. A mysterious woman with long, dark hair lurked in the shadows.
"Yes, who are you might I ask?"
"I am Lucius Malfoy. I was wondering if I might have this dance."
Cassi looked to Lupin for some silent advice but he was distracted. His gaze was fixed to the mystery woman in the shadows.
"Alright then," she agreed.
This was the most nerve wracking experience for Cassi. This man was creepy. He obviously didn't want to dance with her. He was acting like she was a hot frying pan that he was trying to avoid touching. She kept looking back at Remus, but still he was in that trance staring at that woman.
That's when she saw Luther approach. She became paralyzed with fear. "I don't know what he sees in a filthy mud-blood like yourself." Malfoy sneared in her ear.
Suddenly, salvation in the form of young red haired man came.
"Excuse me, but I'm butting in." The red haired man forcefully shoved Lucius and wisked Cassi away.
"Thank you so much! Who are you?"
"I'm a friend of Remus. My name is Charlie and that woman over there with the platinum blond hair is Tonks." Charlie spun Cassi a great distance away from the angry Luther and closer to Remus and Tonks.
"Bellatrix, really, don't you think you can at least let the man say something?" Tonks addressed the woman lurking in the shadows. The woman's concentration momentarily flickered and her chanting lost it's effect upon Remus.
Quickly he pulled out his wand and cried "Petrificus Totalus." He shook his head, Belletrix must be losing her touch. But that's when he noticed that she had vanished.
"Where did she go?" Charlie asked as he and Cassi met the other two.
"I'm not sure. Where are Malfoy and that other man?" Remus inquired.
"Luther and he have also disappeared." Cassiopeia replied. Remus looked at her with obvious worry in his eyes.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't break out of the paralysis I was in. She cast the spell while I was distracted." Remus apologized.
"It's okay. I think we better find Gabriel. There's no telling what Luther while try next." Cassiopeia told the others.
They saw Gabriel standing near the exit. The ensemble approached him with extreme caution. Nothing was going to catch them off guard this time. Gabriel noticed their advancement and smiled invitingly.
"Gabriel! He's here! I'm afraid! I don't know what he may try to do!" Cassiopeia threw herself at her mentor. He patted her gently on the head.
"Come with me. We'll go a secret way so that he can't track us."
"Alright. We're all going." Remus replied.
"No, I'm afraid that will draw too much attention. Douglas and I shall escort her out. I need you three to keep a guard upon the activities in here. Make sure Luther's mangy werewolves don't try anything." Another werewolf stood to Gabriel's left and together they began to lead Cassi outside.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
"Did that seem strange to you?" Remus asked the other two Order members.
"You're the one that knows Gabriel. You tell us." Charlie answered.
Just then Gabriel stood back up on the podium for one last final announcement.
"I almost forgot to mention this, but there will be a new exhibit added to the museum next month. The feature will be about lycanthropy lore." Loud applause met this proclamation as it was obvious that most of the audience was composed of lycanthropes.
"Wait, how can Gabriel be up there and with Cassiopeia at the same time?" Tonks asked.
"How could we forget we are dealing with wizards and werewolves? I hadn't even thought about the use of potions!" Remus wanted to hit his head but there were other more important matters to attend.
That's when the screaming began. Apparently Malfoy and Lestrange were not the only Death Eaters in attendance. Petrified muggles and werewolves littered the floor. Apparently, the use of the three most heinous curses were being avoided for the time being.
The members of the Order rushed to the midst of the chaos with wands ready and tongues flying.
"Expelliarmus!"
"Stupefy!"
"Accio watch!"
"Accio watch? What's wrong with you?"
"I need to know what time it is!"
However the Death Eaters were only a diversion.
The former students of Hogwarts, including Oliver and his date, began to work against this flow of chaos. Gabriel and some of his men also began in a battle amongst werewolves.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Sirius had been standing vigilance near the front doors for some time. He sensed a great disturbance and awaited an upcoming battle. He noticed Gabriel and another werewolf escorting Cassi outside of the museum. He followed closely.
Once hidden in the shadows the disguise of the two apparent allies wavered. The look of fear that began to take over Cassi's face startled Sirius. One of the men, the one that was previously Gabriel, held a rag over her mouth and nose. Presumably a knockout gas was beginning to take effect.
He tossed the now limp woman over his left shoulder and began running towards a white van that waited in the drive. Another person slid open the back door and after throwing in Cassi they slammed the door shut. Luckily the van's engine stalled thus giving Sirius enough time to jump through the window of the van and shattering it.
The second man that had escorted Cassi angrily pulled open the door. The accomplice inside the back had already been knocked unconscious by one angry big black dog. Sirius took the opportunity of the open door to pull Cassi out of the van quickly with an unnatural strength.
She had regained a sliver of consciousness and had clutched onto his back and rode him in a sloppy horse-like fashion. Sirius then raced for the nearby woods. He found a cave but the hot pursuit of angry men followed him.
He deposited the woman on the cave floor and stood over her. He would protect her with his life if need be from these vagabonds. The three proved a great deal of work to fend off. He still was unsure of the whereabouts of the driver.
For hours Sirius used teeth and claws to slash at the would-be kidnappers.
No way was Sirius Black going to lose something precious to him.
He didn't notice that dawn approached.
The driver suddenly appeared. He had a fierce club in his hand. Thankfully these attackers were all werewolves, or else they may have had guns. However werewolves fear accidental shootings so avoid guns. And since they were not wizards the only force to deal with was that of brute strength.
"Look here mutt. I don't have time for you. I suggest you give me what I came for so that I can go home to my boss and get a big hefty award for my present." The club started to fall. It would have hit the dog in the skull and most likely rendered him unconscious.
At the precise moment that the club began to fall the first rays of morning sun light graced the sky with their presence. At that corresponding moment in time Sirius Black morphed into his human form.
The ferocious wolfish dog transformed into an angry athletic man. This man caught the club with his right hand with inhuman strength. He yanked the club from the henchman's hand and snapped it across his knee. Then he pulled out his wand and cast a petrifying spell on all of the assailants.
After the immediate danger was gone he looked down upon the woman whom he stood over. She gazed at him with dazed vision. He smiled at her, hoping that the imminent screams wouldn't cause permanent damage.
Never in his wildest dreams did he expect the words that came out from her mouth the moments prior to her temporary coma.
"I sure am glad I didn't have you fixed."
After spending four months trapped as her dog, he definitely did not expect those words. He picked her up and carried her bridal style outside of the cave. He walked in the direction of the museum where he believed he had heard the other members of the Order.
He was not looking forward to all the explaining he was going to have to do.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
TBC