FINALLY! After a very long hiatus, Suzaku and I are back! We've finally finished Chapter Six! Why was it so long in coming? Well, we started working on it way back before my wrist gave out. I procrastinated a little, then hurt my wrist, then procrastinated some more. Then poor Suzaku was having a few troubles, but now we've finally finished!
The reviewers . . .
SSJ-KybokSilverfang: Yeah, I thought that line pretty much summed up Alex's character. I'm glad you like the story, and I agree--Ryou can be so adorably nice!
Katsuharu Miyoku: Thanks for the (rather violent) gift! Not that that's a bad thing . . . I experience violence on a regular basis...
Menardi: Did someone call me?
Vyctori: See? Anyway, I've been waiting for an update to the birthday fic . . . gotta know what happens with Renamon and poor, poor Yoshimi . . . !
Yoshimi Takahashi:
Menardi: *pumps arm* Yessss! Score!
Vyctori: *sweatdrop* You're starting to pick up Yoshimi-lingo. Here, quick, take this cookie before one of your muses finds it! *passes over new cookie* I don't really think this counts as a fast update, but you can't really complain, can't you? *coughweyardweeklycough* Heh heh.
wolfarine: Well, I've finally reviewed! And I'm planning on doing loads of Golden Sun fics, so keep an eye out. I'll see if I can put Garoh in, but since we've already passed that point in the story, it might be difficult . . .
Allexandra Radcliffe: Yup, although Karst isn't so bad herself, is she? My personal favourite type of Adept is . . . drumroll please . . . Mars Adepts! Makes sense, since my three favourite characters (Karst, Saturos, Menardi) are all Mars Adepts, and I'm guessing that if I was an Adept, then Mars would be my element . . . .
Feral Claw: I can see Karst being the charbroiling type...and while your scythe might not be a toothpick, Karst, it still looks pretty puny next to Menny's!
Menardi: So there! *sticks out tongue*
Vyctori: *rolls eyes* Looks like you're not the only one with childish muses, Feral . . .
Akachi: Sugar high Agatio? Uh-oh . . . it took quite a while for us to update . . . . *gulps* And I'm glad you started reading again, Akachi. Let's hope we can keep your attention this time!
felix666: You know, that's not much of a threat. Menardi would probably receive him with open arms. Because the answer to your question is YES! You may commence sputtering now. ^_~
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WOW! EIGHT REVIEWS! That's a record! *is very happy* And to the ones who read but didn't review, I want to break my record next time, so . . . . You know who you are . . . ^_~ Just kidding, you know who! ^___^
Anyway, you remember all the fluff that was in the previous chapter? Gone. Absolutely gone. We've kicked into major angst mode. You'll see why. This chapter took a lot of bouncing back and forth to get things exactly right, just to let you know. Hope you like it!
~ * * * ~
The next day, the group of four finally reached their destination: Jupiter Lighthouse. Karst hesitated before entering the structure; she stared up to where its heights were hugged by gray mist. The sky was almost ominously dark, and the wind picked at her cape, swooshing it about her shoulders.
After all these weeks . . . months . . . I finally will be able to take my revenge against Isaac. She mentally spat his loathsome name. Her fingers curled into tight fists; her fingernails pressed painfully into her rosy palms. I will be able to make him suffer, make him bleed for Saturos . . . and my dear sister. He could never know what his blind, unthinking actions have to me, to Weyard. I hope that he lasts a long, long time, she thought. I want his death to be lingering, slow, and drawn out . . . I hope he dies in incredible, screaming agony.
". . . K-Karst?" Ryou broke in hesitantly.
Her dark thoughts receded somewhat and she looked at him silently.
"Are you . . . all right?" Worried, he laid a hand on her forearm, which was icy to the touch--an oddity for a Mars Adept. "You're so cold. Here." He wrapped his azure cloak around her shoulders. "Is that better?"
"Yes . . . and yet no, Ryou." Karst shook her head very slowly. "While my body may be cold, it is nothing compared to my soul. Now, let's get going. I want to find Isaac, soon." She left his side, one hand grasping the cape and the other gripping her weapon, to enter the ancient building after Agatio and Alex.
Ryou bit his lower lip, staring after her as she walked stiffly into the lighthouse. Then, upset, he trailed after her.
As they moved through the decaying structure, Ryou couldn't help but compare her current demeanor with that of the previous night. When she wasn't thinking about Menardi and Saturos, Karst could be so joy-filled and carefree. But when she remembered, her lips would tighten, her heart would harden, and it would be as if she literally carried the weight of the world on her slender shoulders.
And there's nothing that I can do about this, Ryou concluded unhappily. Karst will never, ever forget what Isaac did. The only thing that will dissolve her iced heart is if she destroys him, or if Menardi and Saturos return.
Ryou smiled bitterly. I might as well ask for all the Djinn in the world rather than to think that those two survived. I'd have more of a chance of having my wish granted. Karst will not give up . . . even if she destroys herself in her lust for revenge.
The white-haired lad moved silently through the Jupiter Lighthouse, consumed by his forlorn thoughts. He thought about how Karst was a loving, fiery girl as a child, and the adventures they had together . . . before the deaths of her close friend and older sister.
But now, he mused, a frozen soul resides in that angel of fire. Like the flames she controls, Karst is consumed by the thought of killing this Isaac, and I know she won't rest until one of them is slain. To see such a beautiful soul destroyed by blood vengeance is a heartrending sight indeed.
It was at that point that a light bulb went off in Ryou's head.
There is one way, a voice stated in his head. You can always try . . . the Tensuiga.
The Tensuiga? My Tensuiga? Ryou repeated.
"Ryou! Hurry up!" screeched Karst, her rising ire causing her to lash out at him and shattering his train of thought. "We need your help up here!"
Still lost in thought about his blade, he absent-mindedly followed the four up the winding stairs to the near peak of the lighthouse. The sight up there amazed him. The cold atmosphere and icy wind made him believe he was bumping heads with the clouds as the five prepared for the arrival of Isaac and company. Ryou felt as though he could reach up a hand and find it surrounded by the heavy clouds. The atmosphere was intense, like the final few moments before a thunderstorm. It seemed to match Karst's taut wariness perfectly, as if the weather were a reflection of the Mars Adept's mood.
Agatio walked over to him and commented quietly, "You're worried about her too, aren't you?"
Ryou simply nodded as he continued.
"I understand how she feels, and I can understand wanting to take revenge on one who slays a family member. I miss Menardi and Saturos more than anything. But Karst is taking it to the ultimate extreme. Her mind and heart are icy with vengeance, and she'll never rest until Isaac's blood coats her blade."
"I agree, old friend," whispered Ryou. "Karst isn't in her right mind today. She's been silent and brooding, driving herself mad with this quest. She didn't even tease you today! Karst simply got up and said, 'Let's get going. Isaac's got a date with death today.'"
The burly Proxian then turned towards her direction and noted, "In all the years I've known her, I've never seen her this angry before. Such fury and hatred . . . it's a fearsome sight. It's consuming her, you know. If something doesn't happen to resolve this, soon, she'll be eaten up by her hate and will never be able to go back to the person she is . . . or was."
As Ryou and Agatio turned towards Karst, the two noticed a true change in their friend. She had become an aloof statue of fire. Karst's cherry eyes were as cold as the arctic, yet held a searing heat, enough to melt the very floor they stood on. Her lovely mouth, normally encased with a soft smirk or sarcastic smile, was gnarled and twisted into a cruel grin as she gripped her scythe, waiting for her mortal enemy and his lackeys to arrive. The Mars Adept's Psynergy blazed with pent-up ferocity. The vengeful power surging through her whipped up the air, sent her wild red hair flying about and surrounded her with a demonic crimson aura that made her seem almost evil. She posed such an awesome figure that even the normally composed Alex kept his distance from the deadly female. To go near her would be a death wish.
Concentrating on the battle that was near at hand, Ryou returned to his thoughts. As he closed his eyes, the ethereal melody of a girl's laughter filled his ears, yet it strangely did not bother him. Focusing his mind to clear the sounds, he continued his meditation, yet the fuzzy vision of a girl's smiling face seemed to bar his visions. As he then tried to clear the picture, the girl became slowly recognizable, until the picture was clear. He then realized those sounds and that mental portrait were from Karst the night before, which was seemingly ages ago.
She seemed so happy then, Ryou thought. Then he opened his eyes once more to gaze at the incarnation of fury as she waited for her prey like a savage wolf.
If there was only someway I could heal her deadened soul . . . .
There is, Ryou, the voice replied.
Who are you? Ryou demanded mentally, trying to convince himself he hadn't gone 'round the bend.
I am the voice within your sword. And I know how to help the one you refer to as Karst. But to do so, you must draw your Tensuiga.
Figuring that it's not every day that he heard voices in his head and feeling a tad anxious to do anything to shatter the tension, the white-haired Adept unsheathed his blade quietly.
No matter how many times Ryou drew his Tensuiga, he would always marvel at its beauty. The enchanted steel was as sharp as a razor, swift as the wind and impressively keen. Many times in a fight had Ryou crashed the sword through steel, flesh and stone alike, yet nothing could break or even nick the sword point. The blade shone like fresh-powdered snow on a winter's morn, with a three-quarter-blood channel on it. The light weapon was held together by a hilt of silver mythril, adorned with ancient symbols on the end. As deadly as it is breathtaking, the sword had a constant light sapphire glow. Per usual, a sudden surge of power erupted into his body as the sword continued to "speak" to him.
This blade was forged by a high priest of Sol, and I am endowed with incredible healing powers. And in the proper hands, I can even revive the dead!
It . . . I mean, you can? Ryou was stunned. He knew the sword was illustrious and held great healing abilities, yet he never knew it possessed the power to revive the dead. . . . Then again, he didn't know it could speak either.
If you can restore life. . . . then maybe I can revive Saturos and Menardi!
But wait. In order for them to be reborn, you need to find their bodies first. If you can do that, then reviving them is no problem.
So where can I locate the bodies? a giddy Ryou requested.
Quit acting like a hyperactive child and I'll tell you, the sword's voice sighed. You need to hold the Tensuiga in front of you and state the person's name. I'll be able to pinpoint them to the exact location. Getting there is another matter.
Don't worry about that. I know the perfect person to help me, Ryou thought.
It was then that something was taking place beneath a group of four as sharp cries were heard. As he ran to the side along with Agatio to see the action, he saw that Alex had already left for some odd reason. It appeared that their metallic trap hole worked, as it gave way under two of the four people. A line of screams were heard as one voice yelled out of dismay while another, deeper voice, gave a sharp bellow as it fell as well. And though Ryou couldn't see them perfectly from atop the Jupiter Lighthouse, he did see two figures on the other side of the trap hole and a petite girl with aquamarine hair holding onto a burly young lad with red hair that seemed to be alight with fire. Those two seemed all right for the time being, as they fell on the platform.
"They're in trouble!" cried out the third, a young boy with golden hair and violet eyes.
"I know, I know!" replied the fourth, a well-built young brunette with deep blue eyes. Rapidly his mind was pacing for how to save his two friends.
The blonde lad called out, "Mia, Garet, are you two okay?"
"We're all right, Ivan," stated the blue-haired girl, who was pulling up the young boy with as much strength as she possessed. "But Garet's arm is broken! I can't hold him much longer!"
"We've got to save them!" exclaimed the young blonde. "There must be something we can do! Think of something, Isaac!"
As soon as the loathsome name was called, Karst's eyes widened in grim satisfaction. With a twisted smile on her face, she got up and held her scythe to her as she walked down the stairs to confront the slayer of her sister. Her Psynergy surging about her, she walked with a deathly purpose. Agatio and Ryou followed her at a safe distance, concern etched on both their faces as the three headed to the lower levels of the lighthouse.
* * *
Down below, Isaac and Ivan were heading upstairs to find help. But before they could reach their destination, a hulking, grayish-blue male, a smaller male with snow-white hair and brown eyes, and a young female with cherry skin and long elvish ears blocked the door. At the sight of Isaac, it took all of Karst's willpower not to simply lunge at the brunette scythe-first. Instead, the intelligent warrior withdrew into her deliciously wintry hatred, calming herself so she would not make a foolish mistake.
"Who are you?" Isaac asked.
"I am Karst," she stated as the spokeswoman for the three, her eyes filled with poisonous hate. "And they are Agatio and Ryou."
"Well, our friends are trapped in that pit over there," Ivan explained, pointing to the opening in the floor. "Will you help us?"
Karst answered for the trio with a simple, "No."
"Then move out of our way so we can help them!" Isaac demanded.
"Remember the main reason we're here," Agatio reminded her tactfully, his blue hand preventing her from loosing her scythe. "Igniting the Jupiter Lighthouse is our primary concern."
"Wait . . . I think I've seen you somewhere," Isaac thought. His eyes widened in recognition. "Do you know two people by the names of Saturos and Menardi?"
Just hearing her sweet sister's name emitted from the mouth of her killer caused Karst to press her nails into her hand until they literally drew blood.
"Yes . . . I knew of them," she stated sweetly, with the sort of tone reserved for the condemned. "And do you know how?"
"How is that?" the Venus Adept asked, ignoring the deafening echo of peril that boomed like the knoll of a bell. He knew he was stepping a little too close to a terrible hazard, but he wanted to understand this death-dangerous warrior. He had never before been subjected to such intense loathing directed at him. And he had no idea why.
"That's because . . . Menardi is my sister," she stated, her eyes clouded with searing hate. "Or should I say, Menardi was my sister until you came along."
"What are you talking about?" Isaac asked, sensing her evil intentions.
"I've heard about the defeat of Saturos and Menardi at the hands of you and your compatriots," Karst raved. "You slew them--two of the best people I ever met. My dear sister, who was my closest friend. I loved her, and I loved Saturos like a brother. So now Ryou, Agatio, and I have to take their places in getting all the lighthouses lit. We're here not only to unleash the power of the Jupiter Lighthouse, but I'll take great pleasure in killing you, to give you a taste of the agony they went through at your hands. And I will also show your surviving friends--if they do live--how you've caused me to feel, what you've forced me to become."
"I had to stop them," Isaac cried. "If I hadn't, they would have unleashed the powers of Alchemy and destroyed the world!"
"Is that so?" Karst demanded, teetering on the brink of murder. "If the lighthouses aren't lit, the world will end! That's why my sister and Saturos risked their lives to enter Sol Sanctum and obtain the Elemental Stars!"
"You lie!" Isaac accused. "I'll never let someone like you destroy Vale and all of Weyard!" He withdrew his sword; the sound of metal scraping against the sheath was cold, ominous.
Karst's smile was wicked and full of bloodlust. "If that's the way you're going to be, then we'll commence your death now. Agatio, Ryou, Alex . . . ?"
Agatio moved into position, but Ryou stayed where he was, silent.
"Ryou, what are you doing?" Karst snapped. "Help me destroy this murderer!"
Ryou shook his white-maned head. "No . . . you can handle this battle fine by yourself. I shall simply watch."
Karst shot him a terrible look, but did not press the point. "Where's Alex? He was supposed to help!"
But Alex had vanished during the confrontation, gone as completely as only he knew how. Karst chose not to pursue him; instead, she turned, and with a feral scream, raced forward with her scythe. She intended to finish the fight before it had barely started. However, Ivan blocked her blow with his light blade and parried.
Ryou watched the skirmish, worry furrowing his forehead. Karst seemed half-demented in her rage; even Agatio was tossing her concerned looks in between blows. He almost hoped Isaac would win, knowing that if the Venus Adept lost, it would mean a very bloody death for him. He didn't want Karst to lose the last amount of her innocence in such a terrible way.
However, since Isaac and Ivan relied so much on the other members of their team, they simply could not stand up against Karst's fearful wrath or Agatio's sheer bulk. First Ivan, then Isaac fell to the frigid stone floor of the lighthouse.
"So . . . justice has been served." Karst smiled wickedly. A tear in her cheek caused blood to slide down her face. The red of the blood and her burning eyes made her seem almost unearthly in her evil anger.
"Justice?" Isaac cried out in a hoarse voice. "You're trying to destroy the world and you call this justice?"
Her smirk vanished as she yelled, "You ignorant slime! You refuse to see what's right in front of you, and because of it, my dear sister and Saturos are dead!" Saying the words aloud seemed to intensify her fury and pain. Then a terrible chill descended upon her. Calmly, she continued, "So, a life for a life, you will pay for what you have done, right now, as your blood washes out onto this floor. Say goodbye to the world, Isaac, for this is the last you shall see of it." She raised her scythe above her head, preparing for the blow.
"Karst . . . " Ryou whispered, knowing he could not stop her.
Then, as she swung the blade downward, aiming for Isaac's neck, two strong arms wrapped around her, preventing her from completing her kill. Karst's head whipped around and she looked straight into the liquid brown eyes of Felix.
"I can't let you do this," he said simply.
Karst wrenched free of his grasp and faced him. "Why not? You cared for Menardi and Saturos, too--unless you were lying all along."
"Killing Isaac won't bring them back." Felix's face was closed and sad. "I miss them so very much, but nothing can change what has happened."
Nothing, Felix? Ryou thought, gripping the hilt of the Tensuiga.
"Felix, why . . . " Isaac seemed to be on the edge of consciousness. "You . . . liked them? But how? They were evil . . . "
"You don't understand." Felix shook his head. "There is a very good reason why we are doing what we are, one that you cannot comprehend right now."
"You have the Jupiter Star, Felix, don't you?" Karst interrupted, her mind on one thing only. "If you won't allow me to avenge my sister's death, then will you at least carry out her mission for her?"
"Of course, Karst. Everyone, let's go," Felix addressed four others, two men and two girls, whom Ryou had not noticed until that moment.
"Wait, Felix," Isaac called out.
Felix turned but said nothing.
"Here . . . take the Mars Star," Isaac fumbled with his pack and came up with a small silvery bag.
"Isaac, no!" Mia shouted from where she was supporting Garet.
"I trust him, Mia. I've known him all my life. Felix wouldn't deliberately do wrong," he told her.
Felix walked over and gently took the Mars Star from Isaac's weak grasp. Then, he reentered the building, on his way to the beacon. Karst and Agatio followed.
Ryou, however, remained behind. Waving his hand casually, he used his Psynergy to lift Mia and Garet from the trap. Mia immediately began healing Isaac and Ivan.
"I advise coming with me," Ryou mentioned almost conversationally. "You'll miss an interesting show, otherwise." Not waiting to see if they trailed after him, he, too left.
When he arrived at the aerie, he came in earshot just in time to hear Karst demand, "What are you waiting for? Throw the Star in!"
Felix walked to the cavernous hole and flung the orb in. At first, nothing occurred, sending a collective wave of disappointment amongst the two teams. Then suddenly, a brilliant burst of violet energy spread throughout the lighthouse and shot upwards, the power of Jupiter splitting the sky apart and shattering the shady thunderclouds. The ground shook with the intensity of the beam, quaking with such force that it seemed the lighthouse would topple and fall like a domino.
Then all was quiet, as the giant star of Jupiter filled the hole, causing all who gazed upon it to gasp in astonishment.
"It's incredible!" Ryou breathed.
"Simply amazing," Garet marvelled as he and the rest of his group climbed the steps; they had been just in time to catch the spectacle.
"I've never seen anything like it . . . well, except for the Mercury Lighthouse," Isaac noted.
"Chequering the eastern clouds with streaks of light, the Jupiter Star flecked darkness like a drunkard reels from forth day's path and Isis's fiery wheels: Now, ere the violet sun advance its burning eye, the day to cheer and night's dank dew to dry. It seems yon Star hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear; beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!" Agatio mused.
The whole group, including a stunned Ryou and Karst, gazed upon the poetic Mars Adept.
". . . What?"
"The world really is ending if Agatio is spewing poetry." Karst's face lightened marginally as she made the small joke. However, her expression hardened once more as she faced her greatest enemy.
"As I recall, Isaac, we've a battle to finish," she spat, gripping her destroyer.
"So we do," Isaac agreed, hand on blade and cold eyes turned at the sight of the red-haired Proxian. The combined drawings of both scythe and sword pierced the still air like fingernails on a chalkboard.
"You wish to keep fighting!" Ryou yelled, his eyes reflecting sadness. "You've made your point! Isaac is no match, and if it weren't for the help of Felix, he'd be slain! You shone enough of his blood to pay for the lives of Saturos and Menardi tenfold!"
"I'm going to finish this scum and avenge them," Karst spoke matter-of-factly. "So either stand beside me, or step behind me. Either way, you won't stop me!"
Her eyes burning with a vicious insanity, the proud female swept her blood-coated weapon at her mortal foe. But just as her blade was about to feast on his neck, a foreign sword locked around her weapon and she found herself staring into the defiant eyes of Ryou.
Karst's scream of rage literally caused a stone to crack.
"Damn it, Ryou!" she raved. "What do you think you're doing? Move so I can destroy him!"
Though he didn't raise his voice, every person there heard the white-haired boy's words distinctly: "I will not."
Though she wouldn't say a word, the hateful glare Karst gave him spoke volumes. The Proxian attempted to loose her scythe, but it was to no avail, her weapon remaining useless in the cold embrace. For when it came to a blade, no Adept was more skillful or deadly with one than Ryou. He then moved forwards, close enough so that his face was nearly touching Karst's.
"I've seen this before," Ryou began. "Your mind and heart are coated with the poison of hatred. All you can think of is the kill. All you wish is to execute Isaac, to take revenge. But do you think Saturos and Menardi would do the same?"
"Don't you dare come in the middle of this and start lecturing me, Ryou!" Karst screamed. "Don't you dare!"
"I know they wouldn't. They're too good and noble for that. And I know you wouldn't either . . . if you were in your right mind."
"So what are you saying, Ryou?" she yelled, confused by his words yet angered by his actions. He then slowly held one of her hands and gently traced it, staring deep into her eyes.
"What I'm saying is this. If you kill Isaac, you will have done what you accused him of doing to Menardi. Blood vengeance is just that . . . blood. It shall spill in Vale, in Prox, and all of us shall be destroyed by it. Do you truly wish your final tribute to Saturos and Menardi to be one that causes your descent into darkness?"
When Ryou spoke these words, Karst seemed to slowly lose her great anger, the apparent crimson tint fading from her eyes. She then dropped her scythe, feeling as if she had been in a mindless euphoria. The chilling wind blew all around her, yet she didn't notice it as her eyes saw each and every face, both friend and foe. Turning to view the bloodied body of her enemy Isaac, a part of her still wanted him dead, yet Ryou's wisdom sunk into her psyche.
If you kill Isaac, you will have done what you accused him of doing to Menardi . . .
It was at that point that Karst did something she hadn't done in many years. She . . . cried. Throwing herself into Ryou's arms, she completely broke down and wept like a young babe separated from her mother. Her hot tears staining his tunic, each and every droplet thawed her icy heart. She sobbed with no restraint, weeping for Saturos and Menardi. The echoes of her cries sounded throughout the great Lighthouse, the rain pouring down, cleansing all those there. The white-haired Ryou simply held her tightly, allowing her to vent her sadness so she could purify her soul. As Agatio walked over to give her some comfort as well, his tears shone as well, hidden beneath a glass wall.
With slow movements, Ryou and Agatio supported the tired and weeping Karst as they moved to the elevator that would take them back to the Jupiter Lighthouse's entrance. Such a beautifully heart-rending scene was this that Garet, Ivan and Mia broke down as well, their sorrow adding to this poignant portrait.
As they walked away from the scene, Isaac murmured a few words through his bloodied tears, now truly aware of what he did that cold day atop the Venus Lighthouse. Only he and the crying heavens could hear these words, simple in meaning yet powerful in sincerity . . . .
"Karst . . . I'm sorry . . ."
~ * * * ~
Vyctori: Whew! That's it, everyone! Quite a lot to take in, ne?
Menardi: No kidding! My poor sister! Why did you make her suffer like that? *murderous glare*
Vyctori: Er, I . . . uh . . .
*doorbell rings*
Vyctori: *relieved* Whoops, can't talk now! Gotta answer the door! *runs over and opens door*
Agatio: ^_^ FWEEEEE! *charges in and slams into wall* *bounces off* FWEE!
Menardi: Oh no! It's not--
Vyctori + Menardi: SUGAR-HIGH AGATIO! AAAHHH!
Agatio: *bounces off another wall* FWEEE!
Vyctori: It's just like having Yoshimi's muse, Joe! It can't possibly get worse! *hides face*
Menardi: Do you think we could hold him for ransom?
Vyctori: No . . . Akachi would probably thank us for taking him off her hands.
Menardi: *snaps fingers* Drat. Anyway, review, everyone, or we'll send Agatio--plus several dozen Pixie Stix--over to your house and see how much you like it!
Vyctori: That's SCARY! *listens to huge crash and "FWEE"'s in another part of house* *moans* Why do these things always happen to me?