DISCLAIMER: I neither own nor make any claim to Ranma Nibunnoichi by Takahashi Rumiko. I just enjoy it. I also enjoy making up stories about the characters. I do not claim to be writing an official continuation of Ranma, if I did I'm sure the laughter alone would cause an earthquake. My characters will have a 'slight' tendency to be considered Out of Character and possibly a bit AU.

If I have spelt something terribly wrong please let me know. I hope you enjoy reading my attempt at writing. If you hate it then the correct option is to simply not read it. This story is fantasy and makes no attempt to be bound by the realities of life; if it did it would not be fantasy or at least not my fantasy.

I write for fun, I will update when I have the next chapter finished. I will do my best to make updates regularly but will only update when I am satisfied that it is ready. Namiko is a composite character of the big sisters of several of my friends and a second grade teacher I knew, most tend to be slightly controlling but in a supportive manner.

Letters is a companion piece or is it the reverse, I have the letters and now I'm trying to write the fill in story. I am hopeless when it come to writing conversations but will hopefully become better at it. I do much prefer using a narrative but some readers have asked for more and I shall try to deliver. I am uncomfortable writing conversation so much of my writing will be narrative. If I have made big errors please don't be shy about pointing them out, I'll correct them if I can. I use Microsoft Works with spelling and grammar: English (United Kingdom), I disagree with it at times so errors are likely.

A few missives have questioned Kasumi's and Ranma's relationship, Namiko explained Ranma very well, I hope, and Kasumi did not take the antidote. She will be much more aggressive and Ranma takes his lead from her. I will notwrite lemon scenes and the few lime scenes will leave much as much as possible to the readers imagination, which I'm sure is more active than mine.

WARNING EXTREME GENMA BASHING WILL OCCUR IN ALL FUTURE CHAPTERS. Genma lovers be warned. This chapter encountered a problem of growing unexpectedly. This is about one-third and I haven't reached the scene that was to end it yet. I hope you enjoy it.

Tattered Mist

Chapter 6

Thanks to Maeda-san, Kasumi slept in a chair near Ranko. She was sleeping peacefully, the anaesthesia having worn off and just enough analgesics to allow her to rest. His sleep came to an abrupt end with a panicked cry from Ranko.

The nurse came running in to see a terrified Ranko clinging desperately to Kasumi crying about something being gone and immediately called Dr. Akira.

A slightly dishevelled doctor was there a few minutes later. Kasumi had not been able to calm Ranko down and she was now in Kasumi's lap squeezing him so hard that he was having difficulty breathing. The panic attack she had experienced evening before was back in full force. Change was a constant in her life but this was one too many, too quickly and she had had no time to adjust.

Dr. Akira quickly administered a tranquilliser. When they finally convinced Ranko to tell them what was wrong she called a friend of hers who was a specialist in trauma cases. The secession of pain that had been part and parcel of her life had set her off. She soon dropped back to sleep and Kasumi was able to slip her back to bed, eat and take care of his morning toiletries while Dr. Akira monitored Ranko.

Dr. Kino arrived as Ranko reawakened and immediately grabbed Kasumi again, fortunately not as rigorously as before. Ranko answers to her questions were hesitant at first but soon under the influence of the medication she began to speak faster and recounting one event led into another. Each event she described was bad enough on its own, the sheer number had Dr. Akira and Kasumi in shock.

Dr. Kino added medication to the saline drip that had not yet been removed and changed the tape in her recorder. One good look at Dr. Akira and Kasumi and she had both take mild tranquillisers.

Ranko calmed down as the medication started to work and all Kasumi could do was hold her as she talked and offer her water as her throat became dry. Describing one event led into the next which would key another. Kasumi felt ill and glancing at Dr. Akira was enough to know that he was not the only one.

Dr. Kino was tight lipped as the medication took its toll on Ranko and she dropped back into sleep. Dr. Akira took Ranko from Kasumi while Kasumi took a much needed break. Ranko wrapped her arms around Dr. Akira and resisted her effort to put her back in bed so she wound up in the chair Kasumi had just vacated.

The story Ranko told had been horrendous and only training and duty had kept her there. It was going to get worse as Ranko had described a murder and other acts that she had to report. The way Ranko had talked led her to believe that many of these were blocked memories and if they were then treatment was going to be long and hard.

Dr. Akira was on the telephone to Maeda-san before Dr. Kino made her first call. They gave each other sympathetic looks as they knew what they were going to be going through. Dr. Akira had more than her share of abuse cases and often had to work with the police, this was several magnitudes greater than any she had handled. Ranko's guardian was on his way moments after she hung up and she was duplicating Dr. Kino's call to the police . Some of what Ranko had said led her to believe that much more than physical abuse had taken place and she knew the officers she wanted here. Life had been monotonous prior to Ranko and she was beginning to wish for the monotony to return.

Kasumi looked up at the rapid approach of footsteps and throwing decorum to the side was in Maeda-san's arms. "Namiko is on her way. How is Ranko?" Maeda-san wrapped his arms around Kasumi and he started telling him some of the things. He told him about the email that had just came in with information from Ichiro and briefly what was happening back in Nerima.

Dr. Kino caught the bit about Ichiro and leaving Kasumi to sit with Ranko she and Dr. Akira introduced Maeda-san to the officers who had responded. Two hours later a very tight lipped group made their way back into Ranko's room. Kasumi shared the email with them and then Dr. Kino suggested he have Ichiro-san send an email with confirming information.

Kasumi had only been out of the room before they had to call him back, fortunately she was almost finished and quickly sent it and returned to calm an upset Ranko, who was just beginning to reawaken.

Kasumi's place was quickly supplanted as Ranko realised Maeda-san was there. Dr. Akira made the introductions and then Dr. Kino explained why they were there and played part of the tape. Ranko's reactions confirmed her suspicion that these were from memories blocked either subconsciously or through external sources. They had only been talking for a few minutes before Kasumi received a response from her request and he went to the desk and printed it out.

Ranko was sitting on the bed when he returned and read the missive. Everyone began to back away from as she began to manifest a palpable aura as the significance of the time lapse registered she flared brightly blinding everyone and an intense burst of heat sent everybody stumbling back. When they were able to see again Ranko was bare, was sitting on the metal springs of what had been a mattress and the paper was ashes filtering through her fingers.

Maeda-san held the shaking bundle and Dr. Akira quickly covered her with a blanket. Ten minutes later she had calmed enough to allow herself to be dressed and sit in Kasumi's lap and the others had calmed down from the pyrotechnics show . It was another half hour before she mentioned the email and asked what information the detectives needed.

"Dr. Kino can you help me recall those things? I can remember a few things now after listening to the recording you played but it is fuzzy." Kasumi shivered, Ranko was employing the 'Soul of Ice' technique, her face showing her grim determination. "I knew there were a lot of things I could not remember but it didn't seem that important, now I have to remember. Even if it puts me at risk, I have to remember."

"I can, Ranko, but only with Maeda-san's permission." she motioned the others out the door. "I will get the things I need while you talk to him. I agree, these are things you need to recall not just for these officers but for yourself as well."

Maeda-san had been re-evaluating those 'impossible' reports that had been mixed with the others. They did not seem so impossible now and he wondered how many things had occurred that agents had thought even to farfetched to write reports on. He quickly gave his permission and Dr. Akira came in describe the safety precautions. Ranko's desire to have Kasumi, Maeda-san or Namiko present was quickly granted given the demonstration of what she could do when angered.

Kasumi's recognition of the technique as one described in one of Dr. Tofu's manuscripts settled who would assist Dr. Kino. The part of the technique that had bothered her was the pressure points involved but Kasumi was confidant about their location and the required pressure. Ranko seconded him on his knowledge and admitted that she would be more comfortable if Kasumi helped.

Given the damage done to the room and the number of people involved, Ranko was shifted to much larger room. Fifteen minutes later Ranko was in a semi trance with a glucose drip to keep her hydrated. The more experienced officers provided questions to guide them as they started but few prompts were needed. It was still a crowded room and as it became apparent that it would be along session the officers arranged to work in shifts of two hours each.

Not relying on hand written notes, recording equipment was set up in triple redundancy one against the far wall just in case. Ten minutes after it had started Namiko had already made a trip to the toilet to empty breakfast, followed by a supposedly hardened homicide detective.

Ranko's voice never wavered, never showed emotion and never stopped. From the first sale and its aftermath the pattern was established, by the third sale names descriptions and locations were provided with out prompting. The fact that Ranko was not unconscious of what was going on happened when she requested Kasumi and Namiko leave. When they came back in the faces of those present set in grim lines, several had a greenish cast, and Dr. Akira was handing out tranquillisers. Once more they were ask to leave, this time Dr. Akira joined them. When they rejoined them the other team was asked to take over early.

The only indication they received was a comment froman officerto the one beside him that at least someone got what they deserved as they left. Nine and a half hours later it was done. Kasumi and Dr. Kino reversed the technique and at Kasumi's suggestion used another that would blur the memories and allow a slow recall while under Dr. Kino's care. The cluster she pressed was larger than it should have been and answered the question of whether an external block had been previously used.

When Ranko woke the next day she remembered what they had done but not what she had said. Dr. Kino was there and explained what they had done and why. When she started to get upset about not recalling the memories Maeda-san agreed she had a right to them and explained that he would prefer she regain them under Dr. Kino's care. Faced with the fierce determination of everyone she trusted she accepted with the provision that she would recall everything.

Dr. Akira set up Saturday morning appointments and insisted that Kasumi attend them too. Ranko was still upset but could tell the others were greatly relieved when she agreed. She was surprised to learn that she had slept nearly twenty-four hours and that they would make it home in time for dinner.

By the time they arrived Ranko had put her aggravation aside. 'If everyone thought it for the best then there must be a reason and they hadn't tried to say that it was nothing to worry about. Then I'll wait and see.' with that thought she concentrated on the important thing, she was hungry.

After her third plate Ranko blushed. "That was very good Oneesan, I enjoyed it and I was very hungry."

"Did you even taste it?" Namiko laughed. Ranko blushed even more. "I'm joking Imouto, you have really slowed down and you do have to make up missing a few days." a general round of laughter followed.

She helped clean the table and had just washed the dishes when Maeda-san called her into the study. Ito-san was there with a large smile on her face.

"Sensei." she bowed and wondered what was happening.

"I won't be your sensei, Ranko." noticing the look of disappointment and worry that appeared on Ranko's face she hurried on. "You have far surpassed the level I teach. You will be in a special class with others that have exceeded my poor skills." she brought out Ranko's schedule, and began to elaborate. She would have only three classes at the school, language, chemistry and history. She would then leave and go to the college where the school had an agree for advanced students to study. The beginning computer class at school had been filled but the professor thought she would do well with a little tutoring and she was to take the college course he also taught right after her advanced calculus course.

Ranko was incredulous. "Advanced calculus? But I don't know enough." she wanted to continue but Namiko had her fingers over her mouth.

"You know enough to learn what they teach, I told you the other day you were a genius. You'll still have to work hard, and I believe you will enjoy it." Namiko gave her a hug.

"We're going to be in the same calculus class, Ran-chan, so I expect some help from you." Kasumi smiled brightly and gave Ranko a hug that had her blushing.

Ito-san added her congratulations and then reminded her that she had two weeks before school started. As she left she was feeling well satisfied that Ranko had exceeded her expectations and had loved the look of amazement that some of the teachers had had over her rapid improvement between tests.

Ranko's blush was mirrored by Kasumi as he and Ranko noted that close proximity affected him as much as her and that his was much more noticeable. Maeda-san laughed and pulled Ranko into his lap as Namiko returned with some sake. The general laughter set Kasumi at ease and Maeda-san's admiration for the two grew.

Ranko was sure that having slept as long as she had that she would be up late, the cumulative effect of the past few days, the full meal and the sake however took its toll and when Namiko turn to ask her a question she noticed her head nodding. The nodding was quickly followed by a slight change of position and then she was sound asleep.

They continued to talk quietly not disturbing Ranko, Namiko and Kasumi were on the same work detail the next day and they talked about some of their fellow workers. Maeda-san had heard the others talk about Kasumi and was impressed, several young workers were put out by the obvious attachment between the two but Kasumi had taken the teasing in good sport and even the one trouble maker he had noted had not been able to make him angry.

He had enjoyed an overheard conversation two young ladies had about Kasumi's seeming obliviousness to their advances and their frustration at his adroit ability to avoid them.

When the bottle was finished he carefully carried Ranko to bed and left her to Namiko's care. Ten minutes later he was getting reports on several investigations reopened due to Ranko's revelations. Several groups of slavers that had dropped from view were dropped from on hold files to finished. Her description of several of her buyers matched existing profiles and due to the exactness of her information those were now active.

He had retired on the death of his wife to raise his daughter, appreciation for having done his duty to country, his influence and his ability had placed him here. It was no surprise to his friends or former employer that he kept active contacts. That he was now upping his status surprised only a few of the newer members who served their emperor in hidden ways. As good as condition as he kept himself in he knew it was not enough to go back into the field although he could and still did on occasion monitor and direct special operations. His new daughter was making retirement much more interesting.

The sounds from the courtyard woke him instantly and the sight of Ranko working out brought him to full awareness. He reached them as Kasumi complimented her for keeping her work out to such levels.

"Well neither you nor Dr. Akira want me to stress anything for another week at least. Now show me the kata I did." Ranko stepped back beside Maeda-san as Kasumi began to flow through the kata. "I'm sorry if we woke you. We need to find an area to practice in the morning where a few ki blast won't cause any damage or draw too much attention."

Maeda-san decided since he was up a workout would be nice and began to stretch. He began his own forms and was only slightly surprised when Ranko began to mirror him.

"Kasumi is getting really good. He isn't pushing himself hard yet but I haven't been able to show him some it before this morning." The pride and esteem Ranko held for Kasumi was evident in her voice. "She still has trouble with a few of the moves in her female form. She tries to over compensate for her lack of reach and strength instead of using her added speed and flexibility. I adjusted a few of my moves because of that and I think I need to modify all the moves to take that into account."

Maeda-san observed Kasumi in the air, upside down, punching downward, flipping and hooking his heel to where his opponents head would be. "It would make sense. The different centre of gravity alone would change the move he just did." as he warmed up he began to increase his speed flowing through actions that took no conscious thought. "A short distance from here is an abandoned quarry. It is an area not open to the public nor easily accessible by any route except one behind the maintenance depot."

"Kasumi and Ichiro-san wish me to train someone. Kasumi, I'm fairly comfortable training but we don't spar, he wasn't to that level and then I became injured. I'm worried about sparring with him, I don't want to hurt him and I can't spar with her at all. As far back as I can remember my sparring has been against those who were almost as good as I am." Ranko was troubled, Saffron haunted her mind, the possibility of hurting Kasumi sent shards of panic through her anytime she thought about it.

"Ranko, you are a skilled martial artist. By not sparring with Kasumi you hurt him even more. Of course you would not use your full strength, but both forms should learn to accept hits and keep on fighting. You adjust your power depending on what needs to be done and this is no different." He paused as he changed styles to a variant of tai chi that Ranko shadowed barely a heartbeat behind. "I spar with Namiko, and I'm proud to say we both get bruises, when she is hit she comes back all the stronger. It shows that I respect her, and care enough to make sure she can defend herself if I'm not there. Teaching is not being abusive, it takes more control to spar with a student than to fight. Ideally your blows should show what they need to work on. It's a joy to see someone learn your art and know that you are fostering a love for the art."

Ranko decided to take it up a notch and began to exploit holes she saw in his defence, touching lightly until his foot located a hole in her defence and touched her more than lightly. A smile appeared on both faces as they sparred for nearly five minutes then broke on Maeda-san's signal.

"I haven't had the pleasure of sparring with a master for a long while, thank you." Maeda-san smiled as they bowed to each other and turned to watch as Kasumi went through his forms faster and harder than before.

"It was my pleasure, I would ask to learn your school. I have only fought one opponent who used the variation you used and he did not fight at your level." Ranko bowed again.

"We will talk later." Maeda-san said with a smile as he turned to greet his daughter. "Are you joining us this morning."

"Yes Sensei." Bowing, she set the distinction between sensei and student then she began to stretch and warm up.

Ranko went to talk to Kasumi, explained the flaws she had noticed and what could be done about them. Then facing him she began to spar. At first she lightly tapped through the openings given, gradually she gained confidence and stopped avoiding him and began to block and return strikes with enough force to be felt. The shock on Kasumi's face almost caused her to stop but then his face split into a smile and he began to use more power in his hits also.

Namiko was outraged at Kasumi and stormed over to berate him before the resounding laughter of her father and Ranko stopped her. Kasumi changed forms for her next exercise and explained that this was the first time Ranko had actually sparred. When she discovered that Ranko didn't spar because she wouldn't hit women her target of anger changed and her sensei had to call her down. The look she gave Ranko was a promise that it was just delayed.

After Kasumi had finished her katas going over parts several times to set the changes in place she once again faced Ranko. She started it off this time and Ranko tentatively responded with light taps until Kasumi followed a kick toward Ranko's head with a resounding thwack as her other foot just slipped under the arm coming down to block. The blow was no harder than Shampoo could have delivered but it managed to drive the point home. Kasumi's grin grew as Ranko proceeded to hit harder. The last kick ended the spar as Kasumi blocked it sending it against her head.

Ranko was frozen for a moment then rushed to her side in panic. She had hurt her. A bare second later Maeda-san had her in his arms as Namiko tended to Kasumi. Several moments passed before he was able to get her to listen.

"Calm down my little one. She is alright. Watch Namiko, this happens often enough that she is very experienced in how it feels and how to treat it." Maeda-san held her as she watched. Namiko did not appear worried so she calmed even more.

Kasumi soon sat up. With a grimace she opened her eyes. "What did I do wrong, Sensei." looking directly at Ranko. "I'm sure I blocked with my arm in the right position, your foot barely touched it then…. Oh! I didn't tilt my head to the side at the same time. So I really hit myself with your foot. You may need to help me on that one a few times, being in the air when it happens is different." Kasumi wobbled to her feet. "I'll be certain to tilt my head the next time. I don't want to gather too many reminders. Namiko, remember when we knocked each other out sparring in the gym. I didn't lose consciousness like we did then. Maybe her hard head is contagious." Kasumi laughed weakly but it was a laugh.

Ranko had her sit down and when she objected Maeda-san and Namiko backed Ranko up. "Safety first. In a fight you have no choice but sparring is not fighting."

Maeda-san had Ranko spar against Namiko. Namiko pointed out that she was more use to taking hits than Kasumi and Ranko had best spar seriously. Ranko kept the spar a bare level above Namiko's and did strike her but avoid a striking a few spots she didn't have well covered. Maeda-san started to say something and Namiko ask him to let her handled it.

Fifteen minutes later in the furo Ranko was red faced apologetic and in pain. She had known those areas were tender, that was why she had avoided them. Namiko then hugged her and as they got undressed showed her the padding that was built into her clothing.

"It doesn't stop it from hurting when you get hit but it helps. We'll have you and Kasumi a set made. It won't hinder him in male form and will give you both confidence when you spar as females." she put a hand on Ranko's shoulder and one on her chin to make her look her in the eyes. "We are not fragile flowers. Sure some girls a weak but then so are some guys. If we get into sparing with someone then we know we can get hurt and accept it. You did well, I know you pulled your punches but you hit hard enough to let me know I left a hole. Thank you." then she pulled Ranko into a hug.

As they soaked Namiko watched in amazement as the bruise on Ranko's side faded and disappeared. As they finished bathing she examined her knowing where the surgeon had made the incisions and was awed to find them gone. Even the abdominal wound from the appendectomy and glass removal was a pale scar she would have sworn was years old if she hadn't known when it was made.

"How? I know I heal faster than many of my friends but this is like magic. Is it a side effect of the curse?" she asked while turning Ranko around.

"No. it's just that I have a lot of ki. Kasumi heals fast too but not as fast as I do yet." she hesitated for a moment. "If you want me to and your sensei agrees I'll teach you how to increase your ki."

Namiko hugged her and promised to ask, then they finished dressing. The work crew would be by soon. Ranko could not officially work for the park for another year but she had been inactive for so long that she just had to get out and do something. Maeda-san had relented. If she followed instructions and wore proper safety equipment then she could go but if Kasumi thought she was doing to much then she had to rest.

Trail maintenance was a never ending job that guaranteed the young men and women from the college had continued employment. Small earthquakes and tremors abounded and took their toll. Clearing rock slides and restoring trails that became precarious due to slippage were labour intensive where most places were inaccessible to heavy equipment.

Not a place for a petite redhead who was obviously being babysat by the boss's daughter was the general consensus. She was fun to pick on and hilarious when she started to get angry and Namiko or Kasumi would have to chide her about it. A large boulder firmly embedded in the trail resting against the rock face on one side and hanging over a ten metre drop on the other finally gave her something to vent her frustration on. The trail was too narrow to allow more than two to work at a time and Ranko was told by the team leader to stay out of the way.

Namiko and Kasumi watched as the boiling point was reached. Both had tried to defuse the situation several times but the sly digs, the comments on her size and age continued. The comment about this being a mans job made Kasumi and Namiko wince, Ranko on the other hand smiled. When they began to move back several of the men joined them and all the women,

Ranko shoved past, eliciting a comment that she needed a lesson in behaviour and a rough hand landed on her shoulder. Namiko winced, Kasumi stopped two of the group from going to Ranko's aid and Ranko acted. Grasping the offending hand, she twisted, planted her feet, and threw.. It did not dislodge the boulder although it shook.

It did bring the realization that he was in a world of pain. Reflexively he reached out to grab anything to keep from falling down and his hand found something, something soft, something his fingers sank into, something he wished he had never touched.

"You pervert!" was the last thing he heard before he experienced pain. Even enraged Ranko held back, she did not strike with full force, she was careful not to break any bones. Even the women winced as the knee lifted him in the air, her grasp on the offending hand kept him from rising to far and the foot impacting his emerging beer gut propelled him toward the wide area where the group was standing. Everyone stepped out of his way as flight ended abruptly in an old mud slide which being old was also no longer mud but it did cushion his landing, somewhat.

Kasumi and a third year medical student did a quick examination and reported that he was relatively uninjured and should recover in time not to be carried back. There was a remarkable lack of sympathy for his condition and any of the men who might have said something were wise enough not too.

Ranko walked up to the boulder and examined it, "Kasumi would you please get everyone behind the slide. Some of the rock may fly that way." remembering Maeda-san's admonition about safety, she buckled the helmet firmly in place making sure the area behind her ear was protected and put on the safety goggles Namiko had insisted she have.

She really had not intended to break it into so many pieces, she only wanted it small enough to be manageable. She was still steamed and when she used her finger on the boulders breaking point her ki spiked, slightly. The resulting explosion blew her back to the mudslide. When Kasumi picked her up she only said one thing. "Ouch".

Fifteen minutes later she had finished her lunch and part of Namiko's at Namiko's insistence. The disparaging comments had ceased instead there was a multitude of how's. When their team leader returned to awareness he found the job almost done with the trail widened slightly. Excess stone had been stacked for future need as had the gravel. Ranko was a little further down the trail where it had become dangerously narrow and with much more control was widening it and adding to the growing pile of fill material.

Two of the workers were geology students and after each effort by Ranko would examine the area and make comments about the crystalline structure and where the most effective pressure could be applied. Ranko listened and asked questions. An architectural student explained stress and load bearing and what could make the area more secure. When finished the area over the trail had been slightly restructured so that new falls would be directed over the trail instead of on to it.

Ranko was tired after the long day but happy as they make their way back that evening. When school restarted the shifts would become much shorter but until then they put in as many hours as they could. With one exception, a jubilant group put up their tools and accepted an invitation for soft drinks before heading back to their living quarters.

Maeda-san was understandably upset at the team leaders request that Ranko not join them again. The laughter he heard as he entered his neared the courtyard slowed him down and he stopped and listened. The obvious camaraderie of the group gathered around Ranko was at odds with the team leader's summation. Their eagerness to know if she was going to be with them tomorrow raised questions in his mind and he joined the group to settle those questions.

He would get the entire story out of them tonight but with several of them pleading that he provide Ranko with a waiver to work, stating that they could help tutor her, he was fairly sure that he could and would allow it. The amused glances that Kasumi and Namiko kept shooting at Ranko had him watching her. Then it struck him that there was nothing unusual in her interactions with the others, her posture was relaxed, comfortable. Gone was the wariness that had betrayed her worry of doing or saying something wrong.

That evening Ranko made use of the little water proof soap remaining and indulged in a long hot soak. Namiko joined her and asked if it was possible to get more, hot baths were much better than the just better than lukewarm water she had been using.

Ranko thought for a minute, Ku Lon was being supportive and if it was sent to Namiko in care of the college it should be safe. "I think so. I hadn't thought about it before because of the trouble I had with the person who can get it for me. Now that we're not currently at odds maybe she will help."

"Good, that means that with a hot bath Kasumi can join us." Namiko burst into laughter as Ranko blushed brightly but didn't say no.