Disclaimer: FFX, FFX-2 – neither of them belong to me, I'm just a poor, starving fan : )
A/N: Well, you're getting this chapter a couple of days early – and the reason for that is ............. I'm off to university! Yes, I am leaving for good old London town on my normal posting day (Saturday) so – I thought I'd post early so that you guys aren't disappointed : )
Unfortunately, the down-side of uni is that I don't have internet access in my room – grrrr. Which means my posting schedule might become a bit random and it also means I won't be able to respond to all my lovely reviews, as I have been doing : ( Sorry about that – but there's really no way around it ::shrugs::
Don't worry though – I fully intend to finish this story. I can't leave you hanging, can I?
Anyway, on with the story.
Oh and this chapter is dedicated to skattercat for a truly kick-ass review. Thanks!!!x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Rikku's StoryBy: JoeyStar
Timeframe: Set a month or so after the 'perfect' ending of FFX-2
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Chapter 13
You know those moments in life when you're so embarrassed that you think you're going to die? Where you twist and turn but simply can't escape the mockery that your existence has become? I suppose you could say they're defining moments, but they're the ones you'd do anything to forget, you know?
Well I was having one of those moments.
That fact, coupled with my absolute, jaw-dropping surprise, is what made me jerk away from Lreav as soon as my brain had been able to process what was happening.
I sprang up from my bed and backed away towards the door. No doubt my cheeks were burning brightly and my hands flew up to my face in a futile attempt to cover them. The one thing I didn't do was say anything – mainly because my tongue seemed to have tied itself in a particularly complicated knot and every time I opened my mouth, nothing emerged and I ended up gaping like a beached Achelous.
"Rikku?" Lreav had twisted around on the bed and was watching me with concern. His face was also flushed and I got the impression that his current emotions were very similar to mine.
I had to say something; I had to set things straight between us. I valued Lreav as a friend, you know – but nothing more. Didn't he know about me and Gippal?
"Lreav – we can't."
His face creased in confusion. "But I thought –"
"Lreav," I tried again, "Lreav – this is wrong. Gippal –"
"Gippal?" He rose slowly. "What does he have to do with anything? Oh – you're worried about the investigation. Well, you shouldn't be. This won't effect Gippal's chances of freedom!"
I had to make him understand, even though I knew my words would hurt him. "Lreav, me and Gippal – we're ... look, you're a great friend but Gippal and I ... we're kind of together." Even now it was difficult to say.
A horrified look of understanding blossomed on Lreav's face and he sucked his breath in sharply. "You and Gippal? Spira, Rikku – I'm sorry. I had no idea!"
Privately I couldn't help disagreeing with his words. After all, Lreav had seen us together several times and surely he wasn't that blind.
"I never would have done anything if I'd known," he told me earnestly, walking across the room so that he was standing in front of me. "I'm really sorry Rikku." He reached out as if to take my hand but I pulled backwards and folded my arms quickly across my chest.
Lreav looked hurt and the awkwardness of the situation hung in the air between us. Finally he sighed and rubbed his forehead with one hand as if it was paining him.
"I really am sorry."
His words sounded so hollow and to be honest, I didn't want to deal with this situation at the moment. Coming on top of everything else it was just too much to deal with. Lreav was supposed to be my friend; a constant in my life that I could rely on while Gippal wasn't around. For him to act like this – I couldn't wrap my head around it.
"Lreav ..." he looked at me hopefully but I refused to meet his eyes, "... maybe you'd better go."
Though I couldn't see his face, I almost heard him stiffen. "Rikku – won't you at least tell me what you're feeling?" he pleaded.
I hated that he asked that because I didn't know myself. I was confused certainly and intensely embarrassed. But I was also angry that he had hoped to take advantage of me in such a way and yet, on the other hand, I felt sorry for him because he'd obviously miss-read my intentions towards him. And he had been nothing but wonderful to me since we had met ... maybe this was just some kind of misunderstanding? I mean, it wasn't like I'd led him on, you know? This had to be some kind of mutual mistake – it didn't mean anything right?
If I couldn't even sort out my own thoughts then I was in no state to talk to Lreav. "I need some time to think," I told him honestly, stepping past him and walking over to the window. I stared out into the night and tried to pretend he was no longer in the room.
In the glass's reflection, I could see that he was watching me, his face downcast. After several long minutes in which I willed him to leave, his shoulders slumped and he headed for the door.
On the room's threshold he paused and glanced back. "I hope this doesn't affect our friendship."
I didn't reply and, after lingering for a moment more, he left without speaking, the door sliding closed behind him.
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It's sometimes funny how ironic life can be. I mean, for the first seventeen years of my life I was completely alone and now, within the space of a couple of weeks, two men had shown that they thought of me in more than just a friendly light. And neither could have come at a worse time, you know? I should have been focusing on uncovering the identity of the bomber, rather than worrying about what I was going to say to Lreav when I next saw him.
Not to mention Gippal. For the first time I was glad that he was in Bevelle and not here, on the Melatha. Spira knows what he would say if he found out about Lreav's actions!
The previous night – after Lreav had left – I had convinced myself that sleeping on my problems would give me the space I needed to sort out everything that had happened and get it straight in my mind.
And amazingly, I was almost right.
When I woke the next the morning, the sky outside was a shade of blue that would have put a Water Flan to shame and the sun was shining merrily. As I sat up in bed and rubbed my eyes, I decided that I would take a leaf out of the weather's book.
After all – it was impossible to be depressed on such a beautiful day, you know?
And to be honest, things really did look better this morning. What had happened with Lreav was a setback to be sure, but it wasn't a catastrophic occurrence. And neither was the loss of the sphere's data – however it had happened. We'd still learned plenty by coming to Guadosalam and contrary to my opinion the previous evening, it hadn't been a complete waste of time.
Yawning hugely, I was about to jump out of bed and see about getting dressed when, without warning, my door slid open. I squeaked in surprise and pulled the bed-sheets up to my neck, hoping against hope that Lreav hadn't just entered my room.
He hadn't, but his sister had.
Elhandra had breezed into my room without leave and was acting as if she owned the space herself. She was eyeing the decour unfavourably and appeared unimpressed with the plain, bare space that had become my second home.
Angry that she had caught me off guard, I glared at her. "What do you want?"
She raised her eyebrows at my tone. "Now, now – surely they taught you manners where you came from?"
"You're one to talk," I retorted caustically. "Haven't you ever heard of knocking?" I tightened my grip on the bed-sheets and tried my best to appear imposing.
"I assumed you would be awake," her eyes ran over me and a faint sneer appeared on her face, "and out of bed."
"Well you were wrong."
"Evidently. Seems some people need more beauty sleep than others."
I got the impression Elhandra wasn't putting her whole heart into her insults this morning. They appeared almost perfunctory, as if the effort was too much or she had something else on her mind.
I wanted to know what that was. I'm curious; what can I say? It's a character flaw. "Why are you here Elhandra?" I demanded.
"Playing the part of a glorified messenger apparently," the other woman drawled, seemingly in no particular hurry to provide me with any further information.
I bit back an angry comment at her attitude and tried my best to keep a pleasant expression on my face. "And what's the message?"
"Oh didn't I tell you?" Elhandra affected an air of astonishment. "You have a call via the CommSphere."
It was the last piece of news I had been expecting. Who in Spira would be calling me? Most people didn't even know the Melatha existed; let alone that she was now a stop on the central CommSphere network of Spira.
Now there was another thing we had to thank Shinra for – the fact that he had connected us to the CommSphere network that had originated from the bridge of the Celsuis. Gippal had informed me of this fact in passing and when I'd asked him why he'd got Shinra to connect him to the main network, he'd laughed and said that he'd wanted to keep his eye on me.
Gippal's frivolousness aside, I could see the merit in being part of the network. But it also meant I had no way of guessing who was calling ... and who even knew that I was on the Melatha. It wasn't like it was my ship, you know?
"Who's the call from?" I asked curiously, shuffling towards the edge of the bed, sheets still held tightly.
Elhandra shrugged. "How am I supposed to know? Now if you don't mind, I do actually have things to do today – things that don't have anything to do with running errands for you."
"I didn't ask you to bring me this message," I couldn't help pointing out, earning me a hard look from Elhandra. "Actually, now that you mention it, who did send you?"
"Lreav," Elhandra answered curtly. "If it had been anyone else then I wouldn't be here."
It was only then that the ludicrous nature of my question struck me. I mean, if Elhandra and I were both here, there was only Lreav left to have answer the CommSphere call. She seemed to realise our mistake at the same moment but instead of grinning as I did, she turned on her heel and flounced out of the room.
"Always lovely to see you!" I couldn't resist calling after her. I listened gleefully for a reaction but the door slid shut, cutting off any reply she might have made.
Galvanized by the news that someone was waiting to talk to me, I sprang out of bed and dressed quickly, only pausing long enough to pull my long, blonde hair back into a rough pony-tail. Then I was out of the door and hurrying towards the bridge, eager to see who my visitor was.
I slapped a hand to the door release and waited impatiently as the stubborn piece of machina slowly drew aside. I could hear voices on the other side of the door and when the space was finally large enough, I slipped onto the bridge.
My enthusiasm faltered as I saw a familiar figure standing in front of the CommSphere display. Of course, how could I have been so stupid to presume that Lreav would have simply left the bridge after taking my call? He was the epitome of politeness and from the sound of it, he knew my visitor – so why would he leave?
It would have made my life infinitely easier if he had.
Frozen by indecision, I hung back. While I certainly wanted to see who had called for me, the thought of talking to Lreav after last night ... well it definitely hadn't been on my 'ten-things-I-want-to-do-today' list.
Unfortunately, I had forgotten the door's annoying habit of making noise when it opened and I'd only been standing there for a couple of seconds when Lreav turned around and caught sight of me.
"Rikku!"
He cast one last glance at the CommSphere screen, tossed a final comment that I didn't catch and then hurried across the room towards me.
If I could have backed away, I would have, but once again the evil door got in the way. Lreav stopped before me, a bright smile on his face and I had to wonder if he'd even remembered what had happened between us the previous night. He certainly wasn't acting like there was anything wrong between us.
I felt my upbeat mood rapidly spiralling away from me.
"Rikku – you won't believe who –" he began excitedly, but I cut him off, not as willing to sweep the mess he had caused under the proverbial carpet.
"Elhandra said I had a call," I said coolly, making it clear that there was still some distance between us, on my side at least.
"Well yes ..." Lreav's happy demeanour faded as he took note of the cool expression on my face. He opened his mouth to say something and then paused, looking uncomfortable. "Rikku, about last night –"
I didn't want to talk about it. "I'd like to take it privately, if you don't mind."
"Of course. But last night –" he continued doggedly.
"Lreav – I want to take the call."
"I know, but Rikku –"
"Lreav, please!" I held up a hand, cutting him off both verbally and physically. "Can you just go?"
He held my gaze for several long moments and at first I thought he was going to argue. Then he simply sighed and inclined his head. He stepped out of my way and I didn't hesitate in crossing the room towards the CommSphere screen.
"I really am sorry," Lreav told my stiff back, unconsciously echoing his words of the previous evening. I remained silent and listened intently as the door swished open and his footsteps receded from the room. Once the door closed behind him, I breathed an audible sigh of relief.
"What was all that about?"
I started at the new voice, amazement bubbling up inside of me. That had almost sounded like – no that was stupid. It was impossible, you know? It couldn't be ... could it?
Painfully slowly, I turned towards the CommSphere screen and my eyes alighted on an achingly familiar figure, who was slouched comfortably in a plush blue chair, his legs slung uncaringly up over one arm.
It was!
"Gippal!" I cried in wonder, throwing myself into the chair in front of the screen and staring at him hungrily. "Why – I mean how – I mean ... oh Spira!"
Typical. Barely three seconds in Gippal's company and I'd turned straight back into a giggling schoolgirl.
He laughed at my incredulous expression and mindless babbling. "Anyone would think I'd been locked up in prison or somethin'."
If I could have hit him, I would have. Instead I settled on sticking my tongue out at him which only made him laugh again.
"Same old Rikku. You're lookin' good girl." His eyes roamed boldly over me and I blushed.
"Stop that!"
"Oh?" He arched his eyebrow, a wicked smirk on his face.
I folded my arms firmly across my chest, spoiling his view. "I can't think when you do that."
"Pity. I've been so deprived of pretty sights recently."
I rolled my eyes at his blatant reference but couldn't keep the smile from remaining on my face. It was just so amazing to see Gippal again – and so unexpected! I didn't even care how it had happened; I was just happy that I had.
"So what's goin' on between you and Lreav?"
If any words could have pierced my happy reverie, they were those. Now that I knew it was Gippal on the other end of the CommSphere, I bitterly regretted such a public altercation with Lreav. After all, he was the last person I could tell the truth to – what in Spira would he think of me if he found out?
Unless ... a horrible thought struck me. Lreav had been speaking to Gippal when I'd walked in. I knew that they were close friends – they'd known each other for years. What if Lreav had said something to Gippal – maybe some kind of apology. How would I look then if I lied?
"What did Lreav say to you?" I sidestepped the question, my tone guarded.
Gippal shrugged easily. "Nothing much. Nothing about you anyway. Just about the investigation."
I tried not to look relieved.
"Now are you gonna answer my question?"
"No," I grinned impishly. "I'm more interested in – in this!" I waved my hand at the CommSphere screen to clarify what I meant. "I thought you were in jail!"
"Jail is such a harsh word," Gippal joked and then sobered when he saw that I really wanted an answer to my question. "Okay – seriously. Nooj and Baralai don't think for a moment that I did this, you know? So – the security isn't exactly tough. They know I'm not gonna run away – not until this whole mess is sorted out and I can walk outta here as a free man."
"But that doesn't explain the CommSphere," I pointed out. "Gippal – I've seen the news reports. They're baying for your blood. So how is it that you can have such easy access to a CommSphere?"
A piece of blond hair over Gippal's face, obscuring his eye, and he flicked it back. "It's amazin' how powerful speech can be." As usual, he wasn't content with giving me a straight answer.
I gave him an exasperated look and he held up his hands in a defensive motion. "Maybe whinin' would be more accurate. I've been on at Nooj for days to let me contact you – but man, I think he's turned into Baralai in Baralai's absence. You've never met a bigger sticker for rules. I mean – even Paine noticed."
"Gippal – get to the point!"
"Oh right," he smiled again and I resisted the urge to reach out and touch the screen. "All my whinin' was doin' was irritatin' the hell out of Nooj. It was only when I got your cousin onside that things started to happen."
"Yuna?" I was surprised – normally my cousin was as big a sticker for rules as Baralai.
He nodded. "Seems she felt guilty over what happened to me ..." he paused and gave me a frank look. "She was pretty upset Rikku."
I shifted uncomfortably and looked down at my hands. "Well so was I," I muttered defensively.
"Anyway," Gippal continued, "she got hold of a portable CommSphere – courtesy of our friend Shinra. And then she intervened with Nooj on my behalf and voila." He spread his hands.
She knows, I realised suddenly. Yunie knows about me and Gippal. She knows why I was so upset when she had to arrest him and this is her way of saying sorry.
I felt a sudden rush of affection for my estranged cousin as I watched Gippal. She didn't know how great her gift had been.
"So how've ya been?"
I relaxed back into my chair. "Oh you know. Trying to single-handedly prevent a civil war and thereby save the world for a third time."
"How's that goin' for you?"
"It has its ups and downs," I informed him solemnly.
"So you're managin' alright on your own?"
I clasped a hand to my chest dramatically. "No! I'm falling apart! Oh please, won't somebody save me?"
Gippal burst out laughing. "You never struck me as the damsel in distress type, Cid's girl."
It was funny how that epithet had gone from being the bane of my life to a term of affection between two people who were something more than friends. I no longer winced when he said it; in fact, I welcomed the term as one that Gippal applied to me and no other. It made me feel special, you know?
"Damsel in distress? Oh please," I snorted and there was nothing damsel-like about it. "Actually – I've managed fine without you. Hardly even noticed that you were gone."
"And here I was thinkin' I meant somethin' to you."
His words, so casually spoken, fell on heavy silence as he unwittingly raised the one subject that neither of us had broached, whether through accident or design.
"Of course you mean something to me," I found myself saying flatly.
He raised one eyebrow. "Don't sound too convincin'."
I didn't like what his tone was inferring. "Do you think I'd change my mind in such a short time? You know me better than that!"
"I can never tell with you Rikku. And you haven't said anythin' so what am I supposed to think?"
"Oh so I was supposed to bombard you with some great declaration of love, was I?" I winced inwardly at my tone. Why oh why did this always happen? Why wouldn't my stupid pride let me admit how I was really feeling?
He looked as annoyed as I felt with myself. "Of course not! But a simple 'Wow Gippal – I've really missed you' would have been nice."
The words spilled out of my mouth before I could stop them. "'Wow Gippal – I've really missed you'," I mocked in a breathy, vaporous voice.
Oh stop it Rikku - stop it!
He glared at me and I glared back and an angry silence fell between us that we were both unwilling to break. Finally Gippal sighed and looked away from the screen to something out of view.
"I've only got limited time here, Rikku. I'm gonna have to go soon." His tone was carefully neutral and I suddenly felt horrible that I picked a fight with him because I didn't want to admit that I'd missed him. Whoever said that pride was misplaced had been proved all too right.
I suddenly realised that if I wasn't going to see Gippal again for who knew how long, then I definitely didn't want to leave it like this.
"Gippal –" I took a deep breath and forced myself to look up at him. "I'm sorry. It didn't mean to sound so ... so bitter."
He met my gaze, green eye level. "I know."
"It's just ..." I swallowed my pride with difficulty. "I miss you. A lot. And it's hard."
"I know," he repeated, but his tone was much gentler this time. A slight smile quirked at the corner of his mouth. "Somehow when you and I got close ... well, I didn't think a trip to jail was gonna be on the cards."
"Oh?" My interest was instantly sparked. "And what did you think was going to be on the cards?"
He grinned unashamedly. "Do I have to spell it out?"
I wrinkled my nose. "You're disgusting."
"Maybe, but you still like me, huh?"
"Unfortunately."
The warmth had returned between us and I found myself smiling again. While Gippal was the one person in Spira who had the best ability to irritate the hell out of me, he could also make me smile like no other.
I had forgotten how much I missed that.
Now that the balance between us had been restored, I turned my attention to more serious matters. "Did Lreav tell you about our progress?"
"Yeah. And the distinct lack of it."
I couldn't deny his words. "It's been one step forward and five back." I shook my head in frustration. "And then there's that damn sphere ... I still don't understand that."
"I wish I could help you."
The longing in his tone made me look up at him sharply. For the first time I began to consider how Gippal felt, forced to stay in Bevelle while we attempted to clear his name. I know how I would have felt in his place – complete frustrated and helpless.
"Oh yeah, deadly camera-related missions at night and coping with Miss I'm-The-Most-Lazy-Al-Bhed-In-History – I'm having a ball."
He cocked his head to one side. "I'm guessin' you and Lhan aren't exactly best friends."
"I swear if she didn't have the trademark eyes then I'd accuse her of being an imposter," I grumbled.
Gippal laughed. "Sorry to disappoint you but Lhan's all Al Bhed. It's her brother you should be worryin' about."
I blinked at him. "Lreav?" What did Lreav have to do with anything?
"Yeah. He's half Al Bhed. He didn't tell you?"
I shook my head slowly. "So he's like Yunie then."
"Sure. Him and Lhan have the same father – different mothers."
I frowned. "But he has the eyes!"
"Genetics," Gippal shrugged. "It's a lottery and ... oh hold on a second -" he broke off and turned away from the screen, looking at something that I could see. As I watched an expression of distaste passed over his face, followed quickly by one of irritation. Then he sighed loudly and spoke to someone off-screen. "Alright – just give me a moment."
He turned back and pulled a face at me. "I've just been told my time is up."
"So soon?" There was so much more I wanted to talk about!
"Yep. The delights of bein' under arrest."
"Will you be able to use the CommSphere again?"
"If I'm a good boy. It's up to your cousin really – if she hadn't spoken to Nooj, I wouldn't be here."
I twisted a strand of hair around one finger. "Maybe I should apologise ..."
"Can't hurt. Anyway, I gotta go."
"Okay," I said agreeably, wanting nothing more than to protest and make him stay. We hadn't had enough time, you know?
He rose from his chair and stepped forward so that his face was very close to the CommSphere. "Rikku ... keep smilin' okay?"
"Why?"
"Cos you've got the cutest smile I've ever seen."
I blushed darkly, secretly thrilled by his compliment.
"And ..." he lowered his voice to a whisper, "get me the hell outta here!"
"Don't ask much, do you?" I teased.
"I know I can rely on you, Cid's girl." His expression was intense yet caring and I found myself smiling at him shyly. For several long moments we simply gazed at each other as if neither of us wanted to break the fragile silence.
Finally, he spoke. "Well ...I'll see you then. Take care, you hear?"
"Yeah. Bye Gippal."
"Mydan." (Later) He flashed me one last grin before leaning forward and touching something off-screen. I assumed it was the sphere because a second later the image on my screen faded to black and I was left alone on the bridge to contemplate what had just happened.
In some ways, seeing Gippal had made things worse. Now that he'd gone again I missed him as fiercely as I had when he'd first been arrested – but on the other hand, I wouldn't have given up seeing him for anything.
Just for a moment I'd felt whole again. And hey, he'd put a smile back on my face, you know? Coupled with the beauty of the day, it left me ready to face whatever the world was going to throw at me.
Things were finally beginning to look up.
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Told you Gippal would be back! YAY! : )
Hope that cheered everyone up and reminded them that yes, Gippal still is a part of this story and he will be appearing again in a couple of chapters time – so don't worry!
As with the last post, time today is short so I'll only be responding to specific questions. HUGE thanks to everyone who reviewed – I love you all : ) : ) : )
poplollyblues: yup, you're right – I won't tell you! Let's just say that hints have been dropped about the culprit but for now you're gonna have to remain in the dark. I mean, I COULD tell you but it would spoil the plot : )
Limewings: thanks for pointing out that error – it was a pretty big one considering Gippal's in jail right now! I changed it straight away; I swear you guys are better than beta readers!
skattercat: WOW – thank you SO much for such an ace review! And this being your first reviewed story – it really means a lot. I've never had such an excellent overview of my work and I love the way you considered each part – characterisation/plot etc. Oh and here - ::hands brain over:: Just make sure you return it in time for the next post, okay? Otherwise my horrible Lreav-kissed-Rikku cliffie will last forever : )
Letselina: you are officially the founding member of the Lreav-is-a-suspicious-guy club, an affiliate of We-hate-Elhandra : ) : ) Hehe. Oh and as for the Tammy P story ... ::looks guilty:: to be honest, me and Nadia (my co-author) have been so busy with uni/work that we haven't got around to updating it yet : ( I think we definitely intend to, but it's difficult because our uni-holidays come at different times (she's Aussie and I'm a Brit) But I'll see what we can do!
Torii: hehe – I think this chapter answers your question about Gippal. But as for when he comes back into the story for good, it will be in a couple of chapters time (for definite) I've actually planned ahead this time and there's a few more Rikku/Lreav/Elhandra chapters after this one and then .... GIPPAL'S BACK!!
Riyue: hey – don't apologise for long reviews – I LOVE them!!!!
MoMo-ChAn1: Well I think both of your questions were answered in this chaper!
A Nobody: nah – you're not a bad reviewer. You're just kinda late : ) And by the way, I LOVED the critique! Oh and just to clear up something you picked up on – the guard's comment about 'those famous eyes' or something like that (I really should know the quote!) was referring to the distinctive Al Bhed eyes – not a famous individual. (I basically needed a really strong eye-witness account so I made the comment about the 'famous' Al Bhed eyes.) Hope that clears up any confusion : )
mushimars: wow – thanks SO much for choosing to review my story! It's really great to hear what you think of it and I hope you keep reading (and reviewing – hehe) Oh and as for your question about Elhandra's death? I COULD tell you ... but that would be giving things away, wouldn't it? : )
Taryn: 'As always, you update and I will make you a happy author with my review!' – oh yeah, we're a perfect partnership – hehe : ) : ) : )
Ereniel the Elven Canuck: thanks for the Mary Sue info – I'm now working hard NOT to turn Elhandra into one. She's a little too close for my liking!
Back of Beyond: I'm sorry for forgetting you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ::points a spotlight on Back of Beyond:: there, is that better? : )
TheUndertaker: I'll take that bet : ) Mind you – I DO have an advantage ...
Saku.a: yup – I'm certainly not gonna be able to devote as much time to this fic as I have been, once I'm at uni. Though I won't abandon it – so don't worry!!
As always, read, review and enjoy : )