Whew...I can't believe its been so long between chapters. Yes I probably should be beaten into a pancake, but please don't. *sniff* Now I feel like a hypocrite. I could give some excuses on why its been so long i.e. "My dog ate my laptop." or "They wouldn't allow me any sharp objects even to write with in the funny farm." and the even better "I joined the circus and began to work with the camels. I then took said circus, and began to plot out ways to take over the world, in which my camels would be able to run freely. My plan was spoiled, however, by a young camel of mine who refused to go through with ploy....he didn't wear his tutu." but then again, you wouldn't believe me. Which means, all I'm going to say is sorry, and here's the long awaited next chapter.
Chapter 3
Wordless Sentences
The liquid shifted tightening its grip on the thousand tiny diamonds that were caught within to slowly blurr their glory. The ripples shoved at the reflections, pushing them further into the darkness. Life was gradually being strangled away.
Sunlight filtered into the glass sending the tiny sparkles splitting through the darkness. The diamonds danced through its outstretched fingers to gleefully celebrate their escape by waving to those around.
A finger idly traced the rim of the glass, each gentle brush causing the liquid to ruffle.
The sun had plowed through the clouds leaving them in confusion as to its whereabouts. However, the rays never met skin, but the warmth that it generated in the air was welcomed.
The gentle westwinds nudged the umbrella, sending the yellow and orange fabric swaying. Faye's eyes lifted to the rustling material. Each breath of the wind brought the umbrella to motion as though it had only been asleep.
A wooden fence separated the sidewalk from a piazza that was lined with small round tables. The restaurant had been modeled after an old style of street side cafe's that had been popular many years ago. It emitted a spark, a connection to the past that attracted many people in. Inside she could see many families as well as couples, but only one other table outside was taken.
Faye returned her gaze to the ghost that was seated across from her. His body was twisted to a side as he reclined in his chair. A hand had disappeared somewhere behind the mass of green hair to prop his head up, while the other pressed a cigarette to his lips between sentences.
Instead of a usual morning of emptiness and wandering the streets in her zombie-like life, a dead man now sat across from her recounting a tale of his reunion with the Bebop.
"Yeah...I guess that's about it." He shifted, long legs stretching out beneath the table. "So.." Spike sent a crooked smile across the table as he watched her from the corner of his eyes. "What the hell have you been up to, that Ed couldn't find you?"
Her eyes fixated on the air behind him. "Different things..." The finger found its way back to the rim of the glass. Instead of tracing it like before, the nail gently rapped against the rim causing a soft hum to enter the air. "Whatever's needed....just enough to get by."
She watched him register her words, before his eyes locked on her finger. The humming ceased as she clasped her hands together atop the table. She had been careless, and he had read her lie. For a high enough bounty, Spike would turn her in. He would turn the Raven in. Faye knew she couldn't allow him to learn of her most recent doings.
"A little work?" His entire head twisted to face her, and she knew he was beginning to suspect something. "Must've moved around a lot in those little jobs...every other day maybe?"
No one could know who she was.
An indifferent shrug shook her body as words fell from her lips. "Whatever the job needed...wherever it was."
Not even Spike.
"Preferably far away?" She watched him study her, gauging her reactions as though she were a patient in a mental institute. "Why'd you never contact them?"
In attempt to evaluate him in return, Faye met gaze with him for a moment. He was unreadable. His cinnamon eyes had severed themselves from his mind in an endeavor to keep her unaware of his suspicions. Eighteen months ago she would have answered him ignorant to his trick, but now it was different she was aware of it, and eighteen months ago she wouldn't have been having this conversation.
The vision lock was broken, answers still unknown. "Independence."
He stared at her for an instant, before his face fell. Annoyance flooded the eyes that had been blank a moment before. "Bull shit."
The ebony haired woman shifted as silence leaned over her shoulders, his cold breath forming whispers in her ears. She shrugged him away, narrowing her eyes in her own effort to deceive, she forced her voice to sound annoyed. "What? You guys finally got rid of me just like you always wanted, and now you can't leave me be?"
The annoyance still emitted from his chocolate eyes. "What happened?"
The woman didn't answer. Her legs crossed in a facade of innocence as she sat silently awaiting an outbreak.
It never came.
Sitting upright in his chair, Spike leaned forward against the table as if the words he were about to speak were meant for her ears alone. The mischievous glint in his eyes didn't go unnoticed. "I figured it out." His voice had grown into a soft tone he seldom used. "You hooked up with Jet, and then caught him with another woman."
Faye stared blankly at the bounty hunter as he rolled with laughter. Each spasm forcing him to hold his stomach. Spike had been steering her towards that statement since the beginning. He was clueless as to her secret identity.
The man quickly shoved the laughter aside as he reclined in his seat, legs disappearing beneath the table as his muscles stretched. "That kid's been going at for weeks now." He paused as he allowed another large gray cloud of smoke to drift upwards. "She's been so damn annoying, running around yellin' dumb shit about finding 'Faye Faye'."
Spike rolled his eyes and cast a glance to the dark haired woman. "Anyways...Ed's on that stupid thing of hers looking for you, unable to find a sign and Jet just works on those goddamn trees of his."
Her break from reality was over. It was time for the conversation to end. "I fail to see where that's my problem." She shrugged indifferently and focused her attention on the street.
She watched vacantly as a hand smashed atop the table causing the glasses to rattle. "Dammit Faye! The two of them want you back and you're just sitting there like you don't care!" His eyes darkened as he focused intently on the woman across from him. Neither person noticed the watching eyes of others around them.
"What if I don't?"
A mix of misunderstanding and humor flooded his face in an expression that would have brought the old Faye to giggles. "What?"
As though she were speaking to a child she slowly spoke the words again. "What if I don't care." It wasn't a question. She wanted him to know she didn't care. She had slammed the truth in his face. End of discussion. She didn't even bat an eyelash.
"Then I'd say I was right about you not having a heart."
She sat motionless under his surveillance. To her the conversation was over.
"They're your friends. You spent too much time with them just to throw everything away." He leaned forward, arms pressing against the metal table. "You owe it to them."
Owe? She had been hit and even bit. They had thrown her out...self explanatory.
"I never promised anything." She hadn't. Promises were troublesome words that seemed to fade away before returning in the most difficult time. Life would be easier without them.
Spike growled, his lower body shifting catlike in preparation to pounce. "How do you do it?" White teeth slipped into view as they were ground together. "How do you goddamn do it?"
An eyebrow quirked upwards.
"How can you just walk away?"
Life is full of leaving. It happens all the time from many different people. "People walk away every day, Spike."
Silence had returned to their table, seated in a chair between the two his eyes flashed with childlike delight at the scene unfolding. Twisting from side to side, he grinned at the blank expressions both wore.
Faye shifted in preparation of her departure from the table while he was in a silent fury. Her eyes began to seek the silent voice that called to her like a siren. They came to rest on a tv that was suspended inside the cafe.
Between the distance and the glare of the glass, it was difficult to discern the images, but she was nearly certain it was the "Star Gateway". If the story was running again, than the man who's life she ended must have been more important than she had believed. Had she been careless and left a trail?
Gravel grated against metal, the protest causing her to shiver. Faye stared at Spike out of the corner of her eyes. He had reclined again. The cigarette that had been his source of patience was now crumpled against the table. His eyes flicked towards her as the crumpled stub was flicked
She watched in the presence of silence. The echoing of the wordless sentences still spoke more than any torrent of words.
****************************************************************
The click of thick heeled boots were muffled by the puddles prowling the pavement. Softer imitations echoed from behind her into the night air.
The side street sparkled crimson underneath the glow of a neon light. The letters of the bar's name were unreadable blurs on the alley floor. The pools of crimson it created disappeared unnoticed underneath shoes.
Other than the barely discernible shadow of a dumpster that lined the edge of a building ahead and themselves, the alley was empty or at least it gave the impression.
How many alleys like this one had she been through? In the past two years there had been so many, and all with the same reason.
The hunt.
Tonight was different, it was just another street.
Out of the corners of her eyes, Faye watched the man who had moved to her side. The neon light flickered bathing Spike in darkness before the apple light returned it's gentle beam upon him. He was watching the ground as they walked, a self satisfied smirk stretching across his face.
He had known he could convince her to return from the start. He had probably counted on her guilt being the deciding factor, it would've been if it wasn't for her current "emotional" state. She needed to let things calm down before she continued work and the Bebop wanted her to return.
One bounty.
Just one bounty and she would be able to leave them again, for the last time. She knew lady luck rarely favored her, so a one bounty weekend could turn into a drawn out chase
across space.
Her nose wrinkled automatically to shut out an offending odor. However, the stench forced its way in a wave of rotting meat and aged cheese. Empty wrappers and broken bottles littered the ground surrounding the dumpster. A second odor wafted its way into her nose. This one a fading mix of sweat and cologne.
Faye passed the bin, eyes darting suspiciously to the corner beside it.
Nothing.
Strange, she knew the darkness that usually covered her as one of its own could shelter another. They could sit waiting for hours in the shadows for one person. Eyes assessing
each who passed for that one who would walk unaware into their fate.
Even at an early age children learned to hide in dark spaces. It was naturally the best place to conceal oneself, besides every movie she'd ever seen had someone leaping out of the shadows in an alley. It had been the reason she had created the unconscious habit of walking circles before ever returning to her week's room, and that the day had nearly ended.
No longer sensing the presence of Spike, the woman paused. He was standing a few feet back, his hands unseen in his pockets and earth colored eyes focused ahead.
The fog of evaporating rain clung to the forms of five men. The street lamp of the other road ahead shrouded their faces, only allowing their silhouettes to be seen.
Shifting the duffel bag that she had forgot she was still carrying, Faye briefly chided herself for packing her weapons inside.
She watched as a lengthy round object was lifted by the middle figure. His snickers were echoed by his cohorts who flanked him while he bounced the object in his hand. The simple action was a sentence in itself. "Well look what we found here boys!"
It was impossible to tell which figure spoke next. "You will let us play a game with the girl right?" She ignored the men who began to spread into the shadows around them, her eyes were locked on the one who was obviously the leader.
The middle man began to approach as he spoke over his shoulder. "I'm always generous." The silhouettes shook as more laughter echoed through the darkness.
Her old partner's head tilted back with a derisive snort. "Take her, but you'll want to give her back after she starts complaining."
Faye raised an eyebrow.
"Thanks for you're concern." The man was finally close enough to see. His eyes were glowing silver from beneath a mound of coppery curls. The object clasped within his hands was now discernible as a metal pole that he had probably found in a construction area. "Although you won't be concerned for my well being much longer." The shadows opened allowing the other men to return to his sides. "In fact, you won't be able to be concerned for quite a long time."
She had been right about men lurking in the shadows. These men were too cliché to actually pose much of a threat. Their way of life was built mostly on fear, and probably only chose easy targets like women. Faye chose the moment to speak for the first time. "Big talkers are usually weak."
A low growl emanated from the aggressor. Silver eyes vanished a moment, when they returned they were almost white. "I don't usually hit a lady."
"She's not exactly a lady." Spike spoke to no one in particular.
A sickening thud broke the silence that followed as the thief's fist found its way into the bounty hunter's stomach. The force of the impact should have sent him gasping for air, instead a deadly smile crossed his features before his own fist connected with the man's left cheekbone.
Realizing it was obviously time to end this engagement, Faye swung her duffel bag upward into the face of the nearest man. With a cry of surprise he stumbled backwards as second heavier set man suddenly sprung at her with a feline ease. Surprised by the
swiftness the heavy man held, she narrowly sidestepped his lunge.
Extra senses awoke on call as Faye curled away in a corner of thought giving complete control to the Raven. The first man had now recovered from the initial shock and together with his companion they began to advance.
Taking the initiative, she lunged forward her entire body slamming into the large man. Off balance the woman swung her arm at the other's head in a weak left hook, that hardly forced a recoil from the brute. Knowing she would have to rely on her speed and stamina to wear the men down, she leapt landing nimbly on her booted feet in a crouch behind them.
The smaller man, however had anticipated her next move and already whirled around to face her. His arms swung wildly in forceful punches, that if connected would send her falling into darkness. Sidestepping again, she counterattacked with her strongest roundhouse kick to the shoulder. The man stumbled, losing his balance on the slippery pavement, and toppled headfirst into a puddle.
Faye paused filling her lungs with air, reading herself for her next attack as a familiar scent of sweat tinged with cologne filler her nostrils nearly choking her.
There was a sixth man. He had been hidden the entire time.
She had been right.
Before she could swing around to defend herself, the unmistakable cold pressure of a gun barrel pressed between her shoulders. She knew the wordless sentences it spoke, as well as the smirk that she sensed present "Game Over."
Well, whatdya think? Um, thanks to those continuously told me to get off my lazy ass and get working, but *sniff* did you have to say it so mean? The next chapter should be out shortly. *remembers the last time she said that* Well...it should this time. Oh, and please don't tell anyone that I was the one who used the camels. Thankies!
Chapter 3
Wordless Sentences
The liquid shifted tightening its grip on the thousand tiny diamonds that were caught within to slowly blurr their glory. The ripples shoved at the reflections, pushing them further into the darkness. Life was gradually being strangled away.
Sunlight filtered into the glass sending the tiny sparkles splitting through the darkness. The diamonds danced through its outstretched fingers to gleefully celebrate their escape by waving to those around.
A finger idly traced the rim of the glass, each gentle brush causing the liquid to ruffle.
The sun had plowed through the clouds leaving them in confusion as to its whereabouts. However, the rays never met skin, but the warmth that it generated in the air was welcomed.
The gentle westwinds nudged the umbrella, sending the yellow and orange fabric swaying. Faye's eyes lifted to the rustling material. Each breath of the wind brought the umbrella to motion as though it had only been asleep.
A wooden fence separated the sidewalk from a piazza that was lined with small round tables. The restaurant had been modeled after an old style of street side cafe's that had been popular many years ago. It emitted a spark, a connection to the past that attracted many people in. Inside she could see many families as well as couples, but only one other table outside was taken.
Faye returned her gaze to the ghost that was seated across from her. His body was twisted to a side as he reclined in his chair. A hand had disappeared somewhere behind the mass of green hair to prop his head up, while the other pressed a cigarette to his lips between sentences.
Instead of a usual morning of emptiness and wandering the streets in her zombie-like life, a dead man now sat across from her recounting a tale of his reunion with the Bebop.
"Yeah...I guess that's about it." He shifted, long legs stretching out beneath the table. "So.." Spike sent a crooked smile across the table as he watched her from the corner of his eyes. "What the hell have you been up to, that Ed couldn't find you?"
Her eyes fixated on the air behind him. "Different things..." The finger found its way back to the rim of the glass. Instead of tracing it like before, the nail gently rapped against the rim causing a soft hum to enter the air. "Whatever's needed....just enough to get by."
She watched him register her words, before his eyes locked on her finger. The humming ceased as she clasped her hands together atop the table. She had been careless, and he had read her lie. For a high enough bounty, Spike would turn her in. He would turn the Raven in. Faye knew she couldn't allow him to learn of her most recent doings.
"A little work?" His entire head twisted to face her, and she knew he was beginning to suspect something. "Must've moved around a lot in those little jobs...every other day maybe?"
No one could know who she was.
An indifferent shrug shook her body as words fell from her lips. "Whatever the job needed...wherever it was."
Not even Spike.
"Preferably far away?" She watched him study her, gauging her reactions as though she were a patient in a mental institute. "Why'd you never contact them?"
In attempt to evaluate him in return, Faye met gaze with him for a moment. He was unreadable. His cinnamon eyes had severed themselves from his mind in an endeavor to keep her unaware of his suspicions. Eighteen months ago she would have answered him ignorant to his trick, but now it was different she was aware of it, and eighteen months ago she wouldn't have been having this conversation.
The vision lock was broken, answers still unknown. "Independence."
He stared at her for an instant, before his face fell. Annoyance flooded the eyes that had been blank a moment before. "Bull shit."
The ebony haired woman shifted as silence leaned over her shoulders, his cold breath forming whispers in her ears. She shrugged him away, narrowing her eyes in her own effort to deceive, she forced her voice to sound annoyed. "What? You guys finally got rid of me just like you always wanted, and now you can't leave me be?"
The annoyance still emitted from his chocolate eyes. "What happened?"
The woman didn't answer. Her legs crossed in a facade of innocence as she sat silently awaiting an outbreak.
It never came.
Sitting upright in his chair, Spike leaned forward against the table as if the words he were about to speak were meant for her ears alone. The mischievous glint in his eyes didn't go unnoticed. "I figured it out." His voice had grown into a soft tone he seldom used. "You hooked up with Jet, and then caught him with another woman."
Faye stared blankly at the bounty hunter as he rolled with laughter. Each spasm forcing him to hold his stomach. Spike had been steering her towards that statement since the beginning. He was clueless as to her secret identity.
The man quickly shoved the laughter aside as he reclined in his seat, legs disappearing beneath the table as his muscles stretched. "That kid's been going at for weeks now." He paused as he allowed another large gray cloud of smoke to drift upwards. "She's been so damn annoying, running around yellin' dumb shit about finding 'Faye Faye'."
Spike rolled his eyes and cast a glance to the dark haired woman. "Anyways...Ed's on that stupid thing of hers looking for you, unable to find a sign and Jet just works on those goddamn trees of his."
Her break from reality was over. It was time for the conversation to end. "I fail to see where that's my problem." She shrugged indifferently and focused her attention on the street.
She watched vacantly as a hand smashed atop the table causing the glasses to rattle. "Dammit Faye! The two of them want you back and you're just sitting there like you don't care!" His eyes darkened as he focused intently on the woman across from him. Neither person noticed the watching eyes of others around them.
"What if I don't?"
A mix of misunderstanding and humor flooded his face in an expression that would have brought the old Faye to giggles. "What?"
As though she were speaking to a child she slowly spoke the words again. "What if I don't care." It wasn't a question. She wanted him to know she didn't care. She had slammed the truth in his face. End of discussion. She didn't even bat an eyelash.
"Then I'd say I was right about you not having a heart."
She sat motionless under his surveillance. To her the conversation was over.
"They're your friends. You spent too much time with them just to throw everything away." He leaned forward, arms pressing against the metal table. "You owe it to them."
Owe? She had been hit and even bit. They had thrown her out...self explanatory.
"I never promised anything." She hadn't. Promises were troublesome words that seemed to fade away before returning in the most difficult time. Life would be easier without them.
Spike growled, his lower body shifting catlike in preparation to pounce. "How do you do it?" White teeth slipped into view as they were ground together. "How do you goddamn do it?"
An eyebrow quirked upwards.
"How can you just walk away?"
Life is full of leaving. It happens all the time from many different people. "People walk away every day, Spike."
Silence had returned to their table, seated in a chair between the two his eyes flashed with childlike delight at the scene unfolding. Twisting from side to side, he grinned at the blank expressions both wore.
Faye shifted in preparation of her departure from the table while he was in a silent fury. Her eyes began to seek the silent voice that called to her like a siren. They came to rest on a tv that was suspended inside the cafe.
Between the distance and the glare of the glass, it was difficult to discern the images, but she was nearly certain it was the "Star Gateway". If the story was running again, than the man who's life she ended must have been more important than she had believed. Had she been careless and left a trail?
Gravel grated against metal, the protest causing her to shiver. Faye stared at Spike out of the corner of her eyes. He had reclined again. The cigarette that had been his source of patience was now crumpled against the table. His eyes flicked towards her as the crumpled stub was flicked
She watched in the presence of silence. The echoing of the wordless sentences still spoke more than any torrent of words.
****************************************************************
The click of thick heeled boots were muffled by the puddles prowling the pavement. Softer imitations echoed from behind her into the night air.
The side street sparkled crimson underneath the glow of a neon light. The letters of the bar's name were unreadable blurs on the alley floor. The pools of crimson it created disappeared unnoticed underneath shoes.
Other than the barely discernible shadow of a dumpster that lined the edge of a building ahead and themselves, the alley was empty or at least it gave the impression.
How many alleys like this one had she been through? In the past two years there had been so many, and all with the same reason.
The hunt.
Tonight was different, it was just another street.
Out of the corners of her eyes, Faye watched the man who had moved to her side. The neon light flickered bathing Spike in darkness before the apple light returned it's gentle beam upon him. He was watching the ground as they walked, a self satisfied smirk stretching across his face.
He had known he could convince her to return from the start. He had probably counted on her guilt being the deciding factor, it would've been if it wasn't for her current "emotional" state. She needed to let things calm down before she continued work and the Bebop wanted her to return.
One bounty.
Just one bounty and she would be able to leave them again, for the last time. She knew lady luck rarely favored her, so a one bounty weekend could turn into a drawn out chase
across space.
Her nose wrinkled automatically to shut out an offending odor. However, the stench forced its way in a wave of rotting meat and aged cheese. Empty wrappers and broken bottles littered the ground surrounding the dumpster. A second odor wafted its way into her nose. This one a fading mix of sweat and cologne.
Faye passed the bin, eyes darting suspiciously to the corner beside it.
Nothing.
Strange, she knew the darkness that usually covered her as one of its own could shelter another. They could sit waiting for hours in the shadows for one person. Eyes assessing
each who passed for that one who would walk unaware into their fate.
Even at an early age children learned to hide in dark spaces. It was naturally the best place to conceal oneself, besides every movie she'd ever seen had someone leaping out of the shadows in an alley. It had been the reason she had created the unconscious habit of walking circles before ever returning to her week's room, and that the day had nearly ended.
No longer sensing the presence of Spike, the woman paused. He was standing a few feet back, his hands unseen in his pockets and earth colored eyes focused ahead.
The fog of evaporating rain clung to the forms of five men. The street lamp of the other road ahead shrouded their faces, only allowing their silhouettes to be seen.
Shifting the duffel bag that she had forgot she was still carrying, Faye briefly chided herself for packing her weapons inside.
She watched as a lengthy round object was lifted by the middle figure. His snickers were echoed by his cohorts who flanked him while he bounced the object in his hand. The simple action was a sentence in itself. "Well look what we found here boys!"
It was impossible to tell which figure spoke next. "You will let us play a game with the girl right?" She ignored the men who began to spread into the shadows around them, her eyes were locked on the one who was obviously the leader.
The middle man began to approach as he spoke over his shoulder. "I'm always generous." The silhouettes shook as more laughter echoed through the darkness.
Her old partner's head tilted back with a derisive snort. "Take her, but you'll want to give her back after she starts complaining."
Faye raised an eyebrow.
"Thanks for you're concern." The man was finally close enough to see. His eyes were glowing silver from beneath a mound of coppery curls. The object clasped within his hands was now discernible as a metal pole that he had probably found in a construction area. "Although you won't be concerned for my well being much longer." The shadows opened allowing the other men to return to his sides. "In fact, you won't be able to be concerned for quite a long time."
She had been right about men lurking in the shadows. These men were too cliché to actually pose much of a threat. Their way of life was built mostly on fear, and probably only chose easy targets like women. Faye chose the moment to speak for the first time. "Big talkers are usually weak."
A low growl emanated from the aggressor. Silver eyes vanished a moment, when they returned they were almost white. "I don't usually hit a lady."
"She's not exactly a lady." Spike spoke to no one in particular.
A sickening thud broke the silence that followed as the thief's fist found its way into the bounty hunter's stomach. The force of the impact should have sent him gasping for air, instead a deadly smile crossed his features before his own fist connected with the man's left cheekbone.
Realizing it was obviously time to end this engagement, Faye swung her duffel bag upward into the face of the nearest man. With a cry of surprise he stumbled backwards as second heavier set man suddenly sprung at her with a feline ease. Surprised by the
swiftness the heavy man held, she narrowly sidestepped his lunge.
Extra senses awoke on call as Faye curled away in a corner of thought giving complete control to the Raven. The first man had now recovered from the initial shock and together with his companion they began to advance.
Taking the initiative, she lunged forward her entire body slamming into the large man. Off balance the woman swung her arm at the other's head in a weak left hook, that hardly forced a recoil from the brute. Knowing she would have to rely on her speed and stamina to wear the men down, she leapt landing nimbly on her booted feet in a crouch behind them.
The smaller man, however had anticipated her next move and already whirled around to face her. His arms swung wildly in forceful punches, that if connected would send her falling into darkness. Sidestepping again, she counterattacked with her strongest roundhouse kick to the shoulder. The man stumbled, losing his balance on the slippery pavement, and toppled headfirst into a puddle.
Faye paused filling her lungs with air, reading herself for her next attack as a familiar scent of sweat tinged with cologne filler her nostrils nearly choking her.
There was a sixth man. He had been hidden the entire time.
She had been right.
Before she could swing around to defend herself, the unmistakable cold pressure of a gun barrel pressed between her shoulders. She knew the wordless sentences it spoke, as well as the smirk that she sensed present "Game Over."
Well, whatdya think? Um, thanks to those continuously told me to get off my lazy ass and get working, but *sniff* did you have to say it so mean? The next chapter should be out shortly. *remembers the last time she said that* Well...it should this time. Oh, and please don't tell anyone that I was the one who used the camels. Thankies!