When the trio was done with the cake, Crowley put it in his fridge. Aziraphale took Ainsley to the sink. Having him rinse the dishes and set them in the drying rack. While they worked, Azirphale said,"That was a very lovely cake, Ainsley."
"I'd say you'd make a marvelous baker if you ever wanted to be one.",he added. It made Ainsley give a huge happy grin as he washed the dish. One that made Azirphale grin in return. Something about the young man just made the angel feel so warm. Like he was basking in the gentle rays of the sun. Almost like the plants had been earlier. Now, he understood why they were so endeared towards the nephalem.
The nephalem was just the strangest form of pure love he'd felt in a while. Yet it felt familiar as well. Like he knew where it came from but, couldn't figure out just where.
Crowley recognized this feeling as well. But didn't want to find where it was. Well, sort of. As he did want to know the folks who made this kid. At the same time he didn't want to know who made these kids. Since the demon had this irrational feeling they would keep Ainsley away from him. And the idea of that, for whatever reason, terrified the demon. Which also confused him as well. Unsure of why the idea of never spending time with Ainsley scared him. Yet, he couldn't entirely figure out why.
Why did it bother him so much? It was a question that kept bouncing around the demon's skull. Crowley did his best to not dwell on it. Instead just focusing on watching his angel and the nephalem. Their cute smiles as they finished their task at hand. Soon as they were done, Crowley suggested,"Would you like to watch a movie before you leave, Ainsley?"
"I'd like that. What kind of movies do you got?",Ainsley questioned. Figuring it was probably noir films or something to that effect. When the demon answered that he had mostly comedies and cartoons, he was a little surprised. But pleasantly so. And followed Crowley over to the selection that he had. There were several titles that he hadn't ever heard of. Along with a few that he'd seen in the past. Right, when they came out if he remembered it right. Ainsley picked out an animated movie that he hadn't seen before. Holding it up, Ainsley asked,"Is this one okay?"
Crowley took it from him and examined it for a second. It wasn't his favorite and Angel didn't really like it much. But, he noticed that Ainsley was very excited to watch the little rabbit cartoon. So he answered,"Yes, I think it will end before your neighbor's curfew for you."
Aziraphale noticed the little rabbit themed movie. But did his best to not make a face over it. Not wanting to hurt Ainsley's feelings over it. Instead he just sucked it up as the pair put the movie in. Watching the Nephalem plop down on the floor as he watched the T.V. Crossing his legs as he stared up at the screen. His demon taking a seat in his favorite chair behind him. Reaching over and gently petting Ainsley's hair. The nephalem too engrossed in the movie to notice. Though Aziraphale found it slightly strange. He ultimately said nothing as he turned his attention to the movie.
Quietly, Crowley asked,"Ainsley would you mind scooting back a little?"
Without a word, Ainsley did as requested of himself. Crowley continued to play with the nephalem's hair. Putting little braids in it with a tiny smile on his face. It was strangely a sweet sight for the angel. And he found himself smiling slightly as he continued to watch the screen. Simply enjoying the little movie and the feeling of someone playing with his hair. As it had been far too long since someone had done that for him.
Since Oscar.
In fact, it was one of the reasons why he grew out his hair. Because Oscar told him that he'd look cute with long hair. As, at the time, Ainsley had his hair super short. Mostly out of fear of being hurt for having long hair. It was also something the envied of the taller man at the time. His hair wasn't super long but it was longer than most. Ignoring the memory of a friend past, he kept himself viewed on the present. Watching the screen with a grin that grew on his face.
While they sat together, there was this strange feeling in the air. One that none of the trio could explain. At least none of them could entirely. Crowley would say that it was tension mixed with awkwardness. Or something to that effect. Aziraphale would say that it was just friends relaxing together. The feeling wasn't anything to worry of. Ainsley would not say what the feeling was. Other than it was powerful and he didn't know how to entirely think of it. The feeling was just too strange and strong for him to understand.
Yet, they understood it on some level. Not on one that any of them felt like they could speak of. But on a level of knowing it was something to do with being around each other. That there was this strange connection that would go weird if they talked.
So, instead they just sat together watching the movie.
After it was done, Crowley got the movie put neatly away. While Aziraphale and Ainsley braced themselves for the drive home. Though, despite how much both had prepared themselves they still found themselves holding back screams. Azriphale managing to do so pretty well. Ainsley just holding onto the backseat so tight his knuckles turned white. Chewing hard on his bottom lip as he avoided looking out any window. And staring straight down at the floor to avoid looking out the windshield. Being grateful that it wasn't a long of a wait for any of them. As a little bit later, they found themselves out in front of Ainsley's home.
At least an hour or so before his 'curfew'.
While Ainsley got out of his car, so did Aziraphale and Crowley. When they did this, Ainsley asked,"Where are you guys headed?"
"I believe we should just check around, Boo.",Aziraphale answered. The nickname surprising both Ainsley and himself. Instead of saying anything on it, he continued,"Just to be sure that Hastur isn't here waiting for you."
"Just to be completely safe.",Crowley chimed in. Equally confused by the little nickname that Ainsley just gained. Yet, he wasn't entirely sure if calling his Angel out now would be wise. That could come later when the little man wasn't with them. And Ainsley nodded his head in agreement as they walked over to his door. Digging out his door-key before opening it. Taking a deep breath as he listened for anything odd in the house. When he heard nothing, he headed inside and allowed the other men to follow. Suddenly feeling self-conscious of his cluttered but somewhat bare home.
It wasn't dusty, thanks to Evenin's comment, but it wasn't exactly clean.
Though it wasn't full of garbage or anything embarrassing. Ainsley just wished he had a chance to tidy up. Or make it look nicer before letting either of them inside. Then again he wasn't exactly expecting other men in his home.
Both men didn't seem to mind in a sense. As Ainsley was much younger than them they expected it to be untidy. Aziraphale at least had. Yet, they found this place to be slightly familiar. Almost like someone took Aziraphale's bookshop and Crowley's home into one place. The amount of books crowded in places but with minimalist look. There were books on shelves, a table, and countertops. There was an almost sudden urge in Azirphale to look into the fridge. One that was hard to ignore so, he didn't.
Aziraphale opened the fridge door and peeked inside. Finding it partially full of foods that he'd somewhat like. But, the majority of it was full of books. That made him raise an eyebrow as he motioned Crowley to look inside of it. Who also gave a strange look at the sight of books in a fridge. Neither were sure how to comment on it and simply shut the door. This wasn't what they were there for and they didn't want to shame the boy. Instead, they started looking around the entire little home. Crowley checked around the ground floor. While Aziraphale checked upstairs.
The upstairs were the same as the ground floor. Lots of books in places that book normally weren't. Along with not a lot of furniture.
There was this odd air of familiarity that he couldn't grasp. It eluded him every time that he tried to. So, he did his best to pretend it merely didn't exist. Just pressing forward to look through every space he could. A closet, a spare room, the bathroom, and behind the shower curtain. Feeling that maybe Hastur hid there in either human form or frog form. Being grateful that he found neither situation. Then he moved onto where he felt the bedroom would be. The bedroom was kind of beautiful. Cluttered in tiny spots like the rest of the house.
Yet not a ton of furniture either.
A huge bed was in the corner of the bedroom and pressed against a wall. There were black blankets and pillows on it. Ones that had hidden galaxies under them when Azirphale checked. Peeking under the bed to be sure that Hastur wasn't there. Then the only wardrobe that was in the bedroom. Finding nothing in there as well. Aside from a mixture of masculine and feminine clothing. Stuff that he and Crowley would wear when they felt like it. Though he had to admit some of these would suit his Demon more. Especially the floor length black dress with built in corset.
Shutting the door to the wardrobe, Aziraphale gave a tiny smile. It was kind of sweet. Then he walked out of the room. Nearly colliding with Crowley as he did so. Who asked,"Anything in here?"
"No. But his room is rather lovely and I think you might like it.",Aziraphale answered. Moving to the side so that Crowley could walk in. And he did. Looking around it with a raised eyebrow. The room was rather nice looking. Not crowded yet somehow kind of crowded. Though, he did expect that considering how the rest of the house looked like.
The hidden galaxy theme in the blankets and sheets was. Pretty and wonderful in a way that he enjoyed. One that he might've gotten if he wanted sheets like this. But not with the bed pressed into the corner of the bedroom like this. Crowley guessed it was probably to save space in the bedroom. A tiny smile came to his face as he laid down on the bed. Looking up at the ceiling, he froze for a long moment. Then he scooted over on the bed and patted it. Calmly, Crowley said,"Angel, I need you to come over here please."
"What? You want to sleep in Ainsley's bed? Isn't that a little rude?",Azirphale asked. Feeling a bit confused as to why Crowley needed to sleep. Or the look on his Demon's face. It was a mixture of quite a few emotions he couldn't quite understand. Crowley turned his head to look at him. And he said,"I don't want to sleep. I want you to see something that's on his ceiling."
That made Aziraphale raise an eyebrow but, he did as requested of him. Laying down on the bed next to Crowley and looking up at the ceiling. Now, it was his turn to freeze as he stared upwards. Upon the cieling was something that had been clearly hand painted by the nephalem. One that neither of the men were anticipating.
A galaxy. The nephalem hand painted a full galaxy onto his cieling.
It looked vaguely familiar to the Angel. And for the longest moment, neither of them said anything. Being utterly silent about the sight they were taking in. Crowley stated,"It's the alpha centauri, Angel. He has the alpha centauri on his ceiling."
"The little man goes to sleep looking at this every night.",he added. A strange sound in his tone as he stared up at it. There was a slight pride but, confusion to his tone. One that he could understand entirely. Pride that Ainsley liked the galaxy that Crowley helped build. Confusion as to why he had it up there in the first place. As they laid there in slight confusion they heard Ainsley clear his throat. Both turned to him as they saw Ainsley standing and staring at them. Raising an eyebrow, Ainsley asked,"Uhhh...is my bed that comfy for you gentlemen?"
"Not to be rude but, why are you in my bed for?",he questioned. Tilting his head to the side as he stared at them. It was the oddest thing to see them on his bed. Not that he thought they were doing something private. Just weird they were on his bed in the first place. Both of the men carefully got off of Ainsley's bed. Crowley approached him as he pointed to the ceiling. The demon asked,"Do you know what that galaxy is?"
"Umm...no? But, I dream of it sometimes and feel really peaceful when I do.",Ainsley answered. A tiny smile on his face as he stared up at the cieling. It always made him feel better and safe when he did. Like he was near someone that truly loved him. That it was just absolutely safe for him. Crowley stated,"That's the Alpha Centauri, Ainsley."
"You dream of the Alpha Centauri?",Crowley questioned. It was strange that the little nephalem dreamed of it. What did that mean? Just why in the world did the little man dream of this? The demon stared back up at it as thoughts swirled in his mind. Aziraphale looked a little confused by it as well. Unsure of what it meant as well. Then Ainsley said,"Yes. I dream of being in it and wander around sometimes."
"I kind of wish I could see it for real. Not to touch the stars or anything but...just see what it's truly like.",Ainsley muttered. Taking his glasses off as he stared back at the ceiling. There was a sweet look of happiness on his face. A big grin on his face as he continued to stare. It was just absolutely precious in the Angel's mind. Sure, he didn't know what any of this actually meant. But, still found it utterly sweet.
While the trio stood together there was this knowledge hanging in the air. One that they knew of but didn't know how to name it. Like they knew something about each other. Yet, they couldn't seem to share it out loud. Instead, they decided to just go back downstairs to the living room. Ainsley hugged the Angel and Demon before they left his home. Leaving him to wonder just what this was going to mean in the future. Or what they were going to do about it as well.
Then felt it would be better to deal with tomorrow. When the nephalem had some sleep and a better idea of what to say.
In another part of the world, there was a bar fight happening. One that was instigated on the flimsiest bit of irritation. One by the only person in the bar who wasn't fighting. A scrawny, tall, and decidedly preppy looking man. Bright ruby red hair that was swept backwards with shaved sides. Smiling as he drank his beer from where he was standing in the room. There wasn't blood being spilled, not yet anyway.
It still was a glorious sight for the young looking man. This man was Wrath. And he loved instigating, but not being in, a fight when he had the chance. Wrath took a long sip of his beer then set the empty glass on the nearby table. Which was knocked over not that long after by two men fighting. Ignoring this as he calmly walked out of the bar towards his car. A beautiful dark red car that mirrored his style. Soon as he got in, he was greeted by a woman in bright purple pantsuit. One who had long white-blonde hair pulled into a high ponytail. Black sunglasses perched on her delicate nose. The woman turned to him with a tiny smile on her face.
She'd taken over from where Pride left off. Telling him that they weren't good enough to have his presence in their lives. This young woman was Vanity.
"Hello, Sweetums.",Vanity stated. Wrath raised an eyebrow as he eyed her. But, didn't kick her out of his car. Instead he just pulled out of the parking spot. Looking into the front of the street. Then he asked,"So. I take it that things have started?"
"Yes. They have. Our glorious time has come and the others are arranging for us to come to them.",she said. Sounding as excited as he was starting to feel. Finally. The time for their boss was at a hand. To show everyone just how truly deadly they actually were. How competent they were. Absolutely more so than the four Horsemen actually had been. Or ever hoped to even be. The five other sins were pooling together their resources to pull them to them. Wrath chuckled,"Finally, I've been getting so sick of waiting."
"Starting bar fights was kind of getting boring. Not gonna lie.",Wrath added. Not entirely boring but enough to get tedious. At least after three hundreth time that he had done it. Vanity said,"I know, I know. I was getting a bit impatient myself."
"Now we can finally show those losers from earlier how better we are.",she continued. Better and most wonderous by anything those others were. They only failed because they weren't clever enough. No where near as experienced in bloodshed or chaos as the seven of them were. And to completely brag, there were more of them as well. None of them were old losers.
They were a well oiled machine while those four were rusty. It shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone that they failed. But, all seven of them wouldn't fail. They would do what they've been waiting thousands of years to achieve. And not have to rely on an old boss's child to help with. One that was just too human for their needs and probably always would be. Ignoring this. Vanity said,"We'll be getting to those little creatures soon."
"Change their outfits and have them bring forth what we need.",Vanity continued. Change their outfits thanks to how ugly their styles were. In photos that Envy showed her at least. She would be the one to do that of course. Her style was better than Wrath's or the other six. Put them in beautiful little clothes that suited them. Maybe show off a little skin as well. Wrath asked,"So. They good at fighting?"
"All I've seen were pictures that Envy sent me.",Vanity explained. Then told him how none of them told her about what they were like. As they barely watched the pair for a few weeks. And only knew that the nephalem were ready for the event. Just how wonderously powerful they felt to her. Vanity added,"She also wouldn't stop talking about how she wanted their homes."
"I do hope they're actually as lovely as she says they are. You know how she gets.",Vanity said. As Envy loved to exaggerate everything she saw. Mostly thanks to how her personality was. Took her role as a sin a little too personally if Vanity said so. And that was saying a lot since she took quite a lot of pride in her own work. The thought nearly made her giggle as she checked her teeth in the side-view mirror. Wipping what she had seen there. Calmly, she added,"Everything is a damn crisis and goodness can it be hilarious."
"So says the chick checking herself out in my mirror.",Wrath pointed out. Giving her a little smirk when she turned to him. Giving him the middle finger before rolling her eyes. Then she said,"Whatever. You know what I mean. Anyway, I can't wait for this to actually start."
"It's been too, too long since we've done anything like this.",Vanity continued. Working with Greed once again to make life a living Hell for everyone. Quite literally. She wondered how he had been doing since the last time they'd spoken. Looking at Wrath, she asked,"I mean when was the last time we got to be together in one place?"
"I believe it was somewhere during the Ancient Greek times...maybe...I'm not entirely sure.",Wrath admitted. During a time that they weren't entirely sure of. Or even remembered keeping track of said time. As it never seemed relevant to him. All that seemed relevant were starting fights and other forms of chaos. Stuff that he never really even thought of. Ignoring these thoughts, Wrath said,"I'm not really sure how long. But I know it's around that time."
"...being in America's really screwed with our sense of time.",Vanity stated. Being there had definitely made their lives a little odd. Since everything had started their time was blended together. Especially, with the almost-end of everything in existence. That just started off a party they didn't even get to really finish. And there was also a level of power that moved away recently. They only realized that power was the young nephalem moving away.
Well, at least Vanity just realized it that morning.
"So we're going to be flying first class in an hour.",Vanity answered. Grinning as Wrath ground his teeth but drove towards the aiport. Hating that the beautifully dressed woman would do this. As she always gave him last minute warnings for whatever reason she could think of. Mostly he thinks she thinks it's hilarious to see him that upset. And he wasn't wrong. While they got there, she asked,"You want to cause a little chaos while we're there?"
"Or do you just want to get a treat while we're there?",Vanity added. Figuring they both could use a little treat. After having to wait so long to be able to do anything for funsies. Grinning a little bit as Wrath nodded his head. Smiling a little as he answered,"I vote we get both. Cause a little chaos and get ourselves some Starbucks."
"Ooh, someone's speaking my language.",Vanity stated. Soon as they parked the pair hurried into the airpot. Getting past everyone as fast as they could. Which would make them both colored blurs to most humans. Annoying shoving jerks to other Demons. Not that either of these two gave a damn. All they cared about was getting to where they wanted to go. Causing a little chaos wasn't entirely difficult as they bolted past folks. Wrath just nudging a few people in the wrong way possible. Making the folks start fighting behind them. Vanity making others start stealing with just a few words. Loving how easy it was to nudge them into what they felt they deserved.
It was so hilarious to watch as they waited to get their drinks. Which they made as complicated as they possibly could. Loving the annoyed looks on the baristas faces. But trying very hard to not show it on their own faces. As they didn't want them to get ideas they were loving this. Vanity made sure hers had more syrups than any other drink. While Wrath was extremely vague on what he wanted from the woman. Then threw a fit that they weren't doing what he demanded. Well, a pretend fit.
He wasn't actually angry at either of these workers. But, he had to pretend to be to get the game going. Soon as it did, he smirked as the man snapped at him. Then snapped at his co-worker and took a swing at him. Thankfully, the already had Vanity's drink done so she wasn't upset. She just watched them with amusement as they started fighting together. Putting down money for her and his drink. Both leaving to go to where they needed to be. Giggling like school kids who caught the teacher doing something wrong. Arm in arm as they headed to where they were meant to go. Still laughing their heads off as they boarded the plane. Heading to their proper seats as well. Dreaming of how things were going to go and how much they were going to reap the benefits.
The nephalem wasn't entirely sure what to make of his feelings. They were just so muddled that he didn't understand them. Not that he was upset or anything. No, Ainsley wasn't. But they were so strong that he actually missed the men. Whom he barely still knew anything about.
As he sat down on his couch, he wondered what was going on. Why were they making him feel like this? How did they know about the galaxy on his ceiling? Ainsley ran his hands through his hair. Finally finding the braids that Crowley had left in them. Not undoing them as he toyed with them gently. They felt wonderful in his hands. It was kind of strange how Crowley did this for him. Wondering why the Demon bothered with playing with his hair. Then figured that he probably just was bored and played with it for the fun of it. After all, his hair was nice and even Evenin played with it sometimes.
So maybe that was Crowley's reasoning. That he just like the way that Ainsley's strawberry-blonde tresses felt under his fingertips.
Quietly, he shoved these thoughts aside as he turned on the T.V. Watching a program that he really had no interest in. Just something that kept his mind off of his situation. The weirdness of it all. Yet, his mind wouldn't allow it. All his thoughts centered on the feelings he had for the men. What he felt like when he was with them. How strangely safe he felt with them. And how he hadn't felt like that in a long, long time. Even when he was surrounded by friends he hadn't felt that safe. Or that strange amount of love in one room. Then again, Ainsley just figured it was just Crowley and Aziraphale's feelings for each other.
Trying to shove these feelings aside as he sat there. Then a little bit later, he heard a knocking at the door. Causing him to freeze on the couch. A second later, he heard Evenin's voice and breathed a sigh of relief. Getting up, he headed to the door and peeked through the peephole. Seeing the blue-haired woman facing the other direction. Back facing his door for whatever reason. For a second, he had some bad feelings over it. But, brushed it aside as just him feeling weird from the whole day. Opening the door, he said,"Hello, Ms. Vega. What're you doing over here so late?"
The woman turned to actually face him with a huge grin on her face. It wasn't Ms. Vega. This woman only looked like Ms. Vega with her blue hair. And had a few pieces of jewelry that he felt Ms. Vega would own. Yet, she wore stuff that looked more like out of the 80's. Skin-tight leotard with leggings underneath. Some leg warmers that were directly out of a music video. Strange neon shoes that tied her whole look together. She looked like an aerobics teacher. With the terrifying grin on her face, she said,"Oh, honey. I'm not your little pet human."
"And I've come to pick you up for your destiny.",she added. Gently reaching over to touch Ainsley's face. Before he could properly swat it away, his vision immediately went dark and he felt himself sway. Someone's arms were around him before he hit the floor and holding him close.
The person holding him close was a very tall man. One who looked to be very scrawny despite how actually strong he was. Holding up the nephalem, he said,"That was the stupidest thing I've ever heard you say, Sloth. And that's saying a lot."
"Oh, shush it. At least my plan actually worked, Greed.",Sloth snapped. Rolling her eyes as Greed picked up Ainsley. Barely having an issue with carrying him to their car. Aside from finding himself smiling for whatever reason. The overwhelming feeling of love was really disgusting him at the moment. It wasn't hard for him to know who it came from. An angel and demon. Who exactly it came from? He didn't know. Didn't particularly give a damn either. As it wasn't his place to ponder over that sort of thing. His job was to just place the unconscious nephalem into their backseat. Then drive all three of them to Lust's home. Greed stated,"Still the stupidest thing I've ever heard you say."
"Just put the little weirdo in the backseat so we can leave.",Sloth ordered. Getting annoyed that she had to deal with him. Hating having to spend any time with Greed. As he nitpicked anything she said. Even if it was just jokingly. Settling herself grumpily into the passenger-side seat. Ignoring the other sin as he did as she demanded. Carefully buckling the little man onto the seat. Not wanting him to roll off or anything if Greed had to brake. Greed getting into the driver-side seat as he said,"Don't try to boss me around, Sloth."
"Whatever. Let's get going before that weirdo neighbor comes out.",Sloth snapped. Causing Greed to smack her on the knee and pulling out. Loving the little grunt of pain that she made from that. Her smacking him back for what he just did. Then she hissed,"You're such a prick!"
"So? You're not exactly nice yourself, Lo.",Greed snickered. Laughing when Sloth smacked him a few more times. Shrilly shrieking that he knew she didn't like that stupid nickname. And that he wasn't ever allowed to call her that ever. How dare he call her that. Ignoring these smacks, he jokingly warned,"Careful, Sloth. You might wake our little friend back there before we arrive at Lust's."
"You don't want him to get freaked out and try to escape do you?",Greed added. Giving her an innocent look as she fumed silently beside him. Stopping her attack on his shoulder and hearing. Frowning deeply as she crossed her arms. Grumbling stuff under her breath that he didn't catch. Nor did he make her repeat herself. Instead he glanced upward into the rear-view mirror. Making absolutely sure that the nephalem was asleep. When he was sure that he was, Greed said,"Man, he's one heavy sleeper."
"I bet I could drive us through an entire mall and that dude wouldn't even stir.",he added. Making sure his eyes were straight ahead with a slight smile. It was a little hilarious when he heard the young man snoring even. Sloth rolled her eyes as she glanced over her shoulder. The little man was only asleep thanks to her powers. Otherwise he probably would be awake and freaking out. Or possibly even worse. Ignoring this, she said,"I just can't wait to get this started and show those snobs what we're made of."
"Make them recognize that we're just as good as they are.",she continued. Better even. They were always more reliable and actually prepared for their end of the world. Not some pompous assholes who just skidded by until they were useful. Much better than even some of the demons in Hell at that moment. Along with that barely powerful Beezlebub and his gross minions. Especially, Dagon. Lord of the files.
More like Lord of the brown-nosers. Sloth and him never got along. And she never gave a damn why not. All that mattered is he was too stuck up for her tastes. Treating her like she barely was a concern. And that she was meaningless because she didn't do the things he did. Or looked like most demons of Hell. Neither did the rest of her group. Ignoring these thoughts she turned back in her seat. Pulling her legs to her chest with a tiny smile and she said,"That we're better than any of those jerks."
"Finally get our day in the Sun.",Greed added. A huge grin on his face as they drove down the street. Neither of them noticing the new passenger in their car. Or the person gently touching the sleeping nephalem. Their strange dark eyes watching them for a moment in annoyance. Then a sickly smirk dragging itself onto his face. A moment later, the passenger had himself and Ainsley on the side of the road. Ainsley laying on the grass on his back. Hands laying on his stomach as Hastur knelt down next to him. Checking him over as he said,"Don't know why they wanted you so badly."
"But I'm going to find out one way or another, abomination..."
