Raven POV
"Where could they be? Dinner is in half an hour and nobody has seen them come back from the forest!" The cute Weasley cursed as he paced back and forth in the large living room of the Peverell apartments. Al and Lily's cousin Louis was an odd wizard. He had decided to accentuate the contours of his pretty eyes with a dark liner for the feast, making him look almost feline in the process. As I tracked the boys nervous gait I took greater note of the oddity that was Al's stunning cousin. Whereas Scorpius had lighter hair like gilded starlight, this boy's head was a solid gold. His long locks were braided into an elaborate ponytail, tied up at the back. The feminine hairstyle had the intended consequence of exposing the handsome features of his face and his delicate neck. Louis was very androgynous in that sort of model-y way you found in muggle fashion ads. In fact, as I observed him I was almost certain i'd seen him on the cover of several magazines before.
Like the time Aurora had introduced us in Diagon Alley, he was currently dressed excessively well. It was true that he was more conservatively attired for the carnival of the moon, but was certainly no less stylish tonight than when last we had met.
"Maybe they're dead?" Lily mused, tossing her knife into the air from where she lay on the couch. She had been using the sharp blade to carve what appeared to be a striking wand shape out of a rare branch of African Blackwood she'd stolen from the gardens. "Killed each other in the forest when neither of them would yield."
"That's not a very reassuring thought Lils." Louis chastised. The auburn haired witch merely shrugged, catching the falling knife deftly over and over. If she missed even once the knife would fall straight down to hit her in the face.
"I was hoping we could all have a brief discussion with Al before dinner but it's looking less and less likely now." I offered with a sigh to the group assembled. Besides Louis and Lily, I had invited to Al's chamber both Lysander and Lorcan Scamander, as well as Marcus of house Maxus.
The scion of the Maxus family was the only wizard my own age currently in the mix. He was also the only wizard present who had not guessed at the precise nature of why he'd been invited. While he waited patiently for clarity, the novice wizard had taken to sketching a beautiful rendition of Al's sister. I had heard they spent much of the weekend together and was present when she shocked him by revealing her age. The youngest present, the fourteen year old somehow had shot up over the last few months and was already almost as tall as me. It was this fast growth spurt which had so confused the Italian Prince. He balked to learn she was the same young girl who had attended his ennobling ceremony at Malfoy Manor earlier this summer.
Still, her youth did not deter him from seeking her company. I could tell she enjoyed the newly awakened wizard who had little knowledge of our way of doing things. Whether it was a budding friendship or more I could not discern. Sixteen and fourteen was a little strange but so was Lily... I thought watching the two of them.
The sound of laughter came tumbling finally through the outside hall, interrupting our quiet waiting with renewed excitement. The door to the apartment swung carelessly open to the sight of the happiest boys I'd ever observed. The two were smiling stupidly as they observed each other, clearly amused by some shared joke. They both had wet hair and since Al was wearing Scor's clothes I assumed they'd both showered over at the Malfoy's apartments.
As soon as Scorpius noticed the party gathered, he released his grip on his friends hand. Neither I nor Lysander had missed either gesture. We shared a quick glance before the Scamander boy looked nervously away.
Now that's curious.
"Hello All!" Al cheered happily as he waltzed into the space. He walked over to Lily to kiss her on the forehead and followed it up by hugging his worried cousin who had until then been pacing nervously in circles around the room.
"So, you're both back to normal huh? What took you so long? We were worried something had happened to you out there." Louis chided affectionately, whispering a greeting in french to the brunet. To my greater surprise, Al chose to sit himself in the same large chair as Lysander, handing the handsome boy a perfectly formed peach.
"These are delicious. I saw them on the way back from the forest and remembered you love peaches." Albus noted quietly as he discretely deposited the fruit into Lysander's open palm. The boy had to restrain his obvious elation, settling for a small smile instead.
"We're back to whatever passes for normal between the two of us. Sure." Scorpius laughed, nodding to me and then his other cousin Markus. He walked to the couch and lifted lily's head so he could sit beneath her on the couch. She barely reacted as her head fell back into his lap.
"Hi Lils." The blond smirked, looking down at the odd witch.
"I like your haircut Scor. Short looks good on you." She noted, reaching her hand upwards to touch the damp golden strands.
"Thanks Lils. You look ravishing too by the way. I'm guessing they all know why they're here? Do we have a name for this secret society just yet?" he asked curiously.
So Al had told him what we were up to already… how fast they had healed their wounds.
"Its delicious Al. I can't believe you remembered. Its one of the few things my brother and I differ on… Lorcan doesn't like the texture." Lysander whispered to Al as everyones attention was on Scorpius. Al smiled at the boy and tenderly wiped a bit of juice from the corner of his neighbors mouth, before suggestively taking a bite of the fruit himself while it sat still in the blonds hand. As quickly as his sweet attention had landed on the boy, it was gone and the blush that bloomed on the young wizards face went unnoticed by everyone but me.
It would seem i'm not the only one who pines for Al...
While Al, Louis and Scor all had a sort of ethereal feline gorgeousness to them, the twins were by no means comely. They were remarkably handsome themselves but in a more traditional way. Less elven.
'Louis or Lysander?' I mused quietly to myself. Which one should I pursue? If Al is off limits I'll have to try for someone who's actually available—
"Why are we all here anyway? I'm guessing that secret society quip was a joke?" Markus remarked, interrupting my thoughts.
"Not exactly." I rose to address the room at that. "On that note I'd better welcome you all. We convene here the first official meeting of the order of the Jade Rabbits."
"Jade Rabbits! Al, how are you still so bloody cute. Its that story Ginny would read to us in the gardens when we were little." Scor noted, interrupting me. We all were silent at Scorpius's use of the word cute.
"As I was saying. Everyone gathered has some reason or other to owe their lives or loyalty to the two boys here before us. Lily is Albus's sister and Louis his cousin. Al has saved the lives of Louis's father and the Scamander's mother and I have sworn a blood oath to Al already. Additionally I and Markus are Scor's cousins and have equal reason to owe him our complete loyalty. He knows why."
"Loyalty? Secret Societies? I know I'm knew to this magic business but isn't this all a little too cloak and dagger?"
"You'll be attending Hogwarts soon Markus. Have you been made aware of the political issues currently plaguing our world?"
Markus shrugged. "I'm more interested in girls than politics to be honest."
Lily giggled girlishly at the honest reply.
"But you are aware things are… becoming complicated for us and our families?"
"I'm aware there are terrorists and conspiracies and a divide between those who accept the Muggles growing influence over the planet and those who would rather see the muggles removed altogether from the equation. As a recent muggle turned wizard prince I can't say I really know what's going on. But if you kids are going so far as to form a secret society, I can at least hear you out as to its aims."
"Well... I can sum it up quite nicely. Markus, your mum is a british squib. Her parents were prominent wizards, but she, like you, was born without magic. She married your father, who's mother was Lucius's middle sister. Your father's family in essence control the majority of Italian wizarding society. The Italian wizards for their part are a little snobbish but they don't really care about blood purity all that much. The British however are divided as a result of the last war. Albus's family currently control the pro muggle faction who occupy the seat of power in the UK. Scorpius's grandfather on the other hand used to serve as one of the lead actors in the purist rebellion and his family are pureblood through and through. The Malfoy's hold enormous sway over the founders council. The founders walls controls the magic that fuels the state's biggest spellwork. The trace, the international statutes of secrecy, etc… so both sides have a lot of power. Then there are the Valois who's guests we are and therefore I would refrain from speaking ill about while we are here. However they're behind a lot of this. There's not doubt of that."
"I follow you up to here but honestly you're starting to hurt my head Alex." Markus replied to the result of another giggle from Lily.
"Its like Shakespeare basically. Our very own Romeo and Juliet." The young witch explained. "Star crossed lovers from rival families except Al and Scor are just best friends. Right boys?" The fact that neither of them dared look at each other or say anything was more telling to me than if they had.
"Funny, until I watched them duel I would still be asking why the need for a secret society if they're just friends. Now that I know how strong you two are, I get why people are angry that you're so close. Correct me if i'm wrong but not very many wizards are as powerful as the two of you? Or do I have that wrong?"
Everyone went nervously quiet at that. Even Lily looked a little perturbed at the mention of the boys strength.
"No you're right, very few people are as gifted as we are." Scorpius acknowledged coldly. It wasn't boastful, it was just a fact.
"In essence we all trust Al with our lives. He's selfless and kind and there are many who believe he will bring about an incredible age of prosperity. In order to keep Al and Scorpius safe from falling prey to influence and intrigue as they have in the past, we are agreeing to act as agents of intrigue ourselves. We will act as their spies and agents to serve and safeguard them as we all know they would for us." Louis explained proudly.
"Why the Jade Rabbit?" Markus inquired noting the resolve of all who had listened to the blond's words.
"Yes Al, why the fluffy bunny?" Scorpius teased, reminding his companion of the stories his mother used to read to us.
"There are several reasons in fact. Twit. The Jade Rabbit is a symbol of selflessness and sacrifice for a start. A testament to the commitment I've made to protect all of you and you all of me. The emerald hare happens to be the color of my eyes. A Hecate color. Legends say it guards the secret of the elixir of immortality which it brews in its green palace on the moon. Since my backup plan is to flee should it all go tits up, I wanted to make a base of operations for us somewhere safe. It hit me that a pocket dimension on the moon would be perfect for a secret base. The name kind of had an appeal to me because of that."
"Excuse us?"
"Can you even accomplish something like that?"
Everyone but I startled at the revelation. Even Lily.
"You think that's the complicated part?" Scorpius chuckled.
"What else? Al's figured out the secret to Immortality?" Markus chuckled. "Do we have ourselves the real Moon Hare?"
"Not yet smarty pants. Although to be honest I have a few theories about that too." Al quipped back.
"Then tell us." The twins shot curiously. "What's the complicated part?"
"Wizard vs muggle. My solution to our societies age old problem is simple. I'm going to try and safeguard peace for as long as possible and I'd like your help with that first and foremost… but my ultimate goal is to turn all of the muggles into wizards. Let loose the tethers of magic. Magic is the worlds most extraordinary gift. The purebloods look down on those who cannot perform it. Well, I'm going to change the laws regarding who can perform it."
The shock on everyone's faces was clear.
"Can it even be done?" Lily asked. Her brother nodded and Scorpius did too.
"Thats so ambitious Al." Louis remarked skeptically.
"We… are with you to safeguard and secure the peace… and because we know you care about all living things. Whether you can accomplish what you say we will have to see." The twins chimed.
"You're clearly insane so I'm in. What's our first order of business?" The Italian inquired.
"Membership, operational protocol and housekeeping stuff mostly." I answered mechanically.
Markus rolled his eyes at how much work this was going to be. It did sound rather boring.
"We're going to need more than the eight of us here if we're going to pull this off." Louis agreed, motioning to we few who had gathered. "But if extreme loyalty or allegiance is a prerequisite I would imagine our list of potential allies is thin."
"Thats why we're gathered. First official motions are on the subject. So, does anyone have proposals for membership?"
"I nominate Aurora." Louis shared a glance with Al who nodded his assent. "Aurora's brother is one of Albus's red guards and she's one of Scorpius's oldest friends. She's loyal to a fault and I'm sure she will swear to it like the rest of us."
"I second the nomination." Lily deadpanned, fingering the bracelet on Scor's wrist from her position in his lap.
"Any objections?"
Markus shrugged having no idea who Aurora was but the rest of those assembled said nothing. "Motion carried. Louis will you see to inviting her? Each new member will have to swear before the rest. We can figure out the details later."
"What about Rose? She's one of the brightest wizards in Ravenclaw and she's your cousin Al." Lysander opined.
"Her mother is nominally a Weasley but she was the chief architect behind the erasure of our memories as children. While Rose isn't Hermione, I'm not sure its wise." Lily objected.
"I second the motion." Al said confidently. "Rose is not her mother. She's one of Scor and my best friends. Not to mention she's a bloody genius. She will swear binding oaths of loyalty to the effect I know it. In any case we need an administrator and she would be the best bureaucrat we know. Besides... does anyone here want to be doing the paperwork?" He was the boss, so that was that, although the idea of someone who would actually enjoy doing paperwork had everyone else sold too.
"All in favor?" everyone raised their hands at the inclusion of Rose Weasley.
"Dinner will be served soon, lets take a few more names and convene later. Especially if we have oaths to swear." Lorcan offered after checking his watch.
"I nominate Max Macmillan." Scorpius contemplated. "He's on the Hogwarts planning committee and known to all present."
"What loyalty does he owe any of us though?" I asked, not wanting to sound too harsh.
"This stays between us ok?" The expression on Scor's face was one I didn't see very often. "The reason I nominated him is because his family is very rich… almost as rich as mine. Except his father was in a bit of a real estate pinch recently and Ernie needed cash quickly or else his family would lose everything. Max came to me to ask if the Malfoy estate could bail them out. I agreed to convince my father and Al to help which was a good move since in the end the Macmillan's avoided total bankruptcy and already have paid us back in full. He's quidditch mates with Al and I can't imagine Max would ever betray anyone for anything. His Hufflepuff loyalty is solid."
"I second the motion." Al assented. "All in favor?"
"Aye." Everyone added. We all looked at each other and laughed. What were children doing running a secret society?
"Alright we have to get going so no more voting just rapid fire propose some nominations and we can hold votes and discuss induction ceremonies later." I hurried, glancing over to Lorcan who was tapping his watch."
"Melody Abbot" Lysander chirped.
"The Muramasa twins." Markus added. Interesting. "I've gotten to know them a bit over the summer. They essentially own Japan and their family allegiance has been tied to the Malfoy's for generations from what I gather. They are pretty neutral on the whole muggle issue too."
"Matheus Goyle." Scorpius added. "Rory will nominate him anyway." Louis nodded in silent agreement.
"Alexander Sorrenson and Vexler Avery." Al added.
"My sister. Victoire Weasley." Louis interjected. "We'll need older members with experience and brains. She's super well connected and wants to represent Al on his musical projects. Someone to be the front of the ASP who also is a Jade rabbit would be very useful. She adores him as much as me. Dominic i'm less certain will be blindly loyal but we can reconsider her at another point."
"Hang on, the ASP!" the twins shot in shock.
"We can discuss that later. We need to get through this."
"Louis's sister Victoire. I met her here at the Carnival. She's very smart, and seems decent. Speaking of siblings, doesn't Al have a brother?" Markus looked around the room as though he thought siblings should have been the first on the list. We all shuffled uncomfortably.
"James Potter hates me with an insurmountable passion. We're like a cobra and a mongoose." Scorpius sighed, explaining the reason for the Potter's absence.
"I don't trust my brother to be honest Markus. He will be loyal to his uncle Ron and our father even if that means siding against Al." Lily explained as her brother stared off into space.
"I see. Thats definitely an ill omen if omens exist. Its hard to tell what's real now that I know magic permeates the world. However you parse it though, brother against brother sounds like a recipe for bad luck." The Italian Prince noted candidly. At that Lily roused herself from off of Scorpius and went over to grab the young man's hand.
"Will you accompany me to the feast, highness?" The green eyed girl asked with mock courtesy. Everyone rose at that.
"Thank you everyone. This concludes the official formation of the order of the Jade Rabbits. Everyone has the coin I gave you? Good, now prick your fingers with the needles I provided and drip a drop of blood on the side with the moon insignia."
"Markus are you sure you want in? This is kind of a point of no return."
Markus looked at his cousin and Scor nodded seriously.
"Yeah I'm in. If it counts for anything I have a strong feeling that this is where i'm supposed to be."
"Well then... Pactum Sanguis." Al whispered into the room, as soon as the Italian had spoken.
I cleared my throat then.
"Repeat after me. Oh and it goes without saying. Obviously substitute your names."
'I, Alexander Greengrass, do solemnly pledge to serve the order of the Jade Rabbit. To guard its secrets from those who would seek harm against its members or its interests. I vow to serve Albus Potter or his representatives at all cost, in order to seek peace and stability for the greater magical world. I will be bound to obey his direction but not to act in violation of my conscience or in excess of my abilities. In exchange for my loyalty I will be granted a right to voice my counsel, a home in perpetuity should I require one, income and a position within our order for life should I choose. I will be owed the respect that is due admission to this noble society from each and every member, no matter their rank or outside station. I so swear on my honor and on my life that I shall never betray the safety of those gathered here. For I know they are now my family, and would sooner die than forfeit my interests or security for their profit."
I watched as the moon absorbed the blood from each of us and spat out an emerald vial on a slender chain. I withdrew my own vial from my pocket and watched as it shifted to match the green on those others who were now bound to our cause.
"That was a little more binding than I thought. But i don't regret joining." Markus shot as he examined the delicate trinket which glowed softly in his palm. Lily smiled when she placed hers around her neck. Lorcan placed his in his pocket as did Markus. Lysander, Louis and I merely mimicked Lily. Al's vial was slightly different I noted as he pushed it hurriedly into his pocket. I knew he would never make slaves out of us but something about his motion had me wondering what addendum he had worked into the foundational spell.
"To the Jade Rabbits!" Scorpius shot grabbing a glass of champaign that had appeared at Al's command.
"To the Jade Rabbits!" Everyone joined in.
We sealed our toast with a sip of bubbling gold liquid and started to laugh when Al stole Lily's glass from her. "None for you Lils, sorry."
APOV
"I can't wait for dinner. I wonder what the hunters caught." Alex mentioned to Louis, coming up beside the blonde. "By the way you look so cool tonight Lou. I love what you've done with your hair." I noticed Alex delicately touch the braided ponytail tied up at the back of my cousins head. Louis blushed as we all filed into the palace hallways.
"Thanks Alex. You look nice too." My cousin replied. I've never seen him nervous before. This should be interesting. Alex shrugged at me and I shook my head with a smirk. Go for it. I mouthed quietly his way.
"You guys were in the hunt today right? Did you bring us back anything yummy?" Markus asked of his cousin and I. Scor just turned to me and we shared a howl of laughter.
"You'll see. Just you wait"
We got to the great dining hall and marveled at the throng of guests who all were whispering and gossiping at the site of something mounted in the room's interior. While a great many guests had only been invited for the opening night of the carnival, a huge number of nobles were still present for the feast on night two and would remain for the ball on night three.
"Just in time. My fellow gentlemen and ladies. Our esteemed masters of the hunt! Scorpius Malfoy and Albus Peverell! At fifteen they have felled a Mór Tork!" Ambroise Valois barked in place of his brother. The younger Valois was rumored to be the cutthroat operator who dealt with the minutiae of French politics. He was Augustin's right hand and served in exactly the capacity I hoped Alex would one day serve me.
As we entered the massive hall everyones eyes flew from the imposing french noble to land on Scor and I. Augustin's oldest son, the twisted Acelin, came to grab our hands and lead us onto a raised dais in the center of the gargantuan dining room. There on the platform rested the enormous head of the giant boar we had slain just hours ago. My newly minted Jade Rabbits gawked at the sight of the beast we had felled in the woods of Broceliande.
"No wonder they were late" Lily joked to Markus.
Louis looked away in horror, hiding his face in Alex's shoulder. He was so gentle at times. I wonder if he hated the idea of us killing that thing or if he knew what dangers we had been through to get it here.
Everyone else merely cheered at the glory of our hunt.
My parents and Scor's family cheered. The Greengrasses cheered. Bill and Fleur Weasley cheered. The Muramasa's and Maxus's cheered. Everyone was amazed at the boys who had at first dueled like demons and now had returned an actual demon to them as tribute.
"Tork are supposed to be so succulent. Even we haven't had one before." The muramasa twins whispered as they came up beside us on the platform. They were royalty, allowed to walk where they wished. I was going to reply to Izanagi when the Valois Patriarch stepped forward with a glass of champagne in hand. He rang an ornate spoon against the vessel audibly, preparing to address his guests.
SPOV
Suddenly I noticed my grandfather and father arguing heatedly in the audience. As I examined the heinous scene I could scarcely believe it had anything to do with augustin's upcoming speech. I would find out momentarily how wrong i'd been. I'd never seen my father so furious before in his life. He had raised a fist to Lucius and only Ginny Weasley had stopped the blow from flying. Just as my father walked away, my grandfather's eyes met mine and he mouthed the distinct words "I'm so sorry."
I didn't have time to register the odd exchange because quiet had again reconquered the hall in anticipation of Augustin Valois's address.
"There is more good news than that these remarkable princelings have brought us a mere feast! Oh yes! News as splendid as the dawn has reached our ears this day! Tomorrow every paper will speak of it, every outlet will echo it, every corner of the magical world will rejoice for it! We have just learned by testing the blood of this noble warrior" Augustin shot giddily, grabbing Al and pushing him forward. "The reason the throne of Love reacted last night! The beacon lit pink because the magical world yet again has a prince of the seventh font! The Rhöyne family still lives! And we have here its prince!" Augustin raged! Spreading his hands to the ceiling in zealous celebration. He was like a bishop preaching gospel, or rather a frenzied zealot spouting dogma.
Gasps and applause and shouts erupted into the dinning hall at the news. Three people withdrew eye phones and put them to their ears as they flew from the room. Even my aunt Renee had bolted out of the hall, doubtless to contact her staff at the daily prophet. I knew immediately what had happened. My grandfather had gone straight to Augustin with a piece of our clothing and told the French purist what we'd told him upon our return from the forest.
Traitor! He never learns!
My eyes found my grandfather again and I squirmed at the realization he was trying to get onto the dais to speak with me and Al. To explain his actions. Al too looked down at Lucius with mistrust in his eyes until a smile cracked finally on my brunet's face. My grandfather was stopped by a guard but Al merely nodded quietly at the blond in understanding. Relief washed over Lucius and I realized that this had been to our benefit. As rage flooded my every vein I could not comprehend yet how this could possibly be to our benefit... but at least we had not been betrayed. The guard blocking the aging wizards path moved aside at a sign from the valois and Lucius came to stand behind Al, whispering in his ear for good measure. Al nodded again.
The roar of chaos continued into the hall. People cackled with glee, people gossiped and sneered, people cheered wildly, people went over to shake Harry Potter's hand. It was utter confusion. Just then a series of flashes went off and I realized several partiers had begun to take our picture. Immediately guards descended into the crowd to seize the phones, but it was hard to tell who had taken the photographs as countless guests now had devices out. I noticed my father pull Ginny Weasley to one side as they discussed something heatedly in the shadows.
'Again why are those two always plotting together?' I wondered as my senses overwhelmed me. Flashes and shouts continued and I spied my cousin Raven dash out of the throng of people with his eyephone in hand.
I watched him zoom in on something on his screen and my mouth dropped open indignantly. He had taken a picture too! For his mom's paper? Was this really to our benefit? I realized the optics of Al and I standing next to each other in front of a massive Tork's head... Augustin Valois's hands outstretched like some purist deacon praising Al's blood nobility. What benefit did this have? My mind was choking on layers of analysis even as the chaos surged around us. Surely this only made things worse for Al?
"SPEECH! SPEECH! SPEECH!" the crowd yelled at the young teenager at my side. I'd never seen the nobles so roused in my life. Spaniards and Frenchmen, Italians and Japanese. The Egyptians and Greeks. Russians, Germans, Swedes and Danes. All had been whipped up into a glorious mob. They had abandoned their constructed restraint and had turned into tribal lords who pounded on the tables and shook their goblets of mead.
"Everyone please! Friends. Family. Please! Its true that earlier today I found out that my grandmother Lily was not a muggle born witch. Today I found out that Lily Evans was born to Rhoynar squibs! The magic she performed to save my father from Voldemort, was a manifestation of the magic of my family's font! Ultimate protection! Love magic that defied a killing curse!" Cheers rang out at the implication of the power in his blood. "I don't know why the principality skipped my father. He remains the Prince of the Font of Death. In truth I don't know what it even means to be a prince of one of the seven fonts. All I know is that I will use my every waking minute to embody the values of my clan. I will protect, preserve, guide and nourish every soul who needs it. Now! while i think the Rhoyne had something different in mind with the word nourish, in this case I believe it means we should start with this delicious treat that Scorpius and I brought back for you all from the hunt. So let us eat!" Al shot to the crowd. It wasn't the best speech i'd ever heard but considering he had been blindsided, it was a sufficient improvisation. They all had enjoyed the play on the word nourish and luckily it was timed well enough with the servers who began to bring out succulent cuts of the braised boar to plate the table. Everyone began to seat themselves then but many waited to try and get a handshake from Al. We had to wait another ten minutes until it was clear that our guards would not let us leave the dais until the guests had all sat.
To my horror I realized that a special table had been set up in the center of the room.
Aberforth and Ariana dumbledore sat next to Arcanis and Hermeus Hecate, joined by their great grandchildren. Further over were sat Marius Maxus, his wife and nephew. My father and Grandparents were next and the Al's parents after them. Then Augustin and Charlotte Valois with their three children and the same masked guard who had been in the forest earlier. Finally Sakura Muramasa and her twin children were sat in the remaining seats.
Twenty three Fontlings. why couldn't the drama ever cease.
