CHAPTER 38 - "THE CHRISTMAS PARTY AND CONCLUSION"
"Tell me again, brother, why we are switching costumes?" Lukas said, as he and Ciel changed out of their chosen costumes for the Christmas party ball that Ciel had invited almost all of London to. They were in Ciel's bedchambers.
Ciel originally picked out a dark blue suit with a small hat and a large white bow, but then realized Lizzie had already seen him in it. He said he had worn it during their private costume ball before Lukas had be reunited with Ciel and Ciel didn't want to be dressed the same. He felt that a lady shouldn't see a gentleman in the same costume twice if it could be helped.
Lukas had chosen something similar but in a lighter shade of grey. Lizzie had bought two of the similar styled costumes for Ciel, but Ciel had only worn the dark blue. Lizzie had not seen him in the light grey one. Both had companying masks and small, amusing hats, but the hats weren't necessary today with the masks. However flamboyant, the masks disguised their true identities. And apart from the different colored costumes, they looked like twins through-and-through.
Most of the guesses wore masks. It was a costume ball, after all.
"A proper gentleman never wears the same costume twice in the presence of a lady," Ciel said, emphasizing his reason for changing. "And she has already seen me in this, despite Elizabeth buying it for me."
"But I would've thought you'd want to wear something she bought for you?" Lukas said, now dressing in the dark blue costume. He buttoned up the breast vest.
"Please, don't argue with me, Lukas. This is not the time. And we are pressed. Just - "
THUMP!
Something hit the door to Ciel's bedchambers and rather forcefully. They had closed the door because of their change. They looked at the door.
"What was that?" Lukas said.
"Owww…" came a low, hurtful voice. Then the door handle turned and Renny walked in, rubbing his forehead. "I need to remember to open doors now, I can't walk through them anymore." The sound of the party guests conversing and music resounded from the hallway coming from downstairs filled the room.
Lukas snickered. Now that Renny was human, there were a lot of things he'd have to get used to again.
The boys continued dressing.
"Cousin Ciel, some guests request an audience with you in the Study," Renny said. "That is why I am here. Sebastian has told me to tell you." He was dressed in a white, angelic suit, similar to Ciel and Lukas, that Sebastian had quickly wiped up with his own special preparation methods that seemed fitting to his Renny's appearance. "Sebastian has already escorted them there."
"Why now?" Ciel said annoyed. "And who are they? I will not talk business today."
Renny shrugged. "I am unsure. But from what Sebastian told me, he was adamant for me to come get you."
"I will not be fetched like some dog," Ciel said. He fumbled with the large bow of his costume. Lukas helped him straighten it.
"Woof!" Lukas then said with a crooked smile.
Ciel eyed him, knowing that was a knock on him being the Queen's loyal guard dog. "Not funny."
"You never could take a joke, brother."
Ciel, Lukas and Renny all made their way through the hallways of masked, costumed guests. The mansion was decorated in tactful Christmas decore, with obvious touches of Lizzie's amateurish hand. The sound of Violinists and other musicians playing scores from famous Classic repertoire serenaded all those who were attending amidst laughter and conversion. Alcohol was bought and a massive amount of food was prepared. And everything under Sebastian's direction. Unfortunately Lizzie was late. Or was it fashionably late?
When Ciel opened the Study door, he saw two males inside. A taller man in a black tuxedo, and a shorter, but not much shorter, younger looking man in a white tuxedo, contrasting each other. And both wearing, butterfly masks, embedded with colorful beads, which was apparently all the rage these days. Most of the guests were wearing them. The masks Ciel, Lukas and Renny were wearing were flat against their faces, covering the upper half of their faces with small eye holes and were the color of their costumes.
"Yes?" Ciel said. "I was told you wished to speak with me? Make it quick. Can you not see I am hosting a party?"
"Forgive us for interrupting this gayish occurrence, my lord Ciel Phantomhive, but we wanted to speak with you urgently, and also thank you," the taller man said. He reached up and pulled off his mask. The younger man did also.
Renny gasped. "Thann Von Strauss and Spencer Von Strauss?"
Both of them looked bewildered. Then Renny took off his mask, and then Thann and Spencer gasped in return, as if recognizing him. "Johnny Lazarus?" Spencer said, his voice elevated with shock.
Ciel and Lukas exchanged a glance.
Lukas shut the door. "There is much explanation needed here," he said. "Let us begin from the beginning."
"That would be prudent, but the short version as we have guests waiting," Ciel said.
The Von Strauss's began with their story, then Ciel and Lukas, and Renny finished with their side - but each story apparently included Decco. And it was relief to both Thann and Spencer to learn the demon was now dead. Ciel further explained about his association with the Illuminati and that the Von Strauss's had nothing to fear and no needed to hide.
"So, you snuck into the party to talk with me about the Illuminati?" Ciel said.
"In a matter of speaking," Thann said. "After we spoke with Sebastian Michaelis and briefly explained we knew much, he insisted we be brought to the Study and you summoned to hear us out, so all this can be laid out in the open. But I am pleased to hear, despite our father dead, that we have nothing to fear from our enemies within the Illuminati with you to protect us. We thank you for that. You don't know how appreciative we are, and for this, we also wish to make a business proposal for an strong association between the Von Strauss Company and the Funtom Cooperation."
"That would be an equitable arrangement," Ciel said, and Lukas nodded in agreement. "But let us not talk business here. And don't call it 'protection', call it a favor. You see, despite your hatred of the Illuminati, I think it prudent you continue your association with the Illuminati as their envoy, Thann Von Strauss, to be our eyes and ears, and to report back to us about their nefarious activities and deeds."
Both Thann and Spencer said, "Whaaaaaat!" in unison.
"Not under any circumstances!" Thann said strongly. "I am finished with the Illuminati."
"Why? Lazarus is dead, so are his main three main facilitators: Thibeau, McDermott, and your father included. Do you have any other enemies within the Illuminati I should made aware of?"
"No, but Spencer was very out-spoken about them. And then there is Krystal."
"Ah yes, your sister will not be forgotten and neither will the deeds that have been done," Ciel said. "But with you on the inside other similar atrocities can then be avoided. We can put a stop to the senseless slaughter of innocent people…and children." Ciel looked to Lukas, and Lukas nodded agreeable. "And if we do learn of similar practices being upheld, we can hold them accountable and punish them."
Thann thought for a moment. "While I hate their practices, there are some important and influential people involved within," he said. "With a secret association between us, and with other people you trust within, we could attempt to keep the rest of them in-line."
"Good," Ciel said. "Henceforth, I'll advise that you be elevated in status to Sub-Head of the British Illuminati branch. Another man, Kyle Livingston is next in line to replace Lazarus, however."
"Sub-Head? But that would mean I am second in leadership. Even above any new facilitators."
"Correct. Do you have a problem with that?"
Thann was speechless.
Ciel looked at Spencer. He was a tall, young man who had an innocent face. "Furthermore, I wish for you, Spencer Von Strauss, to be one of those three main facilitators. You are seventeen, but age isn't important. There are two other men I wish to employ in the other slots as well."
"No way!" Spencer protested. "I wish to have absolutely nothing to do with the Illuminati! I can understand the importance of my brother staying on, but I am still very out-spoken about them! I hate them!"
"Then perhaps you can change them from the inside, make new policies and practices," Ciel said slyly. "As your brother said, some very important and influential people are associated with the Illuminati."
Ciel gave Lukas a sideways glance. Lukas shared the glance and gave a short nod. Bryon Kelvin.
"But you don't have to decide now. Enjoy the party. We can finalize things later." Ciel padded down his costumed jacket. "Damn, I forgot it. Lukas, please escort the Von Strauss's to the party. I forgot something in my bedchambers and I must retrieve it." Then he recalled something else. "By the way, which one of you broke the handle to my desk and ruffled through the papers on top?" Pointing to his desk.
Spencer put up a hand. "That would be me. I was looking for a gun or some form of weapon. I was furious when I learned Mathu Kelvin murdered my friend, Trent Banes. Sorry."
"Ah. Very well. I suppose that mystery is solved. That will be all."
"Please, come with me," Lukas then said, and they left with Renny in tow, putting on their masks.
Ciel returned to his bedchambers and plunked a small box from his bedside table. Here he had left the gift he had bought for Lizzie only a week before when changing. He had wrapped it himself and he knew that she would like it. It wasn't a ring, as most people would assume by the size of the box. Lizzie was his fiancée, but he wasn't ready to "commit" in that fashion, even though he did care for her - or was he duty-bound as it was an arranged engagement? He wasn't quite sure. Nobles marry nobles, that is the way of things in this day and age, even if they were relatives. Elizabeth was his cousin.
But he was only thirteen and he wasn't sure how long he had left until Sebastian devoured his soul. So, he did not want to commit to a future if he didn't have one.
He left his bedchambers and returned to the main party hall which constituted of the main vestibule and other rooms Sebastian had designated for guests to venture in. All other rooms were securely locked. The main vestibule, which also met the main staircase was large enough to house a hundred people or more. It was also where the Christmas Tree was placed and most of the decorations were put up.
He began to venture down the main staircase from the second floor, when he suddenly heard a loud streaking noise in the form of "CEILLLLLLLLLLLL!"
It was undeniably, unmistakably familiar.
Suddenly Lizzie burst through the front door, her long blonde curls whipping behind her, and she ran across the main vestibule. She wore a rather stunning pink dress costume with a butterfly mask adorned with sparking gem-like decorations.
She ran through the crowd of people, as if know exactly where she was going…
And into the arms of Lukas?
He gasped, but then realized his mistake. Lukas was his twin, and in that costume Lizzie bought him, Lukas looked exactly like him and she had seen him it before and it was so distinct, so naturally she would think it was him - he stood out like a beacon of light in a dark hollow. He'd correct her immediately.
Then suddenly, what happened next stunned everyone in the room - and Lizzie kissed Lukas smack dab on the lips with a large kiss. She must have been so happy Ciel had agreed to the Christmas party, so in her excitement she had lost her senses and expressed her utter joy of it.
But then his shock elevated as everyone then began to clap and an almost collective "Awwwww," resounded from the crowd. Everyone knew Ciel Phantomhive and Lady Elizabeth Midford were engaged and the guests must have thought this affection was cute. But that was not him!
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" Lizzie said excitedly. "I knew you would change your mind." She wrapped her arms around Lukas's in a tight hug and another round of "Awwwww," resounded through the crowd.
Ciel stood on the main staircase, unknowingly gripping the banister tightly. Even though it was an honest mistake, Lukas wasn't correcting her. Switching costumes was a mistake. Lizzie thought Lukas was him and now they were parading around the party hall as a couple. But if he corrected her now, he would embarrass her, and then she would start to cry. And he didn't want that. This party was mainly for her sake. Because he wanted to make her happy. But now he was mad.
Sebastian suddenly appeared behind Ciel and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Don't fret, my lord," he said. "You are the one Lady Elizabeth cares for."
"I am not fretting," he said, but he couldn't deny his anger. "Only, Lizzie never kissed me in that manner."
"In her eyes, she just did. And she seems to be enjoying your company currently."
"But that isn't me. Lizzie's mine."
"Jealousy does not become you, my lord," Sebastian said. "But it is only natural for one brother to want what the other one has. There are many examples of this in human literature and biblical lore."
"So what are you saying, Sebastian? That Lukas is interested in Elizabeth?"
"I am not saying that at all, Master Ciel. I am only taking note of the mistake made whereas Lady Elizabeth believes that he is you because you switched costumes at the last minute. You swayed to vanity. You did not want her seeing you in something she saw you in before, just because you neglected to go shopping."
Ciel sighed, releasing his grip on the banister. Sebastian was right. "Can you please tell Lukas I want to see him alone at the earliest convenience, if he can be pulled away from my fiancée?"
"Of course, my lord. I will tell him discreetly. Where shall I tell him to meet you?"
"If it can arranged, my bedchambers in five minutes."
"Yes, my lord. I shall tell him."
Five minutes extended to ten before Lukas was able to meet Ciel in his bedchambers. And at this point, Ciel was very cross that he had to wait the extra time. Even waiting that five minutes was enough to anger him greatly. He stood there in the middle of the room with his arms folded across his chest with scowl when Lukas opened the door. "You're late!"
"Brother, where have you been? People are wondering where you - or rather I - am," Lukas said.
"Switch costumes with me." Ciel got right to the point. "I saw what happened. Everyone believes I am you. I wish to correct this grievance error immediately."
"Oh, you mean the kiss. I'm sorry, brother. It was not my fault. I told you switching costumes at the last moment was a mistake."
"Notwithstanding. We need to correct it now!"
Once they were finished switching costumes which seemed to take less time than it took to first dress in them, they returned to the party hall. Both walked down the main staircase into the crowd of guests, when Elizabeth's voice was heard: "Lukas!" she said excitedly.
Lizzie never said his name like an excited Irish banshee. It was as if she knew it wouldn't sound proper. She then gave him an affectionate peck on the left cheek. Now she thought Lukas was Lukas and his mouth opened agape.
She looked at him strangely. "What's the matter, Ciel? I gave you a much bigger kiss only moments before. Don't be jealous. You are my fiancée, after all."
Lukas tried to hide a smile. "Care to dance with me, Lukas? Then Ciel can have the rest of the evening with me, and then give me my present."
"Um, sure," he said a little nervous. Then shrugged. "Sorry brother, I can't be rude to the lady." And he smiled as she lead him away.
Renny, standing at the foot of the main staircase next to the large banister, seemingly hidden, dressed in his white costume and mask, snickered. "That's two for Lukas, I saw everything," he said.
"Oh, shut-up."
Sebastian suddenly came to stand next to him again and put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't fret, Master Lukas. It is an arranged engagement, they were met to be. Your secret is still safe."
Ciel frowned. Obviously Sebastian, knowing Lukas and he had switched costumes prior, thought he was Lukas now. "I'm Ciel. We switched costumes again. There was a mistake and Lizzie thought -" Then the butler's words finally struck him. "Wait - what secret?"
After the party, once all the guests had departed. Even Braydon and Brandon and Altima had secretly made an appearance but were introduced as merely invited guests, but for whom Sebastian waited fondly on. Sebastian was finally able to relax.
He told the servants to go to bed and clean-up would begin tomorrow. Ciel and Lukas had also retired. Even with in their social status, they were still boys and boys needed proper sleep. And they were exhausted. A little time after they had dozed off, he looked in on them. Ciel was sound asleep, clutching his favorite pillow and Lukas was hugging his stuffed bunny.
Lady Elizabeth was one of the last guests to leave, but even she was asleep as she and her lady servant left in their carriage. She was muttered sweet nothings about the party in her dreams.
He retired as well, but he wasn't much of a sleeper. So he retired to the Study and reviewed some financial paperwork and also took to repairing Ciel's desk drawer. Even though he was not physically in the room, he had observed everything and had heard everything spoken between the Phantomhive's and Von Strauss's inside this room. But it was no big secret and he was told about it afterwards.
Vincent Phantomhive was a member of the Illuminati but had recanted his membership when it was learned the Illuminati were engaging in nefarious deeds that even Vincent Phantomhive protested. When Ciel Phantomhive was approached by a member of the Illuminati one day, he offered the Phantomhive's support and money to the Illuminati along with some special concessions, which essentially, made Ciel the unofficial head of the British branch. Few people knew this, and Kyle Livingston, the next in line to replace Wilhelm Lazarus, was one of the people who did and was glad about their arrangement in this light. Kyle Livingston was the figurehead while Ciel Phantomhive was the power behind the throne.
As it should be.
For a boy of only thirteen, Ciel Phantomhive was indeed a very powerful and staunch figure within London society, and if he had the Illuminati in his back pocket, then he was truly godly. For, if you owed the Illuminati, you owned the world - so to speak. At least in the British Commonwealth. Illuminati factions existed elsewhere in the world, especially in America, but his master only concerned himself with Britain. If the Illuminati became troublesome elsewhere, then things would need to be dealt with accordingly.
As he was making a few calculations in his head, the memory of what happened to the covenant in Ciel's eye distracted him. What had happened to alter the covenant design?
He remembered at the time he was filled with an intense rage, an overwhelming anger and hunger that threatened to engulf his entire being, and if he didn't act on it he would lose his sanity. Then, all of sudden, after an unexplained "push" from his master, and an exchanged hard stare between the two of them, an emotional change gave purchase to a serenity within him. Their connection brought upon a change he had never before experienced, and once again, he fell back into calmness after the covenant slightly altered itself before him. Ciel obviously didn't notice the change - and why would he? - but he did, and it affected him greatly. He never told his master what happened, there was no need. And yet, even now, he couldn't explain why it had happened.
Ciel's words: "You are my butler, my servant, and you will obey my orders…You will always be mine exclusively - until the end…And don't you forget that, Sebastian."
Something within these words was a trigger to alter his unstable emotional state at the time, and however it came about - whether it was Ciel Phantomhive's desire or want for him to return to being himself, demanded it to be so. It was said, the emotion of a child towards a parental figure was strong if they admired and looked up to that parent. Did Ciel, albeit his acting strong on the surface, within indeed a scared little boy, and without Sebastian, would fall apart at the seems?
He recalled the time Ciel cried out to him, teary-eyed, after the monster Ironstadt had supposedly devoured him. And that cry-out was enough for Sebastian to break out of the belly of the beast.
The covenant was like a control mechanism, but who truly was the puppeteer here?
But the change in the covenant rid him of the pain felt for losing his family - his wife dying, which hurt him deeply, even though he was a demon, even after 212 years.
He smirked, shook his head, and then returned back to his calculations. They were merely theories, nothing concrete. And regardless of the reason, he had no qualms about how or why.
Things were back to normal.
THUMP!
Came a forceful hit to the closed Study door. Sebastian snapped his attention to it.
"Owwww…" came a low, hurt voice. "Not again," Renfrew Phantomhive said.
With a whisk of his power, Sebastian opened the door with a form of telekinesis, and saw Renfrew - Master Renfrew Phantomhive - on the other side rubbing his face. He shook his head. "You are not a ghost any longer, Master Renfrew. You can not walk through doors anymore."
"I keep on forgetting," he said. "It will take me time to become accustomed to being human once more."
"Why are up at this ghostly hour?"
Renfrew smirked sarcastically. "I just wanted to thank you again for everything you did for me."
"I'm confused, what exactly did I do?" Sebastian said. "If I recall, you rendered me conscious for most of this adventurous ordeal. It is you who protected Master Ciel and Master Lukas as I slept. I don't see any thanks to me is necessary. It is I who should be thanking you. Which, I shall. Thank you, Master Renfrew."
"Master Renfrew," Renny repeated. "I don't know if I can get used to that."
"It is only proper. And it is the title of your status as a member of the household now. Which, I may add, is growing abundantly as of late. Only eight months ago, your cousin, Master Ciel, appeared to be the last surviving member of the Phantomhive lineage. Now, there is Master Lukas and yourself."
"That is another thing. I need a history, something people will believe."
"You are a distant cousin, for which is in truth. You are residing with us for an extended period of time. That is all that is needed for now. If a more in depth history is needed, we will elaborate with a few exaggerations to make it sound more truthful. In the meantime, do not worry about it."
"I won't, and I won't let my new title change me, either."
"Very good. You are a caring person. Try not to allow Master Ciel to influence your perspective towards his bitter outlook of the world. The world is indeed a beautiful place to live in."
Renny nodded. "I will remember that. May I ask you another question?"
"You may ask me as many as you like."
"Did cousin Ciel die in the other future you saw? Is that why you changed it?"
Sebastian's eyes widened with surprise, he never expected such a question. He cleared his throat, then nodded. "I mentioned I spent much of my time in the cliff dwellings of the Anaasází. Here, I used its power - which did not come from this world, it is alien even to me - and I glanced into the future using Sight Second, a form of fortunetelling, where a person can briefly see the future unfold. And my mind immediately focused on the Phantomhive's and their lineage. I wanted to know how they prospered over the years since last I saw them, but I did not like what I saw. The family grew large, but then dwindled drastically for some reason after the introduction of the Hope Diamond. So many unexpected deaths occurred soon afterwards and the family then shrunk to only a few…
"Then I witnessed Vincent and Rachel Phantomhive perish in the fire that took their mansion and your cousin, Master Ciel, be taken by evil men to be sacrificed for an ungodly purpose. I was selfish at the time, I wanted more. And I was bored. So I saw an opportunity, and thus, made a covenant with Ciel, the seemingly last of the Phantomhive line when he was a the brick of death, and in doing do I suppose I did save him. I wanted his soul, but I knew I could cultivate it, make it darker. So I have waited."
"But you will one day devour his soul?"
"The covenant was made willfully and I have kept my end of the bargain. He, then, if he is truly a man of his word, will keep his end."
"And what if he doesn't?"
"I hope it will not come to that. I am rooted here until what Ciel asks is done. Until all who unjustly wronged him are punished, and this, as I am lead to believe, includes the elusive philanthropist, Bryon Kelvin, for which Master Ciel believes wholeheartedly is the catalyst to all his misery. But I will not kill forthright. I will obey Ciel's orders. I am his butler - and your butler now - until the end."
"You really care for the Phantomhive family, don't you? They touched you more than you will admit."
"I admit, I do care forthe well-being of my master - now master's," Sebastian said straightly. Renny smirked sarcastically. "So, in turn, little boys, little ten year old boys, should be in bed."
"Funny, I don't feel tired." Suddenly Renny yawned, as if an overwhelming tiredness came over him. "On second thought, I think I'll go to my room now."
Sebastian nodded. "I think that would for the best. Sleep well, Master Renfrew. And remember, open your door. You are not a ghost, you can't walk through solid objects anymore."
Renny waved the "joke" off. "Good night, Sebastian. Pleasant dreams."
"I believe I have had enough sleep to last a lifetime, Master Renfrew," Sebastian replied.
Renny smiled. He went to leave, but then stopped, and ran to Sebastian and hugged him. "Thank you, Sebastian. Even if you don't think you deserve any thanks. If it weren't for you, I would still be a ghost. And Merry Christmas, 'tis the season after all."
Renny then he left without allowing Sebastian to give a reply.
Sebastian sat shocked, he never expected to be hugged. Perhaps he did deserve thanks. Because if it weren't for him, none of the Phantomhive boys would be alive now without his "interference" in the timeline.
Did he care about the Phantomhive lineage more than he was willing to admit?
The irony of it all was he had indeed thrust himself into a fatherly-role for these children, albeit unintentionally. He was subservient, the Phantomhive butler under the guise of a sacred Faustian covenant with Ciel Phantomhive, but he was so much more that just that. He was also their educator and a teacher of social grace and moral ethics, of a sort. Until the covenant ended, he had to abide by the terms of the contract, and if that meant playing the butler role and "father", then that was how it had to be.
Was it, subconsciously, a way to be a father to these children - something he missed out on with his own sons? Was he attempting to reenact that "feeling" he had so long ago? He was half-human, he would always have human emotions. But no, what had happened, was an opportunity of convenience, albeit certain things had to be effected for it to be an opportunity of convenience, for him to be at this stage of his life with these boys. So no, he did not believe he was attempting to return to a happier time in his life.
He was only doing what came natural for a demon.
So he was Sebastian Michaelis, butler, and companion to his master; no, master's.
In the beginning, it was just himself, Tanaka, the elderly Phantomhive butler, and the young master. But with the master's enemies, and Ciel being the Queen's loyal guard dog, he knew he needed more protectors for the young lord. So that is where the servants came in - gathered from many facets of life.
Finny, an experimental young boy programmed to murder and maim by scientists of unknown origin; Mey-Rin, trained as a marksman, a thief and an assassin, who one day attempted to rob the young master; and then Bardroy, an ill-begot soldier, who lost his drive for soldiery when he witnessed his entire regiment slaughtered on the battlefield. Through their education, he taught them to much more than to just be the master's protectors, he gave them a second chance at another life, as well.
Finny was now a happy-go-lucky gardener who loved the outdoors; Mey-Rin, albeit, an accident-prone maid with glasses that masked her true-self through a spell placed upon them to keep it sound; and Bardroy was the Phantomhive cook - well, Bardroy was still learning that new trade even after three years. In fact, they were all still learning. And that was good. For it is said, if you stop learning, you will die.
He didn't want anything to happen to young Ciel Phantomhive, thus the added protection. And each of the three were highly dedicated in doing so, even at the cost of their own lives. They believed they owned a debt to Sebastian and Ciel for saving them from their prior lives, giving them a rebirth. Well, in a way, that was true. And he accepted that debt.
So the question was revisited. Did he care for Ciel Phantomhive's well-being more than he was willing to admit? In truth, yes he did. But not because he had once known the Phantomhive's in a previous life. In truth, he cared for not only Ciel Phantomhive's, but for each of the their souls.
And when the end came, he would certainly gorge himself on a hearty feast. Three souls, all with different dark histories.
And like in all things…
In the end, it is ultimately, indeed, all about self-preservation.
It always has been and it always will be.
THE END?