A/N: I LIVE! Sorry I had a writer's block and I was super busy. But with the holiday season my belief busted through the block. So thank God for that (I do) and Happy belated Thanksgiving! (That's a thing right?) Anyway, in the spirit of gratitude I really want to give a special thanks to punkaluv, my editor. The sundae idea was hers. And to the reviewers: Nick- I get the feels writing this and don't worry, vengeance is my saith the Lord (so it will come)! Candy Phantom- Jack's sides are catching up to him. Navarei- Thank you so much! I rewatch the movie multiple times just to make sure I keep them in character. Sillia-locerdra- WOW! My sister had to translate for me but thank you so much for reviewing. It really made my day. Ihavenoname and IDC- Just wait. That's all I'm going to say. LeaningStormward- Again just wait. And thanks! Ayame Kitsune- I love how you try to do like every chapter and are usually one of my first reviewers. Keep being your amazing self! Now that those are do, you guys know the drill, Read&Review please. But most of all, ENJOY!
Disclaimer: I will never own the rights to the beautiful Rise of The Guardians. But I have the DVD.
Jack
I looked at the frost covered ceiling (I got bored) of the room I was staying in at North's. I'm staying in Santa's workshop. The most wonderful place on Earth, yet all I've been able to do is sleep, eat, and talk to North. The Guardian of Fun was having no fun at all. Well, North's stories of his time as a Cossack warrior and thief were cool, but I was still just sitting around. I sighed in irritation. The potential for fun in North's workshop was exponential. Freezing elves, playing with- I mean, testing the toys, and just simply causing a ruckus. I could have such a great time. I will have a great time. As soon as I got out of this bed and past Phil. Hey, this is the most productive thought process I've had for a while. Go me! Okay, I must be really antsy if I'm cheering myself on productivity.
"Hey, Phil!" I called to the burly Yeti. He was working on some kind of toy airplane. He only looked at me, his glare hard. "Any chance you changed your mind?" Phil just grunted and seemed to bend more into his work. "Come on! I was a good patient for the last three days! I'm literally going stir crazy here." Phil just mumbled something in his Yeti language and pointed to the tray beside me. I looked at the tray full of food. There was candies, cookies, and other sweet things. "Look, I'm not hungry ok." Well I wasn't that hungry. This was probably the only thing I was a little stubborn about throughout my whole stay here. I never ate anything besides fruits and berries. So all the food, it was great and all, it just, wasn't normal. Although, I am in Santa's workshop. Someplace I never thought I would be. Speaking of, I still need to find a way out. I looked around the room. Trying to find something for inspiration. My eyes hit the tray again. "Tell you what Phil. I'll eat something, but can it be the soup I had yesterday?" Phil looked at me his eyebrow raised. "I know I've eaten it for the past two days, and only little bits, but I'm pretty sure that's all I can stomach." I gave Phil a sheepish smile, praying he bought the act.
For once my prayers were answered. Phil shook his head but he got up and was heading out the door. He ordered me to do something in Yeti. I'm guessing it was around the lines of stay in bed, with his elaborate hand gestures of pointing to me and the bed continually. "Sure thing pal. Thanks a lot." Phil just rolled his eyes and left. I could hardly hold back the excitement I had when he left. I grabbed my staff next to the bed and got out of the bed slowly. My ribs actually felt a lot of better than two days before. In fact I could finally breathe deeply without the stabbing pain. It just felt really sore and would throb here and there. Using my staff for support I picked myself up from the bed. So far so good. I guessed that I had another minute before Phil came in. I could take it slow and risk getting caught, or I could test flying and risk my ribs. "What do you think Wind?" I felt the Wind pull me lightly towards the bed. "Oh come on Wind, it'll be ok. Just a little fun. Same as always." I could feel the Wind huff. I knew the Wind hated it when I risked my health just to have fun, but that was my center. Still, I considered Wind's proposal. The Wind always had my best interest in mind, even when I didn't. I knew that I should take it easy, I knew that I might hurt myself more, but… wouldn't it be worth it? "Please Wind, I can't sit in that bed anymore. I know I need to take it easy but I can't sit there and just think. Thinking, thinking isn't fun. But playing with toys, creating ice, watching people stumble to catch their balance, that's fun. I'll be safe, I'll try not to make anyone mad and I'll be good. Just, let's go have fun. Please?" I pleaded to the Wind. It was silent at first but then I heard the door creak open. "Thank you!" I yelled as I jumped into the Wind's embrace letting it carry me out of the room.
I flew into the Globe room past some very shocked Yetis. "Sup guys?" I called out playfully. I was free. Wind set me on top of the Globe. It was an amazing vantage point of the workshop. I could see the floors below that had yetis working on and wrapping toys. Some of them were even moving around the workshop. There were planes, cars, rockets, things I didn't even know existed. "You know someone should really test those out. Someone who has the children's best interest at heart. Someone who knows fun." I flew down grabbing as many toys as I could on the way. I laughed at the Yetis surprised and angry faces. They were so expressive. Flying through the workshop was amazing. The toys went off. Sounds blared, lights blinked, and paint flew everywhere with the Wind. The paint splashed on some of the Yetis and toys. I cringed. "Sorry!" I yelled. I flew a little more carefully. I saw an empty corridor, which for the recent bustling of the workshop was odd, and flew there. Don't want to ruin Christmas. Ruining Christmas would probably make me a permanent on the Naughty list. Maybe I already was for ruining Easter. Negative thoughts Jack! Not good for having fun. I shook the thoughts out and flew into the first room I saw. It was some sort of guest room with greens and purples all around. There were even mini-beds on a shelf near the bed. "Wow, a personal room for Tooth. I wonder if North made one for each of them." I wonder if he would make one for me. I began laughing at that thought. Jack Frost didn't need a room. Maybe you do, maybe you want it. The Wind seemed to whisper."Maybe." I jumped when one of the toys I was holding strating making pwe-pwe sounds.
"Wow, toy guns actually do sound like that." I sat on the purple and green plush carpet with the toys I grabbed. I laid each one out carefully. It would be bad to hurt the merchandise I was testing. There were six toys in total. "Well for a quick grab and dash this was pretty good." My sides only hurt a bit more than before. I examined each toy delicately. The first toy was some thin colorful doll. It kind of looked like a monster except female and cute. "Sophie would probably like that. Or maybe Cupcake?" The second toy was a red flat rocketship that lit up and made noises and musical tones. "Why would a rocket make music? Is this even a rocket?" The third toy was the toy laser gun that scared me. It was a deep green and blue with red and yellow buttons, there was another gun but the colors were the opposite. A bright red and yellow gun with deep green and blue buttons. "Oh the twins would love this! Actually I could see all of them playing with them. Hm, I wonder." I grabbed the blue laser gun and went to the window. If I made the bunny come alive I wonder what would happen if I drew a toy. I frosted the window with the gun in my hand. A little frost came on the gun but it was thin and would hardly do any damage. I examined the gun and drew a simpler but pretty good rendition of the laser gun. "Not that bad, if I say so myself." I joked. Yet as I stared at the frost drawing I lost my smile. I couldn't remember how I did the rabbit exactly. If anything I just willed the rabbit to come out. Would it really work for the toy gun? I closed my eyes and held my hand inches from the window. I pictured the frost gun in my hand. It would be light and cold like hard plastic, or ice. My eyes shut tighter as I concentrated on the details of my frost gun. The round snowflake like buttons, the thin slippery trigger, it's light blue casing. Then it would shoot snow. The more I concentrated the more tried I became. I willed harder. I just wanted to make more of the toy guns for the kids so they could have more fun. When that thought popped in my hand I felt a burst of power flow through me and something light and cold in my hand. I opened my eyes and saw a fragile laser frost gun in my hand.
"HA! Yes! I can't believe it actually worked!" I yelled in excitement. My excitement even made up for how drained I felt. "Time to test this baby out." I pointed the gun to the roof of the room and pulled the trigger. "I should've probably thought this through a little more carefully." I said as the frost laser shot out. As soon as the laser hit the roof the gun popped into snow as snowflakes drifted down from the roof. Then a loud thump echoed from above the roof. I saw that the frost had seep through the roof and probably onto the floor above. "Oops." I cringed as more thuds were echoed. Yet, I couldn't help the little smile on my face. I heard heavy footsteps come near the room. Panic rose in me. I didn't like to get in trouble.
I quickly shoved the toys I already examined into the closet. Hastily, I grabbed the two toys I didn't examine and hid under the bed. All in less than a minute. Even with my injuries I was on a roll. Although, there was a bit of an increase in the throbs. I jumped when I heard the door open and heard a few Yetis come in. They began grumbling to each other in their language. I really did try to pay attention but the toys I had grabbed looked so familiar. One of the toys was a blue circular jewelry box, but what was familiar about it was the designs on the box. The box was covered in light blue snowflakes and it seemed to be an imitation of my frost. Inside the box was a necklace of silver snowflakes strung together. I gasp in its beauty and the memory that came with it.
It was 1954 in New York, New York. While I was there I saw a girl who was a fighter. She was quick to anger and she would fight and hit anyone that would get under her skin. What many people didn't know was that her anger was because her mother was ill and on the verge of dying. One day the Wind caught her letter and I happened to read it. All she wanted was a white Christmas so her mother and her could play in the snow one last time. Of course I let the Wind take it to the North Pole, but I knew I had to do something. I made it snow for two whole weeks before Christmas. Everyday the girl and her mother would watch the snow fall or make a snowman if the girl's mother was healthy enough. Although on Christmas eve I heard the girl crying and screaming in her yard. The girl's mother had died. She had no family and no presents. Just sadness, loneliness, and anger. Just like me. When I dropped the letter off at the North Pole I remember seeing her name on the naughty list. I knew that she didn't believe in me but she didn't have to lose belief in North. I used an old tin and I made a frost-ice necklace with the main snowflake having a heart with one of the snowmen the girl and her mother built inside. I poured my magic into it so it would never melt. I put a little Santa head on the tin and hid it under her tree. When she found it on Christmas I blew snow into the room and gave her a crown to match the necklace. I saw her smile for the first time since her mother died. That was the last time I saw the girl but I ended up doing that every Christmas. I would find a girl or boy who was simply having a hard time on Christmas and I tried to make them happy and let them have fun. No one deserved to be alone on Christmas.
There was a loud thump next to my hiding spot bringing me out of my memory of the girl and the others like her. The kids like me. I heard one of the laser guns go off. I turned to see that one of the Yetis opened the closet I hid the toys in. They jumped back in surprise. I heard heated grable and harsh grunts. The Yetis left hastily. I waited for a while till I moved again. I had planned to move out, but my hand touched the last toy and I remembered that there was an odd sense of deja vu with that bear. It was a brown teddy bear with hand-sewn patches on the paws. My human sister came to mind. She was holding a teddy bear similar to the one I had in my hands now. Thank you Jack! I love it! The girl giggled and danced with her bear. She was so happy and even though I still didn't remember her name I could still feel my heart swell at her smile. I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped my mouth.
"Ah, Jack! There you are!" North's voice boomed next to my face. I totally yelped manly and hit my head on the boards of the bed gracefully. North just chuckled and pulled me out from under the bed. I only had time to hide the jewelry box and the bear in my pocket. "That is why it is unwise to hide, no?" North looked at me his eyebrows raised in a questioning gaze.
"Well that's one way to look at it." I said sheepishly running one of my hands through my hair. North gazed at me in scrutiny. A thick silence entered the room. "So am I in trouble?" I asked breaking the thick silence. North just continued to stare at me. I thought I saw his eyes fly to my pocket that had a significant bear bulge. I grabbed my staff slowly. One of North's eyebrow rose.
"Jack did you eat?" I debated lying for a minute. If I said no North would probably be mad, if he wasn't already. Yet it was more likely that Phil already told North, making my lie obvious.
"Noooo." I drawled out nervously. What was that quote? The truth would set you free. I wonder if it can free someone from getting kicked out. Although North just laughed heartily.
"Good!" He yelled happily. I really do wonder how North, being the boisterous guy he is, hasn't been found out yet. "You can join me for dinner. Would be nice, no?" North's eyes showed excitement and anticipation. It was really hard even considering to say no.
"Sure. Why not?" I shrugged like it was no big deal but inside I was a wreck. I've only ever ate alone or with the Wind. Eating with a physical being would be, different. I followed North to the kitchen. We passed the floor I had accidently iced. The layer was thin so it melted quickly and left a little puddle. The elves were beaten back from playing in it by the Yetis who were mopping it up and picking up some toys that the they must've been carrying when they fell. North just continued walking as if having random puddles were normal. Yet, I felt bad. I shouldn't have even been playing with the stupid gun. I didn't like seeing others pay for my mistakes. I saw a nearby towel and grabbed it. Using the towel, I slid to the puddle, ignoring the throbs of pain, and began to slid back and forth till the puddle was dry. I heard the elves clap in joy and applause. "Thank you. Thank you." I said dramatically. "That was Jack Frost doing his signature clean-up slide." I tried getting my voice deeper but I ended up coughing in vain. Why was it getting harder to breathe? The coughing made me sway a bit. I felt North steady me a bit.
"Let's get you something to eat Jack." North's deep voice rang in my head. I held onto him and my staff tighter as my head began to throb.
"What about the mess?" My voice sounded strained but I didn't care. I needed to help fix my mistake. I should've done it when I heard the first Yeti tripped. I let go of North to rub my head hoping to soothe my aching head.
"Yetis will take care of it." North's voice rang again but I still didn't look at him. Noises began to blend together, further adding to my throbbing headache. It was throbbing at the same time my sides were.
"I know, but I should've help. I should've done something." I mumbled. My moods were swinging with the throbbing. I could feel the pain and hunger but feelings of deep guilt and anger started to overtake me. North grabbed me lightly getting my attention. I looked into his clear blue eyes. They were filled with joy and peace.
"Come Jack, let's go get something to eat. I know perfect thing." North's voice took an excited edge and I couldn't help my small smile. I let him pull me to the kitchen. He let go of me after a while. Part of me was happy that he let go of me because having someone touch me so long without hurting me was uncomfortable. Yet, there was also a part of me that was sad to lose the warmth. Stupid hunger making me all moody. I've been a lot more moody recently. Maybe it's because I haven't been there in a while. Maybe I should go back. It'll be easier to deal with these, moods that way. My thoughts were cut abruptly by the thick smell of sweets baking. "Ooohhhh! We are just in time." North clapped and likced his lips as he breathed in the scent deeply. I had to wipe the drool from my mouth before I could even talk.
"Time for what?" I asked. I gazed at North but from the corner from my eye I saw an assortment of desserts lined up on the table. I didn't even know what half of it was. Actually, I didn't know what most of the things on the tables were. Either way, they all looked absolutely delicious. "Whoa."
"Yes! Jack Frost it is time for sweet victory buffett!" North yelled in excitement. "Other Guardians shall arrive shortly, but we get first dibs." North whispered to me like I was some secret conspirator. Then he began to yell in Russian to the yetis.
I ran to what I assumed was the ice cream, the wide cylinder containers surrounded by ice, completely ignoring the dull throb of my sides. I needed to try the ice cream. I've always heard kids talk about it but I've never been able to have some. I stared at the vast colors of the ice cream. There was white ice cream (I think the kids call it vanilla), brown ice cream (pretty sure it's chocolate), green ice cream with black stuff in it, a white, brown and pink ice cream, and some orange ice cream. The only problem was that the ice cream was in containers and not on sticks or cones. It was really odd but hey, ice cream is ice cream right? I didn't know which one to try. Should I go safe and try the white vanilla or risky and try the mysterious green one? Again, safety isn't really my thing. I took the container of green ice cream and licked the top. It was hard to actually lick some off. That must be what the cone is for. After my third lick I got a good portion to taste. The black stuff was actually chocolate chips but the green ice cream had to be frozen mint. It was cool but sticky and it almost seemed too sweet. The mint taste swirled in my mouth. I'm not a huge fan of mint.
"Note to self, frozen mint too sweet." I picked up the brown ice cream. Chocolate, this was one of the flavors kids always raved about. Some always said that chocolate anything was always good. I licked the ice cream and found this one to be smoother and easier to lick than the green ice cream. I had to admit, the kids were right. Chocolate was sweet and smooth. It was definitely better than the green ice cream. "So this is chocolate! Not bad." I reluctantly put the chocolate ice cream down but I had to try the white vanilla one. I heard kids argue about vanilla and chocolate for years. I always wanted to join their conversations but even if I could, I wouldn't know what they were talking about. I licked the vanilla ice cream. My eyes widen. "This is, SO GOOOOD!" Vanilla had to be the best. It was so smooth, so creamy, and so sweet, but not too sweet. It tasted like this plant I found one day and it smelled so good. I sniffed the ice cream. The smell of the ice cream was delicious. "Vanilla is definitely better than chocolate!"
"That maybe pushing it a little mate." Bunny's deep accented voice filled my ears. I turned around. All the other Guardians had arrived for the dessert buffet and they were all staring at me, or was it the ice cream?
"Nope! Definitely not pushing it." I gave the ice cream another lick and moaned. It was sooooo good! "I should've broke my no stealing rule ages ago!" I took another lick.
"Jack," I saw North come towards me and I couldn't help but tighten my grip on the ice cream container. "Have you never had ice cream?" His face looked blank but there was a sadness to his eyes.
"Yep." The 'p' popped extra hard because of my sticky lips. I licked my lips and wiped them on my sleeve. "Not one bite before this. It's not like ice cream grows on trees, and I wasn't gonna steal it. But maybe I should've." I mused to myself. I was going to another lick before North's hand landed on my shoulder. I couldn't help but flinch. "What?" I looked at him. Was he going to take the ice cream away from me?
"Let me get a bowl and spoon for you. It would much easier to eat." I looked down debating North's offer. It was his ice cream. He would know how to eat it best.
"Okay. But not to small, got it? I'm a growing kid here." I joked looking into North's eyes. They all smiled, Bunny just huffed but there was a twitch in his lips. I turned back to the table looking at the desserts. The cookies were stacked according to what was inside of them and there was five stacks. What could fit in a small circle of batter? There were things that looked like cupcakes kids ate but they were fancier. I recognized what North called a fruitcake. There was jello, or was it jelly? It was kind of overwhelming. I knew I had to try the ice cream but what would I try next?
"Jack, are you alright?" Tooth fluttered next to me.
"Yeah. I'm well rested and I've been a great patient! Sides are fine." There was a dull but hard throb on my right side. "Now it's time for some sweet treats." I say off-handedly. Were pastries good cold? What were pastries anyway? What about candy? Would I get what kids called a sugar rush? Why is there pink bread? "Tooth, why is that," what was the rectangle bread thing called again? Cake! Or was it pastry? "Cake or pastry thing pink?"
"It's strawberry cake. My favorite." I nod. Better leave that for her. "You haven't had any cake or desserts before?" Tooth's eyes had a shine to them indicating the true sadness she held. It kind of rubbed me the wrong way,
"Why do you think I got such perfect teeth?" I asked with a smirk. I even showed some of my teeth hoping that she would get distracted. Her eyebrows just furrowed more. I rolled my eye in exasperation. "Oh come on Tooth, it's not that big of a deal. Some kids don't get to try sweets till they're adults. Plus, I had some sweet plants here and there."
"You sound more like a rabbit than me mate." Bunny smirked at me. I glared back.
"Well yeah, you're not a rabbit you're a Kangaroo." I heard him growl as I turned away from him. I felt Sandy tug on my jacket. When I looked at him he sanded a knife and fork and pointed to me. "What did I eat? Chicken noodle soup." I knew he was asking about the three hundred years but they didn't have to know about that.
"No you gumby. He meant before." Bunny rolled his eyes. I flashed him another glare. Couldn't he just mind his own business. I was in this whole mess because of him. Granted I was in North's workshop and I tried ice cream, but besides that, the rest of this not running thing was uncomfortable. I'm not running anyway, so I'm good. They already know, other things. They don't have to know everything.
"Why does that matter? It's not like that affects anything now." I said nonchalantly. Sandy pouted, Tooth began to bite her lip in worry, and Bunny had his scrutinizing glare again. "Seriously guys, it's no big deal. Stopping worrying about it." Stop pitying me. I hate it. I'm not some abused animal.
"Why has no one dig in? This is sweet victory buffett. We must dig in!" North's cheerful yell grabbed everyone's attention. I was so thankful for North's sudden entrance. I didn't want to say anything I would regret.
"I'm with ya' North!" I went around Sandy turning my back on the other Guardians. The previous conversation was done. "Where's my ice cream?" North's hands were behind his back and his eyes sparkled as he chuckled.
"TA-DA!" North pulled out a small mountain of some white puffy stuff, dark brown liquid, and a cherry on top.
"Is this a," I know the word. It's literally on the tip of my tongue. Got it! "Sundae! Sundae, yeah. Is this a sundae?" I asked North. There was a flash of something in his eyes but his natural joy quickly masked it.
"Yes! Handmade special by me for hero of battle!" North handed me the sundae and a spoon. I took a big bite. I thought plain ice cream was amazing, whatever was on the vanilla ice cream now was heaven! The white stuff was airy and sweet. The liquid was definitely some sort of chocolate. The vanilla ice cream seemed to exaggerate the flavors.
"North, this is, so, AMAZING!" I moaned between bites. "I should try being a hero more often." I mummered. I stood eating my ice cream as everyone else got a plate. Ice cream made this whole staying thing worth it. I wonder what I would have to do to get more.
"Jack, you can sit down and eat." Tooth quipped, putting a hand on my shoulder gently. She had a plate of berries, a piece of strawberry cake, and a few cookies. Compared to North's mountain of pastries and cookies, Bunny's multiple bowls of puddings, cake, and ice cream, and Sandy's assortment of everything in the buffett, Tooth ate like a bird. A chuckle escaped my lips. "What's so funny?" She asked with mock anger. Her eyes showed her spark of fun.
"Nothin' Tooth." She raised her eyebrow at me in disbelief. This just made me chuckle more. "It's just that you eat like a bird." Tooth looked at everyone's plates and her own. Soon she began to laugh.
"Just a fairly good habit." She smirked. I wanted to roll my eyes or tell her how bad of a pun that was but I had ice cream in my mouth. It was so good!
"Oi! Shelia! Frosty! Come sit down with us." Bunny yelled. Tooth shook her head, smile on her face as she flew to sit down between Sandy and Bunny. I hesitated I did want to sit down with them but everything in my body froze. I didn't realize that my hunger was dulling my pain. My sides throbbed in sync of my heart beat. Plus, I never sat down to eat. Sitting made me vulnerable, especially when I was injured. I only did it when I was physically and/or emotionally exhausted. Right now, I was in too much pain to be either. I put a spoonful of the sundae in my mouth to cover my gasp of pain. I swallowed and gained my composure.
"I'm good guys. It's more comfortable for me to stand." It wasn't a lie. I just didn't tell them everything. Which they must've known because now they were all looking at me in concern or in Bunny's case suspicion. Great, I ruined the party. Jack Frost can't be a party ruiner. You make a mess everywhere you go. So not the time for this. "Really guys, I'm fine." Sandy sanded a frowny face and me holding my sides. I put another bite of ice cream in my mouth. The pause gave me time to hold my composure as another throb brought a shiver of pain. "Nah, I heal pretty quickly."
"Now I know that's a lie." Bunny stated bluntly. I glared at him. Why did he have to bring up every freaking thing I didn't want brought up?!
"And how would you-"
"You had two fractured ribs and one that was actually broken." Bunny's eyes and voice were hard, freezing me to the spot. I heard Tooth gasp. "The rest of them were bruised. It would've taken me at least a good three weeks to heal. And that's if I rested for at least three days." I couldn't prove him wrong because even now my right side throbbed with each breath. But I'm also a big stubborn idiot that just had to prove everyone wrong. So that they wouldn't be right about you? Not now stupid negativity!
"Well I'm not you. I am FINE." I said icily. "I've dealt with worst." That statement did exactly what I wanted, something flared in Bunny's eyes. Except only part of it was anger. There was another emotion there. I didn't know what it was though.
"Is that true?" I turned in surprise. Ow, another throb of pain. Tooth looked at me, tears definitely in her violet eyes. Great. "Is it true that you've had worse than what you had now?" Her violet eyes bore into me as she got up and fluttered towards me. Her eyes carried so much sadness and, and pity. I look at the rest of the Guardians. They were staring at me waiting for the answer, but I saw the growing pity in their eyes. I backed away from Tooth hitting a counter. I grunted in pain. "Jack!"
"DON'T!" I yelled. I was panting and looking at the ground. Whether I was I panting in pain or at the sudden anger I felt I couldn't tell. "Don't touch me. I don't need your pity." I growled. "I'm fine. I was fine, I am fine, and I will be fine." My words died to a whisper as I realized that somewhere in my head I didn't really believe my own words. I looked up. Now everyone was up. They were leaning towards me. I realized I was leaning heavily on the counter for support. I showed weakness. I'm showing weakness. I am weak. My head screamed to run. So I did.