Chapter 71
Song chapter incoming- Ain't Even Done with the Night, by John Mellencamp.
Today was the day, their final day at Corneria high school. Fox strapped on his backpack, admiring the early morning springtime weather outside. 'So, it's finally here.' Fox was looking forward to the future that awaited himself as well as his friends, but he couldn't help but shake the bittersweet feeling that overcame him.
'This is it, I guess.' Three years had passed since he and his friends began at this high school. He started with three friends, and ended with two. Sort of, one of them just happened to be more than a friend.
The bittersweet feeling had to halt itself for the time being, because the thought of that one person who was a bit more of a friend brought a single word to the young vulpine's mind.
'Prom.'
Something that had been on his mind for a few weeks, but didn't act on it. For all he knew, Krystal was ready to get out of high school and start her future with the team.
"Hey, ready for your last day?" His mom disturbed his thoughts while he unknowingly finished his toast.
"I hope so. It's hard to imagine that it's actually here."
"Before much longer you won't have to imagine anything. You'll need to leave soon, don't wanna be late even if it's your last day."
"Yeah, guess you're right. I think we're gonna go to prom tonight."
"Where is it at?"
"I don't know, I haven't really thought about it much. I don't know if Krystal wants to go but…I think I do."
"It isn't a bad idea. You'll never get to go again, it's nice for you to at least consider the option."
"Yeah I still don't know," Fox glanced over at the clock, "Gotta go, but just in case, can you see if dad has a suit that I may can fit into?" His mother gladly nodded along as he smiled and walked out the door with his backpack in tow.
'Prom, tonight. Can I really throw this together in an afternoon? How am I gonna ask her?' These thoughts clouded his mind so much that he was already at Krystal's house, not even knowing it. 'I've got a complicated day ahead of me.' He saw Krystal emerge from her house and run down to the curb, eager to see the driver of the car that sat beside it.
"Hey, you look nice on your last day."
"Thanks, you look great too." She smiled as she sat down, knowing how close the two of them were to a new life, when today concluded.
"So today is the day, do you think you're ready for it?" Fox nodded his head while driving. He was ready for the new life that awaited them, but to turn away from their high school career so fast? She didn't seem to have any interest in one last goodbye to the past two years they had spent here. Fox felt the bittersweetness again, he couldn't just leave this behind. He realized that it's time to move forward, but he was prepared for one last thing.
"So did you see that they're holding the prom tonight?"
"Yeah, I remembered it being a lot sooner last year. Wonder why they changed the date on it?"
"No telling why, it is kinda odd how they had it scheduled so late." Fox tiptoed around the topic, just this once was he one to beat around the bush, hoping that Krystal didn't catch on too fast.
"Have you ever been to something like that? Besides homecoming last year?"
"Yeah, before we moved here I went to a dance back on Cerinia. Things were a little different there but it's similar to what a 'dance' constitutes as here."
"Different? How?"
"Back on Cerinia, where everyone is a telepath, you didn't just ask. Considering everyone can hear or read minds, we had an event where you would find the one who wanted to go with you. So perhaps it was less formal, but it was different."
"Did you like it?"
"It was okay, I didn't really wanna go because they aren't my thing as a whole. But the guy was nice, I didn't wanna hurt him and he was pretty fun that night anyways." They reached the school and began walking towards their usual spot, awaiting Slippy and Falco. Fox realized how little he had asked Krystal of her former life, back when she still lived on Cerinia. It dampened his mood slightly, but he did realized that after today he had a long time to learn about her old life.
"Hey guys, ready for the end?" Falco's tone was unusual, almost genuine.
"I'm ready, I'm so looking forward to this new…life. It's non-traditional, but I think it's something that fits us." She really was ready to leave.
"You guys see what's tonight?" Falco shook his head, even though it was apparent he knew the answer. "Yeah I heard about that. You know what I think of dances, so me and Slip are gonna go play some games online tonight. You guys wanna come?"
Fox hesitated a little, but an answer quickly came. "Yeah that'd be great. Since I haven't played games with you guys all that much." Krystal answered for him, confirming his fears. She really didn't have any interest, not just this once? One last time, and it appeared the desire for one last time was one sided?
The morning bell saved Fox's attention as he headed for his first class. 'She doesn't wanna go? But I always thought she'd love to go to something like that. But she'd actually rather play video games…' Any other event, Fox would be more than glad to hear about this idea. This time was different, this was the last time they'd have this chance, and she would still rather go play video games.
'I have to ask her, even though I think I know the answer.' He stood outside the front office as usual, knowing that Wolf wouldn't be at lunch today. He and Panther were both absent from the first class, Fox had guessed they took off on their space mercenary idea already.
"Hey, something bother you? You look like you're in thought." He winked at the vixen who had already grabbed his hand as they walked towards the cafeteria. Fox sat silently at the table until he worked up the courage to ask something. "So why don't you like dances?" She took a gulp of her drink while forming her thoughts.
"I think it's just because there's something else I would rather be doing. Like how sometimes you go somewhere because you have to, or think you have to, and you really think of somewhere else you'd rather be. Ever had one of those moments?" Fox laughed as he recounted a few moments like that.
"Do you…want to go to prom tonight?"
Maybe not the best time to ask, considering she had just told him why she doesn't like going to dances.
"Do you think they'll let us?"
And she just agreed to it? Just like that? Without any questions or protest and she sounds like she's down to go? "What do you mean?"
"I mean, don't you have to buy a ticket or something? And aren't there people who will be taking some kind of attendance or something?" The questions posed by Krystal showed that indeed this wasn't the first time a dance of this sort had come up in her life. Fox didn't have any answers for her, this was really the first time he went to a real dance…with a date at least. If the two questions posed were the case, then it was apparent that his dream of one last dance would be short lived.
"I'll find out this afternoon before we leave. So you'll go? Even if you don't like dances?" She laughed as she reached and grasped his hand.
"Of course I will. I like dances if you'll be my partner, I'll go anywhere with you." Fox felt the warmth from those words, all this time together and he was still concerned about what she might think of his ideas.
"I'll go find out now, coming with?" She nodded happily as she stood up, strapping on her backpack. "I think I saw a flyer that said Mrs. Pax is the one who's doing all the prom stuff. I hope she's on her lunch break right now." Fox was happy to hear that Krystal was informed, much more informed than he was.
They made their way towards the teacher's room, hoping that they would receive an opportunity to speak with the older teacher. The classroom looked empty, but the lights were on. Shortly after knocking was the door opened and the two teenagers were happily greeted.
"So what can I do for the two of you?"
"Well we were wondering if we could still go to prom tonight? We didn't think about it until earlier today and we were hoping that maybe there's some way we could still attend?" Krystal sounded almost nervous, maybe she too was feeling the anxiety Fox felt earlier. Maybe now she was also nervous that their one last dance may be only a dream.
"Well, kids, I'm sorry." Their ears drooped at this introduction, not leaving much surprise to anything else she might say. "I don't think we can get you in. We stopped selling tickets last week. You could come if a couple doesn't show up, with the spot being sold already and whatnot. I'm not so sure, but I'll check with the rest of the board this afternoon. How about you come back after school and maybe I'll have something for you?"
It didn't help much, both of the teenager's ears were still drooping. "Hey, chin up Fox. Maybe she'll have something for us." They were walking down the hall, the dismissal bell likely to catch them.
"Yeah, maybe. I hope so." His somber tone persisted, despite the vixen's attempt at cheering him up. "I'll come see her right after school, since my last class is two doors down." Fox grumbled, but agreed as they split up for the rest of the day. Krystal knocked on the door as she poked her head inside.
"Oh great! Krystal please come in!"
'That sounds much more promising.'
"So then I take it you have something for us?"
"Well I certainly hope so. It's certainly not the most traditional idea…" Krystal laughed mentally at the last word, it seemed to be ubiquitous in her life recently. "So, like I said this certainly isn't traditional, but it's the closest thing I could get. So you know about Fox's dad? And what he used to do?" The vixen nodded. "So if we…hired him for security he would need some extra help with him. So perhaps if you and Fox could talk him into our offer, you two could come. Not the most traditional prom, but you would be able to come together. Maybe not doing everything you want the whole time, but as it dies down you could be more relaxed."
Krystal took a step back, trying to make sure she had this information correct. "So you're telling me, that if we talk Fox's dad into being hired as security, we can come to prom? As security guards?"
The teacher nodded. "And to be clear, closer to the end you can actually do the prom stuff. That's what I mean. Perhaps not your attire of choice, but like I said, it's all I could get. I'm sorry I couldn-"
"Thank you so much Mrs. Pax!" The vixen bolted out of the room before the teacher could even finish. She sped out to the front of the school, frantically in search of her friends. She vaulted over the wooden fence right in front of them, quickly catching their attention.
"Hey Krystal, did she give you anything?" The vixen nodded with exquisite vigor, trying to catch her breath so she could answer Fox.
"So, she said that if we can talk your dad into being hired for security, that we can come as security guards!" Her ears were perked as much as they could be, her smile as wide as it always was. Fox's ears weren't perked, his smile was more of a neutral expression.
"Security guards? That's the best she could get?" His tone reflected his appearance. She noticed quickly, her ears drooped a little in return as he smile began to fade. "Security duty was the best she could get us?"
"You don't like it?" "No, I don't really like it." "Fox, this may be our only chance-" He held up his hands, a grin forming on his face.
"But I'll go anywhere with you." She leapt on him with a hug.
"You're a real jerk sometimes." She felt him laugh back. As she leaned back from Fox, she looked over at Falco and Slippy.
"What? Oh no, don't tell me that you want us to-"
"Falco, please? Slippy?" The bird rolled his eyes, the frog did a little too. "Just this once? Please? That way we can still all be together one last time?" She smiled that radiant smile at the two of them.
"Aw would you stop it! With the smile and the eyes and the- agh! Fine! I'll go."
"Thanks Falco, aren't you a sweetheart? And Slippy?" He nodded happily as the plan fell together. "Great, now we just have to convince dad. Shouldn't take too much. Come on Krystal, let's go!" Fox took her hand as he ran towards the parking lot like an excited child.
"So you wanna go to prom? Shouldn't you have planned this a little more? You know, not the day of prom? And you want me to take all of you as security guards?"
"Yeah yeah I know, but it only came up today. And come on, it's a job. You don't have to pay us, and it's easy. Come on, dad, please?"
"One minute." James stood up and walked into his and Vixy's room. "What's that all about?" Fox shrugged his shoulders, he was wondering the same thing. A few minutes passed since James entered the room, Fox was about to get up and find out what was going on. As he stood up, James came back in the room with something unfamiliar in his hands.
"Dad? What's that?" James approached the table and laid it down. "This is-"
"Krystal, how about you go try this on? Perhaps not your favorite attire, but you'll have to get used to it. Better to start now rather than later, don't you think?" Krystal inspected what was laid on the table, trying to figure out why it looked so familiar. Then it came to her, it had been such a long time since she had seen one of these. It dawned on her what James was doing, and the previous owner of what was on the table.
She felt warm in her core, James was such a kind and accommodating person to everyone around him. "I'll give it a try, thanks for everything Mr. James." He laughed at the title that Krystal couldn't help but give him. She retreated to Fox's room to try on the proposed attire.
"That uniform used to belong to your mother. Even though she didn't want to be on the team, I always gave her one. I figure it only fits that Krystal has her own uniform for tonight." Fox smiled at his dad, "Dad…"
They heard a door open, and their attention turned over towards Fox's room. Krystal's uniform consisted of a vest, similar to Fox's jacket, and a pink-ish jumpsuit. "What do you think? Oh! Wait here, I'll grab the boots." Krystal approached Fox, with an unsure look on her face. "What's wrong?" "It's…a little tighter than I thought it would be?" Fox laughed, he remembered thinking that himself. "You'll get used to it, it's not all that bad after wearing it for a bit."
James returned to the room with a black pair of combat boots. "These should make it look better, Vixy had an extra pair." Krystal Slid the boots on, fastening the straps on the side and standing up. She spun around and held out her arms. "How do I look?"
Being a pilot aficionado, Fox's jaw would have hit the floor if he were in a cartoon. "Y-you look gr-great."
'Ugh! And I thought I was done being nervous around her!' Krystal giggled at his thoughts, she held true to only reading his thoughts when it would prove funny.
Fox shook his head out of his trance, remembering that there were two thing she didn't have. "Wait here, I have a few things to give you, the uniform's been updated since then." Fox went to his room to retrieve the missing piece to Krystal's new uniform. "Here, it's a small touch but it feels a little better." He handed her a pair of black gloves, she slid them on and flexed her hands a little to get the feel for them.
"This feels great, mostly. Now I just need to see for myself."
She walked towards the bathroom so she could look at her new attire. Krystal's face lit up with excitement when she saw herself. She was almost speechless, not exactly knowing what to say in response to what she sees in the mirror. 'This is…great.' Those thoughts were all she could sum up.
"What do you think of the colors? I know you didn't get to pick them, but I hope you like them for the night at least." Krystal's attention was drawn to the doorway, James and Fox were standing by it as James asked for her approval of the uniform. "It's great, I think it looks great." Her eyes beamed intently as she tried to contain her excitement, it was all really upon her. "Here, I'll go put mine on so we can compare." Fox retreated to his room to change his attire.
Fox was much more comfortable in his uniform, he had no qualms wearing it until the prom tonight. He stepped out with all of it on, fastening his red scarf around his neck.
"Wait a minute, I'm missing something." Krystal looked at her uniform in the mirror, then looked at Fox.
"What do you mean? Yours is the same as mine." She shook her head as she tried to recognize what she was missing. "Oh! Of course! Come on, let's go to my house."
"Why do we need to-Whoa!" Krystal grabbed Fox's hand and yanked him out towards the door, scooping up her backpack on the way out.
"So what are we doing here? Besides dropping off your backpack?" Krystal led him into her room as she looked around, playing with her hair just a little bit.
"Words please?"
She still had no response as she continued looking around, not touching anything, just looking. "Ah! Now I know!" She snapped her fingers, catching Fox's attention.
"What?" Still she neglected to answer Fox as she dropped down and looked underneath her bed.
"I almost forgot where this was."
"I'm not even gonna ask, because I'm pretty sure you'll ignore it." Fox's arms were crossed as she looked up at him, only sticking out her tongue at him.
She pulled out a small bin, with a small assortment of items in it, items Fox had never seen before. She rifled around in it, looking for something. Assorted among the items were toys, pictures, CD's, all sorts of items. "What is this? Some kinda memory bin? With nostalgic, memorable stuff?" Finally she responded to one of his questions, with a quick head nod.
Then she surprised him again when she was finished, with the object she pulled from the bin. "What's…that?" She laughed a little as she smiled at him, holding the object in her hands.
"It used to be yours."
"It's…been a long time since I've seen that. You kept it all this time?"
"I guess so, but as you saw, I forgot where it was for a while. It was something I put here after I got it, that way I would always know where it was, sort of."
Her nervous, almost laughing, smile appeared after she finished speaking. It had been so long since that fateful day Fox gave her that scarf, not knowing the impact it had. Even now, they both remembered all of that from so long ago. It certainly did seem like it was so long ago, certainly more than a year and a half. Krystal began to fasten the scarf around her neck, the same as Fox's scarf was. As she finished she turned around to look on the mirror of her closet door.
"It looks great, just like you said." Fox stepped next to her and saw the two of them standing side by side, looking as official as space mercenaries could ever get.
Fox put an arm around her waist as she leaned on him and lay her head on his shoulder. "Love you, Krystal."
"Love you too, Fox, always."
Fox looked over at the clock by her nightstand, it was almost 5, they'd have to be at the prom venue around 6. "Looks like we're short on time. We gotta get back home." The two foxes ran back to Fox's house, eagerly awaiting James' plan for the night. When they walked into the house they were greeted by someone dressed in a rather similar fashion to them.
"Mom? What are you wearing?"
"What's it look like? I'm wearing my uniform for tonight." It was true, she was wearing the same kind of uniform as Krystal, she's the original owner of Krystal's uniform after all.
"Krystal, you look great in that uniform, like it was made for you." Krystal blushed as she broke eye contact with the older vixen. It didn't last too long as James came into the room, dressed all the same as Fox except with a yellow scarf and a darker green flight suit.
"Alright boys and girls, let's get this prom on the road." James was ready for the night, but first directed everyone to the kitchen table. "Here, mostly for appearance rather than effect, hopefully won't have to use them, but they're airsoft if we do have to." James handed everyone a small airsoft handgun, they all looked just like a real blaster.
The four of them piled into the car outside and headed off for the prom venue. The venue was called the River Market, sitting next to the shore of a river. There was a large balcony overlooking the river, the shore only a small walk away from the prom venue. "Wow, this is great." Vixy marveled at the venue, a red carpet leading up to a registration table.
"Look at the food, this looks great." James was already sampling some of the food and looking at what he wanted to drink. The venue was split into two parts, one half had tables setup along with the registration table, the other was a dance floor with a small stage for the DJ.
"This is gonna be some prom." Fox said aloud as he and Krystal explored the new venue. They looked around, trying to familiarize themselves with the venue, making sure they knew where everything was. "Found the bathrooms- hey, look." Fox patted Krystal's shoulder and pointed.
"Hey guys, I figured you'd be here soon." Slippy came out of the restroom and greeted his friends. "Falco said he's running a little behind but he'll be here soon. You guys ready for- hey, Krystal!" Slippy had finally taken notice that Krystal also had her own uniform, just like his and Fox's. "Looks great on you! Sorry that I stole the blue away from you, if I had known I would have changed colors." Slippy laughed a little as he approached his friends, prepared for the night ahead of them.
"Sorry I'm late! Been so long since I had to put this thing on that I nearly lost it." The teens and adults turned their attention towards the large entrance to see Falco coming into the building.
"Good to see you made it. Here's the deal gang, it's just security business, for a high school prom." James crowded around everyone as he put his knapsack down on the table. "There shouldn't be any trouble, but these are for discouraging trouble." He handed Falco and Slippy two airsoft handguns as well, they slid them into their holsters and were ready to go. "Easy money for us tonight, so let's just have our heads screwed on right."
It was nearing 6 that night, the guests were arriving. All the teachers and faculty had arrived, happy to see everyone all dressed up. Mrs. Pax was ecstatic to see that Fox and Krystal made it to prom after all. The two teens waved to her as she attended to her last-minute duties as the prom goers flooded into the building, before long the building was covered in tons of people. The team of six floated around the building, usually in pairs, making sure that everything was okay and stayed okay. James and Vixy gravitated towards the large entrance to the venue, staying close to the registration table.
Falco and Slippy stayed over in the corner beside the stage, paying more attention to their handheld games than they did anything that might be a cause for concern. They enjoyed a small game that involved a bunch of friends racing go-karts on various different tracks.
"You wanna pass me, but you can't pass me, wanna know why? Because you- hey! You passed me!" Falco's look changed to that of concern when he realized the frog indeed passed him.
"What? Couldn't hear you over the sound of my kart kicking dust into your face." The frog snickered as Falco groaned and tensed up, focusing more on the game in front of them.
Fox and Krystal both moved around the room to various spots, since the other two pairs stationed themselves on opposite ends of the room. "Everyone here looks great, don't you think?" Krystal looked around at all the other teenagers dressed up as nice as could be. Suits and ties, over the top but likable prom dresses, corsages that looked like they cost a fortune. All of it was here for this year's prom. The two foxes strolled around the room, watching James and Vixy greet the teenagers and talk to the teachers.
They spotted Falco and Slippy in the corner playing games, something they easily anticipated but they still laughed at the intensity on their faces. Falco was focused more on his current game than anything before now, as he spun Slippy's cart out, regaining the lead. "Aw yeah baby! Back in the lead!"
"Hey no fair! I wasn't looking!"
"Guess you shoulda kept your eye on the prize boy." Falco grinned as he gained more distance ahead of Slippy. Fox laughed, he knew what was going on and had a good idea as to the words exchanged between them.
As the two foxes walked away from spectating the bird and frog, Fox noticed that an hour had already passed at the prom. "I can't believe it, just watching all these folks dance and do whatever, and an hour has already passed." Fox looked over at the clock, she was right. As he looked at the clock, he felt his stomach growl. "Man, I'm hungry, wanna grab some food real quick?" Krystal felt her stomach growl too, they forgot that the last thing they had to eat was at school, and that was quite a few hours ago. They browsed the different foods, taking their time considering all the selections. After sitting down and grabbing their drinks they happily chowed down together.
"Wow, this stuff is great! Better than the cafeteria, that's for certain." Fox laughed at Krystal's comment.
"Yeah, and the punch is great. I've had punch so seldom, but this is great. I don't remember liking it this much." One of the reasons for that may be because Fox didn't enjoy coming to events like this, really this had only been his second or third time coming to some kind of formal event.
"So you don't like coming to these?" Krystal's plate was cleaned off and now her attention was focused on Fox, her suspected but informal date for the night. "Yeah, I guess I'd just rather be flying or playing games or…" Fox looked around, the prom had died down a little. Perhaps half of the crowd had left, it was a little past 8. The prom ended at 10, there was still a little time left. As he looked around he saw a doorway leading outside.
"Do you wanna go outside?" He pointed towards the door that led out to the long balcony that overlooked the shore of the river. He stood up and held out his hand, as she gladly grasped it and they walked outside. The two teenagers leaned over the rail, looking at the reflection of the moon on the river.
"Wow, it's so beautiful. All of it." Fox looked out at what she was talking about, he guessed it must have been the reflection of the moon, or the waves crashing onto the shore.
"Close your eyes."
"What?"
"You heard me, close your eyes." Krystal closed her eyes as she leaned against the railing still. "What do you see?"
"Nothing."
"That's what is more beautiful than you." Her eyes shot open again as she looked at him. Only a smile that looked tired was on his face as he looked back at her turquoise eyes. He didn't say a word to her, only leaned closer.
She also spoke no words, only leaning closer to meet him.
They met in the middle with a slow but meaningful kiss. They eased apart as they looked out at the river once again, no words between the two.
"So…this is it? This is really it?" Fox sighed as Krystal asked him, he knew what she meant. "Yeah, the end. I just think back, when I look out at the night sky that's all I can do."
"Think back to where?"
"Everything. When we met, when you left, when it was just me and the guys. It makes me think of a lot." Krystal leaned her head on his shoulder. She didn't show it, but the feeling was all mutual.
"It's just…hard to move on from all this. You know, it seemed like it would all last forever, being teenagers. Being in school and all, but now it's looking like that isn't true." Krystal shook her head as it lay on Fox's shoulder, she remembered thinking the same thing. For so long, they were allowed to be just teenagers. Now, through his own choice that he still didn't regret, Fox sped up everyone's lives by one year. He didn't regret it, it was a step closer to his dream, it would just take time to get used to it.
"You know that I'll still be with you there every step of the way? I'm not leaving again."
"Yeah, I'd like to think that. Thanks, Krystal, for everything." He wrapped his arm around her waist as they gazed out to the night sky, the one they would soon become very familiar with.
"You're the best prom date ever, Fox." He laughed a little. "This is a date? I didn't really know, this isn't really your ideal prom or date attire, don't you think?" She laughed in return.
"You're silly sometimes, you know that? Anything can be a date, and tonight you're my date." Fox rest his chin on Krystal's head, slowly closing his eyes. "Looks like it's about time to clean up, shall we?" Krystal followed Fox's lead into the venue, only his team and teachers remained, a few teenagers were making their way out of the building as the rest of the adults began to clean up.
Fox's eye caught something unusual, his father up on stage talking to the DJ. His curiosity didn't last, as Falco and Slippy called the two foxes over to help them stack chairs. It was what they had planned to do, until they were halfway across the dance floor.
"Now I know why dad was talking to the DJ." Fox told Krystal as he tensed up. He recognized that opening, it was one of his favorite songs. Krystal laughed a little bit, a small shot of red showing up on her face.
(Well our hearts beat like thunder, I don't know why they don't explode.)
After he eased up, Fox let out a breath and relaxed, looking back into Krystal's eyes.
(You got your hands in my back pockets, and Same Cooke's singin' on the radio.)
As she looked back, he extended his hand to her. "Just this once?" She gladly accepted his invitation and grasped his hand in return. "I'll dance forever so long as you're my partner."
(You say that I'm the boy who can make it all come true, Well I'm tellin' ya that I don't know if I know what to do.)
Fox grasped Krystal's right hand in his, sliding his left around her lower back. Krystal in return put her left arm around the back of his neck as they tried their best to dance fluidly as one.
(You say it's all right, hold tight, well I don't even know if I'm doing this right.)
"Ow! That's my foot you klutz!" Fox laughed nervously as he looked down to see that Krystal was telling the truth. "Uhm, sorry."
(Well all right, hold tight. We can stay out all day or we can run around all night. Well all night, all night.)
"Krystal…"
He was without words, this was everything to him, and it was everything to her. She said nothing in return, only closed her eyes and lay her head on his shoulder as he returned the gesture.
(Well it's time to go home, and I ain't even done with the night.)
Kept you waiting, huh?
