Although his options were infinite, Siegfried was having trouble deciding what to do next. He did not know what could destroy the sword, but there were several ways that he could attempt to find out. After considering a number of options, two seemed the most prevalent - he could concentrate on obtaining knowledge about the sword, or he could seek power great enough to destroy the cursed sword. Siegfried considered both options.
Knowledge would bring him the confident understanding of Soul Edge, potentially with the ability to use it for the purpose of destroying Soul Edge. After all, the ability to know something is a central part of dealing with it. On a more practical level, knowledge can allow one to manipulate and manage things in various ways, and Soul Edge could not be an exception from this universal rule.
Power was a different story altogether. Siegfried knew of no thing powerful enough to destroy the cursed sword. It seemed indestructible. However, he reasoned, even Soul Edge was an object of this world, and thus, it could be destroyed, and things stronger than it could be created. It seemed that if he were to obtain a power even greater than Soul Edge, then the sword could be destroyed.
Seek knowledge to destroy the cursed sword, or seek power to destroy the cursed sword. Both of these options seemed equally sensible to him. Using no form of higher logic was he able to deduce which choice was superior to the other, and which he should decide on.
However, the deciding factor was neither logic nor sensibility - it was weariness. Siegfried had grown very weary of solving his problems by force. For a long time, it had been the only way he knew, but now he was tried of doing things in such a way - he wanted to deviate from that path, to seek a new one, to become a different, better person - not as much as an obligation to his redemption as a personal choice to obtain self-improvement.
And, so, Siegfried chose to seek knowledge to destroy the cursed sword.
In order to know everything there was to know about Soul Edge, he needed to visit someone who was extremely knowledgeable about it. One person whom he knew fit the bill exactly...however, there was one problem. The woman whom he was considering visiting most likely harbored an intense hatred towards him.
As Nightmare, he had assisted her in a way that was trivial to him, but earthshaking to her. The woman was tainted with the energy of Soul Edge, making her a prime potential host for the cursed sword - and so Nightmare had decided to keep her around him as a 'spare' host for Soul Edge. Not only would the woman abhor him for this, but he also had sensed from her intense disgust because of the massacres he had carried out. For more reasons than one, this woman was likely to want to kill him on sight.
And Siegfried was standing on her doorstep.
Isabella Valentine, or Ivy, as she preferred to be called, was a woman of reason - of sensibility. Siegfried was no longer Nightmare. He was no longer the monster who had used her and slaughtered hundreds of innocents for a selfish cause. He was an entirely different person now - his true self. Even more than that, he was seeking to destroy Soul Edge, the very sword that Ivy wanted to destroy, and to redeem himself, for the very sins that Ivy detested him for. It was because of these facts, Siegfried reasoned, that he could avoid conflict. That he and Ivy could get along peacefully, assist one another, and be partners once again - not a bloody partnership held together by black desires, but a friendly union with the purpose of cleansing sins and saving the world from the horrors of Soul Edge.
Using these thoughts to reassure himself, Siegfried told Tira to hide nearby, took a deep breath, and knocked upon the door to the Valentine Mansion. His knocking was answered quickly. Almost too quickly - as if someone had known he was coming, and had been just waiting for him to knock on the door...
"Who's there?" A voice rang out.
Siegfried recognized the voice immediately. It was unmistakably Ivy. ...However...there was something different about it. Something that threw Siegfried off guard. Her voice had sounded...
...Pleasant.
Siegfried had known Ivy as a cold woman, and expected her to be overflowing with hatred. Why would this woman have a pleasant demeanor? Perhaps he was being too critical of her. Perhaps she'd gone through a transformation much as he had. He felt regret for doubting this woman, and spoke.
"Isabella Valentine." He called out in a calm tone of voice. "I am Sir Siegfried Schtauffen. Let me first say that I come in peace - I wish you absolutely no harm, and I desire only a peaceful discussion. What I wish to discuss is Soul Edge. I seek to destroy the cursed blade, and would appreciate you sharing any and all-"
A shutter in the door suddenly flew open. It was located at eye level, and was just tall and wide enough for a person to look through. Two bright blue eyes were on the other side of the shutter, outlined by purple eyeshadow. A few strands of hair hung down over the eyes, the color of which Siegfried recognized as Ivy's. For a few moments, Ivy's gaze locked onto Siegfried's, and the two pairs of eyes simply stared at each other. Then, the bright blue eyes began to run up and down what of Siegfried they could see from the shutter. Judging by the haste in which the shutter had been thrown open, and the fervor with which the eyes studied him, Siegfried figured that Ivy was in a state of disbelief and shock. But, what he saw in those eyes belied that - he saw in her what seemed to be an unshakeable resolve. As if she was facing a test and was committed to passing.
"...Madam Valentine?" Siegfried asked, as politely as he could.
Ivy's eyes suddenly took on a pleasant shape. "Oh, forgive me! I've been so rude! Please, come in!"
The door opened, Siegfried saw Ivy, and his mouth nearly fell open.
Siegfried had only seen Ivy wearing one type of clothing - battle gear. What Ivy wore now was a long, elegant dress. She had the look of a noblewoman, not the warrior he'd seen butcher on the battlefield. The neckline of her dress drooped down low, exposing much of her cleavage. On her face she wore a pleasant smile, as if Siegfried was an old fried. But, in her eyes, he still saw that peculiar look of apprehension.
"So, you've come here seeking knowledge about Soul Edge?" Ivy asked cheerfully.
Siegfried nodded. "Yes. That is why I have come."
"I would be honored to have the pleasure of assisting you! I have amassed quite a lot of information concerning the sword."
Something was wrong. This was all too surreal. It couldn't be this easy.
"...I must...I must make one thing clear." Siegfried said. "I do not wish for there to be any misunderstandings, so I should clarify one important thing."
"Go on." Ivy said.
"...I...was previously Nightmare. I was once known as the Azure Knight." Siegfried admitted. "But, let me explain - I am no longer that vile monster. Nightmare is dead - but there is no guarantee that abominations such as him will not arise again. That is why I have come here - to gain knowledge of Soul Edge to find a way to seal it forever. Please, understand. I was Nightmare, this I admit, but I am him no more."
Ivy's response was nothing like Siegfried had expected. The entire time, she gazed at him with suspicious eyes - as if Ivy suspected that she was speaking to a con artist and was remaining cautious so as to not be fooled. However, the more Siegfried spoke, the more Ivy regarded him with a look that was less suspicious, and more of something that seemed sympathetic. And, then, all at once, that sympathetic look disappeared. For a few moments, the two of them merely stood in silence. Then, Ivy spoke.
"...I must admit, that was an absolutely wonderful performance. If you'd come yesterday, then I would have been fooled. But someone has already ratted you out. You can't trick me."
"...Performance? I assure you, I am not attempting to deceive you. I even just admitted that I was Nightmare! But, I am not him anymore, and-"
"Yes, that's an absolutely genius touch. Pretending that you're not Nightmare anymore. You are far more clever than I gave you credit for. But, as I said, someone pulled the curtain on your act long before you even came here."
"Who - who are you talking about?"
"Nightmare...allow me to show you something."
Ivy raised her hands to her chest. She slipped her fingers into the low neckline of her dress, and then slowly pulled it down even lower. The cleavage of her large breasts seemed to pour right out of her dress. A half an inch more, and she would be exposing her nipples to him. Siegfried was hypnotized in a mixture of confusion and arousal.
Then, Ivy gripped her dress tightly in her hand. She yanked it to the side, ripping it completely off of her body. The dress spiraled in the air between Siegfried and Ivy - but in the split second that Siegfried was able to see Ivy underneath the dress, he saw her clad in her old battle gear, and reaching for a weapon.
A tear was ripped through the center of the dress as Ivy's Snake Sword extended, shooting through it, the tip aimed at Siegfried's neck. However, thinking fast, Siegfried was able to parry the blow with his Zweihänder. He instinctively leapt back, and so did Ivy.
In this moment, he was able to observe her true clothing - white, blue, and golden battle gear, as well as a golden armored clawed gauntlet on her left arm. Her clothing just barely covered the 'forbidden' parts of her body, designed to boost up and expose most of her breasts, as well as showcase everything else. Siegfried had long figured that she dressed this way for the 'distraction' it provided in a fight. If Ivy wanted to prove that women have more power than what lies between their legs, then she was going about it the wrong way.
Returning his mind to business, Siegfried pled with Ivy. "Ivy, I don't know what happened or who came to you, but I am not Nightmare! This is not a trick!"
"Fool me once...shame on you. Fool me twice...shame on me. I'm not allowing you to deceive me again, Nightmare. And I am going to send you to the depths of hell right here and now!"
Siegfried's shoulders sagged. No matter what plea he made, this woman was convinced that he was Nightmare, and now he would have to fight for his life. So much for choosing the route of knowledge to avoid combat.
"Your end is here. DIE!"
Ivy rotated her wrist, causing the whip-sword to spin around. She twirled the hilt of the sword from side to side, creating a zone of danger on either side of her. She walked forward, bringing the spinning blades of the sword closer and closer to Siegfried. If this had been the extent of her tactic, then Siegfried would not have faced much of a challenge - but Ivy had not even begun.
As she reached a proximity to Siegfried that put him in danger, she spun around, gaining ground quickly, and Siegfried had to leap back to avoid being cut. She continued to incorporate unexpected moves into her deadly march toward him. Continuing to rely on the advantage of surprise, she changed her style completely and began to swing the whip-sword parallel to the ground, spinning her body around to keep up with it. Siegfried had trouble evading her blows, but still managed to avoid coming into contact with the snake sword's blades.
Seeing that her technique was bearing no fruit, Ivy switched to an even more aggressive tactic. She twirled her sword above her head, gaining it momentum, and then swung it at Siegfried. Her own momentum carried her forward, and she continued to advance on Siegfried, twirling the blade as she did. She swung it high and low, gyrating her body as needed to avoid cutting herself with her own attack, sometimes jumping and bending around acrobatically in what almost seemed like a dance.
Siegfried dodged and parried what attacks he could, but there were times when he could not and a blade or two of the sword grazed his armor. He managed to avoid any fatal strikes - but his ability to do so was lessening.
Finally, Siegfried's luck ran out. He successfully blocked a blow from Ivy's weapon, but could not evade her leg as she swung herself around along with the sword. Siegfried was knocked down to the ground, and felt a weight pressing down on top of him. When he looked up, he saw that Ivy was sitting atop his chest, with a thigh on either side of his head, and her Ivy Blade in sword-form, pointed at his head. Her thumb was poised on the trigger that extended the blade.
"This is the end!" She hissed.
"GET AWAY FROM MY MASTER!"
Ivy's eyes slid to the left just in time to see a pair of boots slam into her face. The impact knocked her off of Siegfried, and she flew back several feet. Siegfried looked above himself to see Tira, crouched like an animal about to pounce, glaring at Ivy. She jerked her head to the side to look at Siegfried. "Master! Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"I'm - I'm alright now, Tira." Siegfried said, climbing to his feet. "Thank you. You've saved my life."
Tira looked up at Siegfried in a way that seemed almost shy, and then she bowed. "You flatter your humble servant with words she does not deserve!"
"...What in hell is this?"
The outburst had come from Ivy's direction. She had recovered from Tira's blow, and was rising to her feet. "...Just who is this supposed to be? ...Did she call you 'Master'? I swear I'll throw up if the Azure Knight has his own personal sex slave!"
"Since when did you become such an assuming person?" Siegfried muttered, for the first time his temper nearly getting the better of him.
"It doesn't matter if I'll have to fight both of you at once. I'll just kill you both!" Ivy said, striking a battle post once again.
"Finally - a fight!" Tira squealed gleefully, raising her own weapon.
Siegfried had mastered patience - in some of its forms. He had the ability and willingness to endure a task would take a long time, even one that is boring. But one form of patience that he had not yet mastered was the ability to not get angry or show anger in situations of human communication when the other is unreasonable. Siegfried had demonstrated impressive patience in putting up with Ivy's irrationality up until this point...
...But he could take no more.
"...ENOUGH!" Siegfried bellowed, and the two women turned to look at him, surprised. "No more fighting! ...Ivy! If you're going to be unreasonable and not even listen to a single God damned word that I say, then I see no reason to remain here any further! ...Tira! Come! We're getting out of this place."
With this, Siegfried placed his Zweihänder behind his back, and began to march towards the door he had entered the mansion from.
"What? But - ...Awwwww..." Tira's resistance was minimal, and she began to reluctantly trudge behind Siegfried.
"...What...?...Wait. Wait!" Ivy called out. "You mean - you didn't come here to kill me?"
Siegfried turned his head, but did not stop walking. "No."
"Hold - hold on. Hold on, stop right there!"
Siegfried stopped walking, and turned around. The look he gave to Ivy was even colder than hers had been.
"So, now you want me to stay, do you? What made you change your mind?"
"If...if you really were Nightmare, and you really were here to kill me...then you wouldn't just turn around and leave at the sign of hostility..." Ivy said.
Siegfried could see that it was paining her to admit that she had been wrong, but respected that she wasn't being stubborn and refusing to admit her mistake. Such humility was worth returning.
"...Very well, then. Does this mean that we will be able to cooperate?"
"...I...I'm not sure. Exactly what kind of cooperation are you proposing?"
Siegfried sighed. Not out of frustration, but because of the exhausting task that now lay before him. "...I'll explain to you why I am here again...this time from the beginning."
---
As he said he would, Siegfried explained to Ivy the reasons why he had come to her. With Ivy now convinced that Siegfried was not Nightmare, the hostilities had cooled down, and Ivy was willing to cooperate with them.
Ivy, Siegfried, and Tira all sat around a table in chairs in Ivy's dining room. Ivy and Siegfried discussed Soul Edge and Soul Calibur, sharing with one another every piece of information they knew. In the end, however, they were disappointed to learn that they knew nothing that the other did not. Ivy had learned every detail about Soul Edge and Soul Calibur from a single book, and Siegfried, in his travels, had heard the story of the two swords told and retold, learning every detail in bits and pieces until he knew everything. Each of them had very little new knowledge to give the other.
"...May I see the book from which you learned so much knowledge?
Ivy's attitude seemed to change. "Oh - no, you can't see it."
Siegfried frowned. "But - why not?"
"Because it's been destroyed." Ivy snapped, as if Siegfried had asked a horribly stupid question.
"What? Why?"
"Last night, someone intruded into my mansion. They were seeking the book. They mentioned that it was a 'mistake' from their past, but I have no way of knowing if they were the author of the book or what. And, about that, they were the same person who warned me that you were coming."
"...They did? What did they say?"
"He told me that Nightmare had been resurrected, was on his way here to kill me, and that if I killed him - you - then all of the knowledge that I seek will be mine. He also warned me that, even though you may appear human, you would still be Nightmare."
"...That explains it, then..." Siegfried mumbled to himself.
"What? Do you know who that man was?"
Siegfried shook his head. "I have no clue. I don't know how he knew I was on my way here, and I don't know why he tried to turn you against me. If he sought to destroy the book, and sought to make us fight one another, then he most likely is attempting to prevent others from obtaining Soul Edge...which may mean that he wants to obtain it for himself. We should consider that man an enemy."
Ivy looked away, ashamed in herself for being used - yet again. Sensing that tension was growing between them, Siegfried decided to ask a question.
"Madam Valentine - what exactly do you plan to do?"
"I plan to obtain Soul Calibur, and use it to annihilate Soul Edge completely."
Tira giggled.
"What's so funny?" Ivy snapped.
"Hmph! If you're going to be that way, then I won't tell you."
"If you're going to back down, then don't open your mouth in the first place!"
"Hey, you've got it wrong! I just don't think you deserve to know what Master has!"
"...What does he have?"
Tira realized that her tongue had become loose, and she clasped her hands over her mouth and looked at Siegfried fearfully. Siegfried smiled gently at her in return.
"I intend on keeping it a secret from those who would wish to claim it only for malevolent purposes - but, as long as Ivy's goals are the same as ours..."
Siegfried removed his satchel, and placed it on the floor in between him and Ivy. He untied the knot that kept the bag closed, and slowly pulled it down, revealing its contents.
Ivy nearly leapt. "This...! This is...!"
"Yes." Siegfried confirmed. "Soul Edge and Soul Calibur."
Ivy leaned forward and bent to the left and right, observing the Soul Embrace from different angles. "...How ironic. " She mumbled. "History truly does repeat itself. Twice now, you've held the legendary sword that I've sought, without me even knowing about it." She looked closer. "...What exactly...why are they..."
"The two swords have ensnared one another. Each one is keeping the other in check; they are in a frozen state. Neither one has any real power at the moment." Siegfried said, answering the question that Ivy had not been able to put into words.
"...I see...So - so, this means, that Soul Calibur cannot be used to destroy Soul Edge?"
"Not in its current state."
"...If we were able to remove Soul Edge from Soul Calibur, what then?"
"I am not sure." Siegfried admitted. "When I tried to destroy Soul Edge with Soul Calibur, the holy sword was unable to do so. It may simply be incapable of destroying the sword...only capable of keeping it in check, as it was forged to."
Ivy's shoulder's sagged, and she looked down. She had the look of a very, very disappointed person - but not of a defeated one.
"In that case, what shall we do?"
"That is what I came here to find out..." Siegfried replied.
Ivy crossed her legs and arms and looked to the side, obviously frustrated. Then, it seemed as if a thought had occurred to her.
"...How do I know that you are really not Nightmare, and that your true intentions were not to come here to learn how to destroy Soul Calibur?"
"This again?" Siegfried sighed, and rested his head in his hand.
"Hey, Master is telling the truth!" Tira suddenly said. "I've known him for a while now, and he's not lying about this!"
"Ah, yes, and then we have..." Ivy gestured at Tira. "...This. Who exactly are you, anyway?"
"I'm Tira! I am Master's slave."
Ivy's eyes turned to Siegfried's for a clarification of Tira's lacking explanation.
"Tira is a traveling companion. The reasons for which she joined me are...complicated, but she is a useful ally...as she proved today."
Tira beamed proudly, and Ivy looked to the side, not pleased to be reminded of her earlier defeat.
"...Which brings me to another issue that I wanted to address. Ivy...I was considering asking you to join us."
Of all the shocking things Siegfried had revealed to her that day, it was this proposition that garnered the most significant response. Ivy looked shocked that Siegfried would suggest a partnership.
"You and I both know firsthand the horrors of Soul Edge. We were both used by it. We both wish to destroy the sword completely. We both possess a thorough knowledge of the sword. Working together, we could only achieve our shared goal quicker and more efficiently."
Ivy expressed her feelings by shaking her head from side to side and laughing. "Did you...did you really just suggest a partnership? Don't you remember what happened last time?"
"That had nothing to do with me. The person - the monster whom used you was not I. It was Soul Edge. Does it not seem fitting to you that you would join with someone who was used by Soul Edge in order to extract your revenge upon it for using you?"
"Fitting? More like ironic." Ivy scoffed. "Although a union may be efficient, I have qualms about joining with...you."
"But, it wasn't..." Siegfried's voice trailed off. If he continued to argue, he and Ivy would merely be repeating their points over and over again.
"Sorry." Ivy said.
"No! Don't decide so quickly. This could be a major help in us both reaching our mutual goal!"
"It would be too awkward, Nightmare or not. I simply don't want to join up again."
Siegfried looked down, disappointed and defeated. He took a deep breath, and gave a long sigh.
"...Well...I suppose that there is no reason to remain here."
Ivy did not seem affected by this comment at first, but then her eyes grew wide. "...Wait! Are you going to take the swords with you?"
"Of course."
"No - I want them. I want to keep them here. I know I can find a way to destroy Soul Edge using alchemy and magic."
"Don't do such a thing! It'd be foolish. You don't know how to manipulate Soul Edge. You could do something horrible. You could destroy Soul Calibur and make Soul Edge even more powerful than it already is. It could seduce you and possess you. The possibilities for things that could go wrong are endless!"
"You're saying a lot when I haven't even gotten the chance to try anything yet!"
"Better safe than sorry; I don't want to risk another Nightmare. Tampering with Soul Edge leads to horrible things, no matter what your intentions are."
"You...you...!"
Ivy's hand flew to the hilt of her Snake Sword. In a second, Siegfried's hands were clasped around Requiem's hilt, and Tira grasped her own weapon. The three of them stood as still as statues, each keeping an eye on the other. The situation was a bomb waiting to go off that could result in deaths - even in another Soul Edge catastrophe.
Eventually, Ivy's posture relaxed. She took her hand off of her Ivy Blade, and Siegfried and Tira let go of their weapons, as well.
Ivy practically fell back onto her seat, and covered her face in her hands. "This is stupid!" she hissed. "Soul Edge and Calibur are right there, and I can't do a damned thing with either of them!"
"That is what our quest is about." Siegfried said softly. "Finding a way to solve the problem. We weren't able to make any headway here, but there are other options. There always are. We'll think of something. We'll go somewhere else. We'll find a way. I won't rest until I do."
Siegfried saw Ivy separate her fingers just enough for her to peak through them. She looked up at Siegfried, in a way that almost struck him as shy. And then she looked down again.
"My proposition still stands. I will give you as much time as you need to think about it." Siegfried turned his gaze toward a window. "...The sun is setting, and we are all very tense and weary. We should rest before doing anything else."
Siegfried saw Ivy slowly bob her head in agreement.
"Hey, Ivy, can we stay here?"
These words had come from Tira. Siegfried and Ivy both looked at her in surprise.
"Um, I'm sorry if it's rude to ask, but, I mean, we need a place to stay, and surely this place has got a few extra bedrooms. You're the only one who lives here, right? Wouldn't you be letting this place just go to waste if you didn't let some other people use it, too?"
Ivy stared blankly at Tira for a moment, and then her head rolled back and she laughed heartily. "...Ha ha ha! Hm...Tira, was it? Perhaps you're right...it does get lonely. Maybe it is time that the Valentine Mansion had guests. You may stay here for the night. And, Night...I mean, Sir Schtauffen. I will consider your proposition."
Siegfried's mood improved greatly. "My utmost gratitude, Madam Valentine!" Siegfried said, performing a deep bow. "And, you may call me Siegfried."
Ivy watched Siegfried doubtfully, at first believing that his sudden formality was meant mockingly - but then decided that he was being sincere. She chuckled. "...And, you may call me Ivy."
Unbeknownst to both of them, Tira watched their interactions with a disapproving eye.
---
There were a few paintings in the room that Ivy had allowed Siegfried to use. Siegfried was no enthusiast of paintings, but they were of extraordinary quality, and he decided to inspect them.
The first painting featured a young Ivy, looking around the age of 14 or 15, standing by her parents, who were seated next to one another. Ivy wore her hair cropped in a nature that was similar to her current one, and a long pink dress. Even at that time, she was quite 'developed' for her age, and was wearing low-cut dresses that seemed to stop just barely above her nipples. The expression on her face was a mixture of curiosity and shyness - a look that embodied the emotions of all girls that age. She rested a hand gently on the shoulder of her father. He was dressed like the rich and famous noble he was, and was holding the hand of a woman, his wife, also dressed like a noble, but dressed much more formally than the young Ivy. Siegfried was enraptured by this image of Ivy, and simply could not stop staring at her - not because of her beauty, but because it was so different to see Ivy as an innocent young girl, rather than the sexy vixen or icy warrior that she was today. As he gazed at the painting, he almost an emotion akin to regret - regret that Ivy had turned from an innocent girl into the cold woman she was today. If only everyone could remain a child; pure and innocent and ignorant of the horrible truths of the world forever...
Aware that the painting was making him feel far too old, Siegfried moved on to the next one. It was a portrait of Count Valentine - but his appearance was far different than it had been in the other picture. He held his hands in his lap in an impatient way, but it was hard to read his expression, because his face was distorted. Only one eye was visible - the left side of his face looked like it had been smudged. At first, Siegfried wondered if the painting had been damaged - but there was what looked like a scar on the left side of the Count's forehead, and the left half of his mouth seemed like it had been melted off. Siegfried concluded that Count Valentine must have been in an accident that left him horribly misshapen. He wore what looked like a black laboratory coat - the accident must have had to do with alchemy.
The last picture in the room was one of Ivy - this time, as an adult. The picture seemed to stress this fact by putting emphasis on Ivy's womanly features - her pouty, seductive lips, and extraordinary amount of cleavage. In this painting, she was wearing the purple dress she had worn when she had 'greeted' Siegfried earlier. She was leaning against a dresser, and resting her arms on it, which lifted up her breasts, accentuating them even more. She really did have amazing breasts. It was a shame that the dress was in shambles now, never to be worn again...Then again, Ivy had even sexier wear in her wardrobe, so it wasn't a loss.
The paintings chronicled the effects of Soul Edge on a pleasant family - it twisted and distorted the Count in both his mind and appearance, and turned an innocent girl into a warrior as seductive as she was deadly. It only further convinced him that the sword needed to be stopped. Maybe Soul Edge could not, in fact, but destroyed by Soul Calibur - but a way had to be found.